JRunning Together
I have always wanted to run and join races but I got too many reasons not to run. As they say “Kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan”. But the effects of being overweight have gotten into me. Big tummy, getting tired easily, sometimes chest pains, to name a few. I said to myself, I wanted to live longer. I wanted to be with my loving wife and see our grandchildren grow. I started running last May of 2008 with some push from my officemates. I told Baby, “I will try to run and have an exercise”. And she gladly supported me in my desire of having a good healthy body. After having been a supporter on the sideline for a couple of months, Baby tried the sport by joining me on my training runs and eventually joined in races.
From our usual dates of going to the supermarket, watching movies, going to the mall, we also went on date by running together. Running added a new dimension in our bonding moments. We run because we enjoy it. We can discuss any topics under the sun while running. But when in serious trainings, the mere hearing of breathe and the pounding of the feet is enough to bind us together in achieving our goal of having a healthy lifestyle. Our usual training ground is the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. It is also a blessing that God had provided us a new home that allows us to safely run within the village during early morning or at late night on weekdays. Bonifacio Global City is also a good alternative for us to break the monotony in training. Running also broaden our horizon of interpersonal relationship as we meet new friends through running. My blogsite “JRunning” at www.brojrunning .blogspot.com opened an avenue to share our faith in Christ by the running stories, lessons and insights posted in the site. It also shares our running experiences as a couple, Bro J and Swthrt.
Our first race together was the One Run, One Family, One LaSalle Run but we did not run side by side. It was my second 5K race while she tried first the 3K category. Soon thereafter, Baby seriously trained and increased mileage and caught up with me. We paced together during the Fort Strider’s October Run 08 and finished with almost identical time of 36:19 and 36:18 for 5K, thus setting our first Couple’s Record. Our two sons, JM and Josiah also had their first taste of racing in this event. It was a family affair for us. We continued to join races in different categories from 5K to 16K and increased our weekly mileage. In November of 2008 we embarked on a greater challenge of preparing for my first half marathon in Condura Run2009 while Baby kept improving her fitness level. We joined the BaldRunner Speed Training Sessions at ULTRA and trained with BaldRunner himself and his elite team of coaches and runners. More Couple’s Record had been set and broken since then. Our first major challenge was when I ran my first full marathon at Condura 2010 while Baby ran solo in a half marathon. But with God’s grace of giving us strength and determination we had conquered the challenge. Afterwards, it was Baby’s time to test her limits as opportunity for Baby to run her first full marathon came when The Dream Marathon of The BullRunner, Jaymie Pizarro last May 22, 2010. It was a marathon design for first timers. It became more exciting when Jaymie opened the event to second timers which allowed me to run with Baby. We religiously followed the training program given by race director Coach Jim Lafferty, and joined several running sessions with our co-participants. The TBR Dream Marathon 2010 was a dream-come-true for us to run side by side completing a full marathon. It was also our first out of town race held in Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. We know there will be more in stored for us in running. Today, we would dream of running in LA Marathon and the Maui Marathon where both my siblings live. With today’s high cost of registration fees in races, we become selective of the races we join. We join races organized by reputable race organizers. Among our favorite annual racing events include, Condura Skyway Marathon, Adidas KOTR, Globe’s Run for Home and Robinson’s Buddy Run. We hope to encourage other couple to enjoy this type of bonding together. As our names, Joseph and Josephine means “Jehova increases”, God continues to increase His blessings in our marriage.
