PJ Half Marathon 2004 - Battle with the Stiches

The PJ Half Marathon would be my last half marathon for 2004.

I was aiming for a time 1 hr 52 min., a time I considered achievable in view of the shorter distance,19. 5km compared to Ipoh (21 km) and Seremban (22 km) run. I had run these races in respectable times of 1 hr 58 and 1 hr 57 min. respectively at a brisk pace with some reserves to spare. So for PJ Half route shorter by 1.5 to 2.5 km, equal to 7-12 minutes faster time, a time of 1 hr 52 min. seemed to be an easy target.

I was wrong - PJ would become the toughest half marathon I had ever run.

THE START
The race started right on time at 6.30 am with a gun shot; no speeches, no announcements the starter's name and position . Simple with no fuss. I started slowly and gradually picked up the pace until the Federal Highway. Here then runners faced a gradual run up an long incline - not to steep. I came across Newtwon and Jonathan running at comfortable pace. Newton asked me to "go ahead" which I did. I also ran at a comfortable pace and overtook dozens of slower runners. I was not breathing hard but the pace? I seemed to be running quite fast. Up the Motorola bridge and bback down the Federal Highway at the 5 km mark, i checked my pace. My timing - it was 25 min. 40 seconds. I was surprised to be able to run this fast comfortably. Did a quick calculation. If I could mantain the same pace for another 15 km, I would finish the race in 1 hr 40 minutes.

A Personal Best (PB) time was within reach.

5 KM TO 10 KM - I AM FLYING
Past the 5 km, I continued pushing the same pace but with no sign of discomfort or heavy exertion. Everything seemed to be so easy. Just cruising along and enjoying running at the fastest pace I've run since Aug. 2003. Running up the steep Subang Jaya flyover - no trouble here. Soon I came across the 10 km market. Another time check, 49 min 30 seconds. Faster than the first 5 km. I am flying - nothing was impossible!

10 KM to 14 KM - TROUBLE STARTS WHEN THE GOING IS GOOD
Past the 10 km mark, I was beginning to become a little tired. Decided to slow the pace and started to scan the opposite road. Saw Gavin and many other runners - counted about 20-30 of them at this time.

At 12 km, the stiches started below both rib cages. Slowed down my pace further, hoping it would go away with slower breathing. Stopped an walked for about 100 m. Saw David (Klang Pacer) running on the opposite road. Also saw Yong running past - he shouted to encourage me to go faster. But I coudn't muster the pace as the stiches became worse.

14 KM MARK to FINISH - THE STRUGGLE
The worst was to come after 13 km. Run 1-2 minutes, walk, run, walk and so it goes on and on. Tried everything to overcome the stiches; Deep breathing, long walk break (200 m), finger on diagram - nothing works. Could barely run at a slow pace. Came across a Malay guy who was also walking. He had leg cramps - I can emphatise with him. We are sharing our suffering together. My suffering continued as other runners ran pass me. When will this suffering END?

20 km to STADIUM - RELIEF
I turned into a road for the last 2 km to the Stadium. I mustered all my willpower to keep running despite the stiches. Five minutes later I sighted the stadium - relief !. I saw Jamie ahead of me - was he struggling too ? I checked my watch 1 hr 56 minutes with another 50o m to the finish line. I was desperate - I have to finish within 2 hrs . I gave it all to sprint the last 500 m into the Stadium. Finally crossed the line at 1 hrs 58 min. 20 seconds. Thanks to Azwar and Ronnie who cheered me near the finish line.

POST RACE
I was exhausted with sore legs but the stiches have finally dissapeared. Meet up with Yong near the drinks stations. He finished in 1 hr 50 minutes in 173 position. Congratulations, Yong, nice Pewter medal !. I also met up with all other runners to swap stories. Good to see them all as everyone I have known since taking up running 5 years ago was there at the finishing line.

WHAT WENT WRONG?
Did I run too fast for the first 10 km ? Stiches can be caused by improper breathing - breathing too fast. I was breathing comfortably for the first 10 km. And the stiches continued even when I slowed my running pace. It's still a mystery.

NEXT RACE
My next race is the World Tour Day Run at Dataran Merdeka on 26 Aug. 2004