I ran with new expectation this year with new organizer for the race.
Knowing that I was not well prepared for this race (again!), I actually did not set any time target until I met Terence when I was collecting my race kit on Saturday morning. He has a sub-5 plan for a group of first time marathon runner who will be running together with him on Sunday. 1Hr 50 mins for first 15Km, then subsequent 20K in 2Hr20mins, and 7Km in remaining 50mins, and sounds achievable right? So I was excited and highly motivated to run according their plan.
I was a bit rush on Sunday morning, arrived there at about 4:52am, Q for toilet and when I came out it is already 4:57 and it started to rain quite heavily. Tried to look for Terence and their group but couldn’t see them so I stood in between 5hr pacer and 6hr pacer. The rain was getting heavier and I started to worry because I have no experience running in such a heavy, I guessed I will sure have blister after this run.Not sure how many runners registered for Full Marathon category, but this is the biggest crowd of full marathon runner that I have seen so far. Glad to see so many people started to enjoy the run!
The race was very well organized, plenty of water and sponging station. From 4km onwards, we will see water station at every 2km distance this make me felt so safe because I did not carry my small water bottle with me this time! Managed to catch up with Terence’s group at about 13km, I was told I was still on schedule. I reached 15km marker at 1hr51 mins. In order to complete next mission of 2Hr20mins for 20km, I increased my speed a little bit. Then I reached 25km at exactly 3Hr. And this is very I started to slow down because I did a wrong calculation! I thought I was supposed to complete 25km at 3hr10mins, so I wrongly assumed that I have 10mins buffer time to complete 25km~35km but the fact is I was just on time for the plan! Aiya! Stupid me.
Because I kept assuming that I have 10 mins buffer time, so I was actually very happy after 25km and did not feel any pressure at all. Met Harry at about 28km, I chit chat a bit with him and he actually reminded me “don’t slow down because of me” but I was still thinking it’s ok, I have 10 mins extra and I could actually do some relax run…..
I did not notice something was wrong until 31km……when I suddenly woke up and realized that I could not finish 35km by 4hr10mins! Shit…… I was very wrong to think that I have 10 mins buffer!!! Clocked 35km at 4:20mins - i.e 10 mins slower than plan! Only 40 mins left for remaining 7km, it’s a mission impossible for me! It means less than 6mins per km…..my heart suddenly sank, bye bye my sub 5 dream…..
Although I couldn’t do a sub-5, I thought I could still finish my race strong….because I still felt great and running tall at 36km though my legs felt a little bit tight but the last 6km was like my home base, I run here almost every Sunday. How could I give up here? Very soon, I have reached 39km mark and I was happily talking to another runner, hey! So fast, we have reached 39km…..another 3 km to go only.
Bang! Immediately after 39km marker, I both legs cramp! Yes, both legs! I have no supporting point for my body, and the worst was – there were no trees around for me to grab on! Choices that I had were 1) To grab on the short bushes and fall onto it, 2) Just sit on the road then only stretch my legs 3) Asking for helping hands from other runners! Without much consideration I went for option 3! I think I must have looked very funny at that moment, I couldn’t control my legs, the cramp was actually not so serious but for that 1 minute I just couldn't find my balance point. Obviously, this was because I did not have enough training for the race…..
I ended up walking most of the time during the last 3km after the cramp. My second dream of dashing through the finishing line also gone……The clock show 5:27:XX When I manage to drag myself back to the finishing line.
Anyway, it’s finished…..I am truly satisfied with the race, for the first time I did not curse the route, for the first time I really thought 42km is not that long and I actually enjoyed the run very much :-P! For the first time……I could still go for shopping after a Full Marathon, yeah! Thanks to the organizer and also the weather! So…...
Knowing that I was not well prepared for this race (again!), I actually did not set any time target until I met Terence when I was collecting my race kit on Saturday morning. He has a sub-5 plan for a group of first time marathon runner who will be running together with him on Sunday. 1Hr 50 mins for first 15Km, then subsequent 20K in 2Hr20mins, and 7Km in remaining 50mins, and sounds achievable right? So I was excited and highly motivated to run according their plan.
I was a bit rush on Sunday morning, arrived there at about 4:52am, Q for toilet and when I came out it is already 4:57 and it started to rain quite heavily. Tried to look for Terence and their group but couldn’t see them so I stood in between 5hr pacer and 6hr pacer. The rain was getting heavier and I started to worry because I have no experience running in such a heavy, I guessed I will sure have blister after this run.Not sure how many runners registered for Full Marathon category, but this is the biggest crowd of full marathon runner that I have seen so far. Glad to see so many people started to enjoy the run!
The race was very well organized, plenty of water and sponging station. From 4km onwards, we will see water station at every 2km distance this make me felt so safe because I did not carry my small water bottle with me this time! Managed to catch up with Terence’s group at about 13km, I was told I was still on schedule. I reached 15km marker at 1hr51 mins. In order to complete next mission of 2Hr20mins for 20km, I increased my speed a little bit. Then I reached 25km at exactly 3Hr. And this is very I started to slow down because I did a wrong calculation! I thought I was supposed to complete 25km at 3hr10mins, so I wrongly assumed that I have 10mins buffer time to complete 25km~35km but the fact is I was just on time for the plan! Aiya! Stupid me.
Because I kept assuming that I have 10 mins buffer time, so I was actually very happy after 25km and did not feel any pressure at all. Met Harry at about 28km, I chit chat a bit with him and he actually reminded me “don’t slow down because of me” but I was still thinking it’s ok, I have 10 mins extra and I could actually do some relax run…..
I did not notice something was wrong until 31km……when I suddenly woke up and realized that I could not finish 35km by 4hr10mins! Shit…… I was very wrong to think that I have 10 mins buffer!!! Clocked 35km at 4:20mins - i.e 10 mins slower than plan! Only 40 mins left for remaining 7km, it’s a mission impossible for me! It means less than 6mins per km…..my heart suddenly sank, bye bye my sub 5 dream…..
Although I couldn’t do a sub-5, I thought I could still finish my race strong….because I still felt great and running tall at 36km though my legs felt a little bit tight but the last 6km was like my home base, I run here almost every Sunday. How could I give up here? Very soon, I have reached 39km mark and I was happily talking to another runner, hey! So fast, we have reached 39km…..another 3 km to go only.
Bang! Immediately after 39km marker, I both legs cramp! Yes, both legs! I have no supporting point for my body, and the worst was – there were no trees around for me to grab on! Choices that I had were 1) To grab on the short bushes and fall onto it, 2) Just sit on the road then only stretch my legs 3) Asking for helping hands from other runners! Without much consideration I went for option 3! I think I must have looked very funny at that moment, I couldn’t control my legs, the cramp was actually not so serious but for that 1 minute I just couldn't find my balance point. Obviously, this was because I did not have enough training for the race…..
I ended up walking most of the time during the last 3km after the cramp. My second dream of dashing through the finishing line also gone……The clock show 5:27:XX When I manage to drag myself back to the finishing line.
Anyway, it’s finished…..I am truly satisfied with the race, for the first time I did not curse the route, for the first time I really thought 42km is not that long and I actually enjoyed the run very much :-P! For the first time……I could still go for shopping after a Full Marathon, yeah! Thanks to the organizer and also the weather! So…...
LOOK FOR ME IN YEAR 2011!!!!
Ps: Photo from http://picasaweb.google.com/qqlaisk
2 comments:
Congrats for completing your marathon! Happy Running!
Thanks! I hope all my future marathon will be a happy memory like this!
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