PAssion Run 2011

Man oh man oh man …. PAssion Run 2011 was a run to forget. I guess I did not really train for it have not been running regularly and my knee was giving me issues lately. It was a HOT saturday afternoon when I did the run. Second time I am running the 25 km route. This was what I got in my goodie bag.

Lots of stuff but the watch was really nice. Anyway I went early and knowing the Chaos that might happen at the end and the narrowness of the East Coast Parkway Service Roads, I decide to park about a 15 minutes walk away from the start line. Took a scroll to the starting area lots of time to kill walked around a little. 4.30pm was the start time. I was planning to do about a 3hr run. Get back buy some food at the Food Centre before going home. This year the race seemed badly organised. Their website the day before still had not put up the run routes (it was under construction) the route map they gave out did not show where the water points were or any gel or banana station (there were none)

Around 4pm we were ushered into the holding area for the first wave of runners, I figured get it done over with as soon as possible. The MC was trying to get everyone in the mood there was some NUS Cheer Leaders or something like that.The Guest of Honour the MP for Marine Parade GRC was on hand she tried to work the crowd but to no avail. Runners were not responsive until the man of the moment stepped up, none other that the RO Extraordinaire Mr Yam Ah Mee. Whatever he did or say, the crowd would go wild !! I think if he told everyone to jump into the sea everyone would do it. He was given the honour to flag off the runners.

The race for me did not start well, I felt heavy, legs were not exactly coorperating. I think the first 5km I had stopped at least twice, don’t know why maybe the heat or something it was really hot that day. Struggled to get to the 8km mark felt a little better but was still not getting into my stride. Did not really feel comfortable. One of the slowest 10K I have ever done. Teh route actually was quite nice, love the run to the airport runway. At the 12k mark it felt a little better but then disaster struck. Right thigh muscle started to tighten at the 13K mark, that’s the half way point usually the muscle tightens at the 20K mark, this was early !! Slowed down to recover and then the right thigh tightens up. Had to walk off the cramps and eventually started running again but at a slower pace. The sun had set by then and it was cooler and also I could keep a steady jogging pace. The last 2 or 3 kilometres was comfortable but by then I was really drain out so drain that when I cross the end I totally forgot to check my timing and ony remembered when I got back to the car. I got my medal and wanted to scratch my back, reached back with my right arm and wham !! muscle cramp on my arm !! so had to shake that off on the way to the car I tried to use my left hand to scratch my back and wham !! Muscle pull again, now both legs, and both arms are cramped out !! My time was like way way over what I had expected I think close to at least 3.5 hrs. It was so hot I got a sunburn and had abrasions even thought I had put the lubricant probably this pair of running shorts has not broken in yet. Felt very very tired and on top of that there was still a jam trying to get out of the place took me close to 45 minutes to get out.

Well I leave with this parting comment, all I can say is that Pursuant to Section 1, Subsection 1, Paragraph 1 of my running log, this has been by far the worst run ever !!