Crazy Race Pack Collection Week (Episode 1/2) : 2XU Compression Run 2014, Singapore

March is going to be a crazy month for me as I have signed up for 3 running races + OCBC Cycle Singapore. In other words, I have a race almost every weekend! 

Sunday, 2 March 2014 

2XU Compression Run 2014, Singapore

21 km (Simon is in!)

Saturday, 8 March 2014 

X-Bionic Venus Run 2014, Singapore

5 km (all-women race, Simon is not eligible)

Sunday, 16 March 2014

Passion North East Run 2014, Singapore

14 km (Simon is not participating. He does not want to risk injury just before his IPPT.)

Sunday, 30 March 2014

OCBC Cycle Singapore

27 km, The Foldies Community Ride (Simon is in!)

I did not realise that the race pack collection for the 3 running races fall on the same weekend! Better still, all 3 at different parts of Singapore! #@%*&! As Simon and I need sufficient rest for Sunday's early gun time (4.30 a.m.), we must target to finish all collections by early afternoon on Saturday. Hence, we decided to collect our first race pack this evening.

I read both positive and negative reviews about 2XU Compression Run 2013 and remained objective by making the decision to sign up for the half-marathon. Secretly, I was wishing for a smooth race pack collection and actual race day experience.   

The first disappointment came. That race packs to be collected only 1 to 3 days before race instead of the normal 1 to 2 weeks in advance. That's too close! We thought.

The second disappointment came on Tuesday, 26 February. All participants received a SMS message informing that the venue for race pack collection had been shifted from the original Funan DigitaLife Mall (centrally located in town) to Changi City Point (extreme eastern part of Singapore). No reasons cited for this last minute change. It triggered many negative comments on the event's Facebook page. By then, I was seriously hoping for the best....

Simon and I met after work and proceeded straight to Changi City Point. Gaining entry into the car park was already a problem as the car park was already full when we arrived. It took us quite a while to enter and hunt for a lot. It seemed that many were there for the same purpose. 

It's an outdoor area and the queue was long. Just when we were expecting another long wait, we were pleasantly surprised that the queue was actually fast moving! We attribute the efficiency to sufficient counters and volunteers' support. The atmosphere was blithesome despite a hot weather with no air-conditioning. At least, the organisers placed enough standing fans to battle the heat! It took us about 30 minutes to queue and collect our race pack along other merchandises that we ordered during registration. That's acceptable.   

Sufficient counters. Sufficient volunteers. Fast moving queue. Thumbs up!

My turn.

Simon awaiting his race pack.

Merchandise stacked aside for collections.

Collected my compression shorts, visor and socks. We thought the bundle deal was reasonable in comparison to normal retail prices.

Happy that Pocari Sweat is the official isotonic drink sponsor. They were running a 'Like' their Facebook page promotion on site. We had a box of free Pocari Sweat sachets each for liking their page.

Bibs for Simon and me. We are both tackling 21 km in this event. Simon should do well while I just hope to complete, not compete!

Simon's.

Mine.

Now that we have only 2 more race pack collections on Saturday, we are more relaxed and looking forward to another enjoyable running experience. After all, this is going to be the maiden half-marathon of my life! 

By the way, don't you think we gonna look like Bumble Bees on race day? Thousands of us! What a combo! lol

Determined Feet

"No Magic Potions. No Fairy Dust. No one to push you... No one to do it for you. Just one determined foot in front of the other..."

This quote aptly describes my run this morning.  

Simon and I intended to cover 20 km today.  We are one mere week from the 2XU Compression Run 2014. This will be the first 21 km run in my life!  In my previous trainings, I had only covered up to 19.5 km max. Honestly, I dread it! I fear that I may not complete the full 21 km.... I fear that I am unable to make it before the 4-hour cut-off time (I am a super slow walker/runner)!

Do I give up? I had given up on 2 x 10 km races in 2010, citing lame excuses such as inadequate preparations. I would not say that I am a changed person after my cancer treatments, but the 1.5 year of surgery, chemo and radio treatments were enough to enlighten me - that I owe it to myself if I do not even try. 

Yes!  No one can do it for me... only myself!

As Simon runs at a much faster pace, we do not train together. We started together at 5.45 a.m though. He was out of sight almost immediately. It was pitch dark at East Coast Park. As usual, I was slogging at my snail pace for the first km. The first km has always been for my warming up. I completed it at a slow 9.5 minute.  

For the next 4 km, I managed a run-walk approach with an average pace of 8 min/km. This allowed me to finish my first 5 km before the 42-minute mark. This had to be one of my better 5-km results as my health and fitness had deteriorated drastically since my illness.  Lo and behold! Little would I expect myself to pull my thigh muscle as I crossed Bedok Jetty during the 5-km mark...   

Blame it on the lack of warming up, I said. The pain was excruciating at this juncture. I had to decide whether to grit my teeth and move on or to limp my way back to the starting point. I was determined enough to finish the 20 km.  My sensible self told me otherwise.... what if I aggravate the strain further and resulting in inability to run next week? Instantaneously, I knew my determination had to be exercised wisely - the priority had to be on next week's 2XU Run.

I headed back on the opposite direction. This time, I avoided any movement that would worsen my condition. Therefore, I literally strolled my way back.

Since it was impossible for me to achieve my objective for today, I captured some moments of dawn at East Coast Park along the way.... the serenity, the quietness.... and everything fresh in the early morning...

Solitary...at dawn...

Early birds...on the run 

Beautiful sunrise... rising from the sea

Quiet Bedok Jetty at dawn

Early rays, the beach and the sea

My shadow... limping

With great determination, I arrived back at the starting point to await Simon's return. I did 1 hr 35 mins for full 10 km. It was definitely not a stellar performance. However, I am glad that I had the determination to say 'NO' this time.  

I am now hoping that my feet can be determined enough to bring me through the full 21 km next Sunday.