First of all, I'd like to say it feels good to be back on my blog. I know it's been quite a while. And I'm just happy that I have something to write about this time. I'll do my best to keep my enthusiasm in blogging. After all, I'm a first-time blogger. So I guess you can forgive me during those times when it seems I'm out to another corner in the universe.
Anyway, I'm happy to say I was one of those who finished the 21k 34th Milo Marathon Cebu Eliminations. It was my first 21k race ever. And it was one heck of an "initiation" for me. I've ran distances close to 21k in my practice runs. But it's really different when you're already experiencing the real thing. I still got the medal although I finished 15 mins. after cut-off time. Organizers, thank you so much for recognizing the runners' hardwork!
But I'm writing this post not so much to relay my experience during the Milo Cebu leg. It's more about sharing the effect of this race on me, not the physical, but the psychoemotional. Yeah. You might think it's starting to get cheesy or melodramatic at this point. But hey, you got to admit that running is more than just a physical activity. So its effects also go beyond the physical level. What exactly am I referring to?
Well, I'm wondering why everytime you finish a major milestone in your life, you seem to pause and think about your life. And this happens without you trying to induce it. In my case, I was so excited about this race even months before its schedule. I focused my efforts in preparing for it. And as the days came nearer to the "big day", my excitement was just hyped up. So the day came, I went through the birth pains of a 1st-time 21k runner, and eventually, I made it. But right now, there seems to be a vacuum inside of me.I feel kinda empty. And I ask myself the enigmatic question, "What now?" And what scares me is that I can't find the answer, or at least I'm not sure what to answer. It feels strange for me. All of a sudden, I'm asking myself what I really want to do with my life. The numerous options before me is just making it more difficult for me to decide.
I know finishing 21k isn't really the most fantastic thing a runner can do. But for someone like me who considered it a major milestone in his life, there's a feeling of emptiness now that I can't explain.
I know this post is getting quite lengthy already. So I'll share the rest of my thoughts on my next post...
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Missing the Road
July was a month of rest from running for me. The primary reason was my injury in my right leg. I also had a lot of deliverables at work, targets to meet w/c required undivided attention. But as I went on a hiatus from my current fave hobby, I noticed I was also becoming sickly. I'm not sure there's a correlation, but perhaps my body adjusted again to inactivity just like before I got into running. The first 2 weeks were the most difficult. Now that July is about to end, my enthusiasm is slowly coming back. Hope my leg had more than enough time to heal. It was also a time to think, reflect, reconnect with old hobbies, review, or just let be. Before, I used to complain that running was too tedious for me, and I always hesitated during meal break runs since by then I was too tired at work. It took a lot of guts to stick to my running sched. Now that I've given up running temporarily, I miss the feeling of being tired but happy after each practice run or each race. I miss the feeling of being soaked in sweat and drinking water or Gatorade like there's no tomorrow. I even miss the feeling of side stitch! Damn! So I want to make the most out of August. I won't be joining a lot of races, but I'll be practicing a lot ( I even need help on this one). The real goal is in September. So to fellow citizens of the running world, see ya!
Till my next road reverie.
Till my next road reverie.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Game Plan
Hopefully, this will stick. But being the fickle-minded chap that I am, I know this Can change. Just wanna share though my present "game plan".
In one of my reflection moments, I thought about what the overall picture of my life will be. Nope, this was not during one of my fun runs, but running was a major factor why I took some time to think about this. So I thought that if running is giving me satisfaction right now, what are the other things or areas in my life that have always been, or are always giving me the similar satisfaction that I get from the sport? I thought about the most important things in my life. What works for me and what does not, what I like and what I don't, what is possible for me and what should remain as dreams, etc. And after a few insightful yet quick moments, I decided to narrow down on 3 areas.
I call my game plan as a "tri-perspective life":
*My Spirituality-my relationship with God and with others. I know that every thing I have, or will ever have, is because of the sheer love of the Almighty for me. So if I am eager at this point in taking care of my body, all the more should I take care of my soul. After all, we're talking about eternity here.
*Work/Career-a meaningful career that allows me to make a difference for myself and for others; a successful, stimulating, significant career journey that allows me to maximize my potentials in the corporate arena while giving glory to God and service to the people I interact with.
