5. Focus on yourself
42 year old Decerel Asido Mendoza started running in 2012. Within three months, she was running half marathons. Her big advice?
Â
4. Do not be discouraged, persevere! 80 % mental
Eugene Postrado, a maintenance worker from Masbate almost didn’t make it to the Phuket Marathon because of issues with getting his passport. Thankfully everything worked out. He tells us that this is his first marathon outside of the country and leaves us with this: “Wag mawalan ng pag asa kasi ang problema kakambal ng buhay talagang dumarating yan. Dapat positive lagi ang isip mo, kaya mo yan.”
It is also Janice Tawagin‘s first marathon outside of the Philippines. The 24 year old, also from the Philippine Army, put herself through college through a running scholarship. She acknowledges that sometimes there will be failures but it helps if you do not think about it. Her advice: Just continue what you’re doing and at the end you will eventually succeed.
Decerel adds, “Marathon is really not just about running because my body will quit before my mind. After the 30 km mark its usually just mental and your will.”
Self control and perseverance are also requisites. Mario Maglinao of Legaspi is the is year’s Phuket International Marathon overall champion. He stresses that training is very important.
Mario Maglinao crossing the Phuket International Marathon finish line first!
3. Learn from experience
When Jeneth Silvestre, 37, collapsed in the Phuket International Marathon, she was disappointed. After having ran countless ultra marathons (50 km and up), this was the first time she didn’t get to finish a race. She returned to consciousness at a hospital, her electrolytes, they said, dropped. Jenneth apologizes for what happened and she admits she feels frustrated because of what happened but she still holds her head high– no matter the result of the race, she is still an accomplished runner who was given a chance to compete out of the country with other chosen, elite runners because her talent was recognized. Being there is enough proof of her capability. “Learn from experience,” she says. “Train hard. It (obstacles) happens, don’t give up. When it happens, you can’t say you give up. It can be done. Push pa rin.“
Â
2. Aim high
Clockwise from left: Cristabel Martes, Elemer Sabal, Janice Tawagin, Mark Oximar. Gregg Osorio,
Mario Maglinao, Eugene Postrado with their respective awards
Â
1. Have fun!
Â
What do you think of these tips? Do you have any of your own you want to give rookie runners? Let us know!
Â
