SAFRA Sheares Bridge & Army Half Marathon

It is the time for our annual AHM(Army Half marathon), which is a important sporting event for the year.

This time round, the 21km route, bring us to Orchard area and the run is also known as "the singapore run".

I didnt specially prepare for this event. I just take it on the stride and see how it goes. I expect a much better timing than my previous 2:12hrs(2005), with Mt KK team training providing the base. I looking forward to a 6min pace for the event.

I was having flu for the last week or so, in fact early this week, i wasn't feeling well. I have to skip the 2 trainings session with Mt KK team. Tuesday with the condition i am in i decided to skipped the training to give myself more time to rest. Wednesday i went to the track and found out how unfit i am on the track. It has been a long time i did some speedwork. It was short as my flu is causing me difficulties to train properly. Thursday another long day in office, i have to skipped Mt KK training, as duties called. Friday, did a quick workout along ulu pandan canel. Have to struggle to do 2 sets of 5mins/km 2k run.

Saturday, pheck leng wants to go blading with susan, ended up i was at East Coast(7:30pm) Ford Road carpark sending them off while i wait for them to retun about 2hrs later. I was starve, we have dinner at 10pm at Bishan and i managed to sleep after 11pm and i was suppose to wake up at 3:30am !!! I need to plan more so that i don't get caught again.

I woke up at 3:52am this morning. I was startled but was clam enough to go through the morning routine. I leave home at 4:10am, pick up Francis and Penguin and park the car at 4:35am. Take own sweet time to get myself ready and walk towards the starting point around 5am+.

Meet Heeshen, timothy along the way to the start point. Meet alot of sgrunners at the fountain or starting point as well. It was nice to see so many familiar faces among the thousands of people.

We start off at 5:30am and i have to walk around 2mins before i crossed the starting line. It was a humid morning as i have started perspire very early in the run. I run conservative, but i do feel that something is amiss, as i don't feel comfortable. I keep wondering , is it because of insufficient sleep, dinner too late, no breakfast in the morning, flu? So many questions as i stroll along. Reach 2km at 13mins, that is 6:30 pace. Not that good, but will do lah. No need to push myself with so many km awaits.

One good thing is that the flu problem is holding up properly. I don't feel strong and relax though, i was abit worry that i have to struggle later part. Many negative thoughts went through the mind, as i move on, not knowing when the body is going to break down. In fact, as i climb up the sheares bridge, i was still running behind Francis, as i can still spot his figure in front. I took my first water break around 3 or 4km ba. I have to take a break as i wasn't feeling very good. Maybe i expect too much, like being strong and fresh at this point.

Almost every water points i stopped for a drink as i need the break to give my legs and lung a breather. At that moment, i feel that i am going to struggle to the end leow. I reached 10km mark at 1:03hr, pretty much on queue as i expect about 1:05hr on a 6:30 pace.

There seems to be a lot of runners on the road today. I guess it s a record turnout again for the event. After ECP, we are heading on the road. I feel good during Nicoll Highway portion, i run relax as i move forward overtaking quite a few folks, without pushing the pace. Maybe it is the other way, everybody are tired and slowing down. The start of Bencoolen street is also the start of traffic lights stopped for the runners. I do not know why, Singapre traffic police have lots to learnt from to their malaysia counterpart. I never have to stop for traffic lights for 42km in KL marathon. In Singapore, 21km or even 10km event, i have to stop various times on the run itself.

Anyway, i take the mandatory stops as walk breaks. I don't think i can continue running non-stop as well. Just wanna slack around i guess. I believe i ran faster during the 2nd half despite so many traffic lights. I was looking forward to each water points, traffic lights as i move or rather struggle along. This is not a good sign as your mind is weaken, not sure the body is tired or not though.

A km each time, water points come and go. The good thing about this run is that there is no shortage of water points. In fact they have more than it is according to International specification for this kind of event.

I took off when i reach the last 2km. Not really pushing myself too hard, i crossed the finishing line at 2:11:30hr, gun time is around 2:13hr++ Phew, i was glad that i have finished and with the timing clock, it is pretty good despite all the early worries.

I return the timing chip and get my medal. Meet a few sgrunners at the ending point, exchange greetings. Took a cup of cold Barley(Thanks to FD), took the cup and get a hugh portion of ice milo as well. Rest for a while before register myself for the Swissotel Vertical Marathon in November.

I didnt stay for long as getting to the water points is a struggle. I walk back to my car with my cold H2O and drinks awaits.

Penguin and Francis came back not long afterwards, give them a lift back home.

First 10km, 1:03hr, next 11km, 1:08hr. With the various traffic lights stops along the 2nd half of the route, i believe i did a negative split for the event. Pretty good i guess give the condition i am in.

Anyway, 1 more run, i more memory keep somewhere.