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When I am old and gray, I will look back fondly at 2007 as a pivotal point in my life, way up there with 1997 when I graduated from college, 1999 when I met the hubby on a blind date and got engaged a couple of months after, 2000 when we married, and 2001 and 2004 when my two kids were born.

2007 changed my life, or rather the way I viewed it, undeniably and largely because of running.

THANKS TO RUNNING…

… I pay less attention to the numbers on the scale and focus on getting leaner, building strength and speed, and improving my health. It’s a pleasant surprise that in my 30’s I finally feel comfortable in my own skin.

… I was taught (the hard way) about the limitations of my body: discoid lateral meniscus in my knee and vasovagal syncope that caused me to faint. Now I know that subtle symptoms such as soreness in the knee, overall feeling of weakness, or thirst are loud warning bells that require rest, better nutrition, or (knock on wood) a visit to the doctor.

… I eat less junk.

… I finally understand how sports in general can make such a positive impact in one’s life. As a non-athlete all my life, I always read about how sports can “develop confidence”, “keep children off the streets”, or “help you maintain your health” but these words never meant anything to me. Now I can say: I finally get it!

… I feel empowered. It must be the long runs that have given me this “No Fear” attitude. There’s something about pushing yourself to the limits and subsequently realizing that you have gone further than you thought possible that makes you believe more in yourself.

… I forged new friendships both in the real and virtual worlds. (I’ve made so many friends in running that I’m afraid to list them here lest I forget someone, which is likely the case with my terrible memory. You know who you are, guys!)

… I discovered the capabilities of my body and mind. As a runner, I learned how fast (46.57 mins for 10k) and how long (2 hours so far) my legs could carry me. My mind, on the other hand, knows no boundaries. As far as its concerned, it can outrun Paula and Haile on any day.

… I have learned humility and patience. It was my goal to join the Pasig Marathon on February, but at this point, I’m not even sure if I’m pushing through as the meniscus problem has set me back by a month in my training program. Surprisingly, I’m not being bull headed about it. Nope, I have welcomed it with a calm, happy surrender. If it isn’t my time this Feb, then there shall be another marathon for me. Uhm, hopefully within this year? And I’m praying my first is abroad? Lord, maybe New York? If not, perhaps Singapore? May I add without any injuries? Er, did I mention “surrender”?

How about you? What did running teach you last year or the years before?

Merry Christmas to everyone! As my Christmas gift, I wrote this special song for all of you to enjoy:

RUNNING’S SWELL
(Sung to the tune of “Jingle Bells”)

Dashing through the road
With my ipod and running shoes
O’er the hills I go
Laughing all the way

Alerts on my Garmin ring
Making my spirit bright
What fun it is to run this long
Such a holiday delight!

Oh, running’s swell, running’s swell
Running all the way
Oh, what fun it is to run
With my ipod and running shoes

Oh, running’s swell, running’s swell
Running all the way
Oh, what fun it is to run
With my ipod and running shoes

 [ Repeat the refrain a hundred times over or until you reach 10km—whichever comes first ]

“The good runner thinks only of what is in front of him and, stretching his mind toward the finish line and putting his hope of victory in his feet, does not plot against the fellow next to him or even consider his competitors.”

– Lucian, author and philosopher, 170 A.D.

———————————————————————

When I picked up Anton, my 6-year-old son, from school a few days ago, he told me about a conversation he had with a classmate of his who claimed he knew everything:

Anton: If you know everything, then what is the sport of my mom?
Classmate: Basketball?
Anton: No.
Classmate: Soccer?
Anton: No.
Classmate: Baseball?
Anton: No.
Classmate: What is it?
Anton: Running.
Classmate: That’s not a sport. That’s just what you do in sports like basketball and soccer.

Unfortunately, my son didn’t know how to respond to that boy’s last remark. “Is running a sport, Mama?” he asked.

How could you blame Anton for doubting? Or how could one think that his classmate lacked in knowledge? The truth is so many adults still don’t see running as a sport or a competitive activity. I have a runner friend with officemates who can’t seem to comprehend anything about running yet they can grasp the beauty of the PBA. Another runner friend’s husband blatantly said that “Running is not a competitive sport.” in my eyes.

To many, running is only the means to end. It’s what one does to warm up before working out, to lose weight, or to train for another sport. No one in his right mind would run just to run.

So, my poor Anton had to sit through an entire car ride of me rattling on about what he should say to that classmate of his. “Tell him your Mama said running is a sport. Why are marathons in the olympics if it isn’t? And, why are runners called athletes if it’s not a sport? Tell him that and let’s see what he says.”  After silence from my son, I say again “Make sure you tell him that, okay?”  It was obvious Anton had regretted ever bringing up the topic with Mama Bull Runner.

