Running all over the world

When were training for the Dream Marathon and running alongside Jim Lafferty, he told us that the best way to go around a country is to run and explore and enjoy the sights. So even after the marathon and having certified ourselves as finishers, running has not only been a sport to us but a lifestyle.  Everywhere we go, we savored, enjoyed and get inspired with all the places we see, all these while enjoying our run.  Truly, the Dream Marathon paved the way and encouraged us more to embrace running wherever we are. 

The Star Princess 

The Star Princess is a travelling luxurious ship with a touch and feel of a luxury hotel.  Anything you want to do, Princess has it.  Heck, there are even passengers who stay here longer than their actual homes in a calendar year.  

It's easy to be captivated by the charm of this wonderful ship.  It has all the amenities of a 5 star hotel.  Large pools, multiple theaters, bars, activity room, several dining areas, music room, game room, gym, and any other amenity your heart desires.  So, while waiting for your arrival from port to port, you can actually experience all these to all your contentment and guilty pleasures.  There is always something to do and explore in the Princess.  Or as their slogan goes, it a experience where you "escape completely".

But perhaps the main asset of Princess does not lie on it's amenities but in it's heart and very soul --- it's staff and crew.   I have never seen such genuine and sincere service like this.  I met real people who are willing to serve and really enjoy what their doing.  Some of the crew who i will hold dear to me include: Oelena, our head server in the Capri Dining room.  Very efficient and really took good care of us as if we were her family. There's also Oscar the maitre 'd, who always saw to it that we were always accommodated.  I cannot ever forget the pianist in the Explorers'  lounge Mr. David Moore. He's not just an exceptional pianist and musician but a very funny chap as well.  His sense of humor and comedic timing is very impressive.  He became our regular nightcap.  Our room attendant Patrick did a very good job in tidying our room and always attending to our needs. Then of course,  I would like to mention my dear "kababayans": Arthur, Addy, JP and the rest of the Filipino crew.  I never felt so away from home because of all of you and for making our country proud.  There are still more that I could not mention but generally every crew member made my stay special.  

It's not just a ship or a luxury boat.  It's something more.  Something with a heart and soul that belongs to it's staff and crew that makes your trip memorable and something ti cherish forever.

Our Dream Marathon

TBR DREAM STORIES:  Gari  Tiongco   BIB  no. 267

                                      Gene Tiongco   BIB  no. 268

                                      Greg Tiongco    BIB  no. 269

                                      Bryan Ermac    BIB   no. 102

                                      Lynette Ermac  BIB  no. 103

                                      Warren Ermac   BIB  no. 104

Our Dream Marathon

 

 

            To write about my first marathon, I have to write about how I began running in the first place. And to write about how I started to run, I have to write about the people I run with.  To mention myself, I have to mention my co-runners.  This is my story and most probably our story.  This is after all, a family story.

 

            We are a group of 6, 30-something year old runners.  Yes, we are all related as we are cousins.  We are made up of 3 brothers (Gari, me, Greg_, 2 brothers (Warren and Bryan) and  Lynette ( Bran’s wife).   Our running story is nothing extra-ordinary.  We started in 2008, joining 5K runs and feeling so exhausted after.  But we kept on running and so did our love affair with running blossomed.  We turned to each other for support and encouragement.  We even started following thebullrunner.comin mid 2008.  5k runs turned into 10ks then we moved to 15ks and finally 21ks.     We were happy with all  the 21Ks that we entered and never mindful of the time, but as long as we all finished, that was our ultimate goal.  When word got out of the TBR Dream Marathon, we did not hesitate to join.  We all prayed and hoped that all 6 of us will be included.  And as fate would have it, we all made the list.

 

            The training preparations came and we followed the training plan  to the hilt.  Sacrifices were made as we skipped our weekend night outs and parties to prepare for our long runs.  We limited our alcohol consumption as well.  We ran in UP, Tagaytay, Greenhills and even in Nuvali all for the sake of training and, yes, for the love of running.  Even as some of us were abroad or on vacation, the mentality of having long runs stuck as no one deviated from the training plan.  We even had a uniform done for the race.   More than the long runs, it was moments like these that draw us closer together and as we ran we talked about life, our children, our country and everything else.  These made us closer and eventually accountable for each other.  This is where we all felt the value of togetherness and what a team is all about. We learned to value each other. It was all about support and complimenting each other and of course bringing out the best in each one.

 

            The night before the run, we all slept in one house as we mapped out the course and check all the necessary things for the run.  We planned our pace.  We all vowed to look out for each other even as we finish with different times.  We were each others’ strength  and compliment. This was not just about being runners, it was about being family.

 

            The day of the run came and as we cheered with Jaymie and Jim that we will be marathoners by lunch time, we knew that whatever happens, we will savor and enjoy the moment….together. 

 

            The route was perfect.  Whenever we pass by other dream marathoners we could only hear words of encouragement and compliments. We ran strong and smart. When we reached the 33K mark, then our obstacles and trials came.  One of us had severe cramps, and as we reached out to help, he encouraged us to just run and never let go of our dream of finishing a marathon.  With the help of the dream chasers, he was able to run back. We were tired, cramped and the heat was already torching us, but we encouraged each other and as we ran our own pace the last 8 kilometers, we know that at the finish line we will all be waiting for each other.  Aside from the training we had, it was our support for each other that provided the strength for us to finish.  As the finish line was near,  we were all rewarded with the most precious prize of all: our families waiting for us, our proud dad, our loving wives and sweet kids were at the finish line waving banners and cheering us on.  It was like coming home to the sweet comforts of the family.  This was the most inspiring moment for us.

 

            When the last member of our team arrived, we all hugged each other and smiled and proudly proclaimed that we were all finishers.  It wasn’t about the time we finished it anymore,  it was all about having each other finish.  More than that, we realized that even in times of trials and a long journey, we have each other…. all the time.

 

            Thank you  Jaymie, Jim, Atty. Raymond and the TBR team for providing us this memorable experience and making dreams come true..  For making us realize the value of togetherness and family.  And yes,  we will all pay it forward on the next Dream Marathon.

 

                                                                                                       Gene