This is not just about the Epic Relay but getting through rough times, facing challenges in life and finishing strong.
A few weeks before this event, I went through hard times, it was just too difficult for me to even attend practices. I decided it would be better if I practiced alone. It was better till running itself became difficult. I begged before God to allow me to find a replacement for myself in the race then I got the news that I/we were already registered and replacing a runner will not be easy.
I still decided to continue and join the race only because I gave my word. I was spiritually broken but I’m physically fit so “I guess I can still at least, finish the race” that’s what I said to myself.
MY 1ST LEG
Now about my performance, my team was included in the second heat. (2nd set of teams to be released at 6am), I decided to just run the leg. And after a few hundred meters I asked myself “how can you just run your first leg when you can do better?” then I decided to win. From that moment on, I lead… I never looked back, I just kept on going. The police escort in front of me made me feel so good! It felt like I was the most important person at that moment it time! Thing is… I was! I felt so tired but I kept on running, I kept on telling myself “This is what I prepared for” “This is what I’ve been dragging myself to just to practice” “Fuck it! “Fuck it!
Van 2 went pass me, cheering me on, witnessing my lead and the game face I was wearing.
A few kilometers before the exchange point of runners, tears fell from my eyes as I saw views of yacht resting on blue waters that reflected the sky. Mixed emotions were running through my whole body. I felt so proud and limitless while being angry and fueled with angst and it’s all happening while I’m being surrounded by beauty. How can one handle that?
At around 150 meters away, the police man said your almost there! Voices of my group (Van 1) cheering for me validated what the policeman said. It made me more determined to run even faster! I swore I was going to seal any chances other runners might have to get near me.
Here are photos of me sealing the deal! Thanks to Aldwin Aspillera for these, He’s a great photographer, even greater when he’s taking my pics… How can he go wrong?
Finally, I got to where the exchange is, I passed the baton to the runner 2 (Carlo) and he quickly gave his best to run his 1st leg that later on we realized was uphill!
That’s how my 1st leg went, 2 more legs to go!
MY 2nd LEG
No here’s when I died… :) At 3:30pm on Saturday, I met my teammate Narod at the peak of Mt. Samat in Bataan, He was the best runner of our team and the last runner to finish the 1st set of runs. He finished really strong considering he got the hardest track to run, it was uphill and I doubt I could finish that 10k uphill had I been the one to do it. Now, he was there, baton was passed on to me and I’m about to start the 2nd leg of our run. My first run was a success; this leg should not fall short compared to my first, that’s what I said,
So on to the race! You think uphill was insane? Try running 10k downhill! The road was so steep, even a wooden block will roll down that wicked road! I couldn’t decide weather to let gravity pull me or not, coz if I did, then I’ll end up tripping over face first and God knows what my face would look after! So I settled keeping my steps small, making sure I had good traction and wont trip head first! Remember, it had just rained when I started running.
So I went on running then I went pass a runner whose teammate finished ahead of Narod, then ran a bit more till a runner from behind me overtook and gave me a salute! That point I just gave in to the idea that he was simply faster than me… till a few kilometers later, he started looking back at me, stopped then drank while back pedaling! I didn’t know what he was up to but I felt challenged! His teammates gave him water after a few kilometers and right after a turn my team also did the same thing, but I didn’t stop to drink! I said “May hahabulin ako” Then I began increasing my speed and my strides though I was already running flat-footed due to exhaustion! Just imagine how the sound of my every stride alarmed this runner that I was getting closer and closer and closer!? It was threatening! Haha!
To cut the long story short, I was able to catch up! Then I invited him to pace me, then he said “ok lang mauna ka na” hehe! Now, there were some uphills too, and I used that to increase the distance between us, I ran even faster uphill knowing most of the runners will decrease their speed when going up. Now I began looking back to check where he was, then later on when I checked again, he was gone… :D I now hear my teammates cheering for me and again, I ran even faster to get to them! When I saw them eating halo-halo, I went passed the officials and went straight to anyone who had halo-halo! Then a race official had to go to me and asked for my race number and took the baton and passed on to the next runner! Next thing I knew, no one gave me halo-halo, I was sitting on the front seat, dead tired. Maybe seconds after that… I was in coma!
Here’s a pic of me taken by a great photographer Estan Cabigas who was my classmate and now is also into running! This picture was taken 2 kilometers after my start point. I must admit, I look so HOT in this pic! Thanks Estan!
