Great Eastern Pacesetters 30K

When Saturday night came, I knew i'd be doomed for the sunday morning 30km race. I have never felt less confident about a race before. Training was majorly insufficient and i don't even train much to begin with. I was battling fatigue and stress from work. Sleep was a rare luxury a few nights leading up to Sunday. And i was pretty darn sure i'd be crying in pain even before the 20km mark. Needless to say, despite the calm, cheery facade i put on my face, i was in fear of this race.

So i decided that i would just take it easy. like 7 minutes/km kind of easy. I started of extremely slow, even though i was TTM (tak tau malu) enough to start in front. I swallowed my pride and allowed what seemed like every single person to run in front of me. I kept a slow pace, tried to suck in the cooling morning breeze and willed myself to remain calm.

The first 10 kms, i clocked 1 hour 12 minutes i think. 'So much for beating my personal record' i thought. But then i realised i didn't exactly feel that tired. Strangely enough, i was getting more and more energized with every step. And i didn't even feel sleepy. I was so alert i would've noticed a mosquito flying around. And my legs weren't that of training deprived ones. They were strong. In fact, it seemed wrong to be holding back.

So i picked up speed. I thought i'd just pummel through till i felt like dying and then i'll just walk. So what. No big deal. Nobody says i had to run all the way. For once i shall not be governed by the unwritten rule in my family that reducing to a walk in a running race is a crime. If i felt like walking, then by golly, i shall walk. But till that urge comes, i shall run!

And i ran. i reached the 20 km water station in 2 hours 10 minutes. which meant i'm back to a 6 minute/km pace. That was when I was confident i could finish this race in 3:15 and under. 25 km into the race and i was still feeling good. No stitch, mild pain in my toes, but bearable. i can do this!

A few people started running with me. Telling me im a good pacer. Someone asked me if i was Kimbeley Yap's sister...*cocks eyebrow*.

Soon i hear the music, and then the sights of the finishing line. I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me.

Crossed the line. 3:09:56. 37th position.

I ran 3:26 last year. Thats almost 17 minutes shaved. And suddenly the world's not too bad a place to live in. :)

a little souvenir - 2 black toes