Sunday, March 31, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Marina 21 @ Punggol (14.07.2012)
Completed the race after a bout of fever 5 days earlier. Not the wisest thing to do. Anyway, took it easy during the race and completed it in 2:06.
Nice route around punggol waterway... A relatively well organised and fuss-free race...
Nice route around punggol waterway... A relatively well organised and fuss-free race...
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2012
My certificate arrived in the mail today. HK marathon is the only marathon I know that issues an Achievement Certificate as well as a Progress Certificate if one has improved over last year's timing. I always feel that this is a good touch and local race organisers should really consider doing the same!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (05.02.2012)
This is my 14th marathon and my third time running this marathon. This is also a very significant marathon for me as this will be the last marathon before I turn 40 on 06.02.2012.
As usual, this trip to HK did not disappoint. Other than the run itself, the highlight of the trip was food and more food! Somehow the thought of burning all the calories during the run took away all the guilt. I even managed my best timing achieved in HK. This trip was made with great friends and I am so glad that all of us completed the race safely. Friends say that we are mad flying in on Saturday and flying back Sunday night. But the trouble that we took to make this trip possible made the trip more enjoyable and memorable :)
To top it all, I came home at 1am to a birthday cake my wife baked :-)
As usual, this trip to HK did not disappoint. Other than the run itself, the highlight of the trip was food and more food! Somehow the thought of burning all the calories during the run took away all the guilt. I even managed my best timing achieved in HK. This trip was made with great friends and I am so glad that all of us completed the race safely. Friends say that we are mad flying in on Saturday and flying back Sunday night. But the trouble that we took to make this trip possible made the trip more enjoyable and memorable :)
To top it all, I came home at 1am to a birthday cake my wife baked :-)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
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!
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!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Newton Challenge 30km
This is the first 30km race that I have ever participated and it was a blast. I was aiming for a sub-3hr timing and I achieved it.
Initially, I was apprehensive about signing up for this race because I thought the route would be boring as I was very very familiar with East Coast Park. However, I believe it was this familarity that helped me to achive my personal best for 30km.
The strategy for this race was simple. To achieve a sub-hour timing at the 11km mark and sub 1:50 timing at 20km mark. I figured if can achieve these timings, I would be on track for a sub-3hr timing for the 30km race. My strategy worked and I clocked in a timing of 2:56. Not bad huh...
The race was generally well organised with distance markers every kilometer. This was very useful for me as I paced myself. There were also sufficient hydration provided. I am even beginning to like the official drink. A nice touch at the end of the race was that all runners were given a COLD WET towel! That was indeed very welcomed after running for almost 3 hours under the hot sun.
Overall, it was a pleasant outing complemented with great company at the race! This race also served as a useful time trial for the end of the year SCMS.
It was indeed a good Sunday.
Initially, I was apprehensive about signing up for this race because I thought the route would be boring as I was very very familiar with East Coast Park. However, I believe it was this familarity that helped me to achive my personal best for 30km.
The strategy for this race was simple. To achieve a sub-hour timing at the 11km mark and sub 1:50 timing at 20km mark. I figured if can achieve these timings, I would be on track for a sub-3hr timing for the 30km race. My strategy worked and I clocked in a timing of 2:56. Not bad huh...
The race was generally well organised with distance markers every kilometer. This was very useful for me as I paced myself. There were also sufficient hydration provided. I am even beginning to like the official drink. A nice touch at the end of the race was that all runners were given a COLD WET towel! That was indeed very welcomed after running for almost 3 hours under the hot sun.
Overall, it was a pleasant outing complemented with great company at the race! This race also served as a useful time trial for the end of the year SCMS.
It was indeed a good Sunday.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
The North Face 100 (50km Duo)
This is my 3rd go at this race. This race has always been the most painful race in my race calendar but it is one of those race that one die die must do dispite the pain.
Somehow the pain and adventure of running a trail race seemed very atttractive. Anyway, all the years, this has always been one of the better organised races with great post race goodies like Subway sandwiches and cookies. This year, they even brought in the Milo Van! I had countless cups of it after the race... comfort drink indeed after a hard race.
This year I fell during the race and I actually hit my face on the ground... I also scrapped my shoulder, knee and palm. Thank God I was not badly injured and could carry on with the race. There were also some good samaritans who came to render help and made sure I was ok. To top it all, I also have a blackened toe nail (not my first though) and a few blisters... See this year's race is indeed eventful and memorable...
Anyway, this year my race partner and I completed our race within seconds from one another and I came slightly after he crossed the finishing line... We completed the race about 3:13. Last year both of us completed it in 3:22. So it was a personal best for both of us...
Really looking foward to next year's race.
Anyway, my next race is tomorrow morning... RealRun 21km.... its gonna be painful....
Somehow the pain and adventure of running a trail race seemed very atttractive. Anyway, all the years, this has always been one of the better organised races with great post race goodies like Subway sandwiches and cookies. This year, they even brought in the Milo Van! I had countless cups of it after the race... comfort drink indeed after a hard race.
This year I fell during the race and I actually hit my face on the ground... I also scrapped my shoulder, knee and palm. Thank God I was not badly injured and could carry on with the race. There were also some good samaritans who came to render help and made sure I was ok. To top it all, I also have a blackened toe nail (not my first though) and a few blisters... See this year's race is indeed eventful and memorable...
Anyway, this year my race partner and I completed our race within seconds from one another and I came slightly after he crossed the finishing line... We completed the race about 3:13. Last year both of us completed it in 3:22. So it was a personal best for both of us...
Really looking foward to next year's race.
Anyway, my next race is tomorrow morning... RealRun 21km.... its gonna be painful....
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