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I never imagined myself to become a running enthusiast... until this year.
It started when some of my friends and I planned to join a charity climb to Mt. Pulag early this year. I only exercised occasionally then, so I decided to jog more regularly at our office grounds. It was awkward at first because I was the only person running around the compound after office hours. Many of my officemates, who are on their way home, would tease me as a fitness buff which I did not intend to become. After the climb, I thought I would go back to becoming an occasional exercise practitioner when my officemate, Marco, approached and told me that he wants to join my after-office jogging. And so it became a habit.
Marco introduced me into joining fun runs. It was only this year that he started to join running events. Most of the fun runs are held on Sundays. We tried one event, then another, and another. Today, our Sundays are days to look forward to. There are a lot of reasons why.
First, we get to exercise. We are working in an Institute that promotes good nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Thus, it is but fitting that we, who advocate the principle, should walk the talk. After all, we need it to work more productively and enjoy everyday life.
Second, we get to help people. Fun runs have causes that we support. We run for the environment, for cancer patients, for persons with disabilities, for social justice, among others.
Third, we get to bond with friends and meet new ones. Joining fun runs has never been more exciting than having friends around. We also become familiar with fellow runners who also religiously join these events.
Fourth, we get to relax and think aloud. When running, we get to have a good conversation while passing through the shady acacia trees at the University of the Philippines-Diliman campus grounds. We are able to reflect from the various snapshots of different kinds of people and activities in Luneta and Roxas Boulevard. We can even think aloud about the urban life while taking a roundabout in Fort Bonifacio. We get to release the angst. We relieve stress.
Lastly, we take home freebies and photos. Fun run organizers always have something to give away to runners who join the event, like singlets or finisher shirts, beverages to quench the thirst and sometimes, even a complete meal.
I’m not a professional runner, as you might think I am. Honestly, I haveonly been joining the 5-kilometer category in the fun runs. My goal is to finish the race, feel fresh air and enjoy the company of people who do the same thing. By finishing the race, I have helped others even in the most little way I can.
It is surprising for me to become fond of running. I had weak lungs when I was young and so my parents would often not let me join sports activities at school or in the community. I would often bring a medical certificate at school for exemption from attending such activities. I realized only in college that I can improve my health by being more physically active. Our university offers the most inviting scenery for walking or jogging.
Today, the narra trees lining up the streets of the DOST compound are some of the things that I like, resembling the atmosphere of UP, offering a nice, refreshing environment to walk after work. I recently discovered that it also offers a pleasant venue to regularly exercise such as jogging. I’ve seen a few people jogging around the compound, too. I hope that people who often remark that they would like to join our after-office jogging sessions would really join us.
My friend Marco and I wish to have a running club in our workplace. We dream that someday, just like some companies, we would also join fun runs as a group. That, I think, would be a group of movers for S&T, for health and fitness, and of course, for fun
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