April 9th, 2013 by Karmun

This post goes out to a few people, a few incredible women in my life, one to whom I owe my existence, and the rest who have contributed in some way or another in shaping me into the person I am today. First shout out goes to my Mummy, who is the strongest, toughest and most beautiful lady I’ve ever known; my sisters, who are every bit as capable as the next girl when they put their hearts into striving for what they want; my best friends, whom I know will always have my back as I have theirs; to you, if you’re reading this and happen to be a girl; and last but not least, to all the women in the world, who may not have the same opportunities and freedom some of us do but strive everyday nonetheless with all they’ve got to make their marks in the world.

When I first caught news of this marathon, I knew almost immediately that I was signing up the moment I got home and was within access of my computer. It was not even an option. It was something I knew I had to do. Online registration makes registering for so many different things such a breeze, does it not? Hehehe.

There were a few other things that enticed me about it. Firstly of course, was that it was gonna be run in and about I-City, Shah Alam, a place that was quite foreign to me (I’ve been there only one other time before this race). Secondly, I was of the impression that the entire race was gonna be accompanied by pretty LED-lit trees because that was, after all, what I-City was known for — their colourful neon trees. But the biggest and main reason why this race was as good as mandatory for me to run, was because it was gonna be Malaysia’s first ever all-women marathon, a race founded and dedicated solely to the empowerment of women.

I can’t think of a better reason and cause to run for.

After asking around, I found out that my two best running buddies would be running this race too. These were incredibly strong ladies who have been running marathons way before I even bought my first pair of running shoes. Khai Sim would be doing the half alongside me, and Michelle, being the impossibly capable girl she is, the full. Let’s get this party started! Woo-hoo!

We arrived at the place a good hour before take-off, just to have a look. Word on the vine was that some sort of small carnival was being organized so there were a lot of activities and food stalls set up to celebrate this virgin all-women race. Plus I was really hoping to bump into the the Guest of Honour of this entire marathon, who have flown in all the way from the US to speak a few words on women sports, performance and health.

Just being there among so many independent, strong and powerful women psyched me up to unimaginable heights about the coming race. The air was buzzing with this unexplainable excitement, and just standing there breathing in the cold night air sent the biggest and most electrifying waves of anticipation coursing through my muscles every five minutes. We were all very soon gonna be a part of history in the making. How often does a girl get to say that?

I have a run a total 7 marathons prior to this, yet none have ever felt as meaningful as this one. All the previous races, they were for myself, a personal yardstick of sorts to continually improve and test myself with every finish line I cross. Time time, I was going to be running for something much bigger than just me, myself and I. I was going to be running for a much bigger reason than just a sense of self satisfaction.

Wearing my race numbers never made me felt so proud to be called a runner than that morning. Wear it loud and wear it proud, you know? Khai Sim looks a bit red in the face here because she is very painfully sunburnt from a Frisbee tournament she had just come from the day before haha. This girl ran on only 2 hours of sleep after close to 10 hours in the sun running after a disk! She is amazing.

And then I saw her, the woman who revolutionized the whole marathon scene for her gender all over the world, and possibly the entire competitive sports arena as well.

I don’t know why but just seeing her was such a fan-girl moment for me lol. I was squealing non-stop to the Ninja Rabbit and bouncing on the balls of my feet trying to get a better sight of her.

Kathrine Switzer is the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. Her historic race in 1967, changed the rules of marathon forever. The Boston Marathon had been a male-only event for a good 70 years. People didn’t believe women could run a marathon, nor did they think they should. Isn’t that disgusting? To think this was almost 50 years after women were allowed to vote!

She registered under her initials K.V. Switzer so no one suspected she was a girl and ran the race wearing lipstick. Some of the guys were very amused to see a girl participating in a marathon and asked for photos, but others were not so supportive. Halfway through the race, she had the race organiser and other road marshalls chase after her, clawing at her clothes trying to rip her numbers off her back. They physically and verbally assaulted her just because she was a woman participating in what was then an exclusively male-only field.

