NE Run (14 March 2010)

This is actually my first local race in 2010. This year, I decided to be more selective and discriminating when signing up for local races. This is because there are more and more races coming up and I do not want to end up signing up for every single race. I also want to sign up for races that offers unique and interesting experiences. To limit the number of races that I sign up for, the new 'policy' would be I will only sign up for races with distances that are longer than 15km. I figured that these races can also help me to train in terms of speed work for my upcoming marathon races. Well, the NE Run being a 16Km run fits perfectly with my new policy for local races in 2010.

The run itself was alright for me. I was mentally prepared not to have high expectations in terms of setting a PB for this run. This was because there would be at least 6 bridges (as in pedestrian bridges) along the route. I had mentally prepared myself for congestions at the bridges as well as the park connectors. Therefore, I psyched myself to simply enjoy the run and experience and not be too stressed about the run itself. My mental preparation proved to be very helpful. I actually enjoyed myself at the run. At the foot of every bridge, I would tell myself that was an opportunity for 'enforced rest' and to take a breather. Of course, there were really serious runners who actually took the race seriously and ran up and down the bridges shouting at others to make way for them. Well, I hope they achieved what they set out to achieve in terms of their PB.

The route itself was quite flat (minus the bridges) and I did not have to stop for traffic. While running, it felt like doing the Sundown Marathon in daylight... interesting. What inspired me was seeing the Singapore Blade Runner (a local runner with a prosthetic leg) as well as the 1ArmRunner (another local runner who only has 1 arm) at the race. Their pressence at the race really gave runners a real good reason to run. That is to celebrate life and living no matter what our life circumstances might be.

Well, I guess thats why runners sign up for races instead of simply doing the usual morning jogs or LSD (Long Slow Distance). Seeing other like-minded people of every ability participating in an organised race is both energising and inspiring.

At the end of the race, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the finisher medal (shown above) and amazingly, despite not stressing myself, I clocked in at 1:31 which was way better than my only other 16km race (Mizuno Wave Run 2009). I actually achieved a PB for a 16km race!

Next race: Passion Run 25km