It was a great friendly community cycling with over 400 cyclists last night. The event (in its second year) was flagged off at Jurong Green Community Centre and ended at East Coast Park over a humble distance of 42km. I was assigned to the fifth group and we waited patiently as the other groups moved off slowly. The ground was slightly wet due to the rain that afternoon. However the weather was kind and it was just humid throughout the night.
Friendly Pace
Unlike races, this event is not time-competitive. Cyclists were moved off in small groups, each with its own lead, sweeper, safety cyclists, road marshalls, etc.
Landmarks
Along the way, we stopped at some landmarks like West Coast Park, Marina Barrage and The Promontory for water breaks and photo taking.
[me (on the left) with the rest of safety cyclists] =)
Bikers at the promontory
Great participants
I also have the opportunity to chat with some participants and we encouraged each other to conquer some small hilly roads. Most of us managed to reach east coast park at 3.30am.
Overall, it was a great, fun and friendly night and I look forward to the next one!
A quick review of this year’s installment of the Salomon X Trail Series.
I did this in 2012 just after I arrived in Singapore. As with this year, it was during November, and as with this year I was supporting ‘Mo-Vember’ and sporting a fine (thats my opinion, not shared by most of my family) moustache.
In 2012 the event was at Tampines Mountain Bike Trail (not sure if that was always the home of this race – perhaps Singapore Running Historian Reawakened Runner can advise 🙂 ? ) But that was a proper trail, mud, jungle, streams, roots and all. I remember that it was tough. (Funny annecdote – here’s a pic of me at 2012 Salomon – see that guy running just in front of me? Didnt know him then, but he’s now one of my main ‘Running Kaki’s’ we only realised we both ran this race and were running so close about 2 months ago – SG such a small place – especilly in the Running Community).
Fast forward to 2014 and the run has been moved, since Tampines Mountain Bike Park has been/is being demolished. I wasnt going to enter, but Lexus from F1 persuaded me and so I put an entry in.
I am now in the final run up to SCMS in two weeks time, so my plan for yesterday was a final hard/endurance day – Park Run 5k in the morning, and X Trail in the afternoon. 15k in total, all at race pace. Decent final hard workout before the taper begins.
Park Run was good, ran the whole thing with Ben, including re living our own Coe vs Ovett moment in the last 200m, lucky for me Coe had an off day and my Ovett reincarnation won the sprint finish. Stuart had already won the race by about 2 minutes, but I was very happy to come away with a PB of 18:31 and a rare win over Ben!
Part 1 complete, now to see what impact that exertion would have on my 10k performance in the afternoon.
Punggol, never been here before. A fair drive up the TPE and I arrived around 4.15 with Shug, my race buddy, who is recovering from an ITB case and will use this run to test out his knee.
Race Village is in a really nice setting, with a broad expanse of Park and Pulau Ubin visible in the distance.
Great organisation and fairly low numbers make the whole bag check, toilet visit and line up very simple and we flag off ontime at 5pm.
First section is in the park and through a sort of building site, then we are out onto the boardwalk for abbout 5k. This is 1) all wood and concrete 2) a lovely place to run and 3) not very trail like! but I am ok and enjoying the run, shug is ok at this point also and we go through 5k in about 21mins having spent about 800m off road!
Loop back at the end of the boardwalk and head back towards the finish, still on the Park Connector, Shug can feel some pain so he’s eased off, I’m feeling pretty good, so I push on and overtake a couple of guys heading into the last 3k.
Surely there must be some trail coming some time?
Finally, we turn off up a bank and into the woods – finally we get 1500m or so of hardcore trail, there’s no path, just the flattened grass of the few runners ahead, we’re running along a ridge through the trees – I have a guy just behind me who i overtook going up the hill and so we have a good 7-8mins of racing through the jungle – most fun part of the whole race.
We emerge from the jungle, run under the MRT line, and then climb the hill I saw from the start line, along the ridge again and back down hill for the final blast to the finish. My jungle trail buddy and I go head to head all the way through the last 3k in some great old fashioned racing and we finish together in just over 43 mins.
Course Route Map and KM Splits courtesy of my Garmin Fenix 2 and Strava:
Lexus later confirms I finished 10th, sadly no MAsters category and prizes for top 5 only (I would have been 4th masters/over 40 if there had been), but I am very happy with the run, with how good I felt in the second half and with my overall effort for the day of 15k in 1 hour and 1 minute.
Nice atmosphere post race, I’ll say again, this is a great spot to start/end a race – hopefully we will see more events moved to this beautiful part of Singapore. I will certainly sign up the next opportunity I get.
In Summary, this was a great race, well organised, pretty good marshalling and hydration, nice items in the race pack – only two negatives for me really, being 1) on the hill down from the trail there was a turn which wasnt flagged – me and my race buddy overshot it and had to turn back after going 50 m in the wrong direction and 2) the very small amount of actual trail – for me this was fine as I am just as happy road running, but I can imagine a pure trail runner wouldn’t have been so happy.
If I had bought a pair of $200 Salomon trail shoes to do the race in I would have felt a bit mislead!
So now I am going to start my two week SCMS taper, eat loads of pasta and drink a tonne of water, hopefully I can get it right come Sunday Dec 7th and hit my target.
Good Luck to everyone in the same position, hope you can ahieve your goals and have a great race.
11 girls conquered the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge (aka known as the Penang 2nd bridge)
The Asics Penang Bridge International Marathon (APBIM) held on 16 November 2014 is touted as the world’s longest bridge marathon. Held every year since 1985, the run is opened to people from all over the world. It is also the only event and time of the year that the national landmark is closed to traffic. Organised by the Penang State Tourism Development Committee, this year’s race was held at the new 24km Penang Bridge for the first time.
The PBIM is a much anticipated annual event and almost every Penangite knows about the event. Indeed, the event is so popular that all Penang hotels were fully booked over the weekend and we met with some slow traffic on the roads. Nonetheless, the race did bring energy and buzz to the lovely “The Pearl of the Orient” island which is rich in heritage and famed for its delicious street food.
From Singapore to Penang
I have always been fascinated with bridges, so obviously I was interested to do a bridge run. Thus, when I learnt a couple of other friends were going this year, I decided to join them. Eleven of us flew together to Penang on Friday evening and the next day, we collected our race packs. We also visited three malls, shopped (a bit) and ate (a lot).
Awaiting the start of the 10km race.
Race Day: 16 November 2014
The organisers offered free shuttle buses from certain pick-up points to the start point but we knew that with a huge crowd, we decided to play it safe and booked a van with the hotel to bring us to the start line. We left the hotel at 5.45am and reached the race venue at 6.20am which gave us sufficient time to be ready for the 10km flag off.
At 7am, the women’s open category were flagged off and when I realised I couldn’t really start running due to the sheer numbers, I decided to enjoy being in the moment – how cool the weather felt at 26 degrees, the gentle slope as we moved up the bridge, the sun peeking out from the far side of the horizon waiting to rise further. This was when I decided to whip out my handphone to take a picture, but first I had to ensure that it was safe and no one would crash into me if I were to stop. Then again, everyone else was doing the same thing!
