#RunningIsLife is more than just a mere hashtag — it’s a reality for me. I’ve been running for about six years now, and in between that time was nursing an injury on both knees.
Although it hasn’t been that long since I’ve developed the love for running, it has become part of who I am, and what I do. I can’t imagine myself now not being able to run. Running is not just a sport, a discipline, or a habit — it’s a lifestyle.
There’s something about long distance running or doing ultramarathons that really excites me. I run because I enjoy it, and I get to eat whatever I want, I don’t need to go on a diet; just run to burn every calorie I’ve ingested. I also run because it relieves me of all the stress and pressures of life.,
But more than the fun, the food, and relief from stress, it has become my avenue to commune with God. Running is my Sabbath, my rest. Every time I run, I get to experience God in my life more. On the road, I get to focus and reflect on His words more. I have overcome countless battles in my life for the past six years, contemplating and finding clarity on the Word while running. I have also made major decisions in my life while I was running on the road.
The first time I contemplated running an ultramarathon was when my wife and I registered for the 10K fun run category in the 56-Kilometer Ultramarathon to Bidjao, Dauin called Run to Celebrate Life, organized in 2014 by Bernabe & Grace Anfone-Bustillo. I asked myself, “What if I run that ultra distance? Would I be able finish it?” Back then, the mere thought was impossible.
Finally in 2017, I mustered enough courage to sign up for the 100-kilometer NegOr race that runs from the Macias Sports Complex in Dumaguete all the way to Siaton town and back to Dumaguete. As a first time ultra-runner, my goal was just to finish. The possibility of DNF (did not finish) was high for me — at least in my mind.
In one of my morning runs during the last few days of training for the NegOr100K, I was able to pace with Paeng de Leon, who was then training for the 100-mile/160-kilometer category. In our conversation, he asked what was my target time was for the 100K. I told him I was aiming and training for 11 hours and 40 mins. (That meant, for a newbie like me, I would have to be running at a pace of seven minutes per kilometer for the next 100 kilometers.)
Then Paeng asked me, “So are you planning to do a podium finish?” (meaning, to be in the top 3 at least.) I dismissively said, “No, that’s impossible! I just want to finish.” That conversation with Paeng stuck with me even until race day. I then realized: Our goals in whatever we do will make a great difference.
The difference between those who win races, and those who do not is their goal. Goals define the process of how we train. My goal back then was simply to finish, hence, I patterned my training to a mere finish.
This reminded me of what Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Often in our day-to-day lives, we just want to survive, not necessarily thrive. We only want to finish the task at hand, and be able to move on to the next, without being able to experience the fulfillment of accomplishing something in an excellent manner. The Apostle Paul tells us in verse 17 of Colossians 3, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Winning and delivering excellently should always be our goal because it does not only make us feel good about ourselves, but most importantly, we glorify the Lord Jesus Christ through it. Mediocrity is not God’s plan and design for us.
In that 100K ultramarathon in December last year, although I was 1 hour 36 minutes and 32 seconds short of my target time, still by the grace of God, I stood on that podium as champion in my age category, and ranked 4th overall.
Winning, however, is a small part of the equation. What I want to convey is that having specific and achievable goals can unleash our greatest potential, and fulfill our greatest calling. There will always be people who are better (faster) than us in our chosen field, but the question will always be: “Have we done our best?” Do we settle at the bottom just knowing that someone else out there is better (or faster)? Or do we train hard, do our best, aim to be at the top, and be God’s champion? Have we become the champion in a “race” that God has called us to run?
In his book RUN50, Bishop Ferdie Cabiling wrote, “God doesn’t care who comes first or last. Yes, I know God cares about every aspect of our lives, so let me put it this way: He does indeed care that we become champions, but not the way we care, and not about the kind of champion this world celebrates. I think God is much more concerned about each of us becoming a champion as defined in the older and more traditional sense — one who stands in the gap for those in need: who becomes, in fact, their champion.”
After winning 1st in my category in the NegOr100, I began training for other races with the intention of winning. But more than merely winning in races, I also intend to run for a purpose. I want to run for a foundation called Real Life, whose aim is to serve and empower the poor in our nation through educational assistance, character development, and community services, thereby transforming lives, families, and communities. Inspired by Bishop Ferdie, I envision myself running every race, raising funds for scholars of Real Life.
With ultra-running, I also get to enjoy the beauty of nature, and the company of the people that I run with. With ultra-running also comes the battle within one’s self and this is what I love most about running long distance — competing with myself, my ultimate enemy.
When I feel that burning pain in my legs, and sometimes my whole body, my brain would start screaming “Stop!” — that’s when the real battle starts. At the 32K mark during the NegOr100K going uphill towards Siaton, I felt pain on my right thigh that I had to slow down. Running back on my 60th kilometer towards Dumaguete, my left foot started to blister, which made foot landing so painful. I remember asking my father, my support on motorcycle, several times “Is Bahura still far?” (I had planned to meet up with my other support crew somewhere in Dauin, about 20 kilometers more to finish line). I had to battle the temptation of quitting.
