Malaysia Women Marathon (MWM) 2016
I had my first and biggest gut issue during a run...ever.
I had to make 3 big toilet breaks. Big means, a lot of time is spent there.
But of course, the almighty is very fair. He tested me only 1 thing at a time. It is not fair if others are challenged onto themselves and I am spared. Of course, I had decent training, I suffered more from training (not that I dislike my training, but it was still a big effort considering the juggles and struggles that I need to do between work, family, husband). At the point of writing, it's already fasting month. And I cannot describe enough how much struggle I need to put to juggle everything during that time and I so envy others who managed to even do their LSD in that month..
Ok. So enough ranting. Back to the race.
So from the lack of marathoning for a long time, to two marathons in just slightly over a month. And I'm sorry that I have to pull out my juggle complain a little bit more. January until May was my busy period, workwise. I've been in and out the country every other week. The longest I stayed around was probably 2 weeks. So that must have put a toll on the training. And of course the needed rest. As was the Twincity, the MWM 2016 was also right after I was back from one of my trip. So along with the tiredness and the unpreparedness, there comes the lack of excitement as well. But since it was held in Shah Alam, I had less logistic worries to deal with. Packed the normal stuff the night before; coffee, (i forgot what I had for breakfast), my VCO (have I told you that it is a very good source of efficient energy), my recovery drink, pump and such. Made my way on my own in the morning. Lucky Naela was behaving well when I left, so my departure was not interrupted. My biggest worry with any race is the departure time. If she wakes up right before I leave, I will definitely be stucked. I cannot just leave her, can I? So for her to remain asleep, was such a big relief. Parked at the usual spot (in front of the UMNO/CIMB building which is almost a stone throw away from the starting point. Made my quick stretches, while hiding myself a little bit before the guard see me and ask me to move my car else where. Then headed on out to the starting line.
Finally, after 2 years ago of the virgin marathon attempt, I was there to finally complete the halted marathon mission with MWM. There was no haze or any of that sort this time. Just you and the road ahead of you. Without even bothering to look for people, I made my way to the starting line and the race started not long after that. I started along some kwailos and 1 couple was, the couple on the run from Australia. There were a lot of male pacers, but what the heck, I am happy enough to continue on single handedly, pacer less. My pace though, was not as effortless as I hoped I would be. I knew it is not a very good sign. I knew then, breaking my PB will not be possible. But I remained positive still and cruise along, maintaining the pace, not overdoing it like others, and stick true to my strategy.
The route led us to some common parts like last year's race and upon reaching the LKSA highway, we got onto that and the long stretch of highway was laid upon us. And it was not a flat one as well. The view felt mentally tough, but as I am writing this, I cannot remember feeling how tough it was. Maybe it was not as tough as it looks. Maybe I am embracing the hills better now. So all was good and the highway led us to almost 10 km mark. Once I was there, I started to watch out for the possible surau, as that was the point that the portable surau would be positioned. There was one, but based on my calculation, I wouldn't be able to make it in time. And that was fine, I can think of other alternatives. But what was not fine was, I started to feel the urge to purge. After the portaloo near the portasurau area, there was no other portaloo as immediate. I spent about 2km before I can actually reach one. Lucky there was no queue. And the toilet was still fresh and not used much. So, plenty of water and toilet paper. However, I had to spend a lot of time figuring out the flush and the handwash area. And trust me, it was a long time. I had to even peep out and asked the people outside on how to figure the toilet out. Once done, it was quite a queue already outside and I felt so bad.
I then raced on, stayed true to my pace, had the U-turn only at KM 21 mark, then it was almost time for prayer. I stopped by the roadside, asked for some water bottle. Put my cap down, which served as my sujud area. That was all. A decent flat space and some water from the water station is all I need to perform the obligation. I then attracted other people to pray along to. Including one lady whom I have been playing catch up with since quite early on in the race. Her running stride seemed to indicate that she was running quite fast than she should. And she was still with me at that point, I had expected that she would have gotten slower towards the later part. I may have gotten the assumption wrong on her then. That's what you do when all you had was just you and your lingering mind. You observe and scrutinise your surrounding. Once done with the prayer, I noticed that I may have accidentally stopped my watch. I had to restart the run timing then.
