running a marathon...

No, I didn't run a marathon. I didn't yet and probably never will. Yet somehow I find myself thinking "How exactly does it feel to accomplish a seemingly Herculean feat?"

Last Sunday, I watched and supported my sister while she ran her 10 km race. Her boyfriend, Kuya Bang Bang ran the Marathon. I supported him too.

My initial take on running is that it is a total waste of time. So one can only imagine my stance on a 10 km race, and let alone a 42 km run. I'm sure people have their own reasons for taking this sport. I know some who run to keep in shape. They would argue its health benefits. Some run to pass time. This is only understandable when you are living in Singapore where there is nothing much to do but work and shop. 

I do not know what is the motivating factor of Kuya especially given the fact that he has already run a marathon once 2 years ago. I've heard a saying that it was wise to climb a certain mountain once and yet it was foolish to do it twice. Except probably for athletes who do it for a living, I could not comprehend why people run marathons.

And then on Sunday I saw them. More than 60,000 people at 3 separate starting points to run their respective races. There was the 10 km race, half marathon  and full marathon. We sent off Kuya first. His race started at 5 am. Then I sent off my sister at 7:30 am. That was a two and a half hour interval, and yet before her race started, the elite runners of the marathon were already crossing the finish line! Yes, I didn't know it at that time. I was snapping away photos of those who were running about, thinking it was like the halfway mark. Then I realized it was only around 500 meters from the finish line!

Yes, I took their photos. I think I actually took some good ones. Imagine having run more than 41 kilometers, and you're trying to catch your breath, and you are sore all over and I catch your moment of pain and freeze it  for eternity, immortalizing a part of your life in frame.

I was happy and oblivious to the world, only minding my snaps when I realized it was already time for my sister to finish her race. You can get mad at the chaos that was called the finish line. There was the swarm of runners and there was the throng of supporters as well. I was very lucky to see her through the crowd and take her photo. She never saw me so hers was a candid shot.

Kuya on the other hand has always been one to put on a show. It was also by sheer luck that I saw him coming. The moment he recognized me on the sideline, he put on his theatrics. Yes, he was quite a scene, by himself, to behold. Usually, I am put off by the slightest form of showmanship. Yet this one I kind of support and even applaud. It is kind of deserved and I was actually really proud of him.

For whatever reason one has to subject his body to utter torture, I could only guess. The glow in their eyes though, after they cross the finish line cannot be missed. It shines through the exhaustion and fatigue they must be suffering. And at that point in time, when the usual unbearable stench of human sweat becomes too overwhelming, one cannot ignore the sweet smell of victory. It may be one of the reasons people still run marathons. It may be the only reason I would even dare to contemplate doing it myself. Just to be able to say, probably before I die, that yes, I run a marathon, and lived through it. Even if there is a chance Kuya Bang Bang would probably belittle the act and brag that he has done it twice.