There was absolutely no shelter on top of the bridge and because I wanted to take advantage of the “coolness” before the sun rose, I knew I had to RUN. This was when the “weaving” began. I found myself zipping in and out of human traffic and was amazed at the numbers that were actually just strolling (or taking pictures) on the bridge! Alright, the clumsy me had to be really careful not to bump into people when I navigated through the crowds.
For 10km runners like me, the u-turn was at the 5km mark. But it was only at the last 3km when we were allowed to merge with the other half/full marathon runners on the opposite side of the bridge. This was when there was more space to run and those who wanted to pick up their pace could actually do so.
After the U-turn mark and when we had more “space” to run.
At the end of the run, we collected our medals and were treated to various booths of Sunkist orange, Revive isotonic drink, nestle cornflakes, milo, and even milo ice-cream! Boy what an awesome morning it was!
What worked well:
Because registration numbers were high, the race pack collection was spread out over several weekends and at different venues to minimise congestion. This enabled participants to pick and choose the most convenient dates and venues to pick up their race kit. Also, for the first time, race pack collection was made in a different state – Kuala Lumpur, to cater to runners from Klang Valley. Kudos to the team that planned this massive logistics task.
Group collection (minimum of 11pax) was allowed. We submitted our IDs and race confirmation slips via email and when our representative reached the front of the queue at the collection venue on Saturday, all our 11 bibs were packed nicely in a box for us.
What can be done to improve the event:
Cap the number of participants. The sheer numbers alone meant that smooth running would pose a challenge. Indeed it took me at least 8 minutes before I could actually cross the starting point as I was somewhere in the middle of my flag off team.
Have different lanes for different running speeds. Or at least educate participants about race etiquette! Many a times I had to suddenly stop in my tracks because someone decided to take a selfie. There were many people who were also walking from the start which added to the congestion. Perhaps the beginners or weary can keep to the side of the bridge so runners do not have to zig zag around them.
Manage the crowd at the finishing point. I could not step cross the finishing point as there were just too many people hanging around at the end point and I literally had to nudge someone so I could cross the line.
Overall, the run was a smooth and enjoyable one and all 11 of us thoroughly enjoyed our quick weekend getaway to Penang with much fun, food and camaraderie. Best of all, we conquered the longest bridge in South East Asia… oh well, at least part of it 🙂
Our group of 11 race survivors.
Food, food and more food 🙂
Last but not least, if you are thinking of doing the Penang Bridge International Marathon next year, here are some tips:
Sign up early to take advantage of the early bird fees. Registration begins on 1 May 2015 if you intend to do this run on 22 November 2015 and hotel rates
The bridge is totally unsheltered so be prepared for hot weather. Put on sunblock, carry a bottle with you on the run and stay hydrated.
Rest early, especially if you are doing the half or full marathon as it begins at unearthly hours at 1.30am and 3am respectively.
Give yourself ample time to get to the race site. Factor in at least 1.5 hour’s travel time as it gets congested nearer to the start point and you may have to be dropped off a distance away.
Keep your cool. The crowd is huge, so don’t be intimidated or frustrated when you find that you can run at the speed that you would like to.
If you intend to eat at any restaurants during that busy weekend, do make reservations in advance too!
A finisher medal reflects our pride and glory; in conquering a distance, a personal best, a tough mental and physical challenge. When we look back at our finisher medals, we bask in the personal glory of achieving something.
In 2015, let’s achieve something meaningful, something that goes beyond our personal glory. Set your sights on obtaining a finisher medal like no other: one with Braille engraved on it. The text translates to Runninghour. Runninghour represents the one hour when all runners in Singapore come together for a single purpose: to run so others can. On 22 March 2015, in that one hour, you run alongside more than 200 visually, intellectually and physically challenged runners.
Experience how running will be like for someone with a visual impairment. The Blind Run is an inaugural and unique event where participants will run in pairs of up to 1km. Each pair is connected to one another by a band. One runner will be blindfolded/blind while his/her partner will be guiding for a distance of 500m before swapping role in becoming a guide / blindfolded. Participants are encouraged to sign up in pairs for this category. Of course, runners can also register as an individual where they will be paired with other individuals at the starting line on event day. Experienced volunteer guides will act as safety marshals at the starting line to assist individuals participants in pairing them up with another runner according to gender and physique.
JustRunLah! is proud to be the official online running community of RunningHour 2015 and we are happy to provide a $5 discount off the early-bird price!
Register now at www.runninghour2015.com and claim the discount by entering code: RH5D2015 Limited slots available!
After choosing the Penang Bridge Marathon over Standard Chartered Marathon Bangkok last year, we decided to give the event a go in spite of the political turmoil that hung over Thailand. Hence in March, with the protests still ongoing(before the coup), we signed up for the Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon. Registration was done via the official race agent(which all foreigners are required to unless they are residing in Thailand) as they have different registration rates for locals and foreigners. It is important to register only with the official race agents as there have been reports of other race agents informing that they failed to secure any slots a few months before the event. As usual, the hunt for cheap tickets and cheap lodging began. By June, we had secured our tickets and lodging and were just hoping for the situation in Thailand to improve.
BTS and Bus Ticket
Budget Travel
I headed in on a Thursday evening as I wanted to collect my race pack earlier(and because the ticket was cheaper!) Traveling in on my own, I was determined to keep to a low budget and hence on arrival at Don Muang Airport, I took an express bus to the nearest BTS station. Anyone looking to take this bus at Don Muang should keep a lookout for sign(facing the wrong direction) that says ‘A1 Shuttle Bus’ at the exit for Airport Limousine Ticket Holders(near tourist information). The ride which costs 30 Baht takes you to Mo Chit(the BTS station located at the famed Chatuchak Market). From there, you can take also take the MRT(BTS is above ground while MRT is the subway) to your destination. As always, taxis and tuk-tuks are on hand for hire. My stay was located at Makkasan and hence was not near to any BTS station. However, bearing in mind low-budget, I took the BTS to Chitlom(Station for the 4-faced Buddha) and took a 20 minutes walk to the hotel. By the time I checked in, it was already about 2300hrs and my dinner for the night was well, McDonald’s. Total spending for the night – 221 Baht($8.70SGD).
Even though my initial plan when I booked my flight was to do an early race pack collection, I was not able to collect the race pack as the race expo was only on Saturday – pretty strange arrangement by the organizers . Hence Friday was a free and easy day while I awaited the arrival of my race buddies. By the time we met, it was already 2200hrs and the only place we could get proper food was this restaurant at Siam Square. While pricey, it did give them a chance to sample Thai cuisine.
