My last full marathon

I was in excruciating pain for about an hour and a half - the last third of my marathon this morning. My legs were cramping all over, even in places where I did not know I have muscles. My heels were hurting so badly I could barely stand, let alone walk or run. But I did survive, and finished in about 5 hours and 15 minutes.

This time I am really going to quit. I actually trained harder this year. But whatever improvement I gained was probably offset by the deterioration in my body - I am getting that much older each year.

But it was also fun while it lasted. The anticipation, the hope, the what ifs, ..., at the starting line was intoxicating.

And I now have proof that there are 5 sharks among the marathoners; that sharks also go to the bathroom, that there are some beautiful people in those shark skins, that sharks are actually friendly - some of them anyway.

And I get to run on the Tsing Ma Bridge (青馬大橋) again. Running in the marathon is pretty much the only practical way to get to walk on the bridge. That would , ...be reason enough to give it a try. And then there is the Ting Kau Bridge (汀九橋), the Western Cross-Harbour Tunnel, ...

And I crossed the finish line at the same time as one of the members of the Legislative Council that I can respect: Leung Yiu Chung (梁耀忠).

So it was a painful but also fun-filled day. As of now, I can hardly stand on my feet. I hope I get better tomorrow, when I have to give a lecture.