Mt. Everest Conquered: My CONDURA Marathon Experience

4:56:32, says the official race time when I made a mad dash for the finish line (and successfully crossed it!) in yesterday's Condura Marathon, incidentally, my maiden foray into the world of competitive long distance running. 

Thank you Jinoe for the photo. I look legit here!

Wow, I am officially a marathoner. Marathoner. Marathoner. Marathoner. Somebody please slap me because I can't stop saying it. hahaha. It feels so damn good bragging about it though. It's like music to my ears. Kung magsalita eh akala mo naman ambilis mashado ng time ko. hahaha.


I still can't believe I made it: conquered the Skyway and traversed all 42 kilometers on foot in less than 5 hours with absolutely NO proper training and preparation. All I had going for me was my heart and unwavering determination to prove them naysayers wrong. I may look too girly for comfort on the outside, but this girly-girl sure packs a wallop. Tell me I can't do it and i'll do it over and over again while you watch open-mouthed.


Still, I could've done so much better with proper training. I know that for a fact. And train is exactly what i'm going to do for my next full-mary.


Now let me tell you my Condura story.


On the days leading up to (the) zero hour, I was shuttling to and fro various states of excitement, trepidation, anticipation and, to a certain extent, pessimism. What if I don't make it? What if I succumb to pain mid-way and find myself unable to run the remaining half of the race? Or what if I finish it but at a totally unacceptable time even for a first time marathoner like myself? These thoughts kept me up most nights before the race. I'm a very proud woman, you see, and the last thing I would want to be perceived as is a failure.  


The day before the race (Saturday), I had a hearty Chinese lunch, fell hopelessly in love all over again, and went to my Brand Management class as usual, from 12:30 to 7:30pm. I had planned to sleep early that night so I'd be up and about just before Doc Topher picks me up at 2:00AM Sunday.  The 42km gunstart is at 4:00am but we wanted to be there early to get a good parking slot and have ample time to stretch and condition our muscles before the race.


I never got to sleep. Not even for five minutes. Oh I tried all possible sleeping positions, had a glass of warm milk, counted as many sheep as my mathematical abilities would allow, but I remained wide-eyed and already a bit tired from a long Saturday. I was all dressed up, munching on a chocolate bar, by the time Doc Topher sms'd saying he's on his way to pick me up.


Upon reaching The Fort, we were met by some of our Takbo.ph friends who were just as excited for the race to begin. A few of them were first time marathoners just like me. While the rest were simply doing it as preparation for the upcoming Bataan Death March. I was especially excited to see Birthday Boy and brand new Daddy Bong Z. who I haven't seen in ages (Congratulations Daddy Bong!), thanks to my crazy schedule. I was likewise happy to have finally met Condura's Patrick Concepcion, one of the many runners who would cheer me on during those times I contemplated giving up my quest for a marathon record. (Thanks Patrick! You were right when you said crossing the finish line will change my life. I have gained a whole new perspective on life and its vicissitudes because of the race.)

Takbo.ph runners. See that tiny lady wearing hot pink singlet? That's me.

At gunstart, close to 600 42km runners took to the road and coming from the middle of the pack, I kept to my pace and tried not to let the runners sprinting ahead bother me. Normally, I get royally pissed when people overtake me in races but now that I have come to accept my speed limitations, I am more tolerant. 

Thanks to the Condura photographers for this photo. Muchas gracias Patrick for giving me a copy.

Though weakened by the absence of sleep, I was feeling pretty good about myself and my running condition at this point in the race. I was running steadily, my Zoots and my feet were getting on perfectly, and my ears were being made love to with such sensual precision by the songs on my trusty iPod. 

Thanks McCoy for the photo. Medyo hindi ko naman daw kinaya ang pilantik ng mga daliri ko sa kamay. Ang landi. hahaha. And my eyes have turned into tiny slits due to absence of sleep. Sigh.

After a few kilometers, we were now confronted by the signs and arrows pointing to the Skyway. I was excited! Though not exactly trained to run on steep inclines, I was, at that point, still feeling very confident that I can make it all the way to Bicutan where it ends, and back.


