WHEN I first arrived in August, I’ve been walking at least 10,000 steps a day.
Sometimes, up to 19,000 steps.
I’ve been walking to my farm back and forth, with at least 2 kms each way.
Sometimes in scorching midday sun.
That’s why I got so exotically tanned.
***
Then, the rains of November, December, and January.
Now, that slowed me down.
We don’t want an old person slipping in the mud.
And while I don’t mind the rain, I mind that my shoes get soggy, and my feet soaked.
***
Anyway, since the end of January, I’ve been running short distances, walking long distances.
I’ve been using my elliptical machine.
All part of my virtual challenges.
My idea: If I can’t run a marathon, I’d like to run virtual marathons.
There isn’t too much pressure with virtual runs compared to actual marathons.
I can run marathons in a week instead of five hours!
I just have to log/post my distances every day.
***
Already, I’ve run three exciting distances:
Marathon to Athens,
Giza Pyramids,
Mt. Everest.
As I write this, I’ve received my finisher medal for the Pyramids.
The Marathon medal is sadly lost in the mail; and the Mt. Everest is supposedly on the way.
(Update: Marathon to Athens medal received!)
***
I like the idea of the medals.
I like the design of the medals!
And although I think that the registration fee was all for the medals, I really cannot find fault with the app that helps me to be active everyday.
In fact, I am so visibly active that real life marathoners in Dumangas are asking me to run with them.
***
I’m having coffee now with a certified runner, 28 years old.
One of the most successful “biggest loser” I know in real life.
Would I run the Malumpati Eco Run 2.0 with him in Pandan, Antique?
Now, that’s very little time to prepare.
Do I have enough to time to train?
To get into real running form?
***
It will be 11 years since my last marathon, the L.A. Marathon from the Dodger’s Stadium to Santa Monica Pier.
Still a crowning glory of my “running career”. Haha.
Is my body still serviceable to marathons?
The prospect is exciting.
***
I like that I am most physical in Dumangas.
I walk a lot.
I bike a lot.
I dance a lot.
I even do at least 100 squat jumps a day.
That’s one of the reasons why I like my life in the Philippines.
***
So yeah, this should explain why I’m writing a column that you get to read in April on a Tuesday morning in mid-March.
Too many ideas running in my mind.
And then, there are days when I get to be very physically busy.
Who knows if I’ll start training for a marathon?
Who knows how much sitting and writing time will I have when I do so?
***
As a writer and reader, I value my sitting and bed time.
But as I get older, I also appreciate the idea of keeping active, getting enough exercise.
In fact, the biggest reason for me to move back to the Philippines is so that I can naturally sweat.
I really like the feeling of breaking into a sweat.
***
I had a bad case of gout in February.
I hope it does not flare up again for the rest of the year.
I think running will help.
Sweating is a good way to excrete uric acid.
***
I’m keeping my eye on the Malumpati run.
There’s a marathon, a half-marathon, I think there’s even a 10K, and a 5K.
Even if I just do a 10K, if I’m running with young people, that would be fun!
At 54, I think the real glory is to be seen as someone who can still run. Haha.
So yeah, catch me if you can./PN
