Dream: Great Things Are Coming Again

By Ben Gaetos

“When the going gets tough, the tough gets going”.
As in the old saying, when the situation becomes difficult, strong people step up to the challenge. In Dream: Great Things Are Coming Again, Filipino American runner and architect Ben Gaetos tells us how he faced the challenges of the year 2020.
Everyone was caught unprepared, including the soothsayers, by the deadly corona virus pandemic. The new normal changed the entire landscape of the whole world. Our lifestyle changed.
We can’t always get what we want, but we can learn to appreciate what we have. In these difficult times, one must not stop chasing their dreams. The sun will always rise, and the moon will always shine.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ben Gaetos
• Release date: Dec 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005768249

Book preview

DREAM

Great Things Are Coming Again

BY BEN GAETOS

Copyright 2020 by Ben Gaetos

First edition

Cover design: Paula Gaetos

Book design: Y42K Publishing Services

https://www.y42k.com/publishing-services/

Dedication

This book is dedicated in memory of my late brother, Alex who inspired me to conquer my dreams. He died from brain cancer in May 2018

My brother and my idol. This is how I would remember my brother. Being the youngest in the family, I grew up under the guidance of my three older brothers, Guil, Alex, and Sen. Alex had a special spot in my heart

When I was a little boy, our late mom always warned me that she would tell Alex if I did something wrong, get in trouble, or if I was still out in the streets by dinner time. On weekends, Alex would always ask for a massage. He then would take a nap then take me to movies or eat noodles in a Chinese restaurant. He loved action films like kung fu and Filipino western cowboy movies. He also practiced yoga and judo. Christmas was always special as he would buy me clothes or toys.

I was fourteen years old when our dad passed away. Alex looked after me. He made sure I did not get involved in any trouble. He was like a father to me. In college, he sent me monthly allowance and needed architectural school supplies. Drafting tools were not cheap and I was fortunate to have those available.

After graduating from Architecture, my first real project was designing Alex’s house. I made sure it was constructed properly at a point of breaking friendship with my friend engineer / contractor.

Alex was always my Idol or Lodi. As a student, he was a scholar from grade school to college. Alex made us so proud when he topped the Professional License Examinations for Mining Engineers in 1969. A campus parade by his alma mater, Adamson University in Manila commemorated his achievement. Alex was also successful in his favorite sport, chess. He was their company’s designated Board #1 player in chess tournaments among mining firms. I would always polish his trophies in our display cabinet and wished that someday I could win even just one. Just one, I kept wishing. I tried playing chess, followed world champion, Bobby Fischer but did not have the patience to read chess books diligently. Still, I kept dreaming and wished to make a mark for myself too

Little did I know that someday I would have trophies, medal collections, news, magazines, and other media features in the sport of running fill up not just a section of a cabinet but an entire room.

In profession, I pursued being an architect in the Philippines and in California. All these, I achieved following my brother’s footsteps against all odds. Alex inspired me to be the best I can be.

Now that my brother is gone, I thank him a lot for being where I am now. So long brother. We will drink again sometime. Thank you!

Table of Contents

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Where to 2020ne?

Chapter 2 - The Covid Pandemic

Chapter 3 - Virtually Possible

Chapter 4 - My Favorite Things

Chapter 5 - Work from Home

Chapter 6 - Positively Filipino

Chapter 7 - Badwater 135 Mile Ultramarathon

Chapter 8 - Post Badwater 135

Chapter 9 - Badwater Team Leono

Chapter 10 - 2020 Badwater 135 Ultramarathon

Chapter 11 - Would I dream again?

Chapter 12 - Old Goat 50 Mile Trail Run

Chapter 13 - Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run

Chapter 14 - Mount Whitney Hike

Chapter 15 - Mount Langley Hike

Chapter 16 - 25th Bulldog 50k / 25k Trail Run

Chapter 17 - Cuyamaca 100k Endurance Run

Chapter 18 - Griffith Park 50k Trail Ultramarathon

Chapter 19 - 33rd City of Los Angeles Marathon

Chapter 20 - Leona Divide 50k Trail Run

Chapter 21 - Avalon 50 Mile Benefit Run

Chapter 22 - Cirque du Griffith Park - 6/12/24 Hr. Run

Chapter 23 - Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Chapter 24 - 39th Avalon 50 Mile Benefit Run

Chapter 25 - Rock n’ Roll Marathon New Orleans

Chapter 26 - Swiss Alps 1200 Virtual Endurance Run

Chapter 27 - Tokyo True Running Spirit Virtual Marathon

Chapter 28 - The Hollywood Sign

Chapter 29 - We got your back, ChaMP

Chapter 30 - 26.2 Marathon Training Essentials

Chapter 31 - Ultramarathon 100.2 for beginner masochists

Chapter 32 - Overtraining

Chapter 33 - If Medals Could Talk

Chapter 34 - I Found it!

