two in a row

Just a short post. Today, i ran another 5K at the base. That's two in a row. This time, i ran around the course 5 laps clockwise and 5 laps counterclockwise.

My log:

Date: August 07, 2008 Distance: 5K Time: 38:15

Back to Base.

Yesterday I was able to do my 5K run at our office compound. This is where I started to run. We are blessed to have an office compound here in Fort Bonifacio, big enough to run and away from pollution. One loop is approximately 500m. The course is also ideal for running because it is not all flat. Before, I can’t even run the whole loop without walking. I do the runs after office hours. Our flexible work schedule at the office allows me to be off by 4:00pm, if I punch in by 7am. I usually start my runs at around 4:30pm.

My log:
Aug. 06, 2008 Distance: 5K (10 loops) Time: 36:57:55

For our spiritual run

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.” You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
- Matthew 14:25-31

Walking in faith

Today, new discoveries, inventions and technologies develop in very fast paces. Mankind seems to conquer everything, and miracles are things of the past. But there are times in our lives that we need more than what the solutions of this world can give. Depression due to worries of high cost of living. The fear brought about by losing a loved one to an incurable disease. The anxiety in thinking how we can protect our family against imminent dangers. These are only a few things that need firm resolutions.

Like Jesus’ disciples, we are sometimes terrified of the miracles Jesus performs in our lives. We doubt His power. We even question His existence. But Jesus encourages us to be courageous. Like Peter, we can come to Him and walk on water. We can go to God even when it seems impossible. What God requires is for us to focus our eyes on Him. Peter began to fall when he took away his eyes from Jesus and focused on the circumstances that brought fear in him. Focusing our eyes on Jesus conquers the fear that tries to enter our hearts. Peter could have walked to Jesus if he continued to look at Him and forgot the conditions existing before him.

We have our own winds in our lives that distract our attention in coming before God. What it takes is for us to have faith in order to prevail over them. Faith is to trust and obey God. Let us try to have more of it and see the wonderful miracles God can give.
God bless us all!

Published : NAMRIA Newsletter, Vol.5, No.2, April-June, 2001

For the Cookie lovers

These cookies are delicious and trans fatty free. Hope you'll like it too.

Oat Bran Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 cup olive oil (or soya oil for substitute)
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups oat bran
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
raisins, nuts (optional)

Direction: Beat together oil through vanilla.
Add oats through baking soda and beat well.
Add raisins or nuts, if desired.
Drop by tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 12 minutes at 350. Cool on wire rack.

My first 10K run

It was a great day last Saturday, August 02, 2008. I ran a distance of 10 km. My longest since I started running last May of this year. It was a goal I set to gauge myself if I can run and finish a 10K race. I woke up at around 4 o’clock in the morning which is my regular wake up time. After drinking a cup of coffee, I returned to bed thinking if I will still run since there was drizzle. At around 5:30… I decided to run. After drinking another cup of coffee and doing some stretching, I am ready to go. I’m off the road at 5:50 am. My course was from our home going down to Libis to E. Rodriguez up to corner of J. Vargas, my turn around point. Then, all the way back home. The distance is approximately 10K. It was an easy run for the first 2K, maybe because I was excited. I was running at my regular pace of around 7min per km. As I reached Shopwise, I went slower thinking that it will be a long way to go. I also noticed that the course was not all flat. I reached shell station at 38+ min (kilometer 5) on my stop watch. I took a short stop for about 2 min. to buy a bottle of Rush at Shell Select which I brought on my way back. It was more difficult on my last 5K since I’m beginning to feel tired. There was also this uncomfortable pain on my foot, which I assumed caused by blisters. As I reached Honda Libis, It gave me an added strength knowing that there will only be a few more kilometers ahead to finish my run. The challenging part of the course was my way up the Libis area going to Boni Serrano. I finished the course at 1:19:48. Not bad, I hope for a first timer. After the run, I have my breakfast of fried adobo, egg and rice prepared by my sweetheart.

My log:
Date: August 2, 2008 Distance: 10K Time: 01:19:48




Setting a goal and being determined on doing it makes one’s run more meaningful. You know that you have accomplished something. But running the course is something else. There will always be obstacles along the way. There will be different experiences in different parts of the course. Just like in the spiritual runs, we can set goals to make us grow in our trust and obedience to God. We can make ourselves determined to be sensitive in His leadings. And our ultimate goal of finishing the race and be with our Lord and Savior. The course is not at all easy; it’s not all flat roads. These things makes us better runners, better Christians. But if we focus our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith then we will have the strength to do it. How about us, what are our spiritual goals, commitments that we set for God’s pleasure? What are the experiences we have? You will be surprised at how God has given you strength to do it. God bless us all!