Finally earned my first legit ultra buckle! The Bataan Death March 160 Ultra Marathon (BDM160)

Last January 25, 2015, I crossed the finish line of the Bataan Death March 160 Ultra Marathon at the Capas National Shrine to earn my first 100-miler ultra marathon finisher's buckle! The story on this amazing journey to follow! :)

Pre-Marathon Disaster!

Murphy's Law states that: "If something could go wrong, it will go wrong!"

Barely a week before the Condura Skyway Marathon 2013, something did go wrong! After 16 weeks of religious training, long hours on the road, early morning battles against wanting to sleep a little longer at dawn and countless injuries, the last 7 days before the marathon should be simple. Rest, hydrate and STAY HEALTHY! But unfortunately, disaster struck!

Last Saturday night, I felt a familiar itch in my throat. Before going down with a cold or flu, I always seem to have that advance warning, an annoying itch at the back of my throat. Usually, I'd panic and start drinking lots of fluids, spray Kamilosan in my throat and mega-dose on Vitamin C. But after months of staying healthy and in tip-top shape, I dismissed this ominous sign and put it aside thinking, "Nah, it's nothing! I feel great and I'm in good shape!"

Sunday came and it was time for my last long run before tapering for the week. But the itch in my throat was still there. Still, I felt I could shake it off with a run. So off I went for a short 12k run. Everything felt fine. I was able to run in good time and felt great after the run. I hydrated properly, but took some pain-killers for good measure. Things were going dandy the whole morning, and then, it came out of nowhere and blindsided me. By late afternoon, I had a splitting headache and congested upper respiratory tract and was coughing heavily. By night fall, I was getting the chills. Still, I thought to myself, I could shake this off. The wifey, my personal doctor, was recommending I get started on an antibiotic regimen for good measure to head-off any infection. She was aware I was running a marathon in less than a week. But I told her it's nothing and that I could shake it off with lots of fluid and some vitamin C.

Monday morning was horrible! I started spitting out thick phlegm and was feeling very weak. The itch on may throat became a full-blown problem. I felt like swallowing coarse sand every time I try to swallow and I was coughing profusely! I started taking medicine for the symptoms as advised by the wifey, but I still refused to get started on antibiotics. I've bounced back from this before, and knowing that it's taper week, and I believed my body would cope!

Monday night came, and things took a turn for the worst! I was running (no pun intended) a low-grade fever by night fall. My body was in pain and my muscles and joints were screaming! I hardly slept and kept waking up shivering!

By morning, I began taking antibiotics to combat whatever it is I contracted. This was when I began worrying about the marathon. Could I still run on Sunday, or do I withdraw? I started feeling very sad. All the work I've put in to this thing was going to waste! All the hours spent on the road...

I didn't know what to do or what to think. I haven't experience running sick before and I didn't know what to expect in the next few days. Aware that I still have 5 days before the gun start, I wasn't sure if that is time enough to recover physically.

Then, I started feeling depressed. I wanted to find encouragement. I wanted to hear someone, somewhere that they too have been on the same boat before and pulled through afterwards. I just need to know that it can be done! So where else to look for encouragement? My Facebook world of course! I posted a comment on one of my favorite FB running page  I <3 to Run, and sure enough, someone did reply! 

Mindy Martin Creed's comment was just what I needed! Someone who actually was sick, but still managed to run a marathon, and the best she has yet! At the back of my mind, I knew it could be done! I knew that the human spirit is stronger than the body. I running, I knew that the saying "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" DOES NOT apply! But I just wanted to hear it straight from someone who has been there. I just needed the extra assurance. And here it was! 

Encouragement from friends on Facebook was the icing on this cake! Getting much well wishes was a welcome push for me in the right direction!

By Wednesday morning, I was feeling much better. Fever and headache were gone. I felt energized, although I was still coughing and felt that my chest was still breathing tight. I've started taking some medicines for the coughing and hoping that it clears up on time. I'm still on antibiotics until today, my last dose. And hopefully by tomorrow, I could do a short 3k run just to remind my legs that they are speedy!