Thai Powered Fuel
Feeling ‘adventurous’ on Saturday morning, I took a motorcycle cab as I switched hotel. Motorcycle cabs are basically available at every corner and you can spot them with their orange/pink vests as they gather together while waiting for passengers. As with Tuk-Tuks, fix a price with them(although they do have a price guide to specific places in Thai) and off you go. While I did end up paying higher than the locals, it was an experience and with their ability to weave in and out of the traffic(some guts required), it was understandable why many engage their services.
Race Pack Collection
After meeting up, we proceeded to the race-pack collection area via Tuk-Tuk. Despite the hotel staff helping us to bargain the price, as we moved off the price increased with the reason of “Oh I didn’t know it was 4 of you.” Nevertheless, we agreed to the 20 Baht increase. We arrived at the Royal Thai Army Club in about 15minutes the banner on the outside showed that we were at the right place.
On The Right Track
We proceeded to the second level and for the first time, was asked to sign a waiver as well as release form for the race pack. We also had to refer to boards which listed all runners to get our bib number to be written on the form. After completion of the form, we went into another room, whereby the locals were separated from the overseas runner. Overseas runner get to collect both their bibs and t-shirt together while locals get only their bib and have to head downstairs to collect their t-shirt. The ‘shocker’ for the race pack collection is that the race medal is in the race pack. I guess for some this is somewhat disappointing as they have yet to earn the medal. But logistically, it is probably a good move as well – no requirement for additional volunteers to hand over medals after the race.
No SIN this time around,just a little flag
After collecting the race pack collection, it was back to being tourists again and we headed to the Chatuchak market for a couple of hours, another couple of hours at Platinum mall before ending the day (early) with a foot massage as we prepared for tomorrow’s foot pounding.
Flag Off
As in KL, the marathon buddies got up at about 0115hrs before heading to the start point. We got ready at about at about 0315hrs and made our way to the start point, whereby there was once again a carnival feel to it with music by a band on stage. Everyone seemed relax – standing/sitting by the sides waiting for the race pen to open – nobody standing by eagerly to be the first.
Temple of The Emerald Buddha – Start Point
When we flagged off at 0400hrs, I was surprised by the rather leisurely pace adopted by most runners. The first slope of the race came early at around the 1km mark as we went up the Phra Pinklao Bride over the Chao Phraya River and followed by another at 3km mark as we went up an elevated road. The good thing was that as we reached the top you could feel the morning cool air welcoming you. U-turn point came early at 4km mark and the merge with the full marathon runners came at 5km(about 26km for the full marathon runners). It was however not really that crowded still as the entire highway was closed. At the 8km mark, we crossed the Rama 8 bridge – which although not encouraged, is probably one of the few selfie points along the route.
The rest of the route was pretty flat with not much sights but certainly unique smell as we passed the Dusit Zoo as well as the Royal Stables(or Equestrian Club) between the 12-14km marks. A point to note is that on these roads off the highway, vehicles are moving along the road by the side of the runners Near to the 15km and 16km marks are another 2 selfie points at Anantasamakhom Throne Hall(most Thai runners made a Wai in the direction of the Throne Hall in respect) and United Nations Conference Center respectively.
The Grand Palace
As we approach what we thought was the end point due to the fanfare, a rather large group of enthusiastic students from Thammasat University out to show their support around the 19km mark, would probably be game for a photo or 2. Turning into the finishing stretch(other than seeing the Grand Palace,we couldn’t really tell as there was no finishing arch as with most races), it was quite a ‘unique’ experience as you didn’t know where the end point was! After we crossed the finishing point – that’s where everyone started to walk – we grabbed a drink before heading back to the hotel, foregoing the free food and fruits which is available to all runners.
Race Logistics
Water points were well spaced – 2-3kms are what we would term as undermanned. There are at most ten tables at each water point with 2 about 2 volunteers per table or 5 for 2 tables. However, despite this they manage to clear the queues pretty quickly and I must also commend most runners for being patient as they await their turn. Some of the water points are supplemented with bananas(they are cut into smaller pieces) as well as water melon.
An issue I have with the race though is the distance markers. The first marker I saw was a 4km marker at the 6km mark and the next was the 10km marker at the 8km mark! Subsequent markers were about 1km and the off and the last marker I saw for the half marathon was a 20km marker at the 18.5km mark. There was even a 40km marker at the 41km mark – pretty demoralizing for a full marathon runner if you think there were 2 kilometers left when there was only 1 left!
Aptly named Forklift Café at The Warehouse
Recommendation
On the overall, this is another recommended race despite some hiccups – water point issues and distance markers are something seasoned runners will easily brush off. The support from the locals as well as the police/military(assisting with the race setup and stopping traffic – note the minimal road closures other than the highway)can definitely be felt and all tourists stay, no matter how short, is always welcomed. If anything as my race buddies would attest to, come for a short shopping trip and enjoy the Thai massage – something which they all did when time was available even though the hotel was slightly out of the way.
In any case, the hotel of choice is The Warehouse, located at Thanon Bunsiri near to the Temple of The Emerald Buddha which is also the race start point. I must admit that what caught my eye initially when bookings were made was the price then followed by the location. In the end, it turned out to be a rather good pick as amenities, though not 3/4 star is more than sufficient for anyone looking for a place to stay for the race. They also have a cafe which is able to satisfy basic food requirements (no supper though).
The staff there are also very helpful and their help with the taxis/tuks-tuks will help to overcome issues getting out to the shopping areas. Cultural area such as the temples and the Grand Palace is no issue as they are all within walking distance.
As before if anyone is keen, overall expenditure for this trip SGD (Baht)):
Race Registration 65 (1650)
Transport (Singapore Airport) 27
Air Ticket 143
Hotel 80
Food 75 (1900)
Transport 25 (750)
Total 415
The above estimate is based on a triple sharing room(per person) and shared transport costs including air port transfer but excluding massage and shopping. We even managed to squeeze in a trip to Hard Rock Cafe on the above budget.
This race also marks the end of our trips this year but rest assure that planning has already began for next year’s trips 🙂
It has been a great first year. At JRL, we are constantly thinking about how to make this site a fun and informative place for everybody. Now, just in time for our birthday, and thanks to our contest sponsors, we are bringing you a grand giveaway sweepstakes with 10 amazing prizes!
2 x 3D2N Stay at Bayu Villa with Breakfast and Return Boat Transfer, Gaya Island Resort
There is a place, accessible only by boat, where all that nature has created, from sheltered coral reefs to protected mangroves, over thousands of years has been preserved by those devoted to its care. A place called Gaya Island Resort at Pulau Gaya.
Gaya Island Resort is located on Pulau Gaya, the largest of a cluster of five islands that form the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, a natural conservation area off the coast of Borneo, close to Kota Kinabalu. Gaya Island Resort has a unique setting: the land is fringed with a golden sandy beach, rocky coastal outcrops, and surrounded by coral reefs. The hilly island landscape is covered with lush tropical rainforest and an abundance of flora and fauna. And to complete this perfect setting, visible in the distance, is the stunning outline of Mount Kinabalu.
