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.

“A friend is one who strengthens you in prayer, blesses you with love, and encourages you with hope.”

A true friend

Looking for a meaningful topic for this issue’s article had been difficult. The idea, however, came unexpectedly during one weekend. It was from an episode about friendship of a popular television series which featured young people.
These days it is hard to find a person with whom you can share your dreams, your victory or your defeat. It is difficult to find someone you can trust, someone you can depend on, someone you can express your feelings to without fear of rejection.
As friends, the youngsters in the show were able to experience love and concern for one another. Then of course, there were times when this was not the case. Notwithstanding the sorrow and pain, they remained friends. Why? Because they learned to accept one another for who and what they are. They were willing to humbly ask for forgiveness and ready to give the same. They learned to be sensitive to the needs of another and give wholehearted support. They sowed words of encouragement. Love for a friend meant willingness to make sacrifices, even to risk one’s own life if necessary. Aptly enough, the title of the episode was “Insights”.
In our daily living, have we found someone whom we can consider as a true friend? Have we treasured this person? Have we learned to show understanding, acceptance and forgiveness for whatever pain may have been inflicted on us? Are we willing to give our life to this person we call “friend”?
Someone was able to do all of these. His name is Jesus. And He is waiting for us to accept the friendship He is giving.

Published: NAMRIA Newsletter, Vol.5, No.3, July-September, 2001

Photo Talks

Swthrt (with cap) with our two sons, JM and JD and her officemate E.

About J

I’m Joseph C. Estrella, a husband and father of two boys. Friends call me Otep, others J. We are presently residing in Quezon City where I have live my whole life. Currently connected with a government agency, my job is to document projects and activities of the agency in video. I do audio-visual presentations, layout publications and design information materials for the agency. I also used to write a section in our office newsletter entitled “Insights by Bro J”, thus the nickname Bro J came about.
I started running last May of 2008 with some push from my officemates. I have always wanted to run and join races but I got to many reasons not to. 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 children and grandchildren grow. I told my wife, “I will try to run and have an exercise”. And she gladly supported me in my desire of having a good healthy body. And not only that, she is now running with me.
I started with a walk-jog program until my body had adapted to running. After a month of training, I finally got the courage of joining my very first official race. I registered for the 5K event of the “Rush to Infinity Run 08” held at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last June 29. I finished the race. And the rest is history……

Rain, rain go away

It has been raining for the past few days every afternoon. Since it was my only time available to run, I missed my running schedules. Also, I missed my bonding time with swthrt. She is my wife, my friend, my running buddy. We run at UPD at least three times a week if we are not so busy with work. On Saturdays, I do long runs (longer than my weekday runs) together with some friends. Tomorrow, I will try to run 10K to gauge my self if I can do it. I’m planning to run in Men’s Health, Miracle Run. I just thought it will be a good race, since you will be helping other people by just finishing the race. So, I pray that it will not rain tomorrow morning so I can run.