Running on Faith (Final Half)

Bayani Road was named for a reason. On this long, sloping stretch Rico would see a line of runners struggling to be heroes of their personal running sagas. On his way down the road of heroism Rico would see his training buddy Bong Yu already on his way back. Buddy was doing great, smiling and cheering his friend to "Push, Push." Rico smiled. If there was another runner whom he wanted to do well on this marathon apart from himself, it was his buddy Bong. They probably met in the Condura run when both ran their first half-marathon, but Rico remembered Bong when the latter gave his Gatorade bottle just when Rico was about to black-out from dehydration after their Botak half-marathon. Funny how friendship can be sealed with a bottle of Gatorade. From then on, Rico would often jokingly tell Bong, "I still owe you a bottle of Gatorade."

On Bayani Road Rico would catch up with takbo.ph friend Steven. Rico asked the latter, "Are you ok? Would you like some Gatorade?" Steven took a sip, and Rico and pacer Migz went ahead. It was at this heroic road when Rico felt just how lucky a virgin marathoner he was. On this road where people were valiantly suffering for their sport, friend Migz was beside him - even holding a Gatorade bottle for him and a requested pack of hopia cubes. Initially Rico was hesitant to accept the offer of help of holding his stuff, but his personal experience of paying it forward taught him that acceptance of help brings joy to the giver. Those are the rules of paying it forward - to accept and enjoy the experience so one is inclined to give to the next. And this run was not Rico's run alone anyway. He was running for himself, his pacer and his friends. He was not competing for any time nor prize. The prize sought was the shared collective experience.

On the uphill climb back to Lawton Avenue Rico heard his phone ringing. Who the hell would be calling him at such an hour (probably 7:30am)? The man was in the thick of his marathon! It was Luis trying to cheer his friend and checking on him. Rico paced Luis just last week on the last 5kms of the latter's first (50K) ultramarathon. With labored breathing because of the incline, Rico happily reported that at about km26/27 he was still on track on meeting the 5 hr cut-off. Luis would call again at Rico's last 5 kms. Pacing by phone - that was the new way of returning the favor :-)

The climb back from Bayani Road did sap some of Rico's energy, just like with all the runners. Rico would still follow his strategy of taking short recovery walks along very steep inclines and aid stations. He would somehow still catch up wtih a few runners, but clearly runners were already feeling the heat and fatigue. Here he would catch up with Rod with whom he would alternately pull one another till the end of Buendia Avenue. What sustained Rico's spirit though was the anticipation of meeting his takbo.ph friends at km 32 prior to attacking the flyover.

Finally he saw them - the takbo.ph support volunteers. He remembered getting a Gatorade bottle from Pepsi/Girly, who was pretty sight in red garb just like many of the volunteers. The cheers and mere presence of the takbo.ph group invigorated him. He felt strong and inspired that he had to proceed and run before the energy dissipated.

Atop the flover Rico and Migz were conversing. 

Migz: The view from here is spectacular.

Rico: Yeah, it is. Amazing!

Migz: How are you feeling?

Rico: Except for a very slight pain in my right mid-foot, I am doing ok.

Migz: How would you like to run the last 10 or so kilometers?

Rico pondered for moments. At this point he knew he could finish the marathon. At this crossroad he was wondering how he wanted to finish it. He looked at the time, distance and pace on his Garmin. If he ran the last 10K the way he runs the usual 10K race, he might still make it to the 5 hr cut-off time. But he knew he was not running a 10K fresh. He knew that he will inevitably slow down towards the end. He was actually surprised that his legs were still holding up at this point. The last 10K of his last 35K LSD just 1.5 weeks ago was sheer will at its best. It was achingly slow (sub 8-9min/km), with his shins shouting bursts of protest in the eerie silence of the deserted Boni High Street. That agonizing finish was not the way he want to finish his debut marathon. He deserved something better, and so did his supporters.

