Singapore Bay Run / Army Half Marathon 2009

A good day with 3 guys cabbing down to my house and Vincent driving 4 of us to the run!

And so we were all up and in preparation by 5am.

Pictures! Looking good BEFORE the run!


It is my first 21km and it is a pretty good, yet grueling experience. To me, it is a good starting time, at least the sun won't catch up with the slow / first time 21km runners. A 5 mins early start is a bit weird for run events though.

The first 9km is going good for me. Pace is well, hydration is good with several water points, and many entertainment along the way. The new route is definitely good for a change. And jogging in ECP is entirely a new experience. And every km marking definitely helps in pacing ourselves. This is one important feature which Shape Run seriously lacks.

After the 9th km, my hand started to swell terribly. It is a common sign for me when I was running 10km runs previously, but it probably started after 4th km. To take precaution, I actually drank a glass of salt water (Sea salt) and fill my tumbler with salt water too. And these precautions managed to sustain me for a safe 9km. When my hands start to swell, I was pretty paranoid and it is pretty painful to even wriggle the fingers. And from then, I did and walk-stretch-run strategy.

Though completed past my target time of 3 hrs, I was glad to have completed it. The next 21km will be Singapore Marathon end of the year. I will need to solve my swollen palms issue by then!

Pictures! Looking tired but accomplished AFTER the run!



Well done to all who have struggled in putting your best efforts. In your own race, so run your best!

SCSM 2008

My first Stan Chart Run..... A 10km run. But seems like the slowest 10km I've done. Looks like I need to do something about it.

Somehow, the stan chart route got be a little bored. Too much city runs I guess.

Reviews:

• Race Route is... well.. the usual city run....
  
• As expected, baggage deposit will be v crowded (Testified by a friend colleague)
  
• Race Pack collection is.. well.. crowded...
  
• Some complained insufficient female sizes of S, M, and L on the last day of collection
  
• Fluid is more than sufficient.
• Supporters are more than enough.
  

Ratings:


Pictures:


Sad to say... these are the only pics!

Will I join next year? Maybe yes. Maybe no. The crowd this year is really huge!

UGLY. UGLY SINGAPOREANS!

Had a busy, tiring and exciting day that I must must blog this. I've witness 2 cases of UGLY Singaporeans. VERY UGLY. 

Woke up (unwillingly) at 830 this morning and went all the way to Suntec to collect my running bib for Swing KPE. The collection was smooth. I was issued black XL T-shirt for male 10km and orange for me. The run is FREE, so we don't have the right to argue to anything regarding the T-shirts. Afterall, it isnt easy to accommodate so many people and I believe the budget is tight given a free run. All was great until when I was about to leave. 2 aunties came, ferociously trying to change the black T-shirt for the orange/green one. The pathetic helper was trying hard to explain to them that exchange is not possible and that different colours represent different category of run and gender differentiation. They refuse to agree upon and continue to bargain for the exchange. Even when the overall in-charge came over, they still insist on exchanging. Of course, they left with disappointment with cursing and swearing spurting out of their mouth. UGLY. period. 

Up next, I went to a VICHY product launch at SPH. It was my mum's idea to go and since it is just S$15 with many samples and it is so near my house, I gave in too. After confirming attendance and getting our goodie bag, we proceed on to look for seats. We sat at 3rd row beside some goodie bags neatly placed. People start streaming in and fill the front seats as well. And there came 2 aunties, who came early and placed their goodie bag' to book their seat. Apparently, they booked the 2nd row. But their 'goodie bag' is now at 3rd row. What would you do if you were in this situation? I'll just take the 3rd row. Afterall, what is the difference between sitting on the 2nd row and 3rd row? Well, the 2 aunties think otherwise. They keep on asking who moved their stuff and apparently think that it is those sitting in the 2nd row that moved their stuff. The fact is, the 2nd row pple were here later than us, and the stuff is already on the 3rd row when we reach. When noone 'admits', they start spouting curses and swears. Scolding the 2nd row pple 恐怖，恐怖份子，没有礼貌 and many many unpleasant words. I very much wanted to rebuke her accusations. I decide to keep my mouth shut. Such unreasonable aunties are not worth my effort. They are probably those kind of aunties who will find 1001 excuses for a single mistake they make and make 1001 accusations for a mistake others didn't make. VERY UGLY. period. 

