This year i wouldn't be going through the comments for the whole route. I will only o through some portion which i have deep impression on. As this time round I'm following a pacer group, i don't have much time to let my mind wonder around, observing things around me.
This year's Marathon is really packed! Cant make my way to the front line, stuck around 10m away. But no issues, as the pacers are right beside me. Objective for the run is to stick with them.. (which thankfully i didn't).
Find the pace they lead faster than the usual way i start my marathon. But I understand its necessary to get out of the crowd, also the difference in the pace for meeting the 3:45 timing.
4hr pace: 5:41 per Km
3:45hr pace: 5:20 per Km (20s Difference)
First 10-20km, had quite a cultural shock of how they drink. Remember for my past 2 marathons, water stations is like a 30s rest point or walk zone. This time round, everyone just run pass the water stations, grab the cups and run off. Turned out to be a catch up interval for me every time when we reaches the water points. Had a pee break along Nichol Highway at one of the mobile toilets as i find that holding water in the bladder during the run is quite irritating, tensing my lower body.
Along ECP, everything is still fine with me. Pace is still within my range, no pain but bits of sore. The Adidas Pacer Team caught up with Fatbird around there. With the familiar shouting from Uncle David, i can identify them 50m in front. The same sentence he always use when reaching a water point. "Water point, drink water/hydrate yourselves guys!". Wanted to hear this sentence for the past 20+km.
However just when passing by Macdonald, I had this ominous feeling on my left tight, along the IT band. Really hope i dont get hit by the ITB tightness, so early in the run. But seems like my prayer is not answered. When i went for my 2nd pee break, standing stationery, it worsen the condition of my left ITB. ITB was tight when i came out of the toilet. Had to force myself to walk fast and get into jogging, preventing the ITB from cooling down and contracting. Had a hard time trying to chase back the pack. Had to regulate my pace so not to over tighten the ITB. Finally caught up with the pack when turning out the fort road, abut 30+km now.
Here comes the next nightmare, Merging with the 21km runners walkers. Together with the ITB issue, the next 3km is a stressful experience for me. Imagine avoiding the walkers, at times required sudden movement, really scare i put on too much stress on my left leg. In the end, i just follow right behind the pacer, using them as a parang to pave open a route for me to run out of the human jungle.
Broke away from the FatBird at around 33km, forget the reason. But was soon caught up by the Adidas pacer group, near the cooling station. From there i followed them all the way. Also from there, my Marathon just started..
I was quite occupied my the tightness on the ITB, and soon lost my sense of pacing. Struggling to keep myself focus to keep up with the pack pace. Over 35km mark, I have lost sight of the FatBird.
At the 38km mark, we merged back with the walkers. This time round its not that bad. The pacers are still energetic enough to shout at the walker to make way for us. I was at the verge of giving up and slow jog all the way to finishing point. But the thoughts of finishing with goal timing is kept me going.
Already a state of fatigue, i was dumbfounded to see how active the Adidas team still are. Shouting across road when they saw someone they know, posing for all camera shoots, even joking while running!!
Conversation 1: 37km marking Runner A: Shall we decided on where to go for breakfast, since its only 5km left? Conversation 2: 40km marking Runner C: Ok guys, 2km more. Runner A: Hey! its 2.195 more! When come to such things, you must give the details.
They also planned to form up a train to cross the finishing line. Inspired to run like for my next marathon. Run Strong, Run Cool.
Along the stretch to finishing line, saw 2 familiar faces which brighten my day. One of them is my CDO friend, who is in the NUS biathlon team, under Uncle David. Next is Arnon, taking pictures while squeezing with the crowd. Hope he took nice picture of me.
Knowing i can meet my targeted timing, i slow down my pace and jog pass the finishing line, trying to look good. But still cant hide the pain from the ITB.
Great Run
C Cube
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