Rico wanted this run for himself. To prove to himself that he could push his limits if really wanted. And push he did. During training, he ran longer and faster subject only to his body's ability to recover. That he was still running at that point in the marathon was all the proof he needed. Rico also wanted this run for others. To run well for those who think they can't and to run well for all those volunteers and donors. To go for broke by sprinting the rest of the kilometers is to gamble the gains of the first 32kms. Rico wanted to remember this run with him finishing strong and with a big smile on his face.

Rico: Migz, I hope to do a steady, relaxed run till the finish. Just run with me please.

Migz: This is your race man. You can finish it the way you want it.

For most of Buendia Avenue, Rico and friend Migz run steadily. Rod with pacer Pat on bike would join them every now and then. Without saying much, Rod was pulling forward Rico who was trying to do the same to Rod. Pat and Migz were big help in stopping traffic for Rod and Rico. Rico remembered his recent Baguio half-marathon race, where he realized that the bike patrol could be a runner's best friend on the road.

Towards the end of Buendia Rico saw figures in red. He ran towards the vision like a moth to a lamp. Before he reached the figures he was welcomed by a cloud of mist, thanks to enthusiastic volunteer Brian and non-runner friend Francis. Former golf buddy and still current gulp buddy Francis was supposed to be Rico's lone private support for his maiden marathon. Little did Rico foresee that a support group would grow like this and that his buddy Francis would have the time of his life spraying mist, cheering and watching the human drama of runners unfold. Rico felt good to see not only his best bud but also the takbo.ph people cheering wildly for runners like they were rockstars. The cold towel given by Marga was a balm for Rico's overheated head and face. These people showed why they are the best support group in the city. Take a bow friends.

The last 4kms along Roxas Boulevard was the hardest part. The sun was shining brightly at that time and the breeze from the bay was salty and hot. If pacer Migz was already feeling the heat, what more Rico who had been running close to 5 hrs now? But Rico kept on running, pausing only at water stations as planned. He kept searching for the landmark that was Manila Hotel. Finally he was at kilometer zero. Never was the last few hundred meters of a race felt so long and slow. Not that he was melting like candle. It was just that he wanted the race to end so he could celebrate his achievement sooner.

Finally he veered away from Roxas Boulevard and entered the park compound. Migz was telling Rico that he would run ahead and wait from that last corner before the finish line. For a moment, Rico was confused. Why leave, Migz? You are my pacer. Share with me this triumphant moment. But Rico finally understood his friend. Migz wanted Rico to have his solitary shot at glory. But before Migz vanished at the corner Rico called him once more. He shouted his name and gave him a salute.

After his salute Rico made his last turn and saw the finish line. Looming large ahead just about 100m were the finish line and the race clock. No, not yet, Rico's mind screamed. He did not want the race to end just yet. Normally Rico would sprint the last few hundred meters of every single race. Finish strong he would often say. This time around Rico took his sweet time to the finish. In those last few meters and minutes he asked himself. Have I done what I came here to do? 

Has he run with the best? Yes, not only has he run with the city's best runners, he also ran with the best of friends and supporters.

Was he able to meet the Competitor and the Athlete within him? Yes he discovered what true competition is and appreciated his maturity and discipline as an athlete?

Has he reached the stage of a Runner? Not only has he become a Runner in a fuller sense, he has become a better person in the process.

Satisfied with the answers, Rico sprinted the last few meters with heart leaping with joy.

In cloud 9 for finishing his first marathon in 5hrs 16mins
Photo by Marvin Opulencia

Veteran marathoner Vener told Rico that the latter would cry as he crossed the finish line. But Happy Rico was wiping perspiration, not tears, from his eyes as he stood for a photo at the finish line. Rico was misty-eyed only when he was about to finish this blog entry. Vener told Rico that when the latter crosses the finish line, his life would change forever. The change actually happened earlier for Rico. It happened that moment he threw away his reticence to push and made his marathon a race not only for athletic achivement, but also for personal growth.

To everyone who was part of my journey, my eternal gratitude is yours.

I share my finisher's medal with you all.

To God be the Glory.