the 42k dream

I have a love-hate relationship with Running.  For almost a month now, it's been leaning towards hate, so much outweighed by my love for eating; which explains my cheeks getting chubbier at ang mga nag-uumpugan na hita.  2 weeks pa in this sedentary (hi, Ace!) lifestyle, hita becomes pata.  Ay JuskoLord.

October of last year, I happily finished my first half-marathon.  That finish line, I believe, sparked another dream - to finish a full marathon.  I never knew how and I was not even sure I was built for it.  I was still gasping for air and I was already budding another crazy dream in my head.  But you know what they say...  The first step to achieving your dreams?  Be a dreamer.  Joke, ako lang nagsabi niyan. =)

I was never athletic growing up.  Lalo naman na I never had the body of an athlete.  I had a brief moment of skinniness when I was an infant (you call it malnourishment), and then I was a fatty (a cute one!!).  I was and still am, a lampa, no thanks to my flat-footedness.  The only sport I mastered was jackstone.  I can not remember being physically active, or ever feeling strong.  That's why, I am so grateful I was introduced to running 3 years ago.  It made me realize that being strong can be a choice. It can be practiced, and it can be your lifestyle. =)

Ang dami ko ng words of wisdom, nakakairita na!  Gusto ko lang naman talaga magyabang ng konti. hihi.  I was able to do it.  Drumroll... Violin... Gong!  I SURVIVED A FULL MARATHON!  Batuhin niyo man ako ng tomatoes, 42K finisher ako world! hehe.  Your lola clocked in at 6:51, just 9 minutes shy of the cutoff time, but I was too happy to care.  Ginapang ko ang finish line you know!  It wasn't a joke really.  More than the physical challenge, it was also a mind-and-heart game for me.  It reached a point when I was questioning myself.  Why the heck am I doing this??  Tapos sagot din naman ako. hehe ang baliw right?

Eh this one, deliryo levels.  I was imagining every artist in my shuffled playlist singing with me, on my running concert.  Beyonce amiga, come on hit it!  Meron pang Say hello to my homies Maroon 5!!! and ungracefully ended it with a Thank you Buendia Avenue!  I may have kept my game-face on the entire time but it was all kinds of riotan deep inside of me.  I eventually settled down with my Jason Mraz playlist because I needed all the positivism and energy his songs offer.  

I met another struggling soul pababa ng isang flyover, so chikahan like instant besties except that I forgot her name right after she said it.  Sorry, pagod na pagod.  When we parted, naghanap naman ako ng mga pabalik na mga pogi na makaka eye-contact.  I needed inspiration, please do not judge me! ;)  When I was running out of reasons to continue, I imagined a 3rd leg growing out of my balakang, kicking my butt and telling me Ginusto mo eh, finish mo yan te!

I was left without much choice - finish the race or give up which my ego was stubbornly refusing to even consider.  So... push kung push, lakad, takbo, lakad, lakad, lakad, run some more, float, tune out world, imagine legs become wheels, pray, lakad some more, run, iyak kay Lord, and then the sight of the finish line.  Sigh...  It was just pure joy and relief I felt.  Thank you to my friends - Team Chos who cheered me on na parang makaka-place pa ako sa podium. Hehe

with Tisoy near the finish line =)

Coach Rio himself, handing out the medals.

Ace, papogi at the finish line

And of course, my heartfelt thanks to GOD - I was not sure if you gave me spare legs or carried me at some points so whatever form of comfort you gave me, thank You. =)

how awesome are my EAT girls =)

I intend to keep on running and making some more dreams.  Right now, my heart's telling me I want to join an Aquathlon.  Let's see, let's see... 

;)

Team Chos, running for the chos of it.