Marathon – a long distance running event with an official distance of 42.195KM (26miles and 385yards), that is usually run as a road race; instituted in honor of a Greek soldier – Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens. – Wikipedia
February 2011 – I vowed to finish my first full marathon (FM) in 2011. I was feeling especially grateful because I was out of the woods already. Each time I laced up my shoes to train, I was being reminded how closer I was to uniting my family and friends to re-affirm how blessed we are and we have so much to share. It was truly inspiring – from a sickly soul to a marathoner, with people pledging to support a charitable institution for every kilometer I would cover. The goal was huge, and announcing it to my favorite crowd made me shiver. I cried. I was so addicted to life.
In 2011, I completed two full marathons: Manila International Marathon (MIM), Sept 25; and Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS), Dec 4.
42KM – MIM – 25 Sept 2011
SM Runners – Trail Run – Tagaytay Highlands
38 of 42KM – SCMS – 04 Dec 2011
FM – SCMS – 04 Dec 2011
Photo courtesy of Atty. Cashmer
It is true that I was hospitalized, Dec 11 due to electrolyte imbalance and elevated level of creatinine. Root cause : over fatigue.
Few hours after I crossed the SCMS finish line at St. Andrews Padang in Singapore, I flew back to Manila. For the rest of the week, I was reporting to work as if I did not run an FM. I even played badminton. Addict nga eh! Adrenaline was able to sustain me for that duration.
Dec 11, I woke up to prepare for the Milo Finals. I was to participate in the half marathon category (21KM). I couldn’t get up from bed. I was almost paralyzed – an instant ticket to the Emergency Room of DGMC. I received my first and last dose of Tramadol via intravenous injection. Instant effect: my condition went critical. My body was fighting off the drug – palpitation, numbness, nausea, and skin – pale as dead. The doctors were terribly worried, too. It took about 15 minutes for my condition to stabilize. I was receiving painful potassium supplement, diluted into the intravenous bottle; and blood samples were being taken 4x a day. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days – days it took for my potassium level to normalize.
The urologist and internist ruled out muscle necrosis. My kidneys are functioning 100%. The cardiopulmonologist confirmed that my heart is very much healthy. The OB told me to get a LOVE life! (Nice one, doc!) Given 3 to 5 months of rest, I can go back to full marathon training – but no more back-to-back full marathon for me. I was advised to train for one full marathon a year (only), and give myself at least 3 months to recover from an FM.
I’ve been jogging for several weeks now…in preparation for my third FM. I have set some ‘checkpoints’ along the course to carefully gauge my readiness for it. Call it crazy, but I think I’ve become a runner by heart. I’m going to brisk walk / jog / run until I grow old. Like what I wrote after my first FM, it’s going to be Ann + Running = Forever. I guess, this is it. =)
Stroll (scroll) down memory lane: =)
https://meowthmoments.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/ann-running-forever/
i guess i’ll be seeing you on the road =)
hi daves – it’s good to be back. see you soon! =)