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Marathon Diary: Singapore or Bust!

TBRMarathonDiaryHi

Two months to go. Or 8 weeks. Or exactly 60 days.

Yes, I’ve got 60 days to go before I run my first full marathon: The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on Dec. 6, 2009. You didn’t know I signed up, did you?

Truth is, I registered way back in August for the Singapore Half Marathon eyeing Subic International Marathon for my first full. Then, I changed my mind (or more like cowered in fear of the tough concrete and high elevation of SCTex) so I downgraded my Subic distance to half instead and set my sights on Singapore for the full 42.195km.

Phew, I am excited, to say the least. But, I’m also nervous and overly paranoid about re-injury.

For those of you who don’t know, injury has hit me the past two times I dreamed of doing a marathon: Runner’s Knee around November 2007 then ITBS December 2008. Both times I was aiming for a February full marathon.  

It’s cliche to say that the setbacks only made me stronger. But, it is absolutely true. It didn’t just make me a stronger runner, it made me a smarter one, too.

I can look back at those two dreadful periods in my running life (tissue, please) and tell you in all honesty that I am glad I experienced them all: the seemingly endless search for the magic cure and the perfect shoe, long hours at yoga and the gym wishing I was on the road instead, missed runs, and sleepless nights pondering when I could run again. All these and more gave me the knowledge and experience to know that my body wasn’t ready to take on a full at 2008 or early 2009, that it is much wiser to wait for the right time than to rush weak legs into an event they are not primed for, that a bull (no matter how stubborn) can learn patience to become a better, stronger runner.

I started training a month ago, but when I think of it, I actually began training a full two years back when the contagious bug that is the marathon entered my bloodstream.

I’m hoping you catch the virus, too (if you haven’t got it yet). So, this begins my “Marathon Diary” (M.D.) series from now until Marathon Day (hey, it’s M.D., too!), December 6. I’ll share with you bits and pieces (or even long tales) about my marathon training, the people who will support me along the way, the gear that will help me achieve it, and any marathon thoughts that come to mind (I’m sure there will be many.) Until then…

Posted on 10.06.09 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 40 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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40 Responses to “Marathon Diary: Singapore or Bust!”

  1. singapore! singapore! singapore! hehe…

    vimz said on Oct 06 09 at 10:03 AM Reply

  2. Good Luck.

    I will probably do my first marathon at the Condura on Feb.

    Regards Mark and Tiffin

    m8parco said on Oct 06 09 at 10:18 AM Reply

  3. thanks for sharing this. i look forward to reading your marathon diary.

    i suffered a setback too when i started training for the milo fun run. i know, its not as big as the real races but for a gal like me who never imagined that it was possible for me to be involved in sports, let alone running, it was really a very BIG thing. the fun run was scheduled in july here in our city and guess what happened — in the last week of june, i underwent an open surgery to remove my gall bladder. my world crashed. i recalled the long hours and all the effort i put in just to train for the 5k run, my FIRST 5k run, and at that time it turned into nothing. but in that adversity, i forced myself to be resilient, to not be discouraged.

    today, i am proud to say that last october 3, 2009, i placed first in the 5k race, women’s category, in the integrated bar of the philippines-misamis oriental chapter sportsfest. hindi pala nasayang yung previous training ko. i know na pala how to run.

    so more power to you, jaymie! i wish you good health not just on the race day but everyday. have fun in the marathon! =)

    Pamela Bacan-Pagente said on Oct 06 09 at 11:47 AM Reply

    • Hi Pamela,

      Congratulations on your first 5k…with a 1st place medal at that! I’m sure you can relate then how these minor road bumps are blessings in disguise. Wishing you the best in your future road races too, Pamela!

      thebullrunner said on Oct 06 09 at 12:49 PM Reply

  4. wow the first full mary, the next big step(s) for runnerkind! as rob schneider would say, ‘you can do it!’ you’ll also be able to stress test yer polar hehe. good luck and stay safe, once you cross the finish, everything will be worth it :)

    little geek said on Oct 06 09 at 12:17 PM Reply

    • Little Geek,

      Thanks! Kinda got even more nervous now that I put it out there haha.

      Yes, it will be the ultimate test for me…and my polar. So far he’s been a great training partner.

      thebullrunner said on Oct 06 09 at 12:51 PM Reply

  5. See you at Singapore, Jaymie! :-)

    ricov said on Oct 06 09 at 12:23 PM Reply

  6. hi jaymie!

    i’m sure you’ll finish your full marathon in grace and style! =)

    congrats in advance

    mie said on Oct 06 09 at 1:46 PM Reply

  7. I will watch this “Marathon Diary” thread very closely as I too, am joining the SC SG Marathon. My 2nd marathon now, 1st international. Looking forward to tips, insights and training regimens from the Bull Runner herself. Good luck
    Jaymie and happy running :)

    Iah said on Oct 06 09 at 1:52 PM Reply

  8. 8 weeks to go. dont foret to do the 30k runs. its important so you dont hit that wall onmarathon day. have fun and see you in milo , are you doing the 21k?

    francis fox said on Oct 06 09 at 4:10 PM Reply

    • thanks for the reminder, francis. I’ll do the 30k at Timex.

      I tried registering for Milo today at Mizuno BHS. Turns out, it’s the last day of reg and they only accept at Annapolis. I guess i’ll have to miss it.

