The Moment.....Race Day!

All the preparation for cold weather, the extra clothing I brought (don't want a repeat of the freezing cold weather in Berlin), it seems to be in vain. Email were sent out to runners 2 days before race day to warn runners to expect a heatwave. Runners who qualified for this year's race were allowed to defer their participation till next year. Those who are ill-prepared were warned not to take part. Here are some of the updates I received through email.

Update 1

BOSTON MARATHON - WEATHER UPDATE

Marathon Monday in New England can offer a variety of weather conditions, and from what we can see, this Monday will be no different.

The forecast for April 16th is calling for higher than normal temperatures on the course. If a cold front does not come through the region by mid afternoon, temperatures are predicted to reach into the low 80's. Combine these temps with a south west wind, you may be running in a moderate level of heat and in dryer than normal conditions.

Educating yourself on the three major forms of heat illnesses will only provide you with the ability to protect yourself and to help fellow runners. All forms of heat illness (heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke) can be exacerbated by distance running in warmer climates. Heat Stroke is a life threatening illness. The BAA requests that you take a moment to review these important heat recommendations.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

• Stay properly hydrated and recognize the early warning signs of heat illness. As a runner, you can prevent heat-related problems from becoming a life-threatening situation. Learn to respect the heat, even if temperatures are only in the 60's (F) on race day.
• Hydrating properly is important...... But be careful; over hydrating can be just as harmful.
• Heat illness is related to elevated temperatures, elevated humidity and to the speed of running.
• Slow down.... Running in the heat should drastically change your pre-race strategy. Slowing down can significantly decrease many forms of heat illness.
• If you are feeling sick or if you are experiencing a fever on the morning of the race, know that running in the heat will only exacerbate your illness and the symptoms of heat illness. It is the advice of the Boston Marathon's medical team to NOT run if you are experiencing a fever on race morning -- regardless of the weather conditions. If you become dizzy, nauseated, or have the chills while running, then STOP RUNNING, find shade, and drink water or a fluid replacement drink. If you do not feel better, seek medical help.
• Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature and the body temperature continues to rise. Symptoms of heatstroke include mental changes (such as confusion, delirium, or unconsciousness). Heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency, requiring emergency medical treatment.
• Run in the shade whenever possible and avoid direct sunlight. When you are going to be exposed to the intense rays from the sun, apply at least 15 SPF sunscreen and wear protective eye wear that filters out UVA and UVB rays. Consider wearing a visor that will shade your eyes and skin but will allow heat to transfer off the top of your head.
• If you have heart or respiratory problems or you are on any medications, consult your doctor about running in the heat. In some cases it may be in your best interest to rethink your running strategy that day, and if there are extreme temperature increases on race day, then consider not running at all that day. If you have a history of heat stroke/illness, know that you are susceptible for this condition again, so run with extreme caution.
• Dress accordingly; wear as few clothes as you decently can. Try loose fitting white shorts and a white mesh top to reflect the heat and to permit evaporation. Protect your head from intense sun with a lightweight hat that can breathe. The back of the neck can be protected by the hat/visor or a cotton kerchief.
• Run with friends so that you can keep an eye on each other's medical status during the day. If you see a runner in distress, then ask for medical assistance.

Update 2

Advisory From Boston Marathon Medical Directors to Entrants in the 2012 Boston Marathon
Saturday, April 14, 2012 as of 11:30 a.m.

We are looking closely at the current weather situation which is projected to be quite warm. The B.A.A. is closely monitoring this situation for for race day decisions. If the temperatures reach certain levels, running will put even the most fit athletes at risk for heat injury.

We are now making the recommendation that if you are not highly fit or if you have any underlying medical conditions (for example-cardiac disease, pulmonary disease or any of a number of medical problems), you should NOT run this race.

Inexperienced marathoners should not run.

Those who have only trained in a cooler climate and who may not be acclimated (for at least the last 10 days) to warm weather running conditions should also consider not running.

