Pre-race
A friend with an impressive race record confessed that shes not a good runner. She explained that if she was, then she wouldnt have suffered countless, prolonged injuries throughout her running life. If I interpret that correctly, its to mean that a good runner should not only be concerned about speed, but he or she must also know how to avoid drills that damage the body. I cant agree more, but its always easier said than done. And do I consider myself a good runner? Definitely not.
February started well with an enjoyable run at the Hong Kong Marathon. I took a week off running after the race, to relax and catch up with friends. When I resumed training for the Brooks Half Marathon in early March, I was confident that I wouldnt need any special preparation. It was, afterall, only 21 km. My first post-marathon run was the hardest, even though it was done at a leisurely pace and short distance. This is one of the reasons why I try not to rest for too long, because to regain the momentum is hard, naturally. And it was during this run that Id felt pain on my right knee. A few more runs later, coupled with a change of shoes, the pain had miraculously faded. It was now mid February. BHM was a few weeks away.
Unfortunately, it was also during this time that Id been down with a bad flu, causing me to stop running for another week, which was also my birthday week. I relied on paracetamol and lots of garlic for containment but left it to my immune system to win the flu war (I prefer not to take any form of antibiotic unless necessary). When I did almost recover, I decided to start training again. On my first run, as I climbed my favourite slope along the usual route, I felt a sharp pain on the left knee. It was so bad that I had to stop running to stretch and jerk my leg, which didnt help much. As I tried to continue, the pain would return, as if to tell me to STOP running. There were times when, in pain, I couldnt even move my leg. And I would have to limp-ru! n back h ome.
It was now a week before BHM. The knee would only start to annoy after the 10th km. Increasing the distance to 15 km was deadly. So, my earlier statement of only 21 km now seemed unmanageable. Without a proper diagnosis, I wasnt able start rehabilitating. And I didnt want to seek professional help, simply because its expensive. So I tried everything I knew to minimize the pain; to get me through BHM at least.
Nothing worked. What frustrated me more was that I couldnt even locate the painful spot. It seemed to be all around the knee. I finally decided to pay a visit to the nearby clinic. The GP that attended to me had only one advice rest and stop running. She then explained the detriments of the sport, which I thought was inappropriate, especially to a runner. I was given some anti-inflammatory pills that Id started taking two days before the race. I did complete my first BHM, four minutes short of a new personal record. But not without pain, of course. This time, it started at the 15th km and dragged all the way to the finish line on the track of the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. After the run, it was difficult for me to walk straight. Climbing stairs was a nightmare. BHM came and gone in a blur, but I still remember the happy moments of meeting old and new running friends. There, I was told that pain in the knee is a serious issue and that to ensure a long running life, I should seek opinion from a specialist and keep in mind the possibility of conducting an MRI scan.
The meeting with a specialist went well. He was a runner, so that made me more comfortable. I was diagnosed with ITBS, or Iliotibial Band Syndrome. Its a common injury among runners and apparently, a stretching routine will fix the problemif followed strictly, of course. Its not a permanent injury and no MRI scan was needed. But recovery will be slow. When I informed the doctor that my next marathon was in a months time, he suggested that I should start a series of laser treatments to fasten the healing process! (well, to minimize the pain, at least). Its nothing serious, really. A probe is used to beam laser light into the knee, providing analgesia and repairing tissues simultaneously. A few sessions later, I began to train again, with a knee wrap. At the same time, Id also started to cross-train, alternating between running and swimming.
By race week, Id managed to do two pain-free 20 km runs, in between shorter distances. At the end of my last laser session, the therapist asked about my next run. I told her that it would take place in a few days. She looked surprised, and asked of the distance that the race would cover. 42 km, I replied. By now, I couldnt tell if she was surprised or worried. Well, good luck, she said. Yes, luck. I really needed that.
Race night
Even before the start of the race, the full-marathoners were already treated like champions. We were given special parking lots just in front of the Sepang International Circuits main entrance. The race was to start at 8 pm, but Id reached at 6 pm, to avoid traffic congestion and do a proper, thorough warm-up. I cant remember how many ITB stretches that Id done that evening!
The starting point was on the F1 track. In front of us hung the start light, now in red. When it turns green and the gun is fired, well begin our night Run For A Brighter World (thats the theme for this race). This time, I wasnt aiming for a groundbreaking finish, just a pain-free run.
Running along the track wasnt as easy as I thought. There were moderate inclines, but proved to be a good warm-up before we headed for the paddock access and continued covering 5 loops (of about 6 km each) on the main road outside the circuit. At certain areas, it was completely dark, if not for the organizer who had thoughtfully placed a few human torchlights (cum supporters) to guide the runners. To be fair, we were given headlights to wear but Im sure many, like myself, wouldnt like to have extra weight on our heads when we run a full marathon. But out of respec! t for th e organizer, I decided bring along the headlight, but had it strapped to my arm instead.