      I’ll run 21k on my own instead.

      thebullrunner said on Oct 06 09 at 5:39 PM Reply

  9. I take my hat off to runners like you Jaymie who dares to conquer the extremely hot and humid roads of SG!

    I tried running there once; in the Tampines area, and I almost died. :-)

    Anyway, goodluck on your first full marathon!

    Parkie said on Oct 06 09 at 4:41 PM Reply

  10. good luck tbr on your first full!! also glad to know you signed up for the half at subic intl. I can kinda relate to your troubles. me naman i set my goal to run my first half at subic. started my program back in may. but the road to 21 has been full of roadbumps – first ITB, then when i was able to re-start my training, i was hit with a strained disc in my spine. had to downgrade my subic run to 10K. now i just want to enjoy running and work on strengthening my body (strength training, chiro, massage, myotherapy, etc) … then maybe i can finally do the 21 at condura…

    enjoy your training!!

    khun said on Oct 06 09 at 4:52 PM Reply

    • Khun,

      Oh no. To think you were the one pushing for the 21k on SCTEX! Hope you’ve fully recovered already. At least you can still enjoy the 10k. Happy training!

      thebullrunner said on Oct 06 09 at 5:44 PM Reply

  11. see you in SINGAPORE!!! although 10k lang ako hehe

    Carlo said on Oct 06 09 at 5:12 PM Reply

  12. Go Jaymie go!
    Btw, I joined the Nike SG Run Club once last month. Some of the SG Chili Crab runners were there and I met this gentleman who train with your friend Annie. He has been hearing nice stories about you and how good you write. Syempre, ako ay sumang-ayon dun…with conviction! =)
    Kitakits Jaymie!

    CatA said on Oct 06 09 at 6:02 PM Reply

    • Hi Cat, say hi to Chili Crabs for me! I hope you see Annie there too. Will you be joining Standard Chartered? Sana naman this time you don’t just greet us at the finish but you join the run as well. Looking forward to seeing you again!

      thebullrunner said on Oct 07 09 at 7:50 PM Reply

  13. good luck jaymie on your 1st international full marathon!

    odie said on Oct 07 09 at 7:46 AM Reply

  14. Good luck Jaymie. I agree with everything that has been said about the necessity of long runs but never forget the two most important words needed the few days before the marathon – TAPER and REST. Wishing you well and hoping that those injuries you had in the past will remain were they belong – the past.

    Doc Nelson said on Oct 07 09 at 10:10 AM Reply

  15. Hi Jaymie,

    I hope you can share your training routine for the full marathon. thanks

    Randell said on Oct 07 09 at 12:47 PM Reply

  16. Good Luck on your SG Marathon!

    Will see you at SIM 21K… Maybe I can also train for Singapore 2010….. kung may pera :-) !!!

    Keep runnin, TBR!

    rey jimenez said on Oct 07 09 at 5:47 PM Reply

  17. i hope you do great on your first marathon. a friend and i are running the SCSM as well. it’s also our first full marathon. we started training last august and also hoping that we’ll be ready by Dec. so good luck to us! :)

    sherwin said on Oct 07 09 at 11:25 PM Reply

  18. Good luck Jaymie!!! Bring home that finisher shirt! :)

    Dennis said on Oct 07 09 at 11:31 PM Reply

  19. Hi Jaymie,
    See you in SG and Good Luck for both of us in our 1st FM..

    the sunning safety pin

    the running safety pin said on Oct 08 09 at 1:19 AM Reply

  20. Hi Jaymie,

    I’m just a newbie runner. Just started running last July and have my 1st 21K last sept (ecodash). Can you give me an advice what brand & type of watch which can measure distance and pace? I have no idea on what to buy. I hope u could help me.

    btw, good luck on your future races. I hope I could see you one day.

    Thanks,

    Randell

    Randell said on Oct 09 09 at 12:52 PM Reply

  21. Hi Jaymie – All the best on your first full marathon. I’ll be running there as well… Hope to see you there !!!

    Junrox

    Tigerboy said on Oct 09 09 at 8:52 PM Reply

  22. Good luck Jaymie, I hope and pray you’ll stay injury-free. Please don’t put too much pressure on yourself and just enjoy your first Marathon in Singapore.

    i2runner said on Oct 10 09 at 4:43 AM Reply

  23. Hi jaymie,

    I went to Mizuno BHS last night too. They ran out of Milo Reg form but the lady there told me to just download from milo website and go back again tomorrow. So I’ll go there later after work and hopefully I can still register…actually its for another runner as Ill just do support role for this race.

    Ill be reading your marathon diary, hopefully learn from you as I screwed up badly last time I did my marathon hahaha.

    Cheers!
    Sam the Running Ninja

    Sam the Running Ninja said on Oct 07 09 at 12:03 PM Reply

  24. Hi Sam,

    I was at Mizuno yest afternoon too. They told me the same thing. Then I called Mr. Biscocho’s office and they informed me that last day of reg was that day (yesterday) and only in Annapolis. Were you still able to register today through Mizuno? I asked a friend of mine to reg for me instead. I hope I got a packet.

    Thanks!

    thebullrunner said on Oct 07 09 at 7:53 PM Reply

  25. Hi Jaymie,

    Yeah I was able to register tonight. Got the race packet na din. Let me know how it goes on your end.

    Regards,
    sam

    Sam said on Oct 07 09 at 9:54 PM Reply

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