Singapore Marathon 2012 - The Toilet Struggle

I targeted to do 4 full marathon in 2012, SCMS was last on the list after I wasn't able to go for Taiping marathon and Putrajaya Night Marathon. As I achieved my sub4 goal two weeks back during PBIM, this run I was planning to go steady and consistent to see if I am doing as a pacer, what pace would be a consistent pace for me to complete a FM. Like any other run, thing doesn't always go the way we wish...

The fun part of this trip began with meeting up the gang at Expo for racekit collection (actually mine was collected earlier by Hong Chew), actually it was more for checking out the sports exhibition booths there. I was impressed by how well the organizer planned this event, I can see it from the collection counterssssss, nevertheless, there was no big crowd, nothing to compare.

Camwhore shot no.1

Camwhore shot no.2

Bump into Mohan in the Expo

By the time we left the expo, it has already started to rain heavily, that was when Ann Ric and "ahem" came for their kit collection. I bought 1 boxes of 2nd surge at SGD10, average about RM6/pack, much cheaper than in Malaysia, that's going to be part of my supply for 2013.

Still the same plan, 3 packs of 2nd surge, with anything additional given during the run.

They were giving out this hand band for runner to check if they are on track for the timing they are running.

I woke up 2am in the morning (slept at around 11:30pm), surprisingly not so zombie mode, but had a hard time to swallow my breakfast before made my way to the MRT. I was early at the MRT, knowing that the 1st train arriving will be around 3:15am, I was there at 2:45am, LOL! Spend sometime scrolling through the new song list given by Sophie Lim - Tomorrowland 2012, awesome songs for marathon! :D Then the train arrived and I was counting time at each station to see if I can make it on time to deposit my plastic bag and yet make it to meet the gang who are supposed to meet up at coffee cluc, Wheelock place. Everthing seem so rushing.

1st person I saw after arrived at Orchard was Cikgu Syed but he didn't see me, lol! I went to grab his hand and before exit the MRT station, we bump into the gang below:

Bump into Mata gang at MRT upon arrival at Orchard.

Very quickily, me and William Kow made our way to the baggage deposit area which is quite far away from the MRT station. There wasn't a very long queue at each counter, but the ladies at deposit counter were......very ladies.-.-!!! Then we ran to the coffee club and took the following shots before rush to the starting line for sub5 runners:

Taken when Tan sisters not around...

Shot taken at coffee club, when the Tan sisters went to toilet....

Same hometown, same running shirt, same 4-eyed guy, LOL! My HMV pacer: Boon Yeong

While making my way to the starting line, I felt the need to visit the toilet for a quick release, somehow the queue was quite long, I had to abandon the plan and hoping that the faster I run infront, the sooner I reach the mobile toilet on the way, and I can do my tension release there, I MADE A HUGE MISTAKE.....

Starting line is the bright light stuff.

People Mountain People Sea

The race flag off at 5:00am, the 1st thing I did was to overtake as many people as I can and make my way to the toilet. 1st time in my life I find the pacers group with followers are so annoying because on this 2-3 lane roads, their crowd is blocking half the way. After 1.5km, it was so much easier to run on straight line and we were still running in the city road, no toilet.

5km into the race, 2 water station passed, no toilet. I can feel my bladder full and I had to control my steps not to over bounce myself, I cannot put too much of stress on my tummy too....arghh!!! At 1st I thought at Ekiden 2nd runner area, may be there will be toilet, yes, there were, but they were CLOSED!!!! After 3 water station, I really beh tahan liao, I saw one guy dashed into the bush and handled his tension below the tree in the shade, and a few other guys were spotted at the same area!!! Without thinking much (fxck Singapore law), I made my pitstop at one of the tree and release my 40mins tension in the race. It felt so good!!!

