KLSCM 2023: A Coach, A Pacer and A Runner (Too long, you might as well go for your LSD than reading this)

I have been thinking if I should even write this report, and if I do, should I just make a Facebook post and get over with a short version? Then I thought, I may not have this experience to share again, I certainly do not wish to have the same experience again, it was too painful. I guess I will write this like a diary for myself, a year or some years later when I look back, I will be reminded again how I live through these. Or maybe some time or years later when I need courage, I can look back at here.

BE A COACH

Flash back to 11 months ago I recalled having the lunch and conversation with David from Dirigo after the live tour on KLSCM 2022 route, we ended the session with him saying look forward to work together on bigger project in 2023. Karsten and I were hired to take care of some of the running clinics sessions in 2022, following the topics and format that were already set by the Mark. It was a fun project for me though we still need to deliver it professionally. I have had in the past thought of "if I am running the clinics, I would do this and that instead..." So when David said that, plus my own suspicion and wild guess, maybe 2023 will see a change.

It didn't take long for Dirigo to be in touch again, 3 months later, I got a call and the purpose of the call was to invite myself and Karsten to run the whole show for KLSCM 2023 Running clinics. "Oh wow" was what I thought, it is happening for real. 10 years ago I was doing my role as pacer for the 1st time, I listened to every word that Mark said and didn't want to miss any tips and information that he shared, there was a time I imagined one day I want to be able to share and guide others to be better, I did spend a lot more time and effort on learning the formal knowledge and facts.

But was I ready? Am I enough? Will I screw up? Will my style fit? What if someone did poorly? I have these questions and doubts.

I am glad Karsten agreed to take on the task with me, he has great experience and knowledge that would complement if not cover the gap that I have. So we both embark on the journey together for KLSCM 2023. We discussed and designed the topics of the clinics and split roles on leading each of the sessions, also added some personal flavor to it.

The next biggest challenge I had was, I was still planning to be pacer this year and I was still active in doing races, in other words, a great number of Sundays, important Sundays for long distance races or training will need to be sacrificed. On top of that, I needed to make sure I do not need to travel in the morning on Sunday to oversea for work.

By the time we confirmed the clinics schedule for launching, the pacer application was calling. I actually thought of doing an easier role this year to go for 4:30 hours, I can then worry less about training quality and really I have nothing I need to prove with 4:00 hours. One person convinced me that I should still go for 4:00 hours. I figured with the long races ending in March, I might have some time to bring back the tempo and make it for the assessment. 

Throughout the 3 months journey as Coach, I learnt a lot more about myself, my area of improvement, and made greater connections with runners (mostly newbies, 1st time attempting the distance they signed up for). I also ended up with too many personal messages (on injuries, on training, on race target, on anything about running) that took up quite a fair bit of personal time to reply. I took a leap step to offer to have a chat group with 5 runners who are doing KLSCM 21/42 for the 1st time, I ended up having 22 in the group, I am honored to be trusted and happy that I am able to help in any little way to make their 1st time experience in KLSCM 21/42KM less painful.

THE INJURY

I had to miss the 1st running clinic due to prior commitment to pace for Borneo Marathon, little that I knew that it was the last time I ever run a comfortable 4 hours marathon. Pacer assessment came, I passed, then my last ultra event happened on the day before the 2nd KLSCM running clinic. I had a left ankle sprain early into the race but I made the (bad) decision to carry on for the next 42KM and completed the race. 

It was just another ankle twist, I thought. Little that I know that it was way more severe than it looked. 3.5 months away from KLSCM, I thought I would have enough time to heal and start my training again, plan should carry on. 4 weeks passed, I still feel the disturbing pain whenever I try to do anything heavy load, I couldn't restart my training though I still did some slow runs. It had to come to a point where I decided to take a closer look at the injury, getting a MRI scan done 2 weeks after. 4 ankle ligaments partial tears were found, doctor advised me to 1st start with physiotherapy before considering anything more extreme.

So I was back to Apple Physio again after years. Time started to look tight for me, 2 months from KLSCM, if I take 1 months for recovery and strengthening, that leaves me with 1 month to get ready as pacer. I took my physiotherapy more seriously and more frequently, spending every available time and space to strengthen my ankle and muscles while training was not possible. 2 weeks later, I was feeling stronger and wanted to know how bad shape I was, I went ahead to start off Score Marathon which was a heavy punch to my face.

It was a disaster; The plan was (on my guestimation) to complete in 5 hours on as easy pace as possible (don't ask where I get the idea I could do 7 mins pace, I don't make right decision all the time). I could barely keep up with 5 hours pacer and after halfway I started to fade away with slower pace when pain started to kick in on my ankle and eventually finished the race in 5:30 hours. The last time I had such timing... too long ago, it was after a 5KM and a 10KM races followed by a 42KM on humid condition. Since then I minimized all kinds of running and went really easy slow pace jog when I had to run.

The pain was real, I just made it more dramatic

But I was recovering, 4 weeks later as the KLSCM clinics came to an end, I was finally able to crawl back to 6:09 min pace for 21KM, not ideal, but at least I was back into stronger run and I could feel much lesser pain, very bearable and very likely I can push the pace faster. 3 weeks to go till KLSCM.

However, my situation turned from highly hopeful to totally devastated in just 24 hours. I was conducting a running clinic in Malacca to support the local running community, while I was walking down the stairs in the middle of my talk, the final step on my left foot became the hardest thing I would imagine and also my biggest nightmare even now.

My left foot landed with a sudden weakness and what followed was a bizarre high ankle twist. The pain was excruciating, I sat down and kept my cool but in my mind I shouted "fck, how did that happen? I will not be able to recover from this on time for KLSCM, let alone training to get ready for it". 

As I returned to my hotel later, I notice the swelling was growing fast and immediately limiting my ankle movement. I had to get to nearest pharmacy store to get bandage for my ankle before the swelling got out of hand. Everything I had done for recovery, every physiotherapy session, every strengthening workout, every pacing strategy, every hope I had about being able to run in a month's time, were totally out of the window. I 1st inform Rainer about my condition and the 99% likelihood of not starting the race. The 2nd hardest thing was to inform the pacer team about my highly likely withdrawal.  

Lifting leg to relieve the swollen ankle

I didn't want the starting lineup to have only 2 pacers for 4:00 hours, one is having more experience as last year's pacer, another is new to the team. I am worried for them, but don't get me wrong, both of them are in much better shape than I do this year, having run sub 3:40 hours in their most recent 42KM, they are fit and ready. My worry was more psychological than physical. Having one less pacer means both of them have to share the load, and if one drops out for whatever reason, the remaining one guy is going to be very pressured. I know that for a fact because it happened to me back in 2019. But I am not in the right condition to prevent this from happening, we don't replace pacer.

