The Runner’s Lie

With already a few reviews on Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore, I was asking myself whether I should join the fray as well. But since my only 2 posts are related to the Standard Chartered Marathon Series – why not? So let me start off with something most of might be familiar with – The Runner’s Lie. “I won’t be doing this again.” Prior to Sunday I said something along this line when asked what race I be considering for next year. 5 days on I am thinking if I will hold true to this next year. Afterall Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore was when I took on my first half marathon as well as full Marathon a few years back. Somehow it would really feel weird to just stop. Back to this later.

Race Pack Collection

Went in on Friday morning with relatively no queues and was directed to a counted in about 2 minutes. Impressive start but what was to follow was almost a joke. Informed the volunteer that I was here to collect my race pack as well as my daughter’s kid dash(which was registered in my name). She took my IC and then asked if I had a authorization letter to collect for my daughter. I pointed out that: I) my daughter was not even 3 II)registration was done with me as the parent The volunteer then look at me as if I didn’t make sense and replied – “yes but still you need a authorization letter.” I was about to ask them to print one out so that I as my daughter’s father could authorize myself to collect on my daughter’s behalf when another volunteer spotted that I was holding on to a photocopy of my daughter’s birth certificate and relented. Not that I would kick up a fuss but seriously some common sense would really help. Perhaps not realizing that kid’s dash participants are KIDS they then proceeded to give me a adult pack which I requested to change to a kid’s pack. Tempted to take a look at the gear and race sign-ups, I resisted the temptation and did a fast march out of the race expo do keep my credit card firmly in my pocket.

Race Day

Got up at 430 for a quick bite before heading out for a train ride to HarborFront. This initiative is a good one, as some of cabins were relatively packed and is definitely something that benefits the runners. Even though I proceeded over to the start point at about 0615hrs, I unfortunately was still in the 2nd pen which meant a 15min wait after flag off. Honestly, in all my runs I have never been placed in a 2nd pen(as I tend to be early) but somehow for SCMS I end up in the 2nd pen(last year I barely made it into the 1st). While it is just 15mins, it can really be quite frustrating as you not only stand around and do nothing but “preparation” – consumption of gel 15mins before start, basically gets screwed up. Hence I would say I kinda started on the wrong foot for the race.

Eventually got flagged off and once into Sentosa it was pretty much like the return leg of puma run going from Artillery Avenue to Allanbroke Road to Palawan Beach then onto Siloso Beach. Past the bus stop at the start of Imbiah Road it was uphill and downhill along Imbiah Road then past the Stilt Walkers at Festive Hotel before proceeding along Artillery Avenue to everyone’s favorite Universal studio. It never ceases to amaze me that people will actually stop to queue to take photos with the characters. But I must say it really does lift the spirits after 7km into the run.

Out of USS, it was along Artillery Avenue again before going into the underground car park. Here I lost my GPS signal(anybody else has this problem) which surprised me as when I did Hong Kong Marathon this year I didn’t lose my signal thru the Harbor Tunnel. Putting aside this distraction, I push on out of the car park and onto the ‘surface’ whereby signal was resumed and also the way out of Sentosa.

The 10km mark was around the Prima Towers and then it was up the ramp to the West Coast Highway. As I went pass the sign which read 15km(for the other returning runners), I realised that I had not paid attention to the route in the information booklet and in the course of it not realise that there was 4km on the highway! By now I started to feel the effects of the heat and probably the after effects of stomach flu( which I had just finished my medication on Saturday). Hence my run walk strategy started earlier than I wanted for the next 7km till the down ramp to maxwell road. This move to segregate the runners is definitely a good one and it allows the half marathon runners to run along Robinson Road towards Lau Pa Sat as well as Raffles Place MRT and somehow just adds a special touch to run thru the CBD. Not too sure if it was this special feel or for other reasons, I was so happy to see the 20km mark near the AIA Tower!