But that didn’t stop her. She ran on, shielded by her coach and boyfriend, who shoved away anyone else who tried to go near her. Yes, there are chivalrous men; not all of them are chauvinistic pigs as examplified by these two gentleman.  She persevered through snow, rain and the infamous Heartbreak Hill that is the biggest killer of the Boston Marathon and finished the race in 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Her photos and achievement made international news and five years later, the rules were amended so that women could also now participate in running marathons. Thanks to her, women today everywhere can run as equals alongside men.

Today, Kathrine has run a total of 39 marathons and hundreds of road races of varying distances all over the world. She has been running regularly for 53 years and at 67 years of age, she is still going strong on the road, and plans on running the Boston Marathon again in 2017 as a 50-year mark commemoration of the 1967 race.

She is my biggest inspiration of 2013 handsdown!

I almost forgot to breathe when she said it would be her biggest pleasure to have a photo taken with me T_T

I was still left in a daze when she excused herself because she had to go lead some aerobics warm-up routine lol.

It was one thing to be amongst a mass of women, it was another to share the same vision and goal as each and everyone of them in that place that morning. We women have come a long way since  the days when everyone said our places were in the kitchen and that we couldn’t wear pants and climb trees. Today, we can vote, we have equal rights in the workplace and sure as hell, we can do everything men can do, if not better. Like running a Goddamned marathon (in my case, a half hehehe).

Shuffling into the starting pen did not scare me at all this time. With all my previous races, this would be when the nerves kick in the worst, when I would be running through all the worst case scenarios in my head, like what if I didn’t finish, or what if I clocked horrible timing. Without fail this would be the time my stomach feels like exploding, leaving me to bleed out to death from how scared I was at the mere thought of the next 3 hours that’s gonna consist of nothing but pain. Running even only a half marathon is a bloody big battle, I’ll have you know.

Not this time, no. I felt empowered by the scene that was before me, assured by all the ladies who were huddled close and around me. There were a few men pacers too, spouses or partners of a few who have chosen to endure this challenge with their better halves. I drew strength from this small collection of women, warriors each and every one, who were all, like me, brave enough enough to challenge and push themselves to their limits or otherwise die trying.

When the flag-off horn went off, I actually unconsciously let out a small cheer haha. Can you spot me?? =D

There was no fear, no trepidation. I was running with the best group of runners I can ask for. Nothing was going to dampen my spirits. I felt the strongest I had ever felt in a long, long while.

I was telling myself that if I finish this race strong, I would do my full marathon before the year was out. Everything that morning was pointing towards a very favourable run. I got sufficient sleep the night before. I was well-hydrated. I was most prepared to endure 21km than I was in any of my previous halves. And my legs — my God, my legs — they felt like if I pushed hard enough, I could easily grow wings and fly.

I don’t know if it was the novelty of running in our country’s first ever all-women’s marathon, or the knowledge that I was running in one out of only four races in the world that is founded specially for women, but I hardly felt any pain this time. The cramps, the exhaustion, the blisters, they almost didn’t register as I pounded on step by step towards the finishing line. All that was on my mind was how beautiful this sight before me was — the sight of sisters of all race and religion coming together to enjoy a common passion. Don’t mess with the effects of girl power, yo!

I was enjoying myself so much that I actually forgot to keep tabs on which kilometer I was at, something I used to rely on pathetically as a source of distraction to keep the pain at bay. I used to look out for the kilometer counters like my life depended on it, using it as the only tool to gauge how far more I had to the finish line. That morning, after what seemed like only a short while, I looked up to see that I was already at kilometer 19.5. I almost thought someone was trying to pull a prank!

Running has always been such a moving experience for me. You really find out things about yourself you didn’t know while scaling the roads. You find out what you’re made of. If you dig deep enough, you’ll learn that you’re a lot stronger than you think. That morning, there was woman helping woman, sister encouraging sister, friend assuring friend as we all fought our way to a new kind of victory.

