The Sun is Down.....

I'm sure everyone taking part in the inaugural SD Marathon yesterday, would have their own story to tell. One that they will remain a memory to them forever...


The same goes for me. I knew I wasn't that well prepared for this but would really want to do it, to see how my body feels and react going at such distance before the actual Big Day. I was still on medication till Wed and was praying hard for a recovery. Thank God, I'm feeling good physically and mentally on Saturday. All ready to go. Thanks to all the well wishes and encouragement....


I was feeling so good at the start of the race, both physically and mentally, enjoying every single bit of it. As soon as I exit from Coastal Rd, I saw some expected familiar face, over taking me one by one. Yankee, tao, Terence, Piglet..... Started to feel a bit exhausted after the u-turn pt, I started to slow down a little and seeing Tiwazz and Charlotte at the support table...their ice-stick is heaven sent. At one point, I even have the urge to u-turn back and take another 2 stick. One on each hand..haha...



Spotted JC at the other side after I u-turn. I estimated to him before the race that he should be able to catch up with me around my 25-30km mark. Slowly make my way to exit ECP, expecting him to catch up anytime soon. Came to the 2nd Sgrunners support station, looks like a mini-party. Am really touched to see such volunteers in providing their 100% to runners. Next, entering in Bedok Reservoir, the toe and the feet is giving some bad signals by this time. This is one stretch that I hated the most. The pebbles, the sand and the darkness. Lost your focus and you'll get yourselves injured anytime. Felt so irriated by the sand going into my shoe, I quickly get a spot by the side, sit down and sort out those sands. BAD CHOICE!!!! It was dark, I didn't realized what's by the curb. Sorted out the sands and realized there's tonnes of black ants. Got bitten by them on the leg, hand...Eeewwww!!!! Got me a little panic and spent 1-2 mins to get rid of all these black ants on my body.


Just at the right place, water station before exiting BR, JC caught up. Walk for a while before he speed up while I am already started to struggle a little by this time. 12km to go, walk and jog slowly. At 36km, it started to pour. Heavily!! It may not be a bad thing because of such heavy rain, I've probably forget abt the pain at my feet and started to speed up. It's just 4km to go. So near yet to far. The signboard shows 400m to go.. I didn't bother to sprint or even run... Speed walking in pain yet enjoying the surrounding. At 100m, someone called out from behind!! It's LT!!! Haha...happy to see him and make our way to finish line. He ask whether I want to run or just walk to finish. I say there's a lot of spectator in front, die die must finish in good posture... And so....we ran side by side towards the finish line. Sigh....never have i expect, that my first marathon will complete together with him woh...!!! LOL!!!!


Collected our medals, Finisher Tee and my bag, say a few hi to a few faces, I proceed to go to CP2 to meet JC. Spotted him from a distance. Aiyoh...he looks like he's in pain too! His first reaction to me...he's not going to do it again...haha..let's see if he still say the same after recovery. Regardless, he did well.


It's painful, it's not easy (at least for me) to complete the distance. But ask if it's worth sacrificing my sleep and going thru this, I'll still give a Yes :) Despite all this, it is still an enjoyable run for me. Happy to own a 42k finisher medal and are qualified to wear my own 42k Finisher tee, but that's just a small bit of it. More importantly, I feel stronger from inside out than before. I realized how I am being blessed that I am feeling 100% fresh throughout the run. Not sleepy at all and mentally going strong. These 2 are never my friend so I'm really caught by suprised that it didn't attack me at all. The pain in the leg is just an indication that my mileage is not enough and that is exactly why I want to do this marathon. To see how I feel going at such distance.


Till the next race.....rest well, eat well, train well :)