My Not so Fun New York Marathon, Read at own wish!

Not all heroes win battles, sometimes a defeat story is worth writing too.

I could have not done this post, but this trip was so amazing that I think it deserves a post for others to know before going. So if you are looking for a race report, this isn't quite one, in summary, I fcuk up and I did horrible timing despite knowing I am not fit for a good timing already, I fcuk up, end of story. I will do more elaborations with lame convincing reasons if you want to know anyway.

The amazing trip began at the airport check in counter, I was given the surprised news that if I transit through Wuhan, China on my way back (yes I gave China Southern Airlines a chance because my elite airline friend told me it was cheapest and CSA is good ranking as full service airline, it was indeed, cheapest.), I need to have Visa. Refer to the picture below for an idea of how cheap a return trip can be (not my actual final price though). note: you will need to pay some fees for better seats upon online check-in.

Visa ? I know at the back of my mind when I book the air tickets I may need visa but I also have the idea that transit doesn't need visa but I never bother to check. Now that I think back, even if I checked back then, I will still not get the visa, because on paper (official site), Malaysia doesn't need visa for 24 hrs transit. I kinda believe the check in counter lady anyway, but what can I do at that moment right ? I can only figure this out when I am at New York. See how I have an amazing beginning of the journey ?

So I have a comfortably worry-some flight to JFK transit at Guang Zhou (single transit no issue). Then went to check at CSA counter and was told that there was case that Malaysian got stuck at Wuhan (my return route is JFK-Wuhan-GuangZhou-KLIA) but the airline didn't know what is the reason. A quick check online on some official sites, someone did mention something like this and official reply I got (2 days later) was: No one knows why but you better get a visa while you are in New York.

Awesome, now I get to make a visit to Chinese Consulate in New York too but I was already going to Washington DC the next day, so the plan to apply visa will have to be on Friday when I returned from Washington DC. By the way, if you are planning a trip to Washington, Americana Hotel is a nice hotel, located at where the usual 5 stars hotels are and you pay good rate, and they provide breakfast, best hotel ever in my entire trip.

Fast forward to Friday, where weather in New York got colder to single digit and of all places, the Chinese Consulate office is located at somewhere near the sea. Not wanting to risk taking the wrong bus (which later I found out to be really convenient and easy on another day) and be late, I decided to take the longest coldest walk to the consulate, maybe it wasn't so long, but in that headwind, it sure felt long enough.  Then we got turned away for some reasons and only managed to submit the application successfully on 3rd visit within 5 hours, in between I even managed to do my race kit collection because it was also within walking distance (another walk that I don't quite enjoy...). On details of application, PM me, lol!

I felt so much relieved after the submission of application, at least this is the best options of all options I had in mind (you don't need to know).

OK then move on to the race (finally can concentrate on the race), I already did the race kit collection but did I mention my slot was not from official race ballot ? My slot was a ballot slot by Abbott, which is my employer... and no, it is not like what you think: good la, can go all majors without qualifying or balloting. I still need to ballot, through the company and for the past 4 years, I finally got one (though my wish is Boston and London). and NO, this is not paid trip by company, it is more like a USD 400 lottery that you need to spend USD 4000 to claim, so practically everything is self-funded except the entry, and may be the extra service provided (details to follow soon).

My drama on race kit collection was, I was told to choose poncho option instead of drop bag option, which means at finishing line, I receive a really cool poncho to keep me warm until I get back to where I need to be to change instead of collecting drop bag at finishing line and change there. The reason why is because, ahem, the Abbott slot is VIP slot, and VIP slot has a pick up bus to race site on race day, and Abbott has special arrangement to help us to collect our drop bag to a hospitality lounge outside of the official race finishing area (but close enough to walk).

Things could have been easier if I just follow instructions, BUT, my visa thingy got me into "better know more details than regret later" mode, I went to double confirm with the volunteers at VIP slot pick up on the special drop back service, and I was told there is NO such arrangement, it is either drop bag option OR Poncho option, I either get a wrist band that allow me to pick up poncho and exit early or walk further to collect drop bag if I choose drop bag option (no poncho wrist band then).

To give you a better perspective of why this matters to me, IF I go with Poncho option, based on my understanding at that moment, no drop bag for me, so I leave hotel with nothing except a transparent plastic bag to carry what I need to the race site (food, drink, disposable clothing), nothing else I bring to race site will be brought back (dispose before starting the race). I will have access to my stuff if someone carries them to the hospitality lounge, sounds very inconvenient, and a good 9 hours of having nothing until I managed to get to the lounge.

Now, this is not the 1st time I used this service, back in 2017 when I got Tokyo marathon slot (on my own), I contacted my Japanese colleague and they got me entry to the hospitality suite too. After finishing the race, I was given only the emergency blanket (ya the thin aluminium foil sheet) and no drop bag at finishing, I walked more than 1 mile trying to find my way to the suite, not a very good experience because it was a place inside (or under) a building. A bit panic I was, I went to change to drop bag option. 

That means, based on my understanding at that moment, I will drop my finishing bag just before I board the VIP bus (because the email said so), the pick up will be 5:00-5:45 am, the race starts at 9:40 am for my bib,  I have good 4 hours of having nothing but I have a drop bag at finishing. For your information, the drop bag plastic bag is not big and you CANNOT put another bag inside it, everything that you have, must be able to be inspected visually without opening the bag. You can put some clothes, food, recovery drink, phone, wallet in it, but definitely not a jacket that is sufficient to keep warm after race, maybe.