This lady finished her Full Marathon crying tears of joy. Just seeing this picture makes me tear up myself. I may not have run as far as she has, but I can still relate to the emotions that must be welling up inside her at seeing the finish line. It’s a sense of pride, joy, anguish and, ironically, sadness all rolled up in one. Pride and joy because well, hello, you just accomplished one of the toughest things in the world to do, anguish because you’re nothing but a big ball of hot, searing pain right now, and sadness because as happy as you are that you’ve done it, that you’re here at the end of it all, it’s still a small bit of a shame that’s it’s all over.

Sometimes, you actually don’t want it to end. Because while you’re still out there fighting the fight, you’re invincible.

This couple made me smile simply because I once threatened the Ninja Rabbit that before I say yes to him should he plan on proposing anytime soon, we would have to run a Full 42km marathon together first hehehe. They finished theirs holding hands and then proceeded to kiss at the finish line ♥

And yes this guy, Daniel, who paced with his friend for the 21km in a wheelchair. He is the living example of how if you want something bad enough, you’ll let nothing stop you from achieving it. I’ve always looked up to people like these, who never let any shortcomings they have come in the way of them and their dreams. It’s all mind over matter. And he came in through the finish line quite a while before me, mind you. The only difference between who you are and what you want to be, is what you do.

I came in grinning from ear to ear, I remember that distinctively. I don’t usually cross the finish line in such a pleasant demeanor if you must know. Most of the time I just fake a smile for the camera then grimace and wince my way to my medal LOL. That morning, I felt like I had just competed in the Olympics and won. My smile was genuine and it stayed on even after this finishing photo was taken and I had collected my finisher pack. 21km in 2 hours and 43 minutes, baby. Not my best, but I’m more than just happy with it =)

I don’t think I’ve seen myself look so happy ever HAHAHA.

Khai Sim came in just hardly 10 minutes after me, running by me as I was just parking my ass down on the curb. I will never run a race without thinking about her, I tell you. She’s been there with me, and for me, since Day One.She is, and always will be, my best running buddy!

The medal was something different. We were given dog-tags instead of the usual loop-around-your-neck medal lol. It was kinda cool I suppose. Did you know the reason why dog tags always come in pairs like that is because when the soldier wearing it dies, a compatriot would pull one off to keep as proof that his buddy has fallen, and shove the other either up his dead friend’s ass or down his throat so when they collect the bodies and send them home, the mortician can identify who is who? That’s the only way to ensure it doesn’t fall off and get lost somewhere, which would leave the body unidentifiable. The Ninja Rabbit parted this very morbid piece of knowledge to us, much to Khai Sim’s dismay LOL. I suppose I would rather have things shoved up my ass and get a proper burial than risk it getting dropped and never be recognised beyond my grave. Still, some very disturbing info all the same lol.

We are soldiers, yes we are!

Hello Awesome-Pawsome boyfriends who came all the way to support respective girlfriends hehe. Kaartig came without Michelle’s knowledge to surprise her when she crosses the finish line.

Speaking of whom, that girl is more amazing that I initially thought!

She finished her 42km in 4 hours and 10 minutes!! That’s a drastic improvement from her previous 6 hours!! And to top it all off, she secured a position in the top 10 Women’s Open Category. Our girl is number eight out of hundreds of other full marathon runners!

Here, we, mere mortals, are seen worshiping her amazing strength and endurance. All hail this Running Goddess who does the near impossible almost without breaking a sweat! That’s her Pacer, Alp, next to her, face-palming at the kind of nonsense we do HAHAHAHAHA.

Obligatory photo with my number one supporter and fan aka bestest boyfriend in the world ♥

Good morning? The best! I’ve never felt so accomplished in my life!

And yes, if you’re wondering, I have decided to go ahead and sign up for my first full marathon. If I had been waiting for a sign that I was ready, this is it. Kathrine Switzer fought with her life so that women all over may run the marathon. I owe it to her to at least try. So whoever will be running the 2nd Penang Bridge Marathon 2013, I’ll see you! I’ll be doing my virgin full marathon then, do say hi and show some support hehehe.

Thank you, Malaysia Women Marathon, for helping me believe in myself. I mean, I already did, I just needed that little extra nudge to be absolutely sure.

