"To describe the agony of a marathon to someone who's never run it is like trying to explain color to someone who was born blind."
- Hal Higdon, running coach
As of this writing, I am still recovering from the effects, both physical and emotional, of my first-ever marathon. Yes, my very first full mary. The big V word. Surprised? Yes, your fun Gingerbread scribe was a veritable newbie at the Condura Skyway Marathon. Although not a stranger to the distance having completed a 50k ultramarathon eons ago (okay maybe it was just last year), this was my first stab at racing a 42k. So how did it go? Let's do a quick backgrounder first.
Always the running event of the year"The will to win means nothing if you haven't the will to prepare."
- Juma Ikangaa, 1989 NYC Marathon winner
Having never actually "trained" for anything before and content to do mindless Gingerbread jagging with more emphasis on pacute than pakondisyon, I had planned for Condura to be my debut marathon as early as October. Using a program concocted by buddy/masochist/monster Edward Kho of Conquer Corregidor fame (he threw down a scintillating 3:27 by the way) , I proceeded to immerse myself in the so-called science of the sport. Tempo runs. Intervals. Ladders. Hill Work. Yasso 800's. Things that had sounded absolutely Greek to me became staples of my everyday routine.
Much to my surprise,the effects of the program were immediate and remarkably consistent. Each race seemed to incredibly usher in the advent of a new personal best. By the time that Condura beckoned, I had chopped 6 minutes off my 10k time and about 37 minutes from my 21k. Brimming with confidence, I had high hopes for my debut marathon. Feeling as good as I've felt in years, this Gingerbread newbie was ready to conquer that breezy, mid-morning party in the southern sky.
Newbies have it hard."The marathon can and will humble you. "
- Bill Rodgers , four-time Boston Marathon winner
I really had no idea what to expect. Certain "scientific" calculations had me primed for a highly aspirational time based off my 10k and 21k results. But I had my doubts. While my speed work was fine, I had been remiss on my Sunday long runs - a byproduct of increasing family and work demands. The longest runs I had put in were two 30k dingers, and even if I felt in my gut that this was lacking, my innate stubbornness was telling me that my training and heart would somehow bring me home. Misguided naievity? But then again, this mindset has somehow paid dividends in the past. Let's see how the whole thing unravels with my retro race diary,I'll even put in a time stamp so it's like we're actually there.
Retro Race Diary?2:30 : I wake up in a dazed, zombie-like state, the anxious effects of having roughly three hours and 37 seconds worth of sleep written all over my face. As with most newbies, I could barely sleep the night before. Tossed, turned, then eventually settled on watching an illicit copy of Spirit Of The Marathon. Thank God for YouTube. Much to my chagrin though, I didn't cry. Sob.
3:30 : With no traffic to contend with, I had an unexpectedly easy time parking. Hydrobelt? Check. Ipod? Check. Condura 2009 "street cred" spare shirt?Check. Wallet and license? Um, er, gulp. I'm screwed.
3:45 : After spending about 10 minutes getting lost looking for the starting corral, I finally saw my running buddies. Admittedly, I'm tense. Tight even. Too many thoughts going on in my head. Strategies. Nutrition. Pace. That Yeng Constantino song that's always on Love Radio. Fudge, I give up. I have come to the realization that I have absolutely no idea what I'm getting myself into. P.S- I got some grief for showing up in white shorts. UGH.
Yeng Constantino Fanboy?4:00 : Well-modulated (and perhaps well-paid) host leads a fun countdown that seemed half a second behind. He must have been sleepy. It's funny how he prods people that "we have a wonderful surprise for you", when it's so obvious that he's referring to a fireworks display to open the race. Anticlimactic to a certain extent, but made room for some unintentional comedy.
Host : 3, 2, 1..... and now here's your surprise!
(eerie silence)
Host: Here! Game! Now na! Now! Now!
Fireworks are always fun though, awesome start to any race.
I love fireworks.
4:15 : For some insane reason, I thought I could hang with the big boys on this. I started with a pace group that included Junrox, Totoy, Chris and Wilnar, all certified monsters. Why the uncalled for bravado? Once again, I have to reiterate that I have no idea how to approach this. I'm a serial positive splitter in the short to middle distances. So I guess I was sticking close to home for this. Also, the idea was to maintain a 5:00- 5:10 minute pace for the first 21k, something not completely unattainable based from my previous results.
