Fubon Taipei Marathon 2009

What an experience!

3+ days of touring around Taipei on a 4D/3N F&E package. Saturday night slept early because set alarm at 4am to wake for brekkie before the run at 7am.

I sort of woke up groggy at 10pm +/- and felt the floor swaying, the curtains moving. I recalled I mumbled earthquake and then went back to sleep :O
Woke up next morning. Turn on TV and CNA had news that Taipei was struck by 6.4 magnitude quake, the strongest in 2009. This was also confirmed by Taipei news channels.

Taipei weather was 9-14deg for Sunday, 20 Dec. So I decided to wear my SD 2008 Adidas singlet, my Punggol Central Run vest and then the RunForHope 09 Asics tee. Wore 2 socks, the NB dri-fit socks and over it, a pair of thermal socks. Brought my Nike cap and a small towel from the hotel to wipe or put on my head if it rains. Also brought my pair of blue woolen gloves. I am thankful for my kiasu decisions to over-dress.

After exiting the City Hall MRT, followed the mass to the start line. Noticed the temp was 10deg as shown at the top of one building.

At the starting line, watched the large screen on the Taipei City Hall wall. Saw the elite running off. 3 mins later, all the 10km, 21km and 42.195km runners were flagged off. I took 5mins+ to reach the start mats.

It was crowded almost all the way. All thousands were running on the same roads at the same time. The roads of Taipei were also not smooth but uneven. The weather was nice as long as no wind was blowing. I only stopped once, not to walk but to tie my shoelaces which came off (so much for NB lock-laces).

I finished my 10km in 1:08:04 (per my watch which was exactly the published chip time too). My 2nd 10km PB in 2009 after my 1:09:04 PB in NBRR 2009. AM so very happy.

Finish and wandered into Bei An School. Queued 20mins for a small cup of Ovaltine. Can't find the water stations. I skipped the Coke. Sigh. No water to mix the Ovaltine. After that, queued for the food coupon even though I didn't want the food. But not being able to read chinese and not understanding what was being stated by the announcer besides the name of winner and that NT$100 will be refunded to runners, I queued. Thankfully, at the end of the food queue, I got the one way Metro ticket, 1 lollipop, food box and NT$100 in exchange for the champion chip.

When I reached the hotel, I boiled hot water, drank my Jasmine green tea, then had my hot shower.

All in, a nice experience :)

SCSM 2009 photos & timing

So it's official 1:13:04 for my SCSM 2009 10km. Some photos:

SCSM 2009 - 10km

Woke up so very early at 3:15am :(

MRT at 6:40 arriving at ard 7:10am. BAg deposit was fast (& subsequent collection was quick too). Bag was inserted into a large plastic bag which was cable-tied. Very good.

The MC at the start line.............he told us 5mins before start @ 7:45am, he will let us know. 1 min before start, there will be silence and then countdown. 7:39am, the top 2 Full Marathon runners flashed by neck and neck. In the next 5 mins, the top 5 whizzed by. Before anyone knew what happened, the horn went off, 30 secs late, thereabouts. The MC had to tell everyone, ok, you're off. It has started. Forgot the 1 min silence. Go, go, go. Good luck runners. [I shake my head.]

The run was okay. Cloudy almost throughout. I completed in 1:13:07 per my watch. Wasn't my best but okay. Wifey did better at ard 1:11. Will know when SCSM website post the official results.

Met Slow-runner for breakkie and chit chat at Subway, RC basement. Maid brought my kids and Jac's son. Thereafter, the kids did their Kids Dash and Jac brought us to Old Airport Food Centre for lunch.

NBRR 2009 SportsPhotox photos out

I got three photos and none were of me walking :)

 

New Balance Real Run 2009

Woke up at 4:30am, or almost could not. Bus pick up at 5:15am at SK MRT. I nearly went back to sleep.....

Start time this year was earlier at 7am for 10km. The trail was thankfully not wet and muddy as it didn't rain the whole of Saturday. I basically ran along at almost 6:00 pace at one point. I finished the 4km trial at 25:40 at chkpoint 1. Unbelievably fast (avg. 6min:25secs/km pace). I also stopped to grab plain water at the end of  the 4km. I think I went too fast cause I could feel my right knee didn't feel normal.

After walking some 200m or so, I started jogging, trying to maintain pace. I did a fair bit of walk and finished the 7km at chkpoint 2 in 45:58 (avg. 6min:34sec/km pace).

