Phase #2: The never-ending East Coast Park (12km ~ 29km)

Entered ECP after 12km, and the optimistic thought that "by the time I'm out of here, it'll be almost 30km".

Many things happened during this phase. I satisfied my hunger pangs twice -- once with the banana at 12km, and another with the energy gel at 21km.

From about 13km, I felt tightness in my knees, which would be dwarfed by muscle fatigue later on.

From 14km, Vincent allowed me to move off by myself. It is also during the ECP phase when I saw a few familiar faces.

At 21km, I took the free energy gel. Overcome by greed, I took a few packets, hoping those will help me satisfy my hunger later. I regretted--I stuffed them into my pocket, only to realise soon, that the weight would make the run uncomfortable, because my shorts were falling.

Before 25km, I stopped to rest for the first time, earlier than previous marathons. I could feel lactic acid building up in my thighs--I know the nightmare will kick in very soon.

At 27km, I had become the 100plus addict. I had previously resisted taking my first sip of the isotonic drink, because once I start, it'll be like a drug for me--yearning for more and gulping down cups and cups of it. From this point on, whenever I saw a 100-plus station, I would down 2 cups each time. A very bad move.

Phase #3: "Nightmare" stretch (30km ~ 42.195km)

By this time, the sun was scorching hot. Out of ECP, we were near the Marina Bay Golf Course, and the construction site of the Marina Coastal Expressway(MCE) and the Gardens by the Bay.

Nightmares:

i) No good views as motivation, at the MCE sites.

ii) The terrain was white sand and gravel (30km to 34km), which reflected the scorching sun rays from the ground. Very uncomfortable. Regretted not bringing a cap or shades.

iii) No cheerleaders. Very quiet. The sun was draining everyone's energy fast. Even more demoralising.

iv) Far and few water points from 30km to 35km marks. I was like a drug addict, constantly looking out for my 100-plus doses.

v) At 34km, when we've reached the flood gates of the Marina Barrage, my thighs gave way. Those few minutes were painful when I lost control of my thighs. Totally tight and hard and feeling helpless. By then, I had only 1 hour left if I were to end with a PB. I knew it was beyond hope.

vi) Out of Marina Barrage, it was a long-drawn stretch to Marina Bay Sands. I admit that my will-power wasn't at its strongest at this point. Alternated between walking, and short jogs.

Just when I thought the most gruelling stretch was over, I was shocked to see the route going UPSLOPE (after 36km)-- up the East Coast Parkway (along Marina Bay Sands). I could see everyone struggling here. Almost nobody bothered to jog up at this point, as even walking under the cloudless sky, was demanding.

38km ~ 42km: The usual F1 building/ Singapore Flyer/ Floating Platform/ Esplanade/ Esplanade Bridge/ Padang. I was near the Floating Platform (some 1.5km from finish), when last year's timing was reached. No improvements, but I did my best under the conditions today.


--------------------------------
Glad to be a 4th-time finisher. Really not sure how many more times I'd do this gruelling task, but everytime it was completed, there's always the great sense of achievement. I'm always surprised by my own voices within, those that managed to convince my feet to run a few more steps even when they were sore and weak. Endurance is key, and I'm sure it toughens people and develops oneself.

Sidenote: I realised there were at least close to 20 friends who ran today. Might probably be even more. Though I didn't see most of them, it felt great to know so many were part of the event.

人生是黑白的.
10:37 PM <3