As I near the Fullerton bridge, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of my wife and daughter doing the kid’s dash but they had yet to start as well. So I toiled for another few hundred meters to cross the finish line at just pass 3hrs(3:01).

Afterthoughts

Initially, I was kind of sad as well that I didn’t get to do my daughter’s first kid’s dash but my wife reassured me that it was more of a mummy-carry-and-run category and if I wanted to do a kid’s dash with my daughter next year, I either run faster or stick with the 10km category.

Despite the timing, I am glad to have at least finished the run especially after the bout of stomach flu and the pain I felt in my left foot after last month’s run in Bangkok. Am still not sure if it is due to an old injury(multiple toe fractures) or was it simply the shoe cushioning wearing off – but for now I will go with the latter and retire this pair which has seen 4 Standard Chartered half marathon with me this year.

As always, my view is the run is always that the run is a challenge against yourself and that completion is an achievement in itself. Medals and finisher tees are nice but they must be earned. Without dwelling too much into the subject, I can only say “Respect The Distance” and go for something you are prepared to train for. Hence even though “it is only half,” well this is something I have to say:

Not for PB – cos too slow.

Not for finisher tee – cos HM don’t have.

Just to be able to say “I did it while you were sleeping”

(And maybe just because I have OCD)

As I mentioned earlier, there is somehow a special affinity with this run and it seems somehow hard to stop. So back to the runner’s lie – yes I will be back next year. 21km or 10km I am not too sure. But for now – a month’s break before starting on next year’s run with The ‘Sold-Out’ Race 🙂

Captain Canada back again. I have not written in over two weeks which breaks a promise to myself that I will post my antics once per week. Well I think it was worth collecting my thoughts and waiting to do my first race review on JustRunLah.

PAIN

When you think about the word pain what are some things that come to mind? Is it that strange ache coming from that part of your body you didn’t even know exists? Is it the head ache I get from my lovely fiance lecturing me about how much I run? or is it the pain of knowing that you are about to endure 42km of torture?

Well if your answer is all of the above then you are about half way correct with my experience of the Standard Charter Marathon 2014.

I will take a moment at this time to walk you through Captain Canada’s Play by Play of SCM 2014 and the lessons I have taken away from this years event.

3AM the sound of my annoying Car horn alarm rings and little did my phone know I was already awake waiting for it. As I turn off the phone and go through my morning ritual of singing the Canadian national anthem I get my head prepared for what was coming my way.. I walked over to Redhill station to take an early MRT ride as I had spent all my money and could no longer afford to take a taxi (See Previous Post lol).

Wearing my Captain Canada bib I got a friendly hello from a couple of youngsters who told me they have read my blog. I guess I now know what 15 minutes of fame feels like, and I will tell you there is no better feeling than that before heading out on a long miserable run.

Fast forward 20 minutes and my journey of PAIN begins. Arriving at the baggage check in I was conflicted with a very tough decision as we were getting close to flag off time and the baggage line was longggggg. I had made a grave mistake and had eaten a burrito for lunch the day before so the PAIN of either waiting in line for baggage and risk… You know what happening.. or going to the equally long toilet line and risk being late for flag off toyed with my emotions. Luckily I was with a couple of my dear friends who decided not not make me suffer and off to the toilet queue I went.

A little tip for all of you.. If you do need to do a pre race number 2 always line up behind a female to increase your odds of a cleaner toilet seat.. just saying…

Anyways fast forward to the 8km mark and PAIN # 2 strikes.. Again El Chapo Guzman came back to play games with my stomach and I found myself running to the washroom underneath the pit for a “Speedy Gonzales”. Now you may think this is the PAIN I am talking about, but this is not the case. The PAIN I am talking about was the fact that there was an equivalent of 8 squares of tissue to assist in my sanitary needs. Again toying with my emotions I am glad for an innate learned ability of problem solving. I hope none of you have ever found yourself in a similar situation.. Ever..

