I was well. But for the first time, i felt like giving up. As i entered ECP, i thought "why don't i faint?". I dunno how this thought came about. Maybe it has been a while since i attempted such a distance. Perhaps it's boring ECP. Or it could be the Z monsta!
Whatever the reason was, it did not take long for me to shake off that stupid bubble. I told myself I can't jinx my events. Half a year has zoomed past and it's only my 2nd long-distance event till date. Having DNF-ed at Lantau kinda demoralized me. Yes, as usual, i didn't train much. But I'm more upset about having the CMI thought before the race, than not training sufficiently. I'm reminded that standing at the start line thinking that you will be beaten, is a battle half lost. As long as you are sure you won't break a bone (be it yours or others), there is really no harm trying. We must have the guts to pursue what we started...and finish the task.
Anyway back to SDM, there were some notable tales. It's the first marathon that i only bumped into 1 friend - Molly. I was like "have all my friends retire?". Heheh. Maybe i couldn't be bothered to observe the other lane. I was so zonked.
14km - into ECP. There's no water! How can it happen?! Again!! I told myself i will not trust the local organizers again and shall bring my own...if there's ever a "next time". Suddenly, i saw money flying into my way! This girl dropped her cash as she took some stuff out from her pocket. I shouted at her but apparently she was on her mp3 so couldn't hear me (that's one reason i never plug on to music while running...you can't stay alert). The walkers (everyone was not running) didn't seem to be keen to pick up the money. Poor tired me gotta bend, pick up the S10 x 2 and some $2 notes and run up to her to return the money. She was a lil' taken aback till she couldn't say thank u. I told her "Be careful" and continued running, feeling happy that i did a good deed... altho i did think i could have used the $ to take a cab home after the run :p But nah, it's not me.
Before U-turn point at National Sailing Centre - i was kinda down. Want to cry but too many people around me. How i wish someone would jump out and give me a booster hug :(
27km - the new McD. Some participants stopped to buy some drinks. This guy was holding a McD cup and saying how nice it was to taste ICED lemon tea at this stage. Argh! I must have that later at 7-11! After all, the organizers ran out of water AGAIN *angry*
29km - Finally sighted 7-11. Pulled over. I spend a good 3-5 minutes choosing my drink. 100plus too gaseous. Pocari Sweat doesn't work for me. H2O not cold enough. Eh! Why no lemon tea? Found it! When i was ready to pay, a guy who came later than me but made up his mind quicker, was in front of me. The cashier told both of us she doesn't have change in paper. I replied it's ok to hand me coins. The guy then offered to pay for me which i declined at first but he said it will cut down on the coins...which most runners mind the extra weight. Of cos stingy me would carry that extra til the finish line. My surname is not called Ngiam for no reason...heheheh. I thanked him and took note of his number tag. E1915 - thank you for your kind gesture. May God bless you!
32km - A big rat came out from his home. Gave me a fright and i "ah" for a second. It then probably realized he may be stampeded to death and swiftly retreated. Gosh, I was the only female. The good thing was, at this point, the guys were too tired to notice :p
Was it 34km? Out of ECP onto ulu stretch to Marina Gardens. I could still manage a run and walk. However i was skeptical about the 37-38km approaching. I'm gonna hit the wall. Well, at least that was what i thought cos that happened during my 1st marathon. I pep-talked myself...THERE IS NO WALL. THERE IS NO WALL. Then, i recalled what HH told me back then..."Focus on your breathing and every step forward". I adopted a "1, 2, breath breath" counting method to concentrate on the next few km. Forced myself to run and not stop till 39km. My plan is to walk a bit when i hit 39km, then push from 40 to the end without stopping.
41km - Geez. Why does the final 1 km always seems longer? At this juncture (near Ritz), a taxi suddenly slowed down and emitted lotsa smoke. There were some sparks at the rear engine. I ran a bit nearer to my (safe) right side, preparing to go down if it catches fire. Hhahha...i must have watched too much Hollywood movies. Nothing happened :p
It also started drizzling. I thought, please no...i'm gonna look more drenched than i'm already am on the finishing picture...so 狼狈.
