What 42.195km means to me

It took me about 6+ hours to earn that medal.

Nothing beats the feeling of running towards the finishing line and finally crossing it. At that instant, whatever pain you've been feeling disappears for those few seconds as you savour sweet satisfaction. Was I happy with my run? Well considering that I didn't train enough, it was a blessing that I managed to finish the marathon. Too bad I fell sick a week before and had exams that ended only 2 days before the race.

How does it feel to complete a second marathon? Trust me, it's totally different from the first time. Honestly, it doesn't really help that you've ran one before because the pain and anguish you felt the first time round - that memory never leaves your mind. You tend to be fearful of going through the same thing again. No one likes pain, I know I don't. But I still signed up for the full marathon this year. I don't know why actually. Perhaps it was meant to be. Let's just say this marathon taught me alot of things. For instance, that pain is relative.

Pain. I know that the pain I felt during the marathon is probably nothing compared to the kind of pain that some other people have. My pain can be healed with a good massage (my sis gave me a really good foot massage. what a dear!), some Deep Heat cream and lots of rest but the pain that exists elsewhere where pain and suffering is common, man, that's a kind of pain that's hard to heal and sometimes it goes beyond the physical. When you think about it, it really makes sense. Who am I to complain about my knees, my feet and my legs. Pain. It's so subjective I tell you. What is pain anyway? Is it something that can be felt, heard, touched, smelt? Hmmm well I know my pain served me well. Sounds stupid but hey at least it taught me to appreciate the times when I'm not in pain! haha.

Oh the things a marathon does to you. I think alot and I did plenty of thinking during the marathon and one of the things I learnt, is that it's really not about me with my Asics DX trainers pounding on the tarmac or the smelly sweat that stinks so much and the racing heart that gives you an adrenaline rush. I really couldn't care if people ran faster or slower than me or that I might not be able to finish the race in a timing that's worth boasting about. In fact, throughout the entire race, I think I wasn't running alone. Okay, I really wasn't running alone - dear JF ran the entire leg with me (oh the sweet boy, he's a much faster runner than me but he didn't want to leave me behind :) Aside from him, I believe God was with me throughout.

I don't think I could have completed the race without His grace. Trust me, I was revelling in my pain and thinking of the long ardous road ahead when I suddenly just shut all other thoughts and started praying. I prayed for strength, I prayed for courage to carry on and not worry so much about the many more kilometres ahead of me. That's when I started to distract myself from the pain I felt and take it out of my mind. If Jesus could take the crucifixion and suffer for us, then what's 42.195km? From then, I offered up the rest of the race to God and just prayed that I will be strong enough to finish it. And you know what, I did finish it earlier than expected. I thought I was going to take 8 hours! Imagine that!

God is good! Ah, I'm so relieved the marathon is over I tell you. It rained halfway and it really wasn't nice running in the rain. Heh but anyway the worst is over and I know I know, the next question is, would I run it again next year? I don't know actually! Ask me again next year.

I know this post hasn't really been about food but hey, I thought that it'll be nice to share something thoughtful. In case you're wondering what's the first thing I consumed after the race (well aside from the 100-plus, powergel, water and banana during the race), well it's sushi! It's good to eat lots of carbs after a marathon because your body needs it to recharge. Dad cooked a yummy dinner and gosh even after that, I still ate the sardine murtabak Mum bought. Well I didn't eat all of it, if that's what you're thinkng :) I'm not a glutton!

Now that the marathon is over, my exams have finished, what am I to do? Bake of course! Some of you have been asking if I'm having a bakesale this Dec. Actually I'm not sure if I have the time because I'll be taking a part time job for a while. I'll see how ya. Will definitely update all of you.

Gotta go. Will post often, now that my holidays have officially started. Ha! Take care ya'll.