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Snapshots Thursday: TBR Dream Marathon

August 19th, 2010 journeyingjames 8 comments

It’s has been a while since I last posted something about running. Its just that I’m finishing my backpacking stories. But because The Bull Runner Dream Marathon 2o11 has an official date already (March 20, 2011) let me remember my most unforgettable race.

At the finish line, TBR Dream Marathon (May 22, 2010)

The Bull Runner Dream Marathon 2010- my very first marathon (42.195K /26.2 miles). My face shows all the hard work and pain my body and mind have gone through. Those short 5-second moment at the finish line is still memorable up to this very day, when you raise your hand in celebration of victory, high-five those your fellow marathoners, be congratulated by your friends and thank God for the strength He gave.

Unexplainable and indescribable for marathon virgins.

Those are moments that fellow marathoners would forever cherish.

To those who are planning to join TBR Dream Marathon 2011, all the best. To my TBR DM Classmates, let’s pay it forward and be of help to the second batch of first-time marathoners. Bravo Ms.Jaymie for another “dream race” coming!!

May these quotes inspire each of us to continue running and

finish your first marathon:

“Our running shoes are really erasers. Every step erases a memmory of a past failure.

Every mile brings us closer to a clean slate. Each footstrike rubs away a word, a look,

or an event which led us to believe that sucess was beyond our grasp.”

- John Bingham

“The marathon’s about being in contention over the last 10K. That’s when it’s about what you have in your core. You have run all the strength, all the superficial fitness out of yourself, and it really comes down to what’s left inside you. To be able to draw deep and pull something out of yourself is one of the most tremendous things about the marathon.”

– Rob de Castella

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thanks for reading journeyingjames- my running stories and travel discoveries–

let’s walk, run, climb, ride, swim and fly.

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Categories: 42k, Picture, Run, Snapshots, TBR Dream Marathon Tags:

TBR Dream Marathon: A Million Thanks (Part 3)

May 26th, 2010 journeyingjames 10 comments

As I said on my previous post, “the finisher’s medal, finisher’s shirt and loot bag are nothing compared to the friends I made and met along the way” the following were some of the people whom I met and made friends with. To them I say,

“A Million Thanks”

This medal also belongs to everyone of you.

Ms Jaymie aka TBR. I really can’t believe I will be doing a marathon this early. But your plan is a welcome one for me and for the rest of my “classmates.” We will surely pay it forward.

She’s the WOMAN! Kudos Ms Jaymie

Coach Jim. Thanks for the reminders, the intentional coaching and the tips you gave.

Sir Toel and Rob. I met during the Pocari Fun Run and the Bull Sessions. They were the ones who encourage me to join ANR Alabang. They were the reason I run my 3rd HM without preparation.

Mamita Chang. I met in group runs, very sweet mamita supportive and encouraging.

Ms Nao. Hats-off po! You are an inspiration. Still inspired on your TNF 100 story. Thank you once again for bringing my stuff at KM32 for my costume change.

Alex. PhotoAlex, thanks for the ride and the photos. And for pushing me to get faster when we run at UPLB.

Jai and Maan. Nice moments ha! Can we have a replay.

Reylynne, Edwin, Sarah, Sir Maki, Sir Lit and Sir Miguel. We are marathoners!

Mond, Ambo, David, Chit, X, Tiff, Christiam, Sir Sonny, Vangie, Annabelle, Jeanette, Rachelle, Lorena, Pauly and the rest of the ANR Alabang Group. Super super thanks sa poster, power gel, fruits, Gatorade, cheers.

Anonymous, Aileen, Tine, Christina, Juvy, and Ronnie. For supporting and promoting my cause. When the organization heard of you they were encouraged.

Doc Shawie. Thanks for the medical certificate. When are you doing your full marathon?

Kenley. A great motivator in my blog and my run logs. Thanks!

Kassy (Runnaholic), Sir Ed (ScientistRunner), Alfred (RunningAtom), Blas (TitaniumRunner) for pacing me sorry I have to run faster at the last 10K, Papi Jet (JetPaiso). Fellow runners and bloggers who motivated me.

Daily Mile friends: Wayne, Brian, Ana, Gurmeet, Phil, Di, Ruben, Barbara, Vern, RS, Anne, Estan, Leland, and others for everything.

MacRunners. My running group in UPLB. They are ‘mamaws’ (monsters) and I learn to push myself harder to see progression. Thanks for all the inspiration.

Family (Parents, Kit and Ji). Thanks for the support and understanding my chosen sports and lifestyle.

God. My STRENGTH, MY SALVATION, MY MASTER. My marathon finish is a testimony of your faithfulness and goodness in my life.

TBR Dream Marathon Trilogy:

I AM A MARATHONER

WE ARE MARATHONERS

A MILLION THANKS

Categories: 42k, Marathon, TBR, TBR Dream Marathon Tags:

TBR Dream Marathon: We Are Marathoners (Part 2)

May 25th, 2010 journeyingjames 4 comments

“WE ARE MARATHONERS”

I really don’t know what happened. I know that we are 300 (ahoo! ahoo!) But looking at the race results there are only 247 who finished the TBR marathon. The first finished at 3:49:40 and the last 7:50:03, these times are doesn’t matter that much for we just finished a 42.195Km.