That’s it. I ran my 8th half marathon last weekend. What did you do? =)

October 24th, 2012 by Karmun

All photos in this post are taken with the SAMSUNG Smart EX2F Camera. While the camera may be sponsored by SAMSUNG, all ideas, thoughts and photos still remain mine. SAMSUNG and I just happen to agree on the simple basic consensus that life is made up of very fleeting moments, and that these moments, more than anything else, deserve to be captured and preserved so that their beauty and spark may be relived over and over again.

The Putrajaya Night Marathon is always the one marathon I look forward to the most year after year. True, this is only the second year I’m participating, but equally as true is that out of all the 7 I’ve ran so far, it’s still my favourite one of the lot. First of all, it is run at night, which means there is no sun to worry about — the heat and the brightness of the sun getting into your eyes affects your performance tremendously, just ask any marathon runner — and secondly, I clocked my personal best of 2:44:54 at this exact race last year. I couldn’t wait to see if I could break that and record a new personal best!

I unfortunately didn’t make it to register on time to run it legitly. All spots for the half marathon had been filled up as early as May when I logged in to the site to try to secure myself one =(

So I did what I had to do. I was not forgoing this race. I was going run it by hook or by crook, even if it meant crashing it and running without proper bibs and timing chips and other official things =P

The Ninja Rabbit followed in my footprints and ran the 10km illegally too. Disclaimer: always register for your runs if circumstances allow. It’d only be fair to the rest who paid. I would have, but they had run out of spots so this was done out of desperation. Plus, it’s no fun running and going through all that pain and suffering only to be denied a medal just because you didn’t register, right? So run the right way and register!

All week leading up to race day, we had been watching the skies and praying the weather would be on our side. It was going to be a night run, which by itself was going to be hell cold. I remember shivering like nothing else last year, especially when we hit the world-renoened Putrajaya bridge. Add the rain into the equation, I’m not sure if I trained enough for it!

The skies were gloomy and cloudy when we set out for Putrajaya, much to our dismay.

It started out as only a small drizzle in the early evening, but soon turned into a full-fledged monsoon storm as we near race site T_T

The rain was so heavy we could hardly see the road in front of us! Our wipers were set to overdrive and we had the aircond turned down to its lowest as we watched our back windscreen and windows began to fog up. Running in this rain was going to be, in every sense of the word, a shitstorm.

At one point, I was contemplating turning the car around and going home. I wouldn’t be able to see past this rain, what more run a half 21km marathon in it! Thankfully the Ninja Rabbit managed to convince me to just drive there nonetheless and just see what happens.

Because guess what?!

The sky was clearer than a summer’s night there at Precinct 3 of Putrajaya! WHEEE~!

It was a little windy, yes, but that’s the most we came to anything near rain. Hallelujah!

The ground was dry without the singlest sign of wetness.

Why was the Ninja Rabbit wearing flip flops? Because he runs barefoot lol. Yes, my boyfriend is hardcore like that. He did the same at the Standard Charted KL Marathon and has been hooked since. He won’t even entertain the idea of Nike Frees or the Vibram 5-Fingers which are special shoes made to reenact the whole sensation of barefoot running. Well, whatever rocks his boat, I suppose lol.

Everything was just as I remembered last year — the atmosphere, the charge in the air, the smells of CounterPain and salt sprays heavily laden in the air. There is nothing more exhilirating than the one hour right before take-off time! You can literally feel the electricity transferring from one runner to another as respectively we each prepared for our own hell.

You see people warming up, some chatting with friends, others stretching and doing other light exercises.

As if on cue, the butterflies in my stomach returned with full force as the hands of my wristwatch tell me it’s another half an hour to yet another journey that’s gonna be as gruelling and painful as it is rewarding.

It still boggles me why I subject myself to this torture everytime a new race is announced. It’s not like it’s the funnest thing in the world to do, running a half marathon. The first 20% maybe, when you’re feeling strong and your lungs are still functioning normally. The remaining 80% when all you feel is nothing but pain and cramps and all kinds of agony? Not even getting my tattoo hurt as much as that.

