So, I opened my marathon saga this year by running for the Brooks’ Half-Marathon about two weeks ago. It would be my very first time of running after a curfew of about three months with the last run being the Angkor Wat Half-Marathon. 
For such a long break, I had every reason to be worried. You know how stamina doesn’t cling to you for too long. It has its own way of disappearing into the thin air JUST LIKE THAT if you don’t hold on strongly enough to it by means of doing all the necessary trainings and all.
Laziness seemed to have struck quite too soon on me that the beginning of the year had witnessed the very typical of me turning into a lazy bum – again. I didn’t do much of those preparatory trainings or whatever you call it so as the run loomed over; I knew I was in for trouble. Uhuks!
Oh well, there was nothing much to say about the run accept for the fact that the flag off took place at the National Stadium of Bukit Jalil. It was probably the closest to being an athlete for me and I could almost hear the thunderous applause from the roaring crowds all cheering us up as we took to the starting line.
The image of Ato Bolton going against Frank Fredericks during the 100 meters final at the Commonwealth Games in 1998 right there at the very track suddenly flicked back on in my head. I was one of those who were lucky enough to be there to witness it – only this time I was on the track instead of looking down from the stands. Heh.
I have never run a marathon with so many bridges and flyovers and highway ramps crisscrossing all over along the way. It reminded me a little bit of Singapore Marathon that I took a part in about 2 years ago where most of the physical challenges came from the need to run against a series of highway ramps (hate!).
The route took us to some residential areas which at 6 in the morning were still so dead and silent. I guess the residents were not even aware that we were running right across their neighborhood. It was Sunday after all.
It really was a damn hilly route that I the run should have been named The Hilly Marathon instead of Brooks Half-Marathon. You know how bad I am at running against the gravity so I really was having a difficult time trying to finish my last few kilometers. I should have known why they put the cut off time at 4 hours instead of the usual 3.5 hours as it is in most other races.
So, I finished it – alright – but not without much pain and sore muscles all over me. It was tough, in fact, one of the toughest routes that I’d ever done since I started marathoning not so long time ago so finishing it in the end albeit the not so good time was still an accomplishment worth celebrated. 
Of course, it was only the beginning of a series of marathons that I’m planning to participate in this year. I have this crazy idea (and probably a little bit kiasu har har) of running at least ONE half-marathon every month until I’m fit enough to run for a full some time towards the end of the year.
THAT probably sounds a little bit over ambitious but then where there is a will there is a way as the say. Besides, I’m planning to do less traveling this year (I guess) so it is probably the right time to do it (FM) once and for all. Heh.
Any wish of good *uck is welcome. 😀