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2 Days Before the Race
I was sick, had fever + flu, got it from my kids. That morning, went to the clinic, got MC & medicine, give me the chance to rest at home. Ooppss!! 2 days left for the KLIM!! So worried!!
1 Day Before the Race
I felt better that day but still not fully recovered. Began to lost hope!! But my heart said, “I have to do this, I waited so long for this event”. Slept early that night - 11.00 pm.
Race Day
 
Woke-up at 3.45 am, felt fresh but my throat was still dry and sore. Took a quick shower and then, headed to Dataran Merdeka. While driving, had some banana & cereal bar. Reached Dataran around 4.40 am, and parked my car at DBKL building. Just wore slippers, coz I need to perform Subuh prayer first. On the way to the starting point, met Fuad from Tmn. Tun. Chatted a bit with him and headed to the starting point. At 4.55 am, the marathon category was about to start. Wow!! more than 1000 energetic people were out there!! Saw Haris from Kedah in front of the starting point taking photos.
Bang!! 5.00 am sharp, the race started. After that met Haris & chatted with him. Then, came Fuad and a guy from Kedah (forgot to ask his name) to join us. While chatting, took my PowerBar and Endurance drink. Around 5.40 am, headed to Masjid Jamek for subuh prayer. After prayer, 6.10 am, rushed (running) to my car to get my shoes and Power Gel. I should have brought along everything & no need to return to my car. Got my self ready, then rushed again to the starting point. The hassle of running here and there resulted me of not having time for warming-up. Reached starting point at 6.25 am, 5 minutes to go & I was quite far behind, but my main concern was the chip time. I took my first Power Gel and Endurance drink just before the race start.
First 10 km. 6.30 am sharp, Bang!! Started very slow & took about 1 min 19 second for me to cross the starting point. Just followed the crowd and than started to increase my speed. My breathing was good and my legs felt strong. Slowly, I over took quite a number of the slow runners, but at same time, I was asking to myself, “Am I too fast??” Reaching the 5 km mark, the person at the station shouted, “26.56”. Wow!! That’s too fast for me and I had 16 km more to go. At the first refreshment station (next to 5 km mark), I took a cup of water & then continued running, but this time I started to slow down a bit. My breathing was still smooth and my legs were still strong. Around 7/8 km, one lady over took me & then, I tailed her. About 5 minute running, I gave up and started to slow down. At that time, my legs started to signal its tiredness. At the second refreshment station, I took my second Power Gel and helped boost a bit of my energy level.
Second 10 km. Reached the 10 km mark, the person at the station shouted, “55:59” and that was very fast and made me worried!! The question was, “Can I maintain my pace until the finishing line??” For the next 2 to 3 km, my breathing was still ok but my legs felt horrible, heavy and tired. Before reaching the third refreshment station, I stopped running & started walking about I minute, and then continued running until reaching the refreshment station. I took my third Power Gel. But the Power Gel didn’t help much anymore, I just continued running but at a slower pace, around 6.30. After about 1 to 2 km (at Jln Imbi), I had to stop running and started walking.
My legs felt very2 heavy & so tiring. After a few minutes walking, I continued running at a much slower pace (7.00 - 8.00). This running and walking repeated a few times. At the refreshment station and at the next few stations, I just drank 2 cups of water and then, another bottle to pour on my head. After the refreshment station at Jln. Imbi, while I was walking, one guy shouted at me, “Come on, 5 km to go!!” and that motivated me to run again but at a very slower pace. About after 1 km running, I had to stop and walked again, and then ran a bit. Again this running & walking repeated until I reached the U turn near the Pertama Complex.
Last km. After the U turn, I made up my mind to continue running until reaching the finishing line. I kept running and increased my pace (around 6.00). Lastly, yessss…I made it and the chip time was 2:22:35 and 2:23:54 for the official gun time. Received the goodie bag at the finishing line. The medal was ok but didn’t look “international”.
After the Race. Felt very weak and felt like I’m going to faint, then went to rehydrate myself with 2 cups of 100 Plus, 2 cups of Milo, I cup of cereal and a few pieces of watermelon. Slowly after quite sometime, I felt better & fresh again. Then, I was ready to go home. At the car, I took a bottle of PowerBar Recovery.
Lesson Learned
- Warm-up at least 10 - 15 minute.
- Ready at the starting point at least 15 minutes before the race.
- Don’t push yourself if your are sick (Run slower then targetted pace).
- Don’t run too fast at the beginning. Negative split gives much better result.
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