AHM 2:30

I am back (I was back at 11am, actually), and I am very much alive. There's nothing like a good run to make you feel totally alive, or at least appreciate the fact that you're alive. I must admit, at certain parts of the 21k I actually felt it'd be better if I wasn't.

Couldn't sleep last night like I expected - reached home from my grandmother's at around 11pm, and after preparing everything and getting ready for bed I tossed and turned and got smsed by a friend who asked me to go watch the Asian Karate Federation tournament today, and finally went to bed at 1230am.

Woke up at 230am. Go figure. Washed my face in a trance, packed the stuff in after smearing my legs liberally with deep-heat muscle rub, consequentially shuffling like the descent of men because Water + Deep Heat = Pain. Breakfast was a piece of pandan cake (I know it contains egg.), and 2 glutinous rice thingies which had no eggs, and of course coffee (no sugar or milk).

Felt the cab I booked approaching with my highly tuned ESP, and got my ass out of the door after mincing around with the ankle guards.

At 4am exactly, my ESP told me the cab was going to approach anytime soon, and I began to pull my socks on, when the cab actually pulled up outside the door. Hurriedly pulled my socks and exited.

"You Book Cab For 4am?!"
"Ah yes. To City Hall right?"
"Ya."

Was a rather quick journey, and managed to pass by Mohd Sultan on my way there, and solemnly watched as teenagers puked their guts out on the streets and then keeled over to suck them back in.

Reached Raffles Place Shopping Centre at 430am, walked down to the area and found a spot in front of the War Memorial (Which was a pillar. And I'm sure people will look at that pillar and think, "Yes, that's exactly how Uncle Bob used to look like.") to stone (HawHawHaw) for half an hour. Then, using my finely attuned sense of ESP once more, managed to find the Bag Deposit Area, which was an area for the depositing of bags, with the Sign : BAG DEPOSIT AREA written in font so big I could spread myself out and not cover the letter "A".

Minced around and used the toilet, though with the amount of backsplash, I'm not entire sure who was pissing on who. Stood around staring at the lamp posts light up the trees in its yellowish light, illuminating the esplanade like a overripe half durian and briefly reflected on the fact that I was probably insane, but at least I was in good company with all the NSmen and young men and women around me.

Climbed up the bridge and waited for the starting fog horn to kill the people in front so we could step over their limp bodies. Started at 530+am - the first time in my life I've ever run in the dark, and I suspected this would be the longest race of my life (I was partially wrong). The run started quite well - at least for the first 10k, which was the extent of my training - prior to this I'd not run more than 10k in a row.

Made my way along the roads on the lamp-lit highway, however, by lecherously trailing spiffing young women with very nice legs until my lungs proclaimed victory over my libido and I collapsed in a heap at the side. Seriously, though, I did follow the legs, but I wasn't turned on, I swear. No, really.

TSK.

Officially died at the 12k mark, but was rejuvenated along the course by hot young things spraying mists of water at us, but I honestly feel it would have been better if the hot young things had been of the female persuasion instead of the botak men in army slacks who were acting out a scene from PlayGirl. I thank the Gods above that no soap was involved.

Ran through East Coast Park, which is looking more and more like West Coast in that instead of actually hearing/seeing/smelling the sea, I had an excellent view of the blue plastic thing covering the sides of the trail. Did, however, manage to go to the toilet.

Lost track of the nice legs I was chasing around 1:25, which was where we started running on the main roads and people started to pick up their pace, especially seeing that the skies were gradually turning blue-ish.

Had quite a few stops, for water, to stretch because of imminent cramps and plantar fasciitis, traffic especially since we were running through roads a fair bit, and eventually came to Cantonment Area, which was the part I was dreading because I worked around the area, and it was like running back to work.

Ran up some nice areas though, as the skies turned pale blue.

Got cramps something severe around the 18km mark, and had to stop constantly for stretching. Considering my furthest distance to date was 10k (And I mean in a week), I was actually quite surprised it hadn't occured earlier.

Reached the final stretch around 2:10, and if I had had the energy to run, I would have probably completed at 2: 15 or so, but as it were, while struggling with cramps and sudden muscular diededness, basically went on to the finishing line with a grimace and relief, so it looked like I had just crapped in my pants, which would also explain why everyone stepped away from me so quickly. Which was a good thing, because I had cramps in both my thighs at exactly the same time as my finishing time of 2:29:30, and ended up having both legs snap straight from the cramp - so I expect the finishing photo of me (if any) would look like Frankenstein just went to the toilet and advancing on his creator at the same time.

Got the medal, and promptly sat down to relax as my life flashed before my eyes. It had commercials.

Finally able to move after a minute or so, I got my bag, changed, and went down to subway for a Veggie Delite.

Food has Never Tasted So Good Before.

I am training for this next year.

Twas a very interesting experience. I'd go through it again, minus the cramps of course.



P.S. Mr Daniel, Yes, I'm in your class. I probably would win at poker, except I generally lose because my poker face consists of a cross between"extreme bewilderment" and "Constipation". However, I wouldn't voluntarily stand out because I reserve the right to write about my fellow course-mates when they do stupid things. I think I'm allowed to do that, since Singapore's democracy currently is essentially about 3 things :

1) Freedom of speech if the speech is legally allowed, which is a strange paradox of "freedom".

2) Freedom of Action if you're not breaking the gazillion laws.

3) A Damn Big Stick.

Though in the very near future it'd involve government Bloggers. I can just see it now.

Day 1 : Went to work. Signed some papers. Debated with DD about the creation of the new Bill. Had lunch with MOS. Slapped hundred dollar bills in my chaffeur's face on the way home because he stopped at a red light. Slept.

Day 2 : Ditto.

Day 3 : Ditto, except I shat a piece of turd the length of Sentosa! I am a stud. Who says size doesn't matter?

And I'm not sure if I should actually read those blogs because my brains would try to escape when the technical jargon they use grabs me by my collar and sodomises me.

Final update : Bought Boca Vegan Sausage Links for Pasta dinner tomorrow.