Gaya Island Resort
Fisherman’s Cove
Singgah Singgarung
Gaya Island Resort
The guest villa exterior respects Sabahan architecture, uses local materials and blends harmoniously with the natural environment. The interior living space is designed with contemporary elegance to create warmth, comfort and a serene indoor setting.
Gaya Island Resort is committed to ecologically-sustainable practices to minimise the carbon footprint within its environment. Therefore, the resort is a walking resort and only minimal motorised vehicles are used for operational purposes.
SleekTag Prime: with a Stainless Steel Tag and Security Clasp looks great on your wrist. Its high grade silicone made it comfy to wear. They come in vibrant colors. Easy to put on, with a simple snap on the buckle. The band is adjustable to fit all sizes. Some ideas about which information to tag: emergency use (name, contact number, allergies (if any)), motto for team events, special or personal quotes for best friends, couples and more.
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So I kinda jumped the gun and posted something without formally introducing myself first. So here ‘s a little self-introduction to provide you with a “voice” to the words you’re reading.
(Am I the only one who imagines the author’s voice reading to me even when I’ve never met him/her before? I hope not.)
My name is Steph, but here you can call me smallsteph. I got that nickname during a university orientation game where everyone sits in a circle and introduces their name, along with an adjective which describes themselves and which begins with the same letter as their name. Small, not short, because I look like somebody downsized me by dragging the diagonal inwards with a computer picture resize tool.
I run, because I like to feel the wind in my hair. I run, because it takes me to new places. I run, because it makes me stronger.
I write, so that abstract thoughts in my head become meaningful words. I write, so that my memories stay forever. I write, so that I may share my thoughts with the world.
Hence this blog.
I may come as a small package, but I can spread significant positive energy to this community and beyond. A newbie to the corporate world, I am still experimenting with activities that help maintain the active lifestyle that I used to lead as a competitive cheerleader. While I overcome this lazy monster in me one run, one fitness event at a time, I hope that my blog would empower others like me (or not) to do the same.
Welcome everyone to Captain Canada’s first blog post on JustRunLah! I thought before I start taking you on the journey of a mischievous Canadian running his way around the word, I thought I would introduce myself first.
Being from Canada the one thing I have learnt since moving to Singapore 10 months ago is that going from one extreme to the next can really do strange things to your body. I decided to take up running just over 2 years ago now after a life long career of playing Volleyball, Rugby, and of course the pride and joy of Canada…. Hockey eh!
After many years of abuse to my poor body the logical move was to help myself live a bit longer and buy a pair of $50 dollar new balance shoes (Oh how much I’ve learnt about why you should not wear a $50 pair of shoes to run). I will spare the details of running on ice and in minus 40 degrees Celsius for later posts, but let’s just say that it takes a brave soul to keep things going during the winters which is maybe why I left… shhh don’t tell anyone I may lose my passport 😉
Now this has nothing to do with running but I thought a story of my first week in Singapore will be a great prelude to my first year of hitting the pavement and now completing 7 races in Singapore with 2 to go.
I arrived in Singapore February 1 2014 in the midst of a very dry month. Being in the finance industry and from Toronto the idea of a suit and tie is not too unfamiliar to me. That is until my first day heading into the office one of which will stay with me just like my first races here in the most humid place on earth.
As I walked to Orchard station I got a quick dose of the reality of humidity, and why I saw no other fools like myself walking outside in a suit and tie. As I arrived at the office after leaving a trail of maple syrup sweat behind me on the MRT I had been solicited by not only the front desk security at Suntec, but also my new co workers to call an ambulance to head to the hospital. (Now I understand the strange looks I was getting as hair gel melted down my face. Let’s just say this is the last day of a suit and tie and my first glimpse at what laid ahead for me as I tied up my laces and hit the rickety road.
To avoid letting myself ramble on (Which I can do forever) I want to leave this as a brief expectation of the types of shenanigans you can expect from Captain Canada.
On a final notes I live life to the fullest and by a simple accord. “Run, Eat, Beer and if there is time Sleep” Looking forward to sharing my adventures with you all.
When I first decided to take running seriously, I embarked on some research so that I may make the most out of my runs. Among my burning questions were, “What’s the best time to run?”
Before sunrise or after? What about at night? Before or after meals? Should I run when I’m having my period? All I wanted to do was to run fast, run safe, but there seemed to be so many considerations.
Before or after daybreak
Running before the sun rises means you get a more cooling environment, less distractions from traffic and pedestrians, plus you get more out of your day. I loved the fact that by the time I’m done, most of my neighbours are still sleeping while I’ve already boosted my metabolism for the day! Besides, most races are held in the wee hours of the morning, so running when the sky is still dark prepares you physically for races. But ever since some suspicious people have been found loitering in my neighbourhood at night, I’ve been given a parental ban from running alone early in the morning. Also, right after you wake up, your body temperature is at its lowest and your muscles are stiff, making it prone to injury. Therefore, proper warm ups are absolutely necessary. Environmental conditions may be good, but safety should be of utmost importance. And warm up!
At night
Some feel there are less mental considerations when running as a conclusion to a day, because there’s no worry about returning home in time for work, or if one will be too tired to carry out subsequent activities. Run, return home, shower, and sleep. Sounds like a plan, no? Safety concerns as mentioned above aside, I actually hardly run in the evening or at night. It makes me too energetic to sleep early. And since I live near an industrial estate, the air is usually pretty polluted by the end of the day. Still, I often hear of friends who conclude their days with runs or jogs, and they sleep really well because of exhaustion after that. To each his own, try and see how your body feels!
Before or after meals
Running before meals means your body burns whatever is stored, instead of whatever has just been ingested. Therefore if you’re looking at trimming fat, run before you eat. And please eat healthy after you run. No point going for a jog to try to lose weight and then scarf down an Extra Value Meal after that. I’ve tried having breakfast (bread+milo) 30min before a morning run, and it feels horrible. I felt sluggish, got stitches, and gave up sooner than planned. But running 2 hours or more after meals has worked fine with me. Regardless, before a run, have some water so you’re hydrated. But not too much that you get distracted with the urge to pee while running. Leave sufficient time for digestion before running, and stay hydrated.
During menstruation
More valid for the females, but possibly valuable information for guys with ladies in their lives. I’ve read that several marathon records were broken by ladies on their period, so the monthly red tide shouldn’t be a reason to not run. It’s also proven that on the first day of the menstrual cycle, more calories are burnt than average, so running (or exercising in general) is more effective as you burn more fat while building muscle. Of course, there are times when you just don’t feel like running, or when you’re experiencing cramps, so give yourself a break and rest. You can always make it up another day when you’re feeling better! Periods shouldn’t matter, but know your body.
Reading up for answers was indeed educational, but there are always multiple sides to each point so it boils down to weighing personal pros and cons. And with variable schedules, sometimes it is just not possible to stick to an “ideal” time to run.
One day, I came across this quote that read, “You will never regret a run.” Bottomline, whenever you feel like it, keep yourself safe and Just Run Lah!
