Akira Swift X-Country 2009 Post 2

Cornie:

“What??? You’re going to race on Saturday in SINGAPORE? Where it’s 30 plus and the humidity is the like at the steam sauna where we used to go during cold winters?” This is a common reaction of my friends back in Europe, if they get to know about my weekend plans. Racing over there is characterized by temperatures around 20 degrees, sometimes 25 which is already considered as hot. And humidity occurs rarely enough.

The weather conditions for Akira Swift X-Country Championships 2009 were close to European standards. We arrived at Bedok Reservoir around 3 pm when a thunderstorm started and it rained cats and dogs for nearly an hour. You couldn’t see the other side of the reservoir. We shared a small pavilion with 2 other groups and some secondary school girls screaming every other minute, no matter if there was a thunder or not. Kelvin tried really hard to get a team picture, Jackie zoomed through the rain and didn’t get cold, the rest of us chit chatted and tried stay as dry as possible with jackets, t- shirts and umbrellas. Almost impossible but true: I was cold for the first time during my “endless summer”!

When the rain finally stopped, we had a long warm up, jumping over and running through paddles and it reminded me of a typical spring/ fall jog in Europe. We didn’t have time for a long stretch because of the women’s open.

The men’s open happened some minutes afterwards. Melissa and I got ready and she stayed calm even though it was her first race for NUS! Helpful was the route briefing we received: “You run up, turn around and then come back.” Okay, we were off! Melissa and I started in the front and some JC girls overtook me, right in front was this sportive Asian German trio; three middle aged fit ladies enjoying running! It was a pleasure to see how much they were into running! I could feel, that I didn’t stretch properly, and at the little slope I heard Mr Quek’s voice in my head “knees up, knees up” which really helped and I overtook two girls. Then the turn came and we ran back, our shoes were soaked and then I saw the guys coming from the over side which motivated me extremely. On the last meters there was Ben screaming out our names, he was really busy taping and making pictures simultaneously! Then the race was already over! The guys did amazingly well and Melissa did a great job! Thanks, it was a great experience to run with all of you!

P.S. The reservoir looked so peaceful when we left like it was never touched by any thunder…

Akira Swift X-Country Championships 2009 (7th March 09)

Shortly after we arrived at Bedok Reservoir, it started pouring. We took shelter under one of the pavilions with Corne and Melissa shielding us valiantly with their umbrellas. The wind was pretty strong and there was some lightning and CHIJ girls screaming. My ears hurt.

Yet the rain did little to dampen our spirits. People got boisterous with Kelvin tussling with Patrick for a jacket. I guess in such fights, size matters. Kelvin looked really smug wearing a super tight fit size “M” IVP jacket. Meanwhile, Jackie ran around offering buddy hugs to keep everyone warm. GuoChen was visibly distraught.

In an act of extreme boredom, Kelvin borrowed Patrick’s camera and tried to get a group shot. We squeezed and huddled together under the small pavilion which we shared with 2 other schools. It took about 7 shots before we finally got the camera-shy Guochen in the photo.

After a long wait, the organizers announced that the race would go on at 4.30pm. We were all pumped up and ready to go. We did a longer warm-up than usual, splashing into puddles on the flooded tarmac path. I felt like a little kid hopping around and enjoying the feeling of getting drenched.

We got back to the pavilion, did a fast stretch near the start line before we were called up. The girls started first and 10min later we were off. Our team started strongly with Jayanta surging ahead to chase the top Swift runners. I was with Alan and Guocheng and we ran as a pack. It was comforting to see a swarm of red NUS singlets just in from of me with Jackie moving up near Jayanta.

Near the famous steep hill, I sped up a little and caught up with a few runners. As I ran, I remembered Mr Quek’s advice to target runners in front, one by one, and to steadily catch up with them. As I ran down the hill and got back onto the gravel path, I ran with a very fast Swift runner who really pushed me. Far ahead, I could see a really psychotic runner in a yellow singlet who had been charging like a bull since the start of the race. It was none other than the legendary former NUS captain and famously charming Peng Tat.

Near the finish line, I ran hard but was out-sprinted by the swift runner. I finished in a time of 18.02 for abt 5km. It was a good time and I was happy.

Overall, it was quite good. The boy’s team came in 2^nd in the open category. Corne did a fantastic run and it was a credible debut race for Melissa which she agreed had been great fun. Nick Teh also did a spirited run with a nice sprint down the final straight. This braveheart moment was captured on Benedict’s handycam. (Hey Ben, rmb to add in the “Chariots of Fire” music.)

Well done everyone! We will aim to do better at the next race and…track season : )