We Run Quezon

Rafael Alberto S. Cepeda

We Run Quezon

“It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys.” –Emil Zatopek. Marathons have become a popular event all around the world. Here in the heart of Quezon City, the Quezon City International Marathon was born. This was the first ever event where one of the widest highways in the country will be closed for the event itself. Since it began three years ago, the marathon has become an international success. It’s now a part of the list of  the marathon events in the calendar of the popular running magazine, Runner’s World. The QCIM was made to help promote Quezon City as a premiere sports tourism destination. Having 5 different routes, this event offers a different experience per distance. Having lived in Commonwealth Avenue since the day I was born, this was the perfect opportunity for me to have my first marathon on a place so close to my heart.

Waking up to my alarm clock’s 5^th ring to a dark and chilly morning, I groggily check my phone for the current time. 3o’ clock in the morning, great. It’s race day for the Quezon City international marathon. This happened three years ago when I competed in the 10 kilometer race with my friend. The route would start from the circle all the way to the overpass and back. It’s a daunting task but I was well prepared for it. Days on end I toiled under the midday sun just so I could ready myself for the race. After eating a hearty breakfast, I prepared to leave, bringing along with me my race singlet, snacks, water, and time keeper (a device you knot on the laces of the shoes that records your time as you leave the starting area.) I begin to feel the jitters of race day. The prickle of cold sweat tickling your skin as you mentally prepare yourself for the road ahead is just what I needed to pump myself up.

Driving through the near empty highway, we found the path to the Quezon City Circle bound traffic to be blocked by MMDA cars and patrol men. Lowering the windows I nervously asked the guard if we could go through the blockade since I was a racer anyway. He kindly agrees and lets us pass. During the drive through the long strip of highway, it felt eerily empty as our pickup cruised the usually busy but now empty highway. We finally arrived at our destination. As I stepped out the car, a chilly morning breeze crawled up my spine. I tilt my head up and sniff the fresh air. At long last, Commonwealth, free of traffic and the smell of vehicle smog!

As I look around, I see the eager racers warming up for their respective events. The 42 kilometer race that usually begins first hasn’t started yet. That means I’m a bit too early for my event. Clearly, the real marathoners are preparing their hearts for the gut wrenching distance they have to overcome, but I see no trace of emotion in their faces. The cold, steely stare in their eyes show their determination and eagerness to prevail in their quest. I then realized how much their training must have changed them physically and mentally. Their bodies are trained to withstand gargantuan amounts of pressure and pain. Their minds set to one goal alone. They trained their minds to master the concept of mind over matter. They broke their spirit countless times before to fortify them for the pressures of the race. These aren’t just regular people coming to have a friendly fun run, these are super humans coming to compete and win.

The gun fires and I watch as the 42 kilometer runners dash in front of each other in the hopes of getting a head start of their competitors. Soon, the 21 kilometer racers begin to gather around the starting area. I decided to meet with my friend then. Rainier Uybaretta was over 3 inches taller than me. With longer legs and a more experienced runner I am, I expected to eat his dust at around 30 minutes of the race. We began warming up kicking stones as we ran along the straight gravel path lined with huge trees and street lamps. At around 4:30am, we heard a voice over the mega phone telling the 10 kilometer runners to get ready. It’s time.

I comfortable situated myself in the middle of the crowd. Choosing not to force myself in front of the crowd where the runners are surely competing to get a good spot, I whispered a silent prayer and hoped for the best. Looking around the crowd, I noticed that Rain already elbowed his way through the compact crowd to get closer to the starting line. I scoffed and told myself to forget him and concentrate on my own race. There was an eerie silence as the megaphone told us to get ready. The tension was palpable as we struck our starting pose. Soon after, they aired the gun.

