“It always seems impossible until it’s done” – SHAPE Singapore Instagram account (@shape_sg). This is so true especially for someone like me who has never attempted any run event more than 10 KM.

I know this blog entry and race review comes a bit late but I finally got down to penning it down. Attempting my first 21.1 KM could have been a daunting experience but thankfully there was a good training program which I could use as a guide, fantastic training buddies who motivated during my training runs and a super well-organised run event which made the entire 21.1 KM an experience something to remember and treasure. I signed up for the Income Eco Run 21.1 KM when registrations started end of last year and I have been preparing myself since then for this run event. Training for this event was not easy and you can read about my experience here.

This is my first time participating in the Income Eco Run and I got to say it was a really well-organised event and I’m glad my first 21.1 KM was done at this event. Income Eco Run was formerly known as NTUC Income Run 350. The event’s main focus is on environmental conservation and it aims to raise awareness for everyone to play their part in supporting the cause. This year they had 1,500 participants taking up the challenge as a ‘Zero Waste Runner’, where participants pledge to play their part to be eco-friendly. A ‘Zero Waste Runner’ entitlement would differ from a normal participant. I didn’t choose the ‘Zero Waste Runner’ option but I do applaud those who did.

[Difference in Normal & ‘Zero Waste’ Runner Entitlements]

Interesting Facebook Page

Communication to participants is very important for run events. What the organisers did well for the Income Eco Run was that they communicated event news through their Facebook Page and Website very promptly. I liked that they had tips on training and motivational quotes posted on those channels plus they were very responsive to queries.

Fun Training Run Sessions

Income Eco Run had also organised two training run sessions which I thought was a good idea where participants get to learn and train with the experts such as Mok Ying Ren and Jenny Huang. I would have loved to attend those sessions but I was not available on those days. Still I saw photos of the training runs which looked fun and informative.

Fun Activities at REPC & Interesting Farmers Market

The Race Entry Pack Collection (REPC) was held at the F1 Pit Building, Level 2 in a nice air-conditioned area where participants could collect their race packs and enjoy browsing the Farmers’ Market in cool comfort. The collection of the race packs was done very fast and efficiently and that gave my friend, Cheng Yee and I ample time to check out and explore what the Farmer’s Market had to offer. There were lots to check out at the Farmers Market like fresh produce, organic foods and eco-friendly items from a variety of sustainable businesses. In addition, sports gears such as New Balance shoes, Garmin watches etc. were also available. This was the only REPC this year that I had a chance to walk around to see what was on sale. I bought a pair of 1000 Miles socks for race day and was also tempted to buy a vegetable/fruit detergent but didn’t succumb.

What was also interesting was the organisers had set up a medal recycling booth for participants to recycle their old unwanted medals. Recycling of medals helps with the reduction of waste. Income Eco Run is one of the few run events to have this campaign.

There were also fun games going on – we participated in Orange Health Surfboard challenge. The challenge was to choose from a range of easy to hard yoga poses and hold it for 3 seconds on the surfboard to get a small gift.

[Orange Health Surfboard Challenge]

 There was also this huge “ECO RUN” standee a fantastic photo opportunity! The standee had all the 2017 participants’ names on it. It was a bit of a challenge to find our names but eventually, we found it.

 [Above Photo:”ECO RUN” Standee – Found our names]

The race pack was a very nice recycle bag which came with goodies from sponsors and the New Balance race tee.

  [Above Photo:2017 race pack]

Race Day Nerves

Race day finally arrived! On normal days waking up at 02:50hrs would be impossible but I guess when you got butterflies in your stomach, waking up was easy. We took a taxi to the race site and upon arrival, we could see many participants already warming up. Bag deposit was fast and volunteers were chirpy! Always nice to start the day with smiles! Next on the list was to find the portable toilets, though there were many portable toilets, queues were still long but fast moving.

[Pre-race photos before heading into the START Pen]

After some pre-race photo taking, we headed straight for the START pen. Though we were early, we managed to only get into the 2^nd wave START pen. I was starting to freak out a bit while waiting for flag-off. Nerves kicked in as the reality of my first 21.1 KM run was just about to start. My friends, Cheng Yee and Terence assured me by reminding me that I shouldn’t be pressuring myself and that I should enjoy the journey of my first half marathon. Thankfully there were only 2 waves for flag-off and we started 7 minutes after the 1^st wave.

