GLOBAL WELLNESS DAY 2016

Exactly a week after my first 32K race in Run United 2 2016 at SM MOA, I was invited by blogger friend Joy Mendiola of occasionsofjoy.com to join an event in celebrating the Global Wellness Day. Joy and I have been blogger friends for almost four years but never got the chance to meet because of our busy schedules. I did not think twice in accepting her invitation because that would mean we will finally get to meet in person plus we get to blog about the event which is a well known one that is celebrated every year around the world. I am referring to none other than the Global Wellness Day.

At FTX- Fitness Exchange Gym

Proud member of Global Wellness Day Community

   
Headed by Ms. Vikki Aquino, the GWD Ambassador of the Philippines, the day's events were held at The FTX- Fitness Exchange Gym where a series of talks were made on finding time for wellness instead of thinking of excuses every time we exercise, engaging in short and easy exercises to start a healthy lifestyle plus accepting one's flaws and imperfections, one day at a time.  


 

With Vikki Aquino

With the very inspiring Juana Change

With Joy Mendiola

With bloggers and members of the Global Wellness Community

 

The Global Wellness Day is celebrated every second Saturday of June each year around the world where it is internationally dedicated to a day of living well. It also aims to share its Seven Manifesto on how to start one's journey to fitness. They are as follows

1) Walk for an hour.
2) Drink more water.
3) Do not use plastic bottles.
4) Eat organic food.
5) Do a good deed.
6) Have a family dinner.
7) Sleep at 10PM.


In between talks, there was also a Yoga  and a Zumba class plus complimentary personalized consultations on weight loss/gain, skin analysis, muscle imbalance & fitness assessment. There were also raffle prizes and giveaways given to lucky participants where I was lucky enough to win.

It was a Saturday filled with so much learning, grooving and feeling good about oneself. Now that I learned that this is a yearly celebration where its activities and events are free to the public, I am already looking forward to its next celebration.

One day can change your whole life indeed.

For updates on upcoming wellness activities & events, you can visit  their website @  

globalwellnessday.org. You can also join the Global Wellness Day Philippines  community @  facebook.com/GlobalWellnessDayPhilippines.



(Credits to Joy Mendiola for sharing her photos with the bloggers who attended the event).

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Fiber Up to Beat Hypertension

I first heard the word hypertension from a friend four years ago who has it and was taking maintenance meds . When she learned that she was two years older than I am, she got curious and asked me what maintenance I was taking. Since hypertension and maintenance medicine were alien words to me at that time, I told her that I only took Ferrous Sulfate. I felt a bit stupid when she corrected me that Multi Vitamins & Ferrous Sulfate were not considered maintenance medication at all but I was thankful that she did. A little bit of enlightenment goes a long way no matter what your age is.

I thought before that people with hypertension are those who get agitated or nervous easily, the ones who are quick to anger and in dire need of anger management. After a lot of reading and stories learned from people who had it, it  never came across that such behavior are symptoms of hypertension and possibly something else. It was also then that I understood the condition when I looked back on those years that I witnessed them from my Dad, Mom and even my older brother who was born with a congenital heart condition.

 
 WHAT IS HYPERTENSION?

According to the Philippine Spciety of Hypertension, " Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. It is that condition when the pressure inside of your large arteries is too high. Because it does not usually produce any symptoms, the only way to detect hypertension is to have your blood pressure measured. Hypertension affects about 8 million FIlipinos & the most common cardiovascular condition in the world. " 

More than 9 of every 10 people who have hypertension do not have a cause for it that can be identified. One can inherit hypertension from one's parents. If one or both parents have hypertension, one may likely to develop it. However, one can aslo acquire hypertension even if both parents have normal blood pressure.   

Lifestyle plays a vital role in handling hypertension. You have a chance to avoid hypertension by keeping your weight under control, keeping physically fit, eating a healthy diet, limiting your alcohol intake (no more than one mixed drink or one 12 oz. can of beer or one 6 oz. glass of wine daily), and avoiding smoking and medications that might increase your blood pressure.


HOW TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE NATURALLY

According to Karen Langston, an Internationally,Certified,Holistic Nutritionist & specializing in Nutrition Education, once can lower down his blood pressure by changing the following:

Reduce salt intake. 

Refined foods, processed foods, canned foods, fast foods are all packed up with hidden sodium same thing with Deli meats, luncheon meats and hot dogs. Frozen, packaged, convenient foods  have also high sodium intake where as whole foods prepared and cooked at home have low sodium content. We all have the power to control our salt intake with a bit of work and consistency on our part.

Reduce sodium. You hear this all the time, and you are saying right now “but I don’t use a salt shaker.”  It is not the salt shaker (it does play a role however, ) it is the refined foods, canned foods, processed foods, fast foods that are high in hidden sodium with these types of foods providing 75 to 80 percent of your daily  intake. Deli meats, luncheon meats and hot dogs are high in sodium. Most frozen packaged convenient foods are also high in sodium. Whole foods that you prepare and cook at home are lower in sodium. You have the power to reduce your sodium intake; it will take a little work on your part, but is well worth the effort. - See more at: You can lower your blood pressure by changing the following:

Adding more Fiber in our Diet   

The “Big F” is FIBER.  It is derived from plants and scores huge in keeping the heart and colon healthy, for better blood circulation and detoxification.

Good blood circulation prevents hypertension.  Sapping bad cholesterol and toxins out of the body by consuming fibrous food, such as oatmeal, also promotes digestive health and prevents colon cancer… aside from boosting good blood circulation.

