Joining the Bandwagon

My first attempt to write this much about my thoughts or much about anything, more so a blog! The thought of it simply terrified me, being a very private person that i am. I have to admit my recent addiction, RUNNING, is what got me to try blogging though. No!!! I'll do my best not to make this all about running blogs. Although i am simply amazed what a simple sport such as running has brought so much inspiration or life changing habits to a lot of people but we'll get to that later.

First of, what did get me into running? I started last May this year because i needed some change from my usual workouts in the gym and i needed a little competitive sports. I've always been into individual sports but i never figured running would somehow be in that category. I've always been a die hard Golfer up until the past few years. To a lot, even to myself at the time, i never did understand why people run, keep running, or even do a 42km marathon??! Ridiculous and crazy!!! 

The OLDEST of my bros, Rh1 got hooked in running a year before. Seated beside each other in the office, i'd always hear about his running experiences and this boring website then, www.dailymile.com. Wake up before the break of dawn to run?? Running on a Friday night with the traffic?? Run that far when you can drive there?? How boring can that be?? 

Before May, i was still in the "party all night" mode then (probably in denial of my age)! A regular 1 pack a day smoker who just couldn't imagine Life without cigarettes. Little did i know as i slowly built up my mileage, my urge for smoking reduced so i figured i would capitalize on that. Last stick was May 28! Smoke free ever since after 18 years! Running just kept the urge away so run i did. My first fun run was the SRP sundown when i first ran my first 5km distance. With the recent boom of running here in Cebu, next thing i knew i was joining most Sunday Fun runs and forgetting about the Saturday nights or "party all night" mode.

My physician friends told me running is not advised especially to Flat feet people (i'm sure by now you guessed i have flat feet and that picture above is my very own) and that injury was inevitable but that wasn't going to stop me, after all, this is my "addiction." I believe there's a science in running and i am really amazed with barefoot running which is why i am in the transition stage of going minimalist.

What really amazes me from this addiction, is when you witness different groups of people gather together sharing one simple sport, Running! It doesn't matter how fast or slow you are, how old or young you are, everyone simply inspired each other. Runners become friends even outside the roads or the track.  One very popular group is The Ungo Runners. I am proud to be a part of it and our sub-group, Team Tytsbogdo. Much like life, it's a fight against yourself, your weaknesses and we need a strong support group to cope with these challenges. In running, you compete within yourself, to struggle for improvement, and persevering mile after mile to get closer to your goals no matter how difficult or painful it may get. Hearing about how running changed their lives for the better is simply inspiring!

Remember that boring website i mention, www.dailymile.com? I take it back!!! A simple social networking site where you post your workouts yet for me, is way better than this other blue social networking site. I've never refreshed my browser more for any website since, well, the internet was invented! A testament why this website simply rocks? My team, TTB (Team Tytsbogdo)! If you're wondering still what that means or how to pronounce it, don't bother google-ing it as our team Annoying Coach would tell you, you'd be wasting your time! TTB was born out of the fun of sharing each workouts (go figure), the funny expressions of Fafi, Wonder Colili and funnbogdo, the heat training sessions of Bespren, the fashion statements of Fashionbogdo, the bedtime novels of Juday, the Lawapwapness of Lawapwapbogdo and handsomebogdo, the monkey poses of Bogdonator, the funny pranks to my team mates with rh1, the science behind the Huarache runners, etc. I could go on and on about all the people i've met through this "boring" site and how close we all have become but one thing is for sure, Running has never been this fun!