My first Full Marathon – Techcombank HCM City International Marathon 2017

It’s so hot today. Okay! I did my first full marathon during 6:33:00 (6 hours and 33 minutes) without training before. We were on start line at 4:30 am. So we woke up at 2:30 am to prepare everything.

We were stay at Sai Gon Zoo 4:30 am. Photo: Organizing Committee

Some Kenyan came and join Techcombank HCM City International Marathon 2017.  Photo: Organizing Committee

From start line to 10km, I make a fun run with my pacer around 7:30 or 7:45. I enjoy this time with all my friends. But it’s too slow with me and my legs feel tired. Then from 10km to 20km, I think I should make it around 6:45 and I did it.

We move our ass on Vo Van Kiet boulevard

Conquer the bridge. Photo: Organizing Committee

This time I met many friends on the road that why I’m so excited and I did not feel tired. We were cheering for each other. We told each other from far away: “hey, hey, keep going”! “Move your ass”. We smiled and we taped  each other to push for more power.

Photo: Organizing Committee

15 km – Still “đẹp”. Photo: Khai Ta

(~24km) I was on Ton Duc Thang Street. Behind me is Khanh Hoi bridge. Photo: Khai Ta

I met Marcel Lennartz 2 times and we hug each other. Last time I met him I told to “Marcellll, I love you”. Lol. Because I saw him at my 33 km (41km of him). I think I almost finish like him. I didn’t know last 10km is hell.

“Marcel – The only marathon runner that smiles for the entire 42k” – David Shin say that. Photo: Khai Ta

A foreign participant on the race. Photo: Organizing Committee

From 22 to 28 km I’m feeling boring almost because all of my friends go ahead (not return because of the route) so I walk sometimes. This time I met a runner who often takes advantage of the time of commuting from his house to his office for running practice if he has no time for training (20km in total per day).

Photo Source: Organizing Committee

My back got hurt from 35km to 42 so I almost cry. Then I walked – ran – walked and walked – walked – walked 😂😂.

Nắng như cờ hó, đoạn này muốn khóc. Runner dìu nhau lết về. I almost cry at this moment because It’s too hot.

At 39km, a quick-thinking came to me: Yeah, If I finish now medal is not meaning. I don’t need a medal. I only want to finish to end of this hell. Lol. Yesterday I had a fever. So I’m not run by all my energy.

Run a marathon is winning the mental. No pain. No gain.

I stop 2 times and sit beside the road to check my legs and take a rest. Yes, I walked many times. If my back no hurt I was done sooner.
I use 2 electrolytes (Salt Stick, right?) + 3 pack of gels (1 hummer gel + 2 gels from Khai. I don’t remember the name of gels) + a half banana.
Thank God bcs I have hummer gels. No snacks at the stop. Only a station have banana. But much many water stations. It’s enough. People who are runner join FM should know the way support themselves on the road. But this race give every runner a pack of gel + electrolytes 🙂 I love them who were hosted this race 😘😘😘

The day before this race: I had a fever but when I take my BIB, I enjoy my time. Running make us happy 😛

I get a ticket 2 weeks ago and my work too busy for training. So I only training with:
+ on the treadmill (10km)
+ workout (3 times)
+ running around 5km at Nguyen Hue and Hoa Lu stadium (2 times)
+ one time run with run club around 8km 😅😅😅.
+ Sometimes I walked from my house to my office (total 4 km per day).
+ 2 times I walk from my house to Hoa Lư stadium (total 2km per day)
What I mean my training have no long run. But I always move my ass by my legs when I went out.

10km during 59 minutes 50 seconds nonstop on treadmill

I ate healthy food from last week so it gives me more energy. Healthy food helps u 70% your result. (This pic only a dinner at my weekend).

I think I’m done bcs a part of the reason: I ate healthy food from last week so it gives me more energy. Healthy food helps u 70% your result. This is what I ate: sweet potatoes, black bread, sugarless milk, boiled egg (white), grapes, boiled chicken thighs, salad, orange juice without sugar, no beer, no alcohol, no beef, no pork, no pasta… It’s not to eat white starch. Workout 45 minutes every morning.

I have mistake. I choose “Male” for my gender. so I’m 321/362 male. And If they ranked by age 18 – 29, I ranked 72nd.

Lol. When I register I make a mistake. I choose “Male” for my gender. so I’m 321/362 male. And If they ranked by age 18 – 29, I ranked 72nd. Thank God because I got a Female T-Shirt. Till the end I did it. Maybe next time will be better. Now is time for rest.

My skin has 2 colors after this race

Thank you all my friends I met on the road and give me more power.
Big thank to all my pacer anh Nguyen Quang Truong, a Nguyễn Quang Thành, a. Trần Đình Minh Anh. A Quỳnh Nhật.
Big thank your support Tạ Khải😊

Em lấy tên vs số điện thoại sếp ghi vào phần thông tin liên lạc người thân nếu lỡ có bị hốt xác vào bệnh viện ạ  lầy quá mà thôi kệ, kaka

Big thank my boss Lam Nguyen bcs you always supported my dreams. You have important position to save my life..
Best important big thank to my dear sister Thi Thuan Tran from my heart for everything 🙂
Not many pictures with everyone.

A race is a Tet holiday with us. Photo Source: Organizing Committee

Photo: Organizing Committee

A Kenyan athlete on the race. Photo: Organizing Committee

Now I’m a marathoner

Woke up at 2:30 am. What I mean I wanna back my bed

Thank you all my friends I met on the road and give me more power.

Tone sur tone nè