OK, I admit. I've been lazy have been rather busy too, with handovers and training for the Standard Chartered Run. I certainly did not want to just blog once a month. Nonetheless, I'm glad to be back here again. Now that the Stan Chart Run is over, I feel more human now. I can relax on the training, treadmills and any up slope and down slope terrains. BUT!!! My 24hr fat-burning programme shall continue....

Anyway, it was the first time I participated in any "world class" race. For those who know me, I may look like an athelete (Oops... I see some out there having violent objection), or so some says, I am no one close to embracing sports. I can't aim, can't shoot and can't run without panting like a puppy. And yelp! So why on earth have I gotten myself into, signing for the Stan Chart Race? It's actually a challenge I pitch myself against. If the fat lady next door runs a 42km marathon, why can't I do it too? It'll all in the mind, I suppose.

Oh no.... I didn't participate in the full marathon. I think I will really need the ambulance after one quarter of the race. Nope, not even half of it, but AN AWESOME 10KM!!! *ta-da!* :D I was taught at some point of my life, never bite off more than you can chew (though at some point, you probably should, provided it has been God-consulted). Anyway, I have only ran the most, a 12km distance on the treadmill, which was only once, so a 10km run was at least manageable for me.

While waiting for race to start, I looked at the other half marathon, men's 10km and women's 10km runners who were preparing for their long run ahead and they all looked like they could run faster than me. I just told God to sustain me for the distance as I have no intention to contend for position. Nope, nada, not at all. At 6.30am, the half marathoners sped off for their race and at about 6.40am - 6.45am, the first few marathoners had made their u-turn back from Marina South and were back to the Esplanade Bridge for their de-tour to East Coast. Holy molly! The distance they had to cover! They started off at 6.00am and now, in less than an hour, they are already back. Their U-turn point is even further than the 10km runners. That's like 10 km in less than an hour. So amazing! Should call it the amazing race, or amazin' grace... haha!

When the DJ announced the first female entering the bridge back from Marina South and wanted us to give her the loudest cheer, I had a strange feeling that made me almost want to cry. Nope, I'm not a feminist by heart, but maybe it's just that females are often deem as the weaker of the 2 genders and now, the first female after 16 males came back from Marina South, the moment was kinda touching. We cheered as she entered and ran passed us. She was expressionless, maybe concentrating, but she's still amazing.

At about 6.50am, I crossed over to the Women's 10km holding area to get ready for my run, which will start at 7.30am. It was actually better cos the marathoners were closer to us. I saw this guy who was so cool cos when he ran back to the bridge and making his detour, he stopped, pulled out a digital camera, snapped a picture of us cheering before he continued his run. Cool, eh? One lady beside me, after quite a long while, started chatting with me. She asked if those were the full marathoners and I replied yes. Then she said that her husband had also participated in the full marathon, but she still hasn't seen him yet. I told her that I've also friends who participated in the full marathon and I've not seen hide nor hair of them. I also saw one lady running with such a smile on her face. 4 possibilities might have happened: endorphines are working because of the exertion from all that running, elated because we cheered her on, had always ran with a smile on her face or all what's been mentioned. In any case, she looked like a seasoned runner, so not that hard to put a smile on her face as she run. Would be pretty tough for me to move even a muscle on my face after all that exhaustion.

Then, as we moved up a little further to the starting point, I saw my first familar face from among the marathoners. KC Cheang! I shouted his name and gave him a cheer before he continued his race. I started looking out for more familar faces cos' I also know that my ex-GM was running, but I didn't see him, even after I left for home after the event. Just before we speed off, I saw another familar face. An ex-churchmate from the first church I attended. I would never have imagine him running a full marathon too, apart from my ex-GM, that is. Well, size and stature can be deceiving indeed.... I didn't yell out to him as I wasn't sure if he still recognise me and also, we weren't that familar. I also saw some half marathoners, who started at 6.330am, making their way back to Esplanade Bridge for their detour to Nicoll Highway.

*You guys need to take a break from all that reading? Anyway, the saga continues...*

The Women's 10km finally began at 7.30am. I jogged, panted, jogged, panted more and as the music and cheering faded behind us, it was only the pace of the runners that I could hear. Shortly after the race began, we saw some of the half marathoners making their way back to Esplanade Bridge for their detourSome runners started to stop while others continued. I asked God to keep me running and told myself not to give me any reason to stop. As we entered Marina Bay, more people stopped. I admist that it was tough. I was already panting quite heavily, but I still thank God that He sustained me. Along the way, I saw Michael, my CG brother, making his turn from Marina South. The U-turn point feels like eternity to reach, but when I reached it, I knew I was half way through.

As we jogged through Shenton Way, I suddenly had a worry that I might have taken a wrong route and joined some other runners on the other race because around me were the half marathoners. I started to look out for the runners bib and to my relief, I finally found women wearing the same bib colour as me. I also noticed along the way that some people pinned their reasons for running, which include: I run so I can eat more cookies, If I can do it, so can you, Last :), It runs in the Family... Among which I saw one lady, dragging along with a tyre tied round her waist with drink cans tied to the tyre, making quite a bit of noise. As I ran closer, I realised the statement she was making: to ask drivers to slow down their speed. I cheered her on and continued my run, but I wonder what made her want to make that statement. Perhaps someone she knew had been involved in an accident? Whatever it is, I give credit for her determination and courage for making the statement. I also saw one lady who had full make-up running the race.

When I neared the finishing line, the cheering and music was becoming audible again and I was really glad that it was going to be over soon. I started to pick up my speed and when I saw the finishing line, I just gave all I had left and made a dash at the finishing point. Feels really great to make it for the race. "And we see a winner! At position.... ", I don't know yet. But that's not important. What's important is, I completed it! Yay! My first 10km race in my life. I even got a medal for completing the race.

While looking for my "runspirator", Qianfang, I met Junming along the way. He was limping along the way. He took part in the half marathon and his knee just gave in after 10km and had to walk for the rest of the race. He was kinda disappointed that he couldn't run the entire race. Nonetheless, he's still a "winner"! Cos' he crossed the finishing line.

I'd never thought it would be so fun. I even met an old classmate from primary school. It was her first time running in the Stan Chart Race too. It was like an old friend's reunion at the Stan Chart Race. She said she'll take part next year too. So cool! Looks like I'll have to train for next year's race again soon. Shall I be more ambitious and go for the half marathon? Anyway, shall see how my training goes.....