[START Pen excitement]

The weather was really cooling and I had a full 2 hours before the sun would rise. The route of the 21.1 KM was a pretty enjoyable one except for the slight bottleneck at the 3 KM mark and the dreaded Crawford Street Tunnels at the 4 KM mark. I really enjoyed running this route as there were parts of this route that I have rarely run past before. I told myself to go slowly and keep constant so that I would not overtire myself.

[Race Route – 21.1KM]

Hydration stations were well spread out throughout the entire route and that really helped. Drinks were chilled and well stocked. What I liked about this run event was that the organisers had set up a separate corner for the Zero Waste Runners to refill their bottles. This could be the future of ‘green’ races where we can see lesser wastage at the hydration stations.

Soon the distance markers started to countdown to the final 5 KM. This was where the dreadful fatigue and muscle aches began to set in.  I still had about 40 minutes more before I can say hello to the FINISH line. I decided to stop a while and do some simple stretches to relief the muscle tightness around my calf area. Those stretches helped and I was good to carry on! My main motivation now was just to cross the FINISH line, I did a slow jog and continued to push till I saw the FINISH line arch. I completed the race in 2hr 39mins! It was an awesome feeling to know that I completed my first ever half marathon! All I could think was to find my friends and celebrate the completion of this milestone of mine!

Post Race Happiness

There were no queues when collecting the race medal and finisher tee. Together with those Finisher Entitlements, a can of 100 Plus and banana were given to all participants as part of the finisher goodies. Once collected, I went to find my friends. I managed to locate them and we started congratulating each other on a job well done for finishing the race! It was a nice feeling to celebrate with friends!

Though there were a lot of post race activities going on at the race village, such as a cool down session from the pacers at Running Department, photo booths, games, sports massages etc. but I didn’t go join in those activities as I was already tired from the race itself.

While walking out from the race village, I noticed that the organisers had put in place some eco-friendly bins all around the race village that encouraged participants to recycle. It is an awesome initiative and a step in the right direction for future green races.

When it was time to leave, we collected our bags from the bag deposit. This is the first event this year that had no issues with queues at baggage collection!

I’m really glad that I chose to do my first 21.1 KM at the Income Eco Run! Official results were released 2 days after the race! It is one of those rare occasions that I could not fault the organisers on anything. Kudos to Imagine+, Esprimo and JustRunLah, you guys did AWESOME. Big thanks to Running shots for the amazing photos!

To sum up, for my first half marathon experience, let me end off with a quote which I started this write-up with “It always seems impossible until it’s done”. I’d never imagine myself completing a 21.1 KM race but I did! I survived!! It was an amazing experience which pushed me out of my comfort zone and tested my limits.  Would I participate in another half marathon? That we will have to wait and see 🙂 Till my next write-up, run happy and stay healthy!

“What’s one word to describe KOKK?”, I was asked upon arriving at the finish line.

“EVIL”. Just pure evil.

“It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.”
But injuries are not to be taken lightly,
You just have to run wisely,
As long as you arrive safely.

I registered for the 3^rd edition of King of Kampung Kemensah (KOKK) right after last year’s attempt of King of Sungai Lembing (KOSL), wanting to try out all Team Pacat’s ‘King series’.

‘Try out’. Yeah, sure, why not? Or so it seems.

Fresh from Route 68 84km road run,
Treatment and rehab have yet begun.
But training has to be done,
The KOKK trails are to be going to be ‘fun’.

Thing is, I didn’t know how ‘evil’ the terrains of KOKK was going to be, not reading any reviews or heed to any calls of tale-tellings; just keeping in mind on the info given by the organizer, making sure all the necessary gears are in order and be mindful about the safety concerns, and some soundly reminders from my support crew.

And then, race day arrived.
I was reminded to put all the nerves aside.
‘Just run the way we trained’, I was advised.
‘And make sure you survived’.

We the 50km-ers were let go into the wild at 6.30am. With heavy rains and thunderstorms days earlier, ‘expect the unexpected’, we were told.

I might have only just ran a few ultra trail events, but KOKK was nothing like I’ve ever done before.

We needed to crawl up steep hills which were killers,
As we crossed a few (strong, deep) rivers.
Sharp, thorn-filled branches gave me the jitters,
And just had to succumb to them blood-sucking snappers!

With strict cut-off time at the U-turn, trails that seemed to lead to nowhere, never-ending hills, legs that seem to waddle in deep mud, body that feels like a tonne – if I’d listen to the head telling me to stop and give up, instead of the heart whispering hope is always alive and just keep on at it – I’d never finish anything or get what I want.

