The Essence of Character

I was waiting for my former teacher, colleague, and current mentor Ms. Belen when I saw this message on the wall. I have seen this many times but I never took notice of its real meaning.

I hope you'd get to reflect on it on this last day of 2010.

Happy 2011.

Getting Back on Track

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Last Monday, two days after Christmas, I “re-laced” up and walked for twenty minutes. And I made it.
This was the first time that I re-connected with the village road again, after being sidelined for more than a month due to a lower back pain injury (I was suspecting it was piriformis strain; my doctor didn’t say anything, though).

It was so disappointing when I found out that I need to undergo four therapy sessions for my injury. I felt I was already at the top of my own running game – I was able to finish my second 5k with a new personal record. I was still planning to run another 5k before the Christmas season, and do my runs after the nine dawn masses.

Everything was planned.


But still, I’m blessed to have undergone therapy. I have researched about my condition and it was said that it would respond well to therapy. It was way better than having surgery. Besides, I believed that I needed it so that I could go farther in the future. I was able to stop, hanged my singlet for the meantime, and just listen to my body.

It’s funny how life makes you feel invincible, and then makes you stop and think about what you have done.
After four sessions, I was cleared. But with conditions – I need to consult the doctor immediately as soon as I feel it again. And I need to be more careful (goodbye, three-inch high heels; hello, Naturalizer).

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And so I walked again – just like the first time, when I thought I would only walk. I think I was able to do six laps of walking (approximately 350 meters). I listened to my body, while Timex got busy checking my split.
I miss running. I miss the time when after four laps of brisk walking, I would start doing my baby steps and then slowly up my running level. I miss the times when my mother would tell me to stop just when I’m in the middle of my 15th lap. I miss the exhilaration that running brings me.

I miss paying running fees, joining runner friends, getting new singlets, hearing run start horns, running, running, running.

I’m praying that this is the start of me getting back on track.

Moving On

How do you continue for another day when a lot of goodbye’s have been said the day before?

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How do you pick up the pieces and try to put it together, knowing that it will never be the same?
How do you see the new day?

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What do you tell yourself – “I’ll be alright” or “I’ll be fine?”
How come you tell people you’re okay – but deep inside you’re not?
How come in spite of the many things that occupy your mind, it all boils down to “it’s still empty?”

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When will the day when you could proudly say “I’m back to normal” come?