Why Run? Reason No. 13

Reason No. 13:  TO BE CRAZY (once in a while)!


Runners are crazy people!

Who wakes up at 2AM to do some exercises?  Runners that's who!

Only runners get chafe, blisters, plantar fasciitis, dead toes for a "recreational activity".  They are Crazy People (and they seem to be PROUD of it)!

Only runners run so hard in a 5km or 10km race and feel that they are going to die from a heart attack and then be proud that they beat their personal best time by two seconds. 

Yes, two $%^#$ seconds!

Yes, CRAZY CRAZY people these runners are!

Only runners force themselves to give up partying and going out with friends because, they have a race the next day!  What the %^$ !

And they run so far.  There's 21km, 42km, 50km, 102km.  Just thinking about 10km makes your neighbors dizzy!  Why not just use a car you crazy people ???!!!  

And these people are everywhere.  So be very very careful where you walk!  There might be someone running behind you right now!

BE AFRAID.... BE VERY AFRAID!

Disclaimer:  Writer is a certified CRAZY person who Ran yesterday on EDSA and on C-5 just to see if he can do it.  He was afraid of the the speeding buses when the sidewalks suddenly disappeared and he finds himself on the main road.  People looked at him strangely and mothers kept their children away from him.  He was glad to survive his run with only a small bottle of water and Php 100 in cash...

Why Run? Reason No. 12

So today, I had a lunch buffet and boy did I eat a lot!  Up to now, I am still full (and still burping)!

I didn't want to run, with my full tummy and the very nice lazy feeling weather but then... I ate a LOT!

So, I ran 6km (and nearly vomited in the process).

Hence, the reason to run: TO TAKE AWAY THE GUILT (of overindulgence).

Some food photos from lunch:

Definitely hard to resist, don't you agree? 😛

Why Run? Reason No. 11

Today was supposed to be Robinson's Fit Buddy Run but due to incoming storm, the race organizers cancelled the race.

Instead of running a race, I ran by myself around BGC area.  

With my small shorts pocket, I was able to fit into it my claim stub for Adidas KOTR 2013 race kit and some receipts to avail of free Happy Lemon drinks (via an existing credit card promo) and that served as my hydration drinks!

Hence, Reason No. 11: To Do Some Errands!

Of course, it isn't that easy as I have to run home while holding the race kit with me but at least I saved on gas, parking fees and burned some calories too.

Why Run? Reason # 10

REASON NO. 10 - TO REMOVE EXCESS WATER/ OIL FROM FOOD - DETOX!


I know this is kind of a strange reason but this was exactly what happened to me two days ago when I ran solo for 10km.  It was a hard, depressing run and I had to integrate walking at the second part of the run as I just felt tired, sore, exhausted and generally down.

But I also felt that I was sweating profusely and felt sticky too.  This was done at 5:00pm mind you so there was no sun out and it was a little windy.  I blame all the food that I have been eating the past few days and doing no exercise.  Hence, having difficulty in the run but as much as I hated said run and felt bad about it, I was glad that I took out the excess water/ oil from my body too and did a little bit of cleansing too!

Good enough to eat a lot again!  Haha!  Just kidding :)

Why Run? Reason # 9

REASON NO. 9:  TO BE CLOSER TO GOD!

This usually happens when I am running by myself and have a lot of quiet time, and I use it to pray to God about my safety, about the blessings He has given me, about my family, about anything actually.  You can say whatever you want because God loves you and listens to you.

Running is a good outlet for quiet time as there is nothing to distract you here: no TV, no phone calls, no parents or friends to talk to you.  It is just you for the next 30 minutes, the next 2 hours, or however you feel like it.

I also pray when I am in a hard race (say: BDM, Condura Marathon) and I pray that I get to the finish line safe and sound.  I pray for strength and I pray for thanks, that I am able to run that day because not everybody can do it, and that is one of the many blessings God has given me.

Amen!

Why Run? Reason # 8

REASON # 8:  FOR OWN PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS!

This reason is related to the previous one in that you do these things because you want to know how much you are capable of doing.

The first time I joined a 10km race, I was really worried about it.  I didn't want to finish in the last place and I trained hard for the next three weeks at the gym (yes, I know that the time wasn't enough but to be fair I jogged back then on a regular basis).  I would run faster on the treadmill and increased the incline levels. 

It was a race for me against all these fit zero-fat runners in short shorts!  Running was just for these people back then while the average Joe was still into badminton and basketball. 

My goal was to finish and not to finish last, and I got both goals!  I was so happy and felt proud of myself.  I went back to the gym and forgot about running again till after two years later when Men's Health introduced the Urbanathon Race, which was another new challenge for me and one I set out to conquer.

Then, there's my first Half Marathon Race, first Trail Run, first Full Marathon, new PR's, first Half Marathon Trail Run, first 100km, first 1,000km, etc.

Recently, a new running milestone for me was achieved when I completed 100km in just 7 days so this is an ongoing process.


Run for your own Personal Achievements!

Why Run? Reason # 7

REASON # 7:  FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS!

Whether it is telling your family members or friends, there is an air of pride when you discuss to them about your first half marathon or first marathon race. 

Or they may even ask you your fastest 10km and you can proudly say that you are sub-60! 

