Another 2 trophies to my growing collection of 49, half of which are finishes with recorded positions.
I approached this race with an open mind, just expecting to go home with a momento as in 2004, I came in 7th & top 6 positions were awarded & in 2006, it was 9th place but alas, only the top 8 guys went home happy with silverware.
This year, my training, nutrition and race tactics have taken a different approach and results have been paid dividends over the last few races.
Details of this race only came 1 week before, but I knew it was always in June/ July. I was also maintaining my mileage since the last race a month ago. Now all I had to do then was peak.
On Saturday 2 June 2007 was the NTUC Inter-Union Cross Country 2007, held at the Bedok Reservoir Park. Distance was 4.8k over part tarmac/ part gravel track. The start time was also at 3pm on a sunny, hot afternoon, but that was last on my mind.
I saw my ex-company’s runners, less many strong ones, just the team captain who is their fastest runner, at the helm.
So off went the start & I immediately assumed a drafting position behind my ex-company’s team captain as he was tall & could aid with the drafting effect. In the past, it was always a slow start and gradual build up the pace but often it was too little too late. After proper training, I was confident I could stay with the leaders and hang on for a good position.
Throughout the race, I never slipped out of 5th position and my dreams of a medal will come true even if they gave top 6. Up to halfway point, the pace was at 4:06min. So my motive was to stay in this position. This was until the runners ahead of me started to slow down. So did I, but not that much. My ex-company’s team captain is an accomplished runner and unbeatable company-wise. I matched him stride for stride until my current team mate passed us at half way and the former urged me on. I accelerated for a brief moment but held back, fearing of plunging into the red-zone. This distance was slowing increasing. Then.. up front we approached a runner from HDB who was in 2nd place, also another very accomplished runner. Wow.. I thought, I am in really unfamiliar territory and actually the head of the pack. My ambitions started growing and I surged a little, hoping to make some in-roads on the 3 runners ahead. Then my colleague in 3rd place overtook the HDB runner for 2nd, whom I thought actually slowed down as I also managed to close the gap quite quickly. Along the finishing straight and I used the lampposts as gauge to pace the gap and to the finishing line. The 3rd runner was eventually right under my nose, I just matched his strides, collecting myself for the final surge. But he graciously waved me through. I overtook him but slowed dramatically, fearing a sneaky sprint, like cycle track races. But nothing happened and I saw the finishing line. I opened my strides and but still kept looking back.
I approached this race with an open mind, just expecting to go home with a momento as in 2004, I came in 7th & top 6 positions were awarded & in 2006, it was 9th place but alas, only the top 8 guys went home happy with silverware.
This year, my training, nutrition and race tactics have taken a different approach and results have been paid dividends over the last few races.
Details of this race only came 1 week before, but I knew it was always in June/ July. I was also maintaining my mileage since the last race a month ago. Now all I had to do then was peak.
On Saturday 2 June 2007 was the NTUC Inter-Union Cross Country 2007, held at the Bedok Reservoir Park. Distance was 4.8k over part tarmac/ part gravel track. The start time was also at 3pm on a sunny, hot afternoon, but that was last on my mind.
I saw my ex-company’s runners, less many strong ones, just the team captain who is their fastest runner, at the helm.
So off went the start & I immediately assumed a drafting position behind my ex-company’s team captain as he was tall & could aid with the drafting effect. In the past, it was always a slow start and gradual build up the pace but often it was too little too late. After proper training, I was confident I could stay with the leaders and hang on for a good position.
Throughout the race, I never slipped out of 5th position and my dreams of a medal will come true even if they gave top 6. Up to halfway point, the pace was at 4:06min. So my motive was to stay in this position. This was until the runners ahead of me started to slow down. So did I, but not that much. My ex-company’s team captain is an accomplished runner and unbeatable company-wise. I matched him stride for stride until my current team mate passed us at half way and the former urged me on. I accelerated for a brief moment but held back, fearing of plunging into the red-zone. This distance was slowing increasing. Then.. up front we approached a runner from HDB who was in 2nd place, also another very accomplished runner. Wow.. I thought, I am in really unfamiliar territory and actually the head of the pack. My ambitions started growing and I surged a little, hoping to make some in-roads on the 3 runners ahead. Then my colleague in 3rd place overtook the HDB runner for 2nd, whom I thought actually slowed down as I also managed to close the gap quite quickly. Along the finishing straight and I used the lampposts as gauge to pace the gap and to the finishing line. The 3rd runner was eventually right under my nose, I just matched his strides, collecting myself for the final surge. But he graciously waved me through. I overtook him but slowed dramatically, fearing a sneaky sprint, like cycle track races. But nothing happened and I saw the finishing line. I opened my strides and but still kept looking back.
3rd! Podium Spot!
Just behind a previous winner of this race and ahead of other company’s best runners. Priceless.
In the end my team also came in 3rd. So two cups & $60, which came together the individual prize. Amazing, in 2004 and 2006, it was just cups for team position, now I have one for individual one too.
The results showed my timing of 20min34sec, 22secs behind 2nd. But I’m extremely satisfied.
Just behind a previous winner of this race and ahead of other company’s best runners. Priceless.
In the end my team also came in 3rd. So two cups & $60, which came together the individual prize. Amazing, in 2004 and 2006, it was just cups for team position, now I have one for individual one too.
The results showed my timing of 20min34sec, 22secs behind 2nd. But I’m extremely satisfied.
2 comments:
wah your commentary is like following F1 race. COngrats on your podium finish! You aspire to be the Lewis Hamilton of gravel trails?
Well done man! ;-)
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