*Running-this is my one and only sport, something I know I can be good at, and an avenue for self-development and meaningful social interactions. This is where I can be a child again, carefree and optimistic. This is where I can be forever young by being young at heart, and where I can laugh at myself and lay down fears of failure since I can start all over again.
Focusing one these 3 areas will hopefully simplify my life and fortify my focus. Life is one big race. It's better to be excellent at something, than to be mediocre in all others.
Oops. My cheemeter (cheeziness meter) is telling me now to stop. Hehe...But I hope I made some sense. It's a random thought that I still think about every now and then. Perhaps my subconscious self knows that the potential of this game plan, when realized, can bring about terrific results in my life.
Till my next road reverie.
In one of my reflection moments, I thought about what the overall picture of my life will be. Nope, this was not during one of my fun runs, but running was a major factor why I took some time to think about this. So I thought that if running is giving me satisfaction right now, what are the other things or areas in my life that have always been, or are always giving me the similar satisfaction that I get from the sport? I thought about the most important things in my life. What works for me and what does not, what I like and what I don't, what is possible for me and what should remain as dreams, etc. And after a few insightful yet quick moments, I decided to narrow down on 3 areas.
I call my game plan as a "tri-perspective life":
*My Spirituality-my relationship with God and with others. I know that every thing I have, or will ever have, is because of the sheer love of the Almighty for me. So if I am eager at this point in taking care of my body, all the more should I take care of my soul. After all, we're talking about eternity here.
*Work/Career-a meaningful career that allows me to make a difference for myself and for others; a successful, stimulating, significant career journey that allows me to maximize my potentials in the corporate arena while giving glory to God and service to the people I interact with.
*Running-this is my one and only sport, something I know I can be good at, and an avenue for self-development and meaningful social interactions. This is where I can be a child again, carefree and optimistic. This is where I can be forever young by being young at heart, and where I can laugh at myself and lay down fears of failure since I can start all over again.
Focusing one these 3 areas will hopefully simplify my life and fortify my focus. Life is one big race. It's better to be excellent at something, than to be mediocre in all others.
Oops. My cheemeter (cheeziness meter) is telling me now to stop. Hehe...But I hope I made some sense. It's a random thought that I still think about every now and then. Perhaps my subconscious self knows that the potential of this game plan, when realized, can bring about terrific results in my life.
Till my next road reverie.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Why Run?
Reverie- the condition of being lost in thought; Daydream (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reverie)
First of all, I'd like to say, by blog standards, this will be a long entry. It's my first and I will claim my right to verbal, ehem, written diarrhea. Hehe...
I may rightfully be called, "the accidental runner". I bumped into this "delightful physical torture" (sounds exaggerated perhaps) one lazy morning in March this year, when I and a few work colleagues/friends decided to make it an informal bonding activity. I even thought of declining, as the thought of waking up early on a Sunday morning was just horrible. But it turns out, I've chosen to remember the date and keep it safe in my memory, March 7, 2010. For me, it was like meeting someone who later on became special. Cheesy, I know. Anyway, when we finished the race, my companions were relieved. After all, it was just a one-time bonding activity, no more, no less. But I was smiling, looking forward to the next race. Gosh, is this me talking?
I can vividly picture out how I looked on that race. I wore blue shorts, my shoes were just the typical, not-meant-for-running rubber shoes, and of course the singlet from the race organizers for my tops. I even laugh at it every time I browse my file photos in FB. The other runners who saw me must have had an easy time telling I was a newbie runner to the superlative degree. Haha!
Back to my love story with running. Right from the very first race I joined, which was a 6k, there was something in me that got hooked into it. And initially, I hated the feeling. I was afraid I was fooling myself that I could possibly like any form of strenuous physical activity. Throw at me any kind of mental challenge and my adrenaline levels rise. But this time around, it was coming from another, unexpected source. So the next few months were a whirlwind of short races. I've had 8 races so far. Not bad since I started 4 months ago. Each race only heightened my excitement for the next one. I realized further that I was at square one in running. My office mates who got into the sport way earlier than I did were giving me tips, advice and the technical terms/know-hows, whetting my appetite for running even more.
So why do I run? For a variety of reasons, which eventually end up interrelated w/ each other:
* At first, it was just the ecstatic feeling I have when finishing the race. But I had one race where the feeling after was not just ecstatic, but euphoric. The more elite ones definitely took it as chicken feed. But your first time in a longer category almost always leaves a mark.