Now things were moving along quite smoothly and I actually thought that may be the end of my PAIN and suffering, and I may have nothing to contribute to Just Run Lah again this week. Well was I mistaken. Let’s jump ahead to 22km and the next level of PAIN.. I love the fact this event had a crowd and volunteers cheering. This is the first event I have run in Singaporewith a great vibe to it…. I think however this was a ploy to bait me into a Booby trap and the SCM organizers playing the antagonist in my day. As I was enjoying high fiving all the “High Five” signs I proceeded to high five a broken sign with staples sticking out. Tetanus is Captain Canada’s kryptonite apparently (see pic below).

So here I am with a hand bleeding and talk about throwing salt on the wound (Literally as I was sweating like the Cho Angmoh I am) the next PAIN reared it’s ugly head…. HEATTTTTT……. I wrote about this in my first post and I will tell you I would like to reiterate the fact that Canadian Sweat is that of maple syrup and it felt as if my shoes were sticking to the ground with every step I took…. Or…… maybe that is because they were melting in the oven I was running in haha. This pain unfortunately lasted with me the rest of the race.

From 35km all the way to the finish line I was introduced to a PAIN I have never felt before being a fake superhero and all…. “Embarrassment”  LOL. I have never thought in my life I would meet such a worthy competitor in an 80 year old Angmoh bent on seeing me lose to him lol. My poor legs are hating me for it today, but the look on this fine gentleman’s face as we continuously passed each other was priceless. See emoti pic below and tell me that you would want to lose to this?? hahah

So As I cross the finish line in a personal worst (At least I had one personal victory… I beat my nemesis) All the PAIN came to an end……… Just Kidding…… It only just began.. After getting into the Padang in search of shade my aching legs decided to give out landing me into the fence and knocking it over haha. Luckily only 10,000 people saw this… not embarrassing at all.

One victory I did have was somehow I managed to get a free massage and food from one of the corporate sponsors… In the words of Charlie Sheen…. “Winning” (Pic below is the unnamed booth which we hijacked for free food and massage haha)

Now the great baggage search began. I met a guy who knew a guy who spoke to a guy that said the baggage was at the Floating Platform… Floating Platform?? Floating Platform??? This was the point in time that my final PAIN set in.. What is it you ask… Well I fell asleep during the movie the maze runner, but I am guessing it is something that those guys who went in to the maze looking for the exit experienced 😛

After about 30 minutes of playing Where’s Waldo we finally found our bags and enjoyed a cold beer and hurricane Standard Charter walking back from Boat Quay.

My final words are this.. PAIN is Temporary, but the memories last forever… and “Live Love Run Beer”

All in all SCM 2014 is a 8 out of 10

The Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS) was held on 7 December 2014, the usual first Sunday of December. This IAAF Gold Label Road Race drew many participants this year as usual, with thousands of runners from all walks of life run past some of Singapore’s iconic landmarks such as the Esplanade and Sentosa.

This is my third marathon since I started my running journey, with SCMS2013 being my first, as well as my second marathon for this year after Sundown Marathon 2014 in May.

Race Expo

As usual, Race Pack Collection Expo was held 3 days before the actual race at Singapore Expo. This is probably done to facilitate overseas runners with their collection. Went there on Thursday around 5pm, pretty glad that there was no queue. Collection was rather smooth. However, one point to note is that the clear bag for baggage was separated from the race pack. This is relatively weird as for last year, the clear bag was included inside. But for this year, most runners have the issue of having to exit from the hall and enter again just to collect the clear bag, which caused much confusion. SCMS’s FB page was also flooded with runners complaining about this issue. On top of this, some runners also experience the wrong running singlet being issued to them- getting the female one when they registered for male, and vice versa. The organisers need to look into this issue of briefing the volunteers and ensuring the correct items were issued to them

Race Day

Public transport started early as usual, which is a good move. Took the first LRT from my house out, and transferred to MRT to reach the starting point at Orchard. Met my running buddy and we proceed with baggage deposit. I would say that the whole process is smooth. Volunteers were clear of the deposit procedure, so the queue moved rather quickly.

