I HAD told myself that after this election, I would like to run again. A promise is a promise and I have definitely decided to run again.
The last couple of years after I had left public office, I made a pact with myself to be healthy. It was very difficult then because I was in a lot of stress and surely my health suffered.
Time was when I had gained so much weight and soon after there were aches and pains in every part of my body. I would even suspect that I had gout.
Days before leaving office I would recall an incident when I was delivering a speech before some young folk, I couldn’t believe that I was slurring while talking. I may have had a mild attack.
Soon after I left, I made sure that I will get back in shape. I went to my usual routine as an athlete and ran almost every day. I did try to combine it with swimming. I ran and swam (UP Varsity) competitively in my younger days. Nothing new.
However busy my schedule was, I made it a point to run to my meetings if possible and when weather permits. It amazed many of those I was to be meeting with. Later on they got used to it and didn’t surprise them at all.
Up to the campaign, I really would have wanted to be fit for it. Knowing what campaigning will entail. Unfortunately here’s the thing, no Juan would recognize me when I was fit. They knew the chubby me. I really wondered why I would run and meet people and some don’t seem to recognize me. They say it’s the hairdo, my attire, a cap or some other excuse other than saying I lost weight and look fit. Oh well.
The last year I religiously decided that I will always walk to work, which I did. I work in the market where parking is not allowed. Still when walking to work, no one seems to recognize me. Again some mentioned my casual wear. But when I would wear something formal, many do.
I then told myself that I will try to gain some weight to make me look like what I looked like then. Joy doesn’t seem to enjoy the idea I have and insisting that many just don’t recognize me anymore. I still decide to follow the theory that I had. So I do gain some weight, and look more my age. My appearance had changed. I became a little chubbier and a haircut that made my white hair prominent. It worked I thought.
I didn’t really like my face in the pictures that were taken of me. Not the fault of the photographer. In fact I even wanted to have it photoshopped to make me look older and not the other way around.
Still the reply of many was that I looked young. Really?
After the election I would meet many and every Juan would always say the same thing, I am young and there’s always a next time. Three years is just too short they say. At fifty three by then I will still assume for many to still say the same. I have heard it many times.
Anyway as I said I will run again. I can’t wait to hit the road again.
What a stress reliever it always is when I run. I get to see the beauty of the city and its surrounds. I always blot out any ugliness I find. I’m not that kind, I always want to see the beauty of things. A stop here and there for a shot with my iPhone and show it off in Facebook or Instagram.
After my run, a dip in the pool to stretch out my muscles. I noticed to that with this routine I also play better golf, better appetite, and better sleep. No kidding.
After all this I will indulge on good food and allow for some alcohol. A good motivator food is for me to run. My passion for cooking and eating will soon be enhanced once more when I will run again.
During the past years I would just hit on the trails, I did so even during this campaign. I just can’t stop from doing so. Nothing like being with nature and family. But running again it will be this time for me.
Slowly I will get back to doing it. Meetings in Manila won’t stop me from running around the compound. I’m just excited to attend all of them and to sneak back and run again. Abroad, in a seminar or conference there’s always a gym, treadmill and a pool.
I will not let my guard down with health. But I will want to take this time to dust up my running shoes and run again. The running gear I have is always a gauge, today it is tight, by then it will be just right or loose.
Every Juan just wait and see me bumping into you on the road, a greeting, a smile, a drink in the sari-sari store, and if you thought that it looks like me, that is me. The campaign sorties saw me in many similar situations. I once stopped to buy leche flan from a lady, she said I looked like the former mayor, I said it was me. Many would say I looked better in person, than on the tarp. Wow.
I will definitely run again and get back to the usual grind and just be Peter Rey again. All this taken into consideration and with my excitement I would like to announce to every Juan that, Peter Rey will run again.