Tumble, Stitches and Coming Out One Lucky Gal

The PP Runners - missing is Robin!!

What a morning indeed! As usual - woke up for my Sunday morning runs with the PP Runners. Ok, there was nothing usual about it since I am still recovering from a viral infection and I took flu meds yesterday and got knocked out. I jumped out of bed late, but was lucky enough to catch Robin & Clem at the start of the run.

You know what? I thought I was doing quite well and I didn't even feel tired, except the cough was annoying me some. But between the talking and the pacing, I was actually feeling grrreat! And then, between being chased by dogs and avoiding cows and all, I took a huge tumble and I don't even know how, but I managed to slide across the dirt road.... and well, my knees took the brunt of it all. Left knee felt like it may have cracked (but no, no,... I don't think it did) and the right knee had a piece of flesh hanging out. When I first saw the gaping wound with all the mud and the dirt, my first thought was - HOLY F***! And I could feel the on-set of a hyperventilation :P Luckily, Robin was there (Clem had ran ahead) and she was super solid! She was so calm and so knew what to do despite being fairly new to Cambodia. We were across the Japanese Bridge in the local village and me being in denial - I suggested running back. Of course, Robin said NO. We walked for a fair bit to get to the main bridge before being able to flag down a tuk-tuk who took us to the International SOS. Best part - neither of us carried enough money to pay the tuk-tuk. But once Robin got me settled in, she took care of that and went home to bring some stuff out for me - clean clothes, snacks and water.

Of course, while lying in the clinic bed, that's when I felt so much in pain, it wasn't funny. And my gaping wound was still bleeding and I just about fainted looking at it (now, there's a reason why I never pursued forensic science :P). I was dirty and stinky and I just wanted a shower! Then, the nurse came in with this hi-tech looking device (later, I found out it was the blady blood pressure monitor :P) and that sent me into panic-frenzy. She was great though. She said "Keep calm, keep calm. This is to take your blood pressure." In between tears, I kept asking her - how bad is it? How bad is it? She said I would have to wait for the doctor to look at it. Well, she went about cleaning up all of my wounds and they were all effin' painful. She kept apologizing though and I felt bad for her! She did say I could scream all I want. Just imagine - she had to lift the flesh to clean the insides. Aaargh!!! The image of her doing that was enough to make me feel nauseated! But nope, Robin came back and I had to look cool and all that.... :P But seriously, Robin's presence made so much difference! She joked and chatted with me - I knew the deal - take my mind off the pain while the "lifting and cleaning" was being done. And then doc said I needed stitches. Haha. Tattoos, I can take. Stitches make me cry! :P Go figure. The local anesthetic - I can tell you - was REALLY MILD. And nothing was numb when the stitches started. Meanwhile, Robin was still chatting animatedly to me.

Before I knew it, stitches were all done and I was good to go. Being a stubborn-headed pig, my first question to the doctor was "Can I start training tomorrow??" Oh, so typical of any athlete! Doctor calmly smiled and said "If you can bear with the pain, sure!" Robin and Clem (who rushed over to see me with fruits and fruit juices) translated that for me - "REST YOUR BODY!!" Ok. Ok. I guess this is finally God's way of making me rest. Migraine didn't. Injured knees didn't. Flu didn't. Viral infection didn't. I guess HE thought HE had to do something far worse to get my attention :P

Ah, you may wonder - where was MOH (for the benefit of new readers : MOH = My Other Half) throughout it all? SNORING - despite the numerous phone calls Robin made to his mobile! He finally woke up and showed up in time to pick up the bill :P

Despite this tumble and the pain I am in right now - arms, fingers, palms, knees, hips... OMG - I am feeling good. Because I was lucky - NOTHING broken. How lucky is that, right? And you know what? I always pray to meet kind and compassionate people and to meet nice people in my life. Well - I found them in Robin & Clem - my running mates. You think they have nothing better to do on a beautiful Sunday morning than to see me screaming like a baby at the sight of the blood? Sure they do! But nope - they were there - right there next to me while the sutures were done (I just saw the bill and it said a 4cm suture!!!! *faint again*) - and for that - I am grateful. Look, honestly, if Robin just dumped me at the clinic - I would've been grateful too - just that, the nurse would have to deal with this cry-baby. But she came back and she has a great sense of humour. Me like. It got me through. I'm lucky too because the nurse was the kindest, the doctor was the kindest and I know they both did a great job. So, so grateful. (You know, I've had previous nightmarish stories with the International SOS!!).

