It’s Milo. The most prestigious marathon in the Philippines. Been wanting to run this marathon since I got into this running thing. For me, you’ve never really experienced running if you haven’t done a Milo marathon/race. I mean, since I was a little kid, I’ve been hearing about this Milo race thingy that everyone’s excited about. It was just another eve
nt I would never care about joining since most of the runners are seasoned veterans---the kind with white long beards, grey hair, muscle legs. Imagine the photo of the muscular system man in your elementary science [just add some beard and gray hair or even bald head]. Never thought I’d be interested in running this race. This is, by far, the most excruciating, exhaustive race i had. With all these races and with all these crazes, I registered in park square. Never thought they’d be serious with the empty Milo pouch. [it’s my first time to join Milo, that’s why]. I had to buy at SM supermarket then registered. I secured my desk calendar and planned my runs ahead from 3 week final long run and all. Thinking that I can make my final long run on time, I still didn’t. My time is consumed in business operations and all. Did my long run 2 weeks before the marathon day. Guess what, it’s still not a good idea to do your final long run 2 weeks before the race. It has to be 3 weeks prior to race day. Now I know that it’s true when Jim Lafferty said that “the data are very clear… it takes 3 weeks to recover..."
And so I did my weekly long runs and maintenance and also my easy pa-cute runs haha ['easy pa-cute runs' are short 5-8K runs around the highschool oval where the pretty young girls are]. Then come Saturday, July 3, I still went on with business, a bit stressed since am jumpstarting the café bar again little by little. Loved the new patrons. They loved our coffee---“..amoy pa lang ng kape alam mong barakong barako..” they said. Put up some Bryan Adams and house music with it. Did my usual routine to stand by at the store and gym talking to customers how we can serve them better---actually I was waiting for that pretty girl to pass by our café bar then play her favorite song, Honestly by Harem Scarem. She's a puzzler, she completes my day. Haha kidding. Business hours done by 9:30pm, time for me to go home, get some sleep and prepare for the race.
Left home at 2am. I usually get some sleep while in the car but not this time. It’s my new driver’s first time to go to Manila so I had to guide him. 3am, we’re in the parking already, preparing. I thought I could get some time to sleep but the cars went in and runners warming up. Did my final stretches and off to the race track. 42K runners are assembling, they look excited. I see a lot of seasoned veteran runners, oh man. I think they’ve been running ever since the world began. I mean, you should see their legs.
Then gun fired. Enjoying the easy pace with Dhemz, running buddy from P&G. Lots of excited runners ahead. I enjoyed the first and second leg really, since I didn’t feel any pain or exhaustion until the third loop. Thanks to P&G support group and the P&G manong for providing medicated spray for our legs. He’s just a text away. My pacing was ok, my breathing rhythm was fine. I never really had a problem with my respiratory system but my legs were starting to fail. I felt it. I just kept on saying “Am not a failure, if my legs hurt, I’ll run with my heart, Remember your primary strength: Focus [from Strength Finder 2.0]”
It’s also my first time to run without my iPod. It was fun as I was able to appreciate the breaking of dawn, passing through pretty runners, Manila morning breeze, encouraging other runners especially veteran runners “Galing nyo po! Go Go Go!" The only hateful thing is the pollution. Hate it. On my second loop now headed to edsa, there was Sir Paul Pajo, one of the ENCM Leaders in La Salle. Chit chat for a while then we parted ways. Man he's one strong runner. We're also together in our first 42K with TBR in Nuvali. Run for health. As I go about the third loop, 30.6K, my right leg failed, can’t run anymore. I told Dhemz to go ahead since he’s trying to check in a new PR. Now I’m left on my own, I thought to myself, this is the part where am gonna be tested. “...Fire will test the quality of each man's work. If the work survives, he will receive a reward,” Paul of Tarsus.[1 Corinthians 3:13-15] I guess I did something wrong with my final long run. Prayers and self talk. Kept telling myself: “if my legs hurt, I’ll run with my heart.” And it helped me move about a kilometer or two then it hurt really really bad, I had to stop ev
ery once in a while to stretch. “Pain is Weakness leaving the Body!” seen the EMTs near Aliw Theater, they helped me ease the pain by putting omega pain killer. Thanks to you guys. They told me, “Sir, pwede ka naman magpa-pickup sa ambulance going to the parking lot, wag mo na pilitin baka magcollapse ka.” I hated that, those are the words I never expected to hear especially in a marathon. Those are for weaklings. I told them, “ngayon pa ba ko susuko, am on my last loop, i’ve gone this far, there’s no way I’ll quit” [parang anime lang] Remembered Dr. House, if House were there he’ll say “Quitters are sissies.” After recovering mildly, I tried to run again but my legs really can’t. "The spirit is willing but the body is weak." I walked until I reached the right turn to Roxas Blvd. there to meet me were the Takbo.ph guys. They were all helpful, thanks to you guys for providing liniments, massage and water and encouragements! Big help guys, way to go! Thanks also to the EMTs near Libertad for wrapping my injured leg. thanks much! [see picture <------ Me in pain, struggling to make it to the finish line] I was headed now to the last turn around in edsa when while