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21.1km
The last time I took part in the Army Half Marathon was in 2000. Then, I was at the peak of my fitness before I sustained injuries. This year, I decided to give it a go.
Finisher Medal 21.1KM Half Marathon
Not just because the guys in the office were forming a team, but it’s something that I wanted to do for myself. Been there, done that, and I believe I could do it again if I wanted to. For this run, I came in under 2hr 15mins.
And this time, I received a medal for the effort.
One of the efforts that you had to make is to wake up at ungodly hours in the morning to get ready for the run. I’d checked in at Marina Mandarin for the night. I woke up at 3:30am to hydrate and stuff myself with bananas.
3:41
The room was meant to be shared with my colleagues – so that we need not have to wake up too early in the morning, and for those who do not drive – a place where they can stash their belongings and not have to worry about midnight cab charges. I ended up room alone.
One of the things that we had to do before the race is to fix the “Champion Chip”, a transponder that records your timing as you past the checkpoints.
Champion Chip
The streets were deserted at the wee hours of the morning.
Deserted Streets
The only bustle are the traffic marshals and the crew organising the Army Half Marathon.
Traffic Marshals
I’m sure these guys hadn’t got much sleep the night before.
The designated spot to meet was at the Cenotaph War Memorial, facing the Padang.
Assembly Area
The Moon and the Saucer-dome of the New Supreme Court made the place look like the hyper-real landscape of a kid’s imagination of the future. Didn’t we used to draw buildings that looked like flying saucers when asked to paint a picture of what tomorrow’s world will be?
From there, we moved to the Start Line on the Esplanade Bridge, just before Fullerton Hotel.
Movement to Start Line
The Boss wanted to go all the way to the front of the Start Line, so we followed.
Start Line
At the fore of the Start Line were the seeded runners. Among them were foreign teams that came to compete.
Seeded Runners to the Fore
I spotted one of the runners from Myanmar. He didn’t wear any shoes. All that he had were some plasters around the toes. I supposed he ran barefoot for the full 21.1km. I didn’t manage to take a picture of his feet because the flag-off was about to start. The MP for East Coast GRC, Ms Jessica Tan was among those who ran the full distance of the half-marathon. She was at the front of the start line too.
MG Neo Kian Hong, the Chief of Army flagged off the event once the countdown reached zero.
The safety net came down and the runners surged forward. It’s as if Godzilla’s behind us and everyone’s running for their lives.
The track “Cyber Bird” (サイバーバード) by Gabriela Robin from GITS:SAC OST2 was the OP theme for this run. It’s a good theme to get my engines going.
The starting leg of the race is usually the most difficult – psychologically. That’s because all the fast runners will over take you, and you’re made to feel like a straggling tortoise. For those who don’t like to fall behind, it’s quite a demoralising feeling. The darkness in the early morning makes everything look further, as if there’s no end in sight. To compound that, the Gatorade-banana mix didn’t quite agree with the gastric juices. I felt like throwing up.
End Point in Sight
And then there’s the Sheares Bridge. Going up slopes can be a bitch, but I’m thankful for all the uphill training during our preparation for the half marathon. The incline on Sheares Bridge was but a speed regulating strip. While you’re going up the bridge, you can see the bright and shiny end point – the Marina Bay floating stage in the distance.
After a certain distance, you tend to ignore the other runners and focus just on yourself. I was in my own bubble, sealed in by the headphones of my iPod. Emily Curtis’ “What’s It For?” was playing as I approached Fort Road. I felt like I was alone in a sea of runners. It was a rather cinematic, I felt like I was in a short film, one of those that is only shown on film fest circuits.
一直跑，一直跑….
One of the fun things to look out for in the darkness was the water point set up by the various Army formations. Earlier along the ECP, I’d ran past the one set up by 3DIV. It was rather interesting, as the had tigers (the emblem of the Division) placed next to a drummer who’s thumping on a taiko. Each thump of the drum made you go further.
Dawn broke as I ran along East Coast Park.
