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Love at Kenny’s Urbanite Run

While most of us were worried over our race performance during last Saturday’s Kenny Roger’s Urbanite Run, Hector Yuzon, owner of Second Wind Running Store in Teacher’s Village, QC, had a little more on his mind.  Aside from running the 5k with his girlfriend, Tania Olea, he also had plans of proposing to her in the middle of the run!  Yes, he was excited about the biggest proposal in his life, but he didn’t know if he could pull it off as planned.  I’ll let Hector tell you what happened and, of course, what she answered!  

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– Tania and Hector of Second Wind -

[THE CHARACTERS]

Girl: Tania A. Olea, 31 yrs. old, more of a walker for a year
Boy: Hector T. Yuzon, 30 yrs. old, running for more than a decade  

[THE PLAN]

I chose to propose sa run because if I hadn’t gone through with Secondwind and traded my corporate life – our paths wouldn’t have crossed. So I owe a big part of our “discovering” each other through running. 

[PROPOSAL DAY]

That morning, I did a long run with friends Mikey Macainag and Michael Paderes.  For the most part of the long run, I was picturing Tania.  I was thinking: what could she be doing that morning?  Does she have an idea of what’s to go down tonight?  And then it hit me – bigla ako kinabahan.  What if she says no?  What if I lose the ring sa run?  The whole week, I had trouble sleeping and also practicing my proposal speech.  To all those who are planning their proposal: NOTHING will compare to the event proper!!! Anyway, as the 10k went off, I immediately thought, “Ay, kami na, 5k na?!  Oh no, I cant remember my speech”… I forgot what to say…Parang I wanted to shout: “Wait!  I forgot what to do!!!  Wait!” …but then the crowd started to push forward…so I just said to myself, “This is it!”

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[THE PROPOSAL]

As the crowd pushed forward, we were both enjoying the walk.  We took the sidewalk nalang so as not to bother the runners.  I personally enjoyed the walk because I didn’t know you can do that sa race – walking!  It was really relaxing for a change not having to think about your performance and just greeting and cheering on other friends!  Anyway, I was busy looking at venues on where to kneel down.  When we were at Mckinley Hill, she took a break inside Razons – there I grabbed the chance to check on the ring!  Thank God it was still there.  I had to pack it well, I had to put it in a plastic bag so my sweat wouldn’t ruin it, and then as I put it in the internal pocket of the shorts, the edges/corners of the bag was poking my hip, so I had to wrap it in tissue paper pa, and put rubber band around it to really seal and secure it properly! :D Then I saw the Venice area, the façade was near complete and it was nice!  Romantic pa (romantic daw o), but then it was well lit and there were a lot of runners – and I didn’t want to draw attention to Tania – and in turn pressure her.  So I said nice, but not feeling it. 

So there, after the turn around point – I said to myself, I better find “the spot” fast.  I even considered the big empty parking lot of Mckinley Hill… pero baka biglang may dumaan na delivery truck at masira.  Still walking back, after the last water station before Mckinley, I said this looks nice, by the condos and under the trees, still ang daming tao!  As I was running out of road, I said to myself: “Wala na, sa parking lot na bagsak nito…” and then suddenly, I saw the old closed grill resto with the mini golf… EMPTY and LONE.  This is it!  So I pulled her that direction.  

Tania: “Bakit dito?”
Hec: (bluffingly) “Eh doon din naman lusot nito e.”
Tania: (skeptic) “Ah..”  

And then I did my horrible speech… a week’s planning and writing, and my mind was still everywhere… and when I popped the question:   

Hec: (after my bad speech)…”Will you marry me?”   
Tania: (smiling, skeptic but now in shock) “Ha?  Ano ba?!” (and then pushing the ring to the side)
Thought in my head: “Did she just say no????!!!!  Crap!!!!”

Repeating myself (and more assertive)…

Hec: “I’m serious, will you marry me?”
Tania: (smiling before answering) “Yes”
Hec: “Thank God!”
Tania: “Bakit?”
Hec: “Ang sakit lumuhod sa semento.”
Tania and Hec: “hahahaha!”

