CONFESSIONs of a NEWBIE FUN-RUNNER

The Offical Logo

11.20.2011
I saved the date and ran.

The first challenge was to secure a leave of absence from the office. Filed and approved.

The next obstacles were equally challenging but were overcome with great determination. Count in:

(1) planning for an "escape route" (since I live in the mountains, and without any means of transportation of my own except for my two feet and legs,  departing from home at 3:00 am was such a no-no that I was almost tempted to just slumber. Good thing Scratchers were not around and the trusty 24-hour jeepney service was not as scarce as usual)

(2) zero company (being a first-timer, it would have been more fun to run with a friend or two, enjoy the race with somebody you know, but the only hope for a company I had chose the breaking dawn over the running-at-dawn. I just resigned to the fact that there will be thousands of people there anyway so I would not be alone. I may not be a celebrity and I am definitely not the most congenial person but I have some amiable ways that enable me to converse with strangers, not that I need to anyway :D)

(3) no practice (I have not been running, or jogging, even stretching for months! The only physical activity I have been doing so far was to walk from where the car would drop me off on the way to work to the building where I work. I seldom use the stairs, not only because there are none in the building but because I am almost always (almost) late that I find the elevator very beneficial)

(4) forgetting the details (though I have read about the run, I became quite unsure of the specifics - where to go exactly, which stations to go to, the website talked about the clusters and I do not know if I belonged to any one, what to bring, what time the run will officially start and a lot of other things to think about. crazy. I hope these are all just part of the first time haha!)

I was excited but was feeling burdened already by the bothersome thoughts. Time passed (or flew) and woke me up (have I slept?)

I walked in the dark from the house to the highway -no tricycles during the wee hours of the morning :((. I got into a jeepney and a bus and was planning to just ride a taxi to the assembly place but traffic was so heavy that I had to walk again. I covered three LRT stations on foot and was finally able to chance upon a not-so-full jeepney which brought me to the main road closest to the venue. I was literally running late - so much for a warm and pre-run stretching. I would not want to miss the gunshot for my very first run.

So there I was, amongst the multitude, moving to the beat of the music for the warm-up, right under the huge START marker, eager to run. One loud shot and boom! The 5-km fun run commenced.

The Multitude

What a feeling! (haha! sorry. overrated)

What do I get from here? What is at stake? What am I running for? 

Clearly, I was running for a cause. I disbursed some amount for an environment-benefiting project. I joined the community for the event not so much for the record-breaking count of participants but more for the greater goal, the greater good. ;) That thought (and truth) alone is rewarding enough.

Psaig River Yesterday

Pasig River Today
(image from Google)

 The purpose of the Pasig River Run campaign was to raise awareness for the rehabilitation of the river and its tributaries. For this year, the plan is to rehabilitate one of the five (5) tributaries which the Estero de San Miguel that stream into the Pasig River. Source: abs-cbnnews.com

During the run though, I could not help but think of what else was with the run? Fun? Definitely!

I saw people - celebrities (I started the run with the Ms. Earth candidates, then I lagged behind there were the Biggest Losers winners; after a few more steps, I was with the block of police officers who showed off their synchronized running), enthusiasts, marathon-ers as evidenced by the race outfits they wore, students with their teachers, parents and their kids. 

I witnessed sub-events. Runners stopping on track markers (water station/ medic station/ mile/km markers) to have their photo op. Runners being treated for injuries at the medic stations. Runners-to-be-turned-onlookers who stood by the sidewalk content at cheering, clapping and shouting. Runners who are supposed to be environment-lovers littering the street with paper cups they have used for re-hydration. Runners who did short-cuts by going from the 5K to the 3K track. Runners just strolling along.

I moved on, along with the rest. At the last turn, I saw the MOA globe. I was tired already. The globe perked me up, yes, the finish line was finally close. But no, there was another turn, one last km to go! Ugh! Mercy. I moved on anyway. Thou hast to reach the end. Good thing freebies were waiting near the finish marker - time for a some consolation :D In addition, I met my HS bestfriend, Rushel, who also joined the run. We enjoyed catching up and the hotdog calories while resting. 

Runners: Mission Accomplished - almost!

