The 15-K Extra Challenge
From the very start of our Basic Mountaineering Course, we have already been doing a lot of preparations for this event: The 15-k Run. On Wednesdays and Sundays for the past four months, we have been doing practice runs at the streets of Makati and Fort so we can build or strength and stamina and perform this seemingly impossible task of running 15 kilometers in two hours. Well, not really impossible for me. I know I can do it. There was never a doubt. Ako pa.It was even my goal to be the first one to finish the Run.
And then came my stupid knee injury. Some ligament/tendon or whatever you call it on my left knee got twisted simpy because I neglected to do stretching after a practice run. There was no way now I could finish the 15K in two hours. God, I coudn't even run a full round(2.5km) when we did a recon of the venue in UPLB. Halfway pa lang ng first round, mangiyak-ngiyak na ako sa sakit. I was hoping I would be able to recuperate before the actual 15K-Run, but the weeks preceeding the event were still full of activities: the Adidas 10k Run, TC3, TC4 and Orienteering Weekend. I really didn't know how I will manage. But somehow, unti-unting nawala na yung sakit. Though nararamdaman ko pa rin na bumibigat yung kaliwa kong tuhod kapag medyo matagal na akong naglalakad or tumatakbo.
Finally, last Sunday, the moment our batch have all been waiting for has arrived. Mae announced that the Run will start at exactly 6 am. The countdown began.. 10 seconds, 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, Run!
I started running. I only have one goal in mind now. Finish this stupid run and go home. And I did. Eventhough I almost sprained my ankle during the second round because a part of the track was covered with eroded soil. Eventhough I felt that my left knee was giving up on me on the third round. Eventhough I felt stitches on my abdomen and felt like vomiting on the fifth round. Eventhough I felt like I would collapse out of exhaustion during the final round.
I did it. I finished the darn thing in 1 hour 34 minutes and 30 seconds. I finished second to Leo who did it in 1 hour 31 minutes.
But what I was really proud of is this: After finishing the 15k, I decided to go back and support my fellow trainees who are yet to finish the run. I met Genie and Kim along the way. They still have another round to go. And they only have approximately have 20 minutes left in the clock. I decided to run with them for another round. Genie was already shouting her exhaustion during that last round. I keep telling her, "Genie, No time to think. Just run." With Kim, I tried offering to give her a push during her last 1k so she can make it but she didn't want to. So I just ran with her until she reached the finish line.
Both Genie and Kim barely finished the race in the alloted time. Nevertheless, they made it. Had I not been there to run with them, I am pretty much sure someone else will. And they would still be able to finish the run in two hours. But it was I who was there, so I would take a tiny little part of the credit.
Besides, who else ran for another round? I was able to do 17.5km in two hours. I am proud of myself.