Here are just a few snap shots from the recently-concluded "Laceup Run 2014", a fun-run event for runners in different categories ( 3K, 5K, and 10K) sponsored by the company I am currently with, JPMorgan Chase Philippine Global Service Center (GSC), happening last May 17 2014 at the University of Makati Track Oval.
Being my first run after so many years -- I did the Avon Fun Run for Women ( my first fun run as a teenager) decades ago --- this was a historic milestone , well, at least for me.
Being my first run after so many years -- I did the Avon Fun Run for Women ( my first fun run as a teenager) decades ago --- this was a historic milestone , well, at least for me.
It was a breezy three-kilometer run which I joined , zooming away through it at a lazy 25 minutes, but nonetheless feeling victorious because I finished way ahead of the other runners in the category who were still huffing and puffing at the tracks long after I have plopped my butt on the track oval's grandstand seats.
Sure, I didn't have to wear my earphones to listen to Paramore music or some other "motivational" rock-and-roll music to help me through that three-kilometer ordeal, since there was blaring rock music at the tracks while we ran our derrieres away.
And the big bosses were also there to show their winning form.
Indian National Nihar Nidhi, who happens to be the Chief Executive Officer of JPMorgan Chase Philippines, was there in perfect "fighting form", clad in rubber shoes and shorts, and was running with me side by side at the tracks. He was running the 10K run, while I was running my breezy 3K run, but since the 3K and 10K runners started at the same time at the starting line, there were a few times when he was running side by side with me. Of course, he being the CEO, I had to give way and didn't push my luck in trying to outrun him, and I let him run along :)
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMC) received the 2013 Employer of the Year and Disabled-Friendly Establishment of the Year Gold Award at the 27th Awarding Ceremonies of the Apolinario Mabini Awards at the Heroes Hall, Malacanan Palace, last Aug. 28, 2013. JPMC Philippine GSC CEO Nihar Nidhi receives the award from Philipine President Benigno Aquino III
Photo Credit: www.PhilStar.com
Expectedly, I finished my quick run earlier than him, but I thought to myself that this guy Boss Nihar is a surprise athlete. I normally would bump into him during elevator rides, exchanging polite smiles with him, and would get a glimpse of his knowing looks. Starting your day?" he would ask me once when he caught me alone inside the elevator, with his polite smile on that young evening , and catching my glance. Intelligent people would always give you their knowing looks, like they know some of your secrets, or that they can see through you with their knowing gaze.
Boss Nihar had a mysterious aura around him, a certain charm with his stocky built and humble mien, which remains unexplainable. It is a pleasure working with these people, or at least bumping into them at the office premises from time to time, and serving as good reminders for newbies like me that if I just stay a bit more longer in the company, I can also be proud of myself in achieving my goals, just as he did.
And then there was another boss, American national Nathan Shapiro , General Manager from JPMorgan Chase Philippines. As part of the audience, I was of course cheering for my boss at the sidelines.
But it was a big surprise, possible not just for me but also for the throngs of Chase employees at the grandstand rooting for their respective bosses, as Boss Nathan sped away in what seemed like a Speedy Gonzales stunt --- zooming away at the tracks durin the relay run, zipping away in what looked like some 60 seconds or possibly less for the stretch of fifty meters -- as he passed the baton to the next relay race runner. We were all stunned! Whatta guy ! Later when he finished the relay race run, he walked to the crowd and was probably waiting for a high-five, and chanced upon a smiling girl -- who happened to me -- and so raised his hand for me to slap with for our milestone "High FIve". Hhahahaha !! Now that's one for the books :)
Photo credit: JPMorgan Chase website
What made the event more memorable were a trio of Filipino parathletes (persons with disability who engage in athletic sporting events) who are actually members of the Philippine Team of parathletes. Oscar Pistorius would have been embarrassed and humbled by these young men: one was running along with one leg and a crutch, the other one was running with only one arm, while the third one, who was on a wheelchair, also beamed smilingly at the sidelines , watching his fellow parathletes.
I could have snapped more than a hundred photos to chronicle this "momentous sporting event" (well, my first!), only if my digital camera did not go bonkers and did not act up on race day.
Photo credit:
Well, back to my story: let's just call this parathlete with one leg as Johnny Bravo. Oh sure, he ran with much aplomb and bravura and bravado -- definitely all the superlatives ! -- running even much faster than me, and speeding away and letting me eat dust (so to speak) as he used his crutch and one leg to zoom away to finish his 10K run quickly, just like as simple as eating a candy bar.
While I was sweating and huffing and puffing in between runs, walking from time to time to catch my breath at the tracks, and definitely getting the free water drinks at the water station strategically positioned for the runners to either drink or pour on their heads and sweaty faces, our parathlete hero Johnny Bravo made it a simple run just like shooting the breeze. I was humbled by these admirable heroes. Before they even started their run, and being introduced to the audience before the race, I joined the crowd giving them their well-deserved applause. Bravo !!!
Well, to say that this race was a great experience for me would be an understatement. I'm glad that I went through the race and did it as I should: amidst all my personal hassles and obstacles that I was going through that season, I was just smiling through it all. Needless to say, I am looking forward to more races: whether they be Wacky Races, Amazing Races , or even Racing Hell :) What a pleasure to have this experience. More races to come?? Sure. See you at the next races.
As the saying goes: "Be there or be square!" <3
Photo credit: JPMorgan Chase website
What made the event more memorable were a trio of Filipino parathletes (persons with disability who engage in athletic sporting events) who are actually members of the Philippine Team of parathletes. Oscar Pistorius would have been embarrassed and humbled by these young men: one was running along with one leg and a crutch, the other one was running with only one arm, while the third one, who was on a wheelchair, also beamed smilingly at the sidelines , watching his fellow parathletes.
I could have snapped more than a hundred photos to chronicle this "momentous sporting event" (well, my first!), only if my digital camera did not go bonkers and did not act up on race day.
Photo credit:
Well, back to my story: let's just call this parathlete with one leg as Johnny Bravo. Oh sure, he ran with much aplomb and bravura and bravado -- definitely all the superlatives ! -- running even much faster than me, and speeding away and letting me eat dust (so to speak) as he used his crutch and one leg to zoom away to finish his 10K run quickly, just like as simple as eating a candy bar.
While I was sweating and huffing and puffing in between runs, walking from time to time to catch my breath at the tracks, and definitely getting the free water drinks at the water station strategically positioned for the runners to either drink or pour on their heads and sweaty faces, our parathlete hero Johnny Bravo made it a simple run just like shooting the breeze. I was humbled by these admirable heroes. Before they even started their run, and being introduced to the audience before the race, I joined the crowd giving them their well-deserved applause. Bravo !!!
Well, to say that this race was a great experience for me would be an understatement. I'm glad that I went through the race and did it as I should: amidst all my personal hassles and obstacles that I was going through that season, I was just smiling through it all. Needless to say, I am looking forward to more races: whether they be Wacky Races, Amazing Races , or even Racing Hell :) What a pleasure to have this experience. More races to come?? Sure. See you at the next races.
As the saying goes: "Be there or be square!" <3
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