What is your exercise regimen? What sports activities have you been engaged in?
I don’t have a regular, strict regimen. I am glad I got to know Honey Chandiramani who introduced me to DARS [Dumaguete Amateur Runners & Striders], and now, I try to follow the run schedules, and pick their advice on how to train smart. I will be forever grateful to all of them for giving me and [husband] Ritchie opportunities to do runs, and just be with fellow runners who share that love for running and physical fitness.
I never really thought of myself as an athlete. Well, there was basketball in high school (bench warmer doesn’t count), then archery in college — but it was because I wanted to be exempted from gym classes. Then I used to go kickboxing when were in Colorado, USA. This was before I had my son. I remember a lady named Laura who went almost six days a week; sometimes her kids would wait for her the whole hour or so, and they’d go, “She has to work-out or her day gets ruined, and we’re all in trouble.” I thought she was crazy! How could anyone be so addicted to exercise?! But now I can relate.
I’d also join all the other free classes offered at the gym. From spinning, to free weights, to sometimes even hip-hop and salsa dance classes. I was always at the very corner for these ones — per request of the instructor. Seriously, I was more of a hazard to the others than help, but hey, I had so much fun. And I chose the time when those who signed up were of my dance caliber; in other words, katong grupo nga di kaayo kabalo — they’re usually the most fun. Good for the soul.
I used to run in the gym as well. But running outdoors is way better. Speaking of outdoors, my husband gets all the credit for all my adventures. He was already into sports (rock) climbing before I met him. I first tried it when we moved to the States. Colorado is outdoors sports haven, I guess. They have the Ouray International Ice Climbing Festival yearly, and we got the chance to participate with our son Isaac. We all got the chance to ice climb. Then Ritchie brought me again to Vail. The site was about a 30-minute snow hike up the foot of the mountain to the base of the frozen waterfall called icefalls. There I saw about 10 climbers just hanging out, having fun, enjoying nature, pumping some adrenaline. And I thought, I may be an outdoors person. I was enjoying it out there! I actually thought it was cool!
So when we came back to Dumaguete about three years ago, we got together with some of the Cuernos de Negros Mountaineering Club members, and some of the church youth at Bread of Life, and hiked up Mount Talinis, then Kanlaon Volcano last summer.
Recently, Ritchie and I have decided to get into triathlon. We really got to think about joining when some of the DARS participated in the sprint triathlon in July this year, and got inspired by triathlon couple Ylang-ylang & Jeremy Jordan. We thought the sport was something we could both do, and it would be a great way to spend time together.
I’d like to think that training for a sport is a great litmus test for marriage. We learn to push each other when needed, and when to back off.
I am still a baby in triathlon, as I am just learning how to swim efficiently, do long bike rides, and run with the little energy left. We are still figuring out our schedules to fit training six days a week for all three disciplines, without sacrificing family time.
You are a student, you are a mother, your family runs a restaurant… how do you fit your exercises into all these?
My kids come first, but I have to admit, I am still trying to be better at time management. Being gone a few hours during the day to train, and then coming home to do all my homework/paintings for school push me to spend what’s left of the day as quality time with the kids. I thank my husband for working hard so the single income can allow me to train, go back to school a few days a week, and the rest of the time I get to spend with the kids. My in-laws [Rene & Baby Armogenia] are always at the restaurant to manage so I am grateful for that. I am blessed to have a supportive family (although they still don’t understand why I do all these), and a good yaya (I’d hate to think she can leave anytime), but I trust that the Lord will make things work for the better, always. So I’ll worry about that later.
Surely, you’re not into this regimen “to lose weight” so why bother? What has been its impact on your life/lifestyle?