The last 2km was so different compared to previous 2 years. There was sun, but the sky was overcast. I tried not to walk too much. I more or less sprinted the last 200m, going by Ripley so quickly that when I called out to her, she couldn't react to take my photo.

Completed the 10km in 1:09:03 self-timed per my watch (Average 6min 54 secs/km pace). Official results clocked me at 1:09:04. Amazing.

I remembered I thank God for helping me survive the run and completing the 10km under 1hr 10mins or less than average 7min/km pace. So happy. This year, I had only one wish - to finish a 21km HM. Now I even have a 10km PB. Pity I was not like one of the girls who is probably a school runner because she was wearing a white tee with (PB) on the front.

Met up with slow_runner and Kayano after the run. Almost met my church mates Eu Lee and Lydia. Kayano kindly sent me home.

2009 Fubon Taipei Marathon: 20/12/2009

2009 富邦臺北馬拉松賽

I signed up for this. Just 10km. 90 mins to complete. slow_runner will be my translator and tour guide.

Tired

Running 7km today felt like running 15km or more. Just woke up from 2.5hrs of sleep and finished lunch.

I think the reason is the blocked nose, phelgm in throat and coughing along the way. Nothing to do with the pace or the 7km distance. Weekend runs suppose to be at least 10km to 14km. Just a lesson to learn as as sickness taxes the body.

39th training (42nd) run of 2009

I had to run. Last weekend never run after being here and there and spending too long at a funeral wake with my colleagues.

Woke up this morning with slight stuffed nose and throat clogged. Unfortunately, it didn't clear. I brought tissue with me. But, it was terrible as even though I jogged slow, my throat was clogged and every time I coughed, my muscles at my back near the kidneys/ waist went into slight spasm. It was frustrating. Slow never mind. Coughing and spitting out phelgm was frustrating. Since I did not turn off at my 5km loop, it had to complete the 7km loop. Finished the 7km in 59mins 35 secs. 8:32 pace is really slow. I think I need to clock more mileage.

Worried about early morning runs. Slept w/o aircon but only fan still got clogged nose and throat. I can sleep w/o fan but not my family. Overseas races are worse as room always got aircon which give me sinus problems. Well, no one says life is not full of challenges. :)

37th training (40th) run of 2009

Gosh, 1 week since my previous run. 5km tonight.

I did the 5km in 35:30 which is pretty fast for me. I think it's due to me crossing the traffic junctions when it was red but had no cars. Save 2-3 minutes.

After that I had dinner at foodcourt, go library and build my green Gundam. :)

Official AHM 2009 21k result

Results out. Confirmed time 3:10:12. (My watch was 3:10:14).

Praise God.

New Balance Real Run 2009 (8 Nov 09)

I signed up for 10km - Men's Open. S$33.80 after the $3 discount for online registration.

Knees still in pain but it's on 8 November 2009. Should have fully recovered by then.

Army Half Marathon 2009

I'm thankful I managed to completed my first AHM.

It was a painful experience. Stitch at 5-6km. Left hamstring cramp at 10-11km mark and when I tried to jog after the wide right turn to Mountbatten, my right leg cramped too and I pulled up in sharp pain. From there, it was a terrible walk in extreme pain, especially the last 5km. First time I can't even jog across the finishing mat!

The experience was otherwise priceless. I clocked 3:10 and am happy actually since it was within my 3:00 to 3:30 target and better than my only 21km training distance of 3:27.

Water point + isotonic drink layout was good, after ECP, the route was not so narrow, started 6 minutes early which is good for me but may have caught some still stretching by surprise, transformers at ECP was interesting though still dark, one guy stopped and took out a personal Sony videocam from his haversack when he saw the belly dancers who obliged him with more sexy moves & when I completed, Minister Teo Chee Hean was running to the finish on my rght while I was walking in extreme pain.

After the event, went to friends Oriental hotel room to shower. 9:24am I told them I will shower and meet them for breakfast. But after shower, I lay on the bed to elevate my leg and my 2 big toes automatically turned backwards and sharp pains in both hamstrings. I had to lie down. The pain was terrible. So, while they ate their buffet breakfast, I was watching EPL replay. Slept on the mrt train on the way back. Back of right knee is still very painful now but the hamstrings have cleared up. Pity I can't take leave tomorrow.

Personal thanks to Kayano for fetching me there and to my friends slow_runner & din_taz for the use of their hotel room to shower and rest (& grimace in pain in private).

