UPR 31 Aug 2010

with our frens from AWWA, Janice, Danny and .... i cannot remember his name...

HT wanted me to mention this:
we had record turnout 19 runners!! (Ed & Cat not in pictures)

margaret taking on the boys: I was running faster than you guys ok!!

Runners at ease

Sunny weather. Friendly faces. Sok Han came to run after a long "off" season due to personal commitment in her Shape Run pink top. We welcome her on board. we have very diverse running objective for the day.

Poh did her steady, steady bom pi pi route of 10km. Edwin the Rusher chiong 6.5km to go under 30minutes was his target.

HT did 3km without socks via pump-house to try and learn to feel the ground for a change. Also to avoid the slopes.

Jason did better with 3.2km to via gate.

Soke Han started off with Cat towards the pump-house. Soke Han did a good rehab run of 2.4km and was cheerful throughout as usual. Cat did 5km and wanted to avoid the slope for a change.

Edmund and Bokz probably did 6.5km and they were back looking peaceful and worked.

The 8 of us are regulars of UPR and we were very at ease with the surrounding. Drinks are sponsored by Bokz. Cat volunteer to sponsor the next round. What a fantastic way to transit from a work day ... Run for Health, Run for Fun, Run for Life.

Side note:

Edmund preparing for 10km wave run.

Soke Han preparing for Standchart

Cat going after Standchart 42km (her first) via Bay run 21km.

Edwin is on Bay Run.

Bokz is on almost every major run event.

HT is for the once a week run to stay in shape and focus on 10km speed.

Jason is on his way to be a proficient runner.

Poh... steady and always ready for 42km.

Next UPR visit, I hope to pace with Gan, Bobby or chiong with Edwin.

What is your plan for next Tuesday 6pm?

Regards

New Record UPR 2010 - 16 pax

116th UPR, 3 Aug
Yes, it was a record 16 runners for this year.
First time with hotrunners: JiangHua, XiXi and New Junior.
You can tell that there was excitement and joy in the air before the runners started off promptly together at 6pm.


Different parties at different pace, each having own preferences and yet happy being together.
Gan was using his handphone software to track his run in absence of Garmin.
Marge was steady and relaxed alongside Poh.
New Junior, at 11 years old, aspired to take a sports seriously. Have genes from his mother Cat.
HT did not overcome the slopes this time and decided to walk the last half km for a change. Good part is… there will be next Tuesday to attempt it once more. The slopes will be waiting for me to be conquered again.

Edwin sponsored drinks and was ready with cups as well. Have to bring more ice in future as the group is getting to be above 10 pax these days.

Tuesday at UPR

we luv tue, not b'cos we are done with our monday's blues and midweek is comin after tue..
we luv tue b'cos we can have our weekly dose of endorphine...in the tranquility of upp pierce reservoir (known affectionatly by hot runners as UPR)

its also here where we catch up with the week's gossips and happenings, what's the latest running gadgets, shoes that has hit the market,

any runs coming along, how's your running progress...

edwin, fast turning into a 6k specialist was out and back in very quick timing...

jason and mark were conquering the double ascent well and was great to see jimmy and pak loon joining us again

margaret and catherine were running well

francis and bobby were also there and of course, our dear HC, who always try to join us despite having to travel long distance to get to UPR

We're running in the rain...and we ain't complaining

the rain came early at about 1345
1630...no one send any msg or IM to ask if the run is on
wierd..

1700...margaret IM me..."run on"?
rain check: drizzle still but no more downpour
jason walked over and asked "run on boh?"
rain check: heavy man!!
"heavy rain...cancelled" i told him
1705...margaret again.."run on boh"
i IM all hot runners..this is final call...
msg: raining still...run cancelled...
deluge of messages comin in, "ok", "sui", "going home to sleep better, good call"
seems like all dun feel like running but waiting for someone to bring up the topic...
and one funny one: "very light rain, let's proceed"...
followed by "cuckoo la...are you even aware rain is heavy"
1715..its official...RUN IS OFF
hweechwee: ok..going to gym then, bye!