And that is not all! I now escape doing any household chores!!! Wooohooohoooooo!!! MOH said I am to do nothing but rest. No sweeping, mopping, wiping, cleaning toilets, etc, etc.. (YES! I am still having problems finding a maid!!!)
So you tell me - am I lucky or not? :) So damn lucky :)

My First Tri in 3 Years - Vietnam Triathlon 2010

The sun was blazingly blistering over Cua Dai Beach in Hoi An, Vietnam - venue of the 4th Vietnam Triathlon organized by Tribob. I looked at the choppy waters of the sea and I felt ill with worry. The race director had already warned us about the sea condition in the race briefing earlier and it only made my nervousness grew.

As I nibbled on my energy bar, the athletes from all over the world trickled into the transition area. They looked seriously intimidating with their ripped muscles, professional tri-suits and expensive-looking bikes. The butterflies in my stomach grew in quantity! I tried to recall all of the experiences I had from previous races - but alas! Zilch. My last race was in 2007 at the Miri International Triathlon. I guess it helped that I had a bunch of race 'kakis' with me then. But here in Vietnam, I was alone. My only fan - MOH. But as with all ardent fans of endurance races, it was easy to make friends. We may come from different backgrounds, countries, etc... but cheesy as it sounds - we were united through our love for putting our minds and bodies through torture :)

The race was really well-organized and I was impressed with the fact that everything was on-the-dot as per scheduled. At exactly 2pm, all athletes were requested to gather at the beach start line and the countdown began. I wished they didn't. The counting down from 10mins right till the last 30 seconds was particularly nerve-wrecking for me! But finally, the horn blew and we ran into the water.

I wasn't even 5 minutes out when I swallowed a big gulp of water, thanks to the rolling waves. Every stroke that I made, the current pulled me back. But slowly, I found my rhythm and pace. It was still very tough though, especially when I made it too wide and ended up swimming an additional 200m at the U-turn! After the first lap, we had to get out of the water, run around the start line and get back into the water again. Aargh! Believe me, after getting out of the water, the last thing I wanted to do was to get back in. Here is where your mental strength really needed to be strong. I've trained hard enough and traveled far enough, not to mention, paid a lot (or rather, MOH "invested") for this, I sure as hell ain't giving up. What would all my friends say? :P After all the motivation they had given me to train and get back into race-fit shape, I give up? No, no. Cannot. (If I did, Kris will surely "slap" me!) As such, I kept going. Stroke by stroke, telling myself that I will find a way to train in the ocean next time and not just the pool :P Of course, the frequent thought that came to my mind was "WHY OH WHY did I put myself through this?!"

Finally, after what felt like hours and a gallon of sea water in me, I finished the swimming leg. It was off to gear up for my bike leg next - biking, being my weakest amongst all the three. I hadn't serviced my bike for the last 3 years and only managed to squeeze in a quick service with the bike mechanic that was provided by the organizers. Actually, I am thankful that they do provide this service. Another kudos to the organizers. My bike is actually a second-hand, fancy-free bike, but one that has served me well in all of my races. I was counting on that again this time around.

For those who know me, would know my abysmal sense of direction and as such, I was afraid of missing the turning points or directional signages! The route was flat and disappointingly boring (apparently, they changed the route from last year to make it safer for athletes) with no scenic views or anything like that to see. So nothing to take your mind off the pain and the heat. Just you and the long road ahead. After over-taking a few fellow racers (particularly the men :P), I felt my confidence being boosted and I pushed ahead faster and faster. Along the way, I saw many athletes having problems with their bikes and I uttered silent prayers - that my beloved, beloved bike will keep it all together. "Please don't die on me Bikey! I love you! I love you!"

My bike once again, did not fail me. I finished my bike leg in one of the fastest bike times in any of my races! I zipped into the transition area and zipped out again for my last leg - the run - in which I was pretty confident I was going to ace because of all the three legs - my strongest was my running.

