From the ashes

As stated in my last post, I will have finished my 26k race by now. Finishing is one thing, but more important is that I survived it, and glad to say, compared to last year, I survived quite well.

My race prep got off to a rocky start where I was in of a bit of a rush. My preferred type of racing socks were nowhere to be found, and I had to make do with a different type. I ended up having to run from my house to the starting venue, instead of a relaxed jog. Still, it was a good warmup. In fact, I would say this is the first time in many races that I am properly warmed up yet not strained. Due to my lack of doing any long run whatsoever, and with 2 half marathons coming up within the next month, my initial plan was to survive a good pace for at least 1 hour and if possible take it to the 21k mark. Endurance wise, I was not optimistic of really 'running' the whole 26k, but I wanted to not crash as bad as last year. Of course, all these are secondary to actually surviving the race with no ill effects.

The 'BANG!' of the starter's pistol sounded and off we were. I was just behind the starting line and got off to a good start. The favourites were already away, but I just kept focused on starting fast yet staying relaxed. Less than 1 km into the race and I was already running pretty much alone. There were just a handful of runners around me, while the leaders were fast disappearing over the horizon. The first stretch out of Youth Park and turning into Gottlied Road was pretty flat and straight, but it was quite important to stay relaxed as some torturous terrain is literally just around the corner. At this point some of the runners around me tried to make a move, but I bided my time. I did increase my pace a bit, since having someone to tag along is useful and less stressful on the mind. Still, I was careful not to press too hard. The race soon winded into the snaking roads of Mt. Erskine and this is where I feel the race truly starts. It might still be too early for the winners to be decided here, but how one runs this part will have a huge bearing on their race. Also if you are weak in heart, you may be slightly unsettled by running on a road straddled by a huge Chinese cemetary! Fortunately I was already 'in the zone', so to speak, by this point since I was trying to use the runners in front of me as a motivation to overcome the rolling terrain and pocky road. The going uphill was tough, but the downhill parts meant I was able to just open my stride and just fly down. I used this approach to crest the numerous inclines here. At the end of the Mt. Erskine stretch I was already able to leave my erstwhile running partners behind.

Next up is the famous winding roads leading to Vale of Temp. Now, driving in daylight here would be quite harrowing since this road is narrow and twisting. At 6am or so, cars won't be a factor, but the darkness is simply unnerving. The only illumination was just a stray streetlight every now and then. In fact, some parts were totally pitch black! I can't even imagine driving through at this time. Good thing though, I am only using my legs. Thankfully, I also managed to latch on to the next guy in front of me. While the distance was still substantial, it was comforting to know I am not totally alone.

Up till that point, the weather factor was not on the runners' side. In fact, it's almost the same as last year, warm, windless and a bit stifling. I just cannot fathom what it's like to start the race at a later time. The parts after the winding roads were mostly uneventful, and I was settled into the rhythm of chasing the runners ahead. I kept telling myself to keep my footstrikes aligned and lessen any wasteful movements.The hills and slopes here were actually higher than the previous parts and the road was straight, so it could actually be quite daunting looking up from the bottom of the ascents. Approaching the 10k, I was feeling as if I was running out of gas, but I managed to down a packet of Powergel I was carrying along with me. Still, when I got to the hour mark, I was starting to tire. I could still carry on, but it was starting to strain.

While I was glad to be able to last this long, I still wanted to see how far my body would go. My motivation would ebb and flow, but the positive side managed to hold on until the last K or so. But there was no resisting the devil when one of my teammates overtook me just before the last hill. I survived potential cramp, exhaustion, low prep, but in the end it was the sight of another runner leaving me in the dust that did me in. Despite exhorting myself to fight on for the last 5 minutes or so, my legs just automatically quit flailing and slowed down to a walk. Usually stopping and walking would be really, really bad, bad enough to wreck a race and, despite opinions to the contrary, make you feel worse physically. Fortunately, I did not suffer more and I was quite near to the finish anyway. I managed to hold myself together enough to run-walk until the end.

After I finished I was quite pleased to note that I didn't seem to be injured, though my legs were tight as hell! I couldn't even bend them, and taking off the timing chip turned into a comedy of me trying to squat down, struggle to untie my laces, fail, stand up and then repeat the whole process. For what seemed like a dozen times. Finally I just pulled off the shoe in hopes of loosening the laces. All this while balancing on one leg. So who says running does not need skill?

P.S. The tightening only got tighter the very next day, and even persisted for the next 2 days after. SO DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!

26ks of Hell

I have been slacking a lot, in terms of both blogging and running. Come tomorrow, I will have to face the consequences of doing so in running. While you can argue there's nothing special in that, since I have been slacking for quite some time, this is no ordinary race. This 26k monster over rolling and often poorly maintained roads is not to be trifled with. I learned that the hard way last year, when I headed in also in quite a poor state. I was then rewarded with the most painful run of my life, suffering from cramps (a first while running), painful feet, and most frighteningly a chilly feeling throughout my body. At that time, I seriously thought I was going to be in serious trouble.

Less than a year on, I hope things won't turn out that bad again. Fitness-wise, I think I am ok. Unfortunately, endurance is my main worry this time around. This might not make sense since I said I am fitter, but the fact is I have not done any sufficiently long runs, with the longest clocking in at around 30mins on the treadmill a few days ago. For a race expected to last about 2 hours, that is woefully inadequate.

Having said all that, all I am hoping for is just to come back in one piece. Hopefully, my knees, and shins and feet will hold up. If I come through ok, then I will be satisfied as this race is only a prep of sorts for the upcoming battles...