For those very fit athletes who decide to run, you should take significant precautions:

Run at a slower pace and maintain hydration.
You should frequently take breaks by walking instead of running.

This will not be a day to run a personal best. If you choose to run, run safely above all else. Speed can kill.

Heat stroke is a serious issue and is related to intensity of running as well as the heat and humidity.

Good hydration is important but over hydration can also be a problem. Thirst is an indication that you are under-hydrated. You should maintain hydration levels slightly greater than your hydration program in your training, but not excessively so.

Even the fittest athletes, that take precautions can still suffer serious heat illness. Recognizing symptoms of heat illness in yourself and others is critical , this may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. If you experience any of these, stop running immediately and if symptoms persist seek medical attention.

Boston Marathon Co-Medical Directors,
Dr. Pierre d'Hemecourt and Dr. Sophia Dyer

Update 3

BOSTON MARATHON UPDATE
Due to warm weather in Monday's forecast, a deferment option has been introduced.

Due to the unusually warm weather forecast for the Boston area on Monday, the B.A.A. will defer the entry of those official entrants to the 2013 Boston Marathon for participants who decide not to race.

This applies to official entrants only who either have claimed or will claim their bib number packet at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo through Sunday evening at the Seaport World Trade Center in South Boston. Runners must claim their bib number for deferment to be an option.

In order to receive a deferment for 2013, race participants may not start the race.

No refund for the 2012 entry will be given. All entry fees for 2013 must be paid.

In addition, the B.A.A. will keep the finish systems open an additional hour on race day. Whereas the finish systems generally cease just prior to 5:00 p.m., this year the finish systems will remain open until approximately 6:00 p.m.

Please go to the B.A.A.'s web site - www.baa.org or www.bostonmarathon.org - for the latest information.

The B.A.A. thanks all participants for their cooperation in this matter.

 GOOD LUCK PARTICIPANTS!

Sincerely,B.A.A.

B.A.A. allows us to defer our participation to next year which sounds tempting if not for the money paid for flights and accomodation. No matter how ill-prepared I was, I've come all the way here so there's no way I will be defering it.

Most people would think that us coming from a tropical country, we should be accustomed to high temperature weather. Our answer to them was simple, we don't usually run under the hot weather. Most of our long runs were done either early mornings or late evenings, right?

My race will only start at 10am, but we had to get up early to catch a free shuttle from our hotel to Boston Common where we will hop on to the buses prepared by B.A.A. to the start line in Hopkinton which is some 26 miles away. Yeap! That's right, we will running right back into the city from there.



At hotel room

Me and Moey in the shuttle to Boston Common

Runners hoping into the bus to Hopkinton

Took us some time to reach Hopkinton. Chatted with a runner sitting next to me who was doing probably his second Boston. Once you entered the village, you can see a whole lot of runners waiting for the gun off time. I wish the day was a little cooler.

Walked around to take some shots and got some breakfast which was provided. It was a long wait before the start so managed to pick up some free stuff. Put on a lot of sun lotion provided by the medical tent and also Adidas.

Athletes' Village, Hopkinton

Inside Athletes' Village....

American and their Bagels

Whole lots of Power Gels

With Gavin Bong

Dutamas Runners was here!

Nipples Guards anyone?

As the time draws nearer to start, we were call to go the star point according to our bib colours, wave & corrals. Once we were out from the village, all the buses were marked with the range of bib numbers. I looked for mine and handed m bag to them.

Then there was this long 1km walk towards the start line. Man....it was such a long walk. And at that time, the sun was already shining bright and hot! A lot of runners were already topless.

Loading up bags into bus. It will be waiting for us at the finish line

The long walk to the starting line

Waiting at the start line

There were speeches, American national anthem before the start....I've already made up my mind that I was going to enjoy this run by going slow. It would have helped if the weather was cold.

 Nature's calling

Another 41.195km to go!!