Had my brain been in one place, the speech was:

Even though the people around me was saying, don’t leave corporate, stick with the sure thing – I still went with the opposite direction. Something or someone inside me kept whispering “go, everything will be fine”.  And since that day that I chased after secondwind I crossed paths with you. Even though we’re both old friends, I don’t think we would’ve discovered each other if I dint run after my dream.  I resigned to the fact that I will be married to my work while putting up secondwind.  after all that, good things started to fall in place, and having found this love is the single greatest and most beautiful surprise that came my way.    

One of the defining moments of a man is when he finally meets the girl that he wants to spend the rest of his life with, the girl that he wants to wake up to every morning, the girl that he wants to come home to everyday – will he treat it like another relationship and ignore all of the above?  or acknowledge the fact that this is the woman that I want to marry.  

Tania, this is my defining moment.  Will you marry me?

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– Newly-engaged couple ends their most memorable race ever -

[THE WEDDING]

TBR: When is the big day?  Will you marry after a marathon or in running shoes? :)

Hec: July 2010 (because theres no major race that time haha joke!).  Yes, I think she allowed me to wear running shoes :)   or at least that’s my interpretation of her smile.  I think the key here is to ask the entire guys request right after proposing!  Im still pushing for a running inspired wedding though…

To Hector and Tania, congratulations!  May you have many more kilometers to walk and run together!

Posted on 08.18.09 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 68 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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68 Responses to “Love at Kenny’s Urbanite Run”

  1. WHEEEEEEE!!!!!!! :)

    Here’s to love on the run! <3

    marga said on Aug 18 09 at 4:20 PM Reply

  2. Oh my gulay! Congrats, Hector!

    Mai Mai said on Aug 18 09 at 4:21 PM Reply

  3. oh and there’s a shirtless, tattooed Ate Virgie at the background! :D

    marga said on Aug 18 09 at 4:24 PM Reply

  4. What a beautiful story. Congrats Hector and Tania!

    Lance said on Aug 18 09 at 4:26 PM Reply

  5. isn’t this just the most wonderful running story?

    love and running have such a poignant connection.

    sunsniper said on Aug 18 09 at 4:41 PM Reply

  6. what a romantic story indeed! ;) i have yet to congratulate hector though! :D he could have proposed right there at the finish line with all the lights and people! :D

    Marvin said on Aug 18 09 at 4:43 PM Reply

  7. sila pala yun! I saw two runners holding hands as they were coming up Mckinley. I thought to myself: ‘Ang sweet nila!’
    Congrats!

    gerard said on Aug 18 09 at 5:03 PM Reply

  8. Hey, hey, hey, Lovebirds! Congratulations!
    This is the best Urbanite Tale I’ve Read so Far!

    sheerwill said on Aug 18 09 at 6:13 PM Reply

  9. awwwww!!! ang sweet talaga! congrats to hec and tania! here’s to wedded bliss! ;)

    vimz said on Aug 18 09 at 6:51 PM Reply

  10. AWWWWWW, I really like love stories…..

    Congrats Hec and Tania!!!

    Ate Virgie said on Aug 18 09 at 7:00 PM Reply

  11. Hi! TBR,
    Awww…. Its so sweet!. It sounded like it came from a running inspired movie…
    Will it make it as a featured article in the mag??? hehe.
    Congratulations Hector and Tania

    Earplugs said on Aug 18 09 at 7:29 PM Reply

  12. Naku… Bakit ganun talaga ano… No matter how you try to practice or visualize the perfect timing to pop the question, at the last minute everything changes. Pero once she says ‘yes’, you know you did the right thing after all. Congrats to Hector and Tania.

    Jinoe said on Aug 18 09 at 7:32 PM Reply

  13. Hey buddy, you guys really really look great together.
    Cheers to you guys and the years to come!

    I smell little Yuzons and Oleas just around the corner.

    Paolo said on Aug 18 09 at 8:46 PM Reply

  14. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!

    HOW SWEET! Sniff!

    Jeremy said on Aug 18 09 at 8:48 PM Reply

  15. oh my goodness, this is soooo romantic, had tears in my eyes while reading (i’m such a crybaby). galing mo TBR, what a great scoop to put in your blog

    hector – congratulations! and i really admire your leap of faith.

