The idea of joining full marathon has been in my mind for quite sometime after I did my first half-marathon. It is because if I ever going to run oversea, it must be a long distance to have more time to enjoy the run. Part of the reason also because it is more value-worthy, entry fees of 10K, HM and FM normally not increase double like the distance. And since you already travel to oversea, might as well run more (if condition permitted). Ok, the truth is, if I want to earn myself a Tiffany (you know which race right?), it gotta be full marathon. I just have to test myself, am I possible to finish it.
So, in one fine day, I just click on the "register" button for Twincity Marathon, as it has 8hrs cut-off time, which is 1hr more than most of the races. And they got roti canai, beehoon goreng and teh tarik!!! <= When you need something to convince yourself, you can find tons of excuses.
Pre-race
My average mileage per week is low, to make sure I can finish my first FM, I started my LSD training on Sunday with Pacesetters. Due to year-end busy schedule and late registration, I only have limited Sunday to do LSD. The worst part was I injured myself after first LSD. Probably insufficient warm up or I increased my mileage too soon and my leg can't take it. I thought it was my ITB, but actually I hurt my sartorius of my left leg. Hence, I forced to take 2 weeks off running, can only do some body conditioning exercise involved other muscles, such as core and upper body. My original plan failed, and I could only do once 30km, and that was the furthest LSD I have done to prepare for my FM.
Can only join the warm-up and cool down part for PUMA Night Training because injured sartorius
My face still looks ok after 1st and only 30KM LSD
Still can pose after 30KM LSD - quote from "someone": not pia enough
All my friends and runner buddies are so encouraging, and giving me advice on how to prepare and run the FM. Most of them so look up on me, told me that if my condition is good, probably can make it sub5. However, my aim is just to finish, and possible to finish it on my feet with big smiley face. As usual, I have done some calculation to estimate my own finishing time for FM. Just simple using Excel and based on my PB of 5K, 10K and HM. The estimation finishing time based on the graph would be 5hrs36mins, so I set my own target ad try to make it sub5:30.
The calculation I did for my first FM
As it is closer to D-day, I am getting excited, telling everyone that I am going to do my first FM! Lol~ make sure there's no turning back! However, the excitement has become anxiety and paranoids when it is just a week before and counting down to D-day. I got the advises from experienced marathoners, like you gotta taper, gotta start carb-loading, gotta start eat more fruits as the weather become hotter bla bla bla. BUT!!!! F* it! I am too nervous and worry, so at the end I just continue my life as usual, to keep myself feel "not so big deal".
Race pack collection
The venue of Twincity Marathon starts at Cyberjaya, hence it RECP venue was at DPulze Shopping Centre. The collection was smooth, but not so good for HM, heard that it has some error on BIB for Men HM.
There were some booths selling running gears like compression etc and also nutrient and energy supplement. I still have difficulty eating Hammer energy gels, as it is too "concentrated" for me. Probably next time I could try on SIS or High5, heard that both are more "cecair".
Race day
The starting time for FM is 4.00am, so we have to be there at least 1hr earlier as I don't like to be rushing. So me and my bro woke up at 2.00am early morning (or late night?!) enjoy our breakfast at home as usual routine for race day. My stomach feel funny when I woke up, not sure because of the excessive carb-loading the day before or just "the butterflies in my stomach", guessing it is both.
When we arrived at the venue, lucky us to get a nice parking spot, and there's already many runners warming up. My stomach still feel funny, and my hands and feet are cold. As usual, when my bro with me, he will urge me to do warm up. If I'm alone, I will be too lazy to warm up.
Getting closer to the start time, we squeeze thru the crowd and met few runners friends - Angel, TW, William, and more. All of them knew it was my first FM, and wish me luck and finish strong. Yea, at the very last moment, I feel that I need some luck too. I did not move to the front pack with my bro and others, as I know I'm not gonna start fast like 10K race, just gotta go slow and steady. The race flag off on time, I just follow the crowd go on my own pace. Met John Chew just 50m after starting line, this was his 2nd FM, all the best to us!
The starting 5KM were still running in pack, everyone looks so energetic, some runners were chit chating, greating each other. The atmosphere around me was great as I'm in the pack on the middle, not like my bro in front pack racing speed. After 5KM, the crowd starting to spread a bit because of the few ascending hills. I saw my bro and others already passing me after the u-turn point around 5.5km. All of them were lightning speed!!! It's ok, I just have to keep running...
