Project 84...

By Frank

It is said that the first marathon is the toughest. From a certain point of view, I have to agree on that. However on another aspect, I have to say that it is my most memorable. Of all my 6 marathons done to date, my fourth marathon which is the Sundown Marathon 2008 is still regarded my toughest. Tough due to the unforgiving race route and the race time which is done during the wee hours.

After running for almost 2 years now, I guess it is time that I take up the challenge of running something beyond the marathon. And since I won't be able to earn the title Ironman due to my incapability to swim, I would just stick with the discipline of running. And beyond the marathon is of course the ultra marathon. Due to the large scale of how the Sundown Marathon is organised, I decided to sign up for it for the second time. This time, the difference is that I will be competing in the ultra marathon instead which will cover 84KM! That's twice the distance of the marathon and running the route twice. It will be my first, though I do not know whether will it be my last, as Geraldine once told me that I should never say it's the last of everything.

I have registered for this event since December 2008 but decided to keep it to myself and also among the "Platinum Runners" only. Took me a while to decide on it, but I guess that it is do or nothing. It is decided since the day I ran my first marathon that one day I would like to run an ultra, at least once. And having to receive tremendous support from the "Platinum Runners", it certainly gave me the boost that I really needed to conquer this ridiculous distance. And I will remember the tag line of "Frank Boleh" (meaning Frank Can) given by Lynn. Thanks all my friend.

Friends who will be running the ultra marathon along side me will be Luc who is attempting his first too, Victor his second and also Mohan and Seow Ping who has both ran a few already. Besides them, I'm also glad that Lawrence, Chin Chin and Lynn all signed up for the marathon. With them around, training will certainly be much easier and not to mention fun. And not to mention that I hope we will be travel mates together and no doubt, it will be great to have them waiting at the finish line too.

A glimpse of the 2009 running top...

With 116 days to go till the race, training will undoubtedly start soon for me, in fact in a few days time although I'm currently down with my knee injury. However, training isn't necessary all about going out to run. It can be anything from planning, resistance training, rehabilitation, a strict diet and also even rest. It takes both physical and mental to click. Technically speaking, it's a change of lifestyle.

With the coming of my soon to be toughest race, I need to take things both seriously and lightly too. To be discipline and not to go overboard at the same time. Although my main goal is to complete the race and that timing isn't a factor, I still hope that I will be able to complete it in the fastest time possible. From another point of view, less time means less suffering.

Hence with this, I commence now on my Project 84, on route for 8.30pm, 30 May 2009 where the Sundown Marathon 2009 awaits me and my friends at Changi Village, Singapore..