To the race
actual
4:15am, I have reached Dataran Merdeka alone. I took me around
15mins walked from my Hotel(Impiana) to the venue. Among the crowd,
I managed to locate Sukaimi(The lonely Runner) and some of the
runners(from Singapore). There are so many people that I couldnt
remember their names(forgive me, I am bad at names).
Before the run, it always good for a nature call first. We tried to
find a loo, but to no avail. No choice, we just went behind one of
the tree and do some gardening. One of Singapore runner is female
and poor gal, she has to endure. I dont know whether she manage to
release the pressure along the run, but it is damn frustrating to
carry a full load and run around.
On the starting block, we meet more familiar faces, especially the
KL Penguins. Finally get to meet Penguin 6 after these
months.
At 5am sharp, the clockl at Dataran Merdeka struck and the race is
off. We started off ok. I ran conservatively, a lot of people
overtook myself(get use to it already). Along the way, saw
interesting folks along the way.
First 10km
It was dark and the urge to go and release the water tank surface
again. At 9.5km mark, got behind a highway pillow and do my stuff.
Saw one Malay, long hair, with a cap, wearing Jeans and runs with
us !!! I only see him around for the first 10km, after that no idea
where he is. Most probably way behind. Another outstanding figure
is this Korean lady(very skinny) carry a digital camera and runs
with it. This lady definitely runs faster than myself. Run, take
photo and run again. I was like
har
42km leh
no joke and this lady
carry the camera all the way throughout the run and still got time
and strength to concentrate on taking photos. Well, everybody runs
for different reason, maybe her ideal of running is different from
ours. True words from the organizer, water points and sponge points
are thoroughly spaced out along the race and this time round(lots
of complains last year), all stages are fully equipped with
sufficient water. Cold water, 100plus and cold sponges are a
welcome relief for everyone. My pace for 10km is pretty decent,
slightly lower than 60mins.
First 20km
I should be good for 20km-30km run, then the rest, have to push and
pray for the best.
I believe at this stage, I get more relaxed and starting to enjoy
myself and look at the surrounding, as the dawn breaks. Throughout
this stage, the road seems familiar as I have traveled along the
same path yesterday when my friend drove me around. All the
negative views I heard previous on KL Marathon has disappeared. The
traffic police did a marvelous job (Spore traffic police should
learn from them). Throughout the entire run, never have I needed to
slow down or jog on the spot, it was always runner fast, car/bike
takes a latter stage to the dismayed of the latter. The pace for
20km is pretty good, still within the 60mins per 10km pace and I am
feel good.
First 30km
This is going to be the transition period. My normal weekly run is
between 20-30km. In fact, I covered only once in 30km. Took my
first package of Powerbar Gel around 25km mark. Immediately feel
the boost. Throughout this distance feeling good and starting to
get a bit bored, I would said. Let try chatting with some runners.
I had spoken to one uncle late 40s. He said he looking at covering
1km at a time. I remind him to count down instead of counting up,
and morale wise will be better. I meet up with fellow Singapore
runner, one bulky Indian guy which I have seem training in Esplande
area and we did a few public runs together though we have never
spoken. This is his 8th Marathon. He runs to keep slim, as he
informed me during the short run together. Wow. Pompoms gals
spotted finally, not bad looking though. Alas, no mood to sian gal
lah. Overtook by the lead 21km runners leow lah at this stage as
expected. The pace for 30km is still on a 60mins/10k pace. I am
surprised. I didnt expect such timing and I am feeling good.
First 40km
Venture into the unknown feeling good. What more can I asked? On
this pace, if I can stay another 60mins/10km pace, I would have
cover the entire distance around 4:15hrs. Wow, that is beyond my
wildest imagination. Can I do it? The organizer provide another
does of Powerbar Gel(unexpected) at one of the water point around
33km. Sigh, I just took out another dose of Gel too and have to put
it back. At this point, I SMS my sweetheart to meet up earlier as
expected at the finishing point. I want her to see me when I cross
the finishing line. At 35km, I can feel the stressed. The arms are
getting slightly dumb, OMG am I going to hit the WALL
.I dont
need this at this moment. Wow piah, the slopes (as advice the
ending slopes are killer by those oldies), seow leow. No choice,
cant continue the pace leow. No problem, as expected, shall do the
walk and run to the end of the race. My right knee cap is giving
way
wtf, how come? I did not overstress the knee? It is agony
I
cant run much. My lungs are good, my legs are a bit stressed, but
still okay. My kneecap is killing me. Wah loh
still have a few
kilometers to go and this happens. Well, I expected tired body and
this kind of problems at this stage. Expecting is one thing, going
through it is another. How to survive with this condition is
another. I tried to run through it, but could only make about
200metres at a time, as my kneecap just refuse to recover. At this
moment, I meet up a Taiwan runner. He came all the way from
Taiwan(total 34 of them), just to take part in Marathon !!!!
Talking about commitment !!! He has over 50 Marathons under the
belt !!! Somehow spoken to him, I managed to jog along him. Strange
enough the kneecap recovers. Somehow the slopes force me to
continue my walk/run through the last few kilometers. The pace has
dropped off, I think I did 1:20hrs for the last 10km. This Taiwan
man introduce me to few of his fellow runners along the way, one of
the guy carried a camera (seems like a professional) and take
pictures. Again, my hearts goes out to him, as he can run and shoot
at the same time. Even at this stage of the run!!!
42km
Wow, last 2 km leow, finishing should be at sight shortly. Cool. I
continue to do walk/run around the slope to the 1km mark. I can
feel it in my bones that the finishing is in front. The body no
longer hurts; the lungs get another boost, as I took off for the
finishing stretch. What a sight when I turned into the Merdeka
Parade and straight in front is the finishing point. OMG, I am
going to finish and complete the Marathon. Yeepee, I crossed the
finishing line at 4:34:08 seconds.
The End
Nothing feel like having your love ones or family members at the
finishing line. My sweetheart waits at the ending point. I handed
her the finishing medal that indicates that I am late. This is my
first marathon, which in my wildest dream for 30 over years, have
not ever crossed my mind that I will completed a Marathon. It is an
experience of a lifetime. Will I do that again? The answer will be
yes for now. Let me rest my overwork body and see how it goes from
here.
Tribute
The person that support me most throughout the journey is my
sweetheart. Without her, this will not be possible to achieve.
Advice from Marathon runners is valuable. Well wishers from friends
motivates me further. The entire journey proof one important
factor. If you set your mind and work hard towards it, rewards will
come. Impossible Is Nothing.
