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.

A Shangri-la Walk to Remember

I wrote this last April 22, 2010

I have never stayed in EDSA Shangri-la Mall longer than today. Between walking to meet my friends and staying where they were and waiting for them to pick me up, I chose the latter. I knew it’s the usual mall of the rich, but hey, there’s nothing illegal walking with them, right? Besides, I wanted to be alone for a few hours.

Brands that I know and someday, I’ll get to go inside their stores to buy:

1. Michael Kors
2. Marks and Spencer
3. Cole Haan
4. Naturalizer
5. Florshiem
6. Burberry
7. Top Shop
8. Ralph Lauren
9. Lacoste
10. Tiffany & Co.
11. Guess
12. Kate Spade


I sat down by the fountain after walking for thirty minutes, starting from the fourth floor. I longingly stared at the Haagen-Dazs but I resisted the temptation to buy, for a scoop costs P175.
I found The Nail Spa cute and amusing; but I remembered how good I am in cleaning my nails, so maybe I’ll never get to go there.

I saw a store called Audio Video Drivers International and got curious. It’s a store of everything AV gadget. I envied the staff as they watched a live football game using their cool flat screen TV while sitting in a very nice sofa. Hmm, I think I’d like to but those, too.

I walked past restaurants and got to see the uniqueness of their interiors; maybe I’d get to eat there, too. I just hope I’d like the food and that they word someday will be sooner.

I also saw stores for home interiors. Name it: kitchen, dining, bedroom, receiving area, even Asian and modern decors. Nobody’s going inside their stores, though.

It’s cool to kill time inside a rich’s mall every (like Shangri-la Mall) now and then after a day’s work. But I do hope that someday, I’d get to bring my family and other friends there. Not just to kill time, but to buy. I see butterflies and flowers as the mall’s ceiling decors. I think that day won’t be too far.