Thank God it did not. Felt the usual relief as i crossed the finish line. Not a good timing but i ran thru' my wall and did not DNF. Sometimes, you can't take completion for granted :)
Whatever the reason was, it did not take long for me to shake off that stupid bubble. I told myself I can't jinx my events. Half a year has zoomed past and it's only my 2nd long-distance event till date. Having DNF-ed at Lantau kinda demoralized me. Yes, as usual, i didn't train much. But I'm more upset about having the CMI thought before the race, than not training sufficiently. I'm reminded that standing at the start line thinking that you will be beaten, is a battle half lost. As long as you are sure you won't break a bone (be it yours or others), there is really no harm trying. We must have the guts to pursue what we started...and finish the task.
Anyway back to SDM, there were some notable tales. It's the first marathon that i only bumped into 1 friend - Molly. I was like "have all my friends retire?". Heheh. Maybe i couldn't be bothered to observe the other lane. I was so zonked.
14km - into ECP. There's no water! How can it happen?! Again!! I told myself i will not trust the local organizers again and shall bring my own...if there's ever a "next time". Suddenly, i saw money flying into my way! This girl dropped her cash as she took some stuff out from her pocket. I shouted at her but apparently she was on her mp3 so couldn't hear me (that's one reason i never plug on to music while running...you can't stay alert). The walkers (everyone was not running) didn't seem to be keen to pick up the money. Poor tired me gotta bend, pick up the S10 x 2 and some $2 notes and run up to her to return the money. She was a lil' taken aback till she couldn't say thank u. I told her "Be careful" and continued running, feeling happy that i did a good deed... altho i did think i could have used the $ to take a cab home after the run :p But nah, it's not me.
Before U-turn point at National Sailing Centre - i was kinda down. Want to cry but too many people around me. How i wish someone would jump out and give me a booster hug :(
27km - the new McD. Some participants stopped to buy some drinks. This guy was holding a McD cup and saying how nice it was to taste ICED lemon tea at this stage. Argh! I must have that later at 7-11! After all, the organizers ran out of water AGAIN *angry*
29km - Finally sighted 7-11. Pulled over. I spend a good 3-5 minutes choosing my drink. 100plus too gaseous. Pocari Sweat doesn't work for me. H2O not cold enough. Eh! Why no lemon tea? Found it! When i was ready to pay, a guy who came later than me but made up his mind quicker, was in front of me. The cashier told both of us she doesn't have change in paper. I replied it's ok to hand me coins. The guy then offered to pay for me which i declined at first but he said it will cut down on the coins...which most runners mind the extra weight. Of cos stingy me would carry that extra til the finish line. My surname is not called Ngiam for no reason...heheheh. I thanked him and took note of his number tag. E1915 - thank you for your kind gesture. May God bless you!
32km - A big rat came out from his home. Gave me a fright and i "ah" for a second. It then probably realized he may be stampeded to death and swiftly retreated. Gosh, I was the only female. The good thing was, at this point, the guys were too tired to notice :p
Was it 34km? Out of ECP onto ulu stretch to Marina Gardens. I could still manage a run and walk. However i was skeptical about the 37-38km approaching. I'm gonna hit the wall. Well, at least that was what i thought cos that happened during my 1st marathon. I pep-talked myself...THERE IS NO WALL. THERE IS NO WALL. Then, i recalled what HH told me back then..."Focus on your breathing and every step forward". I adopted a "1, 2, breath breath" counting method to concentrate on the next few km. Forced myself to run and not stop till 39km. My plan is to walk a bit when i hit 39km, then push from 40 to the end without stopping.
41km - Geez. Why does the final 1 km always seems longer? At this juncture (near Ritz), a taxi suddenly slowed down and emitted lotsa smoke. There were some sparks at the rear engine. I ran a bit nearer to my (safe) right side, preparing to go down if it catches fire. Hhahha...i must have watched too much Hollywood movies. Nothing happened :p
It also started drizzling. I thought, please no...i'm gonna look more drenched than i'm already am on the finishing picture...so 狼狈.
Thank God it did not. Felt the usual relief as i crossed the finish line. Not a good timing but i ran thru' my wall and did not DNF. Sometimes, you can't take completion for granted :)
