Race: New Balance Real Run 09: 8th Nov

Wasn't too keen on this race initially, But thought better of it to serve my sponsors.
The place was a turnoff if i hadn't got any transport.
But lex was really nice and kind to offer me a lift.

We reached rather early and I begun my usual rountine to rub some energy cream.
Doesn't know if it works, just treat it as a pre race massage to loosen up.

Rest the night before wasn't great.
I had loaded up on the chillis. Friends that knew me understands my extreme taste buds for chillis.

Lunch on Sat was tom yam with added pepper, chilli , etc, etc....
Was actually thinking about Mee Rebus..... i love Parkway foodcourt's MB.
But thought the better of it .... due to calories....... would check out the actual fact later on.
Another list of "food to eat after marathon"..

Dinner was great. Caught up with my friends as we hit Blk 85 bedok.
Load too much of the frog porridge with sichuan chilli.

Tummy was burning and rumbling at 12am when I tried to sleep.
Was visibility tired n dozing off but the churnings were too much to take.

Continued through to the mornings....
Not a gd sign as the toilet queues were really too long at the race venue.
Had to be creative and do my warm up while being in line.....

Left with around 20mins when i got done with the toilets.
By then, another queue had formed: the race starting queue.
Abandoned my usualy warm up rountine and headed to do numerous strides.
Didnt really "get the feeling", not too sure if it was the anxiety, tiredness or tummyaches.

Decided against using the special pass to get infront. Shld hav done so.
I climbed into the fence and wait like the rest.

By the time of the race start, i was really rather far behind.
As I hadn't really warmed up properly, took the first few KMs to run through or...
What i call "let the race get into you".

Reminded myself that this would be part of the marathon build up trainings that i would do.
Even better that i had such gd company to do it with.

Watched the competition unfold from the back.
Ernst unexpectedly shot to the front. Lex was close. Tony shadowed Gek.

I was really in need of salt. Cant find any isotonic drinks during my warm up.
Rather paiseh to ask strangers to have a slip. So I have to stop at the first water pt for the drink.

The 1st 4km of trails was demoralising. I was tumbling thru those sand/mud terrains.
Didn't really like it.....

By the time we hit the roads, I was more or less properly warmed up.
Proceed to hit a good momentum as we hit the ECP connector.
Relatively straight in and out route on the roads.
Nice place to hit a gd timing.

Caught mok, jas against the kenyan.... amazing pace they were going at.

At the U-turn, abt 8km point, i started to catch up with the race.
Caught a few runners and begin to target lex.
Could see that he started too fast and begin to feel the effects.

Hit the beach portion with him and ran just a step behind.
Was rather worried at the beach portion.... but it went well.

The last 2km back was painful, a very very long straight route ahead.
Seems never-ending.

Finished strong with a timing of 57:40mins.

Thought it will be good for a top 10 finish.
But alas! just out of it at 11th. damn............
using this same timing, it would have been 5th.

Happy with the timing and effort, but placing...... haiiii
Did a slow 10k run after that to make it a long run day.
4km in and out of the trails. Lucky to have the water points still in tact.

Afternoon was a 30lap swim. Water wasn't as cool as i hope to be.
Felt gd in the swim.

Couldn't slp at night. have to recover properly.