Conquering Twenty-one Kilometres

I am never going to forget how I felt on the 3rd Dec 2006.

430am: I woke up to the large shrilling sound of the alarm clock. The first word that popped in my mind was "Shit."

445am: I looked around the kitchen for food, but there was none. Cursed myself for not preparing some energy bars/bananas the night before. But I needed to make sure that I don't run on an empty stomach, so I cooked myself some instant noodles. -_-

530pm: I reached Tampines Stadium and boarded the chartered bus to the race destination. So many people were wearing the same singlet as me. it felt weird. Once on the bus, I fell asleep almost immediately..

600pm: Reached the place, everyone was walking around.. doing warms ups blah blah blah. At that time, I wished I were dead. Tried very hard to look for Emily and Cheryl, then went to deposit our bags.

615am: We wrote inspirational notes to pin on our backs. Mine says "You cant be" Emily's say "Slower" Cheryl's says "than us!) I got separated from them . so imgaine how stupid i looked.

620am: We went to the toilet, as usual chit chatting and laughing...

635am: We realised tat we missed the race time, which was 630am. We have not even done any warms ups

645am: The race began for us! We were jogging effortlessly, and even had all the energy to laugh n chat..

730am: After running for 6km, I decided it's time for me to stop. Not going to risk injuring my knees.. So i told emily n cheryl to go ahead without me...

800am: I felt so bored. wanted so much to catch up w my frens, but I had to be rational-my knees are more impt..

830am: Still feeling lonely, I decided to admire my manicured fingers to kill time. And I realised they were swollen! Couldnt even clench my fist properly. At the same time, I saw a woman collaspe and lying by the roadside, waiting for help. Had such a strong urge to go up to the first aider to ask if i will faint from swollen fingers. But i didnt want to appear mad...

850am: An old man overtook me, he was running and READING A BOOK at the same time. The pages of the book was stained with droplets of his sweat already. My eyes nearly popped out.

900am: THe finishing line is just 500m away, but I had to make a loop of 8km or so.. I just wanted to die there and then.

915am: Decided to stop by the roadside to stretch. My muscles were so tight that I dun think my legs could carry me any further... My back, shoulders and every other part of my body were aching and screaming for rest. but i still had 6 kilometres to go

920am: I saw the banana station! Starving, I took a banana to eat.

930am: I saw Emily and Cheryl! THey were on their way back to the finishing line. We were like 2 or 3 km apart.. and there was no way i was gg to catch up w them in the state that I was in. Wished they could wait for me, they offered too, but at the finishing line -_-

940am: I needed to talk to someone BADLY. I'm like conquering something so difficult and yet I had to do it alone... So i started a small talk with this girl beside me. This is also the first time she's running a marathon and her friends were also way in front. Feels so much better to talk to someone and have someone beside me.

1000am: Passed by the same banana station again, and I took one more banana.

1015am: A volunteer by the roadside tried to cheer us on, "Come on, it's only 1km! Run!" Yeah right I would be running if i can. I want to end the agony as early as I can.

1030am: The finishing point... just 500m ahead....

I finally finished the race. Though the loneliest race ever, it is also the most memorable one.