Timing

The wait was worth it.

It's all about timing.

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2017

Asics Relay 2017

Singapore Aquathlon 2017

Real Run 2017

The Flying Doctors

The Start.

Entering Coney Island.  

Not gonna be this comfortable for much longer.

Almost.

Privileged to be running with these docs.

UK Parkruns

Fulham Palace with Anmol.

Burgess Park with Andrew. And lots of stares.

Hampstead Heath with Andrew

Richmond Runfest 2017

Surpass.

I signed up for this event months in advance, at Yirong's suggestion. Why a half? It was cheaper than the 10k, while remaining a reasonable distance (the full marathon would render me antalgic for some time).

With all that was going on in London, it was surprising that I actually got to run regularly in UK. Most of it came down to me wanting to explore and the fact that school didn't start anywhere as early as back home. Then again, schedules were very flexible as an elective student...

The race pack was delivered via mail without additional charge. 

On race day, as I was scheduled for the first wave (based on my previous HM time), I was due for flag off at 9.00am. In Singapore, that would have been torture. In London, the weather was gloomy though thankfully it wasn't drizzling. Probably around 12-14 degrees Centigrade that morning. I wore my NTU top, shorts and my gloves. My thermoregulatory mechanisms seem to neglect my hands. Significantly.

After the tube ride to Zone 6, I headed over to the park. A quick security check, bag deposit and then a brief visit to the portable toilets. Portable urinals were certainly a significant time saver. It's certainly an idea worth adopting back home.

To prevent myself from gradually freezing, I tried to stay within any crowd I could find. Thankfully, it wasn't long till flag off. 

To put my expectations into perspective, I had about three weeks of decent running (40-50km, with some workouts) in my legs. Prior to that, I had about 2 months of averaging 20km a week of slow running. I knew there were supposed to be pacers for 1:30 and 1:45. Following the former seemed rather risky yet the latter would have certainly been somewhat unfulfilling. A year ago, with about 3 months of solid mileage, I ran a sub 1:30 with about 20 hours notice. Under my present circumstances, I wasn't certain I could manage that again. But I was open to trying.

The Start. Credit to Richmond Runfest's Facebook page.

The first km was passed comfortably. Legs were good, lungs were brilliant. Many people passed me - considering I started only about 20 from the front. It's interesting how unlike in Singapore, the Brits don't cram themselves right to the start (at least in this race). There was so much room at the start line that I felt obligated to occupy the empty space.

Anyway, I knew I'd gradually be catching up with many that were passing me. First km in 4:15. Settled into a rhythm and clicked off the next couple of Ks in sub 4:10. I was breathing absolutely comfortably. However, it wasn't long till I felt the niggles in the thighs. Seems like the mileage (or lack thereof) was catching up with me. Aerobically I knew I wouldn't be in trouble. Paramount to a good race was therefore, to make sure my legs could keep up with my lungs.

The course took us through variable terrain - minimal grass, a fair amount of tarmac and gravel. As always, I gradually started catching up with runners over the first 10k. I passed 10k in sub-42min pace. The thighs were starting to get a little sore, which was worrying. I knew I could afford to slow down. It was going to be a fine line and I needed to make sure I threaded lightly in order to maximise my chances to arrive at the finish with functioning limbs.

There were a couple of hydration stations along the way. Unlike back at home, the low humidity here meant dehydration wasn't as noticeable. I drank at every occasion I could. Bottles were convenient to drink from, though I felt wasteful at the limited amounts I could consume before I'd toss the bottle to the side.

I found myself running beside a Caucasian lady for a substantial portion of the race. I noticed another Asian man as well. I was thankful for their company, though no words were spoken. The route was enjoyable, though I was gradually having trouble focusing on my surroundings.

I was certainly starting to hurt. Or at least the legs were. The breathing was still comfortable - judging by the respiratory rate. Towards the last third of the race, I knew I had lots of time in the bank for a sub 1:30 performance. I deliberately slowed down, in the hope that the legs would take less of a beating.

At some point towards the last few Ks, I was passed by a pacer. I knew the fastest pacers were 1:30 pacers - and I was certainly running sub 1:30 pace - whereas he was kinda flying past me. Then came a huge group of runners (about 6-8). I contemplated sticking with them, but realised the legs just could not.

Thankfully, the agony the legs encountered was soon over (only in retrospect). The last few Ks were miserably slower than the average pace (though then again, the terrain was slightly more challenging). I finished joyfully in 1:28:13. What a pleasant surprise. I certainly wasn't expecting this performance, considering the limited mileage over the past few months. In fact, over the previous 4 months, I had averaged less than a half-marathon per week. Per week.

Committing to surrender my running to God was no doubt a blessing. Not only did it free my time, but it freed my heart. And I was blessed with a satisfying performance in my first overseas race.

Towards the Finish. Credit to Prestige Events.

The full marathon winner.