I’ll always swear the last run was the final straw, that I’m never doing this again. I’ve run 7 half marathons and  during all 7 of those, I’ve said the exact same thing. “I am never dong this again.” Yet lo and behold, I end up at another starting pit a few months from then, repeating the same questions in my head. Talk about deja vu lol.

Lookie who I ran into! Sports made us friends, and sports reunited us after all those many years! Deriss sat next to me in Form 3 and she was the only other girl in class who was away during lessons as often as I was — me for basketball, she for karate hahaha. I sometimes don’t see her for weeks on end especially during MSSPP and other sports season. Looks like the athlete in you never really leaves you. Glad to see we still believe in sweating up a storm after all those years! x)

I was super glad I had the Ninja Rabbit with me this time. My stress levels that night were soaring through the roof! I had not only the race itself to worry about, I was also an unregistered runner. I was totally stressing out about getting caught and worst case scenario, be made to leave the race halfway. That would be immensely heartbreaking. Can you imagine already running something like 15km only to be pulled out?? NOOOOOOOOOO!!!

My first fear materialized as if I had jinxed it by saying it out loud. They had security guards watching the entrance to the starting pen this year, who allowed only registered runners with bibs pinned onto the front of their jerseys in. Eventhough I was wearing last year’s jersey, I was fooling no one. This was going to be the first time I wasn’t going to be able to start the race with everyone else =(

I watched as the ground shook with the thundering footsteps of thousands of pairs of feet as everyone took off when the gun was fired. But all hope was not lost.

20 minutes in, I slipped in along with the rest and blended with the crowd WAHAHAHAHAHA. We were off! Another 21km to put behind me!

I am proud to say I ran the strongest yet in this race. I felt light and springy even into kilometre-12. My breathing was steady and there was not a single sign of any incoming cramps at kilometre-15. It was the most pleasant run of all the many I’ve gone through.

I recognized landmarks from last year. I recalled the pain I’ve felt the previous year at these places and was so thankful I’ve gotten stronger since then. Even last year’s Superman and Batman were there, enthusiastically cheering us runners on in their skin tight suits! HAHAHAHA.

However, as I’ve feared, I hit the wall at kilometre-17. Race after race, it’s always at this cut-off distance — kilometre-17 — that everything starts to go wrong. I can always count on the pain to start setting in, the cramps to start biting at my calves and thighs and lower back. It feels like the fiery pincers of a thousand fire-ants sinking into your flesh. Your muscles freeze up, everything that used to feel lithe and limber becomes tense and tight. At one point, I was certain some muscle in my leg was going to snap right in two from the pull that resulted from one humongous cramp.

It is pain unlike any other. Your feet feel non-existent in your shoes, you can’t feel your toes, you can’t feel anything but the hot searing pain that throbs through your entire lower half with every step you make.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt from running marathons is that your mind is often that which gives up long before your body does. Despite all that pain, despite those vivid moments when you swear you can’t go any further, you’ll find out that you actually can.

Seven times I’ve endured this pain and seven times I’ve made it to the finishing line nonetheless.

Your body is stronger than you’ll ever know.

I came in this time with a surprise in store. I made it to break my previous record and clocked a new personal best! 2:39:41, baby! Only a 5 minute progress from last year, but still progress nonetheless!! =P

I don’t think I’ve ever had a happier-looking finishing photo!! HAHAHAHA.

The Ninja Rabbit clocked a new personal best for his 10km too: 1:21. I am so super proud of him! He did it all sans shoes, man!

I knew the Putrajaya Night Marathon was special! There’s bound to be a reason why something keeps telling me to run it no matter what! =P

The best feeling in the world is definitely the satisfaction you get when you successfully finish something which you didn’t think you could in the first place. That’s why I keep signing up for these runs I think. There’s nothing quite like the sense of achievement when you persevere through pain, the purest form of agony when your own body rebels against you, and severe exhaustion to make it to the finish line in one piece.

You’re allowed to be tired. You’re allowed to be angry. You’re allowed to be slow by all means. You’re allowed cry. You’re allowed to whine and complain.

But giving up is definitely not an option.

Some lady gave me my medal, my finisher’s T and goodie bag when I came in despite my lack of a bib. I was too exhausted to object so I just took them all and walked with them cradled in my arms to a quiet corner where I just collapsed hahaha.