With what happened, I may have to kiss my target time goodbye, but I've started to play this new mantra in my mind over and over again: "TRUST YOUR TRAINING! TRUST YOUR TRAINING!". Will Sunday's marathon be my best run? The answer is, well, maybe, but definitely not no! 

I still don't know how my body will perform on Sunday. But I can be sure I will give it my best shot! The human body is a fascinating piece of machinery, a wonder of engineering. But what is more astounding is the software that comes with it, the human spirit! 

I keep telling myself that perhaps, this sickness is actually a software upgrade from the Great Programmer in the heavens! I may think that there are little kinks and bugs here and there, but I trust Him that what He has uploaded in my heart is the perfect "killer running app" for me! God is good! <3

Race report will come next week! Wish me luck! =)

What I pick up on the road!

Yesterday afternoon, while on a run from Pozorrubio to Manaoag, I picked-up another coin along the road somewhere in Brgy. Malasin in Pozorrubio. It was a 25 centavo coin, my first for the year!

Every so often, I pick up a lot of things on the road, mostly loose change. Last year, I picked-up about 5 pesos worth of coins. Not much, but if you believe in the saying "hindi napupulot ang pera sa kalsada" (money cannot be found on the road), then 5 pesos is a lot! 

They say coins picked-up on the road are lucky. For me, I don't spend the coins I pick-up on the road. I keep them in a little jar and treat is as a small treasure, to cherish and remind me of how rare it is to find beautiful and valuable things on the road.

Aside from coins, I've picked up some curios things on the road. Bracelets, earrings, buttons, marbles, etc. These are the things that I've only noticed on the road, the result of a fleeting glance. Usually, I concentrate on the run and keep my eyes about 20-30 feet in front of me. So imagine the things... and the coins, I've probably missed while running.

I've come to learn some lessons in the things I pick-up on the road while running:

In life, it is very similar! We sometimes notice and pick-up valuable things in our journey through life. But sometimes, we concentrate too much on other things happening in our lives that we fail to notice all of the valuable things strewn along the path of our life! So keep a watchful eye on gems on the road. They could be friends, love, opportunities, etc. Learn to enjoy the path of life and the treasures along the path!

Like the coins, we should also treasure and cherish each and every beautiful and valuable thing we pick-up along our journey through life. Never let them go because they are few and far between! For me, they are God's gift to us as we journey through life.

Lastly, no matter how great your pace is, even if your are running to achieve a PR (personal record), even though to can't stop because you are chasing time... always stop for these treasures and gems on the road. They may not be there on your way back! 

In life, like in running, it is not about the destination but the journey!

Takbo Kay Kristo 2012

Get ready for the biggest Fun Run in Pozorrubio, Pangasinan!

Takbo Kay Kristo 2012 - November 3, 2012 (Saturday)

For more details, watch this space or like: http://www.facebook.com/TakboKayKristo2012

The road does not discriminate.

It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor; fast or slow; young or old; heavy or thin. The road will always welcome you. I won't judge you for who you are or where you  have been. All it cares about is where it will take you. All that matters to it is how hard you try to beat yourself today. You are a runner and the road is your friend!

You know you're a runner...

these things take a whole new meaning when you have joined a marathon.
when i was still in public office, these things hold honors and titles to my chest. but now, they hold a much more important thing every time i stand on the starting corral... my race bib! =)

I conquered the Skyway! Condura Skyway Marathon 2012

My first full marathon! The Condura Skyway Marathon 2012.
February 5, 2012  Filinvest, Alabang

Thrilled to met one of my running heros!  Patrick Concepcion (Running  Shield)
http://runningshield.blogspot.com

Patrick Concepcion is the Running Ambassador of The Condura Skyway Marathon.
His brother, Ton Concepcion, is the lead organizer.

The massive 4-inch 42k Finisher's Medal!

Pose for a shot!

Just making sure it's real! =)

With running brothers, sisters and friends from Urdaneta.
With the wifey, course!

A family affair! Together with the wifey, kids and in-laws.
They are showing off their 5k finisher's medal! 

Close up!

The Uy family medal haul at the Condura Skyway Marathon 2012!