Are fun runs on the rise or decline in Asia? Fun runs are normally of the 5 km distance. They are non-competitive and people do it, as its name suggests – for fun! They are often themed, and a great way for you to have a great time out with friends and family. However, are they popular among runners? Here are 3 things we runners think about when we look at fun runs!
#1 Crazy Expensive
Fun runs are really expensive these days! You have to fork out so much just to have fun? Don’t believe me? Look at the Spongebob Run Malaysia 2017 – priced at MYR 95 to run 5 kilometers. Or the Garfield Run Singapore, charging a hefty SGD 42.50 to run 5 clicks. Oh and I remember that Hello Kitty Run back in 2016 that charged MYR 150 to run a 5 km. Seriously?? – 150 bucks to run for 30 minutes? If you haven’t noticed, I can run 5 km around my house, FOR FREE!
#2 Dollar Per Kilometre
I’m sure you’ve heard runners going I registered for the 42km instead of 21km because it’s only 20 bucks more to run another 21km. Sounds familiar?
Runners these days seem to love doing the math. They talk about this dollar per kilometer thing. Take the Hello kitty Run 2016 for instance – that’s paying MYR 30 to run 1 kilometer. Compare this to the Standard Chartered KL Marathon which cost you MYR 90 to run a full marathon. That’s only MYR 2.14 per kilometer that I am paying for. So, yes, fun runs are so not worth it!
#3 We Are Runners
Fun runs justify the high price they charge with the goodies they give out – maybe a snoopy plushy or a Garfield pillow. But, we are runners after all. We don’t really care about the carebear soft toy or the extra keychain in our race pack! We care about running, running, and more running! So, 150 bucks for a 5km fun run with a giant Garfield – so not worth it, but 150 bucks to run 100 kilometers – so damn worth it! We pay to run and 5 kilometers fun run just doesn’t seem enough for us runners.
Perhaps fun runs are popular, but not among true runners!
Jaybird wraps up the year with great efforts at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon RECP and race day- giving everyone a great time with fun and interesting activities down at the Jaybird booth. Here are the highlights of what went down!
#1 Why I Run Wall – Jaybird‘s new marketing strategy: An emotional connection to runners
Jaybird came up with a Why I Run Wall whereby runners tell everyone why they run. Everyone runs for different reasons, some very personal, but all very inspirational. Runners pen down inspiration quotes on why they run on this wall. Running is great because we can draw inspiration from everyone, and we sometimes inadvertently become an inspiration to someone else. This was indeed a meaningful activity for all runners.
#2 Capturing Your Memories At The Jaybird Photobooth
Jaybird received many runners at the Jaybird Photobooth, all eager to have a snapshot. If anyone’s looking for their photos, check out the Jaybird Facebook page! At the same time, did you know there was a photo competition going on? Stay tuned to the Jaybird FB Page to check out if you’re one of the lucky winners – lucky winners walk away with a brand new Jaybird Headphone.
#3 The Jaybird Claw Machine
There’s always a kid in us – we love fun and games. It brings out our inner child. Jaybird let us become a kid again with the Jaybird Claw Machine, giving us a taste of out childhood arcade days. Here, runners stood a chance to win the Jaybird Premiums from the claw machine – if they manage to claw it out.
#4 Great Promotions
Jaybird has got great news – they are having great promotions available island-wide until the end of the year. So, what are you waiting for? – Don’t miss out on these great deals.
Running shoes have a lifespan. Shoes wear and tear over time, and so does the cushioning and support your shoes have to offer. This is why you should always replace your running shoes.
Why Change Your Running Shoes?
In our running shoes, there is a midsole which has the function of providing us cushioning and support. When we run, we apply pressure and it is this midsole that absorbs this pressure. The midsole compresses and returns the energy to us as we begin our next stride. This is the bounce feel we often experience in our shoes when we run. After some time, this midsole loses its ability to absorb this stress and becomes dead. It no longer has this bounce feel, nor the cushioning and support it once had to offer. This can often lead to injuries.
Just like pickleball shoes or any other sports shoes you buy, getting the maximum support should be the guiding principle when determining the need for a replacement. The shoes must always give you maximum grip and comfort without putting you at risk of sliding or injuries.
But then there is the question of how often should you replace them? How often really depends on a number of factors – your mileage, the terrain, and your bodyweight.
As a general rule of thumb, your shoes have a lifespan of 600 – 800 kilometers. That being said, racing flats have a thinner outsole to facilitate it being lightweight. This thinner outsoles mean that it is easier to wear out as compared to training shoes which have a thicker outsole. Racing flats should be replaced approximately every 400 – 500 kilometers.
Terrain
Your shoes will wear out faster if you are running on the road all the time as compared to running on a cross-country terrain. This is because, on road, you will always land in the same plane. On the other hand, in the trails, the terrain makes it such that you will always be moving in different planes, landing in different directions. This slows down the wear and tear.
A heavy runner puts their running shoes through more stress and work. This is because the running shoe has to absorb the shock of more weight. A heavier person causes more force to be applied to the midsole of the shoe. The midsole has to work harder to absorb this force and hence wears out faster.
Telltale Signs
Your outer sole has completely worn out and the white midsole is exposed
Your shoes no longer stand up straight when placed on a flat surface. It wobbles.
You no longer feel the bounce in your shoes when you run
You see cracks and creases in the white midsole
You have exceeded 800 kilometers of running in your shoes
Keep Track Of Your Shoe Mileage
This is why it is important to keep track of your running shoe mileage. You can do this by keeping a simple running shoe mileage diary. You can even use running apps such as Strava that allows you to keep track of your mileage in different pairs of shoes!
Yoga can teach us great lessons that are able to help us in life. Runners and athletes can benefit from practicing Yoga. The benefits of the Yogi life is immense – here are 3 important reasons why runners should incorporate Yoga into their life.
#1 Flexibility
Did you know the best marathoner of all time Eliud Kipchoge is greatly inflexible? He probably could benefit from some Yoga lessons.
Yoga brings you through a variety of stretches that could improve your range of motion in your given joint area. Flexibility is very important for athletes, especially runners. Did you know the running movement involves only a one plane movement – forward. This causes the muscles required for the forward movement to be particularly overdeveloped as compared to muscles required for the backward movement and lateral movement. These overused muscles become really tight and reduce your flexibility.
