For the past weeks, i still could not believe what i have accomplished. I could not even remember the hell that i went through just to finish the race. It was not nor never easy, yet i was lucky and blessed enough to finish one of the toughest races ever organized here in the Philippines.
It was a valuable and an unforgettable experience to be part of a race that is made to tribute the heroes of Bataan. A race that made us wonder and doubt ourselves whether the distance is really humanly capable or not. Imagine, running around midnight on a dark, scary and long highway of Bataan. Picture yourself running at that time of the night while being chased by stray dogs. And lastly, imagine running around towns and villages with drunk persons around, while you are huffing and puffing catching your breath just to run fast as you could in order to avoid them.
And just when you are delighted to see the sunshine in the morning, the heat comes back after you. Running around 9AM to 2PM? It's just one of the moments you kept talking to yourself ad saying "why are you doing this to yourself?".
Pretty much, it was a wild, couragous and a very tough experience that i gained in my never ending quest for chapters in my life.
This quest came with a steep price.
Imagine being betrayed by a friend.
Ouch.
Running a 102 kilometers starting from Mariveles, Bataan up to San Fernando, Pampanga is a very steep and tall task. It requires patience, determination and of course strong body to downplay any injuries or even emergencies such as death. It was this moment that i was encountered sleepless nights due to fear. It was this moment that I needed each and everyone's support. It was this defining moment that i desperately needed their confidence in me and their motivation to help me realize that a simple runner who once weighed 220lbs, a slowpoke and a runner who is running just to fulfill his grandmother's last wish, can pull of a feat such as this one. It was also this period that i hoped that my former closest teammates in my former running team would be the one to guide me or even cast a vote of confidence in me.
I was wrong.
I received doubts. I heard negative comments such as "di matatapos ni Mike yan" and the "hanggang 60K lang tirik na yan" up to the most sarcastic comment like "bilisan mo naman pupunta pa tayo ng Pampanga" on the day of their Run United Leg 1 run.
Again, ouch.
To make my feelings worse, my close friend,ally or even my close confidant to me tried to sabotage the run by trying to pull out the two most important people in my crew, which are my PT(personal trainors or physical therapist).
Wow. I'm loss for words on this.
Yet, I pulled it off. Never had i imagined nor expected that this is the friend that I trusted since the day I joined their running team. I expected more from her, yet in return, i was shoved down in a deep hole that i luckily survived.
Everything happens for a reason, as they say. And this run taught me to never trust anyone. I joined this run for the sake of experience and trying, not to brag about what I've achieved nor looked down on other people. Yet, this is what i get in return. This was my motivation of finishing the race despite the pain in my both knees and my body wearing down. I want to see the look on their faces when i hold the trophy and the medal up high while wearing my finisher shirt. This person pushed my will to the very limit that giving up of DNF(did not finish) was never an option.
"He/She envies others does not obtain peace of mind". Let this quote be a perfect example of these people who are envy of what I've accomplished. Again, i never brag about this accomplishment. If they're envy, then so be it and take a look at my pictures on the finish line and drool yourself with envy, knowing it will take years for them or maybe never to accomplish this feat of mine.
Bataan Death March has taught me a lot of lessons. From trusting anyone to determining who you're real friends are and up to understanding the true definition of the word TEAM. All the pain, time and the journey was worth it.. because i got the chance of knowing one's person real attitude nor intentions towards you.
I have kept my silence for a long time. Now, this is the time and the only time that I'll speak up.
To my fellow batchmate, I'll see you next year in BDM 160Kilometers.. I'll see you at the sidelines for as of this day, I'll officially retire from running. I run for fun and make friends, but if running will only be the source of having people envy me or having enemies, then not running is more worth it.
Ka-Chow! This is UltraMike, signing off :)
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