Sundown Marathon 29th May 2010

Pre-Race Day:
The countdown started when I clicked on the “Confirm Payment” icon. My mind must not be thinking right that day. “Itchy hand!”, my legs protested, “you are not the one taking the pounding!”. 128,690 times to be exact.
Frantically searched the web to look for training programs; die die must finish standing on 2 legs. Incorporated and modified Runner’s World schedule to suit my needs. Found 2 schools of thought; single very long LSD or shorter back-to-back LSD every weekend. I decided to go for the back-to-back long runs.

Waking up at 4am on weekends was and never will be easy. Running alone in the middle of darkness can be quite depressing; some how I still prefer to meet humans en route. There was once when I ran to the BDK reservoir at 4.30am (intending to do a loop before heading to Sengkang) and the place just looked so spooky! The hairs on my hands and neck were all standing! Quick change of plan and headed towards the main road! Heewww! What a relief! Almost felt like giving the ah na foreign workers a hug!

Sometimes (or rather numerous times! ), I was just too plain lazy to wake up and had to do the long runs at 2pm. In the 30+ degrees heat, I had to find routes that offer lots of water points and shower points; it always feels so good to stick my overheating head under the flow of cooling water. The cold refreshing coconut water at Changi Village is one of my favourite. Esther’s effort in picking me up at the end of my LSD surely made it easier for my planning. How to make it without her leh!...smuack!!!

Through darkness, heat and rain, I finally bridged the 100k weekly mileage twice : ). I used to be adamant that I would never run 42k in training; “so silly to run 42k w/o a medal to commemorate”. Then I found myself eating up my words. Better to suffer now then on race day.

The combination of additional rest days (as and when needed) and swimming help to prevent injuries and burn-out. I also learned to eat early and more often during LSD and I love oranges and apple especially when the thirst sets in. It’s amazing how our bodies can adapt to changes as we push it a little further every week. Religiously stuck to the training program 95% of the time……..makan the other 5%! Tapering days finally came and the agony of waiting begins…..

Race Day:
After all the days dodging the notorious flu bugs, was glad to arrive on sD-Day in good health.

5pm: Left home and was a breeze to reach race site in 15mins. Check-in baggage and took some pics with my fellow brave (or crazy!) friends. Not thinking too far but was focusing on strategy and completing the 1st loop first. Anything beyond that will take it as it comes. Some jittery as anything beyond the 50k was still a big question mark.
Strategy: Maintain constant 7.5 to 8min/km pace @ HR between 75-80% with walk break at every 5k . Take 10mins break at the end of Loop-1 and take more walk breaks from there on depending on situation. Target to complete below 13hrs; below 12hrs would be a bonus and below 11hrs would be perfect.

6pm:
After a few quick hand shakes and picture taking, we were off! As usual, prefered to stay at the rear coz plenty of time to reel in the “fishes” : ). After the 1k mark, came across 2 young runners who were already shuffling their feet with heavy breathing. “Oh goodness, really hope they know what they are in for!” Shortly, I heard sound of shuffling shoes, turning around, I saw Mr.Reverse Gear (the Taiwanese who run backwards). It’s kind of tedious for him to turn around every few steps to check out the route. Think that mounting a rear view mirror would certainly helps! Lol! Then the horror; he overtook me! Wah piang mana a sai! It’s only 2k and kana overtaken by a guy running backwards! Even the ants were all rolling over in laughter : (…….but with 82k still to go, i swallowed my pride and stuck to my pace plan. “Let’s see who can last longer, Mr.Reverse Gear!”, I thought to myself as he moved further and further…..

My fellow PR runners had long since disappeared from sight and I wished them well : ). Running along the Changi Coastal Road was much better compare to last year’s narrow foot path which was stuffy with all the sweaty bodies and heavy breathing. As we reached ECP, my spirit lifted and the pace quicken unconsciously. Had to slow myself down to target pace and keeping close watch of cyclists, skaters, runners and kids who dash everywhere like headless chicken! At the BDK jetty, the Korean champion was already making the return trip. Finally, caught up with Mr.Reverse Gear at 15k…hehehe…… and moved on with some pride restored : ).

19K: Just before Fort Rd, Rhino gave me a good luck call! He had already u-turned and heading back. Who says Rhino have poor eyesight!.....certainly not this one! LOL! Man, this guy don’t seems to know the words PAIN, SUFFERING, QUIT, IMPOSSIBLE!……will get him a dictionary on his next birthday! LOL!
Reached 22k Fort Rd right on schedule and was surprised how well prepared this year’s batch of 84k runners were; I only managed to overtake a handful out of 600+ runners! Looks like I am going to finish right at the bottom few this time: ( . On the other hand, I am glad for all for I still remember that a certain woman was attempting the 84k last year when she (who started to run only for a few months) did only 20k as her longest run; a definite suicidal mission. One quarter journey done, 3 quarters to go.

