#2018: fly with me - yung bae

[xeezhiah]

November 29, 2017: Run Hue Knighted Colour Night Run - 5.82mi = 9.37km

I don't know why it didn't register 10K but I have the Finisher's medal and I crossed the finish line. I followed the route also.

HINDI AKO NINJA AND I WON'T CHEAT IN RUNS EVER! 🤣

It is nice to be back home as a runner this time. Lakas maka-student feels ee. This is that run na muntik ko na hindi takbuhin because cardio wants to make sure I am 100% healthy. Dalawa yung choice kong fellow runner na pwedeng mag sub for me, yung isa hindi pwede kasi may work and the other naman, hindi ko talaga kinausap kasi baka hindi naman mag reply. Takot ko lang. Hahaha. So I went against my doctor's orders not to run. Matinding iyakan at dasal ang ginawa ko just to go against all odds. More than the fact na naghihinayang ako sa registration fee, I am really craving to run kasi almost 2 weeks na akong walang workout.

I am blessed that I have a priest friend who also happens to run, besides giving me a pre race blessing, he helped me convince my mom that I can do the run in spite a possible weak heart. More of that later in that post. So sabi nga ng nanay ko, talagang matigas ang ulo ko pero alam din nya na ayaw ko magpapigil so she supported me so long as I would cross the finish line alive and breathing.

I did just as I have promised.

Tonight was a night of firsts - first night run, first run organized by the alma mater and first colour run. I have always wanted to run a legit event in Intramuros and to try a night run so I got both tonight - it should really be as memorable as how I wanted it to be. Mejo nakaka pagod lang yung race course coz it is four loops. Yes, FOUR loops for 10K.

At my second loop, I was even pacing with the group of runners from the Philippine Navy - astig these running soldiers coz they really are chanting while running. Their chants are motivating the runners all the more because it is Letran related. I really tried to keep up with their pacing pero naiwan ako kasi I have to keep my mobile phone in my flipbelt as I am to pass by dun sa part ng race course na tubig yung binubuhos sa runners instead of coloured powders.

I remember during college, the Navy boys are running around the walled city every afternoon. Malalaman mo talaga that they are running coz they are chanting - same as that on course kanina. So there, college feels all the more.

On to the third loop, nakita ako ni Idol Villegas - the guard na kasing institusyon na ng Letran. He really took time to say "Idol, ikaw ba yan?" with a smile - I couldn't say something so I just looked at him and showed a thumbs up with a smile. I really find it awesome kasi ang tagal ko na di nakikita yung mga guards na naging friends ko in college pero kilala pa rin nila ako.

Bawal dapat mag beast mode but on the fourth and final loop, I ran as fast as I can dahil hinahabol ko na yung cut off time. Also it starts to drizzle so I have to double time. Worth the effort naman because I finished strong and I got the medal.

I couldn't care less if I got a PR or not but I am happy that I finished the run flawlessly in spite a cramps scare while traversing the Mapua side of Muralla. I want to believe that I finished strong.

Post run, ang dungis ko sobra so I opted not to go up to the Convent of St. John de Lateran where I was invited by Fr. Vic to have dinner. Nahihiya ako sa mga priests kung aakyat ako dun na madungis so I told Fr. Vic na lang na uuwi na ako and that I hope he enjoys the calamansi muffins that I left with one of the guards before I ran.

By far, I wanna believe that this is the happiest Arriba Fest that I have ever been to. Gusto ko ulitin next year.

My cardio said I possibly have a weak heart, I hated him the moment he said I couldn't run and at some point, I even hated the genes that I have because I have a weak heart. But I won over a physical heart that may be giving up on me. I am happy that I finished the run without passing out. Yun nga lang, dogtag ko lang yung gamit ko na natirang malinis coz everything were filled with coloured powder. I don't mind anyway coz I really had fun.

Running this event really is my last for 2017 because I am going to comply with all the tests that the cardio wants me to undergo to ensure I am really healthy and fit to run.

Now, my traditional post run shoutouts. Since last na ito for 2017, mejo mahaba ito:

First, to God for being in control the whole time. Truth be told, each time dadaan ako sa Cathedral while running, I make a sign of the cross and pray. I kept praying that I will not pass out and that I can finish it and God heard my prayers that instant. Thank you God for being in control. I give it all back to you.

To my mom for allowing me to run in spite the objection. I am sure na kabado ka while I was out there on my own, proud ka na umuwi akong buhay at may finisher's medal.

To my co admins sa epitome of a frequent flyer group, lalo na si bae Hanilita and si mahal na reynang John - thank you so much sa mga lafftrip moments natin almost every night. You guys were my disturbance lalo na nung nag start na hindi ako makatakbo. You guys are my dose of good vibes.

Sa mga beshies especially Iyah and Betchay for always reminding me to take things easy when running. Thank you beshies for always supporting me sa kagagahan ko.

To Fr. Cris Cellan for the pre run blessing at sa pag kunsinte sa akin to go out and run, salamat po! Your blessing made me all the more brave to go against all odds and prove that I can. You sure made me see that God is with me all throughout the race. Salamat, father!

To my new found fellow runner friends - salamat din sa concern and for the tips. I sure can learn from all of you. Anhirap nyo isa-isahin kasi andami nyo ee pero thankful ako that I do have online friends like you guys who shares the same passion in running like I have. Special shoutout sa Pinoy Fitness community dahil dun tayo lahat nagka kila-kilala.

To my former NSTP professor, Mam Maggie who took time to message me at the eve of the race to remind me that sometimes, it is not bad to set things aside even if you wanted it so bad. I am touched by the effort because she is in Doha, she saw my ranting posts about my condition and expressed her concern. Truly, in Letran, no matter where in the world we are, the concern for a fellow Letranite is genuine and it doesn't end in the four walls of the Colegio. Thank you so much, Mam Maggie!

To my forever beloved and fave priest, Fr. Vic, this run is for you dahil po birthday mo. Happy birthday kahit hindi tayo nagkita.

To my new bff, Kelvin - thank you for always reminding me about my check ups and for asking updates about how it went. Kahit hindi ka runner, you always listened to my rants lalo na when I couldn't run. You were twice as kulit as I am for trying to convince me not to run pero I won over it pa din. Thank you for always listening to me, Kelvs. See you in a few weeks!

To my mamaw runner friend, JC - wag ka na magalit ha? Nothing happened, di ba? Pasaway man ako, it was worth it. Tara na, froyo na tayo, dali!

To former crushie, John Gerald - special ka pa rin to me and I saw your post before running. I am happy for you for whatever answered prayer you are referring to. I am happy knowing that you are happy. Thank you for the good vibes you gave me since we have met. Looking forward to fly with you soon!

Finally, sa bagong inspirasyon - thank you because you make me brave. You make me twice the fighter that I already am. You are the reason why I ran this and I hope, I made you proud. This may be more for myself but babe, I want to share this to you as well. Thank you for inspiring me to be the best version of me and for reminding me to make myself beautiful again. You are loved in silence, babe. ❤

Mission accomplished! This is Runner Xy-Zha, now signing off.

See you in 2018!

❤