Milo Marathon: My Fourth 42.195k Run

Full Marathon #1: Singapore, Singapore
Full Marathon #2: Hongkong, China
Full Marathon #3: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I haven't experienced running a full marathon in my own country so it's just fitting that I chose Milo Marathon as my first 42.195k run in home turf. I keep reading statements like "you are not a true runner if you haven't run a Milo Marathon" or "Milo Marathon is the creme de la creme of marathon events". Curiosity got the best of me. I registered even before running in KL. I was targeting for a new PR in this event, probably a 4:30-4:45 finish. But luck was not with me again, as I just repeated my abysmal performance in KL, finishing in 5:26. It was within the cut-off time of 6 hours - yes I got my hands on that enormous finisher medal, but I was not contented with my finish time.

Thanks Photovendo for this great capture!

I walled again at KM27. I was closely monitoring my pace - and I was consistently performing at a 6:30 min/km pace, at least until KM26. And then my performance just went downhill. It was the first time I experienced a bad case of cramps. My left calf was so contracted I was forced to walk. I remember a runner in KM28 who approached me as he saw me walking in pain. He offered to let me use his Salonpas liniment which gave me temporary relief. I wasn't able to get his bib number but I'm just grateful there are runners like him who'd stop and help.

The rest of the race was blah. Walk. Attempt to run a few meters. Cramps attack. Walk. Even until the home stretch, I was just walking. Such a disappointment, but I'm still thankful for an injury-free race.

Performance fail!

Next year, I'd be more prepared.

Side-note: Congratulations to my Team Alpha1 teammate and running buddy Daves for finishing strong at 3:51! His new PR! He might not have qualified but that's such a feat! How I wish I could do a sub-4 someday!