The pacing program was organised by the Running Department. This running group has been in Singapore for quite sometime, but I never joined them namely because the members are all pretty young.
The Running Department Pacer program need to undergo a selection. So after signing up your interest, they will contact you for the selection. I only chose a 10Km to pace for because I know for the 21K and 42K , you really need a lot of time and commitment which I really do not have for now. A pacer need to keep strictly to the time and yet be alert at all times, another thing is to make sure that the splits are almost the same and keeping the right buffer for unforseen circumstances.
I have a problem of always starting fast and then later relax, towards the end, whack it out. Which I think its really not for the pacer style. So I thought it will be a good chance for me to keep in time and also to help buff up for New York Marathon which was coming up in November. Although the pace was not something I was looking for, but at least I could do with some extra strength training.
Signing Up
Our first meet up for training
I passed the selection and was given a grace period of about 1 week plus to take up the job. The commitment is every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning. Weekdays are in the CBD area or stadium while weekends are stadium and East Coast Park. Training timings are to be adhered to strictly, this is the basics of a pacer. This kinda disciplined me to ensure the night before I do not engage in any tiring activities and end up unable to attend the session in time. This went on for 10 sessions , but I missed the first 2 due to the Dance recital and travelling to Bangkok. But after I came back, I made sure that I went to every training so as to build up the camaraderie with the other two pacers in my team. Our team chose the angel outlook for our dress up. It was really cute and fun and we paid only $20 for this outfit.
My Team T60
Our outfit
6 min is not exactly very fast, but to execute it consistently can be difficult. And there are days where you are feel like going slower or faster, in this case you cannot! My team aims to bring runners across the finish line in 60 min for the ten km. Gina, who is quite fresh to the Running Department has already paced for the May Sundown marathon , while Dorine, is a more seasoned pacer who has been pacing for Great Eastern Women Run for many years. I was lucky to have them to company me and share with me the tips of being a pacer. Most importantly, I get to practice my pace with them. They helped me to keep my splits and do not go too fast or too slow.
Race Day
Recce Before the race day
Goodie bag entitlement
The goodie bag was actually delivered to us and little did I know that after the race, there were more goodies awaiting us. The main show took place on 29 October 2023, sunday morning, we did our last recce run with all the teams at the National Stadium before we rest off to run on the day itself. The 10Km run starts at 06:30 AM, but we reported at about 5am. It was way too early, I drove this time and managed to park at a public carpark which has free public parking around Geylang area. I had to go to the start point which is door 15 of the National Stadium by foot. It sums up to about 1.2Km.
After putting the balloons
After putting our bags and personal stuff in the soccer rest room, we went to pick up our balloons with the pace time and fixed them to our back. This is so that other runners can get to see the timing and follow you. There was a special way of tying the balloons so that it does not fly off.
Then we were all ready at the start point, it was quite exciting as cameras snapped away. After a small warm up, we set off. The route was very predictable only we had to look out for some bridges which might be choke points, but being way in front, we were able to go through very easily. Not many followed us as I expected. At first, we had quite a few runners, then after that one by one dropped off especially at the point over the Tanjong Rhu bridge.
Finishing
Sprint bak the last leg
When we were about to reach the entrance to the National Stadium, we realise we were too fast, about 54 min, so we stayed out and cheered for others for a while before we realise that time was tight and had to sprint back! Being early in GE run is good as we get to enjoy all the perks and photo booths there. Grabbing loads of freebies and stuff, we finally ended bringing out bags and left the stadium. I slowly walked back to my car with the bountiful goodies. Overall, I enjoyed this experience very much and was happy that Running Department gave me the opportunity to be a pacer which I had been wanting to do for the longest time.