Dawn Breaking
Yoko Kanno’s “To Tell The Truth” was a rather fitting piece of music for this scene. And then, I felt like I was in an full-length anime movie, something like Jin-Roh. That helped me kept my mind off the Gatorade-banana mix that’s fermenting inside…
It’s easy to run along East Coast Park as the terrain is flat, and there is a gentle breeze coming in from the sea. I passed that 10km marker. I saw the seeded runners on the return leg of the route. The turning point can’t be too far away.
Rushing to the Turning Point
You can tell that you’re nearing the turning point when you see runners picking up their pace. It’s a phenomenon that I observe during runs with turning points along the route.
12KM
The 12km mark was manned by HQ ARMOUR. You can see the “手头紧” gauntlet on the banners leading to the check point.
Interestingly, it’s past the turning point when you see people slowing down or dropping their pace. With good timing, “PRAYER～祈り～” by JLHA from the 『攻殻機動隊 STAND ALONE COMPLEX -狩人の領域- PROTOTYPE SOUND PACKAGE』 OST kicked in. That gave me the extra lift that I needed. I began overtaking some runners. And it’s also the moment when I felt the energy rush. I wasn’t feeling tired or short of breath. I felt like I could go on and on.
I bumped into NS buddy along the way. We’re known as one the most seow-on instructors when we took Cadets together in Tango Company, Officer Cadet School.
NS Buddy
I teased him when I ran past him,”Oi, give chance lah. Why you send four ang chia down to Youth Park yesterday?”
He’s one of those heady idealists who believes in doing the right things, and is like an action hero of sorts (although sometimes, his good intention backfires unto him like a tragic comedy) Our trek through the jungle of Lower Mandai to visit the Syonan Jinja (昭南神社) was the last adventurous thing that we did together..
The return leg was more interesting. I was amused when I passed the water point manned by the Loggies (the Combat Service & Support Command).
Bandits!
Some of their guys cosplayed as bandits.
Some distance down the path, I over took Silver Surfer and Galactus (hee hee. It’s a cheap thrill…)
The skies brightened when I was back on Fort Road leading to Mountbatten Road.
Good Morning, Singapore
It’s a lovely morning. Some of the gentry living around the area are out and about on their morning walks.
Before long, I was approaching the 18km mark just before the ERP gantry leading to Nicoll Highway.
18KM
They were offerring water and BANANAS!
Bananas!
I can’t imagine myself eating another one of those phallic shaped fruit. And I wonder how can anyone eat a banana while on the run. Anyway, it’s only another 3km to the finishing point.
MERDEKA! MERDEKA!
As we went across the Merdeka Bridge, we can see the shiny skyline of the City of Possibilities drawing close.
I saw many runners coming down with cramps, and some with twisted ankles. But they never gave up – some tried to limp to the finish, when others struggled with gritted teeth. It’s an inspiring sight.
There was this warning sign “Danger. Panther Feeding” (or something that suggests that) when I approached the next water point, manned by 9 DIV-HQ INF. I almost burst out laughing when I saw the Black Panther.
Black Panther Man
It’s a man in a cat suit. Is this 萌? I prefer my felines female, thank you. But it’s one of those things that make the run fun.
9 DIV-HQ INF
Heavy metal music was blasting at this water point. I think 9 DIV-HQ INF was the main organiser for this year’s Army Half Marathon. Their water point also happened to be one of the more elaborate.
Arch of Balloons
You can feel your morale soar when you see the Arch of Balloons. You can almost mistake that for the Finish Line.
Earlier when I was passing the Old Airport Road – Mountbatten Road junction, there was a band setting up their stage. There’s supposed to be entertainment and performances along the way. When I got to the slip road leading to Raffles Ave, there was a band there.
Roadside Getai – The Eggheads
It’s the Singapore Bay Run/Army Half Marathon getai. I have no idea who they are, but They’re the Eggheads. That’s ccube on the keyboards. The singer in the band flashed this smile that charged up my batteries. :D
20KM
And then, there was the 20km marker….just a little bit further….
Buay Steady Liao….
