28th October 2012 King of The Road

Took the first MRT train from Yishun, followed by the first MRT train from Marina Bay and was able to reach BayFront MRT at 6:50am!

Reach Race Site at 7:00am and it was another 1km walk to The Start Line.

At 7:15am sharp, the race was flagged off.
Then came the first disappointment.
The race start was broken down into multiple waves.
I ended up in the last wave, Wave 3 although I am pretty sure I ain't that late.
Wave 3 was flagged off at 7:45am.

The pace was fabulous at the start, I did not get the urge to follow other runners' pace.
Hitting Esplanade Drive, it was not hard to realise that this is a race with high profits.
There weren't any full road closure except for Republic Avenue which has pretty low car volume, especially on weekends.

Crossing the Floating Bay Bridge to F1 Pit, the route was extremely narrow...
The bridge was split into two halves for the incoming runners.

I was not able to run on the bridge and I began to realise why!!!
I have hit the wall of walkers from the earlier wave!
I ended up running round the cones to get pass the wall.

F1 was set up for SKC(Singapore Karting Championship) and the runners have only half a car lane to run on.
The wall of walkers is still omni-present and I began part of them...

7km, the hydration station is closed.
8km, there is no hydration station.
This is not looking any better.
A lot of runners are reduced to a walk, due to the sheer heat and the lack of water.

9km, we have only plain water.
10km, there is a hydration tent but no hydration station set up.
11km, we have only plain water.


Dear Organisers, if there is any intention to have water points at every kilometer, kindly ensure that they are stocked up.

The above hydration stations are critical as these stretches of the race route has pratically no shade.

Running past the 12km mark, the organisers has set a blockage for late runners to U-turn at the 10km mark.
It is a bit un-just for some runners as they have pushed back the Start Time by half an hour.

A Volvo and a Truck start barging their way along Nicoll Highway and the runners have to make way for them... Very very unprofessionally done.

Distance markers were okay till 9km.
I saw the 10km marker on ground level, while I overheard runners not seeing the 10km marker.
11km marker is facing the wrong direction.
12km distance marker is non-existent.
13km marker is the last distance marker I saw and it is 500m short.

Running into Gardens by the Bay, we hit a dirt road.
A couple of runners started chionging, thinking that the Finish Line is near.
The end is anywhere but near. It was at least another 1.2km and the Finish Line is well hidden around a bend.

End the run with a slow jog to the Finish Line.
Collected the drinks, medal and made my way home.

26th October 2012 Cycling

I was still struggling up Mandai Road feeling good when Law called out to me.
I got sucked into the group and was elated to be able to hang on with the group all the way to Mandai Shell, where we pick up the Mandai Kittens.

Cycling along Kranji Way, I did a U-turn when the riders behind me did not appear under my radar.
Turned out it was Chek, BFG and Jason behind caught by the traffic light, not some mechanical failure.
First word I uttered was 'Uh-oh'.
I am stuck in no-man's land.
There is no way I can keep up with the trio as they chase the group.
It was not surprising when I was dropped after the bridge.

Caught up with the group at the end of Lim Chu Kang and we proceed to do a NTU Loop before turning back towards Sungei Tengah Road.
Yongwei has a flat and I stayed with him before we proceed on.
The sunrise was awesome! The sun rays peering out from behind the clouds.
The angle of the shot was blocked by lampposts, thus I thought I could get a better shot at Bricklands Road.
My regret for this ride was not taking the shot when I had the chance at Sungei Tengah. =(
Yongwei has rode with the group before on this route and is able to guide us to the next pit stop.

Took Jurong Town Hall Road and it wasn't long before we hit Jalan Buroh.
Some of us are left smelling fumes along West Coast Highway.
Chairman Albert stayed back to round up the stragglers.
Thanks, Albert!

After a pit stop at Fuji Xerox Tower, it was time for a scenic ride through Gardens By the Bay towards our makan point at Kampong Arang.