The best thing about ultra-running is I get to relate each run with my faith journey with the Lord Jesus Christ. I get to experience a lot of pain in my body all throughout the race, but I can’t just stop anywhere I want because there is a set finish line.
The same is true with my journey with the Lord Jesus Christ. To pursue Christ is simple, but never easy. Christ pursued and reached out to us by experiencing pain and suffering. He endured the cross so that we may have the opportunity to receive Him, and experience a life of joy despite tribulations. In the life of a believer, pain and suffering are integral. Jesus never promised His disciples and followers to have a storm-free life; what He promised is that He will establish them into a storm-proof life as we hear and obey His words (Matthew 7:24,25). He promised us a life that can withstand trials, persecutions, hardships, sufferings.
With every run is an opportunity to finish strong, or to quit when the going gets tough. That decision is ours to make.
The same is true with our faith. In every trial and pain is an opportunity to increase our faith, endure, and finish; or to choose to give up and not be able to take hold of what’s waiting for us at the finish line. Jesus Christ never gave up even until His last dying breath. He finished His race. He finished strong, and for whom? For the sake of all people because He had each one of us in His mind. His reward was for us to be reconciled back to our Heavenly Father. That is why the writer of Hebrews admonishes us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1a, 2 ESV).
The reality of hardships and suffering in life is undeniable and inescapable. In a race, it is expected; and for us to finish our own race in life and faith, let us consider Him who endured for us, sinners, such hostility against Himself, so that we may not grow weary or fainthearted (Hebrews 12:3 ESV).
Another thing I love about running are the people — my fellow runners, beginners or seasoned. On my 29th birthday last year, I ran 29 kilometers with triathlete Jed Sibul. It was my come-back run after recovering from my knee injury. As I was anxious, I asked two other friends, Kurt Catan and Kevin Makasiar, to be my support on wheels. By the 19th kilometer, I had muscle cramps but my friends encouraged and cheered me on. Had I been running alone, it would’ve been easier to quit and take a ride home.
Much is true with our faith and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. For us to stand firm and strong in our faith, we need people to encourage and admonish us. We need people we can trust to speak the truth in love to us, and to rebuke us when necessary. We need people who can also lovingly tell us what wrong we may be doing. We need people who will walk and journey with us in the faith in good times and in bad times. Hebrews 10:24 and 25 say, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as in the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Whether we like it or not, we need people to help us stay on track. And we can always choose to be with the right people.
After training long distances the last three years, I can now run (with not much trouble) beyond 29 kilometers, but I choose to train with a community of runners. I am blessed for Albert & Maripol Tecson who are also very encouraging even in my marriage; Ross Arden Melon, Joeffrey Belen, Atty. Oscar Bokingkito, Edward Villareal, Lorginson Gaso, and the DARS (Dumaguete Adventure Runners & Striders) community. In my personal walk with Christ, I choose to walk and be accountable for other men of faith. The more I surround myself with people who can encourage and correct me, the more I am assured I will be able to finish the race that God has appointed for me. Surely, there are days when I have to drag myself out of bed, but I am blessed for my wife Edleen who always allows me the time I need for my long runs, and as my prayer warrior, continuously prays for me everyday.
Ultramarathon has taught me to become wiser and more strategic in my personal race in the faith. In the races I run, I need to strategize my way to the finish line, exercising great wisdom when it comes to the pace, hydration, supplements, etc. I have also learned to invest in things that are only essential for the sport.
Much is true in our journey with Christ. We need to realize there really is an enemy waiting to steal, kill, and destroy us. If we become complacent in our faith, the enemy will most likely succeed and trample us. It takes a great deal of wisdom for believers of Christ to be able to walk blamelessly. Ephesians 5:15 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.”
We need to plan and strategize how we can outsmart the enemy. Our primary tool is the Bible. Our personal devotion and time with the Lord should never be left on the sidelines. In our training, it should be our first priority. Without it as our foundation, everything crumbles.
My one and ultimate goal for running is to continue to advance His kingdom. “The gospel is the good news that God became man in Jesus Christ. He lived the life we should have lived, and died the death we should have died — in our place. Three days later, He rose from the dead, proving that He is the son of God and offering the gift of salvation and forgiveness of sins to anyone who repents and believes in Him.” (Pastor Rice Brooks)
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Kin Bajar, a registered nurse by profession, is a discipleship pastor at Victory Church Dumaguete. He graduated from Silliman University in 2009. He was born and raised in Dauin, Negros Oriental. He and Edleen have a toddler named Daeu.
