SCMS 2010 - 21 HM

The first 9km of HM was very nice. I did 2XU Sentosa and so knew that Sentosa was up and down slopes. So, never exerted, just jogged some parts of flat ground. Took photos and videos...
Universal Studios was fantastic. Staff lined up to cheer us on and clapped enthusiatically. I had photo taken with the actors in Waterworld show. I snapped the other characters along the route incl Charlie Chaplin. Quite a number of us were happily posing and taking pics.

After exiting Sentosa Island, the up & down slopes continued. Keppel Road and ECP were a nightware whether to run or jog or even to walk. Up and down and No shade. Just sun on my right face for km after km after km.....
I missed and didn't get any GU Gel
As I was injured, PB was not an issue and I took my sweet time and snapped all the distance markers. The last km distance marker was missing. Just a blue road sign informing "Finish Point 1KM to go".

For 2km when the mass of FM + 10km runners merged from the right with the HM, it was just a slow, slow walk. I was limping faster than some 10km participants who were doing their 5th or 6th km. I suppose there were there for the fun and experience. But it was a major gridlock. I think they should have considered having another 2 lanes opened.


Glad that lasted for only around 2km. After the 10km went to the left, the HM and FM participants started going again.


My heart go out to those who were injured or collapsed the last 1.5km from finish line. 1 boy had his right ankle bandaged, looks like twisted, 1 girl was on the road parrallel to the Kids Dash corrals (<1km from finish) and when I finished, 1 Indian lady was in the middle of the FM & HM finish lane, just <20 steps to the finish arch. So sad if suffer, come so close and cannot get tee &/or medal.

Personally, I'm happy to have completed. From a possible DNS to possible DNF, I finished with photos, videos and the medal.

My Endomondo recorded 22.96km. Endomondo - SCMS 2010 Maybe can blame it on the long walk at the start line plus inaccuracies when we were underground before exiting Resorts World Sentosa. OR maybe we did do extra

Completed in 3:44:30. Average 10 mins 42 secs per km pace for my 21km+ walkathon. Respectable time for probably only 1km of jogging in the first 9 km. The rest was walking in the sun.

Some of the photos I took are on my FB page. A few here:

SCMS 2010 and SD 2011

Well, after some days of horse riding and skiing in Sth Korea, my little toe swelled again......

Anyway, made use of my NTUC credits and signed up for SD 2011 HM. Madness, I won't argue with anyone on that!

SCMS 2010 - HM Route Map (PDF format)

Half Marathon Route Map

From SCMS website

POSB Run For Kids 2010

This run wasn't in my running calender. Initially sign up the kids for the $10 1.2km run since it's at Anchorvale CC. But Company sponsor so I signed up 4.5km instead of 8.5km since it is 1 week after AHM (that reminds me, tomorrow must retrieve my photo frm my colleague who took photos). But I'm thankful I didn't sign up 8.5km bcos the heat was atrociously HOT and I felt the effects all the way to the afternoon. Endomondo measured only 4.3km for the 4.5km run but still, my avg pace was blistering fast for me - 6min 39secs/km pace with 2 walk breaks. No wonder I felt it before the 1.5km mark. But the hot sun...........it was a lesson for me with SCMS HM coming up in 2 1/2 mths time.
Endomondo link: Endomondo link


My sgrunners post reproduced:

It was HOT and my Endomondo clocked 4.30km for the 4.50km distance. I ran too fast a pace and found the going really hard. Now I have to train in the sun for SCMS because I'm really not acclimatised to running in the heat like today. Only 1 water point for 4.5km. Glad I did not choose 8.5km or may have embarassingly DNF although probably no one would have known since can collect participation cert even if DNF

The Milo van was there. Had a chance to chat with Brokie a bit. She and entire family were going volunteer work by being lead runners or sweeping 

Good job by all the volunteers too 

My boy came home saying he had 4 cups of Milo. I asked him what about the slower kids and 8.5km runners who come in later? I advise him next time limit to 2 like the mei mei. Of course, both kids say other people in the queue also had 4 cups of milo, some fill up 2, drink and then quickly refill the 2 cups before leaving. So, my kids say they just follow.....
Siva, I heard there were 3,000+ kids for the 1.2km and 1,500 running the 4.5km. I didn't catch how many ran the 8.5km but I guessed less than the 4.5km. To me, it's a good turnout

I am impressed with the young kids who looked like Primary School doing the 8.5km under the HOT sun. Well done to them

About the starting and finishing, a bit messy and un-coordinated. Some I met didn't realise the 4.5km was flagged off by DPM less than 60secs after they finished the warm up. They were not happy.

