It was not because of any other reason. It is because my stamina was so bad that I was the last one in that 4km marathon. Headmaster was the one who do "sweeping" for that marathon. The best I could do is to keep up with the headmaster.
Ten years later, APBIM 2012 was one of the challenge that I had never expect I could accomplish in this time. I withdrew myself from joining the Penang Bridge marathon of the past few years because I thought that I could never complete the 21km run (continuous running without walking). It would be waste of time if I joined the marathon and walk half of the marathon.
Slowly, I tried to increase the distance of my jogging and body strength. I joined the gym, train for Ultimate competitions. In this year, I finally got the determination to DO IT. I thought that if I didn't try it, I would never know whether I could complete the 21km journey or not.
I spend most of the preparation in Perth. I got this goal and I knew I must not disappoint myself. After settling down in Perth, I kept on building body strength and add up stamina. Everything went on so smoothly until an unexpected scenario strikes. I was lost in middle of nowhere in Bull Creek Station. which was situated approximately 13km away from Erica(my starting point). I went too far. For the first time, my knee was injured at this moment. I had to drag my injured knee, make a U-turn and walk all the way back following the original route. It took around 3 hours for me to get back to my own room. When I reach my room, I knew my knee is injured badly. It was ITB syndrome. It was common injury for an athelete but it requires a long time to fully recover. 2 months was wasted to recover from the injury.
I thought that my goal will not be reach. It was because after the 2 months, I still need to build up distance from 4km again. Luckily! I met this awesome guy name Wye Min. He accompanied me to jog in the last few weeks before the marathon. We successfully attempted 12km before I went back to Penang. His determination really blows me out. Although I was injured before, but my stamina was much above him that time. It was also a record breaking for him to complete this run.
Then, I leave Perth and reach Penang confidently. According to the web, to be fully prepared for half marathon, you must attempt 19km jog during your training. Without accomplishing this, I doubted that I could do well or even complete this half marathon.
18-11-2012 3AM, I started my run. My right hand was holding a red bull bottle, my left hand was holding a towel wrapping my keys and handphone(for time recording). Thanks to Teacher Oong, I learnt from his blog that running marathon is about mentality and sustainability. So, I started my run with easy pace. I tried not to push for speed for the first 10km. Uncle Wu was right in front of me. I tried a few times to keep up with him but I am not comfortable with his pace at that early stage. My target was not to losing him out of my sight. Slowly, his distance was pulled further and further away. When we reach the 12km, a female runner ran passed me. I knew I had to speed up that moment and her pace was definitely suitable for me. Therefore, I drank all the redbull left in the bottle and stick with her for around 6km. Her pace was amazing, we cut passed Uncle Wu and kept on moving forward with a good fast pace. I gave up sticking with her fast pace at the 17km station. She was too fast! T.T
After that, I return back to my own pace and back to jogging alone. Slowly, I bring my body back to a good comfortable condition. Not long after that, the 3km sign was sighted! That's the sign I was waiting for so long. I bring my mentality to where I normally jog in the past daily running. I used the towel I brought with me to wipe all my sweat off the body, face, and hair. I felt refresh and good to boost again! I accelerated slowly. Until the last 1km which is the roundabout of QB, I started to sprint. According to the sportstracker(handphone app), my maximum speed was 14.3km/h. I saw the lady whom I tagged on with just now! Confidently, I sprint passed her(don't know whether she recognized me or not. but.. sorry ma'am.. =P) OPPA! I passed the finish line!!
Oopssy there's photographer at the finishing line but I can't slow down and pose for him(one of the regrets >.< ).
Along of this 21km journey, keep thinking positive stuff, keep thinking of person who cheer for me, think till sien then focus back to breathing, focus sien d focus thinking again.. Interesting.. isn't it? =D
42KM? We'll see..... =)
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