A lengthy race report… Sorri!
Race Day Eve

Woke up 830am. Left home 940am to go to SP for tennis. Ended up playing at NUS tennis court. From 1145pm Until 115pm. Went home shower then rushed out. Meet my army buddies for a KTV session at KBOX@Suntec. Then meet up with Sukaimi (TLR) and FD to collect sgrunners tshirts. Alex, Chris, Ben, Peter and Jess were there too. Had dinner with my friends at Pasta Creation at Shaw Towers. Rushed home.Passed some painting equipment to ichabods. Showered. Prep for my race day. 21km. Not a small feat. Actually quite excited . Can’t get to sleep.

Must reach there before 5am. Flag off at 545am!!

My Full Army Half Marathon Order(FAHMO)

Nice running attire and an unlucky number tag

GT2100 running shoes

Socks

Casio 60mins Stopwatch

Lance Armstrong Wristband

Money belt

Strawberry banana Power gel

Contact Lens and maybe shades(most likely not wearing)

Race Strategy( Pre -race)

Follow people of similar pace. Probably Anthony (dreamrunner) and DO for at least the first 15km. Before pushing myself for the final 6km.

15km in 1hrs 20mins and final 6 km in 35mins= 1 hr 55 mins
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AHM time(21km): 1 hrs 43mins
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AHM Day

Pre-run

Slept at about 11am. Because of the Stupid “Ge Tai”.And some pre race jitters. Had intermittent sleep. Probably too nervous..My first time running the half marathon. This probably will determine my confidence level for the SCSM… haha.. Woke at 4am. Brushed up. Had a shower.

Pre Run Breakfast(PRB)

1) Nature Valley’s Banana Nut Granola Bar

2) One big Del Monte Banana

3) 1 cup of Redoxon Vitamin C drink

After the breakfast, got out of home. Went to the taxi stand. 2 other runners waiting there. Me in the middle of the queue. Waiting almost 15mins for the cabs. A few cabs drove past us , not wanting to pick us up. We were quite fed-up. Haha.. Then one of them suggested that we share a cab together. At first we were waiting for our seperate cabs. Call a cab. Just when I got to the cab booking hotline, waiting for my taxi no. A cab came along. So we hopped on it. 3 of us. One grumpy serviceman(just like me during my army days). A lady(Wai Fong) doing her first half marathon. A newbie runner(me) also doing his first half marathon. On the cab trip, we talked abit about our running experience( very little for both of us). She just started running. So then I start to intro her to sgrunners, since I was wearing the super comfy sgrunners tshirt over my race attire then.Haha. Me proud to be part of SGRUNNERS.

Reached Esplanade at around 5am. Went to deposit bag. Met Rainbow, Wilson, Adeline and her bf(Steven). Quite chaotic. The bag deposit area. Then drank up my Gatorade drink I have made. Went to the toilet. Then proceed to the Esplanade staircase. Meet up with the rest of my company runners. Then saw DO, Sukaimi, Cheow12 at the starting point.

The Run

Quite excited.. Finally it’s the greatest test in 3 weeks. 3rd race in 3 weeks. Never went beyond the 15km mark. Just minutes before the start, I tried to squeeze my way to the front. As much as possible.

Horn sounded.. Masses of people started to slow jog.. I tried to break away from the crowd. But at the same time, I didn’t want to run too fast and end up walking at the end. I am trying hard to locate familiar faces and try running with them.. Maybe after 1km, TLR overtook me.. And from then on , never see him.. not even his smoke..haha..

Running at a pretty good pace of 5mins per km.. If I maintain, should be able to hit home at 105mins, I told myself. First 3km was quite flat road.. Along the way .. saw people relieving themselves at the side of the road..I was quite bemused by the sights..haha.. Pretty much enjoying my run at a comfortable pace.

Then I reached the sheares bridge.. Still feeling ok.. then after the bridge.. On my way to fort run. Felt acute pain at the right midriff area.. Probably a stomach muscle spasm. Really painful. Really tested my endurance to the max. I was almost resigned to walking the remaining 16km. No way I am going to give up. Absolutely no way.. Unless I faint(I am a crazy fellow).Tears almost dropped..because of the pain and was quite demoralised. I told myself pain is temporary!! Mind over matter. At one point I was telling myself :” Let me finish this , pls.”

Luckily during the turn into ECP, I saw Alvin(alvo), so I try to follow him abit. Yeah.. I found my inspiration and motivation. Slowly I forgot about the pain. And picked up my morale. Still manages to keep the 5mins per km pace. After the turning point, I decided to pick up speed. Since the pain is gone. With my strategy of overtaking one runner at a time. After 11km. Time : 54mins 39secs. Good timing.I told myself:” 11km done, just 10km to go. What is 10km to me since I completed 11km”

Then at the 14km mark, I finally managed to locate the Dreamrunner. Ran with him abit. Yeah.. Yet another of my inspiration. Feeling abit hungry. Time for a powergel. Lemon lime power gel . At the 15km mark. Didn’t want to take so early in case stomach cannot take it. It’s really gooey.. didn’t really like it. But heck la.. just gulped in the gooey energy paste then took 2 cups of water. Stop running awhile to drink up the water.

It seems like an instantaneous energy boost. Probably the psychological effect came immediately. Cos later I found out that it takes about 15mins for the effect to take place. Should have taken it at the 12km mark. Nevertheless got the boost I very much needed.. Anything beyond 15km, it’s an improvement in distance. With my determination, I managed to endure through the last 6km. I sprinted my way home for the last 100m .. to hit home at a time of 1 hrs 43mins 40secs( the gun time) . My watch indicated 1 hr 42 mins 45 secs( nett time). I was super duper happy..16km ago, I was facing the grim prospect of not finishing. Now I completed in a good time! Dreamrunner came home slightly after me.. Well done!!

Post Run
Went to grab my bag so that I can get the goodie bag.. I want finisher medal!! haha.. as if it’s so exclusive..Then went to buy some Gatorade. Saw Swee Kheng and Clarence. Both of them came back at a pretty good timing.Clarence came in in an hour and 50 mins. Swee Kheng completed her run in an hour and 45mins or so..Amazing time!! And she came in fifth in the women’s close. Congrats and Well done!!

Went to buy more Gatorade drinks. Give to fellow runners. They deserved some Gatorade. For completing the race. Gatorade points were scarce thru out the run. The watermelon ice flavour taste quite nice!!

Meet the sgrunners at the finishing area for awhile. then need to gather for a company photo.

Unable to join the sgrunners for some photos.. There is always next time

Post Run Carbo Reloading( PRCR)

1)Subway Sandwich(dunnoe what type.. but very nice)

2)Small Pack of Nachos

3)Mango Icecream with bread

4) Peanut Pancake

5) Bowl of green soup

6) Beehoon by Aunt

7) Hokkien mee by Mum

Egg tart