What running has done to me so far [1 of n]

And let’s start with the most obvious ones…

  # 1   I’ve developed my calf muscles and my parents find it a bit disturbing that my legs were starting to look like that of a man. 

  # 2   I’ve grown darker in complexion.  Last night, over dinner with friends in UP and IDEA, I realized I am affected with their almost chorus comment, “Cathy, ang itim mo na!”     I know I went to the beach several times this summer, but there is no doubt that the MAK7 race and THAT-KOTR-SUPER-INIT!-RACE toasted my skin like what I could still see tan lines on my legs and arms until now.   In both races, I never applied a sunblock – so who’s to blame anyway…

  # 3   I became more race-hungry that I realized running and racing can be oh-so-easily addictive. 

  # 4   I gained weight.  Hehe.  Something I so like because I always wanted how it is to experience gaining weight.  Friends would tell me I’m so genetically blessed with a lean frame as I never ever get fat no matter how much and how often I eat in a day.  Believe me, my metabolism, if he/she were a person, is also race-crazy:  it works reeeeally fast! 

These are what I have thought of, so far.   I’m sure this list is going a long way – literally -  as long as I remain addicted to running.

ULTRA option won. Heypi Bertdey to me!

We shall run at ULTRA later.  It’s final.  Am excited to see how my friends will marvel at how beautiful the place is –  a haven for runners!  –  given that the government runs it.  Again, please don’t punish me for being this candid.

Birthday thoughts, birthday thoughts, birthday thoughts…  Nothing much actually, except that I have this feeling of immense gratitude to the One up there for the many blessings – all of the which are clearly undeserved.  And I wish to remain this grateful, if not more, all my life.   

Running-shoe-shaped birthday cake, anyone?

Jokingly, I have made it a personal sports goal to promote myself to the 10K category in official racing events before I reach 25 (I was supposed to put asterisks there, until I got hold of myself and realized that 25 is young!  At least, I feel young about it.) .  Seriously, I made it happen in the Adidas KOTR last October 11.  A feat, I must say.  And that gladdens me.

When I did KOTR, friends kept on congratulating me for finishing my first 10K, but one of them – a sports buff siren – didn’t finish her congratulatory greetings without ending with this huge challenge:  “From now on, you can’t run a race that’s less than 10K, Nevarr! … insulto na lang yan sa sarili…”

That was really my plan anyway – to run 10K in all my other succeeding races after I finish my first.  Then again, it feels different when the challenge comes from somebody else.  Unlike Janina San Miguel, I could easily muster the words, “Owww… I feel greyt preyshur rayt naw!” 

My OctobeRun race this Sunday is like a birthday race to me so with God’s goodness, I’d like to get for myself a PR.  Wew!  Dream big Cathy!  If I still don’t make it this time, the NB Power Race in Clark will have to give me just that.  A-S-A.