No bumpy ride for couple in love

The marathon, the dictionary says, is a long, arduous test of endurance, durability.

But for Wawel and Mila Mercado, a husband-and-wife tandem, joining the 10 km side event of the 27th Milo Marathon yesterday is just one of the countless ways of showing their unconditional love for one another.

You see, Wawel and Mila are no ordinary couple in that the latter is on a wheelchair, with a very rare disease that strikes women who have just given birth.

It was exactly seven years ago yesterday when Mila gave birth to a baby girl, Therese. But shortly after delivery, Mila fell victim to amniotic fluid embolism, which gravely affects the brain, motor skills and muscle movements of its victims.

Since that fateful day, life has never been the same for the couple who resides at Corinthian Gardens. But life has never been so full of love, devotion and dedication, either, especially on the part of Wawel.

A couple of years younger than Mila who just turned 40, Wawel, with the help of a friend, had to push, guide his wife, on what looked like an adult stroller, all throughout the 10 km race.

For Mila, it was a bumpy ride along Roxas Blvd., but not really a tough one. It wasn’t a new experience either, considering that the couple also joined the similar 10 km Metro Manila eliminations of the Milo Marathon last August.

"We were more prepared this time," said Wawel near the finish line where he and Mila were joined by some friends, old and new-found.

Wawel said they practiced hard for the event by going out on the streets every Sunday. The good weather condition also made it easier on the part of Mila, unlike in their previous race when it rained.

"She was quite uncomfortable then," said Wawel, who added that he was inspired by the story of an American father-and-son tandem (the latter suffering from cerebral palsy) that’s been competing in triathlon contests in the US.

Therese turns seven today and was in fact supposed to join her parents in yesterday’s race. Unfortunately, she was late getting up for the 6 a.m. race.

Certainly, it would have made her oh so proud and her birthday even more complete seeing her parents, her mother especially, competing in the race. She would have loved seeing the smile on her mother’s face while they crossed the finish.

And oh, what a smile it was.