This week’s Running Heroes instalment was a lot of fun to research and produce, bringing back some great memories. Two iconic middle distance runners from my youth, a rivalry made all the more interesting because of their backgrounds & characters – as you’ll read in this post.
I was glued to the Moscow (1980) and Los Angeles (1984) games as a young sport enthusiast, watching these two battle over 800 and 1500m in finals at the very highest level of their sport.
But the rivalry goes back a long way between Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett, so I’ll try to distill it down here for you in a quick post.
Steve Ovett
Born in 1955, the son of a working class family of market traders in Brighton, England, Steve was a natural athlete.
A talented footballer in his teens, he was also a natural middle distance runner, with a deadly kick, making him almost unbeatable at 1500m and the mile. He was a street kid, a tough runner, who battled for everything – no college degree for Steve, he left school and became a full time athlete at 18. After showboating to victory in the 1500m European Championships, Ovett’s reputation as a cocky talent grew and grew. Famously uncooperative with the media, Steve was the ‘bad boy’ of UK Athletics through the 70’s and 80’s.
Sebastian Coe
Born in 1956, Coe came from a comfortable middle class family, his father coached him as a middle distance runner from an early age and the family was soon orientated around ensuring his long term success.
As a schoolboy his results (unlike Ovett) were unexceptional, Coe went to University in Loughborough, the UK’s leading University for potential Olympians and worked, and worked, grinding out hundredth’s of a second, inching towards his goal.
Almost the exact opposite of Ovett, Coe is a product of effort, discipline and hard work. Coe always gave good press to the media, was well spoken and a great ambassador for his sport.
The rivalry
Between 1978 and 1984, Coe and Ovett were unquestionably the worlds finest middle distance runners, setting 12 world records and winning 5 Olympic medals between them.
But it was much more than a rivalry of stars. If you are a British runner in your forties or fifties, you are either a Coe person, or an Ovett person. Coe for the purists (think Roger Federer), Ovett for the rebels (think Usain Bolt). It was a rivalry steeped in the class system and culture of the country through the 1980’s. I was 11 when I watched the Moscow Olympics – hit hard by the US boycott, 15 when I saw the guy with the jetpack at the opening ceremony in LA, watched Daley Thompson win Gold and saw Coe and Ovett battle again – images and events etched in my memory.
From a pure records point of view, 1981 is the standout season, where both men exchanged world records over an electrifying summer, but the Moscow Olympics is probably more famous. Watch the 800m final now;
Going in, Coe is the favourite, unbeaten over two laps of the track for the previous year.
A complete turn around, Ovett wins Coe’s event. Coe is absolutely gutted. This pic of the two me on the podium says a lot to me, about honour, teamwork and just how much that result hurt Coe.
Fast forward a couple of days and it’s the 1500m, Ovett’s distance. Will he do the double? How will Coe respond after that crushing defeat?
Coe wins! Ovett actually runs one of the poorest 1500’s he’s done in about 5 years, but it’s Coe’s night. Honours Even.
After this Coe goes from strength to strength, but Ovett starts to fade. Come 1984, Ovett is ill, but doesn’t really feature in either 800 or 1500 finals as Coe holds his 1500m again and wins Silver in the 800m.
From here Steve Ovett steps away from the UK limelight, moves to Australia and takes up a career as an Athletics commentator on Aussie TV. I can only find this one pic of Steve and Seb in later life, reunited at the London Olympic opening ceremony in 2012.
Coe on the other hand has gone from strength to strength. A Member of the UK Parliament (MP) in 1992 and appointed Lord Coe in 2000, he was the driving force behind the successful London 2012 campaign as head of LOCOG (London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games) and is currently chairman of the British Olympic Committee.
This article from The Guardian, an imaginary diary of the London Olympic preparations if Steve Ovett had been in charge, gives you a good insight into the way the British Press (and public) viewed Steve and Seb.
Me? I was always an Ovett kid.
His attitude, the kick for home, the attitude towards authority and the swagger won me over as a kid and I’ve never looked back. Coe I can admire for his determination and discipline, but I just don’t like the guy, I’m not shouting his name at the TV in the final straight and I just can’t empathise with him.
How about you? Steve or Seb?
In summary, this was a rivalry up there with the greatest individual rivalries in sport;
Watson & Nicklaus, Hunt and Lauda, McEnroe and Borg. Elite sports people, different backgrounds, different characters.
This is what makes sport so bloody amazing!
Next week we’ll head to East Africa, and to Iten, home of champions.
15,000 women woke up Sunday morning (9 Nov) to participate in the one and only all women’s running race, the Great Eastern Women’s Run. Certainly the 5am precipitation did not hinder the keen runners, joggers or walkers.
By 6.30am the sparkling view of Singapore’s many iconic buildings across the bay elicited several ooohs and ahhhs, whilst the Singapore Flyer stood majestically above the start line waiting for the break of dawn.
Run Ladies Run Let the spirit take you high Let your feet pound the K’s And when it’s sweated and all done Let the champas flow freely by And celebrate a race well done
Run the world, girls!
As participants jostled for their Start position, fitness trainers broke out into aerobic warm up sessions to pumping music, the compere was hyping up the crowd and the minutes to flag-off were slowly ticking by. There on the sidelines stood the support system: daddies huddling under brollies with their kids, husbands/boyfriends spectating their loved ones. More ooohs and ahhhs were to be had and appreciated.
In the midst of all this seven women left their sleeping loved ones behind to band together to tackle the GEWR race. Several firsts were being experienced in this small group: a first race, a first best time, first 10km / 5km run, first participation in GEWR. Some were cajoled into it, some were keen, some registered in the nick of time and some just snuck it in. No matter the reasons, these band of women donned their gear, strapped on their sneakers and hit the pavement of the F1 Pit.
These women are my friends and neighbours with diverse levels of running skills. Some are old timers on the running track and some are very new to it. Three of us tackled the 10km race and the other four entered the 5km race. Undeterred by the remaining drizzle, we started the race with a smile on our faces and a “see you at the end”.
Ready to roll
My 10km buddy, Chelle
I started off at a very comfortable pace enjoying the scenery from another angle. Chelle was well ahead of me already and I was slowly losing sight of her bright fluoro top amongst the sea of red singlets. It wasn’t long before I ambled into Nicoll Hwy for what seemed like the longest stretch of the run due to its lengthy and straight course. Whilst I was heading west of Nicoll, Chelle had already turned and started heading east, So I spotted her on the opposite side of the temporary fence. We did a swift high-five or more like a low-five to acknowledge one another and then continued on. The last time I would see Chelle would be at the opposite end of Nicoll when I was heading east and she had already turned at the 5km mark to head west and complete the second half of her run.
Hitting the wall
It was at this point that my pace started slipping and I started struggling with the run. Found myself walking a lot more and running less. The uphill ramp didn’t help and by the time we turned the corner for the downward ramp, I was spent and just kept walking. I remember during my 8km NorthPassion race that I ran into trouble around the 5-6km mark as well. Even my hubby’s words ringing in my head to “keep going soldier” stopped working. By 8km I was barely running a few hundred metres at a time.