AHM 21km route

21km AHM 2009 route. Thanks to Mok Ying Ren!

POSB Run for Kids 2009

Slept at 11:15pm and woke up before 5am. By the time it was 6am, I was tired since I was reading a novel from library to pass time.

My right leg still hurts. Back ache on right side to the thigh to near right ankle. So, was thinking whether to run. Actually the crazy thought was to run 8km in morning and 12km in evening to make 20km in 1 day.

6:40am, it rained! But stopped totally just before 7am. I looked at the ground and it was not that wet. I left home at 7:05, wearing the Newton Active Run tee with sleeves as it felt cold.

The bus was at Compass Point. One left at 7:10 was I was reaching the pick up point. But the next bus left at 7:15, which was great.

The race area was a bit messy. The grounds were wet but not yet muddy (it would be after the run).

I pinned the race tag to the Ocra race belt. Race started on time or a little earlier, flagged off by Miniter Teo Chee Hean. Not that many 8km runners. I was 35 seconds behind the gun time.

At 1km marker, I looked at my watch: 5mins 13 secs. No way, man. The 1stkm was probably 750m, even given myself the benefit of adrenalin and race environment, I can be running 5min+/km pace and not collapse. But w/o a GPS footpod, can't tell. At 1.5km mark, was really upset to discover one of the race belts pins had come off on the road some where.....lost. Sigh :(

Run was fine. Road not so wet. Weather was cooling and no sun. POSB staff were standing by cheering / clapping. Good of them to come out on Sunday morning and still smile for runners. Race marshalls did a great job wearing the white tee and running with and along runners. I didn't see Mike but later saw from photos he was there and biked along the route.

I finished in 56mins 14 secs, 7min 2 secs average pace assuming 8km route (though I have my doubts). It's much faster pace than I have done for very long since I've been ding 8min/km average to hopefully be able to sustain completing 21km AHM.

After finishing line, really messy. So many people crowd the one lane. The right lane had the kids waiting for the 1.6km flag off. I stumbled looking for water. Couldn't see it after stumbling around. Tired, a little dehydrated since I ran too fast a pace. Then I spotted the GREEN MILO van. Well, better than nothing. Ice cold milo. Small cup. I had 3 cups. Saw people carrying the participation cert. Walked around and got mine. I asked the lady who gave me the cert where is the water. She pointed me to the right direction and I cringed, wondering why I never looked that direction earlier. Got my 1 bottle of Newater.

Walked to bus drop off point. Saw the 8:30 bus leaving before I arrived. Waited till 8:40, a bus came and unloaded more than 10 adults and kids. As another guy and girl wanted to get on the bus, the driver closed the door and drove off (????). I was like, "huh?". Anyway, the lower part of my new NB850 shoes were covered with grass and mud and I was tired, but no choice, had to walk to Bakau LRT with ITBS on my right leg. Good thing I brought my MRT card and $4 with me. One thing that spoilt the morning. Couldn't the bus driver going back to Sengkang MRT just pick up the 3 persons waiting there?

But overall, I had a good experience. Just that I came home and had to scrub and rinse my shoes before I even had breakfast or shower.

Was exhausted, cause I slept 2 hours this afternoon...........

3.5/5 stars.

Stanchart pumps in S$10m to grow Singapore Marathon

Stanchart pumps in S$10m to grow Singapore Marathon
By Tan Yo-Hinn, TODAY | Posted: 09 July 2009 1927 hrs

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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Marathon is set to muscle in on the global biggies as Standard Chartered Bank pumps in S$10 million in a four-year tie-up with the Singapore Sports Council (SSC).

Since 2002, the annual Singapore Marathon has grown from 6,000 runners to 50,000 last year. And, it is set to grow even more for this year's race in December.

The S$10 million deal is believed to be the largest sponsorship for a mass participation event in Singapore.

To ensure a balance between numbers and quality, the SSC may introduce caps, including qualifying times.

Oon Jin Teik, CEO of Singapore Sports Council, said: "Our hope is that this event can continue to be one of Asia's top running events. We would like it to be one of the top three marathon events in Asia and I think we're moving into that direction."

