Green Minded!

“We should give meaning to life, not wait for life to give us meaning.”  ~Stacy

In one of my trail-running practices, wearing SPYDER sunglasses.

I’m surprised to know that someone paid my Registration Fee in the Milo 42K this coming July 4, 2010. Since I’ll be running for FREE, I have no more alibi not to join this Marathon. To you, my dear friend…Thanks a lot. If you want me to mention your name via this blogsite, just let me know. My bib number is 14344 and I was registered last Sunday, received an sms from this friend.

I’ll still be donating a certain amount for a ‘charitable institution’ of my choice once I finish this race, and I’ll do it a 50K! (Meaning, additional 8k after I reach the finish line). I have no time target, just pure fun. This will be my 3rd race for this year (Fat Ass 24 hrs in Clark and BDM 102 in Bataan).

With so many concerns regarding Registration Fees, ordinary runners (like me) can’t afford anymore to join races. Even this great running institution (Milo) joined the bandwagon of collecting high fees, from P150 to P500. Majority of my running buddies who are Milo fanatics from the very start opted not to join this race this year.

Milo also adapts the system of Boston Marathon. This is good for some but bad news to many. We all knew for a fact that there are many cheaters and it’s unfair to compete with them. Last year, I talked personally to the Organizer regarding my first-hand encounter with cheaters but since I was not able to produce evidence (pictures etc), I went home empty-handed.

Now forget about those cheaters. Concentrate on your time, strategy and how you will enjoy this race. It’s not my duty to caught those ‘green scalawags’ in uniform. I’ll leave them to those marshals who will oversee this event. But If  I have opportunity, I will not hesitate to report this on this blogsite.

For the next two weeks, my mind will be obsessed with green. Let me be ‘green minded’,  finish this race and hoping to qualify. But If I can’t, it’s not the end of the world. I will try again because  I’m not afraid to fail.

See you in Green! 6/24/10!!!

God be Praised!

CHIT CHAT:

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.

The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.

Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your
friend.

(3) And when you’re in deep shit, it’s best to keep
your mouth shut!

In Comfort Zone Or Not…

“Life is like sailing.  You can use any wind to go in any direction.”  ~Robert Brault

In one of our biking adventures…

The last time I did a good run was last Sunday, June 13, 2010. It was already 6 days and until now, no running since then.

Reasons: I relocated from my comfort zone  to Dasmarinas Cavite. It was a tough decision. Honestly speaking, It took me more than 6 months  to think and evaluate things. I prayed a lot for it.

I’ll miss many people, majority of them are my running/biking buddies. I lived there for more than 5 years and in that place, I became a runner and a biker. It was also in that place that I finished my first ever triathlon.

It only proves that nothing is permanent in this world. Sometimes, in the blink of an eye, all of our cherished possessions,  house, cars, money, job…including people, can be taken away from us, and sometimes, without warning.

Another reason is my job. My work schedule is 11 hours a day (5:30am to 4:30pm) four times a week, making it impossible to run during those times that I’m working.

So tomorrow, June 21, 2010…I’m planning to run my first route here in Dasmarinas Cavite. I don’t know where my feet will lead me but definitely it will be exciting and challenging.

By the way, I’m planning to do another 50 kms this coming July 4, 2010 and if  I can finish that, I’ll donate a P500 to a ‘charitable institution’ of my choice. High registration fees prevent me from joining races nowadays. I’ll just create my own ‘event’ and whatever amount I can give to our unfortunate children, I will give it -by means of running. And sometimes, biking.

I’ll update you regarding the route.

Let’s continue running, anywhere, anyhow.

God be Praised!

When The Nature Calls…

“Whether you look near and far, whether you look for bigness and smallness, the wonders of nature stagger the mind with the wisdom woven through it all. ” -John Piper

Last Saturday, June 7, 2010…I ran a 50K from 4am up to 11:35am. I made  22 loops (2 kms per loop) from Zilcas Bridge up to Carmona Exit in Southwoods Carmona Cavite. The entire place was covered with huge acacia trees making it ideal for LSD minus the damaging effect of the sun’s deadly UVRs.

