running alck

So this is my 3rd year joining the Singapore Marathon 2009.  I would not say that I’m an experienced runner but more or less know how the race route is like.

So slept less than 2hrs and woke up at 2:45am. Reasons being to get my body warmed up  and get to jurong west sport complex by 4am to catch the shuttle bus. Its abt 25mins walk from my house to the stadium. I left my house at 3.30am and started to walk very slowly. Along the way, i saw a few runners were heading to the stadium too. When i close to the pick up point, most of the runners already board the bus. I quickly ran towards the bus and to my surprise, there was no SEATS left; all occupied and a lot of runners end up standing; me inclusive. i was the last person to board the bus, phew. I made in time; otherwise i would have to wait for the 4:30am bus. The bus driver was like a mad driver, he drove super fast and i reached the drop off point in 20mins time. I cant believe a bus could drive so fast, overtaking so many cars like the road is his. Very dangerous driver i would say.

Anyways, sent some gd luck wishes to 2 of my friends whom doing their first full marathon, eng chuan and jane before leaving my bag to the baggage counter. This year was slightly different as they opened up 4 different types of counter, red, green ,yellow and cant remember what color.

As it is still pretty early, i took this chance to go to the toliet and do my last warmup before the run. So the race start exactly 5:30am. As usual, i stick to my rule, no drinking of water for first 10km; till i head to east coast park. Route was nothing special as i ran once last year. Along the east coast park, saw 2 sgrunners, teelee and TLR; After i made a U-turn at east coast park, i know that there’s approx 9km more before exiting east coast park. Along the way, jane shouted my name and i was like omg; such a crowded area, she still can spot me. anyways thanks for saying hi to me; gave me a push to run even faster haha.

So i exit the east coast park at a timing of 3:02; and i know that theres 12km more to go. there’s a part where half marathoners made a u-turn and we merged with them. but was separated after a while as we need to run past the kallang stadium. I was looking at my watch every distance i cloaked. And finally, i could see the f1 pit and i know i’m close to finishing point. the distance was 40km. Along the esplanade drive road, alot of runners were walking and i’m having a hard time to cut them. I’m sorry if i’m knocked some of the runners but i was actually aiming for my PBs;

There was a total mess near the last 500m stretch and I needed to shout “excuses me” to warn runners ahead of me to make way; i really appreciate those runners whom made his/her way. I crossed the finishing line of 42.195km distance at a timing of 4:28:50 (nett) (according to time watch) (awaiting for official results /ranking). a sub 4:30 marathon. was very satisfied with my performance despite doing one marathon 2 weeks before.

I personally feels that singapore marathon did a great job on the water point, distance marking. but failed to improve on the finishing part. but on the other hand, we runners could not blame them as well because the area itself was too small, there’s no way they can expand the road.