A Night Run

Almost a month after my last race in the Run for Home sponsored by Globe and Ayala Land Inc., here's another much awaited event the Kenny's Open Urbanite run which will be held on Saturday (Aug 15). Proceeds will be donated to Hands On Manila and 57-75 movement. I was glad that I have recuperated with my ITB injury and was able to start running since last week. I am looking forward for a comfortable run this coming saturday and enjoy the event. I just hope to finish the race without any injury.

We in the Gone Running Club supports the cause of this event and I am glad to say that we were able to invite new friends who enjoys running to be part of the group and join the running events. As we support the Kenny's event, the group will also Run Against Corruption as part of our Advocacy. The runs that we made this week condemns the lavish dinner that was enjoyed by our political leaders, whom I believe should have been sensitive with the current situation in our Country.

The Kenny's Urbanite event would be a new experience for some runners including me as this will be a night race (most of the races are held in the morning of sundays). I have been running at nights this past week and I hope that helps with the night environment.

Good luck to all runners on saturday and thank you in advance for the organizers and sponsors of this event. Run safely!

The Knight is Back!

A week after my last LSD run two weeks ago, I had to refrain from running and even biking for the whole week, I had to sideline myself and really avoid doing any strenuous leg exercises in order for me to recuperate. While I had a week of no training, I devoted most of my time studying and doing my research for my MBA class. I thought of doing weight training, but I suddenly felt so tired the moment I decided to stop my physical activities. I have been non-stop since February when I started biking and eventually running after the Condura Run, so why not give myself a break and get the rest I truly deserve. After all, I owe it to my body.

While recuperating, I have done most ITB stretching exercises in order to help relieve the pain. I have been applying hot compress to ease the pain quickly. One Saturday, I went to RUNNR store to have a Gait Analysis, and it turned out that I am an over pronator. Then as the staff was explaining to me, I learned that there are different types of shoes, there is the cushion shoes, stability shoes, and motion control shoes. I was advised to use a stability shoes. It was only then that I learned about different types of running shoes. Anyway, I ended up buying a new pair, unfortunately, I did not buy on the day that I went to RUNNR (sorry, but I vowed to go back and purchase at your store in the next weeks to come). I bought my shoes 3 days after at New Balance store in Festival Mall in Alabang, I got the NB 1224 stability shoes, and yes, I have used it already.

This week's run

I started to run Sunday afternoon last week, took a 6km distance with very slow pace inside the village and good thing there was no pain in my right knee. I felt that pushing it further would not do me any good. Then Tuesday, I started to break in my new shoes, took a lot of stretching before running just to make sure that I dont feel any pain. After 6km, knee feels ok and my breathing was fine, so i decided to ran further and I ended up completing a 10km run! Feels good again, and at this point I knew that i can get back to my training plan.

Come Wednesday, as most runners did, (where they offered a run to bid farewell to our former President Cory), I myself had my own contribution by running in our village. I scheduled an afternoon run but I had to wait for the rain to stop. Surprisingly, I did another pain free 10k run. It was rest day on Thursday, and took another 6k run on Friday.

Finally, today was another scheduled LSD run for the Gone Running Club, I am scheduled to run 15k. We assembled 5am and took the usual route from Paseo Sta Rosa - Nuvali - Lasalle - Paseo to complete the 15k run. As we took off, I was surprised with the fast pace of Jay, Val, Kuya Erning, and Vince. I was running behind the pack at take off, but I had to slow down as I can't run at their pace, As planned, I took a slow pace and still mindful of my knee. I havent completed this 15k route since we started our sunday runs because of my injury. But I was confident that I can finish it today since the weekday runs were all good. It was a great run, the weather was good, and I was enjoying it. The best part of my run was at my 11th km, I was running at 6:15km/min, (must have been my second wind). Well for my speed, that was fast already, I hope to improve further in the next weeks to come (no need to rush!). On the 12th km onwards, pace was steady at 7:00k/min. I ended up finishing 16k today and this was the farthest distance that I have ever ran. I guess Im back, and I do wish that the succeeding runs will be injury free!

Keep on Running!

Farewell Tita Cory

Today, the nation brings Tita Cory to her final rest. Much has been said about our former President. How she has unselfishly offered herself to serve the country with undying devotion and commitment. She has shown true leadership with utmost integrity and honor. I give my respect and honor to you Tita Cory. As a way of honoring you, i will be running today as a sign of my gratitude to what you have done for the Country and the Filipino people.

She has been a true mother of her kids and a mother of the Filipino people. Indeed true leadership began at home. A simple person who has a strong family value has lead Tita Cory to lead our Country. Let me share with you today's leadership lesson from the book of John Maxwell's Leadership (promises for everyday), which i find relevant on the leadership trait of our former president. Here it goes:

LEADERSHIP BEGINS AT HOME

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorities in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." - Joshua 24:15

"As a Leader, where should your influence begin? A good answer can be drawn for the life of Joshua. For him - as for other leaders wanting to make an impact beyond their lifetimes - it began at home. Before anything else, Joshua took responsibility for the spiritual life of his family. Joshua's leadership of his family was more important than his leadership of country. It may sound ironic, but when leaders put their families first, the community benefits. When leaders put the community first, both their families and the community suffer. Starting at home is always the key to affecting others in a positive way. Because Joshua had his priorities right and had led his household well, he gained credibility to lead the entire house of Israel.

If you have a family, put them first in your leadership. There's no legacy like that of the positive influence leaders can exercise with their family." - JOHN C. MAXWELL

May you rest in peace and your leagacy lives on. Thank you Tita Cory. Farewell..