I was knocked out of my sullen trance by a tap on my rear when lo and behold my 5km buddy, Vika, with a massive smile on her face, waves at me. I mouth a desperate “I am dying here”, she concurs and then just sprints off for the last 2km. I don’t think we were feeling the same pain.
Vika nearing the finish line, fighting fit.
The final sprint
Tired of being overtaken far too many times, I hydrate at the 8.5km mark and muster all that I had in my reserves to deliver the last 1500m. Running alongside the Kallang Basin, I lightened up (must have something to do with running alongside water) and entered a more positive trance and once I turned the corner at the Flyer and saw the Finish Line in the distance, I got mad just enough to sprint my way to the end.
I am so focused on that Finish line.
Look at me fly. One day, this will be the norm.
Whilst my time wasn’t spectacular at 1:12hrs, I was satisfied to make it into the top 20%. As we waited in the Village for the remaining racers, we collected our bags, hydrated and met up with our very own support system: hubbies and kids.
Now that the results are out this band of women were pleasantly surprised with their individual outcomes. Chelle had her personal best at 55.56 and ranked in top 3% for 10km, Vika slotted herself in at the top 0.5% for 5km and Suuzieq participated in her very first running event and came in the top 5%. The rest of the ladies were in the top 5.5%. All round I think this was a fantastic group effort.
I ran and faltered and struggled and walked, I ran and I hung in there, whether I liked it or not. Mile after mile my legs were begging to stop, But my spirit said no and I pressed on and on. And then, I saw the end and harnessed my reserves, I crossed the finish line and thought “Thank Heavens it’s done”.
As runners, we have to think about our own safety no matter where we are, no matter what time it is. Many runners in Singapore prefer to run in neighbourhoods with less-crowded routes, so they can have an obstruction-free, smooth-sailing run. Some of our favourite routes may bring us through various parks and canals, which may not have much traffic at off-peak hours. Many of us are also solo runners. With SleekTag, a runner may engrave emergency contact numbers, blood type, life-threatening allergies and any other important information. In the event of an emergency, medical personnel would be able to identify you immediately and notify your loved ones.
When you’re running by yourself, you want to have the assurance that if (hopefully not, but just in case) anything happens to you, passers-by and paramedics can inform your emergency contact immediately and have vital medical information about you at hand.
The running community is well-aware that many unnatural deaths during races have occurred over the past few years. What if the paramedics know exactly what prior illnesses the runner has once they arrive at the scene? What if the paramedics are able to call the loved ones about possible health information? With essential medical information at their fingertips, runners could stand a better chance at survival.
– Running with children
In the JustRunLah! community, many parents set a healthy example for their children by taking them along to runs around the neighbourhood, or even take part in races together. Children getting lost is probably every parent’s worst nightmare, however. Sleektag can give all parents ease of mind that a helpful passer-by could return their children to them quickly as the emergency contact is clearly displayed on them.
– Sleektag’s fun side
Along with important information, you may also like to have your favourite quotes printed together with the tag. Or just logos or images that you may like or wish to remind yourself daily.
Choose from a dazzling variety of design and colours. Different buckle designs are available, including child-sized bracelets. Its high-grade silicone makes it tough enough to withstand the outdoors. Velcro designs are also available for placement on shoes or even a bicycle.
Don’t leave life to chances. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Let your Sleektag speak for you or your children when you can’t.
It’s a race like no other where you will run alongside over 200 visually, intellectually and physically-challenged runners. Take part in Singapore’s first ever Runninghour 2015 and Run So Others Can.
JustRunLah! is proud to be the Official Online Running Community for this event, and we are happy to bring a $5 discount code for our readers.
Use promo code [textmarker color=”57d93d”]RH5D2015[/textmarker] during registration and get $5 off !
Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed the last post from Sydney’s Bondi beach; this time, I’m checking in from sunny Adelaide. As the journey progresses, I continue to enjoy running regularly, and in this post, I’d like to talk a little bit about running while on holidays – why you should do it, how to enjoy yourself while doing it, and some tips to consider for a safe and enjoyable running/travelling experience.
Depending on what your motivation(s) is/are for running, you may feel ambivalent about running itself. However, since you are on a running website, reading a running blog, I shall just go ahead and assume you enjoy running as an activity, above and beyond the next most commonly stated reason people give for running (weight loss). So. You enjoy running, and you have successfully managed to find some time in your regular life to fit it into your routine. Running on holidays, however, can quickly become quite complicated.
You’re out of your comfort zone. You’re in a different country, with a different climate, a different terrain, possibly a different language, and people are driving on the wrong side of the road… argh! Before you start feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to consider this: if you see people running at your holiday destination, there is no reason why you cannot do it too. It just takes a little bit of planning.
Before you leave… plan!
Knowing the type of holidays you are going on will help you determine how and when you can run.
If you’re on a package tour with your family, it’s more realistic to wake up a little bit earlier than the rest of the group and fit a quick one in than attempting to squeeze in a pre-lunch jog. One possible alternative that I have personally tried before, is to do a quick run at one of the attractions you are visiting – say, a beach where you are given 2 hours to explore before the tour bus continues. Note the time and meeting point, and be punctual! Your travel group is running on a tight schedule, and you don’t want to be left behind.
If you’re travelling free and easy, you have a little bit more freedom to run whenever you want. However, if you are with a partner, or your family or friends, please take into consideration their desired itineraries. You may wish to slate in an afternoon here, or an evening there, when people can part ways and do what they want, before meeting back for dinner or a group visit to an attraction. This way, you can go run while the others drink beer/go shopping/(insert less-fun-than-running activity here).
If you’re travelling alone, you are a free man/woman. Run whenever you want, wherever you want. Nobody will judge you.
Destination, destination, destination
No matter the type of holidays you are on, there is one thing you’ll definitely be very clear about: the destination. Hopefully, you also have the dates clearly written out or memorised. This is important for various reasons:
1. In this day and age, with Google at our fingertips, you no longer need to wait until you arrive at our hotel or hunt down the tourist information centre for a map. You can Google your destination in advance to determine how suitable the environs of your hotel are for running. Singaporeans do tend to take for granted certain basic points about safety. Find out if it is a safe neighbourhood to go running in, and don’t forget to check for sidewalks, as some places are not too pedestrian-friendly. Don’t forget to note the direction of traffic.
2. Scope out local attractions, and plan our a running route that will take you to these highlights. That way, you kill two birds with one stone, as you are sightseeing while running. Yes, it takes practise to run with a camera in hand, but it can be done. No, I do not recommend you bring your $800 gear.
3. Find out running routes that are frequented by the locals. Even something as short as a 5K distance will give you opportunities to cross paths with local runners, and there is no better feeling in the world than exchanging a cheery “hello!” with a complete stranger, knowing that you are united by the simple act of running. Your faith in humanity will increase by 5000%, and you will truly believe that through running, we can achieve world peace.
