RUNNING OUT OF FRIENDS? RUN!

I never thought that an ordinary day in August last year would turn my life upside down when a close friend of mine invited me to jog in Ateneo. Toix should be blamed for how much addicted I am now to running. If not for her, I would have not discovered the wonder of running and would still be as depressed before.

After that momentous night in Ateneo, Toix and I started running regularly and with regularly I mean, everyday. Since we have flexible time in the office and our work sometimes extends until midnight, we would run at 1:00 a.m. to avoid a run-less day . In hindsight, it was insane that we were oblivious of the world and the harm that might come upon us. But I miss those crazy days when we're alone in the entire campus plus maybe the ones that we didn’t see with our naked eyes but we felt and heard.

Toix and I still run together once in a while and whatever happens to this running “career” of mine, I’d always be thankful to Toix not just for her sincere and genuine friendship but also for introducing me to running that led me to meeting new friends like Jaimie Dy. I’ve known Jaimie way before I started running. We’re acquaintances satisfied with hi and hello until I discovered that she too is a runner. Since then, we'd have long chats about races, running shoes, running coach, running here, running there, running everywhere. When I lost all my running stuff last year, Jaimie was one of the few who understood how devastating it was. So, she not only comforted me, she was also kind enough to lend me one of her running shoes. If not for Jaimie, maybe until now I’m still stuck with my little, confined world. She was the one who introduced me to The Bullrunner where I discovered about more races and the bigger, vibrant running community including a clinic sponsored by Runnex where I gained not only better running skills but more friends as well.

Runnex people are warm. They welcomed and encouraged me the first time I was there to attend the sessions regularly. But there was one who really spent time talking to me asking me about my plans and invited me to join the Quezon City International Marathon. She was running her first half marathon then so was I. After a few minutes of being acquainted, she did not hesitate to invite me to train with her in preparation for our first half. We exchanged numbers and started texting since then. She’d remind me of my singlet, ask me if I already had my gu gel, etc. We ran the first kilometers of the QCIM together and a number of other races after.

Ms. Chuchu is inspiring! She’s not as young as I am but her passion is a lot greater than mine. I see that glow in her eyes and hear a strong sense of enthusiasm in her voice everytime she talks about running.

On our way to one of the races, for instance, we talked about wanting to become triathletes. Although I was serious about it, I didn’t pay much attention to details. I thought that it couldn't be soon anyway since I had zero knowledge on swimming and biking. What I didn’t know was that Ms. Chu already made arrangements with a tri-coach for us. Few days after that race, she informed me of our swimming lessons and I just found myself dipped in a pool and now actually swimming and loving it. Before, I wouldn’t find time to swim and would make excuses to miss our lessons until Ms. Chu pushed me. Without her, I’d still be avoiding the water and would not get closer to our tri-dream.

I enjoy being around her. I love her energy! Her passion is an inspiration but her kindness and generosity are greater gifts I treasure as Ate Dee’s.

Like Ms. Chu, Ate Dee has become more than just a running buddy to me. I feel so at home around her. It started when we frequently run alongside each other during long runs in the Runnex clinic. There we'd talk about running and our (non-running) selves. While I cherish all my runs with her, I will not forget the race in Corregidor where we really talked and that long run in U.P. before the New Year when we indulged in the serenity and beauty of the campus together.

Ate Dee has become a textmate and a source of strength against fears of joining some races especially my first marathon. I’d run to her for support since she’s already a marathoner and she’s always been there to encourage me. And when I was having second thoughts about doing the Condura Marathon, she was one of those who cheered me and helped me boost my confidence. I admire Ate Dee’s passion and dedication not just in running but in everything she does. We’ve run a few times together and I always look forward to running and talking with her.

Toix, Jaimie, Ms. Chu and Ate Dee are the first people I text after each race to celebrate a PR with or grieve over a bad run.

I know that more people will be added to my list of friends as I continue to run because in running, you will never run out of friends.