My 3rd Mizuno Run

It was a crazy, busy week; the kind of week where I had absolutely no time to even heave a sigh of relief and every hour or so the runner in me would delirously say to my working mom self: “You must run now or you will go insane.”

Seriously, had I not run the past few days, my hubby would be typing this for me as I would be strapped tight in a strait jacket dictating this from my bed in a mental institution. (Would you know if they have treadmills in there?)

On Tuesday, I ran easy for an hour on the treadmill which did little to alleviate my stress. So, come Thursday, I was like a raging bull determined to get large doses of running into my system.

I hopped unto my treadmill for a challenging 7 km. Then, after a brief rest, I showered to wear yet again another set of running clothes. Despite the cloudy skies, I headed out for the Mizuno Run Club slated for that evening. It was raining by the time I arrived at the scene but runners were persistent that it pushed through…and so it did.

Together with other runners that evening, I ran laps around Bonifacio High Street which, to me, was far better than the last Mizuno Run experience wherein I felt like I was playing dodgeball vs. speeding cars and jeepneys. This was a flat, safe course…which, I learned, is synonymous to fast in the running world. I ran 7 km at 5 min/km pace making my daily total for the day 14 km.

If there is one thing I love about the Mizuno Run Club it is the fact that I run alongside (or more like far behind) the elite runners. Yeah, I eat their dust and watch their long lean legs travel thrice the speed of mine but to simply witness them is a precious gift to a newbie runner like me. Throughout the entire run, it was Drew and I who ran at the same pace (perhaps he was slowing down for me?) so most of the time it felt like we lost the rest of the group. But, every now and then, we would hear quick, light footsteps from behind—almost like a herd of hyenas attacking little kittens like us—and it would be those elite runners in their short shorts (of course I notice those!) swiftly passing us by. Oh, it was awesome! Simply inspiring!

– When do I get legs as long, lithe, and lean as these? –

I headed home that night knowing full well I would be burning the midnight oil with the heaps of work I left behind. But, I was most definitely ready to attack it head on. I was energized and invigorated—and thank God—happy and sane!