"Why join a race?"

I came across this topic in one of the running forums I'm visiting lately and asked myself the same question. Why do I want to join races? What motivates me to run? Each runner has its own personal reason why they run: health issues, camaraderie, to beat personal record and the list goes on and on.

And I just want to quote what Self-coached Runner said:

"A race is the validation of all your training. Why train if there is no race to run to? Why do intervals, or long runs?

A race brings the best or the worst in us. It is a test of our character, our will. It reveals and it should reveal the real "us," the real "me."

Races also teaches many lessons.

When you are tired and about to give up, when you see others huffing and puffing like you do and not give up, it teaches you not to give up too!

And when you overtake others, espeicially that last 100m, it teaches you that the lesson that you are never the last in a race.

When somebody pippes you or overtake you, it teaches you that you are also not the fastest.

And it teaches you that you can be faster.

Races are also building blocks of future improvements, of future races. You race a 5k now, so you can race a 10k later. A 10k later, to race a 15-16k down the road. That 15-16k becomes a 20-21k. And later on, it is a marathon. When you think about it in those terms, you realize that regardless of age, sex, or what has given you, you are capable of doing very remarkable things if you set your mind to it. And you prepare for it. Preparation means discipline. And only discipline and proper training can deliver you the results.

Races also teaches you to be humble. You learn to respect the distance. You learn to be patient. You learn to wait. And yet you also learn to be a tiger, to risk it all when the time comes.

And you learn from races that you cannot use only your heart to finish a race. You have to use your brains. You have to use both heart and brain to do well. You can't do well with one lording it over the other. You can't just shout to the heaven's that you will finish 42k. No courage or determination can make you cover that distance if you don't think and prepare for it.

Races, is not really about medals, trophies, the girls, or the guys, or the artista we might see. It's about memories. It's about excelling and being better than what you thought you were. Races should bring out the best in us. It should make us reflect, and see the hero in ourselves, even as we see the heroes in others. Races should bring out our true character. When the pain is great and unbearable, it shows us which way we will go and what we will choose.

Yes, races are not just about making friends, and winning medals, and getting t-shirts, and loot bags. Above anything else, races, should really reveal the real you."

Very inspiring, indeed :) I will always keep that in mind sir. Thanks for this!

HSBC 135 and Unilab Run United 2

Yes! We already registered and got our kits :)


So excited with the Unilab race since this is the first race organized by Coach Rio that we'll be participating in though got turned-off during the 1st day of in-store registration at Planet Sports, Trinoma. I was there 10am but Runrio staff arrived at 230pm and had problems with their on-line registration. I've waited till 4am but their "chuvaness" system isn't working at all so I decided to go home and fortunately, my friend Louie who was with me, took care of our registration and finished almost 6pm. My gulay! almost 8 hours! Mas matagal pa hinintay namin para makapagregister kesa takbuhin ang 5k run na yan :( Buti na lang ganda ng singlet nila hehehe...

(more details of the race here)


We registered online and paid registration fee at their HSBC Savings branch (staff were very friendly and accommodating) in Cubao. I'm excited to get my kit and singlet since it was designed by Mr. Rajo Laurel (kahit man lang sa singlet makapag-RAJO ako hehehe....)

(more details of the race here)

Getting serious about running? I think so! :)

My upcoming runs

I'm back! After almost 2 months of not blogging anything, I'm now writing about my upcoming runs. Yes, I'll start running :)

It has been my dream to do marathons and this will be the start. My number one motivation actually is to lose weight and running is the answer. I'm 33 years old and not getting any younger, weighing almost 130 lbs. I think (my last trip to the weighing scale, I was 120 lbs. already) and so I have to get my acts done: to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle, I hope. And to make it more exciting, I have my besties Jos and Louie as my running mates.

Here are our upcoming runs:

(Adidas King of the Road - will participate in the 5k category since its the shortest. This will be on Oct. 24 at Bonifacio Global City)

(Bluewater Day Spa Fun Run - Since this is my 1st ever run, I will be participating in the 3K category. This will be on Oct.17,MOA)



(Next tentative race will be the HSBC Run on Nov. 6 and the Unilab Run United 2. Haven't registered yet that's why its tentative.)

Oh, did I mention about collecting singlets and eating out every after race? hehehe....