The PRL Testimonials
James Barcelon, Slayer of 1000 Miles
“I see it rarely. But it does happen”. So one friend who is a seasoned ultra runner told me upon knowing James Barcelon of Manila, Philippines clocked in more than 1000 miles the month of February 2021 during the PRL Unlimited Run Challenge. Such superhuman feat landed James the championship crown for the men’s division in that worldwide event.
“My family inspires me,” he told The PRL Testimonials. “I dedicate this success to my wife and children,” he added, noting he aims to both inspire people and healthy living. This clicked well with us here at PRL as The Code, which is the guiding principle of our group, requires us to Respect, Inspire, and Care for fellow Filipino runners.
As of the latest, James who is a reserved officer of the Philippine Air Force, continues to slay more and more miles, in his daily runs.
James, champion of the PRL UnliRun with his trophy.
ACHIEVEMENTS/ AFFILIATIONS:
-Finisher, Milo Running Events
-Finisher, Hero 2 Hero Run 50 Km (Rizal Day)
-Finisher, Laguna-Tagaytay Ultra
-Blood donor
-Member, Philippine Dragonboat Federation
A member of the Philippine Dragonboat Federation.
INTRODUCING "THAT'S THE SPIRIT! -
“How Filipinos Stay Positive in Ireland"
In the Spotlight: Jivee "Ultra Man" Tolentino
By: Aaron Karl Pundol
("That's the Spirit!" is a new initiative of the Philippine Consulate Dublin where we highlight the positive and uplifting qualities, skills, knowledge and attitudes of inspiring Filipinos from different walks of life in Ireland.)
I first heard of Ultra Man when I was just a kid back in the late 80s. It was a Japanese Television series about a giant human-like alien hero who would battle other gigantic monsters and invaders. Despite all odds and seemingly hopeless situations, the Ultra Man would always overcome his foe and in some cases, multiple foes who were even armed with fire-breathing, laser-firing, bone-crushing and ice-freezing powers. It was simply fun to watch though I knew Ultra Man was never real. That was until I met Kuya Jivee Tolentino.
Kuya Jivee, as I would tease him after finding out that he is just a year older than me, is an Ultra Runner. He is an elite athlete who competes in Ultra Marathon races. An Ultra Marathon is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometres. This Ultra Running usually covers distances of 50 kilometres , 100 kilometres and beyond where runners face tough obstacles, such as extreme weather, elevation change, or rugged terrain. Many of these races are run on unconventional race tracks like dirt roads or mountain paths, though some are run on paved roads as well. In some races, there are Aid Stations where runners can replenish food and drink supplies or take a short break. But there are also "self-supported" races in which each competitor has to carry all their supplies including food to survive the length of the race, typically a week long of supplies. Imagine running from Dublin to Drogheda, County Louth during rain, heat and snow with a bag full of supplies at your back. That is just half of the distance if you would run a 100 km race. You would have to run all the way back to where you started just to finish the course.
I was surprised when I found out about Kuya Jivee's humble beginnings. His father was from Barotac, Viejo, Iloilo while his mother was from Victorias City, Negros Occidental. Both were farmers. As an elementary student, he would wake up early morning so he could run to school and then run back home. This helped him survive primary education since he came from a poor family. There were even times that he went to school not having enough money to buy food. This daily 4-kilometer running to and from school provided his unorthodox training which also enabled him to get an Athletic Scholarship from Elementary (Barangay Mambuyo Primary, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo) till High School (Sacred Heart Academy in Zarraga, Iloilo). A relative who was a well known runner in Iloilo motivated and mentored him on how to survive and achieve his dreams of being a Champion runner. He was a Private School Athletic Association (PRISAA) 1992 5-time gold medalist record-holder in Track & Field and even participated in the Provincial Meet. Upon his graduation, he was given the distinction of Most Outstanding Athlete.
