Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore

I literally just walked back home after the marathon. The great thing about this year's rendition of the race is that the start and end points are within walking distance of home. How perfect :P

It was a treat to start in the heart of Orchard Road. Surrounded by the Christmas lights, the opening stretch of the race was a sight to behold. It seems like the organisers specially arranged for the shopping centres and street lighting to be specially turned on for our race.

Weather-wise, we couldn't have asked for a better start. With rain pouring down most of yesterday, the ground was cool and the weather forecast was for a cloudy day ahead. The cool pre-dawn air was very refreshing for the runners as we charged down the opening stretch of the race.

I was apprehensive about this race, because of the recurrent plantar fasciitis in my right heel, and the bad experience of extensive cramps during the 30 km race a few months back. Although I managed to clock a few long runs in the past few weeks, psychologically, I was concerned that I would hit the wall even before 30 km. In the days leading up to the race, I had demoralising thoughts of hobbling the final 12 km to the finish, grimacing all the way.

In view of the PF and possible cramps, I held back as much as I could during the first half of the race. During the first 12 km, literally thousands of runners must have overtaken me. I was progressively engulfed by the 4:15 pacers, and shortly after, the 4:30 pacers. I did a double take when the 4:30 group passed me -- was I completely off pace? Fortunately, it was confirmed that the 4:30 pace group was going a tad fast when we crossed the 20km mark at 2 hours.

It felt wonderful to cross the halfway mark. By this time, the sky was bright, but the air was still cool. The clouds had begun to dissipate, so a hot sunny morning was on its way. I dug in a little deeper and tried to increase the pace. Spotted an elderly runner, probably in his 70s, who seemed to be running around my pace. Decided to try to keep up with him as a distraction.

At around the 32 km mark, I started having the familiar first twinge in the calf. A premonition of cramps on the way. I switched my stride and made an effort to stretch a little at each water stop. So far, everything felt ok. I knew there was a long uphill stretch up Sheares Bridge at the 37 km mark. That would probably be a make or break stretch. I wondered if that segment would be cramp central.

It was a very pleasant surprise to spot familiar faces during the run. Gentle was running near me during the 20+ km mark, and Charlotte overtook me at around 32km. Also saw Lady Ice dragging her famous tyre during the race. Each friend I bumped into gave me a much needed psychological boost.

Finally, the 37 km mark came into view. This was when the 'nightmare' started. We converged with the 10 km and half marathon runners. It was a massive human jam as far as the eye could see. I was on pace for a sub 4:30 finish, but the literal collision with the 3 hr half marathoners meant that I had to zig-zag constantly to try to keep running while the majority of the rest were walking. I could sense the deep frustration of my fellow marathoners who were desperately trying to find little gaps between walkers to keep up a decent pace. I wanted to give up during this portion. With the hot morning sun blazing down, hemmed in on all sides by walkers, and fighting off the impending cramps, the final 5 km looked impossible to complete.

I retreated into that little space in the mind that all runners discover. A hidey-hole where I could just keep myself calm, and chug along constantly. Thankfully, after about 2 km, the crowd started to run again as there was a downhill segment.

The final 3 km was all mental. Indeed, I had to have a mental problem to want to subject myself to this torture each year. Small shuffling steps, meandering between walkers, and burning that last ounce of glycogen in my muscles, I kept going until the familiar sight of the Esplanade Theatres came into view. There was no giving up now. Not even the heat could stop me.

Arms up in the air, I finally crossed the finishing line, unofficially with a time of around 4:23 :)