Marathon after thot: we like powergel, 100+...but we also like bbq!!

the marathon was finally over...

the rookies: cat, edwin, francis, bobby & HT had a blast of times
yes...legs were aching, muscles sored, feet blistered, arms & thighs abrasion-ed,
some darkened toe nails...and a fabulous tan even..
but what the heck...YOU DID IT!!

john bingham, running writer & speaker wrote:
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

we revel, even the most seasoned of runners, the sheer excitement of starting our runs
"am i ready for a long run?"; "i think i am not feeling well today"; "looks like its going to rain"
we hear these everytime, but deep inside, we know that we are ready to start
dying to go, just that we hate the waiting part.
so kudos to you for taking the plunge...its a big leap..but one i am very sure that will get you talking over kopi, teh, wine, beer and even BBQs for years to come


BBQ evening was great as everyone was more than happy to trade carbo-loading for ca-loading (calories for that)
thanks to edwin for graciously offering his place for the bbq & the 2 bots of wine
the bbq area was great just by the pool and the place was awesome
chicken wings, suasages, bacon, satay, otah, fishballs, stingrays, sotongs, fried beehoon, curry
eric's bought some heineken, which was godsend for killing the BBQ heat
we had wanted to stay till 10pm...we left after midnight

we even had a birthday cake, HC & Charlene gave a surprise to their daughter Vanessa who was having her birthday!!

check out more pictures here

was funny that cat's sister, who came down to help us finish our loads of chicken wings & satays,
exclaimed to her:
"they do not look like marathoners to me leh"
and i was like asking her back "we look too good to be running marathons???"

i always told pple who visited my cubicle and saw the numerous medals that I so "hao-lian-ly" displayed
that anyone can run a marathon...as long as you are willing to start
but it takes an even stronger person to really decide to wake up at 3am and show up at the start line at 5am
so its really not about the time...
time can wait...
as long as you are willing to start,
time will be there at the finish line
waiting to celebrate the miracle with you

Back to peace

Today, we welcomed Andy Toh who came to join us for the first time in his lemon yellow luminous hotrunners tee. He is searching for a way to get back into running... his knees were giving pain. Let's hope that he will find a way to overcome it for good probably with a new running technique.

MJ, Bobby ran back to the office from UPR. Interesting to note that they still have the run intensity right after their Full marathon 2 weeks ago.

Francis gave Andy company and ran towards the pump house.

Bokz and I did our thing to get ourselves into good mood.

Cooling weather, sponsored 100-plus and great company ended the evening nicely.

1st run together after the 5-Dec Stan. Chart. marathon event

After a week break, the hot-runners started the weekly Tuesday run again today. About 10 people turned up. Weather was good and cooling. Slight drizzle when we start the run but the light rain went away in a short while. Everyone had a great run today. Cheers.....

The NEWTON RUN 10-10-10

  
Newton Run this year is on 10-Oct-10... the Perfect Ten.

 Several of our hot-runners went to join the 30km run today.

 Bravo to Bok, Edwin, Matt Joe, Catherine and Margaret. Very proud of you all!

Great turnout in today's run => 19 hot-runners !

A recent new record of 19 people turned up today to run together.

Glad to see CS Chan and Matt Joe whom we have not seen for some time... but are long distance and fast runners. In fact CS will do doing his 50km NorthvFace run this week and MJ will be doing his 30km Newton run next week. Have fun guys.

Started to see some of our hot-runners getting serious about running. Edwin and Boz bought compression running pants (2XU). They buy in US which is 50% cheaper than in Singapore. They sure look sexy in them. Catherine also bought the compression socks. All said it helps them in the run and during recovery.

Saw a few new faces (e.g. the young lady from Baxter) today. They are most welcome to join us.

A lot of sharing of running tips and experience after the run while we drank the 100-plus isotonic drink. Felt so at ease and happy to be with this bunch of lovely people. Cheers......

HC used SprintGPS tracking software on his iPhone. This will give you an idea on the running route that most of us took today.
http://sprintgps.screenmedia.mobi/remote/publicactivityview.htm?uuid=FFC8166B-F76C-46CE-B266-C2CDC7B69674

Upcoming Run Events on 10-10-10 !!

Two run events coming up on same day 10-Oct-10 ! Newton 30km is already closed but the 10km Mizuno 10km is still open until 26-Sep-10. For those who are interested, the 10km event should be an easy one and with a nice goodie package.

http://mizunowaverun.com/about-the-race/race-details/

Mizuno 10km run on 10-10-10

Race Details
Date: 10th October 2010
Venue: Start and Finish Point at Temasek Polytechinc Sports Complex
Distance: 10 km
Race Start Time: 0730 hrs

Closing Date: 26-09-2010, Sunday, 23:59 HRS

$43 to $45

http://www.newtonrun.com/home.html

NEWTON 30km Run on 10-10-10 (Registration Closed on 15-Sep-10)

SAFRA Annual Half Marathon

Two of the largest running events in Singapore are SAFRA Annual Half Marathon (also called Marina Bay run) in Aug/Sep and Standard Chartered Marathon (also called Singapore Marathon) in Dec. Most of our AMK Hot-Runners will try to join this event when our schedule permits.

This year SAFRA AHM is on Sunday 12-Sep-2010 with an estimated 70,000 participants ! More than 10 people from our Hot-Runners joined this events, mostly in the 21km half marathon event.

As the event starts quite early at 5:15am, most of us have to wake up at about 3:30am to get ready and travel to the starting venue. The weather was great that morning and most of us did fairly well and most of us saw improvement in our net run time! Cheers!!

RESULTS :-

LIM SAN SAN MARGARET 2h:32m:8s (net)

CATHERINE NEW LAY THENG 2h:32m:53s (net)

MATT JOE  < 1h:52m:00s (net)

EDWIN GOH 2h:00m:14s (net)

ONG BOK HUI 2h:06m:05s (net)

CHAN CHENG SOON 2h:06m:23s (net)

FOONG KOK PUN 2h:14m:14s (net)

GAN HOCK CHAI 2h:17m:39s (net)

JOE TAN 2h:29m:18s (net)

KUAN SUI TOH 3h:04m:21s (net)       

a.

 






b.

As more photos and results come in we will continue to update this blog. Please send any photos or results for posting to HC Gan, HT Ng or BokHui. Cheers.......

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.