After returning to the race, it felt very funny with suddenly the tension is gone at the bladder and I had to focus back on catching back the time lost at pitstop. Because of that, 3km later, I felt a sudden pull at the back of my left leg, I thought something snapped, landing on the left came with some pain which I was not able to identify where, but I knew I had to slow down, that was 11km into the race. I made a choice to slow down by 30s/km, and the pain slowly went away, whenever I subconciously speed up again to 5min/km, the pain came back. So I might as well go on crusing at 5:20-5:30/km pace, having to see many 5min/km pace runners overtaking me, including one lady from pacesetters malaysia and a pink compression stoking girl, lol!

Though I was cruising at slower pace, I had more time to calculate what timing I will be at different distance, strategize abit on what pace shoud I go later (like I said, all this planning never work, I just need to kill time n keep my mind busy, lol). I noticed I was on track for sub4, in fact, other than I did a slower pace for 15km compared to PBIM, I was on track to be on par with my PBIM timing for 21km. And surprisingly, the pain on the left leg never come back because I never go back to 5min/km pace. Took my 1st pack 2nd surge at Km19 as planned.

At the U-turn of 21km, I was on track for sub4 still, but it wasn't my target for this race, I just might as well attempt anyway... Soon after U-turn, I saw Cikgu Syed again at the opposite passing by water station. From that point onwards, my entire ECP return route was to spot our fellow LYNR on the opposite lane. I saw Wayne at my KM23-24, shouted his name to get his attention; collected 2 packs of Shotz from the water station then saw Jason Tan doing fine at my KM26, somehow I took a walk around that time, just feel the need to go easy abit since I wasn't targetting sub4, surprisingly on timing I was still on track with 5mins buffer. Took my 2nd pack of 2nd surge at KM24 as planned.

After exit from ECP at KM30, it was all the way an unknown area  with tough mileage ahead, my aim at this point was to achieve same timing as PBIM for 33KM mark, which is 3 hours mark. Took my banana while taking a slow walk to rest since I still have some buffer time. There was no wind in the construction area, the route was a mixed of road and trail, my right thigh started to give way by having some contraction. I managed to hit 33KM (Garmin distance) at about same time as PBIM 33KM, though the race distance mark showed I was 500m away from 33KM.

34th KM was the toughest part of all, after the torture by uneven road, both my thighs CRAMPED!!! I had to stop and rub my muscles and at the bridge near Marina Bay, I can see 35th KM mark ahead but I just had to stop and wait. This was when the 4:00 hrs pacers and the followers overtook me, there gone the sub4 timing. I wasn't disappointed, but instead, I took another calculation of what timing should I finish with the remaining 7KM..

4:12 became my new attempt, just nice to get a 6mins/km pace throughout.

The Tiger balm given at the bridge somehwhat ease the cramp abit with the cooling effect, I managed to start to do slow jog, at this point, I just want to do 6-6.5mins/km pace with small steps without using much quadriceps, and I paid the price of hurting my left knee (known later).

The sun was hot and the weather gets humid at 8:30am, I was practically taking shower at next water station, stop and pour water before I drink any, LOL! At 36th KM the cramp and pain were too great that I just felt pissed off and wanted to take another walk and the idea came to mind that I took a camwhore shot at the 36th KM sign board (Garmin showed 37KM, LOL!)

So pissed off that I decided to take photo instead, lol!

Once again, from 37th KM onwards was purely mind over body and every KM i stopped and rub, the last bridge at KM38 saw the big crowd of 10KM and 21KM, many stopped at bridge side to stretch, including myself, I thought that was bad enough, coming down the bridge took a larger toll on the knee!!! This point onward, my 3rd time overtook the pink long compression stoking girl and never seen her again...

The next 2KM was focusing on finding path to overtake the walkers and to withstand the heat from the sun. There wasn't any option left for me but to squeeze through the crowd to get water at the last water station. 40KM at 3:55 hrs mark, I should be happy that sub4 for 40KM !!! :D

Final 2KM was slow and steady not to walk anymore and to get to the right lane for finishing. It was riduculous for me to have FM finishing line in between 21KM and 10KM, the number of people changing lane at final 300meters were crazy! If the signboard were up 1KM earlier to put FM at the right or left lane, I think it might be better.