Tried to ease the strain on my legs by running on grass/sand that when possible. Then the cock-eyed bird kicked a root near the Changi Sailing Club and almost crash. Thankfully, my right leg was fast enough to hold the body but suffered impact to the hip and pulled left shoulder muscle. “Is this the end of my race?” I thought as anxiety gripped. I did a quick injury assessment; thankfully everything was ok except the right glute & left shoulder muscle. . Grimacing in pain, I hobbled in pain to the nearest toilet for a break and hope that the pain would go away. Took a longer walk and pampered myself with some salted apples. Was fine after that and stuck to the tarmac and cement path the rest of the way.

35k: Felt some tingling pull in left calf, quickly pop a salt tablet just in case.

42k: Time check 5:27. Nice to reach the Transition Tent which meant that half the job was done. Pleased to be within schedule. Volunteers were very alert and proactive; I was half way into the tent when I saw my bag coming towards me! I don’t even need to ask! Changed socks and took some peanut butter bread with hot Milo… hmmm..nice. Caught sight of Patrick who was all changed and ready to set off. He was so focus that I decided not to be a distraction. A man of few words who prefers his feet to do the talking : ). Well done Pat, the silent warrior of PR! You have proven once again that age is just a number!

5:37: Left the tent and headed for the 2nd loop. Surprised that there was no sense of dread in going for the 2nd loop. In fact I was looking forward to it. So different from the Putrajaya night run where I was 99% certain that i am going to quit the ASDM. Mentally told myself to get to Fort Road and the rest hopefully would be manageable. Suck Nuun tabs to prevent cramps. Glad that there wasn’t any smell of oil at ECP but runners behind me must be staying at a distance; I was gasing a lot! : ). Did I eat something wrong? Then it dawn on me that it must be the Nuun tabs.
46K: The fastest 42k guy zoom by….then Jacter called as he passed by not far behind. I shouted “Jacter SUB-3!” before he disappeared. Then I realised that he was wearing full length compression tights! Goodness, we must be having a blue moon that night! ; )

47: Panda passed by at a good speed looking strong…….then Perry who fulfilled his promise of giving me a pad on the back. After growing weary of seeing so many bobbling running tees, it was so nice & refreshing to meet our very special Ms.Punggol! Ow neow also passed by running strong1! Well done to all!
55k: Broke my record for the longest run ever so far. Body check: neither cramps nor pain, just tiredness. So far had maintained a constant 8min+ pace, good enough to finish under 12hrs.

Then things began to unravel after 60k. Pain began at the bottom of both feet near the big toes; particularly the left one. Felt my feet swelling slowly and blisters forming on the small toes. Shorten walking interval and lengthen walking duration. It was bad when I reached Fort Rd with 21k to go. Broke it up to 2 X 10K and told myself to get to the next 10k first. Remembered Adrain Mok, who attempted the 218k run around S’pore, said that it was not the lack of sleep that was troubling but the pain. The winner of that race had to take painkiller to finish the race. Now I began to understand their words.

Tried different “pattern” to elevate the pain; curling my toes, taking very short steps,etc. but all were short lived. Walking can be as painful. Reaching NSRCC was a huge relief. For the 1st time that night, the Changi Coastal Rd seems like eternity……”how come the Control Tower is always so far!” Reduced to walking for every km ran. My head was drooping, shoulders hunched and face contorted with every steps.

79k: Cannot liao…..the pain was killing me! Really felt like giving up; every steps felt like knife piercing at the feet! Remembered Ray Zahab ,an ultramarathoner, said in his book “Running for My Life” ,”The pain was so bad I wanted to scream!” And he almost wanted to give up during one of his ran, “It occurred to me that after all those years of being afraid to fail, I didn’t even know what real failure was. I wouldn’t be a failure if I couldn’t complete the race! I could only fail if I give up on myself, if I sold myself short. I could still run, and I could still walk if I had to. I could learn to adapt and deal with the pain. And that’s what it comes down to: I could give up on myself or I could keep on going” and he walked to the finish line.

Finally, enough was enough as I can feel the swelling getting worst and blisters forming on toes. So I decided to walk the remaining 5k. Every step still felt like a knife cut but I reasoned, “every step is also a step closer to home! Come on…just one more step….and another step…. and another step……..and………..”

84K: Mr.”Positive” Chin is always so encouraging; standing near the end to cheer us. Crossing that finishing line at dawn was the highest point of the race. A new milestone was laid; like the beautiful rising sun, it marks a new beginning ……….
“ We don’t know what we are capable of until we push ourselves. …once you go beyond what you ever thought you could do, there’s no going back. It’s with you forever”, Ray Zahab

Time: 12Hrs 36mins 57sec
Food Consumed: 6 X Gels, 2 X Oranges, 1 X Apple, 4 X Bread Slice with peanut butter, 1 X Nuun Tab, 1 X Salt Tab, Hot Milo
Needs Improvement: 1) More conditioning of bottom of feet 2) Tape little toes for run >50K