Seeing the determination on the runners,
I marveled at their wonders.
Aided by the cheers of the volunteers,
Lessened all my quivers.

You can achieve anything, when you get the best kind of support. Even when your mind played tricks on you and dampened the believe you have in yourself.

In the end, I got to the finish line.
All I wanted to do was to again see the dearest one of mine.
My heart is filled with love and shine,
I was the first runner-up, as the Al-Mighty defined.

Thank you to Team Pacat and the awesome volunteers and marshals, the sponsors, the support crew, and the fellow-minded runners.

You guys, did great!

Post-race discoveries:

• lost a toe nail (again, and it just grew after last year’s KOSL, where I got 5th place);
• pacat (leeches) bite marks – how very aptly-named organiser;
• deep skin cuts open thanks to some sharp bamboo;
• some scars right below the eye, being poked by protruding branches;
• sore ass, sore legs, sore feet, sore arms;
• and now feeling like the whole body is crushed by a truck.

But was it worth it? Heck yeah!

The concept of Run Free Run is interesting. It’s a free run by No Frills, anyone can register for the run for free at no cost at all and get a free bib to participate in the run. However, we can also make purchases for the add ons such as buy the race bib with timing chip, medal, race singlet or t-shirt and even baggage deposit or can just simply buy the whole package. Luckily never have the option to buy water on the day ? There is two distance category, the 5km and 10km. And I registered for the 10km and paid for the bib with timing chip, medal and also the baggage deposit. Tell myself that I have too much singlets and tees from all the previous running events already and should not buy what I don’t need.

REPC is at Velocity @ Novena. It’s quite chaotic on that day but though there’s no queue for the REPC but the collection process is very slow. Willis and I stood at the counter like 15minutes while we waited to collect the bibs as they couldn’t find our bibs at first. And guess it’s quite in a mess as I asked the volunteer basic FAQs such as how do I collect my medal, is there anything different on the bib to show I have paid for medal or how do I show that I paid for baggage deposit? All these queations that I asked, the volunteer have to ask someone else to reply me ? I was secretly praying it won’t be a mess during race day because I was actually looking forward to run under 1 hour as recently for my full marathon and half marathons I reached 10km at 58mins but I have never officially run a 10km run under 1 hour.

It turns out to be quite an event with 6000 runners and about 20% of the runners actually paid for the package while other runners just turn up because of the free bibs. It’s nice because this is actually also encouraging and introducing people to the running events or start picking up running.

Was quite looking forward to the run and aiming to get a PB that I even messaged them in Facebook to ask whether is there any priority or different pen for runners who paid for the timing chip but they didn’t reply me ? But the worst things actually happened before the run, Willis and I fall sick and this reminded me that why so serious? I’m not an Olympian or full time runner and I should just run happy ?

Few days before the run Willis and I even thought that we can’t even run any of the runs for the weekend anymore ? We thought no Music Run, no Star Wars Run and no Run Free Run for both of us as we gotten ill ? It’s flu and cough for both of us since Tuesday and I was even given MC by the doctor to be excused from work on Thursday and Friday. Willis and I agreed that if we are still unwell on Saturday and Sunday, we shouldn’t go or at most we could walk for all the runs or run whatever we can. Luckily we were alright on Saturday and able to complete Music Run and Star Wars Run.

But for that for Run Free run we are already so drained. Still recovering from our illness and running 15km the previous day is too much for us already so we just go easy and walk when we need to. We reached the event site at Gardens by the Bay East just 10 minutes before 7am and went directly to the Baggage Deposit. And I queued 15 minutes just to deposit by bag ? It’s super slow and there is only two person helping at the Baggage Deposit ? And they didn’t checked any confirmation code or slip that have I paid or not but just see my black colour bib and they just let me deposit my bag but what I can say is not all black bibs runners bought the whole package or bought the baggage deposit right? The white colour bibs are free bibs where runners don’t pay a single cent for the bibs and the gold colour bibs are the 5km runners. But my suggestion is that they should really segregate the runners into people who paid for the bib and give them the privilege to run first as to be fair to those who paid.

(Photo credits: David Tan – Mythos Photography)

The air is very still and it’s so humid. Flag off is on time and the route starts from Gardens by the Bay East running towards Marina Barrage to Bayfront Event Space and back. The distance is about 500m shorter than 10km but it’s an enjoyable walk and run as it is not crowded like the previous night’s Star Wars Run. Along the route there is hydration points offering water and Pocari Sweat. The Pocari Sweat that I took are all super chilled. Thumbs up to Pocari Sweat as always! Drinks that are super chilled as if they can be frozen soon are really really super nice to drink! ?

