New Balance RealRun 2007 - 28 Oct 2007

Participated in the New Balance Realrun 2007 for a the 15km run. This run consisted of 12km road, 1km trail(park connector), 1km beach and 1 km runway.
Completed in 1hr:29min.

That morning, picked up Kenneth Chin at Sengkang to the race event. It was Kenneth Chin's 1st 10km run.

Met DO, DreamRunners and Ultraman while queued for the mobile toilet.



The weather was good and it was hot toward the end of the run. A runner who ran up to me and decided to paced along me. He was from Australia and we chat and ran at the same time. Going at a 5:30 pace with him. Later at the 8km distance, I told him to go ahead as I intend to slow down my pace a little.

At the 10km mark, the time was 52min. I was happy to go sub 55min. Saw XuanXing with
with her camera and slowed to have a posed for a photoshot.



Next, the run into the Changi Coastal park trail of 1km and then into the beach sand for another 1km. I took the route to run on the seashore as compared to running on the sandy beach area. It was hot.

Next, turned out from the beach, I went to the toilet for peeing and washed my face. Took a longer break and then walked out to the main road. Met Tekko and we were commenting it was "shiong" and "hot" man.

After walking for a short while from the park & carpark to the main road, it was time to run again to finish the last leg. Picked up pace and turned into the runway.



Ahead was a piece of road land and seem to lead to nowhere. Just pushed myself to run and along the way, Luke came from behind and overtook me. He said that 'hey Kayano, that very smart of you to wear a sunglasses". Luke forgotten to bring his.

I pushed along and saw a young guy stopped running. I encouraged him to run and told him another 800m to go. He picked up pace and run ahead of me. Shouldn't have tell him. Let him walk. But I am not that kind of person.



Next I saw the hanger building and ran up the slope and picked up pace and turned left into the building leading to the final stretch to the Finish line.


Raced and crossed the Finish Line. Time completed 1:29.

Took a can of 100 plus and went into the aircon hanger exhibition area. Met the rest of the SGRunners members and we had a group picture taken.




Was feeling hungry and bought a package of Nasi Lemark and two packs of sandwiches. I sure can eat alot...

Stayed behind for a while to enjoy the atmosphere and then took off with Kenneth Chin in my car.

It was nice meeting SGRunners like Sealboon, Jason, Brokie, Jordan, Dream, DO, TLR, Ultra, Eliza, Freddy.

Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore - 2nd Sept 2007

As a volunteer...

Singapore Bay Run 2007 (Army Half Marathon & Sheares Bridge Run) 26th August 2007

This year Army Half Marathon & Sheares Birdge Run was renamed to Singapore Bay Run 2007. The ending this year is at the NDP floating platform at Marina Bay.

I registered for the 21km competitive event. The route took runners from : Startpoint at Esplanade, Cross street, South Bridge Road, Maxwell Road, East Coast Parkway, up the Sheares Bridge, Fort RD, ECP, U-Turn at C4 near MacDonald and then continue ECP back to Fort Rd, Mountbatten Road, Nicoll Highway, Republic Boulevard, Republic Ave, Raffles Ave and end at Marina Bay NDP Floating platform.

I got up at 2:30am and had a diarrhea and then took a glass of plain water. Next get into action for breakfast. Thanks to my wife for buying the soft plain bread. I had 3 pieces and spread them with peanut butter and a cup of warm Milo (3-in-1).

Changed into my running gear. Put on my baselayer (Nike Pro compression) and then the SAFRA Sunning singlet over it as the wind can be chilly at that time and not wanting to catch a cold as I just recovered from gastric flu over the past few days.

Waiting for a while to see if the diarrhea will come. Thank God...nothing happen.

Put on my Asics Kayano 12 shoe and off I went. Time 3:45am. Drove off to Raffles City to meet Half-Timer there as we have arranged yesterday to meet up at the hotel lobby before we set to the start line.

There was a slight traffic jam at Raffles Ave just outside the NDP floating platform.

Reached Raffles City at 4:35am. Met Half-timer and his friend at the hotel lobby and we began the search for toilet to do one more time of urine.

