Barcelona, Spain -The Second Leg of GK Heroes Run 2009

Time flies. As i walked through thick crowds of walkers/runners doing the 31st Cursa Corte El Englis(11kms), an old man carrying a placard has caught my eyes. The placard says 102 years old, on ther other side, it says, No beer drinking and no cigarette smoking. This man has been doing this Cursa for some years now, trying to make a statement to people. Indeed he did caught our attention. Discipline is the key to successful living.



I arrived from Dublin to Barcelona at 11:30 p.m. on a Friday. I met the lovely hosts Bro Ato and Sis Beth at the North Bus Station. I was very fortunate to be hosted in a very nice hotel-Catalunia Hotel which I am very greatful.

Saturday was an early day for us. We arranged to meet at the plaza Catalunya for an early morning short run with the Consul General of Barcelona. We headed towards the beach while chatting. We managed to find a quiet place near the marina where we did some stretching. After 10 minutes, we did a short run and a cool down. We walked backed and passed through Ramblas and weyhey... here we come, brunch is calling us now. We settled in one of the restaurant in Ramblas eating with our much deserved brunch - spinach and egg omelette with bread and tomatoe.Oh, and the coffee was perfect.Slurp. After brunch, I headed to have a nice shower and try to find my assignment - the Spanish flag and the Barcelona Hard Rock T-shirt.

I went to the San Agustin Church at 7p.m. to meet the rest of the runners. As the group gathered, I was introduced by bro Ato to the group. I started to rant. I told them the story of the pinoys where I am living now - Letterkenny. We have a group called Pinoy Pautot. This group has been supporting GK since last year and is very passionate about it. I also shared with them my little knowledge about the sports of running/walking and its benefits including how to do the proper stretches for warm up and cool down.

Sunday finally arrived. The GK runners(26) met near the starting area. We did our stretching together before we went to the starting line. As the crowd thickened, we didnt managed to stick together as the crowd was very interesting. I've seen dogs with their race numbers ,children and toddlers wearing their race number sitting in their pram. At 300 meters to the finish line, we stopped to wait for all GK participants so we did finish together. Proud and happy.

After the race, I went back to the hotel to get my stuff and get ready for my flight back in Dublin. I arrived in Dublin at 11.30p.m., proceeded to the car park at 12.30 and headed back home in Letterkenny at full speed with Diango. Diango did a good job there at 2 hours and 30 minutes. By the way, Diango is the name of my car. As i went to bed at 3 a.m., I felt tired but happy. Happy as I see a glimpse of hope. That we, Filipinos, can do something for our country. Even just by doing the fun walk/run with our fellow pinoys. It makes a big difference. In unity and discipline, we will survive and will rise to every opportunity.

Indeed, the Filipinos are worth fighting for.

-Liza Jane
Girona Airport, Barcelona
May 24, 2009

Bro Ritchie's Insight of the Relay Marathon in Vienna

Encouragement! We all need it!

I experienced that in Vienna when I ran the Relay Marathon in their city last April 19, 2009. I only ran the shortest distance of the relay but the exhaustion, tiredness and the feeling of quitting engulfed me. I’d never thought I’d needed the clapping and the cheering and the smiles they (CFC brothers and sisters, and expectators) provided along the way while I ran and finished my part of the relay. Those were the things I needed at that moment (apart from the water that quenched my thirst) for me to cross the handover (and tap the next runner to the finish line).

I believe the same goes to our run or walk of faith. It is a reassurance from the book of Hebrews that tells us to keep urging each other on until the day our Lord returns. “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, . . . but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25).

With that, I honour Couples for Christ (CFC) – Vienna, especially to our host couple bro Don and sis Cris, to tito Jorge and tita Joy, and to all the families, brothers and sisters in Christ who have given us all but mostly their encouragement.

For that, we runners of Vienna City Marathon 2009 – we thank you for helping us finished the race – ito na ang taya natin for GK and for Christ.