Limping Marathon Runner

Nothing related to Microsoft at all! I felt like I am working in a Stock Exchange today. Mobile phone on left ear and a desk phone on my right ear. Two laptops running different tests - troubleshooting two different cases. Mad. Good thing, its a holiday tomorrow.

This week has been near madness and I feel like it is longer than a 42km. I got a beer together with some munchies at Dirty Nelly's last night. I am glad the work week ended today (at least work to be done) and I feel drained. Solved three cases at one go and I still have some other stuff to do. Didn't join EndlessTrail for the talk and decided to head on home. Stopping at the video store, I picked up Transformers for Bala. The Pursuit of Happyness and Stealth for myself. Okay, the show is going to start soon!

Deciding to stop and rest my legs for 1 month (away from running), one cannot image the rushing endorphins I received, just by doing a short dash of 5 metres for the bus. Caught the movie "Enchanted" at Great World around evening. Looking forward to running again!

Well done to Kops21 and ShortLegs for finishing their Western Australia IM event!

.. as some describes this - I know Fennel would. That was what left me wincing in pain as I did let the foam roller and laws of gravity carried out its tasks. Sadist (but effective) tips from Kops21, stacking both legs on the foam to increase its intensity, almost made me squeal. My face wrinkled with squinty eyes was an instant reflex from the indescribable sensation. Just little kids who want toys after dental visits. Some hot tea, please? ITB feels much better. Somemore? I'll leave that till tomorrow. It was 1.2k swim today. Recovery.

I slept as early as 4pm the day before, waking up periodically and at 7pm for dinner before sleeping again. Waking at 12 midnight, I caught some movie on T.V. before taking some noodles. I sensed that I will not have an easy day with odds stacked against me. With timed friendly feeder service at 4.10am by IMD, we reached the venue early. Baggage was a little chaotic and fortunately AlecChua was taking the half marathon, I left my shoe bag with him for deposit. Making my way to the start line, there were plenty of familiar faces to wave to.

With a countdown to 5.30am and off we went. I was still feeling good and was pretty cautious of my speed for the first 10km. But, that was not what I looked out for. at 12km, what I feared for has arrived. That warning sensation on my ITB. The first attack came at 19km. I went down to run - walk technique. At 28km, it was so intense that the only better option was to brisk walk. I could only hold up to 35km before I came down to a normal walking pace. Just before 36km, I spotted someone with cramps and I went over to assist. His calf muscle was twitching pretty badly. We spent probably 5mins to stabilize it before buddying up and chatting all the way to the finish line. With 300m before finish line, I did a slow (which was painfully slow) jog back to cross the finish line. My personal worst timing but finishing was all that matters.

Good to hear that most achieved some pretty impressive timing while others suffered like me. We will be back for revenge next year!