THE PLAN THAT WASN’T A PLAN
I actually wanted to join KLSCM this year, but I lost the battle during ticket sales. Everything sold out in what felt like minutes.
Then, a little more than a week before KLSCM, my friend Satis told me he had to attend his younger sibling’s engagement and couldn’t make it. So I took over his bib.
There was just one small problem.
I didn’t train.
My last long run was the Score HM back in July. Since then, maybe a few 5K runs here and there. And I wasn’t even supposed to be preparing for a marathon. My main goal this year was something completely different: a 200 kg deadlift.
To support that goal, I was bulking.
Which meant I was heavier.
And being heavier doesn’t exactly make running 42 km easier.
So I knew what I was getting myself into. I had done a full marathon before, and I knew the distance deserved respect. This wasn’t going to be a race for a PB. The goal was simple: finish without destroying myself.
I set a realistic target somewhere between 6:30 and the 7:15 cutoff.
GETTING TO THE STARTING LINE
One thing I learned from KLSCM 2025 was that getting to the race was almost a separate event by itself.
Parking in KL was going to be a hassle. Roads would be closed. Getting into the city would be difficult. And after the marathon, I would have to somehow get back to the car with legs that had just survived 42 km.
So this year, I took the train.
I boarded at Glenmarie and got off at Masjid Jamek. The train was free for the event sponsors, and it turned out to be a very good decision.
Lantaklah busuk.
Ramai runner lain pun sama.
THIS TIME, I HAD A PLAN
I knew I didn't have enough mileage, so I wasn't going to pretend otherwise.
From the beginning, I kept the effort low, probably around 40–50%. The first 10 km actually felt pretty good. I could have maintained the pace, but I decided not to.
Instead, I started run-walk early.
Every uphill, walk.
Every downhill, jog.
The idea was to preserve as much energy as possible for later.
From my previous marathon experience, I knew that when the mileage isn't there, the body usually starts collecting its debt somewhere around KM15–20. So there was no point burning energy early just because I felt good.
The weather was actually okay, although the haze was quite bad. Breathing didn't feel as comfortable as I would have liked.
Around KM20, I took my first salt shot and continued with energy gels roughly every 30 minutes.
So far, the plan was working.
THEN CAME DUKE
Once we entered DUKE, somewhere around KM25, the real challenge started.
The rolling hills just didn't seem to end.
Uphill, walk.
Downhill, jog.
At this point, I started seeing more and more runners sitting or lying down by the side of the road. Some were completely spent. I even saw a few asking the marshals to DNF, while buses were already picking runners up along the route.
Meanwhile, my body had started producing its own collection of problems.
Quad cramps.
Hamstring cramps.
Calf cramps.
Even my ankle started complaining.
The strategy became very simple: when it hurts, walk. When the pain goes away, jog. When it hurts again, walk.
There was no point trying to prove anything.
KM30 came and I took another salt shot. KM38, another one.
There was also supposedly cendol somewhere along the route, but by the time I got there the queue was too long.
At that point, I had to make a difficult decision.
42 km first.
Cendol later.
THE LAST FEW KILOMETERS
By KM30+, the marathon had become less about running and more about managing whatever was left.
I wasn't chasing pace anymore. I wasn't thinking about my previous 5:47 finish. I wasn't even thinking much about the 7-hour target.
Just keep moving.
Walk when necessary.
Jog when possible.
Repeat.
The funny thing is, despite the cramps, the lack of training, the haze and everything else, I never actually stopped.
Eventually, the finish line appeared.
And somehow, I made it.
Chip time: 6:56.
Strava moving time: 6:30.
My target was somewhere between 6:30 and 7:15, so technically, mission accomplished.
Not my fastest marathon.
Not even close.
But considering I had practically walked into KLSCM without proper marathon training, I'll take it.
I finished with a few blisters, some chafing, plenty of soreness and probably more salt than my body requested.
But I finished.
WHAT'S NEXT?
For now, I'm going back to what I was supposed to be doing this year.
Deadlift 200 kg.
The marathon goal can wait.
Maybe next year I'll actually train properly for a full marathon again and see what I can really do.
Maybe sub-5.
Hahaha.
We'll see.
