YS's First Marathon Training Facts

Here are some records of what I have been through since I started to run for recreation.  Hopefully the logs serve an insight into what to expect if you are just about to start running, and you are as lazy as I am with almost the same engine specifications...

Engine specifications
Built in 1972, am a typical 4-eyed 5.5ft 70kg working father of 3 who has not been exercising for nearly 10 years.

Engine and body parts were completedly un-tuned and mostly rusty.

Though exists in human form, ran more like a penguin (with short and round legs) at turtle pace (more than 7 minutes per km).

The following training runs were logged for a period of 1.5 years, from 1/1/2009 to 26/6/2010, before and excluding KL Marathon 2010.  Prior to Jan/2009, I could only run 2.4km non-stop at very very slow pace of 7 to 8 minutes per km, breathless.

Running goals
I decided to start exercising regularly in mid of 2008.  Running was naturally my (the lazy type) first choice for its simplicity.

My running goal had been revised, un-planned, every half a year:
- 6/2008: to be able to run 2.4km non-stop (will explain why 2.4km in my later post).
- 1/2009: to be able to run 10km non-stop by June,2009 (for SCKLM,2009).
- 6/2009: to complete a half marathon by Dec,2010 (no race to aim for).
- 1/2010: to complete first Marathon by June,2010 (for SCKLM,2010).

Distance
I started to log my run beginning of 2009.  Here are some facts about the distance travelled leading to my first Full Marathon.

Total training runs, in distance: 2168km.
Total training runs, in time: 238hrs 57mins 5s.
Total training runs, in counts: 208 runs.

First 5km: was done after 6 training runs, 2 weeks into running, on 20/1/2009.
First 10km: was done after 55 training runs, 17 weeks into running, on 10/5/2009.
First 15km: was done after 101 training runs, 31 weeks into running, on 16/8/2009.
First 21km: was done after 131 training runs, 41 weeks into running, on 25/10/2009.
First 25km: was done after 154 training runs, 49 weeks into running, on 18/12/2009.
First 30km: was done after 191 training runs, 66 weeks into running, on 18/4/2010.

Shortest training run: 2.65km, the 1st training run, was done on 5/1/2009.
Longest training run: 38.6km, the 204th training run, was done on 6/6/2010.

Plot of Distance v.s. Runs., Year-2009:
y-axis: distance in km;
x-axis: runs in count.



Plot of Distance v.s. Runs, Year-2010 till 26/6/2010:
y-axis: distance in km;
x-axis: runs in count.



Time
Total training runs, in time: 238hrs 57mins 5s.
Shortest run, in time: 18mins 50s.
Longest run, in time: 4hrs 58mins, 29s.
Earliest training start time: 4:20am.
Latest training finish time: 9:46pm.
Longest absence from runs: 8 days.

Races
There were only a handful of races that I joint.  Reason: laziness.
1st race: SCKLM 2009: on 28/6/2009, 10km,
2nd race: Jog for Hope on 19/7/2009, 9km,
3rd race: Putrajaya Night Run on 6/2/2010, 21km,
4th race: Energizer Night Marathon on 27/3/2010, 21km.

Money Matters
Total money spent on running gadgets (excluding shoes): RM1150+,
Breakdown...
- Nike arm pouch: RM68;
- Nike dry-fit T-shirt: RM89;
- Polar watch: RM600+;
- Hydration belt: RM180;
- Python: RM100+;
- Sony Walkman: RM120.

Total money spent on rubbers (i.e. shoes): RM852
- First shoes: Bata RM15... yes, it's school children's shoes
- Second shoes: Ambros RM49, at 23rd run, on 10/3/2009.
- First running shoes: Adidas Supernova RM399, at 67th run, on 31/5/2009.
- Second running shoes: Nike Lunarglide RM389, at 148th run, on 5/12/2009.

Engine changes
Maximum weight loss: 3kg (67kg).
Maximum weight gain: nil.
Weight change on the first marathon: nil.
Injuries: once (check "Dumbest moments" for the cause).
Broke-down: twice.

Engine refuel and pitstop
First time drinking water during run: 112th run, 14.67km, on 13/9/2009.
First time running with hydration belt: 131st run, 21.1km, on 25/10/2009.
First time taking power gel during run: 142nd run, 23.16km, on 21/11/2009.
First time taking power bar before run: 154th run, 26.46km, on 18/12/2009.
First (and only) time running with walkman: 199th run, 35.8km, on 15/5/2010.

Dumbest moments
1.  Run with normal cotton-based white bermuda-pants.  The pants turned transparent when it was completedly soaked with my sweat, and started to stick on my skin.  My superman's inner beauty was exposed without me noticing it.

2.  Forgot to wear socks for a 5km run in a bright hot sunny and crowded day.  Blisters all over my feet.  Was forced to take off my shoes, hold it like dumb-bell in my hands while continued to run the remaining distance.

3.  Trapped by a tiny insignificant loop of string and fell like a total idiot.  Left knee and left elbow injured with blood loss.  My first and only running injury, thank goodness.

4.  Tried to out-run "men's best friends".

The journey continues...