…in an ambulance!
It was barely an hour into my hopefully official 42K, and I was COUGHING so hard every 2-3 minutes or so. I was not conditioned at all for the Subic marathon last Saturday. My pace was a far cry from the LSD’s and the QCIM 21K just a week ago, deep in my heart I knew I had to stop or pass out somewhere along the dark SCTEX road. So I chose the former.
I was all primed up for THAT Saturday, until Thursday morning came – when I woke up with a runny nose. I had been taking care of Sky a couple of nights before that from a cold – then I GET the bug. 
My husband D was trying to convince me to re-think my plan. He didn’t think I was in no condition to run a full… Being my stubborn self that day, I told him I can still do it… But now I hate to admit it, but HE WAS SO RIGHT.
While I thought of just doing a walkathon for my first marathon after 30 minutes, I opted not to and get myself into an ambulance if my cough didn’t go away within another 30 minutes… I was struggling. And I think Ben of Photovendo saw it too. He and his female friend cooled my Gatorade flask in the cooler in their pick-up and told me that they would stop every 2Km, just in case I need it again. Just to lighten the load off my fuelbelt.
But after WALKING more than running. I decided to STOP. I hate that word, but it’s either that or something worse. I figured I can do my next full marathon early next year. I can’t afford to go back to my boys WASTED – it defeats the purpose of being a Fit mommy and wife. Even if I hated it.
I hitched a ride with Ben and he graciously dropped me off the nearest ambulance… As soon as I sat on the stretcher – I started to get CHILLS. My Blood Pressure was normal, but my Pulse rate was 138bpm, which is unusually high for someone who was walking. The Red Cross guy looked blurry when I first started talking to him… Then, after being administered Oxygen for 5minutes – my vision wasn’t blurry anymore…
A few minutes after I got settled, the ambulance started speeding to one of the female Kenyan runners who passed out somewhere past 25K. I got off the stretcher and sat by the side instead. They loaded up the mythical female runner on the stretcher, unconscious.
I have to tell you that I was still in awe of the runner resting on the stretcher before me. She looked immortal to me… But when she started mumbling in her state of exhaustion, I came to realize WE ARE ALL HUMAN doing the best we can to run a formidable feat of finishing a 42K.
I came out of the ambulance at Remy field and saw my family playing in the field while they were waiting for me. As I walked over to them, Sky came bolting towards me with a smile. I wanted to cry right then. But when I heard D tell Sky, “There’s our winner Mommy!”
Then I started to laugh when Sky gave me one of the tightest hug I ever got from my little man. And then I got a kiss and a protein shake from D…
And then Sky tried to pee on my shoes, then I didn’t mind at all anymore. There will always be a next time… 
Come Monday morning, both Sky and myself were feverish. My fever is gone for now, but I think I’ll lose my voice any moment now. But, I’m well enough to take care of Sky. Thank you for all the prayers! I’ll be running again soon!
Oh my gulay…the picture is so funny. Sky flashed you? Hehehe….
Get well soon. Oo nga, there will always be a next time….
Take it easy, Mommy G!
Mommy J! Sky was actually trying to pee on my shoes!!!