Running for Health, Even - or Especially - in a Pandemic

Photo from Estrella Elamparo Facebook Page

After recovering from the operation, I embarked on a fitness journey and started going to the gym. Eventually, I felt it wasn’t enough…Then I discovered running

By Star Elamparo

In 2014, shortly after my 43rd birthday and after suffering from unbearable headaches, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

In that instant, my career as a lawyer, my material possessions, and other temporal stuff lost significance. All that mattered were the two young kids I was raising as a single mother and my septuagenarian parents who were under my care. As the breadwinner, I worried how they’d survive if the tumor would turn out malignant and, God forbid, I leave this world prematurely. I prayed hard that I be allowed to live longer for my family.

Thankfully, the golf-ball sized tumor turned out benign. But the experience taught me the importance of health and longevity. I couldn’t take my health for granted ever again.

After recovering from the operation, I embarked on a fitness journey and started going to the gym. Eventually, I felt it wasn’t enough. The regular exercise routines just weren’t that interesting anymore. I wanted a more sustainable lifestyle, something that required no prior technical training and would be easy to take up. Most importantly, I wanted something that’d really get me excited. That’s when I discovered running.

To force the issue, I signed up for the 2017 Dream Marathon and I haven’t looked back since.

In a span of three years, I’ve done 10 marathons (including three World Majors: Tokyo, Berlin and Chicago), numerous half marys, and more. One of the most memorable was when I paced my son, Rex, in his own Dream Marathon in 2019.

I recently turned 50 but I am confident I have yet to achieve my PB. If race plans don’t miscarry, I hope of doing London and New York later this year as well as Boston, ultimately.

To help me achieve my running goals, I’ve been training under Coach @ken_mendola. Through him, I also found the most awesome friends in the running community.

I still have my day job as a Senior Partner in DivinaLaw and numerous advocacies. But, no matter how busy I am, rare is a day without a run even in the midst of the pandemic. As a result, I have never felt healthier, stronger and more mentally alert.

“I will be happy if running and I will grow old together,” said Murakami. I totally agree.

The author is a Senior Partner at DivinaLaw and can’t wait to run her next marathon.

She was among eight female runners who shared their stories as part of #GirlsRunTheWorldCampaign by RUNNRph and 2xu to celebrate Women’s Month.

This article was posted by the author in her Facebook page. It was also featured on RUNNR.