The Marathon Woman

After the ride/run brick on Saturday I handed my house and children over to Ivie and Randy who had very kindly agreed to look after them while I abandoned Sid and Seb to go and support Shilpa for her first ever marathon in Bangkok.

My buddy Ashley was kind enough to collect me from the airport and we went to my in-laws house for some light refreshment and a bite to eat. Shilpa was in good spirits although a little nervous. Soon after, Ashley and I went out for a few beers and a bit of shopping to allow Shilpa to sleep - that's our story and we're sticking to it.

I arrived back with enough time to grab an hours sleep before we had to leave for the 2a.m. start - yes you read it right 2 o'clock in the morning - OUTRAGEOUS! In the meantime Shilpa had thrown up her lunch and dinner and it looked like food poisoning might put a damper on snatching Paula Radcliffe's world record. I suggested that it might be pre-race nerves, put it behind us and hope for the best.

We were at the start in plenty of time and soon enough 2a.m. came around and the gun went off. I tried to get some photos as she ran past but to no avail, so I ran along with her for the first two hundred metres - she had a big smile on her face and seemed more than ready to face the challenge ahead. I on the other hand grabbed a taxi and headed home for another couple of hours sleep.

The alarm went off all too soon at 5:30a.m. and I headed out with Marieke and Andrea, two of Shilpa good friends from KL (they're both really "go get it" Dutch ladies and great fun to be with) - they were doing their first 10k run which started at 6:45a.m.

We got to the start/finish area at about 6a.m. and waited for Shilpa to appear. She was hoping for a sub 5 hour race (an ambitious time for a first marathon) however, having trained with her I knew that if she kept her head together she could even break 4hr30min.





And then in the distance I saw a woman running with great ease and fluidity who looked a little like Shilpa - it was just past 4hr20min but this runner looked so at ease, there was no way this could be her - BUT IT WAS!


































She finished in an amazing 4hr23min54sec, she gave me a huge wave and smile as she cruised over the line. I gave her a big hug and then got a shock - she'd just run a marathon in the tropical humid heat of Bangkok and she was dry as a bone, she hadn't even broken into a sweat. Not only that but straight afterwards she did some stretching and began by touching the floor in front of her toes (straight legs mind you) - "It's all down to the yoga" she said, "No I didn't have any down points in the run - in fact I don't know what all the fuss is about, I found it quite easy".

This was painful to hear as there was no boasting, no bravado in her voice she meant it solely as a matter of fact!!! Imagine what potential she has? I was blown away and incredibly proud of her - although perhaps my sleep deprivation didn't allow me to express it as I might have done had the race been at a sensible time of day.

We then went to watch Marieke and Andrea finishing - they finished within about a minute of each other and were totally stoked by the whole experience - there may even have been a few tears!!! Wonderful - What a great day.










Later a lovely breakfast was followed by a relaxing Thai massage and then some more sleep for me while the girls went off for more shopping. Which brings me nicely to an anecdote - Marieke and Andrea were so enthused about the whole thing that they were soon planning their next race - Japan seemed to be the preferred option but various places in Europe were also suggested. Trying to be helpful I explained that there were many 10k races held in KL so there was really no need to travel - At which point I got a friendly hand on my shoulder and in a very kind voice (the sought of caring voice a mother might use to a little child who has just said something very silly and naive) "It's not about the running, IT'S ABOUT THE SHOPPING".

Before we knew it we were heading for the airport and home. Which leads nicely into the last adventure of the trip which I suspect few have experienced. As we started to descend to KLIA there was lots of turbulence and all of a sudden a huge BANG and flash from the right engine - we were sitting at the window just behind the wing, the engine and the flash were in full view - WE'D JUST BEEN HIT BY LIGHTENING!. Shilpa and I reacted slightly differently, I realised that the plane was still going forward and nothing too drastic seemed to have happened so I put it down to being "an interesting experience" and made a mental note to mention it in the blog. Shilpa on the other hand tried to get out of the plane! Not quite but let's just say we held hands very very tightly and I'm hoping the fingernail marks don't leave a scar.

Randy and Ivie were waiting for us when we got home and it sounded like they and the boys had had a great action packed weekend. We couldn't wait to see the boys; they'd obviously have missed us terribly - they woke us up this morning and Sid kindly and very diplomatically said "I missed you" but then went on to tell us what a great weekend they'd had with Randy and Ivie - Mmmmmm! Looks like we're disposable parents.

End Notes: Shilpa has expressed some slight tightness in her legs this morning - not pain just tightness - life isn't fair! that's all I can say!

Thanks again Randy and Ivie we really appreciated your help and the boys obviously took to you big time.

Well done Shilpa - (she finished 20th in her category, 596th overall out 1866 competitors) - you surprised everyone except me - you just made me so proud!