Bruises at the area below ankle

The 1st thing I did was to get back to physiotherapy to see what else can be done (silly I know, I should have gotten a scan to check out the damage 1st). With that level of swelling, I would need to wait. I was home-bound for the week, yet I was scheduled to fly to Manila the following week.

The other issue I needed to face came from social media, as the freak fall happened during the clinic, it was somehow captured in video recording plus photos, it didn't take long before some friends found out and I started to get messages, all of them were concerns and wishing me speedy recovery, followed by the hardest questions to answer: so how about KLSCM ? are you still pacing? is there going to be a replacement? and many other similar questions. I sincerely feel sorry for not replying some of the questions or avoiding them, because I did not have the answer. 

I needed time to calm down, get more information on how bad my injury was, what was possible, what can I do, what other options do I have, what could be the worst scenario beyond KLSCM, there were a lot for me to consume. Again, 1st thing 1st, get out of the swollen ankle.

No one knew I got into this position because my ankle was in pain, I needed to lean on the table.

I started to flex my ankle a bit and perform manual massage to drain the fluid accumulated at my foot, lifting my foot at sleep to reduce the swelling throughout the night. Active recovery is what I aimed at, sitting around does not help. Curious about how it happened, I asked for a copy of the video capturing the moment I fell. It was the hardest thing to watch, I still have no clue how it happened although some said the floor was uneven. I now have a bigger problem, I can't shake the images from my mind, I would keep thinking about it and I would fear any step I make next would result in the same twist again.

As the Manila trip approaches, which I knew I will have a lot of walking and climbing stairs, I needed to be sure about my injury, I went to AnE asked for MRI but ended up with an X-ray, not ideal but at least there was no broken bone, some tissues tear was causing the swelling. The AnE doctor put me on 3 days MC but I did not have the luxury for that. Work must go on, and I must face my fear.

I spoke about options, one of which was supplements to accelerate healing and plaster/medications to reduce swelling. So I got some of them on my shopping list on day 1, putting myself on double dose. Although I was prescribed with painkiller by the doctor, I did not take any of them, I wanted to feel that pain to know how was I doing and I made peace with pain long time ago that I can carry them.

Swollen swollen swollen

I became extremely sensitive to stairs or any uneven ground, a slope, a few steps higher ground, became clear in my vision, I constantly scan for them and watch where I walk. There were a lot of stairs in this trip. Funny enough, I needed to walk from one building to another separated by bridges...

Finally, the 1st piece of good news on Day 10 of the new injury, I woke up with much reduced swelling, one that I can finally see the tendons of my foot, one that did not get worse after a full day of walking and climbing up/down of stairs. I was able to perform more sets of physio routine and strengthening exercises with much less pain. I was so excited about this, for the 1st time in 10 days, a new option came to my plan, "maybe I can still recover on time?" I knew I was being overly optimistic because reduced swelling did not mean I can run, I can certainly walk better, but I need to learn to walk properly again 1st.

After returning home, I 1st (again) went to physio to assess my ankle, things are looking better but I am not out of the wood. I decided to go for a test run to assess my pain level, at least if the run turns out bad, I can end early and crossing out some options on my list.

Can't tell you how nervous I was with this run, heart rate was high but the pain level was within 4-5 of 10, and I could hold the pace at 6:30 mins/km, then it got better, faster, hovering at 6 mins pace, fearing of the pain might get worse, I hold the pace, the aim was to complete a half marathon, the same distance I did before, 2 weeks ago. 2 weeks after the bad fall, 1 week before KLSCM, 21.1KM, 2:07:30 timing, average pace 6:02 mins.

Something must have worked. I needed to think, I needed to know what went well and can be better, because I was doing better than 2 weeks ago. It became clearer to me that "Maybe, just Maybe IF I push harder and recover better, I could at least do half distance on pace for a sub4 marathon". But I must not get too excited, moving at 5:35-5:40 mins pace is whole lot different than cruising at 6 mins pace.

I needed to engage my ankle flexion more, I haven't, I couldn't, I dare not. Which explains why my muscles suffer much more soreness after the run, more on the right foot because I compensated the run with right foot. This is not good, right foot will get tired faster and injury may follow, I need to consciously shift my balancing. Could I do more plantar flexion for smoother run? Have I strengthened my ankle enough for the landing? I need answers, more like, I need to test it out.

2.5 days later, Tuesday, I went for 2nd run in the evening, target distance remained the same, this time, to push the pace, there were 2 end points to be met, 1st, sub2 half marathon, 2nd, pain level must not escalate beyond 6/10. My heart rate was out of control, but it was not my KPI, my focus went 100% on foot landing, left right balances, keeping the pace, watching the road conditions, feeling the pain level, a lot going on as if I was learning to drive car the 1st time, checking out everything at the same time making sure I don't crash the car but I can't drive slower. Now I sounded like Keave in the movie Speed.

The run did not go smooth as I wished, my right foot started to feel tired after 15KM, maybe I haven't recovered fully from the 1st run, maybe the pace was too much to be carried by this foot after so many months I did not run fast. But everything else was looking fine, maybe heart rate was bad but who cares about heart care? If I could hold it a little longer maybe I can make it, I have some buffer time that may allow me to slow down a little to ease the soreness. I had to, I must, I can, I been here before, I know I can handle this. At the end of 21KM, time: 1:59:51, pace: 5:41 mins/km. Pain level 5/10. Heart rate: still beating. Technically, 4 days before KLSCM. 100 hours count down.

"I will start on Sunday" That's the message I sent to the team the next morning. 

But I might have to drop after halfway, given that I had to push to get a sub2 half marathon, I don't know what other magic I have to think about the full distance on pace, I probably can slow down to complete the distance, but I still don't think I can stay on pace for 42KM. 

I need more testing and I need a better plan, where else can I improve to prolong my survival and stay on pace? Nutrition. I need to tweak my plan and to myself sustain the pace longer and endure the soreness better, possibly prevent any cramp, blister or even new injury. I cannot have pain level at my ankle to escalate at any time. 

So I need more calories, better electrolytes replenishment, shorter stride at run, more frequent hydration, include walk and stretching and last thing, that one thing I refuse to take even on most painful day, a painkiller. The deal is, If I make it to 20KM and my assessment tells me I can carry on, I will take it. 