How was I to know that of all times, my body decides to throw a tantrum 10 minutes into my run? My quadriceps just spasmed and then... it locked!! I had not anticipated this at all. I couldn't move! I seriously wanted to cry because I've come this far. I bent over, trying to stretch my legs out and I was in so much pain. Where was the bloody medic service now? Many runners just ran past me. Until one stopped and asked me if I was okay. When I told him I couldn't move from a cramp at my quads, he immediately told me to lie down and he stretched me out and massaged my muscles and then he urged me on to walk. "Keep walking, I will walk with you!" he said. And so, I limped on. "Next lamp post, c'mon. Keep walking," he kept urging me on until we reached the first drink station. "Drink isotonic and get the wet sponge. You'll feel better," he told me. In the heat and fatigue, I only mechanically followed his instructions. "Now jog, c'mon, jog with me. C'mon." And I jogged and the only thing I remembered about this guy who so kindly helped me out and urged me on was his first name - Stephen. I honestly do not even remember his face! After a few minutes of jogging, I felt better and I surged forward - not before saying "Thank You" to Stephen, of course. I realized that in the chase for pride and glory, some people may leave you dying by the side of the road. But there are still kind-hearted souls who will offer their help sincerely. God bless them.

By the time I went through my last lap for the run, my pace picked up a lot and I refused to stop even as my legs were protesting in pain. I was trying to make back the lost time. And through the entire final 3.3km, I was shouting profanities at the devil in my head who was trying to provoke me to give up. Damn if I will! I sprinted on, ignoring the pain in my legs and crossed the finish-line in 3:20.

It surely wasn't my personal best. But at least, I gave it all I had given the conditions of the sea, the weather and my idiotic legs. For my effort, I finished 6th Place in my category, 18th Place for women's overall and 97th Place for total overall. So amidst some pretty intimidating-looking professional athletes, I wasn't all that bad after all. But you know what? As the race director said "Anyone who finishes the race today in this weather and condition is a winner already."

As always, we forget the pain after the race is completed. Only the immense thrill of finishing and overcoming the physical challenges and absolutely feeling great that you did it - for me, again. Like a typical masochist, I ask "When's the next race, people?" with utmost gung-ho-ness :)

I would like to spare a few moments to say Thank You to my beloved MOH. Besides "investing" in my race (sorry the ROI wasn't as expected :P), he was my one-man-entourage. Not only was he my Bike Mechanic - dismantling and assembling my bike, he was also the Bike Caddie throughout the journey from Phnom Penh to Saigon to Hoi An and back; my Manager - getting my race kit laid out and ready for me, checking that I had all my race gear before setting off; my On-Site Coach/Nutritionist - making sure I was doing my carbo-loading, reminding me to drink lots of water before, during and after the race, ensuring I had taken my energy bar pre-race; and of course, my Number One Fan - who promised not to laugh at me if I finished last. What would I do without him?

Official Timing for my race can be found here and here :)

Midnight Marathon

It was my first full marathon. Coinciding also with the first ever night marathon held in Singapore, in this region.
So, after one week of carbo-loading, gulping down isotonic and staying off junk food, fried food and sugar-coated food, it is D-Day.

As usual, doing such a physically demanding sport really does test one's mental endurance. With each race that I take, I believe more and more - the mind makes you or breaks you.

"Let's start here, at the <4:30 point. Haha. Why not be a little more 'kiasu' and start at the <3:30 point?"
"Oh, the emcee is counting down!"

Bang! Race starts...

