Malakoff 12km - 21st Dec 2008

This was the closest 10km and above race I have ever been to, and what a better place to do it than Taman Rimba Kiara, greenery and all. The photographers all had a field day, including many photographers you don't see in a run event.

The route was changed last minute, as informed by organisers just days before the event. I was disappointed to not be able to run down the Kiara road and through to the Penchala Link. The last time I did that was the Tunnel Run, and that time we ran from Mont Kiara and I took part in the 5km race only.

Anyway, as it turns out, the organisers chose a safe "internal" route, parallel to KLGCC and the Kiara Hills - and it was so hilly!!! But it was a good race, it helped me to practice the hills and allowed me to practice also sprinting down the hills to fully push the entire body, legs, quads, whatever. As a result, I had a bit of side split at the end of 6km, and had a tougher recovery, quads still a bit sore, because I pushed running downhill (happily!) !!!

I stole a few photos from Tey and Jason Lee (via KC site). I am learning new things everyday despite three years running. My stance is one of a slightly heavy (and lazy) runner. See this shots (even Mr Tey runs with a nice bended leg). So simply said, the good runner has efficient pace and push from toes to run further and more efficiently. As such, the back leg is always bend in motion, not just bend slightly. The front leg is sometimes in almost approaching 90 degrees.

I got to learn to run again !!

Running dry ... on adrenaline ...

My colleague said today, I need to get some juice. I said, well, I need to get some too.

1. He was referring to laptop battery.
2. He thought I was referring to getting a cuppa (I am an acute coffee fan, not addicted, but acute).
3. Actually I was just running low on chi and adrenaline.

2008 is almost done. It is also a period of holidays and leaves, and it is pretty depressing to keep up the high spirits when I'm dipping on reserves.

As I waved goodbye walking away from the last race at Malakoff 12km, I said, this is my last race for 2008!!! I am actually suffering from race fatigue - yes, its actually still fun to run, but just tired, from early mornings, trying to squeeze time on weekend for training or the couple of kms around the house.

So, back to blogging styles of the tired soul - if you could survive on half your salary, and in exchange for a balanced lifestyle, would you trade the job for more time?

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon - 7 Dec 2008

(thanks tey for the 2nd photo)

Run your own race ... I did just that. What a thrilling weekend!

I came to Singapore from a start of the week which was bad at work, and to end the week in a semi-closure. It is difficult to explain to non-runners how much of a marathon requires both mental and also physical training. I have always been stronger mentally (exposed to all sorts of work stress and experiences), but I continue to admire the mental ability of an athlete - the next stage in sporting excellence - one I aspire to be. I would say I use whatever mental strength I have to overcome my lack of training!

It would be funny if I were to mention that I had race jitters a week before the race. It was my 2nd marathon (cannot claim maiden marathon anymore!), and I signed up for this more than 3 months before - and yet I could not have trained more? The funny thing about this was that I actually enjoyed the "anxiety" feelings ..... If one does not have "anxiety" feelings or rather any feelings at all about running a marathon [ie... "excited", "trepidation" (look in dictionary!), "worried", "nervous"]... I think one is not alive!

Getting There...
This was my first trip to Singapore on Air Asia- thanks to an accidental stumble on cheap tickets, mine came at only RM210 all in - this is just slightly higher than my bus tickets last time! So, indeed "everyone can fly" even to run a race!!! Thanks to Air Asia for making travel affordable, simple and no frills!

The accomodation which I booked with a friend was quite poor - it was at a Robertson Quay hotel, which was recommended by my friend's marathon friend who had run the Singapore Marathon before. Indeed it turned out to be a small room, but to my surprise, I got over that whithin a minute - when it comes to travel on my own, I seldom worried over the little things.

