I saw myself running my third marathon on the Condura Marathon last February 7.  It was my second marathon with Tricia’s dad. I saw myself running to break my old personal record of 5:50. I saw myself running up the dreaded Condura hill and it was a blast. I saw myself gasping for breath.

Even though last Sunday’s marathon was already my third, a lot of firsts still popped up and were extremely welcome. I love running on pedestrian forbidden roads and to take a stab at the the Skyway once again felt like bitter sweet revenge. The distance on the Skyway was longer this time. I have come more prepared. I have come with more training under my belt and it was all what I needed to make my revenge a success. Going up the Skyway was a breeze after an easy warm-up around Fort and along Buendia. Blazing up the Condura hill was what I enjoyed the most.

A few days before the marathon, I jokingly invited my parents to watch me finish. They have always been quite apprehensive about the idea of me running a distance longer than 10 kilometers. I was never athletic. I was never sporty. I tripped a lot when I was a kid. I was dubbed ‘lampayatot’ by my own parents; jokingly of course. The idea of their kid running a marathon never crossed their minds.

Race day came and after 30 kilometers of running, my phone rings and I answer. Tricia told me that my parents were coming to watch me finish. I felt tired. I felt sluggish. After the call, I felt fresh and strong again. All the pain and fatigue went away.

I was running with Tito Bong that day and he knew that he didn’t have enough mileage for the distance. As we went down the Skyway, cramps hit him on his right leg. We had to slow down. It was a good thing Mac was there at the Takbo.ph aid station for a much needed massage. It helped a bit and we were running and back on track again. Tito Bong’s lack of mileage haunted him again at the last 6 kilometers. It was a run and walk affair for him. He wanted me to go ahead but I didn’t want to leave him behind. He helped me finish my first marathon and now its time for me to return the favor. I slowed down when he walked. I talked to him so that he would forget his cramps.

The finish line came and I was greeted by my family. My dad, my mom, my Ate and her husband, my pamangkins were there. It was such a sight for sore eyes.

Tito Bong was right behind me in yellow.

Tito Bong looking strong even with cramps.

I finished the race with my two pamangkins and they loved crossing the finish line.

We didn’t get a medal for finishing the race but it’s not always about the medal. It’s about the fact that you started and finished the marathon.

Tito Bong and Me.

Tricia and her dad.