I am at home because I ran for home at the Globe: Run for Home last Sunday. Funny that the race was for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity and that me running the race last weekend has forced me to stay at my natural Habitat which is my home. I’m staying at home not only because the race has opened my eyes as to how important my home is; not only because I took today as a vacation leave from work; it is mostly because my calves feel like they’re being clawed at and crushed by a thousand crabs every time I take a step. My legs are tired. They hurt. I got a big bloody blister on my right foot (don’t click if you are queasy). My legs are in so much pain right now.

Pain in inevitable. Suffering is optional. – Haruki Murakami

I live by those words. Tagging along like a shadow with long distance running is pain. And with that pain is suffering which you could chose to affect you and bring you down. I do the complete opposite. I love the pain. I love feeling the aching muscles on my calves every time I take a step. Call me crazy and masochistic but this me me looking at the glass half full. This me taking it to the man and showing that I can do it. I can do the extreme and take the pain. Pain feels good. It’s my assurance that I ran my heart out.

Run for Home last Sunday could very well be the most organized race I ever ran. Race registration was easy as pie when I came to Runnr and registered. It was quick and fast and effortless. Race pack distribution was fast too. I went at the first day of distribution and there were tents set up at Nike Bonifacio High Street to give out the packs.

The race started out on time. It was a different atmosphere running with the timing chip on. The race was incredibly fun for me save for the fact the I still wasn’t able to set a new PR. Two weeks ago, I was aiming to finish under 2 hours and 30 minutes. I came so close to making it but there was 50 seconds separating me and my goal. Last Sunday, I came to the race hoping to set a new personal record. I came close last time and last Sunday seemed like I did worse.

My finish time last Sunday was 2 hours 32 minutes. Back to training for me and a lot of it I must do If I plan to do the Subic Internation Marathon this October.