The goal is to stretch myself till 25KM, which was after the steepest climb in the race to enter DUKE highway. I think that would be as far as I could go, I yet to know if all my new plan may work, there are too many turns in the 1st 14KM of KLSCM route, I 1st need to survive the crowd rush and the road condition to make my way safely to AKLEH. Making my way to 25 then figure out how to get to 30 and then 35, I told myself, nothing more, I do not have any plan beyond 35 (in fact, I don't have a clear plan between 25-35 either..), because it was mathematically and physiologically impossible to make pace this long. I have 280KM in total training distance in 3 months, with injury, who does a sub4 marathon with this training mileage plus injury?

Thursday was a public holiday, I took the chance to do an easy run and a 10K on Saturday at much more easier pace, more like to make myself feel more ready than I could. 1 day before KLSCM.

BE THE PACER 

Everything was the usual business of getting to the race site early, get myself ready and head to the information booth where all pacer balloons are. It was a mixed feeling staring at the balloons from distance, I have been repeating this since 2013, for the 1st time I have to start the race knowing I would let go of the balloon sooner or later. But I have more than a pacer job to do, I need to brief the team and may give some motivational speech, ah crap... but hey, 3 weeks ago I would ever think I will be here to start the race, here I am, at least going for half the distance, that is already a great achievement. It is more than enough, I thought.

We did the usual thing, helping each other to put on the pacer bib, passing balloons and started taking selfies/wefies/photos. Time passed really fast or maybe my mind just could not register anything, I don't even remember what I said to the pacers, it was just moments happening here and there then I finally regain being present while I walking to the starting Pen. I had to admit I brought the team to the longer way to enter the Pen because I had the sudden fear to cross the bridge to the other side, I don't know why I just suddenly decided this was the bad way to take.

Pacers briefing, honestly, I was too worried about myself I forgot half the shit I was supposed to say.

Nevertheless, we arrived at the starting Pen 1 after a long detour, just a couple of minutes from flag off. I did final check on my legs, ankle seems good, no muscle soreness, everything seems to be heading the right direction. I will know more as soon as I start the run. Within minutes, we were flagged off.

The 1st check point for me was the starting pace, if I launch myself into the right pace, there is high chance I will be on pace without manually pushing for it. Good news, I was on pace. I was going at about 5:35min/km, stride length was ok, cadence was ok, the crowd was huge but there was no one getting in front of me or crossing to block my view. I can now focus on the ground, spotting any uneven surface or threats to my foot. After the 1st big turn, I noticed I was leading the 4hrs pack, while I was asking in my mind where are my teammates, I dare not turn my head to check, I was guessing they must be just slightly behind me. There was nothing I would do, I told myself to just stay focus on the 1st 1/3 of the route, stay focused on the route and pay attention to my body condition till I get to AKLEH.

The 1st 8KM were spot on for pace and distance vs marker, then suddenly my watch GPS was behind distance vs marker for 200 meters, but it was OK, I will manage. Along the Jalan Ampang passing KLCC I was already taking the 1st pack of gel, the strategy was to consume more calories and make the frequency higher, minimizing early-stage muscles fatigue and energy dropping like it did when I tested on 21KM few days ago. 

I met Jeff on the way heading to Jetalek, as soon as we turned into Jelatek and entered AKLEH soon after, 14KM mark was in sight, I managed to clear the 1st 1/3 of the race, on pace, ankle pain level was within 4/10, muscle fatigue is accumulating but I felt much better than the Tuesday test. Next up, making to the 17KM U-turn and surviving the gradual climb right after, try my very best to keep the pace till halfway.

With much relief after making it this far, on clear path I can now divert some attention to check how are we doing on timing, we were about 1.5 mins ahead of time, everything seems good. But I started to feel a bit uneasy on the ankle and quad muscles, was it the climb? did I push too hard subconsciously? will I make it halfway without further damage? I started to have questions to myself, more like doubts.

I had to execute my plan earlier with the only painkiller I brought, but I waited till 20KM to take it. Everything seems bearable, although I can feel energy started to fade, I just need to hang in there for a couple more minutes till mid-point is crossed. Painkiller didn't kick in, I forgot it will take longer to take effect, I should have taken it much earlier like after 17.4KM U-turn, silly mistake. Halfway point was crossed at 1:58:54, however, I was expecting a midpoint marker with timing mat, not sure why I thought there should be one. Based on the 21KM timing, I was actually reaching 21.1KM at around 1:59:30. This must have been the smallest buffer I ever achieved in 4 hours pacing.

I didn't have time to worry about that anymore, but I am glad I did it, the 1st milestone on pacing was done, now I am entering a distance zone (and pace) which I have not reached for the past 4 months. I have consumed 3 packs of gels so far, the most I ever taken in any FM, I should, and I did but I still feel my energy level draining fast. I started to feel some soreness on my right foot, was it psychological or was it real? Having too many thoughts at the same time. Before I knew it, I was already at 23KM exiting AKLEH, soon after, I saw Choi's Smile Station that supported many runners who started to face problems.

The moment I saw Choi, a great mentor at the early days of my running, the guy who sold me my 1st pair of Kinvara 1 which I continued to wear till Kinvara 13 (owning a Kinvara 14 but yet to run in due to injury), I was reminded of a quote from him many years back: "Can you endure?"

For many years I never look back at this quote, but on this day, it resonates with me, Can I? I can, I should, I want to and I will. I felt so much boosted by this quote, I knew I will definitely reach 25KM mark, it was just another KM to go, I could almost see the slope ahead. I just needed to practise what I teach, maintain the same effort, keep the cadence, reduce the stride length, watch out for extra stress on the muscles, breath more frequently, keep it longer and deep, hang in there and this climb shall pass.

Eventually I passed the climb, entering the famous DUKE highway. My legs felt much heavier now, I knew I needed to take the next KM easy to prevent further soreness and pain. It's OK, next up is a downhill, I can make it, I just need to take this next KM easy, I have reached as far as I preached I would, I can let go the balloon now. I just needed to make sure my teammates are taking over, as soon as I had this thought and I turned my head, I saw John just right behind me, I was glad, I was blessed, someone finally take over the lead. For now, let me catch some breath and decide what's next, I had not had a clear plan for the next 10KM, I will decide when I reach here and assess.

While making my way to 26KM, I knew hi5 gel station was not far away, I could take my final gel there and collect one for my consumption at 32/33 and collect another there. Let's do it, it looked like a downhill route now, and I can feel the painkiller slowly taking its effect (could be placebo effect too). The soreness had reduced, I hardly feel any pain on my ankle, what really bothered me was energy level, I felt as if I was scratching the bottom of the tank waiting to refill soon. I started to feel the heart rate spiking, a glance at the watch confirmed my guess, 178 bpm usually got me feeling it.

