HSP Run on 17 Mar`07 (Sat)

Carboloaded with cabbage rice on Friday nite, in anticipation for 30km+ LD on Saturday. Had plan a new route covering Hougang, Sengkang & Punggol. tktan joined me for the run and we started @ 6.50am. It was nice and cool as we ran through Sengkang to the park connector @ Hougang Ave 7 -- great running along the breezy canal. At the end of canal, tktan requested for a break as his right leg felt uncomfortable -- adjusted his shoe n lace. Time check was 30min for 5.2km -- slow n easy 5:46km/min pace.

We continued on to Punggol via Punggol East flyover (a slight slope here). Followed the LRT line and ran the perimeter for Punggol Town -- weather breezy and the vast view of the open green fields were relaxing. tktan had warmed up his engine and leading 20m ahead. We turned right and Punggol Rd to a shady path with tree lined on both sides of the road. Then, we were greeted with a rolling hills infront of us -- arghh, didn't expect hills in this area and was pleasantly surprised. Glad we reached the end of the road, which was Punggol Jetty -- time check was 1hr 19min @ 13.6km(5:46km/min pace). A few people were waiting for the boat (dunno to where). The place was desserted -- no shelther, except for a bus-stop and a locked portable toilet. We re-fueled with our 1st pack of Gu Gel before continue on. Hey, the return route was faster than we expected :) By then the sun was out in full blast. Did an extra 6km ard Punggol and refueled with 2nd Gu Gel & re-fill our water bag @ Punggol MRT station -- time check was 2hr 12min @ 23km (5:44min/km pace). tktan was feeling left hip pain but he pressed on as we head toward the final loop from Sengkang to Jalan Kayu.

This was a demoralizing stretch -- long stretch and see no end. The weather was oppressed heat from the haze. The hip pain was bothering tktan and he asked me to go ahead as he walk back to the end point. To avoid the hot sun, I ran under the shaded path of the right lane -- motorists were surprised to see me but gave way to me :) Really glad to reach the end point -- time check was 2hr 58 min @ 31km (avg 5:45min/km pace). Backtracked a little to meet up with tktan. He was totally burnt out! We did a warmed down stretch before heading for shower n brunch.

P.S. Happy that I dun feel much pain @ knee for this run and despite the hot weather, I was able to maintain a consistant 5:45min/km pace :) Yeah, I have gradually increase my mileage -- will peak my mileage within the next 2 weeks! Felt under-prepare for the marathon -- this was my first 30km run (did many 30km+ run during training for SCSM06). Sorry that tktan was experiencing hip pain -- hope the next LD will be better for him!

Distance : 31km
Time : 2:58min
Avg pace : 5:45min/km