Note to self : Every time I'm with Wilnar in a pace group, something crazy happens. For instance, this 10k race in BF the plan was to open with a 4:30 min/km pace. Race begins. Less than 5 minutes later I can't breathe. Glance to watch - 3:45. Yeah!
So here , less than 3k into the race, I was straining. Not so much, but noticeable. Glance to watch - 4:30! 4:30!!! Whatever happened to 5:10? Wilnar has done it again! With a rabid fear of bottoming out later on, I motioned to the speedsters that I would be falling back.
And with labored breathing defining my every step, I was all alone once more.
4:51 : 51 minute 10k. 3 minutes slower than usual. I think am doing good. I feel the pressure. I feel.. like I'm fading. What? No way! This early? As I go down to Buendia coming from Kalayaan, people are starting to catch up with me. What is going on? Seems the ol' mental makeup is shaky today. Team Hardcore Ultraman/Frontrunner Magazine progenitor Jonel "Bugobugo" Mendoza caught up with me, and it was a tremendous blessing that he was there. The pleasant conversation towed me through the near-entirety of Buendia, and for awhile things seemed... okay.
5:15 : Entering the Skyway. Being a 10k runner last year, this was my first time. And it sure was awesome. Well, until the part that I couldn't breathe anymore. Gasp. What to do what to do. Not good. Hey, my first and only time to be on the Skyway for free! Yipee! Gasp.
Conquering.... is easier said than done5:30: Ominous statement of the day from some random guy who kept on talking to me on the road - "You're going too fast, you're going too fast! We have to take it slow or we burn out right away". Sounds like my ex-girlfriend on our first date. Smirk.
Let's take it slow?5:39: They say that too much thinking can kill a man. And it's true. I fussed so much about my strategy that I ended up doing things I never really do. I walked all water stations, ostensibly to save on energy. But each time, the person I was running with was so far off that I couldn't catch up anymore. I felt my heart rate plummet every time I stopped. Something was going to go awry. I could feel it. Jonel disappeared from the horizon. So did Takbo.ph buddy Kampugers (don't judge me, it's a term of endearment) when I took a break. Panic was setting in. I was going nowhere real fast.
5:59 : Halfway mark. 1:59. In the vernacular, tipid na tipid? At nine minutes off my regular time, the prevailing mindset here is that the energy I'm conserving will get me through. Celebrity sighting : Jaymie/TBR. She looks awful strong out there. I could have sworn she was running with white compression shorts model/Runnr guru OJ. Gave a lame, token attempt to run with them, and poof! I eat dust. Note to self : Buy white compression shorts.
Classic OJ here. 6:30 : Pain (p
n) - An unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of severity as a consequence of injury, disease, or emotional disorder. Pain. Yeah. At roughly the 25k mark, I was in a lot of it. The pressure, over-analyzation, and a glaring lack of long runs most probably caused a way premature case of cramps and wall-bonking. Really odd. At Baldie Rizal Day 32k, at around the same point I felt I could have gone all day. Here, I was spent. As runner after runner passed me, the prospect of a strong finish was slowly slipping away.
What was really happening at 25k7:00 : Getting hot. Am starting to slip into a dazed, zombie-like mode. Oftentimes, I'd try to latch on to people I know, casual conversation helps take your mind off the pain. Oftentimes I'd stop. Mentally, I'm in shambles. I thought I prepared well enough for this.
7:15 : I just realized for the first time that hey, it's nice here in the Skyway. Awesome even. I was so engrossed with all this competitive running-related crap that I'm starting to forget the little joys of our sport.
Find the joy in it GBM!7:25 : Badly fading toward the latter stretch, I saw Condura boss Pat Concepcion along with his pseudo entourage. In a terrible daze, I willed myself to run with their group if only to get towed a kilometer or two.With the cameras rolling, he must have been wondering who was this weird character running behind him, posing for pictures even with a weird smile. Aaah the joys of Gingerbread anonymity.
It pays to be part of the Patcon entourage 7:30 : Sound bite from Milo National finalist Vener/Run Unlimited nearing 32k - "Musta newbie? Tara let's go konti na lang! Mag 6mpk tayo!" As much as I wanted to, my legs had already gone to some Carribean island sipping ice tea on the beach while I had to drag their useless carasses around. Hmph.