"Oh man... this sucks! The path is too narrow for so many people!"
"Ok, we gotta aim to do 1:07 for each 10k."
"That way, we would complete 42k in let's see, 1 x 4 = 4 hours."
"7 x 4 = 28 minutes."
"That's 4 hours 28 minutes. Plus another 10 minutes for the 2km"
"That would bring us to 4:38."
"That's ok, no?"
"A little too ambitious for first marathon, no?"
"Uncle Tai said to take it easy. I better listen less I regret it."
"So, slow pace. Yes, slow pace. Take it easy."
"I'm glad he's here next to me."
"I hope he can last the 42k by my side."
"It's a good thing it stopped pouring."
"Nice breeze."
"Oh! Water station already! Let's drink!"
"Some bloody a**hole spilt water on my shoes! Aaargh!"
"Now my shoe is wet even before we're at 10k!"
"I feel like kicking that idiot's balls."
"Ok, it wasn't his fault. It was an accident."
"It's actually pretty cold out here, the breeze."
"Haha! That guy has "Touch My Body" on his iPod."
"Stop making me laugh!" (verbally telling my other half who is doing an imitation of Mariah Carey)
"I'm just glad my stupid iPod wannabe is working."
"I wonder how far before it dies out."
"Considering the battery no longer charges."
"Water station again! No, don't need water this time."
"Ouch.... fuck, fuck.... fuck."
"Why am I having stitches on my sides?"
"Dammit!"
"Ok, breathe. Slow down."
"It's not even 10k!"
"Just slow down. Take it easy, remember?"
"Heart rate is ok."
"Everything is ok. Why am i having the cramps?"
"Very irritating."
"Oh, it is 10k!! Shit! very slow time. 1:10."
"Let's do a faster pace."
"Oww.. no... can't. Shit Shit Shit."
"Breathe."
"I'm very pleased with my boots purchased today!"
"it's a steal, at $20!"
"Can't wait to do more shopping."
"It's the GSS. Can't miss out."
"I have 30 more minutes to go before I spot Ruben."
"I wonder if he would have a banner."
"I wonder if his wife is tagging along."
"I hope she is so he won't be bored."
"It's so nice of him to come."
"He's crazy."
"Tomorrow, I am going to eat that Peanut Pancake i saw."
"Mmm..Yummy."
"Ok, i'm gonna eat my first PowerGel."
"Don't like this flavour. Banana and strawberry? Ewe."
"I'm saving my chocolate flavours for later."
"Did they say they would have a PowerGel station for us?"
"Oh man... just only 16k...!"
"I can smell the sea."
"I don't know what those idiots were writing about when they reviewed the race route."
"Nice scenery it seems. You can't see shit in the dark!"
"Yes, you seriously can't see shit in the dark. Can't see the water, can't see the beautiful greens or whatever they said was visible."
"What morons."
"We're almost reaching.. "
"Ruben said he'll be at the isotonic station."
"Are we there yet?"
"It's 18k only!"
"Shit! No more music!"
"Stupid iPod wannabe!!!"
"How am i supposed to last the next 36k without music??"
"Just keep running. Steady pace."
"Ruben! Ruben! There is Ruben!"
(waving madly, forgetting to preserve energy.)
"Pose for photograph."
"I can't believe he really came!"
"Oh, oh... people are already U-turning!"
"I will not be deceived this time. The U-turn must be very far away cos I'm very far behind!"
"Why are there always U-turns at races??"
"Oh, my damn stitches aren't going away and my legs are starting to cramp!"
"How am I supposed to last 42k?"
"Why is he going so fast??"
"Keep up, Eileen. Keep up."
"Oh man..... "
"He won't be able to last if he does this pace."
"Slow down. Your cramps are getting worse."
"24km."
"Where's Ruben?"
"Oh there he is!"
"He's helping out the water station people!"
"That's so cool of him!"
"Yes, these kids need some organizing!"
"I have to say, this isn't as well-organized as the Singapore marathon."
"Why are we running through people's back lanes?"
"I don't like this route. It is not on the roads. It is on some pavement."
"It is narrow."
"It is just irritating."
"He's not keeping up with me."
"He just blew me kisses for me to go forth."
"He's so sweet."
"I'll see him at the finish line."
"My legs are in so much pain right now."
"Let's hurry the pace. I don't want to prolong the pain."
"Overtaking! Overtaking!" (verbally shouting)
"I don't get these Singaporeans. They want to walk, and they walk on the right side."
