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| A photo at the starting point of the race. |
When I was writing my final post of my first marathon, I was trying to write the raw emotions about the race excluding the details of the race. I have intentionally left those out so it will not cloud my feelings about the race. So I did not wrote about what I like and don't like about the race.
About the race, the water stations were good. Generally, there were sufficient water stations along the course. I can actually forget about carrying water along the race. In addition, there were quite a few water stations that provided 100plus. Two of the water stations actually provided cold 100plus which was so welcomed. However, the hot weather was the most difficult part of the race. High humidity where most runners run a much slower time on that day which I found out later. An excuse for me why I missed my target of sub 5:30. But looking back I should have tried a sub 6:00 which is achievable at the race. The 15 days of zero running during my recent trip to Japan and the injury sustained during the trip actually cost me to run slower. I did not lost the endurance but I think I lost in term of speed. I should be thankful that I get to recover fast enough to complete my first marathon within the time. Anyway, I will take my revenge at the next race.
I was already contemplating of doing another race two days after the first marathon. But I have tried to set a limit for myself. No more than 2 marathons in a year. So that I can have time for travel and also for recovery. A more balanced life rather than just running and running. In between, maybe do some shorter races if it can fit into my schedule.
Although the weather is an uncontrollable factor of the race, the other thing which I don't like about the race is the post race. Goosshh....we have ran 42km for more than 5 or 6 hours, we are required to queue in the hot sun for more than 20 minutes for our medal and finisher's T-shirt. Immediately reaching the finishing line, we are given a bottle of water and requested to queue up for the two items. We are supposed to walk after finishing. Not stand and queue. I almost "pengsan"(fainted) on standing. The queueing is tougher than running the last 5km of the race. The organisers are really trying to test our endurance. After the long queue, another queue of the quick breakfast i.e. two slices of toasted bread, two soft boiled eggs, one apple and a cup of coffee/tea. And I can't find a place to sit to eat after getting the breakfast. My legs were just shaking. So I quickly finished off the eggs and coffee and look for a place to sit.
The legs were just aching after the race. The strange part is even both of my biceps were aching. Eventually I took a proper breakfast at Queensbay Mall at about 10.20am then took a drive back home. Back home, took a shower and immediately ice my knee which is in pain. Lunch comes after that. Switch on the air-conditioning and roll down the blinds. Took a two hours nap after that. PBIM is brutal as you virtually do not sleep the whole night and have to run a marathon.
The next day, I am already back to work on Monday without any limping. So if you see the video where people is limping the next day after a marathon, the limping is not true! It is my first marathon and I only limp immediately after the marathon. I didn't even limp in the evening already. And I could get to work on Monday and just feeling a bit fatigue. I am back to easy running on Wednesday morning. A short 6km run. Then another treadmill run of 6km on Friday. I could actually do a hike up 84 Penang Hill on Saturday morning preparing for the inter-firm hiking challenge the next week.
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| Petronas Twin Towers and Maxis Building in KL |
The memories of the first marathon will always linger in my mind...
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