Last June 12, as everyone was celebrating Independence day or perhaps starting to enjoy the long weekend, I decided to do a symbolic “INDEPENDENCE DAY RUN” around the streets of Dasmariñas Villag in Makati. This was my 2nd run for the week, with the first being interval training at ULTRA last Thursday.

.

As my personal commemoration of our Independence Day, I decided to free myself from excuses for not running, for not watching what I eat, for not exercising and being active… in short, NO MORE EXCUSES. I’ve been out of the running scene since the start of the year and I think it’s taking it’s toll on my health already. My clothes no longer fit and I’m back to wearing the clothes I had already set aside a year ago. I am usually short of breath whenever I walk up the stairs at Malcolm Hall.

.

I’ve been pathetically trying to run the past 6 months but my excuses have always gotten the better of me. I need to finish do this or do that, see this person, visit this place and all sorts of other excuses which I know in my head is just really an excuse.

.

Those who helped me get back
As I was going through the difficulty of racing, there were people who continually supported me and helped me get back. First and foremost is my favorite “running classmate” and running buddy Doray who always asks if I’d be running a race or would be going to ULTRA to train. We’d give each other wake up calls and make kulit to get up, get dressed and head to ULTRA. Last Thursday, she was the reason that I finally went to ULTRA to run. I did my first interval workout, doing a 5km session after a 2km warm-up and drills.

Passion Runner and Doralicious at Condura Run

Ian is another good friend of mine who has been teaching me a lot of running techniques. He’s also very depnendable whenever I need a running companion. Good thing he doesn’t get angry everytime he ends up waiting for me.. hehe!  I tell him, “Let’s meet at ULTRA, 6am” and then I arrive by 7:30am. Peach Ian!

.

Coach Rio, Ian and Passion Runner

.

Another person whose been really helpful is Jay, the co-owner of Paul Calvin’s Deli. We met each other at the Men’s Health Miracle Run in UP and we’re both part of the original iamninoy runners. He paced me during my pitiful run during the 3rd AutoReview Run for Road Safety and Courtesy where I did a time of 36 mins for 5k. He did not allow me to walk, jog or stop for a second. He was pushing me all the way and kept on saying, Kaya mo yan! Konti na lang. If it weren’t for Jay, I doubt I would have finished the race running. It was the first race I joined for the year wherein I didn’t walk.