After brekkie, I decided to take the safer route home via the PCN.
Having not rode for so long, I horribly mis-calculated the distance!!!

It was at Changi Coastal Road when I realised that home via Novena is probably 30km shorter?!?! *Faintz*

My legs were already cramping along East Coast Road, but I was too proud to say out loud.
After bidding farewell to Dennis, BFG and Anne, I took a break along CCR.
Was caught slacking by Daniel Cheng who is doing his secret training. =P

Forced myself to take another break at the end of Punggol Park before continuing on the final stretch home via normal roads.

21st October 2012 Nike Run SG 10K

My colleagues think that I am 'crazy'.
But I had done crazier things before, so this should be fine. =)

Arriving at the race site at 7:20, I can see the first batch of runners running past.
Quickly made my way to the Start Point (which requires at huge detour), as it was noted in the Race Guide that they are closing the road officially at 7:35am. (ie. 5 minutes after 2nd Race Start)

The Guest-of-Honour and the runners were kept waiting till 7:55am before the race got flagged off.

Right at the 1km mark, a lot of runners ran into Suntec City to make use of the toliet facilities there, including me, whom opt not to queue at the Race Start port-a-loos so as not to miss the Race Start.

My first 2km was great. I was able to keep my pacing flat without any accelerated heart rate.

Lots of 'Beethovens' to keep me motivated. =p
This race seems to be targeted at teenagers and young working adults.
It is really hard to find a MAMIL in the crowd.

At the 5km mark, the sleep depreviated body decided to work at 60-70% capacity.
My pace slowed tremendously.
By the time I reached the F1 Pit, I knew I won't be doing a 1:20 nor 1:30 run.
I am still glad I am here for the run, amazed at how the body cope with the battered body.

Looking across the Singapore River, I can see Gardens By The Bay.
It looks strangely like a shot from a sci-fi movie.

On your left is the Habitats, On your right are the Space Pods.

The run ends with a lap round the Marina Bay Sands.
The race was well organised without major hiccups.
Collected my Finisher Tee, had 3 sng baos before taking the ever-growing confusing MRT home.

20th October 2012 Cycling

Woke up without the assistance of the alarm clock only meant one thing.
There is no escape.

Reached Mandai Shell at 5:30am and was pleasantly surprised that John and the Kittens were there.
We waited till around 5:40-5:45 before the FOTR train rolled in.

Sam is flying on Sunday. Thus he won't miss the ride even with a hangover!
He woke up late but was able to join the group via CAB! Lol!

The pace was awesome.
It was a tourist pace with a visit to the Zoo, Gardens by the Bay and Mount Faber.
Strangely, YP and Tze Wee did not take the lead.
Dennis and Mike were pulling almost the entire day, which Dennis is glad for.
As Dennis mentioned, if the docs took over the reins, the whole group will be shattered. ;p

I lost the group on West Coast Highway but was lucky to catch up with them after the Highway where the group were slowed by two traffic lights.

We climbed Pepys Road, I skipped Mount Faber and we proceed to Tiong Bahru for brekkie before heading for home.

17th October 2012 Cycling

Waking up early, I took my time to prepare.
2 months without cycling, I decided to go solo.

Rode to Yishun Dam and do a lap of Seletar West Link.
Gosh, every road I came across looks awfully long.
Clocking 15km, I took a breather and sat down to enjoy the scenery.
This is what cyclists wake up early to do... To catch the sunrise. Lol

24km done...