    - khun (kathy c from sms)

    khun said on Aug 18 09 at 8:59 PM Reply

  16. awww….so sweet :D

    tdi said on Aug 18 09 at 8:59 PM Reply

  17. congrats Hec and Tania!

    mond said on Aug 18 09 at 9:19 PM Reply

  18. Congratulations to Hector and Tania!

    Owen Santos said on Aug 18 09 at 9:30 PM Reply

  19. wow, that’s a very unique proposal – a priceless moment! congratulations hector and tania – may you have more priceless ‘walk and run’ moments together!

    odie said on Aug 18 09 at 9:31 PM Reply

  20. Congratulations Hector and Tania!

    Although my marriage didn’t last, I still believe in true love and in the bond of marriage. I’m still the hopeful romantic so love stories like this simply warm my heart.

    If ever I fall in love again, I’ll definitely choose a runner!

    (btw, thanks jaymie for the get well wishes on air. tawa ako ng tawa while listening to you and jay. Nakalimutan ko ang sakit kahit sandali lang)

    Nora, the golden girl said on Aug 18 09 at 11:25 PM Reply

  21. Congratulations to Tania and Hector!

    hurdler49 said on Aug 19 09 at 12:00 AM Reply

  22. Hi bon!

    Betsy’s been updating me of her life with her boys (& yours, apparently).

    Congratulations!

    Ate Bun & Kuya Mon

    Beverly Sarmeinto-Joves said on Aug 19 09 at 12:05 AM Reply

  23. Wooot!!
    Congratulations to Hector and Tania!

    Hector-mukhang nagamit mo pati second wind mo with that proposal ah! =) Galing!

    Edufabian said on Aug 19 09 at 6:57 AM Reply

  24. eeep! goosbumps! CONGRATULATIONS to the newly engaged couple :D :D :D

    notsquare said on Aug 19 09 at 7:09 AM Reply

  25. Mam Tannie, :-)

    CONGRATZ! :-) GOd had given you all the blessings..Lucky YOU! :-) I am so happy for you..Best wishes! :-) Regards to CYMA Family..

    YENG DE LA PENA said on Aug 19 09 at 7:19 AM Reply

  26. *sniff* (that’s sipon by the way…)

    that’s one hec of a job, hec!!! congrats!!! =D

    Rod said on Aug 19 09 at 9:22 AM Reply

  27. nice story kuya hec! akalain mo yun, may ganong side? wahahaha seriously, congrats!

    so am i to call tania, ATE tania too? ahaha

    Congrats again!

    timmy sebastian said on Aug 19 09 at 9:23 AM Reply

  28. Certified ultra addict! Sa running dinaan ang proposal!
    Congratulations to you two!

    Neil said on Aug 19 09 at 9:29 AM Reply

  29. omg, that’s so sweet! congratulations to tania and hector! live. run. love…

    docpnx said on Aug 19 09 at 12:11 PM Reply

  30. Wow, what a great feel good story!

    rick gaston said on Aug 19 09 at 1:31 PM Reply

  31. salamat for all your notes. truly appreciated.

    salamat marga for noticing she said yes kasi hindi pala na send yung text ko to everyone that she said yes – which explains the awkard silence when we crossed the line :P

    jinoe – yes iba talaga pag moment of truth! kagulo! dapat ang proposal tinetext nalang or isulat sa hallmark card!

    owen – got your note. and yes i do remember us hanging out with you and your friends; na ngayon hindi ko maalala names nila kasi i was recalling my speech :)

    salamat mai mai, marvin, vima, kathy c, paolo, jeremy, edu, rod, timmy and everyone for the well wishes. im not very good with remembering names, but im good with faces and shoes :D sorry if i missed out thanking anyone here – mahina ako with user and code names

    salamat jaymie for this post. tania was teary eyed having read my speech again, this time sitting down na. that night kasi, she confessed, the only thing she remembered was “…will you marry me”

    salamat,
    tania and hec

    hector said on Aug 19 09 at 1:45 PM Reply

  32. Galing talaga!!! It took us a while to plan this, we also thought of strange plans for the proposal. But everything went well, we were all excited at the finish line. Final words, join Pinoy Ultra Runners and Second Wind and find true love hahahaha. Congrats guys

