StanChart Marathon 2007

Today was the day of the Stanchart Marathon.
In a fit of madness some months ago, i had signed up for the full marathon - i.e. 42.195km. i figured, since i've done the 10km so many times, i shall try and go for the full this year. My goal was to run at least half, and walk the rest.
In a reality check some months later, i realised that there was no way i could complete the full marathon, because my knees don't seem to like running very much, and i kinda like my knees and respect their opinion. Running at least half was going to be a problem for me. So i had more or less given up on running the full marathon, and had my sights set on something more realistic, like completing the half or the 10km run.

But closer to the day of the run, a few days back, i was hit by a flu bug and was nursing a sore throat and mild fever the night before. i took some pills and went to sleep early, hoping that i would feel better the next morning. It worked a little; i felt slightly better in the morning, but then i had a terrible colic-ey stomach ache that just wouldn't go away.

so anyway, i went this morning without very much expectations - just complete the half, or if i really cannot take it, just do whatever i can. The aim is not to kill myself (very basic expectations). I ended up running the first 6-7km quite comfortably. After that, the left knee began to scream. I had to stop and stretch and let it recover, usually by walking about 5 minutes, then slowly running again for another couple of minutes, before the pain set it again and i had to stop and walk again. This continued for the rest of the run, i.e. until 21km. By the end of the run, both knees were gone. pain pain pain.

CH decided that this year he would give the marathon a miss, and would walk/run with me. When i walked, he stopped to walk with me, and when i ran, he ran with me. so at least i had someone to talk to along the way - that was comforting. but then again, i wonder if i would have tried to go further than half if he had not persuaded me to just head back and give my knees a break.

I guess i will have to accept that i will probably never be able to complete a full marathon in this lifetime. I'm not disappointed or upset, i just accept that my body is not made for long distance running and i don't intend to get seriously injured doing it. Deep down, sprinting is still my first love and long distance running bores the hell out of me.
Next year, i shall sign up for the half marathon. Half is enough for me, thankfully. :)