The finishing was also crowded. The good thing was that they had different finishing for the 3,000+ 1.2km participants. Otherwise, the 4.5km and 8.5km would be all posting about the crowded last 200m.

I went past some parents who obviously forced their kids to take part. The poor kids. One girl cried and screamed and refused to move just less than 50m from the 1.2km finish arch. She just refused to move, crying and screaming even though the Bapa want to reach the finish. Wanted to tell the crying girl, 'Sedikit lagi. Cepat, cepat.' But I was so hot and tired and searching for my kids in the 'mass of mess'.

One mother was telling her son, "Look, just finish this, ok? We have a deal or not? DO WE have a deal? Let's go. Just do this. Just a bit more" (This was around 40% of the 1.2km route and the boy was probably 5 or 6 yrs old). Sigh.......the boy is trying to run for the mother or something.

AHM 2010 Post-race

Booked a room at The Residence at Singapore Recreation Club. The Esplanade Jr Suite was a decent room. It was cheapest accommodation around online and it was just overlooking the Padang.

Set my Hp alarm for 3am. Woke up at 2:20am because the next door  neighbour was playing loud music and baby crying. At least I got almost 5hrs sleep. My friend slow_runner didn't manage to sleep almost the whole night. The beauty was that only 5am we left the room.

The funny thing is we reached 100m from the START and the announcer was saying, "You can start your watches now", "Wave your hands in the air because you're on camera". I told my friend that it's only 5:10am, 5 mins to go. It's only on reaching 50m from the START we realised they had flagged off - early.

I liked the slightly different route this year. Weave around from Collyer Quay to Robinson Road before going to Raffles Ave and then to Temasek Ave and running past Marina Bay Sands. This year I went at a slower pace compared to my 1st AHM last year. Last year, I remembered I did my 6km in a record 36mins. This time, I did my 6km in about 47mins. Much nearer to my 8mins per km pace. I also walked more in the beginning and took water from the 1st water point. It was very humid with hardly any breeze so early in the morning (diff from 2009 AHM which was not so humid).

My pacing for first 10km was around 7.5mins/km to 8mins/km. It was fine. I walked and jogged. I got through ECP and onto Fort Road w/o the double cramps of last year but walked more. I was struck by right knee cap pain so tried to walk more. By then, I was at 14km and 2/3 of 21.1km done.


My knees cramped at 18km in the F1 pit area. It was painful. Slight stretching did not help and I decided to walk slowly. 18km cramp much better than last year's 11km cramps. Walk slow, slow, dragging feet a bit.

Eventually finished with a last 50m jog to the finish arch. The gun time was 2hrs 56mins. My Polar recorded 2:52:16 (8mins 10secs per km avg pace). Very happy since I bettered my 2009 AHM of 3:10 when I was hoping for 2:59. Race experience was better since last year I was walking with cramped legs from 11km mark at Fort Road.
[13/09/2010 Update: Official time is 2:52:17]. Very happy.

Collected my Finisher medal with the 2 Nature Valley bars. Walked back to the Singapore Recreation Club. Took some photos while I waited for slow_runner to finish his shower. It was hot as the picture show below when the bulk of 10km runners finished.

Pasted from my sgRunners post:

My 2nd AHM. Am happy with their early start time, nice view going through Marina Bay Sands, lots of water points (the best in probably any event in Spore or overseas), the 100Plus is cold, I saw every km distance marker, the young army boys volunteering did a good job despite the pressure of the crowds at the water points (but I hope they will fill all cups 1/2 instead of full since some pple pour away the excess after one or two mouthful), bananas were provided (I saw 2 but someone said got 3 stations), Salonplas sprays still have when I went past the stations at my slow pace.  

