I Get Published (aka Lost and Found in the Run)
A few days ago, a friend from back in Manila asked to reprint a write-up I wrote over 2 years ago. I had written that piece very quickly but very earnestly. It's one of those pieces that don't mind re-reading over and over -- and that's a big deal for me. It's going to come out in a few weeks in a magazine and I'm ever so grateful not just for the experience of writing it but for the opportunity to share it.
I am proud and sometimes a little ashamed to share that running has completely taken over a huge chunk of my life. In my few years of running, I’ve discovered a few life-changing, strange but very real truths. In the run, there is no time, it is just a void. But also, in the run, time is infinite. In the run, you experience everything you are and everything you’re not at the same time. In the run, there is only you, the road and your God. The awesome thing about the run is that, while I feel God in it more than any other time in my life, He manifests to me not only in my heart but also in the real world. In training runs, I run alone, but not really. I have my best conversations with God in this time. Parang catch-up lang. Running 8 hours a week gives me and God a lot of QT. It’s the most time I’ve dedicated exclusively to any conversation and they’re the most honest conversations I’ve ever had. Magsisinungaling ka pa ba eh ikaw and si God lang. I don’t know if it’s the endorphins or runner’s high but when I chika with God in the run, I feel so connected with all His creations and I notice and am grateful for the most mundane and wonderful things – the neighbor’s dog running with me, the 5-minute rain shower that’s a short reprieve from the heat, the little kids that high-five me in support during a race, the smell of pine trees, a full-moon, a scorching sun, the firm Boracay sand under my shoes – everything is alive in the run. As if during the run, God sort of takes my hand and takes me on a tour of the world again and again. Parang, hey, look what I made! It’s all for you, y’know. All of it. More than the fact that running lets me kick the ass of my old time or lets me release a lot of the pent up stress of the horrible work day, running gives me a few precious hours na amin lang ni God – solo ko sya, solo nya ako. I hope because of this, He’ll bless me with more time with him, with more time in the run. Oh and I hope He’ll bless my knees. 42km is not kind to knees. About the Author (Lord, this part was tough to write) Anama is a corporate communications manager based in Singapore. Apart from being the the 1992 National Bible Quiz Champion, her proudest achievement is her first marathon which she ran-walked-crawled 42.3km in 9 hours. She dreams of someday running a marathon in Marathon, Greece with Eye of the Tiger playing on continuous loop for 4 hours