It was exciting to be part of Singapore's first large scale night race. Was there to do the 10.5 1/4 marathon team challenge. Me and team mates were at Tampines MRT at around 5:30pm. (There is SBS Bus 29 from Tampines Interchange to Changi Village). It was raining then in Tampines.
Had dinner at Food Junction. At the Tampines Bus Interchange, met 2 guys from KL, Malaysia, Steven and Victor. They are both taking part in the Ultra. Steven said his furthest run was 140km+ in 26hrs+. Wah. . . . Steven said Singapore runs are much better organised than Msia ones (even the KL Marathon is not well organised) and Victor added that here, the finishers' tee and medals are nice. Steven said quite a number of M'sians are taking part in the Ultra and 42km Marathon.
Took the Bus 29 from Tampines. Ride was longer than the 30mins stated on the SD website. Reached Changi Village Bus Terminal at 7:25pm. Walking around the hawker centre not knowing where is the bridge that crosses over to the start point. Dark. Somemore, asked 3 different groups and they also don't know. Finally found someone unknown to us that did (and his friend was in a good mood to say, 'shouldn't be telling our competitors the way to the start line'). Me *blur* *blur*
Finally found the very narrow bridge. We deposited the bags at baggage deposit. Went to the porta-loos. Got a green light stick. Then headed over to the open field. Had a cup of 100Plus at the water point tent. Did a little stretching. Met an ex-colleague LHX who is running in the team category for PwC. Nice black PwC running vest. Met Kayano, Sealboon and said hello to Ripley who called out to me.
Run started at 8:23pm per my watch (most likely my watch is slow). Initially, at the start line, didn't realise the wire stretching overhead after the Start arch was the RFID reader. (Sotong, in the past only use Champion chip). Wah, most people start off at fast pace. But then again, see people start walking before the 1km mark. One camper shouted "1km to go" and I muttered, "ya, right". Saw planes landing up close. I enjoy looking at planes and it was nice. Reminded me of the 2007 Real Run which also passed by the Changi airport. I saw the ultra runners too. Some chose to brisk walk, some jogged with a haversack. Awesome, seeing those who are attempting 2x the marathon! The run from Start to midway point along the road was okay. 1st water point was at 4km mark (there was only 1 distance marker along the entire 10.5km route??). Plain Ice Mountain water only. After U-turn there were the wires to read the time at the 5.25km mark.
On the return, we ran along the park connector. This part later was not a good experience. I know I was the last 15% of runners, but don't understand why some girls (sorry, it was at least 3 pairs of girls along the route) like to run together at the same pace on the narrow path and block the whole pavement. Sigh. But some runners came from behind and squeezed through between them and I just followed suit. Unfortunately, my left calf (just below the back of my left knee starting feeling the onset of cramp from Changi Beach). The last 1-1.5km was strange. We walk & ran on the park connector and saw people fishing, having BBQ (aiyo, the smell of BBQ meat + otah). But some of the public were great, they called out encouragement to runners. Looking at my watch, I knew I had passed the 1:20 time. Was wondering how much further to go. I wanted to complete 10.5km within 1:25 (personal target) and time was moving on. Suddenly, there were girls in red SD tees, shouting and whistling. Shouting 'almost there' and then saw the Finish arch. Wanted to chiong the arch but my left calf cramped and I had to cross the finish at a very slow jog. Should have photos at finish line as there were a few camera flashes and no one was blocking me.
Result: End Timing: 01:24:18. 5.25km Timing: 42:34. Pace was avg 8min/km (84mins/10.5km) My team total time was 04:56:54. I was the slowest runner (as expected). And slow_runner was the fastest team runner :D
After crossing the line, walked with cramps on my left calf. Grabbed a can of 100Plus and a bottle of Ice Mountain water. Someone passed me a finishers' medal after marking and dirtying my Bib with a black marker. Drank a mouthful of water, and then downed the whole can of cold 100Plus. Ahhhh......feels good.
Went to collect my finishers' tee. Wah piang. No more XS or S. Only M. Someone took down my Bib number and my request for size 's' and said it will be mailed to my home (should I be upset at the delay getting my Finishers' Tee or be pleased they will mail me my choice of size?) Walked out and saw the sgRunners booth. Saw philip at the laptop and introduced myself. He was alone. Took my leave to look for slow_runner. Didn't see slow_runner and so went for my free ice-cream cone. Nice.