1730: margaret: "no rain liao, how?"
margaret, francis, HT, bobby and myself...
adamant that the spirit will not be easily conquered by some water droplets
decided to proceed...HC joining us as well...
another crazy runner :) but we like him

HT & bobby decided to run all the way to Upp Thomson Road...rain or heavier rain also dun care
margaret, francis & myself...hehe..pump room route for us...
can come back faster if it starts to rain crazily..

went off to a quick pace...motivated by the rain
steps were light, nimble...felt shiok on our forefoot running shoes
(margaret on newton, me newbalance 800)
fancis is running so much better and efficient now, he was not far behind when we turn around

HT & bobby were enjoying themselves...by the time they came back...
we were chatting happily, under the shelter of course
Tue is special for hot-runners, for me as well...
its like a ritual, akin to sun must attend church, tue must run
we like running, but more importantly, we love the companion of fellow runners

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." says John Bingham

Record number 2010 in UPR

A very breathtaking mood picture of UPR taken by the keen eyed Edwin. He was among the record number of 15 runners for this year in UPR. Different distances (3, 6,9km) were completed. Finished at the same point to cool down and soaked up the joyfully relaxing evening in the picturesque UPR. 100plus were complimentary from Edmund (Welcome back after the long break from running in UPR) and Edwin. ... thanks.

Carried mobile phone in rear pocket of my running vest to try the Cardio Trainer application on Android. It did track the route and time accurately. Reported the distances and time taken with me registering the notification half the time. If a runner is not prepared to get a Garmin or equivalent, Cardio trainer will be able to give basic running information.

MJ liked his Kassos toe shoes. Some of us will definitely check it out.

Was happy to see Mark, Jason and Dennis enjoying the runs thus far for last 3 weeks in UPR.

Gan, thanks for running alongside especially the down-slope... Always interesting to observe how you tackle it with ease.

Cat seemed willing to try pose running. All the best for her journey into a different running technique.

Happy on the Run

112th run,

This week again 10 runners:

Poh: most consistent in her running style… steady, no rush and no stops on the slopes.

Edwin: Cheong in Track 24, Cheong in UPR as well. The undulating road will spice things up.Cat New: Whaa… the monkeys, better run faster to be away from them. Also, those intimidating slopes… The group felt she ran fast.

Fancis: Getting used to longer distances (6.5km) and the hilly terrain. Progressed much thru his interest and determination.

He looked much better and healthier nowadays. Very happy guy when you see him running.

Bobby: Steadily going pass the average 10km/hr mark.

Pak Loon: preparing for his reservist training.

Mark, Jason and Denise: Must be getting used to the slopes soon. They like the

challenge.

HT: took Pete’s cue… minimalist joy run. Not to wear any gadgets, free yourself from discipline to keep time, speed, heartrate, strategy, run technique etc…. Simply enjoy for a change… run at will, stop when feel like stopping.

News:

1. Edwin decided to take a new routine… run in UPR instead of Thursday.

2. Along with this change, will consolidate the Thursday runs into Tuesday while Bokz will start a series of Saturday early morning runs in East Coast Park for the long distance (>=15km) enthu.

3. There is a program for Android apps for free... CardioTrainer. You can check it out on YouTube also. It measures distance and speed thru GPS... uses voice to inform runner of status regularly. A close substitute for my Garmin? I will have to try it out. Another program is Mapmyrun.

Running UPR and News

8 runners made it to UPR. We welcomed Mark and Dennis who joined the run. It was nice to meet Gan, Bokz, Poh, Francis and Bobby. The weather was beautiful. 6 pm sharp, the group took to the road. Saw a group of skateboarder at the crest of the sloppy road. Soon, Booby, Poh and I were at the gate. (done 1.6km already) . Somehow, after the 21km Sundown, I was able to enjoy my run better again. 4 months ago, I would have been running slower and needed music in my ears to calm myself. Last 2 occasions, the runs seemed faster, manageable and more enjoyable.
I concluded that the long distance event makes the shorter ones a breeze. Participate in a 21km event at least once a year will be my plan to keep enjoying 6.5km runs.