In 1995, he tried to apply for the Track & Field Varsity Program of St. Lasalle University in Bacolod but was unable to continue due to the lack of financial resources. He would compete in 10 to 30 km Marathons so he can win the pot money and use the prize money for his education. He later went to STI College where he focused on his studies and earned a Computer Science diploma.
The runner turned technology enthusiast then tried his luck in Ireland in 2001 where he got employed in the hospitality industry up to the present. It was during this period that he concentrated on work and saved enough money to support his family. With this shift of priorities, he stopped running altogether. He has been living in Dublin with his wife Olga, and four children Vanessa, Jivee Jr., Alyssa and Gabriel ever since.
In 2014, Kuya Jivee had a change of heart and decided to go back to the sport he loved after more than a decade of stopping. After training to get his body and mind back into the running game, he entered a Marathon and then in the same year, ventured into Ultra Marathon training. Shortly thereafter, he got connected with Pinoy Runners London (PRL) where he met fellow running enthusiasts and joined them in several virtual races. The rest is history after that.
Among his many achievements include running a Marathon in aid of Ireland’s National Autism Charity (228 km 35 hours 35 minutes) in SUB-ZERO conditions, Spartathlon 2019 (247 km 33 hours 39 minutes) Podium 400 meters naked sprint Post-Spartathlon race next day, Belfast2Dublin Return 2019 (346 km 61 hours) Male champion Longest UltraMarathon First Filipino & only male finisher and Barcelona 24 hours Endurance Championship December 2017 completed 100 miles in savage negative 10 weather condition & 27 degrees hot day time.
I also asked Kuya Jivee what important advice he can give for those who would like to engage into running for the first time? He smiled and said, "Have a healthy diet. Sweat a lot through exercises to get rid of the toxins. Keep exercising to keep you flexible. Don’t forget your supplements. And most importantly, believe and trust in the Almighty with all your heart, soul, and mind."
Kuya Jivee's journey to success has not been an easy one. He may not have faced alien invaders or giant monsters, but he has conquered real-life hardships during his childhood till his early adult life, more than a decade of being away from competitive running, extreme conditions & tough obstacles during his races, and physical & mental challenges that would push an ordinary human to easily give up.
Kuya Jivee's advice to Filipinos facing great difficulties during this pandemic is to never stop finding ways to survive. "If we have 1 million dreams, surely there are 1 million ways to achieve them.”
And as a way of paying back, Kuya Jivee is currently supporting poor but promising young athletes back in his home province of Negros and Panay Islands.
This Spring, he has been selected to participate in the upcoming historical and gruelling 623 km non-stop Coast to Coast (Kerry to Dublin) ultra marathon. This will be his longest and most brutal mountain trail race ever.
I cannot help but ask Kuya Jivee why he still continues to run dangerous ultra marathons when he can simply run normal races and still achieve the same fame and recognition. His reply were six words - "Savage beyond reason. Beautiful beyond belief." His life journey speaks for itself. Running has forged and made him the Pinoy Ultra Man he is today.
Thank you for the inspiration, humility and kindness Kuya Jivee!
EDITOR”s NOTE: This article has been shared from the Facebook page of the Philippine Consulate in Dublin.
Minerva Palacio:
My Story
I am Minerva Posadas Palacio from San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. I am turning 50 this coming January. Way back when I was a child I remember I was always at the hospital due to seizure. I had a hear problem. My mother would say I should not get angry, too sad or too emotional or else I would turn pale. I would be frothing in my mouth with my lips turning blue once seizure sets in. Being the youngest in a brood of 11, my parents were so worried about my health.
According to my mum, I was diagnosed to be having a heart problem at a very young age. My body would be covered in bruises when I was a child as I would often fall into the ground. Hence, they called me “lampa”, a Filipino (Tagalog) term which means a weakling. My knees easily locked which was very painful. Any run or fast walk would trigger the pain in my knees, almost crippling me. I could barely walk during bouts of this pain. The severe pain brought tears to my eyes. I would even be seeing white spots around me then collapsed. Those were unforgettable days during my childhood where my mum and dad would spend much of their attention caring for me. At one point, we even had to spend Christmas and New Year in the hospital due to my ailments. It made me very sad then as I felt I a missed a lot of happiness during Christmas when children are meant to be happy. The consolation I got was the realisation that my parents loved me so dearly—I saw this in their eyes. Some of the details of my childhood are a bit blurry because of my poor health. However, things improved gradually as I grew up although I would still get leg cramps at bedtime. At times, I would wake up noticing that both of my knees had locked; this would usually last between 10 and 20 minutes. That is why I still slept with my mum nearby even though I was already a grown-up.