But it was not the end yet, I have yet to be passed by another teammate, I still have John within sight, I did not fall back as much as I thought I would. If I could cruise, if I regain my focus, I might just be able to drag myself till the end of the DUKE stretch. But 1st, smaller target, collect my gel and get to 28KM, that would be another celebration, 2/3 of the route cleared, maybe on pace or slightly behind? I can't think that well anymore, but let's just get there. 

With smaller target, I felt much better, and I kept telling myself, even if I release balloon at this point, it should be fine. But the next moment I told myself No it is not fine! I am still on track, I should still give it all, I didn't have serious cramp, I did not bonk, I still have energy gel although I am hitting the bottom, the ankle felt alright, apart from the heart rate which was keeping me worry and out of breath, I am FINE! (ya, I was talking to myself, there were two of me talking...)

"LET'S JUST WAIT FOR THE OTHER PACER TO PASS ME BEFORE I EVER CONSIDER SURRENDERING AGAIN!"

That's good, at least now I focus out, until I become the last pacer, I won't have any second thought about quitting, I stopped by medics to get the Tiger balm, spread them all over my both quads, getting that sensation in to distract myself on any soreness. The painkiller seems to be kicking in full force now (I read the label later to confirm 3 hrs needed to reach its full effect,,,argh..) Maybe right on time for now, just when I needed it the most, only if it kicked in earlier when I was at 23KM.

The tiger balm's numbing and cooling effect was good, at least something to make my legs feel different. I still have John's balloon in sight, he and the running pack were about 1min-1:30mins away, anyone who kept up with me I have sincerely advised them to try to keep up with the front pack if they have energy but do not push it. I had to be honest I maybe running at very little time buffer, I can't calculate so well. 

Rolling hills were doing me a good favor as I could engage different muscles set and use downhill to recover a fair bit while focusing on getting over the slope rather than pushing to keep up. I drew myself slightly away from the main route to avoid getting affected by runners slowing down, I can hear there were some runners still trailing behind, not as a pack like the front, just loosely. I recalled it was the same situation last year, Alvin was slightly ahead with bigger pack, the slower pack and those who slowed down from their attempt to do much better timing than 4:00 hrs will fade into following me, with Gene not far from behind. The next 2-3KM passed without much "accident."

At around 32KM, fatigue started creeping in, my heart rate was spiking above 180 bpm, I started to consider at which red line I should pull the plug, it was getting more and more uncomfortable to run and keep the green balloon in front in sight. Why hasn't Gene passed me? Deep down I was hoping that he passed me in the next moment then I can finally bid farewell, while another voice was telling me "It is perfectly normal to hit this wall now, you lack training, and this has always been the spot where even those with training suffer too." 

I looked to the roadside, I saw runners who struggled, some stopped by the roadside easing their cramp, catching their breathe, doing whatever they could to stand on the course. I had seen these faces and scene too many times, been there myself recently at the Score Marathon, with much more pain at the left ankle. At least the painkiller is working, I felt very little pain at the ankle, I had bigger problem with heart rate, lack of oxygen and I think pretty soon my old friend Mr. Cramp is going to catch me. I was blessed with water station and next supply of hi5 gel at 33KM, I took some time to walk while signaling whoever close to me to go ahead, I didn't know if they care, I was in this mood of "pls leave me alone", I needed sometime before I started to run again.

Notice how the stamina dipped to the bottom around 2:30 hours which was about 25KM mark

As I started to move my feet again, I suddenly had this voice of "I want to get to 35KM no matter what, just let me finish this part of the race, I will collect the wrist band then I will walk, it's just another 2KM." The new target got me alive again, despite having heart rate hovering above 180 bpm, I breathed harder, keeping it deep and long, I looked up the sky and I saw the moon still hanging there while the sky getting brighter, for no reason I uttered "please lend me some strength." I thought of Tracy McGrady, the NBA player who was described as "the man who borrowed 35 seconds from God" and scored 13 points. Well, I needed more than 35s, I needed like maybe 45 minutes, I then smiled, silly. But I was closer to 35KM with each silly conversation I had with myself and...maybe the sky? The toll gate was in sight, and soon I can see the green balloon in front was slowly making a left turn to Jalan Kuching.

That was it, I thought my journey should have ended here, I took a final look to my back, I saw no green balloon. "fcuk!" was the exact single word popped up in my mind. I had zero buffer, and I didn't see Gene, as I passed the check point to collect the wrist band, I started to make plan.

THE RUNNER IN ME

35KM, 7 to go, running down to Jalan Kuching, 40 minutes give or take, I still had one pack of gel, my heart rate felt better with downhill, weather was not hot, John was still in sight, 150-200 meters away max. Anything can happen in this final stretch, what if he has cramp later? Didn't you think you are still able to follow because he is tired too? There might be some still trailing behind not far away and they need a balloon to keep them focused.

The dialogue appeared: "Look, Mr. Lim, a day ago you didn't think you would make this far, you won't believe if someone saying they would, but you are here now, no cramp, not yet, not behind target, at least still within the 1-minute allowance. What's possible?"

"I CAN DO THIS" I replied. I actually said it out.

No one stops at 41KM, even if I have to stop at 41KM, so be it, I will walk. So I had only 6KM to grind. "Breathe and stride, breathe and stride, go deep, go easy, get to the next water station, take the gel and get yourself stretched up." I told myself.

From this point forward, I can't recall which KM was the next station, I don't remember what happened there, I forgot if I ever did take the gel (I certainly did, I just don't remember doing it), I only knew I needed the time alone. At this point I was no longer a pacer; I was only a runner trying to keep the time I set out to meet. I ran wide right in the middle of the road, I saw a guy in red (whatever, shirt or pant, but color was red) running on the right side of the road, I heard the siren of ambulance passing between us. The road was very wide, I didn't understand why people run only on the left side, keeping to the side where the route turn slightly to the right would save a few steps, no? 

I passed under the roundabout which in the past we needed to exit left to turn right to the killer Bukit Tunku hill at about 34KM and we will see people fading at 36KM then we caught new group of runners to bring home to the finishing, usually there will be some support stations set up by family and friends of runners to cheer them, they too provided some extra drinks and spray, ya I recalled one year I met Jeff here, in his pink bathrobe too, ya, we did that in the past but now we just cruise under and head straight. I don't know why these memories suddenly served me so very well now, but they just appeared and kept me distracted.

