∴ How it all started

Marathon is a gradual challenge I could easily compare with starting my OiB blog. Daring to start, scaring to experience and amazing to see grow.

For most people, running marathon is synonymous with physical torture. It is a no brainer, a big no-no. Actually, when I say to people about my hobby, they politely say “whao, that’s fabulous!” and secretly think “OMG, this girl is fuc*** crazy”.

So, I started with no real plans, I guess I was in a feel-good mindset when I typed my debit card numbers to pay for my participation ticket. Smooth and short process that opened the door to experiment new opportunity in getting to know myself better.

I became my own boundary pusher.

I was not in need to loose weigh, or reshape my body tone. It was neither a way to cope with a specific work related stress, pragmatic lady as I am, I do OK in maintaining a sharp line between work and leisure.

∴ Getting mentally & physically ready

Suprisingly, I found a large range of training program starting from 4 up to 18 weeks online. The goal I fixed myself: run, muscle up and repeat, ideally slowing down on Wednesday and Thursday ladies night drinks in Kuala Lumpur heart of night life, Changkat Raja Chulan,

At the beginning, I completely underestimated the value in becoming a runner while living in Malaysia, my new entertainment has aroused a set of healthy habits in my day-to-day life, I had to go back on my nutrition books and reread about proteins, glucides and…water!

When you’re not running, you’ll be thinking about running. Marathon training is totally addictive – you’ll finish a run, feel incredible, and almost immediately begin kicking yourself for not running faster or for longer.

Certainly, this hobby comes with a bunch of risks in terms of troublesome running injuries, nagging aches and pains that crop up and threaten to limit your ability to run altogether.

∴ My trail marathon: 31/08/2014

The first marathon I joined was set in August 31^st, 2014.

The TMBT trail marathon, the sport event gathered around 1000 participates, mostly locals men. It offered a fabulous trail discovery, a mixture of jungle hike, village crossing and deep sky-high landscape over Kota Kinabalu Mountain, the roof top of Malaysia, heading at 4, 096m altitude.

No photoshop used across those pics. (Image TMBT)

THAT finish line

Well, the kick you get when you cross THAT finish line is worthless.

You do not feel the pain in your legs and feets anymore, I did it! 

I feel happy, I feel proud, and mostly I feel invincible, like if I was wearing underneath my running gear WonderWomanCap with my name on it 😉

What I learnt?

The truth is that running is often a solitary endeavor. It is a me-myself and I solo trip to mastership. Because YOU set your own performance goal, YOU and only YOU can ultimately define the shapes and the colors of your journey to success. Endurance is one of the most important building block for marathon preparation and there is not short way. I am a solo runner, I usually hit the pavement with Spotify playlist in my ears, the bits keeps me going and takes away any short moment of weirdness. Spotify, as a running mate or/and inspirational voice that whisper: mooove faster!

Treadmill or outdoor track?

I am lucky enough to live in a pleasant condo with a –yet warmed off- workable treadmill. Hence, treadmill = morning, pre-work workout, a 30min express run and hop! I am ready to have a wonderful day. But, to be honest with you, to really to spice up my running routine, outdoor run is a must, like at the lake garden, a few minutes walk from KL Sentral station.

And ideally away from traffic jam and heavy nuisance.

Amanda 😉

Marathon