I have been having a chain of disappointing performances after Ndakaini. During trainings, I kept running out of air during my runs especially between the 17th and the 19th kilometer.
During
our group run, I couldn’t even complete the Upper Hill climb. I took a walk
twice…twice! I also walked on several other instances during the group run. I
couldn’t even complete my run.
We
travelled to shaggs with Jack to put up mom’s house in October. I carried along
my training gear and never at any instance did I think of going for a full
check up.
I
struggled during the runs most of the time coming short of 21k by some 2 or 3
kilometers. I kept faith knowing that whatever it is will soon clear. I tried
antibiotics (augmentin) and got some false hope that I was well. Doused down
cough syrup and other medication but every time I still fell short of my
target.
Upon
our travel back to Nairobi, I was hit by a bout of flu combined with fever,
headache and painful joints. I couldn’t manage to go to work. I decided to check in to Mater
Hospital for a full blood work and scan. The results – pneumonia, bacterial
infection, malaria and flu. I turned down the doc's call for admission and instead took drugs home. The next
day I was back in hospital for I.V.’s and all and in a worse situation than the previous day. I checked out of hospital on
Wednesday and began taking the prescribed dosage – 3 days to the marathon!
Feeling
better on Friday – just a day to Stanchart but still pretty weak. Ignore my health status and decide to go
for it with my focus on sub 90 mins whatever happens…Ive sacrificed a lot for this day, i just wouldn't let it slip while I sit back in a daze. I told myself there will be a day I will not be able to run but today will not be that day.
The
start of the run was very much okay and actually do my fastest 5k and for an instance I felt I could actually pull it off. I had a good
tempo all the way to 10km with Jack passing me on the 8th km mark when my vitals became unsteady.
Then my system began to shut down – I had to take breaks during the run so as
to inhale properly, I was running out of air - suffocating. I felt like quitting far too many times but every time I am about to stop I quickly notice that I am
actually running faster than several other runners and decided to just hang on.
The
route was the best but I just didn’t have the energy – I ran angry all
the way maybe that’s the only reason why I was able to complete the run. Anger is good, it gives u a burning desire. I felt
everything was just slow for me and I felt I could’ve ran a sub 90mins easily
on this terrain…I am yet to figure out why I had such a strong conviction. I actually need to put it to the test once I am through with medication.
In
short, my 2013 plans and targets were thwarted. I completed the run in 1:36
feeling like the slowest runner ever!
Kms
|
Time
|
Avg
Pace
|
1
|
4:01
|
4'01"/km
|
2
|
8:01
|
4'00"/km
|
3
|
12:01
|
4'00"/km
|
4
|
16:18
|
4'17"/km
|
5
|
20:41
|
4'23"/km
|
6
|
25:04
|
4'23"/km
|
7
|
29:31
|
4'27"/km
|
8
|
33:59
|
4'28"/km
|
9
|
38:25
|
4'26"/km
|
10
|
43:22
|
4'57"/km
– system shut down begins
|
11
|
47:30
|
4'08"/km
|
12
|
52:05
|
4'35"/km
|
13
|
57:12
|
5'07"/km - run & walk
|
14
|
1:01:41
|
4'29"/km
|
15
|
1:06:01
|
4'20"/km
|
16
|
1:10:48
|
4'47"/km
|
17
|
1:16:16
|
5'28"/km - run & walk
|
18
|
1:21:04
|
4'48"/km
|
19
|
1:25:31
|
4'27"/km
|
20
|
1:30:35
|
5'04"/km - run & walk
|
21
|
1:35:47
|
5'12"/km - run
& walk
|
I
suffered so much on my way back home in the bus
- sweating and heavy breathing, I felt like dying. Its because of pain - that is why I love to
run!