The one improvement AHM organisers can consider is the last 2km merging. Raffles Ave was a tight sweaty mess for the slower 21km and the faster 10km participants. The dark blue bib army 21k runners and some younger 10k competitive running past could have been a little more considerate when overtaking. I was walking very painfully at the point because my knees and hamstrings were hurting real bad. No need to add to my physical pains by knocking me when cutting left and right all the way. At that point, if I had been knocked to the ground, I won't be able to stand up anymore and finish just <2km to the finish. That would have made me really

Other than that, great AHM for me. Instead of cramping at ~11km like last year, I only cramped at 18km. Race experience was thus better for me. Hopefully in time to come, I won't cramp and can finish 21km all the way. One of the messages just before the ECP exit: "Run if you can, Walk if you have to, Crawl if you must". Some humour and encouragement for slower ones like me

Next event is POSB Kids Run coming Sunday. 4.5km sponsored by my company. I'll treat it as a recovery run. Hope the kids will enjoy their 1.2km run.

AHM 2010 Route Map is out

POSB Run For Kids 2010

Company sponsor 50 employees. So I signed up 4.5km fun run. I actually only signed by the 2 kids for Kids Run at $10 each on July 4th.

Didn't want to run since if I run, it would be the 8.5km competitive. But it's 1 week after AHM HM. Need time to recuperate. Now office pay and I get to select M tee shirt which my boy or wife can wear. Last year yellow tee quite nice. This year blue, remains to be seen. So, an unplanned run event.

SCMS 2010

Just for the record, I signed up for the SCMS 2010 HM. Should be flagging off someplace in Sentosa at 6:30am. Should finish around 9:30am and have some enough time to see my kids do their Kids Dash from 10:30pm onwards.

PAssion Run 2010 - Official Result

My official result is out! 3hr 55 mins 2 secs. Just below 4hours for 25km. Thanks be to Almighty God!
Am happy I completed.


http://www.runpix.info/sih10/00/finord.php?EM=6573_25_

Slow_Runner did better: 2:51
My ex-lady boss  : 2:48
My angel who walked with me: 3:54:19

PAssion Run 2010 - 25km

How to start?

Just after I registered for 25km, in my heart and mind, I knew I was crazy. After completing, I still feel I am crazy to have done it. My friend slow_runner told me it's okay to be crazy once a while. Guess, he was trying to encourage me.

I took NE MRT line to Circle line to Stadium MRT. Reached at 3pm and got onto the 4th bus. Bus dropped us at Siglap link and had to walk 10mins incl under the Expressway to get to the East Coast Parkway, and still long walk to the start area. :(

Wave 1 of Elite runners and VIPs started at 4:20pm.
I thought I will start in the middle of the Wave 2 at 4:30pm.
Oh no.......after a number of runners started, they closed the start for a Wave 3. Sigh :(
I started in front of Wave 3 and was pressured from the start to run fast since I was no longer in the middle of the pack. Not happy. I completed my 1km in 6mins when my normal pace is 8mins/km. By Km 2, I only took 13mins. Still too fast, but I had started to pace myself some slower runners.
Too bad, despite starting to walk at 3km mark, I cramped at 8km mark. As usual, my left hamstring tighten first. Before 9km, I knew any jogging will lead to the inevitable tightening and pain.
Of course, cannot just walk. So many great students cheering encouragement so enthusiastically.
Took a break at a ECP toilet.
A little jog and some walking. By Km11, both hamstrings gave me pain. Ankles ache (a little pain). Fatigue and muscle lactic acid had set in. Dreaded the 14km to go. More than half.....
Walk also pain. Stopped at park benches twice to stretch a little and elevate my feet which was a great relief before I hit 16km.

God sent an 'angel' to help me on. I met Tim from my church betw 15km and 16km mark. We talked and walked with each other all the way to the finish. He started the back of Wave 3 and had a also a little problem with cramps but I believe mine was much worse. What a torture. We both find we suffered from cramps partly due to lack of conditioning.

