Selling Wheels

Yesterday’s Singapore Bay Run (aka Army Half-Marathon or AHM) started off early.

I did not really have a good rest, having spent most part of Saturday’s playing Mahjong and not really getting the right food.

When the game ends towards 11pm, I managed to down some brownie and hope that it will serves as fuel for my run couple of hours later.

I had a quick nap around midnight and woke up at 3am. Early enough to see that the NSF are preparing the roads along ECP for the run. The first thing I noticed is that 4 lanes are reserved for the runners! “A good sign”, I tell myself. “Gonna be a good race”.

Breakfast

Breakfast was simple. ‘Extra Strong Tea’ from Marks and Spencer, 3 slices of plain bread and 2 bananas. I downed another 500ml of Gatorade, as a last minute hydrating exercise as the run is still about 1.5 hours away from start.

Trip to Start Point

Daphne drove and dropped me off at Marina Square. At around 4am, already a short queue was formed getting into Marina Square. (I was told after the race, that she had to make detours just to get home.)

As I walked towards the Start Point, I met an old man (with a fuelbelt with him). We chatted a bit and I was really flattered as he thought I am still serving my National Service (must be the lack of lighting). We parted ways as I show him the Start Point. I headed down below the bridge. Making visit to the toilet before the crowd came in and doing my warm ups.

5am. I made my way to the Start Point, lining up nearer to the front than last year. Unlike the SCSM, AHM was more quiet, no DJs blasting music away to get you all psyched up. Till 5:30am, it is pretty much a waiting game (waiting for VIPs to arrive, for the elite to go up front etc). I also sighted the guys from the Indian army doing their warm up run.

Off we go
The ‘gun’ went off. Crossing the Start Point, I reminded myself the target of 2hr 10mins. I settled fast into my pace. I was hoping to stop only 4 times at the water points. Unfortunately, before I hit the 2km point, my left shin starts to feel strained. ‘Is that signs of cramps coming?’, I asked myself. It was apparently to me that I would not be able to last with the strain hitting me so early in the run. I decided to adopt run-walk strategy. Every kilometer, I will break for a walk. I told myself, “It is still possible to make it under 2hr 10min with this strategy. 6min per km for the first half of the race.”

And with this slight change, the strained on my shin went away as the run progressed. One important walk break is at the 4km mark, before Sheares Bridge. The bridge is about 1km long with a fairly steep incline. The walk break helps and I made my way up the bridge without losing a lot of time. Coming down the bridge is a breeze, with most runners accepting the pull from gravity.

I checked my time, and was only 3 minutes behind schedule (6min/km pace) after the bridge. Still good for a 2hr 10min. Heading into East Coast Park, I actually felt some sea breeze blowing in, something that I have not been enjoying for sometime.

At the U-turn point (12km mark), I did a split time and noticed that timing was around 1hr 16 min. I think I am still good for my target. Downed my gel and flush it down with water. Off I go again.

Coming out of the East Coast Park, back onto Fort Road. This got to be the most boring stretch of the whole run. I wished they had deploy more bands (maybe just vans with zhnng hi-fis) to blast their music here. I am still feeling good. The shin felt good. And I had less than 5km to go.

If there is one part of the run that I enjoy truly, it is at the junction of MacDonald’s. There is a band there playing. Music! I actually ran to the beat of their music. Many thanks.

Turning onto Nicoll Highway and at the 18k mark, was a turning point. I was hit by stitches. Every attempt to run, resulted in pain. I took deep breaths as I walk and the walk breaks was prolonged. I knew at that moment, my goal of 2hr 10mins was lost. I still have a secondary target of 2hr 14 min.

I run-walk towards the 19km mark. Support station is good. The folks there are cheering us on. Running into Republic Blvd, I knew the Finish Point is near. I held my pace, until the ‘first flyover’. Speeding up, but still not sprinting, till the Singapore Flyer,…. the run become a sprint. I can see the Finished banner. I made a sprint for it. A hunch tells me that the organisers might want us to finish at the platform; which means it is a fake Finished point.

My hunch was correct. We were forced to make 2-90 degrees turn to the platform for finishing. I still managed to summon enough energy to spring to the Finished Point. My unofficial timing says 2hr 14min.

A disappointing Finished Point, in my opinion. Have anyone see a Finished Point with 2-90 degrees turn in an Olympic event, or for that matter, a world class running event? Unlikely.

After some stretching and warm down, I headed over towards the Start Point to meet up with fellow SGRunners. Quick chat with Tiwazz, photo shoot and off I went, walking back home. With the various road blocks, it was just easier to walk. Along the way home, I met another runner. Raymond is his name. He shared with me his experience of his run at ChiangMai as we walk towards Nicoll Highway.

Many Thanks and Condolences

I would like to thank all the personnel who have helped make the run a success. The route is fantastic with no traffic stop. Road lanes were wide. Sufficient (or should I say, free flow ) water. Many thanks to the NSFs who have stayed up to help setup the various logistic from road blocks, to water points. Without you, we would not have done it.

Despite, the great success here. There was, unfortunately, cases of mishaps. Capt. Ho, a regular and officer with the SAF had passed away after his run. To his family, I extend my condolences.

To fellow runners, listen to our bodies. Live another day to tell your story.