The hands are getting shakey. I shouldn’t have downed that 100 Plus at the last water point. They were serving the carbonated version.
Shimmering in the distance, I could make out the words that spelled “FINISH”.
Finish Line?
But that wasn’t the Finish Line for the competitive 21km runners. We had to go a little further. The one in front was for the Sheares Bridge Runners (6km/12km)
Making a left turn, we headed towards the Marina Bay floating platform, where Singapore held her 42nd National Day Parade.
Left Turn to Floating Stage
You feel a an upswell of emotions when you come close to the finish. When I first had my virgin attempt at the Army Half Marathon, I felt like crying when I came close. Because you are about to achieve something that you never thought you could do. And it was an achievement paid in sweat, tears and blood. Somehow, I didn’t feel the same kind of elation. Maybe I didn’t feel that much pain this time, and I had a lot of fun.
Though, I felt like I had a halo, glowing on a runner’s high. The ED that was playing was “Torukia” (トルキア) by Gabriela Robin.
21KM Finish Line
YES…YES…OH YESSSSS…..I’M COMINGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!
Long Lens Snipers
By the side of the finish line are the Long Lens snipers, waiting for a Kodak moment. I took a shot at one of them who was trying to shoot me.
The “V-I-C-T-O-R-Y” Feeling
Past the finish line, every one was congratulating everyone for completing the run. My feeling? It’s kinda,”Okay lor. Finish liao. I want breakfast”
AHM Playlist
When I was done, the playlist was at track 31.
One of the treats that I enjoyed at the Finish Line the picture perfect view of the city skyline from the spectators’ gallery. The weather was fine. As I walked up to the spectators’ gallery, I could see the Sheares Bridge Runners packed onthe Esplanade Bridge, waiting for their flag off.
City of Possibilities
I wouldn’t dismiss running the 21.1km as without effort. But it’s not something impossible if you’re willing to train for it. And if you’re amply prepared, the half marathon can be a breeze.
After the run, I had to return the Champion Chip transponder (a $50 replacement charge for those who did not return) in exchange for the Finisher medal. I’m not sure if this is the first time that the Finisher Medals were given out to the competitive runners. There wasn’t anything like that during my first participation in the AHM.
My First Medal
This Finisher Medal sure made me feel like a winner. Better than a filmsy certificate of participation. And this would be the first medal that I ever received in my entire life. When I visit other people’s room, they’d have medals and trophies – whether is it for sports or intellectual competitions. When the rest visit my room, I can only show off my collection of comics and action figures.
After cooling down and doing my stretches, the next thing that I wanted to do was to soak in the bathtub.
So I headed back to the room.
It’s really a lovely place, and I was gawking at the poshness. I’m not used to such luxury, and hadn’t stayed in such nice accommodation.
Room
It’s a pity I didn’t get to enjoy much of it. When I got back to the room last night, it was close to 10pm. By the time I was done with the previous blog entry, it was already midnight and I had to grab some shut-eye.
Fit for a King
I think my head touched the pillow for less than four hours.
The bathroom was really, really spacious. There’s a shower and a bathtub.
Shower and Bathtub
Mai tu liao. Once I showered, I jumped into the warm water in the bathtub to sooth the muscles…I didn’t regret getting a room to stay.
I’d thought of getting some cheap MacDonald’s or Starbucks breakfast. And then I thought, what the hell, I should reward myself after the run. So I headed for the breakfast buffet at the hotel instead.
Yum Yum
I expected myself to pile the plates, but I think I’m not that a big eater. I took my time, while reading today’s Sunday Times. There’s an interesting article on the ODEX case. I didn’t know I’ve become part of the cyber lynch mob.
As the hotel had full reservations, they didn’t entertain my request for a late check-out. So the last thing I did was to watch cartoons.
I hadn’t watched cartoons for a long time. Fantastic Four was showing on Kids’ Central. I’m impressed by the qualitative improvement of the American cartoons. The influence of anime is very very obvious.
Sue Richards is HAWT
Sue Richards is HAWT, ain’t she?
