i would like to share with you my story on how i started in the running world...
Running mom
I thought running would not be able to squeeze on my busy schedule as a working mom with three teenage kids. Through the encouragement of my officemates, I started running sometime in 2002. But I never joined official races because I was afraid then that I would not make it to the finish line even in the kiddie 3K or the easy 5K. I was just able to run during our athletics time in our office every Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 o’clock in the afternoon at the Philippine Army Grandstand. Back then, I cannot even finish a single round of the approximately 800-meter loop. Until in 2005, my son who was a fifth grader then showed some interest in running, so I asked my officemate Georgieboy who already regularly runs in 42k to coach my son. My son registered for his first official race in the 29th Milo Marathon for a 3k event. I accompanied my son to the race and from there I witnessed how exciting and overwhelming joining in such event. My first official race was the AFP-DND Gintong Pangarap Marathon on November of 2005, but no photos were taken because out of excitement we forgot to bring our cameras. After one hour of finishing the 5K , I was challenged to improve my PR from every race that I will join.
I thought running would not be able to squeeze on my busy schedule as a working mom with three teenage kids. Through the encouragement of my officemates, I started running sometime in 2002. But I never joined official races because I was afraid then that I would not make it to the finish line even in the kiddie 3K or the easy 5K. I was just able to run during our athletics time in our office every Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 o’clock in the afternoon at the Philippine Army Grandstand. Back then, I cannot even finish a single round of the approximately 800-meter loop. Until in 2005, my son who was a fifth grader then showed some interest in running, so I asked my officemate Georgieboy who already regularly runs in 42k to coach my son. My son registered for his first official race in the 29th Milo Marathon for a 3k event. I accompanied my son to the race and from there I witnessed how exciting and overwhelming joining in such event. My first official race was the AFP-DND Gintong Pangarap Marathon on November of 2005, but no photos were taken because out of excitement we forgot to bring our cameras. After one hour of finishing the 5K , I was challenged to improve my PR from every race that I will join.
My second official race was the Manila’s Finest Brotherhood Run (5K) held in Rajah Sulaiman Park in Manila on January 15, 2006. Underneath a singlet was a cotton shirt because I was still conscious of my flabby arms!
I never thought that running would be addictive, especially when after the race you will meet someone famous like Senator Pia Cayetano. When I registered in the 1st Pinay in Action held at the NBC Tent at The Fort on March 16, 2006 I unexpectedly won 2nd place in my age category 30-35.
From then on, our team joined different running events and fun runs including the New Balance Running Clinic held in Rockwell, Makati City on April 16 to May 21, 2006. The sessions paid off, since we have learned a lot to improve our running.
I am not a long distance runner but running became my outlet especially during stressful times at work and at home. I just don’t run because I want to compete. I run because I love doing it. Hope there are more running moms out there who would also find the many benefits of running. John Bingham once said that it is not the miracle of finishing the race, but the courage to start it. See you on the road…
