Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011

S2 Runners:Lau,Lim,Teng,Heng,Teh and Francis.
Friends:Liau (Melaka),Chai (Shanghai).

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011 edition-a race which we promised not to take part in one year ago because we don't like running among the packed marathoners.This year there were 20,000 full marathoners!However we broke our promise and signed up for this 2011 edition.

Immediately after landed in Changi Airport,we went for our breakfast in the airport terminal before taking the MRT to Marina Bay to collect our running packs. Met up with Chai and Francis at Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Marina Bay Sands.

Race pack collection was fast except for some issue of incorrect vest size.I got my XL size vest but the rest didn't got the choice.Heng was extremely upset and decided to complain.He queued up to speak to the person in charge and yet he did not managed to get his vest size.At least he managed to voice out his dissatisfaction to the organiser.I wonder if the organiser do listen.

**Expo:plenty to see and to buy.We bought Asics running shoes.

This year we stayed in a budget hotel:the South East Asia Hotel in Bugis which is not far away from The Padang.Personally I don't like the location of this hotel and its surrounding which looks very "complicated".The old lady Chinese receptionist was not friendly.She don't greet you and the way she speaks was very rude.I wonder how this hotel can survive with this kind of staff.

When she saw me sitting in front of the reception while waiting for Lau,she called out at me..
Old lady:"Hello!!...hello!!...you waiting for who?"

When I inquired why it took so long for us to check in:
Old lady:"Room not ready.You want fast,you go up and ask the cleaner to hurry up!"

When I look in the room with such a small antique TV and the air conditioner with nonadjustable settings plus the attitude of the receptionist ,I will not recommend this hotel to my friends in the future.

Went out in the afternoon to explore Singapore:to the Casino in Marina Bay,Orchard Road for the Christmas light up and carbo loading session sponsored by Chai.

Woke up at 3:00am on Sunday morning.Surprisingly I managed to get 4 hours of sleep,probably because I was not too worry about the outcome of this run.Not much of pre-race stress.

We took the MRT to Orchard Station.There were many runners using the MRT too.On arrival in Orchard we headed to the baggage deposit area and were surprised to see such a long queue.Lau,Teng and I were separated from the rest of the group.We managed to deposit our bags after waiting for about 20 minutes.

By the time we reached the starting point,it was fully packed with runners.It was difficult to enter to the waiting area through the proper entrance.We decided to join other runners by climbing through the road barricades.

Race started at 5:00am.Lau and I were together for the first 3km before I lost him in the massive crowd.At the beginning,certain part of the road was very narrow where only one lane was opened for runners.We have to walk for a short distance near the Maxwell food court area as it was too congested to run.

I had a comfortable run for the first few km as it was very slow.Caught up with the 5:30 hour pacer at 6km mark and subsequently overtook the 5:15 hour pacer at 8km mark.

**The 5:15 hour pacers running through East Coast Park.Picture taken by Tey.I did not bring my camera but managed to get some pictures using my hand phone.

As I wasn't going for any PB target,I took it easy and maintained my usual slow LSD pace of 6:30 to 7:00min/km.There was no urge to catch up with any of the S2 runners.I was running my own race with my own target to finish it within 5 hours or at worst 5.5 hours.

**Saw the "power rangers"runners in ECP.I wonder how they can run in this full body costume.Must be very hot and not easy.

I caught up with Teh at the U turn in the East Coast Park.Had a brief chat with him.On the way out of ECP,I started to feel the effect from my lack of training.I started to feel tired and hungry despite swallowing 4 packets of Powergel.It was only 29 km into the run.

At the 30km mark,my pace started to slow and I gave in by starting to walk in between run.I tried not to walk for too long.

At 33km mark,somewhere near a construction site,I was very surprised to see Teng sitting by the road side.He told me his legs cramped.I asked him to walk and persuaded him to join me for a slow run but he declined.He was the one whom most of us expect to perform well in this run.Maybe he caved in to our pressure and expectation.

I was still in my run walk mode when I caught up with Liau at 35km.He was walking too!!When I caught a glimpse of him running strong behind the 4:30H pacers in ECP,I knew he will be hitting a PB.Too bad for him as his legs cramped too after 30km.

When I saw the 35km mark,I told myself not to walk too much....Only 7km more!!Shouldn't be difficult...just imagine the usual easy run from my house to S2 Park....don't give in....jog,jog all the way...don't walk!! It was about 4 hours in the run.Not bad!!I was just trying to motivate myself.

However my legs refused to run.I felt both my legs were "heavy".I had the similar feeling during my first few marathons and I am having it again.This was all due to lack of training.I joined the 10km crowd walking throughout the Shreares Bridge.Last year I complained that the 10km crowd was blocking the marathoners but this year I was among them blocking other runners by walking along the narrow bridge.Sorry guys...my legs refused to listen.Ha..ha..ha..

At 40km mark,I was still in my walk run mode....more of walking than running.That was embarrassing!!Finally at the last 1km,I forced myself to do a slow run when approaching the finishing line.Must looked good in front of the cheering crowds and the photographers.Ha..ha..ha..

**But the finishing picture didn't turned out to be nice.Look at my tired face and the posture.

My finishing time was 4h 55min 16 sec (chip time).Feel satisfied with my result as I was aiming for a 5 hour finishing.

**Together with Liau waiting for the rest of our group at The Padang.Can't see any of them so Liau,Lim and myself walked back to our hotel.

Overall we don't perform well in this race except for Francis.

Results:

1)Francis 3h 32min....good timing.His strategy was just to run at his LSD pace!

2)Lim 4h 52min...expected to perform better as he was training regularly and was following a training schedule.Don't worry Lim....try again in Borneo.

3)Heng 4h 53min...didn't walk at all throughout the race.Tough guy!

4)Myself 4h 55min...OK lah.What else to expect if one don't train properly.No easy way/short cut in life.

5)KK Liau 5h 02 min...if not for the cramps,this run might be his PB.

6)Teh 5h 16min...very good.He didn't do any long runs.Occasionally on Sunday,he ran for about 10km.Other days,busy with his business.

7)Teng 5h 40min...must be very disappointed.His first oversea run.Sub 4h will come soon for him.

8)Lau 5h 40min..few seconds behind Teng.They ran together for the last few km.Lau..Don't give up!He always declared he won't run any more marathons after each poor finishing.Don't worry...we all knew he will continue running.Ha..ha..ha..

Teng has already decided to return next year for a "revenge".Others have not decide but I am very sure I won't be returning for the 2012 edition due to another important commitment.

Overall it was a good run.The medal was nice.The finisher T looks almost the same every year.The was adequate water in all the water stations.Plenty of gels and bananas.

**Plenty of "unwanted gels".I don't like the taste.Almost vomiting after tasting it at the first gel station-about 23km mark.

The only let down was the crowd and the unavailability of requested vest and finisher T size.

"However we can't fully blame the crowd for slowing us down at the last few kilometres if ourselves are tired and can't run well.We can blame the crowd if we are still have plenty of energy to surge ahead but was unable to run because of the crowd."These words of wisdom from Yee when I spoken to him after our poor performance in SCSM.

See you again in Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2013....yes,it will be 2013 for me.I hope so.