Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2025
I am so glad I managed to recover about 80% from my injuries sustained earlier this year. I am grateful!! I was able to train consistently and by learning a little bit more about marathon training, I managed to achieve another PB and this time, a sub-5. I am a slow runner, so achieving a sub-5 is a huge achievement for me, and a goal that has been on my mind for pretty long. This PB is 38 minutes faster than my last PB (5:27 SCSM 2024).
I don’t have a coach, I don’t have a club. I trained all by myself, be it long runs, intervals, tempo (ok occasionally got training partner for tempo runs, which is his easy runs). I enjoy planning my training plan and not following any specific training plan created by some individuals or app. I have more freedom this way. This year I trained more specifically for the marathon demand. I learn that specificity in training is what makes the difference in the result and it worked. I no longer insist on hitting certain mileage every week like what happened in the past, but focusing more on doing quality work. Quality over quantity. My mileage this year is in fact lower than last year but I can run faster now.
I was from Pen E and started the run close to the 4:45 pacers. I was running together with them most of the way until around 34km. I was running alongside them together with a large number of runners and one particular runner stood out because he was wearing very short shorts, with tattoo on his legs and very muscular looking. He ran close to the pacers all the way and when he saw me slowing down, he encouraged me and I thanked him. I slowed down to drink and they went ahead and I could not catch up. Too tiring at this point to sprint in order to catch them, so I ran at my own pace. I am always in awe of marathon pacers because they are so strong and consistent with their pacing. Excellent skill required for pacers to maintain a specific speed over a long distance to help other runners achieve their goals.
The most painful part was along Keppel Road around 37 – 40KM stretch. The U-turn between 38K – 39K took forever to reach and it was really mental. My butt and quad muscles were so painful, I had to apply counterpain gel and thankfully it helped a bit. At one point after 40KM marker, a roadside supporter uncle was shouting: “1.4K to PADANG!!”. I was so happy to hear that, I ran faster and telling myself I would reach the finish line soon, endure!
I crossed the finish line and saw from my watch: 4:49! Sub 5 goal achieved. Marathon crushed.