I saw PWTC on the left side, then I saw John's pack still ahead, but wait, I was catching up with them? They had never been this near, 100 meters maybe? I don't know, the balloon looked bigger, but wait, I can't see them anymore because there were so many people joining us from the left. I needed to avoid them, I can't lose my momentum now or I may get cramp in any moment, not good, my heart rate must have spiked again, it was so painful to carry on. Then I saw 19KM sign board, people were blocking it but I saw it, I know this, 19KM means what? it means 40KM for FM right? I am already this close to 41KM now?

I felt like I was just breathing machine with legs now, just let me stick to the right side of the road, if I ever need to stop or cramp or anything, the grass seems like a better place to fall, but there were too many people, the path got narrower than ever, people are making so much noise, who is this lady coming so close to me and talking too loud? (Later I recalled she was Grace Tan, WTH....) I had to move away from her, so I subconsciously swayed to the left.

That's the bridge, runners are walking, I just have to cross that bridge and then everything will be OK, how much time do I have now? But this is too tough, I can't hold, let me just walk a bit, just 20 steps, maybe 30 steps, just let me cross this bridge I will make up the time after.

20KM sign board, I am close, very close, I should try harder, if I see the 41KM board I should push now, I can still make it! Oh my god this is like doing intervals of 200 meters with no rest between laps, I just go from lap to lap without stop. And that's the U-turn, OMG I am finally at the U-turn, I have to handle it carefully, let's not take a sharp turn, make it wider. 

Who is this lady in front of me? Silly Trina, told her not to run too fast at the beginning but she passed me and left me too early in the run, don't you quit on this last 500 meters, let me catch up and let me run ahead and you follow!

The finishing arch was just ahead not far but the clock already showing 4:00:01. It's Okay, I am running, I am in pain, but I am finally finishing, I can finally rest, I am finally finishing, this is finally the end.

All out, nothing left.

For the 1st time I lied down after a marathon

Ankle started to get swollen again, quickly put on cooling gel over it

Note: It took me a week to put together memories I lost during the final 17KM of the race especially after 35KM, I have to trace back piece by piece to stitch them together, some sequences may not connect well, and I still think I am missing some part of them, not remembering what I saw and who I spoke etc. It was a bad race as a pacer for me, although a 1:59/2:01 splits were good, but I did not speak to runners as much as I should, no sharing of tips on how to handle section to section, certainly without the final few KMs cheering and shouting to keep them going, the best thing I could do and have done, was to stay on course, letting the balloon to be the beacon of direction as it was for me in the past.

I still won't encourage/ recommend/ suggest/ advise/ agree anyone should start a race with injury, I am a bad example, things could have turned worse, so don't do this ever. As I am writing, I am still recovering from the ankle injury, some swelling still there, just because the race is over, doesn't mean the wound suddenly healed. 

From the bottom of my heart, I thank Dirigo Events to trust me with their newbie runners signed up for the running clinics, we achieved >160 pax attendees every session and slots were fully taken usually within the same day opened for registration. I can't do this without the longtime partner Karsten Korbel who has been a reliable buddy as pacers in the pacers and now running clinics together. I owe my gratitude to people who trusted me in delivering my job even when I don't believe in myself, and lastly, all the runners who supported the running clinics and followed me during the KLSCM, the journey was great and beautiful (and painful yes) because You were part of it. :D

If you like what you read, please follow my Instagram @iamwaikay

Running KLSCM 2022 ? Read this!

After watching a few short clips of myself talking on the KLSCM full marathon route 2022, I have concluded that I am a better author than actor. KLSCM 2022 is just 1-2 weeks away and as one of the biggest signature event in Malaysia, this race has been the focus for many runners, especially just months after MCO lock down with COVID19. A few prior races (Garmin, Kuching, Score...) seem to be lined up to prepare runners for this event.

This year I have received more questions on racing, pacing, preparation and anything everything about the race, from Instagram, Facebook and some face to face chats. I have decided to write a post to address a few frequently asked questions but mostly focusing on the race route itself, I believe at this moment, talking about training would be too late.

Let's 1st talk about the route, this is the hottest topic for the week as KLSCM just complete media tour on the official FM route and released the map for all categories. I would talk about it based on my personal feeling, assessment and judgement, in fact, this entire post is purely personal, what's true for me is only true for me, not representing any party or anyone else.

https://www.kl-marathon.com/race-info/route-map/

FM route

The race will flag off from Dataran Merdeka, heading straight toward PWTC for about 2KM, make a right turn, in the past (in 2019), runners then need to make a sharp left turn towards Bulatan Pahang for a U-turn, this part is taken out, runners now head straight till about 3KM and turn right into Kampung Baru until the next junction at Jalan Sultan Ismail to turn right (Quill City Mall will be on your right) , run for few hundred metres till next big junction to turn left and left again at 5KM. 

This is where runners get to see KL Tower in close vicinity, 5-6KM along Jalan Dang Wangi then turn right into Jalan Sultan Ismail at Bukit Nenas Monorail where Hard Rock Cafe and Standard Chartered Bank will be on the left, from here it a round trip to loop a triangle route around Pavilion KL and return to the same junction of Bukit Nenas Monorail and make a right turn to Jalan Ampang. The distance covered by now will be 9KM++.

Travelling along Jalan Ampang, runners will certainly run pass KLCC, Petronas Twin Tower on right and on this 4KM stretch, runners will also run pass many embassies on the way to make a left turn into Jalan Jelatek at about 13KM++. Word of caution here, I would run the next 500-600 metres with extra care before turning left into AKLEH, the reason being, the road is relatively narrow (compared to the rest of the route) and some uneven spots from the previous constructions here. After turning into AKLEH, I would say, 1/3 of the FM journey is done.

The City 14KM run

Taking a break here, let's review the 1st 14KM, many runners asked about pacing and also GPS drift issues which had haunted both runners and pacers in the past. Here are my takes:

1. If you are following the pacers, just follow them, forget about your watch distance and pace, only to look at watch after turning into AKLEH, whatever distance clocked, take it as 14KM. 

2. The 1st 2KM is going to be chaos like any race, you are dealing with runners at different paces, some are trying to move ahead fast, some still trying to adjust their waist belt or fixing their music, try to run straight line and avoid making sudden left/right lane change, you may be blocking someone's way.

3. I know it is important to catch up with your pacers, that's why it is important that you enter the Pen where your pacers are going to be at, but pacers are going to make the 1st 1-2KM reasonably slower, 1st for safety and 2nd for runner to catch up. Anyhow, as long as the balloons are visible, you are not very far off. If possible, find a few runners who may be aiming the same timing as you (time for new friends :D) and run in a small pack together.

4. The city run is going to be easily affected by runners around you, you may end up running faster than you should, take it as warm up, do not chase the rabbit (someone who overtook you, relatively within your reach because they seem to be just slightly faster), keep calm.

