Valencia City Half Marathon (My 5Km Category)

    Sa akong mga pagdagan, ang tinuod nako nga kalaban dili ang uban kundi ang akong kaugalingon. It's not about beating others, but about overcoming my own limits —ang pagsukol sa kakapoy ug ang pagtuo nga kaya nako. Every step reminds me that ako ra gihapong kaugalingon akong kakampi. My determination pushes me to keep going, bisan sa kakapoy. In the end, ang tinuod nako nga kompetisyon dili uban kundi ang akong kaugalingon. So, every kilometer is a discovery nga ang akong pinakusgan nga ally mao ra gihapon ang akong kaugalingon. Anaa sa akong kasingkasing ug panghunahuna ang gahom to reach my goals (to cross that finish line 🏁😎), and only I can take myself there.

Anyway, proud 5K Category Finisher here. ❤️️😂

   A month or two ago, gi-invite ko sa akong igsoon nga mag-join sa ilang e-organized nga run this coming August 2024. Honestly, wala gyud ko’y excitement ato. I told him, “Sure, I’ll think about it,” pero deep down, dili gyud ko interesado kay naa pa koy personal issues with my family, labi na ani akong igsoon (disappointed). This made me even less inclined to participate. Pero gi set aside japon ang personal issues kay supportahan ta kay igsoon ta na. I decided to ask akong partner, si El-el, if she wanted to join too, thinking nga basin iyang enthusiasm maka-motivate nako. As expected, super excited kaayo siya ug dayon niingon nga “Yes!” Her energy was so contagious, pero wa gihapon nako matangtang akong mga doubts.

    But as the days passed, nakita nako nga seryoso kaayo si El-el about the run. She kept talking about it, and her excitement made me rethink my decision. Bisag unsa pa kalagot nako sa akong igsoon, I realized nga dili nako gusto i-let down si El-el. Gusto nako ipakita nga I support her, so after some reflection, I made the final decision—nag-register gyud ko for the run.

    Even after signing up, wala gihapon ko’y gana. Dili ko gusto mag-jog, mag-training, or even think about running. The only thing nga nag-keep nako going was the thought nga this wasn’t just for the run, pero para sa akong health na pud. And, of course, to show my support for El-el. Lisod kaayo, especially with all the negative feelings nga naa nako, pero I kept reminding myself nga this was more than just a race—it was about being there for my partner and taking a step towards better health.

            Thank you to the Valencia City Half Marathon, organizers and sponsors for making this run possible. Your hard work and support created an incredible experience for all of us runners. Looking forward to more events like this (on time)!