Running 42

Wanted to blog this before the day is over, and also starting a blog entry to welcome December. Just another month to the end of the year and a start of a new one. I don't know what next year will bring but much happened this year.

Today I ran my last race event of the year and it was the toughest, most exhausting and enduring race ever. The legendary standard chartered marathon. And off all distance to choose, I'm running 42km. Double good job.

The night before I had trouble sleeping, tossing and turning while telling myself that I have to sleep early. Still only about 11pm that I managed to fall asleep but waking up again about 2am. Finally at 3am I had to get up to get ready. And best of all, my dearest is just on his way home. Tsk at him, yay for me. It's funny thinking that I went to sleep and woke up AND he just finished his dota games. Lol. Excited and nervous for the event.

Thank goodness mummy send us down to orchard. Then again SMRT has so kindly started their service early to accommodate with the big race event so participants can save the cab fare and be on time for the race. Already at 4.30am and I'm standing in the line waiting for the final half hour to pass so I can get the adrenalin running. Wasnt exactly sure how I am going to finish the race but I will give it my best shot. But I also made a promise to my dearest that I would not over exceed myself as well, for two reasons; I have zero training for this marathon and it's my first time running such a long distance.

The first 10 km was bearable and did a reasonable timing of 1:10. We went pass the floating platform before heading towards north bridge road. On my mind I was thinking of pictures angle to take of flower dome and of the city buildings. Self amusement while running. Took my first drink at 10 km mark and feeling quite positive about the run. Then I remembered my doctor's advice of walking for a few mins every 10km. Following his advice, well I tried doing the same and walked for three minutes. But after that starting to jog again was a challenge. I couldn't really find my momentum and had to slow jog instead. It was alright for the next 3km until I reached the dreadful east coast park route. Never a fan of running there because of the route and bored out scenery. Yet today I had to run 17km in east coast. Much dreaded.

Of all motivation just when I was entering ecp, on the other side I see the fastest runner exiting ecp. And here I am having another 17km to go. Rahhhh. Started walking eventually cause the legs started cramping and feeling very heavy. The shoes seemed a little too right for comfort and I was just that tempted to run barefooted. Every km I passed is telling myself I'm getting closer to the finishing line.

Here also when you see runners attempting to get an energy boost through their energy gel. And frequent stops for toilet break. One super unfair thing is how guys can just pee at the bushes while us ladies need a cubicle. Not that we can just pee standing up either. The halfway mark was really far away and reaching my timing target was a challenge. I thought I would leave ecp latest at 4:30 hours but I was so wrong. I left an hour later.

During the race I made a friend through walking and he became my buddy for the remaining distance of the race, where we encouraged, joked and survived through the distance. It really makes the marathon less boring because of the company. We even cheered over the energy gel which tasted weird and shared a banana.

The last 10km was the most challenging. Your legs giving up on you, the whole lower body is cramping and tired. You want to give up and just not walk anymore. You want to slow down in the walking pace and you want to go home to sleep. At times it was a little yawning while walking and feeling the hunger knowing you only had two bananas for breakfast.

A km never felt so far until today.

The final 5km gave me more motivation to pick up my pace, telling myself that I'm that close. The encouragement texts and messages further helped and you just look forward to seeing your bf at the finish line. Best motivation ever!

Final 100m ad I sprinted like crazy. Suddenly the legs don't hurt anymore just in that moment and you just want to cross the line. But after crossing the line it was a bad crumple down to the floor on the wobbly legs. Had to apply muscle rub before I could slowly make my way over. Collecting my finisher tee and medal was a big sense of achievement.

Seeing my boy was happier. Until my vision changed color and I started seeing yellow. Knowing what might happen next, I warned him and grab him tight before I lost it and blacked out. Luckily medic were there to help and friendly passer by who gave their chocolate bar and 100 plus. Probably happened out of exhaustion.

My achievement? Finishing the race whether I walked or ran and did a bad timing. But it was a good experience though not one I would want to experience it again anytime soon.