such great heights

Due to my busy schedule, with all the upcoming exams and general madness that has befallen me this 1st semester, I have decided to forfeit my application in UPM (University of the Philippines Mountaineers). I know. It’s a sad day for me.

But I promised myself that from this day, I’ll start running at least five kilometers weekly on Weekends so that when I apply for UPM membership again next year, I’ll hopefully be in tip-top shape. Plus, running in itself is surprisingly fun and, most importantly, cathartic. After several kilometers into the run, you just shut out all the other things you worry about (i.e. school work) and just concentrate on running. Then when you’re done, you gain some sense of self-accomplishment in completing the task that was at hand and you experience what others call “runner’s high” wherein your body releases a lot of endorphins inducing a state of euphoria.

I’ll definitely make running a habit.

Just recently finished my first practice run in preparation for my first climb for the organization I joined (UP Mountaineers).

I was quite nervous that day, both anticipating and dreading the thing that I was about to partake in. You see, all the applicants had to run 6.6 km around the campus as a prerequisite for the upcoming climb. But the thing is, I have never ran 5 km straight much less 6.6 kilometers so had to do some hard digging to find enough determination to finish that run. Our trainer advised us that we should finish the run at around 45 minutes or less but anything longer than that was acceptable just as long as you don’t give up.

After a few stretching exercises, we were lead to the start of the run where applicants were to be accompanied by “pacers”, runners who were far more experienced that were there to help the new ones, and where the head trainer waited and timed the applicants.

I started slowly the first few meters, pacing myself so as not to be burned out easily. The first of three laps was fairly easy but the second lap was like hell. I felt my feet and knees burning up and my mouth was fastly becoming very dry, due mostly in part to the water I had drank (or lack thereof) before the run. Then as I was approaching the end of the second lap. I just stopped. My mind was going a hundred miles a minute but my body did not just cooperate. I felt really felt betrayed by myself. Which was a really weird feeling to say the least.

Thoughts inundated my mind regarding the run. “Should I finish my run or should I just quit? Can I finish it in time? Will I completely pass out after this?” These questions and many more flooded my head unrelentlessly so I decided to just count to five then continue to run. Five seconds had passed and I summoned up the vestiges of my pride and just ran like my life depended on it. Along the way, I saw our head trainer and as I was approaching him, he gladly accompanied me to finish the rest of my run.

A few onerous minutes had passed and I could already see the finish line. With the last ounces of strength I had, I ran up as fast as I could just to prove myself that, indeed, I could finish the run. And I did.

I finished the run in about 47 minutes which wasn’t bad at all, considering it was my first run. But I wanted to finish it below the 45-minute mark so I was somewhat disappointed.

During the commute back home, I was very quiet. I thought about what had just happened and what I had just done. Then I realized that running that first run 2 minutes above the recommended finish time wasn’t a bad thing at all. It gave me and it still gives me the drive to do better and to never give up on anything. I got to see and test the limits of my abilities which I have never done before. Ever.
The most important thing was that I never gave up and just continued to run despite some minor setbacks.

I promise to do better next time.

Saying that this week will be pretty hectic for me just might be the understatement of the year. various activities in school are lining up for me just awaiting my beck and call; hopefully I can give all of them the attention they most deserve.

First on the menu is my tedious English assignment to be passed to be passed by tomorrow. Then shortly after, in the afternoon, lucky passersby around the University oval shall witness yours truly running around like a little girl (no offense to little girls), slightly asphyxiated, and roasting my skin under blistering heat. The run is training for my upcoming training climb in the weekend in a still unrevealed location…

Then on Wednesday, I’ll be attending my first pre-climb meeting in preparation for the climb where I’ll get to meet and greet my new climbing group. I’m telling you right now that we are so gonna be BFFs* coming into the weekend.

Thursday gonna be the same old shit BUT, and this is a BIG BUT, I’ll also be having my practical exam in PE (Arnis) which is gonna be interesting to say the least. Hopefully this time, no broken bones will be incurred and bumps and bruises will be kept to a minimum.

Friday will be a big day for me for it’ll all be about preparation for my climb to the mountains. Important things on the checklist include mosquito repellents, sunscreen, fancy shades, a picnic basket and a guitar for spontaneous joyful singing in the mountains ala The Sound of Music. Who needs a tent anyways?

*Best Friends Forever! (yep, with an exclamation point)

Hey creepy lady,

Do you know that you talk too loud inside the FX (public shuttle car)? Because you do and you’re voice is really irritating. You know what? I’d rather hear speakers blaring obscene novelty songs than listen to the squeaky, nasal tone of your voice.

Hey, what’s that you have there on your hand? Oh, it’s a picture of the pseudo-famous singing contestant from a well-known reality singing competition ala American Idol… OH MY GOD! Why are you rubbing the photo around thighs?!

Eww, you’re crazy, creepy lady. You’re so whacked-out.

Why, oh why, do you still rub the picture in your hands to your thighs? Do you derive pleasure from rubbing photos in between your legs?

Please stop it, creepy lady; twenty minutes have passed by and you’re still doing it. OK, you’re totally creeping me out… OHMYGAWD, you’re still doing it and now it seems like you’re rubbing it harder around your thighs. Eww…

“Pleasedontkillmecreepylady
Pleasedontkillmeohmygod
Yourstilldoingitstopstop!
Ihavetogetoutofthiscarrightnow…”

I’ve never really been part of a club or organization, not even in high school (and no, compulsory Science Club doesn’t count). But now I think things will change for me ‘cause I just attended the UP Mountaineers orientation and I have to say that I’m completely excited.

UP Mountaineers (UPM) is perhaps the best mountaineering organization in the Philippines and some of its alumni and members are the best in the country.

But the real reason why I applied to join UPM is that I’ve always wanted to go to different places and have a new perspective on things. Or maybe I just want to get away from the everything and I’m hoping that climbing mountains will at least help me escape from the “real world”. Plus, I get to see the limits of my body through training and preparation for climbs and I get to test my abilities (which I’ve never really done due in part to my being a slob).

Stay tuned for upcoming posts regarding my training and preparation for my first ever hike to the mountains…