Not long after that, my tummy started to rumble again. That was not a good sign. it cannot happen twice. And to make matters worse, there was no toilet nearby. not even on the opposite site. The last toilet was, at the place where I last had my business, which was about KM 12. I had to endure an agonizing tummy pain ever. And the pain of course felt worse with every pounding on the ground. I passed the 12km toilet point but gave it a go assuming that there would be another one near the portable surau area, which is not too far. But of course there was none as well. I couldn't go faster as it would make the tummy to rumble even more. I was like that until about the 30km water station area. It was near the plaza toll, so we had both options of real toilet and the portaloo. I opted for the portaloo, since the proper toilet is quite some distance away. I took a while of course in there, There were some queue once I was done. I knew I would screw the official timing big time. So I just focused on my own personal moving time (timer stopped during prayer and toilet break). I then had some banana and some drink. Banana was only beginning to be served at this point. This was some of the things that MWM can really improve next time.
I continued on. Been in few marathons, no matter how short 10km seems, it never is at the end of the marathon. Other than the tummy pain, I knew I could have finished stronger. I felt stronger during Twincity though, where I had decent rest and sufficient training. But it was not especially agonizing this time. So I know I could have finished stronger with MWM. But it's not my luck it seems. But it didn't stop me to secure a better timing at least.
We finally got into Shah Alam city, where we started to merge with runners of other distances as well. However, not long after that, I started to feel the tummy pain again. Then I knew, it was due to whatever I sent into my body. My tummy cannot handle any sort of food and liquid. It will need to get dispensed off immediately. Lucky there was a nearby toilet when we passed by Kopitiam cafe. After that, I didn't dare to take anymore food. Despite how empty and how dehydrated I was. I knew it was definitely a recipe for trouble. The day started to get very hot as well. At one point, I was worried that I might even pass out. So I managed it by not exerting too much effort. The final stretch felt like forever. Even on the 3rd marathon, my mind was still not used to the last mile challenge.
I finally reached the finishing line. I managed to sprint to the end. It was 5:03, the time at the finish. I had breached my magic number. With Garmin got stopped in between, I had to do some calculation in order to know how I fared.
It turned out not too bad. At least I know, when I did move, I moved better than my previous runs.
Never have I felt so emptied in my life. with almost 2300 calory consumed, almost exactly the minimum calory requirement needs for normal people. I had no reserve on me at all. I was so relief I didn't have any blackout episode.
Once I reached the finishing line, Akma was happily cheering for me. It felt so good to finally have someone cheering you at the finish. She had her first halfie and had a good time at it even. At this point of writing, she had her 2nd halfie the week after and has gotten pregnant. It will be sometime until she's back in the game.
Once done, I quickly looked for the medic tent. I had to walk in the pain, both in the tummy and in the feet. I had to wander around a little bit, cause I couldn't find what I was looking for. The medal, the refreshment and of course the medic tent itself. Once I did find, the tent was only a very skimpy tent. There was only few chairs, no stretchers, no ice. I don't know just what do they have. A race this big, and they didn't have enough toilet and ice. I wouldn't mind if it's just some shorter distance events. It's the full marathon event and it's catering for ladies. This kind of thing should have one of the priorities.
So I learned my lesson. Nothing much on the food intake, cause I still couldn't figure out what happened to me that day. It might be the coffee, it might be the sweet potato. I learned that, you cannot always be at the top. Just because things might be on your way sometime, it will always be your way any other time. And for that, I'm truly humbled and grateful. It's good enough that I still managed to score a decent time, based on my own timing.