 Feeling the gravel pound beneath my feet is an exhilarating experience. As I feel the wind blowing on my face, I become aware of the people around me. Everyone surges towards the highway to quickly regain their running pace. I stay behind a good fifty meters away from the leaders of the race to catch my breath. Running along the highway is a dream come true for me. Ever since I was a little boy, I wondered what it felt like to run across the highway racing across the lanes like a high speed race car. Soon after though, I was snapped back to reality from my reverie. As I passed the University of the Philippines’ gate I felt my legs going stiff. I thought to myself, 1.5 kilometers in the race and I’m feeling uncomfortable already? This was not a good sign. As the 2.5 kilometer mark passed, I was tired and the only reprieve I had was the water stations along the route. As I reached the 3^rd water station one word crossed my mind, crap. I totally forgot the monstrous flyover climb the 10 kilometer route had. It was an intimidating and heart stopping moment. Summoning all my strength and will, I trudged on despite the daunting task ahead. Pushing with all my might, I propelled myself further and further. I closed my eyes and counted my breaths as I began to lose feeling in both my legs. Before I knew it I managed to reach the even surface of the flyover. I made a sigh of relief as I rolled my strides on my way down. Finally, I made it through the half way point. Another problem struck me as I made my way back to the Circle, the infamous runner’s wall. Most runners will experience this as a feeling of sadness and negativity. It’s your body’s way of saying “Give up, this is pointless anyway.” I was stupefied when I finally reached this point in the race. As a pole-vaulter for the Ateneo High School Track and Field team, I was not used to running long distances over a period of time. This was my fight of flight instinct working, telling me to stop or to keep going. Thankfully, my will power was still intact and I was able to drop the mental weights. I caught my second wind as the Circle came to view. Giving it my last burst of energy, I gave it my all in hopes of making better time. The clocked stopped at 00:57:31. Not bad for a first time 10 kilometer runner.

Tired and exhausted from the race, I retired to my car to catch my breath. Reflecting upon what happened; I realized how changing an hour of running can be. Quezon City hosted one of the most fun and competitive marathons in the Philippines today. It was the most fulfilling experiences one individual could overcome. The site was beautiful and the route amazing. Fatigue soon overcame me. My muscles ached, my legs stiff, and my lower back tight. As I slumped onto my car seat I soon wondered to myself, “When’s the next race?”

Read More

The Circle of Life

From my past experience with Quezon City Memorial Circle, I already knew that it was a place full of physical activity. My group mates and I arrived at Quezon City Circle and headed straight toward the mausoleum and museum which is said to contain the remains of Manuel L. Quezon and his wife Aurora, but  unfortunately the museum which was supposed to be open on a Sunday morning was unexpectedly closed due to maintenance. After realizing that the museum was closed and that the original person I was supposed to interview was not there, I decided to interview a guard at one of the restaurants nearby.  We then decided to explore the whole of Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) and see what it had to offer. We saw numerous people doing physical activities, like aerobics and martial arts despite the weather. We stopped here and there watching a group of people doing open aerobics near the fountain wondering why they were doing that and if they felt pressured by the audience that surrounded them.

 I learned it was “open aerobics” because anyone could join, though I was still baffled by how the aerobics instructor could match the song to his movements to the songs being played on the P.A. system. Halfway through the circle we saw Circle of fun which was an amusement park that had not been open for a while. It made me wonder if it was ever open or if we came on the wrong day. After a few more minutes of walking we arrived at the restaurant area. This area is basically a row of small and quaint restaurants all lined up on one side of the street right in front of what appeared to be gym equipment that the public could freely use. After searching through the numerous restaurants we decided to eat at Max’s. After a brief lunch, we decided to go out and find people we could interview.

The Reluctant Guard

I decided to interview the guard right outside Max’s. He seemed to be like a stone statue of some guardian at the door, only moving when a guest was about to enter the restaurant. My first impression was that he looked intimidating. When I looked closer I noticed that he was chubby, slightly balding, had a mole near his left cheek and had some sort of wart on his nose, which you could clearly tell was filled with blood and was ready to burst. Gone was my first impression of him being a “guardian figure.” In an area filled with physical activity he didn’t seem to fit the norm, you would expect the people there to be all active, fit and happy, since the general atmosphere was one of physical fitness.

After we finished lunch, I decided to interview him.  Of course I asked for his permission, but he seemed to be very reluctant and on edge for some reason-- as if the interview was a bad thing. Nevertheless I started the interview by asking him how long he had been working at Quezon Memorial Circle.  He replied bluntly with “3 years.” I then followed that question up by asking him what changes he saw throughout the time that he was working at QMC. He replied “marami”(a lot).  Upon hearing his general answer I wanted to know more so I asked him what he specifically saw. He replied with “mga tree transplants.” He then explained that QMC had an ever changing scenery where they would move trees from place to place or plant completely new ones in their place. He also explained that when trees become damaged they replace them with new ones. He also said that it helps develop the circle, though if you drive around the whole circle you can see that it’s not developing as rapidly as you would expect. In fact to me the circle had a dilapidated and under maintained feel.

