I've just did my 1st half-marathon. Army Half Marathon at the esplanade, self-claimed to be Singapore's largest running event. Not much of the 'runner's high' but I sure received lots of abrasion and sore muscles. To be frank, I was rather confident of my ability to complete the 21km distance as this served as a warm-up and a gauge for the ultimate challenge for me - Dec's Standard Chartered Full Marathon. From my performance today, guessed I seriously need to buckle up and pull up my socks. Time taken for this race - Approximately 2hrs 45mins.
The race flagged off at about 5.30am at the esplanade bridge near Fullerton Hotel. Trying to adopt a steady and easy rhythm early in the race, I tried to mentally control my breathing/drop my shoulders/keep my posture upright/lift my legs as we turned towards the ECP highway. A funny sight I've observed was that many supposedly male runners ran towards the forested area along the highway to 'relieve' themselves. A case of over-hydration?
The ECP route was also rather challenging as it was a uphill road and I struggled to keep my running rhythm.
Next we move in towards FORT Rd -> East Coast Park
The challenges posed here were a many. The first is the narrowing running path as we moved from the luxury of a 3 lane highway on ECP to a single lane jogging track along East Coast Park. The second is the cluster of 'walkers' who block the lane, forcing many overtakers to cut in and out dangerously around the poorly lit track which is also the last challenge. After the U-turn at the end of the park, i stopped near the toilet to ease my bladder. Bad move! As I struggled to regain my pace and I've lost sight of my friend Ke Ming who started the race with me.
Soon the day broke as we cruised into Tanjung Rhu -> Nicoll Highway
Yipee! More water points around here. After a sip or two of 100plus, I felt my pace slacken more rapidly and I struggled to lift my feet. At around the Nicoll highway, I chanced upon a casualty - bad cramps. I stopped and rendered my help in the form of providing some tiger balm rub which he appreciated.
As we headed towards the start of the F1 race course, I met up with my friend and guess what? More water points! And last 3Km left.
When I saw the esplanade, I was over-joyed! Because I've thought that the ending point was over at the end of the bridge which was not the case. It was at least 600m away ... at the padang! But as I sped towards the last 100m, the feeling that came over me was again out of this world. A kind of accomplishment of sorts! The plus point- we can finally get our medal, get the 'salonpas' treatment and then get the hell out of here and back to bed! Yawns .. only 3hrs or so last night!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Reflections on OSIM Triathlon 2009
I had completed the OSIM triathlon this weekend. A major accomplishment and a huge 1st step into the world of Marathons and such.
I am thankful for having the support of my racing buddy, Wong, and the backing of my Mum and Sister whom came with me early in the morning of a lazy weekend just to see me race.
Actually the magnitude of the event was greater than i had expected. When we first arrived at the check-in counter at about 8am, we were greeted by the waves of activities happening simultaneously right before us.
There were the busy security personnel meticulously checking the identification of each racer before letting them into the bike holding area, the volunteers who were divided and placed at every point to carry duties like body marking/ushering/water-point/cheering and lastly the triathletes sprinting through the different segments of the race like their whole life depends on it.
Another observation that Wong and I discovered is the type of bikes that many were using for our race category. They were mainly road bikes that all look very "fierce" and expensive. Even the athletes they themselves look "fierce". (Okay, we admit it. At that point, we were both rather intimidated.)
However, we did not let this affect our high spirits. We systemically toured the event venue to camera-whore and to try out the OSIM massage like a typical tourist.
As our race starts at 11.35am, we spent the available time to cheer other participants on near the starting/ending point and to relax plus mentally psyched ourselves up.
