GOOD FRIDAY: Regaining My "Faith"

With my hospital confinement for almost 2 weeks in March, the Bicolano Penguin has been quite reluctant to resume running.  It was discombobulating for me to have a healthy blood pressure (100/70) prior to my hospitalization and have elevated levels (160/100) upon my hospital discharge. Caution was what my Commander in Chief (CIC) was telling me. 

But once a runner, always a runner. This was what my body was telling me. Take up running again and soon. But when?

The Bicolano Penguin found the courage to do so on this holiest of holy days in the Roman Catholic calendar - Good Friday. 

It was not supposed to be a run but more of a walking activity for me, my sister, my son, and  relatives to the chapel up Inorogan Hill located in the Barangay  of Sto. Domingo, about 7 kilometers from our home  barrio of San Agustin on this Friday (April 3) morning. But going up the mystical hill,   praying before the 14 Stations of the Cross and bonding with loved ones have a rejuvenating effect on me. 

Starting our hike up Inorogan Hill with my family with row5runner Brando as our guide. 

Row5runners joined us in the hike. 

A Station of the Cross faithful in barefeet.

My son Marcel, cousin-in-law Amai and niece Blossoms going up the 100+ steps stairs up the chapel. 

My sister with row5runner Mariano.  

Family photo in front of the chapel on top of Inorogan Hill. 

In front of the "Buhay na Bato."

With row5runner  Nino.

 All of a sudden, it was as if I got in touch with my inner locus of control. All I needed was an invite from a fellow row5runner    for a trail run in his "backyward" (http://bicolanopenguin.blogspot.com/2014/11/ninos-backyard-traversing-hills-of_10.html)  and off we went on a 8-km running trek on the trails traversing the hills of Inorogan to Ilian and then down the irrigation path to our barrio.    

Starting our trail run. 

Nino led with his mountain bike with my son Marcel in pursuit. 

We own the dirt road in these parts. 

Traversing the hills of Inorogan and ...

...Ilian Hill. 

Running thru the trail beside the irrigation canal that brings water from Lake Buhi to the agricultural lowlands of Baao and Pili.  

For this adventure, I am thankful for the company of row5runners Nino Monte, Mariano Basagre and Brando Bueno.  My  cousin Emman de Lima tagged along.  I am most proud that my son Marcel joined me in this trail run.  He wanted to show his old man that he can run with the big boys.  This he did and then some.

After the run, we were all hungry for some breakfast in the house. 

I have always said that the beauty of running for me is that it makes the ordinary become extraordinary.  Whether, this latest caper will have me as extraordinarily passionate or extraordinarily stupid,  only time will tell. 

For now, allow me to enjoy the feeling of regaining my "faith" in running.