Reminiscing My First Full Mary - The Bull Runner Dream Marathon (Part 2 of 2)

I'm Polen and I'm a Marathoner! Wooohooo...

Whoa, I never meant to brag! But I got it where I want it now!
Whoa, it was never my intention brag to say it all away to you now!

But God, does it feels so good ‘cause I got it where I want it now!

And if you could then you know you would ‘cause God, it just feels soIt just feels so good!!!

(edited lyrics taken from misery business by paramore)

The Marathoner
photo credits: Abby

Itinerary

-8:00      (‘till gun start) Pasta loading, Snow White and the Huntsman

-6:00      pack-up for the race, unwanted hair wipe off, bath time, poop time, The Walking Dead, pasta loading again (half serving)

-4:00      departure

-3:30      arrival at R.O.X BGC, bus pick up here and waited another 1 hour to depart, bread loading

-1:30      arrival at Nuvali, change costume, check in baggage, meet barangay TBR, picture picture

  0:00      Gun start, this is it!

My First Full Mary in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…

Someone asked me, “how do you plan to run your first marathon?” I just answered, “I’ll stop in every water station”. But the truth is, I don’t have a plan. What else to do but join my TBR batch mates-friends and let them lead me through it.

The first half I would say is the best. We do our 3:1 run/walk as we usually practice at a moderate pace (I think it’s 7-7:30), except for up hills where we shift to 1:1, and then attack the down hills. Moreover, we enjoy the flashing lights of the cameras, capturing photos of the happiest marathoners in the world.

Happiest marathoners in the world!
credits: Photovendo

The second half become tough, although it has the same route, we are somewhat tired here. At almost half of Nuvali Blvd, coach Raffy, began to suffer from his ITBS injury and opted to run on his own. More kilometers passed before we reached the right turn to Merriam College, Dok Japo also slowed down and run on his own as he could not catch up with our pace anymore.

The three of us continued (Me, Eda and Abby). I have a lot more to give. I am also surprised how strong I become this day. I am usually burned out at 26th kilometer. But at this point, I felt that my bladder is full, so I cheered and aimed to see a portalet ahead. But my dream to pee happened only before running towards Avida Village.

Then after this U-turn to Republic Wake Park, I began to slow down. I could see Eda running farther until I could not see her anymore. I also felt hungry and craving for a solid food. So me and Abby take a quick break at the pumped up station and continued to Nuvali Boulevard.

At this point, I began to appreciate the cheers of the Dream Chasers. Their cheers truly bring back your spirit! And since it’s just me and Abby who’s running together now, we have to cheer each other (para lang kaming tanga, go Abby, go Polen!).

Now it’s last 10km, and it becomes harder. I am not usually a talker, but at this point I felt I needed to chit chat, to keep up with the race. So I tried to start a topic and chat with Abby in my best ability. Until we reached the right turn to Abrio (last 3km), but Abby slowed down, she need to walk.

This is it, I am all alone. And before I enter this loop I catched a smile from coach Lit and I waved to him. This could mean I’m still doing well.  I continued to do 3:1, but at slower pace (8:30-9 maybe). At the start of this last 3km, I still feel great, thinking it would all end in a few minutes. The skies even showered us with few raindrops to ease our tired spirits. I see my friends now coming back – Vincent, Josh, Ynny, Cathy, and Eda. I tried to cheer them, also to distract myself from pain and hunger.

And this loop seems to be crazy longer than the first time we passed it. I ran slower and slower as I approach the U-turn in Solenad. My stomach is growling, I have few Gu Chomps left. Good thing, Team Boring was at the end of the tunnel (I felt I’ve come from total darkness). They offer happy foods (choki choki and jelly ace). I choose jelly ace, this is a mountaineer’s food and I get an “A” in tearing the packaging (ang galing ko daw kasi magbukas, kaso yun 2nd time napahiya na’ko). And then there was soda in the next tent. Oh I love pepsi!

A few more meters of very slow running and walking, then I see the final right turn back to Nuvali Boulevard. The cheerers are there (I don’t know who are they) saying, “last 100 meters”. My mind was contemplating, should I run this fast-paced or just finish it relaxed? A few more steps as I entered the last 100m zone, my legs on its own (it could be real) run off as fast as it could. And as I reach closer to the finish line I saw Craig Logan cheering for me as I finish strong. . Then I heard Ate Lot and Doc’s voices. I felt so happy to see them.

And the finish line looks blurred. My mind was like, “this is it! What to do, what to do?”, “hold that ribbon thing!” “oh yes, the sash!”, “smile on the camera!”, “get the medal from the matador!” (nataranta na’ko). I do not even noticed that the TBR dream team was there. I was so on a high, it’s funny I don’t know what to do next. Then a girl handover me a wet towel (oh so great, this one’s the best – wala nito sa ibang races). And then another gave me a dry bath towel with 1L blue bolt Gatorade (another best, and my favorite Gatorade flavor!). And finally (maybe) the girl (or the camera approached me) asked me to say my name, and then I’m a marathoner (I’m glad I get it right, despite me like being stoned). And then the rest is all happiness! :)

The finish line, yehey!

