New Bug Really Run (NBRR)

The New Bug Really Run (NBRR) was mooted at least a month ago, when we thought it would be a good idea to do a recce of part of the Army Half Marathon route, essentially the changed portion that runs along parts of Chinatown and Orchard Road. Obviously, Bug was the one tasked with the organizing and planning of the run...great stuff.

Route briefing before the run

The morning had a group of us meeting at Marina Square lobby to 'tumpang' bags. By 6.45am, Brokie, DO, Divey, Freddy, daisiki, tooty, Sotong, tekko, Ripley, doraemon, fennel, renohtaram, cosmic and many more had gathered and deposited their 'barang' into some of the cars parked. We proceeded to The Esplanade and I was pleasantly surprised to see a large group already there, with Bug taking control. It was one of the largest gathering we have had in some time, possibly 40-50 runners. Johnny and his PF team were there. Kops21 and Hee Sheng. Newcomers like babumouse and steerpike, were also raring to go. Great to have Teck Hou and some other guest runners join in too. The mega hunks, IMD, teelee, renoh all gathered, ready to provide some good escort and sweeping services to the many babes gathered. The 3 Freddys, Runalone, cfred and Freddy....finally gathered together...hehe. Bug gave a briefing of the route, and we set off towards the direction of the Marina Promenade at about 7.30am. I observed that many of the SgRunners are running a lot faster these days....miffy was already in the mid-pack, tooty looking as strong as ever, aichai very cool with his yellow shades....LKY and Freddy looked strong with their ninja training. We made a water stop at the second toilet to assemble the large group, and it was a good opportunity for all to get to know one another better.

A break at the second toilet along Marina Promenade

We then proceeded along Nicholl Highway, crossing the overhead bridge and proceeded into Middle Road. That was the part where tha main change of the AHM route will be. I spent some time at the back talking to IMD, teelee, cosmic about their recent Bintan Marathon experience. These hunks were happy to just relax and take it easy, especially teelee who just did a LSD the previous night. We caught up a bit with the front group of tekko, Ripley and a new PF gal. Spoke with her (aiya...didn't get her name lah) and found that she has just started running, and usually run alone. I was trying to convince her to do a race to get the motivation, at least a SCSM 10km...hmm, she will be hooked once she completes the race. At one point, the front groups were pretty far in front, and there was a large gap. Bug was running back to show the way. I ran forward to try to catch up with the rest, and by the havelock Road stretch, managed to catch Divey, Brokie, Miffy and gang. We ran along for a bit, before making a water stop at the Waterfront Plaza. It then started to drizzle, and we had good fun from that point, running in the rain. We were joined by Sotong, SV, tintin and a few others. The group of about 15 of us ran along Outram Road, South Bridge Road area...did some turns (there were lots of 90degree turns along this route which will make the run more difficult especially if it is in the final few km stretch) along small roads and soon reached The Parliament House area. We gathered for a bit to wait for the sweepers, before proceeding all the way to The Esplanade. The main group had already gathered in the shelter just next to Esplanade Food Street.

A satisfied bunch resting @ The Esplanade

It was about 9am, and TLR was not there yet to distribute the new SgRunner's gear. Since there was a good 30min to wait, a small group of us went for a 4.2km to/fro Marina Promenade. We did a reasonably quick pace, and turned back at the second toilet point. Some of the runners did fartleks, gallow-walks, speed plays to vary their runs...always nice to do a short, quick run after a LSD, to dispense remaining reserves which might be left in the system...hehe. We finished that 4.2km in about 20min+, and TLR had already distributed the running gear. The new running gear looked so 'chio'...all were happy. We took a short walk to Marina Square, and when crossing the road, I was surprised to see a familiar face...Ultraman...sifu of all sifus...:). He was there to meet us...so touched... and of course to collect his SgRunner's top too. Some of the runners had to leave earlier, but the main group went to Marina Sq. food court for makan and chi-chat. It was a big gathering. We were joined by RealRunner who went for his additional ninja distance...Seal also came for makan, after doing his own run. We talked about the upcoming Saturday's Animiles run....seemed like there will be a big bunch from SgRunners going for this too... all hooked to the 24km crispy morning run, I heard. Lots of nice Jim Fook kopi, milo peng (not the Superband winner ok), ribena downed with tahu goreng, poh-piah...one couple even had roti-kaya dipped in porridge...wah, very creative ways of makan-ing...haha. Suffice to say, it was another enjoyable run, makan, chit-chat session for SgRunners and kawans. I actually did not know how far we ran...possibly 13+4km... in about 2.5hrs... most important is that we have tried part of the AHM route, and even had the honour to 'chiong' some of the slopes :))

Photos courtesy of Kops21's camera :)