            Since he was a guard at QMC I decided to ask him if knew anything about Circle of Fun. I was just curious if that place was still running. While I was asking him that question he asked me to move because as he said (“Dito ka nakikita ka sa camera.”(Move here because you can be seen by the camera.)) He implied that I was within range of the visibility of the Max’s security camera, which leads me to believe that what I was doing something that was not actually allowed, but still I continued to interview him. I then asked him again if he knew anything about it. He replied (“hindi ko alam kasi ditto lang ako.”( I don’t know because  I only stay within this area)) I then asked him for his name and he replied “Ariel Sandialan”.

I then asked him why he works there he replied, (“Para maghanap buhay” (to earn a living)). I then followed by asking him why he wanted to work there in particular and he said monotonously,( “Dito ang gusto ko eh”) His response was frustratingly short and it felt like a dead end. I tried to probe some more. I asked why he chose to work there, if it was because of the scenery or because of the general atmosphere that the places gives. I was hoping that he could give something more because I wanted to know what makes him up in the morning to work. But he did not answer until I said is it because of the money, that is when he replied, (“oo”, (yes))

Even after those frustratingly short answers, I still asked him what motivates him to go to QMC every day to work there. He gave another short answer “madami.”(A lot) Wanting to know more and for a deeper insight, I asked him what his main reason was. He bluntly answered, (“Dahil sa sweldo.” (Because of the money)) I then asked him if there were any other reasons why he wanted to work there.  He gave the same answer; I did not dare ask how much he was making, I assumed it was not much.

I tried a different angle and asked what he hated about QMC. Again he replied “madami” (A lot) I was once again slightly annoyed by his short answers. I then tried to get him to speak more by asking what he specifically hates or dislikes about the place. To my surprise he answered, (“Mga taong gumagala” (people who roam around)) this was surprising because he works at a park, which is full of people who roam around. I also asked him to describe his typical day. He said that his typical day was to stand at the door and help customers who wanted to get in. I asked if he gets tired from standing all day. He said “Sanayan lang” (you get used to it)) Then he looked as if he wanted to end the interview and wanted us to walk away and so we had no choice but to end the interview and leave.

The Sad Truth

As I walked away I felt dismayed because I thought that the interview was really lacking in substance. I still wanted to know more about how people view QMC. So my group mates and I decided to walk around and look for a guard of QMC in the hopes he could tell me more. Hoping to salvage the situation my group mates and I decided to wonder around and after a few minutes of walking we ended up back in the middle of the circle, where we originally saw the group of people doing aerobics. We found two guards near the fountain in the center of the circle. We decided to interview them, so we asked the first one which was tall and seemed to be fit if we could interview him. Unfortunately he said no and told us that an interview with a guard in the area was forbidden. His exact words were (“Bawala mag interview ditto” (Interview are not allowed here)) This is when I realized why Ariel’s answers where rather short and curt. He was probably afraid of getting caught giving an interview that’s why he asked me to move away from the camera’s view. I found Ariel ironic, because QMC is a placed filled active and happy people moving about and having fun, which is contrast to Ariel who stands all day for a living, doesn’t seem to enjoy his job, and is constantly being watched.

Read More

Not Even Close

            When we look at other people, the first thing we notice is almost always their appearance. In a place where most people are wearing jogging pants, shorts, shirts, and rubber shoes, who wouldn’t notice a man in a cyan-colored polo shirt, dark denim pants, and closed shoes?

            He was a slightly tall man with a lean build. He sat at his table at Max’s Restaurant, looking intently over the menu. When finally the waiter left with his order, he leaned back on his chair with his head resting backwards, looking somehow bored. He would occasionally glance at his phone, which he held in front with his right hand, giving off the impression that he was a busy man. With his Chinese features and semi-formal attire, he did in fact look like a wealthy businessman.

            He had a serious look on his face, and a rather intimidating aura about him. He didn’t appear to be approachable, and he certainly didn’t look like he could joke around. But he was obviously educated and well mannered. He seemed like someone who is used to having his own way, one who grew up as a spoiled rich kid from a privileged family. He looks like he is used to giving orders and has not worked a day in his life.

            What then is such a person doing in a place like the Quezon City Memorial Circle?

