Thursday, September 28, 2006

NUS Hill Run on 27 Sep`06 (Wed)


This week, weiward joined us for the first time. She works @ the building next to mine @ Sci Park II and we met at the bus-stop and headed to KRGH together. Leng Meng, tktan’s friend, was back for more after a good run last week. We started the run closed to 7pm as tktan was delayed due to traffic. With options for short cut, we started the run along Pasir Panjang Rd. Instead of taking the short cut through Hwa Par Villa, we continued on to South Bouna Vista Rd. Leng Meng skipped Kent Ridge Park and continued on South Bouna Vista Rd while the rest ran up the killer slope @ Vigilante Dr – weiward was going strong with tktan encouranging her! I tried landing on my forefoot on the upslope and pushed off immediately -- elated to find that I could go faster! First time I felt GOOD after running up the killer slope! After the recovery downslopes @ Kent Ridge Park, we ran through Sci Park I. weiward took a short cut to KRGH via Prince George Park while tktan and me up the pace and ran through NUS. Felt great with increase heart rate when we ran passed NUH, Sci faculty, SRC and UCC and sprinted up the final upslope to KRGH. tktan really have the potential to hit sub4 for SCSM! Clap clap to weiward who did her first NUS run (6.9km) and Leng Meng for increasing the distance to 5.8km.

Thanks to tktan who brought a tub of ice -- we had ice cold 100plus + Ribena after the run! After shower, we went to West Coast Food Centre for dinner – most of the stalls were closing :( Leng Meng had curry chicken with rice, tktan & I had fishball noodle and weiward had chendol. tktan and weiward stayed in the same neighbourhood and got a lift from Leng Meng. Me? Gotta take the bus and train home lor…

Route : KRGH -> Pasir Panjang Rd -> South Bouna Vista Rd -> Kent Ridge Park -> Sci Park I -> NUS -> Clementi Rd -> KRGH

Distance : 8.5km
Time : 52min
Avg pace : 6:07min/km

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Labrador Park Run on 26 Sep`06 (Tue)


After Rim mentioned in the SgRunners’ forum abt 4 hills run(Mt Faber, Telok Blangah Hills, Labrador Park and Kent Ridge Park), tktan & I decided to explore a new route to one of the hills nearest to NUS -- Labrador Park. From KRGH, we ran along Pasir Panjang Rd, to Hwa Par Villa (where we tackled the hill to the peak) and exited via Zehnder Rd (nice downslope to recover). To avoid the heavy vehicles along Pasir Panjang Rd, we detoured to South Bouna Jln – passing by private residential area (oh, this stretch is a mild upslope) which ended opposite Pasir Panjang Food Centre. tktan mentioned abt the good char kway teow there. We continued along Pasir Panjang Rd – arghh, needed to do many “hurdle” jumps up/down the pavement!

Made a left turn to Labrador Walk - gradual upslope and well-lit. tktan made a good choice to run up via Port Rd as the road leading to Olive Restaurant was steep. Passed by 2 Safra runners who were chit-chatting. Cold sea breeze greeted us when we reached Labrador Park and it was very nice running along the coast. At the playground in the centre of the park, people were celebrating mid autumn festival – kids carrying lantern and we were tempted to grab some mooncakes from them :P After running a loop round the park(erm, no slopes leh?!), we couldn’t find the Olive Restaurant’s car park. Then we chanced upon a walkway to the left of the first car park and decided to give it a try. Aha, this was THE HILL! The upslope juz kept going on and on (kinda like KL Mizuno Wave Run). tktan seemed to enjoy the upslope but I was making tiny steps and grasping/panting all the way. Finally, we reached the top and ta-da, Olive Restaurant was there. The downslope was great for catching our breath and we continued to part 2 of the run – Ulu Pandan Canal.

From Labrador Park, we ran along Alexandra Rd, to Queensway and cut through Commonwealth Dr/Tanglin Halt to Bouna Vista MRT. Set into “auto cruise” mode and enjoying the cool evening breeze along the canal, we suddenly heard someone called out “tktan, doraemon” – flip was test “driving” her new shoes, adistar cushion. First time we met SgRunners along the route – though many said they run @ Ulu Pandan Canal. I was prepared to stop and take a cool down walk back to Bouna Vista MRT but tktan suggested we chiong the last stretch. Chiong he did and I was left smelling his dust! Good run and thanks to tktan for sharing his bottle of isotonic drink and running @ my place!

After a quick cool down, we walked over to Holland Rd for the famous XO fish bee hoon and took a bus back to KRGH. Feeling nice and clean after shower, tktan got a rare treat – homemade Teochew cheng tng (courtesy from my mum)!


P.S. Enjoyed exploring more running routes ard NUS... Next, would like to run to Telok Blangah Hills and Mt Faber :)

Route : KRGH -> Pasir Panjang Rd -> Hwa Par Villa -> Zehnder Rd -> South Bouna Jln -> Pasir Panjang Rd -> Labrador Park -> Alexandra Rd -> Queensway -> Commonwealth Dr -> Tanglin Halt -> Bouna Vista MRT -> Ulu Pandan Canal.