My first 10KM was on pace and on time like I have planned, but the drama in my head was running like wild horse. Too much to think and too much to worry, and the discomfort of my stomach make it worse. Luckily they have quite many portable loo on route, so worst case, I just need to jump in and unload some weights. Probably I was too afraid to bonk, my 10 - 15KM was slower than my target pace. I always have problems around 15km, I think that's my "wall" for HM distance. But I feeling better after that.
Around 19KM, I saw my bro already at opposite route and he was in front of TW and William! What a surprise!! From far I saw a guy looks like him, but I didn't saw TW, so I was in doubt but when he passby and whistle to me. He still able to whistle!!!! O.M.G!! He already ran until 26KM. Even though I am feeling ok at that moment, but my legs start to feel some pain here and there. I keep telling myself to keep running, as I know I can do it for HM, so die die also have to run until HM distance. I was on tract until 20K, exactly the elapse time that I have planned. My second refuel at the water station around that distance and feel refreshing as they served coke!!! Icey cold coke!! Kick lai liao~ kick lai liao~
Since I feel the kick after the refuel and coke, I continue to run even though my pace drop like MY ringgit. When I arrived at the u-turn point around 24KM, I noticed timing crew was recording my BIB no, so I was thinking "Am I this fast?!" but I saw a lot of female runners was in front of me. From 20KM onwards, I need distraction to keep the drama out of my mind. I started to plan for my next half distance, keep running if possible and maintain my BIB to be record on the sheet (most likely to be top20 female runners).
I have no idea how I manage to run until 30KM even not with my easy run pace. My pace has dropped to like avg 8mins/km for 25 - 30KM, but still on track as I foresee myself will be slower at that time. Seriously I can't remember how i ran that distance, what's in my mind. Guess that I am in my Zen mode again. It has pros and cons for sharing route with HM. The cons as usual is congested, and it is same for any race and any distance. For me, the pro will be to motivate myself not to stop and keep running. I have to make myself looks more pro to others. Lol~
It was only 12KM leave after 30KM, ONLY!! If only I didn't run the 30KM, 12KM is easy to run. The KM markers seems far in between, and runners for FM has even spread along the route. No wonder others alway told me the real FM is after 30KM. The feeling of endless road, aching body and do-not-know thinking what mind, one must run it only they can understand. To my surprise, my body feeling better (or actually it is shutting down), and I can keep running. My timing even 4mins ahead of my original plan until 35KM.
The sun was out, the weather become warmer when I was running my last 5KM. I was so excited when I saw MMU's entrance as I recall the map it is already very near to Persiaran Flora and I did passed by the road when I was collecting race kits. I know the finishing line is near, no point I give up and start walking. Even I wanted to walk, my legs was painful so might as well just run. After turning into Persiaran Semarak Api, I knew it was the last stretch road to the end. Saw some runners from HM or 12K already got their finisher medals and goodies walking back to their cars. What more encouraging was I saw Rany taking photos on that road. Brightest smile on my face!
Yup, I still looking good after running 41KM! [Photo credit: Rany Tan]
Skipped the ice-stick, who cares about ice-stick if the finishing line is just in front?! I heard a loud cheering from roadside and I saw Lee-lian and my bro was sitting by roadside cheering for me! Put on the biggest smile and continue running with better form and strides. My bro tried to run with me but his leg was still jelly, and I saw my bro was wearing a tag!! He must be running really hard and be in top10!! He shouted to me that meet at finishing line as he couldn't run faster. Give him a "thumbs up" sign and continue my road to glory moment. Another surprise was Linglyee waiting in front of finishing line and ran together with me for the last 50m. Finally!!
Finally we can run together towards finishing line!
Post race
My bro finally "run" back to the finishing line. He was the 7th in Men Open FM!! Wah!! And he manage to finish with sub3:30! What a race! My legs start to feel the aftermath of running 42KM, i walked like a crab after the finishing line! When we on the way to retrieve my bag, saw Audrey was Q-ing at the secretariat tent, she was 2nd-runner up in 12KM, Angel was 1st-runner up for FM and Teckwai was 6th in FM. Congratulation to all of them!
- To be continue -
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