Front view.
Back view.
Planned to take a cab down to the stadium. When I took the lift down, I met another runner from Hong Konggoing to the same place. When I went to the lobby and asked the front desk staff to help us call a cab, the front desk staff seem to know where we wanted to go. I realised there were other runners staying in the hotel too. So this seems to be a popular hotel among the runners.
Runners depositing their bags at the entrance into the indoor stadium.
This was the first time I start a race inside a stadium. As the 42km, 21km and the 10km all started at the same time, the place was so crowded. I was inside the crowd by myself. I did not feel that I was alone. I knew that right at this moment, my other friends were racing in Singapore as well as Phuket.
The race started at 0600Hr. The crowded squeezed through the exit of the stadium and onto the roads. I had to zig zag my way around to cut through the runners. The weather was cooling.
Just 1 week ago, I met Jacq for dinner. We chatted on races and how each of us ran our marathons. We also shared out race strategy. I had told her I kept at a 6 min pace during the first 5km of Bangkok. She told me to go faster. "Do not run 6 min just for the sake of running 6min." She said.
What she said was still ringing in my head when I flew over to Macau. This time I tired to be less conservative. I would start at a 5.30 pace. It started well. I was aided by the cooling weather. Our body could easily pick up the pace in this weather. By around the 2km, I was already going at a 5 min pace. I was feeling good. I was cruising.
When I reached Sai Van Bridge, I could still keep the pace when going up the slope. There was some headwind. Another runner tried to draft me. Using me as a shield for him against the wind. I managed to shake him off before reaching the top of the slope. The way down was a long winding slope. After we reached level ground we passed by the Macau Tower. There was a stretch where we had to go through an underpass around 300m in length. I lost my garmin GPS signal here.
The route brought us into the casino area of Macau. As we sped passed the casinos, the bystanders gave us all a strange look. Most probably they were wondering why would people run so early in the morning. I was still going good at this stretch.
The next challenge was going back up Sai Van Bridge to get back to Taipa for our second loop of the course. It was no problem for me. I was able to maintain at 5 min pace until we began our second loop. From that on, I felt my body starting to weaken slowly. From 25km onwards, my pace dropped down to 5.30 min. The cool weather could not help me anymore. At this moment, I knew I made a big mistake. I had overestimated myself. Thinking that the cool weather was able to help me, I went too much out too early in the race. I did not control myself during the start of the race and just let it go its own way. Now I am suffering and paying the price. I struggled up the Sai Van Bridge this time.
There was another problem I only noticed in the second loop. The organiser had placed the water stations at around 5km intervals. This turned out to be a problem. The air was very cool and also very dry. That made you thirsty easily. Coupled with the water loss caused by a full marathon, I was suffering. It was really not nice when you feel very thirsty and yet you still have to run another 3 - 4 km to reach the next water station. I even resorted to squeezing the water from the sponges into my mouth at the sponge stations.
That was it. I went out too fast too early. Now I am taking it as a lesson learnt. I dropped to a crawl as I inched through the road in the last 10km. So much for hoping to do a better timing than Bangkok.
As I entered the stadium, there was not many supporters. Its mainly the organisers and the participants around. I made the round around the track and crossed the finish line.
21km: 01:47:31
Net Time: 04:10:37
Gun Time: 04:11:21
Overall Placing: 259 / 443
Category Placing: 34 / 59
The medal was as big as my palm.
They gave out towels to each finisher. As I ran back I noticed a lot of the runners are the towels wrapped around them and I thought they had bought them the day before at the race expo. Only when after I crossed the finish line and they handed one to me then I realised its a finisher towel. Ha .. :)
Bag deposit.
Runners resting after coming in from the stadium.
Returning the ChampionChip.
This was the gate entering the stadium. Once we stepped in we were not allowed to go back again.
Since we were not allowed to enter the stadium, I went up to the spectator gallery. This is the finish line. Once we ran into the stadium we need to go around it (around 300m) before crossing the finish line.
The stage area. The sun was getting strong now. Yet we were not perspiring.
This way leads into the indoor stadium.
I took the bus back to the hotel. Although I was disappointed with my timing, my bigger concern now was to fill my growling stomach. I ate at the same cha chan teng (again). Had a bowl of wanton noodle.
Once I was back in my room, I quickly washed up and changed into clean clothing and set off for sightseeing. I wanted to make good use of the limited time I have remaining in Macau.
Had dim sum at the hotel restaurant. Initially had thought it would be expensive. This cost me around MOP$60 which was around SGD$12 which I thought was relatively cheap.
The Goddess of Mercy.
The Macau Science Center was in the background.
Ponte de Amizade in the background.
Sands.
Fisherman's Wharf. Something like our Clarke Quay.
Macau Ferry Terminal.
Theatre built like the Roman Colosseum.
Macau Cultural Center.
The Goddess of Mercy watched over Macau as the sun sets.
Macau Tower.
Went back to Senado Square for shopping after this.
猪扒包, 姜汁撞奶.
Haagen Dazs! Weeeeeeee .. !! .. :)
Portuguese egg tarts.
Bought some almond biscuits here to bring back home.
The pearl milk tea from Gong Cha. They gave so much pearls my mouth almost cramped chewing them.
Alright. Its time to return to the hotel. I need to pack and tomorrow morning I need to leave early for my return flight. Tiger had brought forward my return flight by 3 hours. From an afternoon flight to a morning flight. I need to reach the airport by 0815Hr. Tomorrow the whole morning was wasted.
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