And then my feet started to feel blistered. I knew I should have worn a thicker pair of socks but I thought the ample amount of petroleum jelly I applied on my feet would be enough to ease the discomfort of friction. But still, I soldiered on. All the way to the 30km mark, after which I was almost ready to take off my Zoots, slump on the pavement, bawl my eyes out and just declare myself a loser. Clearly, I overestimated my strength and underestimated the distance before me. At this point, I was already questioning my purpose for doing full marathon when I have only been running (and not actively at that) for 10 months and did not at all prepare for the race. Kinda like being stuck in a relationship you know from the get-go is very wrong for you yet you continue to keep to your side of the bargain because you're in love with the person? That is exactly how I would describe my relationship with (long-distance) running,  except that running represents everything good for me, and it makes me look better each time it hurts me. After all, it helped a lot in getting me this body, among other things. 


I did a Galloway as my Takbo friends advised me. After crossing the 30km mark, I no longer felt shame in taking walk breaks. It was time. I was in no condition to continue running with my feet feeling blistered and all. My legs, thighs and even my core, were likewise starting to feel the brunt of the race. My fresh tattoo was likewise throbbing because of the copious amount of sweat watering it down. I was especially thankful for Gab and Rodel for pacing me on Skyway, just before the long, daunting stretch of it ended going back to the Buendia Exit.

See? Takbo.ph even made us these posters. How sweet of you guys!

The last 12 kilometers were tough. And the final 5 kilometers even tougher. But again, thanks to friends whose constant cheering inspired me to conquer the last few kilometers. In Buendia, on our way back to The Fort for the finish, Joseph of Takbo was the one who paced me. He told me to keep running as we still have a chance to do a sub-5. In my head, I was willing and ready to abandon my quest for a sub-5 record. At that point, I no longer have the confidence I had an excessive amount of at the beginning of the race. I thought I was done for.

Spot the not-so-hidden Vicky. lol. Eto ang literal na papunta pa lang ako, pabalik na sila. Featuring Mr. Patrick Concepcion and a few other fast runners.

It was already a few minutes past 8:00am and I was starting to feel the heat of the morning sun. But thanks to Condura's impeccably-organized race, I was in no danger of getting dehydrated because of the numerous (and strategically-located) water stations which I totally made use of. 100 Plus has never tasted so good! Ahead of me I saw Luis and Rodel. Luis, who's ranked among the fastest runners in the group, was slowed down by leg cramps. Just like me, he was limping in between short runs. We would pace each other on and off during the last 2 kilometers. 


And then I saw Gab (who finished strong 10 minutes ahead of me. Congratulations Gab!) who provided the last push for me. He said "Vicks, kakayanin mo mag-Sub 5. Tumakbo ka na ng mabilis." And I asked him, "How far am I from the finish line?" "Just 200 meters. It's there when you turn left," he said. I looked to my left and true enough I could see the FINISH LINE clearly. 


I ran as fast I could, forgetting momentarily the pain shooting from my blistered feet. I made it! I clocked in 4 hours, 56 minutes and 32 seconds and let me tell you, seeing my record time flashing on the Timex clock was worth all the pain and physical torture I had to bear with grace. 


 And so it came to be that I was able to conquer my Mt. Everest. 

Thanks Edu for the photo! Di halata na gusto ko ng gumulong-gulong sa sakit at pagod during and after the race.

I am now officially a marathoner. (Subtitled: Don't talk to me if you're not. Kidding!)

***

Congratulations CONDURA for a great race. One of, if not THE BEST race I have ever joined. Thank you for the water stations, they saved my life. :) View the official race results here.

***

This just in. I did mention somewhere that I recently got inked, right? It's somewhere down South and no, not there. I had it done Friday night with Noel who had his last name tattooed on his arm, ambigram style.  Mine is a small tribal sun with an encryption inside.


Here are some photos of our little inking expedition:

 My friend Jojo getting a bit concerned about the encryption I wanted. He said "Sigurado ka dyan sa pinalalagay mong pangalan ha. Eh pano pag ayawan na?" To which I said "Eh di ayawan na. Nothing I can do about it. But the tat stays."

Ouchy.

Abelardo in ambigram.

Sisters in Ink!

Thanks Jo for hooking us up with Rovie! :)