And it was the time of the year again. Wings Cross Country will always be the first to break the local races. Originally, I did not want to join this race because of the 100km in Hong Kong, I thought I would not be in the best state to clock a good timing. However, coach Steven Quek said to form a team of veteran ladies, and in order not to disappoint, I decided to just go and try my best.
Coming back from the long trip in Hong Kong and Taiwan, I was very reluctant to pick up the momentum, but I guess I have no choice. The race was on Valentines Day at the usual Bedok reservoir, my condition has not improved much and the moment I start to run fast it gets worse. I also never went to see a doctor in fear that I won’t be able to do the 100km.
Race Proper
Everything was planned and organised by MR 25, the Macritchie Runners. All I have to do is show up on 14th Feb at Bedok reservoir. Supposed to be there at 7 am ish, I was too confident that the small car park there will have enough space, then end up when I reach there , the car park was full and in the end I drove over to the new BTO flats multi storey car park and was lucky enough to find a spot. When I ran over, I was already quite late, most of the ladies already moving over to the start line.
While running over, I could feel the strain and pain on the hamstrings part and the ass, this is when I thought things might not be that good and I might have problem maintaining my speed later in the race.
Pinning up the bib ( and remembering that it has to be pinned 4 corners or face a disqualification). When the horn sounded, I suddenly felt this urge to go forward but somehow my breath was not keeping up, I felt kindly weak and with that pain I really could not keep up with the pack. I look at my watch and I just can never go below 5min/km pace. At times it was even going beyond the 5min. Feeling a bit disheartened, I told myself not to think too much and just o finish up the race.
The last two Km I was already feeling wanting to give up but I still push through. Final results was 8 position in the senior category. It was one of my worst 5km speed run, end up about 26min something. After that, I begin to think maybe its time I wake up and start to run more because after the 100km, I had been just relaxing not really doing any work.
After math
We nevertheless came in 2nd as Wang Li and Vivien Tan were the fast ones who took us to this level. Just lucky that I never gave up or else we would have been disqualified and not even earned a placing. This cross country serves as a bench mark for me every year and I still look forward to doing better next year.
Oh special thanks to Wong Kum Fatt, another team member who came by specially to support us for the race. As usual, there were many cameo moments.