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.

SunDown

29 May 2010,
Many hotrunners took part in the Sundown Marathon. Bokz, MJ, Poh, ZiQing, Edwin, New, Newton M, Randy, Eric, Betty, Francis, KH, Janto and a few more.
All in, we had a wonderful night race with our personal stories of the challenges and the lessons learned in spite of the accomplishment.
The organizer were trying their best to host the 19 thousands runners (was 11 thousand last year). There has been a surge in interest in Sundown marathon. There were runners from other countries who toiled through the humidity like the locals. Water points were available every 2 kilometers or so to keep us hydrated.
It had been an enjoyable 21km race for me. However, the new start point brought transportation difficulty to many. Although the race route is on a long easy stretch of flat road fringing the airport runway, I did miss certain elements of the inaugural race which required the participants to run alongside the seafront and threaded through the heartlands of the East coast communities.
Earlier, the practice run at night with some of the runners have been beneficial to prepare me for this race. I would encourage group practice to build up towards an event as it would be enjoyable and motivating. Although the Tuesday regulars have dwindled a bit, the running spirit is still abound as can be seen by the Sundown turnout for hotrunners. Betty and Francis in particular were inspiring, having committed themselves to run their first marathon by the end of this year. Cheers to the runners....

Run for Health, Run for Fun, Run for Life

Marathon Singapore Registration Opens

Singapore Marathon is no more....
not sure if there will be one eventually but Marathon Singapore has been launched...
and registration starts today...
was at the the launch at Raffles place and seems like people has been there since the night before...
the attraction???? a citizen eco-drive watch for the 1st 80 registrants and a goody bag got next 800...dunno whats inside but as long as there is a goody bag...singaporeans will throng for it...


no i was not part of the queue...

Registration Prices
Duration	20 May - 04 Jun	05 Jun - 02 Jul	03 Jul - 30 Sep
Categories	Inaugural Period	Early Bird Period	Normal Period
Full Marathon - 42.195km	$45.00	$75.00	$85.00
Half Marathon - 21.1km	$36.00	$58.00	$65.00
10km - Men / Women / Wheelchair	$31.00	$50.00	$55.00
Kids Dash- 750m	$10.00	$18.00	$20.00
Ekiden - 42.195km (6 participants per team)	$300.00

sign-up now for the so-call inaugural period price...very attractive
and judging by the inflation of registration fees these days, its substantial savings...
so if you are want to be part of the marathon singapore, do sign up now..

Preparations and updates

This evening (18 May), the sky over Upper Pierce reserviour looks threatening with thick dark clouds looming. The weekly scheduled run was called off. Having not ran for 2 weeks, decided to slowly jog, solo 7.5km towards my wife's office in Yishun. Put emphasis to practice the left hamstring pull. Time really flew fast when you are trying to put some practice runs to prepare for a major long distance run event. To fill you on some activities,...

3 special long runs were organized for Sundown Marathon participants. A midnight 16km which I was part of, a 20km morning run and a 20km midnight run (just 5 days ago). The group will be tapering down with just 2 weeks remaining before the Sundown.

This weekend, Edmund will be in the Passion Run.

20 May registration will start for Standchart Marathon. Already, Bokz has been working behind the scene to tie up with AWWA for volunteer help for disadvantaged children. You will hear more from him soon.

Gan, William has signed up for Bay Run in September. I am sure other hotrunners have signed up too.

MJ, thanks for the tip on Key Power International sales. I bought a high flow bicycle bottle and a Pearl Izumi Tri-top.

JP Morgan 5.6km Corporate Challenge

VFI-Runners fielded a team of 4 to this JP Morgan 5.6km Corporate Challenge event. A total of 11,753 participants from 369 companies participated.

Total male runners = 5,713

VIF-RUNNERS RESULT

NAME TIME POSITION

KwongYeong 27:40 0352 (wow !!!) Team captain

Joe Tan 31:45 1046

HC Gan 32:13 1156

EngJoo 32:52 1307

As the distance is only 5.6km, the runners tend to ran fast and wanting to complete in shortest time possible. So this is quite a different kind of run as compare to half or full marathon which focuses more on endurance. This 5.6km event is focus on speed and some degree of endurance as well.

HC commented that he was close to breathless after crossing the finishing line. His pace/speed was 5:45min/km or 10.43km/hr.

EJ & Joe

HC & KY

Overall, the team was quite happy with their results. Looking forward to send more teams next year from VFI-Runners and hopefully from Hot-Runners group as well.

http://www.jpmorganchasecc.com/events.php?city_id=2&page=events050610

http://www.jpmorganchasecc.com/results.php?city_id=2&type=topmale&year=2010

http://register.jpmorganchasecc.com/chasecc/results/quickfind.tcl?sub_event_id=96935&series_year=2010&tname=verifone&fname=&lname=