Facing the Fear
I ran last year and it felt good. I decided, heck, I’ll run some more.
I think there is a new epidemic spreading among Metro Manila denizens… Running Fever.
I’ve got more and more friends and family getting into their running shoes and working those strides for all sorts of reasons : to lose weight, to maintain their weight, to build endurance, to start a healthy lifestyle etc. The bottom line is, they’re runnin’. Its gotten me running too.
I remember my first – the Ateneo Fun Run July last year. I got up at 5am to make sure I’m at starting line before 6am. When I arrived at Ateneo, I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of people there – hardcore runners doing the 10km, the regular runners doing the 5-km, and fun-runners like me. The energy in the air perked me up.
For that run, I did 2.5 km with a combination of walking and running in between because I was simply out of shape. I ran with no prior training. No jogging..not even walking. I finished the 2.5 km with my legs aching and me gasping for breath. (My hardcore runner friends will probably be snickering at this). Despite that, I felt darn great. Was it the endorphins? Was it the morning air? What it the excitement coming from other runners? Whatever it was, I felt awesome.
I thought, maybe I SHOULD start doing this more seriously.
Fast-forward a couple of months later..
January. My colleagues Maki and Carlos have been excitedly talking about using GPS on their Blackberrys to monitor their runs. At that time, I sorely needed exercise. All the talk about marathons and GPS systems reminded me about that Ateneo run. I decided, “Ok, you know what? Let’s do this. At least one run.. even if i pick the shortest distance. Let’s get it started. The Century Tuna Superbods Run is coming up. Maybe I’ll join that. I’ll do 5km. And oh yah.. Derek Ramsy’s going to be running too. Ok, I gotta be there. Muhahaha”.
Since July, I’ve been jogging on and off. I didn’t really monitor my time nor did I care about my distance. I was after the exercise and feeling great after. But sometime around mid-January when my colleague Carlos began to seriously run and when Maki, a serious runner, joined our team in the office, I got inspired and decided to take it up another notch.
So began “Operation train myself”…
1) Run every weekend
2) Run at least once a week
3) Start sleeping early
4) Drink lots of water and eat a balanced diet (fresh fruits and veggies first!)
4) Monitor running time
5) Monitor distance.
The results so far? Pretty good I must say for someone who just started. In my last run did 2.5 km in 13 mins non-stop with energy to spare after. I think I can do 3km in 15 mins.
Its a simple start for my first real run… 3km. As mentioned, I originally wanted to do 5km. Unfortunately, I got sick earlier this week and wasn’t able to train. I know its nothing compared to the 21km run which I know some friends are planning to do. But hey, its a start. I’ve been following my simple program consistently since January..except for this week as I was sick. I’m fine now. Tomorrow morning, I run.
I feel great. I’ve lost weight and toned up a bit. On days that I run, my energy level is pretty good from morning to evening. The best part is, it really helps with work-related stress.
The Century Tuna Superbods is next weekend -
21 Feb 2010 at Bonifacio Globa City. Must I add, Derek Ramsy is running.
One week remains and I think thats more than enough. After this 3km run, I go the next level… I hear that it gets quite addicting.
Goodbye 2009 and My Thank You’s
Its 2:00 am 4th Jan 2010. In a few hours, the world will start beating its busy pulse. Its back to work and back to school. Yes, the festivities of Christmas and New Year are now over. It’s been a good two weeks. But before the wheels of 2010 start to turn and accelerate, I want to make my own personal adieu to 2009.
Goodbye 2009. It’s definitely been a crazy ride. I still can’t believe how much happened within the 12 months that have passed and also the changes and surprises that happened along the way. The odd events around me, travels, the changes in career, the new people whom I met along the way, the old dear friends outside the Philippines whom I got to see again, the farewells I had to make to people who decided to leave the country, the new things I’ve learned, getting the courage to little by little step out of my comfort zone, the humbling experiences, the realizations and shedding of old baggage.
There’s a lot to be thankful for and I truly am grateful.
Inspired by my colleague Carlos, I want to send out some love to all those who were part of my crazy 2009.