Here is what I got it wrong (after I read the email print out over and over again), there is special drop bag arrangement by Abbott for Abbott before boarding the VIP bus, so the volunteers at race kit collection didn't know about this. After considering my options and I decided to change back to Poncho option and carry a phone to run so that I never get lost on my way to the lounge. 

Then, I decided to do all the "DON'Ts" of running a marathon: (I can actually use these to justify my race performance you know ? lol)

1. wear new shoes of a new brand --> because I felt good about it

2. try new gel --> because it has Kipchoge's picture promoting it 

3. wear something I never wore before --> because I FORGOT to pack my favourite T-shirt...

Eventually what actually screwed up the my race ?

6 days of walking and lack of training for the pace I was running.

Here is what happened:

Race day, woke up at 4 am, had some breakfast, still few hours till actual flag so I decided to snack at the race site on whatever they have to offer but kept some drinks for myself. Left hotel at 4:45AM and in the train I can see runners all with the official plastic bag issued at expo, no one is carrying own bag pack except me (I was seriously hoping I am right about Abbott do have special arrangement). I managed to reach the station where I was supposed to be and start looking for the junction where the bus was supposed to be, good to have my phone with me and managed to find those guys with Abbott flag and officially relieved with the special drop bag service (any size anything I want to drop, they just keep it in a standard MI6 gears supply solid case to secure them.

I was then officially without warm jacket except the thin jacket that I was ready to sacrifice (or maybe to wear it to run if it gets too cold) and a transparent plastic bag to carry my drinks and an extra disposable insulation top that I think I will need while waiting at the starting pen.

Took an easy jog to find my bus ( with VIP sign of course) and found a seat next to a stranger, the bus is warm and noisy, people are too excited to share their race strategies and other great races they have done around the world and how running got them back their health and years in life, OK I just made that up, I have no idea what language they are speaking, they are just noises and noises. Then all buses started to move after 6 AM and it took us like 1 hour to reach the Staten Island which was the starting village. Took a quick toilet break inside the bus (yeah they have that) to avoid any queue need at race site. The moment I was off the bus, the whole chilling windy condition attacked immediately, I must say I didn't feel cold at all, I felt NUMB right away!!! 

We all then have to walk pass the security screening where everyone needed to show everything they carry in the transparent plastic bag (if you forgot one, they are handing those out), anyone with own bag pack will need to discard their bag (ya bye bye to you UnderArmour backpack if you are carrying one). 

Passed the screening immediately I started to look for the VIP tent (like a lifebase), asked the officials there and got pointed to the direction and took an easy jog towards it. It was not hard to find it because it was the biggest tent in the entire area (maybe it was not but my eyes can only see this tent and nothing else). It was warm inside and soon I realised there are MANY MANY MANY VIP runners, I figured it immediately, of course, the race title is TCS, then there is New Balance, Charity team, Gatorade, UPS, United Airlines etc.... each sponsor if gets 40 slots, that would be quite a lot of people and all the available chairs and tables were already occupied (damm, were there earlier buses ? how did they get here so early?) 

I could only managed a standing spot, happy to share a table with a gentleman who did the race 20 years ago and back for more, we exchanged the usual questions of getting to know someone superficially (like you will actually remember the answers, I can't even remember his name now, lol!). But chat we did and it was not all just superficial. Then more runners came in the place is so warm and noisy noisy noisy, I have been standing like more than an hour until it was about time to go to the starting pen entry which opens 1 hour before flag off.

Back to the chilling cooling nice weather, I was convinced I needed that disposable BioHazard-looked uniform (bought at expo for USD10). A bit of sitting and standing until the gate is opened and rushed to the toilet inside the pen, a very nice arrangement by the organizer. quickly done with my release and joined the crowd in the wind. 15 mins before the official flag off, people start getting rid of their additional clothing and dispose of whatever they don't need for the race, I was still with my last layer of think jacket, decided to get rid of it only at starting line, the weather is sunny, I figured may be I am able to handle it, maybe.

Zone restriction removed 5 mins to flag off (we were separated by Color corral and alphabet in Pen, once the string is remove we can join the pen in front. Basically everyone jog towards the actual standing line which was at the bridge (Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge). In NYC marathon, you will cross 5 bridges, this was the 1st and it was a climb. As the bridge was closed, the other side of the bridge was another color coral which was the blue, you can see from the map all 3 colors ran different route after crossing the bridge, mainly because of the lanes on the bridge lead to different location on Brooklyn site but at the end we merged back (distance I think would be the same).

I have no idea what pace to do actually, didn't do training for a PB but inside my mind I want to attempt something fast anyway (damn guai lan I know...), so I went with the pace I feel possible, and it was about 4:45 min/km, not very fast, definitely not a pace for a PB, maybe possibly can land a 3:30 hrs finishing, I thought, naive I was.

No kidding, even at this pace, I was constantly overtaken by runners, male female trans, I felt like I was not moving at all, lol! The route is not all flat and nice, there were some potholes and many rolling hills, because the road in New York are straight, you can see the hills ahead of you, after awhile I realised this is never going to end, on the sunny side of the weather I was feeling OK, then entering the city with more talk building and shades, it was instant colder whenever there is no sunshine.

