Commonly known as the SCM, or even the Singapore Marathon. This marathon is the most common one that most people will take part when they live in Singapore and want to do a marathon. It is simple decision because it is in home ground, there are many local running groups to train you up. I joined Team Fat bird for their training the first time. They have many different groups, which is catered to different training pace. Group 1 being the fastest, training for a four hour or lower timing for Full Marathon. While Group 6, which consequently, was one of my favourite, is really all a leisure and happy group just to take it chills for a nice run. It has been four years since I recall this run.
I will say, having did around 10 X 21km before this, I was really confident that I could do it within four hours and thirty minutes. And besides that I was doing training with Team Fat bird and I had been clocking up to 35km of run.
But I was wrong, it was a totally different ball game when it comes to marathon. The hours required are definitely longer, and also if you are looking at a good timing, you really need a lot of hardwork. Many people will hit the wall around 28km. By the 30km, you can see many people walking or just really slowly down, picking up only water point to water point.
For this first race, I wore a Nathan two bottles ( 250ML) each hydration belt. I wore the singlet which was issued and also a Nike shorts. It was my first marathon and I was already converted to Vibram running shoes when I first started out. A lot of people told me that Vibram running shoes is not good, but it really depends on your choice and form of running. For me running in Vibrams is already a habit. But somewhat, if you are doing short distances and going for Speed, maybe the more conventional shoes will be a better choice.
The very first race, I was very ambitious and wanted to go for a 4:30. However, the longest distance I have covered by then was 35km . I did not know to be be able complete 35km, there is a 7 km more to go. The last 7km was really a torture. So when the 4:30 pacers passed me at the Sheares Bridge, I knew I have to aim for 4:45 instead. In the end, I managed a 4:50. It was really tiring. And I could not walk after that. It was like my both legs have split into 4 legs. I had a hard time trying to go home as I really could not walk properly. I was still telling my friends that we should go for some breakfast after the race, but I could not say the same now. All I wanted to do was to get home fast enough and rest.
Actually from 30km onwards, I was hobbling. And I was going from km to km , from water point to water point. Even at the last portion, I was unable to do a dash. The legs were really strained. After the race, I could feel total exhaustion.
Luckily there were some massage stations by Tiger Balm to help relieve a bit of pain for the runners. The massage is enough to help to relief short term pain. But if you are suffering from something long term and critical, please do not wait. You have to seek help early.
The Standard Chartered marathon is more or less taking on the same route every year. But ever since Gardens by the Bay was established, the route now includes this scenic part of Singapore. The only bad is usually the ending is up the Sheares bridge which can be quite a killer and the hot weather is also rather deterrant for most.
Being the only one out of the two marathons in Singapore, it is still worth the try.