Run and Represent

The Takbo.ph forum once had a thread that asked runners this simple question: "Why do you run?" There were a lot of brilliant responses, but for me, the one that stood out went like this: "Growing up, I was never the type that could put the ball through the hoop. But with running, I have an opportunity to be called an athlete."

I can fully relate to that statement.  I, too, was never the athletic type.  I always had a thing for basketball, but basketball simply does not have thing for me.  Being a part of a closely-knit group of guys that lived and breathed basketball, I was always (and still am) the one that had to get by on heart and effort.  Because of running, however, I have the chance to accomplish athletic feats that I never would have thought I'd be capable of accomplishing - such as representing the country in an international sporting event.

Yes, you read that right.  On 5 December 2010, I will be representing the Philippines in an international running event.  I have successfully registered for the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2010, and I will run the full marathon with the Philippine flag proudly emblazoned on my singlet.  I did not earn the right to wear the Three Stars and the Sun by passing some try-out, or by hurdling some qualifying tournament, or by being selected by some governing body.  I earned that right simply because I claim it, because I am a Filipino runner, and because running continues to present me with opportunities such as this. 

I hope to do the flag justice by finishing the race and running my heart out in Singapore - simply because that's what an athlete is supposed to do.