The Tri-factor Run 2015 was held on 26 July 2015 and I had registered for the 24km category.  But as the days drew nearer, I was having second thoughts as I had not been training consistently and the longest run I had was 15 km.  But upon collecting the race pack, I made up my mind to just go for it and enjoy the run, also to take it as a practice run for the 2XU Run on 2 August 2015. And yes, it is another half marathon.  It was not planned to be this way, having two long distance runs back to back within two consecutive weeks, but never mind.

The day came, and I jumped out of bed at 3am.  Took a quick breakfast, put on my running gear and off I went in my car to the venue.  I had wanted to park at the Indoor Stadium car park, but unfortunately, when I reached the vicinity, I realized the usual entrances to Sports Hub were blocked as there was another concurrent Shape Run on the same day! I had to take a huge detour and ended up parking near Kallang MRT, and took almost 30 minutes on foot to make my way to the starting point at Gardens by the Bay East, reaching at 5.15am.  Phew….

Took a quick toilet break and there was the announcement to start the race.  We were flagged off at about 5.40am.  The first couple of kilometers, the paths were pretty narrow, but as the crowd thinned out, it was not an issue.  It was rather a humid day and I was sweating profusely. The race was uneventful and eventually I crossed the Marina Barrage Bridge.  From there, I increased my pace as it was breezy and conducive to run.  But the thought of looping twice here was bugging me. Hah….So all the way I ran to Marina Bay Sands, did a U-turn and made my way to the Marina Barrage Bridge again to get back to Gardens by the Bay East for another U-turn.  As I crossed the Marina Barrage Bridge for the 2^nd time, I saw the front runners (damn fast, my goodness!) that had already completed the U-turn at Gardens By the Bay East, and now racing on the Marina Barrage Bridge for the 3^rd time (opposite direction to me).  I think my pace slowed down significantly at the thought of coming by the bridge again.  Ha ha.  I think doing U-turns in a long distance run really test one’s mental resilience.  I shall not bore you with the loop back to Gardens by The Bay East.

By the time I completed the U-turn there and was back at the Marina Barrage Bridge for the 3^rd time, the sun was already up and getting warmer by every minute (or is it me only?).  By the time I did the 2^nd U-turn at Marina Bay Sands, I had slowed down to a trot after the water point station there.  The sun’s heat was getting to me.  My mind was wavering.  Started to walk for a couple of hundred of metres and felt lonely as there were not many runners around me.  Aiyah…dragged myself and starting a slow jog and eventually reached the Marina Barrage Bridge for the 4^th time. Thank goodness, it’s the last time as this was the last loop. Phew!  After crossing the bridge, probably after a couple kilometers, I was distracted by a family of otters that made a sudden dash from the vegetation to the waters.  A number of runners stopped by to take photographs as well.  And yes, I stopped as well and could only walk after that.

When I looked at my watch, made a mental calculation and realized that I could possibly make it less than 3 hours (it was my target anyway) if I sprint for the final kilometer, I psyched myself, took a few deep breaths and started to run.  My legs felt numb but I just went on and very soon the finishing point appeared on my right.  Made a final dash though the gantry when I saw the timing board ticking at 2:59:11.  This was like driving past an ERP gantry quickly when you realized that 7.30am is a few seconds away and you will get charged a dollar if the lights came on… ha ha ha….. And yes I made it!  Collected my medal, but there was no more cold cans of isotonic drinks.  Look around to collect my finisher tee, but there were no one handing out and I was too tired to look around for any booths that could be doing so.  So I went over to the water station and gulped down almost 10 cups of cold isotonic drinks.  Saw a fellow runner standing by, so asked him to help take a post-race photo for me.  As I was too tired to hang around and the sun was burning hot and bright, I took a slow painful walk to my car which was half an hour away by foot.  When I reached my car, then I realised that I had forgotten to collect my finisher tee.  Wah……..I am so not going to walk back again.  Too bad for me!   What a waste…..

Overall, the race path was relatively flat and the water stations were well spaced out and well stocked with enough water.  The only thing was the number of u-turns that I had to make. It was a test on mental strength. Anyway, need to rest well as next week’s 2XU Run is beckoning.

I Got A Personal Best!

