Melaka Race report 2005

My Melaka Marathon 2005 Race Report
42.2km Target time 2.30min.
Wasn't sure if i was gonna run this race but thanks to my dear friend who made it posible for me to be there .
We drove to melaka on saturday took us time before we could get to know to pic up the race number and were the race was gonna take place .since we have not been to the city it took us time to sort this out .
We check into our hotel then took a rest before going out for an early dinner at around 4.30pm had eaten alot so it was time to rest cos for a few hours it was gonna be time for the race which i knew it was gonna be difficulty for me .
I have never try to run a 42.2km before in my whole life since a started to run this was my first and i know what to expect a tough race maybe i would not be able to finish .
After a few hours sleep we went out for a walk to see the city and went to basar malam it was nice seeing so many people with tourist around that night ,soon we were bakc to the hotel went to sleep think of what stratage im going to used.I knew if i have to achive i had to stay with the runners in front .
Race day .
Woke up around 3.00am start getting ready took a lot of water and my power bar since i dont always eat before going for a race but this time i had to cos it was gonna be a 2hrs race.
It to go , the race took off as schdule so with my stratage i was going ok with the leading group till after running for 6km the group broke away before 10km i was running alone which was bad for me i knew quite well that i was gonnaq finish this race no matter what position i took it was my first time so i need to set a time for myself .
The organisation of the race was ok and there were Refreshment at ever 5 km . and there were medical team too .the tracfic control was good as well .
After going half way 21 km i had a musle cramb which made me to lie on the road for 7min till the medical team came , i had a massage was asked to drop out but i say i will like to finish it cos i dont like to give up just like that. During this period lots of runners got pass me i was just on the road looking . i went slowly till i cought up with this girl i guess she was from thiland walking , cos she was tried and there was still 20 km to go and u are walking come on lets take it slow and easy at then i as could know she was the 8 girl thats i she during the race that most have go pass me during my injury.
From there on i couldnt run each km i had to stop two times to massage my leg before i continue after a few km i had the second cram onthe left leg it was so anoying cos now i knew my race was over .
But as an african runner we dont give up just like that if u are strong in the mine then its possible to finish this race . I left the girl when seeing that she would not make it with 13 km to go and i was losing so much time . my time to finish this race was 2.30min and then i was 3hrs already so bad i guess . with crambs on both legs i stop on each km now i had to 8min for one km before i knew it it was 10 km to go with me effort and not giving up its was 2 km and my time of 3hrs 56min i knew that i will be there around 4 hrs 10min thats was it i walk and run till i was around the finish yeah the pains was almost gonna be over .
I ran 42.2km ,4hrs 9min26sec with pain on my both legs but this is the record i have to beat next time i run 42.2km i hope to be back next year to proof myself rite.
I'll be back .......