Then came our race. At 11.35am, the last wave of the MEN's Sprint Open were all gathered on the beach at the starting point. With a quick brief by the MC, we were flagged off. Everyone instinctively ran towards the water like a pack of hungry wolves but not us. We stayed at the back of the pack as we were slower breast-stroke swimmers and we have heard so much about the violent jostling in the water. Everything went fine with me trying my best to glide through the currents without exerting too much energy at the beginning of a 2hrs race. With particular caution, I stayed well clear of many swimmers as a sign of Sportsmanship. Coming up on the last third, we rode the current which was bringing shore-wards which gave us a lot of momentum forward. The whole swim took me 24 minutes.
However I was really annoyed by the "Ang-Mohs" who came from the subsequent wave. They were mainly brutes who elbowed and kneed their way through. Being the stubborn one I am, I somehow return their "favors" as it became unbearable. Boy! it was fun!
Coming up to the beach, my knees suddenly felt like jelly. However not to lose face in front of the many adoring "fans" gathered there, I picked myself up, ran passed the showering point and towards the bike holding area for the bike segment. At the holding area, I was careful not to rush through the transition phase. As my body was feeling hunger and thirst, I popped almost a handful of almond nuts into my system and conducted a mini "water-parade". The time I spent in the holding area - 3 minutes.
Along the cycling route, I used the first round of three to test the distance and to adapt my muscle to the cycling motion. In order to keep my spirit high, I constantly remind myself to overtake the cyclist ahead. I also consumed a energy bar which I bought at the GNC booth in the morning. Damned! the bar left a nauseous plus dry aftertaste and the pineapple and nuts concoction felt like chewing the fiber of a sugar cane. Other than that, the cycling segment went by like a breeze. Time I took - 45 minutes.
Next stop, the dreaded running segment. By now my thighs were locking up and it felt like irons. I almost had difficulty making my way up and across the bridge which led to the starting point of the running leg. By now, I desperately need a drink to quench my dying thirst and to cool my head & body with. Along the 5KM track, my legs were merely moving awkwardly forward in small steps and sometime in a "limp" but at a speed which was smooth and constant.
Throughout the leg, I mentally reminded myself not to stop the momentum and if I do, my legs would be able to move anymore. Moreover, by finishing this "s**" I would get the finisher medal. At almost every checkpoint, I will take a drink to drench my head and to ask the volunteer how much more to the turning point/finishing point as my body was aching. But at the expense of others, I was motivated at my ability to keep moving while others merely gave up by walking/ vomiting or dropping out of the race.
To further push myself and others, I encouraged a fellow participant to carry on jogging as I saw him walking slowing by himself. I managed to re-ignite his drive and we chatted for a distance before he stayed behind at a drinking point to rehydrate. My spirit right now was at a all-time high as I knew that after this drinking point, I was effectively less than 15 minutes from the finishing point.
Suddenly the adrenaline rush came from nowhere and my legs could "move" again in its normal function. Cruising through, I reached the desired blue carpet and sped past the finishing line accompanied by a orchestral of up-tempo music, cheers and camera clicks.
Suddenly it dwelled on me that I had completed something which I had not imagined myself to accomplish before. The feeling was surreal and I felt that what I have just fought for was just another routine. I just instinctively reached for another drink and proceed back to the holding area for my bike. Later the so-called runner's high came and I just feel like congratulating all the participants who "made" it. This so-called high continued until at night. Running leg - time took 35 minutes. Total race time taken- 1 hours and 50 minutes.
I am thankful for having the support of my racing buddy, Wong, and the backing of my Mum and Sister whom came with me early in the morning of a lazy weekend just to see me race.
Actually the magnitude of the event was greater than i had expected. When we first arrived at the check-in counter at about 8am, we were greeted by the waves of activities happening simultaneously right before us.
There were the busy security personnel meticulously checking the identification of each racer before letting them into the bike holding area, the volunteers who were divided and placed at every point to carry duties like body marking/ushering/water-point/cheering and lastly the triathletes sprinting through the different segments of the race like their whole life depends on it.