Yoga is a great way to stretch out your overdeveloped tight muscles. Running reduces your flexibility which can be countered by Yoga Classes.
#2 Mental Training
The most important thing Yoga can teach us is this. In Yoga, you are required to be in tough uncomfortable situations such as a back-bending pose and hold the pose. Sometimes you are required to sit in a pose for 30 minutes. In order to do so, you are required to be aware of your body, concentrate on your pose and breathing, and clear your mind. This helps make the situation more manageable. This skill is a transferable skill which can help you through any adversity thrown at you – in athletics and life.
Yoga strengthens your entire body as a whole. It brings you through a series of poses that can train your strength, both physically and mentally. For instance, holding poses challenge your physical strength and mind. You have to hold these poses beyond fatigue, using yoga breathing techniques to help you manage the mental challenge. These poses also force you to engage your muscles to stay in a particular pose, strengthening them. In athletics, being strong is a plus.
Strength, both mental and physical is very important in athletics. Yoga is able to teach us both. Try out a quick 20 minute Yoga session right at home and start repeaing the benefits of Yoga!
The swim kick is one of the very important components of the freestyle stroke. There are 2 schools of thoughts regarding the swim kick. Some people argue that the legs should be saved for the bike and the run component of a triathlon. You should focus on your arm stroke instead. The other point of view is that kicking with the right amount of force preps your body physiologically for the upcoming bike and run. Hence, the importance of the kick.
The kick should be a gentle fluid flow, like a dolphin rather than a rough scissors motion. Your foot should only move up and down approximately 12 inches. Anything more will cause unwanted drag and make your underwater pull less efficient. Your kick should be like a flutter kick – one of a quick tempo.
Here are 4 key techniques to work on to improve your swim kick.
#1 Kick From The Hip
Many of us tend to bend our knees and kick. Your kick should come from your hip and not from your knees. This creates a large amount of drag and slows you down when you swim. Instead, keep your legs relatively straight and make sure that force is driven from your hip. Your knees will bend slightly naturally. So, you should focus on driving the force from your hip instead of focussing on keeping your legs straight.
#2 Kick Timing
There are 2 popular kick timings – the 2 beat and the 6 beat. 2 beats mean that your legs kick twice in one cycle. One cycle is 2 arm strokes. This means in a 2 beat kick, your right leg kicks as you left arm strokes followed by your left leg and right arm. In a 6 beat kick, your legs do not stop kicking. A 6 beat kick gives you more power. Often, a 2 beat technique is used by long-distance swimmers and triathletes. The 6 beat kick is used by sprint swimmers. A light flutter 6 beat kick is sometimes employed by distance swimmers as well.
#3 Point Your Toes
Photo Credits: Annie Emmerson
Not pointing your toes represents bad technique and slows you down dramatically. This is due to the drag created by your foot. When you do not point your toes, you are pushing water forward, hence slowing yourself down dramatically. Pay extra attention to pointing your toes when you kick. You can do this by doing kicking drills with a board. The sole objective of the drill would be to focus on pointing your toes, irrespective of speed and power.
Why is it good to wear men’s and women’s water shoes when swimming? Because it adds comfort to your feet. It will help your feet cool even on a hot summer and can let you kick freely on the water.
#4 Work On Ankle Flexibility
Linking back to pointing your toes, a lot of us may have problems with pointing our toes due to limited flexibility. If you are a pure swimmer, ideally, you should be able to point your toes beyond straight. This will help you reduce drag and allow you to swim faster more effortlessly. However, if you are a triathlete, your ankle should be flexible but not too flexible. This is because flexibility comes at the expense of stability. Stability is important in the cycling and running leg.
If you are looking to boost your athletic performance, here are 3 popular diets that could just do the trick. Take your fitness performance to the next level by fueling yourself right. These diets are different. They work on optimizing your energy levels and training your body to use your body fat as an alternative source of fuel.
#1 Atkins Diet
Photo Credits: Livestrong
An Atkins diet is essentially a low-carbohydrate diet. The aim is to avoid carbohydrates. The rationale behind this is to train your body to switch from burning glucose to burning the fat stored in your body as an energy source. When you consume refined carbohydrates in large amounts, insulin levels rise and drop rapidly. The rising insulin levels trigger your body to store energy from the food you have consumed. If your body is using energy from the consumed food, it is less likely that your body will utilize the fat stored in your body as a primary energy source. People on this diet can, however, eat as much protein and fat as they like.
The vegan diet is made popular by many ultra trail runners – Scott Jurek and Vlad Ixel alike. The vegan diet approach is only consuming plant derivatives. This means cutting out all animal-based products such as milk, cheese, eggs, and meat. People on the vegan diet often talk about the much higher energy levels they experience. This is because animal byproducts require more energy to be broken down. This causes a degree of fatigue as compared to a plant-based diet. Many Vegan ultra runners swear by this diet and attribute their high energy levels to Veganism.
Intermittent fasting has become increasingly popular of late. People who fast intermittently eat within an 8-hour block, fasting for the remaining 16 hours. When you consume food, your glycogen levels are topped up. Throughout the day, your body utilizes this glycogen as a source of energy. After 12 hours of fasting, your glycogen levels become low. When this happens, your body is triggered to release fat into your blood stream. This fat is then converted into energy for food for your body and brain. This is the benefit of intermittent fasting – training your body to burn fat as fuel.
Some runners swear by insoles. Insoles make it possible for them to run. Without them, running would not be possible. Somehow, that knee pain just seems non-existent when running with insoles. On the other hand, some runners have no idea what insoles are. They are completely clueless as to the existence of insoles, let alone it’s functionality.
The science of the sole is one of great debate. It’s a billion dollar industry but begs the question – do I need insoles? This then leads us to another question – if I need insoles, what insoles are right for me given the array of choices out there!
So, What Are Insoles?
Photo Credits Currex Sole
An insole is a removable shoe insert mainly used to improve the comfort and fit of the shoe. Insoles are also advertised as being able to correct problems with the feet and pressure. It is said to help with many foot related problems such as arch problems and plantar problems.
