If you read my previous post which is the Part 1, you know that I have survived my FIRST FULL MARATHON! And I even finished with a timing that beyond my expectation!
I was too excited when I passed the finishing line, I forget to take photos with all my running buddies!! So now I don't have any more photos to post other than those on previous post that I am running. Only a few "after-run" photos!
Post-race - Continue
The walk towards baggage tent was even more difficult than my FM, probably because I just ran 42km. LOL! After claimed my bag, immediately me and my bro were looking for a spot to sit and I can do cool down and stretching. Saw that there's a "Gong" prepared by organizer for runners to celebrate their PBs or virgin run completion. But my legs were too jellying to detour just to take photo and sound the "gong".
We found place with shade under tiny tree and it was near to the stage as I thought my bro need to standby for his prize ceremony. Mana tau he told me that prize only for top5, they were told that no hamper for 6th - 10th runners. This is so unbelievable! Since sifu TW already checked with them before the race about the prize and podium, and when they went to Secretariat Tent to verify only be inform that no prize. I understand that all races have the clause that saying organizer reserves the right for any changes. This is ridiculous as runners were running their best efforts and were given a "potential winner" tag but got to know that no trophy or hamper or what-so-ever. While I was doing my cool down and stretching, I asked my bro to verify one last time whether that was the final decision. That's it, nothing. Even top5 winners were presented only cheque but no trophy as mentioned. What a disappointment!
After cool down, with Audrey waiting for her prize ceremony
Since no prize giving for top6-top10, we decided to leave early. We saw there's mamak restaurant just beside where we parked, so we just go for a quick breakie before heading home. Just like my previous 30KM LSD, perhaps my body still burning and energy still available in my body, I am not as hungry as I were after running for 10KM or HM. I got no appetite, so just order roti telur to replenish some proteins and the most important - my Neslo!!!
Neslo is a must!
I am a coffee-drinker and I need coffee every morning to kick start my day. I heard that caffeine does help to give you kick during running so I limited myself a coffee a day only 2 weeks before my FM. The Hammers gels that I brought are Tropical favour and it has 25mg caffeine in it. Perhaps next time i should do this for a month to make sure it has a better effect. I am not sure whether it does help or not, but the coke served in 2 stations did give me the kick (coke contains ~ 30mg caffeine per can).
Run with coke!
As I mentioned in previous post about my drama-queen stomach, hence I was very cautious every time I refuel as I was almost puke during my Putrajaya Night Marathon when refuel with energy gel. I have total 6 packs of gels with me as my estimated finishing time is about 5.5hrs, if I take 1 pack per hour and 1 more pack for backup. However, I only took 4 packs for the whole course! Part of the reason was because of my funny stomach, but it was getting better after 10KM. If not mistaken, I remember that there were a few water stations separated quite odd and far distance in between. I think from there onward my refuel plan was delayed but to my surprise I did not feel any fatigue or light-headed. Probably my adrenaline was doing a good job to keep me in excited mode like an atom at its excited stage with electron ready to emit lots of energy! Anyway, not a good habit to relay on this for long term. Gotta try more refuelling plan during LSD.
When I on my phone, saw my parents' WhatsApp msg, they're so concern about my first FM, worried that I might collapse somewhere. Lol~
The before and after
My legs become like "disoriented" after running for 42KM, it become so difficult to coordinate them when walking. Perhaps this is one of the after effects of running FM. Just like my 30KM LSD, DOMS did not happened, or not as serious as I expected. I am guessing it is because that I ran in easy pace, a REALLY easy pace after 21KM, the rest of the run become like "recovery run". I was so worried that DOMS would be so bad until I can't walk, as I got oversea training, need to fly like 8hrs and attend meeting&training. I imagined the worst scenario would be asking for a wheelchair in airport. Luckily this did not happen.
Maybe the post-run massage did work, or because of the calf-compression that I am wearing really do magic on my legs. My bro bought me a Phiten Calf Compression during Xmas gift exchange. This is the only advantage of having a brother who loves running. Lol~ I wore it during my 30KM LSD and FM, it is not those really tight feeling compression, it feel rather "gentle". I was a bit skeptical about its function, but turn out it works well. Not sure is it psychological issue or other factors, as long as it works! Desperate people (like me, not enough training) need desperate measure!
The only time he is not that evil
Quite comfy to wear
ALOTSSS of massage after the run - foam roll, massage stick and massage lotion
Another thing that I find it quite effective of keep me running is the timing band (not sure what it should called). Like I have plotted a chart to calculate my elapse time for every 5KM, to make sure I can run on track of time. This method prove quite effective for me, as I have tried it during my second attempt of HM – PNM, it helps me to keep track of time and finally I run my HM sub2:30. I have using this method for my first FM too. I do calculation the time for 5:30 pacers as well, if I run slower than my plan, eventually they will catch up on 35KM. So, if by 35KM, I am still running ahead of them and maintaining the pace, I can consider myself “safe for sub5:30”. I saw from internet, some runners are doing it for every 2KM, but it needs a very long list of timing. So I have breakdown it into every 5KM instead of 2KM. I think this is a good method for people like me who has weak mentality, it keeps you running and don't give up. This method not really useful for those very hardcore self-discipline runners such as my bro who die die also won't walk/slow-down.
I'm using the medical tape and highlighted the 35KM timing - quite tiny hence it would be difficult to read when it is still dark. But I think the first 10KM still manageable without the timing.
From 30KM onwards doing better, slow but better!
I clocked my first FM at 5:18:54 (my Garmin GPS watch time), overall not bad for first timer. Heard a lot of complaint about the timing error etc, so I am using my own GPS watch time as my FM record rather than the timing on cert. Even though it is under distance like 400m, I think I still able to make it sub5:20 if I saw from far the timing is closer and definitely will run faster!
Timing at each check point
Obviously I did not take 1:04mins to cross the timing mat.
Before I run my first FM, I was explaining to others why I sign up the challenge. I wanted to know how the feeling of running a FM is and what comes at the end of it. I told them probably this would be the first and last FM as I already so suffering before running it. 99% of them replied: “It won’t be your last, probably you will sign up another FM immediately after your FM.” Lol! And now, everyone asking me the same question after they congratulate me for finished my first FM, “When is your next FM?” “What’s your next FM plan?” Just let me soak in the happiness of completing my first FM for some more time, and let the pain of it faded away. Honestly, the happiness and satisfaction is greater than the pain, I don’t really remember the pain even though I remember the painful experience. Ok, sound a bit complicated and confusing. It is like, I remembered that my legs were pain, but I don’t remember the pain of it. Ok, still sounded confusing, whatever! You will get it if you run FM before or just go for one then you would know.
Last but not least, I would like to thank everyone who have been supporting me and give me confidence all these while. Till next time!
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