PAssion Run 2010

PAssion Run 2010, this is my second PAssion Run I ran this event a couple of years ago, signed up for it last year but was sick and could not attend last years event. This year the event would be held in the evening and they had new categories for 25km and 50km Duo which I think was just 2 people running 25 km and the combined times would count. It would be held at the East Coast Park. I was contemplating signing up for this run as I had already signed up for the Sunsdown half marathon and it was held one week after this. I think the factor that interested me was the distance and the goodie bag items which included a race belt which would come in handy for long runs. (Pictures of my tag and race belt to come later)

I've never run an event held in the evening before so I guess this was a good experience for me as well. The race would start at 4pm but the first wave left around 4.20pm. I had arrange to meet a friend who had also joined the run. For some reason he had not taken lunch and was hungry and took some Curry Puffs .... big mistake, it did not go down well with him. We arrived about an hour before the start, checked out the activities and prepared for the run.

4.20pm and we were off. Did not think there were many people since I think most were preparing for next weeks Sunsdown. The race started from the Food Center near Bedok we ran towards town, pass the Chalets, the Seafood Centre, Playground and further up before we made a turn back down to the start point, we ran pass it towards the Changi Jetty, Outward bound, Sailing Club and then the turn back towards the start point again (which also acted as the finishing point)

I decided to take it a little easy for this race since I have another half marathon the following week. I took 1hr 10 mins to get to the 10km point which I felt was too fast so I slowed down a little. Took me 2.5 hrs to get to the 20km mark. At last years Standard Chartered Marathon where I did the half marathon I knew I had difficulty at the 18/19 km mark. This round I seem to feel a little better at that mark maybe because I was running at a slow pace but it was around the 20km mark where we had to run up and down this super long service road where I felt my right thigh cramping up. Oh dear I thought, needed to slow down a little, I managed to walk off the cramps but it sort of came back. Luckily there were people by the side of the road with sprays to help ease the pain I got some on my leg and it felt better but then the left side started to cramp up but managed to walk that off.

At the 21km mark I was relieved that I made it this far - half marathon distance. When I saw the 22 km mark I was a little overjoyed since it would be the furthest distance I had run in the longest time. It sort of spur me on to continue running and finally completed the 25km in about 3 hrs 15 mins. The finisher tee was nice, dark grey bodynits design. Hanged around for a bit before heading home to a well earned shower and some sleep. It was a good warm up run.

So what did I learn about night running ?

- It gets dark pretty fast and once that happens it's kind of hard to see where you are going especially as the East Coast Park was not very well lit.

- Again at the 18/19 km mark I had trouble, this time was cramps, this could be something I need to watch out for.

- Its still humid in the night.

- It starts off hot but gets a little cooler as the sun sets.