For the 1st time in 6 marathons, I couldn't run past the finish line.
No triumphant hand-in-the-air photo opportunity.
I hobbled badly and inched slowly past the finish line.
For the first time in 6 marathons, with 250m of the 42km left, my mind told my legs to go left, they went right.
For the first time in 6 marathons, I walked the final 18km with one good shoe.
Despite the crazily siong (tough) SAF training which ended 2 days (Friday) before the marathon, I was physically tired but I felt in good shape.
The 2 weeks I spent in army uniform in the sun carrying stuff and maneuvering in the jungle probably helped condition me for the marathon.
So I spent the whole Saturday at home sleeping and by Sunday (7th Dec), 3 am, I was ready.
The first 21km was quite a pleasurable run.
Completion time: 2h20min.
I was on course to finish the marathon close to 5hours.
There was a cool breeze (yes, I like "wind-assisted" runs) and again, at the 13 km mark, the African runners were on their way past the 26km, going the opposite way.
Then disaster struck.
At the end of this update is the SMS transcript between Jay (my buddy who went to support me with another chio-bu Grace, another runner).
I carry my mobile when I run marathons…. So I can order my cold tiger beer and meepoktah in advance for consumption @ the finish line.
(Warning: Some of the contents in the SMS transcript may not be suitable for those <18 years old).
When my right inner sole broke at the 24km mark, I knew I was in trouble.
There was no way I could run as the right foot had absolutely no cushioning and running would cause long term ankle and knee injury.
Walking the remaining 18km would mean there would be a lot of pain on the base of the foot.
Giving up wasn't an option………. No taxis in sight …. Hahaa !!
I had told myself many times before if I finished a marathon in more than 6 hours, I'd give up running.
This time I also knew finishing under 6 hours would be a huge challenge.
But since I have no plans to give up running so I solidered on …. Walk fast fast….. J
My finishing time: 5hr 57 min and the price to pay………
One mega blister (and there was another blister under this one... but it was too gross to take the pic).
Happy New Year everyone.
May you and your loved ones with blessed with good health in 2009.
Adrian
SMS Transcript
08:39 Adrian: 24km and my inner sole broke. Sh**!!
08:41 JayWalk: So how? Can tahan? You can sms while running or not?
08:41 Adrian: No. I had a gd run till my shoe broke.
08:42 Adrian: Will try to complete. Feet Damn pain.
08:43 JayWalk: Hang in there. Sms me if you need the distraction.
08:43 Adrian: Ok.
08:45 JayWalk: Need anything? I can pass it to you on your way.
08:46 Adrian: No thanks. Appreciate the company via sms. Haha!
09:11 JayWalk: Where are you now?
09:11 Adrian: Right no support. Hurts. Can feel blisters forming….
09:12 Adrian: 14 km to go. One third left should be no prob.
09:12 JayWalk: Gambate!
09:36 JayWalk: See you at finish line.
09:36 Adrian: 30km. Getting over taken by Ah Soh not shiok.
09:38 Adrian: See Ah Soh VPL can puke.
09:46 JayWalk: Better than seeing Ah Soh camel toe
09:47 Adrian: Puke!
09:55 JayWalk: I am directly opp durian at the Cenotaph. Remeber to pose for picture (Jay: Which we didn't.)
09:56 Adrian: K
10:06 Adrian: 33km. No giving up now. My right foot hurts like ****
10:07 JayWalk: Less than 10 liao. Go go go
10:07 JayWalk: Need me to take chiobu photos for you > got mms?
10:08 Adrian: Quite low morale to see pple collapse along the way. Esp during the final stretch
10:09 JayWalk: You can take their power gel. I dun think they need it anymore. You got see FatKitteh?
10:10 Adrian: No mms
10:10 Adrian: No see her
10:26 JayWalk: where now?
10:26 Adrian: Approaching 36 in 3min
10:27 JayWalk: Less than macritchie liao!!
10:38 JayWalk: Reach durian buzz me
10:39 Adrian: Ok. Now cant walk properly. Struggling
10:42 JayWalk: What you wearing? Hang in there. Almost there.
10:43 Adrian: Wearing red thongs. I will get there
10:44 JayWalk: Flash me the red thongs for me to post online
10:59 JayWalk: Heart doing ok?
10:59 Adrian: Ok. Feet not ok
11:01 JayWalk: Stay in there. You are too close to give up. Hobble if you have to.
11:01 Adrian: Will do
11:02 JayWalk: How far are you?
11:03 Adrian: At 39km mark
11:03 JayWalk: A bit more means left 2.4 liao. Peanuts!
11:04 Adrian: Peanuts expensive
11:06 JayWalk: Welcome to singapore.
11:13 Adrian: 40km. 2 to go
11:14 JayWalk: Yeah baby!!
11:19 Adrian: Approaching durian
11:20 JayWalk: At the bus stop at the turn
11:35 Adrian: I finish liao
12:05 Adrian: In bright orange rff t shirt (Jay and Grace totally missed me at the finish line !!)
End of transcript.