With an official gun time of 54 min 03 sec (nett time of 53 min 43 sec) at my first Shape Run! This fulfills one of my running goals that I had created for at the start of the year (link). I am so excited that I managed to fulfill this goal which I actually think that I may not complete this year.

There are a few reasons that contributed to how I am able to go faster and finish stronger in this race. One, I finally incorporated more strength training to my lower body and abs. With more strength, I believe that it helped me to push stronger and further. Two, I went back to my favourite brand of shoe, Adidas. Even though the last Adidas shoes I had was about 2 years ago and they have changed alot, but the fit of the shoes feel like the one that I used to love. Luckily, I did picked up a Adidas Boost Response a few months ago and deemed that to be my racing shoe. I feel so light in it. Third and last, I have many friends who went into the race together which gives me loads of motivation and mental strength. Thanks ladies!

The Race

When we reach the starting pen, fitness instructors from True Fitness were doing warmups as me and my friends squeeze through the crowd to get a good spot just behind the 1hr pacers.

The race then started their flag-off at about 6.50am as I accelerated past the 1hr pacers and then to get into a comfortable speed. First 5 km was a quite a breeze to me. I could probably go faster in the next race. Then after, I started to try chasing after another lady who is ahead of me. I manage to get very close to her but I lost her after the 8 km mark where I started to feel fatigue after the 2 slopes. Also, all the turning around the sports hub area seems to be quite taxing on the mind as well. Nevertheless, I had a strong finish to the race.

The Shape Run is very well organized with 3 water points and no bottleneck whatsoever.  The route is a rather easy and flat terrain with two small slopes at the later half of the race. They have many volunteers who are well-informed and enthusiastic to guide us runners to the finish point.

Congratulations to Shape Magazine for organizing 10 years of Shape Run.

Next up for me: 2XU Compression Run 2015!

-runforfun.justrunlah-

Videos from youtube.com/JustRunLah

Shape Run is Singapore’s first all-women’s run and this year they have new race categories such as 15km and family fun run to allow more people to join in the fun! I have been looking forward to race day as the race collection was superb; smooth queuing system and plentiful goodies in the race pack. Also, its finally my chance to see how I have progressed for a 10km since my last race back in 2013…

Pre-race

(Video by JustRunLah!)

It was around 6 am when I reached the Kallang practice tracks and there were already music, bright lights and masses of fit and fun ladies around all eagerly waiting for their flag-off timings. The road marshals and race event volunteers seemed to be all busy getting ready for the races and were friendly in directing incoming participants. Mobile toilets, food and beverages were given free at the sponsors booths and many ladies are already warming up along the tracks. The starting point is located away from the tracks and it seems like supporters of race participants do not really have access to areas near the starting pen. Most of the supporters stood across the overhead bridge to show their support, which was a heartwarming sight.

In the race pen, we were led by fitness instructors for warming exercises and the atmosphere was great! The race was flagged off smoothly and on time at about 6:50am.

Race Experience

I was quite lucky to be in the first quarter portion of the running crowd, just before the 1:00h pacers and the roads were absolutely clear, litter-free and the cooling morning was perfect for the race. There were several U-turns in the 10km route and distance markers were clearly placed every km. I did not experience any bottlenecks because the roads were relatively wide and race volunteers could be seen at almost every km, all enthusiastically cheering us on.

Too bad my phone decided to sleep and my unofficial timing was not captured. Along the race, I was pacing with some other ladies and it was a good run because I only stopped once for a water break. One regret I had was accelerating at the 8km mark; I sprinted up the slope as I thought it was an opportunity to move up the ranks and I did manage to overtake a few participants.

However, after the overhead bridge, I saw the 8km mark once more and realised that the remaining distance was longer than I thought. But in any case, Iopened my strides as big as I could with all my might towards the last stretch at the tracks and felt like a champ 🙂 And once again, another regret was not to look up at the huge digital timer on my right for an estimated timing because I was simply too engrossed in finishing my best. I did hear the emcee saying that it was under one hour or something…

Oh wells, I guess I just have to leave it to the official release of results on Tuesday! All in all, I was satisfied of myself for not giving up and giving my all towards the end 🙂

(Video by JustRunLah!)

Post-Race

The amount of goodies and sponsors spotted at the Shape Run carnival came in many forms apart from the finisher’s medal and singlet – from free towels, bread, box of cereals, facial masks, polaroids and many other stage activities that made participants continue being active even after the race!

