Work work work
Immediately after my 2-week mandate leave, there was an ISO audit and compliance deliverables, which took up 12 hours daily. While the audit was expected, the other wasn't. Singapore Marathon was not in my mind. I contemplated of foregoing the event since I may not meet the work deadline, no transportation back and low mileage.
In the end, my sister-in-law's family decided to join us for the Singapore trip. SIL's husband drove like a Formula 1 driver. He drove the Toyota Innova at a constant speed of 150km/hr even overtook a police car! Took less than3.5 hours to reach the Tuas border.
The Singapore map I bought 2 years ago was extremely useful. Reached SuntecCity at 1 p.m. The Sports Expo was full of Pacesetter members donning the trademark bright yellow T-shirt. I felt a sense of pride to be associated with the fellow Malaysian runners.
Nice Climalite
The staff manning the counters were well trained and courteous. Collected a shoe bag with a nice Adidas blue Climalite vest. I now have 3 vests: Nike, NB and Adidas - all from race events! Bought the shuttle bus ticket at $3. Hive of activities going on. Observe with awe a 6-year-old girl doing 20-feet rock climbing. Couldn't stay long as my nieces were waiting on the ground floor.
SIL and spouse being devote gamblers asked me to find a 4-D shop as they have just visited the Fountain of Fortune and wanted to buy my bib number. A salesman told us to try Peninsular Plaza. After walking for hours, I rested my legs by sitting on a walkway. Mee Peng came out from a shop and exclaimed "Look WHO IS HERE!". It was Dr. Jamie! We greeted each other and it was good to see him. We have been SMSing each other since our journey from KL.
Finally, we left the city center and drove towards Woodlands where we stayed in my cousin-in-law’s place for the night.
3:40 a.m.
Was up at 3:40 a.m. I had pre-packed all the necessities in individual transparent zipper plastic bags: PowerBar, multi-vits, cereal, Vaseline, Counterpain, contact lenses etc. Wore the Brooks Forza for the first time.We just missed the 5 a.m. shuttle bus from Woodlands stadium by seconds and had to wait for the 5:30 a.m. one.
Samba
Reached the Esplanade Bridge around 6 a.m. Aiya! The Full Marathoners have just taken off! The MC psyched the runners up with a barrage of disco beats and inspiring statements. My thoughts were with first-timer Ben and veteran Jamie.
Within minutes, the half-marathoners assembled inside the pen. I try to look for a familiar face but found none. I was calm. With the ever-motivating MC hyping the kind of music that makes you think that this is indeed "the greatest race on earth", I was eager to take-off.
Go!
My start was charged with adrenaline, I ran the first 2km in sub-12 minutes.
There were so many water stations – every 2km. The 500 ml water bottles were in a way wasted as many just had a few gulps and threw the rest away. Perhaps, the water manufacturer could come up with 250-300ml water bottles specifically for race events – the size you find in Spritzer’s Soda Pop. Noticeably missing were sponge stations. I find cold sponging helps to dissipate heat from the head and alleviate sore muscles.
This is one race where you are never alone. There were runners everywhere: front, back, side and opposite. Most of the roads U-turn back hence you’ll see runners from the opposite direction. Initially, I ran on the right side of the road to catch a glimpse of the returning runners but stop soon after I felt dizzy.
10 km
The distance markers were displayed at every km. Even the water stations had “….150m to water station” signboards. The Marshals were doing a fantastic job. Instructions were non-ambiguous and crystal clear “Runners move to your left!!! (when we approach a left turning bottle neck).….10k Runners U-turn to your RIGHT, the REST go straight!”. I reached the 10km mark in 1:04:37, which was 1-2 minutes behind my usual split. From here onwards, I struggled to maintain a sub-7min/km pace.
The sun was rising from the East Coast. Even though this is my 5th half-marathon, experience itself cannot save me from the lack of training. I drank as much water as my stomach could hold without feeling bloated.
I took the Lime PowerGel at the 12th km. Exiting Marina South, coming back to the Esplanade Bridge, there were many SLR photographers and almost non-existent cheerleaders. If I am not mistaken, there was only one pom-pom group. Since the bibs are only place in front and none at the back, it was difficult to correlate your position or pacing with the other runners. There was no human yardstick.
After the bridge, I kept looking in front for the final U-turn; many have made their turn. The sun was now up and blazing directly on my face. I saw Wan the ex-Pacesetter president from the opposite direction. Participants will have no way of cheating by shortcutting across the cone divider because the Champion Chip sensor mat is located at every U-turn.
Final U-turn
At last, the last turn, the last hurrah. I have reserved some energy to attack from this point. It is the 17 km mark. Time 1:55:32. I started to pick up speed and overtook runner after runner. But alas! My right (again) calf twitched. I slowed down immediately. When the drink stations came, I took my time to drink and walk at least 20 seconds. Initially, I was targeting a sub 2:20 finish, and then I move it to 2:25. It is still possible, so I thought.
Longest 3 kms.
When I saw the 18th km signboard, I said to myself, it is only 3kms away why can’t my legs move. By now the spasms are sporadic. My thought now was to save my right leg from a major cramp. In the final kilometer back to the Esplanade Bridge I walk-run. There was a young sweet female Marshal who yelled “Common, u can MAKE it, the finishing line is just after the Bridge (Andarson Bridge)”. Made a right turn from the Esplanade Bridge to the second bridge. After crossing it, there were scores of spectators on both sides of the road applauding their friends and love ones to the finish. I could see the distance markers 300m….200m ….100m….
Despite the attention, for every right stride I made the cramp attacked my lower thigh and upper calf. I was limping to the finish. I looked at the giant stopwatch it was displaying 2:29:50…51..52...53…. I just want to beat the gun time of sub 2:30.
I finished with an official Chip Time/Gun Time 2:29:13 / 2:29:58. The last 3km split times: 8:44; 8:48 and 9:13. My Timex stopwatch clocked 2:29:15. Accurate timing.
Rehydrate
Behind the finishing line, runners can enjoy “all you can drink” session in an enclosed area. I drank 2 cans of 100 Plus and a bottle of water. The 100 Plus somehow tasted saltier and tastier than the ones I drank last night. I greedily grabbed 3 more cans, one stuffed to my back pocket and 2 bottles of water! I had a feeling there will be no drinks outside the cordoned area and Mee Peng was probably thirsty waiting under the hot sun.
Returned the Champion Chip and collected the medal. After cooling off under the ceiling fan tent, it was time we made our way back to Woodlands. With so much hydration, I felt perfectly fine.
MRT
We boarded the MRT at City Hall. I was carrying a backpack and a water bottle. As the train moved from station to station, I leaned against the pole and coolly drank my water. I notice the other passengers were observing me and I soon realize why when I read the warning “no drinking FINE $500”.
I developed motion sickness in the train, the same experience I had after driving home from the Putrajaya Half-Marathon. Luckily I did not throw up. Maybe I should bring my blood pressure monitor next time.
Nutshell
I may not be the type of runner who would travel long distances to participate a race. However, I always enjoy the experience of running in new venues and routes. Running is another form of Traveling. The journey can be mystifying.
