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Guess who’s on today’s issue of Sunday Inquirer Magazine?

The article below is about how I successfully recruited hubby into the world of addictive running. Er, I mean, how running has become a part of our lives. Thanks to Joy Rojas (yes, of Takbong Pangarap fame) for the wonderful article…

The next article is about the 9 top running routes and 5 bloggers/websites, namely Ben, Takbo.ph, Running Shield, Bald Runner, and TBR. Thanks to Leica Carpo for the feature!

Congrats to good friend Ben Chan (Photovendo) whose photos practically filled the entire magazine!

A FILIPINA RUNNER’S DREAM

Her ultimate dream was to run across the Philippines.  In 2005, Joy Rojas accomplished this after running 2000km in 46 days from Mindanao to Luzon.  She was the first woman to run across the country.

She said that this achievement made her feel alive.  It compelled her to visit more places, do more things, and set out for even more dreams.

On May 11, 2009, Joy’s 44th birthday, she will embark on yet another dream run: Takbong Pangarap, a run across America, from California to New York in 120 days.  She’ll be running roughly 50km everyday for 100 days with only 20 days for rest.  Most of the time she’ll be running alone, accompanied only by a small support crew, Mat Macabe, her running partner and trainer, and Chuck Crisanto, her coordinator.  By doing this, Joy hopes to share this message: that there is no limit to the Filipino spirit and that all dreams can be accomplished through hard work and determination.

If Joy completes her run across America, she will be the first Filipina and South East Asian woman to do so.

AN INSPIRATION

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Takbong Pangarap press launch at Manila Peninsula yesterday morning.

– with Takbong Pangarap Team: Chuck Crisanto, Joy Rojas, & Mat Macabe – 

It wasn’t the first time I ever met Joy.  Over a decade ago, I used to see her running around Bel-Air village.  I had no clue who she was, but I remember thinking that she was such a tiny girl but she seemed so strong.  Last year, I read about her plans for Takbong Pangarap and wrote about it here.  As luck would have it, a couple of weeks ago, Joy and I met and I learned that Takbong Pangarap was finally pushing through.

So, there I was at the press launch, seated right beside Joy Rojas herself.  I was awestruck.  We talked about how prepared she was for this, how many shoes she was bringing (12 pairs!), her favorite shoe (Adidas), her marathon PR (4:11) and, just as she was about to be called for her speech, how nervous she was about talking in public.

As she talked, all I could think of was this:  Wow, I am so jealous.  I want to do what she’s doing!  It may not be my dream to run across America (at least, not yet!), but it’s my dream to go after my goals as aggressively and courageously as she does.  

HOW CAN YOU HELP TAKBONG PANGARAP?

Takbong Pangarap, Trans-USA 2009, will raise funds for the Philippine Heart Center and the anti-tuberculosis program of the Inner Wheel Club of QC District 378.  Here’s how you can help:

1. Sponsor or pledge.  Call Buensalido & Associates at 817-4471 or Chuck Crisanto at 0917-898-3621
2. For Pinoys in the US, run a few kilometers with Joy for moral support. According to Chuck, they are hoping that Pinoy runners in New York (calling Mike Mesina and Jud) can accompany Joy in the last 20km of her run. This will be on Sept. 8, around 1 p.m., starting at the foot of George Washington bridge until Joy crosses the finish line at the Philippine Consulate around 3 p.m.  For inquiries, email takbongpangarap@yahoo.com
3. Buy these patriotic Coach shirts.  A portion of the proceeds goes to Takbong Pangarap.  For more info, call Chuck Crisanto at 0917-898-3621.



– I love this shirt! –

Condura launches it’s Condura Race website today.  Click here to visit.  Undoubtedly, it is the best race website I’ve seen; a close 2nd was the recently held Happy Run.

– Look who’s photo found its way on the site! –

As if I wasn’t excited enough about running on the Skyway, they enumerated 9 other reasons why we should join the race.  And, I have to admit, they piqued my interest even more with the Condura Expo (wow, I hope there are huge discounts), a finisher’s medal, marching bands, cheering zones, and last but not the least, running with the stars (heehee). 

This race is definitely one of the premier running events in the country.  It’s probably a race that will be comparable to international running events.  Oh boy, time to start training, or in my case, heal from injuries…quick.  See you all there!

After a fairly good 8k Sunday morning run with the hubby, I was psyched.  We had lunch at The Fort Strip and, over lunch, all the positive energy in my body told me that I could join Asian Hospital’s RUNew this coming Sunday.  Since there’s no 10k in the race, we decided that we would run a relaxed 5k + 5k after the race.  Woohoo!

In less than an hour, I was already at  Nike Bonifacio High Street filling up the forms.  That’s when all things turned sour.  On the form, it said the assembly area was McKinley Hill.  On a normal day, that would have added a spark of excitement to the upcoming race.  But, with my ultra sensitive knee, the steep ascents and worse, downhills, would have my kneecap acting up.  I left the store dismayed.  

To make things worse, by the end of the day, my kneecap had flared up again.  Probably my knees way of telling me:  What makes you think you can race already?  Relax.  Be patient.  I’m going to get better soon.  Well, what can I do, I’m bullheaded.

I would run a marathon for you. 

That’s what Tank Turner (Dane Cook) told Alexis (Kate Hudson) in the movie “My Best Friend’s Girl.”  It wasn’t a great movie, but I loved that line.  Well, I kinda fall for anything that’s associated with running.

So, how far would you run to prove your love for your partner?  How much pain are you willing to endure?  How many pieces of chocolate are you willing to give up for your beloved (and for your waistline, too)?

For me, I would tell my husband this:  I would skip a marathon for you.  Now that, my friends, is the ultimate sacrifice.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!