The seizures thankfully went away when I started going to school. I still felt weak, though. And ultimately, things have become normal. I got married and had two children. My eldest is 27years old and my youngest has just turned 19 this month.
At first, there were no physical activities like exercises in my life. I hated these. I did not even go out for walks. Every time I saw a runner, I would say to myself, “naku, ‘di ko kaya yan; mabuti pa siya” (I could not do that myself; that runner is luckier). So I just decided to join Zumba classes which I really enjoyed. I found them exhilarating especially after sweating a lot. I weighed 97.5 kg then. I managed to shed 10 kg off my weight. I started to feel energised and positive.
A group of runners told me to try running. They asked me to do this and to do that. So I was like, why should I inflict all these hardships on my body? I thought running would give me nothing but pain. However, I just found myself one day jointing the San Antonio Runners Association (S.A.R.A.). I was ready to torture myself! I was patiently taught and guided by a fellow female runner especially during bouts of my knee pain. I was able to endure them as I was motivated by being exhilarated—feeling light and easy after a workout.
My first fun run was that by the Civil Service. I thought I would not finish the 5 km distance as I struggled a lot. I walked and ran alternately. That was the beginning of my running lifestyle. The time came for me to become one of the organisers of our team’s fun runs, deciding which course or route to use. We also organised running events to raise funds for charity orgsanisations. It is such a lovely experience knowing you are running for a noble cause. This was taught to us by the race director or Run Cabanatuan. We did the We Run Against Cancer wherein the beneficiaries of the funds we pooled were cancer patients. Then I organised our own fun run here in my town, fully supported by my teammates. It was even followed by four more fun runs, thanks to the hard work and dedication by my team mates.
To make the long story short, I have transformed into an edurance runner, from being a beginner running only 3 to 5 km. I am not a podium finisher. Neither I am a speedy runner. I am your typical simple runner who runs a good run. I share a good laugh with the other runners and make new friends. Running is not only about your speed and fame-it is all about your heart’s compassion and care for others. I do not win any races but I run your race. I cross the finish line that you have crossed. And we both pass the same route too. I have completed more than 80 official events and more than 40 virtual races and still counting. I am proud of these achievements.
A weakling child who was always falling into the ground is NOW A RUNNER.
My name is Minerva Posadas Palacio, also know as Simpleng Mananakbo (Simple Runner). And this has been my story.
“Simpleng Mananakbo” (The Simple Runner): Minerva Palacio, one of the strong finishers of PRL’s Merry Miles, The Daily Dash, Master Miles, and IsoRunFest.
The Evolution of Laine Macalalad-Tolentino
Laine with her blings and as podium finishers in the fun runs.
Positive change: Laine before running (left side) and after becoming a runner (right).