After some 13/14KM, my thighs didn't feel quite right, there was numbness around my both thighs and I could not strike the length I wanted too (the mind was doing it but the legs won't cooperate). I started to think this was probably not the right pace (duh, I know right ?) and probably the fatigue accumulated from 6 days of walking in the city. But I have been through numbness from cold weather and fatigue from walking before, this wasn't them, the feet won't cooperate, it was purely not the right pace for me even from beginning, not even the new shoes because I felt alright with it during my long day walk and even at running now. Not the gel because the new gel was planned for the last. Not the apparels before I was not feeling too cold (don't get me wrong, the cold was real). 

It was purely the feet not fit for the pace, so I thought what the heck, go for it until 21KM and let's see if I can shake it off. KM by KM it didn't get better, I crossed 21KM around 1:46 hrs, actually not too bad and still possible for a 3:30 hrs finishing if I got better, but it didn't, so I decided to just jog it for any sub4 finishing, if it gets better good, if it didn't, let's hope it didn't get any worse, LOL!

Irony part was, right after 21KM was crossing another bridge (Polaski Bridge), big struggle, I had to walk and even laughed about it on the bridge. The other 3 bridges that came after were:

• Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge (25KM)
• Willis Avenue Bridge (32KM) 
• Madison Avenue Bridge (34KM)

https://centralpark.org/2016-new-york-city-marathon/ See the map here you will get the idea...

Entering Central Park was around 37KM, it was rolling hills as well, I don't think the route was that hard, as I was struggling, it did feel harder, but I still think the hills along NYC marathon were not as hard as I felt, I felt hard because my feet muscles were stiff and were not able to strike. I don't feel tired (but took the gels as planned anyway), just heavy feet. Since I was on track for a sub4, I jogged and walked in between, good thing about this race, you will never be short of music, every corner of the street there was either live band or someone blasting music from portable speakers (huge ones), nice typical American rock and rolls songs.

And then, I finished sub4, decent, not great, end of story.

For more details, see the official data, so I didn't do as bad as I felt, I felt like 30,000 runners passed me actually.

The Poncho turned out to be the better option, because it can keep warm after race for a long while before I get to change. There is VIP tent at race site, I am guessing it will be warmer than standing outside waiting, so it is OK not to have too many things with me, maybe. 

I know I should post the 

Pacer has something to say too - KLSCM 2019

Before you read further, I just want to remind you that a friendlier version of similar post has been created in 2017, I have hidden all other posts after so that it appears as the post before this, for your convenience. A Pacer's tale

If you choose to stay on to read (which I know you would anyway), do note this post doesn't care about your feelings and the author has an attitude just like that.

So it began with the haze, the haze was bad, so bad that most people thought history would repeat itself and KLSCM (formerly called SCKLM) would be cancelled, and because most people can't train during this time, maybe some (or many?) did secretly hope that the race is cancelled. But to all participants, they have the excuse to NOT meet target, but not for a special bunch of runners, they are hired to do one job and ONLY one job: to pace runners to finish the race at the timing they signed up for, the Pacers. They suffered the same haze situation like anyone else, being unable to train during the heavy haze for almost a month, no matter how fit you are, being unable to stick to the training schedule that you set up to ensure you are fit enough to deliver the job, will somehow affect your fitness level, and to some extend, your confidence level too.

How to train la bro...

Now, I am not here to talk about the race I paced, I am writing in response to the Whatsapp and Facebook post ultra-marathon that has continued for at least 100 hours, gossips from banana peels left behind along the DUKE highway, runners got hit and run, runners cheating, DNFers claiming finisher item to pacer's horrible performance, along with funny MEME or stickers created by "runners".

For runners, the race is over, you got your result (good or bad), then you also somewhat witnessed the performance of the pacers that you followed, there are things you may have already known (but I am going to remind you anyway) and there are things that you don't see from your angle, I am going to address one by one in response to what I have heard, read and experienced:

1. "Pacers gone too fast from the start". I hear this a lot, like almost every time I paced, I get this directly from the runners I passed or sometimes, from pacers too. Look, "fast" is relative in the eyes of the viewer, when someone passed you, they sure look fast, but that doesn't mean they are extremely fast, in other words: you are slow, face it. While there is no fixed rule on pacing, a positive split pacing in my opinion is more realistic for most runners, especially for KLSCM route in which 1st half is relatively flat and 2nd half is more hilly and with heavier human traffic at water station.

My comment on this ? 1st of all if your eyes can tell someone is going at 4 mins pace, you don't need GPS watch, obviously you can't, but you can complaint as though you know it all, duh. Secondly, if pacer going slow 1st half and gone faster in 2nd half, you probably won't be able to keep up, take 4 hours marathon for example, if you can't run 1st half comfortably in 1:58 hrs, you probably not ready for it, reality hurts, but instead of blaming 5:30min/km pace as too fast, check in.

How do you avoid this? If you are serious about your finishing target, please don't wait until race day to look for the balloona, someone sure know one of the pacer to connect you to them and you can ask all the questions you want before the race to get clarity on how each of your pacer will pace, may be you will find the right pacer that fits your expectation. I am glad some runners did send message to me asking about training plan, tips on hydration and nutrition, who is the better pacer to follow for his/her target (ahem, I have my favourites too.) and sometimes I get to advise if the runner is aiming for unrealistic finishing or could actually be more adventurous when they shared their recent race performance and training data.

