I HATE RUNNING
I really do.
Ever since I started lifting weights and putting on muscle, running became my least favorite thing. The heavier I got, the harder it was to carry myself through even a 3 km jog. I’d be out of breath, hating every step — but still forcing myself to run just to tick that “weekly cardio” box.
And honestly? I’d skip it any chance I got, even with the weakest excuses.
2020: When MCO Left Me No Choice
During the MCO in 2020, gyms were closed and I had no access to weights. The only way to stay fit was by running and doing some bodyweight exercises.
That’s when my reluctant relationship with running began. It wasn’t passion — it was survival.
The Turning Point: Hazim
Before the pandemic, my friend Hazim left the company — back then he was on the heavier side. A few years later, after MCO, he rejoined… but this time, he looked completely different. Lean. Fit. Confident.
He told me he’d been running marathons.
At that moment, something clicked. I wasn’t jealous — but I was challenged. I thought to myself, If Hazim can do it, I can too.
I wanted to run a marathon. At least once in my lifetime.
The Goal: KLSCM
Among all the races in Malaysia, the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) stood out — it’s the most iconic one. Many of my friends and colleagues ran it every year.
Back in 2021, I told myself:
“One day, I’ll run the KLSCM Full Marathon — all 42 kilometers of it.”
The goal was set. Now I just needed to earn it.
The Journey
It started with small steps — literally.
My first event was Coway Run 2022, then a few more fun runs (5K and 10K) here and there.
In 2023, I ran my first Half Marathon (21 km) at Score Run. Then another. And another. By the time 2024 came around, I had already completed four half marathons — and could run 20 km solo without thinking twice.
That’s when I knew: it was time to go for the full 42.
2025: The Year of the Full Marathon
At the start of 2025, I made a promise —
“This is the year I’ll run a Full Marathon.”
My first one was Score Marathon 2025 (July) — my debut full marathon (you can read about it here).
Then came KLSCM 2025, my second full marathon, on October 5th.
KLSCM 2025: The Experience
Preparation started about two weeks before the race — tapering runs, gear checks, carb loading (thanks to Hazim for all the tips). On race day, I woke up at 1 a.m. for a light meal and sodium load.
To avoid traffic and road closures, I parked at Bukit Aman, about 2 km from the starting line.
By 3:30 a.m., the gun went off.
My strategy was simple: keep an easy pace (around 7:00–7:50 min/km), stay close to the sub-5:30 or sub-6:00 pacers, take a gel every 5 km, and sodium shots at KM20 and KM30.
Everything went well until KM20. Then came AKLEH highway — the elevation was brutal. I saw runners cramping, throwing up, even fainting. Soon after, cramps started creeping into my quads and calves.
Still, I held on. Pace dropped slightly to around 7:30–8:10, but the atmosphere was electric.
KLSCM has a vibe like no other. Running through the heart of Kuala Lumpur, passing the nightlife, then into the quiet highways — it’s surreal. You get to see the city skyline slowly lighting up, something you’ll never notice from a car.
And the crowd — absolutely crazy.
Buskers, cendol stalls, people handing out candies and chocolates, runners in costumes, funny placards — the entire route was alive.
By KM30, my legs were screaming, at this point I just walk-jog only. By KM38, I was done. My legs wouldn’t listen, even walking is painful. That’s when I told myself:
“Think of a happy place. Forget the pain.”
So I imagined walking in a park — calm, breezy, no pressure. Step by step, I moved forward. Before I knew it, I saw the crowd growing louder near the finish line.
That final kilometer was pure adrenaline. I pushed whatever energy I had left and clocked my second full marathon at sub 5:47.
I was proud — exhausted, blistered, but proud.
I took photos, sent updates to friends and family… then realized my car was still 5 km away. No Grab, no cheering crowd. Just me and the walk of pain. One last silent victory lap.
The Grind Behind the Finish Line
Training for a marathon isn’t glamorous.
With work, a newborn on the way, and family responsibilities, I had to squeeze every run I could:
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Wake up at 4–5 a.m. for long runs.
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Run after 10 p.m. once the kids were asleep.
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Sometimes sneak in a quick 5 km before or after lunch.
Knee, ankle, and joint pain? Normal.
Blisters, lost toenails? Part of the deal.
But every grind, every small struggle, taught me something new — about patience, discipline, and resilience.
My Training Routine
I usually run 3–5 times a week, covering about 40 km per week.
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2 × Easy runs
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1 × Long run
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Add intervals/speed work if I can fit 5 sessions
When I only run three days a week, I do strength training (PPL split) on alternate days.
If I’m running more, I squeeze in 15-minute strength workouts whenever I can — just enough to maintain muscle and stability.
So, Do I Still Hate Running?
Yes. I still do.
But I’ve learned to love what it gives me: peace of mind, discipline, and a sense of achievement that no other workout can offer.
Running humbles you.
It breaks you down — then rebuilds you stronger.
And maybe that’s why, deep down…
I’ll keep running. (maybe no more full marathon)