WebMD.com, an esteemed medical online publication revealed that "adding fiber to the diet was associated with a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with high blood pressure."

WebMD.com also pointed out other lifestyle and dietary improvements which help keep blood pressure levels under control. These include "weight loss, reduced sodium intake, moderation in alcohol use, increased potassium intake, increased physical activity, and following the DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diet."

Fiber-packed Food

Basically, anyone who wishes to gain the benefits of fiber simply has to eat more fruits and vegetables. Fiber may also be sourced from cereals such as oatmeal. There are many variants of oatmeal---instant, quick cooking, whole grain rolled oats and oat bran. Just find the kind that suits your taste and lifestyle most.

One brand, Australia Harvest Oatmeal, boasts of best quality as it prides itself in coming form the world's best oats-growing region, West Australia. Perhaps it is the best source & superior quality assurance that made the Philippine Volcanoes which is the country's official rugby team sent to battle in international rugby competitions choose Australia Harvest Oatmeal as their Official Fiber Partner. And for good reasons. The Philippine Volcanoes just won their bronze medal in the recently concluded Asian Rugby Competition.

So stay healthy and spread the fitness word.

Fiber up for life !

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SIDENY RAIN AND HER ROADS LESS TRAVELLED BY MANY

"If your daughter always leave the house and prefer to live outdoors for days, it might help her stay at home if you  let her join marathons."

This was told to me by an old man on the upper most floor at the MMDA's office way back 2007 after I went to GMA 7 and asked help from the staff of Jessica Soho's show "Reunions." I could not recall what department I was at that time and completely forgotten the man's name. I just knew that his men found my daughter, Sidney Rain who was then 8 years old at the overpass bridge in Buendia when she left our house and was gone for more than two months. At that time I was still separated and could hardly pay for the room that my kids and I were renting.

For those who will read this story in full with understanding and an open heart, I thank you in advance. For those who are quick to judge and come up with a lot of know it all questions, then with all due respect, I ask you to stop reading right now and browse or click your mouse elsewhere.

My daughter with the free spirit, Sidney Rain

Her full name is Sidney Rain Bucu and was diagnosed with Autism in PGH when she was about four years old At that time I was just a stay at home Mom, unemployed and taking care of  my 7 children where we lived at our old house in the province and their dad visited us every two weeks. Out of those seven kids, three have special needs. Two having autism and one having learning disabilities. They all look normal, even good looking as what other kind people would comment until you look at them closely. Some noticed it instantly and understood where as for others silently judge them with their eyes. You can see them stare at my children for long minutes, whisper or talk about people they knew who act queerly, branding them "autistic" and sadly, some openly, annoyingly display their discomfort at my children. But my children including my Mom had gotten used to it. Autism or any disability is still  questioned and misunderstood by many, until you or a member of your family gets hit with it.

Sidney and Red both have autism. Photo taken at Pasay City Sped Center 2010

Most of my kids are advanced for their age. I have known this even before they started school. Aside from the fact that they all learned to eat veggies with no qualms even the ones with special needs since they learned how to eat solid food, they are the kids who had learned to write their names by just looking at the letters and get a perfect score even if they have been absent for a week due to flu. There are some who fall asleep during classroom discussions and even exams yet still get to pass it. I also have a daughter who can create a swing with an old sack and a rope when she was only four years old and most of them know were the story is heading for most local telenovela whose story lines are quite often predictable. My youngest son, Red who had learned how to hum before he could even talk is very good with roads, just like Sidney.

With Sidney it was much different. She had learned to read and speak in English at the age of three. Her comprehension is way too fast and advanced even with kids beyond her age. She is very good with computers and online games. She also gets bored inside the classroom. She did study in Pasay City Sped, even learned how to bake carrot cakes and brownies but because her mind works so fast she lost interest with the regular classroom setting and does not want to go back.

At times I blame myself for those days that Sidney had left the house and spent her days outdoors, whether there was a typhoon or not and sadly even during holiday seasons. Not that I do not look for her. Despite the challenge of working in a call center and leaving my kids in the evenings so that all seven of them could go to school and all of them could eat three times a day, I found out that the more I look for her, the more she refuses to go home. At times, owners of internet cafe and resorts send me messages even to my friends that they have found my daughter and these are places as far as Sta Rosa Laguna and Bulacan. Sometimes I get to find and take my daughter home after a lot of questioning like the third degree. At times she get to leave again even before I arrive to pick her up. There were also days when people from different DSWD units, police officers and even total strangers were kind  enough to bring Sidney home. Lately because she literally grew up on the streets, she returns home on her own and when she is asked where she had been, she will just answer, " Mom, I am already here."

Some of you may ask if I had sought help from foundations and the big networks ?

I sure did. I wrote countless letters, called and personally looked for foundations who could help me with therapy sessions, even for my kids' schooling. Unfortunately we were not that lucky. There was even one who told me that there were more people whose situations were worst than mine. That even though I have seven kids and three have special needs, I could still afford to send them all to school no matter what.

That  was when I stopped asking for help and threw all caution to the wind.  Perhaps one day all my prayers will be answered in God's time.

Now where does running come into place ?