Met some SGRunners kakis at the hotel lobby and exchanges greeting to Gentle, Tktan, Bee, Doreen, Alvo, Meteor, Ronnie. They were waiting for Sotong. Introduced Half-timer to them as he has not met all of them before and then we proceeded on our own to the start line.

We accidentally join the army group at the start line and realised this is not right segment and decided to pull back. We then saw a barricades infront of the army boy segment. Good thing we check if not we will be delayed in our starting and run with the army boys.

Next we joined the right segment for the 21km competitive run. Met Tigger and Balasing on the run course at the startline.

Time 5:15am and 15 minutes to go. Then at 5:30am, the run began. I was running side by side with Half-timer and at the South Bridge road, we did our own pace and mentioned that if we lost each other, just focus on the run and see each other at the Finish line.

I was keeping a few steps away behind from Half-timer to so call watch his back in the run along the Maxwell Road, East Coast Parkway and then up the Sheares Bridge. Was doing under 6min pace at between 5:05 and 5:20min pace. Pretty good and strong at this moment. However the heat and the sweat was building up inside my baselayer and thus tell myself that I need to remove the baselayer at the ECP carpark B1 toliet.

Turned into Fort Rd and knowing that the ECP carpark B1 is just right ahead, I slowed down a little. Tigger came from behind and say "hello....you slow today". I told him yep...but need to stop at toilet to remove the baselayer. Next I picked up pace at 4:30min pace to race to the toilet. Passed by Halftimer and told him the same. This is the mistake I made. Time was lost here for urine, and removing the baselayer. Washing my face and drink some tap water.

Next continued my run and picked up pace at 4:30min to make up for lost time. Could feel my right hip pain and nevertheless continued the run. Saw Gentle in front and pace just behind him for a while and after that I lost him. I couldn't find Half-timer as I knew he was right ahead of me already.

Saw the 10km marker and looked at my polar timer. It was 59mins. Ok. I am in good time under 1 hour for the 10km run.

Next the U-turn reached and timing was 1:10. Not so bad. Guess this must be the 11km marker. Took water at the waterpoint. I haven't taken my powergel yet as feeling strong at this point.

Then at the 12km marker, I saw Half-timer and he was slowing down. I came from behind and run up to him side by side. He told me he is having cramp in the calf muscle. I asked him is he ok to continue the run or want to take a break walk. He continiued his run however he was wondering how could this happened. I ran side by side with him slowly for a while. I took a pack of powergel. Sensing he is ok, I picked up pace and speed and continued the run.

At the Fort Rd, the road marshall stopped the runners to let the cars move. I didn't want to waste a seond time on the timing and thus "chiong" when the first car about the move. Increased my stride length to run across the traffic junction and could feel a pull in my hamstring and after cross the junction, I slowed down and not wanting the cramp to pull my hamstring.

At the Mounbatten rd water point, I took another powergel and 100 plus.

It was 7am aready, I know the remaining distance is some 5 km away. I need to make a decision to

1) race at 5min pace to finish at under 2 hours or
2) run at my own pace to minimise the injury to my hip.

Choose the 2nd option as I listen to my body not to push myself too hard.

When I turned into Republic Ave, it was 1hr:47min. Next saw the 20km sign and time was 1hr:54min. I could have run at 5min pace to reach 1:59 for completion but listening to my body and not wanting to stretch for injury, I just do my pace. Next came the 500m marker and my watch was 2hr:00min.

I just run my own pace and next the Singapore Flyer was insight and then I turned into the NDP floating platform. Time on my watch was 2hr:04min. I raced to the Finish line and time was 2hr:05min:14sec. I FINISHED THE RACE !!!

Exhausted and was looking for water or 100plus. Took a can of 100plus and removed my Championchip and exchanged it for my medal and out of the holding area I went. That's mean I can't go back into the holding area where there 100 plus water table and banana fruit table. I missed that.

I asked the army boy on duty to let me in but he couldn't. I then asked a runner who is still inside the holding area to help me get a piece of a banana as I needed it very much. He was very kind and went back to get it for me.

