SCSM 2007

The moment I been waiting for since August 2006. Back for a third try I just wanted to prove to myself that I can do it without cramps never mind the timing. But actually who runs a race without a target time? So I came up with a safe 5 hours. The plan was to follow the 5 hours pacers and if not; run 1:10 for every 10 km and crossed fingers that I can finish in 5 hours.

Started the race in pen 5 (those finishing under 6 hours) running side by side with Ayin and Cobalt. Just after the 2 km mark, Cobalt moved off and the 2 of us continued our Sunday jog. Ayin longest run was the NB real run and his last run was Nov 7 after which he had been sick or on holiday so he was contended to jog with me. Took a pee break at the Marina South Ferry Terminal and covered the 1st 10 km in 1:15. Slightly off target but minus the 4 minutes of start lag, still within my desired pace. At the 20km, time was 2:21 so somehow along the way had managed to catch up a bit. Ayin finally decided to move off after the 25km and I continued slowly. 30km: 3:29 - perfect still on time and best of all, past my 2 psychological barriers - the u-turn and Bedok Jetty (where I choked in my last 2) without problem. Contemplated speeding up but in the end decided not to chance it. Saw Susan cheering for everybody at Marine Cove.

By now the sun was up high and I started taking 3 jelly beans every water point leaving my last pack of powergel for 37km. At 32km, saw Cookie who complained of cramps. Told me the 5 hours pacer was in front and I decided to catch up with them. Hopefully, if I follow their pace, chance are can complete by 5 hours. Caught up with them at around the 35km mark and decided they were too slow and move off ahead. Surprised to see Ayin just in front of me. He too was having cramps and pretty bad it seem.

Decided to run with him. Since we started together, we shall finish together. So from then on, we did a run/walk stopping to walk whenever his cramp came back. The longest stretch of walking was after the Crawford Road slope and we walked all the way until the 41km mark before he decided to chance it and we ran back together. His cramp kept threatening to come back and just after the Esplanade Tunnel with only 200 metres to go, he was screaming in agony but still gamely ran on. With the 5 hours drawing near, we dash the last 150 metres to stop the clock at 4:59(gun time). Chip time should be around 4:56 a personal best for me! Yipee!

So I achieved what I wanted. A race where I did not had to walk long stretch, no cramps; can walk around thereafter without looking like somebody had stuck a big bamboo rod up the ass:). Probably can finish faster even. I think this is it - the perfect race for me - so people believe me, I going to stop doing the full marathon henceforth. Oh, remind me of my pledge if anybody hear me signing up for any of the full next year:)