Do I Need Insoles?
Insoles are designed to improve pressure distribution. Everybody runs differently. Sometimes, when we run, pressure is not evenly distributed. The way we run makes pressure accumulate at certain points and this accumulation can cause discomfort and even lead to injury. With an insole, this redistribution of pressure helps deal with this issue. It is in this manner that insoles can help a runner battling injury, to a runner who finds mild discomfort whilst running to an elite runner trying to gain a competitive edge.
However, if insoles give you discomfort, this means insoles are not for you. Remember, everyone runs differently, and everyone has their own preferences. There is no one best thing for everyone.
How Do I Choose An Insole?
Choosing an insole is like picking out the right shoe for you. People have different preferences. Some people prefer lightweight racing flats whereas some people prefer shoes with a little more cushioning. For example, I can vouch that the Mizuno Wave Emperor is the best shoe ever made to walk the earth, however, not everyone is going to agree with me. Especially those who like support and cushioning in their shoe.
Comfort is the main factor to consider when choosing an insole. Try on various insoles and see which gives you a more comfortable fit. Run in them before making your decision. Remember that if you’re going to be forking out your dough, make sure it’s worth the money!
It’s always important to get back to the basics. To become better, often you have to work on the basic elements of the game. Footballers don’t just play football all day every day. They work on their footwork, stamina, strength and their shooting techniques respectively. Likewise, to become a better cyclist, you have to pay attention to the minor details. Dedicate training sessions to work solely on your pedaling skills! Focus on these 4 elements to become a better cyclist.
#1 Circles Not Squares
We have always been told that cyclists should pedal circles, not squares to give you a smooth even pedal stroke. This uniform application of power gives a more efficient pedal and is what makes a better rider. The idea is to utilize all 360 degrees of the pedal. You should not be just pressing down at the beginning of each stroke. Instead, when you get to the bottom of each push, you should pull your foot back up. This technique uses your quads when you push and hamstrings when you pull, using two muscle groups instead of just one.
#2 Focus On Your Form
Like running, form is equally as important when it comes to cycling. Good cycling form means you are cycling more economically. Cycling more economically means you can cycle more efficiently with the energy you have. Always make sure you have a proper form.
A proper form means:-
When you get to the top of your cycle rotation (12 o’ clock), drop your heel to engage your quads, hamstrings and glutes. Drive your heels down to produce force and energy. Note this is the point where most power is produced.
When you get to the bottom of your cycle rotation (6 o’ clock), point your toes downwards and forward. This is to make sure that you engage all muscles when you perform the pulling motion of pedalling.
Riding off road allows for you to build your leg power. You use alot more strength and power when riding on trails as compared to riding on road. This has got to do with the terrain of the trails. The inconsistent terrain plus the elevation the trails offer forces you to pedal more smoothly to generate power. If not, you risk losing balance and traction. Hence, it’s time to switch up your road bike for a mountain bike. Train off road and become more efficient on road.
#4 Drills
One particular drill that will help you generate a more efficient pedal is the one legged drill. Pedal with only one leg and focus on driving a full circle instead of just pushing down on the pedal. Do about 30 seconds on each leg and alternate between both legs. This helps your legs develop the coordination and the right technique for an efficient spin.
Simply put, all these 4 elements will allow you to share the work amongst your hamstrings, quads and glutes as compared to having only your quads do all the work!
We, runners, love training. We love logging in the miles and talking about the miles we’ve logged. We are a hardworking bunch. The promise of speed without the hard work seems counter-intuitive to us. We’ve been engineered to believe there is no free lunch in this world. So, 4 ways to become faster without running sounds – unbelievable! But here are 4 very real and effective ways to become faster without running.
#1 Wear Lighter Shoes
An often cited estimate is that for every 28 grams a runner shaves off her shoes, she will run one second faster per mile. Think about it, over a distance of 26 miles, you could possibly be running 26 seconds faster. That is a lot! The Mizuno Sayonara comes in at 250 grams as compared to the Mizuno Wave Emperor which weighs 180 grams. This means I could possibly shave off 52 seconds of my marathon personal best just by switching up my shoes.
However, we should always use shoes that suit us. Do not give up stability and cushioning for the lightweight factor because this may backfire. If you are well acquainted with shoes with a good cushioning and stability, switching to a racing flat will cause you to lose efficiency in your running and render any potential gains null.
So, the best thing to do is pick the lightest shoe possible that offers you the comfort you need for your run.
#2 Pay Attention To Running Cadence
A higher stride rate is ideal because of the force that helps propel you forward. If you spend too much time floating in the air, it decreases the amount of force pushing you forward. Your energy is spent on pushing yourself upwards, instead of propelling yourself forward which is the main goal. A higher cadence ensures that you are using force to propel yourself forward instead of upwards.
180 has always been this magic number. This help boost running efficiency and prevents overstriding.
The significance of a proper warmup cannot be stressed more. Warming up increases the blood flow to the working muscles. This means more oxygen is transported to these working muscles without the need for your heart rate to spike. Should you jump straight into your workout, this causes a spike in heart rate and puts your body into aerobic shock. Once your heart rate shoots up, it is going to be difficult to bring it back down and thus affecting your performance.
You run faster by about 2 seconds a mile for every pound you come closer to your ideal weight. This is because the lighter you are, the less force you require to move yourself forward.
Many runners could benefit from shedding a few pounds, but this must be done in a manner that is conducive to training rather than sabotaging it. Finding your ideal racing weight is a very delicate issue that requires a lot of fine-tuning. Remember losing weight may not be a good idea for all athletes, especially those who are naturally lean already, your healthy may suffer instead.
It has been a thriving year for everything fitness. It’s trending right now and people are really into the fit life. It’s the in thing to be involved in right now. Here is a rundown of the 5 popular fitness trends of 2018. If you’re a total fitness geek, this would be totally up your alley.
#1 Group Classes
Why suffer alone when you can go through sweat, blood, and tears with a bunch of fitness freaks. And you know what, you aren’t the only crazy person who is going to actually enjoy the pain. You also get the additional motivation to push yourself to your limits. When you see someone pushing their limits, you are more likely to do the same.
