Why Do I Run : 2014 Running Recap

This post is going to serve two purposes:

Firstly, it’s me thinking about why I run and secondly it’s a school report for the SinaiStrider 2014 running performance. Now that the SCMS dust has settled and the Mount Sinai Striders have had their boozy ‘that was the year that was’ lunch review, I can close the racing year with a review and some introspection.

Why Do I Run ?

I am quite sure you’ve all pondered this whilst out on a long run somewhere, or sitting on the grass after a tough race, or whilst in the shower or some other pre/post run activity. There are lots of great books on the subject too….

Common reasons are (I think) Fitness, Lose Weight, Feel Good about Yourself, meet new people, improve health etc….

I am a fairly competitive person, I also work (and have always worked) in a team environment. Running is a deeply individual thing, even when you train with a club, run with friends, it’s all about you – no one can help you when you are running  (not directly anyway) and conversely, you don’t have to rely on anyone else to run. I like this a lot – add this to the simplicity of running (shorts, t shirt, trainers and a stretch of footpath) means I can run wherever and whenever I like. If I want to go out and do a quick lap of macritiche, I just go, if I want to do intervals up and down the Pandan PCR, boom – there I go.

So that’s number 1 for me – self reliance and simplicity.

I am also a pretty sociable guy, I like to chat, I like to chat while I run – so I like to run with my mates. I am not a huge fan of running in big groups, but I do like to do my long/steady runs with a mate or two (two or three runners max in a group for a long run is perfect, any more and it becomes two or more subgroups or isn’t enjoyable in my experience) I can just shoot the breeze with.

So that’s number 2 – hanging out with my mates

I’m a decent runner. I dont know why, but fortunately I have the right genetic makeup for distance running and I have the ability to train in a sufficiently structured way that I can improve my base. I honestly don’t know if I would or could do it if I wasnt good at it – even if I enjoyed it (which is probably a huge character flaw in me!), but fortunately I am ok at it, even if I dont run for 3-6 months I can knock out a 46-47 min 10k, although I’d pay the price the next day – and I can usually manage to make improvements when I focus and train hard.

So number 3 – doing something I am good at, trying to get better at it.

Obviously it’s a very personal thing – what about you? why do you run ( not why did you start, why do you run now?)

So, after the introspection, a quick report card for 2014.

2014 Racing Review

Overall Grade : B-  (Some positive signs, but could do better)

The numbers

I have run just under 2000km’s so far this year, pretty steadily through the year – averaging 150-180km per month.

(this is high mileage for me, low for many. I can’t run super high mileage or I get injured very easily)

I completed 15 races, plus One DNS (orange ribbon, hip injury) One DNF (stan chart marathon, hip injury) and 6 park runs.

I won $450 in prize money (first money I have ever won running in my life)

I set 1 PB (5k – 18:31 in November @ Park Run).

Seasons Best : 10k 40.10 at Tampines 10k and Half Marathon 1.34 at the Army Half.

Both these are a good way off PB’s so there is a lot of work to do.

The Good

My favorite races this year were the Newton 32, the Green Corridor and the Mizuno PAssion Run 16k.

I met some great folks (at F1 Runners and through Park Run).

I rediscovered some passion for running and racing.

The Bad

I started to get frustrated with the SG Race scene. In 2015 I am going to pick my events more carefully. I am also learning that I am better suited to 5 – 10k racing here, 21k and above and my inability to hydrate properly is preventing me from hitting good times still.

The Ugly

Ending the year with a DNF was the low point, for sure.

In Summary

A good year overall, I have a great base now, and I know what I need to work on to improve (endurance).

Thank You

Lastly, thanks to the people without whom my year wouldnt have been anything like as good.

Shug, Scouse Pete (the eleete athlete), The Claw –  my fellow Mount Sinai Striders and best running kakis, Lexus, Vanja, Alan, Chee, Prasant, ZhiYong and the F1 Gang, Ming Ham for the awesome photos, Ben, Stu, Carol and Troy, Dom & Anna and the rest of the park runners, Jason, Andreas, Peter and the JustRunLah family, Inge and my running work colleagues. In one way or another, you all helped me this year – see you again next year, for more races, grind and sweat.

Happy Trails & Happy New Year.