10 Things I Am Thankful For

There are many things that we are thankful for the year 2010. For some, it could be for good health, good business, good education, prosperous year, great career, or even having a great relationship. Let me thank some things that happened to me in the year 2010 especially in this sport that we all love - RUNNING!

Here are my 10 things that I am thankful for:

my first race

1. CCM 01-10-10 - this was my first race. Kumpare Kirk Milan invited me in September 2009, I wasn't able to join one race for that year. But luck is on my side. I was able to ran the first ever Cebu City Marahon in its 5K race. Since then, I was hooked! CCM 01-09-11 will be my Runniversary and will ran my very first Full Marathon! 

2. 19 Races for 2010 - Yes! I have completed 19 races for this year. I actually signed up for more than that but I missed Run for IT, Run for the Footure, Hearts Run, MO Plus Run and RunRio Leg 3 due to time constraints and family emergency. But all in all, I've finished all 19 races (16 of these races are held in Cebu City, one at the Fort Bonifacio in Metro Manila, one in Danao, Bohol and another one in Dumaguete City) were done with sweat and tears and had my personal bests at that!

Ungo runners after the CDU 5th University Run

3. A Shoe Story: Running with Nikia - this is my blog which I started last May 2010. The blog title came up when I had my new shoes -- New Balance 749; got it from a friend a few days before the SRP Sundown Run and named her Nikia which means "people of victory".

 4. Ungo - I am very thankful for my Ungo family. These runners have been very helpful and motivating all the way. I first joined last April and been active for a few months till I was into that Friday night running hiatus due to schedule constraints. Last August, I was able to run each Friday with this group. The Friday Night Runs from SunStar to IT Park is keeps us Ungo Runners bond together. Thanx to Max Limpag and the Ungo family for welcoming me.

5. Dailymile - I joined dailymile last April and since then, I was addicted to it. I already deactivated  my Facebook page but now I am logging my miles in dailymile. Met new friends from here and abroad thru this social networking site for athletes and runners like me. Thank you DMers!

me at the Milo 21K

6. Two Pikermis - Yes! I've ran two half-marathons this year. My first was during the 34th Milo Marathon Cebu Eliminations last September 05. My second was last October during the CitiGym Halloween Run. I beat my personal best and I am thankful I was able to pace with Agz the whole race. 

7. VFFs - I purchased my first Vibram Five Fingers (KSO Flow) last August and since then I was hooked to being a minimalist runner. I still use Nikia (NB 749) during transition running but most of my runs are with Phalangging (name I coined to my VFF. Thanx to Doc King2x Perez and Jacob Ong). I also purchased a second pair of VFFs (KSO Trek) and named him Spock (name courtesy of Doc Ling2x Abella). I will be running with Spock this CCM 2011.

TTB after the CitiGym Halloween Half Marathon

8. TeamTytsBogdo - ah! my ever fun-loving TTB family! Who can forget this group emerged because of the love for running tights! Well, I got two tights now and I got a TTB family to motivate me every single run! Thank you TTB!

9. Unofficial Full Marathon and Beyond - I had the courage to finish 46.15 kms from JY Square to Balamban with my fellow Ungo runners. This was my longest run so far and I was running with Phalangging. Yes, on VFFs! See story here.

@KM34 marker in Danao

10. 34K Birthday Run - Since I wasn't able to join the RunRio Leg 3 32K Run with my fellow TTB mates in Manila due to Dad's hospital confinement, I opted to ran from Cebu City to Danao City for 34 kilometers -- that's 1KM per year of my existence. Next year, I will do it again. Of course, adding 1KM!

"Sayang ang Miles" - as quoted by TTB mate Eric Agaton, sayang jud ang miles! From my first 5K race in 01-10-10 up to this afternoon's year-ender run, I was able to run a distance of 838.52 kilometers. Since I joined Dailymile in April, I was able to log 804 kilometers. 

These are just 10 things that I am thankful for. I know there are still lots to thank for but I'll just keep it this way. But most of all, I am thankful that the Lord gave me the strength and the courage to finish all the races, all the training runs, for all the blessings, the pains, the sores, the heat, the friends, the love, the spirit, the faith. Without Him, I am nothing. Thank you Lord!

Thank you all! May each of us be blessed with good health as we enter a new year. All the best for 2011!

Real Men Wear Pink

Yeah yeah! Real men wear pink! I recalled this statement when I was still working in Manila from a friend. I was challenged to wear pink which I don't usually do. But since then I am ashamed to wear pink anymore.