After which we went to the starting point. The crowd at the starting point was overwhelming! Many of the runners, like us, were excited and eager to start the race. Flag-off was divided into 3 waves, unlike 2 last year. This helped to stagger the runners and prevent the issue of overcrowding during the race. I was in the third wave, and flagged off around 5.15am.

The starting part feels good, with the cool breeze and the Christmas lights along Orchard Road. SCMS is the only race that starts from Orchard Road, which makes it a plus point. Managed to see Uncle Chan along the way! Many runners were eager to take photos with him. (Read more about Uncle Chan here) The first part of the run was generally good and managed to keep up to my desired pace.

Turned into ECP at about the 15km mark, and it was close to 7am. The sunrise scenery was spectacular, and it did stop many runners to take photos! Pacing was still decent for us during the first part of ECP. Saw Mok Ying Ren, Singapore’s fastest marathoner already on the other side of ECP! My body began to give way after crossing the 22km mark, feeling the  ache and strain on my thigh area. Muscle rubs were readily available from most volunteers, which makes things a lot better.

Expected to see the banana station at the 29km mark, but when we reached there, no bananas were in sight! Not even any banana skins on the ground! A check on SCMS’s twitter after the race and it says that they ‘experienced a glitch at the banana station’. This left many runners disappointed and many were ranting their frustrations on various social media platforms. Indeed, bananas forms a important part of the run for long distance runners- replace energy lost and help runners conquer ‘the wall’. Spectrum Worldwide needs to do some proper explanation on this issue.

What makes matters worse was the stretch from 30km to 34km that runners called as the ‘Death Valley’- absence of shelter and water point for a stretch of 4km. The scorching sun left many runners feeling the burn and exhausted. Despite that, my buddy and I decided to push on as we know we are less than 10km from the finishing line.

The most challenging part came at Benjamin Spears Bridge- another killer. The uphill was tremendous for the marathon runners as most of us are physically and mentally tired upon reaching this section of the run. Conquered it and reached push ourselves towards the finishing line! Collected our finishers’ tee and medal and proceed to chill at one corner before collecting our baggage.

Post Race

Baggage was at the Viewing Gallery, which is quite a distance from Padang. Despite feedback from the mass about the baggage collection venue for last year, there is no change of the venue for this year. Many runners had to brave the pain and walk over to collect their baggage.

The change in the timing vendor was a good move too, as provisional results are available shortly after runners crossed the finishing line from the SCMS app, a great improvement from last year as close to 4000 runners were affected due to some technical issues.

On the whole, it was still a good race. A great way to end 2014. 🙂

Race day is here!

If you woke up early enough last Sunday, you would have witnessed dozens of people in blue race singlets gathering at your bustops, the MRT stations and in town. They might have looked a little anxious, excited or tired. Yet, all of them seemed well- prepared for something big. What were they preparing for? Well, it is none other than the annual Standard Chartered Marathon! Standard Chartered Marathon is one of the biggest and most competitive marathons held in Singapore annually. If you are a great fan of marathons in Singapore, you would have known that this is one of the marathons that you cannot miss out. This year, they have attracted about 14 000 participants for its full marathon category, 12 600 participants for its half marathon category and 20 900 participants for its 10km category. Sounds phenomenal, doesn’t it? In fact, I was lucky enough to be one of the 20 900 participants to complete my 10km and also, my last race for 2014, last Sunday.

At 6.30am, many of the 10km race participants were already making their way to the starting point.  With the cool breeze and the picturesque scenery provided near One Fullerton, no one was really complaining about the walk from the MRT station to the starting point of the race despite it being a long one. In fact, many of them were either busy taking selfies with their running buddies or, busy capturing the beautiful morning scenery of Marina Bay Sands. Not to forget, many of the serious race participants took the long walk as a warm –up instead.

