# 29 21 @ 15

distance and age, kilometers and years

twenty-one kilometers at fifteen. tete conquered her first half-marathon yesterday.  it was a baptism of fire in the truest sense, an initiation rite fit only for the determined and the bullheaded.  no other route could jolt a first-time half-marathoner to her senses so intensely as yesterday's run.  it was a race meant for the battle-tested road warrior or a university star athlete, definitely not for a fifteen year old recreational runner.  the first half was all about hills - rugged, steep and unfamiliar. i would think that even the seasoned and weathered half-marathoners in yesterday's run had some difficulty in their ascent to and descent from the hills. there was nothing quaint about yesterday's hills. while the people up there were friendly, the stray dogs were not too happy with the early morning intrusion on their territory.  the second half of the route brought a welcome respite from the hills. there was an endless stretch of asphalt ahead but the sun was angry, beating hot and hard on the runners.  it was ferocious in its rage, to say the least.

tete loves to challenge herself. she thrives on doing things that would seem insurmountable for someone her age.  she explores where others fear to tread.  she was hoping to do her first half-marathon over the summer.  she had enough practice then and was conditioned in mind and body. by some stroke of (bad) luck, there was no schedule for a half-marathon when she was on vacation.  schoolwork prevented her from doing the back to back 21k's before yesterday's run.  she knew the odds were against her going into this run. she had no training and no decent mileage but headstrong, she was.

the run was a crusade for the environment. its goal is lofty but the potential of turning it into reality is all there.  participation in the 21k category was minimal as it came closely on the heels of two other half marathons.  a pity as it had all the elements of a perfect run. it would put other less-organized runs to shame.  the marshals were many and visible. they manned every intersection so efficiently and effectively.  half of the main road was closed to traffic. hot-tempered and hostile drivers and smoke-belching vehicles are every runner's nightmare. the club members made sure their runners did not have to contend with this problem yesterday. aid stations did not only have water to offer but cold sports drink, as well. the people who handed out the drinks were friendly and generous with their words of encouragement. the registration fee was affordable. one would wonder why the organizing club was able to do this while other runs with less to offer charge excessive fees.  the singlet material was of good quality. they had a finisher's medal, too. all the elements of a perfect run, i would say again. what more could runners ask for? 

the sun was unforgiving! following her  pacer-daddy with every ounce of energy left, tete trudges on with iron determination that belied her spent form.  with renewed bursts of energy,  she would  at times outpace her daddy.  quitting was never an option for her.  all she wished for was not to finish last.

the club members and support staff at the finish line were awesome. they cheered for tete as she was turning the corner heading for the finish arch.  they clapped and urged her to take the last remaining strides.  tired and fried by the sun, she was close to tears.  the finish line was conquered three hours and nine minutes after she started the race.  the finisher's medal was a joy to behold ! she didn't finish last.

tete was overwhelmed by the sense of fulfillment.   it was more tears of joy than tears of pain.  she gets a comforting hug from her daddy who paced her all the way.  at one point during the race, her daddy suggested a timed run-walk routine.   fast losing steam in the scorching heat, she said - i will run when i want to run and walk when i want to walk.  way to go, tete !!

thank you, talisay city runners' club (TCRC), for making this half-marathon a meaningful experience for our tete.  she will continue to do other half-marathons in the coming years.  her time will improve many times over and PR's will be set. she will most likely complete the full distance but her first half she will always remember with fondness.

thank you, teacher vicki, for kindling the passion for running in all of us. this is as much your success as ours.

kids dream big. when they do, they stop at nothing. their dreams may just be specks on the horizon now but with youth on their side, it will be within their grasp.  isn't that awesome?