Kona 2012 Bike Count

Bikes

Cervelo: 483
Trek: 211
Specialized: 170
Felt: 115
Cannondale: 86
Scott: 85
QR: 78
Argon18: 71
Giant: 64
Kestrel: 46
Orbea: 43
Kuota: 42
Ceepo: 37
BMC: 33
Look: 31
Guru: 28
Blue: 27
Fuji: 21
Ridley: 17
Cube: 17
PlanetX: 16
Litespeed: 11
Willier: 11
Storck: 10
Serotta: 9
Pinarello: 8
Parlee: 8
Canyon: 6
Colnago: 6
Stevens: 6
Elite: 6
Griffin: 5
BH: 5
Seven: 5
Teschner: 5
Beyond 4
Isaac: 3
Calfee: 3
Louis Garneau: 3
Jamis: 2
Cheetah: 2
Time: 2
Principia: 1
Bianchi: 1
Merlin: 1
Softride: 1
Aegis: 1
DeRosa:1
Lemond: 1

Wheels
Zipp: 2041
Hed: 248
Mavic: 154
Bontrager: 133
Reynolds: 126
Easton: 94
Xentis: 81
Shimano/PRO: 83
ENVE: 100
SRAM: 57
FFWD: 44
Flashpoint: 17
Rolf Prima: 16
Lightweight: 43
Corima: 37
Lightweight: 43
Campagnolo: 35
Profile Design: 24
Planet X: 26
Beyond: 2
Ceepo: 6
Spinergy: 16
Specialized Roval: 12
American Classic: 13
Token: 8
Blackwell: 4
Nimble: 6
Madfiber: 10
Oval: 7
Vision: 10
Gray: 6

Saddles
Fi’zi:k: 507
ISM: 403
Selle Italia: 245
Specialized: 215
Cobb: 149
OE Spec’d: 97
Selle San Marco: 47
Prologo: 80
Bontrager: 51
SMP: 53
Profile Design: 32
Terry: 39
Serfas: 16
Blackwell: 4
Koobi: 4
Planet X: 5
Ritchey: 3
Velo: 3
Forte: 3
WTB: 4
Vision: 13
SQLab: 6
Other: 17
Unknown: 9
SR: 2

Aero Bars
Profile Design: 551
Vision: 346
Bontrager: 185
3T: 171
Zipp: 120
PRO: 75
Specialized: 72
Syntace: 71
Easton: 62
Felt Devox: 54
Hed: 49
Argon18: 42
Giant: 39
Other: 29
OVAL: 28
Blue: 24
Deda: 18
Planetx: 14
USE: 7
Xentis: 6
CKT: 6
Ritchey: 6
Storck: 6

Drop Handle Bars:
Shimano: 1424
SRAM: 505
Campagnolo: 55
Other: 2

Power Meters
Quarq: 191
CycleOps PowerTap: 168
SRM: 152
Power2Max: 35
LookKEO 4
Ergomo: 3

Pedals
LOOK: 776
Shimano: 642
Speedplay: 396
TIME: 74
Other: 59

Front Hydration Systems
Profile: 732
XLAB: 128
Speedfil:** 124
Torhans: 111
Zip Tied Cages (to aerobar) 109
Jet Stream: 32
Specialized Shiv bladder: 32
Shimano: 6
Nathan: 2

Rear Hydration Systems
XLAB: 527
Profile: 157
Beaker Concept: 96
Zip Tied: 58
Shimano: 4

Helmets
Rudy Project: 354
Louis Garneau: 232
Giro:* 177
Lazer: 119
Specialized: 43
Met: 18
Las: 17
Limar: 15
Spiuk: 13
Ekoi: 8
Bontrager: 7
Scott: 6
OGK: 6
POC: 4

Running Shoes
Asics: 300
Saucony: 245
Newton: 201
Brooks: 181
Kswiss: 169
Nike: 118
Mizuno: 107
Zoot: 94
Adidas: 91
New Balance: 48
On: 23
Hoka One One: 23
Pearl Izumi: 19
Woolf: 16
Other: 15
Sketchers: 8
Puma: 5
Merrell: 5
Ecco: 5
Avia: 5
Innovate: 4
Karhu: 2
Vibram: 1
Under Armour: 1
Croc: 1
Altra: 1

13th October 2012 The North Face 100 25km

I have been shying away from training.
I need my beauty sleep. Lol.

I almost din start today's race.
My right heel hurts badly on Thursday and I am not sure why.
There seems to be an extra piece of bone which should not be there???
Luckily the problem went away on Friday, but re-surface during the early part of the run!!!
Am glad to finish the race with no major injuries.

