PWD FUN RUN: PWeDe Pala

The PWD Fun Run this Sunday morning in UP Diliman is the shortest (at 2 kms) and the slowest (at an ave pace of 16 minutes per km) official run for the Bicolano Penguin.  But it is also the most fulfilling ever for me.

Why? In one word -  FAMILY.

I have been running for more than 10 years already but I don't recall ever joining a fun run together with my wife Marianne and son Marcel  I have done a couple of fun runs with my son when he was still in grade school but not with my wife as she had to deal with her chronic kidney ailment which classified her as a Person with Disability (PWD). But finally, this May 26 of the year of our Lord 2019, she joined me and our son in a fun run.  My family got to join a fun run together. Such a sense of fulfillment for me and my family. A big bonus is that my nephew Israel, who is a Person with Autism (PWA), joined us for a whole lot of fun and  run in the PWD Fun Run.

To understand more the idea about the PWD Fun Run, perhaps it is best to look at what the organizers have to say.  Specifically, the one at the forefront of the fun run is the  Kaakibat ng Autism Society Phil. Multi-purpose Cooperative (KASPI-MPC) and one of the parent-members, by the name of Jo, put it quite succinctly in a post at the PWD Fun run facebook page.  

It was actually the post by the KASPI-MPC parent that got me interested in registering my family for the said fun run. I requested  the help of my running buddy Ernie who lives near SM City North, in registering for the fun run at the Garmin store. The choice of the distance was based on practicality. We picked  the shortest distance (1 loop around the UP oval) because my wife has been having difficulty walking just a couple of  hundred meters,  what more a couple of kilometers.   The day before the fun run, I received the race bibs already and was excited for the following day.         

We woke up Sunday morning early and excited for the PWD Fun Run. As the saying goes, we "would not miss it for the world." By 5am, we were already on our way to UP Diliman, to be there before 6am which was the start of the 1 loop category.  

Let us have the photos to show our happy and fulfilling experience with the PWD Fun Run. 

On our way to the assembly area in front of Melchor Hall, my family was already in running gung ho mode.   

   

SHB @ PWD Fun Run. Always ready, my nephew with his Simple Hydration Bottle. 

When we arrived at the assembly area, the warm-up exercise was already in full swing.  These policemen got some Zumba moves... 

...which Marcel, Marianne and Israel energetically copied. Kaya at PWedeng PWede.   

Saving energy while waiting for the run to start.  

First to start was the 5 loops (11 kms).

While waiting for our turn (1 loop) to start, Israel had a chance to have photos with some of the key personalities of the PWD Fun Run.  First is Seannah of Swift and  Fit who is one of the Race Directors.     

  

Another is Arnold De Guzman who is the Quezon City Persons with Disability Office (QC-PDAO) Officer in Charge.  

Now, its the turn to start for the 1 loop (2.2kms). As we positioned ourselves at the starting line, I shared a little secret with my son. I told him that row5runners like me position ourselves at the back row so that nobody can overtake us. This had Marcel laughing while our PWD runner and PWA runner had their game face already.    

The gun sounded and we are off to a good start.  Strategy is Marcel pairs with Israel while I keep my wife company on her run-walk around the UP Academic Oval.    

My wife walking in front of the UP Oblation.  At this point, which was more than 1/4 of the distance already, she was feeling tired and hungry. 

Witnessing another runner taking a snack break of taho, my wife requested for one. 

Which I gladly delivered.  The taho had an energizing effect and my wife increased the pace of her walk.  

With roughly 500 meters to go of the 2.2km distance, my wife was tired already and had to take a seat. But watching some of the kiddie runners go by, had her up and about.  She also observed that she was not coughing any more.  The night before, she had some cough attacks.    

As my wife neared the finish line, she was surprised to see several photographers taking shots.  Thank you to the Starting Line PH guys  for making her and all the finishers feel special.  

I am one very proud husband to see my wife near the finish line. Despite her doubts, she finished the race. PWeDe pala.   

Upon crossing the finish line, my wife and her Train 4 Autism running shirt attracted some attention from the enthusiastic photographers.  

Our finish line photo with running friend Seannah.

Our nephew Israel proudly showing his first finisher medal. I suspect it will be the first of many, judging by how much he enjoyed the running experience.   

Cousins enjoying their post-race merienda.  

One Happy Family at the Finish Line. The empowering effect of running.

Felt a ton of pride and joy as I watched my wife crossed the finish line.  She persevered despite her frail condition and she enjoyed it. Finishing further ahead of my wife and me were my son and nephew. Proud of Marcel for being patient in escorting his cousin Israel ran the full route.  Admired the blissful innocence of Israel as he navigated thru the entire 2.2km route. He showed he can do a fun run. He showed he belonged on the field. 

Such an exhilarating experience to see the empowering effect of running. This is true for my family. This is also very much true to all those, abled or disabled, who participated in the PWD Fun Run. Photos taken by JN Tbr and Starting Line PH again bear testimony to this truth. 

Leading by example. The Officer in Charge of the QC-PDAO shows how its done. 

The best tool that enables is the one in your heart.

Sense of belonging at work in the PWD Fun Run.

Technology is an enabler.   

Teach them young.

The triumph of the human spirit is a triumph for everyone.

 Truly, there is a lot of good at work in the PWD Fun Run. Heartfelt  congratulations to all the organizers:  KASPI-MPC; QC-PDAO; National Council on Disability Affairs; and UP Special Education Council.  Kudos to the Race Directors from Swift and Fit and Pinoy Aspiring Runners. Salute to all the runners, race volunteers and photographers.

Many runners like me have said many times that running makes the impossible possible. Without a doubt, the PWD Fun Run last May 26 proves us right yet again.

PWeDE talaga.

Photo credits:  JN Tbr and Starting Line PH