Thursday, December 07, 2006
Standard Chartered Spore Marathon.
5.30 .....5.30.....urgh..h...urgh....dont cramp .........ok ..ok cross finish line at 5:45:12 , and YES ! , ....my 6th Marathon Medal !
The story goes :------
I knew I have already lost my bet (dinner) when my friends challenged me to do 5:15 compared to 6:17 I did last year. , but I like the attention. Again, this year I registered for Spore Marathon because of the attention... being Klang grp captain must do at least 1 full marathon-lah.
Race day : 3 December 2006.
Peter , Chak and myself already gathered at the starting point at 5.30pm.
The full marathon starts at 6am, and the pen starts to fill with runners, Peter went to the Sub -4 pen whereas I went to Sub-5 pen. Chak has to wait his turn as he is taking in the Half.
I think there's nothing wrong being in Sub-5 pen, as it borders with sub-6 pen ..right ...haha
I want to do a better timing than last year., where i spend 10 minutes walking before there's enough room to run!
My strategy.
To run a consistent pace at 8min /km and to hit 30kms at 4 hr 03 min ( my timing at sri hartamas )
10 km - 74 mins
I keep my cool and run a comfortable at 7-8 mins pace. The morning weather was fine.
I done my map-reading at home, and did a last study while in the hotel room.
It was useful to control yr mind especially there are u-turns here.
I targeting my 1st u-turn at 7.5km.
15 km - I took my 2 nd Powergel ( took 1 for breakfast ),., and continue running towards my next mind-target of the 21km when the main road split into the "treacherous park ".
I followed a group of runners who were actually called themselves ' 5:30 ' Marathon Pacers., meaning those who wish to achieve the 5:30 , just follow their pace. I followed them until at 21km., i slowed down.
I took off my vest and run for at least 3km barechest , really fun and cool as there are a few of them doing it. At this point ,I am not too worried as I did not really spend much time walking and if I able to maintain the pace, I am able to match my Sri Hartamas.
25km - Tightness of left foot, decide to loosen both the shoes laces , stretched abit and continue to race against the 30km mark ...wow..3:55 ( beaten Sri hartamas timing: 4:05 ).
3rd powergel to my rescue.
30km - Starts to drizzle., relieved , but worried that it will be a big downpour.
What happens now> suddenly blur blur..my max training was 30km, and I hv hit the 30km!
So now I play my mind with how far can I achieve with a 5 hrs target.
I just dont care about the 42km mark anymore.
5 hrs ? - keep on running ....4:30 hrs...5:00 hrs ....was happy that my legs can stand the abuse of running. Last powergel given free at the "treacherous park" - i thought it was good to have the 4th satchet but i nearly vomit after taking half of it. WHY ? ANOTHER RECORD TAKING MOST POWERGEL ...hee hee
5:00 hrs : reached 38km
I was thinking that I can do the last 4km at 30min.
Cramps at my calf strikes not once, but more than 4 times ( last one 30 ft from finishing line ).
At the junction where you turn into the park , it was the best challenging , most painful, yet never-give-up moment in my running life.
I was motivated by 2 cyclist ( a couple ) , who would ride to your side slowly, encourage you to carry on.
I was really monitored by the guy cyclist , he is so concern about me giving up as each time I "fix" my cramps, a momemt later he is by the side gently calling me to carry on. (" Fix" - stretching.)
His presence, his patience ( 30 mins )...really "fired" me to fight the pain for the last km till finishing. .. calling my name towards the end. ( I introduced myself along the way but I didnt get his name).
In true spirit the cyclist appeared again, as I am already in my last 100 metres to the finishing line. He saw me crossed the line., yes., I did it !
I am very happy I broke my PR at 5:45:12 compared to 6:17 last year. Better by 32 mins !!!
I ride high and now Pacesetters Klang group is waiting for my dinner !
Cheers to Peter (Full) and especially to Chak who dared to run his 1st ever 21km in singapore.
If anybody knows the cyclist, do let me have his contact number and thanks.
