My early Trick or Treat

Twenty-third of October, my first run after my first half-marathon on a course where it all happened. I was back in time... Gripping with pain as i run with tendonitis, i distracted myself with enveloping breeze of the early morning, the canopy of moss-green trees with sun rays seeping through as dawn comes to an end, the contagious euphoria of runners, the strength of para-athletes, the smile and greetings of the human posts brought icing to the cake (at this point my heart leaped reaching my max heart rate and not because i was gasping for air). I feel renewed. I feel my God has blessed me with angels who will guide me during the race no matter how challenging it may be.

Two kilometers has passed in the race when my angel-pacer cut the silence, "What is your heart rate?" He is also my Trainer-mentor who did not have a choice but to supervise my training for the last three weeks and look after me during the whole 21 kilometers. Y'see, i was diagnosed to have cardiomyopathy on a very unlikely incident (it was asymptomatic all my life!) and i told my Trainer about this. By then, He was hesitant to either tell me he does not want to train me because of my condition or my goal is unachievable. I can see struggle in his eyes during our first talk and the initial excitement that he will train somebody for a half-marathon subsided.

Tritorns as he is fondly called in triathlon community has finished full marathons and is an Iron Man. After thinking twice whether to train me or not, he finally reasoned "Even if dont train you, you will do it anyway. So might as well have somebody experienced to see you through..." He was right. I was so determined to achieve this goal i have set for my self at the start of the year. I saw myself ticking this off my list so more and more i got excited as the race came closer. Week-in, week-out for the past three weeks i run like never before until the tendonitis came.

Threatened to hear that i cannot run the race, I was fearful to consult a doctor but my Trainer kept bogging me so i submitted myself to medical authority. He prescribed a topical ointment and pain killer after my plead to ease the pain. In spite of, I felt fortunate to have had the tendonitis in the Tapering stage of the training.

Two forty-two hours I finished the race. I ran side by side a Kenyan runner who was finishing her 42K. I did not feel sorry for myself. It was more the opposite. I was proud to finish it without walking and no major injury although at the last Two kilometers my legs were extremely heavy and sore. One, because of the tendonitis; two, because my feet were soaked from hydrating my head (now i know the trick for keeping them dry).

Tigerose (tiger+my name) is the moniker i earned from my trainer for finishing the race with a heart ailment and tendonitis and now, aspiring to become a Triathlete. I wish to be an inspiration to people -- You can do whatever you want to! Believe in the vast possibilities!

Till next run! Join us:

1]Dumaguete Run on Nov 22, 2009

2]Annual Executive Classic Run on Dec 20, 2009.  (moved to Feb 28, 2010)
3]Running Clinic every Sunday 6AM, UP Diliman QC, in front of Abelardo Hall (College of Music), left wing of the Oblation

Email activeculture@Ymail.com or activeculture.club@Gmail.com Take care!