My longest run post-surgery

When I learned about my cancer, I wasn't worried about it at all. I've through worse; with God's provisiion, it will be a thing in the past. What bothered me was the series of running events I signed up for before my diagnosis. For one, it wasn't cheap. It was a wooping Php 6,000 for 3 running events all throughout 2024. Long story short, I was only able to join one and the remaining two slots were sold to a friend at work. Fast forward to January 2025, a colleague offered a free slot during the sought-after Cebu Marathon. When I learned it was free, I didn't think twice and grabbed the opportunity right away.

I blindly signed up for a 25km race but nearing the actual event, I decided I'd run the 12km instead. Despite getting clearance from my doctor to go back to running, the only sports I love, I was hesitant to pursue the 25km knowing I wasn't fully prepared for it. My longest run was a 10-km at CCLEX Bridge less than 2 weeks before Cebu Marathon.

I rushed to the event's venue with anticipation filling in every inch of my lungs. I wasn't confident that I'd ace this run; I came for the dopamine and adrenaline that would surely shoot up once the gun's fired up to signal the start of the race.

Cebu Marathon is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, running events in Cebu. This year, news confirmed that around 12,000 runners registered for this event. I couldn't confirm this number but what I can attest is that the crowd was huge enough to fill the road for the first 2-3 kilometers. You can't sprint unless you were at the front of the crowd when the race started.

I enjoyed the run a lot. It wasn't easy with the steep ascend at the top of CCLEX but I managed to finish it not with a PR but with an elusive smile on my face and an assurance that I'm well and back on my regular programming,

Less than a kilometer to go these people pushed other runners to give it their all. They were shouting and cheering.

And finally, after a grueling run, I reached the finished line. I couldn't believe that just 8 months ago, I was in a hospital bed fighting for my dear life and now, here I am, hopping in joy for completing the longest run after my total thyroidectomy and RAI.

If there's one thing being diagnose with cancer taught me that is "You can't put life on hold forever!" I could have easily felt sorry for myself, stopped doing the things I love including being physically active, stopped dreaming, traveling, loving and celebrating life. But I did the opposite, now there's nothing to lose, I'd rather die doing the things I love than being scared, hiding from life's ifs and buts.

One day, I want to look back in this chapter of my life and be reminded of how I soared higher than all my frailties. I wish to live life to the fullest and finishing this race was a step in the long, arduous journey of celebrating the small wins, living in the here and now.

Tomorrow isn't promise but today is all we ever need.