Official PBIM results out. Emmmm, my net time was 3 hr 08 mins. Nearer to 3 hrs now. At least feel like I can do a sub three the next time I do 21k again. May be even 2 hr 59 mins pun jadi lah... dreaming lagi!!
What if I did not have the cramps? What if I had enough training before that? What if... aisehman, tak cukup tidur lah ni, still dreaming or becoming 'ambitious'.
Aduh!!!
3 hours and 12 minutes. YES! I got my Half Marathon Finisher's Medal. I recorded a half marathon in my list of races, since I started running a year ago. I also took home pains and aches from the race. It was worth it, and I actually completed 21km - a distance that I was so skeptical about, before yesterday.
The first 15km or so was great and I reminded myself to run my own race, to enjoy the opportunity to run in the middle of the night, in the middle of Penang Bridge, in the middle of so many great runners from all over. I was also motivated by our very own Kota Kemuning uncle who is already 82 years old and still running fit and strong. I met him in the run and we wished each other good luck and 'Jia You'.
I felt good the moment I stepped onto the bridge. I had time to slowly enjoy the view, the lights, I looked back to see the view of the island and I look in front of me, many runners were concentrating and racing hard. I took my time, I told myself to stop and walk if I feel tired, I set my own pace and with a relaxed mind and body, I was able to continue running for some 15km then I started to feel the pain at my calves. My heart, my breathing was perfectly ok.
I did not want to stop, but I thought to myself, if I want to be able to complete, I must have the strength to. So I brisk walked and ran for the next probably 3-4km when I felt the extreme cramping sensation coming very fast at me. I tried very hard to not let it happen. I stopped at every opportunity to spray and ice my calves. It was painful. Certain stretch, I had to squad down and press my calves to hopefully relieved the paining sensation a bit. My pace dwindled. I had to go slower and slower and the pain is getting worst. I can even feel my toes on my right leg started to numb and cramp.
Should I just wait for the ambulance to fetch me back? But I already did more than about 18km, may be. And looking at the timing, I should make it before the 3 hrs 30 minutes is up. Even if I walk. But, it was so painful, I wanted to cry. Everywhere was dark, with people keep overtaking me. I told myself, I had to finish this race, I had to walk back to the finishing point. So I keep going, enduring the pain, squeezing my hands in a fist - as though ready to fight. Agony.
Finally, I saw the sign - yes, 1 more km to go. The Red Crescent squad was also there, the turning point. If given a normal race, I wouldn't stop, I'll speed up. But this time, I walked over to them and I took my time to press the ice bags onto my calves, biting my teeth and groaned. I don't have much time, I have to move.
So I stood up and continue with a jogging pace, no, pain again, so I stopped and walked. I pulled my legs, I started to limped. I walked on. I suppose people must be thinking why is this lady walking like that? I am reaching soon, I wanted to pick up and run but I was in pain. Then, I heard someone shouting : 'Cheryl! Run, go go go' . I turned and I saw Vivienne who have already completed her race, standing at the side. About may be 15-20 meter to the finishing point. I gathered my strength to the limit and I started to jog forward.
I made it, I even had the mind to raise my hand and smile to the camera man after crossing the finishing line. I held the medal and lucky draw ticket in my hand, sweating, panting, I walked and Vivienne ran out to meet me. We hugged and I cried. I did it!, I completed my very first half marathon, though in much pain and agony! We sat by the side and we were so happy we did it. Vivienne did very well, she completed in 2 hours 26 minutes. Welldone, Viv! Thanks Vivienne, for that push, for the moral support, for that sweaty hug we shared.
Then my hubby completed his full marathon in 4 hours 26 mins. The gold medal was shiny! He took me to the medical bay together with Vivienne and we rest and chat and shared our pain and sufferings. We waited and met up with the rest of our comrades. Again, we just couldn't help sharing the suffering over and over again. Like many who doesn't share our passion have questioned : Why do you have to subject yourself to such suffering? What so great about running? Why have to pay to get tortured? Haha. Hard to explain.
Ok. Speech time - A huge thank you to my family and all our KK pacers members who have given me so much of moral support. Who always believed that I can do it. I am now sort of enjoying the muscle pain that brought back the confidence in myself (Wenny, you are right).
Will I go for another half marathon again?
OF COURSE!
Did the stress test. YES, I am going to Penang. I am going for PBIM, my first half marathon and my first time running/walking on Penang Bridge. I am not going to be bothered by how many hours it takes, and I do hope I'll be able to complete the run. My family and friends already given me the green light to take as long as I need and they will wait for me. THANKS!
Back to the test. I did all the required 3 stages and at stage 3, my HR was 150. Doc said no blockage or nothing alarming and he did said the test accuracy is 60% - 80%. However, I'm perfectly happy that this is the result. Doc told me there are many reasons to how I have been 'feeling' the past weeks. It could have been that I was too tired, too stressed up with work, or not fully recovered from my last exhaustive race. So, I'm to relax, rest well, practise good, drink a lot of water to hydrate myself.
I must have looked very eager when I asked the Doc if I can go ahead with PBIM, because he questioned if I really really want to race? To him, the HR of 150 at stage 3 is very high, I must fully recover before I do a marathon, unless I make sure that I do not set any time limit to complete the race. Need be, walk, don't rush.
Hmmmm. This is going to be a 'sight-seeing' race for me. Must stop by to smell the flowers along the roadside wherever possible, stop to view the magnificent Penang Bridge, close my eyes to enjoy the early morning breeze......
Well, lets really really relax and enjoy the race, opps, the beauty of Penang.
Worst off, take the bus back to the finishing point. Still, I want to be able to say "I was there, participated".
Tomorrow I'll be going to do my stress test. Hope everything will be testified a big " O.K." and I'll be heading for my first ever half marathon this weekend.
If all are not ok, which I prayed not to be, I really do not know how. These past weeks just felt a weak heart. I hope it is imaginary, though.
I pulled out last Sunday on a 12km run. My first time 'chickening out' from a run, after my 1st anniversary run (Mizuno) which was quite a disaster.
Watched 2012 yesterday. If it is going to happened that way, I want to be able to continue running until then.......
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