Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic Games 2009!

Pre-race

I am in Year 2 now and is representing Temasek Polytechnic this year again! I joined Team Temasek Track and Field in January 2008. When I first saw the team, I was shocked. Never have I seen so little runners in a track team. Later then I came to know that many runners joined at first but as they experienced the time and trainings, self-elimination happened for most of them. Like what Coach said "Quitting is easiest, most fools do that." Nice one. Anyway, I took part in 200m, 400m and 4x400m relay in Year 1. Rather an average experience because hey, I was racing against other athletes that have more experience than me and probably way more exposure to pressure. I did not win any medals in the first IVP but I gained much more valuable experience. Now that I am in Year 2, I have prepared myself pretty well for this year's IVP and hey, I was very anxious and stressed up over the events- 400m and 4x400m relay. Especially since 400m is neither very long or very short. It's over in a flash but during the race, it's like a slow, hard-to-cope process. I was praying to God to guide me through the race. I know I don't really deserve his help but I wished he would help me. Really, I did.

On IVP Day 1- 11 October 2009

I was excited. 400m was like a monster staring menacingly at me. And hey, look at those seriously fast and furious athletes for 400m in my Heat! I made a few friends before the race and when it was my Heat, I was really panicky. More like the butterflies were causing mishief in my stomach. The gun sounded and Lane 4 (best lane ever!) was sprinting like mad. That's me. I came in 4th for my Heat with a timing of 68.32 seconds. That qualified me for the Finals and I was pleased because that was what Coach wanted. At least I qualified into my Finals even though hope of me getting into the podium. Haha.. Either way, I was randomly given Lane 1 for the Finals and I already knew half the battle was lost. I was still last after 150m and I totally counted on the second curve to overtake the other runners because I don't wan to come in last! So I cut two other runners and came in 6th with a timing of 69.39 seconds. Haha..

On IVP Day 2- 18 October 2009

My event was 4x400m and it was 5.50pm but Coach loves to give me happy surprises.

Coach: Nic, you can go do your pet event.
Me: Isn't that 200m?
Coach: Ya la. Faster go warm-up.
Me: But.. But Coach, I don't think you put me down for 200m. You are afraid that I will false-start, remember?
Coach: Ya, But Kayla injured so you are the reserve what..
Me: I am the reserve? You sure a not?
Coach: Ya la..
Me: *shocked* NOW THEN YOU TELL ME (the time was 1.30pm, the race time was 2.30pm and I have to report at 2pm)
Coach: Sorry la, I thought you know already.
Me: *preparing to go and do the fastest warm-up ever and ignoring Coach*

So yes, the weather was hell of a scorching and I was already wet before my Heat. I know that even though it was my pet event, I can get into Finals but not the podium. And hey, I came in 8th over 16 competitors with a timing of 29.76 seconds. God, they have this STUPID rule where in the three 200m Heats, the top two (be it whatever the timings are) are into the Finals. How stupid can that be? So that means literally, if the top two runners did 33seconds and above, they can still go to the Finals because hey, "I AM THE TOP TWO OF MY HEAT!! AWESOME!" Get a life, man. That's how they robbed me of my chance in Finals, by the way.

4x400m relay Womens'

I was really terrified so we came up with a strategy for everyone of the 4x400m relay women's team. For my 1st runner, my second runner told her to either come back 1st with a HUGE lead or don't come back 1st at all. My 2nd runner is afraid to lose the lead. You cannot blame her. I was having that kinda feeling too- Imagine the placing was lost due to someone losing the rank and timing. That kinda feeling can scar someone for life. As the 4th runner, I just needed the 3rd runner to run her best and pass the baton to me using her left hand. Since I am anchor, it just means this race will set fire to the track. Dig, SPRINT THROUGHOUT. And hey, the gunshot sounded. 1st runner came in with a HUGE lead and that totally made the crowd wild but better yet, it made the other schools start to sweat BIG-TIME! I love it! 2nd runner maintained the gap even though it grew smaller and 3rd runner was cut by the SMU team halfway. Nonetheless, with 10m between me and the SMU's anchor, I sprinted with my eyes locked on her. Only one thought was going through my mind that kept me going. Have you ever seen how a wolf hunts for their food? It's more or less the same. "You had better run first because I am going to chase you." Awesome thinking, even Lactate got scared of me and did not come in till the last 50m. I sprinted through with the adrenlaine so pumped up, I thought my heart was going to leap out of my mouth. I collapsed at the finishing line without throwing the baton on the ground. According to some coaches, throwing the baton on the ground is an act of misconduct and you can get disqualified because of that.

Either way, the medic started to sponge me down and the water was soothing against the hot skin. When the announcer announced that TP got 3rd for my race, I was overjoyed! Haha.. It was really a tough race. One that made me understood what did it mean to run with your life. Honest. It was a personal best for me too. Haha.. Good job, 4x400m relay Girls' team from Temasek Polytechnic!

Some things to learn:

- Never ever slow down at the last 100m of a 400m race even if Lactate is clinging onto your thighs.
- Always have self-confidence that your team has every chance of winning.

Post-race
Victory dinner was held and there really was Victory! The medals belong to everyone ^^

I want to thank Coach, my trackmates and everyone who has supported me. I would also like to apologize if sometimes I complain too much during trainings (but I still did my workouts!). THANKS!!!