Finally found time to write about my first long distance walking event.
Took the Bus 969 from home to Tampines took only 20 minutes!
Much faster than if I were to drive and a whole lot cheaper.
Start point is from Tampines Stadium.
Met up with Le_Senza (with GilbertCai) and HamsterMama (with wheregot) and their respective teams.
Got a SMS from Brokie and promised to give her sit rep (Army Talk : Situation Report) during the walk.
After a slow warm-up session by the organisers, we were flagged off.
Armed with the briefing notes, we are to complete the 50km distance based purely on the Goggle maps provided.
1km into the walk, the teams were already spaced out as different teams adopt different walking strategies.
We started at a "blazing" 5.5-6 km/h pace while other teams adopt a more comfortable 4 km/h pace.
After I sms-ed Brokie at Giant Tampines, she has the water point set up half an hour later! And we were just reaching Check Point 1 in Pasir Ris Park. Opps.... Brokie has too much faith in our walking power. =p
Reached CheckPoint 1/6 (1 for 50km / 6 for 100km).
Can feel 3 blisters forming. Applied large portion of Vaseline and hope for the best.
Set off at 5.5-6 km/h pace again, cos we wanna have our supper at Changi Village before the stalls close. Haha, that is good motivation.
Reached Brokie's water point at 10.30pm.
Sure is good to see Brokie and Vincent.
Brokie looks pretty tired but she is happy to see us.
Have a cup of her heavenly drink before we continue on our way.
Along Loyang Way, we managed to overtake Samukwa.
One of the walkers is limping, but I really admire them for making it this far.
Just past Hendon Camp, the first of six Akira Swift Walkers overtake us.
Eventually the whole team overtake us just before the checkpoint.
They are one lucky group.
They have logistics support, so none of them are carrying any haversacks.
Gulp down a plate of Char Kway Teow (haha, got the correct term from Wikipedia!!!) and a large cup of SugarCane Drink and we are soon on our way!!!
What have I gotten myself into....My request for a longer break was bluntly turned down...Hur hur...苦笑
Midway through Changi Coastal Road, the sole blisters which has been bothering me occasionally really started to take effect.
It is only then that I decided to put plasters over the blisters.
By then the pace has already slowed to 4km/h.
Another few hundred meters down the stretch, we decided that it is best for me to change to my Crocs.
Ahh, the Crocs are just therapeutic.
It effectively eliminates the pain off 2 of the heel blisters.
The Crocs did not helps much for long though.
My pace is getting slower and slower.
I am starting to crawl at 3km/h...Ouch...
I wonder if I am cramping or not...I cannot even be sure...
(Two days after the walk, I can confirm it is not cramps, the blisters is really restricting my strides.)
When we reached NSRCC Sea Sports Centre, I asked my teammates to go ahead.
I will drop out at the next checkpoint.
Their reply? "You have not given up, how can we give up on you."
After numerous requests, I decided to give up. They crawled with me to Checkpoint 3/8.
When we reached CheckPoint 3/8, I officially dropped out and my teammates joined another team to continue on their way to the finish.
Tried to seek transport from the organisers proved futile.
CP3/8 is such a desolate area that we are unable to get a cab.
The Red Cross told me that I have to wait an hour or so before their transport may come along.
I told them "No worries" and went to rest at the bench.
While resting, Apelles came over to share seats with me.
Turned out that he is going back early for a meeting.
With 15 walkers in his Team Agape, they have logistical support as well.
Max will be coming over soon to pick Apelles.
Managed to hitch a ride from Max to Tanah Merah MRT.
Thank you, Apelles and Max!!! You guys are so wonderful!!!
While waiting for the train, happen to meet our Ms Kelly.
Poor lady is on her way to work...
Reached home and immediately plonked off to sleep in my walking gear. =p
That will mark the end of my race schedule for this year.
MR25 Ultra Marathon will be a no-go for me this year.
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