No dashing to the finishing line, holding on the pain and crossing the line with a huge sense of relief. Yes, 4th FM completed. :D

This time I ended much better compared to PBIM, at least I was able to stretch, to walk and to finish my drink and get my post run massage done within one hour after crossing line. But the massage was done by volunteers who only rub the squeeze the legs, not quite a proper massage that focus on the muscles, I was happy anyway. :)

No hiccups at baggage collection, something Nike run Malaysia shoud really learn.

The 1st person that I met after crossing finishing line, he did 4:19, good  job! :D

Waited for Ann Ric and Rachael at information counter 

Bump into Lin Lu and his Friend while making my way to baggage collection, both sub5 ! :D

I could barely lift my leg...

Barely hold on to my breath and the pain to cross the line...

Similarity in both finisher T

Never expect to be in the top 5% with this result, was aiming top 10% only.

I thought there were more people overtook in the last 12KM, at least there was a bunch of sub4 runners following the pacers did.

Unofficial result from online tracking

Haha, Garmin recorded 42.95KM, which is still acceptable.

SCMS full marathon route map

Post race comment:

This race is one of the most organized race I ever joined, sufficient water stations, different route with different scenary mixed and having the different starting timing zone. Nevertheless, now that I experienced the need of toilet during the race, I would appreciate more mobile toilets at early stage of the race, and a better finishing lane for the FMers, at least separate them clearly.

Perhaps the FM can start at 4am instead of 5am, slower runners won't have to be under the sun for too long, everyone can go home earlier.

There is a need for me to run consistent pace at 5:30-5:45mins/km than a 5mins/km pace for 21KM then a Run-Walk 21KM for 2nd half.

PBIM 2012 Race Report - The Sub4 Struggle

Just about 7 months ago if u ask me about doing sub4 for FM, I will tell u that u must be out of your mind and it is impossible for me to go anywhere near that timing. At that time, I just started my 1st group training with LYN runners at Kinrara despite we have been around for sometime. The 1st 30KM LSD was tough like hell and I was training for my FMV at Borneo International Marathon.

My target ? Sub 5:30.

The idea of doing a sub4 came about when I was able to complete BIM in sub 4:30 and my best rival buddy K1 has set his target at sub4 for coming FMs. I have no idea if I can make it because BIM is really flat, other FM route may not be so gentle. I decided to have 4 FMs for this year and I registered for Taiping Marathon and Penang Bridge International marathon, pending the opening of Putrajaya Night marathon. All of the 3 FMs are at least 4-5 months away, i thought that should give me sufficient to do some proper training.

The month of May and June passed with too much vacation and stuff to handle, I practically started my somewhat serious training after Shape run by increasing training distance and frequency, started to clock more than 100KM/month, though not much, but it is alot for me. At that time, I knew I will miss Taiping FM and Putrajaya NM due to schedule, I actually subconsiously set my target at KOTR, in other words, I undertrain myself for LSD but increased speed training for 10-15KM. The surprise run was RJM when some fella LURED me into running it and that's how my 2nd FM was completed by giving up KOTR. But I was happy, coz I already know what result I can get for 15-18KM, the bonus was, I completed a not flat FM within 4:30. The idea of challenging sub4 surface again... 

I know Penang bridge, did 10km in 2010 and 21km in 2011, the weather was good and the route is somewhat familiar as I have drove pass many times...Can I do it? I was still not sure. After October, I was somewhat confident it is achieveable coz I had PB for HM and 30KM, which both on track in terms of calculation to forecast FM result...

                                                 

Preparation for the run, I figure out that I may only need 3 packs of gel and as insurance, I parked one extra with Hong Lan...:D

17/11/2012: 20 of us had our pre-race dinner at one of the captain Jimmy's favourite restaurant, it was fun to have a reunion dinner for people who can make it.

Pre-race gathering and most importantly: FOOD

Zombie at 12:30am, although nice Ann Ric had given me the best bed to sleep...

