Malaysia Women Marathon 2013 (MWM)

How I got Myself into This?

When I first heard of the Malaysia Women Marathon, news came from my darling fellow runner when we were in Yangon, Myanmar back in January.

My initial reaction was, "So I registered Langkawi Ocean Marathon and Borneo International Marathon which are two weeks apart and now there's MVM in Shah Alam. Can I handle 2 marathons in a month?" The next part of the fun was that for anyone doing a half or full marathon, one can bring in a male pacer.

I tried my luck with this runner and I popped The Question, "Would you be my pacer for the MVM?" and his reply was, "Yes, if it is a full marathon."

I slapped my forehead.

There was a lot of good feeling towards this run - first women marathon, first time running with a pacer, first time running in Shah Alam, first time meeting the legendary Kathrine Switzer who made marathon possible for women.

Here comes all the hard work, tears, pain and breathlessness.

The Arrival and Race packs Collection

So we arrived in Shah Alam with minimal sleep. At I-City, Shah Alam, where we collected our race packs. The set up was gorgeous and we carbo loaded again while meeting sweet sweet familiar faces of beloved fellow runners.

Capital FM and Nestle Fitnesse.

The Stage and a nicely designed girl power MWM background.

Finally, we got our pretty bibs.

On the run...

Everything went well and the morning of the run was awesome. A friend came to pick us up from the Hotel. It was early when we got to the starting line. Photos here and there. 

The route was hilly through out but the weather was consistent and gorgeous, very very lovely weather and as my friend put it, "Best weather ever for a running event." There were a lot of water stations and every kilometer there is a marker. A very organized run and I can't help thinking this is girl power!

Love this photo booth.

Probably a very early stage of the run when I was still managing my breath.

And came times when I felt like I was going to die...

My very kind pacer who took care of me during the entire run and post-run too. I can't be more thankful to have him around. 

With Kathrine Switzer. She asked if I wanted to take my sunnies off and I said, "I'm too shy." One turn back, my friends were laughing at me. o^.^o

Friends are gold!

And more friends. :D

The Yangon Marathon gang. Only Zet was missing from the photo.

It took me a while to write this post because there's some "emotional" issue I needed to tame. I have always been an independent runner, I barely have a competent running buddy or even sifu. Serious trainings were done alone. Goals and expectations were all set by myself and if there was any disappointment or celebration, I was accountable.

Coupled with stubborn allergy and a bad fall-off-the-road bike injury, I wouldn't imagine that it would disrupt my running performance. In a corner of my heart, I felt sorry that I disappointed my pacer with my timing but to me, as a girl, 5:42 is acceptable. Looking at my half-dead photos, I really have no doubt, I did my best. There was a point when I kicked some stones and I almost fell down. Pacer said he wouldn't push me any more because if anything were to happen, he would feel guilty... 

First Time for Everything

In conclusion, I can only say I'm super grateful that I've got a pacer to run with me. Felt like a princess for once. Having started the year with a marathon PB, this MWM is a fall. I think nothing can be more emotional than running. You win, you lose. You can be first, you can be last. Having a bad timing doesn't hinder me from running. In fact, it makes my running life more colourful and look forward to the next run - Langkawi Ocean Marathon.