Nadia:
Twelve months ago, I hated running. I never ran a single kilometer.
But now, I run about 30 to 40 kilometers per week. Lest I be accused of bragging, I happen to run with locals here who train three times more than that. So compared to them, I am a rookie runner.
My love for running began when I bought running shoes — not for me but — for my husband Mikel. One time he told me in passing that if only he had running shoes, he would quit smoking. I was toying with the idea, and it sounded like a win-win situation.
Immediately the next day, I got him a pair. He must have loved the flexibility and support of Nike FlyKnit so much that every afternoon, he would excitedly go to the Perdices Stadium Oval and do a few rounds. I would tag along, and run as well. Afterall I was thinking, hey, I could use a little exercise, too.
At the Oval I would see people in all shapes and sizes, even those with beer bellies, and yet, they seemed to be running effortlessly around the oval, with all-smiles to boot. The seasoned ones make running look so easy. So the first time I saw them, I thought one round (about 470 meters on the longest lane) would be a piece of cake… I was so wrong.
Those easy-going smiles were just a ploy to get me into the running “cult”. On my first roadrun, I only made about half a kilometer (just a little more than one round at the oval), and I was gasping for air.
I was clearly unfit. So I started telling myself that if only I run everyday, I would be building a habit. But of course, even that did not happen. As they say, running everyday is easier said than done. Especially when you have a full time job and two kids to attend to.
Back then, I worked as a nurse for the intensive care unit in a government hospital, and my schedule was extremely unpleasant. Not having a steady shift made it worse, as I could only squeeze in one or two runs a week.
One month into my regimen, I felt I was not really improving. I realized I needed to run more often. I wanted to train for something specific, and actually have a goal. So I signed up for a 5K race.
After work, I would excitedly read up on articles about running; I would watch videos on running on YouTube. It felt like being a kid again, with a homework to do after dinner.
Waking up at 4 am continued to be a struggle. But I could say that signing up for an actual race, and committing myself to it made me get into my running shoes and out the door, even before dawn.
By race day, I knew I was ready. I had run more than 5 kilometers during my training; I even carbo-loaded (although I didn’t really understand much of it yet). I was confident. I pinned on my very first race bib. And of course, I took selfies.
I kept my goals simple on that race day: Just run the entire 5-kilometer stretch. The “adrenaline rush” would improve my expected time. Stay with the pack.
At gunstart, however, the pack just sped off!
So because I had earlier told myself I was confident I could do it, I just continued to run my merry way. I was left alone with my thoughts and a side stitch (a stabbing pain under the lower edge of the ribcage). Then doubt started to creep in, especially each time I would see a runner run past me. Why am I putting myself through this? Or I could just walk the rest of the way, get in the car, go home and sleep.
Then before I knew it, I could see the 5K finish line! All the negativities just left me. I could hear fellow runners, friends, strangers, Mikel cheering me on. I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter/Dancing through the fire/‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar/Louder, louder than a lion, Katy Perry was blasting in my ears.
That was when I got hooked to running.
It may be hard to explain to someone why I run. Running is hard; it requires physical and mental effort. And after all the pain, one usually ends up right back to where he started, running in a big seemingly-pointless circle. Why do I run kilometer after kilometer, uphill, or downhill (giving my knees a beating), in the heat or cold rain — when I could just sleep in and stay cozy in bed, or drink wine with friends until late at night.
I may not be able to give a sensible answer but deep down, I know: Running makes me happy. It makes me appreciate nature more. It teaches me how to manage my time well.
When I run, my identity, and the layers of responsibility that have been bestowed upon me — as mother, wife, daughter, sister, nurse — all seem to fade away, leaving just the raw me. And for me, it’s a rare realization.
I feel my heart pumping, and when I run harder and farther “away from the world”, strangely, I begin to feel elated, detached, yet at the same time, connected to myself and to everything around me, with nothing but my two legs moving me forward.
You might say it could only be certain chemicals shooting around my brain — the fabled “runner’s high”. But after a long run, everything just feels alright in the world.
