BANG! WE’RE OFF TO A MUD BATH
We lazily strolled to the
starting line as Joanne continued her long list of precautions. Khoo
Swee Chiow had to interrupt her to ensure we keep to 30mins behind the
Men’s open.. and OFF we go, trotting at a fast pace, full of
anticipation of what’s ahead of the long journey.. and of course
greeted by the nature of Bukit Batok Nature reserve.
Full of energy, I was too
impatient behind the somewhat organized queue to climb up and around
this tree. Seeing a really nice flat spot, I gathered this hopping
energy with my left foot down to take off .. but I went down instead..
sinking knee deep into this mud hole and got really stuck. I laughed at
myself, whilst warning those behind, I yanked it out and continue
running with a heavier left foot….
Before I could recover, I heard
cries in sync with this steep Jalan Sesuai slope coming into our face.
Guess what, just to get our 1st map & then a U turn back, as we
could see the faster mixed teams galloping down, full power. Fierce.
Dominoes trotted up in pace while we started to straddle apart as I
pushed ahead to get our first map.
They
slowed down on the run to BKE bridge as one of them appear to have
cramps, and her team mate exchanged her big bag... then Ling falling
behind and suddenly we heard her heavy panting. I quickly strapped her
bag over mine and we slowed the pace and allowed the Dominoes to
overtake us.. well not for long, when Ling got back her momentum.. as we
approached the abseil section off the BKE bridge.. funny how they slow
us down by making us cross this ropes, reminds me of “SLOW DOWN.. HUMP
AHEAD” : )
It was a straight forward abseil
but slippery one on the initial part over the wall.
Continuing
the run to Echo Valley through the trails, we could literally feel
Dominoes hot on our heels. I begin to feel the weight of the extra bag
as the run was no longer on a flat ground. I know I have to avoid
panting because it will stir the mysterious cramps below my rib cage I
have been having over 1 week..