4. Knowing the exact dates is not only helpful in giving general ideas of what the climate will be like at your destination at said time of the year, it also means you can look up the weather forecast in advance. Never underestimate the importance of dressing for the weather, which brings me to my next point…
Getting your gear ready
When you run at home, in the comfort of your daily/weekly routine, it is easy to go through the motions on autopilot. You know where your shoes are, you know in which corner of your drawer lives your lucky underwear. Haven’t washed your running shorts from yesterday? No problem, just use another. When you are travelling, you will suddenly realise how much stuff you carry while you run.
This is what you usually run with. You won’t forget them while you prepare to run on your holidays.
Here are certain items that you probably don’t carry with you on your usual runs at home, but really should while you travel.
Start by inspecting your suitcase size, and where applicable, negotiating the amount of space that is yours. Think about which items are truly essentials (for me, it’s my wicking socks, and the tech stuff like heart rate monitor and GPS). Next, decide what items you can truly run without, or items which you would like to replace, which means you can buy while you’re overseas. Leave those out.
As stated before, dressing for the weather is important. This means you won’t need singlets if you’re planning to run in Vancouver this time of the year. No appropriate clothes for the climate? Buy it at the destination rather than ordering it online in advance. Understand that you may require certain things that you don’t normally carry on your regular runs.
Tiger Balm and extra deodorant, probably not necessary. Band-aids, sunscreen lotion, and some portable food, I’m inclined to say: essentials, no matter the distance. Also, bring some money and a travel card. Make sure your mobile phone is always charged before you run. You may never know how long you will be out for, no matter your intentions, so water, food and money are paramount. If you take a wrong turn and lose your way, or run out of steam and cannot continue running, having a travel card or cash will help you get back safely. Some countries lack the sanitation standards that Singaporeans are used to, so in case you get hurt, band-aids will help reduce the risk of infection.
Hitting the road
Now you’ve got yourself sorted, all that’s left to do is run! Before you head out in a rush, however, there are just a few more reminders.
1. Always let at least one person know that you’re off to run. Let them know your intended route and an estimated time. If you’re not entirely sure, don’t say “I don’t know”, say “if my sense of direction is functioning, I should get the chance to see the Charlie Checkpoint and if I am not back by x o’clock, ring the police”. That is the difference between coming back alive and being another entry on a Missing Persons list.
2. Vigilance of your surroundings cannot be stressed enough. If you want to listen to music, I recommend keeping one earbud out so you can hear. Pay attention to street signs, landmarks, anything that will help you trace your way back.
3. Avoid drawing too much attention to yourself with expensive gear. Hide them under clothes, or leave them back home. You are a tourist, and unfortunately, this means you could very well be an easy target.
Run!
By this stage, I hope I have convinced you that organising yourself to run while on holidays is not as impossible as it may seem. A little forethought pays off, and really, it is truly worth the effort.
Running on holidays shouldn’t be a chore, it should enhance your experience. Forget the details of training such as negative splits, hitting target zones, sticking to prescribed distance/time on your training plans. Let go of all that stuff and just run. Stop as often as you desire, to take a photo or to drink in the scenery – you are only there once in your life, and you don’t want to run right past a magical sunset or a feat of engineering. Let that voice in your head that’s always saying “last 2km!” or “I must overtake that slowpoke in front” be replaced by “I cannot believe I am running past the Empire State Building!”
Weaving a run into your holiday will ultimately up your game as a runner, as you realise that running need not be separate from everything else you do in your life.
My unofficial timing is about 2 hours 30 min which is what I aimed for. I am happy that I am able to complete and reach my goal timing for this half-marathon but I am sure that I can do even better in the future races.
Before the race
It was raining the night before the race and I thought that it is good as I assume that it won’t rain on the day of the race. But who knows that this rain is so persistent. As we waited in the start pen, the drizzle is getting larger and larger and thus all of us, the 21.1 km runners together with the overseas and elite runners started the run in this cold and wet weather.
First 7 km of the race
The elite runners were flagged off first and after about 2 min, we were off to complete the 21.1 km GE Women’s Run 2014. The pacers from Running Department were very visible with their balloons that were attached to them. I started off overtaking both the 2:30 and 2:20 pacers as I know that I will slow down as the race continues. The rain did not bother me as much as I have my cap to block off the rain from my face. Although I still have to take note of the puddles on the road which I did stepped into it a couple of times. I think I started off at a really good pace and the pace was actually faster than my usual runs. I believe that running in events like this always spurs you to run quicker and perform better. This first 7 km is manageable and I am feeling really great despite the rain which lasted about 30 min into the run.
Next 7 km of the race
This is where it gets difficult. Luckily I did put on some yoko-yoko before the race and I could feel it heating when my muscles are started to feel the strain. At about the 9 km mark, the hydration point was giving out the Maxifuel Viper Active Gel. It was stated in the map that they are giving it out at the 13 km mark but I am grateful that it came earlier as I think that my muscles were going to cramp soon. I got the Lemon Lime flavour and it is really nice and easy to eat. I tried another type of energy gel which is of a jelly consistency that is harder to consume as compared to this liquidy Maxifuel gel. After having the gel, I felt that I have more energy to continue with my race (maybe is just mental, but whatever). However, due to the lack of training (I think), my energy quickly diminish.
Last 7 km of the race
The pacers were very enthusiastic and have really high energy. They were shouting loads of encouraging words and push us runners to run and continue. As my pace slowed down, I am able to hear them catching up to me. Every time when I hear them, I started to run a little faster till I can’t hear them. This goes on for a couple of times until I finally do not have the energy to continue with the 2:20 pacers at the 15 km mark. At this point onwards, it is again a very familiar road that the Puma Running Club usually runs at when we have our runs at the MBS area. It is also at this point that my feet starts to hurt due to the fitting of the shoe which caused me to have blisters on my arch. I need a new pair of shoes! There are loads of photographs and supporters at this last stretch of the race. I struggled to complete the race with my blistered feet and burning legs. I stopped a couple of times but almost always get back running as more and more ladies passed by me. Finally, at the last km of the race, I started to increase my pace on the Esplanade bridge. However, at the midst of it, my toes and hamstring starts to tighten up and I can feel a cramp coming up. I was forced to slow down my pace till I reach Esplanade and finish my race with an unofficial timing of 2 hrs 30 min =D
Post-run
There are loads of food provided for the runners after the run like Nandos, Subway, chocolate milk and many others. They even have True Fitness to lead a mass workout Sh’bam while waiting for the rest of the 21.1 km runners to return. By the time I return, the 10 km and 5 km runners have started their runs.
Congratulations to all ladies who completed the runs. And to all who achieved your PBs, good job!
Also to all who are like me, first timers in a half-marathon event, LET’S DO IT AGAIN!