Lim Cheng Teck, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Singapore, said: "We want to continue to make this a world-class event and improving the running experience all the time. In the longer-term plan, we want to make this the best marathon in Asia and among the top marathons globally." - TODAY

SCSM 2009 - Standchart Bank

Business Times - 10 Jul 2009


Stanchart extends sponsorship of S'pore marathon

By BRANDON CHEW

STANDARD Chartered bank yesterday renewed its title sponsorship of the Standard Chartered Marathon until 2012.

Stanchart, which has sponsored the annual event since 2002, will spend $10 million on sponsorship and promotion over the next four years.

Registration fees and prize money will kept at present levels, despite rising costs and recessionary pressures.

New Balance was also unveiled yesterday as apparel sponsor for this year's race, which will held on Dec 9.

Stanchart chief executive Lim Cheng Teck said that the bank's support is a sign of its 'commitment to the community which has been home to us for 150 years'.

Thanks in part to Stanchart's efforts, the number of race participants has grown from 6,000 in 2002 to 50,000 last year.

Singapore Sports Council chief executive Oon Jin Teik praised the bank's consistent support. 'Sponsorship has a significant role to play in developing a vibrant sports culture in Singapore,' he said. 'Sports events are an excellent platform for companies to differentiate themselves from competitors.'

Mr Lim wants to see the event become 'the best in Asia and among the top marathons in the world'. The way to achieve this is through 'superior event organisation and operations' to create a great experience for runners and spectators, he said.

Registration for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon will open next Thursday.

Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

POSB Kids Run 2009 - 8km

Asked my son. He "don't feel like running the 1.6km" even though it's the distance of his weekly school mass run. Ai lai mai suak. I'm not gonna beg anyone to take part in any race. Ditto for wife, friends and colleagues whom I emailed race details to.

So, I signed up for the 8km myself ($30 for kids charity). If kids run, I was prepared to sit out the run to be with them.

24 July 2009 - 8km.

MAP'S OUT!

POSB Run for Kids '09

This is not in my 2009 schedule but 8km and so near my place. Tempting sia.......


Calling all POSB Customers.
Come join us in POSB Run for Kids '09

Children have always held a special place in the heart of POSB. Since the late 1960s, POSB has been inculcating the virtue of saving among children in Singapore. Our concern for children goes beyond good money management habits. At POSB, we recognise the importance of educating and developing the young, so that they can be the best that they can be. On Sunday 12 July 2009, we will be organising the inaugural POSB Run for Kids '09 to help children in Singapore so that they can have a happier childhood and a brighter future. The money raised will be channelled equally towards an education welfare fund for primary school children, managed by Punggol Central CCC, and the Singapore Children's Society. In addition, the North East CDC will provide dollar-for-dollar matching for the education welfare fund. We are privileged to have the Deputy Prime Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean and DBS Chairman Koh Boon Hwee gracing the event. Run for the kids! You can make a difference in the lives of children simply by running!

Serious runners can take part in the 8km Competitive Run. Leisure runners can opt for the 3.5km Fun Run. You can also turn this into a family event by registering your children in the 1.6km Kids Run! Hurry, register for the POSB Run for Kids '09 now. We look forward to seeing you bright and early on Sunday 12 July 2009!

POSB Run for Kids '09 http://www.dbs.com.sg/posb/runforkids09/Pages/default.aspx
FAQ http://www.dbs.com.sg/posb/runforkids09/faq/Pages/default.aspx
Run Details http://www.dbs.com.sg/posb/runforkids09/rundetails/Pages/default.aspx
Register NOW! http://www.epayasia.com.my/posbrunforkids09/default.aspx

Race packs will be available for SELF-COLLECTION ONLY at Sengkang Community Club. Please be reminded to bring a photo-ID for identification purposes.
Collection Details
Dates & Times: 27 June 2009 (Sat) from 10.00am to 5.00pm; 28 June 2009 (Sun) from 10.00am to 8.00pm
Venue: Sengkang Community Club2 Sengkang SquareSingapore 545025

Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Date: Sunday, July 12, 2009 Time: 7:30am - 10:30am
Race Location: Seng Kang East Drive

Army Half Marathon - 21km

I registered for this on 30 March 2009 - Priority rate of $30 for 21km.

As oer my intro on my blog header above, 21km will be like running a 42km for me. I hope to finish, preferably within 3hrs and 10mins. Any longer, the sun and fatigue would probably get me before the finish line.

Newton Active Run 09 - 10km (Results)

Official results are out.

The gun time is 1:14:27 for 10km. My net time per my watch should still be 1:13:15.

Very happy considering I did not complete more than 7km since SCSM 2008.