Good byes are never easy...

30/05/2009 2359: Adidas sundown. The race started off pretty badly for me. In general I wasn't as prepared as previous marathons and in addition I haven't been as rested lately either. Very early into the race my shoulder started aching badly and by the 9km mark I started walking, as opposed to the 21km mark during last year's stan chart. It was pretty discouraging to start walking 12km earlier, but I know that I can't just give up.

Walk, run, walk, run

Finally hit the 21km mark and was heading out of East Coast Park. My shoulder stopped aching somewhere along the way thankfully, but my legs were pretty exhausted as well. Suddenly I was greeted by a very strange sight, we had to cross an overhead bridge. It turned out it wasn't the only one either. We had to cross a total of about four overhead bridges as part of the "Heartland Twist" and "Waterfront Trail" (http://www.sundownmarathon.com/uploads/images/Sundown_Raceroute2.jpg). The 20-30km portion passed pretty quickly.

4a.m.

Two hours to finish before 6. I knew it was impossible to finish faster than last year or to do it under 5h30min but under 6h was still possible if I pushed it. The 30-42km portion felt like the most intense portion of the run, was pushing at abt 7.5-8 min per km. 10 mins after passing the 40km mark I still hadn't seen the 41 km sign. Did my pace drop so drastically so suddenly or did I miss the sign? The end can't be that far since I was already pass the bus terminal. Then someone shouts

300m more! Just up ahead!

One last push and I cross the finish line, it took about 5h42min. Collect my medal, finisher shirt, refreshments and head over to the baggage area. Pick up my bag and head over to where everyone was resting. Took off my shoes, leaned against the railing and relaxed. Back before 6am.

Raced the sunrise...

***

After breakfast and some sleep I headed over to Bukit Merah Central to meet the rest of the secondary one leaders for lunch before we headed to Rachel's place for our cluster gathering. After we had a great time playing Guesstures and Catchphrase, Vic announced to everyone that I would be leaving. When given a few minutes to share it was pretty hard, some of us go way back to when we first joined the p6 segment, some were rather new and I didn't really know them, it was really difficult to say what I'll miss and what I enjoyed during the times yet trying to include everyone.

When everyone took turns to share and affirm me it got pretty heart wrenching. Especially when it came to Vic and Alina, the two people I'm closer to. Vic started all the way back to the time I was in sec1, which is like 10 years ago. He was the one who roped me into serving after NS and post ORD we shared a lot together, HIP and eventually he took over the p6 cluster from Pastor John. He shared about the gifts he received from me and the one we gave him on his birthday this year and how he was surprised when I delivered it right to his doorstep that sunday morning. Alina knew my sister from way back, and was in the same cell as my brother for a period as well. But we never never each other late 07, then it was Timor, leader's advance and starting out in the p6 segment together. Just before NUS started we spent 9 weeks in HIP; all the early mornings, sessions, sharing, planning and running the secondary segment camp. She also helped me get a place in Eusoff as well, the day I moved in asked me if I was free for touch rug. She started to cry as she shared how she'll miss having me around, and Olivia started to cry as well. Sigh, I wish I didn't have to leave, yet I know it's time for me to move on...

Good byes are never easy...