2023 CNY

Hello Peeps! It's 2023, and as I'm writing this, it's near the end of January 2023. Time flies, huh? Anyway, during CNY I went back home for 10 days, took 2 days AL, WFH for 2 days, and the rest were the period my office is shut. I must say, returning home is always a risky move for me because I always am tempted to return permanently and never return to Singapore. But I digress. Anyway, it's 2023, the year of the rabbit! We welcome a brand new year hoping for a brand new life, although this year seems very hostile to me, a person whose zodiac is a Rooster. It might be a myth, it might be hokum, but we shall see. Happy Chinese New Year peeps! Hopefully, this is a much better year than last year!

 

The Watcher (TV)

I know this show existed but I also knew it was controversial. With a show this hot, it's difficult to avoid spoilers, but the only spoiler I knew was that the Watcher was never identified so technically the show ended with a cliffhanger, and I absolutely despise cliffhangers, so I decided to give the show a pass. But online reviews were very split - some eulogised the show as stunning and extraordinary, while some called it mundane and lacking inspiration. I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and watched it - and was mindblown. 

After watching the first episode, the plot became familiar to me, and that's when I realised I had read about this in an issue of Reader's Digest not that long ago. It is based on a real story, and the real culprit was never identified or caught either. Nonetheless, the show is good, the suspense is good, and the puzzles are well-crafted. The neighbours are weird. Mitch and Mo are the typical nosy, retired couples who get their noses around everywhere and mistakenly thought their seniority demands automatic respect (which obviously is never the case). There are a few other interesting characters, and the show itself is very well-plotted with seamless and finely connected puzzles. I would give the show a 8/10, although I still hate cliffhangers. But the latest news is that it has been renewed for a 2nd season. I'm not sure whether it would feature a new family or a continuation of the first season, but I'll definitely look out for it.

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2022

It wasn't planned. It wasn't my initial intention. I enjoy jogging - not terribly, but it's something I like doing. So I googled for marathon in Singapore, I found SCSM which I had no prior knowledge of. I saw the price - it was rather steep, and I hesitated. Knowing any further deliberation would only end with a reluctance to act, I signed up on a whim. Recognising my limitation, I participated only 10 km run.

Runner's pack pick-up day was two days before at MBS. It was simple to retrieve the items. But what surprised me was the size of the singlet - it was terribly small and unwearable even though I picked the size I usually wear. Apparently I'm not the only one facing this as I found out later scores of people complained about it on SCSM FB page.

Never mind, I'll just run with my own singlet.

I had never participated in a marathon before, so I didn't know how it worked.

For SCSM, apparently it's principally managed electronically. The race bib contains an electronic device (a rather bulky one, not just a chip), and it's primary aim is to detect your crossing of its milestones and record the time. They are four race points - the beginning, at about 4.2km, at 7km and finally at the end.

I went alone because all my friends either found it too expensive to participate or were simply not interested. That's fine. But here's the problem - the race began at 0630. I thought I would get Grab and just went early since I was unfamiliar with the whole process and would like to give myself some time margins to explore. But Grab and Gojek were not available - no drivers were around because apparently the demand was too high.

Seeing no other option, I opened LTA app and checked when the first train began operation - it was 0525 at Marymount and 0545 at Botanic Gardens. I calculated and noted I should be able to arrive on time if I went for the train, so I proceeded to the MRT stations. It wasn't like I had other options anyway.

The Circle Line train was empty, but the Downtown Line was packed with people wearing SCSM singlet - apparently everyone was going to the marathon. And I meant packed as sardine-packed. It was crowded. Your peak hour working day kind of crowd.

Arriving at the F1 pit bull, the crowd sauntered. There were a huge crowd moving on a very narrow walkway. Traffic was insane. Thankfully, the rain that poured down earlier had stopped.

I deposited my bag and noted that it was almost around 0625. I proceeded to the starting point. But because I signed up for the E category, meaning I anticipated the time taken to complete the race to be 2 hours to 2 and a half hours and the cut-off time is 2 and a half hours, it meant I was placed at the last category. My category flagged off and ran last. It didn't disadvantage us - the electronic bib in our number bib clocked our time rather than noting our end time sequentially.

I waited for about 20 minutes before category E were flagged off. Two problems - it was too long, and I watched the sky turned from dark blue to orange (the time I began the marathon was 0655); and I regretted not going to the toilet prior and was cursing myself and hoping there were toilets on the way.

Nevertheless, as the marathon began, I must have spent the first 10 minutes or so and the first 1.5km or so trying to cut people. It astonished me that people were walking at the first 1km - I would have begun running but many people were instead strolling. Maybe they didn't participate to jog but rather to attend as a family/friend event, which is fine.

The weather was exceptionally cool and thankfully not humid, probably because of the downpour earlier. I jogged like my life depended on it because this is my first marathon and I wanted to push my limits.

The scenes were nice but I had no mood or time to appreciate it.

Well.

I realised and could feel I performed better during the marathon. Maybe it was the crowd. Maybe it was the weather. Maybe it was the route. Maybe it was the challenge. I wasn't sure what was it, but I knew I ran better.

I jogged non-stop, taking only about five minutes walk after each 2-3 kms. I did not stop for water, or toilet, or anything. I just jogged.

Though, by 8km, I was exhausted. By 9km, nearing the end, I reached a breaking point. I slowed down.

But by 9.5 km, I dashed like madness, because I could see the endpoint.

And cross I did.

It was invigorating. I finished my first 10 km. I actually never ran 10 km before. Even in my normal routine jog, the most I had ever run was 8 km.

We were given a wet towel, a banana, 100-plus, bottled water, Himalayan salt sweets and a few miscellaneous gifts and, most importantly, a finisher's medal.

The time it took me to finish it: 1:07:16. 

I targeted one hour, and I exceeded my time by seven minutes.

I think I'll try again next year. By opting for an early category and resting less, I think I could reach the target.

I'm ranked modestly in the top 30% for men in category 20-29. This will be the last year I stay in this category, and I would like to try to breach my target.

It was nice experience. Memorable in fact, so, I'll probably join again.

The only complaint: muddy field, dirtied my shoes badly. Medal engraving service had an unacceptably long queue.