There's Something About Mary

BY REYLYNNE DELA PAZ

I’ve never felt this way before. My days have not been this exciting. I’ve never looked forward to waking up each day than the way I do now. I’ve never been this committed, so dedicated and happy. Never been refreshed and invigorated. I’ve never been so willing to sacrifice and go through pain for the sake of love and togetherness. Even if some of my friends don’t agree and understand why I’m in this, I don’t think I’d give up and stop fighting. I went really crazy.

There’s something about mary. There’s something about running a marathon that I enjoy, including the hurt and sacrifices it entails.

People around me often wonder what is in running that I love and while I can go on and on talking about the benefits of running, what I don’t miss saying is how it changed my life.

After getting injured from the 34th Milo Marathon in June, I rested and thought of saying goodbye to marathons. I took a rest from running for days and without a dash of exaggeration, those were one of the depressing days I had my whole life. It felt like ending a meaningful relationship that I’d wake up each day with an overwhelming feeling of emptiness. Not that there was nothing else in my life that gave me joy and satisfaction, but it was just that a huge part of me and my routine was removed. I missed those days when I’d force myself to get out of bed to start running and lag the required mileage. I longed for those moments when I’d die in envy seeing my friends indulge in my favorite chips and pastries, and those times when I’d turn my back from a good book or movie to rest and sleep. It didn’t sound fun, I know, but it was the glee of knowing that you have the ability to actually control yourself and firmly commit to something. It’s like giving yourself a pat on the back for being able to choose what’s right and necessary for the sake of a goal.

But even those times when I wasn’t training and lie low with running, I noticed that I could no longer afford going back to my old lifestyle and be completely careless about what I eat, etc. Running, especially marathons, turned my life upside down. It taught me not only discipline but also provided me with a fresh perspectives in life. When going through difficulties and frustration and tempted to give up or get grumpy, I’d just remind myself of those marathons that I was able to finish despite so much pain, and of the joy of being able to overcome the odds to get to the finish. Marathons remind me that reaching a goal requires hard work. They allowed me to get to know myself better and the strength that lies within me after the threat of cancer.

While healing from my injury, I had to let go of the Camsur Marathon which was just a month away from Milo and promised myself that I would redeem myself from that bad run in my next marathon which is the Quezon City International Marathon.

As soon as I got my strength back and my injury felt better, I laced up, ran again and began training for the 2nd QCIM. I don’t now how to accurately describe the feeling of being reunited with something so dear to me but I felt a different high while training.

Right now, so much of my time is devoted to training for the QCIM2. I’m looking forward to an enjoyable, safe and injury-free run.

My first half marathon was at the first QCIM and, because it is one of my favorite events, there I will run my fourth full marathon for this year.

About The Author:
Reylynne is a RUNNEX hardcore marathoner with a lightness of spirit.  However, she should not be taken lightly as she is an Advocate too.  She says in her Runvocate blog, "There are countless times when running has been my escape from the challenges of being an advocate and how I ran to the advocacy to give more meaning to running."