
Technically, 10.10.10 marked my 1st anniversary as a marathon buff but ever since I started running every event is like a ranniversary for me.
My love for marathon provided me with a number reason to celebrate regardless of how trivial they may be.
It is in marathon that I learned to respect my body’s limitations and discover how farther I can push myself to establish new personal records and set new goals, acknowledged the strength of my legs and feet, developed high regards for my fellow runners, earned the admiration of my colleagues, lost weight, maintained my current weight, rekindled old friendship, met new friends, introduced friends to other friends, smiled at strangers, started my collection of singlets and bibs, encouraged others to run and this list can go on and on……

It was during the Run for Pasig in October 10, 2009 when I first had a taste of Marathon.
My first ever marathon and I dared signed up for the 10K category!
Back then I have little knowledge about long distance running, no proper training nor a pair of suitable running shoes.
Equipped with nothing but my guts and the desire to run for a cause I braved the stretch of Roxas Boulevard from Luneta to San Juan De Dios Hospital and back to Quirino Grand Stand along with the other runners.
Keeping in mind the line “complete not compete” I heard from the speaker during the marathon clinic provided by Sun Life who also paid for our registration, I was never conscious of the time and so I took the liberty of turning the event into a walk-a-thon.
Two hours and I-don’t-care-anymore-minutes I finally crossed the finish line with pride and a sore pair of legs and feet.
I maybe limping and aching all over but as I crossed the welcoming arch that says finish I was secretly smiling for I was proud for being one of the many who helped in our own little way rehabilitate Pasig River.
As I settled down to rest and devour our packed breakfast I made a decision to make running my sports and I made a vow to myself: I will never again run the 10K category unless I am ready. I will start and train in the 5K division and will not leave unless I meet my 30-minute only goal.
And with the motivation to improve my personal record I have joined in 10 running events from November 2009 to 2010:

Del Monte Fit N Right Fun Run 2009 (Nov 22, 2009) – 42mins & 15secs
Nature Valley Run 2010 (May 30, 2010) – 39mins & 50secs
Rexona Run For Men (Aug 1, 2010) – 36mins & 35secs
Finex Fun Run – (Sep 12, 2010) – 37mins
Miles for Smile (Aug 22, 2010) – 34mins & 16secs
Run for Pasig (Oct 10, 2010) – 42mins
STEP OUT! Avon Walk & Run 2010 (Oct 3, 2010) – 32mins & 37secs
The Pink Run (Oct 17, 2010) – 33mins & 13secs
Mc Donalds Fun Run (Nov 28, 2010) – 32mins & 18secs
Unilab Run United (Nov 21, 2010) – 31mins & 9secs
I wanted my last run for 2010 to be the indication for me to give the 10K another try and I got my wish.
Though the Unilab Run United result was still short of 1 minute of meeting my goal it was undeniably close to my target.
To celebrate this achievement I surrendered to the call of level up and registered in the Bull Run, Takbo Para Sa Ekonomiya 2010.

The month of December being unbelievably busy, I hardly had time to practice and prepare for the event and so apart from my excitement, my apprehension was fast growing.
I was starting to see this scene repeatedly playing in my head, a replay of my first ten-kilometer run.
Jokingly, I shared with friends my fear of being picked-up by the paramedic and being fetched by the marshals because the time was already up and they need to clear the road of runners for the normal traffic to resume.
Terrified of being the butt of jokes of my running buddies, I ran my ass off during the holiday season.
Thanks to Aris, Patrick, Ian and Mariz – my supportive brother, nephews and niece. I was able to squeeze in at least an hour of practice during the Christmas vacation even after the sun had already set and even if no less than 10 people remained in the vast and tranquil garden for the departed.
The memorial garden or Hardin as we call it was a perfect place for me to practice and develop my speed because of the uphill and downhill landscapes.
In the one year and four months that I have been running I have noticed a great improvement in my endurance so it was time for me to work on my speed.
The combination of both endurance and speed would definitely help me in achieving my new goals: 45 minutes for the 10K category, 16K category by August this year, 21K or half marathon by 2012 and full marathon or 42K before I turn 40.
My practices did pay off as evident in my recent runs:
Bull Run, Takbo Para Sa Ekonomiya (January 4, 2011) - 1hour & 9minutes
Condura Skyway Marathon (February 6, 2011) - 1hour & 7minutes
Finishing these runs earlier than expected was yet another reason for me to celebrate.
The holiday season practices have become a regular bonding for me and my family every time I come home to Bulacan.
I hope to develop in my nephews and nieces the love for running which I believe is not far from happening as I see them race each other as we leave for fear of being left behind at the memorial garden.
As I’ve said, the list of reasons to celebrate, of the joys and benefits I get out of running is an ongoing thing and to share more:
Regular running has improved my metabolism a great deal.
I am rice person, I can consume 3 cups of rice in one meal and I get to enjoy that without fear of getting back to my old weight.
My singlet size when I first run in 2010 was LARGE, I know have a variety of sizes in my growing collection of singlet and extra small is among them.
I get to see celebrities every run including coach Rio, Donna Cruz, Garry Estrada Bernadette Allison, Donita Rose, Christine Jacobs, Liezel Sumilang, Iza Calzado, Jackilou Blanco, PBA players and a couple of sportscasters.

And most of all running makes me feel good about myself, I get a confidence boost that I don’t get from badminton and swimming and I get to help causes while doing something I truly love at the same time.