- Site:
- http://www.desireekohink.com
- Miles:
- 4135 total / 363 in 2012
- Goal:
Set new marathon and triathlon PRs, cross finish with big grin and head high!
Desiree Koh ran: What a lovely race! I...
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- 4 miles
- 00:31 time
- 08:21 pace
- 381 calories
- details
What a lovely race! I biked to the start, about a 6.5km ride, always a nice warm-up in my mind. It's too bad I putzed around too long at home - I was up early, but dragged my heels getting ready. As a result, I had to hustle down instead of a leisurely cycle, but that's fine - that's triathlon mode. I locked my bike, checked my gear in and literally had just three minutes to spare as I weaved my way into corral A (very loosely defined as those who expected to completed under 36 minutes). I might have been able to use a couple more minutes to catch my breath but like I said - it's good triathlon transition practice.
It was a very well-organized race and it's always a breath of fresh air in Singapore to run someplace other than East Coast Park. Tribob did a lovely job of planning the route through a nice park by the Kallang River - I really did enjoy running a course I'd never run before. It was really hot and humid today - I had sweat streaming down my legs and my shoes were wet by the end.
MAJOR grouse: Why were there people in corral A who were walking by 2k? Why were people who were running with their kids in corral A? I mean, come on, people need to be better educated about their place in races. I don't think I would have been significantly faster without the obstacles, but it got rather annoying in the first 2.5km to have to weave among people who were walking. And if you were to walk in a race, PLEASE do so by the side of the course. Even if you've decided not to run anymore, some of us still do and would like to maintain a pace.
Back to my race. I started out a bit too aggressive - I completed the first km in 4:45(!). So I took it down because I wanted to save something for my kicker. I might have been a bit too conservative as my 2nd and 3rd km came it at about 5:30-5:40. I started to build up on speed again and managed a pretty decent final km, with some nice strides in my last 300m or so. I think I could have put in more effort - I was maybe running 85% - but I did come off a long brick workout yesterday so in my mind, I was thinking "whatevs" a little.
My time places me 23rd in the Female Open category, 30th among all women competitors (1,165 total) and 173rd overall. This is actually my first ever 6k race - I'd like to be able to complete one in 30:00+ eventually.
- Gear
- Weather
30th among 1,165? Congratulations are in order. Fricken' wicked pace!!
almost 2 years ago • Like
Thank you!
almost 2 years ago • Like
Excellent. Congratulations Desiree.
almost 2 years ago • Like
A flying pace! :-D Congrats on the strong run!
Hehe, I had a very similar experience with the inaugural Nike-organized race in 2008. People were walking just 500 meters into the race, and worse, some couples were holding hands blocking the path! Some of the points were so narrow that the walkers blocked off the entire path, so I started a "Walkers! Keep Left!" shout/chant 6-7km in, and a chorus of other frustrated runners joined in the chant.
Try it out the next time you get blocked in a race?
almost 2 years ago • Like
That's fast :) I only managed to clock in at 43:24, but the only time I walked is near the water stop at mid point, and somewhere near the end. I started at the back of the line, and I overtook many people, most of whom seem to overshot their stride early or something. You were right about people walking all over. I zig-zagged everywhere, even at my slow pace.
almost 2 years ago • Like
Yes - the hand-holding couples are a pet peeve of mine. The thing is, I completely understand if you're not going to run the whole thing or want to hold hands. Just PLEASE do it by the side so you're not blocking people who are trying to run their best. Not enough races do this, and I think they should - in the briefing, they should always remind runners to place themselves appropriately at the start. Know yourself.
Wari - I usually don't need water if I'm running up to 10k, so I didn't need to stop.
almost 2 years ago • Like
Hmm, AFAIK, no races that i've participated in the past 2 years in Singapore had formal race briefings. Perhaps organizers should go on the speaker system and yell out at the starting point before the race starts, "...and please be reminded to keep right if you wish to walk during any part of the race. And, in 3, 2, 1... GO!" :-P
almost 2 years ago • Like
People being people, Singaporeans being Singaporeans, you'd still have people in front just because... ya know. I like your chanting strategy.
almost 2 years ago • Like
This is the same with the OCBC cycle, kept shouting "On your RIGHT!" most of the time. As for water, by the time I reach the starting line I was thirsty, water coolers everywhere, but no cups around. Had to get the water from somewhere :)
almost 2 years ago • Like
The OCBC is seen more like a fun ride than an actual timed race - I guess in a way, so was this run. The difference is, there were actually corrals, no matter how informal, so it would have been nice if people were considerate or knew their ability.
A sure sign of getting it wrong vis a vis the corrals - that they never trained so they had no idea how long they would take to run it!
almost 2 years ago • Like
"that they never trained so they had no idea how long they would take to run it" <- you are right! :) I came in expecting 45 mins completion, because I know how long I would take. Finishing it in 2 1/2 minutes earlier is a plus. So I know where to line up my self.
Believe me, at the OCBC race, the elite riders at the front was quite pissed at the early starters who were at the 1st corral but was there to joy ride.
almost 2 years ago • Like