I am Laine M. Tolentino, 41 years old from the town of Balayan Province of Batangas. I started running in the year 2015 after eight months of giving birth to my youngest daughter. I decided to go running just for losing weight and get fit. I signed up for my first fun run 10 K then and it was a blast. I was a podium finisher. I was thinking, ayos din pala sa takbuhan as I could win a cash prize in addition to the trophy, medal, and some freebies. That was the my start of my usual fun runs wherein I would be a podium finisher. My winnings helped put food on the table for my kids as well as provided allowance for their schooling. As a runner, I run almost everyday-it is in my system na parang kulang ang araw pag walang takbo. My first Milo Marathon was in 2018 which was repeated the following year. I made it a point to go home in Batangas with the finisher medal and to beat my previous PB (personal best) in this 42 kilometre race, which I did. Dyahe naman di makapag-uwi ng medalya. Layo pa naman ng Maynila from Batangas. I wanted to run the long-running Milo Marathon because it is really popular and prestigious. I can say running made me fit, healthy, and young-looking. Who would have thought that I am already a middle-aged woman. Akala nila teen-ager! From 69 kg before, my weight is now down to 45 kg. Then came the virtual runs. My first virtual run was in 2018 to motivate me some more and at the same time, save lives. I am thankful for the free virtual events as cash has been challenging since the COVID-19 crisis. These races have kept me sane especially during the lockdown. I even landed 3rd place in a global challenge, running 2020 kilometres for the year 2020. I topped the MasterMiles of the Pinoy Runners London in the overall 200 mile-category last August. In another international 5000 km Team Challenge (“Mamaw”), I finished first. I won a Garmin GPS watch in this last event even though it was free virtual race. I am so blessed to have met a running community that values me as a runner. Of equal importance, I gained a lot of virtual running friends, too, who encourage, uplift, and motivate me. If you want to go running, first you have to motivate yourself. NO OTHER, NO ONE CAN MOTIVATE YOU EXCEPT YOUR OWN SELF! I count myself blessed to have legs that carry me and heart that pushes me.
The Joy of Running in the United Kingdom
By Bernadette “Bernie” Schlueter
Ultramarathoner, GB
Richard and I transferred to England from Belgium in August 2019, but we have been running in the United Kingdom since 2014. As a runner always looking for races to run during the weekends, the UK immediately attracted me for the number of races they offer through all four seasons.
My first race on UK soil was the Flitch Way NYE Marathon in 2014. It was a trail marathon during the winter on New Year’s Eve; not an ideal introduction to marathons for newbies but thankfully I was no longer a newbie. I had already completed more than 60 marathons and ultramarathons by then. This was a challenging race for me but it made me appreciate the opportunity to run on this side of Europe. I completed 30 more marathons in the four countries that make up the United Kingdom before we made the official move in 2019.
Bernie’s Rookie of the Year trophy, awarded by the SVN running group in 2019.
Here are at least five reasons that makes running a pleasure here:
A race or two every weekend. I am spoiled for the choice of races we have here. You can find at least one, if not two, races each on Saturday and Sunday all year round. Sometimes there will even be 10 challenges in 10 days or 20 challenges in 20 days! These races are organized by running groups and organizations such as Phoenix Running, Saxons, Vikings, and Normans (SVN) Marathons and Challenges, Saturn Running, Zig Zag Running, Suffolk Running Centre, Enigma Running, How Hard Can It Be, It’s Grim Up North, White Star Running, and 1m2go, just to name a few of the people we regularly run with. The London Marathon is extremely hard to get into unless you are willing to do major fund raising for charity. The small races around the UK are easier to sign up for and run.
A friendly racing atmosphere. The runners and the race directors are just so friendly here. Almost everyone you meet on the course would say “Well done!” “Keep going!” and sometimes call your name that is printed on the bib. These small gestures of encouragement mean a lot to runners, especially when we are hitting the wall, or just not having a good race. I see familiar faces at many of the races, and they always have a kind word or two at the beginning or during the race. They consider runners their family.
Recognition opportunities. The UK-based Global Marathon Challenges provides opportunities for ordinary people like me to achieve extraordinary things. As soon as I found out about this website, I signed up for and completed the 12 Marathons in 12 Months Challenge, 52 Marathons in 52 Weeks Challenge, and the 100 Marathons in 100 Weeks Challenge. I became a member of the 100 Marathon Club UK and became eligible to wear the 250 Marathons shirt in February 2020. I also received the Rookie Runner of the Year Award from SVN Marathons and Challenges in December 2019.