I felt that this race was very well-organised, logistics and manpower were sufficient and definitely a success. What a way to celebrate Shape Run’s 10th anniversary with a successful race event!

It’s relay season in Singapore and after the appetizer served up by The Great Relay, this weekend was the main course, the Mizuno Ekiden Singapore.

Ekiden is how Road Relays are run in Japan. They are massive spectator events. The New Year Hakone Ekiden is the largest sporting event on Japanese Television, the streets are lined with spectators for every stage – and the fastest times in Japanese Road Racing are usually set at an Ekiden.

We’ve had a few Ekiden side shows at recent marathons in Singapore, but this was the first stand alone, dedicated Ekiden event. Main sponsor Mizuno is steeped in Ekiden credibility and the organisers did a great job in giving this event a uniquely Japanese feel.

So the Mount Sinai Striders selection committee went through the usual extensive selection process (ben – you in? Al – you in? jezza – you in? john – you in?) and the initial team was set. Entry was placed, plans were formed.

But then, as is becoming a feature of Striders team management at these events, the injuries came. Jezza is still sidelined with the stress fracture that caused him to miss The Great Relay, then Al injured himself AT The Great Relay. Two new Striders were required ASAP.

Stepping up again for his second Striders appearance was Ultra King Pav – fresh (!) from his 100km UltraTrail Lavaredo in the Dolomites a few weeks early – he’ll give it his all, but he’s not sure how quick he will be with a battered body.

Filling the final slot is new Strider Conor. A strava regular, Conor is a lifelong runner with some seriously quick times in his past, but a relative newbie to Singapore racing – so he’s not sure how he’ll cope with only his second 10km race in the city state.

Since I’m making all the excuses, I should add that Ben has mild tendonitis of the knee after his Macritchie Trail Marathon 6th place finish a few weeks ago – and I spent the whole of last week in the UK, arriving back in Singapore the night before the Ekiden, so I’m jetlagged and out of sync with the climate.

We have four committed runners and four great sets of excuses for any dodgy performance. Sorted!

We’re all 38-41 minute 10km runners so we’re thinking a sub 3 hour marathon is target number 1, a top ten finish is target number 2 and anything beyond that would be a real bonus.

The team assembles at 0630 at the meadow. Initial impression is that this is a super location for the race village and it’s been well laid out with loads of stalls, some nice seating and a very organised ekiden change over pen system. All good there.

We reshuffle the order slightly, as Pav’s taxi drops him off at Satay by the Bay, so he only arrives after Conor has gone off to the starting pen. These two have never met before, which would make a relay changeover a bit tricky, so Ben takes Runner 2, Pav goes 3 and I am given the honour of bringing us home as runner 4.

0710 comes and Conor’s off, we’re able to track his progress on the very sophisticated real time tracking system, either in the tent or on our phones. This is another real differentiator for the Ekiden, awesome detail and timing information, on all runners, real time.

Dear Race Organisers: If it can be done here, it can be done every time – we deserve much better from you guys!

Conor’s soon back in 46 mins and Ben heads out. Ben should be our quickest runner today, and his first few splits confirm that he’s running well. He comes back in 43 mins, so we are in good shape for the sub 3 at the half way point.

Pav’s out now and it’s warming up (both the race and the temperature!) I’m starting to process the fact that I’ve spent all week in cool london air and now i’m straight back into racing in the peak heat of the day. Alamak!

I enter the 4th runner pen in good time, where I meet Chee and Alan from F1, Jacek from MR25, Dominic and Dennis from Singapore Shufflers and a few others. These guys are in the teams that will later make up the top ten finishers, so I know I am in good company.

Soon enough Pav comes round the corner and I’m off. The route takes me into Marina Bay initially, over the bay to the floating platform, up to esplanade and over the new foobridge to the Merlion. It’s a lovely tourist route, but really I think it’s far too busy for a race like this. I’m ok until we hit the Merlion, where I have to barge my way through the tourists, without much useful assistance from the poor marshall who is struggling to make a pathway. I guess it was ok here for the 1st runner at 0730, but for the runners after around 0930, it wasn’t good at all.

