I ran the Nike+ Human Race because Angels do Exist

How do you thank an angel? How can you possibly thank an angel?

I really planned to run ONLY the 1st 5k of the Nike+ Human Race last Sunday (August 31, 2008)... and take the car to take photos of the wacky Happiest Feeters (Happy Feet Running Group)! Well, I had no choice... 1st- I have never ran a 10k race, and 2nd - I DID not have a Nike+...

But then, an Angel, within us (the Happy Feet egroup) ... read my post about my "prayer" addressed to an Archangel... (good it was in English - and not in Swahili) and with Angelic kindness... sent me a gift with a very special note that "Angels do exist"! In the box was Nike+ Sportsband!!!

Actually, the Aboitiz 2GO courier arrived at home at mid-morning of Saturday (August 30), but I received it at noontime (after coming from a whole morning meeting). My wife handed it over to me with unexplainable surprise "You have a gift from an Angel!?!". I can't reconcile my feelings...

I wanted to cry! But I didn't have the time.

We have to go to the Medical City Hospital to have our scheduled visit to the pediatrician... all the three kids were sick (bronchitis and some fever). And wife has cough (she would have come to the Human Race too).

The night before (Friday, August 29), I went home at 2AM from from an Induction Ceremony. So when we returned home from the hospital on Saturday afternoon, I needed to take a rest, and had my late afternoon nap. I woke up 8PM and realized that I have to register my sportsband online and also get my running kit from Bonifacio High Street at The Fort. Panicking, I called Doknoy (fellow Happy Feet member) and he willingly instructed what to download from the Nike+ website. While installing, I googled the contact number of Nike Park at Bonifacio High Street and called them, only to be told that registration is only up to 8:30PM, although, the store closes that night at 12midnight.

I took my brother and rushed to The Fort... only to be surprised by the traffic and the heavy crowd, and the very full parking lots. Eraserheads was having a reunion concert. Sweet Jesus, we parked... somewhere a kilometer away... and dashed to the store. By that time, it was 9:30PM... an hour late before the registration in-charge leaves... BUT, she (Ms. Registrar) waited... and yes, I got my racebib 444 at 9:30pm. I liked to continue my PLAN to cry... but I didn't! There were strange happenings along the way, including my car failing to start after we had it filled up at Caltex. I got home at 2AM.

On race day... I uttered a small prayer... "God, help me bring to the finish line"... I was a "little" scared. I did not train. Psychologically, I wasn't prepared. I did not have enough sleep. I did not believe I have the strength to finish a 10k. But I don't want to fail the Angel who gave me my Nike+ Sportsband. I thought that by running and finishing the race, it will be MY only way of thanking my Angel!

I glided from kilometer 1 to 9 with ease... I did not rush... I realized that another heavenly angel accompanied me along the way... and helped ENJOY my run. Yes, I enjoyed the run so much! And on my last kilometer... I felt I was very strong... so I dashed... and... tears fell from my eyes upon seeing the finish line! Tears of joy... tears of gratitude...

Dear Angel... I owe you. Thank you! No promises.. but I pray I can pay you forward!

Happy feet family... I used to hate running... but because of you... and the many, many ways you have supported us "newbies"... and the joy, the kindness, the camaraderie... and all your Angelic deeds... I feel that running is now becoming a vocation...

Please continue to inspire us... and I pray, I can do the same!

At the Nike Park after getting the post-race Nike band.


With the Happy Feet runners and the Phillipine Nike + Human Race organizer, Coach Rio dela Cruz


At the finish line, with the Happy Feet family.


At the Nike+ Human Race Banner... proud to be a 10k finisher!