Chapter 35 - What keeps me running?

Chapter 36 - Don’t stop. Can’t stop

Chapter 37 - Daily covid calendar

Chapter 38 - The Ugly, the Bad, and the Good

Chapter 39 - Depression Matters

Chapter 40 - Dream. Great things are coming!

Prologue

The song Auld Lang Syne is often sung during the countdown for the coming New Year. "Should auld acquaintance be forgot? And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days of auld lang syne?" Literally, the song means forget about the old times and prepare for the new beginning. In 2020, how we wished we could sing Auld Lang Syne during Spring season?

The sudden outbreak of the pandemic, corona virus aka covid19, changed the entire landscape of the whole world. The world’s best scientists and doctors did not see this coming. Everyone was caught off guard and scared of the invisible enemy. It felt like the world abruptly stopped. As I stood in the middle of a usually busy and crowded street, I hollered. Where have all the cars gone? Where have all the people gone? Where have all the good times gone? Where have all the races gone?

As a result, everyone’s lifestyles changed. The new normal was born. We had to re-invent our everyday life. Social distancing and personal safety were enforced, work from home was widely practiced, entertainment had a different outlook, zoom meetings flourished, and education system reinvented.

Leaders of all nations mandated Stay at Home and wearing of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as the number of cases rose rapidly. Medical personnel worked overtime to evaluate and treat patients infected by the deadly disease.

Dark clouds hovered as the pandemic claimed lives, unemployment soared, businesses closed, places of worship shut, and depression cases rose. Everyone faced difficult times. Keep the faith strong. We are all in these together.

On the other hand, the strong minded did not give up. The new normal kept people closer to their families, increased religious faith, and enhanced creativity to earn a living. Online baking and cooking sales rose. Some created their own YouTube instructional videos hoping to generate source of income through subscribers and advertising.

Entertainment shows were reinvented as drive-in theaters made a comeback not only in movies but live music performances as well. Virtual races kept runners active and pumped up. It is all virtually possible

Lastly, sports fans were given a thrill of excitement as football, baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis, and horse racing resumed albeit limited or imaginary spectators. Athletes were kept in a bubble and no home court advantage. A championship without a parade was unimaginable

As the countdown continues to be unknown, here is hoping for the days go back to normal where all can move freely. Let the good times roll. Let the good times roll!

Chapter 1 - Where to 2020ne?

Los Angeles Lakers in 6, Dodgers in 6, the Chiefs by 7-1/2, Trump – Biden election polls, and so on. Time and time again, we hear strong predictions and heated debates from so called experts. Where were the soothsayers for 2020?

Every New Year’s Eve, I always make three goals for the upcoming year about family, profession, and running. I may succeed or fail. It gives me something to aim for. 2020 is no different. I do not make resolutions or bucket list. I keep chasing dreams to keep me alive. Only dead people stop chasing dreams

The year, 2020 started positive. I completed my 14th Avalon 50 Mile Run in January. One more finish and I can claim the coveted 15- year finisher’s hoodie. The following month, my wife and I traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana for a run-cation. We both completed the 5k Run. The following day, I ran the marathon. We extremely enjoyed the Southern foods, jazz music, hospitality, French Quarter, Bourbon Street and even witnessed Mardi Gras.

Then came March and the cookie started to crumble like dominoes. The corona virus became worldwide pandemic. The world stopped without a notice. All plans were shelved due to uncertainties. Vacation travels worldwide became restricted. I bought a plane ticket to the Philippines for a two – week vacation but was smart enough to cancel the following day. My instinct did not feel right. Asian travels were beginning to be highly dangerous. Two days later, California governor, Gavin Newsom announced a Stay at Home directive. I had plan to assess the condition of our property in Metro Manila, visit family and friends, and accept an honorary guest runner invite to an ultramarathon event.

Meanwhile all eyes were on the major races this year. The premier marathon event, Boston Marathon in April was cancelled. The holy grail of ultramarathon, Badwater 135 remained on the edge. Will it happen or not in July? For the first time, the Philippines will be represented by four powerhouse Filipino athletes. My 2013 finish created an influx of interest among fellow Filipino runners. If I can dream it, they can dream it too. They did their best to train in restricted conditions only to be cancelled a few days prior to race day. A strong earthquake and the covid outbreak in the Inyo County forced the cancellation. They remain Badwater strong.

Running will always be part of my life until my demise. This year, I registered for