i'm sorry... i got stinky... i got dirty... but see... I LEARNED!

This piece was originally posted in my friendster account. Some parts were edited and improved? I think... hheheeee..

When I was a teenager, there will be only one place you'll find me when I'm not at home. Sa basketball court. :) Tatay even enrolled me in MILO B.E.S.T. clinics every summer vacation and I completed the 4 levels plus the refresher course.

I was so passionate about basketball. The dribbling, passing, shooting, and specially running. Yes, running and I was one of the fastest kid in our place.

Running was one of the things that the doctor ordered to get rid of my asthma. And from where I grew up, the only place I can run is at the basketball court. Our maid will always get angry with me when I got home from playing basketball. Because I always wear my white sando playing basketball and it will really get dirty.

After I got married, I still played basketball and joined basketball leagues. At the village, at work, wherever I'm invited. No, I'm not wearing white sando's anymore. White t-shirt na. And it's my wife who gets angry. Hehehe

But there came a point when the passion just faded. I still shoot hoops from time to time but no more full basketball games, no more running. Most of the time, I'd be in front of the computer.

Sometime June 2008
One of my office mate encouraged me to join runs. She told me to try it first on a treadmill, and even invited me as her guest at Fitness First, Ayala. Why not, try lang naman.

When I arrived at the gym, I was expecting that I will do some stretching first. But no. I was accompanied straight to the treadmill and the distance was setup to 10K. I said to myself, kayang-kaya.

I was wrong.

Reaching the 1st 2K, I was already panting. I was trying to remember things I learned playing basketball games non-stop without water when I was younger. Then suddenly I felt numb. I ran, I walked, I ran, I walked. No pauses, no stops. I changed the speed of the treadmill from 6.5kph to 11.5kph alternately. But I did not stop to take a breather. When I reached 10K, the timer read 82mins.

I can do this. I said to myself.

Days later... I signed up for my very first run, that is the RUSH TO INFINITY (BIB#780) for 10K.

June 29, 2008. 05:30am Lessons Learned

I arrived at THE FORT for the RUSH TO INFINITY. As a newbie, I suddenly felt I wasn't dressed for the occasion. I was wearing a cotton shirt and a jogging pants. Good thing I have my cap to cover my face from shame. Lesson number 1. See me? :)

I was looking for my office mate, so that I'll have someone to talk to. But I couldn't find her. Until the announcer said that 15k run is about to start. Different distance pala, usually start on different times. Lesson number 2.

And so, I readied myself for the start of the 10k run. Trying to blend in by stretching my legs and trying to do what the other runners do. Then we're off. Nearing the first water station, the newbie me passed up to hydrate. Newbie mistake... I was thirsting for water for the next kilometers. Lesson number 3.

I finished the race and clocked in at 1hr15min, according to the timer at the finish line. Better than my treadmill time. Although at RUNRIO.COM, my time is listed at 1:28:09. Which Coach Rio admitted that there were errors on the time. So, i shouldn't expect very accurate race results every time. Lesson number 4.

So much for my first run. I'm not one of the elite runners... yet. Hehehehe. But I don't care. What is important is that, I learned and it has awaken something inside of me. And I don't wear whites anymore during runs. :)