Usually, for the long runs i'd done so far, it's more of a solo activity.. I guess distance running ain't a sport that my closer gal pals are into... Not as if I'm a fast runner.. I'm still alright in terms of speed..
But I was glad that for a change, I'd running buddy for the sundown last night/ this morning cuz it was really a very boring non- scenic route. A walk in the park by night is romantic but running along ECP without much view was not exactly how I would describe a pleasurable run.. I think the 10Km & 21Km would be worse.. Cuz unless u adore the Changi airport runway..
It was rather festive feel when we reached Changi exhibition centre close to 9:10.. (stuck in shuttle bus for 20-30 min cuz traffic congested! Fortunately A suggested we take shuttle instead ! Else meter fared cab ride would be atrocious! Distance running is definitely not a female sport judging from the gender disparity of the participants.
Light sticks n rings were given out to light up the darkness .. Was kinda glad for the neon bracelet cuz my Nike+ sport band does not have a back light!
Kinda amazed that I've the stamina to actually chat with him like on n off thru'out the grueling stretch of Changi Coast Rd.. Frankly, if I wasn't running with J, I would probably started walking sooner than until the Lagoon stretch, when I urged him to go catch up with his friend, A,who sprinted off too fast initially (but we ended up finishing an hour or so ahead of A). After J went ahead, I started my long walk for the whole of the worthy to be praised - lol having QT in the middle of ECP with the cooling nite breeze! ;)
Adopted the random strategy of resting(i.e walk) upon reaching certain landmark etc and resting a brief moment in the loo.. Pure bliss to see the u-turn sign at Fort Rd...
Well, thank goodness I came prepared with my nano (but actually playlist is rather soothing then upbeat but doesn't matter so long it's music.. ;)) else there's nothing much to see in pitch dark east coast!
Oh well, anyway was happily counting down to 28/29 km mark and I felt someone pulled alongside me.. Lol it was J. Was surprised cuz I did not even overtake them (apparently A went loo soon after J caught up with him but was kinda tired by then!) so was kinda running with J for a while until I told him he could blast ahead if he wanted to.. But guessed he had speed but no stamina, ended up we caught up with each other .. stirred each other up to finish the run together.
At least, it was enjoyable and I was not as tired as the Passion run despite the extra 17k. Timing was 30+ min slower than my virgin attempt but on the note I was nursing a healing hip muscle strain .. And jogging at a pace of chatting for at least 10km .. It was enjoyable and not taxing. Then again, should I not chat, I would have more energy and hence better timing rite?
Well it's not the destination that matters but the journey that brings us to the destination..
While waiting for A to arrive, was left with not much of choice but to chat with J. Sweet of him to offer to limp to help me change the finisher tee cuz I took S instead of the smaller XS but no changes was allowed n he made a wasted trip.
While waiting for A to emerge, (which was ard an hour or so
later), had a good chat with J. Oh well, felt good actually cuz it has been a long time since I'd oppty to talk peer to peer on spiritual stuff. (which rouse me to write a super long email to cgl thereafter!)
A finally appeared at ard 5 dead tired.. Lol so let him rest/snooze while more since the next bus was at 6.
Took the free shuttle to Changi village and changed a 109 to white sands in search for food - the golden arch!
I must be too tired cuz though hungry ( I thought I was cuz kept complaining to J that I was hungry during the run), managed to finish only 50 % of the meal.
All in all it was an enjoyable run. I beaten the sunrise... Lol
If I'm going to participate sundown again next Ye, must find friends to do it as a group! ;)
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