Gerald Anderson is back from the United States where he participated in the Los Angeles Marathon and he’s brought home nothing but good memories from joining the 42-kilometer run.
Speaking to ABS-CBN News on Sat, Mar 25, Anderson said he found the marathon very challenging. But he added that being a part of it was one of the proudest moments of his life.
“Masaya naman. Sobrang challenging lang sa sarili talaga lalo na nung last 10K, talagang puso at isipan mo na lang talaga. Kailangan mag-focus ka. Kung kaya, huwag talaga pansinin yung sakit dahil napakasakit sa katawan,” he said.
(It was fun. It really challenges yourself, especially the last 10 km, it’s really just your heart and your mind that’s left. You have to focus. If you can, don’t pay attention to the pain because your body’s really in pain at that time.)
Out of the 25,000 who joined, Anderson said only 18,000 runners were able to complete the marathon. He, however, doesn’t look down on those who were not able to cross the finish line.
“Yung around 7,000 na hindi nakarating, naiintindihan ko naman sila dahil napakahirap talaga nung challenge,” he said. “Kapag nakarating ka sa dulo at sinabitan ka ng medal, iba talaga yung pakiramdam.”
(I understand the 7,000 who weren’t able to reach [the finish line] because the challenge was really difficult. [But] when you reach the end and they give you the medal, it’s a completely different feeling.)
More than the privilege of representing the Philippines in the race, Anderson said it is what he learned from the experience that will stay with him forever.
“Ang ganda kasi ng community. Ang daming nagtutulungan. Ang daming sumisigaw para sa iyo at alam mo na pagdating mo sa finish line, maraming nakaabang. Yun ang dahilan kung bakit ako nakarating,” he said.
(The community is really nice. Lots of people helping each other. A lot of people cheering for you and you know that when you reach the finish line, they’re waiting for you. That’s the reason why I was able to finish it.)
“It was very challenging. Isa yun sa pinaka-proudest moments ng buhay ko, na nakatapos ako ng ganung distance. Sobrang na-enjoy ko yung experience. Yun ang panalo doon, kung ano yung matutunan mo sa journey mo,” he added.
(It’s one of the proudest moments of my life, that I finished that distance. I really enjoyed the experience. My prize is what I learned during the journey.)
Following the LA Marathon, Anderson said he will continue working hard as he intends to join more triathlons here in the Philippines.
It is also his way of preparing for his upcoming ABS-CBN series “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin,” where he plays the role of a triathlete.
This story first appeared on ABS-CBN News Online and republished with permission. English translation added.
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