pain pain pain

Listening to : 7 Things - Miley Cirus

I'm relatively satisfied with myself. I have accomplished my first feat of the year.
Yes, I have RAN 42 KM! Can you believe it? I can't myself. I really can't.
I admit, i wasn't really mentally and physically prepared. Like the night before was quite hectic.
It was a rush there, little warm up done.
But when it all boiled down and when i crossed the start line. Its make or break!
I would try to narrate the entire night of SUNDOWN MARATHON!

It started out as a relatively cool and quiet night.
My and my bro took a cab to the start point, changi village.
However, while reaching, we noticed something terrifying, we saw runners runninng back and the stretch of road leading up to the end seemed never ending. Then i knew, we were in for a night.
Thereafter, we met rhon and alvin, deposited out bags and began the short but vital warm up.
I wasn't exactly excited nor scared. I was more calm and thought it was another run at night.
However, i forgot that I have clocked only a max of 15km in one run before.
It was all energy when we walked to the start line. Then the countdown for the race started.
When we crossed the line, we started with a good pace. I was quite comfortable with it, alot slower than my usual pace.
We ran in a pack, me rhon alvin and my bro. Towards the 7 km mark, wee started to lose sight of rhon, then we realised, it was inevitable.
The run continued and then i went ahead of my bro and alvin.
I took constant blind spot turn to make sure they were in sight. When i realised they were too far behind, i slowed down. To my surprise, Alvin was left behind. SO it was just me and my bro.
It was a good pace all the way till 12 km! I was quite impressed actually.
However, this was when the pain hit. My bro first in his knee.
Then we had intervals or running and walking all the way till 16 km.
Then my cramp came. Was quite thankful i spotted it early and stretched up.
Though it was alot slower, it was still a relatively good pace all the way till 22 km. Then both our legs were screaming out in pain. WHY WHY WHY??
So we took a 3 km walk. WHICH WAS REALLY SLOW!
Then we kicked off again at the 25km mark. However, my bro really didn't want to start.
Thus, I went ahead.
However, it was pure struggle. Ok, if you don't get what i mean. IT WAS PURE STRUGGLE!
My legs were really cramping up coupled with stitches.
It was really really painful and tiring to push on. I myself had to alternate between slow walks and slow jogs all the way till 27 km.
Then came the banana. I BEGGED for it. I took 2 bites and threw it aside.
I then started to be in a small state of shock.
I sat down for a while trying to recover my legs.
The worst thing was, i started to fall asleep! I hate night runs....

After that junction, I pushed on, the next 3 km went relatively well. I had in mind to push all the way to 32 km. However, my body wouldn't allow.
I had to stop once in a while to let my legs rest. Passing the 30 km, the biggest pain hit.
My sole of my foot started to really really really ache up.
I didn't know why myself, it was really bad! It must've been the constant pressure on it.
The next 2 km was then the worst passing Bedok.
Yes, I clearly remember, THIS WAS THE WORST PART! I really couldn't take it. I didn't know how i'll survive the rest of the run.
After hitting 32km. I attempted to try more all the way till 34 km.
Then we reached a car park. This was then the culmination of pain.
My heart, stitches, sole, legs were all in pain. I really needed some sort of help badly.
This was when the magic cream came. DEEP HEAT!
After applying it, it felt like it numbed my leg. So i pushed on.
It went on well passing 35 km with another deep heat station. Then when it was 37 km.

At this point. I had no more fuel in myself. I squeezed a bit of gel and hoped it'll help.
It did for a while but I realised it because I had no more strength or energy.
i was starting to fail mentally. Though it was only 5 km left. I just couldn't move.
it was the WALL! So yes, I just started to walk.
It was then the song "7 things" played.
Somehow, I remembered my supergirl.
I thought of how it was when at the finish line she'll be there waiting for my back in the JC days.
I somehow carried that hope that she'll be there at the end.
Some adrenaline rush hit some time after. I just ran all the way till 4 km.
I could see the end.
Here was when the long stretch into changi village started.
In the cab on the way to the start point, i saw many people walking.
Now I'm one of them. So I struggled and pushed on waling and running all the way till 2 km!
Though it was really the end, I had NO MORE ENERGY left.
I couldn't take it anymore. Though i wanted to give it some push.
I realised then, how much effort I have given the past 40KM!
I decided, Its now or never. I thought of shiming and how its an achievement to myself and her.
I gave it all. However, all that I had somehow seemed really slow.
It was 500m left i think, then i saw a bridge. I GOT CHEATED! They sealed the bridge and the end point was somewhere else. i almost fainted.
I did that detour and even till the last 200m. I was struggling to walk properly.

However, when i saw the end, i Just gave it all.
The whole run flashed back, from the beginning pace, till the mid point walk, to the struggle at the end, till the finale when my supergirl gave my my strength.
I dashed ahead, opened my strides, gave a smile as cameras flashed when i crossed the finish line.
The strange thing then happend. I was really in shock then.
Bodily shock at least. I couldn't believe what had happened. I had to be directed by marshallers.
I entered some athletes welfar area and was greeted by annabelle to my surprise. She of all people. Well, it was better than nothing.
I grabbed the stuff, walked out and finally.
I sat down, took out my shoes and massaged my foot.
Oh the pleasure......
At the end, it wasn't about how long i took,
it was my first. I think my last. However, it was a real achievement.
It was about finishing strong. I did. I am satisfied,