Another observation that Wong and I discovered is the type of bikes that many were using for our race category. They were mainly road bikes that all look very "fierce" and expensive. Even the athletes they themselves look "fierce". (Okay, we admit it. At that point, we were both rather intimidated.)
However, we did not let this affect our high spirits. We systemically toured the event venue to camera-whore and to try out the OSIM massage like a typical tourist.
As our race starts at 11.35am, we spent the available time to cheer other participants on near the starting/ending point and to relax plus mentally psyched ourselves up.
Then came our race. At 11.35am, the last wave of the MEN's Sprint Open were all gathered on the beach at the starting point. With a quick brief by the MC, we were flagged off. Everyone instinctively ran towards the water like a pack of hungry wolves but not us. We stayed at the back of the pack as we were slower breast-stroke swimmers and we have heard so much about the violent jostling in the water. Everything went fine with me trying my best to glide through the currents without exerting too much energy at the beginning of a 2hrs race. With particular caution, I stayed well clear of many swimmers as a sign of Sportsmanship. Coming up on the last third, we rode the current which was bringing shore-wards which gave us a lot of momentum forward. The whole swim took me 24 minutes.
However I was really annoyed by the "Ang-Mohs" who came from the subsequent wave. They were mainly brutes who elbowed and kneed their way through. Being the stubborn one I am, I somehow return their "favors" as it became unbearable. Boy! it was fun!
Coming up to the beach, my knees suddenly felt like jelly. However not to lose face in front of the many adoring "fans" gathered there, I picked myself up, ran passed the showering point and towards the bike holding area for the bike segment. At the holding area, I was careful not to rush through the transition phase. As my body was feeling hunger and thirst, I popped almost a handful of almond nuts into my system and conducted a mini "water-parade". The time I spent in the holding area - 3 minutes.
Along the cycling route, I used the first round of three to test the distance and to adapt my muscle to the cycling motion. In order to keep my spirit high, I constantly remind myself to overtake the cyclist ahead. I also consumed a energy bar which I bought at the GNC booth in the morning. Damned! the bar left a nauseous plus dry aftertaste and the pineapple and nuts concoction felt like chewing the fiber of a sugar cane. Other than that, the cycling segment went by like a breeze. Time I took - 45 minutes.
Next stop, the dreaded running segment. By now my thighs were locking up and it felt like irons. I almost had difficulty making my way up and across the bridge which led to the starting point of the running leg. By now, I desperately need a drink to quench my dying thirst and to cool my head & body with. Along the 5KM track, my legs were merely moving awkwardly forward in small steps and sometime in a "limp" but at a speed which was smooth and constant.
Throughout the leg, I mentally reminded myself not to stop the momentum and if I do, my legs would be able to move anymore. Moreover, by finishing this "s**" I would get the finisher medal. At almost every checkpoint, I will take a drink to drench my head and to ask the volunteer how much more to the turning point/finishing point as my body was aching. But at the expense of others, I was motivated at my ability to keep moving while others merely gave up by walking/ vomiting or dropping out of the race.
To further push myself and others, I encouraged a fellow participant to carry on jogging as I saw him walking slowing by himself. I managed to re-ignite his drive and we chatted for a distance before he stayed behind at a drinking point to rehydrate. My spirit right now was at a all-time high as I knew that after this drinking point, I was effectively less than 15 minutes from the finishing point.
Suddenly the adrenaline rush came from nowhere and my legs could "move" again in its normal function. Cruising through, I reached the desired blue carpet and sped past the finishing line accompanied by a orchestral of up-tempo music, cheers and camera clicks.
Suddenly it dwelled on me that I had completed something which I had not imagined myself to accomplish before. The feeling was surreal and I felt that what I have just fought for was just another routine. I just instinctively reached for another drink and proceed back to the holding area for my bike. Later the so-called runner's high came and I just feel like congratulating all the participants who "made" it. This so-called high continued until at night. Running leg - time took 35 minutes. Total race time taken- 1 hours and 50 minutes.
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