    Best

    Nev

    Neville said on Aug 19 09 at 2:09 PM Reply

  33. nevs, buti nalang we dint push thru with our other plans :D salamat salamat

    hector said on Aug 19 09 at 2:49 PM Reply

  34. It’s epic! :)

    Marvin Rae said on Aug 19 09 at 3:04 PM Reply

  35. Again, SINO ULIT ANG NAGSABI THAT HECTOR IS A “FAT GAY GUY???”

    marga said on Aug 20 09 at 1:21 AM Reply

  36. HECTOR! Congrats for finally finding “her”. Gulat ako dito pare. Kwentuhan mo naman ako next time magkita tayo. Eto na talaga: CONFEERMD!

    Larry said on Aug 20 09 at 1:47 AM Reply

  37. Hec. You SHOCK me.

    ;-)

    Congratulations :-)

    PIKA said on Aug 20 09 at 1:49 AM Reply

  38. Awwww Congratulations Hec!!!!

    Mary V said on Aug 20 09 at 9:28 AM Reply

  39. *sniff*
    Beautiful!

    Carambs said on Aug 20 09 at 10:26 AM Reply

  40. Congrats Hector! Running shoes on the wedding day will be sponsored by Mizuno!!! you can quote me on that! :)

    Musha said on Aug 20 09 at 12:41 PM Reply

  41. Congrats Hector & Tania,

    Saw you guys on the way down Mckinley Hill. I was wondering why you were walking. Wasn’t sure if you were HHWW though.

    Jawee said on Aug 20 09 at 1:59 PM Reply

  42. awwwww… :”>

    kenny’s should sponsor their reception!

    iandmac said on Aug 20 09 at 3:15 PM Reply

  43. musha, we’ll hold you to it!

    iandmac, i agree!

    salamat carambs, mary v, jawee

    hector said on Aug 20 09 at 5:45 PM Reply

  44. cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzy

    richard said on Aug 20 09 at 10:45 PM Reply

  45. Hec and Tania, Congrats to both you!!!

    annagee said on Aug 21 09 at 9:02 AM Reply

  46. maramingsalamat annagee!

    hector said on Aug 23 09 at 12:59 PM Reply

  47. Congratulations Hec and Tania!!! HAppy running for the rest of your lives!

    Michael Paderes said on Aug 23 09 at 2:55 PM Reply

  48. The proposal would have turned out as planned had Hec followed my advice during our run in the morning to kneel before Mikey and practice his speech, and ask Mikey to marry him!

    Michael Paderes said on Aug 23 09 at 7:05 PM Reply

  49. I just bought a shoe in your store and i was your last customer for this day…so this was the one that your buddy Bob asked me if i saw your blog about the urbanite…started in a run will end in a run huh??!! nice idea.. good job..congrats Hector!…looking forward to join you guys in your run.

    Bernie said on Aug 23 09 at 11:00 PM Reply

  50. Way to go Guys! That’s one for the books! Has anyone heard of a marriage proposal in the middle of a race route?
    Naah!!! Only in the Philippines. Congrats and may the Good Lord bless your tandem run of married life. Now I believe that running is not only alive and booming in our country, it looks like it’s ready to multiply…

    allan@rtcqc said on Aug 25 09 at 12:11 PM Reply

  51. Way to go, Hec! In fact, that seemed to be the ONLY way to go for you… proposal-wise, that is.

    So nice of you (and TBR) to share this experience with the entire community. Hope to meet Tania at the store or at a road race one of these days.

    She’s lucky to have you and am sure it works vice-versa.

    All the best!

    Bobby said on Aug 26 09 at 8:57 AM Reply

  52. Nice love story! What else can one say?! If love is in the air, then nothing else matters!

    Get ready for the greatest adventure of your lives!

    Best of wishes to the two of you!!!

    Mike Antigua said on Aug 26 09 at 10:28 PM Reply

  53. wow :) I read this story just now.

    Congratulations! Beautiful story :)

    Jean said on Sep 13 11 at 5:56 PM Reply

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