Staying physically fit

William. His name sounded oddly too common for someone who looked so different from everyone else. Before he decided to eat in the restaurant, he was actually jogging alone earlier in the morning around QC Circle. This revelation shocked me. He didn’t strike me as a health-conscious person, or someone concerned with physical fitness at all. He has been doing this monthly exercise for ten years now and always comes to QC Circle because it is only two kilometers away from his home.

It didn’t surprise me, though, that he has never tried joining group exercises or dancing lessons around the circle. He seems like a person who prefers to be by himself. He jogs alone and has never been accompanied by anyone.

He sees the results of his exercise on his body’s condition and general health. When I look back to his appearance, I realized that he does in fact look fit and in good shape. He isn’t very muscular but he doesn’t look scrawny or lanky at all.

His monthly routine is important for him to maintain his good health, especially because he's not getting any younger and he still has a lot he wants to do in life. Perhaps it is because I’m still young, or simply lazy, that I cannot discipline myself enough to regularly exercise. Because of this, I find that I admire people who take the time to care for their bodies.

Working for his family

Mister William has a wife and two kids, a boy and a girl. He cares a lot for his family as revealed by the way he talks about them. He knows that he has a lot of responsibilities as both a husband and a father. He is responsible for caring for his family, supporting them, and providing for their needs.

It is extremely heartening to know that he not only knows his responsibilities but also actually acts on fulfilling them. I may have correctly guessed that he has a family, but I didn’t think he was the kind who always thought of his family first.

To support his family, he earns by working in an import company where he's part of the marketing team. He loves his job and his colleagues. He earns enough and loves the kind of lifestyle he has but when asked whether he is satisfied with his life, he replied without hesitation, “I want more.”

He particularly wants to put up his own furniture business in the future, but understands that there will always be a risk if he treads that path. If he is not careful, it might affect his family’s financial stability. He is not planning to pursue his idea just yet. I asked him what he would do if he had a 100% chance of success but he shook his head at once. He doesn't believe in it. He doesn't even want to think about it. Yet despite knowing and accepting this fact, he still dares to hope that one day he can put up the business he has always dreamed of owning.

Revealing himself

When asked what other people say about him, Mr. William says he doesn't know. He reveals himself to be the kind of person that doesn't mind what other people say about him. He doesn’t even care that he doesn’t know what they think of him. He says all that matters is that you get along and have a good relationship with others. What they say about you is insignificant.

            Although I agree with his idea, it is difficult to act on it. Most people do in fact mind what others say about them and it is hard to turn a deaf ear and ignore what they say. I personally always listen to what others say about me – a people-pleaser, so to say.

I had thought he was a serious, no-nonsense person. Yet, with an unexpected smile, Mr. William describes himself as a friendly person. He was quick to disagree, however, when I suggested he was a cheerful and energetic person. He waved his hands in front, dismissing the idea with an amused smile, as if the thought of him as cheerful and energetic was almost a joke. He likes himself as he is. But at the same time, he also wants to be the kind of person who can adjust to the different kinds of people he interacts with. This way of thinking is consistent with his beliefs that getting along with people is what counts most.

Handling his problems

           

Like everyone else, Mr. William also has his fair share of problems. As the kind who enjoys his life, he has his way of solving them. He looks at all his problems, and then tries to solve them one by one.

According to Mr. William, the first thing to do is to figure out what’s wrong and what’s right. Once you know what’s wrong, then fix it.

This very direct approach to his problems would have undoubtedly surprised me had he said this when I first talked to him. But because I now know more than just what I thought about him, I didn’t find it weird at all that he turned out to be the kind of person who faces his problems head-on instead of escaping them.

A man of values

            In the short time that I got to know different sides of Mr. William, one of the things that stood out were his values. He seems to have a very clear distinction of what he should and should not do. What is very admirable is that he seems to stick to what he’s supposed to do and doesn’t go against his beliefs. It’s amazing how he believes in one thing and he makes sure to stand by it, giving no exceptions to anyone, regardless of their relationship with him.

He shows that he has a strong sense of justice. “If it’s wrong, then it’s wrong. Even if they are your friends, you have to tell them that what they are doing is wrong. Even if it hurts other people, you have to tell them what is right.”

Doing the right thing may not be the easiest decision but Mr. William says he will still do the right thing. He shows that he is consistent in his beliefs, morals, and in following his established principles.

First impressions aren’t always true

            I thought he was a somehow formal and very strict person. I imagined he would be the calculating, judging, and picky kind. More than that, I thought he was a materialistic person. But I wasn’t even close to the truth.