5. Water station is going to be easily packed with runners especially in the 1st 2 stations, DO NOT rush into the station crossing path with others, it is dangerous, or at least raise your hand with your palm waving next to your ear at where you are heading so that runners from behind may notice you (just may...) The beauty of running in small pack, safer to move along. :D

6. If you are following someone, pacer or a pack, try not to follow too close, leave some room for any surprise ahead, you need some time to react, be it someone falling, blocking or a pot hole.

7. Take this as warm up stretch, it is OK to be slightly slower behind target or pacers.

8. Start hydrating yourself early, may want to consider to take your 1st pack of energy gel between 10-14KM.

9. Smile for photos BUT please do not change your lane to get in front of cameraman, if you decide to pose for selfie in front of Petronas Twin tower, be mindful not to stand in the middle of running path.

Runners will run pass under Saloma Bridge

OK, now you are at AKLEH, it is going to be refreshing without high rise buildings around, you will run the next 4KM with KLCC skyline view on your left, running the pass the toll gate and Saloma bridge before a big U-turn at about 17KM++. So if you are running the half marathon and reading this, the route till this point is exactly the same with 42KM, but at this U-turn, you only make half the turn and immediately turn left to exit to Jalan Sultan Ismail (see green line on map below), going back to the earlier 4KM+ point and heading towards Jalan Kuching and you will meet FM runners at Jalan Kuching with less than 2KM to finish the race, do note there is a left U-turn in final few 100 metres before finishing line.

21KM exit at AKLEH into Jalan Sultan Ismail (you ran the red line at 4KM)

For FM, after U-Turn, your 1st big supply station at 20KM offers banana (yeah!!!), there is Surau for Muslim runners too, you should have taken your other pack of energy gel by now too. This route head straight till about 23KM++ where runners exit to MRR2 for another 1.5KM before the steep climb at 25KM to enter DUKE highway. In 2019, this is the halfway point of 21KM, this year, the extended AKLEH section covers a 10KM from 13+ till 23+KM. Now, it is also very common for runners to pick up pace here, be careful not to over speed too much above your target pace (foe eg, from 6mins to 5:15mins/km), 15s/km faster still OK. Remember, this is only about half way. You should still feel fresh after 25KM, otherwise, reconsider your race plan and adjust accordingly.

Climb at 25KM

DUKE highway is a rolling hill section of 10KM, I have seen too many times that runners break away from pacers to move ahead chasing in smaller pack on their own, if they are experienced runner, good, but very often I catch them at about 35/36KM along Bukit Tunku climb or see them cramp after 37KM.

My advice is to conserve energy along DUKE, use the downhill to recover and put in even effort on the uphill, these are not tough climbs, do not push for speed, stay with pacer pack, there is Hi5 energy gel provided at 27KM and 33KM, take them, allow yourself to have sufficient time to digest and rehydrate sufficiently. If you have to, do short distance of walking at water station to relax your legs muscles a bit, stretch them, a few seconds of stretching here is going to do good for later.  

The real challenge begins after 35KM, if runners do not conserve energy, refuel and rehydrate, the exit to Jalan Kuching is not going to be fun, I mean, the next 6KM++ is fun, not unless you have the fuel and muscles to push it. It is a gradually decent downhill run, it is going to separate the strong runners from the weaker, any how, one can always hang on till next banana station at 37KM and make the final push at 40KM, set your strategy right and push at the right time.

As Pacer I always encourage runners to break away after 40KM and chase for their personal best under 4 hours if they feel strong at 40KM, at this point, you either have it or you don't, maybe some motivation may help, but having strong will of your own is more important than words of encouragement from others. 

The only caution is there will be a left U-Turn at about 41.5KM to get to finishing line, at 41KM, better to stick to the right to allow more gentle turning angle if you know what I mean.:D

So yes, we do not turn into Bukit Tunku this year, no visit to national monument, national museum, KTM and certainly not the torturous climb after roundabout near KTM. Half marathoners will join the FM at about 40.5KM, so you can see very minimal mixing of both categories in 2022 route. even with convergence, the pace of both categories would be not very big different given the flag off time for HM. for example, 4 hrs FM will meet 2hrs HM, 5 hrs FM will meet 3 hrs HM, and since this is straight road, I don't expect runners to sway easily. 

Final 7KM with HM joining at about 40.5KM

The elevation gain for KLSCM 2022 FM route is 260metres on official chart, I do see the elevation gain differs when view at different platform (as high as 400metres...), but the route is relatively flat, the most obviously climb is at 25KM, other parts are rolling which is actually good for running with different sets of muscles and relax in between.

Now on pacing strategy, I can only speak for 4 hours, on this course I would put in even effort not even pace, depending on traffic condition, city run may be slightly slower, 14-23KM would be making the pace balance on timing, crossing 21KM point at about 1:58/1:59 hours. 25-35KM may test the runners' patience to run together, but 36-42KM may see pacer picking up the pace slightly if the pace group is strong. 

On refueling plan, my personal preference is taking a pack of gel 30 mins before flag off, so before enter the waiting Pen, I would take 1 pack. Depending on how I feel, the 2nd pack may be between 10-14KM, 3rd pack at 20/21, I may keep the Hi5 energy gel at 27 for 30 and keep the 33 for 37, but ready to take them as needed. I don't usually stop for every water station, I will probably skip the 1st station or 2nd too if it is crowded but I will attempt to get some water if possible.

No stopping at water station for me, maybe some walking at the water stations which give out banana and hi5 gels.

Should one consume salt stick or electrolytes capsules ? I would say no harm preparing them, if you sweat a lot, taking them every hour or 1.5 hours, I do carry them but I may not take them.

If you are having some form of injuries now, best strategy is to rest as much as you can till race day, training extra 1-2 days now may not help much for the race. 

If you yet to set a target or not sure what target to set, especially for FM, use your HM recent best timing X2 and add 10-15 mins to it. If you know your recent best time for FM, then any attempt for PB please be realistic, do not expect a jump from 4:30 hours to 4:00 hours, set a secondary goal to fall back, always listen to your body because anything that can go wrong in a race, may go wrong even if you have the best training done and race strategy planned.

Be smart like those who contacted me early, always reach out to your respective target pace group's pacers and ask them questions that you have. Feel free to drop me at message at Instagram @iamwaikay if you have some questions, I can always reply to you directly and post them here if I find them interesting to be shared. I will update/edit this post in the next 10 days, come back to check out the changes if you like.:)

That's it, I wish you all the best for your KLSCM be it HM or FM, run safe and injury free for whatever timing you are aiming for, do say hi and take a photo with me if you see my sour face, I am usually friendlier than I look, funnier than I sound, and definitely better looking than the photo :D

For official and updated information on the race, always check out the website at https://www.kl-marathon.com/ 

My Not so Fun New York Marathon, Read at own wish!

