I’ve been running for 15 years, and for the past 10, I’ve been organizing trail running events. Over the years, my goal has remained the same: to promote fitness, especially for those who haven’t yet experienced the joy and challenge of being truly active.
Let me rewind a bit and share where I’m coming from. For most of my life, I was the quintessential office person—immersed in work, chasing career milestones, and striving to excel. Then, at a low point, I discovered running. It became my way of rebuilding myself, step by step, mile by mile. Over time, I started chasing personal records, longer distances, and challenging elevations. Fitness didn’t just become part of my routine—it made me feel more complete, more balanced, and more alive.
That’s exactly why I want people with non-athletic backgrounds to get out and run. Every run tells a new story, and every finish line is just the start of the next race. Getting people off the couch is the kind of “budol” they didn’t know they needed—but always end up appreciating. That’s why I started writing about running on Francramon.com, and why I founded Pinoy Trails: to grow a community and create meaningful trail experiences that inspire people to move, explore, and connect.
Go Out and Run
Running is an epitome of life. You get out what you put in. Train harder, and you improve. Skip the effort, and you’ll feel the consequences. But before dreaming about big races, you have to start somewhere. Begin with a walk, build your endurance, and then progress to running. Only after that can you chase speed and longer distances.
Don’t rush things. Yes, a marathon can be life-changing, but it shouldn’t be your first goal. Enjoy the shorter distances and gradually work your way up. Start with a feel-good 5-kilometer run, try to improve your pace, then progress to 10 kilometers, a half marathon, and eventually a full marathon. What makes marathons truly life-changing isn’t just the 42.195 kilometers you run—it’s the months of training, dedication, and self-discipline you put in to build yourself up for the challenge.
Remember, you are a runner—not because you’re fast or can go the distance, but because you choose to stand up and put one foot in front of the other until you reach your goal. Everyone has their own pace—do what makes you happy, stay consistent, and keep moving forward.
Go Out and Get Dirty
When you’ve run out of road or want a change of pace, take the trails. It’s a totally different experience. Road running can be rhythmic, keeping a steady cadence, but trail running is more mental. There’s a lot more elements to manage—the surface, the elevation and the weather. It’s mental because you have to react to the surface, be strategic on the climbs, and stay strong through whatever the conditions throw at you.
That’s why I always say no two trails are alike—even the same route can feel completely different. Changing conditions can transform a familiar trail into a new experience. But the real reward of trail running isn’t just the challenge—it’s the softer surfaces, the scenic views, and the fresh mountain air. Sure, it takes longer than running on the road, but who’s complaining when you’re treated to lush greenery, exhilarating river crossings, and the calm of being surrounded by trees? The trails is just the perfect recharge and de-stress zone.
So just go out and get dirty. Trail running isn’t always easy—with climbs to conquer and elevation to manage—but the rewards are always worth it: breathtaking views and that unbeatable feeling of accomplishment. The more trails you run, the better you get. You’ll react faster to changing terrain, adapt to the elevation, and become bolder on the descents.
Go Out and Save The World
“The biggest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. – Robert Swan”
If there’s one thing I’ve slowly integrated into both my events and my life, it’s sustainability. Long story short: the world is warming because of greenhouse gases like carbon emissions, leading to severe weather changes and disturbances. The good news is that the world is coming together to combat this threat—and each of us has a role to play.
Running or walking 5 kilometers instead of taking a car can save about 1 kilogram of carbon emissions. The great thing is, being fit enough to cover the distance means you can reduce your reliance on vehicles while staying healthy. We’ve also incorporated tree planting in our past events to increase forest cover and make our mountains more resilient to weather disturbances. On top of that, reusing or properly disposing of plastics helps reduce non-biodegradable waste on the planet.
The little things we do can create a ripple effect toward a more sustainable future. That’s the essence of sustainability—it’s about everyone contributing in their own way to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, no matter how small the action may seem. Choosing to run or walk instead of driving, planting a tree, reducing waste, or simply being mindful of the environment—each step matters. Every step you take, whether on the road or the trail, isn’t just a step for your health—it’s a step toward a healthier planet, a stronger community, and a future we can all be proud of.