The big day for this Bangkok trip was finally here, the Bangkok Marathon 2009. There’re actually 2 starting time for the full marathon runners, 2.00am for those who expected finishing in 5 hours or more, and 3.30am for those who expected finishing less than 5 hours. Having been absent from long distance race for 10 months, I lodged my expected finishing time as 4:50 while keeping my fingers crossed.
I went to bed as early as about 7pm the night before. Though I was able to sleep for about 2.5hr (was feeling so tired going about places whole day), after that I just couldn’t sleep anymore and stayed up till about 12am, until I was able to sleep again. I suppose I could put the blame on the loud music from the pubs and clubs along Khao San Road. Then got up at about 2am to get myself ready for the race.
The starting point for the marathon, at the road next to the Grand Palace, is only about 1.4km away from where I stayed at Khao San Road. That distance is just nice for warming up.
some runners arrived real early
there’s a live bad next to the starting line to entertain the early crowd
The weather was surprisingly chilly. Having had cold weather experience while running the Gold Coast Marathon last year, I jogged around as much as I could to make sure my muscles are really warmed up for the cool weather.
The wheelchair category before the 3.30am batch flag-off
The number of runners registered for full marathon was smaller than many other marathon races that I’ve ran. So naturally I was able to get into further front behind the starting line compared to other races. Once we’ve been flagged off, it only took awhile for me to cross the starting line, which narrow down between the finishing time and the actual time. My strategy for this race was to start off slow and steady, then keep my pace through out until the end.
The route took us onto the Somdet Phra Pin Bridge over the Chao Phraya River and then onto Borommaratchachonnani Rd, which is actually an elevated expressway till km 28, with a U-turn at km 15. Since the expressway was elevated above town, I could felt the chill wind keep blowing through out the whole stretch of it. Trust me, bracing the chill wind with only a pair of running shorts and tank top was a real challenge. My sweat turned cold and dry-off pretty fast. It was a mixed feeling of hot within my body but cold outside.
Many people seems to run pretty fast among my batch of runners. I guess it’s fair enough since my target finishing time of 4:50 was very close to the maximum finishing time of 5hrs within my batch. I felt that I was the last few runners being left behind. Upon making the U-turn at km 15, my conscious proof me right as there’re probably less than 15 people or so behind the U-turn point. This must be my first time being left so far behind during a race.
At this point, I felt so wanted to end this race. “It’s early morning, chilly weather, haven’t had enough of sleep the night before, why did I signed up for this?” That’s the question that kept playing in my mind. But I knew the only way to end it wasn’t until crossing the finishing line. So I had no choice but to keep going. While the finishing line was my long term goal during the race, I needed a short term goal to keep me going. So conveniently, the every subsequent water-station become the thing I set my eye upon. I guess that works pretty well from then on.
After passed km 20, I started overtaking a few runners. I begin to feel heaps better and that elevated my confidence. (guess these runners probably pushed too hard from the start). From then on, it was just overtaking action of many other runners.
Upon crossing the Rama VIII bridge, the scenery became more interesting as the whole expressway route before that was nothing to shout about. The rest of the route took us around the King’s official residence and across the historical part of Bangkok. The 10km race runners joint in our route after coming out from the King Rama V statue. The pack became crowded and was being forced to dodge many of the slower runners.
By then, knowing that the Grand Palace was not far from where I was, plus the kicking in of adrenaline rush and the pleasant weather, it was only right for me to push harder all the way through the end. I really thank God that there isn’t any stiffness or muscle pull until that point of time. In fact I felt such top form like never before.
It was a good final push all the way until the finishing line. I felt as though I could push for another 10km, but heck it, it’s the end! 4:40 on my watch. What an achievement! (though not my PB, but it’s a good timing considering that I haven’t run a marathon distance since about a year ago. Plus I haven’t been running actively when I was working in Singapore and JB for about 8 months).
4:40 finishing time
Posing with the finishing line
They’re giving out free beef burger sponsored by Macdonald’s. Went to collect the free burger and sat around, did some post run stretching, and observing at people that completed the race. It’s great to see so many satisfied faces that tell how much they’ve achieved by completing the race. Many were seen staying around to snap picture of their “the moment”, while others just sat around to cool off.
Pretty crowded at finishing area
One passionate runner
Everyone seems to leave the area at the same time after the race
Well done to the organiser who did pretty well of putting up the event! Will definitely recommend others to run for Bangkok Marathon next time.
The finisher medal (front)…
… (back)