Told you I wasn't nervous, the shoelace just don't fit right all the time...

B Suites Lift's CCTV shot

Before depart from B Suites

Starting line snap 1

Starting line snap 2

Bump into Junie, who is doing HM (practically she came to find me, :D)

The LYNRers!!!

The weather for the race day was somewhat humid compared to the previous 2 years, the 1st 3KM I was already sweating alot, which is a bad sign. Wai Hong was with me for the whole journey before entering the bridge. I keep telling myself to maintain 5min/km pace for the 1st 12km, it was rather tiring to keep up and the 2nd water station was set up 5km away from the 1st one. On the water station at bridge I had to pour 3-4 cups of water to wet my whole body b4 I took some water to replenish my loss. I know the shoes will be heavier, but it is better than overheating body.

At this point, still looking good, LOL!!!

There was no much wind along the bridge, at 10km, I did slightly more than 50mins and I have to keep up abit faster to be on track for 12km in 60mins. It didn't happen but I made it to save the time back up till 15km. At around 16km, I can see the Kenyans were already at the opposite side of the bridge, they were already at around 22-23KM mark...-.-!!!

Right before entering into the big U-turn, I saw Karsten at the opposite side, shouted his name and I managed to finally make the U-turn together with Ling Mee Eng (Top 1 malaysian female) after a long chase of 9km, while taking my 1st pack of 2nd surge. But soon after entering the opposite side of the bridge around 21km, she sped off or may be she maintained her pace but I slowed down my pace according to my plan. To my surprise, I bumped into Karsten who just came out from toilet around same time, he didn't look good and it was really not a good time to discuss about that at that moment. I continued to use the water station to shower again and somehow the giving mineral water in bottle became handy as I can slowly take my shower with it.

The bridge became more crowded with HM runners making U-turn and they were practically everywhere!!! I got overtaken by A00253, starting from this point onwards but more like overtaking each other at different distance mark later. My mind was set on what was going to happend after exiting the bridge.....2nd pack of 2nd surge taken.

Coming down from the bridge at around 28km, not so windy at all and can immediately feel the tiredness kick in, good news is: it was not earlier, bad news: it had to be NOW !!!  I was searching for our KM37 station but I couldn't find, and I couldn't see well at that time, started to feel some cramp on my right thigh, real bad sign for a start into the 10km U-turn stretch. Until I heard someone calling me and I saw Hong Lan and our people on my right hand side, they were ready. I don't remember if I had waved at them, but I knew I did another round of time estimation, I need to know how much I can have when I come home, yes, km37 become home coming...

I was just barely on track, I need to up my pace a little so that I can spend more time when I return, it was 7km to go, that means 3.5km forward, 3.5km return. I started to see many FMers were claimed by the evil route, they stopped, they walked, they stretched, everyone struggled. I can't see clearly what was ahead, I only knew, 3.5km forward and 3.5km return. At some point they gave out powergel, I thought a spare would be good, but I made a mistake. By keeping that gel in my spibelt, I accidentally dropped my last pack of 2nd surge, only to find out 1km later when I needed them. Overtook A00253 around KM32, "she" asked me where is the U-turn, I think it should be at KM33. I was right. I spent sometime drinking and took a walk to finish up the banana given, from this point onwards, the mind was tired and the legs were quite numb. I walked for 1 minute.

4km to go. KM37 station has become the ONLY target. Time lapsed: 3 hours.

1km after U-turn, overtook Annie Yee, I saw Karsten on the opposite, shouted his name again, then followed by K1 and Wai Hong, later was Cikgu, Zijill, Alvin and Soon Chung. It had been a long journey that I had not seen any of their faces, it was good to know they are still in this together. I made another walk at next water station, they have no 1st aid spray at all except some ice which was better than nothing. I was already out of gels and breathing became tougher. Annie Yee overtook me at this point.

