Stretched beyond the limits

"You shouldn't do it!"

When my lower back pain caused by my herniated disc, also known as disc bulge or slipped disc, resurfaced March last year, my world crumbled into pieces once again. I was first diagnosed with this injury in 2016 and since then I've had a love hate relationship with my spine. I could've easily settled with what my doctors told me in the past : You shouldn't do it! I may be a stubborn patient but this time I had a clear game plan in mind.

I have always wondered what it feels like to run without having to worry about my spine. I dream of just sprinting until my heart reaches its limits but that's a luxury I couldn't afford for now. I'm well aware that I couldn't just aimlessly run another half marathon without proper training. So I dedicated the last three months as diligently as I could sticking with my training plan.

And just last Sunday I ran my 4th half marathon at the Bohol International Marathon. This is proof that with CONSTANT and MINDFUL training, we can stretch our body's limits. It might take longer than it should be; it took me 1 year and 7 months to run another half marathon. I will remember how patient and kind I've been to myself in the last few weeks whenever I couldn't stick to planned practice runs because of my back pain. It's humbling how life reminded me to run my own race, run in my own pace and finish what I started with undying grit and passion.

Thank you, Bohol International Marathon! ✨❤️💪