The race flag-off was 7am, and being so-not-a-morning-bird, I kept waking up in the middle of the night, just so to check if I had overslept! It was an extremely stale and stuffy morning evening at 530am. If that was the weather for the race, good golly, good luck to all. Alas, right on the dot at 7am, the skies opened up and it poured. Dark clouds. Buckets. Lightning. The works. A good number of runners (yours truly included) sought shelter at the visitors' centre, wondering whether the race would go on or not. I was quite prepared to go home and snuggle back under my covers. That was not to be. A couple of minutes later, we realised that runners had been flagged off (we could see the Start Line from where we were seated). Ok, here we go!
My first loop was essentially a catch up. Not knowing how many minutes we lagged behind the flag-off, I just had to keep going and try to first catch the main pack, and second figure out where I was relative to other runners. The rain was actually a bonus as it cooled the weather tremendously, mud puddles aside. Heck, it was even kinda fun stomping into the dirt and pools (decided it took too much effort to skip around them, rather futile anyway). Alber was slightly ahead and I followed his pace. I saw a couple of familiar faces and friends. Spirits were high all round, people seemed cheerful. Afterall it was the first round. [Loop 1 - 1:08h.]
The second loop is typically a runner's high for me. That is the loop where one is sufficiently warmed up but not cramped up, where strides are fluid and confident. I managed to pass a couple of female runners, but still had no sense who were ahead of me. The rain had stopped by now, and along the golf course link, I spied the sun peeking from behind the clouds. Not a good sign, the weather was going to warm up soon. Better get as much run/ speed in as possible before the heat returned. Alber slowed down after the Boardwalk section due to a knee injury and I maintained the pace and went ahead. Shortly after, I bumped into KP and we ran a short distance together. The support station after the Ranger Station/ before Northern Trail was a delight, and I was surprised that the Pocari Sweat drinks were still quite chilled. [Loop 2 - 1:06h]
By then, I figured that I had started 2min after flag-off. The giant timer clock at the Start Line reminded me so each time I passed it. Going into my third loop, I could feel my legs tightening and fatigue setting in. Obviously so since I was going faster than my normal take-it-easy pace. The reverse loop direction was easier, with more downslopes than if one were to go the other way. It was nice to 'let go' and fly down the slopes, although that could be cramp inducing too. Made a 4-min trip to the toilet at the Ranger Station, and hurried on. Towards the end of Northern Trail, I saw a lady running ahead. I closed the gap and ran behind her before passing her. As expected, she soon sped up and zoomed off. But that little spate of catching up almost had my ankles cramping up, so I decided to hold back and go at a more comfortable pace. However, I did not see her at the fourth round, so she could have been a relay runner. [Loop 3 - 1:13h]
Fourth loop. Happy to start on the fourth one. Alber was resting at the start point and decided (attempted) to pace me for another stretch. I was consciously trying to avoid speeding up and avert cramps. It was better to slow down and still run somewhat than to cramp up and walk. Alas, Alber's knee was still bad so he pulled back and I continued on with the last half loop. There was another female runner closing in, which spurred me to press on and maintain a distance between us. My right sole/ foot cramped a couple of times, but I managed to run it off repeatedly. I decided to brisk walk all the upslopes. By the last section of the Northern Trail (ending very soon!), I felt like my legs were obedient once more, and I could finish strong. So I went for it. It felt good to cross the Start/ Finish Line! [Loop 4 - 1:13h]
Total (nett time): 4:41h
Gun time: 4:43h
Placing: 4th Women's Open (for which I got a trophy, a Salomon product voucher, and 1 dozen of Pocari Sweat drinks (!!))
Happy. :)
Will be overdosed on Pocari Sweat...
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