Love your Heart

Yeah... it's just one of those Friday nights. I never thought I'd be running again on a Friday night. I used to be with friends and drink and party just like any yuppy out there. But things were different now. As you grow older and wiser, you'll be thinking about your health and be proactive about it.

But last Friday night was a different night for many Ungo Runners as we were motivated by someone who know too much about the heart and all the sense of that word. I am referring to Dr. Alex Junia, a practicing Cardiologist, and has been running for a one good reason: his Heart. Doc Alex started running in 2007 and has 6 marathons in his belt: two in Hongkong, two in Singapore and two Milo marathons.

Doc Alex spoke about listening to our hearts; about how it works and how it also stresses out. Just like the body, the heart will also bug down due to stress-related activities like drinking, smoking and too much work. He encouraged everyone to take a stress test at least once a year. This, he says, can help us monitor the heart condition. He added those who have parents and/or relatives that have heart problems i.e. hypertension, stroke, cardiac arrests, must seek a Cardiologist and see how far can they do strenuous activities. Doc Alex says we need to listen to our bodies. And that we should love your heart.


After the short talk comes the usual stretching before the actual run and of course camwhoring. Last Friday's Ungo Run was also unique with the presence of Trackers from the Cebu City Police Office. Three Trackers escorted the whole duration of the run - one escorting the lead pack, another in the middle and one sweeper. We are very thankful to Mr. Kenneth Casquejo who initiated this saying safety is always a concern for every runner.

Well, actually, I decided not to run last Friday but instead brought Mikaela and took photos of the whole run. Ungo Walkers Coleen, Irene, Richelle, Dexter and me were escorted by the sweeper Tracker from Sunstar till I.T. Park. But since Coleen can't resist the temptation to run, she made a few strides and run a few meters. But Richelle, who also most had a herniated slip disk, decided to take a rest and hop on to the motorcyle with the Tracker.

While most of the Ungo Runners were at the I.T. Park already, were were still doing our brisk walking and occasional runs. We even did the caterpillar run (term coined by Irene)... it's just simply having fun while we run.


Last Friday's run was indeed a unique one and I can say I did learned a lot from the whole experience. The Friday Night Runs may be an ordinary Friday night for me but with there will always be a twist.


So, if you love your heart, come run with us. Join the Ungo Friday Night Run!




**See all the photos thru PicasaWeb here. Alternatively, all photos were sent to Max Limpag. I asked him to upload the photos in the CebuRunning Facebook page. Feel free to tag yourselves there.