Heh, proof I did my epic run. It does cheapen the experience that these are handed out wrapped in plastic as soon as you finish, but at least you get a medal.

* * *

Finally did my half marathon. Got up early at 530am, had a quick breakfast of oatmeal and some Milo, both with soy milk. Apparently milk gives you stitches. No way to really verify that but I’ll just follow whatever advice is available online.

Heh, Jerome and I used to just wake up and we could make our way to the starting point of the run in the city. Now that both of us have moved further out, it does take a little longer to get to our destination.

The run started at 730am, and I just started with my regular pace. For the Kid’s run I did in March, I started off running too quickly, so I was tired out by 6km. Was a little short of breath the first kilometre or so but slowly got into it as I warmed up my body. The markers were helpful and I knew the progress I made throughout the run.

This run seems to cater more for hard core runners. Most of the people just ran slightly faster than I did and they kept going. Only towards the end did I see a small handful of people walking towards the finish line. Kept my pace and I realise that this route is more hilly, which would hamper me towards the end of the run when I was so tired that when I saw a hill, I just started walking.

Anyway, my cousin was running with me and our pace was pretty similar, so we were together for most of the run. I didn’t really check the time, but based on the digital timers they put along the way, I estimate doing 10km in 1 hour and 2 minutes. Pretty good stuff, considering in my last run I only managed 9km in 1 hour. I was doing fine until the 12th km and was starting to slow down. By kilometre 14, I was slowing down at the hilly areas, and my thigh muscles started cramping. My right knee was also starting to give me problems, so it was a start stop occasion for a while.

By the time I reached the 17th kilometre, my feet cramped so bad, I just stopped for a minute and rubbed the muscles out. Then I just continued running and walking towards the end. For the last 400 metres, my thighs were really aching. I tried slowing down to a walk, but that made it hurt even more, so I just jogged that last stretch as quickly as I could.

It was an amazing feeling just touching the finish line. Heh, at least I’m proud to say I’ve achieved a half marathon, even if I didn’t train terribly hard for it. I guess the momentum built up from the Kid’s run in March helped with the preparation quite a bit.

* * *

This is my fourth run in as many years. I remember the first time I did the 15km route. My feet hurt so bad I couldn’t really walk properly for a week. This is almost as bad, but it’s not the muscles that hurt too much, but rather the joints. Have trouble going up and down stairs at the moment. Will just need to eat more to replenish the body this week.