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runners. yeah, we are different.

March 1, 2010 by Aleah 6 Comments

Women runners in the Philippines, while not rare, are still few enough to warrant a second look, especially when running in rural areas. I have gotten my share of wolf whistles, hecklings, and yes, compliments, while running. Most of the times I just ignore it. By the time I realize what I have heard, anyway, I am usually past them.

However, there are times when the comments irk me, especially if it shows the people’s ignorance and narrow-mindedness. I was running my usual 7km in the hilly roads of Puerto Galera once when I had to stop off a store to buy something. Not wanting to lose momentum, I ran in place while paying for my purchase. An officemate later told me that the people in the store thought I had a few screws loose in my head because I kept on running even inside the store.

It was funny, and I explained to my officemate why I did it. But I was annoyed at how people easily judge things they do not understand.

Such comments are rare though. What I commonly get running in the streets of Manila are jeers. I have been called “Pacquiao!” a number of times, because people associate running with the boxing champion’s training. It makes me feel sad that there are no women runners in the Philippines that the people could easily identify. While I admire Manny, I don’t really relish being associated with him.

Reading another blogger’s entry about running in the snow, I remembered the time when I was in Saigon. The city is great, and I love it. However I don’t think I would want to live there. Unlike in the Philippines where running is very much alive, and where there is a race somewhere in Manila every week, running as a sport is not in Saigon yet. There are no good running routes, and the occasional race is a fun run of 5km.

When I was there in November, I had to do with a track oval so small that I had to go around it 35 times just to meet my running time of one hour. It was not a good experience to say the least. I like long distance running, and I associate track ovals with speed training. However, unlike in the Philippines, I did not get any sass. Second looks, yes, especially with the number of rounds I ran, but nothing more. The Vietnamese are really polite people.

I have been running for seven years. Every time I run, every time some people tell me they don’t understand why I do what I do, I realize that runners are really different. We have the passion for this sport, and the will to pursue it despite adversities.

Yes, runners are different, and I am proud of that fact.

Filed Under: women runners

Comments

  1. The Scientist Runner says

    March 2, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    Hi:<br /><br />I agree. <br /><br />Added you to my blogroll; Kindly add mine to yours: Scientist Runner: http://runningscientist.blogspot.com/. <br /><br />Thanks.

    Reply
  2. Kenley says

    March 2, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    Runners are a different kind of breed all together. I have also done some things to where non-runners give crazy ass looks. I haven&#39;t ran in a store in place yet, but I guess it is different in the Philippines as how the stores are presented with the markets, etc.. I have ran down my road in a blizzard behind a plow truck. But you know, it doesnt matter how weird a runner looks, they

    Reply
  3. Kenley says

    March 2, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    Also, I have some tips for your blog. Email me at kenleyjones2004@yahoo.com. How has your adbrite ads been doing?

    Reply
  4. Keli says

    March 2, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    scientist runner — thanks. i will add you too. nice name by the way. we have the running priest, right? i thought of calling myself the running psychologist, but i didn&#39;t pursue it. wish i did though 🙂

    Reply
  5. Keli says

    March 2, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    hi kenley, salamat! i have found that it makes me feel proud to be different. hehehe. in the marathon i ran once, i overheard a little girl exclaim when she saw me: &quot;oh, women also run?&quot; <br /><br />It made me feel nice inside to think that maybe she or the other girl children have been inspired when they saw me, and hopefully, they will pursue their own passions too some day.<br /><br

    Reply
  6. Kenley says

    March 4, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    Thanks for your comment on my site on Changing Plans. 6-8km runs are really great. Soon, I will start to kick in some long mileage runs to get my endurance up there. Now I am focusing on my diet and strength. I am not training for a race now, though I have some 5ks and 10ks lined up ina few months, and I will be doing a half in Sep. Just working on my base for now. Can not wait to read more

    Reply

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