TIGER FIT!Nutrition, Moves & Motivation!

I Do Run, Run!

It has been my dream that I would one day run a marathon and write a book.

Living in sprints, I found myself doing two half marathons and becoming a blogger. Works for me!

In  grade school, the gym teacher told me, “You are built for long distances!” Well, after being so out of breath trying to keep up with my long legged friends, I set running as a long distance goal.

Leaving home and moving overseas, I experienced some homesickness and insomnia when an idea struck me, “Why not go for a run?” I left my apartment in Tokyo, Japan and ran a couple blocks and back. That night I slept like a baby.  So I signed up for a gym.  There I could train and fully relieve myself of stress. Now, I just had to figure out how to use all this equipment!

The Gym and The Dreadmill

Tipness was a pricey gym in downtown Shibuya, Tokyo. I did not know where to start with the machines so I brought a book, put on my music and got on a treadmill to walk.  One of the trainers that showed me around introduced me to a couple leg machines and since that is all I knew, I did those every day- so much that it hurt to go down stairs!

One fine and frustrated day while walking on the treadmill, I put my book down and decided to run. I finished in 30 minutes- but I hardly knew I was capable of that! From that point on, I decided I would always run.

My consistency at the gym made me a few friends who turned out to be professional athletes in various sports living in Tokyo. I learned about other machines and alternating muscle groups as well as about rest days. I’d get invites to join in on ab workouts.

Soon, I was seeing a different and feeling more enthusiastic to keep returning for more.  My insomnia diminished and I did not feel as sad anymore. I had energy to pursue my talents outside of work. Then, I returned to the US.

Gym to the Great Outdoors

My family had moved to Michigan. It was cold, everything was far apart and I did not relate to anyone there. I had no gym, no car, no train and no friends.  I used videos but returning to the American diet, I gained 15lbs in the first month back!

When I finally secured consistent employment, a car and my own place, I returned to the gym. And so did that feeling I could do anything.  I came to work for my current firm and joined the gym next door and near my apartment.  Spending time at the gym was like paying the electric but would I did not imagine that one day, I’d run outside again. Moving to California, where it is always sunny, I got invited to run a 5K… Okay, then!

When I ran my first Revlon 5K with my cousin on my heart and her name posted to my back, I was moved to keep going even despite feeling I was the slowest runner ever.  My cousin was challenged to do every basic activity while struck with brain cancer at 14yrs old. She survived 4 chemo-therapies with a joy and an expectation for her life I had never appreciated when things got tough for me. This girl kept going to church, going to school, going to the gym and even checking out colleges.  From calls overseas, she would tell me how proud she was of me. On visits, she would compliment me for shapeliness I was ashamed of while she herself was losing strength in her emaciated frame.

During that race, it was clear to me that many of the people running were survivors or also knew someone who suffered and died from a cancer like my 22 year old cousin.  People of all different shapes, ages and speeds were there and this run was a salute to their loved ones and a show of gratefulness for their own health. It takes no effort at all to feel sorry for oneself yet all the courage in the world to be grateful for the ability to walk or run despite what pity life hands you. That is what running means to me.

I Am a Runner

To train for my first 5K, I began reading The Non-Runner’s Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dias.  Though still on a treadmill, I learned about the courage, discipline and humour it would take to run long distances outdoors. In the new year, I signed up for my first half and followed the advice and running schedule of The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer.  Similar to my backpacking trips, once I bought the ticket, there was no looking back. I went to a runner’s store to consult on shoes, my stride and I bought Garmin and Nike+ gadgets to track my progress. My mother joined me for a week in LA and the trip to see me  complete the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon this June.

Ever enthusiastically, I signed up for another half marathon! Somebody stop me!!! Ok, my calves spoke up and I ended up having to start my training at an even slower pace to work up the wind for the Los Angeles Rock and Roll Half Marathon. Even worse, no one could meet me at the finish this time. Despite all my blues, I remembered my cousin, my commitment and the joy of accomplishing a self-promise.  I showed up and even donned a superhero Halloween costume. This run was for the pets. (Now, I want to rescue a pup too!)

Super Heroic

Running and strength training is not about becoming a superhero but being super-heroic not to take for granted the health and talent I have to offer in my life span. I have learned to apply these training principles to turn interests into real projects and stress into real strength. Running helps me overcome discouragement, think things through and let things go. Training helps me to get to sleep and wake up! I actually get excited to get up and run!

Therefore, I am a runner and I do run, run, run! I do run, run!!!