Expo Kid

THANK YOU FOR THE UPS AND DOWNS

“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” 1 Chronicles 16:8

Thanksgiving may be a month ahead and months behind, but there’s no reason to stop thanking the Lord. You hear all the athletes on television say how they thank the Lord when they win. Why not thank him when you lose? Sure, winning’s great—the adrenaline, the excitement—but it takes a real winner to thank Him when you lose. In fact, don’t even look at it as “losing.” Look at it as transforming a seemingly negative situation into a positive one. Thank the Lord that you had the opportunity to compete in something you enjoy. Thank Him for having the passion for a
team—maybe you play for them or maybe you’re just the number one fan. Either way, you have a passion that you can be thankful for. Be thankful for the humbling experience that comes with losing. Soak up all that you can learn from the loss. That’s not to say that winning is bad—winning is fantastic! Just keep in mind which team you’re playing for, through the ups and downs.

—Natalie Creech

15K@ ROTA

It was a fair weather for the runners at last Sunday’s ROTA Run. It was our second tune up race for the 21K run at the New Balance Power Run this coming Sunday, September 25, 2009. Being held in the dreaded McKinley Hills, it certainly gave runners a great challenge. Swthrt and I arrived at the venue at around 5 am and noticed the volume of vehicles trying to get in the parking building. I finally decided to park at our office compound in NAMRIA (Lawton Ave. cor Bayani Rd.). It was about a kilometer away from the venue. We then run towards MKH which served as our warm-up run. We were then joined by Swthrt’s officemate, Leng who will be running her first 15K. After the short opening ceremony and briefing of the runners on the race route, the 21K runners were released at gun start. We then patiently waited for our turn. The 10K and 15K runners were released simultaneously.

The race
At the gun start Swthrt and I started at our regular slow pace but for whatever reason I started to feel a sudden increased heart rate. It was only the start of the race and we were just heading to the British Embassy. I suddenly remembered the lesson of “learning to listen to your body.” I slowed down a bit and just kept a 50 to 100 meter distance from Swthrt. I just wanted to thank God that after the turning point at the British Embassy my heart beat became normal and I slowly neared Swthrt and Leng. From then on, I was able to run well and Swthrt and I were able to finish the 15K distance at 1:45:+. Leng was also able to finish her race, too.

Race organization
It was a good race except for the 21K runners who were complaining it was short of 3K. There was also again the issue of water shortage and short hydration table along the route. The marshals were great especially in securing the left lane of the Bayani Road. These make the road safe for runners running this part of the course. I know the Takbo.ph people have tried their very best to give the runners a well organized race given the short time they assume responsibilities for it. I hope lessons were learned and better races will be organized by them in the future. Congratulations to the Takbo.ph!

See you at the New Balance Power Run this Sunday!

CHRIST IS #1

“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33

Training for track is often physically and mentally grueling. I won’t lie to you, I don’t like pain, and many times I wouldrun slower in practice just to make the pain bearable. Of course, not giving my all in practice was completelydetrimental to my success as an athlete. But if success meant pain, I didn’t want it.

It can be easy for us, as Christians to “run slow” in our race for Christ. Often we get attached to earthly possessions and have trouble letting go of the hindrances in our lives. Work, family and even entertainment become so important that our relationship with Christ is no longer a priority. When Christ is not a priority our growth as Christians is stunted. I couldn’t improve on the track unless I was consistently giving my all. In the same way, we can’t improve as Christians if we don’t seek Jesus with all our hearts. In order to do this we have to let go of those earthly desires andpriorities, however hard that may be.

Being a Christian is not always easy, but the success of meeting Jesus Christ face-to-face is worth any earthly pain you will have to endure!

-Brooke Thompson

Running the Hana Relay

The famous Hana Relay was a 52 mile run traversing 617 curves and crossing 56 bridges through breathtaking sceneries of Maui, Hawaii. The course begins in Kahului airport and ends in Hana Ball Park in Maui. There were 6 persons per team with each team member running 3 legs (approximately 2-3 miles per leg). Liza, my sister joined this event and has successfully accomplished the race. All members of the team were able to finish the entire race.

Liza with her teammates

My sister Liza settled in Maui after her marriage with Brad. One of the best tourist destinations in the world, it would really be enticing to run and experience the excitement of joining this kind of race. Liza was the first one who got into running. She inspired me after I have read in her blog, liza’s eyeview, her several postings regarding charity fun runs which she joined.

Liza in previous races she joined

The Hana Relay was again another accomplishment she had in running (more photos from her other blog (a maui’s blog).

Liza running on Maliko Gulch during the Hana Relay


race participants and supporters along the course

running Hawaiian style

Swthrt and I hope to run along the roads of Maui someday together with Liza and her family. Congratulations to Liza. We are proud of you!