I finished that can of 100plius and wanted to go for another can. This time, I needed to climb over the barricades and must find one section where the army boy is not guarding it. I saw a man with four cans in his hand climbing over from the other side of the barricades. I asked if you can give me a can. He gave me one willing. I thank him for his kind help. After drinking, I did some stretching. I met Mike Kang from SAFRA and also some SAFRA runners. One of the SAFRA runners gave me another can of 100plus. Saw Ultra & Ripley on the opposite side of the barricades. Ultra asked about my timing and I told him 2:05. "Not bad, good enough" said Ultra and he continued "keep the 5 minutes for next year to give back."

The SGRunners were gathering 8:30am under the Esplanade bridge for a group photo taking session. It was a big group of gathering and nice meeting them.
TLR & wife(FD), Ultra, DO, Dream, JamesSoh, Tekko, Eliza, AiChai, Sywog, Sotong, IMD and his wife, Alvo & wife(Meteor), Brokie & Hubby(Vincent), Babumouse, TeeLee, Highbury, Burnz, Tiwazz, Stazla, and others.

This is my first AHM (Amry Half Marathon) and I am glad I finished it with a personal best timing of 2hr 05min 14 sec. Will wait for the official result to release. The official result is out. My NetFinish time 02:05:11 and the GunFinish time 02:06:18:18



Cheers !

My 1st year anniversary running on 9th August

Today marks my 1st year anniversary running. Last year 9th August 2006, I started 2.4km around my house. Today I celebrated National Day with a 24km run this morning with my running buddy Halftimer.

We met at ECP carpark B1 and started out from there heading towards Fort Road and Moutbatten Road into Nicoll Highway.

The route map :

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/singapore/53-singapore/693444625

We ran past Bug(one of the SGrunners super fast runners)along the Nicoll Higway. He was running toward the Mountbatten Road toward Stadium.

Heavy rain pour came down hard on us along the Marina Promenade (5km). Visibility was bad and we have to take shelter on one of the shelter with lonely fisherman just started out his fishing. Very cold and we were all drenched wet. After the rain got little, we continued the run in the rain toward Esplanade for toilet break. Met a group of runners inside Esplanade as they were waiting for some friend to start their run.

After toilet break, we continued the run towards Lau Pat Sau (old Market)...Cross street, South Bridge Road. Oh by the way, Raffles Ave was open to us to run. Saw the army and volunteers were there early to get preparation for the NDP.

Along South Bridge Road, we turned into Maxwell Road. Saw the Maxwell Food Market. We couldn't resist the temptation of food and decided to check it out. Guess what ? We bought soya bean drink and beancurd to sit down to drink/eat. My first time into Mawell market (Can't believe myself).

Ayioo...after the drink and beancurd, we walked along Maxwell road toward the Robinson traffic junction and then started the run into Marina South.

We headed toward the Marina South Jetty. Toilet break inside the Jetty and took some picture withthe handphone.

Then we continued back and along the way, decided to try the ECP(Expressway). We were running along the Expressway road shoulder and up the section the the Sheares Bridge heading toward Rochor Road. We climbed into the side walkway. We took time to admire the morning sceanary of the NDP floating platform, Singapore Fly Wheel.

As Half-Timer was sharing about the book he has read on Ultramarathon, there was a quote something like "Run if you still can, Walk if you have to, and crawl if you must"... Well we did all the three this morning and especially the craw portion up at the Sheares Bridge. We crawled on all four. A tall tree branch bended to much that it is impossible to way through the walkway at the bridge. So we got down on our four and crawl.

When we were down into the road and the police already parked there vehicle to block the road for closure. We run on the opposite side and then stopped to request the police can we walk through the section to get into Marina Promenade as we came running from there early this monring. They kindly let us through and we are back heading toward Fort Road via Nicoll Highway and Mountabatten Road. Met the same group of runners (who were at Esplanade earlier) and they were heading back to Esplanade from ECP at Mountabatten Road.

