So finally, the once a year marathon event in Singapore.
I have missed this race the last few years as it usually coincides with Nokia World in Amsterdam, and last year, I had the privilege to be invited on one of the panels.
So this year, I managed to sign up and actually race.
However, I did not get to train at all, so decided I will just do the half marathon instead of the full. I will only do the full marathon if I get to train and better my timing, or else, I really have nothing to prove to myself...I have completed quite a few marathons and my legs aren't gonna appreciate it if I wasted it on just completion.
As my life would have it, I shifted home the week prior and had to fly off to Amsterdam the day after the race, so as usual, did not get to prepare for this race.
Every night the week before, I had some official function to attend (read: alcohol and good food) and then had to unpack those 60boxes till 2am every night...
so come Saturday, I slept at 2am, woke up at 5:45 am and drove to Marina Square. I thought the race flag off was 6:30, but instead its 6:15...so I was pretty late. I started running from the Marina Mall carpark and did not have time to eat, drink or stretch...but I thought, oh hell, its gonna be 21K, my legs will have loads of time to "warm up". At one point at 2km, I thought I should just go home and sleep...I am so tired, having had 4hrs sleep most nights and only 3 the night before. but ACE paid for my race, so I should at least turn up and finish what I started...so I plodded along, still holding my car keys in my palms...
As I started from behind, I had to fight the 21K crowd of sunday joggers and break through the mass of sweaty bodies. At some point the route was so narrow I had to walk!
But lo and behold, I am surprised that I did 2:09...my new personal best. Damn, I should have just pushed ahead and break the 2hr limit. Ok, next year's goal.
I am not proud that I am so ill prepared for the race. I think having done the Half Ironman earlier in Sept helped...my legs must have still remembered the experience. Its dangerous, I could have snapped a ligament as my legs were cold and tight and have not ran for perhaps 3-4wks before the 21K endeavour. But am happy to report that I got on the plane the next day to Amsterdam, had extremely full schedules and legs were ay-okay. In fact, I went over to Niven to paint the study room right after the race and was in the new flat drilling, knocking and packing the rest of the day.
