Yoma Yangon Marathon 2013

My 1st full marathon for 2013 but the 12th FM in my running life and I still managed to do everything wrong prior to this race:

THURSDAY 24/1/2013

Full of vigour, I did 10km of hill run, cycled on a trainer for an hour and swam 3km. It felt great on the day but in hindsight, they were the worst things I could ever do while tapering. 

FRIDAY 25/1/2013

Overexertion coupled with the lack of sleep, I felt a sore throat and cold coming. Despite that, I braved the 2:30 hour plane ride to Yangon and despite sleeping most of the day, my cold became worse. Worried that I was not going to be fit for the race, I took some drastic actions in the hope of getting drastic results - I started downing clarinase and paracetamol.

SATURDAY 26/1/2013

I really felt groggy from the meds and my thighs were still sore from the bike and the run on Thursday! Not a feeling you want to experience on pre-race day! The only thing I could muster myself to do was to walk across the hotel to pick up the race kit where I met the usual suspects. I wasn't in the mood to socialise so, said my hi and bye and went back to the hotel room to sleep. I was also suppose to carbo load but I had no appetite, my throat was still inflamed and my nose was bocked, so, I loaded myself with more meds instead. 

SUNDAY 27/1/2013

When I woke up on the race day, I was still not feeling 100% but being the adrenalin junkie that I am, I was immediately on a high as soon as I saw the starting line and some of the familiar happy faces. 

The event started with no drama and I ran oh so beautifully covering 20 km in 2 hours in the temperature of just over 20C. It was a great feeling. 

The great feeling was however shortlived with the rising of the sun. I started having runner's stitch and despite all the tricks in the book, I couldn't get rid of it, so, I reduced the pace and ran with my hand on my rib trying to ease the pain. 9km later, the pain disappeared, but the soreness in the thighs started to kick in and as it was getting hotter, my nose started to run again!

I was so glad to see the pagoda cause that marked the finishing line. Just before I turned into People's Park, I saw Franco running towards me. Tasha was also there and she accompanied me on the last 10m stretch! That was precious moment. 

On the other side of the chip mat, stood Aiman who finished over an hour before I arrived, with a big happy smile on his face. The same smile I would have, every time I see other runners cross the finishing line. It is one that is filled with pride and that day, I was proud. I was proud to run in the inaugural Marathon in Myanmar and be part of the history.