I just have to let it out once and for all...

I know this isn't my battle as this concerns mainly my husband, the founder of the group but for someone who is instrumental in the creation of this baby, I feel a pang of pain. What have we done wrong? It feels like everyone is against us and we're the villain in this teleserye. I've been telling myself over and over again not to be affected and just rise above this little drama. But you can't help feeling frustrated and furious especially if some of the rumors being spread about your husband aren't really true and just pure speculations and a product of someone's negative thoughts and emotions. Our patience has been tested and this backstabbing son-of-b*tch who claims himself "founder" has been challenging us non-stop with his nasty facebook posts, tweets and talks behind our backs. 

We want to keep our distance from the group and just keep mum about the issue BUT it doesn't mean that the other party is right. We just want PEACE and just let time take its course and heal all wounds. This isn't worth our time and energy. We have more important and larger than life issues to deal with. And besides, there's really no point defending as we have been judged already. But someday, the truth shall come out. For now, we will move on with our lives. We are just contented to know that there are a few people out there (two or three perhaps) who believed in us. 

We continue to PRAY for YOU that God may touch your heart and that you will STOP with whatever evil deeds you've been doing just to destroy my husband. You can keep the group if that's the ONLY way for you to SHINE. But you can never change nor twist history...that you were NEVER there on March 18, 2011 at exactly 1:03am when the group was created. You and the rest of the founding members were just added to the group. Yes, you may have contributed to the growth of the group and you were given credit for that BUT it doesn't mean that you own the group, that you can poison the minds of the members just to feed your swollen ego. 

THAT'S IT....I just have to stop now because this isn't really worth my wrinkles and high blood pressure! And I also need to be reminded about this....

"Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace"

Robert J. Sawyer

First 10k at the Citigym Halloween Run

Today is another milestone in my running adventure. I took the leap of going out of my comfort zone by running my first ever 10k at the Citigym Halloween Run 2012. It was a last minute decision when I asked the husband to register me for 10k a day before the run...weak knees and painful heels be damned. For someone who has been running 5 - 6k during the past 3 years, this is already quite a feat and I deserved some bragging rights for such courage. While the rest of my buddies in IGAT Runners savor their victory for finishing their first 32k or receiving their medals for the first time in 21k, I gave myself a tap on the back and celebrated in silence. 

I was mostly alone during the first 5k enjoying the company of Chris Brown and Rihanna hits in my ipod. I didn't put much pressure to myself. I walked a lot and jog a little. I didn't aim for any sub churva...my goal is just to finish the race still standing. I was happy to tag along the trio headed by Sir Alex Unabia - a fellow IGAT Runner in the last 5k. If not for them, I wouldn't be able to clock-in in 1 hour and 39 minutes. 

I have been on a roller coaster ride when it comes to running. Some days I loathe running, some days I am in love with it. I wish I could sustain the love more often. So, cheers to my first 10k...this I promise myself from now --- I am never going back to 5 or 6k again. Let's bring it ON!!!

(Photo swiped from Facebook)

Midyear in Review

Early this year, I wrote in my 2012 Starbucks planner a list of the things I want to do this year. 

Allow me to go over the list and give an update of each item...

* Have at least one plane ride out of Cebu - I've had one already when I attended a convention in Manila last April. I also have two more coming up (Boracay and Camsur) - thanks to CebuPac piso fare!

* Wear heels 3 times a week - I've been wearing flats to work so I think I will have a lot of catching up on this one. 

* Run 3 times a week - Been really lazy and sometimes the weather in Cebu has not been cooperating. But I think running twice a week is already good enough. 

* Call Mamsi and Papsi once a week - check!

* Talk to Magee (my sister in Italy) via Skype once a week - there are weeks when our schedules don't meet but we make it a point to give each other updates from time to time.

* Go on a trip to the beach or the mountains with the family once every quarter - the past 6 months, we've been to the beach on several occasions (Plantation Bay, Imperial Palace, Portofino, Nemo's Hideaway, Bahia's Resort Hotel etc.). Two more quarter and I think we would be able to accomplish this.

* Save Php500 every payday - with my siblings living with me, my expenses really shoot up to the highest level and that my take out pay isn't really enough to cover. That explains why I wasn't able to hit this goal. Sigh!

* Read 10 books this year - Thanks to Fifty Shades of Grey, I was able to somehow catch up. I am now on my 4th book this year and wish I could find time to beat my target. 

* Laugh Everyday - thanks to friends and family who never fail to make me laugh everyday. Check!

* Sing and Dance Everyday - sing in the shower but I haven't been dancing lately. 