7:50 : Oh thank God for the Takbo.ph aid station! Having manned this in the past, I was never really able to fully grasp the value of this altruistic initiative until I was on the receiving end. While experiencing a level of pain somewhere in between "roasting over hot coals" and "multiple astral projections", there's no better salve than warm smiles from supportive friends with a side helping of healthy encouragement. I was so warped by this point that when I ran into moody buddy/podium regular Zinnia on her bike, I have reason to believe this following conversation actually took place :
Z : Just a couple more meters to the aid station! We have stuff for you there!
GBM : Grunt. Uuuuuuh.
Z: Hoooooooy!! Are you okaaay?
GBM : Uuuuuuuuuh
Z : Anyway, just go there! Zombie!
I was so overjoyed to have recovering speedster Mac and an unknown, muscular man we shall just call "Manong" massage my weary legs. I guess it's the only time I'll ever thoroughly enjoy a massage given by two , er, men. Que handed me a banana, and Sir Amado's snapped up some pictures. All these served as a welcome respite, and I felt like I was on a rejuvenated high entering the homestretch.
Manong's steady hands did the trick8:20 : Kalayaan Flyover redux beckons. Been a worthy adversary on so many occassions. I think I've solved it though. But.... not.... on..... this.... dang I gotta walk. Kalayaan Flyover 7, GBM 6.
8:30 : So near yet so far. Nearing collapse, I am dazed, confused, and running completely on empty.
8:40: This seems to be the longest 3km stretch of my life.Oh my god. You have got to be kidding me. When is it going to end? Just as I am about to sprawl on the pavement, I run into running bloggers Vicky (incredibly running a marathon on a whim! Awesome!) and hot bod Rodel/Argonaut. We are all pretty much in the same boat, literally crawling. Peace by inches. Have.... to..... gut.. this... out.
8:45: Trying to fartlek my way home, I almost collapse into Argow, "Kristo"-style. I have absoulely nothing left to give.
8:55 : One last stab at glory, no way I'm finishing this like a cripple. Months of training leads to one last tempo run. One last burst of speed to bring it home. Don't give up now!
Last shot at glory...8:56: And it's DONE! Yeah!!!!! Was never happier to see a finish line. The most agonizing 42.195 kms of my life done in 4:56:03. I wanted to cry... but the tears wouldn't come. Must have been the dehydration. The marathon has chewed me up, spit me in pieces and brought me to my knees. Friends say I am pale, and a massive headache follows. I can barely walk straight.
I missed my goal in a bad way.
But you know what they say about marathons? When you cross the finish line, no matter how slow or fast, it will change your life forever. And I firmly believe that. As all of this was starting to sink in, a stark realization suddenly dawned upon me. I'm... I'm a marathoner now! A real one! I'm now officially part of the .1 of 1% of the world's population to have finished one! The time doesn't even matter. What matters is I crossed that line in one piece in spite of the overwhelming urge to just flat out quit. I felt like I have left my blood, guts, and soul out there.
And at that exact moment, at that time and place, in spite of the terrible physical beating I took...
I was at peace. And overwhelmingly happy.
Guess that's the spirit of the marathon for you right there.
p.s. I can't wait to get back out there again :P
congrats on your first marathon Luis!
it's true that after finishing a marathon, it will change your life. finishing my first marathon gave me more confidence in myself. it's a good thing you guys are here to pull me back to the ground.
Can't wait to do another one. I want a sub5 too! might take a stab at it again at QCIM in Dec. :)
Thank you Gerard, you did great as well congrats bud. Awesome to hear that finishing it gave you a lot of confidence in yourself,that's wonderful man. QCIM pa, you ain't doing Milo elims? :)
Bravo, Luis! When the going gets tough, Gingerbreadman gets going! Have a good recovery week!:-)
congrats Luis! can't wait to run my first FM =)
Congrats kambal!!! :)The marathon really is a humbling and fulfilling achievement in any runner's life :) ( lol! of course could have gone the whole day when we did rizal day run! you were pacing me....minutes and minutes behind your pace! :P)
Yehey! Thank you Sir Rene :) Was nice to see you out there last time! Yup am in recovery, BDM and Piolow beckon :D
Thanks neighbor Julie! You're rapidly getting there! Congrats on gutting out your very first half-mary, we are very proud of you! :)
Kambal, thanks so much for the kind words and the call after the race :) Hey, we weren't minutes and minutes off my pace at Baldie exaggg :P
Congrats Luis!have a good recovery for BDM :-)
Thank you Tin, and congratulations on your smashing marathon debut! Awesome job on that :D
the marathon will change your life forever
- spirit of the marathon
congratulations my friend. apir!
