Diabetes Run 2012

I wrote all this before realizing that the course was short. Nonetheless, God be praised!

God be praised. I did not expect to run the race of my life. My Father had other plans for me. He surprised me with a 35:33, by nearly even splits of 17:45 and 17:48. My Father cheered me all the way.

I beat my previous best time by over a minute; so significant was this feat. I know I am not worthy of such an accomplishment, but like many things these days, this I receive openly by God's grace. I turn this blessing back into praise for my Father.

This was my first run during the church fast season in years. This was a special run in that way.

Maybe the fasting and prayer help in practical ways, even. I fell asleep at 09:30 and awoke refreshed at 06:00. I was at peace in my preparations.

My preparations did not change much. I couldn't defecate in the morning but so soon as I arrived at the venue, it was time -- I suspect either my mind or the compressing underwear and windpants combination does this since I had not taken caffeine by the time I had arrived. Thank God that, like the last time I experienced such discomfort before running a personal best, God provided an empty, clean mobile toilet for me. While people queued for stalls, I slipped into the portojohn and praised God for such physical relief! Afterwards, I took caffeine in a gel and felt good. Although I felt as if I wanted to urinate at the start, I knew my body was no more than tricking me.

The crush of people at the starting line formed only ten minutes before the start. I had plenty of time to stretch and to secure a spot at the front. I spied many Asics Tarthers whifh piqued my interest in the shoe. I did not noticr many elite runners.

Only when the gun had sounded and we had dashed off did I recognize a few people. At first, I fell behind the young man whom I had passed in the second half of the feet of fire 10K 2011. I knew his pace, from 37:30-38:00, so when I flew by him just a kilometer into the race, I had no idea what to expect. Later, I set a certain bald guy in my gun sight. I knew this man was a class above me, a sub 36-runner easily. Yet, he was in my sights the entire race. Praise God. This guy paced me to my personal best run!

Finally, this was my first run on this Tai Po course since I had first run sub-37 a few months ago. This is an especially fast course, running in whichever direction, since I had run so fast in my previous race here. Last time, in fact, I ran an even faster first leg at 17:40, but gassed badly in the end with a 19:05. This time I ran far more smoothly and evenly. I believe this course is faster than the Shatin courses.

Where do I go from here? I never thought it would be possible for me to run a sub-36. After all, it took me several years to run a sub-37 and I had calculated the impossibiliy of running a sub-36. But all things are possible with God. Forget about a sub-82 half-marathon. Maybe I should seriously consider a sub 80-half marathon run. That is possible with 37:30 splits!