📉 Col d'Agnès* ⚡ 1h Recov 🎧

🛡 Watts ⚡ Strength Training 24.139 🏋🏾‍♂️

🛡 Powerhouse ⚡ Strength Training 24.138 🏋🏾‍♂️

🔋 Uphill Prelude ⚡ 8k@316w AET / Tempo Finish ⛰️

🕌 Blessed Friday 📖

✒️ 1. “Capek itu apa?!”

I read this on the back of a runner I passed and it made me chuckle; it translates to “Fatigue?! Never heard of it”. A funny reminder that while tiredness is a physiological state neurotransmitted to our brains, it’s often how our brains perceive it that dictates our reaction to those signals. Ignore it -at your own risk-? Embrace it? Heed it? Freak out by it? Strike a balance?

2. The lead-up

A week ago, racing a marathon, let alone winning it, was NOT the plan. After running JelTim 100k Charity Ultra 7 weeks ago, I had entered a Strength Training block; running not only took a backseat, I put it in the trunk, my longest run since had been 15k in Z2.
My 12-weeks TrainingPeaks Dashboard: Average weekly run volume reads 5h23 (60.9km) vs. 6h22 lifting, pulling, dipping, box-jumping and squatting. Unorthodox? It would’ve been, but racing wasn’t even planned; I got a last minute entry and didn't even derail my already fruitful off-season strength structure.

3. Free Palestine is ON

This was a night marathon; a 19:30 start forecasts a rather “cool” 30°C (instead of 39°C). A group of runners asked me to lead Maghrib prayer, I purposefully recited Surat An-Nasr (The Victory) in celebration of the Syrian revolution. As soon as I pinned my “Free Palestine” BIB, adrenaline kicked in and, like a switch has flipped, the countdown to grit and grind began. Just because I’m not in 2h35 marathon fitness, doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to honor the battle and give it my best.

4. Familiar Ground

Having run UI Ultra 70k last year, I knew the 7k lap like the palm of my hand, the gentle downs, the punchy ups, the sharp turns, the water stations and the infamous double-kicker. I also knew the field, except my fellow African, Issa, who set off at my HM pace. I checked my pride at the gate and didn’t chase, sighting him in U-turns until he disappeared into the horizon. At km11, Hendra, aka. Hensis, a Badwater Ultra cookie, moved up from third position and surged ahead of me; happy to see his lively stride turnover uphill, I never let go of him, we ran side by side for 3k before I steadily rebuilt my cushion by halfway. Fun fact: He and I co-organized and co-directed a marathon in the peak of COVID, defying lockdowns and offering runners a safe grassroot race.
	
5. “It’s yours to lose now”

Here a year ago, I was runner-up overall in the 70k Ultra, the MC called out my name on loudspeakers every time I crossed the lap/finish gate; while lined up relay runners cheered me, infusing me with energy. At km28, as I crossed the gate for the fourth time (of 6), I saw the lead runner ahead turning over an unexpectedly low cadence; I passed him and never looked back, his bicycle escort, now mine, relayed the lead swap over his walkie. “It’s yours to lose now” I told myself, quieted down my legs’ screams, gritted my teeth and upped my cadence. “Capek itu apa?!". Taking the final 14k one lap at a time, one km at a time, I made sure to stick to my fueling and hydration plan, with a combo of gels I was carrying and water / electrolytes from aid stations. I picked up half-empty bottles other runners left on the sidewalk to wash my hands and pour over my overheated head and chest. 

6. “Alhamdulillah!”

I started praising the Almighty as I crested the last heartbreak hill and the finish loomed ahead, then, 400m later, crossed the line and prostrated, thanking Him for never letting me down, in both ups and downs. My last race and fourth win this year.

🥇 Abdoullah Mitiche 🇩🇿
🥈 Hendra Siswanto 🇮🇩 
🥉 Issa Sako 🇹🇿

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Abdoullah Mitiche

🏁🥇 UI Marathon: Wrapping 2024 with an overall win. Alhamdulillah! 🍉🇵🇸

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📉 Col d'Agnès* ⚡ 1h Recov 🎧

🛡 Watts ⚡ Strength Training 24.139 🏋🏾‍♂️

🛡 Powerhouse ⚡ Strength Training 24.138 🏋🏾‍♂️

🔋 Uphill Prelude ⚡ 8k@316w AET / Tempo Finish ⛰️

🕌 Blessed Friday 📖

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