I finally qualified.

No, not for Boston — Not yet.

Last Sunday, I finally qualified for the National Finals of the Milo Marathon. I joined the Manila qualifying leg and ran a half marathon in approximately two hours and nine minutes.

During the pandemic, which I considered the peak of my run training, I ran my 21K personal record of 1:57. These days, with a lot less time to train, the 2:10 qualifying time required for my age bracket is already daunting.

I was thus surprised that, even after suffering a minor mishap in the first few kilometers, I was able to meet my target time.

What happened was somewhere in the first five kilometers of the race, in an unlit and pitch dark portion of the route which happened to have a very uneven surface, I tripped and fell badly. My knees began bleeding and I had bruises on my elbow and shoulders. Worse, the affected knee was my bad left knee and for a few moments there, I contemplated “DNF-ing.”

Then, as I always do, I snapped out of it and decided that if I could stand up, I could probably walk, and, if I could walk, I could still run. If I could still run, I should finish. This was how my thought process went.

Because of adrenaline, I was mostly numb to the pain while I was running but felt it as soon as I crossed the finish line. This was not the worst that has happened to me during a run.

Each race I run has had its own struggles. The longer the distance, the challenges increase — whether it be some bodily pain, weather, terrain, etc.

In the course of a marathon, runners are constantly making decisions which can make or break a run. Should I stop by this aid station? Do I need water or energy drink? Should I eat? Should I run this hill or walk? Even what thoughts to entertain while running is a choice one continues to make throughout the race.

Which is why a marathon is the perfect metaphor for life. Like a marathon, life is a long, drawn out challenge. There are unbelievable highs and extreme lows. And decisions have to be made constantly that will affect what happens next. Like a marathon, life can be overwhelming for the faint of heart.

And this is probably why I have gravitated towards the sport. Life has thrown so many curveballs at me that I can no longer keep count. Last Wednesday, another one came my way. Like that sudden fall in the first five kilometers of the Milo route, this one stunned me and I struggled to snap out of it knowing I had to.

By this time, one would think that I would have grown that muscle that would insulate me from the shock but I realized how very vulnerable I still am.

Trusting in His wisdom and keeping it together.