 We walked all the way and ran to the finish arch the last 50m together.

I completed the 25km with the Gun Time at 4hr 15mins. My Net Time should be 3hr 55mins. Got to wait for Official Result. Pace was slow. Even 21km today was slower than my AHM 2009 21km of 3:10.

Now, both my hamstrings pain. Knees also painful. My left 2nd toe is not blue black but painful. Right 2nd toe a little sore. Body aching. Legs here and there also pain. Jog and walk 25km is really punishing to the legs. Met my cousin surprisingly before Tim caught up with me. My cousin who I see normally at CNY every year only was like 1-2km ahead of me. He said he was walking from 3-4km(?). Also had a great time chatting on church, CPU, running, etc with Tim. We both feel the Finisher Medal and Tee is really hard earned after the pain and torture we endured :)



What was good?
1) Thank God for good weather. Just a little sun before starting and a little during the first 10km. Otherwise, cloudy and cooling due to the rain in the morning and early afternoon.
2) Drink stations with Water and also alternate water points with 100Plus.
3) Wonderful students/ volunteers. Most cheered enthusiastically, clapped, shouted encouragement to runners, sprayed SalonPas if there was any left
4) Distance markers - Every Km I saw from 1KM to 24KM.
5) Route was fairly flat.
6) Design of Finisher medal is alright.

What could be improved?
1) Free bus shuttle
Boarded the bus rather early @ Stadium MRT at about 3.10pm, didn't wait for long...
Why can't the bus alight everyone at Siglap Link instead of near the Start Point?
Bus stopped at some side road within some condos and everyone practically had to walk more than a kilometre to the starting point...
What happened after the run was even worse; no signboard as to where to go for the shuttle bus services...
Like most who've crossed the overhead road/bridge to the other side, only to get lost along Bedok South Road/ Marine Parade Road. I ended up taking SBS bus 31 to Bedok Interchange...

Bus shuttle after run: Pickup should be at Angsana @ ECP instead of Siglap Link.

2)Finisher tee with the "25km Done" behind - I think the printing will all peel off after a wash or two.

Conclusion: Generally, well organised and well run.

Bidor Half Marathon 2010 - 10km

Extended my KL week trip to do the Bidor HM 10km run. It was my first run event in Msia. No champion chip, a thick heavy cotton tee, no energy drink along the route but got a pewter finisher medal.

I met 7 Malaysians who were taking part. We bunked in the same rented house which is owned by a rich local. He provided beds with mattress, pillows and water. The Malaysians were younger than me, from 16 yrs old to 31 yrs old. But the youngest at 16 yrs and 4 days ran and completed his first 21km in 3:05 and the oldest at 31 completed the 21k in ard 1:48. The 21k cut off time was 2:45. Most of the 7 were members of a Msian running club "Team Miracle Miler". Amazingly, after the run when we were having lunch at Bidor Tien Tien Lai, we discovered they were all Brethren Christians although from (very) traditional Gospel Halls in Msia.

Man, never realised I would be running up and down a hill as I wind my way through bukit bukit. Can see my route from Endomondo website:  Bidor 10km route

Even though it was hilly, I am happy with my completion time of 1:11 (Avg pace of 7:06/km). No chip so got to rely on my trusty Polar :)

At the finish line, I crossed under my category "E" and they gave me a square card with the following "E 102". So, I came in position 102 for my 10km Mens Open.

Had a few small cups of Vico (like Milo), 1 can of 100Plus. Did not take the nasi lemak. Went to collect my Finisher bag which had the heavy Pewter Finisher medal and a Completion cert with no distance or name for participants to fill in. Also got Nature Valley bars and Vico 3-in-1.

Overall, the run was alright. Good experience running in Msia. The dung smell around the villages and up and down the winding hill road was a challenge but interesting experience. I think some younger Sporeans might pengsan with the smell. Good thing I grew up in a more ulu place :p

For me, like the rest of my Malaysia trip, meeting up with secondary school classmates and their families and also new Malaysian friends like from Team Miracle Miler made it such an enriching trip. I prayed that the meetings and fellowship have all been fruitful and everyone has been blessed as I have. Shalom.