Distance : 18km
Time : 1hr 49min (including traffic light stops)
Avg pace : 6:03min/km

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Demoralizing Run on 24 Sep`06 (Sun)


Changi Coast Road is a long straight 6.5km road parallel to the airplane runway. For a solo runner, it can be demoralizing as it seems never ending! First ran @ this route when SgRunners organized their 2nd Demoralizing Run on 30 July 2006. A small group of 5 runners (BR, DR, DO, fennel n me) was chatting along the way and the run did not seem "demoralizing" at all :) I was looking forward to the beef noodles @ Changi Village after the run -- sooo disappointed to find the the stall closed (only open at 12noon)! Well, there is always next time :)

As part of LSD training for the marathon, SgRunners organised the 3rd Demoralizing Run on 24 September 2006 -- with various distance from 20-34km. Wow, a huge turn out of ard 30 runners! Bought a new camelbak (SlipStream 1.5litre) to try out on the run -- hydration is a must as we would be running under the sun for the return leg. Also brought along PowerGels for energy boost -- so far, had not try eating during my runs.

After Sotong gave a briefing of the route and U-turn points, BR lead us for a 1km+ warm up run before the group spread out into different pace. Speed monsters like teelee and realrunner left us smelling their dust. DR & DO chatted with runners along the route -- they looked so relax and effortless when running! I planned to run at a steady 6min/km pace for 34km and returned juz in time for the beef noodles stall to open for biz. tktan was doing his first 30km+ LSD and followed my pace. fennel, my same-pace buddy, was not far behind. While the rest turned left to Changi Coast Road to reach East Coast park via NSRCC, we took a detour via the East Coast Park Service Road. Kinda of dangerous as it was single lane with no pavement and running as the big trucks zoomed passed! We reached NSC (abt 14km) and took a snack break -- tktan ate his snickers bar while I had my first powergel. Wah, surprised to see tekko(who juz had an operation on his knee) at the shelter next to NSC -- so nice of him to provide isotonic drinks for the runners. Lots of people along the route -- runners(or joggers?!), cyclists, roller bladers etc. As we passed the PA Sports Centre, both tktan and I felt good to go on to the lagoon food centre for the 34km U-turn point. The front pack runners were on the return route. Took a toilet break at the lagoon food centre and U-turn back. Time check -- 1hr40min for 17.6km. That was 5:40min/km pace.

By then, ard 9am, the sun was out in full blast. We took a cool off break @ the last toilet @ NSC before we embarked on the "demoralizing" stretch. Juz when we reached the Changi Coast Rd, I had to stop due to a serious stitch. Decided to take my 2nd powergel while tktan finished his half-eaten snickers bar. Felt better after the breather and resumed running. tktan was feeling the heat and asked me to go ahead. Caught up with roentgen n kickjazz who were doing a 8min-run/2min-walk route for 28km. We walked and chatted till tktan caught up. We did this run-stop-walk till Changi Beach. tktan was so happy to reach the toilet at Changi Beach -- his CPU (aka head) was overheated and needed cold water to cool off! I was running ahead and saw 2 Malay men trying to "tame" a snake with a fishing rod -- on closer look, it was a cobra!! Warned roentgen, kickjazz n tktan of the snake -- we cautiously detour to safety. With the final 1 km, I sped ahead as there was no shade and the sun was beating down furiously on us! Sotong was at the end point taking pictures. So glad to complete my first 34km :) Roentgen, kickjazz n tktan came back shortly after. Everyone was cooling off under the shelter next to the car park -- thanks to ultra n acleong for the 100plus! BR's heavenly barley was gone by then. I brought oranges and konnyuku jelly to share -- some "brave hearts" tried the isotonic jelly (lime flavoured gatorade with ribena). Well, they r still alive!

After a quick shower, we walked over to Changi Village food centre for lunch. Perfect timing -- the beef noodles stall juz opened! We had a satisfying meal of yummy beef slices & balls -- oh, the dry version is better than the soup version. Thanks to teelee who gave me a ride home in the TLV. Due to the caffine in the powergel, I was awake the whole afternoon! And felt constant hunger -- snack after lunch, dinner and followed by supper! Gosh, input was definitely more than output!!


P.S. It was a good run and got a better idea of running beyond 30km. Glad that didn't suffered from cramps or "hit the wall". Look forward to the next 30km+ LSD.

