Today it rains for the whole day. I can’t remember when have I started to fond of rainy days. Because of the cool weather (Singapore is a tropical country)? At this moment, I would look out through the window and watching at people scurrying around to look for a shelter for escapade. This is the time when everyone stops his or her footsteps and stay closely together to avoid the raindrops. The barrier or defensive wall built between people seems to vanish in the midst of the rain. In my mind, I would wondering if those pedestrians on the street are rushing back to their cozy little house sitting closely with their families watching TV programs. Laughters and joys fill the room. There is a feeling of warmth and closeness in the atmosphere despite the cool temperature.
Every time, it rains.. Memories keep flowing back through my mind..
Tonight, I went down to Chinatown looking up for any good dinner around as I tired of the food near my house. As I walking down the street, I saw a number of unfamiliar shops selling China Cuisines setting up at there. Chinatown has not failed its name as one of the best food paradise in Singapore. The photos of the Cuisines hanging out of the shop are alluring. One of the shops that caught hold of my attention is “Feng Bo Zhuang Jiu Jia” (www.ahfbz.com).
The decoration of the shop resembles those in the martial art movie of ancient China. Sadly, there was no customers inside. Still, the unique names of the dishes were interesting. Every dish takes the name of a martial art. Two shops away, there is a desert stall packed with customers which was a total contrast from “Feng Bo Zhuang Jiu Jia”.
As I walking in a circle, I discovered another vegetarian restaurant newly opened at the cross junction of Havelock Road and South Bridge Road. The vegetarian foods remind me of those I had in Chengdu.
Next, I headed towards the newly open temple. The temple was dazzling and beautifully lit up. I entered and there was a huge Buddha status sitting in front of the hall surrounded by countless mini-size Buddha status. I took 3 joss-sticks and prayed for my family’s safety. The temple attendant told me that I needed only burned 1 joss-stick. It is the thought and sincerity that really matters. How true…
In the end, I had a glass of “Tek Tarih” at the Maxwell Market and took a bus back home.
This is my third Marathon race.. but my 4th time participated in Singapore SCM.
Feeling not well, I took some medicine before the night of the race. As usual, I couldn’t able to fall asleep the night before any of the race event. The effect of medicine had caused dizziness in my head. I could feel contraction in my hands and left leg muscles at 3am and my heart was pounding.
Nevertheless, I still wanted to give a try for this last SCM race held in Singapore. The bag deposit section was having a long queue. I was ten minutes late for the flag-off time and the distance between the starting point and the deposit area was one street away..
Having no sleep, my mind was detached from my physical awareness. I tried to keep a consistent pace along the way. After 10km, I would feel the impact from the lack of sleep and the pain coming from my right kneels. At 14km checkpoint, I was totally famished and took a banana to refill my energy.. At 16km, I had to took a muscle spray on my right kneels. No good!! The spray was not effective. At 18km, I took a muscle rubbed hoping it might soothe the pain. Well.. It did help a little.. but the most effective still coming back to the deep heat applied at 22km. I jogged slowly and be careful of the pressure exerted at my right foot landing then after.
The sun had risen at 8am and the weather was getting hotter. The East Coast route had always been the most demoralizing route in the entire race. One-step after another, I kept telling myself “not to stop” at least till 30km. After 30km, I couldn’t let myself to halt. In my mind, I said “I must get out from East Coast!!”. Kept repeating the same statement to inspire myself to continue.. I did not want to stop. At every water point, i snatched a cup of drink and ran with hand holding on it and drinking at the same time. At 32km, I strapped my Patella Brace at my right kneels to reduce the pain.
Yes!! I have done it!! Running non-stop for 34km!! With a last drawn of strength, I had 1.10hr left to complete the race within 4.30hr. Unfortunately, my body condition had failed me. At 35km, my two thigh muscles cramped. I told myself that no matter at what costs, I still could make it. At 37km, my head felt dizzy and my eyes could not be opened. Finally, my mind began to give up and the world seems spinning around me. From a pace of 5mins to cover 1 km, it had reduced to 10~12mins. I walked a little bit but most of the time kept jogging at a really slow pace.
After 30min, I was about to reach the finishing line finally. The time was registering for 5.00hr. I knew I had failed my attempt to do sub 5hr.. Nonetheless, I won’t give up. I had to run faster before the clock ticked to 5.01hr.. 100m before the finishing line, I gathered my last every strength and dashed towards it bearing all the pains at my right kneels and two thigh muscles.. The time - 5:00:49..
Although I had slight improvement over the previous year attempt, I was still very glad with the result. 2 reasons: (1) I was continuously running for the entire race; (2) Despite my body condition, I had managed to finish the race without going the hospital. Haha..
The next one?? Ultra-Marathon.
Tonight, I went down to Chinatown looking up for any good dinner around as I tired of the food near my house. As I walking down the street, I saw a number of unfamiliar shops selling China Cuisines setting up at there. Chinatown has not failed its name as one of the best food paradise in Singapore. The photos of the Cuisines hanging out of the shop are alluring. One of the shops that caught hold of my attention is “Feng Bo Zhuang Jiu Jia” (www.ahfbz.com). 
Next, I headed towards the newly open temple. The temple was dazzling and beautifully lit up. I entered and there was a huge Buddha status sitting in front of the hall surrounded by countless mini-size Buddha status. I took 3 joss-sticks and prayed for my family’s safety. The temple attendant told me that I needed only burned 1 joss-stick. It is the thought and sincerity that really matters. How true…