Team JRunning

Below is an article written by the man who have inspired me to run for a healthy lifestyle. Kenyan, as we fondly called him, guided me in my training prior to my first 5k race together with gemini0522. Thanks Georgieboy for the encouragement!

Race for a healthy lifestyle
by Aubrey George T. Corpuz
(This article was first published in the latest issue of the NAMRIA newsletter.)

George at 169lbs(left) and him with son nonoy at the finishline of the 29th National Milo Marathon 42K finals.

Studies show that cardiovascular-related diseases are already among the top five killers in the country. If you are overweight or obese, chances are you will later suffer a heart attack or stroke. And if you have relatives who have suffered from or are suffering such diseases, you double the risk.
More than a year ago, it was so exhausting for me to carry a 169-pound frame for a 5 foot 3 ½ inches height. Reaching the third floor using the stairs already stimulated my sweat glands, and caused me to breathe deeply. Traveling from the main building to the RSRDAD office (about 500 meters) really knocked me out. Aside from scandalous snores, I also occasionally experienced a somewhat needle-pricking sensation on my chest. Until one day, I went to the NAMRIA Clinic to check my blood pressure for a suspected alta presion and I was really shocked: 160/110 for a late 20s guy! Taking maintenance medicines was an option if I wanted to live longer. If my lifestyle continued, what would happen when I get 30 or 40, or can I even reach the age of 50? Maybe I should find another alternative, I thought, other than taking Pritol, Lipitor, Betaloc, Calci-bloc, Neobloc, Acupril, Diazepam, or Trazepam the rest of my life.
It was good to learn that we have officemates who were then regularly participating in fun runs. But the problem was, whether I could complete the five- kilometer (5K) run or not. The Takbo Para sa Kalikasan of ABS-CBN/DZMM was scheduled on February 2005. The invitation was received in January, a month before the run. I had four weekends to train so that I would finish the then grueling 5K. During practice, I had to walk and jog alternately, since my body weight tortured my legs as I pounded the ground. After logging some kilometers and shedding a couple of pounds, I told myself that my only goal is to cross the finish line. Luckily, I did not only complete the fun run but I was among the top 10 percent finishers with a pretty good race time. That was the time when I started to join every race, and I overcame the crucial start of a healthy lifestyle.
Invitations from various race organizers and running clubs kept pouring in. Almost every month, we participated in various races. There were times when we joined three consecutive races in three Sundays. From less than 10 regular runners, we ballooned to almost 40 including NAMRIA dependents. We are now starting to gain recognition from the running community as among the national government agencies that are actively participating in road races. All of us are enjoying the healthy benefits of running. From the friendly 5K we have also tried longer races such as the classic 10K and 10-miler, the heart-pumping 21K (half-marathon), and even the killer 42.195K (full marathon).
Health experts always tell us that the road to a healthy lifestyle is to have a balanced diet and to engage in exercise or sports. Running is highly recommended, since this is the cheapest and most convenient way to get back into shape. Cheapest because all you need is a good pair of running shoes and most convenient because as long as there are roads, there is running.
After a well-disciplined training program and logging 70-80 kilometers per week, I was able to join and complete two full marathons, the Third Manila Marathon and the 29th National Milo Marathon-National Capital Region elimination leg. A number of our runners also joined a half-marathon event during the 3rd Armed Forces of the Philippines-Department of National Defense Invitational Marathon and are expected to participate in full marathons next year.
From the hefty pounds with 36-inches waistline, I now only weigh 120 pounds with a size 28 waistline. That’s the ideal weight for my body mass index. Of course, my blood pressure has also reached the normal range to 110 / 80 and I can chomp guilt-free of whatever food I want, since I can burn thousands of calories within my running workout days.
For beginners who are interested in running, feel free to get in touch with us, so that we may assist you along the way. This holiday season is the best way to start engaging in exercise and sports since we will have a long Christmas break. Moreover, statistics show that the month with the highest cases of cardiovascular-related death is January. Why? Blame it on the all-day, all-night gobbling up of tons of foods and gallons of alcoholic beverages during merrymaking and reunions in the Yuletide season. The verdict: high-blood pressure, over-fatigue, and stress which may lead to stroke and heart attack. We can all prevent this if we will involve ourselves into sports and eat a well-balanced diet. This year’s been a good year for us NAMRIA sports buffs. We also give special thanks to the Administrator for his unwavering support to the Civil Service Commission’s physical fitness program. We have ran whopping 17 races and hope to break the record next year. We are also projecting for at least 100 runners to join us in various races. Have a healthy Holiday Season and a healthier 2006. Keep on running!!!

The author is currently employed as Media Production Specialist at the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. He is the Assistant Editor of the NAMRIA Newsletter.