That's it...my midyear in review. I will need to check on this list from time to time to see how far have I gone. This list somehow gives me some kind of perspective as to what I want to do with my life this year. But I am not putting pressure on myself and just take this year one day at a time. 

Cebu City Marathon 2012

Exactly one year ago, I fulfilled my dream of running in one of Cebu's biggest marathons. I was running 5k  together with my husband back then . This year, we took the challenge once more with me running alongside my 9-year old daughter Alex, my sister-in-law Hazel and some friends still at 5k. My husband took the biggest leap together with some IGAT Runners running their first full marathon. Alex and I arrived at the finish line holding hands at exactly 1 hour - my record last year was 44:22 minutes. Well, we had more walk than run this time since Alex was complaining every now and then. It's her first 5k so poor little girl...but we still finished the race. And we had more fun which is really the most important thing. 

Now, going back to my husband...I was worried sick about him. I know he didn't have that much practice and his last race was in November at 21k. But his record was just amazing for a first timer. He finished off at 5 hours 46 minutes with no injury at all and still standing. Tough guy, indeed! He's now a certified marathoner. 

I wish I could do the same...level up a bit probably to 10k first then 21k then 42k. I just need a little push, a motivation. Hopefully in next year's CCM, I wouldn't be stuck at 5k...I still have one year to practice and just push myself to the limit. My husband has been very supportive, buying me running gears and challenging me without fail to aim for longer distance. My enemy is really just myself...so I better start killing this enemy now!

I'm sharing some photos of that Sunday run...

 IGAT Boys before the 42k gun start

5K IGAT Runners

 

The Gang after the run

Day 9: Hopes, Dreams and Plans for the Next 365 Days

It's Day 9 of this 30-Day Blog Challenge that's been running for more than a month already. But I will finish this challenge even if this would take me a year to tick off every list. Anyway, the topic for today is about my hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days.

With just a few more days before the year 2011 wraps up, I think this challenge is very apt. 

My Hopes...

...that our life gets better everyday.
...that nobody in my family will get sick (yeah, not even fever and colds).
...that we pay off our debts.
...that we will be able to renovate the house.
...that I could increase funds in my bank account.
...that work doesn't stress the hell out of me.
...that we will be able to furnish the house with nice appliances and furniture
...that my online business gets better.
...that I will be able to upgrade my gadgets (phone, laptop, camera etc.)
...that I will be able to improve as a professional.
...that I will be a better mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend

My Dreams...

...that I will be able to drive my own car.
...that we will be able to travel as a family within the Philippines and perhaps a country in Asia (for now)
...that we will be able to renovate the house according to our "dream house"
...that I will be able to visit my sister in Italy.
...that I will be able to lose unnecessary weight.

My Plans...

...house renovation
...paying off debts
...get a passport
...get a driver's license
...attend more seminars and conferences
...aim for 21k in 2012 (then gradually increase to 42k)
...eat less, run more
...love more

There you go...just something at the top of my head for now!

Conquered My First 5K at the Cebu City Marathon 2011

I started running in 2010. Since then, I made a vow that my first race has got to be something BIG even if I will only be running 5k. Several races have come and gone in 2010 but my feet only aims for no less than the Cebu City Marathon 2011. As early as October, my husband and I already registered for 5k then we started running around IT Park two to three times a week together with my running buddy and colleague, Judeelou. My distance always remained at 3k so 5k was like an ambitious goal. 

Last Sunday, we were among the thousands of braved souls who woke up as early 4am to conquer the streets, break personal records and raced with ourselves. It was a first time for both me and Earl. We don’t belong to a group of runners so it was like a couple date. 

 When we reached IT Park, there was a festive mood as runners from all ages prepped up for their respective races. As first timers, we were amazed at the excitement of each and every runner and spectator we met. 

Below are our pre-race photos.

  

At exactly 5:30am, we hit the road --- it’s true that thing called “adrenalin rush” as the runners were running like mad. When we reached JY Square, I was already running slowly and Earl decided to just go ahead of me. I was on solo flight from km 2 until the finish line. So many thoughts went through my head as I was finishing the race -- what if I will be the last runner to finish the race? What a shame! What if I stumble in the midst of all the running enthusiasts? What if I collapse and die? Morbid thoughts, alright, but I think these thoughts helped me pushed hard and motivated me to just finish this race. 

I was running behind the mayor who was running side by side his son at km 4 but I went past him near UP. 

Here's the personal record of my first race (click photo to enlarge):

We did it – I say not bad for first timers really.Till the next race!