The Marathon...... One week out

I’ve always had it in my head that some day I would run a marathon. I’m not sure why I have thought this. I don’t enjoy running. I’m not a very good runner and when I do run it’s just a slow clump without much grace or speed. Having said that I don’t enjoy running, at various times I have been a regular runner. Usually this has coincided with my pants becoming tighter and my breath becoming shorter as I attempt to walk up any more than about 4 stairs.

I have always had an issue with keeping my weight where I would like it to be. After years of thinking about this, I believe that I have finally pinpointed the problem and it looks something like this. And this.

Even with these two delicious and yet evil calorie collectors, I have managed to stay somewhat where I want to be. That is, less than 95kgs (210 pounds). Unfortunately, since I moved to Hong Kong in 2006, I have let myself slip a little. On October 25, 2008, I stood on the scale and weighed in at 104kgs (229 pounds). Which is actually the weight Mike Tyson was in his last fight against Kevin McBride in 2005. Although I’m not sure my slide up the weight scale has been quite at dramatic as Iron Mike’s when you look at Tyson in the ring and Tyson after perhaps a few too many burger rings.

As I stepped from the scale that day in October I knew I had to do something. Plus, I knew that I was turning 40 in March and I wanted to do something ‘amazing’ before then. As fate would have it, on that very same day I saw an article in the South China Morning Post about the Hong Kong Marathon to be held in February 2009. Well, it didn’t take me long to put two and two together and come up with 42.5 kms. So as soon as the online registration came up in November, I signed up.

The next step was to get a program to follow. After a little searching around on my friend the internet, I found a beginners program designed to just get you to the finish line of the marathon course. It was an 18-week program and I’m pleased to say that I have managed to follow it pretty closely. I have my doubts about the program though because I feel no where near ready for a run that I estimate will take around 4.5 hours. But….. I am ready to give it a go.

On Saturday I went down to Victoria Park in Causeway Bay and picked up my race kit. Which consisted of a magazine, a t-shirt and a finisher’s medal. The magazine would be great, if I read Chinese. The t-shirt (XL size) was not really designed with the chunkier western man in mind and the fact I now have a finisher’s medal is a little ambitious at this stage. Still, it was a very well run operation and the collection took no time at all. I hold high hopes for the organization of the run……ie: plenty of food and drink stations.

As for the run itself, it travels out from Kowloon to Lantau Island and then back on to Hong Kong Island via the Harbour Tunnel, finally finishing in Causeway Bay. Officially, I am entered into the Masters 1 category. That is, between 35 – and 45 years old in my first or second marathon. I am thinking though that I should be in class of my own, Masters 5 (6 foot western guys weighing in at over 100kgs). After taking a look at this picture from last year’s event, I reckon I have a pretty good chance of doing well in my section.

Speaking of master’s athletes, I think the lady in the middle of the field for this prestigious running event is probably hoping that experience rather than youth will get her through.

So that’s it. The race is next Sunday and I hope that I am position next week to call myself a marathon finisher. After all, I already have the medal.