Crossfit classes and boot camps are becoming increasingly popular for this reason. There’s just something about the camaraderie that keeps us going back for more. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ve got to try it to understand it. Group classes truly embody the meaning of fitness family!
If you don’t have a Jawbone or a Garmin tracking your steps, heart rate, and pace, you’re probably not part of the cool kids’ gang. It’s imperative to have one of these cool gadgets these days. These gadgets track everything you want to know about your workout – duration, calories burnt, heart rate, distance and even pace. Some even track your sleep patterns!
Photo Credits: Consumer Reports
The latest must-have is the brand new Apple watch which boasts cellular functions. Leave your phone behind whilst on your run but still be connected to the digital world. You can receive texts and make calls whilst out on your run – whether you are on track, on your long run, in a jungle or atop a mountain. So cool right?
The idea of training based on heart rate monitoring is a current trend. Nowadays, with wrist-based heart rate monitors embedded in GPS watches, it makes heart rate monitoring much more convenient.
Training at different heart rate zones brings different benefits to your body! There are 5 different training zones – the warm-up zone, the fat burn zone, the cardio zone, the intense zone and the maximum zone. Fully utilize your workout by training within specific heart rate zones. For instance, if you’re looking to burn fat, you should be training within the fat burn zone.
Community workouts are the in thing right now. You get to mingle with people, workout and get great discounts on cool brands. Community workouts are fitness events that are organized by fitness brands to showcase what they have to offer at the same time gain brand awareness. Some offer complimentary gear and some great discount vouchers.
Check out the Salomon monthly community run, or the Hoke One One Running clinic or the yoga classes by Lululemon.
#5 Core Attack
It’s always trending – getting a 6 pack! Everyone wants a 6 pack. There’s a reason why they get guys to flaunt their abs in Abercombie and Fitch and not guys with a beer belly! Everyone wants abs!
A strong core is also very important for most sport – from boxing to running, to cycling to CrossFit! The significance of a strong core cannot be stressed more. It gives you the stability you need and puts you in the proper posture that protects your back from sustaining injuries.
With 2017 officially over, I guess maybe it is time to do a recap of my year in running.
Yearly run statsRunning Calendar
Did lesser events in 2017 as compared to 2016 when I basically registered for anything and everything. As I run more, I realised I needed to be selective in going for runs. Thus, I refrained from registering for local runs as they are usually going along the same routes over and over again. Those few I did locally were mostly prizes from contests.
Achieved a couple of milestones in 2017. Namely;
Longest distance and duration: Titi Ultra 200km – 39hrs
First 100km Ultra Trail: Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon (BUTM)
First 100miles (Unofficial ie ownself run)
First 100miles Road Run (Official): Craze Ultra
Titi Ultra 200
This had to be the toughest I had ever experienced thus far. It was basically 2 loops of 100km with a COT of 40hrs. After running through the night, I did relatively well in the first loop completing it in 14hrs. However once the sun was out during loop 2, I struggled especially after I started to have abrasions on my groin area and I was practically reduced to turtle pace walk with a 24min/km pace towards the end. Yup, it was that bad. But I carried on knowing I had came too far to quit and finally completing it with barely 30mins to spare. Painful? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
BUTM
My first attempt at a 100km trail in the rural mountains of Borneo with an elevation of 4000+m. It was a tough run especially when I entered the night as I really struggled to stay awake. If not for some fellow runners’ help, I would not have made it till the end. But I was real glad I completed it given the conditions during the run. And running over multiple dilapidated suspension bridges was really interesting.
100miles Unoffical
On the first day of Chinese New Year, I decided to embark on a crazy run all by myself along the 100miles route used by Craze Ultra. As it was an unofficial run, there were no support stations except for those supported by my wallet ie convenient stores and petrol kiosks. Running all alone by myself was kinda surreal. If you were to ask me why I did it, I may not be able to give you a definite answer. But, I did it. 100miles all by myself.
Craze Ultra
Went a step up from 2016’s 101km to 100miles in 2017. Due to work commitments, I went into the run without as much preparation as I would like to have but oh well, never try never know yeah. I am never fast, but I guess I can tough it out most of the time. So after working out the projected timing I needed to complete the run at the 80km midpoint, I decided to simply walk the balance 80km. Some may say that is not running. Of course it is not. But this is the beauty of ultra running; there is actually a lot of walking involved. And before anyone say walking is easy, just imagine yourself preparing mentally for a 16hrs walk. Get the picture? So after a close to 17hrs walk, I became a 162% certified Nut case.
Also experienced a couple of slight disappointments in DNFing;
Tailwind Penang Eco 100 – 100miles DNF at 122km
Vietnam Mountain Marathon – 100km DNF at 60km
Tailwind Penang Eco 100Where I ended my Vietnam Mountain Marathon adventure
No excuses for my DNFs in these. The only reason one would DNF a run is because one is not good enough for it. So all I can say is I was not good enough to complete these two. But they were learning experiences nonetheless and I believe experiences gained from them would aid me in managing my future runs.
My rather meagre haul for 2017
Now that 2018 is here, it is time to plan my runs for the year. I have a couple of interesting runs in mind and perhaps I will share my experiences in them with you next year.
Till then, keep running and always believe in yourself. Not all runs must end with a PB (whatever that means to you) or a podium. No run is too far to complete. It is all in your mind. Sometimes overthinking will actually stop you from attempting new challenges. Believe it or not, mental strength is far more important than physical abilities. Cheers!
Footnote:
I also attended a special marathon on the last day of 2017. It is not our usual kind of marathon but, the eternal marathon my friend is taking with her newly minted husband. As you can see, we each received a finisher medal for lasting the 3hrs dinner. So no prize for guessing this is a runner’s wedding.
Hand in hand, I believe they, as husband and wife, will last the distance, especially with all our blessings. Damien and Yam, enjoy this marathon of yours yeah.
Two-time SEA Games Triathlon champion Nikko Huelgas (PHI).
THE RISE of Triathlon in the Philippines continued in 2017 with the awesome showing of the national team in the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia last August. The Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) outshone its fellow national sports associations wherein their four-strong delegation took home two golds and two silvers.
