"It's no longer just a dream."
This is what Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach said about her participation at the recent New York City marathon.
The Filipina actress-beauty queen noted she couldn’t be happier that she has found another significant activity that would excite her after pageantry.
So after finishing the 26.2-mile race through all five boroughs of New York City last Nov. 6, Pia couldn't be prouder.
She shared her journey via a lengthy Instagram post.
"I did it! We did it!," the 33-year-old started.
According to her, the marathon wasn’t just a race, "it was an experience."
"A life lesson," she added.
Then, Pia declared it was probably the "best run" of her life.
"I saw and felt so much," she explained. "I AM SO HAPPY and grateful, inspired, humbled, and emotional…lahat na!"
Pia reiterated that her medal represents how important it is that people keep the promises they make to themselves.
"To me, it was running because I wanted a new challenge, a new discipline — to be healthier & to step out of my comfort zone, to see how far I can go," she related.
"I knew it would take time and dedication to achieve it but I wanted to stick to that promise no matter where life or work pulled me."
She said that over the years, she got used to being at the service of others, and most of her decisions revolved around work or pleasing others. This time, she stuck by running a marathon for her.
Pia maintained that it was her way of taking care of herself.
"And now, it has enriched my life so much because it has put me in a better place, so I feel recharged & energized to be of service to others."
She then thanked her family and friends who tracked her and cheered for her, especially those who patiently waited long hours as she trained every day.
Pia also expressed gratitude to her coach, whom she said pushed and prepared her for the said day.
"Sobrang patient niya sakin at sa progress ko," she said.
"I’m grateful for all the support and cheering on ground and online. I saw your signages, your messages, and posts — kahit sobra yung kaba ko and yung pagod 5 hours in, lumalakas loob ko."
"Please watch out for my reel that documents my journey from training to the finish line…and pwede ko na ring sabihin ngayon: Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach from the Philippines, proudly a NYC marathon finisher."
Meanwhile, on her Instagram story, Pia penned an appreciation post for her fiance Jeremy Jauncey.
She wrote: "Thank you my love for supporting me since day 1! And being so patient with all the looong runs I had to do. AND my emotional ups and downs during training. I'm very hard on myself so I get really down when I miss target goals and Jeremy helped me through so much of it."
Pia also featured her Filipino kababayans whom she saw cheering for her with their DIY placards during her run.