After 40 minutes of running, the group gathered around with ice cold H2O.

News:
1. Bokz is organising 15km and above runs on Saturday at around East Coast MacDonald as start point. The series will have first 2 runs of 15km and ends with last few runs at 30km to prepare for Bay Run and perk for Standard Chartered Marathon. We already have a few keen participants signed up with Bokz.

2. BYO: bring your own water for future runs. Give the coordinators a break.
3. 60,000 places for Standard Chartered run has been fully taken up. Registration is closed. Better luck next time.
4. Anyone wanted info on toe socks.. Poh uses it daily. Anyone wanted info on toe shoes, MJ runs with it (2 pairs already). Heart rate monitor... Gan

To Gan: thanks for the socks from UK. It rocks.

from P Laute

=== A note of encouragement for the SunDown Marathon participants ====

HT,Congratulations on completing another marathon. It's great that you can fit into your busy life the time required for practice runs, still having the energy/drive after a long day with all of life's pressures and demand for your time/energy. I don't think anyone with a full time job, family, and the everyday life comitments can ever find enough time or energy to train enough to reach their full potential. We just have to do our best to balance life and use our running to stay healthy and have a (good) selfish interest to look forward to.Keep up the good work and remember why your run; "Run for Health, Run for Fun, Run for Life" this race has a clock and it is counted by the years you remain happy and healthy - so you (and all the other Hotruners) are a world champion for sure.Pete

Happy in UPR

6 hotrunners braved the drizzle which stopped soon just as the run started. Met another 2 in UPR.

Poh introduced Afredo, a colleague, to the group. We extend a warm welcome to Alfredo and hope he like jogging. Alfredo did 6.5km at about 10km/hr. He was more than ready to run. Alfredo is from the Philippines and have worked in Singapore for 7 years. He is with Motorola for 6 months already.

Bobby has stopped running for a while to attend to his evening courses. He was also looking forward to the run. He is certainly picking up the paces and will run more frequently to enjoy the events which he planned for. He did 6.5km along with all of us. Didn't see any monkeys this time.

Gan, after being back from Lonon not too long ago, was looking forward to the UPR run. In his busy travel schedule, he was just as committed chalking up some kilometres in the gym. Gan came back looking comfortable (not laboured). He is in good form/shape.

Bokz was traveling so I hosted this run. The slopes seems longer than I last visited. Darn, walked twice when nearing the Apex of those formidable slopes on the way back. Those slopes is becoming a love-hate relationship for me. I like it because it is formidable.

Guan Hong was all smiley before, during and after the run. The rest shared his mood and were evident as the group chatted after the race with cups of H2O in our hands. We felt happy and satisfied.

Some of the Tibits worth noting; MJ did 4:30 hours for his inaugural Sundown. Within 4 days, he have committed himself for another full Marathon by signing up the Standchart event on 5 Dec. Wondered if any of his race plans included his newly acquired strange, avant gade toes-shoes.
Talking about that,: Standchart Marathon 42km fulled booked by end of early bird 4 Jun, 21km was full on 7 Jun, take up rate is fast. Sundown, Standchart registration period are pre-maturely terminated due to strong early bookings. If you still want to take part, quickly go for it (10km).

Gan also drop me a note on the North Face 100km run is open for registration. CS Chan has done it twice hence you should ask him on his experience if you are interested. Have to find a buddy to sign up in pairs.

Bokz is coordinating a heart warming activity to help disadvantaged persons under the AWWA welfare organisation. Already 5 lady hotrunners have signed up to host 10 beneficiaries and 2 assistants. 10 more volunteers needed for the preparation training at East Coast leading to the race. 2 of the beneficiaries are on wheel chairs.