The precious medal at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, Dataran Merdeka
So while the adrenaline is still high and before the details are all faded, I figure I should quickly write about my 12th full marathon experience at Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2018 yesterday.

The decision to not run many full marathons every year is natural. Gradually I decided that most races do not worth the hassle, and the money. But SCKLM is always worth both. It was the race that started me running consistently, training for its 10km (leisure) category back in 2013. I returned in 2014, upgrading the distance to half marathon.

Then I ran my 1st FM in early 2015, with the plan to run SCKLM 2015 as my 2nd FM. It was the year that the race was cancelled due to haze, so when the registration opened in 2016, I was excited to finally ran the sacred distance in KL. It was one of the best running experiences, as I met the 5:30 pacer group, and we have been in touch since. Their love for running is contagious, and I am humbled to learn a lot of things about this sort from them.

I almost didn't run in 2017. My father was sick and hospitalized. During the week prior to the marathon weekend, his conditions was critical. I was also trying my best to adapt to a new job, new household routine, lack of training. Thus even to a day before the marathon, I wasn't sure that I would toe the starting line.

On late Saturday afternoon, my father was getting better. Visiting hours ended in the early evening, and won't start again until noon on the next day. I still have the hotel reservation, and if I rushed after finishing, I could be at the hospital again by 12 pm. So I ran, lack of rest and all, finishing in a personal worst of 5:48:xx.

The main point was that I finished. It was also a full marathon that I will always remember, because it was the last race I ran while my father was still alive. He was the one who drove me to/fro races (in Putrajaya/ Cyberjaya) and to the train stations even in the wee hours when I was so crazy about racing that I would enter every race imaginable in KL on almost every weekend.

So in 2018, I wanted to return to avenge myself. I want to prepare better, run better and preserve that memory of my father. In a way, I think I did all three.

SCKLM 208 took place 6 weeks after Kyoto Marathon 2018. Out of the 6 weekends, I only ran for three. All of them were agonizing: I was slow, and it was scorching hot. I also gained weight, so I was super nervous about SCKLM. But again, anxiety is good, because it means that I still enjoy doing this, day in, day out.

I had a good rest during the week leading to the race: sleeping early (10 pm - wohoo~) most nights and not attempting anything new. Saturday came; ran some errands in the morning, returned at noon, packed and off I went to work. Checked into one of the hotels nearby Dataran Merdeka after 6, went to buy dinner and some staples (water, isotonic drink, chocolate wafers, muffin and cup noodles), shower, ate dinner and forced myself to sleep at 8 pm. Woke up thirsty at 10.30, and had a bit of a trouble to fall back asleep but I managed to after some help from a few drops of lavender essential oil :D

Woke up at 2 and got ready. By 3.10 am, I was out of the hotel, heading to Dataran Merdeka. Located my start pen (was pushed back to Pen 4 this year even though my estimated finish time was the same, due to increased number of runners) and went in search of portable toilets after a short stretching session. They were located wayyyyy at the back this year, but well, got to assure myself (a habit).

When I made it back to starting pens, I was all stretched and warmed up. Tried to sneak into Pen 3 but the official was adamant that I must go to the back. I don't argue with people who did their jobs, so I obliged.

It took me 4 minutes after flag off to cross the timing mat this year, and 15 minutes was allocated for all runners to do so, hence the 7:15 (gun time) pacers/sweepers. I started with a 6:20 min/km pace, with the intention to stay between the 5:00 and 5:30 pace groups. I just say that I love the route better this year, as we got to ran more inside the city center itself, even though it was still dark until after I was already on DUKE highway.

Somehow I managed to catch up to the 5:00 pacers and started running with them. But at KM8 just before we turned to Jalan P Ramlee, I stopped for a toilet break, and was dropped. I was on my own thereafter.

This time, my strategy was less strategic than in Kyoto. Instead of breaking the distance into 5-km sections, I broke SCKLM route into next-water-station segments (around every 2 km) instead. However most of the time it was just about "getting to the next KM marker". I guess being familiar with the route and landmarks in a different capacity (being in a car) made me anticipated the distance to close in faster.

Yet, I love the fact that it wa already almost at KM15 when we turned into Jalan Ampang heading to Jalan Jelatek. I also did not miss AKLEH, and I didn't mind the undulating road heading to DUKE highway. We were on DUKE less than 10 km this year, and my only complaint was that we had to share it with the half marathoners. However, I was glad that they finally got a taste of DUKE too ;)

We reached Jalan Kuching at KM 28, and I couldn't imagine the torture that would follow. Kuala Lumpur could be hilly, with elevated flyovers and if you know where to look. I have heard of the KM32 of the new route, but it was hilly even before that. The elevation leading into Bukit Tunku after PWTC wasn't too bad actually, but the gradual climb was LONG.

But what went up must go down.

I thoroughly enjoyed the longer decline heading out of the pristine green, secluded area into the city, where the route again turned hilly around Sasana Kijang/ Padang Merbok area. This was the time when I started counting the distance every second in my head. I was so glad to see KM 38, and even more elated to see KM 39. Took a short (200 m) walking break as the route turned uphill, before telling myself to start running again because I wasn't done yet.

KM 40 marker was at the usual spot, spurring me into elation. My mood was totally changed from this point on, as I knew that the last hard climb in front of Muzium Negara was up next. My net time was slightly below 5:00, and I had a feeling that I could get 5:15.

There was no way I was going to walk the hill in front of the museum, because I just had to run it. Then came Hotel Majestic and the KM 41 marker. I picked up speed for the last KM, yet it did feel so far away! We  had merged with the half marathoners again and I wasn't really in the mood to spoil my mood by zigzagging around them so I maybe I didn't really sprint that fast. But with eyes on the official clock, I tried my best to finish as soon as I can.


5:17:03 gun time
5:13:55 net time

This is the fastest > 5 hours full marathon I've ever ran. I've redeemed myself, for sure, and I hope this is a befitting memory to remember my father by.