# 28 the help

it has risen to No. 1 and has edged out the apes!!  human drama lords over science fiction.  

you have probably seen the movie by now.  this screen blockbuster features an interplay of power and emotions revolving around race issues half a century ago. in present day society,  it is not uncommon to find house helps in most households in our part of the world.  there are several names for them - nanny, caregiver, domestic help, home companion, caretaker, babysitter, cleaning lady. they are referred to as milk ladies by some of our american friends.  that doesn't sound right taken out of context but they do prepare milk for their wards until the youngsters realize they don't like milk and revolt against being forced to drink milk.  in ultra-rich exclusive enclaves, some families have a domestic workforce with prescribed ranking amongst the uniformed staff. yes, starched and crisp uniforms are required of them. there is tyranny initiated by those in the higher rung of the ladder. internal politics, the bane of any organized group, is not exclusive to the government.

they say there is an important lesson one learns from high school that one never forgets.  one that stuck to my mind over the years is the reminder that we should never be caught saying 'maid' in reference to the help.  this is a direct affront to their self esteem for their job is noble and extraordinary. 

home companions are a dime a dozen.  trusted and loyal ones are a rarity.  our family is lucky to have home companions who have been with us for more than ten years.  they were both eighteen when they first came to stay with us. tete was two then. tete is now fifteen and a head taller than one milk lady. soon, all the kids will be taller than her. she knows everyone in our family tree and our tree has humongous branches, too. the other one became gugud's nanny. when gugud was too old to need a milk lady,  she became the family cook.  she left to start a family of her own four years ago but has remained in touch with the family.  she visits to cook on special occasions.

every year, we celebrate the birthday of another veteran home companion of over twenty years. she has been with us in various capacities - cleaning lady, laundry woman, cook, caretaker, caregiver, seamstress.  over the years, she has rejoiced with us in times of joy and mourned with us in times of sorrow.  she, too, knows each twig and limb of our family tree.  she knows all our friends.  countless times, we clash and yet we make up with her in no time. when we were down on our luck and had to let go, she found work as an office caretaker.  she has remained very much a part of the family.

we celebrate the birthdays of all our home companions. they are family after all. ours is a game of give and take. tolerance takes a lot of practice. they have become stubborn and have learned to speak their minds out. oh yes, they can rattle and ramble to kingdom come.  we have learned to live with it.  we have mastered the trick - in one ear, out the other.  we just let them be.  it is a small price to pay for their years of service. 

loyalty and dedication from our home companions in this time of changing priorities and lure of greener pastures.  isn't that awesome?

# 27 two words..... i do

shining shimmering splendid on a magic carpet ride !! aladdin's song to jasmin.  that must exactly how one would feel.  on a magic carpet ride - soaring, tumbling, freewheeling !  

in that magical moment, everything around you will be a blur, you are told.  life-changing is what this one defining moment is.  from that day forth, you are a new person, they say.  it is long in coming.  people have been expecting you to do it but you take your time - ever so sweetly.  you are not in a hurry, you tell them. when the time is ripe, you will know it in your heart. you dream of that day with mixed emotions. you long for that day yet there is some gnawing fear. it consumes every bit of you. you prepare for it like you have never prepared for anything else.   every waking moment, you think of it. it is not even simple thinking. you theorize. you speculate. you visualize.  you deliberate.  how much harder can thinking be? when night comes, you lay your head on your pillow with even more thoughts of it.

you have many choices, several of them. you certainly would want to do it on foreign shores. somewhere cold but not quite piercing and shivery cold. you like the cold climate.  you have had enough of the hot and humid weather.  you turn sentimental and have second thoughts.  maybe it should be in your home city with family around.  yes, that would be the right thing to do. you may change your mind again later, who knows?  women do.  change our minds in a wink of an eye, that is. we get away with it, too.

you know the vow -- in sickness and in health, in good times and bad,  in times of failure and times of triumph.   you take the words to heart.  you know there will always be humps and bumps, hiccups and burps along this journey.  

one day you wake up and it hits you. the time has come. you are ready now. you can feel it in your heart and in your body.  they say you can only prepare so much for it. the rest is faith.  the moment arrives!! someone pops the question.

do you see yourself going the full distance of a full marathon?

you know there are but two words........i do.

in that one magical moment, the carpet ride of your life is ready for take-off. somewhere shining shimmering splendid, it shall bring you! soaring tumbling freewheeling, you shall be!  where asphalt is your carpet, you shall fly!  on the wings of love for running, you shall soar.  chasing your marathon dream.  isn't that awesome?