Les Femmes de RunningAtom

It was one month ago when I blogged about forming a team for the Lactacyd run, which has been bogging my mind few days after my first full marathon. I felt somewhat enthusiastic about pursuing this idea that has suddenly formed into my mind, but being passive as I am, and afraid of trying new ideas around, there were times that I thought of backing out and removing my blog post about it. One more thing that's making me back-out from it is that, I don't know if it is really a nice idea or even proper for someone like me, (a guy, unknown from the running world, and unknown from the feminine galaxy), to be sponsoring an all-women race, organized/headed by a feminine product - Lactacyd (it really bothers, right?).

Le Femme de RunningAtom

On the contrary, the many comments (more than 2, so it's considered many) that I received from the blog post made me stop and re-think of my purpose when I'm already about to click the 'Delete Post' button -- "to encourage more women to start living a healthy lifestyle through running". And originally, I was planning of creating the team composed of three officemates, and my wife as the 4th participant who would run the last 3k. Sadly, one of my officemates never liked the idea; my wife approved of it, but she doesn't want to plunge into running (yet, I hope!); my remaining target women in the office also backed-out due to office schedule conflict. Now all there is left is Kassy and her friends, who have not been updating me religiously if they would still pursue with the team (LOL). So more than a week before the event, I thought that I was left with NO ONE, and considered the idea a big failure!

Girl Power on the Starting Line

Luckily, in our aNR Ortigas session, I was able to inform Cheryl about it and she gladly agreed with my offer. And in just a matter of days, she found Sara Denise to be a part of the team. Then a day before I registered, Kassy was able to grab Mia (who was already registered for a 5k individual run), and had her join the team as our newbie participant who would be doing the last 3k of the course (that's for the finish-line-drama's sake, yeehhaaa!). So the story begins, team "Le Femme de RunningAtom" was born, to race, have a fun relay, get to meet new friends, and make running a lifestyle for these four brave women, especially to our new comers.

A day before the race, I decided to show up on the event so that I could support my team, and also for the following more reasons: 1) to meet the team members; 2) document their individual time; 3) take photos before, during, and after the race; 4) hope to gain more running buddies; 5) make our newbie runners feel welcomed in the running community; 6) make them love the running "lifestyle" and make it part of their life; and lastly, to have more visitors on my blog, lol!

Transition area

Here comes the race day, I was nervous and didn't know if my team would be complete. Gladly, when I contacted both Kassy and Che, they were already at the venue and are already looking for their own team members, bearing the team's Bib# 071. So a few minutes before the gun-start, the team was already complete.

As for the race recap, let the photos speak for you...

Pink power under the dark

Cheryl Bello, on her 10k leg

5k Leg - Sara Denise Mendoza

Kassy Pajarillo sprinting her 3k Leg

Our newbie, on the last 3k leg - Mia Bayuga of Magic 89.9

Mia and Kassy sprinting towards the Finish Line - 2:16:59

Team photos






Still can't get enough? Here are more photos for your viewing...

Team Rockin Dolls from aNR Alabang

Team.... Pink Afro?

Darna, not flying this time?

Team PowerPuff

Mother Butterfly

and... the Winning Teams

I did not anticipated that this race would be full of fun and very much exciting! I thought I was only there to take photos of each of our team member's race. But truly, girl power gave so much enjoyment for the guys, and for the spectators who were there to witness this one-of-a-kind event. Just seeing them give their all for their own team, for theirselves, for the spirit of camaraderie (and running) makes me feel happy and thankful that God did not just created the male species, but the females as well. Giving support to these empowered ladies makes us guys appreciate, respect, and give them honor.

What does a small buck can give compared to the fun and experience I had in this event? It's nothing... Go girl power, congratulations to everyone, and watch out next year for another RunningAtom team.

Official race result for Team Le Femme de RunningAtom:

1. Che Bello (10k) - 1:03:45
2. Sara Denise Mendoza (5k) - 0:38:44
3. Kassy Pajarillo (3k) - 0:18:37
4. Mia Bayuga (Final 3k) - 0:15:53

P.S. Kassy will be joining the Singapore Marathon, and she's planning to raise fund on this event. Check her blog, and maybe we could help with her generous run-for-a-cause Marathon.