I LOVE i-RUNNING With Team FatBird

Saucony Passion Run 2009

@ Start Of 15km Non-Competitive Race, courtesy Wee

Victory Smiles, courtesy Max

It was my first race for the year, and even then, I had signed up for the 15km non-competitive as I was in the mood for a fun race. DO and Bev could not join me for the run as they had some last minute commitments. When I reached F2 carpark at 6.30am, it was already full....had to park along the side of the road further up. Met Raven and Solomon near F2 toilet....I had the opportunity to do a light warm-up jog while chatting with Solomon.

When I went to the pen at 7.15am, the 10km runners were just about to be flagged off. Spotted the FatBirds and some other familiar faces in there....so I went in to join them after the 10km went off. We had the front view and Wee shouted at us for some photos...nice of him. Our run started at 7.35am....Spencer, babumouse, Charmane, Melvin and myself went ahead first, followed by Terry, Beng, Suan, Mashie, June. Melvin moved up and said we were running too fast for a non-competitive race, but he then went ahead after saying that....hahaha. I followed closely behind Spencer, babumouse, Melvin and another Indian boy.

Away we went - Mashie, Charmane, Melvin in sight

Felt footsteps closing in from behind...at the turn near Big Splash, I realized it was scoopsoup... haha. He was running with me closely for last year's passion run too :). By the 4km, we had hit the human jam....our pace then was about 4:40min/km. Scoopsoup went ahead to lead the way, and I followed closely behind him and Spencer....slack a bit lah. It was difficult weaving in and out, and running on grass and sand....but we just bore with it since we started off from the non-competive category.

By the 8km, Scoop and I ran ahead towards F2. There was some relief after that as the 10km took their home turn back. At the sailing club, I spotted Teck Hou doing his LSD, and he ran along for a bit. The sun was blazing down on us and my breathing grew rather heavy. Quite a number of friends and kakis were shouting words of encouragement, and I too gave them the thumbs up. The Indian boy fell back once we turned at NSRCC, and it was just 5km back. My pace had dropped to 4:45min/km by then....the hot sun certainly didn't help.

Many of the 15km and 10km runners in the earlier waves were walking by then, and we had to do a little bit more weaving. I moved ahead of Melvin (who was conserving for his Sundown next week) and also saw Amy doing very steady for her 10km. With 3km to go, I continued my weaving in and out, and pushed for the finish. When I realized there was some discrepancy from the 12km to 13km distance markers, I pulled back a little so as not to burn out. Finally reached F2 and certain it was just 1km to go, I made the final effort to finish strongly. I could see the white cap of scoopsoup in front, and I kept up the pace. Finished in 1hr09min with arms raised for hopefully, a nice photo.

Happy runners @ SgRunners' booth

After collecting my finisher's medal and goodie bag, I went around to meet many familiar faces and exchanged some experiences about the race. Went to SgRunners' booth to meet with the FatBirds and SgRunners. Lots of familiar faces, some of whom I have not seen for some time. It was great catching up, exchanging tips, and taking group photos. We then had a rip-roaring time cheering for the podium finishers, esp. Lai Chee who came in 1st for the Women's 15km, YN who finished a commendable 8th in her first 15km race, and Roonz who finished in 6th for the Women's 15km. Keonz was unlucky to have just missed out from the 10th position of the Men's 15km. Overall, a very good outing for Team FatBird runners, many i-RUNners as well as SgRunners. All of them received their prizes from SM Goh Chok Tong....priceless. Very nice experience despite the weather and crowd....well done, Passion Run race oragnizers.

Distance: 14.98km__Time: 1hr9min__Pace: 4:42min/km

Photos courtesy of Wee, IMD

Sundown Marathon 2009 - MyFIL in MyPaper

Source: MyPaper, 22 May 2009

My FIL completed his maiden 84km last year....I think he must have been the oldest finisher then. This year he will be just going for 42km, with Beverly pacing him :)

Breakfast....ermm Training Runs :)

Check out and sign up for the Nike breakfast runs to prepare ladies for the Shape Run '09.

SAFRA Tampines Location Run 2009

It was nice to join the SAFRA Tampines runners for the annual SAFRA Running Club location run on Sunday. A good time to meet with running kakis and friends from the various SAFRA RC locations (MF, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Yishun). I met David Shum and Dave Poh the first thing I arrived. Understood from Shum that he was real busy lately, and I wish him all the best, and that his challenges can be resolved with good solutions.

The scenic route brought us to the nice parks of Pasir Ris and Elias. It was my first experience running in Pasir Ris Park, and it sure was nice.....there were even ponies in a small farm along the way. We covered some parts of the Pasir Ris connector; took the opportunity to discuss about Sundown Support at the end of May. I was heartened to learn that Sean had dropped 10kg, and Chun had eased off by 5kg since joining the Team FatBird NightHawk marathon training. They seemed all ready to tackle the big race on May30, and had joined us for this recovery session at Tampines. irunalot, Min, Beng, Suan and a few other friends were there to soak in the atmosphere too.

