Standard Chartered Half Marathon...

woke up at 3:30am to get ready for the half marathon...
breakfast of 3 pieces of bread...
pre-run jitters resulted in visiting the toilet 3 times...
taped the nipples and applied lubricant on my thighs to prevent abrasions...
made sure the ipod shuffle is working fine...
got dressed and left the house at 4:40am...
the shuttle bus left Hougang Sports Complex at exactly 5am...
it was a full bus...
looks like the number of runners has increased significantly over the years...
reached City Hall area around 5:20am...
unlike previous years where i deposit my bags in Joseph’s car...
this year Joseph is running the full marathon while i am sticking to my half...
deposited by bag at the baggage counter...
there were 5 segments this year...
the baggage area looks a lot more organised this time...
only problem is the muddy field...
went to poo before doing my warm ups...
while warming up, i saw the full marathon runners passing the Esplanade Bridge...
it was quite a sight considering the number of runners this year...

this year’s half marathon route was different from last year’s...
it contained quite a number of U-turns which was quite irritating...
also, the distance markers for the half marathon was not quite correct...
i only covered 2km after 45 minutes...
which was impossible...
decided to skip some of the water points...
waited for those with the isotonic drinks...
by the 17km mark, my legs were beginning to ache...
and i was limping a little for the last one kilometre...
hunger strikes soon after...
luckily there was banana and i ate one to keep the energy level up...
completed the race in 2 hours 43 minutes...
not my worst timing but also not one that i should be proud of...
although i did not set any personal best for myself this year...

after the race, picked up my finisher’s medal and collected my bag...
changed into my slippers and took the MRT home...
with my T-shirt and shorts still wet from the run...

reached home and my knees were aching badly...
this must have been the most painful experience i ever had...

suddenly the thought of hanging up my running shoes came to mind...
it was just this year that i hung up my dancing shoes...

i will continue to run as a leisure sport...
but to take part in races like these where i have to wake up in the wee hours...
it is just too much for a body that is already 36 years old...