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Mar 19, 2013

Run United 2013


The first of the Run United 2013 series was held last March 17, 2013. I honestly didn't think I would be able to run last Sunday. We arrived at the race area 30 minutes after the official gun time. Would you believe that? On a Sunday morning, when everyone was supposed to be still asleep, I can't believe how dense the traffic was, going to the Mall of Asia. 

It was specified on the rules that runners are only allowed to run 15 minutes after the official start of the race. So I was thinking of the registration fee that went down the drain. I can laugh at it now, but last Sunday, I was probably still scowling inside the taxi despite the effort to put on a straight face.

Have you ever got that sinking feeling that you're too late for something?  Well, technically, we are.  Still, since we've already made the effort to go to the venue, might as well try and negotiate with the marshals to allow us to run even if we're way, way late.  When I saw the starting line, I sprinted towards it.  After all, I didn't come for a stroll in the park but to run!  My companions started running after me hehehe.  We located a race marshal and sought his permission to allow us to run.

To make the long story short, I guess since a lot of people were detained by the traffic, the marshal quickly pointed us to the official starting line and I heard the distinct beep as I stepped on the timing plates that reads the code in our timing chips.  Thank you Lord!  Normally, I would be walking and then starting to jog a bit from the starting, but not that time.  

I ran too fast too soon. It must be the remnants of the adrenaline rush.  That proved to be a rather bad thing to do because after a few meters, I was already tired.  I could already feel the heat of the sun at 6:15 am.  It was probably the tension also and the heat that made my tummy ache as I just passed by the 1 kilometer mark.  Oh no!  With 4 kilometers to go, would I be able to finish the race in that condition?  I began praying and asking God for strength to see me through the finish line.  And I did!  We all did manage to finish the race.  Just look at these happy runners.  


The praise and worship song playlist I had proved to be such a great booster as well.  You know that feeling when your energy is already spent and you are also in pain and the only thing that gets you going is faith and the willpower to go on?  This is a race I will definitely never forget.  It's not just because it's my first time to join Run United.  It was also the race I was caught up in a situation where I could definitely not rely on my own strength and it was only by the grace of God that I was able to finish it.  

Kudos to the race organizers!  The Gatorade drinks in the water stations are heaven sent to a parched and tired runner like me.  



To some, running might be something mundane.  But if you give it a chance and open up your eyes to possibilities and start challenging yourself, there is so much more to running than just setting a personal best record each time or striving to win a medal.  The best prize is when you become a better person, doing the thing that you love, and doing that with a purpose in mind.  

And I'm probably not just talking about running...but life itself...a life with a sense of purpose.


Update:  Already saw the official time on the website and I finished the race in 39 minutes and 30 seconds, ranking #800 out of 2296 runners.  It's my fastest record, I think.. and with a tummy ache to boot lol!


45 comments:

  1. More often the things that we love doing give us multi colored experiences and light bulb moments opening our eyes to such feelings of familiarity yet totally different in many ways .


    Thanks for a well written post.

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  2. Congrats on finishing the run! Running a 5k isn't very easy!


    Alex[andra]
    letlifebelikemusic.blogspot.ca

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  3. Right on sis...the light bulb moments. :-)

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  4. Thanks Alex. Yup, not easy when your tummy is aching lol!

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  5. Last Monday I saw two runner in Cabanatuan wearing this kind of shirt but I think it was 2012 pa.
    Congrats again for finishing the run.

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  6. You made it again sis. Running is also a passion.


    Mommy Maye

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  7. I will soon run my first 5k. I'm eyeing on it. :)))

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  8. now that was more than a runner's story... like you said, it's one of those runs you won't ever forget. congrats!

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  9. wow, at least the story ends well
    congrats

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  10. wow, that sure was a race, haha! congrats, glad to know that you were allowed by the marshal to run. and i agree about "life with a sense of purpose", very true. nice post! ♥

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  11. Another milestone for you and your buddies! Your header looks good to! :)

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  12. Happy that you were able to participate. I'd be worried too and probably scowling on the outside.

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  13. I bet not that easy, but you made though..congrats!

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  14. I noticed the new header agad, nice sis! And oh, congrats on the race. Less than 40mins is way to go indeed!

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  15. Woohoo!You made it! Congrats sis ! By the way, you have a new header!

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  16. Nakakainspire ka naman.. you've been consistent with this running thing.

    I second on your thought "The best prize is when you become a better person, doing the thing that you love, and doing that with a purpose in mind." nice post! :)

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  17. Yup medyo sinipag...kaya tuloy di pa nakakapag comment hehehe.

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  18. Thanks sis. Nagsawa na sa old header

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  19. Yup. I thought I'd dress up the blog a bit...am still thinking about decluttering...and dami na kasi abubot dito sa blog hahaha

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  20. Sis, when do you plan to visit Curves? Or have you gone there already for your first visit?

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  21. believe ako s'yo, sis. you didn't gave up even though you're 30-40 minutes behind. :) ako pa siguro iyan umuwi nalang. hehe

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  22. My sister finished 10k in this event run! Good job guys!

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  23. I like the energy girl!

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  24. It's so great that you got to run...way to trust that God's got you in His hands!


    http://runningsurvivor.blogspot.com

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  25. Congrats Aileen! I hope I could join events like that in the future.

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  26. Cool to see you taking part in another run..way to go gal!!

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  27. you've made it again, congrats!
    btw, nice header

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  28. Wow! Great for you! Love that the glory was given to the Lord as we cannot rely on our own strength even if we thought we could. God is so good!

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  29. Congrats to you. I will sure pick up some points here come our run this Sunday. My 1st time also.

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  30. and ever faithful...He has never let me down

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  31. Sayang registration hahahha!

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  32. Finish the race... good you did it. Just keep on running, not just in fun runs but in the race of life as well. God bless.

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  33. I am really happy for you about being able to run. :) Keep at it, sis!

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  34. I hope I can participate and run again with that kind of big fun run event. I miss joining the 10k :)

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  35. wow! another fun run.. kudos to your next run.. by the way i like your new header..

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  36. Sa June, 10K na lowest category...I hope I'd be in top shape to sign up for that. Time to level up na rin. :-)

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  37. Wah too bad I wasn't able to participate and cover this event.

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  38. OMG dapat ganyan ang mga fun run may band! Nice!

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  39. Wow! Congratulations! You really are so passionate about running and I admire you for that. I really hope to be able to join my very first fun run/marathon soon. :)

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  40. Congratulations! You are one determined runner!

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  41. I am so proud of you and happy you called on God's grace to see you through. Congrats! :-)
    Eliz

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  42. May free run ang Hyundai....unahan nga lang registration but everything is for free... :-)

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  43. Yup may entertainment value... at ang raffle prizes, I forgot to mention are also big time. Grand prize is mountain bike, and other prizes include a Devant flat screen TV and Timex watches. I never win in raffles nga lang...I really wanted the Timex watch sana.

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  44. Congratulations! And Amen too! It is so nice that the Marshall is understanding of the traffic problem.


    I've been missing the CommEx I think for months now :( And I am so happy to see you still commenting on my page :) Thank you and God Bless!

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  45. I guess you really are turning into an avid runner :). I've also just been bitten by the running bug. I keep wanting to do better each and every time.

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