And, the long awaited KM37 station: I had only a few minutes ahead of plan, thus couldn't spend the desired 5 minutes at KM37. My mind couldn't think straight at that point, I recalled Hong Lan sprayed my legs but my legs were so numb the moment I stop moving, I think I grabbed the spray and spray all over my both legs and some got into my eyes....why didn't I thought of SLOAN at that time?
I grabbed 2 pieces of watermelon (something any organizer should always provide, i think) and I didn't even remember where I threw the skin, in the bin or on the road ? my bad....:(

When Hong Lan passed me my spared 2nd surge, I almost wanted to cry.... I just had to quickily take it and walked away....little that she knew, she saved my final 5km...

Thanks to Hong Lan and the volunteers who set up the most important aid station for this race.

KM37 station is like home coming

Biggest struggle in any run

While I was trying to run away from these ghosts who may overtake me anytime, they took an easy break at KM37!!!

From KM37 till finishing line was more than just mind over the body, I had waist pain from KM30 onwards and it had started to affect every step, there were too many walkers on the way, means I had to pay extra attention to what was ahead of me, not only that, was might come from the left or right !!! I decided to skip the rest of the water station to avoid human collission and unnecessary accident.

One LYNR vest overtook me silently at KM38, I thought he was K1 but at 2nd glance, he was someone else, our young arising star, :D

I walked for another minute at KM40 and I was already planning my next walk at KM41. But soon after KM41 I was already heading into Eastin hotel area and I stopped hearing any voice in my mind, it was just about completing it and as soon as I came out from the round about, I saw Annie Yee, the next thing I ever wanted to do was just finish up everything that I had and overtook. I heard someone calling my name but I couldn't see a thing, later I found out it was Kelly calling me, LOL!

Before the final push...

Crossing the line

Wai Hong, Kelly, Ann Ric and Vinny

Bump into Gan and William Kow queueing up for finisher T when we are making our way back hotel

After almost 2hrs of rest, 1st photo to be taken when the HM gang came to search for us.

Nothing much to comment about the medal, it is the completion that matters, :D

Result? 3:56, 1 minute behind forecast. Ranked 44th is definitely way better that what I targeted as top 100.

Did I mention this is the 1st race I ever (finally) ahead of Jessica? Just realise she haunted me since June 2011, much longer than Choi.

Post race thoughts:

The keys of the successful sub4 achievement I think are mainly 3 words: Pace, Patience and Positive.

I monitored my pace every km to know exactly whether I am on track and whether I am behind plan. Keeping on pace not only keeping me on track for timing, but also making sure I am at the comfortable state for my body, not using up too much energy at 1st 2/3 of the race.

Knowing I could have gone faster at certain stretch of the FM, I must be patient to conserve energy for the tougher part of the run, which is unknown. Get overtaken by others runners may evoke the ego to chase, but that's not going to serve me,not in a FM.

Despite all the calculations and strategies, when everything else doesn't work out, energy run low, body ache leg pain fingers cold, the only thing that stop me from giving up was to think positive: It is possible, I can do this, My body is stronger than I am, It is just a few clicks away, There is still more in myself, Friends are waiting, It is 10% to go....

Choi says next target shoud be 3:30-3:45 zone, I am not too sure about that, I think my body needs to get used to this pace 1st before I to further, may be start from improving 21KM-30KM timing 1st. I am just a louder person compare to other runners who have done sub4 many times and with bags of FM medals at home but they are low profilers and humble people.

Can anyone run a marathon? the answer is yes. But my favourite quote says:

"Knowing what you Can, you can go very far; Knowing what you Cannot, can save your life."

If you do not want the suffering of full marathon, then be serious about having a proper training and at least allow your body to experience what is it like to be on hours of exercise, the body will learn the pain, the need and the emotion involved.

Hope my sharing may inspire more people to brave themselves to start their 1st step into running a new distance, be it the 1st 10KM or the FMV, as long as you stand on the starting line, you are already part of the limited population of the country that choose a path to be healthy the conventional way, You and the mother earth.

RunInspired!

Nike Run KL 2012