WHEN I AM WEAK, HE IS STRONG

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2

I recently heard my pastor say, “Trials don’t make you weak, they only bring out your weaknesses.” Not everything goes the way we want it to in life, or even in sports like when we get a bad call and don’t play as much as we feel we deserve. If we react rashly to a bad call, it shows our weakness of holding our tongue and controlling our anger.

Likewise, when we are treated unfairly by coaches or teammates, for us not to continually give our best effort and attitude towards them shows we are weak in that area. If we remain bent out of shape, it only shows our weakness of trusting in God who ultimately has everything under control.

When we go through trials, many times we blame the trials for our frustrations and struggles, when in fact the trials are only showing us how easily we get frustrated.

Trials are inevitable, but how we react to those trials is up to us. Stay grounded in the Word to overcome these trials and let Christ be strong when you are weak. - Leah Metcalf

OCAI RUN

The Ortigas Center Association, Inc. (OCAI) has decided to partner with the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center (RCOC) to hold the Run for the benefit of the various humanitarian projects of RCOC. OCAI and RCOC have in turn joined hands with Balance Lifestyle Fitness Club of Discovery Suites to promote the South Pole Expedition 2010, the very first expedition to be undertaken by a Filipino extreme outdoor sportsman and quintessential climate change advocate, Coach Bobby del Castillo. The expedition to the 1,170 kilometer trek through the sub-zero icelands of the South Pole, where the much-feared climate change has had the most drastic effects, not only aims to show the world the adverse effects of climate change, it also hopes to bring as many prayers and pledges with him for peace, environmental awareness, and environmental involvement.

With Rudy Biscocho as the run's race director, all the people behind the event are aiming to accomplish the goals of the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center and Balance Lifestyle Fitness, and thus for the first time, this 27th of June, 2010, at 5:00 in the morning, more than four thousand (4,000) runners will run along the streets of Ortigas Center and surrounding areas, for the 3k, 5k, and 10k distances of the first ever *OCAI RUN*. While on the night before the running event, June 26, 2010, there will be a kick-off benefit concert at the Discovery Suite's Frontage, where the admission is free.

All the proceeds of the OCAI Run and the benefit concert will go to the humanitarian projects of the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center and the South Pole Expedition 2010.

* letter of invititation from Ms. Jai D. Cortes, Marketing Officer (Running), Master Sports Corporation -MIZUNO*

ESTEEM ENGINE

“‘Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the LORD. ‘This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.’”

Isaiah 66:2

Sports provide the opportunity for glory. Single-handedly lead your team to victory, and the crowds will chant your name. Dominate your opponent, and the autograph lines will stretch for miles. Excel, and you will be called “MVP” and “All-Star.” Hockey fans hail “The Great One,” and many a boxer fell at the feet of “The Greatest.” These nicknames affirm that athletes can quickly find themselves flooded with praise. Everyone loves a winner, right?

Wrong. According to 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, God prefers losers. I am not saying He has reserved a special place in heaven for the 1991 Prairie View football team (they were in the middle of an 80-game losing streak), but He does choose to call the unwise, the non-influential, the foolish, and the weak. By giving wisdom to the foolish and strength to the weak, God obtains glory for Himself. That is the whole point of our existence! Sure, Wayne Gretzky and Muhammad Ali were fine athletes, but God has the only valid claim to greatness—He created the universe! With this proper perspective, it is easy to see that nothing we do of ourselves is that great. But when God does something great through you, give the honor and praise back to Him. Be a glory deflector!

—Alex Warner

Not my distance

Mizuno Infinity Run 2008 was my first official race. As most newbie runners, I tried the 5K distance and was able to log in a decent time finish for a beginner. Last Sunday Mizuno 2010 gave me a chance to try the 5K distance once more. I was hoping to set a new PR on this distance or even better to do a sub30 finish time. The big crowd for the 5K distance was overwhelming. Our son JM and I positioned ourselves in front of the crowd.

I told JM to run with me until we reached Honda where Swthrt and Josh would be waiting to take some pictures. As we were released JM sped up and joined the fast runners. I tried to catch up with him but to no avail.

JM speeding up with me trying to catch up (please look for me)

I was already grasping for air even at the start of the race. I was having a hard time getting my rhythm and my heart was really pounding very fast. What made things worst was when I heard Jet P shouting “there’s my target” which forced me to hold on my pace but in the end brought me to reach my limit. Jet, you really know how to choose a target, ha ha ha. Anyway, I had to run-walk the rest of the course and managed to finish after 33 min. JM finished in 27 min.

Josh getting bored waiting for kuya and daddy

I will run a full marathon but never again will I join a 5K race (at least without any preparation). Last Sunday’s Mizuno run made me realized that 5K is not my distance.

Congratulations to Mizuno and to all the runners who have beat their time!

Photos Talk - 45 min run of a 45 yr old man

Photos taken at the end of my birthday run this morning. I could have run 45K but i chose to spend my time with Swthrt and kids. There will be more days to run 45K.

Good Friday 30K Run

We started our run at 5:00am

Our starting point at Baranggay Tulo, Batangas City (taken after we finished the 30.6K)

at Barangay Sampaga, Batangas City

Swthrt at Barangay Sampaga, Batangas City

road going to Lyceum Batangas with Calumpang river at the background

with just 1000m to Star Tollway

Swthrt in front of Honda Cars Batangas, Balagtas Diversion road

run along Balagtas Diversion road

photo op after running 23K

pa-kodak muna ako

Signage going to Batangas Port

Swthrt and Ed having walk breaks

approach of flyover to Batangas Pier at Bolbok, Batangas City

run along P. Burgos St. at Batangas City town proper

still at P. Burgos St.

Swthrt approaching city plaza

Batangas City Hall

vendors in front of Basilica Immaculada

Basilica Immaculada

Simbahan ng Satisima Trinidad at Pallocan West near SM City

uphill road going back to starting point

having walk breaks after running after 27K

finally at the finish of 30.6K run !