They say to do one thing that scares you every day. Every single day? Well, today was the day I faced one of my greatest dislikes, running. Running the Sheares Bay Run 10 km. Jackie the sweetest agreed to run in the place of Missy Teo who stubbed her toe (looks at Missy Teo). And run we did. She has always been one of the fittest amongst us in hall. Soccer and canoe polo builds you up some in addition to being able to do pull ups and sculpting your abs into defined pecs. She very kindly paced me throughout the entire 10 km though judging from her upright running posture and how high her strides were, she could have gone much faster.

0545 hours:
Tumble out of bed, wondering Why Do We Pay Money To Torture Ourselves. Outfit for said Torture: Lululemon sports bra and running shorts (heh) and Nike Tennis top. Outfits are important for every occasion because I am superficial. The Laney hands me Red Bull that I have never drank before in my entire life but if it will prevent me from feeling like dead. Drink it I did and realised why Addy does not like it. Eek!

0630 hours:
The Laney parks at Marina Square and heads off for his set off. Jackie calls me to meet her outside SRC, saying she is ‘naked’ and wearing pink shorts. I walk to the Padang and on the way watch the poor souls doing their 21 km when it is still dark, wondering where Addy is. I spot Jackie indeed ‘naked’ wearing only a purple sports bra with pink FBTs and all her earthly belongings strapped to her. She assumes Missy Teo’s race bib and race tag while we walk to the starting line. She asks whether there will be young and nubile boys. I refer her to the bunches of NS boys forced to take part in this activity. We watch the 21 km-ers coming in, there is very short person who looks like he is strolling in the park.

0728 hours:
We make our way to the start line with the rest of the 10 km girlies. We set off! Thus, the beginning of pain and out of breathness. Also, winding in and out of the crowd. Both Jackie and I are plugged into our music boxes (anything to distract from the pain for me) as she explained before we made off that her cats had chewed two of her inert earphones. She spends the entire run adjusting her earphones but does not hinder her running.

2 km:
The first water point and first sign to let us know that you still have 8 km to go. I have started panting. What is new? Then we run up the Sheares Bridge. Ah, that is why it is called the Sheares Bridge (oops Bay) run. Uphill is evil. Must be at least 200 m with the slight incline. Cursing. The lungs and chest feel pain. Pain sucks. Following Jackie as she cuts the little NS boys who are walking. Walking! Only done 2 km! How to defend the nation? Oh finally we come to the top. Jogging downslope never felt so good. Sweet.

4 km:
I signal to Jackie, maybe we should take a drink. We try to grab a paper cup amidst the mayhem. It being my virgin run, I have no idea how to drink on the go. Take a sip and throw the cup into the bin still full, oops missed. Sometimes losing Jackie in the crowd but she always turns up next to me, it is fun running with her. There is a U turn coming up, far far away, I can see hordes of people running towards us on the other side. Some of the runners actually do cut across to join their quicker friends on the other side. This reminds me of the JP morgan run. Oh, there is another downslope then upslope, this time much slighter than the bridge one. As we turn, another water stand pops up. Hydrating during running is a skill that must be acquired.

7 km:
Temasek Boulevard. There are belly dancers performing on the pavement. It is hot out and they must be sweating like us. Making the turn into the F1 arena, poor NS boys who have to carry signs with Encouraging Slogans wearing tiger masks (is this Malaysia?) are standing in the heat. Poor things. Unlike the weirdos running, they did not pay to be here on a Sunday morning. I feel like crap as always. Jackie is running as straight as always. My legs feel heavy like they always do during running. They (my legs) have no dignity.

8-ish almost 9 km:
Running pass Oriental, there is an ambulance parked along. There is someone getting into the ambulance! There are NS Medic boys hanging along the sides. One of them is carrying an apparatus that looks like it is going to save someone’s life. He is attempting to cross the path of the runners. I am looking forward to seeing the 9 km signboard. I never see it. The inner side of my right foot starts to hurt.

Past the start line, I wonder where is the end. Jackie makes a signal with her hand to say that it’s just the last part and it will end after we U-turn. (We still have to U-Turn?!?!?!) One Fullerton is on the left and turning before Fullerton hotel, Jackie turns her head to see where I am. I make a feeble attempt with my hand to tell her to just go ahead without me. I am breathing hard and it is not a pleasant feeling. I see City Hall (is it called that?) and I see the end! Some army person tells the runners to separate to the right and left and I just follow the right. The digital clock is ticking. Ooh, 1 hour and 12 minutes. Jackie is waiting for me at the end. She gives me a little hug. Yay. I feel like dead.

We collect our medals (heehee) and Jackie gets us some 100 plus. Two cans each, thank you very much. We settle down to cool down, I have to take off my top (it is Heavy from sweat). It is funny how one forgets the pain so quickly after it is done.

I am happy to report that Miss Addy did her 21 km in 2 hours plus and was looking fresh as a daisy after her run. *Salute*