But when you wear pink, it means a lot of things. From a website of gems, it says Pink is the color of universal love. Pink is a quiet color. Lovers of beauty favor pink. A pink carnation means "I will never forget you".  Pink provides feelings of caring, tenderness, self-worth and love, acceptance. Put some pink in your life when you want calm feelings, to neutralize disorder, relaxation, acceptance and contentment. (http://crystal-cure.com/pink.html)

I Can Serve Foundation

But for most of us in the health and wellness community especially in the running sport, Pink may define a more personalized care for a family member or a friend who is a survivor or a victim of the dreaded cancer. Pink is usually associated with the month of October.  October has been declared as the month for International Breast Cancer Awareness and it is at this time of the year when citizens of all walks of life come together to raise awareness for the disease.

Coach Boying pacing
with KingBogdo Dindz

Last year, good friend Boying Milan encouraged me to join the October Pink Run but it was just unfortunate that I can't due to schedule constraints. He ran with his race bib saying "I am running for *Rev. Villagante +". His sister's (Doc Tata) bib says "I am running for my own breasts". Those bib statements really made my day.

This year, I intended to run for the October Pink Run but since I wasn't able to register, I decided to bring Mikaela instead and be a PhotoBogdo for the day.  Today's race was basically an Ungo Day! I can say that not just because Ungo's official color is Pink but because the Ungo Runners wanted to run and serve. Yes! We Run and we Serve!

Today's Pink Run is a testimony that everyone can help fight this dreaded disease by raising more awareness to the community.  Runners all over the world unite as one to fight against cancer. But let’s not just end this with a run or merely wearing pink shirts. Let us continue each day to promote cancer awareness and pledge to help those who need our support.

Ungo Runners running pink and feeling the love...
Richelle and Axl | Wonder Colili and Doc King2x | Dindz and Micke

This day is dedicated not just to my mom but also to those who died and survived because of this disease.  May this day be an epitome of living a great life.  

Ungo Runners willing to Serve

Kudos to all the organizers headed by the Philippine College of Surgeons, Ayala Center Cebu, Rotary Club  of Cebu Fuente, Run for Sight and the Sports and Fitness Enthusiasts (SAFE).

Jump for Life!

Kudos to all Ungo Runners! We shall continue to shine!

More pictures in the PicasaWeb Album: October Pink Run 2010

*My mother, the late Rev. Sally Villagante passed away last March 11, 2008 due to complications brought about by the dreaded breast cancer.  She was a dear mom and we missed her so much till this day.

I burned 69 donuts and 24 cheez burgers!!!!

Whoa!!! I was checking my dailymile account and I didn't realize I already burned 69 donuts and 24 cheez burgers since I started recording my mileage last March. These numbers could've been higher if I was able to record my runs since I started running in the famous and best-organized 1-10-10 race.

What a feat! I am so proud of myself. These donuts and cheez burgers (read: dailymile spelled cheese differently!) are now my motivators in running.

Today, I'm supposed to ran with Boying but I woke up late. So I decided to ran at the KSRP instead. Twas a great run this morning and it's been awhile since I've ran at the KSRP in the morning.

Equipped with my new Runnr gray running cap, sunglasses, mp3 player and of course, Nikia, I was able to clock 38:11 for my 5.76kms morning run. Before my turning point, I was surprised that it rained. Well, not that hard but it was practically drizzling for about 10mins so I am soaking wet. But I was elated because of the fact that it was my first time running in the rain. It actually felt good.

Well, I want to  make this morning run to be a part of my weekly training and will only do this on my restdays. Sounds like a plan huh!

For the past 4 weeks, I've ran around 67.1kms. My lifetime stats recorded in dailymile included 128kms total mileage, 3 pounds burned, done 21 workouts and powered 186 television sets among others.

So to anyone of you out there who wish to start a healthy lifestyle, make running a part of your day, a part of your life. It is still the cheapest and an effective form of exercise.... well, next to making love.

So, donuts anyone?

All because of Boying

I always say that my running addiction (sort of) is all because of Boying. The infamous Kirk Boying Milan -- my friend, my running mentor (he doesn't know that yet till now if he reads this!), my running mate along with Leo IronMan Mitch Jala, my kumpare -- is the cause of all these!

He started running last year. Well, I'm supposed to run with him and the Kanto Boyz. But time and schedule didn't permit me. So during the Pink Month, the running society celebrated Cancer Awareness Month. He ran for my mom. My mom died of breast CA 2 years ago. 

His race bib has my mom's name scribbled on it. That started it all.

Thanx Boying!