"When you walk through the storm, hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark... Walk on through the rain, walk on through the wind... Walk on with hope in your heart and you'll never walk alone..."
I found this song very meaningful today. It was no longer just symbolic, it was real.
You'll never walk alone. Yes, even though I walked alone, I was not really alone - the Lord was with me. This is why I remained calm and unafraid as I continued my trek towards Aparri.
There were times when the wind and rain became so strong that I took shelter. The weather improved in the afternoon. I did some intermittent running. I finally reached Aparri at 5 pm having covered 37 km for the day and 2,060 km for 57 days. Typhoon Chedeng couldn't stop me from reaching my destination.
I reached Aparri quietly like a true solitary pilgrim, without any welcoming group or streamer, without any media coverage. There was no official finish line or medal that awaited me.
Fr. Adalbert, the parish priest welcomed me. He was expecting me to arrive tomorrow.
Tomorrow, I'll spend the whole day resting and reflecting on this whole experience.
I am just so glad to complete my journey. True joy comes not only in reaching my destination today but undertaking the whole journey for the last 57 days. After all what matters most is the journey and not just the destination. I could reach Aparri much quicker by taking the bus or plane but I wouldn't have the same satisfaction and joy of doing it on foot alone for almost two months across the country. I will always treasure what I experienced and the effect within me.
6 comments:
i really don't know what to say! first, congratulations for attaining your goal. second, this is the beauty of the internet where your reader is transported to the place where the action is happening. third, there is transparency and that makes the journey to be very significant and inspirational. fourth, old distance runners are becoming stronger as they age (sorry, for saying that we are old already). and lastly,you are simply the best!!
thanks for the support and encouragement, General. . You are right, as we get old we become stronger. I don't think I could have done this when I was younger and faster - it is actually the slow pace, mixed with walking and the patient endurance that enabled me to reach Aparri. I hope you can recover quickly so that you can continue your running adventure.
Congratulations, Father! Glad to know that you have completed the journey! and ahead of time pa!
God Bless and see you at MIM!
i admire your strength, courage and determination dre..please share some of your tips coz i will be embarking on a 42k+ ultramarathon, my first ever full marathon this July 4. Cebu-Badian (Kawasan Falls.)
Thnaks you dre,
Nuel
Goal!!!
You did it (again)!
Congratulations dre' from all of us here in Bajada.
Congrats Father!..And thanks God you finished your journey safe and strong..Rest well Father and see you in Manila.
Godbless!
~juvy
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