ON THE PRIZE
with “screams of blue murder by my over-exhausted limbs!”
The text he sent read: “Since you lack training, just go out there and enjoy it.”
These words, Tengku Zafrul said, were ringing in his head during the gruelling final 10km of the race. He shared his mantra to keep going and reach an aim set — simply keeping an eye on the goal.
“Anyone who has done any long-distance running, swimming, cycling or similar sports would be familiar with the term ‘mental block’. This is when your body is beat, and the only thing that keeps you going is your mind, except that, too, is failing.
“I hit this block at the 32km mark in Boston, when my left calf started hurting. I slowed down and once I felt better, I started to run again, gradually picking up speed and compensating for the pain in my left calf by using my right leg more.
“Alas, this was but a brief relief because my right calf started hurting as I ran down Heartbreak Hill.
“The twitch in my right calf was a clear sign that a cramp was on its way. So, reluctantly, I sought treatment at a medic camp.
“Despite not preparing as well as I should have, my primary objective was to complete and focus on completing the six majors,” Tengku Zafrul said, adding that he reminded himself that giving up was not an option, considering he had come all the way to Boston for the marathon.
“I am sure our CIMB ambassadors squash queen Nicol David and world keirin champion Azizulhasni Awang also face the same thought process as they strive for No. 1 positions in their respective sports.
“It all starts from self-belief. Then, we just need to put in our efforts to make it happen… the rest will follow.
“For CIMB, our end-goal is to be the leading Asean Bank. And, as all of us in #teamCIMB keep reminding each other to keep our eyes on this goal, I am confident our determined focus will keep us going to help us achieve this goal together,” he said.
With two more legs of the race, Tengku Zafrul promised to do better at the New York Marathon and achieve his personal best.
“It has been two days since my completion of the Boston Marathon, and gripping pain is still a loyal companion.
“Was it worth it? Yes, definitely, for each step and every milestone of that run will remain etched in my psyche as the toughest odds I have ever overcome and the most humbling marathon I have completed in my running journey.”
Tengku Zafrul is looking forward to racing 35km in the New Straits Times C-Cycle Challenge this weekend.