****
Was extremely lucky to get a MR parking lot.
Made my way to the Start Point.
Meet up with a few friends and soon it is time to start the race.
It had been a long time since I had butterflies in my tummy prior to the race.
Must have been the lack of training... =p

FJ took off immediately. Haha, we are too slow for him. =p
It was a nice pace to the edge of the forest where Sandy went ahead. =)

Although there were lots of runners, there is a quiet calm in the forest, except the sound of footsteps.
Trail running is therapeutic. Why did I do that more often?
The pain in the right heel surfaced at this very moment to protest. )=
It is amazing to see Michelle zooming past the whole pack within minutes.

I feel extremely comfortable running in MR, it was as though I have ran here all my life.
Heading out onto Rifle Range Road, I was at a loss.
I cycled along this route a couple of times, but this is the first time I am running on it.

We went off road after 1.5km.
We still can see the roads while running along the edge of the vegetation.
Hehe, this looks a lot like Army Days.
Stayed close to civilisation without beginning seen.
I love it. I should have probably signed on... =P

Soon we hit the railway tracks.
Gosh, it was fun but demoralising at the same time.
You can see the runners in front of you

I could barely run right now.
Having not train for this race, it is tough.

On the open fields leading back to RRR, my hands got very swollen.
Too much water intake?
A guy ran past and ask "Are you alright?"
Thought he was asking the two gals I am overtaking, I ignored him.
He repeated the question thrice, before I ask him if he was asking me. =p
I told him I am alright, and asked him if I really looked that awful.

Reaching the end of RRR, I took a look at my time.
6km more to go than 1 hour to spare.
Completely do-able. I will meet the cut-off time.

For some weird reason (swollen limbs?), I decided to skip my gel intake at 18km.
This has dire straits when I hit the SICC Golf Course.
I am completely flat.
It is like a replay of Singapore Marathon 2009 36km.
I could no longer walk.
I had to summon my legs to put one foot in front of the other.
I got realistic of my timing.
I have ran out of time.
Oh well, at least I managed to do TNF which I never had to chance to partner up during the previous editions.
At least I did not sabo any partner today...

The last 3 kilometers seems to last forever.
Knowing that there is 400m to go did not brought on any extra strength.
I practically walk over the Finish Line.
Took lunch and make my way home.

4th October 2012 Thoughts

Been a long while since I exercise.

I tried to make a comeback in mid-August.
But an incident caused me to take another long break.

My races became my training. (Not unusual)
Not even an OD Triathlon or 21km Run in September 2012 will force me out of hibernation.

Tried to run again and came down with a flu which took me out for another week. =(
Just when I decided to run when I started recovering, I got a thick chunk of skin taken off the sole of my feet.
Now I can only tread with caution and hope for the best for next week's TNF race.
My first TNF race cause I dun longer need to find a partner as they accept individual sign-up. ;)
Haha, my notoriety for running must have been well known. =D

I DNS my first race last Sunday, Mizuno Wave Run 16km.
Yes, the distance scares me, especially when I wonder if I can cope with it after my flu.
After 3 successful rounds of diarrhea, the sign is clear enough that I am not ready for the race. Lol...

Was surprised when my Primary School teacher asked me during our introductions "How do you keep fit?"
I am not even aware that I look anything but fit.
But been the kind teacher as she always is, she assured me that I am. =) Thanks, Ms Ho! =p

Attended the wedding of Nick and Baoying.
Met a lot of old friends.
Made me realised how long I have not been riding. Lol.
Four tables of cyclists and I knew about 80% of them.
The cycling community is truly small.
Mixed reactions about cycling during the wedding dinner.
A few of us had toned down on exercise this year after the Big Show last December.
Some has kept the level of training intensity up.
Congratulations, Nick and Baoying! =)

Oh.... Run'er will be attending Boston Marathon 2013.
Congratulations, Roonz! =)