Nowadays, I do not really like to participate in a run only race...but there was that possible free BMW...so I decided to sign up for the 21k...wahaha...what a bimbo huh?
Actually I was also interested in the new route, in Sentosa and Universal Studios, when I first saw it last year...and since it was a similar route this year, I decided to go ahead ;)
However, this is the probably the first, and hopefully last, time I did a race even though I was clearly unwell, with some fever, the day b4...under most circumstance, that would be a clear "no" to any form of exercise, except that...that's basically how I felt on and off for the past few months...and I did get clearance, to go ahead with the run, from my nice doc, with the promise that I won't drop dead from the run...wahaha...of course, he already had me on dozens of tests and even verified through various means that my lungs, heart, kidneys and liver are at the right places...even though not necessarily in optimal condition...haha :p
Anyway, I signed up for this race in Aug 2011...b4 I started feeling unwell and had funny fevers in Sept...I initially cut down on all exercises with a couple of recovery pace activity in a week, but that didn't help...so I decided to go ahead with some more regular, easy swim, mostly < 30mins (as I was suspecting stress as a culprit and swimming was my most guaranteed method to relieve physiological effects of stress)...in fact after clearing me from any possible infection resulting in bacteria in the blood, my doc suggested I go ahead and swim everyday...haha...I like my doc!
Since then, I have been exercising (mostly swimming) 5-6 times a week...but most of the work out remains less than 30 mins (~5k runs), with an occasional more than an hour work out (~10k runs), which is pretty much what I used to do previously...haha...however recently it's more of due to the fact that work outs more than an hour long tends to leave me feeling like a wreck, regardless of how I normal I feel during the work out itself *_*
So before the race, I was prepared to go for a slower time, maybe a 2:30, and have fun at the race by dressing up as angry bird...hehe...
For the first time, I actually put in so much thought into what to wear for the race...haha...bimbo in the making :)
On the race day itself, I parked at Fort Canning and took a train to Harbourfront where our start point is...there was a very very long queue at the baggage deposit, but I managed to get that settled and quickly head towards the starting point...
It was pretty long walk!
By the time I got to the start point, my heart rate was at 151! Uh oh...and I was thinking of running the few km at HR of 140+ like I usually do when I go for a 5km run...hmmm...looks like need to change my tactics a bit...
I decided that I will run at a pace I feel comfortable while monitoring my heart rate and decide from there...so angry bird turned out to be a bit more preoccupied than expected...which probably explained why I missed so many ppl told me they saw me along the way...haha
Anyway, I decided to try to keep my HR at approximately 160 and to slow down when it hits 165...that a slightly higher HR than I would like...but what to do...at least I still feel comfortable up til HR of 160...
I definitely do not want to walk through out to keep my HR at 150, no matter how scenic it may be...I think it's more torturous to walk 21k!! :p
The part of the route in Sentosa and Universal Studios was full of bottle neck...it's always a challenge having a race in S'pore with such limited space...and it definitely doesn't help with the poor running etiquette of the runners...not keeping to the side when they walk, or worse still, walking in a row or holding hands while walking!! Oh well, I will just have to push those guys aside then :p
Otherwise, the run inside Universal was pretty interesting...quite a number of ppl queueing up to take photos with their favorite character...haha...so funny...
I would have taken photo with the autobots if I saw them...but somehow I missed them while being preoccupied :(
The route within the Sentosa was abt 10km and I spent about 70 mins in there...that's very slow for me...esp at HR of 160 :p
Anyway from there on...I continued running for another 5km...before I started half walking, half running...up and down AYE/ECP, up and down Benjamin Sheares Bridge...on and on until finally at last km...I saw a familiar face with her camera...Le Giang (the very fast cyclist and runner who thinks she is slow)!
But she missed the first time...haha...no worries, I will u-turn and try running towards u again :) Thanks for the photo!
And then there was Jayce (my fellow eguana and bfast buddy in hall in 2001/2, and then my early morning running buddy at Sentosa when she was working at dolphin lagoon and I was doing my PhD work at NUS ard 2005/6), who completed almost an hour ahead of me!
And it was the sprint to the finish...but alas..walking ppl in the way again...gotta push them aside b4 I get to pose in front of the official photographers...haha...
Next it was another queue to stroll on the muddy ground to collect our finisher medal and 100plus...
And then I headed towards the BMW booth where I met my tanjong beach twin, Sin Guan, who was a 4:15 pacer...had some finger food and collected their finisher pack consisting of a pair of slippers and towel :)
Then I went to collect my stuff from the baggage deposit...went back to look for LG to see if there's anyone else around...b4 we started walking back to the padang where we bumped into Craig aka Mr Courtesy (say thank you and make his day :D), who did the 42km, and his sister...after which we headed our own ways...where I slowly walked back to Fort Canning...and head home :)
Overall, I wasn't too happy with how my stamina has "deteriorated"...especially since I was still at my usual stamina the last 2 times I ran that distance, in July (Trifactor 21k run) and Sept (Mega Tri 18k, after 1k swim and 65k bike!) this year...
At least I still had my fun with angry bird...and I realized I still look good on camera regardless of how I feel...wahaha...vanity wins!
And now I can say I have participated in a 10k (2004), half marathon (2011), and full marathon (2005) for SCMS! Yippee! :)