3rd and LAST LEG (Challenge not over YET!)
12 midnight, I knew Narod was on his way to the place where he should meet me, apparently, the station was transferred to a new venue and he had a hard time looking for it, he arrived a little over 1am and organizers decided they should start the last leg of the race at 3am so every runner in every team can start all at the same time…
I had to ask Aldwin to ride his bike with me while I run, he was a big help especially at times when I wanted to give up…
Now, I’m heading to Zambalez…
I declared to Aldwin that my aim was not to walk even for a minute even if I was so tired and my feet were cramping… The whole Zambalez could hear my strides! No exaggeration, I as literally marching my way to the exchange point! I just had to finish this leg the best way I can. And so I did. I just heard my mates in the exchange point cheering me on and there! I did it! Now its time for me to cheer them on too!
I never really had the chance to thank them one by one but here’s my chance to do it! And in writing! In alphabetical order!
AldwinI never thought you’ll be my at all! 1st time I saw you, I thought you were cocky… I still think you are, but I discovered you’re more than that! You’re a big guy (pun intended) with a big heart to help out gay guys in distress! Like me! Biking with me while I ran my last leg was something I will forever be thankful for, I was already in autopilot mode and I wouldn’t have finished my last leg without your help, keeping me up and steadfast. Thanks so much! I’m looking forward to trying out biking with you soon!
BenI’m so glad I had a little chat with you about Fil-Ams in Olongapo, the conversation was the typical kind of talk, but what made it special is that it gave me a glimpse of who you are and how you think. I like what I saw Ben, it’s very inspiring.
CarlThanks so much for taking the chance in doing some practice runs with me, I know, that you know, that we have huge differences but you didn’t allow that to prevent you from adding me up as one of your friend! NAX! I admire you for being someone who’s not judgmental, someone who does not discriminate and willing to take chances! You are a free spirit! You just have to realize it! You are who you’ve always wanted to be! You’ve always been :)
Charles (Koyang/RBC)
I will never forget how you took care of me each and every time I finish a leg, I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to give back the favor. You did not just attend to my needs after my runs; you made sure I was alive! Thanks so much for running the “extra” mile, I see you finish your runs with confidence and conviction. Like what you told me. “We’ve come a long way” indeed we have Koyang. I’m proud and honored to be your RB! And most of all, your bespren!
FayeWe never really had the time to get to know each other especially in this race, but I feel so comfortable in your presence. I feel like I’ve known you for years. I guess it is our mutual love for music that keeps u connected, I hope I can be your friend and vice versa… I’m excited to get to know you more
MartinSince I learned that you’re from Marikina too, I was ecstatic! I finnaly, I know someone from the city I grew up in! I’m so glad I met you when I attended some ultimate Frisbee beginner’s nights, I’m also looking forward to playing with you in the future! Nagagalingan ako sayo grabe! You deserve to catch my beautiful throws! At tuturuan mo pa ako mag basketball! Don’t forget!
MitchYou’re the one who showed the greatest improvement, it wasn’t too long ago when you could hardly finish a 3 Kilometer run. And in the relay, I witnessed you ran that 11 kilometer road with full confidence and style! Not to mention “under the unforgiving sun!” Mitch, you were my hero in this event, I will always look back to this race and be inspired by you. Keep it up!
NarodYou are one of the most sensitive straight guys I have ever known, not to mention helpful when it comes to sports or just about anything at all! I never felt uncomfortable whenever I tell you stories about my personal life. You serve as one of my inspirations in life, yu stay strong no matter what comes to your life; I feel that you are ready to face anything that life presents to you. Stay the same will you?
OweeI love you and you know why… I almost quit but you kept me holding on, I’m almost done running away and when I’m through with it, let’s party ok? I hope I inspired you on how I performed in this particular event, not just about the running, but in being strong and driven. I love you so much.
RichardChard!!! I only had around 30 minutes of bonding time with you, remember when we were talking about photography and bikes when we were about to leave our inn? I leaned so much about you; I hope get to know you more, you are an interesting person and hope we could be good friends!
So there you go! I know it’s not enough to read about it, you readers of my blog should try it out to know how it feels. I’d like to invite you to next year’s relay. And I also would like to invite you to run with us “RodRunners!!!” Photo taken by Richard!
Here are random pics taken by my teammates! And watch the videos at the end!
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*One of my cats (Val) was trying to intimidate him; trying to show who the boss is!
