My race of a lifetime !!

PBIM 2011 marks the 2nd anniversary of me taking up running seriously, at least participating in races at least.. and this must be the mother of all races to me, a race of a lifetime.. I did my first ever full marathon (that is 42.195k) on 20/11/2011 (20112011 – easy to remember ) – and that is called an FMV (Full Marathon Virgin :) Well technically I did the olden days Penang Bridge Run which started from USM (don’t think it was a full though which I remember came in at 5:50, just before the 6 hour cut off mark… and that was 1995, 16 years ago !!!)

I set up my 16 weeks training regime way back in early July by checking out web sites and learning from others but mainly comes from Chris’s Brooks marathon 16-weeks training plan. Well, interruptions along the way, including many travels, holidays, unexpected rain and especially being out sick in the last 4 weeks of training pretty much allowed me to do 60% if the targeted plans. Anyhow, 1 LSD of 26k, a few 21k runs and some shorter runs/speed works/tempos, I was ready to go ! I felt jittery as the day drew near, not knowing what to expect – like whether I will collapse half-way, whether I can last the distance or take the shuttle back (which means DNF, that will be WTF !), whether I will hit the wall too early etc etc.. But many thanks to the FMV Facebook page, I learned a lot from the preparation, what to anticipate and how to prepare. That helped to calm the nerves a bit. Saturday (the eve of the run) was a busy day. Meeting up fellow runners from out of state and it’s a rare opportunity to have many of them in together.. Saturday early morning, sent Jadyn to her wushu class, then met up Sabri for a short while to pass him the race kit collected earlier, then went to Vistana to pick up Karim for a breakfast @ the Transfer Road Roti Canai (the first carbo load) before heading towards Queensbay Mall to pick up some ORS (Oral Rehydration Salt) – a tip I learned from the FMV. Never tried that but no harm.. I didn’t want to get cramp and limp to finishing line ! After sending Jadyn to her art class, I picked up Hizam and Anna at the airport in the late afternoon and sent them to the hotel before meeting up Ray shortly for a quick 2nd carbo load @ Old Town.. After that, it’s time to head home and catch some precious sleep. Slept at 8.15pm, and woke up at 11pm.. and the moment of truth has arrived..

The race started at 2am as the bridge was closed at 1am. Thank God the rain stopped at around 10pm+ and cleared the air for a refreshing night. I went thru the checklist of items to be brought along – bib, race pouch, 5 GU gel (kiasu, 1 for each km + 1 backup), 3 ORS and some Yoko2 lotions, and decided to pick my Brooks Ravenna 2 for the race. I guess I am still getting myself familiar with the new Brooks Glycerin 9. That will be for future races – and boy how right I was ! The ‘old’ faithful Ravenna 2 worked its magic ! Picked up Karim again on my way to Queensbay Mall at around 12 midnight. The whole Vistana was painted yellow with bus-loads of DiGi runners all dressed in their yellow vests. I think DiGi booked the whole Vistana for their runners !! As expected, the starting point was already filled with an air of carnival-like atmosphere except that this time, I would be there to kick-off the full marathon versus watching the full marathoners flew-off last year (I was doing half the 2 previous years). Saw some familiar faces, especially the i-Run runners making their usual ‘battle cry’. After 5 toilets breaks, yes.. 5 ! I must drank gallons of water, ORS, honey, Nutrimeal the few hours prior to that ! LOL.

After some cultural shows and the arrival of CM LGE (who got his usual loud applauses), the race was flagged-off .. and it started at 12.54am – 6 minutes earlier !

1-10k : The first 10k was ran at 5:48”/k and 5:46”/k pace respectively (5k split) which included a 3-4mins toilet break under the tree, opposite Seagate ! The first 7km or so was a quick race as everyone tried to go out fast before hitting the bridge ramp. Saw some runners that I know.. fellow Facebook runners – Uncle Oliver, an unbelievable fit and regular marathoners at his age.. Tee HH, Cheng Liang, and Bee Hong.. Did a shout-out to Tee and he must have been shocked.. As I approached the Half-marathon U-turn point, I was determined not to let any half marathon runners over-take me (who started 1 hr later than us) but alas, as I was running on the middle of the lane, a group of 6 Kenyans galloped past me so fast that I felt like a strong wind whizzed past me, trust me !

11-20k : As I just recovered from my knee pain (still remember painful race @ PJ Half Marathon), I tried to conserve some energy and do some slow jogs and brisk walking in between to give my knees some rest for the long haul. There were no pain on both knees but I did that just in case anyway. Had my 1st gel at 12th k. There were many photographers near the mid-span snapping away and the drummers surely lifted the spirits somewhat. I made a terrible mistake though with my Garmin 305 watch. I must have fiddled with it so much (checking the time and the pace etc) that I accidentally stopped it without realizing it. It stopped at 11.99k and by the time I realized it, it was nearly a km down the stretch. Of course at that time, I didn’t realize the gap was so huge as a counter-check with the clock showed I was only a min or 2 off – but not knowing the race was started 6 mins earlier !! At around 19-20th point, we had to make a loop at the Seberang Jaya toll plaza to make a U-turn back to the returning stretch. I did 6:27 and 6:41 for the 11-20th split.