A lot of people I have talked to while I was in search for my daughter had told me that she walks and runs too fast for a girl of her age. There was even a time that a security guard was called because Sidney just appeared out of nowhere and ran at a bowling alley in SM MOA. With the help of other security guards, they tried to catch her but failed. They were about four security guards and they could not help but laugh at themselves while trying to catch Sidney. I was not into running then because I was more focused on keeping myself awake in the evenings though I have to admit I could hardly catch up with my kids who were all brisk walkers. I also knew  that my small salary was still not enough to engage in sports activities so I did my best to keep healthy no matter how hard it was.

It was on December of 2010 when  my whole family was devastated by a great tragedy. We lost my eldest brother due to a heart attack. He was only 48 years old. We were all affected especially my children because my brother was like a second father to all his nieces and nephews who all call him "Daddy Sonny." It was a turning point in my life to find time for fitness and to always look at the brighter side of life if I want to live longer and see all my seven children grow up to become productive members of the society. That was also the reason why instead of wallowing in tears and worry, my kids and I continue with our lives despite of Sidney's constant absence, choosing to be discreet with it and to the people who we share our stories, knowing that we were all be judged on how we handle it and relying more on faith that one day all this will come to an end.

Three years ago, I joined my first Fun Run. The company where I used to work was one of the sponsors and a Team Leader on the floor had announced that the first one hundred registrants get to register for free. I signed up for a 3K run and  it was a decision I will never regret because it had paved the way for my fitness journey.That was when the old man's voice from MMDA keep haunting me back, thinking that there might be a possibility that he may have been right all along. And after seven years, I have finally listened and followed what he told me.

It was February of 2014 when I finally asked Sidney if she wanted to join a fun run. Being her Mom I knew the answer before I even asked. The reason why it took so long for me to realize that that old man from MMDA who is now just a memory was right was because just like me, I knew once my daughter decided on something, there will be no turning back. Aside from that, words can break or make a person's world who has autism. If I do not keep my promise, that would mean for sure she will leave the house again and will come back home when she wants to.

We all know that joining Fun Runs cost money. Now that the two of us will be joining races, that will be an additional expense to the family's already tight budget.Though two of my kids already finished schooling, two are still in college. Good thing Sidney chooses the race that she joins. She usually visits pinoyfitness.com for updates to check if the in store registration already started for the specific race that she wants to run.

When she ran her first race which was a 5K run at Run United 1 2014, I made sure she was well aware of what she was into. Since I was running for the 10K category, Sidney was all by herself. It was our first time to join a Run United race. Since 2012 I had only joined one race where I ran 5K and most of my runs were weekend ones, from our place to BGC where I also join the Zumba group exercise at the park. We did not even know how to use the D tags. I did not put mine whereas Sidney was informed and assisted by a kind Marshall to put her D tag who may have noticed that my daughter looked "different" among the 5K runners on the first lane. It may have been risky letting my daughter run by herself but before we parted I told her the rules of the game. "To always stay on the right side, to watch out for the plastic cups, banana peels and throw her trash inside the trash bin, to walk if she is already too tired to run and most importantly, never, ever cheat on her run and finish what she had started."

Sidney effortlessly finished her first 5K run at 32 minutes and 40 seconds

After more than a year of running and joining races, Sidney had gotten comfortable with running 10K categories by herself while I now have advanced with joining half marathons. At times, when money was tight, I register her first while I wait for those runners who changed their minds the last minute and sell their kits online. At first I had second thoughts meeting a total stranger just to buy a race kit but I took the risk. That stranger now has become a running friend and who already met Sidney in person. At times when money is really tight, it is only her who gets registered while I ran from the outer lanes, shouting words of encouragement, unmindful of the runners' curious eyes and befriending the Marshalls who were kind enough to allow me after telling them about my daughter who has autism and that I just wanted to run with her. Sometimes, after the race when we can't seem to find each other, I have her name announced so that she will know where to find me. It seems that the two of us are becoming popular without us trying too hard in every race that we join.

I have never instilled the word "fear" on my children. They are aware that words like trauma and phobia exist but to them every fear can be conquered and that would mean we have to face each and every one of them. I also did not pressure them in school. Every parent I believe wants what is best for their children but at times we parents get surprised to know that our children are more adventurous and free spirited than we expect them to be.

With the help of my friends, Sidney had enjoyed her first climb at PICO DE LORO

Every one of us is capable of achieving our dreams no matter how impossible they are. My daughter Sidney still leaves the house but now comes home because she wants to join a race. She may get  impatient when it comes to training but still participates even if that would mean a short run at the park or do warm up exercises. When she joins a race, she wakes up very early on the day of the event aware of the assembly time and the start time of her run. She also makes sure everything is okay from her shoes, race bib, D tag, her music from an MP player and her bottled water. The camera is the least of her worries but being her Mom, it would be great to have her pictures taken while she is on the road running with other runners, just like a normal person. And for that I am grateful for the photographers who take time to capture those priceless moments on the road.

Thank you Running Photographers

The last time she ran was when she accepted the  Sub1 10K PinoyFitness Challenge where she was fully aware that if she did not finish her run in one hour or less, she will not get a medal but still gets a finisher shirt.


For now she was glad and proud she got a finisher shirt. There is still next year to get that deserved medal.

Tired and hungry after finishing the race

And I, being her Mom will be her pacer then. Autistic or not, nothing is impossible as long as you put your heart and soul to it.


(This post was originally written and shared @pinoyfitness.com last year and was published on Mother's Day. Photo credits to  Running Photographers, Samantha Anne Bucu and Arla Encanto )

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A THANK YOU POST FROM A PRODIGAL DAUGHTER THIS MOTHER'S DAY

Ever heard of that biblical story about the prodigal son who left his father's kingdom and went back home after wasting all his money? Did you also know that the father welcomed back this son with open arms and even held a feast to celebrate his return?

