TNF20k:Reminiscing Those Happy Days!

“The greatest pleasure in life is to do a good turn in secret and have it discovered by accident.” -The Bible Friend

One of my running buddies, Capt. Conrad Aquino (PNP Retired) was injured during a freak accident last week, involving him and his dog. Conrad, a 63 year old veteran runner and already an icon in our place for his devotion and passion for running broke his left shoulder (collar bone), with 3 stitches on his head and galore of bruises. What happened was, he was carried away by his dog when it suddenly ran, causing him to lose his balance, accidentally hitting the ground-head first. Well, Conrad weights just 106 pounds and his dog-a Giant Labrador.

His doctor obliged him not to run for 3-4 months-or more!

We were saddened by the news, for Conrad is my long time ally and buddy. I knew this is also hard for him, for running is his life. He started running at the age of 17- and he’s running for 46 years now.

Me with Conrad…in one of our running sessions in San lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona Cavite in this undated photo.

Conrad at the back…during our TNF20k this year. In front was Willy, also one of my buddies. This picture was one of my favorites. Imagine at 63, and he can still run like this in a place like that?

Conrad at the finish line…I’m only ahead of him by just 15 minutes.

Those were the happy days for Conrad, and during this time of great suffering, I and the rest of the group will be here for you.

And for you Conrad, eventhough you’re not aware that I featured you today in my blog-I pray for your immediate recovery! This blog will honor you and your contributions to me when I’m still a neophyte runner will always be remembered. Your advises, insights, lectures will always be here in my heart. Pagaling ka Conrad, tatakbo pa tayo mula Pacita San Pedro Laguna hanggang Tanuan Batangas (your hometown), di ba? hahaha

Something To Think About: Sigmund Freud once refused to attend a festival in his honor, remarking, “When someone abuses me I can defend myself: against praise I am defenseless.”

Run for His Glory!

“…keep yourself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27

TNF100 Solo: Buying Cheap But Of Good Quality Apparels…

“It’s difficult, if not impossible, to save money when your neighbors keep buying things you can’t afford.” -E.C. Mckenzie

Joining my second Ultramarathon will be a tough challenge and buying for my apparels with limited budget is another daunting task to consider. Recessions are everywhere but Ultramarathoners can’t be too frugal in buying these much needed gadgets to be used in trail running. I must consider the price and the quality. Little by little, I’ll be able to collect those much needed stuff and I’ll feature them one by one. Today, I’ll present to you my trail run shoes and the very handy back pack which I bought few days ago. These may not be my ideal gadgets but at least these are the things I can afford…

First, my first ever Trail Run Shoes, bought for only P3,195 (orig price P3,985)…Sorry TNF, although I do really wanted your Trail Run Shoes but I can’t afford it. Better luck next time (lol)

Merrel brand…I’m hoping you’ll not fail me for this 100k trail run.

And for my back pack…

I was able to buy this bag at a garage sale for only P300. I’ll be using a hydration belt so that this bag will only contain my basic supplies (powergel, power bar, socks, flashlight, petrolume jelly, tissue and maybe perfume lol etc)

And I already used this bag for my 2 hours and 30 minutes running yesterday…

It can contain two bottles of electrolytes drink.

Well, slowly but surely…I can complete the checklists given by the TNF, and I’ll have my first 3 days training on the trail this coming Monday until Wednesday in Naic Cavite.

Something To Think About: One way to restore humility is to read the help-wanted ads. You’d be surprised how many positions there are which you are too ignorant, too unattractive or too old to fill. -kiwanis magazine

Run for His Glory!

“The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” -1 Corinthians 3:19

My First 10k Race After Ultramarathon!

This coming Sunday, May 3, 2009…I’ll be joining a 10k fun run in Alabang Town Center and my first race after Ultramarathon. Although I’m not yet 100% okay for I’m still lingering from an ankle injury, I will join this race because by just participating, I will have a chance to:

1. donate to SOS Children’s Villages Philippines,

2. conquer Alabang Village,

3. get bandanas from Sir Jovie aka Baldrunner. (Sir thank you in advance, I’ll use that bandanas during practice either in running or in biking, and most specially in the TNF100 solo.)

4. meet Craig and his family and other bloggers/runners.

This race will only be fun runfor me, and I’ll not oblige myself to beat my PR. Running below 1 hour will be acceptable, for I don’t have speed practice yet for almost 2 months now.

