10K in Bromo!

      Last weekend, I ran a 10k in the village and mountain area of Bromo. It's only 2 hours away from where I live in Surabaya, but the difference is like night and day! As great as Surabaya is, it's a huge city, flat, hot, humid and full of traffic and pollution. The mountainous area of Bromo, on the other hand, is high in elevation, cool(and even cold at night...I could see my breath!!!), complete village and farmland and life there is just very simple. Any time I can get out of the city, it is so refreshing. Bromo is absolutely beautiful!
       I have been to the same area before and stayed with my friend Nana and her family, but this time, I went with Lisa and Carolyn and we stayed at a homestay the night before the race. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but were up for the challenge and experience! Experience- that's exactly what every race I've done in Indonesia has been. Whether it's been me and a couple other expats running among a sea of Indonesians and dodging traffic as we run, or if it's a well-organized, international marathon, all have been so unique. And every experience makes me love Indonesian culture even more. Usually the courses go through villages and small neighborhoods, with children and families as bystanders, cheering the runners. And at each event I've been to there's always a traditional music or dance performance. It's such a fun experience! The Bromo race was no different. In fact it was probably more of a raw view and unique experience of Indonesia, being in the village, because it was so far removed from everything. I was amazed to see how the people living there welcomed us and were such a part of the event.

This was the view from our homestay...that's Mt. Semeru in the background, the tallest volcano on Java. The views were absolutely beautiful!

Carolyn, Lisa and I before the race! We were all smiles and had no idea what we were getting in to! :)

     The race was so tough!!! The first tip off that it wasn't a normal race was that the race was called an "adventure run." The race was more like hiking a mountain. It was up and down long steep hills the whole way. Let's just say flat Surabaya didn't prepare me for that one!
     I have never stopped to walk during a 10k, but this one I stopped at the 3KM mark! Pathetic...haha  I knew I wouldn't be running for a PR, so I took the time to stop and take pictures along the way and take in the beautiful views around me. Sorry for the bad quality(I took them using my ipod).

This was the view from where the start line was. The marathon runners had to run to the highest point of those peaks...twice(it was a loop course)

There were so many villagers who came to watch! Before the race we met these guys all packed in the truck :)

The farming in Bromo is so unique! All the farms are on an incline like this, because, well...that's their only option!

These women probably could've beat me in the race...The farmers walk up and down these hills everyday carrying big loads like this to be sold. Amazing.

Some of our spectators along the way :)

I bet you can't guess what part of the race this was...Yes, it's the finish line and, no, the race wasn't over yet!! We saw a lot of runners having to weave in and out of traffic and dodge the motorbikes and trucks.

Despite our awful times, we still made 1st, 2nd and 3rd for women! I thought that was hilarious! We snuck up on the podium after the race to take this

     It was such a fun weekend, being able to experience some more culture in Indonesia. I would love to do this race again, and this time maybe even train a little! :)