Feeling like a queen of the road

Six months after chemotherapy, four months after radiation and three months after major surgery, I have gone back to long-distance running. The decision to return to running came after a dare that I thought I’d lose but ended up winning. In January, my triathlete friend Ge Santiago asked if I wanted to join the New York City (ING NYC) Marathon 2012. Still undergoing radiation then, I jokingly said, without really thinking much about it, “Sure, but only if you register for me,” as I have no patience to register for anything online and I knew that the chances of getting picked in the lottery were slim to none. In all honesty, running a full marathon at that time was the last thing on my mind. But then April came, along with an e-mail notification from the ING NYC Marathon organizing committee to say that I got in. Oh, boy! “To run or not to run” — that became the question.

Many of the runners I know who registered from Manila did not get in so I thought to myself, “Should I squander the opportunity to run one of the most prestigious and important international marathons ever?” One avid runner friend told me in jest (I think!), “If you decide not to run I will pretend to be you and have some sort of fake ID made in your name so I can take your place.” “Huh?” I looked at her incredulously. Another friend who had registered twice but did not get in both times sent me a congratulatory text with a hint of envy saying, “Lucky you, I wish I was running too!”

After careful thought and discussion with my oncologist, I committed to the marathon. While I do not take pleasure in running like most of the runners I know, I like its challenge. After a successful battle with breast cancer, I realized there was no better way to honor my medical achievement than by celebrating the physical strength of my body and the power of my mind. I am amazed at how much resilience my body is showing with each cross-fit/core training and run I make, day in and day out.

Bar any medical concerns, I am hoping to keep my current pace of training; admittedly, I am slower compared to my pre-cancer days but at this point, I am not after speed but endurance; I just want to finish the ING NYC marathon strong. And with that in mind, I have registered for the Adidas King of the Road (KOTR) run on September 30; I figured the Adidas KOTR would be a good trial run in preparation for New York.

Collector’s items: Adidas KOTR singlets have become hot commodities and collector’s items over the years for their funky, athletic design.

I have joined several Adidas KOTRs in the past and I like running, not just for the snazzy singlet (a collector’s item, I heard) but also for the smoothness and organization with which the race is run; I remember clocking in my best 21K time in the Adidas KOTR race of 2010. On its 14th year, the Adidas KOTR will be Southeast Asia-wide for the second time this year with races happening in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia as well. Male and female winners of the 16.8K run from all the participating countries will qualify for an all-expense-paid trip to compete in the Adidas KOTR Southeast Asia Championship on Oct. 28 at the Gardens by the Bay, Singapore’s 100-hectare park and newest iconic landmark. Around 12,000 runners are expected to participate in this exciting culminating event.

I do not expect to be crowned the Philippines’ Adidas Queen of the Road but I look forward to a satisfying run at 9K per hour. To date, I have done my training indoors on the treadmill mostly due to the rains, so I am quite excited about the Adidas KOTR when the weather will be drier and cooler.

Running more than 42K is a daunting task and one that I do not take lightly, but just like my experience with breast cancer, I will not be overwhelmed or defeated. A lot can happen between now and Nov. 4, but I am prayerful that I will get through the grueling training uninjured and cross that finish line in Central Park, triumphant and feeling like a queen.

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The Adidas KOTR has 5K, 10K and 16.8K distances; for more information and to register online, go to http//adidaskingoftheroad.com/ph or visit any of the five Adidas registration sites from July 25 to Sept. 23 at Rockwell, TriNoma, Greenbelt, Megamall and SM Mall of Asia every day from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.