My race bib number…

Run for His Glory!

“The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.” -Psalm 103:19

Values #1:Overcoming Criticisms!

“If you are standing upright, don’t worry If your shadow is crooked.” -Malay Proverb

When I’m still active in the Ministry, I do have the opportunity to be the Guest Speaker in many churches and delivering a Message during Sunday in a large crowd always made me nervous and jittery no matter how often I preached the Good News. Although I earned my License as an Exhorter, with Minesterial Number 38,962 (equivalent to Preacher or a Pastor) from Cleveland Tennessee U.S.A way back in 1991, I do always encountered some criticisms, because I’m so young during that time and majority of my members in the church were mostly adult and already riped in age. Too often, they will size up my age and my experiences, my mannerism and the way I dress up.

Sometime, an elder in the Church approached me after I preached the Sermon one Sunday. He told me that although my Message was clear and thought provoking, I must learn first to properly smooth out my long sleeves and to fix my necktie properly. As I looked into the mirror, I saw how bad my appearance was and as time goes by, I learned not only to prepare my Message but to dress properly in front of galore of people.

Let’s admit it. Criticisms are inevitable. We are encountering it almost everyday. In every areas of our lives, it’s always present-in our work, in the school, in the office, in our home, and even in our sports-in running. Some of our running buddies will criticize our strides, our movements…even in our decisions to join a certain race like Marathon or Ultramarathon. Some have points, others none. Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body.

If you’re right, then ignore those criticisms as my adage says at the top, or may I add up: “If a dog barks at a hill, will the hill crumble?”

What If those criticisms are right or have points? Will you just ignore them?

Read this:

Sometimes, my critics do more for me than my friends do. My friends are too polite to point out my weaknesses, but my critics go to great expense to expose them. My critics are efficient , diligent and attentive. They make me search for ways to improve my style and my movement. If I had no critics, I might be lazy, incompetent and inattentive. I need the discipline they enforce on me.

I salute my critics; They have been good to me. They help me improve my style and movement!

Congratulations to all the winners and participants of Flora London Marathon last Sunday!

God bless us all.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” -Proverbs 1:7

TNF100:Conquer Those Giants!

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” – Teddy Roosevelt

TNF100 is fast approaching and as I’m encountering some problems particularly in the training area which I mentioned in my post yesterday (TNF100: Running In Dirt and Mud?), some of the people behind me are lashing out (again!) negative remarks in my participation in my second ultramarathon just in a span of not less than 2 months. Some of those ill-advised remarks that I personally heard were:

1. I’ll break my bones.

2. Trail running is so difficult, I might just ruining myself and probably get injured in the process.

3. My recovery time is not enough. I need some time to rest.

4. Since I don’t have proper training on the trail, I can’t finish this race.

To all who gave such remarks, while some of you have positive points there…thank you very much but I will not retreat nor deter my plan in finishing this course.

You know my greatest enemy in this race is not only them- for those discouraging words, but myself! As I’ve said in my previous post yesterday, I’m worried, for my lack of training in the trail.

There is a perfect example of the true enemy being within our hearts. The Lord spoke to Moses in the Old testament (Numbers 13) and commanded him to send out spies in the land of Canaan. Moses chose two men from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. After 40 days, the men returned and reported that the land, “certainly does flow with milk and honey.” The promises of God were both good and rewarding-if they could be taken.

But the men added, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us….the land through which we have gone, is spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are Giants, we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

Two men, Joshua and Caleb gave different report: “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it.”

We all know the outcome-the Israelites conquered the land of Canaan.

Whose side are you? Those men or Joshua and Caleb?

I will definitely be on the side of Joshua and Caleb.

Our true enemies are not the people who seemingly have the power to stop us
or those Giants who are their to devour us-and indeed they will If we’ll let them.

Our true enemies are found within us, discouragement, hurt feelings, laziness, self pity, withdrawal pessimism and dejection. It’s the unwillingness to try, to fight, to conquer, to be diligent.

I may or may not be able to finish this race, but the words of Theodore Roosevelt will be one of my guiding principles: (And I’ll quote this again)

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

I’ll conquer those Giants again while my detractors are watching…How I wish they too joined me here and discover for themselves the thrill, the excitement, the fun and the challenge of being an Ultramarathoner, so that they will understand and know its true essence!

