Woke up at 5 a.m. I decided to omit my usual cereal based breakfast consisting of Oats and Nestum as I remember reading in the Singapore Marathon handbook that advised avoid fibrous food. Took a banana, Powerbar, 2 multi-vitamins, milo + soya powder + nescafe + milk powder and few sips of Excel.
Left home at 6:20 a.m. I parked near Tugu Peringatan and took a 5min walk to Padang Merbok. When I reached the grounds, the pen was already filled with a sea of blue-vested runners. Officials were seen hurriedly ushering the runners, the race was about to begin and there were still runners walking from Bukit Aman.
I look for familiar faces especially Newton who will be pacing with me but couldn’t find the regular guys. Near the starting line, I finally met somebody I know, Tey and asked if he had seen Newton and Jamie of which he said no. It was a long and packed pen. Just as I was contemplating whether I should walk back to the rear, the race director started the countdown.
It was a downhill start. I ran up the pavement to avoid the crowd and leverage on the momentum. I told myself to run like a half-marathon with reserves in mind for the multiple hills.
Bare-footed lady (BFL) was back. Slim, elegant and popular. Many runners chat with her in Cantonese. I observe her heels and noticed they were neither black nor hardened. BFL and I are almost same pace in our previous encounters and she always has the uphill speed advantage.
Upon entering Jalan Langgak Tunku a familiar figure appeared on my right. It was Kenneth. After exchanging a few words, Ken took off like a rocket. A female runner wore a striking multi-chimp-faced pair of shorts. Such pajamas-style attire is an instant attraction. Perhaps the Penguin group could follow suite.
Double Hill
Back in 2004 Nike 15km Run I was caught by the steepness of the Laman Tunku hill stretch. At that time, I tried to outrun it. This time I paid respect to this bully by putting my head down and took one step at a time.
The race leader had lapped me somewhere at km-7. After the hills, it was a gradual downhill towards Jln Mahameru. Jamie came from behind and said I was running fast. Since it was a downhill, I was able to pace with him for a short while before he took off. After Kementerian Pertanian it was the infamous long and curvy uphill. I slowed down but maintained steady pace. Perhaps Newton would meet up with me at this stretch for a chat and motivation I thought.
Female volunteers were seen cheering with laminated A4 placards. This is good effort. I remember teenagers were doing it back in the 2004 run but this time I only see people my age doing the cheering. Where is our youth power?
After drinking half a cup of Powerbar Endurance isotonic at the 3rd water station I felt energized. Near the Kenny Hills bridge, a race marshall announced 10km. Stopwatch displayed 1:03:02. I calculated a sub 1:40 finish is a feasible target.
Entering the final stretch after the Istana, a recognizable bandana clad Caucasian runner ran past me. This is the same runner in last year’s PJ Half Marathon where his alternate fast walking and running technique helped him pulled through the last km. It was this guy who had influenced me to adopt the mix walking and running tactic instead of forcing a slow run when the leg is kaput (limping).
Last km
A group of 3-5 runners were attacking the Tugu Peringatan stretch. Nobody was slowing down. I change my stride to longer strides. It worked. In the zigzag ending I overtook back the Caucasian runner and another lady runner who looked at me in puzzlement. Just 10 meters from the finish line I overtook another 2 runners. I must say I learn this from Sifu after watching his finishing video.
Feeling a bit disorientated I walked side ways and forgot to collect my coupon and medal! The moment Mee Peng saw me she reported the group was looking for me before the start and also why I always forget to join the finishers queue. She was afraid I might not be positioned correctly. She is my strongest critic.
Later met up with Newton whom I apologized and the rest Dinesh, Jamie, Ben, Choi, Ryan, Ronnie and Loong.
Retrospect
I did not expect to finish in 1:33:31. I was looking at 1:40ish. What happened? The turning point was the last 5km. I sustained a 10km pace for the last 5km. I haven’t been clocking increased mileage, that’s for sure. Was it the jungle trail running and hill climbing? Was it the step machine in the gym? Or was it my homemade high protein flour bread?? I don’t know.
While driving back Mee Peng surprised me by shaking my hand to congratulate me on the race. Perhaps she was the reason.
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