NYC Marathon: A Great Gift

After months of uncertainty, we can finally rejoice “We’re definitely in!”

Oh, the things we had to hurdle to get here…

I have Jun to thank for for giving in to good friend Jay’s (Prometheus Cometh) prodding to join the lottery for the ING NYC Marathon in first quarter of this year.  I thank him now but I was incredulous when I found out in April that he enlisted the both of us without my knowledge! Then amazement followed that not one but both of us were picked! I mean, I don’t think we’d even consider going if only one was awarded a slot.

I really didn’t take it seriously at first.  How can I when I was still in the thick of training for my first full marathon at The Bull Runner Dream Marathon scheduled barely one month after we received confirmation of our official entry.  We let the months pass with me not really taking this seriously.  It was months later when it became apparent that the blue sole was really getting serious about going.  However, I couldn’t see how I can go.  I was in a crossroad in my career and I was on a look-out for a new job.   How can I go on a vacation leave if I am starting a new job?

The blue sole and I had a heart-to-heart talk and agreed that we would pray hard about it and let God work in our situation.  Meantime,  we agreed to do our part —  I’ll continue my job-hunting and  we will both train for the marathon anyway.  Hoping that when God says YES to our plans, we are both prepared to go and tackle the marathon of our lives!

So, train we did trying to keep our focus even when there are just a lot of things that need to be worked-out.  There were indeed low moments when Mariel would not be training consistently feeling she wouldn’t be able to go anyway.  Somehow, we are able to pick things up, trying our best to be positive amidst the uncertainty.  Then, things began to go our way.  Good things just began to happen one after the other.  I joined the Runrio team.   Mariel found a new job she’s really excited about.  Not only that.  She found a new employer so understanding and supportive of her NYC Marathon dream that she was even granted 2-week vacation leave short of a month after starting work as part of the negotiated package!  Also, we are almost at the peak now of our training with the Pink Sole  having completed her 30k  and me my 32k last Sunday.  It was a serious but enjoyable run with running friends  Miguel and Jaymie (TBR).  Mariel and I  rejoiced with a BIG question mark still in our minds though — Will we be granted a US visa?

Oct 7, Thursday,  came and we arrived at the US embassy an hour early for our 7:30am schedule.  We breezed through the process.  We didn’t expect it to be that fast.  By 8:30am, when our friends Jaymie and Aljo were just texting us their Goodluck wishes, we have already been granted our US visas and on our way to our breakfast celebrations! YAHOOOOO!

It was just amazing how everything fell into place.  I guess, it was meant to be.

WOOOHOOO!!!   NYC  HERE WE COOOOME!!! 🙂

What a great gift this is today, our 17th wedding anniversary! THANK YOU LORD!!!