Memories: A video from a M'sian runner

You Tube Vid

2010 Run events

2010 run events

Completed

HK Standard Chartered - 10km

North East Run - 16km

2XU Compression Run - 12km

Signed up

Bidor HM - 10km

PAssion Run - 25km

Army Half Marathon - 21km

To join(?)

New Balance Real Run - 10km

Standard Chartered Singapore - 10km/ 21km

I don't publish much of my running unless you're following this blog. But how weird some wonder if I pursue running, wanting to run marathons, etc. My chronic health conditions don't allow it. I feel the tightness and some pain a little more frequently. Running is not something I pursue. It is something a non-swimmer and lousy cyclist born with the bony physique I have can do to keep fit, find time alone to pray, think through issues and 'argue' with God or just relax.

I also find that having accepted my health conditions and doing running, I have managed to be an effective and emphatic encourager to others who are starting to jog/run but find they have objections or concerns from family/friends due to having similar health conditions. Life's fulfilling when one can pursue something one enjoys and help others along the way. Carpe diem :)

12km 2XU Compression Run - Official Result

Surprised they have split times too!

12km Male Finishers
Position: 828 of 1020 Men Finishers
Split times:

4.4km: 20:32:54:88

5.5km: 46:22:90

12.0km: 1:29:21:04

12km 2XU Compression Run 2010 @ Sentosa

I arrived Harbourfront a bit late (7:06am). Used the toilet at Seah Imm and then bus queue was looooong. I got into the last chartered bus, I think. Reached Beach Station at 7:47am. Officla flag off time was 7:45am. What to do? it was a long walk to the start line.

First time I experience walking to the start line and seeing the front, followed by main body of runners coming towards me and then running pass me. I started late. The run started 8am (or 7:57am on my watch) and I heard they were closing the starting gates at 8:15am. Last 5%-10% of runners for sure (unblocked - no one in front of me). I got the Endomondo program on my Hp started and then started my stopwatch when I crossed the start line.

Main grouses similar to some other participants.

Hydration - 100Plus
No 100Plus along the route at all. Just plain water. I only got cold plain water at the 2nd last water point. Hamstring nearly cramped the last 2km. What to do? I read on their card there is water points every 2km and "100plus and Ice mountain drinks are available". Sadly, that wasn't even true. So, I didn't drink any 100Plus or H-Two-O before the race. I also didn't eat b/fast (cause I woke up late). Nearly cramped and collapsed. End point, no more 100Plus for me. I finished too late at around 9:30am. I was hot, thirsty, dehydrated, maybe a little sunstroke. Crossed the line, some kid pushed a medal in my hands and I stumbled around a little whoozy in my head. Saw some sort of water point. Aiyo.....no water. Some cups had melted ice and 100Plus scooped from a blue tub. After one cup of "yucks", I knew I had to grab my bag, get to 7-Eleven before I passed out. So jialat. I walked to 7-Eleven at Beach Station and got my drink. Many others also bought 100Plus or Sportade there. Total disgrace for 100Plus to be named a sponsor for this race.


Route
The route was challenging for a 10km runner like me. Steep slopes and it was multiple up and down. I'm not so concerned about the criss-crossing but the elevation. Distance markers? Only saw the 3km, 6km and 9km white boards. See the Endomondo link for the route. You'll see the elevation went up to 87m but note the number of up and downs in the route elevation at the foot of the route mapped. Endomondo Workout

Weather
Weather was HOT. What else can I say? Especially for the slow tortoise like me finishing at ard 9:30am......
They should have started earlier. 8am actual starting time much later than my first New Balance Real Run in 2007 which started at 7:45am.





Final Comment:
Overall? I won't be joining any more events by this team again. The surprise finishing medal doesn't make up for logistics issues in busing people in and the lack of hydration especially 100Plus.
Like World of Sports, it's not you don't get 2nd chances, but surely, don't mess up so bad at the expense of runners' well being. I nearly passed out. That's dangerous.