You’re right, although I’ve had my monthly bloated moments, and wished I didn’t give in to the cravings because it takes more effort for me to work-out when I over-eat. But yeah, mostly, I exercise to clear things out of my head. I think it’s good for me, and everyone around me. My son who is at school most of the day doesn’t mind that I’ve been working-out more often, although he asks why I am doing all these. He’d ask if I run to win money, or “just because”. And I tell him, I want to be healthier physically, emotionally, and mentally, and be a better example to them so that they’ll know it can be done. Sometimes he says, “Mom, I sense a disturbance in the force. You are angry; why don’t you go exercise or something?” My two-year-old feisty Sophia Raine is now wanting to go with us every time we change to our workout clothes.
My point is, every so often, I ask why I do it, then in my mind is always: “I do this for my kids.” It teaches them discipline, time management, and that one can rid of unhealthy emotions and thoughts by cranking up those happy hormones through exercise, proper diet, and rest.
And it benefits the economy. I used to fret about how I should pair a certain top with a pair of pants, only to realize one of them had become out-of-style, then I had to get another one, and oh-that-necklace-matches-this-and-that, surely, I have to get the matching earrings, and on and on, and oh my goodness, I’ve spent half of my tuition money on stupid items. It’s crazy!
But now, I go to Adidas and Nike, and the sales ladies would ask me, “What’s your color motif this time?” The choices are narrowed down. I know I’m a size small, Neutral for the shoes, and then check the sale rack to see if there’s something I really need. You see, sports gear don’t come cheap, but you choose the quality items and it’ll last a long time, so you actually get to save. The last time we were at the airport, I bought a women’s fashion magazine because it’d be nice to do the girly-girl thing once in a while (not that you can’t be girly at sports) but I looked through the pages, put it aside, and spent more time reading the articles in the sports magazine my husband bought.
Mentally, this has definitely changed my take on things. I used to be depressed at the slightest disappointments, and I’d dwell in it for a very long time. But now, it’s like taking a happy pill. Running with others makes one forget about self, and put things in perspective. Sometimes you’d be too tired to even think about anything else. So it’s a good thing. It’s all mental. You go to sleep, you wake up then it’s a new day, a new chance on life. You either live it, or whine about it. Never mind the freckles from too much sun exposure. And I don’t have to wait for anyone but myself to affirm who I am, and who I should be. Not even my husband. Because I know God gave us all this energy and health and people and opportunities to live up to our potential. It’s not easy though; we just try.
What do you do for cross-training? Or do you even rest?
We’re just getting into swimming and biking. I also do boxing at Master Clint Besario’s Pure Muscle Gym in Daro. And I rest a lot; too much, in fact.
What for you is the most difficult sport you’ve engaged in, thus far?
I would say, outdoor climbing because until now, I’m still afraid of heights, and you never really know what the rock or ice wall could do; plus you have to have total trust on your partner, and your equipment. You are literally hanging by a rope, and it just takes one slip.
What has been the craziest thing you’ve done to get some exercise?
Before, I used to dance with my baby so she falls asleep, then in-between the slow steps, I’d stop to do twists, leg raises, squats, hip rotations, and whatever I could think of — while holding the baby; then she’s gotten heavier so wala na.
How does it feel like running with the hoi polloi?
I am one of the hoi pollois, are you kidding me? No such thing! I run with veteran, professional runners, triathletes, and those who are just starting to get back in shape. DARS and MDRC [Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club] runners are hardcore! “For always, there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself — Desiderata.” I feel truly blessed at this point. God is a loving, amazing, faithful Provider, and I hope my kids know that. We just need to trust that He is better at the game of life. We just go with the flow.
Iris earned her MedTech degree then got her American immigrant visa and worked in Tennessee in the US. She and Ritchie came back home to Dumaguete, and got married in 1999 two times on the same day (long story). They settled down in Colorado, then in Illinois; but the mountains kept calling them back to Colorado. In 2008, they finally decided to come back to the Philippines. She recalls having a hard time with the idea of readjusting to the lifestyle here, and having to find her niche. But now says she’s glad they moved back here or else they wouldn’t have met all the “wonderful, crazy running addicts and health enthusiasts” who have so enriched their lives today. Aside from engaging in all sorts of sports, Iris is a serious Visual Arts student.
