4.45 a.m. before the alarm blares, I sat up my body pumped in anticipation. I could hardly sleep the night before, so many thoughts ran through my head. Thoughts like, will I make it, is my body ready (I just went through a week of heavy purging and vomiting), will I get injured, I didn’t get enough sleep, did I make the right choice to run the half marathon as my first run of the year? I was so tempted to not run and just lie there, but I knew I would not be content with the stories, I knew I would not be able wear the jersey (I coveted it for years), I would never have the right to say anything and I would like with a bigger emptiness and regret that I am feeling now. My worries did not outweigh the satisfaction and just the knowledge to know I tried. I knew I had to try, I knew I had to get up face it, come what may I will pass that finish line, I will crawl pass it even if I have to.
So I pick up my running shorts waiting for me, I get dressed ready, counting through what I need to bring, and my contact lenses seems more afraid than me as it just won’t go in! Finally everything was ready, checked and re-checked. And it dawned on me my clock is set 15 minutes fast I was ready by 5 a.m. sitting at the staircase of the church waiting in anticipation , I think I was nervous… very nervous… and I had at least 40 minutes to wait! So I kept trying to rest while stretching and just mentally getting ready. And the call that could launch a thousand ships came in. Charity called just to wish me the best, and her voice was just what I needed to hear then. As the minutes slowly passed, my body just felt all wrong, nothing felt in place, nothing felt right. Slowly though my fellow runners streamed to the church each ready to embark on their own personal battles. Each ready to face themselves in a run against themselves to achieve something and prove something to themselves.
So we departed at 5.35am I was still trying to get sleep in the car and we arrive all too soon. Greeted by an air of anticipation and a lot of Adidas foot deodorant (promoter girls were heavily promoting their new product, and runners happily obliged the free offer), we made our way to the start line and registered. There we stretched, emptied our systems to be able to run better, and for me check the competition. And man do they look FIT! 6.15 a.m. PowerBar went in (compliments of PowerBar). It occurred to me, runs have become and is more of a social event and a meeting of people and friends. Shout of names, hi’s and well wishes filled the early morning air as each runner wished another and caught up with each other since the previous run. I personally saw some people knew… looks like I am getting more seasoned in running J.
6.30 a.m. the start line is filling up and we scamper to get the starting bracelets. The running pen is big, much bigger than I expected and well we didn’t even fill it up. I believe there was at least a thousand runners. 6.40 a.m. blaring sirens suddenly flood the air as the VIP came to launch the run. Last minute announcement by an old man that was really annoying, and before I knew it BANG! The race has begun. I was not ready for this, I told Wil, “Go ahead I will follow my own pace”, and he did pushing on hard to finish the race to qualify for medals. I on the other hand hunkered down and braced myself for the run ahead I did not think I did not bother I did not worry, I just took one step at the time, getting ready for 3 hours of running.
3km in I was surprised to get a water station already but I really needed a drink. So I drank the given 100 plus and well it was good but didn’t like the gas but it’s ok I still could take it, the at about 5km the 10km runners joined the route, and I was greeted with a mass of runners that makes it hard to run. But its ok I am not pushing for record time. This is where it gets disappointing, the water stations were not ready for us, they were not equipped or big enough to handle the traffic and some people did not get drinks, or sponges and it just brought some running lines to a halt, breaking momentum. So I was glad when they turned off and I geared my mind for the lonely run that will come ahead, surprisingly though the first 10km didn’t feel that bad, and that is where the second disappointing episode comes. They placed the 12th km marker 2km earlier. So I thought I was way ahead but I was not. And one water station had only 2 bottles of water! Amazing! The following was also kinda disappointing, distance markers, water stations that closed, serving 100 plus and not water causes more dehydration than being just out there in the sun. But to my amazement I felt really good up to this point. By the time I hit the last 6km I felt hungry and exhausted, but at this point I found my overtaking people to my surprise. Then at the last 3km I felt the first tale tell signs of a major cramp coming in my right leg. I took my last PowerBar hoping it will last me the rest of the race and it did hold… for a while. And now the last 2km was gruelling I was out of everything ut sheer will power. The last hope I had was the last ‘water’ station which again served 100 plus, but the familiar surroundings were an encouragement that the end was near.
500m to go I see the last bend, and hear the sound system ahead, I knew this is the last push and I began to push my pace again. And as I approached the ramp that leads me to the finish line a familiar face catches my attention! Huey Ling a long time friend was waiting for another friend to complete the 22km run and man was it good to see her! And she began running with me encouraging me, spurring me to finish and finish strong! But my leg disagreed, and my cramp finally set in, 50 meters to the finish line I could not run, but the crowd shouted for me to keep going, my mom and Carmille was at the finish line calling me to come. Pain engulfed my leg and each step was painstaking. Finally I entered the gateway which was marked for my category, and to my utter surprise I was handed one of three last medals.
2 hours, 55 minutes after 6.45 a.m. I reached. Last of my group that went to conquer to run but I did it, not the best time but by my feet I got across the line. It was not easy but I was surprised myself at the medal I got, coz Wil did not get one. But I have paid for the dehydration and push by muscle aches and pain till today J. All in all it was a great time and we are excited about that, but on the flip side, the organisation was not that good collection was at two separate venues, there was no water ,and not enough recovery drinks or food. So things could have been better in the organisation. Overall the best I have been at a run.
Pros:
1. I did a half marathons
2. My knees feel great
3. Personal achievement
Cons:
1. Lack in training showed
2. Severe pain in recovery stage
Next run Mizuno! 19th October, and we have a convoy! Can’t wait to do it under 1 hour! Here We GO!!!
