Yes, it’s just not the race route providing pleasant and challenging surprises. My family sprang a couple of them as well! First, their surprise presence at the finish line which really overwhelmed me…
Here’s a picture story chronicling the time my family arrived at the race scene to surprise me to tears and the ensuing celebration that made my first marathon all the more memorable.
In Solenad, Nuvali…
THE WAIT…
5:30am.. i've been at it for 3 1/2 hours...
the finish line awaits ...
the matador waiting for the charging bulls...
sofie waits for mommy, my sister jen looking out for my grand entrance 
...
mom and dad can hardly wait...
while Winter, the family cat, wait it out in the car...
.. a tired doggie wonders what all the fuss was about…
then, first runner checks in (congrats benny!) ...
Mikka asks: "is mommy near"
here, here.. just around the bend...
hey there's mom and dad!!!
come on mom, run!!!
Go Mom Go!
bliss at the finish!!!
marathoner at last!
surprise, surprise!!!
hahaha truly surprised!!!
Can't contain the laughter, can't contain the smiles. Nice one mom & dad! 
mikka, did mommy do a good job?
precious pic with my family (thanks for this copy Ben & Jaymie!)
After letting go of emotions in seeing my family at the finish line, it was time for some happy celebrations with fellow dream marathoners, dream pacers, well-wishers and whoever… hahaha I’d celebrate with anyone and everyone!!!
with Dr. Lora (2nd-time marathoner) who i briefly ran with in K15 ...
and Joy, a new friend made along the way... (thanks for this photo, joy & hubby)
yvette made sure i got a cup of water plus a cheer at K3 & K23
then there's team second wind, hector & mikey who provided amazing support at K39...
and Coach Rio who dished-out a big cheer for me at K34...
of course there was Iya and Drew who provided glam and fun...
and coach rio who provided... rhum? (haha couldn't find a rhyme)...
before he hammed it up with tessa and with drew on hand...
my prize --42k medal. Anyone interested gran per gram? haha
Well done, well done! Now it's time for some serious fun!
I thought that was it. It was more than enough BUT the surprise is not over. In fact, it has just began..
Pink Sole: Where are we having lunch? Mom & Dad said they’ll go wherever we go.
Blue Sole : Tagaytay.
Pink Sole : “Really? Nice!”
Blue Sole : “Overnight tayo.”
Pink Sole : “Huh, talaga? But… I’ve no clothes. You packed for me?”
Blue Sole : “Siyempre, eh kami pa!”
Pink Sole : ” Wow, saya! Galing-galing! Thanks! Mmmmwaaah! Aloveet! Aloooveeeet!
So off to the mountains we went for some overnight family fun…
There was peace and quiet moments …
… but lots of clowning around, too!
These are the stuff that fill my heart with love and laughter …
Sweet dreams are made of these!
"the jump"
me and my solemate
What a weekend that has been. Forever it will be… etched in my heart… colorfully painted in my mind.
This is the day that the Lord has made. I will be glad and rejoice in it.
Dream BIG. Run STRONG.
See you still in the more exciting, much bigger and a lot longer marathon called LIFE.
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