A funny thing happened to me at the 35 km mark of my 36 km run
several Sundays ago.Yes,this happened and I thought there would be
some people "out there" who have similar experiences and can share
your views.
I am out running at 5.15am at Nassim Road,alternating with Dalvey Road,White
House Lane and Dalvey Estate Road,readying for my upcoming marathon. I have been
training for the past 6 months with my route all mapped out,as this was the
last "serious" training before the upcoming marathon. My planned route was to
take me for 3 circuits of Dalvey-Dalvey Estate- White House Lane (5km long each)
and 5 circuits of Nassim (4 km long each) through the picturescue part of
Singapore. I love the wide dual carriageway roads and the huge trees plus
massive bungalows and the High Commissions of Russia,Japan,Philippines
with their wide frontage.Can't find anything similar to this in Singapore
with the exception of perhaps Namly area in Upper Bukit Timah.
I am armed with my Gatorade bottles (hidden at strategic sports every
5km or so),Power Gels,and had my Running Belt on to simulate the Real Run
ie. the weight of the water which I was going to carry with me during
my marathon.
Things were going smoothly,and I managed the first 18km in about
2 hours or 9km per hour.Definately not my marathon pace what with no
cheerleaders,other runners and supporters to give me that extra 'push'.
Nonetheless,I was in a state of "no-mindedness" (from Bruce Lee's
Jeet Koon Do) and sleep-running is well and good,because you shut out
all pain and boredom.I was using my "hot-stretching "technique which
is stretching every 5 km or so to prevent cramps ro so I thought.
At the 23 km mark,I felt a tightening in my left thigh,"Oh,Oh!"
my left leg was not lifting much and I could feel the effort.Not good,
but I carried on. "Its way too early to cramp out", and reminded myself
to drink those Gatorades the night before to stock up on the sodium.
At the 28km mark, I popped in my 2nd Power Gel (first was at the
18 km mark) and was just trying to keep going.I had the 4 hr 30 minute
timing in sight.The leg did not feel too good but I kept pushing myself
'Come,on man, Just 2 more Rounds" and kept going.
Its about 8.15am, on a bright Sunday morning,here I am the crazy
guy who's been up 3 hours ago punishing himself,sweat himself buckets,
dried out and sweated again and its going to be lovely day. My leg
was stiff and hurting every few strides as I hobble past the big
houses with the maids washing their Boss's cars, or walking the dog
and some other like-minded mad people like me.
At the 32km mark,I was hit like a bolt from the sky,"Why ??",
the "Why ??" imponderable question every runner asks. Another common
phrase is called "Hitting the Wall" where you are questioning
everything everything from your sanity,your place in the World,
your faith,your very existence.
"Why..am I doing this stupid thing and punishing myself ?"
"The real thing is only 1 week away,why torture yourself,
your'e a a dumb ass to be doing this ! You could be
waking up slowly and having a lovely bacon sandwich by the
patio."
(C'mon admit it, we have all been there before !!)
Anyway, I couldn't answer the "Why" question,neither could
I figure out the Meaning of Life so I decided to rant and rave
at every father,mother,son who had done me wrong (rightly or not)
in the last 5 years of my life.So there I was cursing
and swearing at 8.15 am on a lovely Sunday morning at :
- The gutless ex-Sales Manager who refused to join me and
opt for the easy way out when I left my previous company and
started QRA all alone.
- My ex-partner who basically was a pain in the ass
- My ex-running partner who often overslept and made me run
all alone at times. He is now a successful musician/actor/
IT specialist Brisbane Australia.Good for you Suresh !
It was really funny when you look at it.A cleansing of sorts !
So, at 35km mark, I am smiling and trying to make my mind
wander and dull out the pain,fatigue,sweaty discomfort and there
is this bunch of runners, in the opposite direction, happily running
and waving to me.
There I was,running on empty,alternating on testosterone,
spewing my bile,cursing and what else.
Finally, at the last 500 m, I can see the end, I am yelling
in my head as I reach the end point.
"To hell with it !, Nothing of this here matters,This is My Marathon,
My Pain and my Victory !"
IT DOSEN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS.
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