A runner's fuel = Anger, Frustration, Embarrassment.

7:07 PM | Coda: marathon, running, weight

Today is an emotional day for me.

About half a year ago, I took part in my first ever marathon with the Adidas Sundown Marathon. Honestly, I still didn't know why I did since I was never fond of running all my life, nor did I have the stamina for it.

Needless to say, I have never attempted any distance more than 15 km in my life, nor ever took part in any form of walking races, let alone the running ones.

Well, some of you would remember that I had a bad fall which pretty put me out of exercise for a good couple of months, so I really did not train for it at all.

As many already know, I did not manage to complete my first marathon. I was in excruciating pain during the last 15 odd km when my hamstring totally contracted and stiffened making even walking at a pace of 1km per 15 mins painful to say the very least.

I only managed to do 38 km before I hopped on the shutter bus for the last runners. It was very disappointing to say the very least. So in less than an hour after that marathon, I made the decision to do the Standard Chartered Marathon simply because I HAD TO complete 42 km at least once in my lifetime.

So, today's the day of the Standard Chartered Marathon. I was never a fan of exercising in the sun, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this. Nonetheless, I was excited tho I must say, I didn't quite train much for this either.

The race was flagged off by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. George Yeo, and I must say, the race started with a high. The adrenaline and energy surrounding Orchard road was just contagious.

I know this picture is totally out of focus. It was difficult to run and take a picture at the same time, stopping isn't allowed. Anyways.

I haven't ran for 3 weeks before the marathon. In part due to the weather and also fear of security running at night with all the recent seemingly random slashing going around. I did feel that my stamina was a tad off, but it's alright since I'm in it to finish it, not score a personal best.

I actually thought that the Standchart's measurements are a little off, my device tracking my distance via GPS seem to be 2.5km ahead of standchart's one. Anyhow, the first 8 km or so was quite a good run, with random strangers cheering us on on the sides.

I started pacing myself and alternating my runs from the 10km mark onwards. Courtesy of experience, I've learnt to respect the distance. I totally do not want a repeat of that acute muscle cramps like 6 months ago. So I started taking it slowly, running then walking and so on.

The halfway mark after what seemed like eternity.

Anyway, to cut a 42km long story short, I didn't feel quite as smashed as my first marathon. Again, courtesy of experience, I brought my pain relief balm which worked WONDERS and I think helped in not letting the slow nagging hamstring strain to escalate into a full blown cramp like last time.

Finally at 30 km. The last 12 km was T.O.U.G.H.

I walked a great deal, with totally swollen feet and terribly painful soles under the unforgiving sun and I totally got sun burned BIG TIME. :( My bad I didn't wear sunblock. The worst thing is, the unforgiving SCORCHING HOT sun happened at a stretch where there was totally NO temporary shade for relief at the LAST 4KM.

Man, that was the LONGEST 4 km of my life. I must say that the sun took a toll on me though, somewhere into the last 3km, I had a mental breakdown before the physical breakdown even happened.

I was angst, irritated and ever ready to give up thinking that the world is conspiring against me to make sure I don't complete on time. And then I started to cry. -_-

I remembered thinking to myself that crying takes up even more energy (which is so scarce by now) so I "talked" myself into resting against a road divider and applying even more pain relief balm before continuing.

Anyways, I FINALLY managed to complete my FULL 42.195km marathon within the 8 hours cutoff time! I actually arrived FOUR MINUTES before the cutoff time, and I totally ran, to the finish line, not walk nor crawl!