Demoralizing Run on 24 Sep`06 (Sun)

Changi Coast Road is a long straight 6.5km road parallel to the airplane runway. For a solo runner, it can be demoralizing as it seems never ending! First ran @ this route when SgRunners organized their 2nd Demoralizing Run on 30 July 2006. A small group of 5 runners (BR, DR, DO, fennel n me) was chatting along the way and the run did not seem "demoralizing" at all :) I was looking forward to the beef noodles @ Changi Village after the run -- sooo disappointed to find the the stall closed (only open at 12noon)! Well, there is always next time :)

As part of LSD training for the marathon, SgRunners organised the 3rd Demoralizing Run on 24 September 2006 -- with various distance from 20-34km. Wow, a huge turn out of ard 30 runners! Bought a new camelbak (SlipStream 1.5litre) to try out on the run -- hydration is a must as we would be running under the sun for the return leg. Also brought along PowerGels for energy boost -- so far, had not try eating during my runs.

After Sotong gave a briefing of the route and U-turn points, BR lead us for a 1km+ warm up run before the group spread out into different pace. Speed monsters like teelee and realrunner left us smelling their dust. DR & DO chatted with runners along the route -- they looked so relax and effortless when running! I planned to run at a steady 6min/km pace for 34km and returned juz in time for the beef noodles stall to open for biz. tktan was doing his first 30km+ LSD and followed my pace. fennel, my same-pace buddy, was not far behind. While the rest turned left to Changi Coast Road to reach East Coast park via NSRCC, we took a detour via the East Coast Park Service Road. Kinda of dangerous as it was single lane with no pavement and running as the big trucks zoomed passed! We reached NSC (abt 14km) and took a snack break -- tktan ate his snickers bar while I had my first powergel. Wah, surprised to see tekko(who juz had an operation on his knee) at the shelter next to NSC -- so nice of him to provide isotonic drinks for the runners. Lots of people along the route -- runners(or joggers?!), cyclists, roller bladers etc. As we passed the PA Sports Centre, both tktan and I felt good to go on to the lagoon food centre for the 34km U-turn point. The front pack runners were on the return route. Took a toilet break at the lagoon food centre and U-turn back. Time check -- 1hr40min for 17.6km. That was 5:40min/km pace.

By then, ard 9am, the sun was out in full blast. We took a cool off break @ the last toilet @ NSC before we embarked on the "demoralizing" stretch. Juz when we reached the Changi Coast Rd, I had to stop due to a serious stitch. Decided to take my 2nd powergel while tktan finished his half-eaten snickers bar. Felt better after the breather and resumed running. tktan was feeling the heat and asked me to go ahead. Caught up with roentgen n kickjazz who were doing a 8min-run/2min-walk route for 28km. We walked and chatted till tktan caught up. We did this run-stop-walk till Changi Beach. tktan was so happy to reach the toilet at Changi Beach -- his CPU (aka head) was overheated and needed cold water to cool off! I was running ahead and saw 2 Malay men trying to "tame" a snake with a fishing rod -- on closer look, it was a cobra!! Warned roentgen, kickjazz n tktan of the snake -- we cautiously detour to safety. With the final 1 km, I sped ahead as there was no shade and the sun was beating down furiously on us! Sotong was at the end point taking pictures. So glad to complete my first 34km :) Roentgen, kickjazz n tktan came back shortly after. Everyone was cooling off under the shelter next to the car park -- thanks to ultra n acleong for the 100plus! BR's heavenly barley was gone by then. I brought oranges and konnyuku jelly to share -- some "brave hearts" tried the isotonic jelly (lime flavoured gatorade with ribena). Well, they r still alive!

After a quick shower, we walked over to Changi Village food centre for lunch. Perfect timing -- the beef noodles stall juz opened! We had a satisfying meal of yummy beef slices & balls -- oh, the dry version is better than the soup version. Thanks to teelee who gave me a ride home in the TLV. Due to the caffine in the powergel, I was awake the whole afternoon! And felt constant hunger -- snack after lunch, dinner and followed by supper! Gosh, input was definitely more than output!!


P.S. It was a good run and got a better idea of running beyond 30km. Glad that didn't suffered from cramps or "hit the wall". Look forward to the next 30km+ LSD.

Route : Changi Beach Car Park 2 -> Changi Beach -> Changi Coast Rd -> East Coast Park Service Rd -> East Coast Park -> U-turn at Lagoon Food Centre back to Changi Beach car Park 2

Distance : 34km
Time : Abt 3hr 30min(forget to start/stop my stopwatch -- including snack/toilet breaks)
Avg Pace : 6:10min/km