The Race that started it all

by Road Runner KIng

Can you look at me from head to foot? You may just simply say that I’m just an ordinary person with limited things to do. It is given even before the world has begun that I am thin, not physically fit. Yes I am thin. Definitely, I am really thin. Maybe the world has cursed me, I’m not pretty sure of that. But, you may be surprised and stunned to things (extraordinary things) I can do. I’ll buy you out. I’m just kidding. Watch out!

Before running has come to a passion or became my addiction perhaps, I’m not into any sport activities. I’m not a sport-minded person in other words. But let me tell you that I am a certified writer/journalist, maybe a singer and a travel enthusiast. I thought these things would be enough to spice up life. I realized that I lack lots of things. Do I really looked bored? I am not.

It was last year (November 2011) that I was introduced to the sport of running. My cousin Abbey Claire asked me one time if I want to run. I said I can’t do that. I only know how to swim. (That time, I have just started also a new sport, which is Swimming sometime first week of September 2011. Mr. Jun Roque, one of my colleagues in Ateneo convinced me to try swimming.)

I was about to register for the Ateneo-organized run which is the “Rundividual 2011” just to test myself if I could run. I was also invited to the “Run for Pasig River” but I also declined. I did not even think of having a training. All I know is to run. Never mind what they say training. Nothing push through because I have lots of doubts to myself. That time, I was thinking of running 3 kilometers was very hard to finish. Yes, I did not register. Instead, I tried to make my first run one Thursday morning with my roommate Melvin inside the Ateneo campus. I just did 3 rounds (equivalent to 5.28 kilometers) You know what? It was difficult to start running. I felt tired easily. I experienced severe pain too. What I have that time is an ordinary rubber shoes (not intended for running). I run twice a week during those days (Tuesdays and Thursdays) after office. During Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, I’m into swimming. Abbey introduced to me the site (www.pinoyfitness.com) which has the list of running events in the country most especially in Metro Manila.

One time, I checked the pinoyfitness.com website. I registered for one event that took place last December 11, 2011 which is the “Takbukid”. I registered for the 3-Kilometer Category which is only pegged at P250.00. The race took place at the University of the Philippines Academic Oval. I encouraged my friend Obrien to join me in the race. On the race day itself, I’m excited running my first ever race. There are only hundreds of runners in all categories. We were the ones who started first (3K Category). Oh God, It’s very hard to run. I had a lot of walk breaks. Obrien did it fast. I just let him go ahead. At kilometer 1.5, I’m starting to feel pain both on my ankles. It’s as if I am going down the road. Despite struggling too hard, I finished the race. You know what I felt finishing the race? I felt so great. The feeling is unexplainable.

I don’t have a goal when I ran my first race. What I have in mind is to try it and wear a singlet. That’s it. Since finishing my first ever race, I did not imagine that this is the start of my running addiction. Starting January of this year (2012), I joined several races.

 

“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.
-Earl Weaver