Lots of supporters giving hi five, low five, offering oranges, drinks, gels, etc. It was just so amazing to see the supporters out there under the hot sun. I was trying to go slow as about 5:30-6:00 pace. But after the first few kms, my average pace was still below 5:00min/km pace. That was mainly due to the fact the course is overall a downhill course, adding a few hills on the way to the finish line. I thought I just went along with the pace as I still felt comfortable with the pace.

The weather got worse by the day and by the time I reach halfway point, I was already feeling the pinch. From there onwards, it all went "downhill". Well, I couldn't do anything more but to start walking as cramps starting to creep in. I walk, I run, walked again...it went on until I started walking fully as my cramps were unbearable already. I stopped to get some ice from the crowds, walked some more, stopped...it went on and on. And I was wondering wheher I am going to pull out from the race.

This is what all the guys came here for ......so what is waiting for us in Wellesley? If you can't wait, jump right to the end of the page for the video!

After many miles, crowds and supporters still can afford a smile to us which is really refreshing. It was hard to register a DNF (Did Not Finish) for this type of race. I tried to stay strong and finish the race, although at certain point I really want to sit down and give up. My quads were suffering such a bad cramp that each time I tried to run, I just stopped. I just went on taking photos until a point where I don't even have the energy to even think of taking photos. All I want to do is sit or lie down. My foot was hurting so much, each step I take was painful (I found out when I got back to the hotel, that  the top of my left foot was swelling badly).

At the top of the infamous Heartbreak Hill...

When I can sense the finish line was near, I took a step towards a slight jog at the last 1.5km of the race. I thought I can't be finishing my race, walking to the finish line. I had the time to ask someone to snap a photo of me at Mile 26 before I struggled running to the finishing line. What a relieve! I can really see stars at the end of the race. My stomach felt bloated in the last few miles of the race for drinking too much water until a point I don't even feel like drinking.

 This is a fake smile....seriously!

I took my medal, grabbed myself some water and Gatorade and walked towards the bus to get my gears. I just sat down by the pavement with some other runners after picking up my bag and just felt dizzy. I was wishing that I was back at the hotel, showered and getting ready for a good nap! This is what you were aiming for....

Overall, it was a wonderful experience except for the weather which didn't help at all. If it was race under cold weather I don't think I would be suffering this much. I probably could have clocked a sub 4 but that was not important for the fact my preparation for this race was poor. Crowds are amazing and they really made you go on and on even if you felt like giving up. Would I come back here again? Maybe.......mainly due the cost of flying out here and of course I need to qualify for the race again, as my Berlin timing expires after this race. So what kind of timing would I need to run to qualify? Another 3:10! My next marathon race, I won't be aiming for sub 3:10 but a sub 3:00. That would be my ultimate aim in marathon. Can I do it? Time will tell...but I'm confident enough if I put in the right mileage. Berlin timing was achieved with an average mileage of 50-65km per week. That's probably half the mileage I really need to cover to run a good race.

Anyone thinking of qualifying for next year's race?

As for Boston, as much as I would like to run it again, it has to wait. Financial being the main factor. Besides, if I ever go US again, I still have two other Marathon Majors that I can compete in, New York and Chicago. Then to complete it, the London Marathon.

For those wishing to run Boston Marathon, I really encourage you to do so. It is one hell of an experience that as a marathon runner, you should go through it at least once. It was not called the Holy Grail of marathon for nothing. With proper training and advice, I am sure anyone can do it.

I really want to thank my sister and my bro-in-law for their hospitality when I was in US. And of course, I need to thank Salomon (via World of Outdoors) for their apparel sponsorship, especially Mori Hiroshi who managed to secure the sponsorship for me.

Of course, for those who aspire to run Boston (for the guys) here is the video for you to motivate you. I don't have the software to make it slow motion but you probably can do it yourself. Sorry it is a shaky video...I was running after all! You probably can hear them scream from 500-600 meters away..some say 1km! Haha. You an see that the ladies would start running to left of the video, while all the guys would sway to the right, magnetic pull probably. Enjoy!