If you’re a follower of this blog, you know that I only started running February of this year and just joined my very first road race (Condura) the month after. My aim was really just to lose weight. That was then. After experiencing my very first road race and several races later, I realized how fun it is to run with other like-minder runners, improve my speed and simply exceed my own expectations. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs during races and I made sure I listed them down in this blog to help other newbie runners. And now I’m ready to take the next plunge. Hopefully, my experience will also help other beginner runners dreaming of calling themselves a “marathoner” someday.
When I told people I’m joining marathon, I was met with skeptics and people who offer encouragement. Bakit nakakailang mileage kna ba every week?! You cannot avoid people who will belittle your abilities. In fact you can only treat them as a source of encouragement to push and believe in yourself. I consider this a battle because this will be a test of my physical endurance and determination. In fact I believe I’ve already won 50% of the battle, and that is the courage to join the race. The other 50% is if I make it within the cut-off time.
For my reader’s information, I’ve been working my butt on my trainings (10-15km on Mon-Wed-Fri with 30km-35km long runs on Sundays). I must admit that I didn’t train for six months like what I’ve been reading from marathon related literatures. Where my short-training will carry me is the next big question. Personally, I do believe I can finish this race-but within the cut-off time of five hours, I don’t know. God willing, I will be able to do this and really hoping I’ll call myself a marathoner on that day.
Wish me luck!
Related posts:
Wayne
on Jun 29th, 2009
@ 6:13 pm:
Hi Sam. Good luck to you and all the marathoners this Sunday. I’m not one to be a skeptic but make sure that you’re hydrated, that you’ve tapered and that you’re rested, especially this week. I believe that your training will get you through. Most important is to have fun this Sunday. Take care and have a good week ahead!
wilson
on Jun 29th, 2009
@ 10:30 pm:
at the end of the day you’d be the only one who could say for certain whether you can do it or not. you’d be the one running out there anyway, and you’re the one who went through the training. so good luck to us all. we’d need it.
Alfred / El Kyoshi
on Jun 30th, 2009
@ 3:28 am:
Hi Sam!
I also ran the Botak marathon but this will by my first Milo marathon like you! Good luck to us and I guess I don’t need to tell you that you’re on the right track. Feed on those skepticisms, it will only make you stronger and more determined in the end. With a 30-35 long runs on Sundays, I don’t doubt that you will finish within the cut-off time. See you at the finish line!
run unltd.
on Jun 30th, 2009
@ 3:47 am:
Good luck Sam. See you at the starting line.
jazzrunner
on Jun 30th, 2009
@ 6:23 am:
Sam–good luck on your first marathon. aim to finish the race and that would be a great achievement already! God bless!
cynthia
on Jun 30th, 2009
@ 12:11 pm:
Hi Sam- just want to say good-luck to you! I’m on vacation outside SD and glad that I’m able to read your blog(s) thru my email.
Kaya mo yan!
admin
on Jun 30th, 2009
@ 12:58 pm:
Hi wayne!
Thanks on your words of wisdom. Yeah i’m giving my self just an easy 20minutes run on wed and fri and that would be my last run. I’ve prepared a lot for this and I hope I make it within the cut-off time
admin
on Jun 30th, 2009
@ 1:00 pm:
See you speedster on Sunday! Hope to be as fast as you in the future!
admin
on Jun 30th, 2009
@ 1:02 pm:
Hey Alfred! There are so many virgin 42km guys on Sunday! Good luck to all of us. See you at the starting line and finish line sir!
admin
on Jun 30th, 2009
@ 1:03 pm:
Boss thanks to your advice earlier. I think negative split is really the way to go. Will keep my pace even then gradually increase. Thanks sir. See you in the starting line (din) I know you will finish sub 3:30 hehehe..Good luck sir
admin
on Jun 30th, 2009
@ 1:04 pm:
Hi Rene,
Thanks. Good luck on your 21km on Sunday. I hope to call myself a marathoner on Sunday! God Bless!
admin
on Jun 30th, 2009
@ 1:04 pm:
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for being an avid follower of this blog. See you soon!
gil
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 1:13 am:
hi sam… you must be a good runner and trained hard for this event. my first race was also the condura run in march 22, and i am not yet prepared for a 42K. perhaps in the quezon city marathon. i know you have improved a lot due to your hard training. i hope you can finish the race in your expected time. good luck
notsquare
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 3:05 am:
WISH YOU THE BEST, SAM! YOU CAN DO IT! BEST OF LUCK! Can’t wait to read about the GOOD NEWS!
Luis Arcangel
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 7:31 am:
Sam, good luck on Sunday. As long as you have put in the training, go and have yourself a blast. As for the detractors, don’t simmer in what may or or may not be perceived negativity, as some people may actually be well-meaning, it just rubs the wrong way. Use it as the spark to fuel your determination and try to make something good out of it. You will finish as long as you put your mind to it. Finally, just a word of advice coming from someone who has actually run with you - do NOT fly out of the blocks. It ain’t a 10k or 21k. Any burst of speed beyond your threshold, even by mere seconds, would manifest itself exponentially at the 35 - 42k mark, the “Wall” zone. Run with Bong Yu or whoever else is doing the full. Would take your mind off the pain. Our prayers go out for you man, and as long as you believe, you will achieve what you set out to do. Best of luck man.
admin
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 2:37 pm:
Thanks on your positive feedback Gil. Hope to see you here more often and in future races.
admin
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 2:38 pm:
Thanks Bea! Hope to see you soon in future races.
admin
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 2:41 pm:
Thanks Luis for your words of advice. I really hope to have enough discipline not to blast too fast, this is marathon, I can’t afford to screw this up. Hopefully, my HR monitor will help me achieve that. thanks again.
The Collective
on Jul 2nd, 2009
@ 1:52 am:
Salutations Running Ninja!
WE bid you good luck on the marathon. Respect the distance, enjoy the run.
Run Strong and Prosper!
admin
on Jul 2nd, 2009
@ 4:28 am:
Hi Collective!
Thanks! Hope to see your choice of human vessel on Sunday!
Alfred / El Kyoshi
on Jul 7th, 2009
@ 9:14 am:
Sorry I didn’t see you at the starting or finish line. I did see you though at two turn-arounds. One was near the NAIA road turn-around where you shouted “Running Ninja!” to me after we exchanged smiles. The other was along Bayani-Lawton Ave., I think. And from what I saw, you looked very comfortable running.