26/02/2026
🏃The Price of a Triple Crown 🏅🏅🏅
Ayala Philippine Marathon 2026. 42k Finisher.
3rd Marathon in 40 days.
Before this run, I was disappointed, upset and had a heavy heart from my previous company. So, I took a risk and parted ways not knowing where to go or shall I ever reach my desired destination.
I filled their request, gambled my last saving and flew across the country with high hopes that it would turn out well, it didn't. I felt devastated like I was left in the air. They summoned me to their office as if Manila is just a city away from Cebu. I was lost. Heart's heavy. Mind's messed up with considerable anguish, tormenting grief and a complex web of thoughts wondering how and where I will start again.
Yeah, part of me wanting to know the answer is running another marathon, hoping that maybe one of those kilometers shows me the answer to my empty queries. Despite a lack of preparation and a sudden decision, I took the risk. What else would I do, I already took a risk with my career anyhow. It turns out one of the good and worse decision I've made at the same time and yeah, I got what I was looking for.
Worse because I came unprepared, mentally, physically (in nutrition aspect), and currently emotionally challenged at the time of the event. Since my mind isn't configured and played various thoughts at the starting line, I skipped my warm up pace and jumped into my cruising pace which I intend to not do until KM 10(not a good Idea since I have an ITBS injury that I have to protect). As a result, my right knee IT Band acted up on KM 8 and forced me to limp at KM 12 until KM 22. It hurts so bad that no matter how hard I wanted to run it feels like my right knee would break and separate. I ran limping, my right feet barely touching the ground while my left feet and legs did most of the work. It went well; not for a long time though. On KM 33, both of my legs gave up. My right knee can no longer fold, my left legs suffered cramps. My heart and lungs are still yet to scream but tendons waved its white flag and it's already 4:30 hours in; I don't know if I can still finish it this time and risk a permanent injury. At that rate I'm supposed to be down to my last 7km based on my 2 previous marathons but this time, I am walking like a walker—a zombie with messed up emotion and existential crisis.
I could've give it up. I could've head straight back to the place where I stay and enjoy the comfort of my bed. The city is already waking up, the light cracks the dawn as enforcers pushes me to run across a traffic light but I can't. I rested on a sidewalk trying to question my decision and the right ITBS forced to run another 42k despite not being fully healed. After an hour of walking, resting and enduring the pain my tendons want me to feel, I eventually reached the finish line and trust me, it's a different feeling with a different gravity and meaning.
Clocking at 6:29H is a statement. A statement of keep moving on no matter how slow. No matter how gradual it is that you feel you aren't moving. Despite the circumstances that you endure, the pain you feel, the challenges you face, the rejection you receive, the risk you took, the job you lost, the time you wasted, the pockets that are empty. Even though you don't know why it is happening to you. Despite that it feels like you are so slow and limping while others cruise at 3:00 min/km pace. Keep moving despite wondering why when praying for others, they are blessed but when praying for yourself it gets worse.
No matter how hard it gets. Keep on moving. Despite hearing this everywhere, I was today years old learning that life is not a competition it's just like how I joined a marathon—to finish. It's not about winning. It's about finishing and it took three marathons in 40 days just to flip the switch. TD Jake said, "I don't care if I cry, I walk, I crawl, I'm going to reach the finish line." Well, don't bet against this man. He can limp further than most people can run.
Sometimes, I forget I'm still 26 years old and though for me I felt like I was left behind relative to my colleagues, I am already far from where I was before. I still have 30 years ahead of me. It's still 3 or 4 decades til my finish line yet, I'm almost the best version of myself. Survived a pandemic, graduated with Latin honors(Magna), got my professional license, recorded 17,000+ km and gained more than 120,000 meters elevation on bike rides alone, created heatmap that explored almost every corner of Cebu with my bike, conquered Cebu Divide four times, ran three marathons in 40 days, conquered my mental distress in my yesteryear, lost 17kg in 3 months, and above all, being active —all in a span of 5.5 years. My resources might still be on the way but I'll get there and with this 3rd marathon, I am leaving my unhealthy habit of comparing myself to others and absorbing a healthier competition with myself —to be better.
I'm still a work in progress.
My main purpose of visiting Manila is a failure. Well, atleast, I got a medal! 🏅