You may have watched, read or heard a similar story, finding it familiar & predictable since biblical stories are never far fetched when it came to real life.  I believe that all stories whether biblical or fiction are reflections of what happened in the real world. They can never be far from the truth. 


I was not really close to my Mom when I was a kid. I was more of a Daddy's girl, the first princess in the family and my Mom's biggest disappointment. I was the daughter who received early morning sermons because I did not wake up early & was required to take care of my siblings' needs so we will not be late for school. I was the girl who sold ice candies while my classmates happily ran on the school grounds, even during Recognition Days so we could earn extra money to augment my Mom's small income as a teacher. I was the aloof, cold, person who had bad dreams about my mom being a vampire, sucking my blood where I woke up crying, grateful that it was only a dream. And I was the only one in the family who did not finish college, got married unprepared, had kids almost every year, who was unemployed for a long time, financially incapable & whose marriage hit rock bottom, finally resulting in a separation from my husband.

It was hard living with my mom. We had daily fights on almost everything from her traditional and backward ways of thinking too much of what other people would say, of sticking with that old school mindset when it came to education, of being too closed minded on almost everything. There were days when the shouting matches became frequent, unreasonable and too personal. It became unhealthy until one day I prayed that  the daily fights would stop because my kids have witnessed it everyday.

The heavens did hear all my prayers especially when I learned that the fights came from small talk among my relatives whose favorite past time was to watch families fight everyday. It was a huge turnaround in our lives especially when I decided to work in the city and leave some of my kids to my Mom. She understood my decision, fully supported me in my chosen career, made me go through life even if that meant learning my lessons the hard way. But most importantly, she made me remember that there is always a home that I could return to & that she will welcome me and my children back no matter what happens. 

Always.

Such was my Mom's love that made me see life differently, loving my children more and appreciating every blessing and blessings in disguise that came my way everyday.

This Mother' Day, Century Mall has an ongoing promo for all Mothers by simply writing her a thank you note.

Source

The mechanics can be found on their facebook page   @ facebook.com/CenturyCityMall.

They are very easy to follow and I encourage you to join not just because of the awesome prizes in store to be given away but because  Mothers appreciate what ever little thing you give them, whatever occasion it maybe. I know that for sure because I am also a Mom.

Lastly, show your Mom how you love her everyday as much as you can. She will not be here forever. We are such lucky beings knowing that our Moms are still with us, that they will always be there to welcome us back every time we search for ourselves and decide to go back home.

       

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HUNT & GATHER'S STRONG MOMS MOTHER'S DAY FESTIVAL

With Mother's Day just around the corner, lots of events, promos and giveaways can be seen, read and heard almost anywhere. And being a Mom, I am one of those who look forward in taking advantage of each one of them, hoping that I may be lucky enough to be chosen as one of the winners. And one of those that I look forward to attend is HUNT & GATHER'S STRONG MOMS MOTHER'S DAY FESTIVAL.

SOURCE

The STRONG MOMS MOTHER'S DAY FESTIVAL is a NUTRITION & FITNESS BAZAAR which will be held at GLORIETTA 3 ACTIVITY CENTER on May 7 & 8 from 10AM to 10PM.Registration is free so you can tag along your family & friends.There will be nutrition talks and open workouts plus nutritious goodies and wellness services from the different booths in the bazaar. There will also be lots of freebies and giveaways to be given away. In fact, one lucky Mom has the chance of winning 5000Php worth of Strong Moms Goodies.

SOURCE

Below are the mechanics:

1. Attend at least two (2) nutrition talks and one (1) open workout on May 7 and/or 8
2. Take a picture of yourself with the facilitator and post it on Instagram.
3. Follow and tag @iloveayalamalls, @iloveglorietta, and @huntandgatherph on Instagram.
4. First 100 moms to fulfill the requirements and approach the registration table will receive a bag of healthy goodies!

Slots are limited as each talk can only accommodate 20 seats. Pre-register by sending them a message in their facebook page.


So Mommies, if you are free this first weekend of May, head on to Glorietta 3 Activiy Center and join the STRONG MOMS MOTHER'S DAY FESTIVAL by Hunt & Gather. Bring your kids and the rest of your family at the bazaar. Not only will you get to learn how to live more fully by eating healthy but you also get to share that experience while spending Mother's Day with your loved ones.

For more updates, please visit Hunt & Gather in facebook or you can also follow them @instagram.com/huntandgatherph & @twitter.com/huntandgatherph.

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How To Nail That Sub1 10K Race In Your Forties (My PinoyFitness Sub1 10K Story)

When was the last time you have accepted a challenge knowing the odds were against you? What prompted you that made you stick to your decision and push through with it?

To some of us who excelled in academics, the arts, journalism, sports or even in beauty contests, a lot of preparation and practice is done just to make sure we get that had earned medal or trophy even. It will be an added bonus if we get some cash prizes or additional freebies.

Now what if you registered for a 10K race and you accepted the challenge of finishing it in an hour or less (SUB 1) with little or no training at all, a week before the run? What are the chances that you will get that hard earned medal once you cross the finish line especially if you are already in your late forties just like me ? Isn't it risky putting yourself in a spot knowing that you might even get injured?

