Flu

Ha! I think it's funny, really.

Everything is happening this Sunday - the marathon at 5.30 am followed by my midnight flight to Philippines. Now i'm getting the flu. Ha. Ha.

Seriously. No, really.

Screw you stupid flu bug. Die a miserable death. Resurrect your sorry self so i can kill you again. I'll kill you until you die from it.

Now i'm nervous

Ok. So, now i'm nervous.

Had a really good look at next Sunday's race route to get myself mentally prepared. The mixed emotions are finally settling in. Checking out my route; it's almost similar to last year's (how different could it get right?) and i've been training on a good part of it, from Kallang MRT to the National Sailing Centre and back, during my long weekend runs.

Looking at my preparation, i should be able to improve on last year's timing. That's if all conditions warrant it - like my knee and if i pace myself correctly so i don't walk out the last 10km. Preparing myself mentally meant that i can imagine the atmosphere at the start line. This year, being the third time i'm running in Stan Chart, the euphoria doesn't seem to attract me anymore. Don't get me wrong, the adrenalin and novelty of it all was what helped me finish the races and made it memorable.

But I'm not cajoled by it anymore. I don't fancy the high-5s to your neighbouring runners, waving your hands as you start/finish, the hordes of female supporters cheering you on as if they really want to have your children, the finisher shirt that everybody will be proudly wearing for the next couple of weeks.

I just hope for a quiet, focused race. Doing everything right - the pace, the right time to drink or consume the gel - and the satisfaction of knowing i stuck to the game plan and it worked.
That's the only reason why i'm nervous now - all that i've done will culminate in 5hours (hopefully less) next Sunday morning. I've enjoyed the peripherals of the event, now i just want to perform.



Oh, and maybe wear that finisher T-shirt.

I must go run tomorrow

Before i start to taper for next Sunday's marathon, this was supposed to be the final stretch of discipline and training.

I only have one word...

Oops.

It started out really well but with today's holiday break, it got abit out of hand when i didn't wake up in time for my run this evening and to top it off, i went i had Macca's for supper.

Oh, but it tasted sooooooo gooood. Yikes.

Sedated

I'm feel stoic. I've been training hard, keeping to a strict diet (i even said no to a free steamboat buffet. it has got to be a first for mike to say no to steamboat buffet.) and i can feel my fitness peaking again.

I've successfully managed running non-stop for 3.5hours, pounded the route from my place to the end of ecp and back.

And it's just about one week to my second full marathon. But i'm not feeling excited, nervous or pumped. I'm guessing it's because i've been mentally busy with work and peripheral pertubations.

42? Yawns...

Well, i'm since i'm still doing everything right, it should be fun. It will when i get there, i guess. Yawn.

Motivate

3 more weeks to 42km..

Training is a b*tch. I ask myself, why am i doing this.

Why? What for?

There could be a million reasons, but right now, all i need is one.

But sometimes, you don't. Because, you just do it.

Snuff the Flame

After a two week hiatus, i finally did a long run - from Boon Keng, i ran to Kallang, then the entire East Coast Park and back. I'm still trying to figure how far i actually ran last night, but based on timing, i've not been able to run continuously for three hours (3:09 tops).

It kinda made me panic abit, knowing that 42km is exactly four weeks from now, i'm still far from my promise to not walk the entire marathon.

A big challenge i'm facing now, from doing these long runs, is after doing one, you don't feel like running for a long time. Sometimes, my body tells me, "you've done a great job! awesome! ...now stop it and let me rest you stupid prick." So sometimes after a good run, i get lazy and not be as disciplined in training. With four weeks left, i'm not sure if there's more i can do.

At the very least, i've finally subscribed to advice of 'eat as much as you can'. I'm not as conscious as i am about my weight/physique anymore; i'm pretty happy with my current 'curves' and since i'm burning more calories now, i can afford the occasional junk food.

But i may have to be alcohol-free from now until race day. So no beer or 'cockblockers' when i meet up with the guys/girls. Thou shalt not succumb to social pressure. Let's see how that goes. So how?

I'm still finding new motivation to get through to 6 December. For now, it's just the thought of my Philippines trip the following day, but i still need something stronger. Any ideas?