Malaysia Women Marathon 2016
Date: 8 March 2016
Venue: Shah Alam
Distance: 41.65 km
Official Time: 5:03:43 hrs
Clocked Time: 4:45:66 hrs
Pace: 6:52 mins/km
I had to make 3 big toilet breaks. Big means, a lot of time is spent there.
But of course, the almighty is very fair. He tested me only 1 thing at a time. It is not fair if others are challenged onto themselves and I am spared. Of course, I had decent training, I suffered more from training (not that I dislike my training, but it was still a big effort considering the juggles and struggles that I need to do between work, family, husband). At the point of writing, it's already fasting month. And I cannot describe enough how much struggle I need to put to juggle everything during that time and I so envy others who managed to even do their LSD in that month..
Ok. So enough ranting. Back to the race.
So from the lack of marathoning for a long time, to two marathons in just slightly over a month. And I'm sorry that I have to pull out my juggle complain a little bit more. January until May was my busy period, workwise. I've been in and out the country every other week. The longest I stayed around was probably 2 weeks. So that must have put a toll on the training. And of course the needed rest. As was the Twincity, the MWM 2016 was also right after I was back from one of my trip. So along with the tiredness and the unpreparedness, there comes the lack of excitement as well. But since it was held in Shah Alam, I had less logistic worries to deal with. Packed the normal stuff the night before; coffee, (i forgot what I had for breakfast), my VCO (have I told you that it is a very good source of efficient energy), my recovery drink, pump and such. Made my way on my own in the morning. Lucky Naela was behaving well when I left, so my departure was not interrupted. My biggest worry with any race is the departure time. If she wakes up right before I leave, I will definitely be stucked. I cannot just leave her, can I? So for her to remain asleep, was such a big relief. Parked at the usual spot (in front of the UMNO/CIMB building which is almost a stone throw away from the starting point. Made my quick stretches, while hiding myself a little bit before the guard see me and ask me to move my car else where. Then headed on out to the starting line.
Finally, after 2 years ago of the virgin marathon attempt, I was there to finally complete the halted marathon mission with MWM. There was no haze or any of that sort this time. Just you and the road ahead of you. Without even bothering to look for people, I made my way to the starting line and the race started not long after that. I started along some kwailos and 1 couple was, the couple on the run from Australia. There were a lot of male pacers, but what the heck, I am happy enough to continue on single handedly, pacer less. My pace though, was not as effortless as I hoped I would be. I knew it is not a very good sign. I knew then, breaking my PB will not be possible. But I remained positive still and cruise along, maintaining the pace, not overdoing it like others, and stick true to my strategy.
The route led us to some common parts like last year's race and upon reaching the LKSA highway, we got onto that and the long stretch of highway was laid upon us. And it was not a flat one as well. The view felt mentally tough, but as I am writing this, I cannot remember feeling how tough it was. Maybe it was not as tough as it looks. Maybe I am embracing the hills better now. So all was good and the highway led us to almost 10 km mark. Once I was there, I started to watch out for the possible surau, as that was the point that the portable surau would be positioned. There was one, but based on my calculation, I wouldn't be able to make it in time. And that was fine, I can think of other alternatives. But what was not fine was, I started to feel the urge to purge. After the portaloo near the portasurau area, there was no other portaloo as immediate. I spent about 2km before I can actually reach one. Lucky there was no queue. And the toilet was still fresh and not used much. So, plenty of water and toilet paper. However, I had to spend a lot of time figuring out the flush and the handwash area. And trust me, it was a long time. I had to even peep out and asked the people outside on how to figure the toilet out. Once done, it was quite a queue already outside and I felt so bad.
