My QCIM2 story

After my terrible Milo Marathon experience when my hip snapped and I had to walk the last 5K, I promised myself, I’d train hard for my next marathon. Because of the injury, I decided not to push through with the Cam Sur Marathon because it was too close to Milo and waited for QCIM2 instead.

The training began as soon as my scoliosis felt better. I looked at the training program given to us by Coach Jim Lafferty for The Bull Runner Dream Marathon and made some revisions based on what I thought would work for me and my target. I started running five times a week and became more disciplined with my diet so I could run more efficiently. That’s how serious I was with wanting to redeem myself from that experience because I didn’t want a bad memory of a marathon and stop doing it like some people I know.

I’d wake up early morning almost everyday to either run or swim or do a run-swim. Even in those days when I didn’t feel like running, I’d still lace up and hit the road. And when I had early morning meetings, I’d wake up earlier so I could squeeze in a run or do it at night if there was time. Three of those were non-negotiable training runs while the other two in between were easy and short runs. I don’t know if it was because of this that my pace has improved as I noticed in my recent races but it definitely contributed to my QCIM2 finish.

Everything seemed ok as I was getting close to race day until I felt a throbbing pain in my right foot. I ignored it for weeks up to the point when it became so painful I had to pay attention to it. I started struggling running and walking. It was most excruciating when I’d start running but would eventually subside after a few minutes and then would recur after the run. I ran the Adidas KOTR 21K and Unilab 32K with this injury.

According to Mr. Hector Yuzon of Secondwind Running Store, it could probably be due to the worn support of my shoes that I developed plantar fasciitis but could also be because of overtraining.

Lesson learned: do not overdo it.

To ease the pain, I bought a new pair of shoes. Although it lessened a bit, it’s never completely gone. That time, I already accepted the fact that I’d deal with this hurting plantar in the QCIM.

Despite the injury, I stuck to my 4:30 target which was seven minutes less than my PR for 42K. And then I came across Ms. Michelle Estuar, one of those runners that I really respect and look up to, after the Unilab 32K race and learned that she was pacing the 4:15 group at the QCIM, I thought, maybe I could push myself a little more and try that ambitious finish time.

On my way home from the Unilab Run, I was thinking about that new goal. I had to reflect on it carefully because I knew that when I make a new target, it would have an implication on my run. When I reached home, I said 4:15 would be my “ideal” finish but I’d still stick to 4:30. That meant I’d run with the 4:15 pacers only until I could and gladly slow down if I suddenly felt I was dying.

When I thought everything’s final, a surprise came two days before QCIM2. I was asked if I’d be willing to run with the 4:45 pace group. I initially refused because I did not know how to pace. My pace has never been steady. It’s always been running as much and as fast as I could at a pace that I can still live so I doubted whether I’d be of help and said no and would just try to look for someone more experienced who could assist them. But when we could not really find anyone, I said yes.

The pressure doubled because even if the pace was slower than my target, I knew that it would be difficult because I had to be strong all throughout. I knew I could not afford to mess up and walk longer. The original plan was thrown out the window but I was excited no less. I thought it would be a new challenge and experience.

My bib number. Lucky number for the lottery ;)

I arrived early in the race area so I could help in some preparatory work being part of Runnex, one of the organizers, and do some errands before gun start.

When I saw my supposed pace partner, I was told that someone already volunteered to help the 4:45 group and I could run on my own. Still good news.

I drank a cup of water before approaching the start line. I was too anxious, I tore the plastic cup into pieces without me knowing it. My hands were cold. I was so nervous. The Milo Marathon nightmare was haunting me.

I stood behind the 4:15 pacers and started running. I thought that if we maintain that pace, maybe I could reach my new impossible dream. I just kept on running until the pacers and I lost each other and my usual unstable pace ruled.

I tried to manage my energy that even if I could run faster in the first half, I did not. I told myself, the journey was still long and I had to reserve my energy.