Not all heroes win battles, sometimes a defeat story is worth writing too.

I could have not done this post, but this trip was so amazing that I think it deserves a post for others to know before going. So if you are looking for a race report, this isn't quite one, in summary, I fcuk up and I did horrible timing despite knowing I am not fit for a good timing already, I fcuk up, end of story. I will do more elaborations with lame convincing reasons if you want to know anyway.

The amazing trip began at the airport check in counter, I was given the surprised news that if I transit through Wuhan, China on my way back (yes I gave China Southern Airlines a chance because my elite airline friend told me it was cheapest and CSA is good ranking as full service airline, it was indeed, cheapest.), I need to have Visa. Refer to the picture below for an idea of how cheap a return trip can be (not my actual final price though). note: you will need to pay some fees for better seats upon online check-in.

Visa ? I know at the back of my mind when I book the air tickets I may need visa but I also have the idea that transit doesn't need visa but I never bother to check. Now that I think back, even if I checked back then, I will still not get the visa, because on paper (official site), Malaysia doesn't need visa for 24 hrs transit. I kinda believe the check in counter lady anyway, but what can I do at that moment right ? I can only figure this out when I am at New York. See how I have an amazing beginning of the journey ?

So I have a comfortably worry-some flight to JFK transit at Guang Zhou (single transit no issue). Then went to check at CSA counter and was told that there was case that Malaysian got stuck at Wuhan (my return route is JFK-Wuhan-GuangZhou-KLIA) but the airline didn't know what is the reason. A quick check online on some official sites, someone did mention something like this and official reply I got (2 days later) was: No one knows why but you better get a visa while you are in New York.

Awesome, now I get to make a visit to Chinese Consulate in New York too but I was already going to Washington DC the next day, so the plan to apply visa will have to be on Friday when I returned from Washington DC. By the way, if you are planning a trip to Washington, Americana Hotel is a nice hotel, located at where the usual 5 stars hotels are and you pay good rate, and they provide breakfast, best hotel ever in my entire trip.

Fast forward to Friday, where weather in New York got colder to single digit and of all places, the Chinese Consulate office is located at somewhere near the sea. Not wanting to risk taking the wrong bus (which later I found out to be really convenient and easy on another day) and be late, I decided to take the longest coldest walk to the consulate, maybe it wasn't so long, but in that headwind, it sure felt long enough.  Then we got turned away for some reasons and only managed to submit the application successfully on 3rd visit within 5 hours, in between I even managed to do my race kit collection because it was also within walking distance (another walk that I don't quite enjoy...). On details of application, PM me, lol!

I felt so much relieved after the submission of application, at least this is the best options of all options I had in mind (you don't need to know).

OK then move on to the race (finally can concentrate on the race), I already did the race kit collection but did I mention my slot was not from official race ballot ? My slot was a ballot slot by Abbott, which is my employer... and no, it is not like what you think: good la, can go all majors without qualifying or balloting. I still need to ballot, through the company and for the past 4 years, I finally got one (though my wish is Boston and London). and NO, this is not paid trip by company, it is more like a USD 400 lottery that you need to spend USD 4000 to claim, so practically everything is self-funded except the entry, and may be the extra service provided (details to follow soon).

My drama on race kit collection was, I was told to choose poncho option instead of drop bag option, which means at finishing line, I receive a really cool poncho to keep me warm until I get back to where I need to be to change instead of collecting drop bag at finishing line and change there. The reason why is because, ahem, the Abbott slot is VIP slot, and VIP slot has a pick up bus to race site on race day, and Abbott has special arrangement to help us to collect our drop bag to a hospitality lounge outside of the official race finishing area (but close enough to walk).

Things could have been easier if I just follow instructions, BUT, my visa thingy got me into "better know more details than regret later" mode, I went to double confirm with the volunteers at VIP slot pick up on the special drop back service, and I was told there is NO such arrangement, it is either drop bag option OR Poncho option, I either get a wrist band that allow me to pick up poncho and exit early or walk further to collect drop bag if I choose drop bag option (no poncho wrist band then).

To give you a better perspective of why this matters to me, IF I go with Poncho option, based on my understanding at that moment, no drop bag for me, so I leave hotel with nothing except a transparent plastic bag to carry what I need to the race site (food, drink, disposable clothing), nothing else I bring to race site will be brought back (dispose before starting the race). I will have access to my stuff if someone carries them to the hospitality lounge, sounds very inconvenient, and a good 9 hours of having nothing until I managed to get to the lounge.

Now, this is not the 1st time I used this service, back in 2017 when I got Tokyo marathon slot (on my own), I contacted my Japanese colleague and they got me entry to the hospitality suite too. After finishing the race, I was given only the emergency blanket (ya the thin aluminium foil sheet) and no drop bag at finishing, I walked more than 1 mile trying to find my way to the suite, not a very good experience because it was a place inside (or under) a building. A bit panic I was, I went to change to drop bag option. 

That means, based on my understanding at that moment, I will drop my finishing bag just before I board the VIP bus (because the email said so), the pick up will be 5:00-5:45 am, the race starts at 9:40 am for my bib,  I have good 4 hours of having nothing but I have a drop bag at finishing. For your information, the drop bag plastic bag is not big and you CANNOT put another bag inside it, everything that you have, must be able to be inspected visually without opening the bag. You can put some clothes, food, recovery drink, phone, wallet in it, but definitely not a jacket that is sufficient to keep warm after race, maybe.

Here is what I got it wrong (after I read the email print out over and over again), there is special drop bag arrangement by Abbott for Abbott before boarding the VIP bus, so the volunteers at race kit collection didn't know about this. After considering my options and I decided to change back to Poncho option and carry a phone to run so that I never get lost on my way to the lounge. 

Then, I decided to do all the "DON'Ts" of running a marathon: (I can actually use these to justify my race performance you know ? lol)

1. wear new shoes of a new brand --> because I felt good about it

2. try new gel --> because it has Kipchoge's picture promoting it 

3. wear something I never wore before --> because I FORGOT to pack my favourite T-shirt...

Eventually what actually screwed up the my race ?

6 days of walking and lack of training for the pace I was running.

