Standard Chartered half Marathon: Edmund's 21km story

From : Edmund
I was nervous at the start. Has not run for 3 weeks and 21km seems a long distance to go. I met Edwin and Cat New earlier but they have gone ahead as I went to relieve myself before the run (don't want to stop halfway again, like the last 10km run). When I came back to the 'runway', the run already started and I am so far behind. Tell myself to take it slow. Well, far behind is not so good an idea, everybody seem to be walking even when crossing the start point, have to weave in and out of all the bodies. After 3 km, I realised that I was very tense in my run, not my normal jog....must be my fear....told myself to relax, if not I will be burnt out in no time. Slowly, I relax and begin to enjoy my jog.....5km....42mins....hmmm.

....a pretty slow jog....never mind lah, still a long way to go.......reach the 10km mark......1h 20mins.....ok, never mind the slow time.......15km.....2h 02mins..(haha...inspite of the slow time, still faster than my new balance run timing)....but body and legs are tiring fast...seems to be dragging myself....can feel the cramps coming...feeling tired and dehydrated....need water......oh, drink too much.....pace slowing down...legs are heavy......where am I now?...how far more to go?......oh no, muscle pulling......approach the guy at the roadside for cream...and prod on.......18km or is that 19km? no it's only 18km....ouch....somebody help me, cramps cramps.......one nice guy gave me some more cream.......rub and rub and try to jog.....no no no...too painful.....no choice....walk/jog (more like fast walk...hahaha)....last km to go...tell myself..jog jog....ouch, muscle pull again....stretch and jog again...cannot walk the home stretch.....must jog......finally......pass the finish point (stop my stop-watch at 3:08:49).....so so so tired........can't walk......2 nice medics, 1 guy and a girl after asking me whether I am ok, put me on a wheel chair and race to the first aid tent....huh? do I look like I am in real emergency? hahaha...never mind lah...free ride and a free massage.

Lesson learned....If you are not prepared, don't run the long distance. Yesterday afternoon, when i was watching the run on TV, there was pacers who run with the front runners. One commentator was asking why they become pacer when they could run the marathon and may win it. The other guy then said sometimes these so-called pacers feel that they have not train enough and do not want to overstrain themselves, so they become pacer whereby they can fall out anytime. True enough, one of the pacers drop out at the 35km mark and wave the pack on. So there you have it, be prepared or don't run and struggle...jogging should be fun. For me, I have accomplish my mission of running the 21km but a terrible terrible run. Cat New told me I can try for better time next year but I must admit age is catching up with me, my body can't take this strain anymore. I can already collect part of my CPF next year and I must take it slow and relax...maybe short distance is still ok. Anyway, I will still join you guys for the weekly jog when work permits. cheerio...