Paris Half Marathon - 2 Mar 2008

My trip to Paris was magnificent. The city was just so charming and artistic. St Germain at the left bank where I stayed was just fabulous. One got the feel of a quotidian Paris neighborhood, where real Parisians lived in. I must say one thing, even the average Joe or I should say, average Arnaud was better-looking than the average-John you see here in London. Best thing, they were not superficially done-up like those you see in Avenue Des Champs-Elysées.

Here's some views from my hotel room: Sully St Germain at rue de Ecoles.





The night before the race, despite the light drizzling, I roamed around the city with a friend. One of the many shots - outside the Lourve,



Sunday, 2 March 2008 was the race day. I woke up 7.30am and took heaps of isotonic drinks and the high-energy snacks bar that I bought the night before at Au Vieux Camper. I could not believe my luck for at least five of these AVC shops were scattering around my hotel. My immediate supply for sport food.

By 9am, I took the metro from Chatelet on the right bank to the last station: Chateau de Vincennes on the yellow line. It was quite an amazing sight as the metro slowly got packed with runners every station it stopped till the last two stations. It seemed like the whole town was running the race! It is a great spirit to see that these city folks are so involved with such activities.



While walking to the main area to collect my bib ...



After all the struggling through the sea of people to the end of the hall to collect my bib,


these two frail but enthusiastic volunteers behind the counter insisted that I must show them my passport as an identity verification! I was like, GREAT! After all the hassle of coming to Paris and rushing a race, I could forget the one item that could make or break this: my passport! Brilliant, Jacque!! Like a chicken and a duck, we tried to explain to one another. But I was persistent that they gave me the bib in whatever limited French I got: 'we', 'non' and exaggerated body gestures. Finally they gave in and reluctantly passed me the bib, in spite of the clear rule indicated in the official letter (in ENGLISH) I brought with me to show them for collecting the bib! They smiled and waved when I took a picture of them. They must be thinking what a ignorant Chinese girl!



What can I say? I was relieved and elated that I would have my chip for official time recording and of course a running number bib to formalize the race!





A glimpse of the race point: Start and end point



Towards the start point, getting ready for the race ...



I guess maybe I was running late in the morning and had to rush for my bibs. Although I started the race with high spirit, I was not in a great form. I was not sure why or what, maybe I didn't hydrate myself well enough the last few days, maybe I forgot my vitamins throughout this trip, maybe I drank some alcohol during the last two nights, or maybe i was just all alone on this. My mind was playing tricks on me. Just 3 miles (6-7Km) into the race, I was ready to give up. I even talked myself into taking a toilet break at one of the brasserie along the way! It was not necessary at all! Sigh! I pressed on.

At the Km 9 mark, a dear friend, Alex came to support me. He managed to capture some quick glimpses of me near Chatelet (where I caught the train in the morning).





Then a few miles into the race, again I was very close in giving up. This time my ITB hurt a little, but mostly it was the bottom of my right foot that ached the most. Yape, a newfound injury! Irresistably, my mind just used that as an excuse to steal as much short walk as I could. Reason being, "I am in pain." I was indeed, but I knew I could endure that level of pain! Believe me, I has experienced some of it during training runs last week.

Somewhere along the way, my body started to feel weird. I was very uncomfortable with my outfit. I tried to disregard it, thinking this must be one of my mind tricks again. But after some self-motivating talk, it still didn't feel right! I zipped down my UnderArmor top. Suddenly, it felt breezy. My head was not aching as much. Then I took off my cap ... then my gloves. Instantaneously, it couldn't have felt more comfortable. Then it occurred to me that I was hyperthermic ... all this while! Now I understand what it means to be overdressed for a run. I used to tell my fellow runners I am that SE Asian that never get used to the cold. Guess I am no different, as I would still get overheated too.

By then, I was so sure that my time would be off by at least 10-15 mins from usual 10 mins-per-mile. But when I reached the 16 km(= 10miles), I checked my timer for the first time. It was 1:31:00. Ok, I was actually on time. I thought to myself, I might just be able to make it under 1:50:00 if I kept on running for the next 20 mins. And I tried. During the last 15 mins I felt like both my feet was on fire (literally), but it kinda masked the pain I had at the sole too. I ignored the ITB pain near my knee and sprinted on. At the 18-km, I was exhausted, this time, my body was failing me, not my mind. My mind was ready to attempt the sub 1:50. I started to walk, when an old French man (in his sixties) patted me on my lower back and encouraged me in French. I answered with hesitation,"We". Immediately, he replied in English," Throw that bottle and run!" He continued on with French, which con possibly mean pick up your speed, we are nearing the end of the race!

Then I just kept on running, possibly 5 mins per km till the end of race. I was out ... I didn't feel that I could run anymore. Obviously the sight of the medal was just rewarding.





I was disappointed with myself on how I performed at the beginning of the race. I could have done better. If only I stayed more positive, I think I would have made it under 2 hours at least. My official time is 2:00:14. My overall ranking is 12358 out of 18642, while my category (Seniors Femme) ranking is 907 out of 2338.

Guess what? I was so forgetful that I left my medal in the hotel. Hopefully the receptionist would send it to me as he said he would.

I need to train harder if I want to be sub 4:30 for the full marathon in April. It is week 11 btw. This week training is 6 miles on Tues, steady 10 miles on Thurs and slow 18 miles on Sun. Pray for me!