Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (03.12.2017)

 

 

 

 

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2014 (07.12.2014)

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2013

 

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2012

My 17th Full Marathon :-)

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011

Everything happened as planned. My strategy for this race was the same as Newton 30k. Complete the first 11km below 1hr, 20km below 1:52 and 30km below 2:56. I figured if I could hit these timings at the various distances, I should be able to achieve my personal best. Well, the funny thing was, I completed the race with the same timing as my PB set in 2009. Now how conincidental can that be? My comfort was that last year I completed the same route for the first time in 5:10... so in fact I improved by more than 45 mins!

As a whole, I had a blast at the race. My race buddy and I arrived at the start line well ahead of time. Having gone through the new route last year, I was better prepared for the race.

My only complaint about this race was the lack of distance markers. I resorted to spotting runners wearing GPS watches and asked them what was the distance... It also did not help that all race categories merged towards the end of the race, and it was really crowded. It was difficult to run with walkers hogging the route.

Well, at the end of the day, it was a nice day out and at least I am not disappointed with my race timing.

Now I am really looking forward to my next race which is HK Marathon on 5 Feb 2012. My last marathon before I turn 40 on the next day!

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2010

Let me start by saying that for my 9th marathon, I achieved my worst timing for a day time marathon! I completed it in 5:10. Am I upset? No. This is because I sort of expected it. No, I am not trying to give excuses for my "bad" timing but as I complete more and more marathons, perspectives start to change.

When I did my first marathon, my objective was to complete it. I did it in 5:45. After knowing that I could complete a marathon, timing became important. I put my mind to training, adhering to a strict training regime. My timings improved tremendously and I achieved my best timing of 4:25 in 2009. One year after my first marathon.

As I "progressed", timing became less important. What became more important for me in marathoning was to enjoy the whole experience, enjoy the company of fellow runners and to complete it injury free so that life can go on as normal the next day.

Well, I achieved exactly that. The interesting thing was I started the race with pain at my left hamstring and calf which was bugging me for a few months. However, by the end of 5 hours, I completed the marathon with these pains disappearing. It was unreal. Throughout the marathon, I was focusing on running in such a way that the pain was not aggravated and I could finish the race. The unintended outcome was that marathon turned out to be a 5 hour physiotherapy session for my left hamstring and calf and I was healed by the end of the marathon!

In short, I completed the race in a better state than I began!

My perspective in marathoning is mirrored in my perspective of life. Having achieved a certain degree of stability and success in my career, it is no longer about outdoing myself. It is more about completing every day, week, month and year well so that I can face another day, week, month and year well....

Life is indeed a marathon. Some people achieve great success at the cost of permanent injuries to self and others. I choose to complete each mile in a marathon well and live to run many more :-)

Well the best part for me in this year's marathon occurred after the race. My wife surprised me with a post marathon treat. She got me Cakes, Coffee, Flower and even a voucher for a session of sports massage. Now that is better than a personal best :-)

Next Race: Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon! This is going to be a challenging one. My objective is not to be picked up by the sweeper bus!

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009

Today I had a great time at the race. On top of finishing my 5th full marathon, I also achieved my best timing ever. I completed the race in 4hr 25min. I also did it with a decent average pace of 6:11. According to the official race results, I came in 1200 for overall ranking out of a field of about 13,000 runners :-) There were 8% of runners who finished ahead of me.

As usual, this marathon was great in that it was done with a bunch of great friends.

I was also pleasantly surprised by my wife who came to support at the end of the race.

Well, this marathon marked the end of my races in 2009. In retrospect, 2009 has been a significant year for me. This year alone, I completed 3 full marathons, one of which was an overseas marathon at KL, Malaysia.

I am sure 2010, will prove to be an exciting year in more ways than one. It might just see me doing more overseas marathons :-) among other exciting things...

Stay tuned.

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...