Here is what happened:

Race day, woke up at 4 am, had some breakfast, still few hours till actual flag so I decided to snack at the race site on whatever they have to offer but kept some drinks for myself. Left hotel at 4:45AM and in the train I can see runners all with the official plastic bag issued at expo, no one is carrying own bag pack except me (I was seriously hoping I am right about Abbott do have special arrangement). I managed to reach the station where I was supposed to be and start looking for the junction where the bus was supposed to be, good to have my phone with me and managed to find those guys with Abbott flag and officially relieved with the special drop bag service (any size anything I want to drop, they just keep it in a standard MI6 gears supply solid case to secure them.

I was then officially without warm jacket except the thin jacket that I was ready to sacrifice (or maybe to wear it to run if it gets too cold) and a transparent plastic bag to carry my drinks and an extra disposable insulation top that I think I will need while waiting at the starting pen.

Took an easy jog to find my bus ( with VIP sign of course) and found a seat next to a stranger, the bus is warm and noisy, people are too excited to share their race strategies and other great races they have done around the world and how running got them back their health and years in life, OK I just made that up, I have no idea what language they are speaking, they are just noises and noises. Then all buses started to move after 6 AM and it took us like 1 hour to reach the Staten Island which was the starting village. Took a quick toilet break inside the bus (yeah they have that) to avoid any queue need at race site. The moment I was off the bus, the whole chilling windy condition attacked immediately, I must say I didn't feel cold at all, I felt NUMB right away!!! 

We all then have to walk pass the security screening where everyone needed to show everything they carry in the transparent plastic bag (if you forgot one, they are handing those out), anyone with own bag pack will need to discard their bag (ya bye bye to you UnderArmour backpack if you are carrying one). 

Passed the screening immediately I started to look for the VIP tent (like a lifebase), asked the officials there and got pointed to the direction and took an easy jog towards it. It was not hard to find it because it was the biggest tent in the entire area (maybe it was not but my eyes can only see this tent and nothing else). It was warm inside and soon I realised there are MANY MANY MANY VIP runners, I figured it immediately, of course, the race title is TCS, then there is New Balance, Charity team, Gatorade, UPS, United Airlines etc.... each sponsor if gets 40 slots, that would be quite a lot of people and all the available chairs and tables were already occupied (damm, were there earlier buses ? how did they get here so early?) 

I could only managed a standing spot, happy to share a table with a gentleman who did the race 20 years ago and back for more, we exchanged the usual questions of getting to know someone superficially (like you will actually remember the answers, I can't even remember his name now, lol!). But chat we did and it was not all just superficial. Then more runners came in the place is so warm and noisy noisy noisy, I have been standing like more than an hour until it was about time to go to the starting pen entry which opens 1 hour before flag off.

Back to the chilling cooling nice weather, I was convinced I needed that disposable BioHazard-looked uniform (bought at expo for USD10). A bit of sitting and standing until the gate is opened and rushed to the toilet inside the pen, a very nice arrangement by the organizer. quickly done with my release and joined the crowd in the wind. 15 mins before the official flag off, people start getting rid of their additional clothing and dispose of whatever they don't need for the race, I was still with my last layer of think jacket, decided to get rid of it only at starting line, the weather is sunny, I figured may be I am able to handle it, maybe.

Zone restriction removed 5 mins to flag off (we were separated by Color corral and alphabet in Pen, once the string is remove we can join the pen in front. Basically everyone jog towards the actual standing line which was at the bridge (Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge). In NYC marathon, you will cross 5 bridges, this was the 1st and it was a climb. As the bridge was closed, the other side of the bridge was another color coral which was the blue, you can see from the map all 3 colors ran different route after crossing the bridge, mainly because of the lanes on the bridge lead to different location on Brooklyn site but at the end we merged back (distance I think would be the same).

I have no idea what pace to do actually, didn't do training for a PB but inside my mind I want to attempt something fast anyway (damn guai lan I know...), so I went with the pace I feel possible, and it was about 4:45 min/km, not very fast, definitely not a pace for a PB, maybe possibly can land a 3:30 hrs finishing, I thought, naive I was.

No kidding, even at this pace, I was constantly overtaken by runners, male female trans, I felt like I was not moving at all, lol! The route is not all flat and nice, there were some potholes and many rolling hills, because the road in New York are straight, you can see the hills ahead of you, after awhile I realised this is never going to end, on the sunny side of the weather I was feeling OK, then entering the city with more talk building and shades, it was instant colder whenever there is no sunshine.

After some 13/14KM, my thighs didn't feel quite right, there was numbness around my both thighs and I could not strike the length I wanted too (the mind was doing it but the legs won't cooperate). I started to think this was probably not the right pace (duh, I know right ?) and probably the fatigue accumulated from 6 days of walking in the city. But I have been through numbness from cold weather and fatigue from walking before, this wasn't them, the feet won't cooperate, it was purely not the right pace for me even from beginning, not even the new shoes because I felt alright with it during my long day walk and even at running now. Not the gel because the new gel was planned for the last. Not the apparels before I was not feeling too cold (don't get me wrong, the cold was real). 

It was purely the feet not fit for the pace, so I thought what the heck, go for it until 21KM and let's see if I can shake it off. KM by KM it didn't get better, I crossed 21KM around 1:46 hrs, actually not too bad and still possible for a 3:30 hrs finishing if I got better, but it didn't, so I decided to just jog it for any sub4 finishing, if it gets better good, if it didn't, let's hope it didn't get any worse, LOL!

Irony part was, right after 21KM was crossing another bridge (Polaski Bridge), big struggle, I had to walk and even laughed about it on the bridge. The other 3 bridges that came after were:

• Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge (25KM)
• Willis Avenue Bridge (32KM) 
• Madison Avenue Bridge (34KM)

https://centralpark.org/2016-new-york-city-marathon/ See the map here you will get the idea...

Entering Central Park was around 37KM, it was rolling hills as well, I don't think the route was that hard, as I was struggling, it did feel harder, but I still think the hills along NYC marathon were not as hard as I felt, I felt hard because my feet muscles were stiff and were not able to strike. I don't feel tired (but took the gels as planned anyway), just heavy feet. Since I was on track for a sub4, I jogged and walked in between, good thing about this race, you will never be short of music, every corner of the street there was either live band or someone blasting music from portable speakers (huge ones), nice typical American rock and rolls songs.

And then, I finished sub4, decent, not great, end of story.

For more details, see the official data, so I didn't do as bad as I felt, I felt like 30,000 runners passed me actually.

The Poncho turned out to be the better option, because it can keep warm after race for a long while before I get to change. There is VIP tent at race site, I am guessing it will be warmer than standing outside waiting, so it is OK not to have too many things with me, maybe. 

I know I should post the