I treated this run as my recovery run instead of race-target as I am still in process of recovery after taking heaviest toll ever after recent Sundown 84km ultra run back in May. This also will mark my first 42km run in the Lion City.
Completely forgotten where I was in most part of the race as I was running alone all the time plus forgetting to bring along my race watch. Except this.
Throughout the race, I did not see any familiar faces until I saw Uncle Tang who was ahead of me about 1.5km from the oncoming side of hairpin curve before reaching 20km mark at East Coast Park. Happy to be at 'home' again as this is my second time running across this park after the recent Sundown run. As usual, this is the shadiest and most breezing route in this marathon. Realised my sub-4 attempt sent into oblivion when Adidas 4-hour Pacers ran passed me and I failed to cope with them thereafter.
Saw Ahmad Farid overtook me at National Stadium in Kallang somewhere after 30km. Again, failing to cope with his pace.
Pathetically, the last 3km from Singapore Flyer onwards is the point where marathoners run into one big oceanic blue crowd of slow runners from all categories in which they made so much tougher for fast runners to slit through. But it took a while for me to tear away from the rest. And that's the only flaw of this marathon.
Managed to finish this race in 4 hours 12 minutes and 15 seconds. Without my realisation, I overtook back Ahmad Farid by 4 minutes. Phew.
No sub-4, no PB but still had a blast because I still able to run 42km again after absence from road races 6 months since last May.
I did not even do my LSD (long slow distance) within that period due to rotating working schedules. Hence, severely affecting my sleeping pattern. I was able to do maximum only 2 days of training weekly prior to the biggie. The longest run I had in last 6 months was only mere 10km in very usual Bukit Jalil training route. In retrospect, it's a miracle with that distance will do me a sub 4:15 run !
Overall, the race route was superbly flat and fast plus picturesque as well. I did not fully utilise this advantage as I was getting more exhausted and slower in speed as I run till the finishing point. Neither the energy gels nor bananas able to aid my exhaustion.
Organising-wise, really love the strong army of supporters, plus ample supply of water, isotonic drinks, bananas and even counter pain creams at almost every water station. Not to forget those inspiring words posted on placards at almost every kilometres. The medals and finisher t-shirts were orderly distributed before walking out of distribution booth. The post-race party was much like a big carnival. Gulped 3 bottles of 100 Plus isotonic drinks and a nutrition bar plus a little stretching before walking back to hostel.
That's my closing curtain for my running year of 2008. Adieu.
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