Dreams Come True If We Believe...

By Frank

"Believe" is one word that I have carried along with me since young. It carries a strong meaning for me in making me believe in myself and in things I do. And in running, it became my mantra. Thus come this Sunday, I hope what I have believe in will become a reality in the Macau Marathon 2009.

My previous entry has been a really negative one. It's seldom I will let it out especially in writing. Something must have made me do it. I do not know. But thanks to my friends who has given me feedback on my thoughts for it all did help spur me on. And not forgetting a gift I received from one of my personal training clients wishing me luck in my race. A simple shirt from Nike with a meaningful message on it. It reads "The Coach" on the front and "Oregon's Finest" on one of the sleeves. And he explained to me the meaning behind it for he is grateful for all the training and advices I have given him. As a Personal Trainer and a friend, I'm deeply touched. I'm wearing it with pride during this trip for sure.

Wearing it with pride...

Thinking back of my medication years and the battle I fought together with the other children, I guess I will dedicate this run to all of them especially to those who had lost their fight. There isn't any charity body, foundation or donation involve here, but instead, it will be my thoughts of them that counts. Perhaps, I will deliver my message to the hospital we were once in and maybe they will help convey the message.

I will be leaving for Macau in the wee hours of 4 December 2009 on board Air Asia. My travel partners this time will be different from the usual suspects. This time it consists of Lynn, Chin Chin, Saya, Shih Ming, Jennifer, Keat Seong and Victor. Raymond Hee who is now residing in Hong Kong will meet us there. We will be staying over at Macau for 2 nights before we leave for Hong Kong after the race for another 2 nights there. We will then return home from Macau on 9 December 2009. Though I been to both countries before, it has been years and I'm sure much has changed. Therefore, a pretty rush itinerary we have and I regretted for not extending for another 2 nights.

Luggage is all packed up since Monday. It's done so in advance as my checklist was actually ready a couple of weeks before hand. Therefore with free time, I guess it's better to pack early to avoid missing any essential items.

Checklist...

Here's a little something about the race. Starting at 6am together with the half and quarter marathoners from the Stadium Estadio de Macau, full marathoners will be taken twice on a gigantic 21.1KM loops between the islands of Macau Peninsula and Taipa connected by the Ponte de Sai Van Bridge. It's going to be a cool run with an average temperature of about 17 degree Celsius, but there will be headwind especially on the bridge. The race course is almost flat except for the bridge which is about 2.2KM long. Though water station will be stationed every 5KM, only plain water will be serve. No isotonic drinks nor energy gel will be serve. This might be a worrying factor. The race will end at the Stadium Estadio de Macau with a cut off time of 5 hours for the full marathon.

Macau Marathon 2009 race route...

Macau Tower overlooking the Ponte de Sai Van Bridge...

My training started in August 2009 and it came to a close yesterday with a total of 1038.91KM ran and 209.7KM cycled. For 4 months, I have stood with a structural training and an almost strict diet (only had cheat meals twice). And with 6 weeks leading to this race, I have had 3 other races with 2 weeks recovery period between each of them of different distances and disciplines to help me prepare for it. Throughout this period of time, not all sessions were productive and at a certain stage, I even burnt out. Each and every training session has been difficult. Weekday runs were done alone but I'm glad I have Choi and Loke as training partners on weekends for long runs. It really made things much easier.

Now, one final question that I have yet to answer. My marathon dream, my goal at the Macau Marathon 2009. I have set running a sub 4 hour marathon to be one of my resolution this year. I have yet to do so and this will be final chance to achieve it this year. That will be my primary goal. As for my dream goal, I'm sorry to say that I've decided not to reveal it for now. Sorry that I went back on my word but I guess it's not appropriate to actually reveal it for some reasons. The dream goal will be tough to achieve and it's far from just running a sub 4 hour marathon. And frankly speaking, I'm not confident of achieving it even though my training has been pretty fruitful in a way. My advantage of having mental strength over physical is something which will guide me through the distance, but not within a specific time. I guess there is a lot more work to be done but time isn't something I have. With that, it all boils down to this Sunday. To run my best and to give myself "hell" is the one thing I can do to hope. With the guidance of my mantra, the tag line given to me and the thoughts of the children, I just have to believe for my dreams to come true. So, do you believe?