Rop's Reflections

Months of training have finally concluded. Did my last run today. Race day is near, just hours away. Got the bib and race singlet from the expo. Laying down things I need before taking off.

Ready or not, it’s time. It has been a learning experience. I had run in two shorter races in 2009. But the focus all year long has always been on this Bangkok Marathon. The training has been less than ideal due to injuries and sickness. It has consisted of ups and downs, just like life, you may say. The 12 weeks till the race look like this:

I have prepared the best I could. Confidence is higher than last year definitely. I’m gonna show up at the starting line relatively healthy, as I had hoped. There are areas of concerns, which are where I still have some discomfort: left hip, both calves, right knee, and both achilles. Other than that, things seem okay .

I won’t be alone at the finish line this year. It means so much to have the support.

My simple goal is to have a better race than last year. Time goal is a sub-5. But you never know what’s gonna happen. Last year, I tried my best but my legs were in so much pain they cramped up. This time around, I might make the time goal or I might not. The important thing is to enjoy the experience and the challenge.

The emotions are high. I’m excited but scared, nervous but happy. Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.

Still coughing. The cold symptoms are still lingering. Hoping for them to go away in time. Got in the second run of the week today. Didn’t breathe too well because of the coughing. Did about the same distance as yesterday, but at a much steadier pace. It was a race pace preparation. Practicing the legs to get used to the pace. Preparing the mind to overcome the pain.

For an hour, I pounded the concrete pavement quietly. Living in my own world, just the way I like it. It’s the calm before the storm. It will be very different on race day.

Waiting for the big day is exciting. Just like a birthday when you were a kid, a trip to a faraway place, a graduation, or a wedding, a race can gets your heart pumped. But no matter how big the event may be, it’s just a moment in life. When it is finished, life goes on. Souvenirs and mementos get put inside closets. The joy stays in the heart; but one must look for a new goal to focus on.

Mental and physical preparation are equally important. A strong body with a weak mind means little, and vice versa.

Never be overconfident. Expect to struggle. Expect the pain. Life is hard. Good things never come easy.

Weather has been unpredictable lately. Once in a while it rains. Sometimes it’s windy. Most days are hot. Everyday is humid. Like health, injuries and illnesses come and go. Got to go with the flow. Complaining accomplishes nothing.

Got in a morning run. Felt tired. Body felt too warm. Sweated too much.

Spent the afternoon relaxing at home. I needed the rest after a long week. Played with my dog Pygmy. Rain came lightly and briefly. Cooled down the day a little bit.

Got a moment of scare when I couldn’t find Pygmy. I went around the house twice and didn’t see him. Turned out he fell down a small hole. Good thing he made a noise so I found out where he was! The hole is about 2 feet deep. He’s always exploring and this time got himself in trouble.

Today turned out a hot one. The highs are hitting 37-38c. Hard to believe it’s mid-November.

Still got the cold. Late stage, hopefully.

Fought the heat and got a run in. Five runs in five days. After short sessions on Monday and Tuesday, the past three days have been pretty good. Sweated loads. All endurance, no speed though. But, at this point, I’m happy with that.

Managed to get in an evening run. Needed to move despite not anywhere near healthy. Feeling hot inside. Face is warm. Body temperature rose due to the cold and the workout. Not a good feeling. Hope the exercise won’t slow down the recovery.

In bed now, thankfully. The work was done. Time to rest. Tomorrow is another day.

Injuries, illnesses, and pains are just parts of the process.

Have had the cold since Monday. Throat was really sore yesterday. Today is Wednesday and I’m a little better. Have had good sleeps the past two nights. Runs have been kept really short and easy. It will be a big drop in mileage this week. It is the way it is.

I want to run this evening but now it’s raining. So it doesn’t look good. Why is it raining in November? Oh well, maybe a rest will be beneficial. Definitely don’t want to show up sick at the starting line. Besides, less time for running means more time for yoga and stretches.

random thought: reading and listening are good. but don’t forget to free yourself from others’ teachings. one truly learns by doing, not by being told. life is short. don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

So I got a cold. Ahh… Bad timing.
Don’t know how.
Perhaps being stuck in a crowded seminar room has something to do with it.
Already drank lots of water.
Gotta sleep and let the body heal.

Last week went well enough. No run was too long. Just general one-hour runs mostly. Managed to do two runs in Kanchanaburi. It was a nice change of scenery.

This is going to be another light training week. Gonna rest up the calves and knees. There are pains here and there. Nothing too serious.

Got a haircut yesterday. Then we had dinner last night with my relatives at Waterside restaurant. Nice atmosphere with live music and a large pond. Food was all right. I liked the fish dishes.

Not feeling so good today health-wise. Seems like I caught a cold. Runny nose and sore throat. That means I should get a lot of sleep tonight. Hope to recover soon.

Impressive stats from NYC Marathon 2009. It was the biggest marathon ever held in history. 43,475 finishers out of 43,741 starters. That’s 99.4%. Unreal.

In the past two days, the training has been tough. Tight, stiff calves and knees. Gotta stretch more. This weekend I’ll be attending a meeting in Kanchanaburi. Hoping to get in some runs there.