Giving 'Em Away

My would-have-been comeback runs. My 143Go Run (Feb. 27) and Run United1 (Mar. 6). Yep, I gave 'em away.

My comeback runs were delayed. Thanks to my acute rhinitis that tagged along vertigo.

But instead of fretting, I did what I had to do: follow the doctor's advice. So I took a deep breath and surrendered my fate.

The next thing I did: contacted my runner friends with a breaking news - I'm giving away my 3K and 5K slots. NO CHARGE.

After a day of SMS and Facebook marketing, I was able to give 'em away.

Call me crazy for giving away my running slots for free.

But I think I will be crazier if I continued to hold on to my singlets - and cry for the comeback runs that never were.

And so with a smile, I really gave 'em away.

My comeback run may not be now, but it will happen soon. Or sooner than you think.

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.

My First 5K Run

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wrote this last September 2, 2010.

It’s been a month since my first 5-kilometer run. But I can still remember what happened during that day, because I thought it was going to turn out great.

August 1, 2010. I was registered to run my first 5K during The Rexona Run (Runrio Productions) in Mall of Asia. I woke up at 2:30 am to prepare because I was asked by my runner friends to be at the meeting place by 4 am. Although my run time will start at 5:40 am, my friends need to be there earlier; they will run 21K and 10K, respectively. Also, the traffic route will change if we arrive beyond 5 am.

I ate my two pan de sals and my glass of milk. Then, I laced up and went out of the house.

I started doing the usual stretching while I waited for the turn of the 5K runners to run. I saw the dawn breaking; I told myself that when the sun shines, I have made my first 5K record.

After the warm up that the organizers gave and the directions were presented, it was time. Air gun shot was made, and as my co-runners screamed for joy, we all slowly passed the starting mark.

I just remembered only one thought while I was doing my run (and walk): my only enemy is myself. I was not there to compete with anybody. I was there to have fun.

The 5K route was full of turns. It was so fulfilling to see the place around Mall of Asia by running. My eyes enjoyed the early morning sight – no traffic yet. Just streets full of running people.

A route mark at the end of the 3rd kilometer made me smile. I was going to make history for myself – I could do this! I’m going to reach 5K!

Just then, minutes after passing the said mark, I felt my head gone cold, and so were my fingers. I slowly stopped running and did brisk walk. But then, I felt slight dizziness. I got scared and started praying more loudly (I haven’t ceased praying since I started the run). I know it may sound silly, but I prayed, “Please don’t make me die today. It’s so silly to die while running!”

The slight dizziness was gone in seconds, and so the coldness that I felt in my head and fingers. I got another bottle of water on the next water station. I immediately poured some of the water into my head and neck, and then drank most of it. I actually never let go of the water bottle until it was empty.

I was thankful that I did not pass out. Unfortunately, I had to walk my last two kilometers. I was already feeling disappointed; a while ago I thought I can make a new record for myself. The sun has risen, but I was already thinking of going back to 3K on my next run.

One of the saddest things in life is to know that you can do something but just cannot do it because the risk is there, waiting to happen. I felt it that day.

I sadly looked at the people around me, still running up to the finish line. I knew I still can, but I don’t want to push myself anymore.

I immediately went to the First Aid Station right after I got my freebies. I was attended to right away. According to the nurses that checked me out, my blood pressure and pulse rate were normal. “Maybe you did not eat right, Ma’m,” was the remark of one of the nurses.

I remembered: I only ate two pan de sals and a glass of milk.

What the nurse said was further confirmed by my friends when they saw me. What I ate was not enough. I need to eat a lot more during race day so that I could burn them. The food that I ate was only enough for the travel that I did going to the venue.

Since then, I have learned to eat first before running, even if I would only run in our village. I have also started reading magazines about running to guide me on the right running positions, essential gadgets, and even the right food that I could take (I have been reading back issues of a free running magazine called The BullRunner (http://thebullrunner,com), and it has been a good help to me).

As for going back to 3K, after giving it a careful thought, I decided to put that on hold and continue to run the 5K. I know that I can finish a 5K run, given the right preparation. Another friend has given me a 5K preparation program in time for my next run, and I’m doing it now.

I am still sad every time I remember that day. But I am happy that I lived to learn from it. I would say that I learned a big lesson, but the good thing was I did not have to pay for it big time.

CONFESSIONS OF A BEGINNING RUNNER

wrote this last July 10, 2010

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Rubber shoes, check. Socks, check. T-shirts, check. Singlet, check. Bib with my race number and pins, check. Towel, check. MP3 player to keep me going, check.

I am ready for my first ever three-kilometer run tomorrow. I have prepared myself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I never intended to join such runs. I know that people do jog or run (or in my case, brisk walk), but I never imagined myself doing it – and eventually joining.

Two of my nurse friends have been encouraging me to run since last summer. But I was scared to start doing it because I’m not sure if I’m physically fit to run. I have to admit: I had occasional dreams of running (either running away or running after something or someone), but it doesn’t mean I’m good. I told them I’d rather do aerobics (I dance, and I think I’m good) than run. But come to think of it, the last time I did aerobics was three years ago. And I must admit (again), gym aerobics classes are expensive – not quite a good way of motivation. I asked myself: does it mean I will wait for me for afford aerobics classes before I make myself healthy? I carefully thought about it, and so I made an appointment with an internist.

“Unless you have a heart problem (your hyperthyroidism is well-controlled), I don’t see any reason for you not to start. Start slowly. If you want to join fun runs, preparation must be in place,” the internist said. That was the OK signal I never thought I’d get (I was expecting she would give tests). That week, I started right away. I told myself that I’m not going to let my hyperthyroidism (or any other whatevers) get in the way of me being healthy.

I started my 15-minute walk after my alarm clock sang “Don’t Stop Believing” (Glee version); it’s like telling me that it’s time. I remember the day: May 24, 2010. It marked our 20th stay in our current residence in Cavite. Well, I want to stay alive for 20 more years, so I got up and started walking in our village. I just ditched the idea that there are only two weeks ‘til the summer ends: I have to do this, or never do it ever.
It’s like angels were sent down to really make me hold on to my commitment: there were at least five people who were also walking around. I felt the relief: hey, I’m not alone in this! I was able to make three rounds on my first day for fifteen minutes. Not bad, I guess.

15 minutes turned into 20 the next week, then 25, then 30. After a month and a week, I’m now doing 40 minutes with jogging. I have also extended my distance to the village near us.
And now, I’ll be joining my first road race.

I do not expect to be the first to finish; I won’t even mind the time that I might be recording. What I know is that ever since I started, I know I only have one enemy – myself. And I believe that if I am able to start this – just like the life projects that I had – I know I’d be able to be a better me.

I don’t know what’s going to happen after I reach the end of my first 3K run. If I do well at this, maybe I could do this as a pastime. Maybe I’d go from 3K to 5K, then 10K, or even 21K (geesh). Anything can happen. For now, I am happy for the support that my family and friends have given me. I’m happy for the physical results that it has given me (I felt healthier than ever). I’m happy for the new things that I do because I still can.

As long as I’m wearing the right shoes, right attitude and running with the right people, I’d get to the finish line somehow.

See you on the road.