Had dinner at Food Junction. At the Tampines Bus Interchange, met 2 guys from KL, Malaysia, Steven and Victor. They are both taking part in the Ultra. Steven said his furthest run was 140km+ in 26hrs+. Wah. . . . Steven said Singapore runs are much better organised than Msia ones (even the KL Marathon is not well organised) and Victor added that here, the finishers' tee and medals are nice. Steven said quite a number of M'sians are taking part in the Ultra and 42km Marathon.
Took the Bus 29 from Tampines. Ride was longer than the 30mins stated on the SD website. Reached Changi Village Bus Terminal at 7:25pm. Walking around the hawker centre not knowing where is the bridge that crosses over to the start point. Dark. Somemore, asked 3 different groups and they also don't know. Finally found someone unknown to us that did (and his friend was in a good mood to say, 'shouldn't be telling our competitors the way to the start line'). Me *blur* *blur*
Finally found the very narrow bridge. We deposited the bags at baggage deposit. Went to the porta-loos. Got a green light stick. Then headed over to the open field. Had a cup of 100Plus at the water point tent. Did a little stretching. Met an ex-colleague LHX who is running in the team category for PwC. Nice black PwC running vest. Met Kayano, Sealboon and said hello to Ripley who called out to me.
Run started at 8:23pm per my watch (most likely my watch is slow). Initially, at the start line, didn't realise the wire stretching overhead after the Start arch was the RFID reader. (Sotong, in the past only use Champion chip). Wah, most people start off at fast pace. But then again, see people start walking before the 1km mark. One camper shouted "1km to go" and I muttered, "ya, right". Saw planes landing up close. I enjoy looking at planes and it was nice. Reminded me of the 2007 Real Run which also passed by the Changi airport. I saw the ultra runners too. Some chose to brisk walk, some jogged with a haversack. Awesome, seeing those who are attempting 2x the marathon! The run from Start to midway point along the road was okay. 1st water point was at 4km mark (there was only 1 distance marker along the entire 10.5km route??). Plain Ice Mountain water only. After U-turn there were the wires to read the time at the 5.25km mark.
On the return, we ran along the park connector. This part later was not a good experience. I know I was the last 15% of runners, but don't understand why some girls (sorry, it was at least 3 pairs of girls along the route) like to run together at the same pace on the narrow path and block the whole pavement. Sigh. But some runners came from behind and squeezed through between them and I just followed suit. Unfortunately, my left calf (just below the back of my left knee starting feeling the onset of cramp from Changi Beach). The last 1-1.5km was strange. We walk & ran on the park connector and saw people fishing, having BBQ (aiyo, the smell of BBQ meat + otah). But some of the public were great, they called out encouragement to runners. Looking at my watch, I knew I had passed the 1:20 time. Was wondering how much further to go. I wanted to complete 10.5km within 1:25 (personal target) and time was moving on. Suddenly, there were girls in red SD tees, shouting and whistling. Shouting 'almost there' and then saw the Finish arch. Wanted to chiong the arch but my left calf cramped and I had to cross the finish at a very slow jog. Should have photos at finish line as there were a few camera flashes and no one was blocking me.
Result: End Timing: 01:24:18. 5.25km Timing: 42:34. Pace was avg 8min/km (84mins/10.5km) My team total time was 04:56:54. I was the slowest runner (as expected). And slow_runner was the fastest team runner :D
After crossing the line, walked with cramps on my left calf. Grabbed a can of 100Plus and a bottle of Ice Mountain water. Someone passed me a finishers' medal after marking and dirtying my Bib with a black marker. Drank a mouthful of water, and then downed the whole can of cold 100Plus. Ahhhh......feels good.
Went to collect my finishers' tee. Wah piang. No more XS or S. Only M. Someone took down my Bib number and my request for size 's' and said it will be mailed to my home (should I be upset at the delay getting my Finishers' Tee or be pleased they will mail me my choice of size?) Walked out and saw the sgRunners booth. Saw philip at the laptop and introduced myself. He was alone. Took my leave to look for slow_runner. Didn't see slow_runner and so went for my free ice-cream cone. Nice.
Me and slow_runner Later met slow_runner who had collected my bag for me. Walked to Bus terminal. Caught the 109 bus back to Sengkang. 34mins later, I got out of the bus opposite my flat. After settling down, I ate a bowl of cornflakes with milk. Just felt like eating something.
Now, it is 12:35am. The 42km marathoners are on their way. It was a nice experience personally, running in the cool of the night. There was no rain during the run and no puddles of water on the route. I'd say I had a good experience. Would probably do it again next year, if race is around. Time to sleep as my hair has dried and got to wake up to bring the kids for their Kids Run at the Padang - less than 7 hours to go.
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