The remaining 6 kms were alloted in  going to that place and vice versa.

In that route, I witnessed a race and took pictures of me and my running buddies.

witnessed a race while doing my own LSD…

I’m not active anymore in races since Registration Fees nowadays are no longer reasonable but I’ll make sure I’ll always run no matter what. I already participated in almost 80 races before and majority of those events offered cheap Registration Fees. If  I have a budget, I’ll still join races in the future but not this month.

One good thing about doing a LSD is that you can enjoy running by just seeing the beauty of nature. In races, your focus is all about SPEED and beating your PR. Unlike when you’re alone, you have all the time in the world to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Sometimes, I took pictures of flowers, animals and insects.

I’m so mesmerized by just looking at those insects. They reminded me on how powerful our God is.

Just recently, I read about a European water spider that lives at the bottom of the lake, but breathes air. It comes to the top of the water, does a somersault on the surface and catches the bubble of air. Then it holds the bubble over the breathing holes in the middle of its body while it swims to the bottom of the lake and spins a silk web among the seaweed. It goes up and brings down  bubble after bubble until a little balloon of air  is formed under its silk web where it can live  and eat and mate. When I read that, there was a moment of worship on my study table. Like what I’m always doing during my LSD, I shout, “Oh Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.”

And I think  He smiles and says, “Yes, and I have been enjoying that little piece of art  since before the days of old. And if you only knew  how many millions of other wonders there are beyond your sight that I behold with gladness everyday.”

The next time you’ll do a Long Run, take that opportunity to appreciate the wonders of nature. PAUSE and walk for a while.

Running a 50K is not an easy task but you can make it memorable and exciting if you’ll put some ‘FUN’ on it. And one way of doing that is to express these words…” Oh Lord, in wisdom You have made them all.”

In races and out of races, do it ALL for the glory of God!

God be Praised!

The SEED!

Biking in Daang Hari Muntinlupa City…

A successful businessman was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.
Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.
He said, ‘It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you.’ The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. ‘I am going to give each one of you a SEED today – one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.’
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story.
She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed.

Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by – still nothing in Jim’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil – He so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick at his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful — in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. ‘My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,’ said the CEO. ‘Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!’ All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, ‘The
CEO knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!’

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his Seed – Jim told him the story.
The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, ‘Behold your next Chief Executive! His name is Jim!’

Jim couldn’t believe it. Jim couldn’t even grow his seed. How could he be the new CEO the others said?

Then the CEO said, ‘One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today.

But, I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead – it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers.

When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive!’

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment.
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.

I Don’t Want A Hero!

“Success is going from failure to failure without losing the enthusiasm.” -Benjamin Franklin

In one of my biking adventures…in Nuvali Sta. Rosa Laguna

Sometimes, I feel like I’m no good. In a world where most of the times, the basis of success lies on financial
achievement, unparalleled wisdom and superb athleticism, I do have self-pity for not meeting those requirements.
Even up to now, Financially I’m struggling specially  that I’m only on probation
in my new job. I’m also lacking in training because I can only run 2x a week making it impossible for me to join the Milo 42K
As a trainee in my new job, I failed miserably in last Friday’s examination. Our trainor gave instruction not to answer
pages 1 and 2, and we have to answer only pages 3, 4, 5 and 6. I don’t know what happened to me but I mistakenly answered
page 2 but neglected to answer page 4. So, to make the story short, I FAILED. With a heavy heart, I pondered why it did
happen. I did my best to talk to my Trainor explaining my side but since it was my error, no consideration was given.

After that exam and series of failures recently, I often told myself, “Oh God, I can’t do anything You wanted me to do.
I’m no good, I’m worthless and a failure.”

Until I read a good book, Grace Works by Dudley Hall which uplifts my sagging spirit. Let me share with you a part of his
story…

When I was a freshman in College, I learned firsthand that God’s plans and my expectations aren’t always the same thing.
As a high school senior, I received a football scholarship. My prayer was constantly, “Lord, help me to be a good football
player, and I will use that athlete’s platform to speak for you.

