My 2nd Borneo International Marathon

11th October 2009, woke up at 3.30am. I sat a while on my bed, trying to set my mind that today is the day for me and my running buddies to complete what we've train for - the half marathon.
It took me 5 minutes to really wake myself up. I got up and prepare myself, put on the most comfortable running gear I have. My daughter Angel realized I was quietly moving about the room and asked what I am up to. As usual, I told her I am going jogging and she went back to sleep.
Gave my husband a quick hug - a good luck hug, although he was fast asleep. I was all set by 3.50am when Jane came to fetched me. We all hitched a ride from her. Jane fetched Jennifer, Georgina and Eiji before she came over to my house. As I got into the car, I can feel that everyone was nervous. Pam hop in from Metro Restaurant and the next stop was to fetch Tricia.
We were on our way to Likas Stadium by 4.20am. It will be the 2nd marathon for Pam and myself. We both joined the 10km last year. I only did a 1 month training last year and it was really an agony after the run. I was also on my own. But this year's preparation was more than I had expected. Trained 4 months ahead, ran many areas of Kota Kinabalu and the best part was.... having running buddies.
We dropped our stuffs to be taken care by a personnel. I realised I was not as nervous as I was on my 1st participation...maybe because I had friends to run with me. It's because last year I went to the toilet 5 times before running. This time, only once :)
We did some warming up and stretching. Did not see any familiar faces. As we were lined up by the starting line, it was funny to hear the announcer annouced that faster runner should be at the front. So my buddies and I moved a few lines behind. We were also joking so much to calm ourselves down.
On the dot, we started at 5.30am. My buddies and I was running close to each other. I am glad that a week earlier, we had tried the real route for the half marathon so we'd know. While running also, we managed to have fun looking at other runners. One very outstanding and annoying runner was a guy who ran passed us and stop to walk. Then when all of us passed him, he start running again and overtook us. He did this a few times and luckily he then went ahead of us or else I would have told him off. JERK! (and I know his name)
Our route took us through the Likas coastal highway, passed the town market, Wawasan plaza, going into Sutera Harbour up to The Residency entrance and towards the Perkeso traffic light before heading back to Likas Stadium. We finished within our usual training timing. And it was indeed a great achievement. While cooling down and resting, then we saw some familiar faces and could not help but to say hello and sharing each other's experiences.
I considered myself very active in sports during my school years. Always into games and athletics was only as far as 400m. But to accomplished a half marathon distance at a late age....I believe I still have what it takes to be active. It goes the same for my running buddies...it is their 1st long distance run and they did very well. 3rd Borneo Intermational Marathon, we look forward to partcipate again!