"Morons."
"Don't they know not to hog the road?"
"Aargh! My legs are killing me!"
"PowerGel. Chocolate. This works. This works."
"It's great to be able to litter in Singapore right now."
"Just throw your empty PowerGel pack wherever."
"I should've gotten the jelly beans from Hivelocity the other day."
"I can't wait to shop at Vivo. I hope I get some pretty good deals on Mizuno shorts."
"We have 4 hours to shop before the bus."
"That should be more than enough time."
"You've gotta be fucking kidding me. The overhead pedestrian bridge?!!"
"I can't believe i have to climb stairs??!"
"My legs! Move!!"
"2 steps at a time... arrgh.. can't."
"Ok. Ok. 1 step at a time."
"C'mon legs. Keep going."
"I really hate this route."
"I don't understand. I just don't understand."
"My heart rate is so fine, I know I can push further."
"But my legs hurt like hell."
"What could be the damn problem??"
"Not enough strength training?"
"Damn, damn, damn."
"What happened to the damn distant markers?? Did i miss them?"
"Excuse me, do you know how far we've done?" (verbally asking someone)
"30 clicks."
"Fuck. Only 30 clicks??!" (verbally responding)
"Keep going, Eileen."
"Knees. Lift the knees."
"Remember? Use core muscles."
"Let the abs share some burden."
"I never knew that such a part can hurt so much."
"My hips are hurting!"
"Why?"
"I'm going crazy with this pain."
"32k."
"I have another 10ks to go."
"I have 1 hour to do this."
"I don't think I can do it in 1 hour."
"This is so much pain."
"I'm NOT going to walk. I promise."
"Only at the drink stations, we'll walk while drinking."
"Ok, we'll do this one water station at a time."
"Why is everyone walking??"
"Should I walk?"
"NO! No walking!"
"Keep going!"
"It is true when they say the mind is willing but the body is not."
"My heart rate is so absolutely fine, I know I am not pushing it."
"My legs are like dying out on me."
"There is so much pain."
"And the blisters are annoyingly painful too!"
"My legs feels like they want to disconnect from my entire body!"
"I want him with me."
"I shouldn't have left him behind!"
"If I am in so much pain, it must be worse for him."
"I hope he's ok."
"Please let him be ok."
"Dammit. I shouldn't have left him behind."
"Oh, I miss him."
"Fuck, this pain is fucking painful."
"You gotta keep going."
"Don't stop."
"Just focus, Eileen. Stay focused."
"Breathe, and keep eyes on the road."
"I don't want to do the fucking hill they reviewed."
"I dread that hill. I don't think my legs can make it."
"That is supposed to be the dreaded hill."
"Fuck, Eileen. I can't."
"I just wish my legs would just be numb."
"Like he said - the body should just take note of the pain and forget about it."
"Be numb."
"Am I going delirious?"
"I feel like crying."
"The pain is overwhelming."
"How do they fucking do 84ks?"
"Is that madness?"
"How am I supposed to do the Ironman?"
"I don't think I'll ever do the Ironman."
"OH MY FUCKING GOD. IT is only 38k."
"I won't make sub 5."
"I just need to finish."
"I cannot stop. I must finish."
"I cannot walk. C'mon legs."
"Keep going, Eileen."
"Only 4 more klicks."
"I feel like I've ran 2 fucking clicks and still I don't see the distant marker!"
"I don't see how we would be shopping for 4 hours after this."
"Not to mention lugging the baggage around."
"Gotta figure that one out."
"I can't think of that right now."
"This fucking pain is the only thing on my mind."
"Dammit."
"Ya right. I don't see YOU running." (mentally telling off one of those roadies that cheer you on)
"I'm in such a foul mood now."
"Do everyone in pain have a foul mood?"
"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."
"Last 2ks. Let's sprint."
"I think the hill is at the last 2ks then. Didn't go through it before."
"C'mon legs! The slower you are, the longer you will prolong the pain!!"
"Fuck, sprint, c'mon!"
"Run. Just run."
"Don't give up."
"It's the fucking last 400m."
"Please keep going."
"Keep running."
"I hate this route! It is so annoying!"
"God damn this pain!"
"Fuck. Oh my God."
"There we go! Finish line!"
"Thank God! Thank FUCKING God!"
"Aaaahhhhhh.................."
"Oh Fuck."
"I finished."

