Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2024
I have been training for this marathon on 1 December 2024 for the whole year. I added intervals and strides every week during training. I went to the track to do my intervals once a week almost every week, be it rain or shine. I did hard sessions on the track, solo long runs under the burning sun, pouring rain, pushing through fatigue and soreness…. but on 1 December morning, I woke up with pain in my left heel and foot. I felt the pain probably 2 to 3 weeks prior but I thought I could manage it and the pain would get better closer to race day. When I still felt the pain on race day morning, I was a little worried. However, I still proceed as if nothing happened. I took a private hire car and met with a bad traffic jam. My destination was Millenia Walk but the driver said he may not be able to get to Millenia Walk due to all the road closures but he would try to put me somewhere close. I told him last year the driver could drive me to Millenia Walk with no problem, and he said this year the marathon organiser closed more roads, resulting in this bad jam. Unable to go any further, I alighted near Marina Square.
I felt this year there were more runners participating? It was extremely crowded! While walking to F1 pit, I felt my left heel pain getting more intense. Why? My training has been going on quite well throughout the year and I achieved multiple PBs in the 5k and HM. Why must my heel decided to protest now? If so, all the training would be in vain. The thought of not starting came into my mind. Should I turn back now? But I am already here.
Amazingly this year there was no delay in the flag-off time. In the past, the flag-off was always delayed. Well done! So we started on time from pen to pen. There was no sign of rain despite the rainy weather we had been experiencing daily in the past week.
I ran carefully and also tried to assess how bad my heel pain was. The first few kilometres were really over-crowded and I had a hard time running without tailgating someone. It was also very humid. I was feeling a little annoyed at the mob and all the sweaty arm-to-arm rubbing situation! At that time, I really miss running carefree at my favourite bishan park without the masses. The splitting point between the half marathon and the marathon was at around the 13k mark. I felt relieved that hopefully, it would not be so congested anymore.
I taped my pinky toes and big toes (those are prone to blisters), and I forgot at which point, I felt a sharp pain as if the toenail or skin had peeled off completely. Immediately I stopped at the roadside, removed my shoe and sock to check. No blood. Probably just an obnoxious blister. I put back my shoe and continued running in pain. Strangely, after some distance, it didn’t feel so painful anymore. But my left heel situation was still not looking good. I was still trying to manage it and thinking how to run 42k with this bad foot. I was mentally prepared that this time, I wasn’t getting any PBs and gave up on trying. So I took more time to drink and walk at the hydration station.
At around 27 or 28k, the thought of not finishing the race flashed through my mind. Should I stop and go home? Is it better than finishing with a bad time? Then I saw a random supporter holding a sign: “the only option is to finish”. It was like something or someone from above was telling me to finish it and not give up. So I gritted my teeth and carried on. Along the way, I saw more signs: “Your feet hurt because you are kicking ass” and “The pain is worse if you don’t finish”. I thought if I gave up now, I would be crying at home later. It’s better to cry after crossing the finish line than to cry at home regretting my silly decision to quit.
After 30k, the sun was getting hotter and the weather getting more humid. I took some ice to cool down and poured water on my face and head. My motivation was dropping drastically in this heated condition and I felt so lonely. My pace was getting terribly slow from 33 to 36k and I went to the toilet because finally found a toilet that was not so dirty like the previous few I encountered. After the toilet visit, I drank more water and 100plus.
Around 37k, suddenly I heard pacers coming from behind. They were 5:15 pacers and I decided to follow them closely. Their presence motivated me a lot and I told myself not to lose them because I just realised how pitiful I was, running alone in this heat, this distance, in this sorry situation. I ran my last 5k with the pacers with high spirits and was able to run at a good pace. At 40k, I thought how could anyone stop now when they were so close to the finish line? I kept running faster and faster eventhough I was dying. Eventually I crossed the finish line in one piece. I survived the marathon with a bad foot! I got a PB! How could it be possible?! I couldn’t believe my eyes.
I collected my medal and finisher tee. The medal is beautiful and golden, the finisher tee is blue and super nice. I don’t regret running and finishing it, nobody will.
