North East Compressport Run 2015

I absolutely have to commend the organisers (Team Punggol North CSC and the team, particularly Joseph Tan and Johnny Goh) for a brilliant race experience at the North East Compressport Run 2015. 

Noting that this race on 15th March 2015 was to take place at the fairly narrow Punggol Waterway, I was hesitant, considering that I knew that in my category of choice (10.5km), I would be running alongside 21km runners who would have been flagged off an hour earlier at 6.30am.

Having said that, considering the attractively affordable early-bird price ($24!) and knowing that I would be taking this run not as a race but more as a training session, I quickly signed up. I certainly was rewarded with a pleasant experience, with much credit due to the organisers.

I awoke at 5.45am, having more than sufficient time for breakfast (and just enough for comfortable digestion) before I headed off to the venue, reaching at 7.05am. This was indeed a smaller community race, therefore there weren't many portable restrooms - perhaps eight? It took me about 15min to get to the front of the queue, after which I hurriedly proceeded with a short jog as a warm-up before heading into the race pen.

Despite being due to be flagged off at 7.30am, we were delayed by about eight minutes as it was intended that the lead runners of the 21km category completed their race first. I was puzzled (because there would not be any obstructions since the start point was beyond the finish) and mildly worried (the sun). Thankfully, my concerns were misplaced due to the blessing of amazing weather throughout the entire run.

Flag-off. Credit to Ming Ham.

Upon flag off, I attempted to settle into a relaxing pace. Gauging pace was not the easiest of tasks because many of my runs lately were focused on effort not pace (though I now have the aid of my wonderful gift, though I admit I wanted to run by effort). Consequently, I tried finding a rhythm in my breathing pattern - which of course can be deceiving at the start of a run. The 1km marker appeared shockingly early and rightly so - a glance at my Garmin revealed about 0.85km and a time of sub 3:30. As I was feeling comfortable, I decided to remain at this effort. A fellow runner in Red overtook me and lingered ahead slightly.

Red and black. New and old.

Red's pace was certainly suitable for me and I decided to stick behind him, all along maintaining a relatively comfortable breathing pattern. The organisers did an interesting job of deploying seven hydration stations along the 10.5km loop. Before the 2km mark, I grabbed a cup of water (having heard of the dubious isotonic available) as unlike previous runs, I disposed of my bottle a good 15 minutes before flag off and my throat was a little dry.

The route was pretty uneventful. There were tonnes of mild hills (I'm guessing one to five feet elevation) but other than that, the course was very flat, save for a few bridges. I caught up with Red at just before the 3km marker and suggested we run together and he quipped "Try". I knew the company would certainly be of benefit even though I was pretty comfortable. I did also know that Red probably wouldn't stay with me for too long as his breathing was audible and I was planning to speed up after the halfway mark. We made the U-turn (approximately 3.7km, "Split 1") in 15:17.

Unsurprisingly, he was gradually losing touch with me, to which I encouraged him to just try to stick with my fairly consistent pace. At slightly past the 5km marker, he told me to go ahead and I encouraged him before moving ahead. (I caught up with him after the race and he informed me he faded thereafter, completing in about 42~).

There probably wasn't anything particular noteworthy as the race continued smoothly. All along, with the beep of my Garmin every 1km (which did not coincide with the distance markers), I was unfortunately unable to increase my pace. The few things I recall would be overtaking some MR25 runners and an F1 runner around the 7km distance marker. Towards the 8km mark, I caught sight of Vanja Cnops, a strong female way beyond my calibre in her prime (a 35:19 10,000m in 2009) and even at present. She was running strong but definitely slowing. I knew that I stood the chance of catching her. I was entertaining the possibility of an exciting sprint finish.

Slightly past the 9km distance marker, I caught up with Vanja and passed quickly. Perhaps if I was a female and threatening her monetary reward, she may have tried to stick with me. Unfortunately, she did not and I was left by myself again, the coast clear of any other runners in my category within sight.

The 10km marker came up very abruptly. If I recall, Garmin showed barely 9.4km. I knew the finish would be up a winding slope and the slope arrived thereafter. Shortening yet quickening my stride along the uphill, I caught some 21km runners. After the final bend, I began a comfortable sprint along the short straight and crossed the line. I was still feeling fresh, part of me wishing that I had a longer straight to just run freely.

Overall, I'm absolutely pleased with my entire race experience. From the race pack I did not have to personally collect (thanks Edwin!), to the thorough planning and execution (ample hydration, clearly marked out race route without bottlenecks, safety mechanisms in play, organisers who went extra miles for participants), to the pleasant weather - it was a perfect race. Save the error in distance of the route, which I can easily overlook for now. I am certain I'll support a subsequent race if the same team were to organise it.

Preliminary results were released just hours after the run!

Garmin data for the first time :) Thanks guys (if any of you are reading)!