If you have not done that, don't KPKB when the pacer doesn't pace according to your expectation. You may not like the pacer's pacing strategy, doesn't give you the right to criticize, ask yourself: Who is the pacer now and who knows better in finishing a race at designated timing ?

Did you talk to your pacers on their pacing strategy?

2. "How come Pacers didn't finish the race as the stated timing on balloon"(plus another 2000 words of nasty comments). We hear this more often this week, simply because many of us didn't finish the race at targeted timing. If you read my 2017 post, you would know that anything that could possibly gone wrong for anyone, may go wrong for pacer too on race day. Pacers have life too, it could be a busy week with little rest, I myself woke up with a feeling of throwing up which I have no explanation to it, I have had diarrhea during the race, my watch had frozen screen too. 

We are not bullet proof, and sometimes we make mistakes, aren't runners the nicest and most positive group of people? Some days are just not the right day to deliver the perfect pace, maybe what you could offer is a little bit more compassion to the "failed" pacer, like how we comfort you when you failed to meet your target. Trust me, we feel bad and sorry more than you can tell, some may even have sleepless night for 4 nights now... 

One day, when you become a pacer, you will know how much pressure a pacer carries on the shoulder to deliver your goal.

Even computer makes mistakes

3. "Actually I also can be pacer ma, may be not the fast pace group, I certainly can do below 6 hours!". You got half the picture, able to run and finish a full marathon below certain hours do not equivalent to ability to pace. I have covered this in 2017 post, may be a bit more elaboration here, take example of a 6:00 hours marathon, I can do a 4:30 hours marathon does not mean I qualify to be a 6:00 hrs pacer, it takes consistency and patience, and if I have runners who contacts me 3 months before the race asking for training tips on 6:00 hrs, I am not sure if I can be of service since my training is not for 6:00 hrs.  

4. "Do we follow gun time or nett time as pacer?" In KLSCM case, we follow gun time, whether you like it or not, yeah we are doing gun time. You didn't know about it? why didn't you ask about it to the pacers or to the organizer?

There is reason for this: runners will not know the pacers' nett time because pacers cross the starting line at different timing as most people, so how can you be sure when you are following the pacers (for some reason you got pushed to the front) at the end you are going to finish the same time as the pacers' nett time.

Take my case for example, I crossed the starting line 50s after flag off, and I have always picked up runners who ran faster and crossed the starting line earlier than I did, IF I am doing a nett 4:00 hrs, this runner may come back 4:00:15 simply because he/she started the race earlier than me. Following the Gun time however, will make sure everyone on the same page, it may take extra effort for pacers to catch up the Gun Time, but it is not going to be so big impact when you are spreading it across 42KM.

The only timing that can be aligned is Gun Time

5. "Why the pacers obviously off pace already still continue to pace?" As I said before anything that can go wrong, may go wrong for pacers too, if a pacer forgot to take medication and decides to screw up your race, then it is better for you to take on the race on your own, don't allow yourself to be a victim and cry about it after the race. Of course, you have the right to complain to the organizer or write a viral post about it.

Note this, pacers are not responsible for your finishing goal, they are responsible for their targeted pace, you still need to do your homework on your pacing strategy, maybe a Plan A to follow pacers, Plan B in the case of something gone wrong you have drop pace, Plan C something is wrong with the pacers you have to leave them behind etc.

If you are aspired to be a pacer in near future, know this, You have one job to deliver, that is the target finishing time, unless someone needs your urgent attention (fainted, serious cramp, accident...), you move on with your pace toward the finishing line, even if that means leaving your team mate behind. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS, not even looking good with make up, perfect hair style or unique fashion, finish the job like your life (and reputation) depends on it.

I have a reputation of not pacing in group, I have a plan, I execute it, that's all it is. (and I also have a reputation on delivery of the target pace). To answer the question of why pacer still continue to pace, I don't know the answer, did you try to ask them? Maybe the pacer already informed the followers that he/she is off the duty now and you come from behind not aware of it? Maybe the pacer forgot to cut the balloon loose ?

Pacer has one job: to deliver the pace

6. "To cut or not to cut balloon?" This is probably the hardest decision a pacer has to make, I want to talk about it because one day you may have to answer this yourself. I am always ready to cut balloon, preparing for the worst is the minimum what a pacer should do, I don't mean you sign up as pacer with the mindset to cut balloon,

I mean, knowing that things can go wrong, make cutting balloon as easy task to perform. I suggest never to tie a dead knot and tie the balloon where it is easy to access. That is why I always tie a live knot and keeping the balloon near my arms, as you can see from this photo, this time, I was more ready to lose the balloon given my morning sickness condition, LOL!

Back to the question, again, there is no hard rule, but once upon a time, there was a coach, the coach said that if you are 5 mins off pace for your target, then you should cut the balloon, remove your pacer bid and if possible, prepare an extra shirt (I know, I won't carry too) which you are change into, then runners will not blindly follow you (unless they just want to follow you anyway because you are so good looking or smells so good!). That was the coach's guidance.