To my Malaysian friends (and Pinoy friends in Malaysia). Thanks for the warm welcome I always receive from you guys whenever I go there. It’s partly what makes Malaysia feel like my home away from my home. You guys are an awesome bunch. I hope to see more you of in the future. Congratulations to the those who wed last year and are now mommies/daddies and mommies/daddies-to be! Time flies doesn’t it. I still remembered how we partied back in 2006/2007.
To my three closest friends – Alex, Joan, April – there’s just so much to say. Even if we don’t see each other every day since Alex, you are in KL; April, you are in Vancouver; Joan, you are back studying and busy taking care of your juniors… it doesn’t change anything. We always seem to pick up we’re we left off. Its a rare thing.
To Ayka. Thanks for the nerd attacks, the random whatevers, and the rocking at out gigs while you were here. You finally got your SG dream which may not as dreamy you would’ve imaginel. But hey, the good things will roll in. Trust me. If you believe it will come, it will. I do miss hanging out but that’s all part of having to move away. Don’t worry woman, we’ll still see each there
To Nikki. Damn it girl. Why do you have to leave too? Who will be my clubbing buddy? Who will be my random chika session buddy? Your flight to Australia is around the corner. It’ll be a couple of years before our threesome (you, me, April) will be complete again. Those were good times. Nevertheless, I’m happy you were still able to come back here to the PH, albeit briefly.
To Katie. My cool, hot cousin who returned to NYC after a not so brief visit to the Philippines. Too bad we didn’t get to hang out that much while you were here. Blame it on work. At least we got to hang out a bit. Good luck in Polesque! (Did I spell that right?) Show ‘em your pole dancing prowess. I promise, when you come visit again, I won’t be so darn swamped with work. At least we got to hang out for a while.
To the friends from the college Polsci days. So we’re drinking wine together now? What happened to cheap alcohol and beer? I can’t help but be amused at this. I guess we’re all “growing up” now and getting more serious (really?) therefore our “preferences” are evolving. Haha! Right. Good luck to the graduating lawyers and politicians to be and congratulations to those who are doing well now! You guys are awesome.
To family. Oh wow. What to say to a big crazy bunch of people whom I call family? I love you guys.
To the Nuffies, my colleagues. So guys, it has been an interesting 2009 hasn’t it. It was far from perfect but it was great. Thanks guys. I’ve been learning a lot from each of you. My hope is that things get better for the whole team. Let’s kick ass this 2010!
To my former colleagues from Marcus Evans Philippines and Malaysia whom I got to see this year. I’ll never forget my Marcus Evans days.. ever. It was you guys that made the experience worthwhile. One can go insane working for Marcus Evans – the stress, the crazy demands from the big boss… Thankfully, I stayed sane because I had to you guys to make me laugh until cried. I hope we can manage to in touch.
To my other great great friends. Thanks for helping me out when I need help. Thanks for enduring the drama. The clubbing, the gigs, the hangouts, the travels and all the random whatever’s. Thanks for the stories, the laughs and teaching to become better every time.
(Special mention) To airports. I’ve stepped into you a lot this year. Every trip has been a milestone in my 2009. My Bali trip with the family last March, my trip to Malaysia to attend Zak’s wedding, going to Vigan when April visited the Philippines, going to Singapore for the Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards, and then going to back to Malaysia for some training (and seeing friends in Malaysia). What can I say, I’ve got a mole on my sole. There has been a lot of drama because of you. Its been good.
Oh.. and I just have to say, its not every year you have cars exploding a few meters away from you office!
So many more people to thank… if only I wasn’t sleepy…
2009 has passed for what its worth, it was a good year. I want to welcome 2010 with open arms, an eager mind, and an open heart.
On the eve of 2010, we had full Blue Moon which was right above us when the clock stroke 12mn. It’s a good sign and a good omen. 2010 is going to be awesome.
Read MoreLucky to be safe. Lucky to be alive
This is lieu of the Serendra car explosion that happened the other day in front of Fullybooked.