The undulating terrain was a challenge, but because we ran in loops, we were able to strategize better after each round. Exiting the well-lit Jalan Pekeliling, wed entered a dark, quiet palm oil estate and heres where the elevations got more radical. As there were only 500 full-marathoners, at times, Id run alone for a good 200 to 300 m. At that point, I understood why some past participants described this stretch as being eery. It didnt bother me much though. I was more afraid of an antagonizing knee, for sure.
My watch died on me by the second loop. I ran without knowing my actual pace. Like many would say, more than anything else, its important to run with ones heart. And so, I did...I think.
By the fourth loop (approximately 28 km on), my calves sored and I could feel my energy depleting fast. I refueled with powergel provided by the sponsor, right before reaching the checkpoint. The climb towards the checkpoint was the hardest, given the steepest (I think) incline. Many would walk, instead of running up to the checkpoint. What motivated me to push harder here was the thought that Id completed another loop and was moving closer towards the finish line. Despite the relatively small scale, this was the most technologically advanced race that Id ever participated in. At the checkpoint, a large screen used as a reminder would display my name and the number of loops that Id completed, when I stepped on the electronic mat. A glance at the screen showed that I was at least one loop ahead of the other runners who stepped on the mat at the same time! To see that Id so far, outrun many other runners was, unashamedly, a morale booster.
Re-entering the paddock meant that Id only 5 km more to go. As always, the nearer I got to the finish line, the more torturous the run became. By now, it was solely a mental challenge. However, I think Id somehow accustomed to this phase. Instead of exerting more p! ressure onto the tired body and mind, I tried to remain calm and consistent. The MP3 player had Miike Snows Silvia and Cult Logic on heavy rotation now, which was awesome...and timely. At the main entrance and nearby carpark, the resting 5 and 15.5 km runners, as well as traffic marshals, cheered us on. What a fantastic feeling. It was also during this time that the sole of my left feet felt warm, as if some blood vessels had just burst. But I kept going.
3 km to the finish line now. Id entered the F1 track again. Surprisingly, with the limited reserve in me, I was able to overtake another runner and our distance grew with each stride. There was only one more runner ahead, separating me and the finish line. Id hoped that he would not be the 50th runner to complete the marathon. You see, the organizer had promised a special T-shirt for the first 50 full-marathon finishers. From the beginning, I knew that it would be almost impossible to achieve that kind of ranking, but...oh well, I can be overambitious at times.
I crossed the finish line to the cheers of the other runners, emcee and volunteers. To have stayed for so long (it was already 5 minutes past midnight) and for keeping the spirit high, I have utmost respect for each of them. After the 42.195 km ordeal, Id stopped running for good that night. I was congratulated by the staff, had the finishers medal hung on my neck and was given a goodie bag. NOW, the knee felt more painful as the endorphin thinned. And theres the usual fatigue on every part of the leg that had me dragging myself to the car park later.
Sitting at the pit stop to catch my breath while still sweating profusely, I began to dig into the goodie bag. I wasnt hungry, so Id left the snack pack for later. I was more interested in the finisher T-shirt; to see if theres a slightest chance that I might be able to own that special edition. And I began to tear the plastic bag.
The back of my T-shirt did have a TOP 50 print (Id found out later that I was ranked 16th in my ca! tegory). It was a surreal moment. I was astonished. And doubtful at the same time. But I was mostly happy. Nevermind that Id missed a new personal record by 5 minutes or that the speakers had to blare a Miami Sound Machine song that moment or that the wounded ITB needed some stretching that very instance. This was perhaps a once in a lifetime experience and I wanted to savour every second of it. I heaved and then, started to laugh out loud.
Post race
Reality hit hard the next morning. I woke up to very painful calves, soles and left knee. The visit to my usual masseur left me relaxed, but still broken. Id planned to rest for a whole week.
For my ITBS, the road to recovery will be long, for Ive unknowingly done much damage to it in the past year. But as Im typing this, Ive begun to run again. My mileage is reduced; in line with my recovery plan. With each run, the ITB still stings but I insist on avoiding the knee wrap. I cant and shouldnt depend on it forever. Im also more aware of injuries now. Ill stretch before, during and after a run, regardless of the distance. Also, Im cross-training to strengthen other parts of my body. Diet-wise, Im taking in more protein to help build muscles.
I didnt prepare any special meal for the ENR2012, except for the above, which Id assembled while clearing the fridge on a Wednesday morning Somen (carbohydrate) cooked in salt water (minerals), served with freshly cracked black pepper, truffle oil (good fat) and eggs (protein).
On a recent visit to the library, Id found John The Penguin Binghams acclaimed An Accidental Athlete and decided to give it a read. Towards the end of this biography, he said Running has taught me, and continues to teach me, that there is joy in accepting the fact that I am fully human. Reading this, I couldnt help but kept nodding in agreement, smilingly.
T hrough running, Id begun to understand how the human body works, though often in a hard and perhaps unnecessary way. Youll be surprised to know that sometimes, discovering a suitable stretching method to reduce pain is just as satisfying as finishing a marathon. For me, its another one of lifes little mysteries solved.
