My first visit to Dumaguete was in 1998 with my wife Nancy, and our children, Joe and Jen. It was also my most-awaited trip back to the homeland after being away for 21 years. I was really excited to be home at last, like a kid waiting for the opening of gifts on Christmas Day.
Arriving at night here after a very long trip, my first question was, “Where can I run around Dumaguete?”
Luckily, my in-laws live not too far from the Silliman Grandstand. So at the break of dawn right the next day, I headed out the door to do a few laps around the oval track. Mind you, back then (has it really been 22 years?) it was not like the rubberized track that we now enjoy and rave about at the Perdices Stadium.
The Grandstand (now called the Filomeno Cimafranca Ballfield) was also open for public use, including for stray dogs and a horse to roam around. I didn’t care if it was a measured course or not, as long as I can run on a dirt path around the grassy oval.
There were just a few people briskwalking there that time (compared to the thousands who run the Perdices rubberized oval these days), and a young man running with another who seemed to be his father, or his coach perhaps.
As I passed them, I did what runners customarily do when they see another person engaged in the same sport they love (at least where I come from): wave or holler “hello” or give a high-five. I waved, and he responded with a nod as we went on without breaking our strides. We didn’t stop to chat but at least, we acknowledged some respect for each other.
There is also a common language among runners that only runners could understand. One could see their eyes light up when the topic on running is once mentioned. They could get so animated as they engage in endless conversation about the latest high-tech running shoes, or about the fastest marathoner in the world, or about how a motorbike nearly bumped a runner as she was motioning vehicles to stop so she could cross.
It’s common among runners to exchange stories of bragging rights of their accomplishments or even about their worst race, followed by a string of excuses on why they DNF (did not finish) the race or didn’t beat their expected Personal Best time.
Believe me, it could create a wonderful domino effect. Even talking with other runners about grumblings during training or complaints that happened during a race could eventually have a positive impact on the other, creating mutual trust, bonding, and deep friendship.
And from what I have experienced through the years, it’s actually how the running community grows and encourages and inspires other people, through the camaraderie between and among people from all walks of life. Because we run with similar goals, we run as one.
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In 2010, about 12 years since I first set foot here in Dumaguete, I finally connected through Facebook with a group of enthusiastic runners through Paultom Paras, the one person responsible for the running craze here in Negros Oriental.
The group calls themselves the Dumaguete Adventure Runners & Striders (DARS).
In one of my visits back here from New York, DARS gave me the privilege to share with them some of the techniques that I use to train runners and bikers in the Northeast. That first-ever running clinic started my long relationship with the local running community here.
From that time (I can’t imagine it has been 10 years), I have seen how quickly DARS has multiplied in that span of time, how they have individually improved in their skills, and how many running-mommies have evolved to become ultramarathoners (those engaged in distance running of at least 50 kilometers) or triathletes (those who do three disciplines of swim-bike-run in one go).
The local running family continues to steadily grow, and even as different running/mountain biking/triathlon teams have since flourished, they all continue to communicate as one because we have similar goals.
Last week we started the eight-week Beginner Running Program. This week is the second week. Just a reminder that when you start to jog, slowly find your rhythm with 2 strides breathing in, and 2 strides breathing out.
Week 2
Warm up by walking for 5 minutes then do some light stretching
Do the workout:
Day 1. Jog 4 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 5x.
Day 2. Jog 4 minutes, walk 1 minute. Repeat 5x.
Day 3. Jog 5 minutes, walk 1 minute. Repeat 5x.
Cool down by walking 5 minutes then do some stretches, holding 10-20 seconds each muscle: hamstrings (back of thigh), quadriceps (front thigh), and calves (back of lower leg).
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