Unfortunately though, while the weather was just perfect for a marathon PB, it just wasn't ideal enough for me cos while I came in with a time of 4:48, shaving 24 minutes off last year's edition, it simply was nowhere close to my personal best. I have no excuses and simply blame myself for the wrong choice of race gear.
The morning of the race started off with me doing a 12km run with the GC gang and the MPIB run clinic. Then it was back home, some quick grocery shopping with the wife and a short nap before getting ready for the drive to Putrajaya.
The afternoon rain brought hope that it would be a cool night out in Putrajaya. A quick call to one of the organizing staff to check on the weather in Putrajaya just before heading out brought an even bigger smile to my face with the forecast on site being gloomy.
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With Jamie and Kew before flag off .. |
The race flagged off on time, and it took less than 20 seconds to cross the timing mat, confirming my theory above. Started off at an easy trot with Jamie. We were both on an earlier pre-agreed plan to complete in 4 hours and 30 minutes and the pace was spot on at the 10k and 21k marks. Everything was going pretty well up to that point.
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The 'cool' looking start/finish arch ... LOL! |
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Free ice-cream being served on a cool night ... |
I may need to go a size up for future GOrun Ride's from now if I plan to use them for distances longer than 21km. But for the first half of the race, the Skechers Nite Owl GOrun Ride 2 was simply bliss to run in and performed to expectations. It was soft, cushy and comfy and no leg fatigue was evident up to that point. A good shoe for distances below 21km. Maybe with a size up, I would have been able to run the entire 42km without issues.
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Almost home. pic courtesy of Zane Rizal. |
It was also a mental challenges on certain stretches, especially after the 30th kilometer when the distance between the runner in front and back of you was huge and you were mostly all on your own trying to urge the legs to keep moving.
The final 8km stretch saw more walking and by the time I was at the back of the Palace of Justice, with close to 2 plus kilometers to go, the Garmin was showing 4:29 and I knew it was a lost cause. So, I decided to just take it easy for that final 2 plus kilometers and cruised to the finish, bettering my PNM record.
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Full marathon medal #4 |
What I'm happy about most is the fact that I suffered absolutely no cramps this time round. Not an inch of a twitch all through the 42km and I am very thankful for that. I guess the fueling I had worked pretty well. I packed up enough Anti-Fatigue Caps, Endurance Aminos and Perpetuem Solids to last me the distance and taking them as planned must have helped with keeping the dreaded cramps at bay. I only miscalculated once when I hallucinated seeing a water station and popped them into my mouth only to have to swallow them down without water! Not a very nice thing to do.
Race organization wise, it was a pretty well organized race. A huge thank you goes out to the volunteers who braved the rains and stood for hours at lonely stretches of the road to cater to the needs of all the runners. You guys did an awesome job! A thank you also goes out to Jamie, Zane and the wife (who had no choice since I was driving her home ... hahaha!) for waiting for us slow people to come in. It was nice to see friendly faces at the finish cheering you on.
I did manage to get called on stage after the run and win myself a free Nathan Quick Shot Plus drink bottle though :D Thank you Orange man for picking me, limping and hobbling, out of the crowd!
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My free gift voucher ... |
Hahaha Never Again!
ReplyDeleteYou had joined us in the Titi 100. That's only 17 weeks away. Just nice for the a Course on advanced Hanson's Method programme :)
Btw congratulations on a better PNM result.
Don't remind me I signed up for it, I must have been insane ... LOL!
DeleteBut yeah, the training for that starts right away.
Am so impressed with the fact that you had no cramps!! Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteAnd you shouldn't copy me with the self berating! Haha!
All the best with marathon training, I don't envy you!!
I was ecstatic with the fact I had no cramps!
DeleteWhere got copy. I used self berating, you used something else, not the same what ... LOL!
What marathon training? Didn't you know I quit marathons already?
Despite the "tyre" gitch, congrats Cap'n! You were great, what!
ReplyDeletePacing wifey for 21K? Not pacing for FM ah? :P
p.s. bestnya dapat hadiah...
Thanks!
DeleteNo more FM's in Putrajaya for me. Can't stand the rolling hills!
Still haven't claimed it yet though.
I luv the quote from jamie.... hahaha
ReplyDeleteHahaha ... he sure hit it spot on!
Delete