Yesterday was the D-Day, it’s an historic event not only to the City of Putrajaya for hosting it’s first Marathon but to yours truly himself as he entered his first half marathon. I arrived early to the event area in Precint 3 (Palace of Justice – Putrajaya Corp Building) just before 6 p.m. As early bird, I found a very good and strategic parking spot beside Putrajaya Corporation Building, very near to the surau.
The weather was humid, humid and humid..and you need to drink more water to avoid Dehydration. The marathon runners wearing the yellow bib were flag off at 8.00 pm sharp, followed by half marathon runners – blue bibs (21 km) at 8.30 pm then followed by 7.7 km and fun run at 9.00 pm. It’s still humid when we ran into night, i started off with slow pace, i was thinking to conserve my energy just enough to complete the half marathon run. The water stations was superb, we have selections either water or 100 plus, it’s located every 2.5 km; the 1st water station i totally ignored as i carried my own water.
I hit the “wall” at half point, after 10km..it was walk-run-walk after that, which is to me is very disappointing as i assume i did not accumulated enough training miles. Then my feet was acting up as i endured pains and blisters from both leg, it’s too late to stop now and as my bottle ran dry the water stations is my only saviours from Dehydration. After 15km, the only think that kept me going was my mental determination, i just don’t care about my feet, my pains, everyone else running besides me – i just pictured the finish line with me crossing it. After that i gone mental – i just chant out loud to myself - “you can do it!”, “this is easy!”, “i can do this all night long”, “ i will conquered this run!”, etc. If you came across some crazy dude talking to himself – that might be me.
5 km from the finish line, i noticed this lady cycling his mountain bike besides me and she stop few meters in front and start clapping and giving us runners moral support – she said “you doing great”, “keep up the good work”. I do not know who you are, but thanks a million – coz that just what i need, a refill of motivation – i just started to think to myself this is bad idea..he he
The last 2 km was the killing me, i ran and ran and saw the finish line, yahoo almost there..then i came to the “detour”..i said WTF…a detour?..we were routed to the road at the back of Palace of Justice..now i understand..my feet was giving up on me then, just what i needed, i was running zig zagging like an aeroplane about crash..at this stage, i think was half past dead, going on auto-pilot mode…god please give me the strength to complete this. If i need to crash, let me crash at home in my bed! When i saw the finish line, it was wonderful, with the crowd and the photographer, just like a beautiful place with picturesque view. With a few ounce of energy left, i kept my pace and raise both hands as i crossed the finish line; my way of saying - “I conquered this” as i completed my very 1st Half Marathon.
I competed the 21 km – Half Marathon with unofficial time 2:46 min, and i never though i can ever run this long. Although, I did not meet my target to complete the race within 2:30 hours, but i did completed the 21 km race which a small step to mankind but giant leap for me. After collecting my medal at the finish line, i went on to treat myself to the free cold Milo and i had 3 glass and another small bottle of 100plus i kept in my car. I was so thirsty after race, i think i can consume all the water in the world at the time. I gave away my dinner pack as i was not that hungry, i was full with water i guess. Later on i was looking for Chap Ayam gang, but they are no way to be found, well i guess i’ll see them in the next race – The Energizer Night Run, it will be my 2nd Half Marathon. Hopefully i will do better than this run and now it’s recuperation time for me till the next race.
Look at the crowd, it’s a big party. Congrats Putrajaya Night Marathon organizer.
Yours truly after completing the race
My 1st Half Marathon medal
gud job bro... welldone!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell done bro, doing mighty fine in your first half marathon. Mileage unfortunately is equally important to find your right footing and also for your body to acclimatise. For a new starter, you're on the right track. Holler if you we bump into each other during the Energizer Bunny run :)
ReplyDeleteYour time will improve. Congrats. It was an awesome feat.
ReplyDeleteMedal macam senjata ninja, kan?
@Sid : thank you batgirl for your support..
ReplyDelete@Yimster: thank U for your kind advice, hope to see ya' in the Bunny Run ;-)
@Haza: Thanks for the encouragement, hope to enter the same category as yourself in the future.
Yep, medal boleh buat senjata Ninja Assasin!