Flag-off

The race horn sounded at 7. 15am sharp together with the familiar beeping of stopwatches, the enthusiastic cheers from the hosts and the pumped-up music by the DJ. With such an intense yet fun-filled atmosphere, it was hard not to dash across the starting point. You would have thought that with such an overwhelming number of 10km race participants, it would be hard to dash across the starting point with ease. Yet, Standard Chartered Marathon 2014 proved you wrong. With the changes made to its race routes this year and its wise choice of wider race routes, not only can you dash across the starting point of the race with ease, you can pretty much sprint your way throughout the race without experiencing much congestion too.

For beginners, Standard Chartered Marathon is probably a good one to act as your 1^st step into running long distance or into joining more races in the future. Not only is the race route a fairly easy one with little slopes or inclinations, there were also plenty of supporters along the race route to cheer you on and make your 10km race a less torturous one. Some of them were holding on to placards that said “You can do it” and “Go for it” whilst others were musicians who played bells, tambourine and drums. Not to forget, under every signage that showed the mileage you have clocked in, there were quotes that were contributed by race participants themselves! Besides, the idea of indicating the last 1km with 500m, 400m and 300m is really useful for race participants who were planning to sprint for the last stretch of the race.

Any race would not be as fantastic without an awesome post- race carnival. The same goes for Standard Chartered Marathon. Besides the free 100 Plus photo booth, there were also plenty of places for you to take a post- race photo without having to queue for it. Not to forget, event helpers were around to provide you with the motivational placards for you to take a post- race photo with! Furthermore, if you were experiencing any aches or cramps, Tiger Balm had its helpers around to apply its soothing cream onto your aching areas. If you were not rushing off from the carnival, you would have gotten the chance to take a picture with the famous Haile Gebreselassie! Yes, he was at the Patrons’ Club booth from 9.15am onwards!

No matter how awesome a race is, there is always a room for improvement. For Standard Chartered marathon, despite the endless number of portable restrooms, they were placed too far away from the starting point of the race. Yet, the race participants were lucky that along the way, there were still other restrooms around. Besides, despite my understanding that having motivators in the middle of the race route can act as an additional encouragement and element of fun for the race participants, it can also act as a hindrance for serious runners who have their timings to watch out for.

To conclude, despite its flaws, I would say that Standard Chartered Marathon did well to manage its overwhelming amount of crowd this year in terms of its choice of race routes and also, its post- run carnival. It has made my conclusion of my list of races this year a satisfying one. I would definitely join it again next year!

SCSM2014: 10km Race

As I sit with my throbbing feet up, I am reminiscing about this morning’s SCMS event.  Having had the worst run so far, I am not the least bit surprised. Returning recently from a 40th birthday party bash in Boracay, Philippines, my training suffered significantly (meaning I didn’t do any).  As the race day loomed my strategy suddenly became simple.  Survive.  Walk if I must and walked I did for a lot of it.

The morning started off well enough.  Along with fellow neighbours, we arrived early enough to enjoy the atmosphere and the breaking dawn.  By 7.00am we were established on the Esplanade Bridge waiting for the countdown.  One thing I have a lot of fun with at any racing event is taking pics of the endless sea of participants.  Last month it was all red at GEWR, today a sea of blue with the lovely CBD in the background.

As the gun goes off the crowd slowly spills over the Start line but it’s a bottle neck and difficult to break through until the space opens at the F1 Pitstop.  From there it’s smooth sailing with plenty of drinking stations along the way and reasonably good weather.  Slight clouding has kept the sun at bay, making the distance easier to bare.

I intentionally took off at a slower pace hoping it would carry me through most of the run.  Unfortunatley, my lack of training for this event made it impossible to get past my aching legs, particularly my ankles so I found myself barely making it to 3km and having to walk.  “Oh man, this was going to be a long race,” played in my head.  However, given that I was prepared for this kind of eventuality, I took it in stride and just kept going forward.

