My #1st was, of course, the most memorable one of all - the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore in Dec 2011. My 1st marathon finish was one fill with emotion; I was angry at myself throughout the race; I was teary when I saw finish line and sobbing when I reached it. What made it possible was my marathon partner - a seasoned marathoner, Kingy, a true sifu and friend who was motivating (read: bluffing) me throughout the race. Was prepared for the marathon physically, but not mentally. Well, let's just say, I wasn't prepared physically too in terms of ample training (I did some training, but just 21 km LSD), and I bet nobody's legs were ever prepared for the dreaded ECP's 10km concrete pavements. ECP did take a toll on my feet until they gave way at the 30km mark. I remembered taking 4 powergels, drank like a gallon of water, eat some gel stuff, having a stomachache, farting like crazy (my digestion was slowing down, as blood all went to pump the heart), and I think I rubbed a kilogram of Deep-heat into my 'jelly' legs. At the end, I managed my first full marathon in 7:00hrs flat, walking the last 10km that took 3hrs.
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| SCMS - Seasoned marathoner, sifu and good friend BK at the starting line |
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| I hate ECP! |
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| SCMS - Tey captured Kingy and me (in tears) as we were about to reach the finish line. |
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| SCMS - SOB, SOB!! |
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| SCMS - Faking a smile. I am not kidding, but it is fake. |
Thinking about my first marathon is like thinking about your first time taking you first SPM paper - the BM paper. It's your first day into the exam. You cannot comprehend what is going on with you, your mind is soo fixed in the examination mode, you tend to scribble out rubbish on the karangan part. All you wanted is an A1. You just give it your ALL. Halfway through all your remaining 8 papers in SPM, you kinda get it (read: your subsequent marathons). There seem to be less panic. You think: "I can't get out of this sh*t now, but I can only do my best. Stay calm". At the end of all the papers (I remember it was Biology paper), you cry-out-loud cause you made it through 2 weeks of hell, and screamed "Merdeka!". You are eventually judged by your SPM results, but in a marathon, no one judges you by your results are (unless your running are kiasu). That's the best part of running!
You suffered like hell, but for some reason, you yearn for more even during your painful recovery. It's like you wanna prove to Death he can't kill you. Or dare Death to chase you. Thrill.
Secret training:
So yes, my 2nd full marathon attempt: I was initially 'misled' by Daryl that I have to beat 6:00hrs to get the finishers tee. :p I am like "What??!" How am I going to beat my first timing by 1 freaking hour? Despite the myth of seeing me not in training (training does not equate LSDs only), I did a lot more (secret) training for my 2nd marathon - I went to gym a lot to do strength training, lifting weights to strengthen both my thighs and calfs muscles. I did push-ups and pumping like 15X6 sets each time I go to the gym (while working at UTP), and I run in burst of fastpace for 1 min for every 5 min run for a total of 45 minutes.
My secret training, which many runners did not notice, took place at Bukit Jalil park, around my housing area (I went up at 300m the inclination at least 10 times making it 3km of hill training), and of course Bukit Aman's Double hill & LSD. I needed the training, because I've suffered much previously and didn't wanna repeat history for my next full marathon.
What's different:
1. 90% flat route in both KL and Singapore marathons.
3. A lot of water, sponges, food, Deep-heat sprays by volunteers. Volunteers are friendly and helpful.
4. Weather was cooling in the morning, sunny-hot after 8.30am.
5. I suffered pain on the right leg at S'pore, but left leg at KL.
6. Loyalty: Me and my baby-blue cap.
The difference:
1. Lesser marathon participants in KL, therefore, so much space and it was a breeze to run in KL. So much less crowd. Good!
2. No concrete pavements in KL (read: I hate ECP!) that badly impacts any runner's feet.
3. Lacks the mad external supports/drums in KL. Why was it soo quiet at Jln P. Ramlee area; last year had more cheerleaders. Nobody wan this year? Singapore - damn hebat with their cheerleaders.
4. Cheaper to run in KL, soooooooooo much cheaper y'all!
5. I did not cry to the finish line in KL. I was all smiles this time.
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| All's still well at 36km mark. Pain is there, but bearable. |
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| I can't believe I beat my previous marathon time by more than an hour. Must be the secret training. |
What's the real difference in this 2nd marathon? Fong and I strategised to stop at every water station, to walk 100 m, before starting again. We did that and completed the race <6:00 hours mark: in 5hr47min. All because we wanted to get the finisher's tee, really! Have to thank Fong for being was a good motivator <3 <3. Unexpectedly, there was zero pain at 30km mark this time! (maybe just tired).
**Joke of the year:
My mum thought I won 2nd place in the full marathon for having a silver finisher's medal.