Timing
Endomondo logged the route as 14km. Most people logged the route at ard 12km. So, I'll take it as 12km.
I completed in 1 hr 29min 22 secs. Fast for 12km since it was Average pace of 7min 27 secs per km for the 12km.
Will post the official time later.

PAssion Run 2010

Streak of madness. I went to Velocity this afternoon and signed up for 25km solo. Paid $57 because the black PAssion card was 'expired on Jan 2010'. Expensive sia. Now I really think I was mad to sign up.

I do have in mind not to do 25km on Saturday 22 May, 4pm if my training runs don't hit 21km at least 2 weeks before...

North East Run 2010

Official Results out!

Gun time: 01:55:52:76
Chip time: 01:55:28

Great result :)

North East Run 2010 - 16km

Overall, I am happy with my result. Some people with Garmin Forerunner said the distance was 14.3km to 15.2km - though they not sure if the covered bridges and walkways affected their Garmin signals. I targeted 2:15 for my 16km because in my training runs, it was between 2:08 to 2:18. Based on my watch, it was 1:55:34 (Avg pace of 7:13min/km which is impossible so the distance cannot be actually 16km). If i take it was 14.9 which a few runners with Garmin measured, my average pace would have been 7:45min/km which makes sense although still very fast for 16km.

Some personal reflection.


Woke up 5am with a heavy head to catch the 5:45am $3 bus. Bus arrived 5:50am and started off at 5:55am. Arrived, it dropped us on main road before Pasir Ris Green.
Enough plain water and 100Plus along the route but the water & 100Plus at Finish was chaotic and messy. Voluteers did their best to serve but the layout and organisation was not up to mark.
The overhead bridges were challenging. The first bridge was a bouncy one along Sungei Tampines, Then stop at traffic light b4 crossing Pasir Ris Drive 1. Walk up overhead bridges especially on return route when body, hamstrings and ankles "punctured" was never gonna be easy.
Bag deposit was alright.
Medal and the lanyard was nice.

Good experience for me. 16km is not easy distance but I feel the weekend 14km - 17km runs since January 2010 have paid off. But I'm also thankful to God because I could have easily KO'ed before finishing. Saw one guy <2km from finish line sprawled on the pavement. Young man, slim and fit looking but he was knocked out. 3 marshallers were with him and the ambulance was on it's way. So, I didn't bother to stop. Although I pushed myself at the last 2-3km from finish line, I didn't kill myself over it because I knew I would finish <2hr which was record breaking.

Overall, I think it was well organised for a 1st time and I am happy with my participation and completion this morning. :)

SC HKM 2010 Official Results

My official result is out. Happy with it since I was having a casual jog and taking photos along the way and enjoying the views of HK.

Gun time: 1:20:06

Net time: 1:19:04

SCHKM 2010 - 10km (12th run of 2010)

What a trip. So much to write about. No time to type it all :p

It was a trip me and Jon decided on last October. We signed up online when registration opened. I booked the tickets via SIA website and after that he scouted online for a hotel just less than 5 mins to Victoria Park.

I decided not to pia this event but bring a camera along (first time), enjoy the route and views and take photos.I must admit the route was a bit tough but since I did not go all out, it was pretty enjoyable all in all. Seeing the mist in the harbour at the buildings on Kowloon at the last 3 kms was quite a wonderful sight.

Plus the meeting up old SAS secondary schoolmate Eng Eng and 2 days of sinful high  cholesterol feasting of large prawns and beef, it was a trip to remember.

Just for the record, completed the 10km in 1:20 which I reckon is good time with my stopping to take pictures :)

Flew back to Singapore on the upper deck of the A380 wearing the SCHKM 2010 tee shirt because under-estimated and ran out of clean shirts to wear :p.

North East Run 2010

After thinking about it for a few weeks, decided to sign up for the 16km North East Run @ Pasir Ris on Sunday 14 March 2010.

Actually, between this 16km and the May 25km PAssion Run, I think I don't think I can gear myself up to even walk the 25km. For now, this will be my 2nd 2010 run event. 3rd run signed up is the 12km 2XU in April 11, 2010.

Today got my Race Acceptance letter for the SCHKM 2010. Finally came.