A finisher’s medal is so much more than just a medal. It is your sweat, tears, blood, and pain summed up and immortalized in a small momento of yet another battle well won.

Sweaty but happy faces! =D

Yay, another finisher tee and medal to add to my collection! Hehehehe.

So that was my weekend. How was yours?

June 25th, 2012 by Karmun

Just like that, it’s been a year since my very first virgin half marathon. I debuted at this exact race, the Standard Charted KL Marathon last year, and since then I’ve collected 4 other running medals to stick on my running hat. It felt really good to be running in this one again! It felt like I have somewhat come full circle since I decided to start running competitively. Maybe this is the sign I was looking for that says I am ready for my first full 42km? (Maybe not, heh.)

It may have been a whole year since I was first introduced to this scene, but the everything was still just as I remember it to be. The energy reverberating in the air was still as empowering, the enthusiasm of the runners warming up in the starting pen still rub off as strong, and the nerves – ohmyGod the nerves – that bite at my ankles and cling to my every breath still as jittery. It’s good to be back!

I don’t know why I sign up for a race everytime I hear of one. Every run I’ve participated in, I tell myself that it’s going to be the last one. In the midst of the exhaustion, the pain, the tiredness that seeps into every bone and muscle in my body, I’ll swear I’m never doing this again. This was going to be the final one. And then I go and sign up for another bout of torture the moment registration opens for it.

This time was no different. It always goes along the same lines. First, you’re excited as hell about what awaits you in the next 3 hours. You feel all psyched and pumped up, ready to run like the wind. Do not be fooled by the smiles on our faces. Khai Sim and I were two complete nervous wrecks in the hour leading up to take-off.

I was holding it all in, trying to keep it together for Aryan’s sake, the Ninja Rabbit’s little cousin who had decided to tag along. This was going to be his very first 10km. I didn’t want him to scare him away from this very rewarding world of running.

Inside, it was a totally different story. My stomach felt like liquid trying to contain the biggest swarm of butterflies I’ve ever felt. I’ll be honest and admit that I hardly trained for this run. Between my final year thesis, other uni assignments, and my few freelance jobs with three different magazines, I hardly had time for proper training other than my twice a week 15km. Last year, I was running almost everyday in preparing for my first ever 21km. After 6 other marathons, I’ve slacked more than just a little. Surely the vast difference in training intensity would show.

But if it’s any consolation, I’m not the one who should be worried. The Ninja Rabbit had decided to do his 10km bare-footed. Yes, sans shoes. He had recently jumped onto the bandwagon of barefoot running and is enjoying its rewards. I was alright with him doing it on our training runs in Desa Park City, but the city roads of KL present a whole new set of challenges. God only knows the kinds of germs and pollutants that are caked into these public sidewalks and open roads.

Despite it all, there’s always something I can count on at the beginning of every race – the purest form of unyielding exhiliration.

Running is very addictive. Since I started doing it long-distance about 3 years ago, there’s not a single day I regret it. If I go on too long without hitting the roads, a part of me actually itches to lace up my shoes and go back out there into the world where every success and downfall depends solely on you. At 5.45am that Sunday morning, I was swimming in that same familiar anticipation again; I couldn’t wait to go on yet another gruelling journey, one which only the most determined will survive.

Maybe it’s the experience, having taken this route before last year, but I felt a lot more confident than I did the last time we ran on this same road. Counting down to take off was as usual nerve-wrecking to the point I believed I was going to throw up, but the moment we did, all that fear was left behind along with any doubt and uncertainty I may still have. The moment the buzzer rang and we took off in a stampede of adrenaline and rock-hard resolve, it had begun. There is no space for anything but focus and willpower on this journey. You go, and you don’t look back until you see the finish line.

28, 000 runner signed up for this race this time round, 5,400 of which were half marathoners. That’s something like twice the number from last year. It’s an amazing feeling, being part of something this big, something this powerful.

