Johor Countdown Run 2018: Blood, Sweat and Tears

Sometimes, even before you put your first step running, you can probably predict how the run it will fold. This time for this half marathon, I have this dark premonition even before I arrived at the Educity Stadium.

I should’ve been able to read the signs.

My bib number is A0066. Add another 6 and I'll hit the jackpot with the omen.

I’m almost arrived at the stadium when I realized that ALL the roads leading to the stadium have been closed for the run. 

I had missed the closing time for a mere 5 minutes, which I didn't even realized. I should’ve read the event’s pamphlet better.

After hopelessly going around Kota Iskandar to get through, I stopped at one of the junction leading to the stadium. The understanding personnel manned let me go through.

Finally, at last!

That was only the beginning of the (disastrous) night. When I almost at the stadium, I realized that it is impossible for me to park my car. 

When finally I found a space to park (haphazardly), which I think is the closest to the stadium. It was one whole kilometer to the stadium.

It was already 7.45pm by then. I haven’t done my Maghrib prayer yet. So there I was, small jog to the stadium’s prayer room.  It certainly didn’t feel like it was worth it. 

I'm panicking. It was this much on giving up at this time.

The half marathoners had started 30 minutes ago. By the time I got to the starting line, the 10km runners had been let off. I could felt my heart pumping out from my chest.

Unimaginable.

But then, I saw my beacon of hope.

I’m not the only half marathoner that missed the time. There were several of us. While some of them are actually fit fast runners, there was this particular runner that wore a red shirt.

This particular runner does look like a seasoned runner. He didn’t wear the event running tee and instead opted to wear his own gear. He was slender, running with small step but with this particular consistent pace.

He was a great help for me. I dreaded nothing than being left behind in the back alone in the dark roads of Kota Iskandar. It was a big possibility. I ran 30 minutes later than others. Catching up with this short legs of mine is impossible.

I was keeping up with him up until we’re at the 8km.

I was right. The guy in red just looked like he was just having his warm up and not started yet. So there he was running left me behind while whisking in his small steps.

By then I was actually in a safe situation. I’m not in the dead last anymore. There were several runners that I managed to cut. 

Fortunately.

With the sticky situation that I had experienced in the beginning, the punishing route is a double blow for me. It was a demotivating feeling when I realized in a big 10km loop, there were already runners that on their way back. 

I’m not even begin the loop yet.

After being left by the red shirt guy, I trotted by myself (and cut several runners in the way), I had to find new ways to motivate myself to finish the rest of the run. I can’t give up after going through all the earlier obstacles. It is time for me to pick myself up and finish the half marathon.

This is when I started muttering this weird mantra. Under my breath (or out loud, I’m quite sure with the earphone plugged my ears) I kept repeating the kilometers that I’m in.

12, 12, 12, 12…..

13, 13, 13, 13……

14, 14, 14, 14…..

15, 15, 15, 15…..

16, 16, 16, sixteeeeen ahhh urk!

I’ve lost the battle when I’m halfway to the 16km. 

Both of my knees are busted. My thighs are burning. My calves are start experiencing small muscle pulls. And my soles are hurting.

The only thing that I’m trying to prevent is major muscle cramp during limping towards the finishing line in the last 5km. The route took me out of nowhere in the dark night of Iskandar Puteri, and on one time I realized we were running near the Legoland.

I was apologetically ecstatic when I arrived at the 20km mark. 

The flowing delighted feeling was just like when I'm the school kid that had just got his injection shot at school and right now can taunt his friends how painful it is.

The glowing bright fluorescent light from the stadium can be seen from afar. I’m this close to end this torturous night victoriously. I started panicking, alarmed to be at the last, but succeeded in ending it at the finishing line ahead of some runners.

It was a great way to enter a new year. By sheer determination. By blood, sweat and tears.