Variable distances. The race directors are hard core runners themselves and they understand the reality that some days are not the best days. The races are often multi-loop routes beside a river, inside a national reserve, or on well-established forest tracks. As long as you complete a loop you are considered a winner in their eyes and you get your medal and goody bag. There were two races in the winter of 2019 where I only did a 5K and a heavy half (16-miler) but was still able to have my finishing time and distance recorded. Thankfully a DNF (Did Not Finish) is not a part of the vocabulary of the supportive race organizers!
Incredible finisher’s medals. I think the organizers are trying to outdo each other, if not themselves. The medals I have gotten from races here are just to die for! Phoenix Running’s The Explorer finisher medal is the world’s largest finisher medal. The SVN medals always have a tank embedded in their designs and it is always fun to find them. I got a huge thrill to see my name on the finisher’s medal for the Usual Suspects Marathon Class of 2019! Indeed, the medals are huge, colorful, and sometimes 3D! As a bling lover, I can’t help but register for as many races as I can, if only to get my hands on that beautiful medal!
I feel that I am just getting started on my running journey here and am looking forward to run as many races as I can here!
Be-medalled: Bernie (right) with husband Richard (left). Bernie is nearing her 300th official marathon record.
(Editor’s note: this article was originally published at the globaladventurer.com on 16/09/20 and used with kind permission by the author).
SURVIVING COVID-19: A PRL Runner’s Story of Recovery
By Neil Calucag
Marathoner, Cardiff, Wales, GB
IT was the second week of March 2020 when the number of COVID-19 positive patients in our ward has started to steeply rise. As a Filipino auxiliary nurse, I was looking after an average of 30 of these patients during my shifts. I know that as Filipinos, the value of hard work is deeply ingrained in our system. We just plod on, no matter how tough our shift is, keeping a positive attitude and cracking jokes with our work mates. We seldom say no or complain about our work and the tasks handed to us by our senior colleagues. At first, I was really terrified of exposing myself to this disease. However, I felt that it was my responsibility to provide the best care to these patients even though COVID-19 is a danger to any healthcare worker. At first, all of us were using full PPE’s (protective personal equipment). Until things went lax and we were just made to use normal face masks and aprons. We got used to this modified routine that I thought I was invulnerable to COVID-19, that I would not get ill with this. The fact that I am a marathoner and a regular runner, made me think highly of my immune system and my overall health solidified by running.
However, when the PRL’s (Pinoy Runners London) Isolation Running Festival came into fore last May 24, 2020 when I was running the 21 kilometre-category (half marathon), I started to feel the symptoms. That night I developed a high grade fever. Still I went to work for two days after that. That time, I was very weak and my whole body was just in pain. Every muscular fibre in my body was throbbing. On May 26, 2020, I still decided to report to work despite being unwell. My team checked my temperature to find out I had a rampaging fever. I even developed a very bad case of headache that time. By 1 PM, my manager sent me home. I went straight to bed upon arrival as I could barely stand. The following morning, I was swabbed and the result came back after 24 hours, revealing a positive COVID-19 status.
Having this infection was just too much for me. The nine days I was ill was a proper torture for myself. In bed, I felt as if my soul was separating from my body! I was beleaguered with cough, high fever, severe fatigue, muscular pains, and persistent headaches. I was never this bad before in my entire life. If I were to further elaborate, thought I was having the common flu plus malaria, severity of which is multiplied five times!
Another torture for my already weakened self was the isolation as I could not see my family, even in my own house, to prevent the infection from spreading. They would leave my food drinks, and medicines at the door. I was only taking paracetamol to alleviate the symptoms. I was also battling mental issues! By the 10th day, I was in despair as my condition was not improving. I told my wife to ring the emergency services so that an ambulance can take me to our local hospital. But my wife, who is a nurse, did not budge as she believed sending me to the hospital would just worsen my condition. She pointed out the hospital was inundated by thousands of patients and the nurses and doctors were being stretched to the limits. The physical environment was not even conducive for a speedy recovery. Hence, I would be having a much harder time in the hospital, she said. Amazingly, the fever left me the following morning. I felt better. Nonetheless, I remained locked-in in my room to complete the 14 days of isolation as prescribed by the government health authorities. On the 15th day, I came out of my virtual prison—looking emaciated as I lost a significant amount of weight.