For me, it depends on which target you are pacing, a 5 mins gap is probably not so difficult to catch up with 12KM to go in the race for a 6:00 hours pacer, but a 3 mins gap is certainly a tough task to catch up with 12KM to go for a 4:00 hours pacer, that is 15s faster per min per km, that would mean running a 5:25min/km pace for final 12 KM, which even if you can make it, you probably not going to see anyone following behind. So, I would say, make a good judgement yourself as a pacer, if you know you can't catch up the gap, even if it is just 1 min gap with 3KM to go, be responsible, tell runners who follow you the truth, inform them what are their options and what is your plan, and let them decide if they really like your smell.

If you see pacer who is obviously not in the pacing mode (walking, chitchatting, taking photos...) but still carrying balloon and wearing the pacer bib, maybe he/she is trying to keep the balloon for a promise made to a child at home, you can help by gently reminding him/her to take off the pacer bib and I won't comment if he/she should remove the pacer vest. My fellow pacer buddy reverse his vest to wear, I think that may work too. 

Bottom line, make an announcement to your followers, let them make an informed decision, they may not like it, but they should understand it. For pacer, you may not like it, but please don't spoil pacer's image, lose the balloon if you have to, don't be bad apples.

Tie balloon in a way that it is easier to cut loose

7. "GOSSIPS" Not wanting to quote example for this, but I heard too many gossips in the past 100 hrs, myself guilty for being part of the gossips too. That's the part a pacer has to live with, no matter how well you deliver, there will always be someone pick on your performance (too fast too slow too serious too short too fat whatever...). 

Netizens are not going to be friendly, it is always easier to point finger and add more juicy stories on top of what is the truth, sometime nasty comments may come from your own team, you need to learn to live with that and deal with that negative feelings.

For those like to comment on something they "hearsay" but not really knowing the truth, the least you can do is try not to add your personal assumption (I know, I like to play Detective Conan myself too) and speak (or type) as though it is the truth. But then again, who am I to tell you what to do?

Everyone loves this, information is power

8. "Runners who cheated in the full marathon." This almost certain become the next hot topic after the pacers' performances are audited. Now that everyone can check anyone's result as long as you have the names or the bib number, you can be the detective to find out who actually cheated in the race.

Look, it is really none of our business, someone who cheated in the race, unless it prize related, it is not our social responsibility (but u can go and sweep the banana peels if you want) to track and expose someone's act, they didn't commit a crime, they simply broken the rules of the event. They will have to live with the fact that they cheated on a race, but we are not the judge, it is between them and their higher superior.

I myself spotted a few friends running with bibs not registered under their own name, they took the risk they know what they did, I may gossip about it but it is not necessary to put a viral post about it. Likewise for a failed pacer, they have family and friends that love them, making them look bad doesn't make you look great. You may however drop a personal message to the person, hopefully the person will remorse and offer you a really good meal, ah then you may feel great! If the person doesn't reply you, unfriend the person on Facebook !!! (yes, as though that is going to make the person disappear from your life) :D

They made a choice, you make yours

I think I have shared enough in this post, I may update the post when I think of anything more to add on, do drop by from time to time to check if more stories are being added, maybe. If there is something you would like to hear my 2 cents, write in the comment, I may add in some time later.

Note: at the time writing (editing), KLSCM has announced a survey to get participants' comments using a trustworthy vendor, if you have any good suggestion, please don't keep on your Facebook post, send them to KLSCM. It may be invalid sometime later, so do it quick! 

KLSCM 2019 survey

Lastly, race is race, friendship is friendship, please do not kill a friendship over a race, I look forward to see you in next marathon, or may be during weekend LSD. :D

The author is a 2019 KLSCM pacer, what was written is purely his own gossips, he doesn't care if you agree or disagree, because he gets to take picture with UnderArmour ambassadors and you cannot, :D

Some previous reports on pacers:

A Pacer's Tale

SCKLM 2014 Pacer report

A Pacer's Tale

We have often read race reports from runners, whether it is a personal best story, 1st time completing the distance/challenge or a race that didn't go so well, runners write their stories to share their joys or to have lessons learnt by others, and maybe to introduce (or the opposite) the event to those who has not tried.

So I thought, why not a story of a pacer?

Pacers, or the runners with balloons, or the rabbits, they have been called many names, they have been seen as angels or devils (read on, you will know why), but they all serve one purpose and only one purpose:

To complete the race in designated timing.

I am going to try to tell the side of the story from pacer (or as pacer), but before that, let's look what makes a pacer or how to be a pacer. Let's start with some common questions asked:

1. Who are the pacers? 

Amateur Pacers are runners who are appointed by the race organizer to serve as the guide for runners who have specific race target timing to follow (or to benchmark in my definition) to complete the race on target. While there maybe pacers for many race distances (10K, 21K, 42KM), I will refer to 42KM for this write up. In short, pacers are the person u follow to complete the race on time as printed on the balloons (or flags/ bib on shirts)

Professional pacers are engaged in races to pace the elites to focus on the target pace by running together with pacer(s) whose job is to run the exact assigned pace and bring the elites up to certain distance (eg. 20miles) aka to create a fast pace race for the elites and they will then drop pace and let the elites race till the end on their own. Their job is not to win the race (although in some occasions the elites couldn't make it and the pacer ends up winning the race) and sometimes they are the upcoming elites. Pacers also form part of the training for the elites and there are also really short distance pacers. But in this write up I am not talking about this kind of pacer.

