SCMS 2011–Anniversary Marathon Edition

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS) is my Anniversary Marathon, i completed my 1st Full Marathon (FMV) last year (2010) with 5:20 timing. This year i’m looking to celebrate the anniversary with a better finishing timing.

Thanks to SCKLM for sponsoring my entry fee, which i won on FB contest few months back.

This time around SCMS FM runners amounted to 20,000. It's going to be tougher than last year to overtake crowded runners and endure the mental challenge East Coast Park and the boring Golf course route. If you wanna run for a PB at SCMS, make sure you’re in the sub-4 pen after the Elites.

My bib collection went terribly wrong when they issued me the Red bib (sub 7 finisher) which will be the last pen for the Full Marathon runners. I supposed to get the Green bib (sub 6), middle pen as requested on my form, thankfully thing sorted out when i approached the Help counter and showed them my confirmation email. They issued me a  new bib without customised name on the bib, which is fine as long as i’m not stuck at the back the crowd of holding hands walkers. When i tested the B Tag at the REPC scanning counter, it showed blank particulars which worried me. The guy manning the REPC counter assured me that my particulars will be transferred to the new bib soon.

Started the race at the middle race pens (sub-6 hours), it was very slow pace with runners occupied fully the narrow road with few bottle necks during the first 5km.

The road began to opened up after 5km, it started when we entered the F1 track going towards the highway. I began to pace properly at this stretch, my timing was over few minutes after the target pace. No way i'm gonna catch up the 4:00 hours pacer’s balloon, i overtook the 4:15 pacer’s balloon just before entering the ECP. It was pitch dark, but i still managed to maintained my pace. I paced an elderly Norwegian runner that i met here at the ECP, he was running strong and keeping a good pace.

Completed at the half way point (21km) at 2:06, darn too much time to catch up!

The pace began to deteriorated after that, i guess i need to reworked on my fuelling strategy. I can’t even ran a proper pace during these time, it was so frustrating. Finally at 29km, i stopped and stretched my legs, that's when i began vomiting air, oh no deja vu like PBIM!

Took a good few minutes to recover before deciding to continue with pathetic pace, going towards the Golf course route after the ECP was extremely boring, thank god the weather was fine, the sun was not out yet during this time unlike last year.

At 36km, my saviours came in the form of Kash and Kak June. They were there at the side of the road supporting us runners, blessed you guys for your kind deeds.

The ice cold Coca Cola was heaven sent! Like magic my feet began to pace properly after that! Either it was the magic Coke or the support by these two angels that worked wonders.

When 4:45 pacer's balloon overtook me, i don't need an invitation to chased that balloon! Unlike last year, i felt strong running the last 8km, zig zagging the 10km runners at the overheard bridge felt like nothing. In fact i just loved doing the game of zig zagging these runners. I didn't stop until the finish line, not before overtaking the 4:45 pacers.

Completed my anniversary Marathon with the timing of 4:39, although most of the route was flat, but too many runners made it a demanding and challenging route as echoed by many runners.

When the official result came out, my worst nightmares came true! My timing was missing! Darn it, somebody screwed up my bib somewhere along the process of changing the bib.

Will i be back next year, you bet my sorry ass i'll be there to make sure my timing is secured and to celebrates 2nd Marathon anniversary in style.

Photo log:

Depart via TBTS

MRT ride

Completed my 5th Full Marathon

With celebrity runner Mohan Marathon