Assalamualaikum!
After all dramas, boredom, and disappointments before, Im so relieve I finally can have my short sweet escape in Yogyakarta. Having my own 'ME' time is one of my most precious time ever. But, to run and meet new people are even more interesting.
Thanks for this marathon that I could meet these new friends from BCA Makassar. All of us were half marathoners and finish strong! I was pleased that they invited me to go to Makassar for a run together with all Asia Runners there. Insha Allah yaa hehehee.. Though we only had a very short meeting (because they had a plane to catch), I knew they were very friendly and humble, and dedicated to run so much. Imagine how they flew far away from Makassar to Yogyakarta for this marathon. Super cool! Amazing!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
-The Power of Prayers-
Didnt know how much I prayed and asked Allah's kindness for helping and protecting me to every race I had. But this race was the worst. I didnt expect more on myself, since I only did short run under 10K two times a week. I barely swim and did long run either. All along the race I just kept focusing on my pace, listened the playlists to distract my exhaustion, prayed over and over asking Allah's mercy to give me strength. I knew that Allah would help me as long as I believed in myself, be honest and kept fighting till the finish line.
And the power of my prayers answered rightaway. When I thought I couldnt run because the weather was very hot, it turned cloudy and colder. When I wanted to go to toilet, some villagers didnt mind to borrow theirs. When I was worried getting thirsty, water stations were always there somehow. And everytime I felt weak, those marshalls were clapping hands, yelling and gave a high five to me to run faster.
Half Marathon (21,1 km) at 2:54:09 with an average pace of 8:28 is totally not my best PB (2:38:37). Im quite satisfied that I could finish the race safely, without any fatal injuries (masha allah!!). Although these callouses hurts like hell since my 7K-19K run until today, but my knees were okay, my headache had gone shortly after, and I didnt feel any dehydration at all. Alhamdulillaaaah...
-Some Funny Stories Left-
Kids, parents, even grandparents cheered the runners. Those villagers were very friendly and kind. And I just couldnt help to appreciate their kindness by borrowing their toilets. Seriously, I wanted to go to the toilet sooooo bad and but the marshalls told the toilets were still far away. Then what choice did I have, except asking the villagers to borrow theirs. And they didnt even ask me for a penny! Thank youuuu 😭😭😭😭😭
Another thing was when a very old grandma and grandpa sitting and cheering the runners together beside the street, a man who's running in front of me shaking hands (salim/cium tangan in bahasa) to them. And didnt know why, suddenly I just followed him as if I was their granddaughter!! People around who saw it were laughing so hard 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Overall, Im so happy for what I've done. Eventhough at first I was doubting this 'alone' vacation and a little scared of having a first time solo flight (you know how scared I am into heights!), but well... I was not literally alone actually. My brother was in Yogya, I have my runner's friends there, the hotel and its people were so nice (a four-star hotel which I definitely will stay again if I have a chance) and the becak man (abang becak) that the hotel offered to me was sooooo friendly and knew every single inch of this city (since he's born and raised here). I can say that this is an 'alone' but not lonely vacation. Bravo!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Wassalamualaikum.
No comments:
Post a Comment