30 June 2022, D-2
Jackie and I took the scoot flight together with most Singaporeans on Wednesday night and arrived in Gold Coast on Thursday morning. As we arrived one day earlier before Huiwen and Kiak (they were flying from Sydney to Gold Coast), we stayed in Voco hotel for the first night.
After brunch and check in, we met up with Zhilei, Shaowei, Teck Ming and Andy for a shakeout run near the beach. I did an easy 30mins run and incorporated some drills and strides at the end.
After shower, we took the tram to the race expo to pick up our race bibs. As it was the first day of the race expo, there was no crowd and we got our bibs fairly quickly. Took a few photos and also checked out the booths and the merchandise.
After that, we had a sumptuous and full dinner at an Italian restaurant nearby. Took a tram back to Surfers Paradise where we spent the rest of the evening playing UNO.
1 July 2022, D-1
Jackie, Huiwen, Kiak and I booked an apartment right at the heart of surfer paradise, which was about 5km from the race site. What attracted to us was the gorgeous sea view from living room and it has a great location – just 200m away from Surfer Paradise tram station. Since we were expecting free tram rides for all runners on race day, it would be convenient to just hop onto the tram and let it bring us straight to Southport in 20mins.
Turned up that Kiak and Huiwen has rented a car for this trip. Since there was no road closure, the plan was to leave our service apartment at 4:45am and reach the race site at 5am. Kiak will drive to race venue and Huiwen will drive the car back since she is not racing the half marathon.
2 July 2022, Race Day
The day started at 4am. I had about 6 hours of sleep but I woke up a couple of times to use the toilet so I wasn’t feeling so well-rested. Breakfast was a chocolate croissant, 1 medium banana (both brought from supermarket the evening before) and 1 cup of instant coffee (brought from home).
We took a little longer than expected to get ready and by the time we set off, it was closer to 4:55am, which was still ok since we were just 15mins’ drive away to the race site.
Weather temperature was cool at 16 degree Celsius and it was raining lightly when we set off. I was glad that I had an old T-shirt, a poncho, windbreaker and track pants to keep myself warm. We alighted from the car somewhere close to the race site. Waved goodbye to Huiwen and started walking briskly towards the start line. It was 5:20am and there were already many runners either queuing for the portable loos or doing their warm up. We quickly dropped off our baggage at respective counters based on our bib numbers. Jackie and Kiak went on to warm up while I jogged around trying to look for a portable loo with shorter queue. By the time I queued and came out of the loo, I did not have much time for a jog. I only managed to do some dynamic stretches while waiting close to the priority start pen. At 5:50am, the rain has subsided and I was beginning to feel warm. I removed my t-shirt and poncho; and took a packet of gel before going into the race pen which was already filled with many runners. Spotted a few familiar faces who also got priority start – Ting Xuan, Jacky Ong, Serena, Vanessa and I made a new friend, Eliza who is currently training under Jacky Ong. Wished everyone well and we waited patiently for the race to start. Could feel the excitement in the air and adrenaline building up.
At exactly 6am, we heard “On your mark”, “bang!” The race has started somewhat abruptly as we were expecting a countdown before flag off. I started my watch when I crossed the start line and went with the flow, resisting the urge to go faster when many runners from behind overtook me. The plan was to start with 4:15”/km pace for at least the first 5km, and then picked up the pace to 4:10”/km if I feel good. I reminded myself not to rush at the start and I was quite pleased see my Garmin registered 4:13”/km for the first km. Kiak who started at Pen A suddenly appeared besides me. His plan was to run 4:15”/km for the first 7km and then increase to 4:10”/km and 4:05”/km towards the end. I thought it was a good idea to follow and run together.
The first 5km went accordingly to plan and I was running relaxed and in control. But I must have underestimated the race course. Having done the full marathon in 2014, I knew the race course was not flat like pancake and there were some gradual ups and downs along the way. Still, I did not recall the few short inclines along this stretch of the course so I was conservative while going up the slopes, running based on effort rather than pace. Took a packet of gel at 7km mark and I tried to increase my pace to keep up with Kiak. My 8km split reads 4:11”/km but I lost Kiak after a short but steep incline and could only watch as he sped away. My pace slipped to 4:16”/km for the next km. There goes my race plan to attempt a 4:10”/km pace from 7km onwards. My average pace on Garmin read 4:14”/km, and I would learn later that this was the same pace when I finished the race. I ran on, strands of hair slipping out of my hair band and I was in a disheveled state.
As I ran towards the u-turn point at 11km mark, I could see the faster runners on the other side of the road. Among the Singaporean girls, I saw Ting Xuan in the lead, with Jacky Ong running alongside, pacing her. Close behind her was Vanessa, running strong and looking relaxed. Shortly after, I spotted Serena running hard and looking laser focused. The girls were all well ahead of the sub 84mins pacers. Cheered for all of them as I ran on.
Moments later, I saw Kaihong looking relaxed and running comfortably like it’s a stroll in the park. He shouted out to me and I waved back at him. Andy was just slightly behind Kaihong though he seems to be looking less relaxed.
10km split: 42:31 mins
I must have been distracted by all the runners on the other side as my 10km split slipped to 4:19”/km. That got me a little anxious and I have to put in extra effort to get back to 4:15”/km pace. “Almost to the u-turn point now”. Saw Kiak and he cheered for me. I pressed on. By the time I completed the u-turn and was on the same side of the road as Kiak, he was at least 100m ahead.
