Army Half Marathon (26.08.2018)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Army Half Marathon (20.08.2017)

1st Race in 2017

Army Half-Marathon (01.09.13)

 

Army Half-Marathon (09.09.2012)

Army Half Marathon, 21 km (04.09.2011)

This was one special race for me. This was the race that I achieved my PB for 21 km last year at 1:56. Inherently, I was under pressure to better my time. To manage my own expectations, I actually revisited the quote that I put up to explain why I named my blog "I am not a Jogger".

"If you were motivated enough to train for and participate in an organized running event, then you were a runner. Anyone willing to risk public failure in order to be a part of the running community--no matter what his or her pace per mile might be--was a runner. I AM A RUNNER because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway. - Quoted from RW Magazine"

It might sound very emotional, but thats how each and every race can be. Each and every race has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me! Sometimes I ask myself why do I want to put myself through such stress. As though my life is not stressful enough.

To be honest, I was concerned and I was preparing myself for disappointment that whatever the race turned out to be, just enjoy the race, the route, as well as the company. Its the enjoyment that counts... yeah... like real.

To make matters worse, I discovered one the night before the race that I have been issued a wrong bib... a bib carrying someone else's name. I tried calling the person on the mobile number stated on the bib hoping to return him his bib but he did not answer the call... oh well... I thought it was not a good sign for the race.

Therefore, I decided to run the race with the wrong bib, which means I will not be having an official timing, and really simply enjoy the race.

Well, everything turned out fine at the race. The race was superbly organised, the route was new and nice and most importantly, I ACHIEVED MY PERSONAL BEST!!!!!

As can be expected, I was ecstatic! I really could not believe that I could better my PB, having been disappointed at the 2 previous 21km races. I actually completed the race in 1:52!

Really happy with my timing. Now, I just want to busk in the moment... till the next race....


Next race: North Face 100 (50km Duo) and Real Run (21km). Made a mistake signing up to the races back to back on a Saturday and Sunday... crazy!

SAFRA Bay Run & Army Half-Marathon 2010

It has been a year since the last AHM. I remember writing last year about my disappointment of not achieving a sub-2 hr timing for the half-marathon. Deep down inside, I really wanted to achieve this target, although the odds were really against me.

For one thing, I was not getting any younger. As each year passes, I could feel the ravages of time working against me (sound so drama... haha).

I also did not do well at an earlier 21km race in July, clocking my worst ever timing.

Days leading up to this year's event were also fraught with challenges. Not to mention stress from work, I also sprained my left ankle last week while running at Macritchie Reservoir. Associated with that injury, I also pulled a muscle at somewhere that I could not say in this blog.

Therefore, I did not have high hopes of achieving my target of a sub-2 hr run today. I decided to simply enjoy the run and enjoy the company of my friends.

However, everything seemed to go right this morning. For one thing, my ride to the race came super early and we were there well ahead of the flag-off time (last year, we were late by 6 minutes). Even my GPS watch worked without fuss. When the race started, I felt relax and did not feel any pain at the various places. As a result, I could maintain a good pace. According to my GPS watch, I was averaging a pace of 5:30/km. I started to feel ambitious sensing that I might be able to hit my target today. I came up with the strategy of trying to hit sub-hr at the 11km mark thinking that if I could hit 1 hr at the 11km mark, I would be able to hit sub-2 so long as I maintain the pace (with some allowance for slacking...). Well, this strategy worked very well. At the 11km mark, I was exactly at 1 hr. This raised my morale and meeting a friend at this point also helped as he paced me for the rest of the race.

To cut the story short, today, I achieved my target and I finished the race in 1:56:56!

I was ecstatic!

Above is a picture of my GPS watch capturing the time, distance and pace for today's race. As you can sense, I am still basking in the joy of achieving my target!

This bag of old bones still have what it takes... haha...

Next Race: North Face 100 (50km Duo). This is going to be a painful one!

*****

The official race results are out!

SAFRA Bay Run & Army Half-Marathon 2009

This year's race was an interesting one. As usual, had a good time racing with good friends! What was a little disappointing for me was that we arrived on time only to realise that the race had started 5 to 6 minutes earlier than it should have. This was disappointing for me because I have always enjoyed the sense of anticipation before any race and the adrenaline rush when the race is flagged off. Not only that, we had to "fight" our way through the crowd to maintain the desired pace and to squeeze through bottlenecks. So this year, the starting of the race was a bit of a non-event and disappointment. Notwithstanding the earlier than expected start, I had a good race overall. The route was interesting and I enjoyed running through the F1 track and paddock area.

This is my second attempt at this event. I started with the goal of achieving sub 2 hrs timing having achieved 2 hrs 6 min last year. However, it was not meant to be. I finished the race at 2 hr 3 min. I was not upset with my timing at all because I did try my best and it was an improvement over last year's timing. The lesson learnt is that sometimes I have to set realistic targets.

When I reviewed my race data on Runpix as well as my Garmin 405, I realised that I had a pretty good run after all. The captured data is shown below.

My Garmin showed that I actually maintained a pace of 5:49 min per km! To me this is not too shabby at all. This means that throughout the 21 km race, I ran at a pace I would normally have run for a 10 km race! I also managed to remain quite consistent pace, of 10 to 10.5 kph, throughout the run as shown in the Section KPH.

Well, lesson learnt! I must learn to set realistic targets and appreciate what I have achieved so long as I have tried my best :-)

There is always next year's race!

Next race, RunNUS 09!

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...