OOPS! WE DID IT AGAIN!
Merciless
Speaks…
We started off betting that we had a good chance of coming in top 4
(as there were only 4 ladies teams…haha)….but could not have
anticipated that we would have
to-contend-with-formidable-foes-such-as-award-wining-Team-Dominoes…
get-
terribly-lost-which-put-us-back-to-third-position…eventually-overtake-several-teams….
and-end-up-clinching-the- winning-ladies-team-position!
On a personal level, I was just aiming to have fun and to greet the
finish line before sunset (horrible example isn’t it?)…but as a
team, one would have to put aside your simple goals and serve the
greater team expectation.
I ended up having fun as a team, saying “hello” to the
finishing line as a team in good time and getting a prize for it with my
teammates! J
The best compliment we received was from a cheerful lady from a
mixed team who regarded us as their role model! Haha! Well, I think each
lady who took part, whether in a mixed team or ladies team personally
deserves a big pat on her back – just for making the effort to take
part in this event! I was also glad to see that one of the main
organizers is a lady (none other than Joanne who taught us the meaning
of “Horlan”) and a lot of other ladies were also involved in the
event organizing. Kudos to you all!
On another note, Martha, an old friend of
mine, also took part in this race, for the first time - and offering her
services as a translator for 2 hearing-impaired teammates! Now, that was
no easy task as she served her purpose as a tri-communication tool
(sign-English-sign again). It must have been tougher for the hearing
impaired participants! It really puts the handicap of our being
“females” into perspective.
Having raced in Malaysia where land is
not really an issue when it comes to adventure racing, I was pleasantly
surprised to find how Ace had strewn together some of Singapore's
top-notch adventure hot spots! Bukit Batok – Bukit Timah -Kampong
Trail – Gangsa Track – Zhenghua Park - Woodcutters. My personal
favourite was the Woodcutters trail, off-limits to bikers because it
falls within the central catchman area. It was picture-perfect –
trekking over a variety of terrain from rutty, muddy and moss-covered
hard clay – oops, watch out for that cool stream - hopping over
artistic root entanglements – all under a canopy of handsome, tall
overhanging foliage and catching glimpses of interesting flora and fauna
– this place offered a quiet respite leading up to the final giant
oasis that awaited us.
Ok,
‘nuff said. Thanks again to Ace for organising such an enjoyable race!
We'd also like to thank the crew and other team members who encouraged
us along the way! And not forgetting our fella teammates from JAFT
(You’re Just Another Funky Team!) Thank you and thumbs up for a job
well done.
Beykha
Speaks…
Superb
race all in all……the organization was fantastic and the marshals
were really encouraging and seemed to enjoy their marshalling duties
very much. And yes, though Singapore is pretty limited by it’s space
and all, it was good that the race was organized such that we totally
have no inkling on what to expect or where to go until the next
checkpoint. The element of mystery and surprise was quite refreshing.
Thanks once again for the efforts! I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
And
special thanks to my dear fellow Angels for suffering with me and
putting up with me and winning it with me! Way to go….Angels!!! Maybe
it did have something to do with the team name….hmmmm. But no worries,
we’ll change our team name to “Aunties” next time?
And
thanks to Team JAFT too for keeping our spirits up throughout the race
and your constant encouragement and your little ways of helping…..hope
this race is the start of many more adventure races for you all to
come…..
Rina
Speaks…
Ok,
much spoken by Rebecca and Ling above. I must still emphasize the
heartfelt gratitude to the great Organisers; the friendly and
encouraging marshals; other teams for their great and helpful attitude;
definitely our fellow JAFT for making me laugh along the way and most of
all, my own team mates for the fantastic teamwork as our similar
attitude yet different strengths complement each other so well.. hence
the Angels : )
Despite
being unwell during the race, I was glad to bite the bullet to go for
the race (we even got reserve for me -Thanks Ping!) I really had fun and
enjoyed the beautiful nature whilst wondering why people can say it is
boring here in Singapore. There are so much to try, to explore and
discover…it is really up to oneself. I think every single participant
(including those hearing impaired who inspired me a lot) has the right
attitude and determination which will transcend to their daily lives in
many ways.. just look around you!
Thanks
to the following photographers for allowing us to use ze photos of us in
this article…great momentos to have!
Album
of Suping (aka Pinky) –
http://photos.yahoo.com/pinkygallery
Album
of Mark Lee –
http://community.webshots.com/album/164991090SfBrro
Photos
from Madhivanan Periannan and
Ed Arambarri
