Woke up at 4.30am on Sunday morning for my first-ever marathon.
It was so hard to get out of bed and it was even tougher to fall asleep last night because I was so nervous about the run I couldn't even stop thinking about it.
Kept having the thought that I would fail in the end and give up. Lol!
Last night, I received news from my bestie that she would not be able to join the run due to her bad flu. Poor girl has been sick since Christmas and I really didn't want her to join the run. I am quite glad her bf stopped her from joining and she listened! Haha. Karen, don't be too stubborn next time! Hahaha.
I went with Felix, Kevin and Hwei Saan in the end. Knowing how fast Hwei Saan and Kev run, I made plans in my mind to run with Felix since I heard he, like me, didn't train at all!
The run kicked-off at 6.30am and Kevin and Felix were beside me. I found a comfortable pace to run at and thought it would be good to keep at that pace.
Ran some uphill slopes and down and up again... By then I was ahead of Kevin and Felix, and I find it off that they haven't caught up with me yet since thy both can definitely run faster than I do. Lol!
Finally Felix caught up and told me that Kev was injured and he stopped for a while.
With a worried heart, I turned back and saw him walking extra slowly. He said he was okay and that it was just a temporary muscle pain. So we walked for a while and then continued to slow jog till the first water station which was about 4-5km from the starting point.
Everything started getting more and more grueling from here onwards. The uphill climb and downhill walk/run almost killed my will so many times!! Felt like a dead person when I finished the race lol.
Took me a really long time to finish 15km... I think slightly more than 2.5 hours. Haha. This record is even worse that Kev's record for his half-marathon at Penang Bridge run! What a shame that Kevin didn't get to run because he wanted to cheer me on and run with me. In the end he gave up on his own run, even though he could have easily clocked anytime between 1–2 hours.
Finished the run finally at Kevin's encouragement and at God's guidance. π❤️
I remembered the last uphill part at the Kinrara Residence u-turn. It was such a torturous last 3.5km for me then. And I suddenly had this urge to "talk" to God. I just had fuzzy random thoughts about why didn't I pray before I came to run and that if I should give up or continue running? My will was almost broken then. Even Kevin's cheer and encouragement seemed to have not worked well.
About 10 seconds into my thought, at the u-turn, this uncle who ran 25km overtook me and I saw something behind his running vest, and I believe it's a sign from God. The quote behind his vest said,
“Powered by God. Fueled by Jesus.”
And because of that I started walking faster than I already was. Haha!
I believe my pace of run/walk was too much of a leisure for Kevin! About 2km away from the finishing line, Kevin stopped and bought newspapers and walked while reading it. Lolol!
Some runners were so amused by that they smiled and laughed a bit when they saw us buying papers.
I am amused by my own boyfriend too! Haha
Kevin ran ahead of me when we were nearing the finishing line to take this picture of me running like an aunty. Lol!
Super happy that I finished the race!
And super honored and glad that it was my friend/colleague, Yiing Qian who gave us the medals.
This was me trying to steal her from her duty for a shot. Hehe.
Yiing Qian is an avid marathon runner herself and she runs half-marathons. But she sat out of #NewtonChallenge this time to work as a crew instead.
I secretly thinks she knew about the uphill route that's why she sat out! Keke!
Noob Kevin and Hwei Saan, who probably finished 1 hour before Kev and I arrived at the finishing line. Lol!
Hwei Saan is an awesome runner and she has been running for 3 years plus now. She's actually Kevin's running partner. Feel so bad she had to run alone this time because Kevin accompanied me.
Finally, a picture with my noobie Kevin!
I can't thank him enough for always being there for me and with me, through ups and downs and thick and thin.
It's not easy to find a best friend and confidante in someone, and it's even harder to find a bestie, a confidante and a lover in one.
I feel happiness and real joy, knowing that he didn't give up and ditch me when he could have easily done so. He spurred me and encouraged me endlessly, all the while keeping in mind it was my first run.
Kevin is someone who never gives up nor say "No" in times of troubles. He also doesn't believe in weaknesses. But throughout our time together, he has learnt to accept my weaknesses as his own, and see the positive side of all my flaws. Even I think that sometimes I can't find a tinge of positivity in my flaw.
The usual him would have probably been mad because we walked for most part of the last 10km, but he was so awesome today he just kept walking with me and telling me to take it slow.
I have an awesome best friend and boyfriend. And the nicest part of it is they are the same person!!!
My first and last run of 2013. And probably my greatest achievement for my personal growth this year!
I don't think I'll stop running now. Haha! It's highly addictive!
But I will start small and not choose runs like the one today. Probably something on flat land tqvm hehe!
Quite glad that they got my full name correct. Next time I shall register with just my first and last name. Either that or my middle name and last name.
Eunice Ho or Rui-yi Ho?
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