5:19. And there was no hills.

Raging A Mental War

And so, here it was - the A Famosa Triathlon - the first tri for the year. I did it last year, and back for my second year. Why do I still feel the butterflies in my tummy? I've been training better and .... oh. Not stopped smoking yet.
There's a real charge in putting your mind and body through the physical extremities. But I question, really.... if such physically punishing races are more for mental endurance rather than physical?
When you're spending 3 hours or more doing a race, an individual event.... your mind is spending the same amount of time in solitary mode. The mind is at the end of the day - a powerful tool. A weapon. It could destroy you or it could make you. So what would it be?

"oh my God... just look at some of the people doing the race! Shit. Shit. Shit."
"I'm not scared. I'm nervous. That's all. It's normal."
"I think I better eat my Power Bar now."
"Ooh... look at that V-shape Body. Yummy. Haha. There's a reason why I do these races!"
"oh no. oh no. They've asked people to go to the start line."
"That's a fucking long way to swim. Is that really 1.5k???!"
"I remember this water. It is FOUL. It stinks. It smells. It made me ill last year."
"Ok.. the water is not cold. Ok, look, I can do this. I do this everyday."
(at this point, the "bang" for start has gone off)
"Holy fuck! Stop kicking, dammit!"
"There's no way I can do freestyle here. I'll get my face kicked in."
"OWWW! God damn it. Who kicked me?! Who?! Who?!"
"Overtaking .... we need to stick to the buoy lines."
"Ok, i'm here. Ok. Take it easy, babe. Your heart rate is going crazy."
"Whatever you do, don't swallow the water."
"Let's freestyle for 20 strokes and check things out."
"See? Not so bad. Last year, I didn't freestyle that much!."
"Who the fuck just groped my boobs?! I'm gonna smack him."
"Ha! I just smacked his head. Overtake! Overtake!"
"How far more.... dammit. This is horrible. And it's only the start."
"Maybe I should get a cramp. Then I can get out of the water."
"Ya, and get a DNF on my result slip. What a loser."
"It's not that bad. Oh YESS! I completed the first loop!"
"We'll go faster. C'mon!"
"Oh man... I need to pee... "
"I pity the idiot who is stuck behind me."
"I wonder if he felt the sudden warm rush of water...."
"Fuck me dead. Where's the finish line?"
"It's awesome. Here we are! Here we are!"
"Let's go for it!"
(out of the water and running to the transition area)

"I'm gonna throw up. I really am going to throw up."
"Oh god, that damn Power Bar."
"Ok, calm down. Calm down. Breathe."
"Take your time. Look! There are still lots of bikes here. So no worries."
"Fuck, my bike pants are stuck. Dammit!"
"Damn socks are stuck too! What's going on?!"
"Ok, let's go!"
(on bike and away for 40ks)

"This is ok. This is ok. I'm doubtful about making Top 8th."
"I'm doubtful of making Top 10th."
"I hate the hills. Maybe I should just turn back."
"You're not turning back, you moron."
"Today's Mother's Day."
"I better remember to call my Mom after the race."
"What if I forget?!"
"Overtake. Overtake."
"What are the drafting rules again?"
"Look at that little boy go! I can't lose out to a kid!"
"Hey kid! You cycle pretty damn fast!" (verbal greeting)
"Yes! We overtook him!"
"I'm strongest at the hills."
"I wonder why."
"I overtake all these people on the hills and they overtake me on the straight roads!"
"Dammit."
"My legs are going to give way."
"I forgot what Randy told me about the gears again."
"Shit. Ok, black ones for downhill. Silver ones for uphill."
"I want to pack my bike to Cambodia."
"I wonder if I would be able to find a riding group in Cambodia."
"I should google that tomorrow."
"They've got the hash house harriers there."
"Well, I could at least run."
"I think for July when I am there, I shall sign-up with Fitness One."
"But I think Clark Hatch seemed more well-equipped."
"Although the pool does suck there."
"The pool at Fitness One is better."
"Well, at least I am familiar with that pool."
"I can't believe all the staff from way back are still at Micasa hotel in Cambodia."
"Well, ok. It's no longer Micasa."
"I can't do this! My legs are burning! My thighs are burning!"
"Hah. At least the traffic police is doing their job. Thank you."
"You know, actually, the marshalls and the water boys ought to be thanked properly."
"They are great help and encouragement."
"Ok, this scenery is quite nice. But my body is too tired to enjoy it."
"Funny, last year I felt better doing the race."
"It is age."
"Dammit."
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" (verbal scream)
"Oh my God! Oh My God! I just rolled over a live snake!"
"Cycle faster! Faster! We must run away from the snake!"
"What if it is chasing me?!"
"What if it is stuck on my wheels?"
"No, don't look. Don't look."
"Fuck. It is giving me the heeby-jeebies."
"It was a fucking live snake!"
"I feel something on my leg!"
"No, no.. it is nothing. Don't look. Focus."
"Focus Eileen. You wanna do Top 8th?"
"Yes, yes.. Top 8th."
"I can't. I can't do Top 8th."
"I don't think I can do Top 10."
"There are twenty over people in my category."
"Fat chance for Top 10."
"Fuck me dead. Is that like the hundredth hill already??"
"I need a Power Gel."
"Hah! Strapping the gel to the bike is such a brilliant idea!"
"I think these gel with caffein works instantly! I feel alive!!"
"People are U-turning back. Ok, yes... I remember there was a U-ey last year."
"Where is the fucking u-turn?"
"Is that another god damn hill?"
"I give up. Maybe I should just crash my bike and get the st johns to come get me."
"Focus Eileen. Top 10."
"That's a joke. that's very funny. Top 10, indeed."
"I hope I'm not last."
"Ok. Ok! Here's the U-Turn!"
"I can't be last. I overtook a lot of people. "
"How come I don't see any females?"
"Oh no.. I must be the last female on the bike!!"
"Ok... so let's aim to better your timing, is all."
"I did 3:20 last year. I just need to improve on that."
"To what? 3:15? hahahahhaa!"
"Look, let's leave 1 hour for the run."
"That means, I have another 26 minutes to finish my bike."
"How far more do we have?"
"I don't fucking know."
"Where am I?"
"I don't know."
"My neck is hurting, my shoulders are hurting."
"Remember to call Mom to wish her Happy Mother's Day."
"Look at these kids on the roadside, watching idiots like me suffering in full concentration."
"At long fucking last. We're turning into the resort road again!"
"How far more do we have?"
"Don't they fucking give us distant markers anymore?"
"I can't take it anymore!"
"Ohhh... God. Where is the finish?"
"Oh my God. Oh my God. This is that crazy hill. This is THAT hill."
"Keep pedaling. Don't stop or you'll roll off. Keep going."
"1-2. 1-2. 1-2. A bit more. 1-2. 1-2. 1-2."
"Fuck. Fuck. I'm up. But I can't go on anymore."
"Ok. Slow. We'll slow it down."
"WHERE DO WE FINISH?! Dammit!"
"Ok. I think I know where I am. We're near the transition area."
"Oh my God. These people are starting to run already!"
"I know her! She's freaking fast!"
"Oh, there's 1 girl."
"2."
"3. Wait, was that a girl or a guy?"
"Fuck, I lost count."
"Forget it."
"We'll concentrate on finishing the damn race and with better time."
"There is a God! We're done biking!!!"
(dismount bike at transition area.)