But that is just me.
Truth be told, I don’t relish the thought of telling friends and family to also go out and run. But whenever I run, and it inspires people to do the same, it certainly makes me happy.
I was never the athletic type of person but this endurance sport has taught me one thing: If you work patiently and consistently at something you love, it will get you to where you want to be.
In December last year, I trained for my first half marathon. What happened last weekend in Cebu surprised myself, as I surpassed my own expectations. It actually marked a lifestyle change for me.
Fitness for me now is Freedom. People may think fitness is not eating this or having to do things you don’t like.
I run because I love the feeling it gives me. To me, fitness is liberating.
Mikel:
What started out as a New Year resolution for 2016 has turned into a lifestyle that has totally changed my life, and transformed me into a “recreational” athlete beyond my wildest expectations.
That time last year, I wanted to be able to tell my kids in my old age that I had run a full 42-kilometer marathon. Of course, that time last year, I had no clue about the kind of commitment, passion, and discipline this kind of running involved.
After going to the rubberized running track of the Province a number of times, I started to set some challenges for myself, like counting laps.
My good friend Joeffrey Belen suggested if I could measure through time each of my runs; so I did. I started by running at my slowest possible pace for 30 minutes without walking; then I gradually increased the time.
It was shortly after that when I was introduced to the Dumaguete Adventure Runners & Striders. With DARS, I found exactly what I was searching for: a group of local running enthusiasts who share the same passion for the sport as an “outlet” to immerse in, after a hard day’s work.
These seasoned runners in DARS, many of whom are avid ultramarathoners (those who run 50 kilometers or more), readily and generously gave me advice on the sport. It was in DARS where I met some extraordinary people from various walks of life who continue to be able to perform well in fun runs and major races even while handling demanding careers with major responsibilities.
That fact alone inspired me to push myself from my comfort zone. If others can, I can, too! was my mantra.
My mental mindset was obviously greater than my physical ability, but through continuous training, I developed a routine that eventually became a new lifestyle for me.
This change in lifestyle also became absolutely crucial to my survival and my mental health.
Having goals that would not have been achieved unless I changed my lifestyle made me understand how my body works. It made me realize what Paul said to the Galatians: A man reaps what he sows. If I did good things in the past, I get good results in the future. The way I perform on race day would depend on how I prepared for it.
As always, the hardest part of the race is getting to the starting line. The hardest obstacle on my way was getting out of bed early morning, so I quit smoking, I quit drinking sodas and powdered juices, I started to watch what I ate, and I would sleep earlier — if only to keep up with my training buddies.
You can not imagine how I struggle with this new lifestyle. Despite the difficulty, I realize that I actually enjoy every moment of my morning runs, basking in the feeling of gratitude that I am able to run, gratitude to God for giving me the opportunity, gratitude for the beauty of the scenery along the way, gratitude for my supportive family and friends, gratitude for a community of people who push me to become better — without them even knowing how much they contribute in achieving my goals.
Since then, my place under the sun started to be clearer to me. Thoughts of everything that I am grateful for would accompany me during my runs. My senses are in overdrive as I run, making me completely aware of my surroundings.
In the past 12 months, I have exerted a proactive effort to keep myself mentally and spiritually-fit, knowing that by living a clean and healthy lifestyle, the physical aspect will naturally follow.
In the final quarter of last year, I trained for the prestigious Cebu City Marathon where I ran my second half marathon. My only target was to beat my greatest challenge: myself. And I just did — shaving off six minutes from my time during my first half marathon in the Milo qualifying race three months ago in October last year, and earning for me now a new personal record of 2 hours-21 minutes for 21 kilometers.
My New Year resolutions for 2017, my personal challenges, or my new mission statements: I look forward to reaching my goals while completely enjoying myself along the way.
If my story is able to inspire just one person to make a dramatic change in lifestyle, then a debt of gratitude has been paid to the community of people who have helped me along the way.
If I can, you can, too!
