Muscles in protest

The thing about running a trail was that you would be sure to complete it. Because there was no taxi bail-out option along the way! So in my over-zealous mode, I emailed the MF forum with an open invitation to join me on my Good Friday morning MR run. Planned a 20km route from MR to Zhenghua and back, reminiscent of TNF. After last night's knee protest, I was not sure if I could run properly this morning. Perhaps a decent 1-loop trot but not more.

As it turned out, 4 runners joined me - Graham, Yong, Arthur and Luke. Oh bummer, no way to back out now. So we ran. Yong & Graham were the fast ones, Boston qualifiers and they were about similar pace. Gave them general directions and off they went. No sight of them until major checkpoints, like the Ranger Station and some trail branching points.

Arthur wanted to do a slow relaxed pace, which suited me just fine. My hamstrings and inner thighs were so sore, every step hurt. Lower calves were burning too. I took an extra 4min to complete the Northern Trail, and had to stop and stretch at the Ranger Station. Sorry guys, they had to wait. Then I brought them out towards the Tree-top/ Bukit Timah trail and Rifle Range Road. Except for Yong, the rest were first-time on this route. Luke u-turned around Rifle Range Road, while we continued.

We reached the main road point to cross into the MTB trail towards Zhenghua. Deja vu of TNF! I wondered what categories there would be this year. But anyhow, in my current state, I could not have done anything more than 15km. Ouch. We turned back at Zhenghua Park, and promptly lost sight of the 2 fast guys.

The last bit back through MR was a downer. I stopped to walk a few times, and then I saw Jacky. Both of us exchanged sighs and grouses, and ran together for a bit. I thought the guys had gone off by now, but they were still waiting for me! Ooops, they must have waited long. 2 fast veterans waiting for me returning in a not-too-glam manner. Eeeeps!

Time to rest and sayang my poor butts and legs. Glad my knees did ok, the massage last night really helped immensely. The rest were purely muscle soreness, the kind that you would get after an intense gym session. They should recover by themselves after a few days. Whew.