Sundown really can put you down for good

At Startpoint

The second milestone of my ‘Run for my life’ project was missed during the recently concluded Sundown half marathon. The target I have set for myself is <3 hrs. I ended up completing the run at around 3.5 hours. It was the most torturous run in my life. At the mark of 6 km, I had a severe cramp on the right side of my shoulder-blade. It was so painful that I was forced to walk. We met an ambulance at around 6.5 km mark. The medic told me I was having an 'Air Lock'. Not sure what he meant by it. Anyone who is a medic can help to answer this? In any case, I managed to get hold of some deep heat from the medic. It felt better and I went on running at the 7 km mark. After just 10 minutes of running, the deep heat heated up and it was so hot. Well, better hot than pain.

It may be because of the humid weather, the heated ground and the air that was filled with carbon dioxide, I was having a lot of difficulty coping with the run by the time I hit the 13 km mark. The deprivation of sleep made the situation worse. I was forced again to adopt a walk-jog strategy at around 14 km. After that, every step along the way whether it was jogging or walking, was a torment. At one point, the thoughts of just giving up and take a ride back via the ambulance crossed my mind. But I resisted the temptation and persisted. It was a real mental test.

At halfway mark

By the time, I hit the 16 km mark, I knew that I will never be able to meet my goals of doing the 21 km below 3 hrs. It was really sad but this is life. As I passed the 17 km mark in a stage of mind that transcended physical pains, I suddenly remembered the words of Rocky Balboe. That kept me going and going. By hook or by crook, I was determined to complete the race. It was made easier when I had my pal, Shen Tat, with me. Patiently following me throughout the entire 21 km. Sometime, I wondered where and what will I be without friends. They defined part of who I am today. A rather large part. Anyway, for those of my readers who are wondering what is this quote by Rocky Balboe. He said this in the movie ‘Rocky Balboe’ to his son:

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!” – Rocky Balboe

At final line

I am determined to face reality and complete what i have started. As I passed the finishing line, I realized what went wrong this time round. While I can certainly blame the weather and the lack of sleep as excuses, I would rather think about what can I do to become better. This is afterall in the same spirit of Rocky Balboe. During my standard chartered run last December, I worked really hard. I was already running around 15 km to around 21 km before the actual run. I took things for granted this time round and paid for it. I thought all I need is to run around 10 km during preparation and I should be fine. How wrong was this thought. 21 km is really no joke and it can really ‘kill’ you when you are unprepared. I just need to work out a schedule to make myself more prepared next round. In addition, given this experience, I think I am totally not ready for the 42 km this year. I need more time to train harder. But I know as long as I keep going, I will reach my goals one day.

My goal is to complete a run of one marathon in my lifetime without walking. A friend once told me that this is near impossible for me, given my age and physical fitness. I like to challenge the near impossible. It is what makes my life worth living.

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