On March 19, Gerald Anderson will run his first marathon. This will be his first foray into 42km running event after graduating from 10km runs, and it will happen in Los Angeles, USA.
“Lagi akong sumasali sa mga runs but hanggang 10K lang. Nung nag-start akong mag-training [for the upcoming LA Marathon], naramdaman ko na parang kaya ko ‘to (I always join in runs but only up to 10K. When I started training for the upcoming LA Marathon, I felt like I could do it),” shared Anderson.
The 27-year-old actor and sports and fitness enthusiast has joined several races in the past. He finished his first triathlon at the 2015 ASTC Asian Triathlon Cup. Last year, he participated in the Powerman Duathlon Asian Invitational held in November where he won 4th place and the Powerman Duathlon Pilipinas World series in December where he finished at 6th place, both under the Male 24-29 Age Group.
For this run, Anderson exercises everyday, since November, with the help of triathlete coach George Vilog. His routine exercises include working out, swimming, biking and running, with one hour of rest. A week or two before the marathon, he said he plans to lighten his exercise routine to release tension.
He admitted that he has no serious diet in the span of his training because of his busy work schedule, however he gave up some food items such as burger, pizza, kare-kare and chicken curry, to name a few.
Joining a 42km marathon is already a feat in itself, but Anderson goes farther and further than he ever went as he will be the Philippine representative of Skechers Performance to the 32nd edition of the prestigious LA Marathon.
Skechers Performance, a division of Skechers USA, is taking delegates from different countries to join the race, which will start at the Dodger Stadium and will end near the Santa Monica Pier. Anderson will join over 25,000 amateur and professional runners.
In choosing Anderson as the Philippine representative to the running event, Skechers Performance officials said he is the “perfect embodiment” of the brand’s campaign “Go Like Never Before.”
“Gerald is really the perfect example of a person who just wants to go after his dreams and achieve what’s limitless,” enthused Christina Tang, marketing manager of Skechers Performance. She added that Anderson is not just an actor but also a person who has a heart to inspire people.
Anderson is likewise thrilled to be the chosen Philippine delegate to the LA Marathon 2017. He shared how he always wanted to be athletic—a childhood dream he’s making possible today.
“Big things, big dreams. When you really want something and you work hard for it, magkakatotoo talaga (it will come true),” he mused.
He added, “[2017] is gonna be a more active [year for me] because aside from the LA Marathon, there will be other marathons the whole year, so sobrang nagpapasalamat ako kay God na pumasok yung Skechers at this exact time (I am grateful to God for this partnership with Skechers).”
His only advice to other runners is simple, “Lumabas ka ng bahay niyo, magsuot ka ng Skechers, and run (Get out of your house, wear a pair of Skechers, and run). Start from zero. Everybody starts from zero. And always do your best.”