trying my best to walk uphill buendia flyover, some stupid freak from the other side of the road where the cars are shouted “Ang bagal n’yo!” He got my attention for a split second then I was about to raise my middle finger but thought otherwise, “I’ve got my own battles to win!” kept on praying: “sabi mo diba You’ll never leave me, You’ll never forsake me! I’ll finish what I started, only You be my legs.” I was thinking of business while trying my best to walk and beat the curfew. I don’t wanna to think about walking or running or even listening to my body, I learned to focus on the good things. “...Whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things...” Running is not a sport, it's a state of mind. Life is a struggle, business is a struggle. But it’s what you’re made of that will springboard you to the next level. “I can make this, am not a failure.” Then off I walked northbound headed now to the finish line. Limping, conserving energy as I plan to run the last few hundred yards. I’ll MYFGP---Make My Father God Proud. When I reached Vito Cruz, “4 na kanto na lang, aabot yan!” I heard from someone before that if you’re in deep sh*t, keep your mouth shut. I negate that argument. If you’re in trouble, Trust in the Lord and do good. Praise always precedes victory. Thinking of the great things God’s done for me. Kalaw St., a few hundred meters away from the Finish Line. Met this guy who just finished, “C’mon run faster, konti na lang!” showing me his medal. That’s the kind of encouragement I need! I’ll take my portion, I’ll take my place in history. Then I saw the finish line from afar, I tried running and yes I was able to run, painfully running overtaking the runners ahead of me. And there to meet me was Coach Rio, grabbed my hand, “Congrats pare!” “Thanks man! Been walking since the last 12K” “Buti natapos mo!” got my medal, got my certificate, looked for the free Milo drink and my finisher’s shirt. Then off I went home. Didn’t bother to take any pictures. I want to go home.
Learnings:
Grace Abounds
God’s grace is sufficient, He’s never lacking. You just need to ask. I can’t finish that race on my own. Well maybe I can, then collapse after then wake up in the hospital. But with God’s grace, I was able to finish gracefully, limping but satisfied. I was even able to go about business and close at 9:30pm. Loved every second of it. Maybe that’s what it’s like to live by faith and not by sight. You give your life to someone you don’t even see but loves you more than you’ll ever know, whatever in the world you’ve done. Thanks LJ. Thanks much. Btw, LJ is Lord Jesus, haha gotcha! Yeah we’re kinda close, were tight! \m/ [see picture: Me, limping but still in form, making the most of the conserved energy to make it to the finish line ------> ]
Never Ever Overlook a Maintenance Run.
Do your maintenance run especially your long runs and most importantly your final long run ON TIME. It takes time to recover. Failure to do so may result to overused legs leading to cramps that will eventually ruin your attempt t check in a new PR. Hero training is everything.
Carboloading is Bliss, Never Replace it with Your Busyness in Business.
Been swamped the last 2 weeks prior to race day. I was only eating single servings of rice, bread or noodles. Not enough carbs, not enough energy. Work on you health. Reinforce your nutrition.
When you’re in deep sh*t, don’t keep your mouth shut. Praise Precedes Victory.
Praise God always, that’s what them people did [2 Chronicles 20]. They made
it. Am not religious, don’t even know if I have a religion. It’s just that Jesus and I, we’re close [crossing index and middle finger gesture] we’re tight! Don’t Take Anything Personally
One of the four agreements of Don Miguel Ruiz. Had I taken the mocking of that stupid freak on the other side of the flyover seriously, I would have not finished the race and ruined my day. You may take it as a challenge or focus on the bigger picture.
My race result was very unacceptable. i need to check in a new PR if am gonna go Ultra.
Will now train for 42K Subic, 42K QCIM and 42K Condura 2011. Next stop. BDM 102K.
nt I would never care about joining since most of the runners are seasoned veterans---the kind with white long beards, grey hair, muscle legs. Imagine the photo of the muscular system man in your elementary science [just add some beard and gray hair or even bald head]. Never thought I’d be interested in running this race. This is, by far, the most excruciating, exhaustive race i had. 
ery once in a while to stretch. “Pain is Weakness leaving the Body!” seen the EMTs near Aliw Theater, they helped me ease the pain by putting omega pain killer. Thanks to you guys. They told me, “Sir, pwede ka naman magpa-pickup sa ambulance going to the parking lot, wag mo na pilitin baka magcollapse ka.” I hated that, those are the words I never expected to hear especially in a marathon. Those are for weaklings. I told them, “ngayon pa ba ko susuko, am on my last loop, i’ve gone this far, there’s no way I’ll quit” [parang anime lang] Remembered Dr. House, if House were there he’ll say “Quitters are sissies.” After recovering mildly, I tried to run again but my legs really can’t. "The spirit is willing but the body is weak." I walked until I reached the right turn to Roxas Blvd. there to meet me were the Takbo.ph guys. They were all helpful, thanks to you guys for providing liniments, massage and water and encouragements! Big help guys, way to go! Thanks also to the EMTs near Libertad for wrapping my injured leg. thanks much! [see picture <------ Me in pain, struggling to make it to the finish line] 
it. Am not religious, don’t even know if I have a religion. It’s just that Jesus and I, we’re close [crossing index and middle finger gesture] we’re tight!