If you want to read more about professional pacer or pacemaker, below are some links to read:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacemaker_(running)
http://deadspin.com/matt-scherer-got-paid-to-drop-out-of-races-1610142836
http://speedendurance.com/2013/02/01/interview-with-matt-scherer-professional-pacer-rabbit/

2. How are the pacers chosen?

Pacers are chosen by many ways, in big events, interested runners who think they qualify will have to apply to the race organizer for selection. For some events, seasoned runners are approached by the organizer to be appointed. In some occasions, organizer appoints a reputable running group or person to assemble the pacer team for the race.

Regardless the way the pacers team is formed, some forms of selection is done (various criteria in place). The more commonly applied criteria include: personal best timing, years in running, past experience as pacer, consistency in the few events, reputation of the applicant (subjective), personal relationship (reality is a bitch), look/image (again, personal taste), the unspoken list can go on...

As I have some past experiences in forming pacer team, quite often Personal best, consistency in race timing and running experience are my consideration. On the other hand, having a team of pacers that can work together (particularly for the pace groups) is also an important factor (though may not necessary be taken into consideration), having a pace group that communicate well and align among each other on the pacing strategy and communication to the followers can make or break the team.

3. What does it take to be a pacer? Do I qualify as a pacer ? Or can I apply as a pacer ?

These are the kind of questions I get a lot when someone is not sure whether to apply to be a pacer or being approached as a pacer. I supposed the selection criteria above has answer half the question.

Not sure if there is such a thing called guideline

The other half of the answer, lies within YOU, apart from the ability to complete the distance all the time (if not, most of the time), there needs to be the part of you that is willing to let go of personal interest in racing/ winning/ achieving personal best, and to dedicate yourself for the cause to help others to achieve their goals.

Some of the tough questions to ask yourself and only you can answer to yourself is:

What's in it for you as a pacer apart from the politically correct answer?

For the free slot? For the pacer goodies? For fame? For sponsorship? To prove what you are capable of? Be honest, we'd all been there. Whatever your answers are, they are true for you. What's most important is, there must a part in YOU that is doing this for OTHERS.

Then there comes the harder part, no one can give you the confidence to be a pacer (to some extend maybe someone you look up to can inspire you and boost your confidence a bit), if you don't feel confident, don't do it, the runners need to follow someone who is confident to deliver the timing.

But if you are going to do it, choose the pace that is aligning to your experience and training, don't take up a pacer role as a CHALLENGE to yourself, it won't work; take up the pace that you can nail and can share how to nail it with runners, because if they fail to achieve it this time, your sharing will stay with them for the next attempt which you may not be there with them. I personally have some runners drop me a msg few month later to thank me that my words during our last encounter have helped them to finally achieve the goal they chase for.

Pacers with pace flags?

4. Does that mean runners who have experience and fast can be pacers?

Not really. Anyone can run, some can run faster some slower, but not just anyone can be pacer. Pacer needs to be able control their pace consistently, provide useful tips to the followers, distract followers from the dreadful experience when energy runs out and sometimes, to even provide assistance to followers who are suffering from cramps or other difficulties.

More often than not, pacers are experienced runners who are good at the pace that they are pacing, so they may not be fast, but they are good, almost spot on most of the time (if not all the time).

5. So what do pacers do? What are their duties?

The roles are essentially to pace and complete the race on targeted time of course. On top of that, there are assumed roles that many runners would expect from the pacers too, such as sharing tips of running, pacing strategy, motivations, and even making the journey less suffering (more enjoyable?) by singing, telling jokes or engage followers in conversations.

Some other services that may be provided by pacers include explaining the route elevations to pace accordingly, sharing info on water stations supplies (those information may be available on race guidebook already) and informing runners when passing significant monuments (many races run pass the local attractions as part of the route), suggest places to take photos and may even carry extra energy supplies/ 1st aid kit to give out should the followers need some. 

6. So, Pacers are the perfect soldiers ? Nothing seems to bring them down?

Now, just like runners, anything that can go wrong in a race, may go during the race, even for the pacer. Pacers can have stomach upset, side stitch, cramps, can fall, get into wrong route and for some unknown reasons, they end up can't complete their duty. So don't be hard on the pacers when they don't perform as promised, shit happens sometimes.

But of course, if a pacer makes stupid mistake like racing hard the week or the day before the pacing job, indulge in food or drink that should not have been consumed, taking up task that bigger that one can shoulder, then, the pacer deserves the disaster and should be condemned for the misconduct. 

Myself ? Yes, I have made some of those mistakes in the past too, my sincere apology for that.

7. Do pacers always have to stick together as a group ?

My view to the question is Yes and No. Despite the fact that basic assumption is all pacers are able to nail the distance at designated pace, not every pacer can run exact same pace all the time (eg. different water stop intervals and uphill/downhill pace), but yes, they still need to stick together, I can't imagine a pacing group that is 1 mile apart between the pacers.

When pacers stick together and there happen to have a big crowd following them, it will create a huge pacing group (that looks pretty impressive and nice) that will often come with 2 potential problems: 1st, water station stop will see large pacing group swamp in for hydration, that may cause human collision and congestion; 2nd, in event route that is narrow, this may cause traffic congestion for the runners trying to overtake from behind.

