Race Review: Shape Run 2015 (26th July 2015) 15km

This is my third consecutive Shape Run done, and I must say the organisation of the whole event improved after a very bad experience last year. Route and run experience wise, I always enjoy Shape Run as I somehow perform well in Shape Run for the past two years as well as this year.

The race pack

The race pack collection was done 3 weeks prior to the race and the contents of the race pack was pretty good compared to the one from Pocari Sweat Run collected on the same day. I've got to say that I didnt like the colour of the race singlet initially but the material was good and the cutting turned out flattering.

Both Shape Run and Pocari Sweat Run started from Kallang Practice Track, I took a shuttle bus from Sembawang for Pocari Sweat Run two weeks ago, it only cost $6 to get a ticket but we spent 45min on the road. For Shape Run, there was shuttle bus provided but they do not pick up from Sembawang, so I decided to take a cab there. Eventually, I arrived quite early, I was surprised to be at the race site by 5.10am even though I only got on a cab at 4.50am. The cab ride cost me $25, so its $$ vs time.

The water station with nice volunteers who were so polite

When I reached the race site, the whole Kallang Practice Track was dotted by the race tentages and there were some runners milling around. It was really early so I was not rushing to get to anywhere and I even had time to take some pictures. The lighting was not too good so I decided to get some water from the water station to take my gel, deposit my bag and head to the portable toilets.

Runners sitting around waiting to move to Start Point

At least we know which direction to head to

5.30am but the gate still didnt open

Baggage deposit was fast and there was no queue, the usage of toilet was also smooth as there were more toilets than people waiting to use, I counted that there 25 toilets and I'm really glad where there's races like this when there no long queues in front of the toilets.

Ample toilets, good good thing

After I'm done, I just stood at the area where many runners were gathering to walk to the Start Line, actually it was stated that it will open at 5.30am but we eventually only moved at 5.35am-5.40am. It was still very early though, and I managed to get right to the front of the Start Line (somehow, I always managed to get right to the front for ladies' runs only). I was snapping a picture of the Start Line and this leading cyclist saw me and offered to take a picture for me. I was surprised as I always go for races alone and I dont usually take pictures of myself, the lady standing next to me was nice enough to pose with me, I took a good look at her but I didnt recognise her. Eventually, I realised that she must be a well known runner here as Neo Jieshi (one of the top female local runners) was talking to her and they stood together to wait for the run to start. I supposed I was standing among potential podium finishers, they really zoomed off at top speed when it started and I could only eat their dust while moving to the left. I only spotted them again on the opposite lane after they became the first few to do a U-turn at 1km+, the nice lady in white eventually came in 4th and Neo was 1st.

First few at the Start Line

Took a pic with one of the podium finisher (later found out that she's Ezann Eng)

The stage just next to us

Prior to the race, my plan was to follow Ting as she was one of the pacers for the event, and her group was doing a 7.30min pace. A good thing about the pacers for this race was that they started among the runners instead of starting right from the Start Line all at once. I decided to start off first as I always get left behind by pacers when I tried to follow them during my previous races. Eventually, the group of pacers before them caught up with me and they were running at 6+min pace. I was telling myself not to push too hard at the beginning of the race but I decided to try my best to follow them, I only managed to do so for about 3km before it got too tiring to keep up with the 6.30min pacing.

If there's a wall for every race, mine came right after that as I felt kind of demoralised when I couldnt catch up with the group, I started my first walk break (other than the water breaks) at about 8km and it was only halfway through the race. The end point seemed so far for me then and I felt like it was going to be another race with bad timing. Suddenly, I remember the walk run strategy I had adopted for Sundown and decided to give myself short walking breaks of 100m for every 400m of run. It helped a lot as it keep me going when I knew I can take a break after a shorter stretch, with that target in mind I could even go faster when its time to run.

Running up a slope at the last km

With the End Point in sight, shades on for the photo moment ;)

Flashing a smile at the final 10m, this is my favourite pic for the race

Weather remained good this morning as I conquered the remaining distance, the sun did not appear at all. Soon from 5km left to go, it became 4...3...2..and I found myself heading to the End Point. I was really satisfied as I did not get that far from the pacers that left me behind, and the second group (which was my intended pace) did not catch up with me as well. A look at my Garmin told me that my pace was quite good for a run of that distance, and a pb for HM seems possible if I can adopt this strategy for the 2XU run next week.

Still early when I was back, not many runners yet

Efficient baggage deposit

Quite satisfied that I'm achieved the 25th percentile

Unlike last year, medal collection and finisher tee collection was smooth this year, no queue at all. They only gave out a cup of isotonic drink with a energy bar at the end, so I went to the water station to get a bottle of water. The 15km runners were the earliest to be back at the race site so the queues at the various sponsored tent was short. Ironically, I chose to join the longest queue at Orbis as I thought the freebies must be the best there. There were less than 10 people in line and I remember the Orbis tent was the only one I went to last year, and I liked the products. With good fortune, I did a lucky spin and got $80+ worth of freebies from Orbis. Yeah! I went to the Brands tent next but only got myself a small tube of collagen. I was not too keen to join the other queues so I found a small shady area to sit down and wait for W and XT who took part in other categories.

Very good freebies from collagen 

Another Shape Run done :D