Bounce (Part 2)

I found out through the hard way that walking was more unbearable than running!! In order not to tire myself, I stuck on to my run and walk strategy. Guess the turning point was when I bumped into my friend (cum personal "trainer") again after 21km amidst the sea of runners. Unbelievable!

Having the same blueprint in minds, we ran the next two km and walked the other one km. Unfortunately, my right kneecap appeared to have fallen out of position. I suspect it was dislocated temporarily due to stress on my muscle! Thankfully, it popped back into place shortly.

Not wishing to put more pressure on my knees, I proposed to my friend to walk to finishing line from end of ecp (exactly at 30km mark). But he has other plans... Somehow, he managed to induce me to run another two km from 30km. It was an uphill struggle as I huffed and puffed across the targeted distance.

Putting my hands in the air, I raised the white flag to my friend and declared "no run" policy for the rest of the journey. Once again, speed walking proved to be more challenging than running for me. Being short by nature, my legs simply could not compete with my friend's long stride. No words could describe the agony I was in (both physically and mentally)!! Putting my discomfort behind me, I "stalked" my friend closely and focused on concluding the race with him together.

Finally, my persistence paid off! Coming to last 1.5km, we looked at each other and ran all the way to the end point. Only then I could fully relate to the fact that most enduring athletics actually transcend limit s pain to attain victory. Hey, my picture speaks a thousand of words:)

Bounce (Part 1)

We did it! At Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2008 yesterday, both my friend and I completed our run in 5 hours 54 mins:) Secretly, it was like a dream come true for me being my maiden marathon!!

Especially when I did not put in enough mileage during the practise sessions. For the record, I only did a maximum of 10km for my last training before the race and it worked for me. It maybe a fluke, but I don't wish to debate over it. Most importantly, I conquered my fear for 42km with sheer perseverance! Since day one I signed up for it, I was suffering from "depression" over the thought of failure. Then I decided to view it positively and treat it as a whole new experience for myself. After all, one only lives once..

It started off quite well at 5.30 am with no sign of overcast. My friend and I trotted off at a conservative pace of 7 mins per kilometre, mindful of the long journey ahead. After touching 12km mark at east coast park (ecp), I decided to break at the restroom, while my friend continued with his pursuit of freedom.

Being alone, I decided to stay focus and achieve my target of 20km (about half marathon) uninterrupted. Slowly and painfully (at this point, my knees has began to wear off when I progressed further) but I took the bit in my teeth.

When I reached my first 20km, I decided to reward myself with a break. It soon turned into an interminable rest as I refused to run anymore, for some reasons... I concluded I have to salvage the situation, if I wish to finish at a decent time. So I attempted to psycho myself to walk one km and run one km for the rest of ecp. After which, the remaining 13km would be easily surmountable by foot. How very wrong!