After finishing the run, we took the super chilled bottle of Pocari Sweat then we queued for the medals and its the longest queue ever I have queued in any run to collect finisher medal. The queue a little more than 5 minutes. There is no difference between the medal for the 5km or 10km. Really is up to the integrity of the runners already whether they paid for the medals or not as they didn’t check whether you have paid for medals as they assume that black colour bibs are runners who paid and they didn’t check for any confirmation proves.

At the race village, there are hot babes by the cars just like those you see in a car show. And they have their merchandise on sale at the event site. I thought that the running singlet actually looks quite nice and tempted to buy at first but seems like their merchandise is selling like hot cakes with quite a queue at the payment counters so I changed my mind and stick the the thought: Don’t buy what you don’t need. Good thing is that this time there is no queue for us to collect our baggage.

When Willis and I wasn’t a couple, so not coincidently we did not signed up for the same runs. I had registered for Music Run whereas Willis registered for the Star Wars Run. After we get together, Willis knows that I had registered for Music Run, he didn’t say anything more and registered for Music Run straight away to go with me when both runs falls on the same day just a few hours apart. That’s so sweet right? ?

I decided to join him at Star Wars Run too. The flag off for Music Run is at 5pm and it’s a 5km fun run and Star Wars Run flag off is at 7pm and there is still ample time for us to travel from Sentosa to Bayfront event space after the 5km run. At first I thought I can just accompany Willis to go to the Star Wars run as his number one supporter to cheer for him, get a Starbucks drink or what and chill at the finishing line to wait for him to complete his run but since I will be there too, I might as well run right? ?

Its a real tiring weekend for the both of us as we have 3 races within 24 hours! Crazy us and these fun runs are not cheap! We have the Music Run and Star Wars run on the same day and the next morning we have Run free run! At first, I had no plans at all to run Star Wars Run as I had already registered for Music Run which happens to fall on the same day as Star Wars run and the flag offs are just a few hours apart. What’s more is that the registration fee for both runs is quite expensive and I am not really a fan of Star Wars nor I can remember any of it’s movies and I had actually know more of Star Wars from Big Bang Theory as those guys in the show are huge fans of Star Wars. Even though all my closest running friends are not going but since Willis is going, I just go with him and at the same time clock some mileage for my upcoming Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon which I will be running 42.195km. Running and dating is just great things that running couples can do together ya? ?

[Music Run]
And I will always be reminded that my 2016 Music Run medal material is not good, the medal is already rusty ? Since 2014 I’ve collected more than 50 medals and it’s the only medal that rust ? But thankfully they did some consideration for the medal design this year just hope that the material is good and lasting this time. It’s a 5km fun run with super nice music along the way and end of the run at the event site there will be a music party which means music and dance! Too bad I have Star Wars Run to run after that so I didn’t stay and enjoy. I registered for the super early bird think the price is $60 or something. These fun runs are really expensive, it’s equivalent to paying about $10 for every km! ?

It’s Facebook page is very updated and inform of all the relevant information such as REPC location, keep the runners interacting such as we are able to vote for the songs that we want to listen in the running route.

REPC is at Capitol Piazza and there is no queue at all. It’s at location very difficult to find as it’s in one small corner of the basement and we took quite a while to find it. There is this free redeemable pair of chio socks worth $10 and if you have Apple phone and download the Music Run App as the first 500 person who redeem on that day. Awwwww! Didn’t bring my Apple phone on that day. The app allows the runners who download it to take photos and videos with 3D pop-ups and special effects on event day by scanning away at the designated AIA AR signs. Seems interesting don’t know IT noob like me will try or not. Bought a “couple sunglass” at one small table selling the Music Run merchandise at the REPC with Willis. Sun should be out to burn at flag off plus I also want to look a bit swag that day ?

On the event day, we get free entry into Sentosa Island with the wristband. That wristband is quite special, we can load money into it and buy things on the event day using it. But I find it troublesome, I rather use cash lah ?

Willis and I reached quite early as I went directly to Sentosa after half day work. We took the free the tram ride in and went to the Malaysian Food Street for lunch first before strolling slowly to to the start point. Race village was suppose to be open for entry at 3.30pm but it only opened at 3.35pm. More than 5 minutes is a lot especially under the hot sun! Take the attempt to break the record of Sub 2 marathon as an example, even 25 seconds is a lot, 5 minutes is really a long time.