I honestly thought God and I had a deal. He would help me be a successful athlete, and in turn would help Him reach
football-smitten youngsters with the Gospel.

I was on the starting team most of the times and showed great promise. Then, in the last game of the season, I was blocked
from behind and suffered a fractured hip. After lying immobile  in the hospital for several weeks , I was told by my doctor
that I would never play football again.

I was devastated! “I can’t keep my promise to God. What good will I be to Him now? No one will want to hear my story.
What kind of a hero is a crippled freshman?” I visualized kids staying away from my speaking engagements in large numbers,
mumbling, “Dudley who?”

I thought God wanted a football hero to put in a good word for the Gospel. But He just wanted to love me. I shall never
forget that day alone in hospital room number 101 when I admitted, “Oh God, I can’t do anything you wanted me to do!”
And I heard God’s reply, “I love you just like you are. I don’t want a hero. I just want you.” My human expectations were
replaced by a broader and deeper understanding of God’s call and promise to me. He can be trusted.

Oh wow, I’m touched by that message. I don’t know what lies ahead in the future. But for sure, God will continue to love me.
In good times and in bad times, He can be trusted. I just pray that He will give me the strength and wisdom to persevere.

And I’m not afraid to fail because He’s not looking for a hero – Just an ordinary man with an extra ordinary heart. And I pray that I may become such one.

Go and be a blessing.

God be Praised!

Uncomfortable…

Running a 20k in Naic Cavite last Sunday May 30, 2010…

A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam.

He called his parents from San Francisco. “Mom and Dad, I’m coming home, but I’ve got a favor to ask. I have a friend I’d like to bring with me.”

“Sure,” they replied, “we’d love to meet him.”

“There’s something you should know,” the son continued. “He was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live.”

“No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us.”

“Son,” said the father, “you don’t know what you’re asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can’t let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He’ll find a way to live on his own.”

At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him.

A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn’t know: their son had only one arm and one leg.

The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good looking or fun to have around, but we don’t like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren’t as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.

Thankfully, there’s someone who won’t treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are.

Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you the strength you need to accept people as they are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are different from us!

A man has not lived,
until he has almost died.

For those who have fought,
life has a flavor
the protected will never know.

Signed, Vietnam Veteran

Deeper!

When you are harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations -it’s no accident, it happens to prove your faith, which is more valuable than gold. -1 Peter 1:6-7

“

In order to build your faith, God will give you a dream; then he’ll urge you to make a decision; but then he’ll allow a delay, because in the delay he matures you and prepares you for what is to come.

The truth is you’ll have difficulties while God delays. This isn’t because he doesn’t care about you or that he’s forgotten your circumstances; rather, it’s one of the ways he pushes you toward the deep end of faith.

As God delays, you’ll face two types of difficulties: Circumstances and Critics. This is a natural part of life. God designed it this way because he knows we grow stronger when facing adversity and opposition.

When Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt into the desert toward the Promised Land, he had one problem after another. First there was no water. Then there was no food. Then there were a bunch of complainers. Then there were poisonous snakes. Moses was doing what God wanted him to do, but he still had problems.

David was anointed king, and then for the next several years he was hunted down by Saul. Joseph had a dream of becoming a ruler, yet he was sold into slavery and thrown into prison on a false charge where he languished, forgotten. Imagine the difficulties Noah had building a floating zoo!

The Bible says that when Moses died, Joshua was appointed the new leader. Moses led the people across the desert and then Joshua led them into the Promised Land. Did he get the easy part? The Bible says that when the Israelites entered the Promised Land there were giants in the land. Even in the Promised Land there were problems!

God does this because he is building our faith and character. When we finally come to a place where the difficulties become so bad, where we’ve reached our limit, where we’ve tried everything and exhausted all our options, it is then that God begins a mighty work through us: “. . . I know, even though you are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident—it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable, than gold . . . .” (1 Peter 1:6-7 PH)

Conclusion:
“When we finally come to a place where the difficulties become so bad, where we’ve reached our limit, where we’ve tried everything and exhausted all our options, it is then that God begins a mighty work through us.”