I then raced on, stayed true to my pace, had the U-turn only at KM 21 mark, then it was almost time for prayer. I stopped by the roadside, asked for some water bottle. Put my cap down, which served as my sujud area. That was all. A decent flat space and some water from the water station is all I need to perform the obligation. I then attracted other people to pray along to. Including one lady whom I have been playing catch up with since quite early on in the race. Her running stride seemed to indicate that she was running quite fast than she should. And she was still with me at that point, I had expected that she would have gotten slower towards the later part. I may have gotten the assumption wrong on her then. That's what you do when all you had was just you and your lingering mind. You observe and scrutinise your surrounding. Once done with the prayer, I noticed that I may have accidentally stopped my watch. I had to restart the run timing then.
Not long after that, my tummy started to rumble again. That was not a good sign. it cannot happen twice. And to make matters worse, there was no toilet nearby. not even on the opposite site. The last toilet was, at the place where I last had my business, which was about KM 12. I had to endure an agonizing tummy pain ever. And the pain of course felt worse with every pounding on the ground. I passed the 12km toilet point but gave it a go assuming that there would be another one near the portable surau area, which is not too far. But of course there was none as well. I couldn't go faster as it would make the tummy to rumble even more. I was like that until about the 30km water station area. It was near the plaza toll, so we had both options of real toilet and the portaloo. I opted for the portaloo, since the proper toilet is quite some distance away. I took a while of course in there, There were some queue once I was done. I knew I would screw the official timing big time. So I just focused on my own personal moving time (timer stopped during prayer and toilet break). I then had some banana and some drink. Banana was only beginning to be served at this point. This was some of the things that MWM can really improve next time.
I continued on. Been in few marathons, no matter how short 10km seems, it never is at the end of the marathon. Other than the tummy pain, I knew I could have finished stronger. I felt stronger during Twincity though, where I had decent rest and sufficient training. But it was not especially agonizing this time. So I know I could have finished stronger with MWM. But it's not my luck it seems. But it didn't stop me to secure a better timing at least.
We finally got into Shah Alam city, where we started to merge with runners of other distances as well. However, not long after that, I started to feel the tummy pain again. Then I knew, it was due to whatever I sent into my body. My tummy cannot handle any sort of food and liquid. It will need to get dispensed off immediately. Lucky there was a nearby toilet when we passed by Kopitiam cafe. After that, I didn't dare to take anymore food. Despite how empty and how dehydrated I was. I knew it was definitely a recipe for trouble. The day started to get very hot as well. At one point, I was worried that I might even pass out. So I managed it by not exerting too much effort. The final stretch felt like forever. Even on the 3rd marathon, my mind was still not used to the last mile challenge.
I finally reached the finishing line. I managed to sprint to the end. It was 5:03, the time at the finish. I had breached my magic number. With Garmin got stopped in between, I had to do some calculation in order to know how I fared.
It turned out not too bad. At least I know, when I did move, I moved better than my previous runs.
Never have I felt so emptied in my life. with almost 2300 calory consumed, almost exactly the minimum calory requirement needs for normal people. I had no reserve on me at all. I was so relief I didn't have any blackout episode.
Once I reached the finishing line, Akma was happily cheering for me. It felt so good to finally have someone cheering you at the finish. She had her first halfie and had a good time at it even. At this point of writing, she had her 2nd halfie the week after and has gotten pregnant. It will be sometime until she's back in the game.
Once done, I quickly looked for the medic tent. I had to walk in the pain, both in the tummy and in the feet. I had to wander around a little bit, cause I couldn't find what I was looking for. The medal, the refreshment and of course the medic tent itself. Once I did find, the tent was only a very skimpy tent. There was only few chairs, no stretchers, no ice. I don't know just what do they have. A race this big, and they didn't have enough toilet and ice. I wouldn't mind if it's just some shorter distance events. It's the full marathon event and it's catering for ladies. This kind of thing should have one of the priorities.
 |
| Measured myself back home. Told you, I almost had nothing left on me. I lost about 2-3 kg from that run alone |
Malaysia Women Marathon 2016
Date: 8 March 2016
Venue: Shah Alam
Distance: 41.65 km
Official Time: 5:03:43 hrs
Clocked Time: 4:45:66 hrs
Pace: 6:52 mins/km
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