THE NIKE HUMAN RACE: Blessings, pure luck, or coincidence?

1. I thought I would not be able to join the Nike+ Human Race because I don’t own a Nike+ Kit or even the Nike+ sportband. But just for fun, and with the dire need to really have it, I joined Photographer on the Run’s Photo Essay Contest. He will be giving 5 Nike+ sportband for those who would please him with their running stories. I submitted my running story, entitled “Running Mom” and waited for the result for almost two weeks. Three days before the race, I would be able to hear one of the biggest surprises of my life! I won a Nike+ Sportband. So I headed to BHS to claim it and eventually registered for the race.

2. A day after I got my sportband, I discovered that my unit was defective. And it took me two more days to decide if I was going to inform or I was just ignorant to use it. Hahaha! I headed back again to Nike BHS on Saturday night to report it to Ethel (?) the good lady in the registration booth. So Ethel got my number and reported it to Mr. Ben Chan aka Photographer on the Run. I got home worried if Mr. Ben would replace my unit, otherwise, I would not be able to join the race the following day. I just prayed to God. Sabi ko bahala ka na po magdecide kung ano po ang plano nyo.

3. Race day. My cellphone rang and received a message from Mr. Ben Chan saying: “ Gud morning. I have ur replacement nike sportband. Please pick it up at d PHOTOVENDO booth n d race start. :-)” It took me few seconds before I realized that I would be able to join the race. I texted back Ben and said thank you.

4. Although I didn’t beat my PR because of the hilly course, I enjoyed the race. Coach Rio, The Nike Team, Photographer on the Run and the rest of the sponsors did a good job. My Nike+ Sport band worked well. It registered my run and I was able to sync in my data at the counter.
with running buddy and officemate BroJ

5. And what was the best thing that happened to me that day was this…. While Brother J and I were falling in line at the PhotoVendo, the announcer suddenly called my name and race number. I was shocked to know that I won the 7107 Islands Cruise Gift Certificate! A 2nights/3days island hopping in Coron, Palawan! Wow!!! Is it a blessing, pure luck, or just a coincidence?

Keep on running a perfect race… God Bless!

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…

Mommy Milkshake Marathon Yr2 August 10, 2008

with Baby (Bro J's wifey) and son JD
with IceOne and Baby before the race


Bro J took this photo while running...thanx!

Running Buddies

with my officemate and running buddy bro j during our short slow run at the office premises.

40 Tips for a Better Life

this article was sent to me by a friend thru email and i would like to share it with you.

40 Tips for a Better Life

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk/run or jog every day. And while you walk,smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Go to bed earlier and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following: 'Today, my primary purpose is to __________.'
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, andEmpathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did last year.
7. Make time to practice meditation, and prayer.They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eatless food that is manufactured or packaged infactories.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries,wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds& walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new energy flow into your life.
14. Don't waste your energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You won't win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. Remember, God heals everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. Or email them to death!
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following:I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of every moment, every single day.
40. Please share this with those you care about.

May your troubles be less,
May your blessings be more,
May nothing but happiness come through your door!

in my own views ...

These images were taken by my sister-in-law Gracee (salamat ha!) with the direction of my unofficial coach and mentor, kenyan (!) Georgieboy during my short slow run yesterday around the office premises. Profile shot daw...

Adidas King of the Road March 11, 2007

Adidas KOR was one of the 3 road races i only joined last year.