Sadly, I also forgot my headphones at home which meant it was a very silent run.  No Daddy Yankee, no Pitbull, no Coolio, no Wisin, no Urban Latin music was going to blare in my ears to keep me going.  It was just me and the voices in my head and yes, the voices won often.  However, on an upside, it made me more aware of my surroundings and mostly peaceful except for the occasional Darth Vader breather passing me by and pulling me out of my trance.

As I reached the 7km mark, I check in with hubby to let him know I’m likely to make it back in time for the Kids Dash.  He has two kids in different categories and needed me to make it back in time.  I pulled off the road to enjoy the view as I rested temporarily.  Given that there were 16,000+ participants in this category it was not surprising to still see them coming on the opposite side of the road.

With only 3km to go I was inspired to pick up the pace again and whilst I barely kept the pace below 8min/km, I pushed on for 2km, walked 500m and then took the last 500m home.  I loved the big signs counting down each 100m, the familiarity of City Hall and I was relieved to cross that finish line.  Not my best run but there’s always another year, another race, another time to try again.  Tip to myself though – don’t party too hard before a major race.  Noted.

Half Marathon

Whilst I’m making my way through the 10km, my fellow Team Costa members are tackling their half marathon from Sentosa Island.  Certainly not lacking in fun, a quick pic with Grover from Sesame Street added to the day’s spunk, especially since the AYE segment was lengthy and uninspiring.

Suffering an injury at the 10km mark Chelle found herself having to push through the next 11km.  Usually that’s when you find out what you’re made of.  Do you yield and withdraw from the race or harness all that you have and carry on through the pain.  For Chelle quitting is not an option and Tiger Balm was sought at every opportunity for injury management.  Chelle’s highlights were running through Sentosa even though hilly and Universal Studios where she met Grover and other Madagascar characters.

David on the other hand had a very good race today by shaving off 20min from his last attempt.  In his own words:

“The motivation I get from seeing everybody on the team go for bigger and bolder goals is awesome. Go Team Costa!”

For Stan this race was a culmination of months of effort, of 5am runs up and down East Coast Park that may have been slightly marred by the fact that he was at the same 40th birthday bash and wasn’t able to sustain the training as a lead up to today’s event.  However, here’s his take on his experience today:

“I was aiming for a 5:45/km race and thought I could keep it up through the Sentosa hills.  That was a big mistake, better strategy would be to take it easier through those hills and speed up on the flats later.  By the time I got out of Sentosa I was spent.  But overall I loved the race, with it’s great organizers able to pull it off with this many people participating.  Next year I’ll be prepared!”

Kids Dash

My daughter, Trinity’s running debut was the 2013 SCMS when she was just 5 years old.  We had so much fun that it set us on a new path in 2014, searching for kids races.  Since then she has completed the 2.5km Jurong Lake Run, SAFFRA Father & Child, NorthPassion Run, culminating to the 2014 SCMS.  Together with her friend Justin (Chelle’s 7 yo son), they tackled the 930m course (yes it’s longer than advertised but it was well worth it) at their best speeds.  Justin gave my hubby a run for his money by keeping a pace of 6.11/km, whilst I hobbled behind my daughter at 6.54/km (in my mind begging to stop; I didn’t want to take another step).

As junior Team Costans, they are the new generation of athletes.  Best described by SCMS this “race is designed to encourage kids to participate in a running event and take up the sport while they are young. Kids are encouraged to come out, have fun, and experience the festivities and be part of this momentous occasion”.  Setting an example as parents by participating in adult events, the kids are inspired to participate in their own age related events.  Keep the races coming Singapore.

Marathon

Very simply said about the marathon as articulated by the only marathon runner in our group: “it’s a race, you have to suck it up”.  Enough said.

And on that note, me and my throbbing feet will hang up the keyboard for another day and farewell SCMS for another year.  For me the SCMS is the final event for 2014.  My runners need time out from racing, so I may indulge in the upcoming festivities.  The new year promises lots of fun races that include running events, an obstacle course race, the Tri Factor series, the Green Corridor run, my first running event in Australia and that’s just the first 8 months.