I enjoyed the run thoroughly, catching up and chatting up with Wong, Julie, Teck Hou, Colleen, William, Eng Hwa, Ironman Chua, from the Mt. Faber clan; Helen, Sam, Divey, Rita, Robert, Shirlyn, Priscilla, Edmund and the Tampines group; Vincent and his team from Toa Payoh. Lots of Sng Paos (Sng Muay, Mango, Soursop flavours) and Endurox drinks served at the many rest points made it like a picnic on a easy Sunday morning.....nice! Edmund will be doing his first Sundown 42km...I wish him a good race. After the run, the customary breakfast servings of bee hoon completed the morning.

Terry and Spencer came down to visit, and we proceeded on to the nearby Bedok Food Centre for their famous Kway Chap....looked delicious....I was so thirsty I downed a iced milo and sugar cane juice, making my tummy all bloated....hehe. The next SAFRA RC location run will be back to my base at Mt. Faber, and I hope to be able to make an appointment for that...till then :)

Team FatBird Running Top 2009 is HERE!

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Night Hawk #10 - Blink Blink Scenes

The Playground @ Big Splash in ECP came alive with 80 Team FatBird (TFB) runners assembled to do the 10th session of the Operation NightHawk training for Sundown. Many were new runners who have heard about the training recently from various sources, and have gone down to put in their final conditioning training for the big race on May30.

Full Report HERE>

MR25 (20km) Progressive Run 2009

The rains came crashing down all over the island at 2am+, waking me, and causing me to think about the shoes I needed to change for the muddy 20km MR25 Progressive Run this morning. The turnout wasn't as good as normal, likely due to weather, as well as the recent change of route to the Progressive Run.

Colleen, Buakaw/Jason, DO, HeeShen, myself and the regulars were ready to try out the new 20km route, which essentially was the 10.5km loop times 2, in reverse order. Met tnancy, K2Oz, William who were there to do their leisure run. Many of the regulars like Ultraman, TLR, brokie, Bug, stardust, kk, Cheow12, etc were not around. Some chats revolving about FatBird members ensued, before Mark Dyson called the run to a start at 7am.

The initial 3.8km along Northern Route was relatively fast, and I decided to drop pace for a bit to allow the speedsters to go ahead. Buakaw ran with me for a while, before dropping back and following. Neo came up midway, and in usual fashion, overtook me at the 2km mark. With a 20km LSD done yesterday at ECP, I was in no mood for too fast a pace this morning. I was feeling ok when I exited along Northern Route, and into Pump House, then Sime Trail. The Structured TriaX served me well, and was good support for that nasty stretch of rocky trail.

By the time I reached Jelutong Tower, I was pretty much alone, save for 1-2 others whom I had overtaken. Hitting Lornie Road, I felt good, and went at steady 5:35min/km pace back to zig-zag bridge for a 52min first 10km. RealRunner and wifey were there on hand to marshal us, and Christine (I think thats her name?) was found along Lornie Trail cheering...hehe. DO had told me earlier he was going to do just one round as his leg was slightly tight. Another F1 runner decided to turn back too, as he was not feeling in form.

So it was me alone for most of the 2nd 10km loop, this time in reverse. The water boys were in full force, but alas, no isotonic drinks. Fortunately I brought a small bottle of Gatorade mix, and that kept me going for most of the way. By the 15km mark, I was feeling weak, and pretty drained by all the ups/downs along the rocky and muddy trails. I slowed down slightly, and by the Ranger Station, I had recovered sufficiently to catch up with Neo and another veteran runner. Neo courteously let me pass at Northern Route back, and I caught up with, and paced that veteran runner in front.

Together, we had a good run for the final 3km stretch along Northern Route. He was grunting hard, but legs were very strong. I decided to stay with him for a bit before overtaking him on the 2nd last upslope. He made a good comeback, but was blocked by the walkers in the trails....aiya! With his footsteps getting faint, I just went at my pace and finished the 20km trail run in 1hr47min. I thought I could do 1hr45min, but I guess I don't have the fuel to push for that...hehe. It has been quite some time since I last participated in a time trial or race, and this hard workout really tested my legs and heart....I liked it.

Thanks to nancy and K207 who stayed behind to cheer us. We too stayed around to cheer the rest of the runners coming in, and my, there are quite a number of fast and furious female runners....many whom I have not seen before. Colleen did pretty well, and she enjoyed the run. William looked very strong too....and Hee Shen was blazing in along with Buakaw, who might have taken a slightly longer route. Overall, it was a nice workout where we get to catch up with running kakis, new and old :)

My Garmin405 Readings:
Distance: 19.5km XC__Time: 1hr47min__Pace: 5:31min/km