Old shoes.

Happy Singaporeans.

If

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster,

And treat those two imposters just the same...

You'll be a man, my Son!

If - Rudyard Kipling

Race Against Cancer 2017

Every day in Singapore, 35 people are diagnosed with cancer and 15 pass away from it (based on 2011-2015 data). Addressing this hinges on prevention, screening and seeking treatment early, in accordance to one's goals.

Race Against Cancer is an event I've been supporting annually (though previous injury and the weather did result me missing the 2015 and 2016 events) ever since I first participated in 2012.

I ran the race with Joanna, Bryan and Joel. It's been ages since I've ran with them and it was certainly enjoyable, while all of us recognised the deeper meanings this race had for us in Bartley, particularly with the passing away of a friend due to cancer a few years ago.

End Another

Surrender

Nongsa Point Marina & Resort, 2-4 June, YA Retreat

National Vertical Marathon 2017

Four.

A risky investment. Thankfully, there was ROI.

The race was initially meant to be 34 storeys up, 13 down. Deceiving. As I'd estimate that these 34 storeys were closer to 55 of a HDB block. The descent was cut away a week before the race due to safety concerns, which was indeed legitimate.

First up was the Men's Open. The podium was the target. A 6-min ascent would be icing on the cake. Without the descent, I was confident I'd be quicker than Kai Peng (he's the best I know when it comes to descending!). With 4 categories for the day ahead, I was happy to place behind Yaner. Furthermore, I did sincerely feel he deserved to win Tembusu Vertical instead of me (this was likely due to my fortune in starting in an earlier wave). Both of us aside, the next question was, would there be others to contend with?

I saw Kien Mau while I was registering with Noel and Joel. He informed me he had many categories for the day. Like 6. He told me he had trained with his friends. Was he as quick with the stairs as he was on the track?

Indeed he was. Blazing. 5:40ish. My 6:08 paled in comparison. Surprisingly, that took me to third place (just behind Yaner at 5:56) at 8ish in the morning and that remained all the way till the end of the Men's Open. Missed the prize presentation but I've come to realise that it didn't matter at all to me. I was in the competition for prizes and the medals. The medals I desired to dedicate to my family. The prizes were meant to bless others and for some personal utility.

Credit to Pixelinc.

I had time to kill after the first category. It would be a long day ahead. My first climb began around 7.45am, while the others were to begin at 12.15pm, 12.45pm and 5.45pm. I had the company of some from church. There were multiple game booths and free snacks available to occupy participants as well.

It was time for the next two categories which offered little respite between. I was to race the Team Open with Kai Peng, Konan, Clarissa and Pyone before racing back down to begin the NTU Team with Lester, Yi Heng, Sai and Li Sin. I climbed the Team Open consistently, with a pretty decent timing of 6:13 despite ensuring some reserves for the next race. The rest of the guys were pretty solid as well, as they were adequately experienced with stair climbing.

I'm really bad at this.

Unfortunately, the NTU Team was arguably less experienced. I kept warning them to START SLOW! Yet the guys disappeared above me quickly. Which meant it was only a matter of time that I caught up. Nonetheless, the overall performance was pretty solid.  

Credit to Pixelinc.

Then came a decent interval for R&R before the final category. Caught up with the NTU crossers and took the time to visit the National Library to study 😅

The last category (Open Relay) was probably my most intense race for the day. Being the relay, it meant we had way less to climb. I recalled from last year's NVM that a short race meant a more intense race. This was likely to be a 2min climb - which is way more intense than a 6min one. It was so quick that I didn't have the time to break a sweat.

Credit to National Vertical Marathon's Facebook page.

The relay involved 3 climbers per team. There were probably about 7 teams within our wave - of which the hottest competition would arise from. The transition points were at the 14th and 26th floor in order to provide 3 segments for each team. I was to be the second runner behind Kai Peng, while Clarissa would anchor. 

As I took the lift with other 2nd runners to the 14th floor, Richard talked to me. I recognised him from previous verticals - he was a solid climber, but a fatigued one as well as he had just completed the Corporate Relay. He told me that he felt my team stood a chance of "beating the ang-mohs". I didn't quite see any of them. I told him his team was probably gonna be quicker than mine, though I'd do my best as well.

The first leg climbers arrived rapidly. Kien Mau led, followed by Bryan right behind and Kai Peng came up a few seconds later. The two ahead of me were off very quickly. I was doing my best to be controlled yet optimal in my effort. The gap wasn't closing.

It was only within the last few floors whereby I suddenly caught them very quickly. Within a flight or two, I flew past both climbers. Richard had very kindly given me the inside lane (the rails). In the final few flights, it seemed like I gained 5 seconds. Clarissa was off.

And apparently she led till the final flight, whereby jostling occurred. It was pretty stormy weather thereafter. In more ways than one.

Ebb

And flow.

The opportunity.