Lim Thow Wee - 3hr 02min (10th local in SSCM 2010)

Lim Thow Wee  - Speaks After The SSCM 2010 Marathon Race

Picture 1 - Dr Benedict Tan, Dr Benny Goh and Lim Thow Wee

Did you achieve the target you were aiming for?

I didn't get my target. I was targeting 2 hours 55 mins as I wanted to qualify for New York City Marathon 2011. Going to NYCM2011 would also allow me to meet up with Haile Gebrsellaise. However, having done 3hr 10min in year 2008 and then 3hr 09min in 2009, I am very happy to improve my personal best time by 7mins, doing 3hrs 02min and coming in 10th in the local section of men open marathon.

Picture 2 - Lim Thow Wee (extreme left) was second overall in SGX Bull Run

How do you find the route? Can you explain in detail?

Orchard road starting point was really good as we can easily get to the start point unlike the Esplanade bridge start as we will have to walk a long distance to get to the starting point. For example, we can go to the washroom at Mandarin gallery, do warm up and walk to the startline all within 20-30 metres.

The rest of the route was refreshing and flat. The challenging part was the 37K to 38K ECP slope. Not forgetting that for a 3 hours and above marathoner, they have to face the heat of the rising sun.

Picture 3- Thow Wee and Ashley Liew are very good friends

What was your strategy during the run?

My strategy was fairly simple. Run 4 mins 09 sec every kilometres and drink isotonic drinks every 5k. For the first 3k, I was feeling very good as I was averaging 4:05 min per kilometre with Dr Benedict Tan.

I decided to slow it down and draft behind the 11th position runner, Malcolm Tan. He was such a wonderful pacer as he did a 4:10 mins every kilometer consistently. The reason why I knew this is because I was wearing a GPS watch.

I followed him till 25K when I hit the wall. I met Brendan, the 9th position runner and we were following Malcolm Tan, though he drifted further ahead due to our slowing down. My pace dropped to 4:15 from 25-30k. At 33-34K before Marina Barrage, Malcolm Tan had cramps and Brendan and I had to overtook him. What a twist to the event.

Brendan and Iwere running together, took turns to share the burden of leading in front, just like our usual sunday long runs. The only difference this time was that we were in great pain.

After the 37-38k ECP slope, my left calf cramped and I walked for about 30 seconds. Brendan and I literally ran side by side with him till the finish. I would have walked and gave up if not for him. I have to thank him for pulling me along the race from 25K onwards.

Picture 4 -  Eliz Wong, a supportive wife to Thow Wee's passion in running.

Are you satisfied with the timing of your race?

Honestly, after realising that I was not able to hit 2hr 55min around the 25km mark, I wanted to at least do a sub-3 hours marathon. However, at the final 400metres, there was a huge digital clock showing 3 hours 00 min 30 sec, and my hopes of doing a sub- 3hrs were all gone. At the end of it, I was glad that I shaved 7 mins plus from my personal best of 3 hours 9 mins in 2009. Hence, I am very happy and satisfied with my time. It shows that so long if I keep on  training consistently and work very hard, my time will keep improving. My believe is that any hard work will finally be rewarded. I hope that others will do the same and 'keep the faith'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2vDn6Ph1YA


Picture 5 - The struggle to finally finish the race with a pb of 3hr 02min.

What is your next plan/target in the future?

My next target will be to run in the Hong Kong marathon which is on 20th Feb 2011. I just want to do a sub 3 hours marathon for a start. It will remove a huge mental block of the 3 hours target.

For the next few years, I will aim to bring the time further down to 2 hours 50 mins and eventually below 2 hours 40 mins. Be it local or overseas.

I believe it is possible if I manipulate my aerobic base training properly. It is improving over the years.

Picture 6 (Left to Right) Wong Kang Yan, Bendan Lee, Ashley Liew, Rameshon, Dr Benny Goh, Dr Benedict Tan and Lim Thow Wee.

The author wishes all the best to Lim Thow Wee for the future.