Philippine Independence Day Marathon

This is a long-overdue post, should be posted after my run on June 12, but I had forgotten that it is still saved as draft. :p

“After skipping 2 races I had registered to run but not able to due to my injury, I can finally run again now! To celebrate my independence from being on exile from running for a month, I had registered for the 21K run in the Philippine Independence Day Marathon. Yes, it is really something that even I myself do not believe that I could accomplish without pains. But it is just a fun run, so with all boldness I had registered for it.

I only started to train again on June. It was really not enough time to train for 21K when you are starting from zero. Before, even when I was not into running yet, I do regularly go to gym and tried to beat my endurance with the Stairmaster available at Slimmers. More or less I had some built-up endurance with me then, it just only need to be leveled up if I wanted to be more serious with running. So when my sister asked me to join her in the fun runs she was also registered in, the transition to running on Treadmill from Stairmaster was not that hard. But due to injury I had gained with 2 toe beds along with the nails, I really had to take a rest from running or any activity that would affect or bring pressure to the toe nails. So running, swimming, Taekwondo, badminton, mountain climbing, Ultimate, etcetera were really a big no-no for me. I could still do those things, but because I am a girl, I would definitely not want them to be gone forever.

So back to this run, 21K run for Philippine Independence Day Marathon was definitely no easy feat for me and I knew that right from the start. But...I really want to get that medal! So I would go for it and try my best to get it no matter what the cost may be. :D And yes, even though I still could see no signs of nails growing, but the nail beds are not hurting anymore. It is sort of a go signal for me to run again.

Totally not yet ready and definitely not trained for it, I dragged myself to the event. My lack of endurance really showed for even just at the first few kilometers I was already having a hard time breathing. I found out then and there that 21K is no joke, and to finish it would be really a great task for me. Just when I was about to give up and choose the walking method instead of running/jogging, my friend/coach Kenley came to the rescue. :) Through his pacing/ accompanying/ encouragement, I was able to finish my very first 21K! I think I had finished my 21K then within 2 hours, but I am not sure as to what the exact time was, for there is still no result for the Philippine Independence Day Marathon, and that was partly the reason as to why I had not posted this blog yet for I want to have my result included in the blog but I guess it would not be anytime soon for the result to come out, that is, if it would still be released.haha After the race, my whole body felt really tired and not feeling well the whole day afterwards. I had to go straight to work after then so I was really very tired by the time I’ve gotten home after work.

By the run, I was really exposed that I am so lacking in training and my body still could not endure two hours of running then. It gave me cold sweats to think that if I was alone without the help of Kenley, then I would probably be found riding in the ambulance or have much injury all over. Ahia Kenley, thank you very much for being there for me throughout the run! If you were not there, I don't think I would be able to make it. Thanks also to dear friend Ken Reyes for your support. ^^ And of course to my very dear sister for being there always for me. Love you! <3”

Tomorrow would be my second time to try out 21K run at Milo Elimination Manila leg. This time I am still so not ready yet, but I have learned my lesson, so I would not try to get my best PR, I would just enjoy myself in the run and keep my own pacing for I definitely would not want to gain anymore injury as I still got a partially healed toe bed and slight knee injury now. As to my dear coach Kenley for his 42K, Ken for 10K, Brando for 21K and to all other Milo Elimination Manila participants, more power to you all!