My Daily Race
Last weekend, I skipped three Christmas parties in order to run 24k on Friday night, another 46 on Saturday and 32k on Sunday. I’m on my last three weeks of my back-to-back-to-back long runs. The final stretch of my training for Bataan Death March 160.
But there was one event I squeezed in between training runs — the Cebu launching of Sen. Pia Cayetano’s book “My Daily Race – My Life as a Senator, Mom and Triathlete.”
I’ve met her twice before, but I just had to meet her again for a bit of inspiration. I mean, how does she do it? How is she able to fight for women’s rights and the RH Bill in the senate, travel the world, raise two daughters and a son, and still have time to train to run a sub-four marathon or finish a full Ironman distance?
Her message is simple yet powerful– women can be anything they want to be.
My favorite piece in the book is “Women Who Run” where the author tells the importance of having more women in politics and in public service and why it is important for women to engage in a passion other than work or family.
While not all of us can be as accomplished as she, Sen. Pia is still the perfect role model for all women who think they don’t have time to engage in sports because of their work commitment or family.
Article continues after this advertisement“As for women who run with their running shoes on, we take this for granted. But until the 70’s, women were not allowed to join marathons. In most races I join, I’m guessing, from the looks of it, that participation of women is about 10 percent. Just like in politics, women are allowed to participate– in fact, they are quite welcome– but there are still a lot of obstacles that prevent them from doing so. These include misconceptions on the effects of running on a woman’s body and health (including her ability to conceive), lack of training, insecurity about her ability to engage in physical activities, balancing family, work, and running, and the lack of support from her family, particularly her spouse or partner.
Article continues after this advertisementWhen I run in a race, I proudly run on behalf of women. I run to empower women. I run to raise awareness that there is still a lot of discrimination and injustice against women in our country. I run because I know this will be a better place where women’s voices are heard as loudly as men’s. Mostly, I run because I know a little girl is always watching from the sidelines, and I hope to empower her, to inspire her to be a woman of substance and perhaps a woman who runs one day.”
Cebu Marathon Deadline Nears
When I visited the CCM 2012 booth at the Active Zone of Ayala Center Cebu, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the registration was not only hassle-free but also paperless. All I had to do was enter my registration details in one of the three computer terminals set-up by Ng Khai Corporation.
It took me less than 5 minutes to register for the 42k. Now, if only my marathon time could be that fast and painless.
I know that the fee is a bit pricey (P1,200 for the full mary, P900 for 21K and P600 for 5K) especially if you’re a runner on a budget. However, the CCM is not just any other race. It is the grandest race in Cebu.
Moreover, members of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) have proven themselves reliable when it comes to race day support and logistics. They never ever run out of water, sports drinks, bananas and chocolates at the aid stations located every 2k and the runners.
Most importantly, it is the only race so far where CITOM allows full road closure ensuring runners safety throughout the entire route.
For those have yet to register for the Cebu City Marathon, you have until Dec. 15, Thursday to do so. You may sign-up for either of the three categories – 5k, 21k or 42k either through the registration booth in Ayala Center or online via www.cebumarathon.com.