Result:-
My BiB no: 7908
Category : Men Veteran
Position: 1142/1606
Chip time : 5 hr 45 Min 14 Sec.
PR.
The story goes :------
I knew I have already lost my bet (dinner) when my friends challenged me to do 5:15 compared to 6:17 I did last year. , but I like the attention. Again, this year I registered for Spore Marathon because of the attention... being Klang grp captain must do at least 1 full marathon-lah.
Race day : 3 December 2006.
Peter , Chak and myself already gathered at the starting point at 5.30pm.
The full marathon starts at 6am, and the pen starts to fill with runners, Peter went to the Sub -4 pen whereas I went to Sub-5 pen. Chak has to wait his turn as he is taking in the Half.
I think there's nothing wrong being in Sub-5 pen, as it borders with sub-6 pen ..right ...haha
I want to do a better timing than last year., where i spend 10 minutes walking before there's enough room to run!
My strategy.
To run a consistent pace at 8min /km and to hit 30kms at 4 hr 03 min ( my timing at sri hartamas )
10 km - 74 mins
I keep my cool and run a comfortable at 7-8 mins pace. The morning weather was fine.
I done my map-reading at home, and did a last study while in the hotel room.
It was useful to control yr mind especially there are u-turns here.
I targeting my 1st u-turn at 7.5km.
15 km - I took my 2 nd Powergel ( took 1 for breakfast ),., and continue running towards my next mind-target of the 21km when the main road split into the "treacherous park ".
I followed a group of runners who were actually called themselves ' 5:30 ' Marathon Pacers., meaning those who wish to achieve the 5:30 , just follow their pace. I followed them until at 21km., i slowed down.
I took off my vest and run for at least 3km barechest , really fun and cool as there are a few of them doing it. At this point ,I am not too worried as I did not really spend much time walking and if I able to maintain the pace, I am able to match my Sri Hartamas.
25km - Tightness of left foot, decide to loosen both the shoes laces , stretched abit and continue to race against the 30km mark ...wow..3:55 ( beaten Sri hartamas timing: 4:05 ).
3rd powergel to my rescue.
30km - Starts to drizzle., relieved , but worried that it will be a big downpour.
What happens now> suddenly blur blur..my max training was 30km, and I hv hit the 30km!
So now I play my mind with how far can I achieve with a 5 hrs target.
I just dont care about the 42km mark anymore.
5 hrs ? - keep on running ....4:30 hrs...5:00 hrs ....was happy that my legs can stand the abuse of running. Last powergel given free at the "treacherous park" - i thought it was good to have the 4th satchet but i nearly vomit after taking half of it. WHY ? ANOTHER RECORD TAKING MOST POWERGEL ...hee hee
5:00 hrs : reached 38km
I was thinking that I can do the last 4km at 30min.
Cramps at my calf strikes not once, but more than 4 times ( last one 30 ft from finishing line ).
At the junction where you turn into the park , it was the best challenging , most painful, yet never-give-up moment in my running life.
I was motivated by 2 cyclist ( a couple ) , who would ride to your side slowly, encourage you to carry on.
I was really monitored by the guy cyclist , he is so concern about me giving up as each time I "fix" my cramps, a momemt later he is by the side gently calling me to carry on. (" Fix" - stretching.)
His presence, his patience ( 30 mins )...really "fired" me to fight the pain for the last km till finishing. .. calling my name towards the end. ( I introduced myself along the way but I didnt get his name).
In true spirit the cyclist appeared again, as I am already in my last 100 metres to the finishing line. He saw me crossed the line., yes., I did it !
I am very happy I broke my PR at 5:45:12 compared to 6:17 last year. Better by 32 mins !!!
I ride high and now Pacesetters Klang group is waiting for my dinner !
Cheers to Peter (Full) and especially to Chak who dared to run his 1st ever 21km in singapore.
If anybody knows the cyclist, do let me have his contact number and thanks.
Result:-
My BiB no: 7908
Category : Men Veteran
Position: 1142/1606
Chip time : 5 hr 45 Min 14 Sec.
PR.