Route : Changi Beach Car Park 2 -> Changi Beach -> Changi Coast Rd -> East Coast Park Service Rd -> East Coast Park -> U-turn at Lagoon Food Centre back to Changi Beach car Park 2

Distance : 34km
Time : Abt 3hr 30min(forget to start/stop my stopwatch -- including snack/toilet breaks)
Avg Pace : 6:10min/km

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Portsdown Run on 22 Sep`06 (Fri)


Didn't have enough of NUS hills on Wednesday and in need of a pre-Demoralizing Run b4 Sunday, tktan n I went for another run on Friday. In anticipation of a longer route, tktan brought along his camelbak n mini toblerone chocolate. I juz bought my new shoes, Mizuno Wave Elixir, and trying out for this run. We set off on our usual route to Kent Ridge Park via Pasir Panjang & South Bouna Vista Rd. Exploring a new route, we cut through Normanton Park and crossed the Portsdown Flyover. Then we followed the windy Portsdown Rd(dim lighting on one-lane traffic -- do be careful and dun run alone) to North Bouna Vista rd. Took a toilet break at Bouna Vista MRT before proceeding to Ulu Pandan Canal and Sunset Way Canal -- growing to like this trail as can set to "auto-cruise" mode :) Took a snack break at the end of Sunset Way Canal(ard 14km) as tktan needed his toblerone -- he said the choco juz went straight to his stomach, dispersed and energised! I had been snacking whole afternoon and my chwee kueh was still not digested yet...

On the way back, instead of taking Clementi Rd, we ran towards West Coast Rd via Clementi Ave 2, passing Ginza Plaza and West Coast food centre. As we approached Clementi Woods Park, I suggested to tktan that we could run through the park(with slopes) to reach NUS -- luckily he said we try that another day(PHEW!). We dashed up the final slope to KRGH -- distance 20km @ 1hr59min... nice 6min/km... Thanks to tktan for running @ my pace and the mobile water station! After a cool down walk and shower, we headed over to the fengsheng/cheese prata shop(food centre oledi closed by then, ard 10pm) and stumbled into a Taiwanese porridge n noodles place... tktan ordered a za chai mian while I ordered rou ju main -- turned out mine was the same as tktan's, minus the za chai ;)


P.S. Verdict of Mizuno Wave Elixir -- very lightweight but lack the support and cushion for long runs. My knees felt a bit wobbly during the 20km run -- guess I have to use this for shorter runs :(

Route : KRGH -> Pasir Panjang Rd -> South Bouna Vista Rd -> Kent Ridge Park -> Normanton Park -> Portsdown Flyover -> Portsdown Rd -> North Bouna Vista -> Bouna Vista MRT -> Ulu Pandan Canal -> Sunset Way Canal -> Clementi Rd -> Clementi Ave 2 -> West Coast Rd -> Clementi Rd -> KRGH

Distance : 20km
Time : 1hr 59min (including traffic light stops and snack/toilet breaks)
Avg Pace : 6min/km

Fast forward 4 months... September 2006


Had been monitoring my knee condition after each run/race. So far so good -- at least it is not getting worse! When I took the plunge to run the year-end marathon, my one and only pair of running shoes would not last till the marathon. In fact, after 4 months of running, my Mizuno Wave Inspire2 has clocked more than 600km! Time to get a second pair... However, much to my dismay, there is no stock for Wave Inspire2 :( So I got the performance version of the stability shoe -- Mizuno Wave Elixir. Wow, it felt so light that I can FLY! Wore it for a test run that very evening...

Passion to Run... The journey begins on May 2006...


My Nike running shoes had "given" me black toes for my last 2 adventure races. Time to get a new pair for upcoming adventure races. As I was surfing the net for advice on choosing running shoes, I stumbled onto SgRunners.com website -- wow, a bubbling running community with lotsa of info on running gear, training etc. Was advised to go down to Runnning Lab @ Funan IT Mall as the staff would analyzed my feet & running style before recommending suitable shoes. True enough, I was impressed with the professional service of the staff at Running Lab and bought a pair of running shoes, Mizuno Wave Inspire 2 -- latest model for stability shoes. It was comfortable and provided good arch support -- essential for me as I juz recovered from a knee injury.

Joined SgRunners for my first CBD run at Tanjong Pagar on Tuesday(2 May 2006) and did my first 10km run with my new shoes and great company. And did another 10km run with Running Lab on Thursday(4 May 2006) -- thanks to Eddie, the group lead, for sharing tips on my running postures. That helped to make running more enjoyable with less effort/pain. From taking over 1 hour for 10km, my timing had slowly improved to under 1 hour... Met many running enthusiasts and they are always generously sharing advices/tips/tales on running. Various theme runs are organised throughout the week -- CDB, Running Lab, BG(Botanic Garden), Animiles, HSP(Hougang, Sengkang, Punggol), Demoralizing etc. Running is addictive and began to dominate over my other sporting interests! To get the adrenaline pumping, had gone on to take part in races -- Phuket International Marathon (10.5km) in June 2006, Singapore Mizuno Wave Run (10km) in July 2006, Sheares Bridge Run (21km) & KL Mizuno Wave Run (10km) in August 2006. Have set a personal goal of under 4.5hours for the upcoming Singapore Marathon(42.195km) in December 2006 -- and this blog will witness my journey to D-day...

P.S. Usually write a brief field report(FR) of my runs @ SgRunners forum but it was hacked (twice in recent 2 months!! Arghh!!), so I decided to start this blog to pen my thoughts after each run...