Heading on round the bay the human traffic eases and I’m round the front of MBS and heading back down the bay in decent shape, although it’s very warm. At this point the shade vanishes and I’m slogging up to Satay by the Bay in full sun. I start to feel a little rough around the 5km point, then once I’ve crossed the Barage I get that ‘new runner in Singapore’ feeling where my head is ready to explode, it’s hot, sunny and there’s no wind here – I’ll have to slow slightly to avoid a complete blow up.

Luckily this is only 10k, and I’m 6k in, so I can just get my head down and grind it through. The rest of the race passes uncomfortably and soon enough I am in the finishing straight.

I’ve dropped a few minutes on target pace though, and my heart misses a beat when I turn the corner to see the finish line clock ticking past 3 : 11 . I know the clock would have started at 0700 when the 21.1k runners set off, which means it’s 3 : 01 for the full marathon. Fuck. 3 hours and 1 minute. Nightmare – and all my fault.

But the boys are all at the finish with broad smiles. First question from me to Ben ‘what’s our time’. Ben’s reply is the best thing I’ve heard all day ‘2:58’. Apparently there was a delay to the start of the 42.2, it went off at 7.12, not 7.10.

So we’ve done it. A sub 3 Ekiden marathon, our main goal for the day. This feels fantastic and I’ve now long forgotten the heat issues from a few minutes earlier.

We take a quick team photo and head over to the Kirin stand for a well deserved beer and the traditional race debrief.

In the final analysis we came 10th (which I think will end up as 9th, because Chee, 4th runner in the F1 Runners Team 2 took a wrong turn and skipped 500m accidentally, so they should have been behind us).

Conor and I feel pretty good about finishing Top 10 with two over 45’s in our team, we reckon none of the teams ahead has 50% old buggers, so that’s a moral victory for us veterans.

Pav ran the fastest striders leg of the day, edging out Ben by just a few seconds. It’s a great result all round and we’re all feeling great, sitting on the grass (a lovely lawn – possibly the nicest grass I have ever sat on in Singapore) enjoying the cold beer in the mid morning sun. Cracking.

Talking to friends at the event, everyone agreed it was a success. The format allows runners to socialize during the race in a way which is unusual for us – and we like it a lot.

I haven’t heard any grumbles from anyone I know, so really the only issue was the routing of the course around the merlion, which maybe is only a problem for the more competitive teams trying to max their times. I guess the counter point would be it was a great Singapore highlights route – so my alternative (racing optimised) route of heading straight over the barage and taking the new PCN out and back to ECP probably wouldn’t have been so appealing for many runners.

Another sociable day for me, catching up with the F1 Gang, the Shufflers, Chad from VGO, Purpledelic, Tony and Vivian and lots of other folk I know through races and social media.

Now I can let the jetlag catch up and laze around the house all day. I’ve always had ‘sub 3 marathon’ on a loose list of goals/aspirations, so even though this is a team result, I can sit and enjoy the moment!

In two weeks time the Striders will take on the ASICS City Relay, the last of the 2015 relay event and another Ekiden. ‘love it!

Some of you may have read my Sundown pre-race review, where I mentioned finally returning to some form of running post injury.  It was meant to be my first night race and I looked forward it.  No early wake up, plenty of caffeinating opportunities and no sun blaring down on us.

The event finally came and with the exception of a 20 minutes delayed flag-off for parents with children it was a fun race.  My daughter was in good form, hubby relaxed as usual and I was happy just to have my runners on and be amongst all the other participants.

Singapore is a beautiful city anytime but it is spectacular at night.  Any race that circles the Marina Bay area is a bonus.  I very much enjoyed running down The Shoppe boardwalk spiritually engaging with the diners who are watching the racing spectacle.

My running style was a cross between power walking to midfoot running to flatfoot hobbling to somewhere in between all of those.  My ligaments are stubborn and taking ages to heal but I’m still finding ways to race even if I’m anything but classy or stylish in my approach.

My daughter thoroughly enjoyed the experience, at times flying like a jet fighter (perhaps all the NDP practice fly-bys past our condo may have influenced her) and other times zig-zagging between runners like a F1 driver.  Her joy and happiness was infectious, providing John and I with an overall marvellous experience at this event.

Besides the overall fun we had, our highlight was at the end of the race, being able to sit down anywhere to rehydrate, listen to the live music and rest without the sun or the heat overwhelming us.

As night creatures, this event certainly hit all our buttons and I would be back again.  Hopefully in better form next time.

Cheers