Pacing group

Having pacers spaced out by 10-200 metres will allow more rooms for runners to follow without having much body contact and allow the pacer to breathe too ( you will be surprised how close some runners follow the pacers...). The difference in distance is not going to affect much in final finishing time as the gap can be closed in the final few KM of the run. That will also make the gap between the 1st pacer and the last pacer a "pacing zone", as long as runners stay within the zone, they are on track for the timing.


My advice?
1. If you are aspired (if not, inspired) to be a pacer in future events, start by getting comfortable at the distance and pace that you want to offer your service, in other words, make the pace and distance your ace run. Very often I receive comment like "Just put me in any pace below X pace will do", someone else who is very sure about the pace they want to pace is going to get the job 1st.

2. Work on producing consistently better timing on the distance you plan to pace, for example, if you want to pace a 5:00 hrs marathon, a consistent 4:30-4:45 hrs finishing of your recent few races will give not only the race organizer but yourself some assurance that you are capable of reproducing the results.

3. Start short and start on your own, you can always start by offering pacing service to your fellow buddies who are attempting the distance and pace that you are sure to deliver, use them as practice to be a pacer, share your tips, take care of them, and start from shorter distance like 10,15 or 21KM.

4. Write in to organizers, while some organizers do open application for potential candidates to write in, many engage pacers internally, if you do not know anyone, your best chance is by writing in, nothing to lose in sending an email or a Facebook messenger. Once you have prepared well with some proven records of your own, it is just a matter of time before you get noticed or recommended as pacer.

5. Remember, runners put in time and effort to train for their race, they also put their trust and hope on the pacers to help them to achieve their goal time, it is a task with responsibility, so make them fly.

Nothing more rewarding than a handshake or a thank you from the runners after crossing the finishing line, knowing that you played a role in bringing them home, whether it is the entire course or partially.

You can also read about my pacer report back in 2014 here:
http://yewkhuay.blogspot.my/2014/10/scklm-2014-pacer-report.html

and some other pacers' report:
https://takingitallinstride.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/takeaways-from-being-a-half-marathon-pacer/
https://adaptiverunning.com/2016/07/27/2016-beaches-jazz-run-pace-report/
http://teamfatbird.com/pacers-nighthawks-beat-the-sunrise-sundown-marathon-2017/

Note:

Author has been a pacer for more than 10 full marathons since 2013, the write up is based on his limited experiences in non-competitive pacing and personal opinions, it may not reflect the whole picture of pacing, pacer's role, pacer selection or pacer qualification. He encourages runners to pace each other even though they are not under official role as pacers.

Disclaimer: 

All photos credit to the original photographers, some photos are taken online, if anyone find inappropriate kindly leave a msg in comment and it shall be removed/replaced.

Tokyo Marathon 2017 - Another PB ?

Because the race gave me a PB finishing so I guess I have to write about it.

Before anyone proceed to read about this report, there is nothing in this post that talks in detail about the course and its experience, it is just my story running it.

Great race reports are made of dramatic stories, a typical one will start with lack of training or preparation, coupled with some injuries to make you look more vulnerable and near impossible to score a great timing. Some will then declare an easier target (despite deep beneath the heart there  a more exciting goal), or announce to take it easy to ENJOY the race or take it as training.

Bullshit, there is no reason one doesn't set great target for a world major marathon. But I am going to tell mine anyway, for the sake of making mine more dramatic and near impossible, :)

If you know me, low mileage training, lack of speed training due to right heel injury and just returning from falling sick were real, but they are not the reasons I used for setting easy target. By default some are setting 3:30 as my target (simply bcoz I do not have official race that breaks that mark!!!), so no one would accept a sub4 finishing as target (hey my last sub4 was more than 6 months ago...).

The truth is, I somehow knew I could do 3:30 and 3:30 is too main stream these days, so I set 2:30 as my target, and as expected no one believes that too, I have much to prove myself I guess,:)

Dare to Dream.and Dream is FREE

So the more realistic target (which I made up my mind just 2 days before departure to Tokyo) is 3:20-3:30, the logic is based a complex combination of peer bench-marking, previous races effort vs finishings, recent race performance and of course, some guess work.

Told you this is nothing about the race, look how long u have read and still not at starting line...

Fast forward to race week, after done with non-stop work travels, training and meetings, I finally got on my 5th flight of the month and landed on Friday morning. Did a quick visit to my company Tokyo office before check in hotel and head to expo for race kit collection.

A little details on race expo, probably no one would have any complain about it, very well organized, in and out for my bib and souvenir shirt collection in less than 5 mins. Process flow included:

1. Photo ID check to make sure you are the person  who registered for the race and collect in person. Based on experience in Osaka marathon, collecting on behalf may be possible but I was doing for someone who can't make it to the race so the officials allow collection of race kit without the race bib.

2. Proceed to bib collection based on your bib number printed on the sheet posted to you via mail, a security band will be put on your wrist, never to be taken off until race is over. The wrist band warrant your entry to race site security gates.

3. Proceed to timing chip checking and baggage drop official bag collection.

4. And finally the even-T collection, then head for the expo. Plenty of different event T designs (40-50 design may be) available for shopping by Asics in the expo booth.

Friendship Run:

Held on the day before race for gathering of runners to celebrate as one and get to know each others' culture or traditional costume (best way to introduce your country) and testing the race gears may be. Most importantly, have fun and more photo opportunities! Need to register earlier and pay some fees.