*Second, running does a lot of good to your health. This cliche gains renewed relevance when the runner starts experiencing the benefits.I love having my own interpretations on what running does to me physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. I believe the sweat I produce when running is different from sweating on regular conditions. I feel the toxins are released from inside, and I feel good afterwards. Oh well, it's me and my thoughts again. Aside from this, my immune system has also improved. Before, I was so prone to colds. Almost every week brings about a new series of attending to a runny nose and popping Decolgen or Biogesic so I can doze off and be less annoyed. But shortly after I got into running, I was amazed I didn't have the "regular" colds anymore.
*Third, running became a healthy diversion for me. It became a release for my tensions in life. If you're one who's serious in building a career in a multinational company, you know life ain't a walk in the park. Running reminds me to take it easy and not allow work or non-work pressures to get the better of me.
*Fourth, running has become a bookmark of my life's chronicle. Hey, I'm serious! It's become an effective reminder that if I have goals in life, I gotta try and try until I succeed. Never say die. Running is now my sign post on how well I am doing in acheiving my life goals. When I had my first 10k in the Great Lapu-lapu Run, I was exhausted in the middle of the race. I didn't expect 10k would seem that long for a first-timer. Many times, I thought of stepping aside and abandoning the race. But no, I told myself I was gonna finish the race no matter what. Even if I'll be the last one to reach the finish line. I'd be more ashamed if I told others I abandoned the race. The same thing applies in life. When things don't turn out as we intended them to, and our plans are frustrated, we should not succumb to the spirit of defeat and tell ourselves, " I'll never be able to do it." Because of running, I learned how to say more often, " I can if I try harder."
*Fifth reason is that it reinforced my values in life, particularly discipline, humor and humility. If you wanna make progress in running, you need to have disicipline, like waking up early to make sure you're not late for the race, sticking up to your practice sched., etc. Being able to laugh at yourself when you fail or make mistakes in your races is also essential. Otherwise, it'll make you hot-tempered and bitter, and takes the fun out of running. What if you pick up a fight w/ another runner because you thought he intentionally hit your back or stepped on your shoes? Tsk.tsk. Running also taught me to have more humility. I have to recognize the fact that I'm just a beginner and I have a long way to go (literally and figuratively) compared to the other runners I meet in the race. I have to be patient with myself and trust that eventually, I will get there.
So, why do I call my blog, " Road Reverie"? Well, to be honest, my mind gets so preoccupied w/ different thoughts when I run. I even think I'm not the typical runner. When I start working out my feet, I think a lot about different things. Random thoughts fill my mind, which otherwise doesn't happen when I'm quiet or doing nothing. I remember certain people, some I haven't seen for a long time. I remember scenes from my younger years. I imagine myself being the person I want to be. I imagine the kind of house I want to have, my dream car, my dream job, the places I want to go to, etc. In other words, I daydream. It's like I enter into a trance. But I'm not at all distracted. More than any kind of energy bar or electrolyte drink, these thoughts actually serve as my most powerful motivators to reach the finish line. If I am excited about running, all the more should I be excited about my life.
So there you have it. I've reached the finish line for this post. It always feels fulfilling when you finish something.
Till my next road reverie.
First of all, I'd like to say, by blog standards, this will be a long entry. It's my first and I will claim my right to verbal, ehem, written diarrhea. Hehe...
I may rightfully be called, "the accidental runner". I bumped into this "delightful physical torture" (sounds exaggerated perhaps) one lazy morning in March this year, when I and a few work colleagues/friends decided to make it an informal bonding activity. I even thought of declining, as the thought of waking up early on a Sunday morning was just horrible. But it turns out, I've chosen to remember the date and keep it safe in my memory, March 7, 2010. For me, it was like meeting someone who later on became special. Cheesy, I know. Anyway, when we finished the race, my companions were relieved. After all, it was just a one-time bonding activity, no more, no less. But I was smiling, looking forward to the next race. Gosh, is this me talking?
I can vividly picture out how I looked on that race. I wore blue shorts, my shoes were just the typical, not-meant-for-running rubber shoes, and of course the singlet from the race organizers for my tops. I even laugh at it every time I browse my file photos in FB. The other runners who saw me must have had an easy time telling I was a newbie runner to the superlative degree. Haha!
