RUNNING CHANGED MY LIFE IN ONE YEAR

One year! I’ve been running for one year today. Wow!

My first encounter with running is still vivid. A friend of mine invited me to jog in Ateneo after office and I didn’t know that my 15-minute run would turn my world upside down. As I always say, it was really love at first run.

Unlike others, I did not have any strange or dramatic motivation for this passion. I did not have any reason at all when I got into it. I just jumped into that instant passion when I first hit the road. All I knew was I couldn’t contain the attraction I had to act on it. I had no idea about the benefits of running but what I have now are countless reasons why I continue to love it. These are surprises I stumbled on along the way.

Pre-run era

I was hypochondriac and was going through a very difficult time in my life before I discovered running. I succumbed into depression for a couple of months. The nightmare started when I was suspected of having thyroid cancer in 2008. The news sketched worries and fears. I drastically lost weight because of anxiety. The series of laboratory tests also took a toll on my body. And at that point when I needed that place of security and comfort in my life, it was gone. These realities smashed my faith into rabbles leaving me with nowhere to turn to for survival. I groped in the dark that both wanting to live and longing to die both made sense and were non-sense to me. But I woke up one day realizing there was really no other option but for me to face the challenges head on; to accept the possibility of cancer but remain hopeful and embrace the truth that something I tried so hard to keep has died. After a few months, cancer was ruled out. I also began to embrace the willingness to go through the process of healing and letting go.

I slowly got out of the misery and started to see the world with a fresh perspective. I had to unearth virtues and life lessons that were buried by so much pain. It was in this context that running came.

Running to running

Without even trying, running helped me pick up the pieces. It taught me to celebrate life and to thank the Lord for every ounce of strength I have and that life is a gift no matter how tough things could get. I learned that pain is inevitable and it is my call whether to allow it to knock me down or choose to let it bring out the best in me.

Running has also become my place of solitude when I’m overwhelmed with the bustles and hustles of life. I run to running when I need to reflect and heal. I lace up and run immediately after a stressful meeting, a heated debate or just when I need escape from frustrations and keep my sanity. It never fails to give me clarity.

Running did not only introduce me to these things but also to who I really am. I didn’t know what the trick was but I became more aware of myself since I started running especially when I trained for and ran marathons. I discovered my ability to endure pain for the sake of something that makes me really happy, that I could actually commit to something and enjoy the sacrifices it requires to reach a dream. I also learned more about my limits and to accept the fact that there are things beyond my control.

Discipline is another gift that running gave me. It taught me that if I have a dream, I have to want it so badly and work hard for it. There’s been no point in my life than now that I’ve become obsessed with managing my time and making sure that I spend each second wisely. I think it’s because I’ve become more aware of how quick a second passes and that my 5 minutes could go as far as 1 kilometer. Training for a marathon taught me the highest form of discipline. It emphasized the importance of self –control and commitment. It allowed me to enjoy waking up in the morning even if I wanted to remain in bed. It’s enough reason to turn my back from the enticing site and smell of sweets and junk food. One good indicator that I was really into running was when I learned to be satisfied with just one cup of coffee a day when I used to have 4-7 cups. The withdrawal was a lot easier.

Routinely exciting

It also changed my body clock. Since we’re output based in the office and we’re not really required to report at any specific time unless we have meetings or activities, I used to wake up around 7:30-8:00 am. And if I cave in oversleeping, sometimes I’d wake up past 9:00am and then rush to get to the office before lunchtime. Waking up late was usually because I used to work until 2:00-3:00 in the morning.

Now, no matter how late I sleep, I’m up by 5:00-6:00 am and earlier if there are races. I got used to this schedule since I try to have my weekday runs before the scorching heat of the sun. To do this, I also changed my sleeping habit.

I love this routine. I like starting the day early. It provides a different kind of energy that sustains me the entire day. It makes me excited to wake up each day because I’ve something to look forward to.

Looking good

They say that when you seriously engage in any sport, diet follows and I can attest to this. I used not to mind what and how much I eat, but since I considered running a religion, I began to pick food that would make my body stronger so I could run more efficiently.

It also changed the way I look. I noticed I developed muscles here and there, even in my face. When I looked at my pictures before and compared it with my recent photos, I could spot the difference and I liked it. ;)

A whole new world

More than anything, more than the mileage, running has blessed me with new friends and introduced me to more and interesting people. This reminded me that I am never alone and that the world is wider and more wonderful than I thought. Every runner that I encounter has a unique story that taught me lessons I would have not discovered had I chosen to remain in my secluded world.

I could go on listing down the treasures I gained from running.

The past twelve months of conquering different roads with many wonderful people has been one of the best years of my life. It changed my life in ways I never imagined it would.

I loved running then and I still love it no less.