As per my
training calendar, I am on the 13th week. It sends me chill down in
my spine for I barely have seven weeks left to train for my first full
marathon. Hence, I resolved to the idea of joining as many half-marathons as I
can. But this cheapskate runner just
couldn’t swallow spending so much in travelling to Manila just to join
half-marathons. So when I heard 2KThirteen Run has 21K Category, I
enlisted right away. I have joined half-marathons in Laguna and Manila but I have not tried joining in the same category in Cabanatuan City. It’d be
less expensive for sure plus the fact that I need to shed off those pounds
brought by the holiday season.
RACE DAY
I got to Dats
Mix earlier than my friends so I tried to relax while I waited for them. Not
long enough the runners started to arrive. In an instant everyone could feel
the heightened energy. I squeezed myself among the crowd and exchanged pleasantries
with my fellow runners. I spotted my friends Rommel Dasig, Moises Lindain, and
Melvin Punongbayan. We stayed a bit far from the growing crowd as we waited for
the gunstart. Not long after, Marlon Florencio, another friend arrived and joined
us. Although everyone was busy and pre-occupied with pre-race excitement, I was
getting worried that the race had not started yet. Soon the sun would come out
and although I have been running for a little over a year, I still fear the
scorching heat of the sun. Just the thought of it drains my energy.
Not long
after, I heard my name. I was to lead the warm-up exercise. As soon as the
warm-up exercise was over, I lined up along with the other runners at the start
area. I wasn’t sure what my fellow runners were thinking but I just wanted to
run as soon as possible. I dreaded the idea of getting exposed under the sun
doing a tough activity. Hence, it was a relief when the emcee finally gave us a
go signal to run.
I maintained
a slow and controlled pace. Although I wanted to complete the race as soon as
possible, I knew I shouldn’t use up all my energy that soon. Later on, I added speed and ran past my
fellow runners. I exchanged small talks to some during recovery periods. During
water breaks I took time to notice the most peaceful landscape with morning
mist rising out of endlessly green fields. Hardworking farmers waved and
cheered for every runner. This serene experience erased all my doubts and
apprehensions which clouded my mind early on. Once again, I felt the
therapeutic effect of running to my heart and soul.
Not long
after, Marlon ran past me. I called his attention and asked him to wait for me.
We ran together towards the U-turn. He helped me with my pace. At first I could
still keep up with him. But later on I kept asking for walk breaks. I knew I
had to conserve my remaining energy for I didn’t intend to flag down the
ambulance for any medical help. I took longer walk breaks while Marlon
continued running. My energy-meter was really going low. From time to time he
would throw some jokes to cheer me up. He would imitate the way our friends run.
I would laugh at him but the positive energy was short-lived. The scorching
heat of the sun was killing me (okay, I’m being theatrical).
As always,
the last 7K is the most challenging part of the race. At this point I was no
longer aiming for anything but to finish the race. It was no longer a race
between me and my fellow runners but little by little it turned to be a battle
between me and the tiny voice in my head telling me to quit. I asked Marlon how
far we were from the finish line. When he told me it was barely 5K, I
half-jokingly said, “kaya ko nga ang 10K, 5K pa”, trying to cheer myself up to
lift my sinking spirit. It was just too hot and I was not prepared for that.
When we
finally ran past the Vergara Bridge, I knew it was about 1K from the finish
line. I gathered all my remaining strength as I poured the remaining water in
the bottle on my back. It refreshed me somehow. Few hundred meters away from
the finish line and I could see my friends waiting. As soon as I crossed the
finish line, Kuya Rommel approached me. He made me walk to continue cooling
down my body. It was disappointing that I didn’t bag 3rd place but
it would have been disappointing if I ended up with an injury.
Running is
always a humbling experience for me. It reminds me of the things I did and did
not do during trainings. Those lazy mornings when instead of doing speed
training I opt for easy pace, those days when I should have been resting yet I
chose to hit the road, those calories which should have been taken but I
resolved to eating unhealthy foods; those things always manifest on the race
day. Thus, the weather should not blamed nor the organizers for the lack of
water stations. If there is anyone who should be accountable for the failure of
a runner, it is the runner himself. If proper preparation and training is done
then victory is expected on the race day no matter what. I repeat, no matter
what.
To the
organizers, RAW Runners, I thank you for bringing 21K in Cabanatuan City. I
know how tough it is to organize events but with your enduring passion to
running I hope you bring more half-marathons in Cabanatuan. See you on the
road!
