Last few post before jetting off to the land of smiles to repair the soul in less than 20 days.
Much needed trip even though it's not the first trip of the year and I'm thinking can I make do with 2 trips a year or perhaps there's a need for more trips? Should probably start planning for the next destination really soon then.
Anyway, 2 weeks after the
2XU Compression Run, it's the
Coney Island Run 2016 :) Chanced upon this race while surfing social media one fine day and decide to go for it since it's a place so near to home. Moreover, it's our first time visiting Coney Island.
Of cause the idea of sand files attacking us was constantly on our mind and yes we have both been stung by them before on different occasion, but I guess as long as keep on moving the sandflies shouldn't sting us. It became a motivation to keep on running haha!
Race pack collection was a breeze and there isn't much to write about it. There wasn't any race site activities too so we didn't stay long enough.
On race day, we headed to Punggol to take the free shuttle bus to Punggol Settlement.
The long queue for the shuttle bus..
The race only starts at 8am (earliest category) hence that explains why it is so 'bright' haha. It's pretty unusual for race to start that late and it definitely has it's pros and cons. At the end of the day, I still pretty much prefer race which starts early haha!
We have to walked nearly 1km to reach the starting point (entrance of coney island). Totally didn't see that coming and I'm glad we were early for the race so we can slowly stroll to the starting point.
The magnificient sunrise that morning..
Can't help but to take a photo with the background..
More sunrise pictures..
Coney Island spotted after walking what seems like 1/2 a km..
Oh Hi Coney Island :)
At the starting point with the sorching sun above us..
So here we go..
As mentioned earlier, the first few km was in Coney Island.
Derp took this photo of me without me knowing haha.
The last part of Coney Island before we reach Punggol once again. And that's where the real challenge came..
Goodbye Coney Island!
I've no idea which part of Punggol am I at, but I only know this whole stretch of road that leads back to the HDB area was torturing. The sun was already fully out by then. #hotdieme
I would very much rather the race starts earlier than to face this again. I'm totally beaten by the sun especially when I usually only run after the sun has sets.
Making my way through 1 of the bridges along Punggol Waterway. There's around 3 of such bridges and I always got their names mix up though.
The horrific part came after completing the race. There wasn't any water served to us, yes not even a single drop because all the water went to support the water shortage at water points. I had to send Derp to get it for me from the nearest 7-11 (yea thankfully there's one around) while I seek shelter from the scorching, out to kill people sun. lol.
Judging from how much Derp has to squint his eyes, you probably can tell how glaring it was. And I probably got a #lastwarning from him at that point lol.
Some pictures that I saved from various places..
I look like want to die here and I have to crop someone out from the most left side. We did notice he 'pose' with us at that moment lol. A very random friendly stranger haha.
Looking slightly better here because I can see the finishing line...
A need to end the pain like asap kind of thing.
The hard earn medal..
I might categorize this race as 1 of the hardest race in 2016 lol. Okay SCMS do stand a chance because somehow every year's SCMS is a very hot race.
Ending this post with this pic..
Somehow I look better thanks to the cap haha!
If ever there's another Coney Island Run, I hope the logistic can be done better and please let the race starts earlier. Running after 8am is totally torturing and with the lack of water, it doesn't help at all. More could be done to improve the race imo :)
But oh well, at least I've unlocked the achievement of running in Coney Island and I doubt I will ever do it again. Or at least I hope I won't sign up for such runs again unless hand itchy haha!
That's all for now. Till the next race then!