I reached the FINISH marker when the digital clock turned 57:47. Not too bad for a run-walk-run scheme. One item down on my bucket list. I sat down at one of the road blocks. I had time to reflect. I loved the cool breeze. I loved the energy around, with people bursting into laughter and cheers as we traversed the first kilometer of the track. I loved the company of strangers working with you for the same main goal. I loved the thrill of being part of one, big event. I loved the dynamic movements that not only activated the bodily functions but also stimulated the mind and freed it from the usual, normal life cares and concerns. It was liberating!

I will definitely join again. 

Next run: 

December 4, 2011 MOA

For the runner in you, you might want to check out the incoming races/fun runs/marathons. Just click on the link. Just Run!

And here are some tips to help prepare you for the run: Get Ready!

All images courtesy of Google Images. 

MR. BEN and the BERLITZ

The  inevitable came. Before we realized it, we were already being pulled out one by one and escorted to the conference room where we have to face the biggest challenge so far. I was nervous. I was anxious. I was too distracted – failing even to participate in normal conversation. Pulse raced. Heart throbbed. Mind cart-wheeled. It was one day that I allowed myself to become officially crazy.

The final call came. My ID number was announced. I do not even recall walking from our home base to the conference room. I was alone with the telephone. The silence was deafening. The hypothermia-inducing temperature of the room failed to lower my higher-than-average heartbeat rate. Time was up and I was instructed to dial the number. Dialling the number on the phone seemed to last longer than forever. My mind raced through countless topics under the sun. I thought I heard my communications coach’s voice: stay calm…just be yourself…you can do it… it’s just a piece of cake…

Make or break. Come what may. Que sera sera! I was somehow successful at convincing myself to stop the “trembling” and twelve clicks and three rings later, there was Ben.

Ben’s tone was robotic. His words were straightforward. He sounded adamant and condescending. He was a stranger. How could we connect?  I could have died right there and then…but thinking about the company’s investment and possible losses (ahem!), I claimed and believed that I would survive. I could make it.

I have heard a lot about how challenging the Berlitz is. Some encouragingly suggested keeping the conversation within the subject of your mastery and/or experience. Even so, you will not really have complete control over which words or phrases (from your own statement) will tickle the interviewer’s fancy. Your listening, reading and integrated comprehension, coupled with grammatical accuracy and breadth of vocabulary will certainly be put to test as you struggle to say what you mind and mind what you say. Add to it the disturbing thought that interviewers, like Ben, are native speakers of the language you would like to be certified in.

The Berlitz Learning Cycle
from www.berlitz.de

So there was Ben, and my Berlitz certification was in his hands. I readied myself with contents about my favorites including family, friends, photography, teaching, physics, computer games, writing, travel, and tv shows. I have also gone over inquiries on how I spend my free time, how I prepare for work, what I do on weekends, etc. I ran through details/stories on macro photography and insects, teaching physics for over a decade and taking a break from it, losing ten year’s worth of journals, preferred TV shows to watch with family, even qualities I love about friends. Believe me, it is so exhausting thinking and talking about the things you do as you live your life. And you have to be so confident to talk about any or all of it with a stranger! Awesome! >.<

Ben’s very first question was: tell me about yourself. Piece of cake and crown of thorns at the same time! Where do you begin? How do you start? It was much easier and comfortable to feign amnesia than answer the question to impress Ben (impression with only the truth, for certification’s sake J) But time waited for no one and I had to proceed – basics first. Our conversation cum interview lasted for about five minutes and the first question led us to an elaborate discussion on parental guidance over internet sites, establishing censorship over the web for pre-school kids not to be able to view restricted sites. See how very close this topic is to my favorites?

I failed. NOT. I got certified (thank heavens). To have passed the test was an achievement. The experience alone was enriching – whether I made it or not. Add to it the drills I went through during communications and culture training. How did “taking a break” end up with constant evaluation of my communications skills? I suddenly felt old for all the tests. L

I may have been used to public speaking throughout my teaching years but I have always been the timid one. Let us just say that I am intoxicated with a high dose of stage fright. I could have opted to stay still and quiet, but surely, that would not have made the “fright” go away. Haunted is what I would have been.

Bens and Berlitzes will always be around the bend, in their various forms, and life would eventually lead us to them. The Ben and Berlitz I met scared me. But knowing that I was not alone, and that I have to get it done and over with anyway, I faced the fear, and conquered.