Dear Luis - Congratulations! There was no doubt that you will finish the 42k. It was only how memorable it will be for you. You did well and you have a life time to cherish it. Congrats!
Hmp! Why'd you call Rodel 'hotbod' and leave me out cold? What, so i'm not hot enough for you? Just messing! hahaha. That was an incredible race. I enjoyed every (painful) minute of it. See ya Luis!
Hi Luis,
Great post! Congratulations!
Hec, so true bud. Thanks for the kind words after as well, and good job on the strong finish! Yay! :)
Sir Amado, it was so nice seeing you at the Aid Station, the pictures took my mind off the pain even for a bit haha. Once again, our heartfelt gratitude for donating your time and resources in setting up an aid station with Takbo.ph, we truly appreciate it. Rest assured I will man it again with Jinoe if I'm not running :P
Vix, wahahah that's begging the question! Adding "hotbod" before "Vicky" would be an insult, because that's supposed to be understood! LOl :D Congratulations hottie, you shocked the world again with that amazing run ... on no training :D You never cease to amaze us :P
Mikey, thank you bud! I wanted to run with you guys when you were at SKyway but I was bottoming out hehe. Congrats on the great finish too! And am glad you liked the post! :P
Congrats Luis!
i'm surprised it's your first marathon! but congratulations. wow, i can't imagine running that far ;)
have a great weekend luis!
♥ joei
Luis, congrats to your first marathon. It's not a bad time, but you were probably aiming for something faster. Because of the results of your latest races, I have to admit I had high hopes for you too, because you're my idol. I can feel your pain. We are not being measured by how we fall, but how we stand up after we fall.
I really like this one though:
"The marathon can and will humble you. "
- Bill Rodgers , four-time Boston Marathon winner
Congratulations Luis!
congrats bro! lufet, sub-5! nice race recap! kaya lang parang di ka masaya sa trick ni manong... hehehe =)
Congratulations on your first marathon, Luis! Cheers, man.
congratulations Luis! still sub-5 even with the cramps and the mental deterioration (hehehe). IDOL!
congrats Luis.. nice sub-5 hrs ka pala... ano bang pakiramdam ng 2 manong humahaplos sa 'yo? ahahahaha... :P
Congratulations Luis! Still a great time. Inspiring indeed! :)
GBM,
Congrats on your sub-5 finish! Bawi ka na lang sa susunod!
See you on the road!
Ray Abenojar
Congrats Luis!
Really great post as usual.
The second 42K will be much better, promise. =)
See you at BDM!
congrats IDOL chicker!
BDM na!
hehehhe
Jj
Luis - We were on the same boat. Too much speedwork and not enough long runs. I bombed out in the last 5K when I got hit by cramps.
I am sure you will do better next time.
m8parco
Thank you Bro J and congratulations to you as well! How did you and Swthrt do last Sunday? :)
Joeiii! Thank you :) Yeah it's my first at the distance but I've covered something longer. Weird noh? :P Hope all is well! How's your budding running career btw? :)
Idol Natz, yeah was sort of aiming for something faster, and for competitive dudes like us it's somewhat of a bitter pill to swallow. But hey, always a first time. Agreed, I'll just have to work harder than ever to bounce back, and I'm looking forward to this new strategy we're gonna try at Milo Elims :)
Thank you Mark, it was nice seeing you there. How was your race? Hope you're injury has completely healed!
Congrats Luis. Lets train for sub 4 on Milo 42km. We can do this.
Sam
ps: I heart your white running shorts. hehehehe
Fudge, salamat! I gave it my best shot! Will bounce back :) Haha panalo nga trick ni Manongs eh :P
Thanks a bunch Leland! How was your race bro?
Haha Noelle, mental deterioration indeed! Hey awesome job on your sub-2 21k :) 42k beckons? Sorry to hear Mr. F's injury :P
Salamat sa masahe Mac, malaking bagay yun bro, bibigay nako nun eh. Panalo kayo ni Manong! :P Much appreciated bro!
Thank you Jan, hope your Condura experience went well for you :)
Many thanks Ray! It was really tough on me, but with hopefully more training and a better strategy I can improve next time. Hope your race went well!
Thank you so much Haide, can't wait to get back out there again :)Glad you liked it, seems that writing it was just as draining as the race itself haha. Hope all is well there! See you at BDM!
Idol JJ, salamat! Ano, handa na ba for BDM? Kakatense hehehe :)
Tito Mark, at least you had a wonderful time! You did great! I will strive to do better next time hehe :) Congrats on your first as well!
