Ex Nitedog #3 - 11 Apr 2009, 42km Familiarization Run of Sundown Marathon F.R.
Start/Finish Point : ECP Mac
Most runners were there by 7.30 pm, but due to a hectic Saturday afternoon, botak was late and the run didn’t start at 8 as plan - “pie-say”. Ah Chen was very serious this time, he came with his camel bag.
At 9 pm sharp we started with Libin staying behind for Ernest who called to say he will be late.
Some runners are not familiar with the route, so we ran in a pack at an easy 8min/km. The first over head bridge to
William and company started to gather speed and they forgot to stop at Check Point #1, Kembangan MRT. Ah Tan was trying out his new strategy – walking at 7-8 min pace and wow-lau he out-walk most of us. I reckon at his walking speed he don't have to run, just walk and finish the ultra marathon in under 12 hour!
After crossing the over head bridge at PIE, I sped up to chase the front group to remind them to run in a pack. Caught them at Check Point #2
When we turn into Bedok Reservoir, instead of going down the stair case and run along the flat path by the parameter of the reservoir, our front group ran and we follow straight up the steep steep slope, next time don't be so "key kiang" Please follow the actual route!!
At Tampines Ave 9 , the row of coffee shops beckon, Ah Bay stop for some “pao” and I obliged with a 100 plus, surprisingly ah hoo resisted the temptation and move on without stopping :) By this time, Zhao Ming was low on fuel and lagging behind, our kind Ah Bay volunteer to pace and encourage him on. At Check Point #3, petrol kiosk beside Pasir Ris Drive 3 , Mag our front runner was waiting there with more 100 plus.
After the brief break, we hit the long gentle up hill along Pasir Ris Drive 3. Turning left we were at
As punctual as Cinderella, we reached
The arrival of the Boss
Zhao Ming retired at this point to drive the support vehicle back to starting point. Ah Bay and Mag took the opputurnity to join him.
Since we are familiar with the remaining route, run continue at O.T.O.T. The 6 km long straight Changi Coast road that runs parallel to the airport runway was make even more monotonous as there were no landing and taking off of jumbos’ at this wee hour.
Arrived at NSRCC (35km) at 1.45 am, Toby and his lovely wife were there to support us. I change to my MBT shoe to test my walking speed for the last 7.5 km.
My game plan for May ultra marathon is to run the 1st 42km, change to MBT and walk the next 20-30km then back to Asics for my finishing. Target – below 13 hour.
The long and short 2XU
Ah Chen, where is your camel bag?
2 am home run or should it be home walk! with my MBT walking at a speed of 7-8km/hr is manageable. Completed the run/walk at 3 am. We proceed to an early MacDonald breakfast to reward ourselves.
Post note – We were supposed to do another 12 km walk to test the run/walk strategy , but since it was late, every one were more then glad to stop at 42k :))
