15KM..eh finished d ahh..i thought just started :p

HAHAHAHA. I'm sure you're not fooled by the post's title. It couldn't be any further from the truth. Yesterday morning was my maiden 15km race and like my maiden 10km i was a bit nervous about it. In the days running up to yesterday i was already feeling a lil worried as i have not done as much training as i wanted. I decided i will just be chill and run my race on my own terms, no need worry so much.

Saturday night. I slept at about 10.30pm, the earliest in recent memory. I should get as much rest as i can so i wont feel like *beep* in the morning. 5.15am, got ready..time to go and fight with the 15km monster. As i opened the door to step out of the house, it so happened my friends were standing outside. They just got home from a night of party, i felt a momentary lose but shrug it off and wore my shoes, i said my goodbyes and they wished me luck.

*Rocky soundtrack* So i arrived at Tapak A, Lake Gardens at 6.15am. Runners were already doing their warm ups and talking about their preps and times. Ol me, i was just feeling butterflies in my tummy. This run they gave you running chip so you could record your time. Minum Yakult, Makan powerbar, chit chat then overheard over the PA system "Today is the New Balance 15KM run, runners please make your way to the starting line, the race will start at 7am" (or smth liddat la, i paraphrase).

Made my way to the starting line. I was near end of the group while all the gila hardcore runners in front :p. *PEEeeTTttT* and we're off! run run run run run run around lake gardens..i realized we were just running uphill..im like "whhaaaaa.." but focused..run run run run run run...then as we approached near end of the lake gardens stage, a few people were already starting to walk...Then we approached the entrance of Lake Gardens and the main road. There i saw my "Paparrazo" of the day. I did my jumping pose but i think she tak tangkap! ok wasted 2% energy fer that ehehehehehe.

We proceeded to do the double hills route. Something im familiar with (i lari this route the last weekend). As we arrived the first water station i noticed a fairly seasoned runner that i know in front. Im like ok, he's still in sight so my pacing still boleh la haa (little did i know). Then one uncle ran beside and asked "eh boy we past 5km d ah?" i just said "yahh should be la i think".

run run run run run run...as we approached the dreaded hills i began to pancit (the runner is already dissapearing from sight) i decide i shall take the powergel at the second water station. i half ran and half waked the hills. More walking than running actually :p hahaha. Then run run run run walk walk walk run run run...As we approached tugu negara, it dawned on me that i need to put in more mileage if i were to run the coming half marathon well.

As we approached Lake Gardens, there were 2km left and it was the longest two km of my life! i was sapped out of energy and as i began to just walk again, one nice lady decide to clap and shout from behind as she run passed me "Cmon keep going!!". I was stunned into action!! so ran i did albeit slowly and trudgingly...after pancit and i ran and walk again...my body was scraming for me to stop but *beep* that i said..We need to do this. As i began to run and pick up pace again, One uncle shouted it was just 100M more and i muster the energy i had left and picked up pace.

As i approached the finish line, i saw my paparrazo there again sitting down armed with her camera. As i passed the FINISH LINE!!! i was just sooo happy and relieved. I finished it! I did. At that point it did not matter that other runners are already enjoying their milos, chatting, and talking about the race. In that moment, its just about you and what you've done and I've done it.

After that i hurriedly handed over my chip to the organizer peeps and turned into a Milo Seeker Monster.....

The buzz of finishing my first 15KM made me forget the arduous journey and just bask in that achievement. It made me forget that my legs will be painful. For that moment it was just about me....

After that i cari kawan, cari makan dan enjoy the day :).