Thursday, August 21, 2008

My Story

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.
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…

4 comments:

Nora, the golden girl said...

Very inspiring story! You deserve to win the Nike gadget.
How old are your kids?
Hope to see you in future races. I will be running 5k in the upcoming KOTR--my 3rd Race so far.

gemini said...

hi ms nora,
i'm also a frequent visitor of your blog, ei thanx for visiting mine too.
my kids are 14, 13 and 11.
i registered for the 10k event in KOTR. hope to meet you soon...
btw, i'll add you in my blog roll.

Nora, the golden girl said...

Why didn't you register for 21k? Kayang-kaya mo na ang 10k... katatawag ko lang sa Festival Mall. Bukas pa daw dadating ang new batch of registration forms, race bibs and singlets. Can't go to RACE Office kasi sobrang layo from our place. As for MILO, no choice kasi doon lang ang registration heh heh ...
Thanks for adding me in your blog roll. In my case, nasa Favorites ang running sites kasi di ko pa napag-aaralan kung pano ilagay sa front page. I'm not that good with technical work. When I'll have more time, gagawin ko talaga.

gemini said...

di pa kaya ng powers ko ang 21k eh...but i promised myself that before i reach my golden age i'll do the full marathon.(?) hehehe! only in my dreams! btw, you can call me mae.
see you on the road!