The End of A Beginning... KL Marathon 2010.

After exactly 3 months of tryings, experimenting, tortures, and waits... finally.... in less than 12 hours, I will be losing my virginity, in running my first Full Marathon... the longest distance I've ever travelled on pair of legs (probably hands too), in one go.

The race pack:

...and the 4-digit to buy...

For the first Full-Marathon... I wouldn't say that I've trained for the run as 'training' is too big a word for my preparation.  What I have done in preparation for the run was just to travel some 'prescribed' long distances without stopping every weekend.  Belows were the weekend LSDs that I've done in my preparation.

Weekend long run in preparation for the Virgin Full Marathon:
(22/3 - 28/3) 13 weeks to go: 21k (Energizer Night Run 2010 done. Timing: 2hr 23min 15.63s);
(29/3 - 4/4) 12 weeks to go: 25k (26.46km done. Timing: 3hrs 12mins 6s);
(5/4 - 11/4) 11 weeks to go: 21k (23.16km done. Timing: 2hrs 46mins 4s);
(12/4 - 18/4) 10 weeks to go: 29k (30.88km done. Timing: 3hrs 34mins 53s);
(19/4 - 25/4) 9 weeks to go: 21k (23.66km done. Timing: 2hrs 42mins 44s);
(26/4 - 2/5) 8 weeks to go: 32k (33.19km done. Timing: 4hrs 2mins 4s);
(3/5 - 9/5) 7 weeks to go: 21k (30.88km done. Timing: 3hrs 43mins 9s);
(10/5 - 16/5) 6 weeks to go: 35k (35.8km done. Timing: 4hrs 32mins 24s);
(17/5 - 23/5) 5 weeks to go: 21k (23.66km done.  Timing: 2hrs 46mins 7s);
(24/5 - 30/5) 4 weeks to go: 37k (0km done.  Timing: 0hr);
(31/5 - 6/6) 3 weeks to go: 19k (38.6km done. Timing: 4hr 58mins 29s);
(7/6 - 13/6) 2 weeks to go: 23k (0km done.  Timing: 0hr);
(14/6 - 20/6) 1 week to go: 16k (15.44km done.  Timing: 1hr 43mins 11s);
(21/6 - 27/6) Race day!!!

Missing LSDs
Missing Run-1: From the logs, I missed out two weekend long runs.  On 30/5, I was succumbed to sore throat and high fever in the week... didn't run for a continuous 8 days!  The longest 'missing-in-action' for the past 1 1/2 year... have never missed any run for such long time since I started running beginning of 2009.  Was really really worried at that time... in-security built up... uncertainty grew.  Luckily, still managed to complete the longest LSD in the following week... without much drama in the last LSD.  No cramp, no side stitch... phewww!

Missing Run-2: On 13/6 weekend, missed my 'prescribed' 23k long run.  However, did an 1-hour run on the sandy beach of Redang Island... accompanied by the rhythm of wave and wind... while watching the sun rise! Was tired after the run... probably due to the soft and uneven sandy surface.

Top 10 YS's Training Facts and Findings
After numerous weekend LSDs, I found out the following interesting facts about myself in Marathon training...

1.  My threshold of comfort is about 26km regardless of my form.  Thereafter, I would start to feel de-motivated and had strong urge to walk or stop.

2.  If timing is irrelevant, energy gel is not needed to complete the LSDs.  All my 30km+ runs were completed without consuming gel... of course, I didn't care about my finishing time... finishing the distance is my only goal.

3.  Weekday runs were skipped regularly... my biggest regret.  Due to long working hours, I didn't do my weekday runs as suggested by various websites.  This is my biggest regret so far!  I believe I should be able to do a sub-5 in my first Full Marathon should I follow the weekday run closely.  My weekday runs usually were just one or two 9km runs on Wed or/and Friday... this is way below the minimum requirement of 3 weekday runs per week.  I am predicting the finishing time of my first Full Marathon, if I ever finished, should be some where 5hr 30minutes.

4.  Ear-phone is not my running buddy.  After reading Yimster's write-up, I spent 100++ on a Sony walkman player.  I tried to put on a pair of ear-phone playing some MP3 musics for my 35km-ier run... but threw it back into my car after 21km of running with it.  Since then, have never used it for my run anymore... didn't feel comfortable with it.

5.  We don't have to train in group.  All my runs were done alone.  This is probably a good news to people who cannot find a running buddy to start training for a Full Marathon in isolation.  However, theorist may argue that I can fair a better timing if I train in group... which I agree.  Yes, with encouragement and motivation from running buddies, I may do better.  But it is not a must to have a running buddy to complete the training.  I was not trying to prove that "we don't need a running buddy", but I just couldn't get a buddy in my social circle... plus am too lazy to drive to meeting point of running club nor make appointment.

6.  I took 1.5 year to prepare for my first Full Marathon without injuring myself... touch wood and finger-crossed.  I knew some can do that within shorter time frame... but am just a lazy type.

7.  Losing weight... not.  Sadly, I didn't lose weight after all the hardworks and tortures... the good news is, I did look like I lost weight, confusing huh?!  Probably the body fat has been replaced by the heavier but more useful muscle.

8.  No body lubricant was used.  I have never used any human lubricant like Vaseline nor Body-glide in my run.  Again, theorist would say: "...but you run like a penguin..."... which I agree.

9.  The training is to teach ourselves to "run through pain".  I always want to give up on 25km and above.  That was what the theorist said: "...let your mind run your body..."... and this is true!  The pain (in muscle) will subside if I force myself to run for just a couple of meters more... and it usually works.

10.  As an amateur and casual runner, I don't have to change my life and habit drastically.  That includes my eating habit, food, sleeping pattern and works.  The good news is, I can eat more without feeling guilty.

THANK YOU to all my sponsors
To dated, I have collected RM1110 for the run... would like to say a big "THANK YOU" (with tears) to all my sponsors for the trust and generosity!

Here is the list of my sponsors...