21-30k : I had my 1st ORS at the 21st k, taping it at 2:17. I was quietly confident I could meet my target of 5 hrs and was thinking of even 4:45. But alas.. my 22nd – 25th km was a struggle. The pace slowed and once I merged into the half-marathon U-turn point, the crowd became significantly larger. Since this is the last batch of the half runners, many were walking and even stopping by the side and take pictures. I think I was ‘influenced’ by them and started to walk. So much for being mentally tough !! Took my 3rd gel at around 25th km. Right at the mid-span, I had some giddiness and had to stop for a couple minutes. I felt my stomach churning and I suspect it’s due to my calories burning faster than the food I loaded earlier ! Thank God a bun stall appeared immediately and how grateful I was ! Grabbed a bun and I started to jog and eat at the same time. I did 7:05 and 8:00 for this 21-30th and it’s clear I lose most of the time here !!

31-42km : Exiting the bridge at around 3:45, I got my 2nd wind and started running. The line got thinner as we approached eGate where the half runners make a U-turn back. I hit the 33th km at 3:51.. which meant I used up 1:34 for this 12k !! The last stretch was dark and lonely with many runners hitting the wall and doing stretching by the roadside. I found my 3rd wind and kept running + jogging. The cheering volunteers surely helped to lift the spirits. This is the last stretch where runners will run towards MacCallum Street and make a U-turn back to Queensbay Mall. That is the time you could see who’s in front and who’s not. I saw Jin Xiang, a fellow colleague who eventually did <4:30, Hoe Hock who was doing his FMV ! and then Karim who eventually did 4:41.. Got my 4th gel at around 34th km from Powerbar. Up until then, my knees were holding up and my cramps were kept to a minimal. The first aiders along the stretch did a pretty good job in massaging my calves and hips. As I made a U-turn, my spirit was lifted again as the huge group of volunteers gave a loud cheer and I managed to give some of them High-5s.. I knew I was on the home stretch towards Queensbay Mall.. But the most amazing thing must be at the ~37th km when I saw Mohan, with his whistles, running towards MaCCalum Street and encouraged the runners. By then, he has finished the race and made a turn towards the 30+km to cheer up the runners.. How contagious that was ! I gave him a huge Hi-5 and I started to ‘speed’ towards the finishing line. Around 4km from the finishing line, I saw Karen Loh ran past me together with a runner wearing the K-Swiss vest. I tried to keep pace, but too bad, I had to make numerous stops and jogs. I think my fuel had been totally consumed ! I was determined to beat the 5 hrs target, at least get a sub-5.. I told myself !! That motivated me to keep running and jogging.. At that time, I was 6mins behind my Garmin watch and I was oblivious to that. Well, I thought I could hit 4:50 ! But as soon as I saw the 5 hrs pacer ran past me 1km before the finishing line, I knew I was behind the time ! Increasing my pace, I kicked-start and ran towards Queensbay Mall. The finishing line must hv felt like 10k away and never ending ! I hit the tape at 4:58 (43k distance based on Karim’s watch).. of course at that time, I thought I did 4:52 ! My last 30th – 42k was @ 7:12, &;15 and 6:37 for the last 2k ! Well, I guessed I managed to ‘Finish Strong’ !

I was glad I managed to end the race in one piece.. Relieved that my knees held strong, my cramps were kept to a minimum (ORS sure did help a lot !!) and my heartbeat were ok ! I nailed my first full marathon and a virgin no more !! My chip time results from the PBIM web site as below. Now time for some sleep and relax before resuming my raining for a half marathon at SCMS on Dec 4th !!

Name : GOH THUAN LIN
Status : Active Collect
Method : Queensbay Mall (12th & 13th Nov 2011)
Category : Full Marathon Men Open
Bib No : A00014
Event Results
21KM CheckPoint : 2:17:25.45
33KM CheckPoint : 3:51:01.36
ChipTime : 4:58:22.91 GunTime : 4:58:54.58
Ranking : 242/1190

How do I feel about the organization of the race ?
- Overall, I think it was fairly organized with plentiful of water and electrolyte drinks at every 4km. There were many complains about water running out at water stations especially for the last few batches of runners. So I hope the organizers can take heed of this and imporve next year.
- As for the finishing line, it was a clear mess. When I approached the finishing line, all the categories were cramped into the one-side small lane in front of Queensbay Mall. The volunteer keep saying full marathon take middle lane but they were standing at the middle lane and blocked me ! Pretty annoyed especially after you have been running for 5hrs and can't wait to end the race. The officials shud hv been standing after the line, not in front of it !
- The 42k finisher tee was dsitributed freely at the finishing point and so many complaints of 21k/10k runners taking the 42k finisher tee, causing sizes to run out etc. That could have been avoided had the organizer place more emphasis on full marathon finishing area. After all, it's not the number of runners that count, it's the # of full marathoners that make it a worthwhile race !
- The queue to get drinks and bananas etc were another chaos with no clear signage. I ended up walking back to my car and take my own food & drinks supply.
- Hopefully Allianz can improve the organization of the race (2009 & 2010 were pretty well-organized though 2008 was another disaster all together) for the coming year(s), if they are going to be the anchor sponsor again !

My FMV vest. A virgin no more.. Wohooo !! The Starting & Finishing Point Met Hizam who was running the 10k together with Anna Me having cold dip for my sore feet after the race This is what my Garmin clocked, minus the 6mins miscalculation due to unexpected stoppage at 11.99th k !! lesson learned ! Finisher medal Me @ Finishing Line, photo courtesy of MJ Jamal !! This gotta be my best bib foe the year !! :-)