One advantage to running this race a second time, is knowing exactly where you stand. Every familiar landmark I came across, I tick off one item in my mental checklist. It helped tremendously, knowing how far a distance you’ve covered from a personal point of view. The kilometre markers are helpful, sure, but knowing for yourself how far more you have to go after reaching Pavillion, then KLCC, then Zouk Club and Bar, makes for a bigger source of inspiration. Before I knew it, I was turning back into Jalan Parlimen and that’s when I knew I was but 2 short kilometres more to sweet, sweet success.

The biggest difference I felt in this race as compared to last, was the absence of any severe pains. Last year, my calves felt like they were on blazing hot fire right about kilometer 17 all the way till I crossed the finish line. I still remember vividly the searing pain that clenched tighter and tighter with every kilometre mark I passed. This year, thankfully, things went as smooth as I can dare hope. My muscles felt steady and strong throughout the entire run,  my legs unwavering and cooperative, my spirit (the most important aspect, just ask any runner) high and well. The inevitable struggle halfway through still showed up, of course. What run comes with no pain whatsoever? When you start feeling less than psyched, when all you want to do is sit down and break into a can of ice-cold 100Plus. When you feel like you’ve been at it forever, when in the world is the finish line ever going to show itself??

Luckily, this time I saw it coming and knew exactly what measures to take to keep my mind of it. I myself cannot remember what it is now that I’m trying to recall, but it worked. When there’s a will, there’s a way, I guess. Whatever it is, it helped me look past the current exhaustion and soldier my way on.

Through it all, I also saw many familiar faces, all of whom raised their hands and waved in friendly acknowledgements when we made eye contact. The sense of family in the running community is one of the warmest I’ve ever witnessed.

I saw Louis who grinned at me like that Sunday was the happiest day of his life. I played tag with Michellle, who patted me on the back everytime she overtook me after I overtook her, hahaha. I received a thumbs up from Sheena who helped pushed me up the hill that led to Pavillion. Hills are never my best forte.

It was a great run, one filled with an ecstacy in the air I’ve not felt since my first run a whole year ago. Festive music that awakened sluggish feet ushered us back into Dataran Merdeka in the last kilometre, as well as many other solo supporters who held up inspirational placards.

My favourite was one that read “Run faster lah, my hands are tired.” HAHAHAHA!

My only regret was that I didn’t push hard enough when it most counted.

I came in at a net time of 2:54:33, a 9-minute regress from my first 21km. I thought I’d be crushed, but surprisingly, I felt a lot happier this time than when I finished my other runs with better timings.

I felt like I truly enjoyed the route this time round. Last year, I was so focused on running that I quite forgot to look around and enjoy the scenery around me. I had eyed only the destination back then, that I completely missed the beauty of the journey.

Lookie, I came in smiling, which says all there needs to be said about how the run was for me =D

Khai Sim had already cooled down by the time I collected my medal and I made my way to find her lol. She finished a whole 10 minutes stronger than last year. Way to go Khai Sim!!

The Ninja Rabbit accomplished a personal best of 1:24 without shoes. I must say, he is faster running bare foot! Lol.

When you cross the finish line and have your medal placed in your hand, that’s when the second part kicks in. The part where you’re reminded why you do it time and time again when you’ve sworn not to. The part where the satisfaction sweeps over you like a tidal wave of all the good feelings in the world.

There are little things that measure up to be quite as satisfactory as running to me. And that is why I sign up each and every time a new race is announced even though I know in detail just how excruciating the in-between is. Signing up is fun. Training for it exciting. But when you’re finally over and done with it, when you’ve crossed yet another finish line and have the timing chip sensors beep loud and clear signifying that they’ve recorded your coming in, that presents the best feeling in the world.

Ask any runner and they’ll tell you the same thing. There’s nothing quite like achieving something completely and solely on your own. That’s what running is, making it on your own with zero help from any outside influences. It’s just you and your legs and a 3 hour battle with your own head telling you to give it up. Either you get over yourself and go after that prize, or surrender and drown in the very uncomfortable pool of regret and remorse.

Me, I’d rather get my medal and watch my collection grow.

Can’t wait for the next 21km! Putrajaya Night Marathon, await us, anticipate us, fear us! =D