Crazy Duo's TBR Dream Marathon stories

Your crazy duo began their crazy adventures at last year's TBR Dream Marathon. 

In Tricia's story below, you'd know more about it. 

We are proud finishers of TBR DM. We had our own challenges and experiences to share that we hope can somehow inspire and motivate those who are part of this batch and others who plan to have their marathons soon.

I think that more than anything, we'd tell you to NEVER FAIL TO ENJOY AND LEARN FROM IT! 

It's between you and the finish line. 

Listen to your bodies, to the people around you and that voice inside you.

We look forward to hearing your stories.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL and CONGRATULATIONS IN ADVANCE!!! CHEERS!!!

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Rey's 

I always say that TBR Dream Marathon will always be one my favorite runs and you will know why  in the story that TBR herself posted on her blog at 

http://thebullrunner.com/2010/06/tbr-dream-stories-reylynne-dela-paz-bib-no-90/#.VOaWZ5ilAUU

Here is an excerpt from that post:

"Although my family was not able to join me in Nuvali, they celebrated with me in finishing my second marathon. It was big deal for them because it proved once again how strong and healthy I am unlike last year when I was suspected of having thyroid cancer. The first quarter of 2009 was one of my darkest moments. As a breadwinner, I dreaded hearing that news that I might have cancer. The fear of who’d take care of my family and all set in. It was also the time when I went through another personal experience that made me so depressed.  

That time, I was drowned with the desire to live and to die at the same time. I went through several tests that weakened my body to rule out the big C. After a few months, thank God it was negative. Thank God I discovered running and got the chance to be part of the first TBR Dream Marathon."

                 

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Tricia's

It’s been a year since my first full marathon and my experience was a test of my toughness and endurance.

I signed up for the TBR Dream Marathon because a couple at the gym I go to participated in it.  Just like everybody, I was glued to my Mac when the registration opened and was hoping to be picked as one of the dreamers.

On the day that I received the confirmation e-mail, I promised to start running.  I attended the first two bull sessions. Along the way, I was having second thoughts about pushing through. I mentioned this to Rey during one of our water trainings in rowing then she told me that she would try to help me out.  She joined me in my long runs and even volunteered to be my pacer so that I wouldn’t back out.

Race day

Two nights before race day, I experienced gastrointestinal flu.  I was vomiting every couple of hours.  Rey was telling me that I could choose not to continue as I might get dehydrated and collapse but I remembered telling her that since I already reached that far, moght as well continue.

The first few kilometers was great. We were running steadily and spot on the pace we agreed.  After 5km, I began throwing up and feeling really weak.  It was hard to run a few meters and then pause at the sidewalk to throw up.  Rey was telling me that it was fine to quit and that I shouldn’t push it but I kept telling her that I would finish no matter what.

After 18Km, I was getting a bit better but my right knee popped and locked.  I was crying in pain. I told Rey I’d walk first until I feel that I could run again.  I walked about 10Km until I was finally able to handle the pain of running again.

As soon as I was able to run, I ran until Rey told me to just hang on since the finish line was very near.   I crossed the finish line an hour plus than our target, found out I had a partial tear of my meniscus but I also learned to be tougher in spite the challenges I faced. 

TBRDM opened my world to running and to date, I have finished two full marathons, a 50km trail run and a 65km ultra marathon.