Race day (finally, right?):

This year is relatively warmer compared to 2013 when I 1st ran on the old route, 6-13c was bearable with 2 layers (inner long sleeve 2XU thermal compression and outer favourite any shirt). I made last min decision not to wear the light jacket bought at expo and the gloves, instead only hold the instant disposable heat pack bought from convenient store, still keeping my buff on to keep warm air flowing under for my breathing.

The race flag off on time, I was at Pen C (which was after Elite, A and B), there was no stopping to wait, everyone just continue to jog/run till we cross the starting line 2 mins later. As usual the starting 3KM was a bit of runners congestion, but I did not have to do much hard overtaking as everyone were running at the pace relatively representing the starting Pen they belong to (my guess, sub 3:45, I was in Pen G in 2013).

The 1st 5KM aim was to warm the body and freezing toes, didn't take too long for me to feel the body warm up that I felt the need to roll up the inner layer till chest area and also the extra arm sleeve layer I put on. The air is still considered cold and dry, thus buff remain on.

10KM in, realised I was doing just on time for a 3:25 finishing, decided to forget about 3:20 (it was not so realistic to begin with anyway lol!) and review if 3:25 was still possible at mid point.

Forced down a pack of power gel and 2 capsules of anti-fatigue at 13KM to prepare for the coming 30KM. The distance on GPS was already 1KM extra by the time I hit 15KM, thanks to the tall building that mess up the tracking. 15s behind to be on schedule for 3:25, after U-turn at Asakusa I did the fastest 5KM split of the race and catch up the time to be on track for 3:25 finishing again, maintain the momentum till 25KM mark to continue to be on track on timing.

bigger turn is better turn for photos

Like most marathons, the race only begin at the final 12KM, took my 3rd pack of gel at 30KM (2nd pack at 22KM) and another dose of anti-fatigue,  spent sometime to walk at water station to get more isotonic in. The only comment I have about the race would be on the drinking cups, they were too big which make drinking very difficult, I had a few occasions of spill over. Hitting 30KM at slightly behind schedule again, I knew I probably won't make it to the 3:25 finishing, did a quick calculation, allowing myself to slow down the pace a little as I started to feel tired, after all, I have not been running this fast for this long, the quads started to feel sore as I approached the big left turning.

can't remember why I did that...

What followed next is a 5KM straight route until the next U-turn, this is a very "scenic" route as I get to see those fast runners on the opposite side heading finishing line. They were either finishing strong or bonk, and believe me, for runners that go all out at their pace, when they bonk, they really bonk, it is not like the amateur case like us where we could still jog to recover and gain momentum, they walked and nothing more. From the facial expression I can tell they suffered and disappointed at the same time. And for those still dashing, their facial expression not an easy look too.

Why did I spend so much time talking about those running sub3 on the opposite lane instead of my own 31-35KM journey? Because it is a good way of distraction, to divert my attention from the building up of soreness on my legs. Breathing was OK, no sign of dehydration, too early to judge if I was suffering or just psychologically thinking I was suffering due to the distance. I took a one minute walk and stretch anyway at next water station just to make myself feel better since I knew I have the luxury to do that and still finish sub3:30.

By 35KM U-turn, I started to feel the heaviness on my feet, the return trip towards the finishing line felt like an uphill run. The real psychological barrier kick in because during both my Japan races in 2013 (Tokyo) and 2014 (Osaka) I suffered at 38th KM. So the plan was to hold the pace easy and steady until I crossed 38KM, possibly 39KM too. From a distance I can see the 3:30 pacers at about 100 meters away, obviously there was a temptation to chase them and even overtaking them, but that would mean I will have to run sub5min pace again and risk having cramp in the 1-2KM.

Taking bigger turn gets more chance for photos

I gave up that thought by purposely visiting the water station to let the pacer group move out of my sight so that I get to focus on taking it easy again. I tried to spot familiar faces on the opposite site with no particular person in mind just to draw my attention away from the heavy legs. KM by KM passed as I crossed 38th KM, hanged on for another KM and another KM, by the time the distance marker reads 40, I know it was home coming! A quick peep on the watch I knew 3:29 will be the rough finishing timing and I could probably sprint a little as the finishing arch came in sight.

However, the final KM was not easy as I thought, it was not tar road but solid pavement, a bit uneven. The cheering crowd was great, it was less than a kilometre to the finishing, some started to sprint, some suffering cramp, I patiently wait for the left turn to appear.

And here it came, the left turn and my final sprint to the end to cross the sub 3:30hrs mark.

Final 300 meters I guess

Finished and DONE

After crossing the runners were handed with bottle of water and towel, another hundred metres of walking there was another station to hand over food and thermal blanket, finally the medal. It was all the way walking towards the 41st KM mark where Hibiya Park is.

The journey ended here for any runner to pick up their drop bag but for me it was another bonus 1.5 KM in front of the Imperial garden towards opposite direction to get to the Abbott hospitality suite for my drop bag, somehow I missed the underground pass that cut the distance by half or so, the volunteers can't help on this as they didn't know about the hospitality suite. This explains the extra wrist band I have...

Below are the splits for data cruncher:

Was pretty on track for 3:25 until 30KM

Could I have done better ? 

May be yes May be not, I just come back to run FM, my legs and breathing are not trained for fast FM yet, may be another 6 months or year end only I should attempt a faster FM.