After the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bicycle ride and 10-kilometer run, Nikko Huelgas successfully defended the gold medal he won two years ago in Singapore while Rambo Chicano settled for runner-up honors. In the distaff side, Kim Mangrobang took the gold by edging out defending champion Claire Adorna.
TRAP regularly staged races throughout the year all over the country as part of their grassroots program. Aside from Triathlon, TRAP also organized races for other multi-sport events like Duathlon and Aquathlon.
It is not surprising then why TRAP has a wide national training pool with all the talents discovered in these races. The Philippines is set to host the next SEAG in 2019 and TRAP is looking to add Duathlon and Aquathlon to the calendar and increase the number of available gold medals from the present two.
Private organizers also did their part by staging popular international franchise races like Ironman and Powerman Duathlon that drew top professional athletes from overseas. This gave a chance to the so-called recreational athletes to match skills with world champions.
A big boost in bringing the sport closer to the masses has been the growing number of celebrity participants. Even if races were held in faraway areas, it did not matter as fans came in droves to catch a glimpse of their showbiz idols.
Looking for a new physical challenge in 2018? Give Triathlon a try.
IN 2017, we joined a personal all-time high of nine marathons. The 42.195-kilometer race is always a test of physical strength, resolve and mental toughness even for the most veteran of runners.
Run 7-Eleven (February 5). The race was held on the Skyway from Alabang to Buendia and back but the highlight was not the venue but the many freebies from sponsors given away at the finish line and race village – everything from snack items, ice cream, juices, coffee, soap and even condoms. It ended up like runners having a trip to the grocery instead of going to an event.
Clark Animo Run 8 (March 12). Two loops around the Clark Special Economic Zone organized by the De La Salle Alumni Association-Pampanga Chapter for their charity projects. This is the first of three marathons in Pampanga for the year.
Bataan Freedom Run (April 2). The hills of Mariveles, Bataan offered a different challenge for the race held in tribute to the brave Filipino and American soldiers of World War II. A good portion of the route was also the same as the infamous Death March thus making one appreciate more the sacrifice of the troops.
National Geographic Earth Day Run (April 23). Still recovering from the experience in Bataan, we still joined in support of the race’s advocacy of preserving and caring for the environment. This is one of the few runs with perfect attendance since 2011.
1st Siargao International Marathon (July 23). The beautiful and different scenery offered by the island made one forget to get tired while running to and from the Municipality of Del Carmen in a personal record time for the season. For sure, Siargao’s sporting calendar now has another event to look forward to aside from surfing and game fishing.
41st National MILO Marathon Metro Manila (July 30). One is not a bona fide runner unless one joins the MILO Marathon. The quest to qualify for the National Finals and be among the running elites continued and even joined a provincial race for the first time the following weekend in Angeles City.
Color Manila Clark Marathon (September 24). This is the first 42-kilometer race organized by Color Manila and held at Clark. Luckily, all the marathon participants were spared getting dusted by colored powders along the route and at the finish line.
Runrio Philippine Marathon (October 1). A fitting ending to the rebooted Runrio Trilogy that included races held in June (21 kilometers) and August (32 kilometers). The magic of completing all three interlocking medals continues to lure participants.
Clark Sunset Marathon (December 9). The difference here is that the race fired off at 5:00 PM. The cool weather, fresh air and absence of traffic contributed may be the sign to hold more races in the provinces.
This early, several of the organizers have announced the return of their events for 2018. Keep on training and see you on the road!
January 1st inspires us all to dream big. We tell ourselves that this year is the year we will make it big. However, remember that the dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately. Just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, goals aren’t achieved overnight. So don’t be disappointed if you don’t get from A to Z in just a week. You’ve got 365 days to get them checked off your list. Here are 3 ambitious new year resolutions you should avoid!
#1 Eating Healthy, All Day Every Day
Photo Credits:Abouttogetrealweird
You’re not going to get to a top model body in just a week. It takes time and lots of determination. Eating healthy should be a lifestyle change – this means that your diet plan should be sustainable. The one biggest mistake many of us commit is to make big drastic changes that we are unable to keep to. 2 weeks later, you start to realize, damn you really miss that chocolate chip cookie.
Photo Credits: Reaction Gifs
And you go back to your old ways!
Photo Credits: Popsugar
Our body craves the safety of familiarity. Overwhelming you body with a whole lot of drastic changes will make it such a struggle that you inevitably go back to your old effortless ways. The better way to do this is to make small changes. Start with having a healthy lunch every day. Once your body has adapted to this, work on your dinner intake.
Remember, being fit is the easy part! Behind the scenes is where the work is done. Things may look easy and effortless but people don’t see what’s done before to get to that point. It is day in and day out of hard work. You don’t get from fat to fit overnight.
Photo Credits: Pitch Perfect
Don’t give up just because you don’t see your desired results in a week or two! It’s easy to become demotivated when you don’t see the results you want. You want it now but getting fit takes time. You just have to remind yourself that being fit is a long process. Don’t give up so easily.
So, you want to run a new personal best? Or you want to try running an ultra marathon but you’ve not attempted the marathon distance before? – Set a target that is achievable. Do not set yourself up for failure. If you are not running a sub 2 half marathon, don’t set a sub 4 marathon as your new year resolution. Maybe try a sub-2 half first? Perhaps try running a marathon before jumping to the ultra distance? These are great achievements in itself. Don’t get a little too ahead of yourself and be too overambitious.
Thought I shared this personal account and self discovery of a runner, a late starter on the journey of running. I took up a bit more ‘serious’ running in 2015 and also became a blogger with JustRunLah! about then. By serious, I meant I ran about 3 times a week and I signed up for races regularly. I was never an athlete. So I was a below average type of runner. PB for 5 km, 10 km, half marathon, marathon and 50 km were 28:35 min, 1:01 hr, 2:27 hr and 6:07 hr and 7:54 hr respectively. And the first 3 PBs were achieved before I fractured my spine in late 2016 due to a cycling incident. These days I’m slower for the shorter distances.
