My first marathon is completed. Am alive but definitely not kicking. Can hardly move.
Unlike some lighter races, a marathon conducted at midnight attracts no casual novice. Its full of serious runners, and I fall under the newbie category clocking in a below average timing.
Preliminary Results :
On the whole, timing was much worse than my training records, but still glad to be able to finish without scumbering to injuries.
The route was divided into 4 segments (titled in red). Below is a log of the experience.
"String of lights"
Nicoll Drive (SAF Ferry Terminal, ALPS)
Starting Line - where's the darn toilet?
Arrived late and there were much confusion, eventually located 夫人who have finished the 10km event. Was still doing my warm up stretch 10mins after flag off
1st 5km - the start of it all
老爷 has already ran off, Wei Khyuan has decided to join after competing his 10km in an impressive 50mins. Meanwhile Kelvin has gone off separately to join his friends. Kicked off with the 8/1 min - run/walk exactly the way I trained. Believe I can pull this off. Adidas support staffs positioned at intervals to cheer runners on.
Changi Coast Road (Changi Airport)
Changi Coast Walk (Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal)
8 km - The stars kiss the sky
Crowds tapered off to a smooth pace, beautiful cloudless skies, pleasant weather. Ridiculous unfounded sense of pride when passing by Expeditors office. Felt a rush as planes took off while we ran along the airport runway. Continued to search in vain for Eric and WK
10km - Where the hell am I?
Never been to Changi coast walk before. Completely unfamiliar with this stretch.
East Coast Park Service Road (Safra Resort)
12 km - Reinforcements have arrived
Manged to establish communications and rendezvous. Had unknowingly overtook them and is about 2km ahead.
East Coast Lagoon (East Coast Park, Bedok Jetty, Big Splash)
21km - Midpoint milestone
Beginning to feel the first hint of emerging joint aches and muscle cramps, but still managing a fair pace. Clearing the halfway point was lifting, not to mention have already exceeded my furthest record. We are now in new territory.
"Heartland Twist"
Siglap Park Connetor (Victorial JC, Eunos, Kembangan MRT)
27km - No surrender!
Tired, but we bravely pushed on. Gradually increased the walk breaks.
"Waterfront Trail"
Bedok Reservoir (老爷's place)
29km - Pit stop.
夫人was there with food and cold drinks. Much needed break. WK needed a pillow and I wanted a beer.
Tampines Ave 9 (Tampines Fire Station)
30km Approx. 4am - Endless waltz
This was the most boring stretch. Undeniable, oppressive fatigue sets in. Feeling not unlike a vehicle whose engine is serviceable but components demand replacement.
Run/walk unsustainable, degraded to awkward hop/walk/crawl.
Very touched to see SGrunners volunteer support team handling out treats (contributed from their pockets). Number of fellow runners have noticeably thinned out. Either they're mostly way ahead or have already given up. Saw some of them hailing a cab. One crazy Adidas support staff screaming like an army instructor, and got blasted by runners.
WK still going strong, became sleepy and left us to blast off the final 12km. 老爷 bravely tried a painful slow jog, but gave up shortly since it made no difference from our walking speed. Kelvin informed us he has gave up and is on his way home.
"Homerun"
Pasir Ris Drive 3 (White Sands)
32km - The demon within emerges
Motivated seeing WK go, abandoned 老爷 at this point to try and catch up. Somehow found frightening new strength and a strange anger at nothing in particular. As if possessed, started alternating between very fast march, and a limping sprint on my good leg. Literally 'walked' passed many who were actually jogging.
37km - Blood and thunder
The last 5km! Started to rain heavily. Wet, body numbed, immune to pain and any ability to reason now, continued to drag on , disregarding the weak cowering in bus shelters. Simply desperate to finish it once and for all.
Loyang Ave
Netheravon Road (Changi Beach Club Complex)
Last 4km - Imaginary frog warns me this road leads to heaven Never knew 4km can be this long. This stretch seemed endless. Even the support staff have become too tired to shout encouragements. Pain has returned, could barely limp, madness gave way to regret - regret of coming. Started seeing mirages of Changi Village at every next bus stop, and every bend. Tempted to just hop into a bus and go home, but the walking 2-meter ice cold jug spoke to me and encouraged me.
Changi Village
Finish Line - This is Sparta!
Sight of the finish gantry was the cue. All senses overridden by the collective excitement! Like a berserker now, total disregard for injuries, (or whether it was another hallucination) I sprinted. Runners encouraged one another. 夫人 and WK at spectator point waving. Blasted through the finish line, and no doubt seriously aggravating the injuries.
The long way of drums - Its over, like a drug, the high wears off. Very painfully hobbled along finisher's line, collected finisher Tee, and medal. Very painfully and very slowly walked over to meet them.
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