Need to Run

Tonight I intend to run.

Even for just 5k.

Ondoy robbed me of the chance to do the New Balance 21k. The chance to relive that day when I fell in love with running. That day in Clark I realize I love running not only because it gives me a high and keeps me trim, but because the instrinsic motion it entails is a joy in itself. Until now, the last 5kms of my 25K NB Power race remains the best 5kms of my running life.

Tonight in a week of challenges I wish to revisit that joy.

I spent the weekend updating myself on the storm scene and touching base with friends. The first two nights of the work week, a couple of friends and I visited two runner friends affected by the storm flood. The analytical, obsessive-compulsive me thought our group had the financial and material support all planned and coordinated. There was a well-spring of support from fellow runners that you could not help but be energized and inspired by it. Just when we thought we could rest for a while after our initial support efforts, news came that more help for greater number of people was needed. Suddenly I felt overwhelmed. Suddenly I felt powerless.

I spent the entire day yesterday coordinating and drumming for more support - trying to be calm and collected when inside I was also running dry. I used last night's 40-th day of remembering for the death of a friend's father to ponder on things. Sometimes, to run away is to find your way back to what is essential. There I go again, I realize. Trying to do things on my own, or at best doing it with a few friends, when some things are best left to a Higher Power. So tonight I surrender and submit myself to the Angel Brigade, enlisting to be an Angel Packer wrapping gifts of food, clothing, compassion and hope.

But before the packing job I want to run. I feel I must run. I feel must bring back some sense of normalcy. Not that I am affected by the flood directly. It's just that running is part of who I am and what I do. Running is my personal statement that despite the difficulties, life goes on. It is not an expression of apathy; it is the embodiment of action. I want to feel joy so I can radiate joy.

Life is indeed an marathon. It only ends when you reach the pearly gates of the Finish Line. In the meantime, you run, walk, rest or eat. When things go tough, you persevere. Nobody wants a DNF (Did Not Finish). You find yourself creating characters in your mind. Even singing Ate Shawie's "Unti-unting mararating, kalangitan at bituin, " or Aegis' "Heto ako, basang-basa sa ulan". You either seek meaning in your difficult undertaking, or draw humor from the pain you feel inside or out.

Spirituality & Laughter. These are what we are good at, and with these we shall overcome all trials.

Tonight I hope to see a lot of runners in our collective playground that is Boni High Street or McKinley Hills.

I say we run. Run, because our bodies need to laugh, and our spirit longs to soar.

Angel Brigade:

Address: (old Shang Palace showroom, across Pacific Plaza Towers): Rizal Drive corner 4th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City . For details, you may call Marga 0922-8962742/ 0917-5062742