NEW BALANCE RUN 2008

A very hot day! Thats how I would sum up the New Balance Real Run today. The sun was literally cooking me and many others alive at therun today. Too much open area with no trees insight. The only shady area was at the Changi Beach Park. But that was only for about 2-3 km I think.I took part in the 10km run. Though I had previously ran this distance at the Mizuno Run but due to the fact that I was not running as much as I should, due to lethargy and foot injury, I was apprehensive about the race today.I started off slow, which is my usual pace as I do not want to use up all my energy at the beginning of the race and I do not believe in giving in to pressure to sprint at the beginning of the race. But I knew something was not going too well when I felt a little light headed and my cheeks were flushed way too soon into the race. I was probably dehydrated and my body was not working very well because of the scorching sun. I was running too slowly, it came to a point where I felt I was kinda dragging my feet with me. I walked a while, bad choice because that not only slowed me down but also made me feel the heat even more. Then i picked up speed and started my jog again.The turning point came at the second drinks station. There was a choice of isotonic drinks and mineral water for everyone. I drank the isotonic drink and doused myself with the mineral water. This helped me to cool my body temperature down and i felt less dehydrated and I began to start opening up my stride and I could see and feel myself running! That was the way it should have been right from the beginning. But its never too late to realise it when I still have the chance. Then we came to the beach. The sand was soft but not ideal for running as it sinks when the footlands on it. It becomes something like a quick sand effect which is no good for runner as there is high chance of damaging the foot or injuring it in the process. I tried not to land too hard on the sand,which was really too soft to absorb any impact from the foot or body weight. Eventually the sand path came to an end and we came to concrete ground and it definitely felt better than sand. I came to the jogging track of the park and as I was leaving the park, I could see the hot sun along the pavement waiting for us as we proceeded to the next part of the race. But I took a second douse on myself and I was ready to run properly finally. I realise I was finally doing a proper run after about 7km. Even thought the sun was still merciless and I was running on the empty track without any trees insight, I felt rejuvanated after the 2 douses of water on myself from my head downwards.Finally as I neared the finishing line I picked up speed and started to sprint. 1hr 21 min xx secs. Not too bad for a second time runner Looking forward to the Salomon run 02/11/08