SCKLM '10: "We told you so"

If I were given a chance to turn back the time to 4:55am on Sunday morning, I may have opted out of the race.  But knowing that I eventually completed it, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Shoes belonged to the runners in the family.

It started drizzling as we left the house.  It poured even heavier a few minutes before the start of the run.

I was keeping it at a steady pace from the start, but I guess you couldn't stop the inevitable.  Somewhere around the 10-11KM point, the nagging knee pain had surfaced.  Aarggh!  I was expecting it.  I was ready for it.  Kind of.  Not this early, tho'.  All I wanted was to complete the race.  In a way, it was a much needed closure to the weeks and weeks of training.  The thought of DNF played in my mind, but I was adamant to finish the run.  At that point, I didn't care about the finisher's medal and t-shirt.  I just wanted to finish.
    

The sight of the 6:00Hr pacers (and balloon) passing you by at the 17KM mark was disheartening. Especially when the junction to your house was right there - next to PGRM (the tall building on the right).

At the 3-hour mark, I was still at the 22KM point.  That meant I only had another 3 hours to do another 20 if I were cross the finish line before the clock struck 6 hours.  In the front 21, I had at least ran for 10K.  If I were to do a 10min-per-KM walk, that would translate to a 6:20 finishing time.  I had to be content with that.  A far better incentive than a DNF.

Yes, it is!

This was also the place where I was passed by this one uncle.  The volume of his mp3 player was so loud, that I could hear Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" was blasting through his headsets.  I wonder if he had borrowed that from his kid.  *lol*

The route split into a Full Marathon-only path at the twin towers junction.  Marathon runners were scarce by this time.

Some impatient drivers going into the runners' path of the road.

I couldn't help but to record this short clip at the 25KM point to kill time.

At every medical station, without hesitation, I rubbed any sort of medication that they could offer on my knee, including this cream with a hint of pink.  Perhaps all those ointments formed some sort of concoction that the pain had subsided a couple of notches after the Jalan Pahang roundabout.  Perhaps my knee grew tired of me not wanting to stop. Perhaps it was the cheerleaders who cheered "Go runners!" while forming the Mexican waves with their pompoms.  :D



Whatever it was, alhamdulillah I was able to pick up the pace along Jalan Ipoh. 

Bumped into the Singapore Blade Runner as I was reaching the Segambut roundabout. Oh wait, what's that red blob up ahead?

It's the 6:00HR pacer balloon!  I caught up to it at the 35KM mark.  Boy, it was such a welcoming sight!

With 5 more kilometers to go, I made a mental calculation that it was even possible to do a PB.  However, I suffered another setback just as I was attacking the Bukit Tunku hill.  Cramps on my calve muscles.  Ouch!  I was then reduced to power walks and slow jogs. :(


41KM - A next-to-impossible goal a few hours ago.

The last stretch to Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square) was the final mental vs physical battle.  Right on cue, my knee pain doubled.  Spurred on by the cheers of those on the sides, it inspired me to finish strong (read: jog and not walk.  hehe).
 

[I'll insert the jog-to-the-finish-line picture here later, if anyone had cared to take it. hehehe]

most of pictures on marathon-photos.com are of me wincing :D

I was 7 minutes outside of my Putrajaya time.  But due to the circumstances,  I couldn't ask for anything else.  It's my PB (with injury), if you please.  :D
 

Watching the race route video again, I can't help but to say it was that far.  Now, I can proudly say "Been there. Done that. Pain and all".


Between now and Ramadhan (fasting month), I've only signed up for Shape Run which is slated at July end.  Enough time for me to be well rested.  Nonetheless, I shouldn't shy away from the running events, even though it means that I'm reduced to a spectator or supporter role.

I can't be thankful enough to the words of encouragement or actions from those who gave their support along the course, directly and indirectly.  From the cheerleaders to the mat saleh donning the Energizer Run marathon finisher T who clapped and shouted "You're doing good. Don't give up".  From another mat saleh sitting on the sidewalk near the Weld who uttered "Stay strong" to fellow runners who said "Come, let's run to the finish line" and "Seminit je lagi (just one more minute)".


Here's to the next full marathon!  For the time being, I can't help but to blurt out "Ta Teh!" when I walk.  It's like learning how to walk all over again.  Except it hurts this time.  :D