To those who are slowly getting to know me through my blog, some of you may already know that I have been running since 2012. It all started when I ran at a free race where the company I used to work for was one of the sponsors.I have joined a 3K race where everything I did was all wrong since I was a beginner. I wore the running shoes I just bought the day before the race, wore a wireless bra and denim shorts plus I did not have any training AT ALL. In short, I was heading for a disaster that fateful Sunday. I could not even remember the last time I had run. Though I was able to cross the finish line in an hour which was already an achievement for me at that time, I did feel some minor leg pains because my pacing was all wrong which was to sprint and then abruptly stop, at times almost bumping at other runners. I was like a tire that gets inflated which was what most newbie runners do when they get all excited running in their first race.

As I started reading running articles, watched videos and continuously spent my weekends running very early in the morning, I have learned to control my pace, developed endurance and improved on my speed. I seldom join races as they too add to my family expenses so it was enough that I finished three to four races in a year. I may have started slow and needed a lot of training and improvement but I was sure glad that I have met coaches and seasoned runners, even ultra marathoners who gave me tips on how to improve my running.

I usually run at BGC. It is a place filled with good memories because it was where I ran my first race & where I joined my first group exercise at the park. There was even a time that I was one of the lone runners along McKinley Road at about 4AM because jeepneys were rare and I did not want to be late for the 5:30AM Zumba class at the park. I considered it as my training field and my turf. What I love about BGC are its uphills and downhills which are good training grounds for a beginner. It also has lots of trees and parks and I pray that it remain that way. Thus when I learned that PinoyFitness Sub1 10K Challenge will be held there, I did not think twice in signing up for it. 

However a week before the race, my monthly period arrived. That was a Wednesday, just three days before the race. I told my self there was no way I am going to back out. I have waited so long for it and I wanted to know if I could really finish a 10K race in an hour at least. So instead of thinking of what might go wrong on race day, I focused on what I could do to prepare myself for that coming Sunday. And here are the things that I did.

 I Practiced Yoga

Since I was not able to train and practice on my speed due to my period, I resorted to the next best thing which was to practice Yoga. Some runners still could not understand how Yoga and running go together. Runners World already featured articles and videos on how Yoga can improve one's running. Since Yoga was low impact, I practiced it everyday  where the routines lasted for an hour, sometimes more. I focused on the calves, hamstrings, legs & arms. I continuously told myself that I will be okay come race day.

I Made Sure I Got Enough Sleep, Ate The Right Food & Drank Plenty of Water

Sleep is very important not only when you register for a race, but once you decide to get serious in running. Same thing in eating the right food & keeping hydrated. One needs to learn how to shy away from junk food, food high in sugar & salt. One also need to eat more veggies and fruits, drink plenty of water instead of soda or carbonated drinks.

I never really had any challenge from avoiding junk food and drinking soda. I could bear not to visit any fast food chain even in a month or three months without any problem. I maybe into sweets like fruit salads and ice cream but I eat them in moderation. I am also lessening my intake of rice to half a cup in every meal. I love veggies and fruits plus I make sure to drink 8 glasses of water, sometimes more especially during summer.

To those who still smoke and drink yet chose to run and join races to keep fit, it would be better if you can quit because as you continue to increase your mileage and join longer races, your body will need all the rest and nutrition there is for you to endure the challenge until you cross the finish line. It would be best to totally quit such vices than suffer the repercussions later.

Although most runners find it hard to sleep the night before Race day, it would still help if the body got enough sleep the day before. NEVER, EVER risk going out for a short drink or attend a party the night before the race. Same thing if you have the flu or are not feeling well. Some runners collapse while on the road and sadly are not able to finish the race. Some are lucky to have friends who will do the extra mile to support them, making sure they are still okay even if it is just a 10K race.

I Used My Old Set of Running Gear, From My Sports Bra to My Running Shoes

Nothing new was worn on race day. Even the race kit that I got when I  registered had been worn the Sunday before the race just to check if it fits comfortably despite the hot weather.

Just roughly 2KM away from the finish line

 
I Kept Saying " Sub1, Sub1" Until It became A Mantra 

I was not the only one who registered for the race. My daughter, Sidney who has autism also ran in the same category with me. We registered for the second wave which started at 5:15AM. When we heard the gunshot, my daughter and I got separated. It was hard not to think of her when she went out on her way but I was confident that she will finish the race in one piece just like she did in the past. So, instead of again thinking what could possibly happen to my daughter on the road, I focused on my run as I only have one hour or less to cross the finish line.

It was hard not to think of my daughter when we got separated

The race route was not at all easy. Runners have to pass by the Buendia Flyover to Kalayaan Avenue and back. There was a point when we were running down the flyover that the pull of gravity was so fast that one has to check his speed not to tumble and hit the other runners in the process. There was also the challenge of staying hydrated and keeping your focus on the road. Not that there were limited water stations. On the contrary, there was enough supply of water and Gatorade but the thing is, stopping to have a drink will affect the remaining time left for you to finish the race which was an hour or less for you to get that medal. In my case, I did stop twice but  made sure I made up for that lost time by quickening my pace to catch up on the required finish time. It was a good thing that I also brought my ever reliable bottled water as I needed to splash some of it on my face and my arms which were getting hotter due to continuous running.

