My CIHM story: One 21 Fun

“I shall return.” Yes, it was Gen Douglas Mc Arthur’s famous line which I borrowed when I joined the Conquer Corregidor run last year.

Because of the breathtaking scenery and a good run, I promised myself I’d go back to Corregidor. So when I saw the ad about the Corregidor International Half Marathon, I was not only teased, I was seduced that I wanted to immediately register.

At the Malinta Tunnel before the start of last year's Conquer Corregidor run

ALMOST MISSED IT

All those memories visited me. I felt like in trance, I could smell and feel that fresh air gushing and kissing me including the pain of trying to overcome those uphills and the joy of crossing the finish line. My plan was to be one of the first registrants to make sure I get a slot. But plan failed.

Every week since then, I’d promise myself to register but would always miss it. Either I was out of town the only time the registration opened or had limited budget that week, etc. I always had to ask Atty. Raymund Martelino, one of the organizers, if there were still slots available. I bugged him countless times on facebook. I was so worried I might not be able to join. When not being able to enlist dragged, I almost gave up. I was slowly convincing myself that Corregidor and I would have to miss each other this year. Until I was told that the registration period was extended. Wohoo!!! That news sounded like I won the P700M lottery prize. I told myself “Tito Douglas, here I come!” ;)

The last day of registration was set the day before the Quezon City International Marathon at R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street. I usually don’t tire myself going anywhere day before a marathon to get enough rest and prepare, and since BHS is in the opposite side of my world here in Quezon City I had second thoughts about going. But I think I was really meant to join the CIHM. A friend of mine, Ate Fides Reyes, out of nowhere, extremely random, texted me just to share how amazed she was with the CIHM medal and said she’s at ROX. Not minding that it was too much a favor, I asked her if she could register me. She said, “SURE!”

Lucky me!

The CIHM challenge started a week before the race. Office deadlines drowned me. My 24-hours seemed not enough to meet them. I had sleepless nights and could hardly squeeze in a run to train. I knew it would take a toll on my body and would have to deal with tired and weak legs come race day. It made me extra nervous.

HILLS… HILLS

I was so unprepared. I ran late to catch the ferry. As soon as I got there, I looked for a friend but could not find her. Lucky to have met Ms. Michelle Estuar and Sir Junrox Roque who kept me company until we got back to Manila. Because of being too busy with work, I forgot to even buy a gel so I mustered all courage to ask one from Sir Junrox who was kind enough to give me one.

When we got off the ferry and were approaching the start line, I was telling myself, “Bahala na si Mc Arthur sa’kin.” Although I was so anxious because of lack of sleep, I was also very excited to start running especially after seeing a lot of familiar faces. Since there were only less than 400 of us, I knew it would be an “intimate” run among friends.

With some friends before the gun start

After some picture taking sessions, we headed to the start line and waited for the gun start.

Fire!!! The first few kilometers were challenging. The lack of sleep was beginning to bother me. I could hardly move my legs and was gasping for air even at a warm up pace. The first thing I looked forward to was a drinking station since I was beginning to get dehydrated.

I was running meters behind Ms. Michelle who was ahead of all the women so I thought my pace was ok. But after some kilometers, I could no longer see her. I knew she began to pick her pace and that I could no longer keep up. Not that it frustrated me, it was more of amazed me at how strong she really is.

I just kept running the fastest I could. I had nothing in mind but to finish strong. It was one of those races that I really pushed myself too hard.

My template pose ;) Enjoying the run

Despite being in a hurry, I still took time to enjoy the scenery which was one of the reasons why I wanted so much to join. At many points during the run, especially the part where we could see the beautiful sea and feel the cool breeze, I was just praising God for his creation and for the chance of being able to run and run there again.

The weather was perfect. It was cold enough to keep us from being exhausted and warm enough not to freeze our legs. It was not raining. It was not sunny.

The course was also a plus. It lived up to every participant’s expectation of a challenging run. Although the uphills were expected, they stimulated me no less. While the rest sprinted on downhills, I did not, no matter how tempting. I had to manage my pace and its impact on my knees and hips to avoid hurting my scoliosis. And just when I thought I could relax until the finish line, I was wrong. Lo and behold! Another long, killer uphill stood right in front of me. I could imagine it with that smirk and hear it laugh like a witch telling me “So, you thought, you could go easy huh!” I stopped for a few seconds and said “Oh! Wow! May ganun?!” ;)

Well, I had no choice but to conquer it. So I did - walking. But even the walk was not easy. Because of the elevation, I had to exert so much effort to cross it. After that, I took a deep breath and started sprinting knowing that the finish line was just around the corner.

When I saw the finish line banner, I smiled and ran as fast I could. When I crossed it, I was told that I finished second to Ms. Michelle who was more than seven minutes of me. Blessing!

With The Queen of the Rock, Ms. Michelle Estuar and the third placer

BONDING MANIA

The run was definitely unforgettable including of course the award, but more than that it was the camaraderie that made my CIHM experience even more meaningful. With my The Bull Runner Dream Marathon batchmates and Runnex friends that cheered me all the way until the awarding ceremony, and those new runners I met along the way and after the race, it certainly deserved a special space in my favorite races.

With my TBR DM1 batchmates ;)

With my Runnex family ;)

And since our trip back to Manila was till hours after the awarding, Ms. Michelle, Sir Junrox and I spent time bonding with the other finishers over a quick drink that gave birth to Team G.

With Team G.. HAHAHA! ;)

CIHM was one of those races where the joy of crossing the finish line was extra special, not only because of the award but also because of the challenging course that I was able to conquer. It made me know myself a bit more and made me fall in love with running all over again.

Congratulations to the organizers who provided all the needed support and logistics and have given their all to make it a well organized and festive race.

With one of the organizers, Atty. Raymund Martelino and the fabulous medal

It was such a great experience. I can’t wait for the next one.

I say, "one for all, all for twenty one!"