Of course, all these things need to be trained properly... all the more to be proud of them when you achieved your personal goals!

Why Run? Reason # 6

REASON # 6:  TO LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE


Yesterday morning, I had to run 10 kilometers but rather than run repetitive loops inside the village, which I almost always do, I decided instead to venture outside via the small gate at the side of the village. 

I had no cash and no water with me.  I was in an unknown area, as I had never ventured here before, and I loved every minute of it!

Pretty soon, I was able to complete the needed distance quickly and with enough distractions that I didn't feel the fatigue.

Running makes you leave your comfort zone - whether it is running in a new area, a longer distance or a different kind of running (trail running or barefoot running), it makes you think of other things that you can do in life!
  

Why Run? Reason # 5

For the past few days, I couldn't sleep properly due to jet lag.  I ended up sleeping around 2 -3 AM, watching downloads or reading something.

But yesterday I ran again with Alvin in BGC for more than an hour and we covered a distance of 10 kilometers.

And lo and behold, I fell asleep at 10PM!

So that's my Reason # 5 for running - so you can fall asleep quicker and better due to this exercise :)

Why Run? Reason # 4

REASON # 4: YOU CAN DO IT ANYWHERE!


You just need a road to run on! How's that for flexibility!

You don't even have to drive to exercise (unlike going to the gym, sports clubs, etc.)

Pretty awesome, I know!!

Why Run? Reason # 3

REASON # 3 - YOU CAN DO IT ANYTIME!


Want to run early morning?  Go right ahead!
What about at night time?  Still doable!
What about late at night when the kids are put to bed already?  That's fine as well!
What about during lunch break at work?  No Problem!
What about if I just cannot sleep and figured a good run might be good for me even though it is at 3am?  Go for it!


Gyms have operating hours as do renting a court to play badminton, basketball or tennis.  Sport Clubs have business hours too.  Swimming pools closes at night.

Running can be done anytime!  :)

Why Run? Reason # 2

On the second day of 2013, I went off and did another 5km around the village.  It was a good start for the year and I felt good after the run.  Just a very relaxing run :)

Anyway, here is

REASON # 2:  IT'S COST EFFECTIVE

There is no need to pay for gym membership if you wanted to run.  No need to rent out basketball courts, soccer fields, tennis courts, badminton courts if you wanted to run!

You don't have to pay for a yoga instructor, don't have to pay fee for use of swimming pool and you don't need any fancy club membership to run!  No need to pay for boxing/ tae kwon do or other martial arts instructors to run! 

All you need is a road to run on, a pair of running shoes, shorts or pants and shirt, and you are all set!

Name another sport/ exercise that is as cost effective as this!  And if you named biking.... well, you still need a good bike in order to do that activity and that can put a big dent to your wallet as well.

The nearest thing I could think of is rollerblading/ rollerskating (and isn't that like running but with wheels/blade)!

Hahaha!

Why Run? Reason # 1

Today is January 1st, 2013 so before anything else, I would like to greet all you (3) loyal readers out there, a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!


Second of all, I ran 5km today and I really, really didn't want to do it!  I wanted to rest, lie in bed, sleep, in short not do anything at all but laze around!!  I didn't want to do it but I HAD to. 

And in that running, I realized that there are days when we don't want to run at all, when we are just too lazy to do it, we whine, we complain, etc., etc., etc., and that's already us runners complaining!  What more for non-runners!  How do we convince them to put on a pair of running shoes, shorts and shirt and just hit the road when we ourselves aren't motivated to do it on our own!

So I thought of this, not just to inspire myself but also to you (3) readers out there.  I would even put a tag for this "why run" located on the right side of my blog.

I don't know how long this would last - it could be 3 or 300 reasons but let's see how far it would take me.  It's also a perfect topic to start the new year right.

So enough with the back story behind this and before any of you fall asleep, here is reason #1 (and it isn't even the most obvious one):

REASON # 1:  FOR CLARITY

I had a lot of thoughts in my head prior to this run but just didn't know how to organize them properly.  There were mixed thoughts, fleeting ideas, things to do, things needed done, things that can be skipped, etc.  Doing a run would just add to the stress to it, I thought to myself.  What's more, it's the beginning of the year, so I was also thinking about some of my goals for 2013 earlier today.

Well, running brings out clarity!  It helps you think things through when there are no distractions around you.  It is just you and the road and that is the only thing you need to get some ideas organized in your head and maybe some new ideas too (this topic is one of them)!  Who would have thought that doing a very easy and relaxing 38 minute run in your neighborhood could do that for you??

And this is something that running brings to the table but other forms of exercises do not.  I don't think it has the same effects as basketball, tennis, badminton, etc. because you are too focused on the game, on getting points, on defending your side, on winning the match, etc., that you can't get a sense of clarity while playing it.  Same goes with going to the gym and lifting weights as you are too focused on the weights you lifted, the repetitions, the sets, etc.  Then there's yoga, which is calming so that should bring out clarity!  But then you focus on the instructions of the yogi, do proper breathing techniques, make sure your stretches are far enough and correct, and pretty soon, you can't think of anything else but yoga!

Well, if you did an easy jog in your area, you CAN think of other things ASIDE from the thing that you are doing and that is an added benefit to running!

Hope you enjoyed this new topic of mine!