It’s been a while since I talked about anything on here, let alone write about fitness (In Memoriam: The Manuelle’s Crossfit Career, 2015-2016). I was so obsessed about that part of my life that it seemed impossible for me to ever stop, but all it took was to miss one session, which turned into a week, then a month, and here we are, two years and 20 pounds later. Holy f*cking sh*t, self, you’ve really let yourself go.
I could go easy on myself and say that a lot happened in that time frame: I left my job (basically ending a five-year career in the media industry), dove headfirst into a new business venture and feeling my way around, oh and I got a high maintenance (but handsome!) doggo, among many other things. But they’re not really excuses—not when I managed to find the energy and time before. If I was able to do it then, why not now?
Funny enough, it was my dog who reignited my interest in going back to working out. Look, he’s a chow-chow, and they’re well-known to be the laziest dogs around these days, probably as retribution to the canine universe for making them war dogs in historical China. But my dog, my chow-chow somehow managed to complete a 1K run and all for charity. Gryffin = 2; Patty = 0. If that mindset won’t make anyone want to step up their game, I don’t know what will.
A week ago, Gryffin and I—along with my dog’s best friend Antonio Java of Rider’s Block—joined Marco Polo Plaza Cebu‘s Run for ERUF 2018. It’s an annual fun run they hold as a celebration of their anniversary, as well as to benefit the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation. I’ve known about this event for years, but never participated in any because I actually hate running, even at the peak of my fitness journey. But who could resist when there’s a special dog category involved? So, here we are, all in full GoPro Hero5 Session glory.
Gryffin seemed to know he was going to have an exciting day ahead, because he actually slept early the night before. I had already gotten our race kits—a singlet for me and a race bib for Gryffin, except it’s hard to really see his underneath all that floof… and his harness… and his GoPro harness (this furmom got a little extra).
Most hotels—especially high-end ones—aren’t really pet-friendly for logical reasons, but this run is certainly one way of letting furry friends have their share of the good life, even for just one event. Now, if I could just bring Gryffin to his spiritual hometown for a stay at the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel.
And if anything else, Gryffin has encouraged me to get me back to the gym sooner than later. How’s that for #fitspiration?
Really cute chow you got there! 😀
Why, thank you! 😀