NorthEast Run 2011, my first race in huaraches

I signed up North East Run because it's originally launch date was my birthday, but later they postponed to year end due to MP's schedule conflicts. I did not cancel it because the venue was just at my door step, and the organizer also promised to offer me another $5 off if I didn't.  The race pack collection turned out to be rather annoying that I was told they run out of race T's size and I was granted one size larger. Later a lot a complains arose on facebook,  the organizer prompt react and committed to exchanging to the right size.


I'm quite a veteran runner this year and I slept well before every race. I woke up 5:30 this morning and had a big cup of Milo, 2 pcs of bread as pre-race snacks. At 6:20, I put on my new race shoes, a pair of Tarahumara Huaraches made last Tuesday. I had tried them for two runs to get used to. And the use of the protection to my sole is a must because I found three blocks in the race route not suitable for barefoot. I tied the sandles in a secure way and walk to Pasir Ris Park.

Wakling is a good way to warm up. When I reached the race venue, my planta tightness had already cured. There are already a lot of people gathered, wearing the red race Ts. When I made my way to the baggage deposit, I knew I was the only person who could keep smiling after race, because after days of rain, the meadow was rather muddy, there also expected to be lots of water "pond" along the route. I did some stetches at the starting line, there should be no more than 1000 runner for the 14km category, I knew quite a lot of local runner went for the Salomon trail run in Tampines and some in Penang for PBIM.

The MP waved the flag a few minutes passed seven. I set out with the parade, the route was narrow at the beginning and I also didn't want over shot. I manage to hold the pace but the exited parade lead my 1st km in 5:08/km pace, 1min faster than I planned. I slowly pushed forward to the front with a steay pace of 5:00/km. After 2km mark, most runner slowed down and began to jog. After the 1st turn the road was quite clear and there were just several runners ahead. I tried to follow the nearest runner, a blue shirt man running in 4:50/km pace. I thought he was not in the race, only did his weekend LSD here. Soon after 4km mark he slowed done and I overtook. Then I tried to catch my next pacer, on young man in event tee, ahead of him was a middle aged man in red and an old man in white tee. After 2nd turn before 5km mark I over took the young man . At this time all people were in best mood and maintained a steady 5:00/km pace. So for quite a long time the distance between us kept the same. I slowed down at 6km mark's slope and fell behind much. The jouney was lonely in the following 2km. My pace dropped a little for lacking of pace maker around. It was after 7km mark I caught up with the white tee old man. I though he was loosing his pace. Before the bridge I caught sight of the middle aged red tee man ran a short cut through the meadow to the bridge. both the old man and I did not follow him, though we were falling farer. I kept my 5:00/km pace better now because I was with people again. But I didn't noticed there was a F1 runner sneaking near and then passed me after 8km mark. His white ASICS tee shining away in 4:30/km pace. I just could not keep up with, letting him running away and away. It seemed that the short cut guy out of control and I easily overtook him at the water station before 9km turn, while he's already in coarse breath and moving hard.

Only 5km to go, I picked up a 100plus cup, took a sip, try to keep 5:00/km pace and trying not fall too far from F1 runner.  It was a hard chase in the following 3km and I was running in no man's land. But thanks to F1 runner, he led nearer to the leading runners. So I overtook a young man at u-turn of 12km mark. I felt aboundant energy conservation and decide the speed up. Then I swing my thigh to 4:30/km pace, passed a European runner before the 13km mark slope. I did not slow down and climbing, soon passed another runner in orange NTUC Income tee. The last km, I made a dash all the way down hill and finally caught up the F1 runner at the end of slope. Near the end point I began to sprint, Iwas trying to overtook last runner but he denfended his honour and I just one step behind.several meters ahead, another runner just passed the finish line. I checked my watch, it read 70min3sec. The official timing is 69:45, I ranked 22 out of 248 runners. I just completed in my planned timing. I could run better timing but no need, this race made easy and full o ffun. That is enough. Anyway it was my virgin huaraches run. A whole new experience began.