Things do happen for a reason. I didn’t have much time to train and with Zero mileage, I totally rely on my mental strength instead of physical fitness. He has always been an angel looking over me. I know I’m going to be fine as he will (as usual) give me his full blessing.
Despite having bought and packed the Power Gel and some Peanut Chocolate nuggets, I left the entire supply behind and only realized it at the Puduraya Bus terminal! How am I going to survive that 6 hours or more on the road without any supplement back up?
With only a bar of Kit Kat chocolate that I bought at a stall in Puduraya, I hold on to it like a lifeline. I can survive the first 10km without any food and pray hard for some miracle. Sighted a 7-Eleven store at km11 and quickly dashed in to grab 5 Milo nuggets. With that, I ate the Kit Kat
chocolate as my breakfast. I drank at every water stations located at every 2km.
Then, at km16, I felt a sharp pain at the inner side of my right knee. The pain got worst with every pounding. I have to change my strategy from running for a distance of 3 lamp posts and walk for 1 lamp post to running 1 lamp post and walk for 3 lamp posts instead to reduce the pounding or risk further injury.
After making the U-turn at km21 at the end of the bridge, I had done 2hours 46mins. Will I be able to make it back in 6 hours? Can I complete the race? I wanted to but I’m in doubt. The thought of not being able to finish put me in low spirit. Each step became heavier. At km22, I told myself that I must do something and make a decision. To quit and climb onto the pick-up truck (as there were a handful of marathoners already gave up) or I must bounce back quickly.
The weather has been really kind to me. At km 24, I decided to continue with the ‘journey’ and walk all the way to the finish line. For the next 18km, I power walk all the way counting down every kilometer. I re-live his famous phrase during his life time, ‘take a deep breath and exhale slowly. Keep repeating until you feel good and give yourself a smile.’
Finally, after a long 6 hours and 21 minutes I made it to the finish line! Thank you my dearest friend for ‘walking’ along with me. We know you are in HIS good hand and you will always have a special place in our heart. I fully dedicate the 42km in your memory and may you rest in peace, my dearest friend.
(Special thanks to Tey Eng Tiong for the photos)
At 1.30pm the crowd slowly moved to Jalan Sultan and out of nowhere a huge entourage appeared right in front! With my eyes and mouth wide open, I was totally speechless. Black & White, Yellow & Brown, all merged into ONE. Awesome!
I did not see a single car screen being smashed. Not a building being broken into. No unwarranted items left on the streets.