I Never Gave Up Until I Reached The Finish Line

There was a point when I wanted to slow down and just give in to the fact that I will not be able to make it. I was trying to console myself that I was not really prepared for the race plus the fact that I was already in my late forties, that age was already catching up on me and that I was not really a fast runner to begin with. However, there was this stubborn, nagging voice at the back of my head that said I can still finish the race with a faster PR (personal record) although not necessarily a Sub1. With that in mind, I continued to run and when I saw the marker that I was just 500 meters away from the finish line, my strides became longer and my pace became faster. 

When I finally stopped running, I was surprised when I learned I made it to the cut off time.

Hard earned medal

Meanwhile, my mind drifted immediately  to my daughter who was still on the road.             

                  

I always knew she would do well on her own.

After almost half an hour from the time I crossed the finish line, we finally  got to      see each other amid the thousands of runners.

Despite her autism, she never gave up until she finished her 10K race

Despite the lack of training, I was able to prove that age is not a deterrent in exceeding yourself and in nailing that elusive Sub1 10K race.  And as an added bonus, I was included in the Pinoy Fitness  Sub1 10K Challenge Video. Go check for yourself. 

 



      




Will I do it again next year ? 

You bet. 

Especially now that I am officially, a Sub1 10K, gray haired Momma.

(photo credits to pinoyfitness.com, Active Pinas and Sidney Rain Bucu)



                     

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SWEATING IT OUT AT THE COSMO MOVE IT EVENT IN BGC

I  went for a short run to Bonifacio Global City last night. My original plan was to join the Nike Running Club where I registered.  It usually take me 30 minutes to run from St. John Bosco Church to BGC, however last night my pace was a bit slower because some commuters prefered to walk due to the traffic. Since I was not familiar where the Nike Running Club was held, I arrived late and when I found out where they were training, the first lapse already started. So I decided to walk around until I heard some loud music at the BGC Amphitheater. And that was where I found out about the COSMO MOVE IT event. 

I went asked around to confirm if it was a free registration event. When they said yes, they immediately asked me to sign up then gave me my loot which was a bag of Belo Essentials & a shirt that I could wear for the evening's activities. I gladly thanked them and went to the nearest restroom to change in a hurry so I could still join the free Body Jam exercise that already started.

For the next thirty minutes, I danced like nobody was watching. It had been months since the last time I had danced and I am glad that I still have the endurance for it. There were two dance instructors on stage and after the Body Jam workout, it was followed by a Hip Hop class. Talked about hardcore workout for an hour. 

I had enjoyed every minute of the workout for the whole hour. I almost forgot that I live in Pasay which was roughly 6KM away. Since I only ate two servings of veggies before I left, I decided to reserve the remaining energy I had & just walk along McKinley Road on my home. So before the next set of activities started, I excused myself and made a short visit to the different booths on the venue. I also made sure that I have my photo taken as a souvenir.

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I know that my face was devoid of makeup and somewhat glistened with sweat. But what to do you expect from someone who run 5KM, danced the Body Jam & joined the Hip hop class afterwards?  I am not the type of person who apologize because I sweat after a good run or great workout. Sweating is the body's way to eliminate the toxins that needed to be flushed that is why one feels very light after a good exercise. Besides, I am grateful that I still find time for fitness, have the endurance to move fast and sweat it all out in the process. Which made me realize that I made the right decision in going out last evening and run in BGC. Despite the hot weather, an ordinary evening turned memorable because  I was able to join the COSMO MOVE IT event.

To Summit Media, Belo Essentials and the sponsors of the COSMO After Office Hours Work Out Party, congratulations for a job well done !

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List of Swimming Schools for Special Needs Kids in the Philippines

I have three kids with special needs. They are already in their teens but to me, they will always be kids at heart. They are active, stubborn & unconventional. All three of them love to eat veggies and fruits. They also love the water, not necessarily swimming but they love tho take baths and the calming sound they hear from running water. Though not one of them learned how to swim, I do plan on having them take swimming lessons in the future. I believe that the ability to swim is an important thing that we all need to learn as it could be used in times of emergency or catastrophe.

When I checked on Google to search for swimming schools for special needs kids in the country, I was kind of sad that we only have very few ones who offered classes but somehow I could understand why. It takes a lot of passion & discipline for a teacher to teach swimming lessons to students of all ages. What more, that dedication is challenged and tested once they do the extra mile of coaching and teaching persons with special needs. 

Nonetheless, I hope that in time, more  swimming schools will open to cater for people with special needs. With this knowledge, I decided to create a post as a point of reference for parents, teachers and anybody who will be interested in enrolling a special needs person in swimming lessons.

Below are the known swimming schools which cater for special needs kids & kids at heart in the Philippines:

(1) AQUALOGIC SWIM COMPANY - the Aqualogic Swim Company comprised a group of Aquatic educators from various swimming backgrounds dedicated to high quality & personalized instruction using the latest & most effective teaching method. Founded in 2006 by Ria Mackay who is also the Head Instructor, Ria was a competetive  swimmer in her younger years & has been teaching swimming for over 20 years both hear and abroad.

 

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 To know more about their swimming classes schedules and rates, visit their website @

 aqualogicswimco.com or you  can drop by at their facebook page.

 (2) POWERSWIM -  is a team of dedicated coaches whose motivation is to teach every child to respect the water while having tons of fun. They also encourage a healthy &  interactive, aquatic environment which help in making sure the kids become comfortable and confident swimmers. 

