After the 50-kilometer ultramarathon held in April from Dumaguete to Siaton, four of us from the MetroDumaguete Roadrunners Club (MDRC) — Teofilo Zamora, Enecito Pionela, Relix Bayonado and myself — lost no time in preparing for a longer run, the 80-kilometer Bohol Ultramarathon.
Zamora is a barangay tanod; Pionela and Bayonado are pedicab drivers; I’m a public school teacher.
Due to financial constraints, our team got to register late, and even then, we were simply waitlisted. We had to solicit from Gud Trading, Ace Logic, PHCCI, Dr. Giging Yu, this MetroPost, Jagtel Guirit, Gao Thai, Vansons, J & L Enterprises, Duplamilco, Dennis Marketing, the Batinguel Tricycle Drivers Association, ACL, CTL, Dermcorner, and the city government of Dumaguete.
Zamora, Bayonado and Pionela ran the relay, while I ran 80 kms. in the single category. It was an experience well- remembered by all of us because it was the first time for my three companions to run outside Negros Oriental.
It was also memorable to me because I knew I lacked focus and serious training, and yet there I was, ready to run all of 80 kms.
Many things were running in my head that time: my wife Grace had just gone through an operation, and I was in the thick of preparations for the Philippine National Games that was going to be held here. I was starting to get worried because the only serious physical work out I had was when I ran the 50-km. ultramarathon to Siaton.
Due to the hectic schedule, my physical condition had deteriorated, and developed fever, cough and colds two days before the run in Bohol. And despite the discouragement from my wife because of my health, I thought I had to push through with Zamora, Bayonado, and Pionela.
We left Dumaguete Saturday morning of May 19. Upon reaching Tagbilaran City, we went to a mall to rest sa tabi-tabi just to pass the time, and left by 3pm for Panglaw in a rented motorcycle. The motor was going to be our “support vehicle” during the 80-km. run.
When we got to the assembly area in Panglaw, we noted that the other runners had hi-tech equipment, gels and carbo and energy drinks. For our energy booster, we in Team Dumaguete brought carnabal and bisol in a plastic bag all the way from Dumaguete.
The run started midnight of May 19, with Zamora as the first runner for the relay; Pionela and Bayonado were the support crew. Pionela then drove Bayonado to his starting point at Km. 26, then went back for Zamora and me.
After Zamora finished his leg, it was now his time to drive Pionela to the third starting point before coming back for me.
It was early dawn, and I was running alone without a support crew. It was pitch-dark especially in the mini-forest area. Even in the darkness, I spotted an attractive pair of sports sunglasses, and although it was broken, I decided to keep it anyway.
I just talked to myself not a few times; I urged myself to continue on running; called my wife Grace a few times along the way; sang The Lord is my Strength; asked God for even more strength because my colds and cough continued to bother me.
By early morning, I was still running, and the bright early morning sun began to blur my eyesight. I had packed my favorite sunglasses alright but it was in my backpack which was with Zamora, our crew that time.
Then I realized why God, in his infinite goodness, provided me one — albeit broken — even while it was still dark along the mini forest. The broken sunglasses served me well until the finish line.
By Km. 65, my feet were getting heavier and heavier; my shoes were becoming tighter, so I changed into slippers — with which I ran for the next 15 kms. until I reached the finish line at Chocolate Hills.
By then, I had covered all 80 kms., running for 10 hours and 34 minutes. I came in 19th place.
Meanwhile, the relay runners of Team Dumaguete: Zamora, Bayonado, and Pionela finished 1st place!
I would say discipline, perseverance, and faith in God are the greatest keys for a runner to succeed and finish. Lessons learned: Never run when not feeling well. Never run with no proper physical and financial preparation.To God be the glory! (Bernabe Bustillo)
