A New Start: Singapore Marathon 2012

My 5th marathon, 3rd Singapore marathon, 2nd barefoot marathon. Clocked a PB (4:24:40) after 1.5 years MAF and barefoot practice. I finally found the way of comfortably running a marathon, and in barefoot.

The route was similar to previous editions, only the stretch in Marina South different. I was quite familiar with the major part and run barefoot through in several events, including my 1st barefoot marathon. I'v planned to slow down between 30km and 32km mark due to road condition, and 1km up slope after 38km mark. But never expected to walk through 1+km between 36km and 37km mark exiting Gardens By The Bay. The road is not yet a road and still a trail. My had not enough budget in this stretch, and cost a lot before 5km mark. I was 9min slower than my target timing. Despite this, I ran a rather even pace and could even charge 38km mark bridge and dash last 2km to finish. The training really improve my stamina, endurance. I had no diarrhea as in last two marathons, I felt no hungry throughout the race and ate only 3 "Sng Bao" (a local flavored ice tube) provided by SAFRA running club (I joined the club at the race expo of SSBR&AHM) supporters at 16km, 26km and 35km mark. I was going to eat the banana get from 30km mark until I was too boring walking between 36km and 37km due to the bad road condition. I did not even care where the gel station was. All I had been carried is just a bottle of water. It kept me hydrated throughout. 

My feet was perfect after the race, much tougher than last time. Last time I got a blood blister, this time it was clean and refreshing. Thanks for the 2400km mileage, and also the 100km peak week seasoning. My 4 years old daughter also joined the race for Kids Dashing, she finished 750m in barefoot. So proud of us!

1 and half a year, I was searching for the key to succeed a marathon. I sacrificed my speed, ran slow to improve my aerobic capability. Too run slower, I even kick off my shoes to run barefoot. It worked, I became injury free and more immune to "hitting the wall". I had thought marathon full of misery during my first  two marathon. But it had changed. Marathon is totally leisure and enjoyment to me. 1 and half a year, I back to the start (last time my PB was 4:27 in 2011 Sun Down Marathon) with smiles, strength and confidence. Next time you will see me fly, very soon...

3 Races In A Month: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

I registered 3 races in October: Swim For Hope on 6th, New Balance REAL Run on 21th and Newton 30km Challenge on 28th Oct. They really exhausted me out and I ended up with only 5 runs, totally 77km that month. These were precious experience for me: I had break through in swimming by finishing a 10km swimming marathon, set 2 PB in running, and learned that more races spoiled the training.

Swim For Hope was a annual event raising funds for Children's Cancer Foundation. The organizer, SAFRA Tampines intended to break the record raise S$40,000 in the event day. 1 lap (50m) $1, it should be 40,000 laps from 9:00am to 4:00pm. It finally recorded 21,898 laps and I contributed 204 laps, or 10.2km, S$204 to the CCF. I was proud not only did a good deed, but also break my personal record in swimming. I finally conquered swimming marathon (10km) in a time 4:53:53, after practicing TI for 10 months.

New Balance REAL Run was a annual running event famous for its beach part. This year the 21km route included 2km trail 17.5km road and 1.5km sand beach. The trail part is actually loose sands and I had no problem running on it as warming up. And the road part was best for barefoot and was where I accelerated to overtake. When I reached the beach part, I had already reach my top speed ~4:30/km. I tried to run along the tide and avoid to weaving among the 10km walker. I finally record my PB in 21km, 1:50:56 (rank92, MO4152). The sand sacked my feet and I end up with 2weeks calf strain (not recovered even in Newton Run).

It my 2nd time to join Newton Run. Last time was 2 years ago and I recorded 2:52:51. Most people joined Newton Run for their Singapore marathon rehearsal. I joined just to use up my U-sports 2012 credit. With the stiff calf, I managed to finished in 2:48:22, rank 260/1508. I ran a little bit slower than my target timing (2:45) but still made a PB. The ranking was not so good because the participant were most serious runner. I could get much better ranking after casual runners diluting the pool. (Workout detail)