To put it simply, I missed two explosions here in the city, twice. In these two instances, I could’ve been at the blast sight during the time of the explosion and could’ve gotten hurt. Or worse..killed. All because of simple decisions such as when to eat, I avoided being in the danger zone.
Lucky instance #1
The first one was the Glorietta 2, explosion back in 19 October 2007. I was in Makati with my friend April. About 15 mins before the blast, she asked if I wanted to go for lunch already. I remember looking outside and saying I was lazy because it just seemed too hot. But then after 5 mins, my hunger got the best of me therefore, I told April that, yah, we should go.
Our usual route : take a jeep along Makati avenue, get down at Landmark, walk a little and enter Glorietta 2. It normally took us about 15 mins to get there.
As we rode the jeep that day, the traffic was abnormally bad and there were sirens all over. There were police on their motorbikes and firetrucks rushing in the same direction – towards glorietta. Something was up. Amidst the mounting chaos, I received a call from my mom. “Where are you? A bomb exploded in Glorietta. You better stay clear of that area.”
My hair stood up. If it wasn’t for our laziness, April and I would’ve been at the area of the explosion site when it blew up.
Lucky instance #2
Some of you have heard about the car explosion in Serendra just the other day (15 Dec 2009). For those of you who don’t know, you can check my previous post about it.
I work on High Street which is right beside Serendra. For lunch, my colleagues and I usually walk from our office to Market Market, passing by area where the explosion happened. On the day of the explosion, I would’ve been walking along that area if not for a proposal that I had to finishing.
About 12nn, I was thinking of finishing the proposal after lunch but decided against it. Whilst typing away, we at the office heard that thunder-like boom and wondered what it was. When we looked outside the window, we saw guards rushing towards Fullybooked. My colleagues and I went down and discovered that a car had exploded.
Though the blast was not strong enough to kill anyone more than 5 meters away, there may have been shrapnel or other little pieces of whatnot that may have injured the bystanders. Have I gone out for lunch earlier, I would’ve found myself in that area. I may have potentially gotten hurt.
Bottom line
These stories aren’t really dramatic. Yet, the possibility of my presence at the explosion sites during those events makes me think… “damn I’m lucky”. Who would’ve known small decisions such as “I want to eat now” or “I’ll eat later” can change things. This does not apply just to those two incidents but rather, to things in general.
How many instances in our lives did we avoid danger by just making one little decision? Unless the avoidance of harm was as obvious as my experience, we’ll never know. Maybe because you decided to make one turn too early, you avoided a lurking stranger with malicious intentions. Maybe this and maybe that.
The bottom line is, if you are safe and alive… thats something to be thankful for.
Read MoreLearning How to Write again
I feel like a cripple who’s learning how to walk again after her cast has been removed. And seriously, I know how it feels like.I have broken my foot in the past and I have gone through the process of learning how to walk again. Its knowing how to do something which was supposedly second nature to you (and something you love) but you just can’t at that moment because the very thing that allows you to do that action is the very thing that’s preventing you from doing it. I know very well how to walk (step, step, step) but it was very difficult because my leg was atrophied. I needed time to build the muscle so I could do something I loved once more – walking.
Its the same with writing. Its been a while since I’ve written something which is for others to read (aside from my last blog posts. Those were warm ups). I don’t know how good I am but I’ve always loved writing. I keep a notebook with me where ever I go to write down or draw the most random things. But for that’s as far as it has been ever since I graduated from college. Its as if my mind has atrophied from years of not being able to churn out compositions, papers, forced creative writing (which I did enjoy despite it being forced and graded).
I’ve been craving to create something and this is the easiest and best way I know. (Next would be dancing but that’s another story for a another time.. and that another muscle I’ll need to rebuild)
So here I am -
Overcoming that fear of “what if no one reads me”.
Reactivating an atrophied mind and building muscle.
Learning to write again.
…I remember when I finally got to walk again. I was really happy. I never took my foot, nor walking, for granted again.
Birthday Week (Day 2) : Death by Stress and Birthday Greetings
That’s exactly what day two was about – death by birthday greeting and work stress. In a matter of hours, the semi-festive mood I was in on my birthday disspated when faced with the reality that one:
