"No Magic Potions. No Fairy Dust. No one to push you... No one to do it for you. Just one determined foot in front of the other..."
This quote aptly describes my run this morning.
Simon and I intended to cover 20 km today. We are one mere week from the 2XU Compression Run 2014. This will be the first 21 km run in my life! In my previous trainings, I had only covered up to 19.5 km max. Honestly, I dread it! I fear that I may not complete the full 21 km.... I fear that I am unable to make it before the 4-hour cut-off time (I am a super slow walker/runner)!
Do I give up? I had given up on 2 x 10 km races in 2010, citing lame excuses such as inadequate preparations. I would not say that I am a changed person after my cancer treatments, but the 1.5 year of surgery, chemo and radio treatments were enough to enlighten me - that I owe it to myself if I do not even try.
Yes! No one can do it for me... only myself!
As Simon runs at a much faster pace, we do not train together. We started together at 5.45 a.m though. He was out of sight almost immediately. It was pitch dark at East Coast Park. As usual, I was slogging at my snail pace for the first km. The first km has always been for my warming up. I completed it at a slow 9.5 minute.
For the next 4 km, I managed a run-walk approach with an average pace of 8 min/km. This allowed me to finish my first 5 km before the 42-minute mark. This had to be one of my better 5-km results as my health and fitness had deteriorated drastically since my illness. Lo and behold! Little would I expect myself to pull my thigh muscle as I crossed Bedok Jetty during the 5-km mark...
Blame it on the lack of warming up, I said. The pain was excruciating at this juncture. I had to decide whether to grit my teeth and move on or to limp my way back to the starting point. I was determined enough to finish the 20 km. My sensible self told me otherwise.... what if I aggravate the strain further and resulting in inability to run next week? Instantaneously, I knew my determination had to be exercised wisely - the priority had to be on next week's 2XU Run.
I headed back on the opposite direction. This time, I avoided any movement that would worsen my condition. Therefore, I literally strolled my way back.
Since it was impossible for me to achieve my objective for today, I captured some moments of dawn at East Coast Park along the way.... the serenity, the quietness.... and everything fresh in the early morning...
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| Solitary...at dawn... |
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| Early birds...on the run |
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| Beautiful sunrise... rising from the sea |
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| Quiet Bedok Jetty at dawn |
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| Early rays, the beach and the sea |
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| My shadow... limping |
With great determination, I arrived back at the starting point to await Simon's return. I did 1 hr 35 mins for full 10 km. It was definitely not a stellar performance. However, I am glad that I had the determination to say 'NO' this time.
I am now hoping that my feet can be determined enough to bring me through the full 21 km next Sunday.
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