Are You Ready to Run the Marathon?

 If you think you are ready, then nobody has the right to tell you that you’re nuts to attempt it. But it would certainly help if you already did the following at least once before training for the marathon.

1. Finishing 5k in 30 to 35 mins.

2. Finishing 10k in 60 to 70 mins. 

3. A sub 3 hr Half Marathon.

 I believe that speed should come first before distance. This is to equip you with the much-needed confidence that you will reach the FinishLine within CutOff. If it takes 1 hour for you to finish 5k, try to improve on that first before trying to run 10k. Others aim for a personal best of sub 30 mins for a 5k but for ordinary mortals like you and me, 30-35 mins would do (mine was 31 mins.). When running 5k becomes a breeze for you, that’s the time to level up to 10k. Again, there are others who are obssessed with running a sub 1 hr for 10k. (They tell themselves: “If Piolo Pascual can do it, why can’t I?”) Don’t be so hard on yourself. 60-70 mins. will suffice. 

For 1 whole year, I stayed with 10k like my soulmate. It became my comfort zone. I could run 10k without stopping and still looked fresh and bubbly at the FinishLine. I had no intention of running the Half Marathon until Jaymie Pizarro announced The Bull Runner Dream Marathon for first-time marathoners. I did not even think twice. I registered right away. And so I ran 21k for 3 consecutive months before TBRDM. My first Half Marathon was at the Condura Skyway, clocking at 2 hrs 37 mins.

For scientific tips and guidelines, visit runnersworld.com and marathonhandbook.com.

If you think you’re ready, join me in the Cavinti Road and Trail Marathon this coming Dec. 14, 2025.

Good luck with your training!

(You may get in touch with me via Messenger or ndelr62@gmail.com. Stay safe everyone!)

There’s No Easy Way

 It has been ages since my last post. I have always made a personal goal to put a smile on your face when you read my blog. To lighten the burden you are carrying, to have a relaxing break amid the chaos happening around you. When I am down and grieving, I know I cannot fulfill that mission. That is why you haven’t heard from me for a while now. 

There’s no easy way to get over a heartbreak. As Ziva of NCIS aptly put it: “one does not get over the loss of a loved one. You just have to go through with it.”

Life is short. Savor each moment when you can still breathe, laugh, and love. Do not waste your time holding elephants in your chest. Let go of hurts, bitterness, frustrations, supressed anger. Forgive others who have hurt you even though they seem not to care. Forgive yourself. You are not perfect. So is the rest of the human species. You can no longer change the past. You have no choice but to accept that. But you can choose to be better today and every day thereafter. 

Nourish old friendships but always be open to new relationships. It might even surprise you that there are still good folks out there. People who are kind, thoughtful, generous, caring. And some will still love you just the way you are.

In joy and in pain, give thanks. For how can one experience true bliss and happiness without going through pain and suffering?

(For comments, you may reach me at ndelr62@gmail.com. Thank you for dropping by. Stay safe everyone!)