Official Chip Time: 05:42:08 unbelievable! :)

Reminiscing My First Full Mary - The Bull Runner Dream Marathon (Part 1 of 2)

All I have is Will Power

I have never imagined myself running. In fact, I am so lousy at it. As a child, I often get my knees wounded as I fall badly from games that involves running. So why run?

When I begin joining races, it's more of a rebel act on my part. I wanted to do something else than working and climbing a mountain. It's more of "just to say I have a hobby" thinking.

But as I run and exposed myself to the running community, my vision about it is continuously changing. Although, I do not have a specific reason for doing it (not even for health), running gives me a sense of freedom. When I run, my mind is clear and empty. I would only think about the present and how I would survive each race. And yes it hurts most of the time, a sweet pain! :)

The Shift

They say, when you finished a marathon, it will change your life. I hope it will really do.

I was still addicted to mountain climbing back then, when I started to run my first 5km at the NatGeo Earth Day Run 2011. It was just a support to my friend who wanted the souvenir shirt badly. After that, a sudden shift came after climbing Mount Apo. At that time, climbing mountains does not give me much pleasure anymore. So I tried running and registered for a 10km, after I got inspired by my friend G, who is often the weakest in hiking. I thought if she could do a 10km run, I could do the same and even faster (thanks G for inspiring me). This is followed doing 16km, 21km, 32km and even trail of 10km running. After a year, I now feel brave enough to be facing my farthest test and hopefully not the last - a full marathon!

My marathon journey

1st Half Mary w/NBS TakBolts

The Bull Runner Dream Marathon

Ms. Jaymie Pizarro is the Bull Runner. Oh yes, she's a (gorgeous) lady! My FB friend - M, has been following her, so I get to know about her and this event - The Bull Runner Dream Marathon. This race is created especially for the first and second time marathon dreamer. I heard positive feedbacks and I thought that it would be nice to experience my first full marathon here.

So I waited for the very early pre-registration which is 6 months prior the event. I wake up at 5AM as announced and checked online to find out that the site crashed! It was re-scheduled and signing up closed in as fast as 30 minutes after registration was opened.

The registration fee of 3,000Php this year, I think is worth. They provide lectures, training guide, and discounts with selected brands of sports gear (Sadly, I was not able to fully utilize these privileges). Plus, I am looking forward for the overwhelming hydration and foodies on the race day. And of course the support of TBR Alumni and friends. This could be the best 1st 42km race one would experience.

Consistent Training is the Key

The gym has been opened since I started working here (NBS), but I have enrolled only 2 years later. I really don't exercise even when I started mountain climbing. Sir Orly even asked me, "san mo kinukuha ang lakas mo?", I really don't know, all I have is will power!

When I joined my first 10km race was the time I enrolled to the gym. This has become my basic training for at least 2x a week - 30 minutes treadmill, mini weight lifting, and core workout. Lucky that I am skinny, I don't need much sweat just a bit of pain and I'm good. But even these simple things I skipped at times during peak days at work and when I have a period.

I become very excited when I received my marathon kit which includes a training program. But I did not follow it! I am a procrastinator queen, which is a deadly sin for a marathon wannabe.

In the first 3 months of the training, I did my usual gym training and have joined some races. I do very short (5-10km) and seldom runs on weekends. I have not attended the Bull Sessions either due to conflict of schedule and most of the time I get lazy because I do not have a company that will train with me. I asked some friends but they could not just commit their time. I get frustrated and thought of quitting.

All or Nothing - Barely 7 Weeks to Go!

But before my total surrender, I gave myself one last chance.

After all the Christmas preparations and celebrations, I visited the TBRDM group page and read the posts to see what others have been doing with their training. Then I saw a post of Belle Lim calling out to the dreamers who want to do LSD at CCP. At first I was hesitant to join. Although I did not quit my gym exercise and short runs totally (I supposed to have a little confidence left), I thought of things like - what if I could not catch up with them? is it too late for me to train?

I erased all my hesitations and typed in the comment box "can I join?" and press enter, while I shut my eyes as if sending my comment with prayers. My rusty social skills should better work this time! I need this!

And then that week, my training began while everybody else is already halfway of it. I should be terribly nervous by then, but as I said, "all I have is will power!"

After LSD training at Nuvali w/TBR batchmates

Last 3 Days

I am not the most prepared participant (I am actually under-trained), but I am pretty much confident that I will still be alive at the finish line. I am really excited, since three weeks ago! But there is a question hanging in my head in this last week before the race, "what will it be after 42.195km?"

Running at Cebu Marathon 2015

Cebu City, Philippines - 21km category is actually what I came for in here.

A usual road race, yet a different experience. The route started with downhills and ended with killer uphills, since we have to go back from where we started. There were music and dancing at various route points as Sinulog festive is coming. But my favorite part was when we ran under the tunnel. It was hot running with bright yellow lights on. It was dramatic as I recalled a scene from the movie "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", I felt infinite!

I didn't break my personal record, but I'm happy. Running and travel are perfect combination of a weekend getaway! :)