Running at 43

Running at 43 in my heaviest weight ever.
UPAA Freedom Run 2025

Now that I am 43, I have started to actually like running. Walking is therapeutic for me, while running is a good dose of dopamine after pushing yourself. As of writing, I have been to two fun runs this 2025, and currently deciding which distance to take for the August or October runs.

I have not been athletic.

Not at all.

Growing up, the sports I knew were the ones I saw on the tube. The games of Ginebra vs Purefoods, Chicago Bulls, and gymnastics during the Olympics.

I did not pursue any sports. I did not enroll in any, nor did I have any interest in them. However, for some reason, I have come to realize that I need to be healthy. Thankfully, I have parents who have ensured that we were healthy, just minus the sports aspect.

As a child, I saw my father exercise every day. And now, in his 70s, he still has a flat stomach thanks to his active lifestyle. He casually reminds me to walk and exercise when we visit him. I know, I know, my waistline is not ideal for my height. Haha! And I want to impart to my kids the value of a sound mind and body.

But it has been a challenge the past few years. Since hitting the 40s, I have experienced hormonal imbalance and, yup, weight gain.

Just in the past 3 months, I actually gained 5 kilos!

Have I been eating too much? Not at all!

As much as I can, I walk at least 30 minutes a day. Plus intermittent fasting, I should be losing and not gaining weight, right?

Wrong!

Our stress levels also affect our weight. And food choices.

So I cut down some hours of my fasting (fasting is a stress din kasi sa katawan) and make sure to work around it based on my cycle. However, since I have been experiencing new perimenopausal symptoms such as missed period, it's actually harder to check if I should fast longer or not.

From Walking to Running

In 2023, I started to make time walking around. My weight at that time was still in the 46-48 kilos. I walked after lunch and after dinner. There will be days that I can only walk for 30 minutes, and there are some that I clock in an hour and a half.

In 2024, I decided to challenge myself a little bit by doing easy runs. From running in just a few seconds, I worked slowly and steadily until I could run for 5 minutes straight.

Interval pa din tayo dahil di naman tayo after masyado sa pangmalakasan, lumakas lang masaya na ako dun.

I told myself, "Maybe I could join runs, just for fun."

And I did. I registered for The Great UP Run 2024 for a 3KM distance.

There was a typhoon, and the run was cancelled by UP and the organizers. I couldn't make it to the rescheduled run, but thankfully, they offered a virtual run for those who registered. I honestly thought I could not make it to the 30-minute cutoff for the 3K distance. But lo and behold, my Strava clocked in less than 30 minutes! Yay! 

A few weeks after submitting my virtual run, the organizers sent me my medal. 

3K medal for The Great UP Run 2024

Pushing this to 2025

Milo Marathon

In March, an opportunity came for me to join the Manila leg of the Milo Marathon 2025 through a brand x-deal. I initially registered for the 5K but later on re-registered for the 3K. I felt that I was not strong enough to push with a 5K distance. The PR team told me that my registration for the 5K was already processed and could not push back for a 3K but they said they would try. When my race kit was delivered, it was for a 5K.

Even if I felt that I wasn't strong enough, I pushed with the 5K. With just over a week left, I laced my shoes and ran as much as I could. On days when I felt too tired, I continued with my wall pilates to strengthen my core and legs.

Whew! It all helped!

I was able to finish the Milo 5K run in 48:38 minutes with a pace of 9:41/km. Thank you, God!

No medals for the 5K run of the Milo Marathon Manila Leg

Then, summer came, and it was exhausting to run in the heat, even at early evening. And yes, tinamad ako.

UP Oval on Black Saturday (3PM)

And when my run in June was closing in, I had to go back to training.

4K mark in one of my runs in UP Oval

UPAA Freedom Run

The UPAA Freedom Run 2025 was held last June 29, a Sunday. When I checked the weather app, it showed cloudy during the time of the run. However, when my husband dropped me off in UP that morning, it was raining so hard, I was already wet when I got to the Start Line. 

At the starting line, waiting for the gun to start. Basa na ako dito.

Daming bagets.

This run was sponsored by the UP Alumni Association, and I was hoping to see some batchmates, but I didn't. I was glad that a lot of young students and graduates joined the community for this charity run.

The rain stopped for a few minutes before the gun started. The 5K route we had was not the usual one I see on fun runs inside UP. It was refreshing to see new scenery, but... one uphill was savage! My knees were not trained for this. Haha! 

While we ran, the rain started again, and by the middle of the 5K distance, it poured. POURED DOWN. 

Some took shelter while people like me, who actually enjoyed the rain, continued amidst the pouring rain. I was soaked, even my undies were wet. I didn't mind getting wet, I was just worried about my phone inside my belt bag. 

And when I crossed the finish line, the rain clouds slowly moved away and the sun shone. By the time I received my medal, wala nang ambon.

Total moving time was 47:41 with a pace of 9:08/km. I improved from my last 5K fun run.

Soaked at the UPAA Freedom Run

I am grateful that in my two 5K runs, I did not experience any pain during or after the race. In fact, I was able to run again within 2 days. 

2025 Onwards

Anyway, it has been raining lately. I usually run in the afternoon, but I guess that would have to change now that the rainy season has arrived. It's not that I don't want to run in the rain - I actually want to, it's so much fun! - but, because I might slip or ruin my shoes and phone (I don't have a smartwatch yet).

Mabagal talaga tayo pero at least nagiimprove. Madapa man at malimot mag exercise, bumabangon naman ulet.

Sumasali naman tayo ng fun run para sumaya. Gastos nga siya eh, pero way ito para ma-push ko ang sarili ko na huwag tamarin. Nakaka inspire din kasi ang mga bagets and old people who can run marathons. Maayos pa ang tuhod ko so dapat mag push pa ako for my health.

I really want to join another fun run later this year, but I haven't registered for any yet. I am still thinking whether I should stick with the 5K distance or push myself to a 10K run. This would all boil down to whether I am willing to commit to training. What do you think?