            He turned out to be a very friendly and accommodating person; he was the very opposite of picky. He adjusts to the people he talks to and even wants to be the kind that can get along with any kind of person he deals with. He never even sounded materialistic at all. He’s just realistic and practical, and even then, he still dreams.

            Appearances may say something about a person, but this man proves it doesn’t say everything. A girl in class you’ve labeled as a nerd may turn out to be a hardcore rocker, or the bullied guy you’ve ignored for years may become your best friend. 

        If I didn't talk to Mr. William, I would still believe he was what I first thought he was - unapproachable, intimidating, materialistic. But after looking beyond his physical appearance, I was able to hear his opinion, see the world from his point of view, learn of his principles, and know the person underneath his serious face.

Read More

Time-out

Time-out

By: Leona Lao

Before the golden rays of sunlight even touch the mourning angels perched atop the marble monument, Quezon City Memorial Circle (QCMC) is already brimming with people from different walks of life.

            The Circle, as it is more commonly referred to, is a park and shrine for the late Manuel Quezon. Although its historical significance is not in the least underplayed, the park is more commonly recognized by locals as a haven where strangers gather to retreat from the bustling city life. To – both literally and figuratively – run away from the smoke and noise of Manila.

Renovation meets perspiration

QC Circle hasn’t always been such a popular hang-out for fitness enthusiasts.

For one, the environment wasn’t very inviting. The place was neither well-maintained nor accessible— there were disorganized clumps of trees, dirty equipment, broken gates, and undefined car entrances. Pedestrians had to brave the Elliptical Road to get there. The ignored fountain seemed to me the biggest turn-off, considering it is surrounded by radiantly orange and blue tiles that underscore its magnificence (or lack thereof).

Although QC Circle undeniably had its merits for its value as a historical landmark and as one of the few areas in Metro Manila that could boast of trees, it was not the ideal venue for physical fitness.

However, in 2007, the Quezon City government took over the maintenance of the park and spearheaded many renovations and projects. Recently, plans were even made with the end goal of making Quezon City a major tourist destination, as Nancy Carjaval’s 2010 news article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer reports.

Changing landscapes

One of the taho vendors in the Circle, brown-skinned and bearing lines on his face that echo age, dons the green uniform of QC Circle employees. He prides in working in QC Circle for the past 30 years, and when asked what the greatest change in the Circle has been over the years, he is quick to refer to Mayor Belmonte’s beautification projects.

To make the place more open to the public, two pedestrian underpasses were constructed. As Philippine Star news articles “QC Circle underpass inauguration set” and “Pedestrian underpass to the Quezon Memorial Circle” details, one underpass connects QCMC to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PhilCoA), while the other extends from Quezon City Hall. Gates were fixed to further define the entrances.

The official QC website notes that the QC Circle is usually a convergence point for some international marathons, and the construction of biking lanes has also made it easier for cyclists to train.

Aside from the upgraded playground areas, different multipurpose halls were constructed, such as Seminar Hall, Century Hall, and People's Hall. These halls may be reserved or rented to hold various events and workshops. QCMC also holds taebo and disco classes in the multipurpose halls, and, for the more adventurous, offer ziplines and go karts for a certain fee.

All these facilities and upgrades have helped to build a QC Circle that has been receiving a lot more traffic and is fast becoming popular— “Kasi marami nang bago dito (Because there are so many new things here)," a group of joggers agreed.  Since the start of the changes, QC Circle has not stopped in developing into an estimated 25-hectare area where people who practice different physical exercises can congregate.

A hodgepodge of sports

Before we even got off the car, I could already see through the window a group of cyclists. All of them were in the characteristic biker ensemble of helmet, sport shirt, cycling shorts, a good pair of shoes, a bottle of water, and, of course, a sleek bicycle. It’s worth noting that whereas before the renovations, the Circle was largely just a regular park that people frequented for leisure, today, with all its improvements, it is a favorite even of professional bikers, including those for national cycling events like the Philippine Grand Prix, as cited in the local government’s website.

Upon me and my friends’ arrival, I was immediately overwhelmed by everything simultaneously occurring. Notes of a faint, melodious singing from somewhere a little farther off, mixed together with peaceful, morning silence, served as the soundtrack for our journey through the unfamiliar terrains of the QC Circle.

