2007 Recap

This will be a very long post as I try to recall everything that happens in 2007.

The passion to start running begins right after SCSM 2006.

SCSM 2006 was my first 10km run and I have serious doubts that I could complete the race.

Prior to SCSM 2006, I missed many races that I have signed up for, so this race was a real challenge.

First thing that came to my mind when I cross the finishing line was "I MADE IT!".

After the race, I continue running once a week. It was something that I had never done before.

Almost a month after the race, I was still having this good feeling about completing SCSM 2006.

While watching the countdown to 2007, I start googling to see what others have to say about SCSM 2006.

Came across kop21 blog entry. It was from his blog that I came to know SGRunners.

Signed up as a member and created my own running blog on January 1st, 2007.
Made a commitment to participate in SCSM Full Marathon 2007.

As I introduce myself, I was surprised by the warmth of the forum members as they welcome me with open arms!!! [You guys must be thinking why I always welcome new members to the forum, hope you know now. =) I am not trying to increase my postings hor!!!]
Very soon, I got addicted to the forum and it become like my daily bread.
I will always try to log on to check on new postings whenever I can.

Learnt a lot of lessons as the months rolled by, some good, others painful.

Made my first appearance at CBD Pre-Valentine's Day Run.

I manage to follow the group for the first 1km , but after that I could not keep up with them. Only 3km completed and it was just Philip, JamesSoh and me.

The rest are nowhere in sight, although I distinctively recall Cookie and Tiwazz doing intervals to check up on the runners. I appreciate it very much that Philip and James accompany me from start to finish.

The next time I meet up with the guys was at National Vertical Marathon which is organised by NTU. It was also my first race of the year and I am again surprised that I could complete it. :)

NUS Biathlon was next. It was during this race that I start to know other forum members and got along well with Roonz. Or should I say that she got along well with everyone.

Next on the menu was supposed to be Singapore Biathlon 2007. But due to family commitments, I was not able to take part. But it was through this very race that I got to know a wonderful friend, Aerosolcan.
He is always there with kind words when I have doubts about myself.

Next up is Mizuno Mount Faber Run. Although it is a bit chaotic at the start, I had a pretty fun time as this is my first time going up Mount Faber on foot.

A week after, it was the Terrain 8.5km Run @ Bedok Reservoir.
Having ran at the reservoir before with a colleague, I decide to give the race a miss as I find the trail a bit too hard on my knees.

Having not much confidence, I decided to skip City Duathlon which consists of 10km Run, 40km Bike and 5km Run.

Nonetheless, I went down to support the guys and gals at the race.

It is a decision that I did not regret as it turn out to be a hot day and a lot of competitors struggled through the last 5km.
I would have definitely DNF during the race.

For the same reason I skipped City Duathlon, I did not go for Legs and Paddles.
Somehow I could not visualise myself running 10km after 6km of kayaking.
On reflection, I think I am being too cautious.

Well, there is always another year to race.

Come June, it is World Harmony Run.
24km of Run with lots of break in between, I have to miss the event as Shannon was down with fever.

June does not have any races.

But the void is being filled with OSIM Triathlon Training Clinics.

It was at First Tri Club that I know Atomic and Sywog much better.
Sheer co-incidence that the three of us are from SGRunners and are seated at the same table.

During one of the bike trips to ECP for the training clinic, I blacked out along Novena-Thomson Road.
Fell on my bike, cracked my MET helmet and ended up with lot of cuts and bruises.
I looked like I just came out of a fight. :p

2nd half of the year is where the sporting arena starts to warm up.

First up is the MILK Run.
I skipped this event cos of its high registration fees.
The other reason is that the race is being held in the afternoon, under the blazing sun.

Saucony PAssion Run is next. It is a race organised by Geylang Serai Community Centre.
I must say that it is a great race.
The organisers are wonderful. We like the way that they listened and responsed to comments made by the participants.
The finisher's certificate was a wonderful surprise. It has our personal photo printed on the certificate!!!

