This blog chronicles my journey in the sport of running. Let the race pictures (taken over 2 years) do the talking and see for yourself how running has transformed me over the years... haha.
It all started with Run for Hope 2007. Under the influence of a certain individual, I did a 4 km charity run, enjoyed it so much and the rest was history.
Immediately after Run for Hope, I signed up for Real Run. My first official competitive race.
RealRun 2007 - 10 km (November 2007)
My timing for this 10 km race was 1 hr 17 min.
2007 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon - 10 km (December 2007)
I think I completed this run in 1 hr 10 min. After finishing this race, I started on my marathon training. I started by clocking 32 km a week (8km x 4), progressing to 44 km a week (8km X 3, weekdays + 20km LSD, on Sundays).
I also used a heart-rate monitor to ensure that I am exercising at the correct heart-rate zone and not pushing myself too hard.
After 6 months of running/training... I proceeded to complete my first marathon. The Adidas Sundown Marathon.
Adidas Sundown Marathon 2008 - 42 km (June 2008)
My first marathon was completed in 5 hrs 43 min. Not bad for a marathon that required one to cross at least 4 overhead bridges and risked being knocked down by cars.
I was so proud of this achievement that I started the tradition of framing my bib and medal for my subsequent marathons.
Passion Run 2008 - 15 km (June 2008)
This run was exactly 1 week after Sundown 08. It was a "recovery run" from Sundown...
Completed it in 1 hr 43 min.
Also did the Mizuno Wave Run (July 2008), my first sub-hour 10k run.
SAFRA Bay Run and Army Half Marathon 2008 - 21 km (August 2008)
Attempted my first half-marathon race after completing my first full marathon... irony of ironies. It was fun running over the Sheares Bridge and Marina Barrage even before the barrage was officially opened.
Achieved a decent timing of 2 hr 6 min.
Nike Human Race -10 km (August/September 2008, can't really remember)
This was one of my most enjoyable race. Running through the city spots such as Clarke Quay was cool.
I bettered my previous 10 km timing... 55:41 min
RealRun 2008 - 15 km
My second RealRun. It has been a year since my first official race. Notice the transformation yet? Completed this race in 1 hr 33 min, I think.
2008 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon - 42.195 km (December 2008)
This marked the climax of my running in 2008.
I achieved my personal best marathon timing for 2008: 4 hr 41 min
2009 has been an interesting year for my running. It is marked by many firsts...
Early in the year I participated in the Newton Active Run at Seng Kang. It's the first run I have ever done in Seng Kang. It was also the first race for the year. I was also happy with my timing. I achieved 54:38 min (10km). A personal best at that time. But more importantly, an Ang Moh (a caucasian man) came up to me at the end of the run to thank me for pacing him during the race... woah, that felt good!
Suburban Run 2009 - 10 km (February 2009)
2 weeks later I did this race teaming up with a good friend. Guess what, we came in tenth in the team category! Another first for me. I also achieved my personal best timing of 52 min for 10 km.
(June 2009) was my second Sundown Marathon and third full marathon. I had loads of fun for this marathon. As usual, the race was run with good friends. I remembered feeling very high at the last 10k and I was actually encouraging other runners to follow me to achieve sub-5 hr timing. One young guy actually followed, however, he dropped out a few km from the finish. Sadly, I could not find any official race pics of myself for this race. However, I was happy with my timing. More importantly, this marathon taught me many important lessons about life... It has taught me how to measure success... It has taught me that although timing is the common yard stick to measure success in a race, running a race is not simply about timing (albeit important). Achieving success in a race is about enjoying every moment of the race, finishing well and strong. It is about overcoming difficulties and challenges leading up to the race itself. It is about completing the race!
Mizuno Mt Faber Run 2009 (10 km)
This was my first attempt at the Mizuno Mt Faber Run. It was truly an enjoyable run as I have never run up, down and around Mt Faber before. I was also happy with my timing of 58:13 min. More interestingly, I actually found my race pic running together with a good friend on the official website. Try to spot me (Bib No. 1388). Truly the bib number 1388 proved to be very auspicious!
2009 Standard Chartered KL Marathon - 42.195 km (June 2009)
This was truly a fantastic experience. The route was not easy and it was hilly for most part of the last 10 KM. Having done the Mizuno Mt Faber Run 2 weeks before this race certainly helped prepare me for this marathon.
I was ecstatic after I crossed the finish line. I also achieved my personal best for Full Marathon! 4 hr 30 min!
To complete the whole story, a video of the run before and after the finish line!
The journey continues... next up... AHM 2009... stay tuned...
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