Somewhere in early October, I received an invitation to be a SCS athlete. This was probably due to my very early attempts to do some voluntary work through running. I accepted the challenge and promptly (perhaps foolishly too) set up my own campaign to cover 500 km from Oct 7th to the end of the year. Foolish because I had been reducing my mileage per week in terms of my own DIY training before this. I was still feeling the pain from the impingement of the nerves at the tailbone plus the on-and-off pain from the spine injury. And what I am attempting would not be in keeping with ‘safe’ recovery guidelines to some extent.
I thought 86 days to finish 500 km was going to be a stretch but still possible. On average it would mean close to 6 km a day every day. However I had already signed up for some races and I would need to configure recovery from the races into the equation as well, though the races would contribute to the total distance covered through running. So I will cover varying distances and hopefully the occasional breaks in between for recovery.
I went through the 86 days though I already hit the target of 500 km on day 80th, Christmas Day. This is a summary of what I felt were the lessons learnt from running for a cause over a period of time.
Lesson 1 : A purpose drives a mission. I started Day 1 (Oct 7th) with an ultra 50 km followed closely by a 10 km race with SIA Charity Run on Day 2. Though I’ve signed for the races up front, I haven’t realized that the two dates were just one after another. And the ultra was done on a rainy day which resulted in me having blisters on my feet. Still, I carried on because I knew that this was my first day of the challenge and I had to complete it no matter what happened.
Photo Credit : Running Shots (TyreLady Ice)
So I completed my first ultra distance of 50 km without much fanfare and got to ‘meet’ a couple of new running friends through it.
50.71 km in 7:54 hours – a record which is painfully slow as perceived by most good runners but it was ‘consistent’ with my usual 6.5 hour local marathon completion time. I was at peace when I completed it.
I remembered after resting for a few minutes after 1 am, I proceeded to walk another 1.5 km to the carpark, limping a bit as the blisters protested their presence with each step I took and reached home about 3 am. I woke up past 5 am to prepare for the SIA Charity 10 km run. I finished that too though I took longer than usual to complete a 10 km distance. The next race was a week later at HomeNS-Real Run 10 km and I finished at 1:11 hr, a bit more like my usual race completion time. Surprisingly I recovered fairly well from the ultra distance.
The resolve to start off the mission was what drove me to complete and ignore the lack of sleep and pain. Anyway, when I think of the cancer patients and the families for which I’m running the cause for, I put aside my own negative moments. At the ultra, I did bump into TyreLady and I believe that she must have her purpose strong in her mind too as she pulled the tyre in the rain, though I didn’t really know her then.
One ‘strange’ side effect of the ultra journey was that I grew to dislike the taste of energy gel and so I stopped taking them for 10 km races and reduced intake as I probably had too much of the gel in the ultra somehow.
Lesson 2 : Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour. After the first two weeks, I managed 100.36 km. But another two weeks went by and my mileage dropped to only 74.03 km. I knew my ultra had helped in first two weeks. And there were days when I felt I was not as fit, like when I was doing the Newton Race – 32.195 km. I felt more tired than ever somehow in that race. But I kept on at it. I knew that I had to put in whatever little I could and it was temporary ‘suffering’ only.
Photo Credit : Pink Apple
Though in theory, 6 km a day is not tough, to continue to do it for 86 days would mean some level of discipline. And I wasn’t exactly just running everyday or that was the only thing I had to do in my life. So sometimes I had energy only for a 1 km or 2 km. Sometimes perhaps heaven took pity and decided to rain at the time when I was supposed to run. There was once I just ran in the carpark because of the heavy downpour during one of my assignments. And I wasn’t exactly in the mode to run every day or every other day due to my condition. Still, I guessed persevering helps to build up the mental and physical aspects too. And every little bit contributes to the mileage.
Lesson 3: Keep it Interesting and Up the stakes at the right time. Sometimes you just cruised through life perhaps. If this was a journey where I just covered same distance every day, maybe it would be easier. Perhaps not. But the races I had signed up for, meant I would have to operate at a different mental and physical level too. So it kept the journey challenging. 80 or 86 days is a long time, almost a quarter of the year. If one doesn’t have passion for something as mundane as running, then perhaps one wouldn’t last too. The 9 races I participated in kept me hungry and lean too.
9 races but missing Mizuno Wave Finisher Medal (still)
One of them was a vertical marathon – Swissotel Vertical Marathon. That day when we started, the authorities feared the risk of lightning and stopped us at the 69 storeys instead of 73. I covered it in 16.5 min. This vertical mileage didn’t go into the calculation of the mileage towards 500 km. However the challenge of doing this had kept me going.
The Standard Chartered Marathon Race came on 3rd Dec. I went for it with high expectation even though I knew that somehow my preparation was not ideal.
There was some delays in the starting. The weather was unrelenting with the hot sun for those who took anything more than 5 hours and I took an hour and half more. The Garmin wasn’t working as it should upsetting the tracking of the pace that day. I wasn’t affected by the baggage delays because I already expected some delays there. Still, as I learnt too, if my eyes were on the long queues, the inconveniences then perhaps I might have felt even more frustrated. My eyes were on the “bagels”: the completion of my 7th marathon in 3 years and the contribution towards the 500 km goal. My feet had been suffering the brunt of the almost daily toll. So all but two toenails were already ‘dead’. Those again were little compared to the real sufferings cancer patients and families are going through.
Photo Credit : Running Shots
For Standard Chartered Marathon, I also took a light Green Ambassador role, carrying a small message to runners to trash it properly as well as setting that example during the race. I learnt a few new stuff and got to know a few fantastic folks and one of them also contributed very generously to the cause I was running for.
I upped the stakes too at the 71st day when I decided to run 10 km per day and hit the target by 80th day instead of 86 days. I thought by then I had built up the endurance and ability to do so.
Lesson 4 : Everything is Relative – Just be Grateful. Almost two years ago, a friend had told me that his running friend actually ran a 10 km every week. That spurred me on to try and do a 10 km race more regularly though I hadn’t done a 10 km training run every week. My ‘training’ distances were usually 3-7 km. Fast forward, and I have tried Spartan Races – Sprint and Super, half marathons a week apart, a marathon and a half marathon a week apart and the ultra this year. I also completed the 10 km a day for 10 days through Christmas this round. But so what ? It has no meaning to the non-involved folks. You are running too much was one of those good ‘advice’ given to me in the past. My paces were slower. There were people who could run 100 km or 200 miles in one race. (Of course, there are people who find it an effort too to walk 10 km.)
