My musings...

It is said that one must always try his best.

But when the best is not enough, do you still keep on trying?

My first ever marathon!!!

The few days leading up to D-day wreck havoc on my sleep pattern. I couldn't fall asleep well.

And the night before, I could only muster about 4 hours of sleep before waking up at an ungodly 3am.

The pre-race ritual was to have a dump to clear my bowels (thus making me lighter :P), and a light breakfast of milo & a piece of bread. I don my "battle" gear, did a check on the equipments, and off I go to pick my race kaki - mr. paperbox.

So we thought we were on time, until we hit a massive jam en route to Orchard, our starting point. Minutes ticked, and we heard the horn sound off at 5am for the full marathon route. We finally parked the car at my workplace nearby, did a final check, and started running to the flag off point. Hehehe. Luckily it wasn't that late, we started at around 5:20am.

The weather was purrfect: the air crisp, and the morning breeze cooling. You could not have asked for a better start than this :)

And so, we were on our way... a long way from the finish line, but determined to finish every last step of it, no matter how long it would take.

We made our way down Orchard road, past Chinatown and towards CBD, the F1 pit building before turning out to Nicoll highway and onwards to ECP, where we have spent a month training for this day.

By then I had already started walking, not because of exhaustion but rather my stomach felt queasy from the consumption of the power gel. Sweat was also dripping profusely, so much so my socks were soaking wet! I had to take off my shoes and squeezed the socks dry on a few occasions, damn disgusting! haha.

Somehow I didn't felt as relieved to see the halfway mark, just a stone throw's away from the national sailing club. Perhaps fully well aware that it is just going to get harder for the 2nd leg. True enough, my pace has slowed considerably. And I have lost sight of my kaki completely. Hell, I thought to myself, it's not about the timing - it's the race that matters. Maybe that's when the complacency sets in I guess. But still, tried as I may, the legs just won't run fast enough. Running a marathon is a completely different animal altogether.

By now, the morning sun had turned into a scorching noon sun. The route had meandered its way down the marina golf course area, past an ongoing construction site which is the death zone for me. The stiffling heat & dusty air makes for a deadly combo. It was with much relief that I reached the marina barrage, not before downing cup after cups of 100plus & water. I had even contemplated jumping into the reservoir to cool myself down! Ok that was a joke lah, but when you're dead tired like this, you could have given a second thought about it :P

I was approaching the final leg of the race, but not before one last obstacle: the climb up ECP highway in seriously sickening heat. I see alot of runners crumbling to the ground by the grass patch, or taking a breather under shelters provided by the trees lining the road. A good number were receiving treatment care by the medics, and rehydrating in order to prevent heat stroke. I saw a few couples walking until the girl cannot take it, and I really feel for her. Which crazy boyfriend would ask their significant other to take part in marathons to suffer?! hahaha.

At this time my right feet is feeling the full brunt of running a marathon. I had to hobble, jog & rest towards the finish line, roughly about 5km more. More than ever, the mental state of mind had to win over the fatigue that your body is crying out for rest. With every step I take, nerves carrying the pain signal threaten to shut down the whole body completely. But I persevered, knowing that my darling is already waiting for me at the finish line since 11am! hahahaa!!!

I have overestimated myself to finish in under 6 hours, but it took almost 2 hours longer. I eventually crossed the finishing line in 7:57:09hrs. Strange, but I was not overcome by the emotion of this achievement. It was already well numbed by the pain and exhaustion. I walked to get my finisher's tee & medal, and met the rest including my darling who took some uncompromising pictures of me! hehehe.

It will always be a run to remember, but it won't be the last.

Adidas sundown marathon 2011 in May, here I come :)

Exhausted!

First soccer session I've had after many months out...

Words cannot describe but tired is an understatement.

It's more like burnout, to the point of exhaustion where you just don't feel like doing anything.

Except lie on your bed, and stare at the ceiling...

Speaking of which, I am going to do that right now... Ciao...

First Post of 2010

To think it actually took me more than 6 months to pen my first entry for 2010.

Well, better late than never :)

If you don't already know, I quit my job back in Feb this year and went back to my first love - plastic resins.

I can already feel this is the path I want to take.

I can envision where I am and where I want to be.

Now, there is nothing more important than that.