I promise God I will NEVER be such persons as described above, even when I'm in my auntie stage in future, I will NEVER be so unreasonable to cause unnecessary harm to people around me. Amen. 

To date, I have yet to purchase my Goodwood Park Hotel mooncake. It is OOS everywhere. I wanted to join the queue today. But by the time i reached, the queue is already 40 meters long and the mooncakes have yet to be delievered. I even went to 4 locations to try, INCLUDING the hotel itself. It is OUT OF STOCK. EVERYWHERE. I will take leave to buy next week. RAH!!!!!

And speaking of the VICHY seminar, surprised to meet a familiar face - Esther, currently a vendor but was previously working in my company. And what I have learnt in the seminar.

1) aging spots is sometimes unavoidable due to aging. 

2) Sunblock is the best prevention. 

3) Even with the best technique, without sunblock care, the result is still zero. 

I'm glad I started my sun protection 2 years ago. ;p

I'm not using VICHY's whitening but my mum has great results with it. It is not so much suitable for me as mine mainly consists of post acne scars. I do have some sun spots which my Lancome Spot eraser is doing its job well. (which I think the VICHY whitening will do good to my sun spots too) And for post acne scars, I swear by SKII Whitening source dermdefinition. SKII really work wonders. 

Unexpectedly, I'm working tmrw, to rush a trouble report. Sian. But well, a good chance to earn more pocket money. 

Nike+ Human Race 31.08.08

A disappointing timing as almost same as Singapore Bay Run. The route was exciting, many twists and turns, many many bottlenecks that had become a 'Human jam'. Managed to overtake many this time as compared to SBR, probably due to the many young students. Shall try to get back my Shape Run timing soon. Met 2 Sixians - Li Jun at the starting point and Pawlyn at somewhere near 2km. 

And thank God that the padang is not muddy. The rain stopped. 

I'll be stuck with them for the runs ahead. But as they say, this will be the only year they'll be active. Their kids are either coming to SG (from MY) or taking PSLE next year. I'll have to find new khaki. Else, it'll be bored to join the many races in SG. 

And this pretty thing I saw! She refused to smile initially. 

After showing her the camera image and knowing I'm taking her picture, she opened her mouth! (According to her mum, her current way of smiling)

then her sexy eyes thing... hahaa!

finally, crying to get bk to mama's comfort. 

So cute!!!

Next Run? Hmm.. Swing KPE!! Tunnel Run.. Scary!

Singapore Bay Run 2008

Last Sunday, 2008 08 24, was a muddy and very crowded Sunday. 

It is the start of the 'running' series. And a great start! My colleagues (not only the usual ones) took part too! 

And these are the regular ones. :) (And we are going to Nike+ Human Race in 3 hrs' time!)

I didn't manage to surpass my Shape Run's record. In fact, I was even 10 minutes slower than previous record. As I was on duromine medication, it is not worth risking with the many reports of cardiac arrest. But worry not! I've decided to stop. Since the consumption of duromine on and off since 6 years back, my health has been deteriorating at alarming rate. Oh well... *sigh*

I'm so so sleepy now. I wonder how can I run later at 430pm. Maybe I'll just doze off halfway. 

The race pack is one of the better ones I've got so far. There are a lot of stuff. I only took out the main ones. The female running top is VERY nice. For once, this running top is one you will wear out. Its a pretty curve female top. I registered for M, but they gave me S instead. Rah! Luckily it fits just nice. 

Here we go!! The Aussie's average run is 58"54'. I know I will pull down Singapore's average. :s Ops!