More than keeping up the blog, the biggest challenge for me is to keep my running schedule. As much as I can, I do my best to do a minimum of three runs a week just to keep the fat off. But I need to up the ante of my training regimen in order to prepare for my next 42k marathon which is the Quezon City International Marathon in October. I’m really excited about it because I’ve never been to any international marathon. And best of all, here in my home city and own country! What more could I ask for? I do feel sad though that Metro Manila gets a lot of negative publicity in terms of road races — -safety for runners, air pollution and other factors. It has limited runners to elite villages and to the gyms.
Which is precisely why I love joining these runs during weekends. I spend roughly 1,000 to 2,500 pesos a month just to join these runs. For me, there are several reasons that I join these events. One, there’s something about seeing other people run along with you, pass by you or the other way around — that one passes by other runners. There’s an invisible force that some people reading this would agree to that pulls runners to complete the race. Two, it forces me to keep on running. Registering for the race means that I need to prepare ahead for the actual race. This forces me to discipline my time, make time for running during the week, and make sure that I have balanced out my time between work, family and social obligations and to running. Right now, I have two loves — my work and running. One cannot live without the other. My work enables me to put bread on the table for myself and help out with the family. Running has enabled me to get rid of the stress that I experience at work. I also agree with the Bull Runner, it also gives me a sense of peace when I am on the road. But I think the best reason for me to join these races more than the health benefits it gives is that I learn so much about life. I learn new life principles of pushing on. It’s not easy preparing for a marathon. I’ve had ample encouragement and support from friends. Yet there are also those who would put me down and say that it is not worth it. Another benefit to these organized races is that it is the only time that one gets to run on the road in Manila in an orderly manner — meaning no cars to get sideswiped and less pollution or no pollution to deal with for the duration of the runs. So there. That’s why I keep the pace and keep on running. To say that I have titanium implants that I have to keep “oiled” by running is an understatement to the true beauty of what running can do to one’s life.
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