While I Run

When I'm angry, I run longer. I have noticed that when I was first rejected by a guy.

I care not to stop. I care not to halt. I care not even though it was getting dark.

Running has always been an outlet for me. A ventilation of some sort. It is an activity where I let all my frustrations go and just get it out of my system. It might be tiring but the wind against your body is exhilarating. The chilliness of the weather would not stop me nor the heat of the sun. It is one of those weekly activities I look forward to especially if work-school-gym had been stressful in that particular week.

I run on weekends. If I haven't mentioned that yet. I run in Manila Memorial Park which is actually in front of our subdivision. Sometimes I run inside BF Homes, threading along huge houses and huge trees along Phase 3. But I run more at the former than the latter. I used to run in Bonifacio Global City, where my office was formerly located. I like running in new places. I like the new views and the new scenery. Sometimes, when I run on a different place, I do not think of the distance nor the quality of my run, I just want to experience the new surrounding.

I sing when I run. I don't care if people see me as crazy or not. I like to sing when I'm alone and when I run, I'm alone. I sing at the top of my lungs or snap my fingers to the beat. I used to raise my hands up and do a fist pump but I figured that was even awkward.

Alone time. Personal space. That's what I think of when I exercise. It's a form to be alone. And you know it helps me a lot. Frankly, I don't like jogging buddies. I hate the idea of having to run the same pace and to wait for your buddy. My pace, my time, my rules.

Goals. I think of my goals when I run may it be short, medium or long-term ones. Like what I have said, running provides me a time to be by myself and I take it as a luxury.

I have never joined a Fun Run. I think they're overrated and over-hyped. There was a time when my partner invited me last October to run at Nike's Duo Run on December which is a 10K run. I kindly declined. I told him P1800 for a run that short is not worth it. I run longer than 10K on a weekly basis. I'd rather save that amount for apparel or shoes. And then out-of-the-blue my officemates last December invited me for that 16K run in Cavitex under 7'11". I accepted their challenge. I told my partner about it, only to cause a huge argument about me saying 'yes'. And when my officemate already had me registered and told me to pay the P800 to a nearby 7'11 store, I declined as well. I figured P800 could be my allowance for a week.

I don't have to prove myself to people. I think people do those 21K or 30K or 42K runs to prove themselves. To test how far they could endure. That they are strong. I know I am stronger than before. I don't need those to tell me how strong I am.

When I'm angry, I run longer. And I don't plan to stop anytime soon.