Respect the Distance!

Race: Singapore International Marathon
Category: Full Marathon
Date: 7th December 2008, Sunday, 5.30am
Venue: Esplanade Drive, The Esplanade Bridge
Distance: 42.195km
Official website: http://www.singaporemarathon.com
Why this Race:
Flat course, no time limit, best place for first full/half marathon

I am sorry that this race report is only released 3.5 months after the race.

I have mixed feelings. I am glad that eventually I finished the race, I can now officially declare myself a marathoner, and I did meet my initial target of 6 hours. However, I felt that I did not carry the correct attitude when preparing and running this marathon. I am holding the full responsibility of whatever unhappiness I encountered in this race.

Actually I had lost myself after the Denver trip in October 2008. Before the trip, I fell sick for 2 weeks, I did not do the usual long runs. Then immediately after I had recovered, I departed to Denver. I was not sure, it could be the weather in Denver, or it could be my problem, I found it so hard to get back to training. Fortunately the weather was so perfect on the Denver Marathon day, I ran my best race. Unfortunately I felt I had "accomplished" something after this race, I lost the heart to continue training.

I guessed I had already given up before the race, I didn't feel like I was going to run 42km even standing at the starting point. I usually started slowly but this time the first km took only 7 min which was slightly faster than my normal starting pace, first big mistake. There were so many full marathon participants, the course was always packed with runners, I could see many runners in front and behind of me at anytime. Although it was not a super hot day, but due to sea of runners and lack of wind, I felt a bit stuffy. I certainly missed the perfect weather in Denver and the breeze in Penang Bridge.

Feeling very dissappointed, I already started walking at 14km, a clear sign of lack of trainings and weak spirits. Usually I could finish 20km LSD in the hilly Hartamas course for less than 2:40 (including 6 to 8 minutes of resting time), but I only completed 21km for 2:50 this time even though the course was so flat.

I wanted to thank a new runner friend that I knew recently. She caught me at around 21st km when I was walking with a surrendered mind. She encouraged me to run together and try to complete 30km in 4 hours to secure sub-6. Even though it was still a walk + run combination, I was inspired due to her support, I decided to formulate some strategies to make sure I could complete the course, and hopefully it would be under 6 hours. So the fun began now!

Firstly, I focused on completing 30km in 4 hours. I failed but fortunately not too far away, it was about 4:07. I also attempted for the first time to apply the deep heat cream on the shoulders and back, I could not bear the pain anymore. The chilly and stinging effects from the cream helped me to temporarily overcome the soreness, I could focus on my feet again.

Another 12.2km in less than 2 hours would not be possible if it is done entirely by walking, because I know I could only do 6km per hour maximum, not to mention my legs were already so sore which means it surely would degrade the performance further. I made a strategy -- walk about 5 to 7 min and then run for 2 to 4 min, the purpose was to finish the next 6km at 5th hour so that I have another 60 min for the remaining 6.2km. My right ankle was already very sore, my left knee started to cramp at 31st km, but I continued the walk + run strategy with more caution.

Although the running speed was ultra-slow, my strategy somehow worked, I completed 36th km about 30 seconds past 5 hours. From now I completely settled to walking and timed myself how long I took to walk 1km. I felt defeated to learn I took a few seconds more than 10 min to complete 1km, I prepared mentally to accept sub 6:05 finish because I needed to spare time too for the last 195m.

When reaching 40th km with less than 20 min to 6 hours, I told myself: Doris, you suck the entire race, let's make the last 2km a good show! I started to run, my legs were so painful but I persisted, I should not give up anymore otherwise I would hate myself for the rest of my life... Finally I crossed the finishing line at 5:55:10, the chip time was 5:52:59.

* Everyone is saying how good the SIM is, but not me after having run the Denver's one.
- The race kit collection closed at least 1/2 hour before the official closing time. I saw hundreds of people lining up in the hall and a few that were in front were arguing with the Organizer. I felt lucky to make sure I collected before going somewhere else.
- The 100 Plus was diluted... and near no taste.
- In the drinking station that offered both water and 100 Plus, water was put in front first. I suggest it should be the other way, so that we can use water to wash away the sweetness... and there is no need to dilute 100 Plus!
- According to the official information, water is offered every 1.5km and 100 Plus is offered every 3km. This means every other drinking station, we should be served 100 Plus. I found this was not really consistent, and from 13km to 19km... there were no 100 Plus at all!
- Some stations that offered 100 Plus did not put up the proper sign, but only one person pouring the 100 Plus and yelling to inform the runners.
- We need to untie the shoe lace in order to remove the timing chip. Could you imagine the fatigue after running 42km? Do you think we can still easily bend the body after running 42km?

On the other hand in Denver:
- Every drinking station offered water and Gatorade. The Gatorade was so concentrated that it gave instant energy.
- Gatorade was always served first, then water. So we could use water to wash away the sweetness.
- The race kit included a cable tie to tie the timing chip to the shoe lace. Upon completing the race, there were volunteers sitting on the ground to help us to cut the cable tie with scissors. There was no effort needed from the overly exhausted runners!