I thought I was on the mend when on the 18th day, I developed chest pain, bodily weakness, and cramps. I could not sleep. This prompted me to seek urgent assistance from the hospital’s COVID Team. I was rushed to the accident and emergency immediately. They took a full set of blood tests including D-dimer (editor’s note: to check for blood clots in the body which have been documented as a complication of COVID-19), troponin levels (editor’s note: blood test to check for heart attack), ECG, and chest x-ray. The attending doctor asked me why I was having cramps? He also asked me if I was physically active prior to COVID? I replied that I am a marathoner. The doctor explained that the cramps resulted from a sudden shutdown of my body, battered by COVID, when my muscles were used to high levels of physical activity before I became unwell. I was having muscular wasting that led to significant weakness and weight loss, the doctor said. He advised me to resume my running but gradually. Thankfully, all of my tests that day came back normal!
The doctor was pretty convinced that my runner’s lungs had helped me fight this nasty disease. He told me that had it not for this strong pair of lungs, I would have ended in a much graver condition as the strain of infection that hit me was really tough. I might have even ended in the intensive care unit.
I was determined to regain my health which COVID tried to take away from me. I would get out of bed each morning slowly. Then I started to do walking exercises then transitioned to cycling. I struggled even when trying to walk 1 kilometre. My strength was sapped away. But I said to myself, no, you are not going to surrender! I remained patient with myself. I would force my self daily to stick to this exercise routine until I was back to my old normal self. For one month, I was doing a combination of walking and cycling. My chest would still feel tight every now and then. I began to slowly lengthen the distance and started running once more, from 3 kilometres onwards. Understandably, I had lost a lot of speed, strength, and endurance. I could not break my previous records. I felt sad but I did not allow this to bring me down. I kept a positive attitude. The Daily Dash of PRL was a big thing for me as it helped me persist in my recovery goals! As of last month, my strength has come back.
So here is my advise to my fellow runners: stay safe all the time and always have that strong faith in the Almighty Lord God! I do not want any of you to experience what I have gone through. It is not a joke. It is a dangerous disease. Sinusumpa ko itong COVID na ito! I cannot help but become emotional when the topic about COVID surfaces. I was traumatised. It was like a nightmare! We need to follow the government regulations in the fight against COVID-19 whilst remaining safe.
Daily Dashing in Lockdown
By Lezzel Lusabia, PRL Athlete
Iloilo City, Philippines
BY the look of the maps, I can therefore conclude that Strava is a bad painter LOL. Just kidding!
I am really proud and thankful for this certificate awarded by the Pinoy Runners London for the event The Daily Dash. Indeed, this has been a huge challenge to me and Abdulrahman Daud for we were only able to run on a strip of a concrete foot-walk. Yes, folks, you have heard it right. We had no choice but to finish The Daily Dashon this narrow foot-walk measuring not more than 20 metres. This happened because of the pandemic.
As The Daily Dash started, our local community was placed into a lockdown. Checkpoint areas were built in every corner with policemen roving about to make sure everyone was following the city ordinance. No one was allowed to move out of their houses and community. This left us with no choice but to make use of what was available. The foot-walk traverses through an area where you can easily access your neighbours’ kitchen, bathrooms, mini-gardens, and the like. It sounds crazy but this was an added challenge to already demanding The Daily Dash.
As we were doing the challenge, our neighbours were teasing us that we have gone mad or that the concrete pavement would eventually crack from all the repeated poundings by our feet for 10 consecutive days. We were going back and forth, losing sense of time and count as to how many laps we were making.
Anyhow, this experience really gave us a lot to remember. These beautiful memories are worth keeping. This has brought us to the realisation that no matter how challenging life becomes, you can definitely survive it. Just take the shot, hold on to that, and give all you have so that you can finish the challenge.
