It was time for my third edition of this race (you may also read about my race experience in 2014 and 2015). Having signed up with Ben since the 2014 edition, we decided to make it a yearly affair.
Thankfully, we had discounted rates, making it a very affordable race ($23)!
During REPC, Ben discovered he had been fortunate enough to obtain the lucky bib number 00888 (and I got 00887 -_-"). Seems like I still need patience in the hope that one day I am fortunate enough to obtain a nice bib number.
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| A jealous me in the background. Credit to Run350's Facebook Page. |
Come race day, we reached the event precinct just before 6.20am. With flag-off scheduled at 6.30am, I knew it would be ideal to start queueing in the pen to get into the first wave and position ourselves reasonably towards the front, but nature did call. Therefore, it was barely five minutes before we got into the race pen. Unfortunately, a division (a thin metal chain) had been made to separate us into the second wave. Despite some negotiation with the race officials, they prohibited our keen desire to join the first wave.
The first wave was flagged off at 6.30am. Quite interestingly, a runner beside us dashed under the metal chain that separated our wave (two) from the first. A race official tried to stop him, albeit ineffectively. That was rather amusing and ironical, as that exact runner, in seeing our ineffective negotiation attempts with race officials, had previously advised us to wait patiently for our wave's flag off.
Ben and I were flagged off in the second wave at 6.35am. Our plan was to try to run a 48min 10km race. It's interesting to see how we've progressed over the years...slowing every year...
Nonetheless, we begin at a rather quick pace, initially because we were planning to stay away from the crowd. The first km was passed in just under 4:30 - way too fast and definitely unrealistic. Most of it was my fault of poor pace estimation, having run last week's 2XU with close to a 4:00~ first km while already trying to start slowly. I've come to realise race pace feels so much easier in a race than in training - the atmosphere, the shoes, the ground (indeed, as most of my running is done in MacRitchie).
We deliberately slowed in the second km, on track for our target. Ben did however warn me that we may have to slow a bit - that was a poor prognostic indicator (coming this early, granted the aggressive first km). With some regulation of the pace, we soon started clicking off 5min/km. I encouraged him to just run as constant a pace as possible, avoiding unnecessary overtaking/weaving, in my desperate hope that we would run a 48+min race. Soon that become a sub-50.
All along, the route was filled with multiple runners, some from the first wave and others from the HM category that merged and diverged on various occasions. I obtained hydration from every hydration station available, intending to maximise my money's worth, though the race was already very affordable.
We noticed a middle-aged, small-built lady in a red top, running with small but rapid footsteps. She was our target. (Apparently, Ben realised that we had seen her in previous edition's.) We managed to stick with her for a large portion of the race, then disaster struck in the last km.
At that point, I was running slightly ahead of Ben. I loss visual on him (my complacent and lazy self that decided not to turn around for just a little too long) for a period of time and thereafter, for nearly a minute. That was under Bayfront Bridge, right at the point where the HM runners and 10km runners diverged. I was desperately concerned that either he had surged ahead along the 10km route without my notice, or that he had been diverted to the HM route. It was only after much waiting (and contemplating on my next course of action) that I saw him emerge from behind - before the route diverged for different categories. Apparently a cramp struck in those moments where I loss visual contact, thus handicapping him for a period.
After ensuring that he was fit to continue running, I spurred him on. En route, multiple other runners also encouraged fellow runners. To me, that was inspiring. As we crossed Bayfront Bridge and headed close towards the Finish, we then threw in a surge as we hit the straight. It was arguably one of the fastest finishes I recall, though it was controlled in a manner that would enable both of us to pass the line as closely as possible. Looks like I mistimed it a little...
Thereafter, it was time for a good conversation on life, health, priorities and of course, God and our faith. It's these conversations which I hold dear, recognising that they are the foundations and manifestations of strong friendships that may possibly last a long while. Sure, some of such in the past have passed, yet I'm no sceptic of them, merely realistic and accepting.
Till 2017 then!
The first wave was flagged off at 6.30am. Quite interestingly, a runner beside us dashed under the metal chain that separated our wave (two) from the first. A race official tried to stop him, albeit ineffectively. That was rather amusing and ironical, as that exact runner, in seeing our ineffective negotiation attempts with race officials, had previously advised us to wait patiently for our wave's flag off.
 |
| Seems like I was fortunate enough to queue up behind a VIP. Cameras were constantly flashing. Credit to Run350's Facebook Page. |
Ben and I were flagged off in the second wave at 6.35am. Our plan was to try to run a 48min 10km race. It's interesting to see how we've progressed over the years...slowing every year...
Nonetheless, we begin at a rather quick pace, initially because we were planning to stay away from the crowd. The first km was passed in just under 4:30 - way too fast and definitely unrealistic. Most of it was my fault of poor pace estimation, having run last week's 2XU with close to a 4:00~ first km while already trying to start slowly. I've come to realise race pace feels so much easier in a race than in training - the atmosphere, the shoes, the ground (indeed, as most of my running is done in MacRitchie).
We deliberately slowed in the second km, on track for our target. Ben did however warn me that we may have to slow a bit - that was a poor prognostic indicator (coming this early, granted the aggressive first km). With some regulation of the pace, we soon started clicking off 5min/km. I encouraged him to just run as constant a pace as possible, avoiding unnecessary overtaking/weaving, in my desperate hope that we would run a 48+min race. Soon that become a sub-50.
All along, the route was filled with multiple runners, some from the first wave and others from the HM category that merged and diverged on various occasions. I obtained hydration from every hydration station available, intending to maximise my money's worth, though the race was already very affordable.
We noticed a middle-aged, small-built lady in a red top, running with small but rapid footsteps. She was our target. (Apparently, Ben realised that we had seen her in previous edition's.) We managed to stick with her for a large portion of the race, then disaster struck in the last km.
At that point, I was running slightly ahead of Ben. I loss visual on him (my complacent and lazy self that decided not to turn around for just a little too long) for a period of time and thereafter, for nearly a minute. That was under Bayfront Bridge, right at the point where the HM runners and 10km runners diverged. I was desperately concerned that either he had surged ahead along the 10km route without my notice, or that he had been diverted to the HM route. It was only after much waiting (and contemplating on my next course of action) that I saw him emerge from behind - before the route diverged for different categories. Apparently a cramp struck in those moments where I loss visual contact, thus handicapping him for a period.
 |
| Along Bayfront Bridge. Credit to Running Shots. |
After ensuring that he was fit to continue running, I spurred him on. En route, multiple other runners also encouraged fellow runners. To me, that was inspiring. As we crossed Bayfront Bridge and headed close towards the Finish, we then threw in a surge as we hit the straight. It was arguably one of the fastest finishes I recall, though it was controlled in a manner that would enable both of us to pass the line as closely as possible. Looks like I mistimed it a little...
 |
| And we're done. Credit to While You Run. |
Thereafter, it was time for a good conversation on life, health, priorities and of course, God and our faith. It's these conversations which I hold dear, recognising that they are the foundations and manifestations of strong friendships that may possibly last a long while. Sure, some of such in the past have passed, yet I'm no sceptic of them, merely realistic and accepting.
 |
| Race results available 2 days after the race ~ |
Till 2017 then!
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