Running to complete 500 km in the 80-86 days was my way to raise funds. Some will be able to do more or raise more. Some can do less and raise much more eg VIPs like stars and ministers. On looking back though I had tried to raise the funds through online I wasn’t able to get a single stranger to contribute. There was however a few folks whom I had lost touch who were moved to contribute generously. And a very new FB friend also donated generously.
But, I felt I had failed towards the 3 quarters of the journey. Have I done enough to get my old friends to help or make them understand ? Was I doing ‘hard’ enough to raise the funds ? Or perhaps they were waiting for the goal to be met. Christmas Day, it dawned on me. I didn’t need to know the answers.
There is no need for a reason to give to help another. Blessed are the kind hearts who know that to give is noble. One just have to do what best one can and give what one can in life.
Lesson 5 : Goethe: “Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it”
If I were to keep thinking of whether I could complete a marathon or whether people would think it was silly of me to try and run 6 km a day to raise funds because it was ‘too simple’, or difficult because I was still suffering from a yet to recover back injury then I would never have gotten started. So just do it. In that sense, I perhaps identify quite intuitively then with JustRunLah! 3 years ago when I started blogging with their platform. Action does force some momentum to certain stuff.
Photo Credit : Tan Kim Lai
It has been nice to complete the 500 km earlier back on Christmas Day – to me it was a Christmas Gift. I also managed to raise the minimal target I set though the virtual line is still open as I’ve also continued on my longest running streak to the end of the year 2017. Whatever little I can contribute, I will continue through running. I have worn out 4 pairs of running shoes this year. But I will go on. I think I have found a purpose with running and in turn life on a different plane. Perhaps you will find yours too when you look hard enough and persist in whatever you are doing.
By the time this is published it will be a new year 2018. I wish every reader a great and successful year ahead with new challenges too. Run well with your life too.
I’d even forgotten that I’ve registered for this run because it’s been many months ago when the registration was done! ? Till I was disappointed that I could not run for what I thought was supposed to be my last race of the year, Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon which I registered for the half marathon category, but my foot failed me after Osaka Marathon and I have to give up the run as it’s ouch ouch ouch with every step I took and of course it’s impossible to run ? I believe that if I want to carry on running for many years to come, then I should not abuse my legs when it’s already telling me no.
I was very motivated to recover in time for the Johor countdown run so I stopped running for about 2 weeks after Osaka Marathon, resting my legs by not running (the truth was my foot was too pain to even walk lah! ?) And about a week ago I went to Changi General Hospital for the Sports Medicine specialist to take a look at my foot and the doctor said it’s Metatarsal and I was sent for an X-ray. But there’s no fracture, ultrasound shows some bruising and I was referred to the podiatrist to further manage my foot. I’m waiting for the appointment which is in two weeks time. Grateful to Dr Ng to get a fast appointment for me so that I can be seen before my Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon ?
A few months back when I registered for this run, Willis told me he have to work on the race day but I still very hero go ahead and register for the run alone and tell myself treat it as a alone trip then humji as it means I have to go Malaysia, Rey signed up for the run but could not make it. Thinking that I have to do the hectic traveling alone crossing the causeway and traveling with all the transport when I’m not very familiar with traveling around in Johor is like a nightmare ? Telling myself there’s GPS now, so it should be alright!
So it was my first time taking train into Johor, or maybe if my parents did brought me in by train when I was still a baby? I would travel usually travel into Malaysia by car or by bus. As afraid that there will jam at the causeway so Willis booked for me a train ticket into Johor. Though he have to work, but he sent me to the Woodlands train checkpoint, and picked me up there when I returned, it’s about 12.30am when I reached Singapore ❤️
On race day, it was raining almost the whole morning and I don’t feel like going for this run anymore somemore so lonely go alone. It just feels like a day to laze around at home. Checked weather forecast and it shows that it will rain the entire day ? But since I don’t have any long distance run for a long time after my Osaka Marathon last month I think I should go for it to treat as a training run for SCHKM and drag myself out of the house. If race kena cancelled because of the rain then also bo bian.
After queueing for quite a while at the Woodlands Train Checkpoint we were let in to clear immigration. After clearing the Singapore’s immigration within a couple of steps I arrived into Malaysia’s immigration ? And chop chop within 15 minutes I’m on the train and within a 5 minutes ride, I’ve arrived at JB Sentral.
As it’s just 2pm, too early to head to race venue so I went into City Square Mall to walk walk. Bought Gong Cha, went Popular and bought 4 books from Sophie Kinsella and Cecilia Ahern it’s pretty cheap converting the rate to SGD it’s about $10 per book. Then I bought a Sim Card which cost RM39 from Digi, it’s still cheaper than what StarHub data roaming rate offered. After changing the Sim Card I used Google Maps to find out on how to travel to Educity Sports Complex to collect the race pack, which also is the race venue. To my horror, Google Maps did not show any public transport route! ? I checked the rate for Grab and it’s RM37, quite cheap though but I just don’t want to spend that RM37, had decided only to Grab back after the run though. So I went to the bus terminal in JB Sentral to take a bus that heads to Legoland and to decide whether I will then walk there or take a Grab there from Legoland instead, it’s about 4km away from Legoland. So my bus journey is occupying myself by re-reading a book which I’ve brought along and I’m very excited as the drama is available to watch in a few weeks time and I’ve been looking forward to it since months back! ?
It’s a RM4.50 and about 30 minutes bus ride to Legoland and from there I took a Grab to the race village which is RM11. I reached race site super early before 5pm and flag off’s only at 7.45pm ? Collected my race pack with no queue, then explore around.
Many activities by the sponsors and there’s also stalls selling food and also items necessary for runners around the race village but I just find a nice place to sit down and wait for time to tickle away then change into my running shoes and deposited my bag. Baggage deposit is fast and no queue even though it’s around 7pm when many runners had already arrived at the race village. Think many runners drive there or have supporters to look after their belongings. There’s fireworks at midnight in the Stadium to welcome 2018, too bad I have to rush back Singapore as I didn’t make any plans to stay over.
