Conquering 42k at 42: Christine's Run to Her First Full Marathon

In the bustling life of Globe, where the pace is both dynamic and demanding, finding personal fulfillment amidst professional commitments can seem like a distant dream. Yet, Christine Sabellano, a dedicated executive assistant to one of Globe’s senior leaders, is weaving an inspiring narrative that reminds us all of the possibilities that lie in balancing career ambitions with personal passions.

All smiles and ready to conquer another run!

As I prepare for my first 42km marathon at the ASICS Marathon this November 29, 2025, I'm excited to share the journey that has brought me here. Balancing family, work at Globe, and marathon training has been a journey of discipline, mindset, and heart. I make it work by setting clear priorities – family always comes first, work comes next, and training fills the pockets of time in between. Most of my runs happen early in the morning before the kids wake up or late at night once everything at home has settled.

My family that keeps me going everyday <3

It’s not always easy, but having a goal reminds me why I started. My colleagues at Globe have been an incredible source of encouragement.

They celebrate every small milestone with me, whether it’s completing a long run, achieving a new personal record, or simply sticking to the plan on tough weeks. Their support makes the journey lighter and more meaningful, motivating me to keep going.

It's always a pleasure running with my teammates, especially with my boss - Sir Danny Theseira.

Shoutout to my boss, Danny Theseira, and to Ms. Steph, his amazing wife, for the overflowing support since day one of this budol. It truly was the best kind of budol! Thank you for seeing potential in me and for constantly pushing me to go the extra mile. I’m super grateful for all the support — and everything in between — the mentoring, the guidance, and even the tough love. I wouldn’t be where I am without it. 💛🙏

My motivation to take on my first full marathon really started with my experience in the 2024 Ironman relay team, which our Broadband Team organized over the past three years to inspire employees and provide a venue for beginners like me the chance to experience the full Ironman journey.

Running a half marathon showed me that I could push beyond my comfort zone and enjoy the journey at the same time.

Crossing that finish line made me think, “If I made it to 21k, why not challenge myself to go even further?”

I wanted to set a personal milestone that was memorable and meaningful for myself, so I set a simple but powerful goal: to finish 42k at 42 years old, before I turn 43 in December 2025. It’s a fun challenge and a reminder that it’s never too late to dream bigger and surprise myself with what I can achieve.

One tip that I got from other runners: Be ready to pose and act like you're not struggling when you see a photographer on the road. Haha!

The most challenging part of preparing for the marathon has been balancing everything—being a mom, managing a busy household, and keeping up with a corporate job. Training for a marathon requires time and consistency, which are hard to find when juggling work deadlines and family responsibilities. There are days when I’m tired from work or the kids need my full attention, and squeezing in the long run feels almost impossible. But I remind myself why I started and do my best to make it work by waking up earlier, running late at night, or adjusting my schedule whenever I can.

It’s challenging, but having this goal has taught me discipline, patience, and the significance of taking care of myself so I can show up better for my family and my work.

As race day approaches, I’m most looking forward to that powerful moment of standing at the starting line, knowing that all my early mornings, late-night runs, sore legs, and sacrifices have led me to that point.

It’s that exhilarating feeling of “This is it—let’s do this.” I can already picture the energy of the crowd, the support from fellow runners, and my family cheering me on.

Crossing the finish line will be emotional—a mix of relief, pride, and maybe a few happy tears, knowing I achieved my goal.

With my Broadband Business Team during the Ayala tACbo Running Event. We all finished our own tracks, it was a happy day for all of us!

I hope my journey inspires others, whether they are at Globe or anyone who comes across my story. You don’t need perfect conditions to pursue something big. You can juggle multiple roles and still find space to chase a personal goal that lights you up.

Growth happens through small, consistent steps, even on days when it feels impossible.

The best feeling is crossing the finish line with my teammates!

If my story encourages someone to start their own fitness journey, sign up for their first race, or commit to a long-put-off goal, that would mean so much to me. More than anything, I want people to see that it’s never too late to challenge yourself and prove you’re capable of more than you think.

Striking a pose for the photographer. Kunwari hindi ako pagod! :)

Christine's journey is an empowering reminder that growth and achievement are possible for us all. Are you ready to challenge yourself and explore your own potential?

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