Sundown Marathon 2014

 

Sundown Marathon 2013 (31.5.2013)

Sundown Marathon 2012 (26.05.2012)

Completed my 15th Marathon today. It was an enjoyable run. Being a loyal participant of the race for the last 4 years I was even given access to the VIP Hospitality area. That was nice! This year it was new race venue, new route and New Weather!

This year, the start point was at Nicholl Highway and the route took us round the city, to east coast park and back. My only complaint this year was the same start time for both 21km and 42km runners. This led to congestions along the first few kilometers.

One thing I find very challanging about night marathons was the humidity. Although the temperature was lower, the high humidity can make one feel very uncomfortable. By the time I reached The Big Splash at East Coast Park, I could not resist the temptation of going over the 7-Eleven and buy a cold can of coke! It was great reprieve. However, the greater reprieve from the humidity came when to sky opened and thundery rain started. This was the first time that I ever had a race with thundery rain. I liked it as it was cold! The organisers actually sent out an SMS for runners to seek shelter. I however did not notice the sms during the run. I was more concerned that my phone did not get wet!

Eventually, I completed the race in 5:01. Abit of a letdown not beating the Sub-5 barrier. Nonetheless, I had a great time with great company.

Passion Run 2011 and Sundown Marathon 2011

 

Sundown Marathon (28 May 2011)

Completed the two races in two consecutive weekends. As usual, Passion Run was seen as the final Long Slow Distance (LSD) before Sundown (my 11th Full Marathon, completed it in 5:15). Both races were done and completed with great friends and at an relaxing pace. Both races had similar race format/route as last year, so there is really nothing much to talk about... haha. Honestly, I pity race organisers nowadays as it is really getting harder to come out with fresh ideas and new race locations on our tiny island. Particpants are also getting more and more demanding concerning race entitlements and experiences. At the same time. I am pleasantly surprised that there are more long distances races organised this year. According to my personal race calendar, I have one or two long distance races (15km and above) every month from now till the end of the year... I really wonder how race organisers are going to keep interest among the running community alive as I suspect the participants for all these races will be the same group of people.

Next Race: KL Marathon

Adidas Sundown Marathon 2010

Another marathon done, another marathon under my belt. This year's adidas Sundown Marathon marked the completion of my 7th marathon. This was also the first marathon that I finished relatively well. Well, not in terms of timing (I was more than 15 minutes off my personal best timing) but in terms of the state that I was in when I completed the race. When I crossed the finishing mat at 4:43, I was surprised that I was left relatively unscathed. There was minimal pain and I could move about quite normally. This was good :-)

This year's Sundown featured a new race venue/start point and a new route. Personally, I liked the new race venue as it offered plenty of parking. Concerning the route, it was completely flat. Gone were

the days when runners had to risk life and limp to cross roads and climb over pedestrian bridges. However, this year's route was a relatively boring one as it was up and down Changi Coastal Road and East Coast Park as compared to the old route which allowed runners to break up the whole route into chunks (Changi Coastal Road, ECP, Siglap, Bedok, Tampines, Pasir Ris, Loyang and finally Changi Village) so that the race seemed more interesting. Personally, I found the new route ok as it was my regular LSD route anyway. The only problem was I lost motivation from 27km onwards. This was made worse by the monotony of the Changi Coast Road park connector and fatigue due to sleepiness. This might explain my worse than expected timing. However, this (as well as the flat route) might also explain why I came out of this marathon relatively well as I did not really push myself for the PB.

This marathon also helped me realize that I might have reached my potential in terms of performance. I have not been able to achieve any breakthroughs since last year's SCSM. Well, I guess from now onwards, I shall focus on finishing marathons well in a healthy and pain-free state so that I can go waddling on for many more years of my life.

I also take my hat off to all who attempted and completed the 84km Ultra-Marathon! These people have my utmost RESPECT! I really cannot imagine how can anyone go through the torture of a full marathon not once but twice consecutively!

Next race: Standard Chartered KL Marathon

A Chronicle of My Runs - 2007 to mid 2009 (updated 24 Aug 2009)

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!

The highlight for 2009 must be my first overseas Marathon.

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...