SCSM 2007

I wake up at about 3am in the morning, not feeling very excited, i guess the atmosphere had not sink in yet. i do my usual routine and make my self a sandwich breakfast, peanut butter with cheese.

pack up all the barang barang, i leave the house on the dot, 4am. worrying that i might not find a spot for parking at fort canning. reaching the carpak, found myself a good spot, i change into my shoes, making sure i am gels up. i headed towards the starting line.

440am-
upon reaching the starting line, i saw some sgrunner doing stretching along. recognise shut, junie and sassy runner, i greet my usual greeting and good lucks.

5am-
walking towards the starting, i had a chat with cheow12, which had been working in the middle east for 1 months. told me that he had not peak his running for the marathon training. aiya, no worries la, i know he will make it in a sub 5. anyway a cool head suave he had.

515am-
reaching the starting line, i found myself in the 5 hrs pen. squeese into the pen, i am getting excited now as the atmosphere is unbelieveable, the music is great and seeing all the runners getting worked up. I said a little prayer, praying for good weather, no cramps and a good runs.

530am-
run starts, goes the horn. the runner starter to moves. i am starter my watch when i reach the start line. I am going for a long jounery!
I found myself running in to the familiar shenton way, knowing i will be heading to marine south. running comfortably and good form. looking around i saw lots of runners and smiling, talking to each others. while i was trying to seek familiar faces. Before i reach the slope into marine south, i decide to go for a pee in the nearby toilet. wah, so many ppl there. siao liao, no choice la. wait a while.

after the toliet break, i am running towards the marine south, hey, i saw junie, shut and andy. greet the guys, i proceed on. still in good form, i looked at my watch, 6mins/km.. hmmm.. i little too fast, bad news. i decided to slow down to a 630min paces. then i saw piglet in the mist of runners. greet her, she signal me to move on. i stop for my first drink at the 5km marks. Time: 32mins. i proceed on with strong legs and good breathing.

5km-

while trying to look out for familiar friends, i try to keep my pace well. running towards the ferry terminal on the u turn, i saw andy and junie opps the road, waving at them, they wave back.

9km marks-

upon running out of marine south, the half marathon runners from the opps sides. trying to look out for my colleague, i saw ah bee. waving and a shout, she din reply. looking very focus and determine. i carry on my jounery.

12km marks-

running back to shenton way is a beautiful sight. the talls building remind my NYC building. very nice. still enjoying my runs, good breathing. I check on my timing. 1hr 15mins. good time.
while i reaching the opps of the start line, a man age 70s ask my about the time. he told me he is finishing his 10 marathon and encourage me. wah.. old man encourage me, siao liao, i so slow mah? seeing him picking up his speed, talking to another man, i can feel the sportmanship. i felt warm.

18km marks-

running for almost 1hr 45mins, i felt strong. i knew if i can do a 2hr 20mins for 21km, i will be on the way for a sub 5hr. good breathing and strong legs i carry on. then the unfortune happens.

while i was running towards the water station, i was running with a group and heard the marshal shouting keep right, i followed the group, suddenly i heard a sound like ambulance infront of me. initally i told i was the cheering group, but when i was nearer, it is the kenyan supports vehicle! what the hell is it doing here??? in a very small lane, all the runners, keep to the left very close to the barriar. when i ran past the safety vehicle, i saw the kenyan runs towards me, and hit me. i fell to my left and bang into the barriers. I become alittle disorganise. when the kenyan trainer scolded and shouting at us. wah liao!

i regain my posture, i started my runs towards the ECP. thinking to myself what the hell happen just now.

22kms-

reaching the marks, i found myself slow down by a lot, looking at my watch, i am 2hr 30mins. i try to pick up for a 6min pace. a little dizzy, but i push on.

25kms marks-
reaching the u turn, i knew i am not feeling well from what happen just now, suddenly, i felt tension on my right tights. oh no, bad news. Time, 2hr 45mins.
i saw tao on the opps side, i knew she will over take me any time now.

at the 26km marks-
ah tao, i look back at she is just a few step from me. greet her, "she is surpise to see me" yeah, haha, i met a little mishap, dun worry about me, run on i told her.
she over take me and i closely follow by until i reach the power gels point. she is no way to be seen. Good luck gal, i prayed.

28km marks-
I took a power gel and a drink, i carry on the jounery, looking at my watch 3 hrs. still feeling the cramps, i really felt very demoralise at this point. i knew i cant make it to my sub 5hr time, and cursing myself for the mishap, why does this have to happen to me. sianz, i had to walk to subsie my pain.

30km marks-
walking for 2 km, i felt even more demorlise when i see my watch, 3hr 20mins. damn sianz. seeing other runners over take me, i try a walk-a-jog method, it din help much, as my mental strenght now is close to zero.

32km marks-
seeing the sign, i remember someone told me about touching the runner backs when pass him. i decided to try. passing thru each and every runner, i touch them and greet them good luck, i found myself running again.

35km marks-
seeing the sign, I felt better. when still doing the run-touch-walk methods. while reaching the sun tec down slope, i decided to run down the slope, bad choice, reached the down slope and kenna cramps on my left leg. hahahahahaaha, i was laughing myself, dun noe if it is the natural high or just pain crazy. i walk again. LOL

38km marks-

charlottle and tiwass past me by and encourage me, "hey you must be ahead of me" claim T, ok i promise you, i reply in my mind. "i recognise your running t, it look nice." said C, thanks! i try to follow their walking speed, wah they walk so fast that i had to run and walk to catch up to them
time: 4 hr 55mins.

40km marks-
time: 5hr 20mins

"2 more km to go, run and you can catch the 5hr 45mins" shouted T,

"cant la, cramps" I reply,

"oh me too, hehehe", said T

at this time, i can feel it, the finishing feeling. hehe i am going to look good, despite the lousy timing. i wan to have a nice finishing posture.

42km marks-
running the last stretch of 195meters, i found the cheering is loud and the atmosphere is really high, i raise both my arm and give a rockers sign when i cross the finish line of 42.195

42.195
timed: 5hr 50mins

LOL, its time to party

lesson learn:

not bad, i knew i had done enough training, thanks henry! without your training, i might have give up after the mishaps.
the route I am familiar becos of your training.
i may have to drinks more during the races.
read up more on cramps management.
gather enough postive thoughts to last the distance.
Tokyo marathon 08. here i comes