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 The team of coaches include:  

  * Coach Norman Pascua *

   ITU Certified Triathlon Coach  

   Head Coach for Shangrila Makati Trikids Program

   Certified PLS Level 7 Swim and Survive Swim Course

  * Coach Annie de Jesus *

   Certified PLS Level 7 Swim and Survive Swim Course

   Swim Coach for kids

   Certified Mom

  * Coach Jepthe Subagan *

    Certified PLS Level 7 Swim and Survive Swim Course
    Swim Coach for kids
    Swim Teacher for Babies and Toddlers
    MAED Special Education Candidate


For more information on their venues, schedules and rates, visit Powerswim Pilipinas
which is their facebook page or you can drop by at powerswim.net.


(3) CHITO RIVERA SWIMMING SCHOOL - The Chito Rivera's Learning and Aquatic Skills Incorporated was founded by Coach Chito Rivera who is well known  both in the Philippine Swimming & Teaching Community. He started teaching swimming lessons as early as 1980 and it is his passion for teaching that gave him the opportunity to work with different groups and attend seminars which further developed his skills which included but not limited to coaching swim clubs & school teams. Below are some of the highlights of Coach Chito Rivera's career :

2002  - Joined the leadership of Philippine Amateur Swimming Association & was elected Secretary General until 2004. In his stint as Secretary General of the country’s National Sports Association, he was able to put in place programs that helped the country win the Championship in the Southeast Asian Age-Group in 2003 which was held in the country. 

2003 - Appointed as the head of the Philippine  Delegation in the 2003 Southeast Asian Games (SEA GAMES) held in Vietnam 

2004 -  Appointed as the head of the Philippine Delegation in the 2004 Athens Olympics in Greece. 

It was after the Athens Olympics in Greece that Coach Chito  Rivera pursued his passion further by way of teaching and developing swimming in the grassroots, organizing competitions hoping that one day more patriotic Filipino swimmers will take part in this dream event and be able to win the elusive gold for the country.

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The Chito Rivera's Learning Aquatic Skills & Services Inc mission is not only to help individuals overcome their fear of the water but also to train swimmers whose desire to share their aquatic skills and passion for swimming are inherent in them. 

For updates on their swimming lessons schedules, venues & rates,visit chitorivera.com
or their facebook page @ facebook.com/chito.rivera.92
One more thing, If you have the passion to teach and share it by teaching swimming lessons, you can send your resume @ class_aquatics@yahoo.com or call/text 0917-8930723, 0922-8554358; 531-8081 loc. 1066 and 571-9262  to schedule for an interview.


(4) BERT LOZADA SWIM SCHOOL -  The Bert Lozada Swim School  started as a single venue in 1956 at YMCA & was founded by Remberto C. Lozada or " Tito Bert " who was introduced to swimming in 1953 by the age of 12. According to him, ever since he started swimming, he discovered that teaching others to swim especially young children has become his passion. As early as 1986, he formulated & implemented his own style of swimming which was a compilation of what he learned from his travel and from his travels during swimming competitions either as a competitor or as a coach.

The highlight of his coaching career came when he was head coach of the Philippine Team at the 1991 Southeast Asean Games (SEAGAMES) where the Philippines was able to achieve its best performance. But even before then, his swimmers were already qualifying for the Olympics, Asian Games and SEA Games. Most notable among his swimmers were Ryan Papa, Eric Buhain, and Roselle Papa.

Needless to say, BLSS has been touching lives since 1956. Today,  it is now the biggest & well managed swim school in the country with an average of 150 employees comprising of teachers, coaches & staff. It now has 56 venues all over the country and has produced 7 Olympians, several national swimmers & record holders.

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For more information regarding their class schedules, venues and rates, you can visit their website at bertlozadaswimschool.com. You can also get your swimming updates at  www.facebook.com/BertLozadaSwimSchool.
 

So far these are just a few of the known swimming schools who cater to special needs kids and kids at heart in the Philippines. Nevertheless, we are still fortunate that they have open their doors & shared their passion by doing the extra mile in believing that all of us have the capacity to learn & to swim, even those who have special needs.

If you know of other schools that are not in the list, feel free to get in touch with me via email or by sharing it in the comment section of this post. As they always say, sharing is caring.

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Tips For Staying Cool In Surviving The Hot Summer

I am so freaking HOT & I know I am stating the obvious.

I did not mean that figuratively though, but at times I could be HOT without me knowing it.

I have my moments too.

But  to say that it is so hot is such an understatement, not only during summer but even in those months when we expect the weather to be a bit cold, at least. 

The weather had become so fickle and we have no choice but learn to survive. With that being said, let me share my survival tips in staying cool and survive the summer heat. 


(1) Drink water as often as you can. 
  
Summer is not the time that we should slack on drinking water. And when I say drink as often as you can, that means from the time you wake up to that time you retire for the day. It would also be best to always bring bottled water whenever or wherever you are, whether you are on your way for work, school, the mall or even going to the wet market. Whenever my kids leave for school I always remind them to always have a bottled water in their bag.

At work, whether at home or in the office, make sure to have your mug or bottle container filled with water within your reach. At times we are guilty of not even drinking due to the work load and we have deadlines to beat. We think that drinking often will stop or lessen our productivity especially if that would include short trips to the restroom. But sitting for two to three hours straight is also not healthy that is why it is okay to stand every now and then and stretch your legs by taking a short walk to the restroom to relieve ourselves.

