it's within: National Vertical Marathon 2016

I was certainly going to register for this race when registration opened. It was a well-organised race last year (I wished I had started participating earlier), furthermore there were wonderfully sponsored goodie bags. Not to mention I was an NTU student in support of the NTU Sports Club. Lastly, it was a realistic chance to clinch some attractive prizes.

It was one of the rare races that didn't inflate its registration fees - priced at $26 for the Open category, just like in 2015. In addition, Philip suggested we form a team to participate in the Open Relay category. I welcomed the idea and thus a team was formed - Philip, myself, Yaner and Julia.

My reporting time for my Open Men's race was 7.00am. As Noel's reporting time was 7.30am, we got a lift down to the venue, reaching just after 7. A slight drizzle greeted us, hence most participants took cover in the shelter of the surrounding buildings. I was understandably a little nervous. Firstly, I forgot to indicate my interest to run in the same wave as other participants eg Russell, hence I had no company initially. Furthermore, I was keen to improve on my timing from last year's edition, hence I knew I had to go in with a bit of a plan - to pace well and then try hard towards the latter stages.

I proceeded to collect my race pack. This year's race tee was light blue - sadly a little less appealing than last year's.I was initially scheduled to be in Detail 25 Lane B, with the race timing to be 7.48am. However, due to missing individuals etc, the numbers were not strictly adhered to (which made sense, especially if some original details had multiple absentees). I was scheduled with 5 other individuals for Detail 20, based on chronological order. Had a brief chat with an NTU-alumnus named Eric just to ease the tension before the start of the race. At just after 8am, we were flagged off, our category proceeding along Staircase A.

Sizing up my fellow participant. Credit to NVM's Facebook.

I proceeded into a run and thus led my small pack of fellow climbers. One the climbing started, I ensured I stuck to a realistic pace, knowing that fatigue would catch up with me before long. Initially, a runner behind seemed to start catching up with me. I continually grabbed the handrails, making every step as efficient as possible. Based on my experience from the Ulu Pandan Vertical 2016, I had started off a little too quickly hence faltered and lost concentration towards the final third. I knew that in this longer race, getting the correct foot placement was paramount.

The first drink station passed at the 15th floor, which I skipped. I had started overtaking participants from earlier details since about the 10th floor onwards. All were willing to give way - as long as they noticed I was approaching. I was glad to hug the inside of the rail on most occasions as I gained leverage from it. I could sense the gradual fatigue building up as I reached the 33th floor in 5:05. It seemed like I was on course to improve my timing if I could maintain the pace!

I felt the discomfort, more acutely now, at around the 40th floor. A few floors later, I glanced up again. This was the phase where focus was absolutely necessary - balancing the coordination between the lungs and limbs while trying to utilise as much reserves as I had. Finally I had the 63rd floor and thereafter the floor numbers disappeared - yet I knew it would be anytime soon. Then came the all too familiar open door - an indication that the top was very near now. I sprinted along the short straight and finally emerged at the highest point, dashing past the line. I stopped my watch in 10:14. I was pleased.

Credit to Firefly Photography.

Hydration (100 Plus) was available at the top as we collected our finisher's medals. There were also wet wipes handed out, along with a photo point (not quite a booth) to capture the backdrop of panoramic scenery. I had the chance to talk to Eric and another runner named Keegan. Thereafter, it was a time for a short break before my return in the afternoon. And just before heading out - I received a pleasant phonecall :)

Apparently just in time. Credit to NVM's Facebook.

As I returned for my second event of the day - the Open Relay. This event was a relay race. The three transition zones were the 15th floor, the 32nd floor and the 44th floor. Being the freshest participant - I was to take the final leg - undoubtedly the toughest climb of all.

It wasn't till nearly 4pm that our team was flagged off. 6 relay teams were flagged off at the same time, with only the first climber of each team starting from the ground floor, while the other climbers were distributed at the higher levels. I was thankful to be climbing this with the company of Philip (the leader), Yaner and Julia - who had positioned themselves in that order as well. The stair rail started shaking - marking the start of the relay. Before long, a girl was emerging and I knew it would be Julia.

With a quick tap of the hand, it was now my turn to execute the climb. The first few floors of my leg (up to 48) were pretty straightforward, with two flights of stairs per level. Thereafter came a short transition to three flights per floor. This was particularly challenging as it was difficult to find rhythm. I knew it was important to concentrate on my rhythm (as opposed to pure exertion) as stair-climbing was definitely more technical than running.

The relay was by far more energy-sapping that the previous climb of the entire building. Though I was climbing about 22 storeys (44th floor to the top - approximately 66 storeys), the pace soon left my lungs and lungs burning. My saving grace was that it didn't last too long - I stopped my watch just after I passed the Finish (timing mat) in about 2:30.