Shortly later, I saw the sub 90mins pacers with their balloons on the other side of the road. Also spotted the husband, Jackie looking relaxed and enjoying every bit of his run not far behind the pacers. Not long after, spotted couple Shaowei and Zhilei in their bright yellow matching tops. Zhilei’s personal pacer, Shaowei was running comfortably and Zhilei was just a step behind him, looking very focused. By this point, I was getting a little uncomfortable and could only muster a thumbs-up to them. I could see Kiak fading into the distance, running faster and executing his race plan perfectly. That back view was the last glimpse of him. He went on to do a negative split and finish in 86+ mins.
The middle section is always the worse. You are tired, yet there’s still half way to go. On top of that, I was slipping away from my goal time of 87mins since I was not able to pick up to 4:10”/km pace as planned. I was also feeling some tightness on my right hamstring and glute. I ran on, mentally assessing the damage. It was a relief that what I felt was not a sharp pain (fear of triggering an old injury was real) but just a dull achy feeling. Yet, the discomfort was enough to send a negative message to my mind telling me it’s ok not to push, no one is going to care how fast (or slow) I ran anyway. The urge to give in to fatigue and slow down was strong. My split at 12km reads 4:18”/km and I started questioning myself, “What’s the point of pushing since I might not do a PB anyway?”
Aware that I was slipping into self-pity mode, I quickly reminded myself, I still have a B goal which is to finish below 90mins. I have to at least try to sustain the pace. I pressed on and my next split at 13km reads 4:16”/km and 14km at 4:15”/km. I’m back onto 4:15”/km pace! (phew!) The tightness on my hamstring and glutes were all forgotten.
However, the fear of not achieving my B goal lingered as I realised my 1km auto lap alert always sounded a few meters before I passed the distance marker. This meant that I have to run below 4:15”/km pace if I do not want the sub 90mins pacers to catch me. I heard someone shouted my name but I was too tired to respond or react to see who it was. Whoever it was, thank you for the shout-out.
“The race always hurt. Expect it to hurt. You don’t train so it doesn’t hurt. You train so that you can tolerate it.”
Mark Rowland
Took my last packet of gel at 14km for the mental boost, telling myself that it was normal to feel uncomfortable at this point because I am suppose to be racing. I tried not to think of the 7km ahead of me. Instead, I focused on getting through the next 2km to reach 16km first. The mental strategy worked. I ended up with a 4:12”/km and 4:13”/km split for my 15km and 16km. I think it was around here when Zhiyong passed me. We encouraged each other and he ran on strongly ahead, fading into the distance. I was alone once again, wishing that I have the courage to give chase, but… I was already giving my best effort to sustain the pace.
The last 5km was another round of mental game. I broke it down to 5 x 1km and tell myself to take it 1km at a time. My heart sank when I saw my 17km split was a little slow at 4:17”/km. “4 x 1km now”, I tried to motivate myself by following the next runner who passed me.
It was feeling tougher by the minute. Positive self talks and following runners ahead did not work anymore. Then, I spotted a camera man ahead, I reminded myself to smile. Smile for the camera and smile to distract myself from the pain. Glad I did as I got a few nice running photos in the end.
Right after 17km mark, I thought I could hear the chatters and footsteps of the sub 90mins pacers behind me. The fear of being overtaken awoken me and give me a new sense of motivation. I was determined not to let them catch me. It’s a wonder how the mind works. I pushed hard and I was back at 4:12”/km pace at 18km where I saw Eliza on the left side of the road.
It was just 3km more to the finish and I’m still alive. I knew I have to dig deep to keep moving and increase the gap between myself and the pacers. I was happy to see a 4:11”/km split for my 19km. Tried to press on but at 20km mark, all I could managed was a 4:18”/km split.
20km split: 42:42
“Just 1km more to the finishing line. I can’t give up now.” My mind racing as fast as my legs.
I ran hard, digging into my last reserve but many runners kept passing me and I do not have any energy left to surge.
As I approached the final 500m, there were many supporters and spectators lined up along the sides and cheering enthusiastically for all the runners. The cheers spurred me on as I turned into the finishing chute which says 250m to the finishing line.
Suddenly, my primary school mate, Cher YH flew past me, said “Jiayou” to me and before I could response, he has sprinted ahead. I chased, hoping to close the gap as much as possible. It was the longest 250m ever. The blue carpet seemed to go on forever and it felt like an eternity when I finally caught sight of the finishing line with the clock counting down the time. It was fast approaching 1:29:40. Eyes on the clock, I increased my cadence, swing my arms and made a sprint for the finishing line.
Completed Gold Coast Half Marathon in 1:29:51. (strangely my gun and net time are the same despite starting behind the seeded runners)
Though I missed out on my A goal of achieving a PB (1:27:39), I’m glad I have persevered to do an even split and achieved my B goal of sub 90 mins, which is the only 2nd time I ever ran below 90 mins for a half marathon.
So yes, I should be proud of myself and not be too disappointed.
Here are more photos taken after the race.
Post Race Reflections
As I write this race report, there were a lot of “what ifs”. What if I have been gutsy enough to attempt a 4:10”/km right from the start? Would that set the momentum and lead me to a PB? After all, the first 5km feels easy to me. What if I have tried to surge and keep up with Kiak when he starts pulling away? Would I be able to do a negative split like what he did?
Well, I will never know but at least when the time comes next time, maybe I will be able to respond better and make a different decision.
FeelTheWindAndJoy 