So PRL-The Daily Dash, thank you for this opportunity for we were able to taste the sweetest and memorable triumph every time we look at our certificates.
(Lezzel Lusabia and Abdulrahman Daud are proud finishers of the 5 km category in the #TheDailyDash)
“I consider these (medals and trophies) my treasures because I worked hard for them and earned each one with every breath and sweat,” said Robinson.
ROBINSON ANDRES:
Running and Feeling Great @ 62
I am Robinson Andres and I just turned 62 last Sept. 4, 2020. How does it feel to be my age, you may ask. I feel great! I’ve been into sports since I was young— I was a varsity athlete back in college, at the Divine Word College in Laoag City for both volleyball and track and field. My passion for these sports began during my elementary years until high school. During high school, I would compete in the 100-metre dash, 200 metre-dash, and 4 x 100 metre relay at the city level.
I am also a member of the following running teams:
Team Megafiber Runners
Marikina Sports Centre Runners (MSC Runners)
Pinoy Aspiring Runners (PAR)
Running has been in my veins for as far back as I can remember. I stopped for a while because of work but it never left my system. Back in March 2004, my neighbour and friend Edward Joven, convinced me to join his runners’ group that does their everyday round at the Marikina Sports Centre oval. I was around 45 years old at that time. I joined him and two months later, I found myself registering for my first fun run—the 5 kilometre category of the National Milo Marathon. Despite being a first-timer, I finished with a decent time whilst enjoying the company of the other runners.
As the days went on, I became more experienced and confident about running. I learned the proper techniques from fellow runners. As I joined more races, I have not stopped since then.
As of today, I have 193 medals, 30 ultramarathon trophies, 39 marathon medals, 5 ultra trail marathon medals (50 km distance). All of these I consider my treasures because I worked hard for them and earned each one with every breath and sweat through the years.
I never let age stop me from pursuing my passion to run. Even when age is catching up with me, it is not a reason to slow down. Many times, I have been an age category winner and podium finisher in some of the running events I joined. The first time I won a medal was in 2005, ranking third place in the 40-45 age category. That convinced me that I was doing well which made me very happy. I won back-to-back in the 50 and above age category in 2010 and 2011 during the Mizuno Infinity Run.
Through running, I’ve travelled and seen places both in the Philippines and abroad. I ran the Standard Chartered Marathon 2012 in Singapore; the TDR 80-km race in Davao City in March 2016; as well as events in La Union, Ilocos Norte, and the Bondoc Peninsula in Quezon.
Last year I joined the longest running event in my career, the CALABARZON Ultramarathon (160 kilometres) covering all Region 4-A provinces. I finished 7th overall. I also ran and won second place in the 104-kilometre ultramarathon stretching from Lucban, Quezon to Antipolo City. I am also a five-time National Milo Marathon Grand Finals qualifier.
Running is definitely good fo the health—physically and mentally. Through running I have met a lot of people from different walks of life and most of them are still my good friends.
Running keeps a person away from getting into bad vices; since running conditions the mind and body, it helps prevent one from getting sick.
Running is never easy. It entails hard work, mind conditioning, and practice, practice, practice. It is already a given to practice every time you have a run. However, there is one thing that is more important than that—consistency. Consistency is the key. Even during times when you feel lazy, get up and go for a quick run. It conditions the mind to not stop. It forms a habit. At age 62, I feel young and vibrant, thanks to running!
Our mighty and be-medalled runner (with a lot of trophies too!) Robinson Andres. “Practice, practice, practice every time you have a run…(but) consistency is the key”.
Team-working Towards Fitness:
A Success Story of How a Husband and Wife Reversed Their Health
Roy and Shawn de la Cruz are like my siblings. We grew up in the same place in Iloilo City. I am close to their families who treat me like one of their own—a proper Filipino habit wherein relations extend beyond blood. Myself and Shawn are like kindred spirits, being both nurses and goal-getters in life.