TNF100-come what may, but I’ll be there!

And how about those giants? Well, I’ll just prepare my sling-like what David does to Goliath.

TNF100: Running In The Dirt And Mud?

“One of the most annoying things about weather forecasts is that they’re not wrong all the time, either.” -Farm Journal

I’m worried.

Only 3 weeks to go and  I don’t have training yet on the trail.

I bought a trail run shoes  and a back pack last week and I’m ready to run on the trail, but the rain especially in the afternoon made my   route harder and almost not ideal for training.

How can you run in the dirt and mud?

It’s like running in my first ever TNF last year, where before the race, a raging storm was about to hit the country. I only did join a 20k that time, but the route was so hard that even a horse had a  difficulty in swooping its path.

I’m planning to train  for a week in the 50 hectare dry land somewhere in Naic Cavite but the rain aggravated the situation.

And I don’t know If the rain will stop and will give me opportunity to have my much needed training on the trail.

My run-bike strategy is not enough. I need to really feel the trail and experience almost the same scenario that I’m going to encounter on May 23, 2009.

And I wish that there will be no storm on or before that event, the TNF100!

The Lighter Side:

Many have wonderful opportunities surrounding them but do not see them. They are like Ali Hafed, the Persian farmer, who sold his fertile farm and traveled all over the world in an unsuccessful search for diamonds, and finally died in poverty and despair in a distant land, while the far-famed diamond beds of Golconda had been discovered on his despised farm.

Quote for the day:

Patrick Henry shouted, “Give me liberty or give me death.” The next generation shouted, “Give me liberty.” The present generation shouts, “Give me.”          -Sword Scrapbook II

How Strong Are You?

Strong men-weak men. We males are born with the inner ingredients to be either or both. The choice is ours. Deep down, of course, we want to be strong. But what makes the strong men of today? Who are they?

Money gives a man the power to control others, but in itself money does not make a man strong.

Athletic skills wins the adulation of others, but so often today these “heroes” have feet of clay.

Political leaders learn the art of compromise, a trait that too often weakens them.

For me, the strong man will take unpopular positions on issues he believes in, then he acts boldly , knowing that mighty forces will come to his support. He readily admits his mistakes, is quick to praise an opponent, holds back any judgment. A strong man has a rock-like patience; he is not deterred by criticism, but examines it prayerfully to see if he can learn from it.

The strong man is a son who honors his parents; he is a faithful husband, a father who would not only lay his life for his wife and children, but also give them the time they need; the strong man is a caring brother; he seeks the Lord’s guidance in his work; he leads others by serving them; when he goes to the church, he seeks way to minister to others. He has a tender heart for the weak. The strong man is not cruel to his pet or to his servants; he loves nature as though it was God’s gift everyday. The strong man will not always compete and sometimes he will just give in for the sake of others. The strong man will cry when people around him is in chaos and he will be jolly upon the success of his neighbors. The strong man accepts what life has to offer, either prosperity or suffering without questioning his Maker.

The strong man knows his Creator, joyfully accepts the way he was made, delights in the special skills he has been given and learns to use them for the good of mankind.

Most important, we men who seek to be strong know it will never happen through our own power-only through HIS.

How strong are you? I’m hoping that as you lift those plates as heavy or heavier than you, you find time in realizing that while body building is important, there’s more valuable than that-the INNER STRENGTH!

God bless us all.

“Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” -Matthew 20:26B

Are You Number One?

I was taught to be a well mannered youngster. I was inspired to be a good Christian. But when I finally gave God my life completely and let go, He developed me into something bigger and better than anything I was ever thought or inspired to become.

He will do the same for you.

As a kid, I have no idea of what my life could become. I dreamed of being a winner, so I tried hard to win in Basketball, Softball and Chess. As I matured, I naturally leaned toward Running. But when JESUS CHRIST became my Best Friend, my Lord, my Coach with a capital C, I found the larger purpose for my life and went on to pursue it.

Running is my talent, but the gift God gave me is much larger than that. God uses my talent as platform from which I can achieve my greater purpose. My goal is to influence others to fulfill their potential by pursuing their dreams in accordance with their gifts and talents. Young or old, male or female- you can achieve your purpose in life. A limitless God can make you a Champion.