I was on "sponsorship" from my university - Monash University for this race. I was proud to call myself team monash - and getting "sponsored" had a feeling as though I am a pro. But more than ever, it was a good moment to be there in Singapore, running under Monash and together with one of my uni mates, although she ran in the 10km category. My only apologies to Team Monash was that in mind I was with you guys, but with the event vest, sorry I could not wear that, there was no size and the shirt was not exactly breathable...

Race Day...
Queueing for the race with 15000 people on the road in front of Fullerton Hotel - this had to be the most strange feeling - on the same road as the formula 1 cars!!!! Got to say, Standard Chartered and Singapore has great organisation skills - there were ample toilets, the entire camaraderie and race feeling was there, it started on time, and they had great DJs and support.

First 10 km ... frankly I do not know Singapore enough to know where I was running through, but I got to say, this race is pancake flat. The cool morning breeze was there whilst running through the first 10km, despite it was in the city. The amount of people stampeding through Singapore streets for a FULL marathon category, was indeed shocking. So for the first 10km, I was determined to run, without the music of the little ipod shuffle, and just enjoyed the atmosphere, it was a relaxed first 10km, even saw some of the 530 pacers in front somewhere within 50 m at one point...

Second 10km ... we got onto the east coast area, after the half marathon turn off. I liked the East Coast area and route, it was a good running track, not on the busy city, and best of all, peaceful and more shadier with trees.

We saw the first of the race leaders on the opposite side of the road along here - I don't know if it was Luke Kibet (the eventual winner), but there was less of a pack than a few sparsely separated front runners. Whoever it was, I knew that guy had a good chance of winning - it was also quite cool when the people around clapped when they saw him - respect the distance, and respect the best runners!

Somewhere along here, I also saw Dhiren, one of my ex-colleagues, I don't know if he was running or was a spectator, but he was surprised to see me waving at him and onto the platform for a minute. It was a good distraction, suddenly seeing someone whom I did not expect brought a little more adrenaline...

Another somewhere along here, I heard Tey shout my name across the divide where the runners were coming back beyond 20km turn around, and he snapped a pic I think because I just waved instinctively - I am so surprised to even heard and more surprise he could see me, heheh, more adrenaline from quick photo...

Third 10 km... I had a continuous pace of running but on 20-30km, I slowed down a little with some walks in between during drinks - to rehydrate - hydration has always been why I did badly in KL half marathons in the past as the heat was too much and running and slowing down suddenly can drain you. Along here I also started the iPod again, and took lots of liquid, but the sudden desire to not push settled in here (as I felt I had to do the last 10km still) - and this was where I slowed down with a little regret, because it affected momentum-- especially when the sun really started to get onto me within the open spots without trees coverage.

Last 12 km... This was mostly back on the city route, completely exposed to the hot sun and really draining - it was like baking in late morning sun, in humid Singapore. It really does not help when most of the crowd is walking their way to the finishing line - kind of makes me lazy too and I was worried I would actually pass out in the heat if I pushed! So, slow jog and walk with some pauses as well as drinks hydration every station, all the way... and only towards 2km to finishing line, I jogged to the final turn, and wow, finished my 2nd marathon !!!

Post thoughts
1) I would do it again. And again. The best part of it is that I know I can do so much better, and the desire to achieve more and conquer this makes a great feeling. I have run in races proper for only 3 years, next year 2009, it is not about marathons, but variety, and better timing!!

2) Got to change the attire - the chaffing is killing me post race... but the shoes the NB 1224 - indeed the most stable shoes - held me through the race and my soles completely recovered in a few hours.

3) Respect the distance - I got what I put in, ie. not enough. I could only do 10kms 3-4 times a week for a month prior to the race. I did not even attempt 20km due to no time to do it. If I got to do this again, I got to be more committed.

4) Gel up - The gels helped to maintain the hydration and salt for the body, thanks very much to powergel for this. Surprisingly powergel was all SOLD OUT prior to the race... not surprising if I think about the 50,000 people and half of them who will get at least 1-2 gels each.

5) Always enjoy the race - And I did... together with the finishing t-shirt and the medal !!!