I always like encouraging friends and relatives to embark on a wellness journey, if they haven't started yet. We are not getting any younger and having a sedentary lifestyle is really bad for our health. So, given any chance to influence people to do physical activities like running, I'd do it.
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with my running buddy, Lou |
Even before the 8th Robinsons Supermarket Fit & Fun Wellness Buddy Run was announced, I was already bugging several friends months ago to start running, too. But, this time, I really needed a buddy to run with because hubby and our son would be running together in the 10k category. So I asked my friend and fellow blogger Lou to be my partner. Thankfully, despite her lack of practice, she agreed.
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me and my boys |
We joined around 4,500 runners very early this past Sunday morning at the Bonifacio Global City and ran/walked 5k together. Although I wasn't able to run at my regular speed, I readily accompanied my running buddy and adjusted to her pacing while we merrily chatted about a lot of stuff along the way. We finished 5k and crossed the finish line after about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Not bad because the brisk walking still had us sweating like crazy.
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before gun start photo credit: James Orlanda of Speed Magazine |
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my barefoot runners photo credit: Rickpets Lens |
Among the thousands of runners were CEOs and celebrities, including triathlete Nikko Huelgas, who recently bagged a gold medal at the 28th SEA Games. Present too were Philippine Volcanoes captain Jake Letts, and Century Tuna endorsers James Reid and Jessy Mendiola.
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5k finishers |
Jody Gadia, Robinsons Supermarket General Manager, encouraged, "While eating healthy is at the core of a healthy life, we cannot discount the immutable contribution of exercise. And running is always better when done with a partner hence, the Fit & Fun Wellness Buddy Run." I totally agree! Besides, running doesn't require you to pay gym membership fees. You just have to buy a good pair of running shoes, comfortable running outfits, and find a nice running route to practice in regularly.
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three pairs of running buddies photo credit: Peter Sumile of Commuter Express |
The run ended with prizes being given away to the top finishers. Winners in the 5k category were awarded a trip for 2 to Coron, Palawan while the 10k winners bagged a trip for 2 to Yangon, Myanmar. All finishers in 2nd to 5th places received Robinsons Gift Certificates as consolation prizes. Special awards were also given away by Close-up, Rexona, Breeze, Nestle, Milo, and Johnson & Johnson.
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runners from the blogging community photo credit: Peter Sumile |
It's good to see Robinsons Supermarket being committed to helping more Filipinos make healthier choices by being a convenient avenue for health and wellness needs. If you missed the fun run, make sure to still join the #ILoveWellness campaign so you can keep updated on more promos and exciting activities. Like Robinsons Supermarket's Facebook page and visit www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph.
* If you ran in this race and want to find your photos, check out the Running Photographers page on Facebook. They have lots of albums from the run!