Since the time I started running, which was March last year at Unilab Leg 1, I had heard much talk about the Condura Run 2010, about how challenging and fun it was, and that it is a must-join event for it is only once a year event that the Skyway would be closed for a race to take place.
So from then on, I decided that I would join the Condura 2011. My goal then was to run 21K at the Condura 2011. But because of the encouragements from my sister and friends, and I also wanted to prove that I could do it, I decided to join the 42K event upon registration for the event this year. Thanks guys! I am really glad I did.
But I guess I’m being a “crammer” again, because as much as I wanted to prepare myself for the race, I was not able to train much dueto being sick after my 32K run (so even had to sell my QCIM race kit then just to recuperate), got busy with work and trips abroad. I was able to train every now and then, but the mileage was certainly not enough for my muscles to get use to the 42K distance that I would soon be running.
So come the day of the race, we were up at 1:30am, which was supposed to give us ample time to prepare for the race. But maybe because my sister and I were still quite dazed then, so it was already 3am when we left the house and tried to catch a cab in the wee hour to go to BGC and hoping to make it to 3:30 gun start on-time.
It was already 3:29am when we reached the venue. My sister said that she would be the one to deposit our things at the baggage area so I could go ahead to the Start Line on-time.
I only have less than a minute then, so only did a few last-minute stretches then the gun starts. It left me no time to get jittery which I usually have at the start of a race. My goal for the race was just to finish it without injury and to get the medal! :)
Even at the start of the race, I decided not to get a PR for the race, I planned to just finish my first Full Marathon according to my condition then. For the first 26 or 27 Kilometers, my pace was quite slow, but I still went on and ran con
tinuously. But upon reaching 27 Kilometers, my leg muscles started to get sore, so from then on until I reached 42Kilometer, I kept on walking and stretching whenever I felt my muscles getting sore again, for I was afraid I would not be able to finish till I reached the end of 42 Kilometers. But it was really disheartening for me
for I have never joined a race and walked for long distances instead of running or jogging. I felt I was such a sissy on the race because I kept on complaining to myself that I was having a hard time, how my muscles were aching, how tired I was already, that I kept on walking whenever and not just pulled myself together and persevere to run all the way till the end. Indeed running a marathon is really no joke, it really needs a strong willpower and endurance to finish the race.
I have very mixed feelings about the race, so it was only now that I am able to write my thoughts about the race. On the one hand, I was happy that I did finis
h my first Full Marathon without having any injury, and that I was able to finish 42K! But on the other hand, I was really upset about myself and my time, for I really wanted to finish at most 4:30, but I was only able to achieve a 4:45. So I felt that I failed
partly for my mission in this race. I vowed to myself to have more training so I would be fit enough for my next Full Marathon!
I would like to give my thanks to the following for supporting me in the race: first and foremost to Lord, for being with me all the way. Then to my one and only sis, Irene, for being my race manager as usual. To my love: Fonz for your support, love you! ^-^ Then to Takbo peeps: Carina, Brando, Rodel, Maan, Drew, JP, Alvin, Jixee, Earl, Rod, Kit, Francis, Marge, Rex and others for your support and really nice seeing you all again. ^0^ To my officemates and friends too: boss Marvin, boss Rona, Benson, others thanks for your support. :)
