Real Run (21km) (21.10.2012)

 

 

 

Real Run 2011 (21km)

One major lesson learnt today. Check your race calendar before signing up for races. I signed up this year's Real Run without realising that I have also signed up for Northface 100 (25km) yesterday. After yesterday's race, I was really wondering if I could survive this year's Real Run.

Unlike other years, this year's race offered a new 21km category. The route was pretty much the same as last year's 15km route just that they lengthened the part along Changi Coast Road. Overall, it was a very well organised race. No surprises, just like all other years.

My race buddy and I really suffered for this race as we were still experiencing fatigue from the previous day's race. However, we persisted and came back in a decent net timing of about 2:06. Again we finished the race within a minute from one another. This meant that we kept to an average pace of 10km/h which was quite decent.

Post race, I was suffering from the effects of the races... I don't think I will go anywhere which requires me to go down flights of stairs... However, the satisfaction from completing 2 huge races back to back was priceless.

Real Run 2010

Just completed my 4th RealRun. As usual, it was done with great friends. Everything was pretty much the same as previous years in terms of location and route. The only change was the swap of start times for the 10 and 15km categories. This year, the organisers decided start 15km race (7am) before the 10 km race (7.30am). I guess they had intended for the runners of the longer distance to avoid the sun as much as possible.

I did not manage a PB this year completing the race in 1:27. Initially, I thought I was on my way for a PB having clocked around 51 min at the 10km mark. However, somehow, I started to slack at the beach. It did not help that for the first time in 4 years that I could not avoid the incoming wave and got both shoes wet.

On the whole, I found this run a well-organised and enjoyable one.

RealRun has always been special to me as this was the first ever organised race that I participated when I took up running in 2007 and have not missed one ever since.

Next Race: Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore.

Real Run 2009

This is my 3rd Real Run and this year's Real Run was especially special for me! I achieved my personal best time of 1 hr 21 min for 15 km. I also kept a decent pace of 5:25/km throughout the race. According to official race results, I came in 337 out of 2373 runners who completed. Not too shabby at all!

The strategy today was pretty simple. I was chasing after a friend who was a more powerful runner. In fact, I was chasing after him for 2/3 of the race. Well, it showed on my face that I was really pushing myself very hard for this race.

As part of the race, runners had to run on trail, road and sand (beach). The trail was not too bad as it was not muddy and the beach section was quite nice as the sand was quite compact near the water's edge. Somehow, this year's race seemed much "shorter" for me than previous years. Maybe, it could be due to the fact that I completed a much tougher race 2 weeks earlier, The North Face 100 (50 km Duo), and that made today's race seemed easier than usual.

Well, the important thing was that I had a splendid time today having a Real good run with Real good friends!

Next race, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon! My 5th full 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...