By The Finish Line That Changed Everything
I crossed the finish line of my second half marathon last Nov 9, 2025, and I’m still processing what just happened. I went in with one goal: finish before the cutoff time. Just survive the 21 kilometers. Walk if you need to. Don’t quit. Just finish.
Instead? I broke every personal record I had. Fastest 5K. Fastest 10K. Fastest 21K.
Standing there with my finisher’s medal, sweaty and exhausted and completely stunned, I kept thinking: How did I get here?
Because one year ago, I couldn’t run a single kilometer without stopping.
The Starting Line: When 1K Felt Impossible
Let me take you back to where this really started. About a year ago, I was 20 kilograms heavier, carrying most of it around my belly. I’d tried the whole “I’ll start Monday” thing more times than I can count. But something shifted. Maybe I was tired of feeling tired. Maybe I was done making excuses.
I laced up the only running shoes I owned and told myself: just run until you can’t.
I made it maybe 800 meters before I had to stop, hands on my knees, gasping for air like I’d just run a marathon. My lungs burned. My legs felt like concrete. Everything hurt.
This is impossible, I thought.
But the next day, I tried again. And the day after that. And slowly—painfully slowly—800 meters became a kilometer. Then two. Then five.
The Middle Miles: Where Most People Quit
Here’s the part nobody talks about in those inspiring transformation posts: the middle absolutely sucks.
There were weeks I didn’t run at all. Mornings I’d set my alarm for 5 AM, hit snooze, and stay in bed. Days I’d choose instant noodles over meal prep because I was tired and didn’t care. I had at least as many failures as I had victories.
Some specific low points I remember:
- Week 3: Shin splints and plantar fasciitis so bad I couldn’t walk normally for days
- Month 3-5: Binge eating parties after a “cheat meal” went sideways
- Month 8: Skipped two full weeks because I “didn’t feel like it”
- Month 10: Almost quit because progress felt too slow
The weight didn’t just fall off because I ran a few times. I had to completely change how I ate—started with low-carb intermittent fasting (LCIF), which was brutal at first. I mixed in badminton and cycling because running every day hurt my knees and legs. I worked on sleep, which is still a work in progress.
And the cost? Let’s be real—fitness isn’t cheap. Race registration fees, running shoes that need replacing, badminton gears and shuttle cocks , healthier food that costs more than junk. I probably spent as much as I saved from avoiding unhealthy habits.
But here’s what kept me going: I made a promise to myself. And every time I showed up—even on the days I sucked—I was keeping that promise.
The Transformation: More Than Just Numbers
The numbers are impressive, sure:
- 20 kilograms lost (and still going)
- Belly fat gone (finally fit into clothes I’d kept “just in case”)
- Body composition changed from soft to lean
- Energy levels through the roof
But you know what really changed? How I feel in my own body.
I can climb stairs without getting winded. I sleep deeper. My mind is clearer—turns out that “runner’s high” thing is real. I look in the mirror and see someone who keeps promises to himself.
I feel like I’m living in a body that actually works FOR me, not against me.
Race Day: When Everything Clicked
Standing at the starting line last half marathon run, I was nervous. My goal was simple: finish under the cutoff time. That’s it. I wasn’t chasing speed or glory. Just survival.
The first 5K felt good. Maybe too good? I checked my watch—wait, this is my fastest 5K pace ever. I figured I’d slow down eventually.
At 10K, I checked again. Still ahead of my PR. Okay, this is weird.
By 15K, my legs were screaming, but something in my head was different. A year ago, I would’ve mostly walked. Would’ve told myself it’s okay to slow down. But last 21k? I remembered every morning I didn’t want to get up but did anyway. Every race registration that scared me. Every kilometer that felt impossible until it wasn’t.
I crossed the finish line and looked at my watch: personal records across the board. 5K, 10K, and 21K—all my fastest times ever.
I went in hoping to survive. I came out proving I’m stronger than I ever thought possible.
What I Learned: Real Talk for Beginners
If you’re reading this and thinking about starting your own journey—running, weight loss, fitness, whatever—here’s what I wish someone had told me:
1. You Don’t Need to Be Ready
I wasn’t ready when I started. I was overweight, out of shape, and had no idea what I was doing. Start messy. Start slow. Start anyway.
2. Progress Isn’t Linear
Some weeks you’ll crush it. Some weeks you’ll feel like you’re going backward. Both are part of the process. The only real failure is quitting.
3. It’s Going to Cost You
Money, time, comfort, sleep—transformation isn’t free. But it’s worth every peso, every early morning, every uncomfortable moment.
4. You’ll Want to Quit (Don’t)
There will be days—many days—where you don’t want to do it. Do it anyway. That’s where the real growth happens.
5. Celebrate Every Win
First kilometer without stopping? Celebrate. Lost a kilogram? Celebrate. Finished a race? CELEBRATE. The small wins add up to big transformations.
6. Mix It Up
Running every day burned me out. Adding badminton, cycling, and other activities kept me engaged and injury-free. Find what works for YOUR body.
7. Fix Your Diet (Seriously)
You can’t outrun a bad diet. I learned that the hard way. LCIF worked for me, but find what’s sustainable for you long-term.
The Next Starting Line
Sukelco’s Golden Year Half Marathon finish line isn’t the end—it’s just another starting line. I’ve got more races ahead, more PRs to chase, more kilometers to run. But more importantly, I’ve got a lifestyle I can sustain.
This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being consistent. It’s about showing up on the days you don’t feel like it. It’s about proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you think.
One year ago, running 1K felt impossible. That half marathon, I ran 21K faster than I ever have.
If I can do this—and trust me, I’m nothing special—you can do whatever you’re dreaming about. You just have to start. And then start again tomorrow. And the day after that.
See you at the next finish line.
PRACTICAL RESOURCES FOR BEGINNER RUNNERS
Training Plan I Followed:
- Weeks 1-4: Run/walk intervals (1 min run, 2 min walk)
- Weeks 5-8: Built up to 5K continuous running
- Weeks 9-12: Increased distance by 10% each week
- Weeks 13-16: Long runs on weekends, easy runs during the week
Gear That Actually Mattered:
- Good running shoes (got fitted at a running store)
- Moisture-wicking clothes (cotton is the enemy)
- Running watch to track pace and distance
- Body glide for chafing prevention
Nutrition Basics:
- LCIF: 16:8 intermittent fasting window
- High protein, moderate fat, low carb
- Carb loading the night before long runs
- Hydration, hydration, hydration
Recovery Essentials:
- Rest days are NOT optional
- Foam rolling after every run
- Sleep 7-8 hours minimum
- Listen to your body (pain vs. discomfort)
Last modified: November 15, 2025
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