The next race, Mizuno Wave Run was a total disappointment.
I did not get a chance to participate in the race, as I have a hard time finding a parking lot.
I ended up parking near to Tampines Stadium and by the time I ran to the start line @ Temasek Polytechnic, the run was already well under way.
It is definitely the worst race of the year. Or maybe even the worst race that anyone care to remember. I definitely do not wish to go into depth about what happened during the race.
(Someone noted that there are 13+ full length pages of complaints in SGRunners forum.)

2 days later, the worst thing happen to me.
Crashed into a kid's bike and suffered 4 broken teeth.
3 of the teeth could be re-constructed, while the fourth tooth has to be extracted as it has chipped vertically.
I ended up with a denture at a young age of 35. =(

The accident effectively put me out of OSIM Triathlon which happens just 4 days later.
It virtually end my chance of being a triathlete during my rookie year.

It was a good 2 months later before I picked up the courage to get on a bike again.

Have a lot of help and encouragement during my recovery cycling trip from 3 of my closest SGRunners buddies - Roonz, Aerosolcan and Lala .
Thanks, guys!!!!

End-August. Army Half Marathon. My first 21km.
A lot of apprehension about the race.
The one and only > 10km distance that I did prior to this was Good Friday Run , 4 months ago and I walk 7km out of 15km.
I definitely do not know how I will fare for this event.
So it was not surprising that I hit the wall @ the 13km mark.
Luckily I bought along a PowerGel and manage to find some strength a click later.
Manage to complete the race and collect my Finisher's medal. Yeah!!!

A week later, it was the inaugural Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore.
There is no way that I can compete in this race. I do not have the physical and mental strength to complete this sort of distance yet.
Can only see Aerosolcan complete his race in style and hope to join him in the future Ironman 70.3 races.

Run for Hope (previously Terry Fox Run) was another race that I have to missed cos of family outing.

Fuji Xerox Open Water Swim. It has distances of 1km, 3km and 5km.
I am interested to do the 3km , but in open waters, I am not sure if I could do that, although I have done 3.8km non-stop in the swimming pool.
Guess it will have to wait till 2008.

What follows next must be the most hectic month to date.

NIE Biathlon was the first of 4 races.
I was apprehensive in signing up for the race, but Aerosolcan decided to accompany me and both of us signed up for the Olympic Distance.
Alas, he was unwell on the actual day.
I enjoyed myself although I completed the race in last place.
The swim was great and the run was good.
Most importantly, I gained my entry pass to Singapore Biathlon 2008.
I have successfully completed a Sprint Distance and Olympic Distance Biathlon to date. =D

1 week later, it is New Balance Real Run.
This is a 15km run and it helps in building up my experience for SCSM.

The following week, it is OSIM Corporate Triathlon.
Completed the Sprint Distance. Wow, a season’s high.
Finally completed a triathlon.

Just 8 days later, it was Swissotel Vertical Marathon.
An event that I signed up for 3 years, I finally made it to the top.
A breath-taking view of the city from the top.

6 days later, it was Run-A-Movie. A charity run organised by HOPE.
As my wife has a company function on Friday night, I decided to skipped this event. No luck with charity races this year.

Took a break from races, went for 2 pre-SCSM CBD runs and I am all ready for SCSM.

Fall short of my resolution to do a Full Marathon, but 21km will suffice for 2007.
Completed my 2nd SCSM. The Runners’ High make me game for MR25 Ultra-Marathon.

The weeks leading up to MR25 Ultra-Marathon were anything but fun.
Just 2 runs later, I am left with a weak right knee.
I could not run, thus I went for swims.

A week to MR25 Ultra-Marathon, the knee start feeling much better.
I still did not run as I wanted to save the knee for race day.

3 weeks of non-running and I was at the MR25 Ultra-Marathon Start Point.
Did 3 laps and decided to call it a day, as cramps starts to build up.
There is always Ultra-Marathon 2008 to look forward to.

Overall, I am satisfied with my achievements.
Having led a sedentary lifestyle for the past 12 years, this is a welcome change which my family and I appreciate.

Thanks , guys. You really help made the journey more enjoyable, the distance more sustainable.