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second december two thousand seven. the day had come. after six months of training, pounding on the streets of the island for hundreds of kilometres before the break of dawn and after the setting of the sun, this was it. starting with a short 8.4km "Mainly I Love Kids" run, to completing the rigorous 21km Army Half Marathon and then the 15km Real Run under the scorching sun, the 42.195km Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2007 was 'the' race.
taking it easy throughout the race was my game plan. after the eighth kilometre, it became too bored for me as my friends were chasing down the kenyans, leaving me alone behind. out came my music player with high tempo music to activate my adrenaline and give me the push that i wanted. effective it is and off i was running with a faster pace. the encouragement from strangers along the race route also gave me the extra strength. thoughts of reaching the finish point with people cheering me of this feat made me emotional but it spurred me to run faster. an achievement for already running continuously for about twenty-six kilometres, energy was zapping away from me. there was no turning back, the only sight was city hall - the finish point. ankle was giving way too. i struggled, running and walking and thinking of my own words "the road is long but the heart is strong. i must not give up" to finish it.
i thought i was in front of a 5h 30min pacer when he past me. my mind was shattered as my goal was to complete before that. i tried to catch up with him but my legs just could not move as fast. i walked. then another 5h 30min pacer from behind asked me to run with him. i asked him why he was behind when i saw his pacer mate in front. he replied that the runners between them will complete around that time. upon hearing that, my strength returned and off i was running continuosly. running past the first pacer and other runners one after another injected more mental strength in me. soon, i reached the esplanade and after which the crowd was there to cheer me on. once i past the bend at the singapore cricket club, i sprinted to the end with a time of 5h 15min 56sec.
all the trainings have paid off. at times, i will ask myself why am i exerting myself. back then, my answer is i do not know. after this 5h 15min 56sec, i know. however, i am unable to explain in words. i jus know it inside me. i believe only a finisher of 42.195km will know how it feels. shiok.
taking it easy throughout the race was my game plan. after the eighth kilometre, it became too bored for me as my friends were chasing down the kenyans, leaving me alone behind. out came my music player with high tempo music to activate my adrenaline and give me the push that i wanted. effective it is and off i was running with a faster pace. the encouragement from strangers along the race route also gave me the extra strength. thoughts of reaching the finish point with people cheering me of this feat made me emotional but it spurred me to run faster. an achievement for already running continuously for about twenty-six kilometres, energy was zapping away from me. there was no turning back, the only sight was city hall - the finish point. ankle was giving way too. i struggled, running and walking and thinking of my own words "the road is long but the heart is strong. i must not give up" to finish it.
i thought i was in front of a 5h 30min pacer when he past me. my mind was shattered as my goal was to complete before that. i tried to catch up with him but my legs just could not move as fast. i walked. then another 5h 30min pacer from behind asked me to run with him. i asked him why he was behind when i saw his pacer mate in front. he replied that the runners between them will complete around that time. upon hearing that, my strength returned and off i was running continuosly. running past the first pacer and other runners one after another injected more mental strength in me. soon, i reached the esplanade and after which the crowd was there to cheer me on. once i past the bend at the singapore cricket club, i sprinted to the end with a time of 5h 15min 56sec.
all the trainings have paid off. at times, i will ask myself why am i exerting myself. back then, my answer is i do not know. after this 5h 15min 56sec, i know. however, i am unable to explain in words. i jus know it inside me. i believe only a finisher of 42.195km will know how it feels. shiok.