"Oh no... my legs are wobbly."
"Focus. Don't fall."
"Get my iPod wannabe."
"Get my Power Gel."
"Let's go!"
"Fuck. Wrong direction."
"Ok, let's go."
"There's my baby! Wave!"
"Why isn't this fucking iPod wannabe working?!"
"Aaargh.. this stupid thing is driving me mad!"
"I'm gonna so throw this away after this."
"Work god damn it! I need the music! I'm going crazy!"
"This is what happens when you buy cheapo products."
"It's probably from China."
"I'm gonna have a word with him about this stupid cheapo iPod wannabe when I'm done with my race."
"oh... fuck. My legs are cramping."
"slow, take it slow."
"Ahh! Finally. The damn thing works!"
"Shit. Shit. Shit. I can't run. Owww.. my legs.."
"No.... I gotta keep going. If I don't, I'll not make better timing."
"It's fucking painful. I can't."
"Ok... let's walk abit."
"Dammit. The cramp is not going away!"
"I gotta give up. I can't."
(at this point, walking with a limp)
"You're not going to cry. I'm telling you, you will keep going!"
"God dammit, fight the damn pain."
(jogging again)
"C'mon legs. Be good to me. I'll let you rest after this."
(walking with a limp again. Near tears.)
"I can't do it. I gotta walk all the way. My legs won't move."
"Remember to call Mom for Mother's Day."
"Mom.. where are you?!"
"Aaargh! I'm sorry. I don't care if you're in pain, we're running."
"Because I am determined to improve my timing. And I will."
"This cramp isn't going to stop me!"
(running)
"Keep it going. There is no pain."
"Yes, lift the foot. One after the other."
"Use your abs."
"Use your core muscles."
"Lift. Yes, keep going. Don't stop."
"Now, let's play a game."
"For every person we overtake, we get to slow down for awhile."
"Yes! Overtaken. Now, reward."
"Keep going."
"There is no pain."
"Call Mom for Mother's Day. Better remember."
"I like this song."
"Keep going."
"Good. I have 20 more minutes to go."
"Only 20 more minutes."
"C'mon legs. You know you can cramp all you like and I won't stop."
"Nope. No stopping."
"If you cramp some more, I'll only go faster."
"Fuck.... where's the finish?"
"Thank god there's no sun today."
"Less one thing to battle."
"Water... yes... water station. I seem to be stopping at every water station."
"Your legs are finding any excuse to stop."
"Too bad."
"I gotta speed up. I'm running out of time."
"Owwww! Fuck! Aaargh..."
"NO! I'm not slowing down! I see the condo. We're nearly there!"
"Fuck the pain! God damn it!"
"Run! Run! There is no pain."
"Just a bit more!"
"There it is. It is just there!"
"Smile for the camera! Don't show them the pain!"
(crossed finish line)
"At long fucking last. Oh my fucking God."

