January 13, 2013 - Joined the annual PSE Bull Run 21km category, shaved 8 mins of my last personal best with a time of 2:02:14.
January 20, 2013 - Joined a short distance fun run.
Late January - Taper stage. Was about to run my first taper run, got injured -cause unknown. I felt a slight discomfort on my tibial collateral ligament, had to stop and decided to rest until Condura Skyway Marathon (21k).
February 3 - Condura Skyway Marathon (21k), test run for upcoming marathon. Tried a very slow start, weak jolts of pain striking at tibial collateral ligament. Torn between walking the whole 21k or going DNF. 3k marker, decided to save my knees and disqualify.
February 12 - Last minute check-up, prior to submission of medical certificate stating that I am fit to run 42km. Told the doctor that the cause of injury was unknown. She was hesitant to sign the certificate, I assured her I know my body, I will not cross the starting line if injury wont recover till marathon day or even stop if the pain would be intolerable during the race.
February 13 - Send of Party, everyone is happy and empowered. Still contemplating whether to run or not.
February 15 - Accepted the fact that I may not finish or may not even start the marathon. But still pushed on to 100% rest and recovery.
February 22 - Almost called my friends that I wont run but had second thoughts.
February 23 - Had an easy ride on the bike, no issues. Will still run the marathon but 100% certain that I will not finish.
February 24 (Race Day) -
Had to stop at every water station/medic station and apply ice or cream to prevent the injury from triggering.
0-3k - Slower than my regular slow start.
3-25k - Tried getting to my regular running pace, no issues with knees, was very hungry. Minor cramps started to bite due to hunger, can no longer concentrate.
25k - was about to switch to race pace a very strong cramp on my right quads and calf dragged me to the pavement.Had to stretch - no effect. Some fellow runners approached me offered help.
25k + 200m - after recovering from the gruesome cramp, switched to race pace and was feeling great, now left extremities are cramping just like the right from a few meters backed. Performed same stretching again. Decided to no longer go for race pace.
32k - Previous injury started to manifest. Ligament was in tolerable pain, slowed down. Running form was affected. Walk breaks have been irregular and longer. Had to rest/stretch the affected knee. Was terribly hungry.
34k - Pain was terrible, no longer tolerable. Reversed the interval from run-walk to walk-run.
36/37k - Finish line visible, thought it was at 41k. Got confused, got frustrated. Pain and hunger was dragging me down.
40k - most of the runners were slowing down, preparing for finish line. Still having a hard time coping with the pain. But had to look as there was no injury. Hunger is really disturbing my concentration and pace, got motivated by fellow runners.
42k - only a few meters left for the finish, had to pull all the muscles just for a small smile.
42.125k - Finally crossed the finish line!
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