Thought I should have a short follow-up to the previous post. I lived! And I finished. That’s the main thing right? Sure, I took over 6 hours to do it, but I did it.
It is Wednesday now, almost 3 days since the run and it is the first time since the run I am no longer in pain since the 26 km mark during the run. It was really funny when I look back at it. At the 21 km mark, I was really happy with things. Considering I cramped up real badly in my previous half marathon run, I thought things were good. I was still running. My legs felt tired, but could still go on. The only real problem I had was the chaffing on my chest with the rubbing against the tee shirt. Worse case scenario, I would run topless. Not a happy sight for everyone else, but hey, when you are desperate, it will have to do. Timing was ok too. At the halfway point, it was just after 2.5 hours.
But at the 26 km mark, things went rapidly downhill. My thighs started cramping up and they really hurt. Then my calves hurt. My left ankle that had always been a bit weaker started to hurt. My knees started to hurt. My feet started to ache. Basically anything that could hurt hurt. Sigh. Towards the end, even my fingers swelled up. Or at least I thought they did. Maybe I was delirious. I wonder why. Was it the too many cups of 100 plus I had drunk and there was too much salt in my body? Of was it dehydration. If anyone knows, I would love to know. I really thought my fingers were swollen. It went back to normal at the end of the run so I couldn’t show it to anyone to verify. Anyway… What all this meant was that I walked the last 15 km or so. That is why I tooked longer than I expected. I wanted to finish in less than 6, but oh well.
So, would I do it again? At the first 21 km if you asked me, hell yes! I felt good. Things were going well. At the last third, hell no! Are you mad? I know we are all slightly masochistic at times, but I don’t get off on that much pain. Besides, as some of you know, I am sensitive to smell and remember I would fuss about smell after PE? Well, I bet I smelt bad too and everyone around me too! Especially when they brushed past limping me! Injury to insult! If you asked me immediately after the run, I would have also said categorically no.
Now, that the pain has gone away, my answer will be: “we’ll see”. It was good and bad. Running is healthy. It clears the mind. I get lots of good ideas when I run. It also helps a greedy soul like me to keep in some human shape. I love to eat. I am prepared to suffer to eat what I want. And I do enjoy it to an extent. I have written about that before.
Thank you to the 4 of you who stayed behind after your 10 km race to cheer me on. I don’t even know 3 of you all that well. But I appreciate it. It was wonderful at the end of the run to see the four of you and of course hear you! Hope you had fun too.
Completing a marathon now is something I can check off my to do list in life. But I may want to try to complete it in a more decent time. 5 hours? I wonder. But time is not on my side. Let’s see.
A good friend also asked what is now my next “project”. Don’t know. As I mentioned before, I already have a graveyard of past projects with sad things like tennis rackets, badminton rackets, a guitar, golf clubs etc in a room. Any ideas?
Senior citizens love to do line dancing:)
Wah… low blow! Too much. And to think I actually like you! Et tu Brute?
HAHAHAHA!!!
well, you are the one who started declaring that you’re old and how ‘time is not on your side’. Life-long learning! I have loads of plans for life after retirement, or even post middle-age! Things that i can’t afford to do now, whether in terms of money or time, i’ll do it then:)
All for the experience, right?
But fine, fine…you can try ballet:) or ballroom dancing and bring your wife along! oh! kayaking! And get certified! Aim for a 4-stars cert:)
You have plans?! You are far too young. You have your whole life ahead of you. No need to plan yet!
OK, I think I am definitely too old for ballet. And too fat. And too embarrased. Me in tights? Not a pretty sight I am sure. The horror, the horror!
I tried kayaking. I liked it. It was fun. Maybe I will get certified. Other thing I enjoyed very much was scuba diving in Cairns.
hahahahahahahahahhahahahhaah
okay i’ve been kinda busy with many things so i didnt come back and comment but i’ve been reading… why don’t you write a book!
hello
wow, marathon!
btw your book is still with me! need to remember to pop by to return it..
and… i don’t make the pre-requisite for ELS! D:
i think i’m just gna try to apply for the selection test though… i guess.
ballroom dancing seems fun… unless you have two left feet like me!
Write a book huh? Tried that once. Didn’t like the whole getting published process. maybe will try that again.
Return the book anytime you are around. Yes, try for ELS. Who knows? You may succeed. And even if you don’t, no loss. Ballroom dancing?! Two left feet doesn’t even begin to describe me!
How do you know without trying? Isn’t that like what you always tell us to do (cue: your reply to Jem)! Try la, quite cool!
Many senior citizens love to do it with their partners — and they do wilder things like Chacha or tango. Why worry about showing wrinkle and fats, your instructor won’t laugh at you la. 
PS I think my English has been deproving exponantially since the hols. ): I keep saying stupid things. Been going to HC for practices and doesn’t help that the guys there converse in chinese!
Too much man! More senior citizen quips! All you horried young people! What is the world coming to? Sigh. I need my ‘liang cha’ now.
Those who don’t make it for the pre-requisite for ELS:
I’ve emailed the teacher in charge and she says she doesn’t mind it -that- much. (I used the passion over MSG argument) What she replied: Just go for the test and approach ‘the team’ during orientation to beg/try out.
Just so you know.
Thanks for that. Very useful info for all I think.
It’s elitism. It makes no sense. I try to help myself and fellow victims.