Anyway, the purpose of this post is the idea that even if the statement “I AM A MARATHONER” sounds great and respect-worthy, I like the statement “WE ARE MARATHONERS” better. Because it captures the idea of a community of runners who dedicated their life to training and lots sacrifice.

This group is simply amazing! Thank you is not enough.

So along with millions of marathoners in the world, we can now say, “We are marathoners” and we are proud to do this. We have learn that the human spirit is up for any challenge. We have conquered “the wall.” We were patient enough in every stride. Yes, we have sacrificed a lot but the sacrifices are nothing compared to the experience we had as we cross the finish line. I would like to relive that moment again and again.

To tell you honestly, the finisher’s medal, finisher’s shirt and loot bag are nothing compared to the friends I made and met along the way. The journey (preparation) is better than the destination (finish line). I would forever cherish everyone of you.

To all my TBR Dream Marathon 2010 classmates, thank you for sharing the Journey with James. Hope to meet you again in races (and in coffee shops?). May we live the dream and inspire others to do the same.

“I cannot and will not do this alone.”

Photo credits: Photovendo, PhotoDavid and PhotoAlex

Categories: 42k, Marathon, TBR, TBR Dream Marathon Tags:

TBR Dream Marathon: I’m A Marathoner (Part 1)

May 24th, 2010 journeyingjames 9 comments

“I AM A MARATHONER!”

Four months of training had passed and I can now say that I have run a marathon. 42.195 kilometers or 26.2 miles is finished! I just want to remember the first race that I joined last December 2009. I was wearing a Nike t-shirt:

(a 5k fun run at UPLB with my students, December 2009)

This is the reason why I wore this same shirt at the starting line:

(last minute stretching 6 minutes before gunstart)

Flashback…
When I arrived at the venue- Nuvali, it was 11:30pm May 21. I still can’t feel anything, I still can’t believe that I will be doing a 42k hours after. I was looking for a nice spot to set up my hammock to get some rest but I wasn’t able to find one.
I saw my TBR marathon classmates and ANR Alabang Group. The ANR Alabang group became our support group (more stories about them on the next post).
I’m not 100% in good standing coming from a Siargao and Cebu the past week, I lacked sleep and didn’t eat well the past days. The last week of marathon preparation was really bad except for more than an hour of surfing a.k.a. cross-training. =)

Still, I don’t want to think about this because it could easily discourage me from finishing the marathon. We had group pictures, met well-wishers, encouraged fellow TBR marathoners, prayed together.

dreamers and chasers (sana drinks and chasers na lang)

the Adination of Runners Alabang- our support groups and cheerers

prayer time, committing the run to the Lord

then the gunstart…

Pacing me was TitaniumRunner

At the finish line: Tired but fighting until the last kilometer

Official Time- 5:00:07 Chip Time- 5:00:02 (3 seconds shy of sub-5hr)
Split times: KM13- 1:46:30 and KM31- 4:08:32
Rank: 49 among 237 runners (41 among 173 male runners)

Gameplan: 21K-10K-10K (1km for walk breaks when tired, uphill and water stations). I would like to finish the 1st 21K as if nothing happened.

Nutrition: Since I knew that cold water and cold Gatorade will be over-flowing, I decided to just bring 2 small water bottles. I contains 3 hammer gels (2 espresso and 1 vanilla mixed), the other contains honey mixed with water. Someone gave me Nature Valley Bar and I ate fruits and chocolates whenever I can. I stop to every water stations to drink or dab water on my face. Honey helped me a lot as I did not experience hunger.

Costume Change: At KM32 I changed clothes, socks and shoes (the last 2 pics is very obvious). It was planned, thanks to Ms Nao for making this possible.

As far as I can remember, I like the trail part as I run faster during those parts. I was really walking the uphills to conserve energy. There are times that I would close my eyes to feel and savor the moment.

Sleep running?

Mt. Makiling has been my training ground during the marathon preparation and since Mt. Makiling can be seen from Nuvali my mantra was “I look up to the mountains, where does my help comes from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2). This verse has helped me especially at the 2nd half of the run.

Photo credits: Photovendo, PhotoAlex and PhotoDavid thru Jai’s digicam

Categories: 42k, TBR, TBR Dream Marathon Tags:

Open Letter to Mary

May 21st, 2010 journeyingjames 10 comments

Dear Full Mary,

I have been training hard for the past 4 months to get you. Now you are 13 hours away from me. I’m still recovering from my sickness but no way it will hinder me to conquer you. I’m excited to see you at the Starting Line and I will cross your Finish Line injury-free and with all smiles. Please be gentle to us first-timers and we will revisit you again and again. I have to admit, I love your younger sister (Half Mary), we will see after this if I would love you more. I will try my best and enjoy every kilometer that you have prepared until the 42nd marker comes! See you tomorrow! Mwah…

from Mary Virgin #46