Take note that I did not suggest to drink juice or carbonated soda. I am not sure if you noticed that  when you drink water often, it lessens not just your thirst or your hunger pangs (except if you are diabetic or has signs of prediabetes ) whereas if you prefer carbonated sodas or juices, you feel thirsty still after drinking them. It is because carbonated drinks have loads of sugar which is not good for our bodies. Coco water can be a best substitute for water but if you are saving on money, water therapy is the best. It lessens your risks of urinary tract infection,constipation and save you from being prone to coughs and colds which are very prevalent especially during summer.

(2) Get used to taking showers twice in a day.

Some may not agree to this, especially Moms with young babies but that is okay. When my kids were still babies, an old family doctor told me that we can actually bathe our babies as long as we do it quick (sponge bath). He even cautioned me not to wash the baby's back often because it is unnecessary and that if I followed his advice, I would save a lot of money and will have less frequent trips to the doctor. So as early as 6 months old, as long as I feel that my kids do not have the flu, if I feel that they are hot, sticky & irritable due to the weather, I do not think twice of giving them a a quick shower.

Now what if you have skin allergies that prevent you from taking showers often or your skin is exceptionally dry? 

It is always best to seek the doctor's advice in such cases. But you may want to try applying virgin coconut oil to your skin immediately after showering. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) has multi purpose uses and my Mom & kids had tried and tested it for a long time. 

(3) Eat more veggies & fruits, avoid meals with soup or broth as much as possible.

 I am not sure if you have noticed that some of us still like to eat "sinigang," "nilaga," "tinola"  even on a hot, summer day. Same thing for those folks who love drinking hot coffee even in the middle of the afternoon. ( guilty sometimes?)

Perhaps we all have our quirks and what have you, thing is as long as the hot meal you just had will not aggravate your temper & blood pressure due to the summer heat, then that is just fine. With my kids, I have noticed that if the food is still hot because it was just recently cooked, they do not want to touch it. Sadly, this hot weather also affect some of our appetites. So I started adding more fruits in their meals. I also added easy to make salads if we have fried fish for lunch or dinner. Say sliced ripe Indian mangoes with tomatoes and Camote tops. At times, I try boiled ampalaya, sliced into strips with sliced mangoes or diced pineapple and garnished it with sliced tomatoes.

Now for desserts or merienda you could eat fruits on their raw form or create your own smoothie with it. You could also make your own fruit salad or " halo-halo." My Mom used to make " halo-halo " when my siblings and I were still kids. When our  neighbors learned that we are eating halo halo prepared by my Mom, they encouraged her to try selling it which she did. We helped her prepare for the ingredients, assisted her in serving our customers and earned a small profit in the process.

If you are saving on money, you could buy buko (coconut) in the market, have it cleaned but do not forget that delicious & nutritious "sabaw ng buko," (coconut water) where you could actually drink it on your way home. 

The ever delicious Halo-Halo

Coconuts are always available in any local wet market

Ugh. I should stop this, it is making me hungry.

(4) For clothing, use light and absorbent ones whether at home or  if you are going out. For fashion conscious people, just choose the appropriate ones for the events that you will be attending & places that you will be going. If you really cannot bear the heat, then show some skin by wearing sleeveless blouses, skimpy shorts or dresses that are above the knees.

For fashion statements people, if you prefer wearing a sweater, a sweatshirt or a jacket  under that scorching sun and in this hot weather, please do so at your own risk. Basically, as long you are comfortable with what you wear, then that is just okay.

You can lie stark naked if you want to, as long as you are the only one in an island, you live alone or your room is secured lock from your children or other family members. There is no harm in sleeping in the raw especially if the summer heat added to your sleep deprivation.

To each his own.

(5) Always bring an umbrella, a pair of shades & a fan to keep you cool.  Applying sunblock also does not hurt in protecting you from the rays of the sun.

Nowadays, an umbrella, a small fan and a pair of shades are essentials to survive every  summer. Walking under the scorching sun with an umbrella does wonders as it protects our head from getting headaches or migraines. Wearing a pair of shades help us protect our eyes especially if our work entails us to be in front of the computer for long periods of time. A small fan also lessens the heat especially if you are cramped inside a jeepney or any public transportation. 

Applying sunblock to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays will not hurt as well though some do not believe in such a thing. 

 (6) Accept the fact that your power and water bills will go up. That traffic will be more agonizing due to the summer heat and that your blood pressure will not stabilize if you continue to get affected with all these.

We have often complained about the high rates on our water and electric bills, the summer heat  and the horrible traffic. We have seen and felt them for a long time. If people posting how terrible it is with so much exclamation points in social media think they are doing us a favor or helping us realize it, then they are wrong. 

We all have a choice.

We could leave this place which others consider as a forsaken country, live somewhere colder, with higher cost of living, where everything is taxed, where we could start a new life away from our family, our friends and everything that remind us of where we came from. And never come back.

Or we could learn to suck it all up, accept that what we are experiencing was a product of our unmindful and uncaring ways to protect the environment . That after this heated summer, it will be followed by heavy rains, terrible floods, catastrophes,  lost lives.

Yet most of us are still here. We choose to take life one day at a time and learn to live with the endless cycle of climate change.

If we continue to get affected what had been happening every summer, then my suggestion is better get used to it. If we feel terrible and sick due to the summer heat yet do not like drinking water often, prefer food  and drinks rich in sugar, junk and fatty foods plus refrain from eating vegges and fruits, then expect to have recurring migraines, urinary tract infections, constipation, coughs and colds.

I do hope that the tips I have suggested will help you survive not just this summer heat but the next coming ones as well.

So, what are some of the survival tips you have learned in getting through the hot summer?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

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