3:04. Not dismal.
It's good.
I wonder too, if I would now ever, ever do the Ironman.
I wonder if my mind can wage a war for 17 hours.

But for now, we'll focus on my first full marathon at Sundown.

The Racing Mind

There were the few familiar faces, though I wouldn't put the competition as particularly tough. But still, you never know.
It is always the excitement of racing that jolts the body awake. That call to the start line that pumps the adrenaline. Then, the pull of the trigger "Bang!" and off you go.
The wind in your face, you start, looking for a rhythm. My rhythm.
Completing a race is no longer an issue. It is achieving desired results. In this particular race, it is timing and position.
As I went through the route, what did my mind go through?
"This is not so bad."
"It's quite cooling. I hope it is a cloudy day."
"I can do this. I can get Top 10."
"There's a hill. I'm not scared. Bring it on."
"Bigger strides. C'mon, big strides."
"First water station. Ok, we can slow down for some water."
"Damn water is not cold."
"Hah! That's another person we overtook. We're looking at Top 5."
"Don't be greedy. It's only eleven kilometres. Pace yourself. Top 10 is fine."
"Why is a slow music in my 'Workout Music" folder? I need to rectify this when I get home."
"Where's that damn U-turn?"
"It must be near. Some of the runners are already making their way back from U-ey."
"Where the fuck is the U-turn?"
"This fucking hill never ends. Shit, shit, shit."
"Ok, calm down. You do hills every other day. This is small stuff."
"Oh my God. It's downhill. Let's go! Let's go!"
"Where is the fucking U-turn???"
"This guy hasn't taken a bath in years. If I don't overtake him, I'm gonna throw up from the stink. C'mon, overtake him!"
"Finally, the damn U-turn."
"There's the first lady."
"There's lady no. two."
"Three."
"Four."
"I think I'm in 5th position. That's pretty good. Let's maintain this."
"Only because the Kenyans and the Indians didn't show up."
"If they did, I'd probably settle for 10th place."
"Maybe not even 10th place. Maybe Top 15th, like the Orange Run."
"If this road doesn't end soon, I'm going to scream."
"I really am going to scream. It's driving me nuts!"
"Holy crap, look at that hill."
"You can do it. It's a piece of cake."
"We'll sprint up the hill and then we'll bring our heart rate down after that."
"I have 20 more minutes to do the last five kilometres if I want to keep my personal best."
"One kilometre in 5 minutes. 5 kilometres in 25 minutes."
"Ok, slow down. Slow down. Your heart rate is shooting off the roof."
"Dear legs, please don't fail me now. I promise to be good to you."
"Pain, please go away."
"I need to get back before the sun comes out in full vengeance. I don't want funny tan lines."
"My shoes are wet. But this shoes are great. It doesn't seal the water in. Well worth the money."
"Fourth and last water station. I'm near. Let's have a drink."
"It's the last kilometre. Let's run for my life. It ends after and you can rest."
"Where am i?"
"THANK GOD! Thank God! There's that finish line!"
"And yes!! 5th place. I was correct!!"
"Not a great win. Would never have done it if the Kenyans and Indians were here."
"I still did my personal best."
"Fuck, i need a drink badly."
"Where's my other half?"
"What's taking him so long?"
"I hope he's ok."
"The sun is freaking hot. Where IS he?"
"Oh! There he is! C'mon baby!"

And with that, another race in the pocket.
Next up - A Famosa Triathlon.