Why I Run and the First Race That Started It All (part 2)

showing off my finisher's bling at the Las Vegas Marathon (December 2011)

Not satisfied with finishing a pikermi, I committed to train for a 32k race in November of that year. But little did I know that I will be finishing a full marathon two weeks after. I have planned a vacation in Las Vegas for Thanksgiving and saw in Takbo.ph about a marathon in Vegas happening two weeks after I arrived there. I thought twice about signing up, or maybe thrice considering the rule of the thumb is to have at least a year of running experience before doing an FM. But again the warrior in me prevailed, took all the necessary precautions, added more long runs in my training and lo and behold, I became a marathoner in just 10 months of running. And to finish it in one of my favorite places and celebrate it with the people I love the most made it extra extra special!

almost halfway during the Mayon 360 50 Mile Run for Climate

The dream did not stop there. "Hmmm, how about an ultra?" I asked myself. I then responded that with another question, "Why not?". The training was not easy and was boring at some point due to the long time I dedicated on the road. But I understood clearly that I had to do it not only to improve my physical endurance but also to fortify my mental stamina. And four months after, I was able to finish my first ultramarathon. 


Looking back on my running history, I sometimes wonder how I was able to do it and why. While the initial plan was to just use it to lose weight, somehow it became a healthy addiction and now has been the lifestyle I have adopted. Running has helped me in more ways than one not just by keeping me fit but in giving me some quiet time to delve on things that are happening in my life. And so far, I could say that the discipline the sport instills on its followers like me have made me a better version of myself as compared to my sedentary years. 


<<Click here to read part 1 of this article.