Back to my love story with running. Right from the very first race I joined, which was a 6k, there was something in me that got hooked into it. And initially, I hated the feeling. I was afraid I was fooling myself that I could possibly like any form of strenuous physical activity. Throw at me any kind of mental challenge and my adrenaline levels rise. But this time around, it was coming from another, unexpected source. So the next few months were a whirlwind of short races. I've had 8 races so far. Not bad since I started 4 months ago. Each race only heightened my excitement for the next one. I realized further that I was at square one in running. My office mates who got into the sport way earlier than I did were giving me tips, advice and the technical terms/know-hows, whetting my appetite for running even more.
So why do I run? For a variety of reasons, which eventually end up interrelated w/ each other:
* At first, it was just the ecstatic feeling I have when finishing the race. But I had one race where the feeling after was not just ecstatic, but euphoric. The more elite ones definitely took it as chicken feed. But your first time in a longer category almost always leaves a mark.
*Second, running does a lot of good to your health. This cliche gains renewed relevance when the runner starts experiencing the benefits.I love having my own interpretations on what running does to me physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. I believe the sweat I produce when running is different from sweating on regular conditions. I feel the toxins are released from inside, and I feel good afterwards. Oh well, it's me and my thoughts again. Aside from this, my immune system has also improved. Before, I was so prone to colds. Almost every week brings about a new series of attending to a runny nose and popping Decolgen or Biogesic so I can doze off and be less annoyed. But shortly after I got into running, I was amazed I didn't have the "regular" colds anymore.
*Third, running became a healthy diversion for me. It became a release for my tensions in life. If you're one who's serious in building a career in a multinational company, you know life ain't a walk in the park. Running reminds me to take it easy and not allow work or non-work pressures to get the better of me.
*Fourth, running has become a bookmark of my life's chronicle. Hey, I'm serious! It's become an effective reminder that if I have goals in life, I gotta try and try until I succeed. Never say die. Running is now my sign post on how well I am doing in acheiving my life goals. When I had my first 10k in the Great Lapu-lapu Run, I was exhausted in the middle of the race. I didn't expect 10k would seem that long for a first-timer. Many times, I thought of stepping aside and abandoning the race. But no, I told myself I was gonna finish the race no matter what. Even if I'll be the last one to reach the finish line. I'd be more ashamed if I told others I abandoned the race. The same thing applies in life. When things don't turn out as we intended them to, and our plans are frustrated, we should not succumb to the spirit of defeat and tell ourselves, " I'll never be able to do it." Because of running, I learned how to say more often, " I can if I try harder."
*Fifth reason is that it reinforced my values in life, particularly discipline, humor and humility. If you wanna make progress in running, you need to have disicipline, like waking up early to make sure you're not late for the race, sticking up to your practice sched., etc. Being able to laugh at yourself when you fail or make mistakes in your races is also essential. Otherwise, it'll make you hot-tempered and bitter, and takes the fun out of running. What if you pick up a fight w/ another runner because you thought he intentionally hit your back or stepped on your shoes? Tsk.tsk. Running also taught me to have more humility. I have to recognize the fact that I'm just a beginner and I have a long way to go (literally and figuratively) compared to the other runners I meet in the race. I have to be patient with myself and trust that eventually, I will get there.
So, why do I call my blog, " Road Reverie"? Well, to be honest, my mind gets so preoccupied w/ different thoughts when I run. I even think I'm not the typical runner. When I start working out my feet, I think a lot about different things. Random thoughts fill my mind, which otherwise doesn't happen when I'm quiet or doing nothing. I remember certain people, some I haven't seen for a long time. I remember scenes from my younger years. I imagine myself being the person I want to be. I imagine the kind of house I want to have, my dream car, my dream job, the places I want to go to, etc. In other words, I daydream. It's like I enter into a trance. But I'm not at all distracted. More than any kind of energy bar or electrolyte drink, these thoughts actually serve as my most powerful motivators to reach the finish line. If I am excited about running, all the more should I be excited about my life.
So there you have it. I've reached the finish line for this post. It always feels fulfilling when you finish something.
Till my next road reverie.
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