Singaporeans looking to do an overseas run should list Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon (SCKLM) as one of the few runs to sign up. Traditionally taking place in June/July, this year’s run was planned for in October to avoid any postponement due to the haze as in the case of last year. Hence, imagine the irony that a few days before this year’s run, the PSI started to shoot up to the unhealthy range. While the PSI range was relatively much lower than that in June last year, I was dreading to see an update from organizers saying that the race would be postponed. Thankfully this was the only haze-related measure from the organizers 2 days before race day.
The ‘all-clear’ signal
Off to KL!
So 4 of us – 2 doing the full and 2 doing the half – set off on a Saturday morning for a short flight to Kuala Lumpur – 75mins to be exact. Upon arrival, we took another 30mins or so to clear the immigration and customs before proceeding to the KLIA express. The KLIA express (or ekspres) costs 35RM takes another 30mins to reach KL Sentral where there are choices galore for anyone looking to get to their hotel. Take your pick from taxi, bus, train (yes train), monorail and the LRT (KL version of our MRT) – our next mode of transport. While we did not take the taxi, it should be noted that the taxis at KL Sentral operate on a coupon system – hence no worry of having to haggle over the prices which is usually what puts us off taking taxi. The LRT ride was to the next stop – Masjid Jamek – which is the station for Dataran Merdeka, the starting point of the half and full marathon as well as for the race pack collection at Dataran Underground.
Dataran Merdeka – Start and Finish point
Race pack collection
Dataran Underground which is basically below the Merdeka Square, is an underground mall with the large space needed for a race pack collection. Through the main entrance located near the big flag pole and fountain, volunteers will guide you in. Something unique about the race pack collection is that the race expo actually starts before the collection and continues after the collection point. Personally I think that if it were done deliberately, it is a good move as you actually taper the crowd before the collection, possible reducing queue time. Probably due to it being the last day of the collection, the queues if any, were cleared within minutes. The expo continued mainly for the race sponsors and here I picked up additional freebie from Honda and a clock which I had ordered online.
T-shirt courtesy of half-marathon sponsors HondaSIN somehow sounds cooler
From the race pack collection, we headed to check into our hotel which was minutes away from the Dataran. Swiss hotel (no typo here), is the nearest hotel possible to the start point for the HM/FM. Even if it were not a budget hotel, you wouldn’t mind paying for the convenience of getting up an hour before start time and still having time to spare! And the cost? $30 per person for the night. After checking in we took a short break before heading out for a quick lunch. We then headed to check out the Petronas Towers and abit of exploring of KLCC (lots of food and shopping opportunities) before we finally decided to get dinner and then call it a day.
The Petronas Towers and my souvenir – the predicted time when we cross the finish line?
Race day!
The marathon buddies got up at about 0345hrs – that’s 45mins before start time – for a quick shower and lite breakfast before heading to the startline. We squeezed in another hour and half of sleep before we got up to do the same before walking over to the startline for the half-marathon. The efforts by the organizers to make participants feel at ease can really be felt; from the free LRT rides to free drinks and salonpas – lots of it! After getting a spot where we could breathe more easily, we went thru the usual pre-race routine – track selection, getting GPS ready and a final tug of the laces – and off we went at 0600hrs.
Free rides to the start point
The first six kilometers was around the KLCC area, making a big loop around Petronas Towers with some slopes every now and then. As you reach the halfway 10km mark – you are faced with a manageable climb up the elevated expressway which is relatively flat but with a couple of slopes up and down before you reach the 13km mark which leads the half marathon runners off the expressway. For some reason, other than it being unlucky 13 – this was where a few runners, mostly those attempting the full marathon decided to drop out – some were clearly in some pain while some were(I hope) sleeping. But I later on found out that it was the point where the full marathon runners broke away to proceed to the highway for their additional 20km of track, hence somewhat a point of no return or a strategic point to call it quits.
As we left the full marathon runners, we merged with the 10km runners and along came the question of “Will there be congestion when the full marathon runners merge back?” While the full marathon runners did eventually join back at 36/37km mark(17/18km for the half/8km for the 10km), the 10km runners were then diverted as they embarked on their final 2km. The full and half marathon runners were then push thru the second highest climb thruout the race(at the last 2-3km mark) to the Botanic Gardens while passing by the Parliament House.
We made one last turn out of the Botanic Gardens area and could sense that we were near the finishing line and started to push harder – even though at this stage it was pretty much run/walk mode. Passing the National Mosque on our right, we started to see supporters as well as those who had finished their race, edging everyone on – pretty much like the final stretch between the old City Hall and the Padang for the Singapore edition of the Standard Chartered Marathon. As we cross the finish line, we were definitively glad to complete the run despite the threat of haze as well as the grenade incident that took place in KL a few days earlier.
Second medal of this year’s Standard Chartered Marathon Series
After-race
After collecting our medals and refreshment, we proceeded back to the hotel for a quick change of clothes before heading back to the finishing point to wait for the marathon buddies. As always they finish the race and meet us in their finisher tee and medal, grimacing with every step they take. They proceeded back to the hotel for a quick change and rejoined us for breakfast. After avoiding the spicy food before the race, we happily tucked into Nasi Lemak, Naan and Prata – easily found at the Masjid Jemak area near our hotel. Satisfied by the local fare, we proceeded back to the hotel for a rest before checking out.
Nasi Lemak Kerang – Cockles!
As we came to end of the our SCKLM trip, making the same way back to the airport the way we came, the four of us agreed we should seriously consider making this one of our annual overseas run. And we hope that if we do return next year, we will bring a bigger group with us.
As mentioned earlier, credit must be given to the organizers for making this event as enjoyable as possible and their efforts to improve can be noted from how they reach out to participants for feedback – even offering a lucky draw for those who participate. Even when I emailed them for permission to use their pictures, they replied to me promptly on the same day (even though it was 3 weeks after the race).
Survey
For those keen to save up, the cost in SGD (RM in ( )) for our trip is as follows:
Registration Fee 42
Hotel 35
Taxi(Singapore) 45
Flight 90
KLIA Express x 2 27 (70)
LRT x6 2.7 (7)
Meals x 4 23.1 (60)
Misc(Drinks+Snacks) 15.4 (40)
Total 270.2
So start saving a dollar a day (and watch out for hotel/flight deals) and you’ll see that doing an overseas run – at least the SCKLM, is really not that hard to save up for.
Perhaps you could join us when we make the trip next year.
Welcome everyone to Captain Canada’s first blog post on JustRunLah! I thought before I start taking you on the journey of a mischievous Canadian running his way around the word, I thought I would introduce myself first.
Between 1978 and 1984, Coe and Ovett were unquestionably the worlds finest middle distance runners, setting 12 world records and winning 5 Olympic medals between them.
From here Steve Ovett steps away from the UK limelight, moves to Australia and takes up a career as an Athletics commentator on Aussie TV. I can only find this one pic of Steve and Seb in later life, reunited at the London Olympic opening ceremony in 2012.