I slowed down in all water stations to hydrate. Frankly, I felt stronger during the Unilab 32K run. My legs were stiff this time. I even had to run backwards at one point just to transfer the pressure to my other hip because I was so afraid of another Milo scenario.

I pushed on up hills and slowed down on down hills to avoid hurting my knees and hips too much. The run in the entire Commonwealth was exhausting. But when we entered the La Mesa park, I was refreshed by the scenery. I could not help but thank the Lord for the strength and privilege to run. All I prayed for was an injury-free finish. It was refreshing. When we hit the Km22 mark and turned around, the second wind kicked in. I felt stronger so I ran a bit faster for about five kilometers and then slowed down because my legs were slowly getting tired. I was saddened seeing those who stopped because of cramps. One was even shouting because of the pain. I could feel their agony. I knew how it felt and all I could do was cheer them up.

Maybe it’s true that only a marathoner understands another because even if we did not know each other, I considered everyone my teammates, friends even that when I saw anyone suffering, I really felt bad. I think it’s because everytime I’m in a long run, there’s that sense of camaraderie that you are all looking at the same direction and mustering all courage and strength to reach the same goal.

At the commonwealth area going back to UP, I felt that most of us were already wasted. We were lined up, running slow at a steady pace and would stop for a few seconds at every hydration point.

I was so looking forward to seeing the Km 30 mark that when I saw it, I smiled and told myself “I LIKE”.

When we entered UP, it was only Km 34. I heard someone screamed “eight more?!” I smiled at him and said “eight na lang po.”

My legs were beginning to complain. I could hear them begging me to stop and walk. I was tempted to yield and walk longer but I tried to meet them half way and ran slow. When we entered the academic oval, I was trying to convince myself that it was only one of those regular Sunday runs just to let go of the pressure of being in a race.

My legs and knees and hips were so tired and painful. I asked myself, “Reylynne, does this surprise you? You know that pain is part of the package so deal with it.” So I ran through pain.

When we got to C.P. Garcia to complete the 40K and the route was still rolling, I had no choice but to walk for a few seconds because if I did not, I’d probably crawl to the finish. I also felt hungry and thirsty. When I felt helpless with no water station close to where I was and had no idea where I could get food, two Kuyas called me and invited me to run with them and offered me a drink. Blessing! We didn’t know each other by name but we used to see each other in UP every Sunday so there was that sense of familiarity. I ran with them until I reached a water station. Then I saw a stranger holding a banana and without any dash of hesitation, I asked for it and she gladly gave it to me. Call it desperation.

The moment I saw the Km 40 mark, I suddenly felt stronger so I sprinted until the finish.

Because I wanted to surprise myself, I chose not to ask anyone about how long have we been running or at what pace even if I was so tempted to.

When I was approaching the finish line, I realized I did not reach the 4:15 dream but minutes earlier than my original target. It was 4:22 (but 4:27 based on the official results).

When I stepped on the mat and crossed the finish line, I thanked God for sustaining me without suffering any terrible injury and for blessing me with the bonus of a new PR.

QCIM2 medal for 42K finishers

Then I was handed the medal. Although the run was way beyond just getting a medal, it was a consolation for all the hard work I put in those months of training and in trying to finish the race.

Written in that medal were those mornings when I’d rather sleep but chose to be out on the road; those times when I could make a million excuses not to swim but I did. Engraved in it were those moments when I was tempted to indulge in my all time favorite potato chips and mocha cake but I refused to; those long runs when I knew I could cheat myself with the required mileage but I chose not to and completed it instead.

The race was a celebration of those months of hard work. It truly paid off that I did not suffer from terrible muscle pain unlike my previous marathons when I could hardly walk after and feel the pain for days.

Running a marathon changes my life everytime. It gives me fresh perspective in life and makes me know myself and my Creator better.

I salute all the QCIM2 finishers, regardless of the distance you ran. I believe that every runner has a story to tell about trying to cross the finish line, I’d love to hear that and even if I don’t get the chance, I say, congratulations! ;)