Subic International Marathon, a Celebration of Life, a Fulfillment of One’s Dream

October 24-25, 2009

SCTEX (Florinda Blanca- SBMA) and Remy Field, SBMA

Distance: 21k++ doc art and cess pacer plus 21k (my 1st half mary)

Total Distance: 42k++

Time: n.a. (marathon pacer)

Time: 2.32.54h (1st half mary)

Yes, SIM was the most tremendous experience in my running career at this point in my life…full of excitement, adventures and challenges…my 1st half marathon and out of town race…the day that i was born to run…with the takbo.ph friends as my godparents

wer na me? hanapin niyo! sim article - phil daily inquirer page A26 - october 29, 2009

A week before the race, I am totally bothered…I haven’t arranged my transpo going to subic neither my accommodation…lucky enough that I still have space at marga’s van and  place to stay at ellen’s house…always, im a last minute person

The group arrived in subic around eight in the morning…no plan what to do next til ellen decided to take us around…doc sherwin, raf, ric and yan (yan, salamat nga pala for reg.)…the generous doctor lend us his everest together with kuya nilo as our driver…had our  pasta and pizza siesta at xtremely xpresso and went back to the lighthouse to rest... 

We were surprised that cess, our bunso had a slight fever…doc art asked me to pace with them for first 10km, if cess can’t make then I am there to assist…I was hesitant at first because I still need to reserve my energy for my 21k debut…”kaya ko ba, pano kung di na ako makatakbo bukas?”…after I saw cess, nahabag ako…I immediately put on my singlet and decided to join them…argo gave me the race kit of nao…baka di raw makapunta, I can use it just in case...before we leave, nao confirmed that she’s coming…I was relieved...we arrived at the startline 15 minutes before the gun start…some were surprised that I’ll be pacing the two in their first 10k…I was happy to see my takbo.ph family cheering for the new marathoners…I appreciate marga’s reminder…”wag magpapakapagod, may takbo ka pa bukas ha”

 

mga kuha along sctx - florida blanca exit to dinalupihan exit

doc art and cess

me, the bandit

jet

I know the reason why I was there…to give encouragement to cess and doc art…after reaching km1, I started to tease cess…”eto na cess, simulan natin…kwento mo sa akin ang talambuhay mo, para pagdating sa finishline line atapos na”

The sun started to set down…I told doc art that I can still run beyond 10k…I update the support team once in a while…2 kilometers after dinalupihan exit, doc art reminded me that I still have my half marathon, to stop and rest for tomorrow…he called pepsi to pick me up…when they arrived, pepsi and carina paced the two...along the way, we met up ellen and took us to her place…God's blessings…I woke up the following morning with no pain at all…

my silhouette along sctx - dinalupihan exit

Race day came…I was so excited…lot of runners were scattered in the oval…we were surprised that it will be a mass start…no marshals roving around…ang gulo…some started to shout their sentiments, others just observed…disappointed for a second but I turned everything positive…I don’t want to ruin my race day, my first half marathon…thought that this was only part of the challenges that I will encounter along the way…I started good but begun to slow down before i reach km5 marker…side stitch had attacked me…I decided to walk and enjoy the place, overlooking subic bay in the hilly route, watching the bats above…another surprised hill, almost a kilometer long uphill…”walang ganito sa  KOTR”

I had a split time of 1.12hr…good enough to reach 2.30hr in the finish line…I saw my 21k batchamates one by one, tracy with tim and luis, rj with bong, followed by julie, yan and lauren, carina pacing michelle, cindy, marga and mccoy…nabuhayan ako when I saw the group cheering for us

I realized that running half-marathon is not easy...i am tired already when when i reached Km13…frequent walk breaks after km16…I continued my run in a slow pace, not minding my target time anymore…

When I saw my takbo.ph family waiting for me at the finish line, i almost cry…I truly appreciate how supportive they are, especially to us, the devirginized half marathoners…i finished the race in 2.33.22...not bad according to them…still, more 21k race for PR

No turn around ribbon, no finishers medal, no finishers certificate…ayus lang…ang importante I did it, we did it…CONGRATULATIONS to all t.ph SIM and Nike+ HR participants...MARAMING SALAMAT!

"I think I'll go home now it's, been the greatest day thank, you for shedding life to my fantasy, throw me a wicked smile the one like yesterday, that threw me up and away, to the evergreen"