We chilled around first while we waited for flag off. Getting thirsty and no free drinks and the race village so we top up $5 into the wristband, the minimum amount to top up to buy a $2 GongCha and after the run we get another GongCha at $3. They have a few selections of drinks for the $2 and $3 menus and readily prepared still chilled so we do not need to wait long for the drinks.

Flag off isn’t really on time like a 5 minutes delay. The display along the route and at the village are all very familiar as I recognise that it is the same as last year’s run and think they reused and go Eco and Green this year. Save cost too ? But I really enjoyed the songs along the way while running. There is different zones such as Rock, Hip Hop, Dance, Pop and Old School. And my favourite part of the run is Old School as the cosplayers there were so cute! ?

My Garmin shows that the run is only 4.44km. The route is the same as last year’s Music Run route but just a reverse in the direction of the run. Along the route there is only 1 water point and they serve water and isotonic drink but all the drinks is not chilled at all ? It will be awesome if they had serve chilled water especially the weather is so hot and flag off is at 5pm.

The medal this year is so so much more nicer than last year. The lanyard for the medal is also much more pretty than a very simple and plain green design last year. After the run we took Grab to Bayfront Event Space for Star Wars Run.

[Star Wars Run]

I missed out the REPC but from all my Facebook and Instagram newsfeed I can see that its really fun at the REPC. There’s many cosplayers around for nice photos and the REPC seems smooth. Theres the dark side and the light side to register and each side have different race pack and the medals design given for both the 4.5km and 10km category finishers is different too! Though I’m not a Star Wars fan but I’ve even thought of signing up both 10km and the 4.5km so that after the 10k flag off at 7pm, we can still run the 4.5km which flags off at 8pm. But the registration fee is too expensive already, if cheap cheap I really don’t mind.

We alighted at Bayfront Event Space but to my horror, baggage deposit is in Gardens by the bay and we walk there immediately which is 10 minutes walk away ? But luckily baggage deposit is fast and have no queues at all. We were already quite late and didn’t manage to get into the first wave. We were entering the start pen but didn’t know the rationale to the dark side and the light side since the route for running is the same for the 10km and saw many love birds being separated and holding hands while being barricade at the different sides ? Though for the dark side and light side is running different route for the 4.5km. I’m sure many people also go as a group of friends or as couples and registered for different sides but of course we would want to run together right? ?

Everyone around is in a fun and happy mood but there is too many people! And I’m sure many runners enjoy the beautiful fireworks before flag off! ? It’s really beautiful! Theres the first fireworks which last about 1 minute and the second fireworks is interesting, it just “pop” on the dot of ten counts to flag the runners off.

Theres a total of 15000 runners running either 10km or the 4.5km category. But my 10km in the second wave is really squeezy. Too many runners already and I can’t really run as I’m always blocked by walkers. The path is huge at some parts but maybe it should be like the logic of driving? Keep left for the slowest and be at the most right if you are going fast. That will really be great ? The path is wide but I’m really running in zig zag that I wonder is the route really longer or is the running in zig zag that causes the extra mileage on my Garmin as my Garmin shows 10.5km ? It’s weekend so the general public were also out to enjoy their weekends too so it is really pretty congested.

Usually I don’t like to drink coconut drink but I really like the coconut drink at the hydration points. Maybe because it’s really very iced cold. Which makes it very nice to drink. I’ve drink before the same coconut drink given out before in one of the runs when it’s not cold I find it hard to even take a few sips ?

The flag off is at Bayfront Event Space running towards Gardens by the Bay East and lastly ends in the Meadows at Gardens by the Bay. Which is something new, first time participated in a run ending inside Gardens by the Bay. Nothing much to say about the usual route anymore but there is many cosplayers along the routes to take photos with and it seems like many of them are runners themselves who cosplayed for the runs as they have running bibs! ?

The medals is really cool and and nicely designed. The race village in the Meadows at Gardens by the Bay is really awesome. Nice atmospheres and many photo spots with instant prints for us to keep as mementos ?

There’s also a large screen and it’s airing the Star Wars movie. I saw booths for face paintings, booths that gives out free Vitagens and yogurt. We didn’t really walk around much at the race village as we have Run free run the next day so we head back shortly. Overall I enjoyed myself at the race village though not really the run because it is really congested and couldn’t really run.