Under the shade of the trees, there were people practicing arnis. The teachers demonstrated the movements, their arms precise and graceful, as the students imitated and learned. Nearby another grassy area, people were power boxing, sweat dripping down their bodies and their faces immersed in concentration. Somewhere a little farther down the road there were people playing volleyball, and what seemed to be two brothers engrossed in their informal badminton game. The fact that so many sports and exercises were condensed into one place left me in awe.

As I continued my walk, I passed by different joggers. Some, judging by jogging pants that boldly proclaimed their schools, I presumed to be students. Others, from the lines on their faces or just by the way that they carried themselves, were middle-aged, and there were even those who might pass for my grandparents.

I also chanced upon people dancing in Mabini Hall. They were being led by a middle-aged woman in red, following simple dance moves that sometimes did and sometimes did not require them to have partners. When I asked one of the bystanders, who was watching them dance in a fashion just as bemused as I was, he told me that the group had reserved the place to hold dancing lessons and have sessions certain days of the week.

The sports, the dancing, the exercise— everything was so diverse. There was something for everyone. In a grand statement of affirmation, as if people weren’t proof enough, we encountered not only dogs being walked by their owners… we even saw a dog on a bicycle!

The assortment that had creeped its way into the culture of the QC Circle left me wondering about the bigger picture: how even the places we frequent reflect some aspect of our Philippine identity. Like Filipinos, QC Circle is an eclectic mixture, and while others might find the heterogeneity chaotic, I find that it only makes the place a richer, more interesting venue.

Recapturing childhood

Some areas of the park were dedicated to playing grounds. Children ran around to play whenever the rain would temporarily cease. Predictably, there were monkey bars, slides, and swings. There were also other things, though, such as a giant, metal wheel, and even a contraption composed of four circles – a circle for each of four people to step on – that did nothing but spin. It was slightly imbalanced and felt like it would come unhinged any moment.

It felt wonderful to realize that there are still kids out there who leave the confines of their virtual worlds to actually play outside in parks and playgrounds. In an age where video games and online identities are a dominating force, the sight of these kids was refreshing to me.

Nothing beats childhood days of playing sipa, langit-lupa, or Chinese garter; no PSP, Wii, or Xbox, regardless of the rapidly developing technology in Metro Manila and in all corners of the country, could erase the thrill of dangling from a monkey bar, reaching out— swaying, precariously, almost and— yes! Making it to the other side. The triumphant smile with which a child boasts to all his playmates: I am conqueror!

Hello, stranger

While the children aforementioned might be advised to stay away from strangers (although really, in a park like this, how can one avoid it?), the people who gather in the spacious area beside the QCMC’s fountain seem to hold no apprehensions. 

In the early morning, the fountain in the middle of the QC Circle is turned on and one can marvel as the waters splash and sway. In the spacious area beside it, people of all ages were gathered and were moving to the beat of the same music, their movements coordinated through the leadership of a man dancing unreservedly in front of the crowd.

Curious, I stood for a moment watching them. The guard, who was of average height and had a chipped front tooth, said that the exercise happens every morning, and strangers gather to have a free, fun exercise together. Although when I witnessed the event it was already past eight in the morning, he says that as early as six people are already stretching and dancing together. It’s not always in that particular spot, he says, but there’s always a morning exercise happening somewhere in QCMC.

I find this communal exercise very reflective of the positive outlook with which Filipinos choose to look at life, regardless of our country’s state: to know that in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila, where you either have to be wary of the people you pass in streets and dark alleyways or you’re too busy to even spare them a glance, strangers still find that they can spend and enjoy time with people they barely know— and show off some pretty good dance moves while they’re at it, too.

An oasis

My last memory of QC Circle involves a girl. Probably no older than seventeen, she was dressed in simple, comfortable clothes, and she wore earphones and a carefree smile as she rode her bicycle. She must have passed me a dozen times. The stalls, the fountain, the trees, the waiting shed, the easy slope of the road… she rode in circles, the same predictable path, went past the same scenery over and over. And yet she seemed like the happiest person there.

I suppose it is not that Q.C. Circle is the most beautiful park in the world, although it’s definitely changed appreciably since 2007.  There’s just a certain muted happiness that comes with knowing that there is a place here in the midst of this busy city which still appreciates the value of taking time off to take care of one’s wellness, to wear a smile and drown in sweat, in the company of other people who’re striving for the same things.

Perhaps that is all that matters. After all, athlete or not, we all need time-out.

Read More