If someone told you running is not a sport (which is almost like throwing a glass of wine to your face!), what would you have answered?

Close to 200 participants showed up for the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Invitational Marathon at the Bonifacio Naval Grandstand yesterday morning. This was relatively a small race with majority of registrants coming from the military, but the level of excitement and trepidation among the teams of runners was palpable; it was akin to that of a major race. Perhaps one could say it was even a little bit more festive with a band belching out favorite tunes to ease the tension building up among runners.

– The Marching Band. They also had another band onstage. This was one festive and lively race. Or was I just charged up with excitement? –

Certainly, this was not your typical small running event. It was a team relay race with each of the 3 members in one team—2 male and 1 female—covering 7 kms from Navy Village to the turnaround point inside Libingan ng mga Bayani to complete the total 21km course. Each runner wore his bib number ending in A, B, or C to identify him/her as the first, second, or third in his team.

Our team, Team Injured Fast Runners—composed of Happy Feet members Ben, Joms, and myself—was among the 94 teams that signed up for this event. Each of us wore battle scars due to obsessive running: Ben is recovering from shin splints, Joms from knee problems, and me…aahh do I have to tell you again? But, the three of us believed we could still outrun the civilian (read: not military) competition and yes, oh yes, we had a pretty good chance of winning.

– Team Injured Fast Runners supports the fight against AIDS. Thanks to our sponsor Doc Oknoy! –

Assembly time started at 5 a.m. with the race starting at 6 a.m. Joms was our A runner, followed by me, while Ben would carry the heavy burden of being the last runner who would have to run as fast as light to bring our team to possible victory.

When I arrived, Joms was already in the starting line along with all the other A runners. Before I could even bid my team mate “Godspeed!”(literally), he was off. Together with the other B & C runners, Ben, Jo-Ar, his running coach, and I waited in anticipation for the A runners to come back, especially Joms of course!

We waited…and waited…and waited. I thought a relay could be pretty slow since there was a lot of waiting to be done before you could actually participate in the race. Then, things changed…

The first A runner was spotted from afar returning from his 7k journey. Wild cheering from the crowd filled the air! Everyone was charged up and raring to run! More and more A runners started coming back and the scene was an organized chaos where A runners would swiftly turnover the rope necklace to the B runners without a second to waste. Everything was going by so fast, one could hardly have time to breathe.

– Relay team mates making the quick switch –

As for me, I morphed into a bundle of nerves. As I waited behind the starting line along with the other B runners, I felt worry, pressure, and anxiety creeping into my psyche. But, this was certainly overpowered by the thrill and excitement I was getting from this fast-paced race.

Suddenly, I could see Joms running downhill towards the finish line. Ack, it was my turn! I looked towards my right and saw Ben and Jo-Ar cheering with excitement. Oh yeah, I couldn’t wait to run!

I grabbed the rope from Joms, put it around my neck, and headed out towards the start of my 7km run. At that point, all pacing and negative split ideas were erased from my memory. The adrenaline rush must’ve gotten the better of me. In a couple of minutes, I checked my Garmin to discover I was running at my fastest pace ever: 3:46 min/km. Crazy!

After climbing uphill out of Navy Village, I slowed my pace to a 4:45 to 5 and maintained it at that level until the 3km mark. By the time I reached the Libingan ng Bayani turnaround point, I was exhausted. Normally, I would have slacked off a bit and ease up on the pace since I only have myself to answer to. But, I couldn’t just slow down at this point. I owed it to my team mates to give it my best shot.

So, tired and weary, I pushed myself further. It certainly didn’t help that the way back was mostly uphill climbs, but once I passed that, the last 2km were a lot more manageable. It also helped that Joms and Jo-Ar ran alongside me for support. As I neared the finish line, I spotted Ben and quickly handed him the 2 ropes with barely any time to wish him luck.

I ended my 7k run at 35.28 mins. I was a little bit disappointed with my time, but Joms was quick to remind me that everyone’s time had slowed due to the rolling hills.

After some waiting, Ben came in to complete our relay race. He suffered stomach cramps as early as 5k into the course but forced himself to run despite the pain. Ouch!

– Ben in pain as he nears the finish line –

The final results? Team Injured Fast Runners won 3rd place in the civilian category!!! We were the 23rd team among 94 teams. Go, Team Injured Fast Runners! Hopefully next year we can scrap “injured” from our name already!

– Accepting our medal as 3rd place winners –

– Posing with Jujet de Asis (he and his team mates were the champions for Army category) and other runners –

– Happy Feet pose. If only Joms didn’t wear his Mommy Milkshake shirt! –

Goodbye to inaccurate times at local races! Rudy Biscocho will soon be using chip timing systems at his running events. All I can say is: finally! We are no longer third world when it comes to races!

Click here for full article at inquirer.net.