I went to the start pen about 20 minutes before flag off and were quite in the front. It’s cloudy but there’s no rain. The emcee is so funny ah, informing us there’s a cut off time of 4 hours. And he hopes that no one will run till 2018, that would means running an entire year ? It’s nice to see many Singapore runners and they said I’m brave to travel alone for race ? But I’m keeping Willis informed of my location and the the car plates no. of the Grab drivers eh ?
The balloons for the pacers were so big and chio but about an hour into the run, I saw the balloons of all of the pacers of one of the timing group flying very low already ? Flag off was punctual. When I ran past the timing strips, the volunteer was recording down my bib number and reporting my bib number into the walky talky and I was like LOL, it’s never my chance for getting podium ? And after 12km I slowed down because my right foot feels weird, this time it’s the right ankle different part, something new? ? I just pray silently to po bi that no more new injury or strain as it’s a marathon 3 weeks away. And then from a few drops of rain becomes drizzling and it just gets heavier ? It’s hardcore to run in the rain, if it’s raining I don’t run usually I don’t like, my eyes cannot open, eyes pain eh ? But it’s a running event so just keep running lo. I was wondering will the run be cancelled? The rain not small eh, my clothes all wet, my shoes and socks all wet, my hands all wrinkled. I tried to put my focus on landing of my foot, as according to the ultrasound the doctor says it might be the pounding that is unbalanced that caused the strain and pain. Most of the route is running on the highway, which means many upslopes ? But there’s not much cars as it’s quite a new area. Its raining and I have to run upslopes and I was like thinking what a way to end my 2017 ? At the final few km, a kind female runner ran passed me and asked if I need any spray, then I thought am I really looking so jialat like I need something to ease my legs? ? I feel like walking but the run’s slogan remind me to keep going. Run with no regret so I try to minimize the walking. And finally I endured to the finishing line and I was given this “21km finisher” tag. I didn’t think much as I thought maybe it’s a tag to collect the finisher entitlements further up front till when I pass it to the volunteer and she told me to keep it. Ok, so it’s a souvenir. Till I met some familiar runners from Singapore then they told me it’s potential winner tag. Sure bo? It’s printed “21km finisher” and not “potential winner” eh ? So after checking with a volunteer it’s confirmed that I’m one of the top 15 Women’s half marathon finisher! ? But only the top 10 got prizes and I was wondering should I stay or leave as it’s late already and I need to head back to Singapore. After changing into a fresh set of clothes and pack my stuff, I decided to stay and try my luck.
So I was the first name to be announced for my category and gotten the 10th position ? It’s sort of my first podium in races if I didn’t count the fun run that I participated by my work company or the trophy I gotten when I wasbin secondary school for getting 13th position at the school’s annual cross country at MacRitchie Reservoir ? What a nice way to end 2017! I was still cursing during the upslopes and grumbling about the rain at first ?
After collected my prize I quickly rush off and called for Grab to JB Sentral. It’s RM25 much cheaper than the RM37 when I want to travel there from JB Sentral. But I couldn’t get one, 20 minutes have passed and I thought hoseh liao, tio stranded liao? I went to approach a volunteer and he told me I could hop on the shuttle bus to bring me to another place where there’s higher possibility to get a Grab as this is a quite desserted area. The shuttle bus brought me to a Starbucks but I have no idea where am I but just try my luck again on Grab. Just shortly and within minutes I’ve gotten a Grab the rate was also RM25 and finally I returned to JB Sentral at 2018 around 00:15am. Luckily there’s still bus operating and there’s no queue at the immigration. My passport become “kiam chye” already ? As I’ve forgotten to zip my pouch and I carry it with me because it’s an important document which cannot be risk depositing with my baggage at the race site, it’s all wet now
Photo Credits: Annie Emmerson
Photo Credits: Livestrong
Photo Credits Currex Sole
Photo Credits: D-Magazine
Photo Credits: Consumer Reports
Run 7-Eleven (February 5). The race was held on the Skyway from Alabang to Buendia and back but the highlight was not the venue but the many freebies from sponsors given away at the finish line and race village – everything from snack items, ice cream, juices, coffee, soap and even condoms. It ended up like runners having a trip to the grocery instead of going to an event.
Clark Animo Run 8 (March 12). Two loops around the Clark Special Economic Zone organized by the De La Salle Alumni Association-Pampanga Chapter for their charity projects. This is the first of three marathons in Pampanga for the year.
Bataan Freedom Run (April 2). The hills of Mariveles, Bataan offered a different challenge for the race held in tribute to the brave Filipino and American soldiers of World War II. A good portion of the route was also the same as the infamous Death March thus making one appreciate more the sacrifice of the troops.
National Geographic Earth Day Run (April 23). Still recovering from the experience in Bataan, we still joined in support of the race’s advocacy of preserving and caring for the environment. This is one of the few runs with perfect attendance since 2011.
1st Siargao International Marathon (July 23). The beautiful and different scenery offered by the island made one forget to get tired while running to and from the Municipality of Del Carmen in a personal record time for the season. For sure, Siargao’s sporting calendar now has another event to look forward to aside from surfing and game fishing.
41st National MILO Marathon Metro Manila (July 30). One is not a bona fide runner unless one joins the MILO Marathon. The quest to qualify for the National Finals and be among the running elites continued and even joined a provincial race for the first time the following weekend in Angeles City.
Color Manila Clark Marathon (September 24). This is the first 42-kilometer race organized by Color Manila and held at Clark. Luckily, all the marathon participants were spared getting dusted by colored powders along the route and at the finish line.
Runrio Philippine Marathon (October 1). A fitting ending to the rebooted Runrio Trilogy that included races held in June (21 kilometers) and August (32 kilometers). The magic of completing all three interlocking medals continues to lure participants.
Clark Sunset Marathon (December 9). The difference here is that the race fired off at 5:00 PM. The cool weather, fresh air and absence of traffic contributed may be the sign to hold more races in the provinces.
Photo Credits: Abouttogetrealweird