Generally, a champion is someone who reaches a victory. My running buddy who won several medals defined being a champion as being acknowledged above all peers and competition as the undisputed “number one.” But I don’t define championship based on competition or accolades. To me champions are people who achieve their true purpose in life , who reach victory in many areas.

True champions measure themselves by a higher standard. We don’t need to compare ourselves with others or compete against them. While it’s true that nobody’s perfect, and we’re always prone for errors, we never dwell in them and made that as an excuse, rather we continue to try living a blameless life until HE comes. True champions are those who are proud of their accomplishments but not arrogant and boastful; those who can control their temper, who love their families, who can say NO to evil, who can be honest to small things and who can still smile inspite of humbling defeat.

Maybe you’re an elite runner but may I suggest that you strive more to become a champion! The former will make you as “NUMBER ONE”, but the latter will make you as “THE ONE.”

Are you “number one or the one?”

See you this Sunday in ATC Alabang 10k race.

“I will set before my eyes no vile thing.” -Psalm 101:3

The Basic Foundation Of A Runner…

While I don’t believe God helps Christian athletes run faster, jump higher or hit harder, I do believe a personal faith in Christ can be a very real advantage in life because it can change and improve anyone’s character, and when we say character, we’ll be dealing with INTEGRITY.

As a runner, integrity for me is more important than speed, endurance and ability. Remove integrity from your training program and there’s a tendency for you to cheat and you’ll tamper your PR someday.

Nowadays, integrity has taken a back seat. In nearly every business in this land, including the running community, power is often more highly prized than integrity.

Integrity is an inner quality that affects our deeds.

We deserve better than to be handed a legacy of deceit. We must know that weakness is not failure and that even failure is a gift in the journey of life. These are the marks of a man of integrity, a man who recognizes that failure is the building block of faith.

Twice in my life did I have the opportunity to get something that is not mine and I can do that without them knowing it, big amount of money were involved, and twice I passed the test.

A man of integrity is a man enough to admit that he doesn’t have all the answer, he makes a promise intending to keep his word, even if it costs him dearly. A man of integrity admits failure and asks forgiveness when even his best intentions cannot or are not fulfilled, he picks himself up in the light of grace and forges ahead, learning from his defeats. A man of integrity is committed to the law of loving his neighbor as himself, whoever that neighbor happens to be. Most of all, a man of integrity loves JESUS CHRIST with passion, trusts HIM with fervor and follows HIM with focused dedication.

Yes, integrity must be the basic foundation of a runner for it brings together all that a man is, from the inside out.

How To Train For Endurance?

Living in the spiritual realm is much like preparing for a race in the physical realm. At one point I’m working on speed , then endurance, then on muscle tone. When not actually running I’m conscious of diet, of rest and other factors. There are strategies and goals to be considered.

Even though I was able to finish a 102k Ultramarathon it doesn’t mean I will not train anymore for a 10k race. Training is a never ending process. There’s no such thing as reaching your goal in running.  Every race has its own different challenges to deal with.

Likewise, spiritual growth progresses according to much the same pattern. Every incident I face throughout the day is intended to “train” my spiritual muscles of patience or kindness or reliance on the Lord. The difficulties and trials  I continue to encounter teach me endurance in much the same way a 30k run every morning does for my body.

Therefore, once my competitive running days were behind me, I found myself training still, but in much different way. Now I was developing my mental, emotional and spiritual impulses and reactions, always with the goal of modeling myself after JESUS. We were making headway-ridding ourselves of old attitudes, letting CHRIST put in HIS way of thinking and acting.

By proper training and  discipline, dedication and passion, and accepting HIM in your life-that’s the only way to train for endurance. Some will try another method and some will succeed but their success will only be here for a moment. The only sure way is through God’s way-“Apart from ME, you can do nothing.” -JESUS CHRIST

And that, of course, is the essence of growth, the essence of life itself. That is where the abundant and fulfilling life originates-by living according to the example of JESUS. It is a life outside of one’s self, a life founded in a loving and intimate relationship with GOD.

Sooner or later, I will be launching singlet bearing “runnerforchrist” logo and I’ll wear this during training days or in any racing events. At the back you can read “God be praised” and in front “Run For His Glory.” It’s about time to proclaim HIM to all the people, advertising HIS goodness and be a witness to HIM.

See you in Alabang Town Center 10k race this Sunday.

God bless us all.