This loveteam is one of our quiet members in Pinoy Runners London, just contently staying in the sidelights. No qualms at all. They are based in Lancaster, California and have successfully raised 4 wonderful kids—my adoptive three nephews and one niece (the eldest JP is my godson). Not that I play favourites that I am featuring them here in the Testimonials (LOL). But for the fact that Shawn and Roy have managed to reverse their health for the better in the last six months following episodes of illness. Mind you, RUNNING has been an important element in this beautiful inspiring story. But I have a confession to make: I have been amiss in witnessing the gradual turnaround of these two as I plodded on in my own universe the last two years. Shawn and Roy’s photo in FB wherein they look slimmer and much younger with that undeniable healthy glow just hit me like the speeding train one day. I was gobsmacked. I hurriedly rang them without even realising it was only 5 AM in California. Luckily Shawn was off-duty and Roy was already up.
“I had multiple admissions into ER because of repeated hypertensive crisis,” Shawn told me. “I was very symptomatic with blood pressure of 178/100. My heart rate before was hitting 140 beats per minute. I was having syncopal (fainting) episodes. I was even like telling my family my last wishes as if I was dying.” Shawn added she was put on 4 different medications by her doctors to control her blood pressure. And there was the issue of high cholesterol levels in her blood too. “It was like a wake up call not only for me but for Roy also,” she said, emphasising their 25 years of marriage could still live-up to long years albeit in a state of good physical and mental health. “I was already feeling down and so fed up with all the medications. The endless tests and repeated attendances to the hospital and doctor clinics were just getting on my nerves. I was calling 911 for the paramedics as I was very unwell. I thought I was having a stroke,” she said, noting the COVID-19 crisis was another factor that influenced their decision. “So one day I told myself, all of these have to stop.”
Being faithful to their matrimonial vow of “in sickness and in health”, Roy and Shawn made a pact to tackle their health problems as a team, a strategy that all couples could learn from. As the first step, they bought a treadmill. “We just started gradually, walking everyday. I was even having a hard time at first to keep walking for 5 minutes as I was becoming too breathless. But that did not stop me. I pushed Roy and he pushed me to keep on going. It was a two way process. Nobody should be left out” Brick-by-brick, Roy and Shawn persevered that they are now able to run/jog on the treadmill for 30 minutes non-stop. This routine is complemented by regular walks in their neighbourhood, accompanied by their two small dogs.
Part of this couple’s action plan was to reduce their carbohydrate and saturated fat intake. They added more vegetables and fruits in their daily meals. What is amazing is that they grow their own fruits and vegetables in their garden—not only ensuring organic produce that is free from chemicals but also heftily reducing their weekly grocery bills for food. “We barely eat rice now. I haven’t eaten pork for a long time. We are on this oatmeal plan,” Shawn said, emphasising that she and Roy remain committed to their diet. “Roy decided to join me in this daily battle of ours. So he said, I am gonna do what you are going to do and eat only what you are eating. Of course, it would not be nice if I am eating steak whilst Roy is only having a cucumber,” Shawn said, before letting out her usual big laugh. The de la Cruz’s crops include grapes, alogbati—the Filipino version of spinach, lupo (very popular among the Ilonggos), tomatoes, sweet potato, apples, pears, among others.
So what have been the results so far? And this is the most exciting bit, our dear readers:
Shawn’s weight has dropped to 132 lb. from 150 lb. (or a weight loss of almost 10 kg). Shawn aims to reach 120 lb. soon. Roy’s weight, on the other hand, is down to 198 lb. from 217 lb. (a weight loss of 9 kg).
Blood test results have normalised.
Blood pressure and heart rate have become normal again.
Shawn’s antihypertensive medicines have been reduced to only 1/2 tablet now from the previous 4.
Both Roy and Shawn have been feeling much better.
“What we would like to tell those who are really struggling to choose a healthier lifestyle is this, nothing is impossible. If you are determined to change, there is nothing that can stop you,” Shawn said.
Binoy Panes
12/09/20
London, England, GB
Lani Navalta, top 1 finisher in the PRL’s Master Miles Challenge 2020 held last July-August.