Resurgence: My Journey at 7-Eleven Run 2024 Iloilo
13 May 2024 Leave a comment
Exactly seven years ago, I completed what would be my final marathon for a significant period—the renowned 7-Eleven Skyway Marathon in 2017. Little did I know that it would mark the end of an era as I faced an unexpected and challenging journey ahead. About a couple of weeks later, my life took an unforeseen turn when I was diagnosed with encephalitis, a rare neurological condition affecting a relatively small portion of the population each year. This diagnosis not only brought my running endeavours to an abrupt halt but also posed significant challenges to my health and well-being. Its impact on my life and the people around me was profound, leading to a period of uncertainty and recovery. As I reflect on that pivotal moment seven years ago, I’m reminded of the resilience and determination that have guided me through adversity, leading to my successful return to the racing scene.
After a few months of recovery, I gradually resumed my normal daily routines. In June 2017, I received full clearance from the doctors and neurologists at the St. Paul Integrated Center of Expertise (S.P.I.C.E.) of St. Paul’s Hospital of Iloilo, as well as from my attending Neurologist, Dr. Tayo, at Medicus Diagnostic Center in San Jose, Antique.
Rising from the Silence
I came across an exciting post on my newsfeed announcing the Run 7-Eleven 2024 which included Iloilo City as one of the race venues. That really got me excited and I told myself that this is the one race I can’t afford to miss. As soon as the registration period started, I signed up for the 42K category.
My training came into full swing as early as October 2023 to ensure that I was fully prepared by February of the following year. My run trainings are up on Strava for anyone who’s interested, by the way. I booked a transient room at The Pallet House (Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City) through agoda.com in advance – as they say, the early bird catches the worm. True enough, the rooms were soon fully booked by fellow runners. One thing I like about The Pallet House is that, it’s accessible, clean, and has a cosy atmosphere. The staff is accommodating, and the cost per room is just right for travellers on a budget.
A notification on my handy phone popped up advising that my race was ready! So, I rode my bike and picked up my race kit at the 7-Eleven AMC Branch in San Jose. And my energy gels got delivered in time, too. I packed my stuff, ticking off each item in my checklist so I won’t miss anything.
I arrived in Iloilo City on February 3 around 7 PM and checked into the Pallet House. I unpacked my things, readied my gear, and headed to the nearest Jollibee for dinner, and ordered a takeaway food for my pre-race meal. I had mixed feelings as my back touched the sheets. I could feel some jitters in my stomach at just the thought of a race happening in a few hours. Whilst part of me wanted to drift off to sleep immediately, another part urged me to stay alert so I wouldn’t miss the 11 PM gun start for the 42K category. That meant I could only expect a maximum of two hours of sleep! At 10 PM, I rose and headed for a quick shower. Soon after, I hailed a cab and made my way to the ATRIA Park District.
At The Starting Line
Upon arriving at the race venue, I shifted my focus to get into the zone whilst waiting for the gun start. I bumped into my fellow Antiqueños John Ray Onifa and Neil John Lacerdo, who were also running the same distance, and Iloilo Leg Race Director Coach Frunk Lin at the start line. I joined the other runners in the middle of the pack. I couldn’t feel any excitement at all! So, I just waited for the 10-second countdown to commence and followed the runners in front of me as soon as going towards the start line arc.
At that moment, I knew that quitting was no longer an option. My fully-charged Amazfit Bip 5 smartwatch kept track of every kilometre I covered, my pace, and my heart rate. My energy gels and electrolyte sachets were securely tucked into my hydration belt, which also held two flasks filled with water. There were hydration stations every few kilometres, offering both sports drinks and electrolytes to keep runners fuelled and hydrated. I maintained a steady pace of 6 minutes per kilometre during the first hour, ensuring I didn’t exhaust myself too early. Some sections of the route were unlit which was risky for runners. Road marshals and roving EMT vehicles were visible in case of any emergency situation. Some kilometre markers were incorrectly placed but that wasn’t a big issue for me though. And to keep me company, I got my running playlist played through my Lenovo XT80 Bluetooth headset. Its auto-pairing feature simplified connectivity with my phone. The enhanced high-fi sound quality, its sweat-resistant design, and accessible volume controls guaranteed a comfortable and enjoyable running experience.
I was right on track after the second turnaround point covering 20 kilometres. However, midway through the 30th kilometre, I began to feel muscle cramps in my calves, prompting me to slow down and adopt a run-walk technique. I made my third U-turn and around and felt some relief, but fatigue started to set in. I had to walk for longer periods counting 10 lampposts in the centre island and jog for the next 5 lampposts just to keep my heart rate within Zone 4, at most.
The aid station marshals were attentive and very supportive, handing out water in cups or in bottles and sports drinks. At 3 in the morning, their energy was relentless as they cheered for every runner that passed by. Their positive energy was a much-needed boost, particularly during the longest three kilometres. Making the final U-turn was a bliss – 40 kilometres down! Having run quite a long list of marathons and ultramarathon instilled in me the value of patience. Slowly but surely, I inched through the last two kilometres that felt like forever. The sound emanating from the large speakers at the finish line was like an adrenaline shot through my veins giving me extra power for stronger strides.
Just 1 minute shy of my target finish time.
It took me seven years to run another marathon and crossing the finish line for the “first time” in years was surreal! It never felt this good. All of my inhibitions, anxieties, and fatigue simply went down the drain. And despite the significant number of marathons I’ve done, even qualifying for a National Marathon, this one was for the books. The gruelling 42-kilometre distance was such a familiar story but felt like an uncharted territory. It was an absolutely exhilarating journey.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Here are a few key takeaways from my race experience:
1. Cabs were free to drop off a passenger just a few metres away from the start line. It was rather chaotic.
2. Marshals were unable to provide clear directions for runners to navigate to the start line area.
3. The lack of signage at the start line got me utterly confused! When I approached a lady marshal, the interaction took a turn for the worse. Rather than providing clear instructions, her communication came across as rude. She resorted to shouting and pointing with her portable radio.
4. Whilst warming up, I couldn’t feel the excitement at the start line at all. I remember during the 2017 7-Eleven Skyway Marathon in Alabang, I was right in the middle pack, yet, the excitement was electrifying!
5. The send-off of the 42K runners lacked vigour. The atmosphere felt flat.
Here are some highlights!
1. Ample hydration stations were available throughout the race course, and all marshals were proactive and commendable in their efforts.
2. The race venue was bustling with freebies from sponsors.
3. I received 100 points convertible to cash credited to my CLIQQ account.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS & FINISHERS!
RuNNiNG SuPLaDo 
[…] years ago, I completed what would be my final marathon for a significant period—the renowned 7-Eleven Skyway Marathon in…