Sam, hope your injury is better.Yup, more training! Kulang na kulang. Milo Elims! Pero, BDM muna! Waah!
Sam, p.s - White nyort nyorts rock! :)
CONGRATS LUIS!!
I cant believe you are a "virgin" in 42kms.
And yes that Banana from que, is probably the best banana in the entire universe!
morgan
nice post (as usual)! natawa ako dito:
"...my legs had already gone to some Carribean island sipping ice tea on the beach while I had to drag their useless carasses around."
and
"Host: Here! Game! Now na! Now! Now!"
I too couldn't believe this was your first 42k. congrats pre on a sub5 finish! I hope to do the same this year (milo elims, hmmm...).
see u at the races!
great recap, dude, and strong finish! :) i'm sure that the memories here on your 1st full mary would last throughout your entire running career...and after. congrats, luis! :)
wowww GBM... running gingerbread zombie :D
if I was in your place, I could've quit already. I remember my very first 21k, I gave up at 18k point.
Congrats to your new running achievement Sir Luis! :)
jugjug,
congrats to us on finishing our first full marathon :) things happen for a reason, and given your mental (and also physical) toughness, we knew you'd make it :) wahahaha
ang bading lang nung line mo na you've never enjoyed being given a massage by 2 men? wahahaha ang bading bro!
again, congrats on a strong finish nonetheless :)
good luck with BDM!
oh and yeah, get ready to start training for Takbo.ph's anniv party-run ayt?
sabi nga ni boss ji, "timmy, i ready na ang mga talents" hahaha
Morgan, thanks so much bro. Agreed, that banana gave me such a massive boost along with the massage :P Yup, always a first time, and I can't wait to get into a certain comfort level with the distance. COngrats on your likewise virgin 21k bro! Good jobbers!
Roelle, hehe oo nga eh my legs took a vacation and left me for dead :p Buti pa sila :D Salamat salamat, and with Milo elims coming up this July, you know I'll be rooting for you :)
Thanks so much Bry! I guess it's true what they say, you never forget your first :P Congratulations on your insane, earth-shaking debut my friend, and continue being an inspiration to us all.
Thank you my Running Atom friend. So no more Exodus eh? Even if I felt it several times, quitting was never an option. Thank God I was able to pull through. That's alright, I'm pretty sure you bounced back with a strong 2nd one :) Which is the same thing I'm planning to do hahaha. Thanks for dropping by! And see you on the road!
Manager Timmy, congrats to you too! We did it! Yeaaah! :P Lol gay line hahahaa. BDM. GAK! ISa pa yan, total mental toughness kailangan. As for the party, pakantahin mo na ako wag mo lang ako pasayawin hahaha.
This is my first time to finish in one sitting a looooong post. Hahaha! But 'twas a great read. Your account reminded me of almost the same torment I experienced in a previous marathon. But you are right in saying "when you cross the finish line it doesn't matter whether you were fast or slow." What's important is that you refused to quit and you fought till the end. Don't worry bud, you'll bounce back big time on your next one, with proper preparation. And when that time comes, you'll approach your old self in utmost deportment, look at him straight into the eye, shake his hands, smile like a debonair, and tell him "Who's your daddy now?" Hahahaha!
Thank you so much for the kind words Ed, poignant haha. Congrats on your 3:27! Woah!Can't wait to get out there again bud. Your program has done wonders for me, and I know if I had just gotten the mental aspect of it down pat, I could have had a shot. I'm itching to get back out there hehe.
Congratulation on your marathon. I recognize you when you where behind me but I was 100% in my zone that I’m sorry if I did not say hi. I was also getting a bit tired. I believe in all races regardless of the distance you have to have fun but also stay in the zone and concentrate if not you will lose focus.
Your time is fantastic and I congratulate you very much. Though you did not cry like some of us babies it doesn’t matter it is still a price that is worth much more than any accomplishment in this world. Life and running is like a game there are ups and there are down it’s the way you handle it that matters. Keep on running and make running a way of life. – Patrick concepcion / runningshield
Sir Pat, it was a pleasure to have run my debut marathon at your race, I wouldn't have had it any other way. Thank you so much for putting together a tremendous effort in establishing one of the few world-class races we have in the country. ANd it was nice running alongside you, albeit anonymously :P Nice seeing you at the BDM awarding ceremony, I can't wait for next year's edition again :)