Back at ECP Carpark B1, we meet LittleTigger(another SGRunners). He has completed his 90km cycle training for the coming Aiva Singapore Ironman 70.3. We told him that we also participating in the event too but as volunteers.

This morning was a fun run and we covered 24km. It was a cool morning with a nice blessing from Heaven. It was a nice way of God's gesture to say "Singapore I love you. Let me shower you with blessing of water from above. You need that. Water is needed by all people and it bring unity to the people. You will never have lack of it".

Today is a milestone of reflections for many Singaporen celebrating the independence of Singapore day since 1965 with recollection of our Founders and leader and people in nation building. I am glad I also took the opportunity to have a relection of my running milestone.

We have fun doing a slow and fun run with a combination of run/walk/crawl strategy. Ha..Ha...

Saucony Passion Run 10km 8th July 2007

The first Saucony Passion run was held on 8th July 2007. I signed up for the 10km men veteran category. The race was very well organised being their first time. Atleast some 4000 runners participated. SM Goh was there to grace the event.

My category started at 8:15am. They flagged off each category in different timing (wave). I ran as usual however my Polar RS800sd and the foot pod was not giving me any pace number and timing. The Polar watch showed the time 00:00:00 and there is no pace logged at all. I tried a few time to meddle the watch setting while running and thus was distracted and slowed down. I remembered what Ultrman told me "don't look at your watch, just run and not be distracted". So I decided to ignore. It was hard for me as I normally trained with my Polar RS800sd and the foot pod to get my pace and also to watch my pace whether I am going to fast or slow. My pace is about 5:30 min.

Finally at the 5km U-turn, it was some 26 minutes plus. So I have another 26 to 27 minutes to go to complete the next 5km. Before I make the U-Turn at 5km, I saw Ultraman on the opposite side of the path. So U-Turn is near. I saw the U-turn and picked pace and race towards it. It was 26 minutes.

Now I continued on and skipped the next water point to race back.

I saw a lady and sensed that she is a runner and decided to use her as my pace. At one stage we were overtaking each other and I finally decided to just slow down and trial her behind.

Approached the finishing line with 100 metres ahead, I race towards it strong. Looked up for the timing but couldn't find any timing clock. My watch was showing 9:10am. I guessed I have finished the race in 55mins.

While queuing up for the goodies bag, the lady whom I was following in the run was infront of me. I say "hi to her" and we chit chat and got to know her name is Evon. She participated in triathlon. Why I was trailing her was because she was wearing a Polar watch and thus must have her timing checked. I asked her how was her timing. She replied 55minutes.

So, confirmed my timing is 55minutes. The result of the Saucony Passion run came up the next day and my timing was 55minutes :00seconds.


Well, a good run.

Cheers !

SAFRA Mount Faber - Ultra Challenge 27th May 2007

May 27th 2007 was the way Iran up Mount Faber hill not once but 3 times. The minimum to qualfy the Ultra challenge is 3 times. I was targeting to just do the 3 loop up the Mt Faber hill as I worried that I might injure my knee in view of the Penang International Marathon.

That morning, Ultraman smsed me asking whether I need help for a pacer. I said "yes". He came and we ran together. Ultraman is a fast runner and one of the golden boy and sifu in the SGRunners community and a member of MR25. I was honored to have a friend like him to help pace me and gave me alot of encouragement and companionship along the route. With his help, I managed to complete the 3 loops in 3hrs 15mins and qualified for a running vest from SAFRA.

It was also a hot day run for me. I have learnt alot from this run especially from Ultraman himself giving me a few pointers on the run.


Thanks Ultraman !

Cheers !

Penang International Marathon 24th June 2007

Yes...finally another overseas marathon is here. The Penang International Marathon. I didn't train hard for this. I was also down with a flu/cough and fever and didn't get to run for the past 2 weeks. Making the the trip there was double-minded. Physically weak and still nursing a flu and cough. As I boarded the coach at Golden Mile on Friday evening as the trip and hotel booking was organised by Shutelup. There were 7 of us from SGRunners. They were Shutelup, TeeLee, Balasing, Eliza, George and Fennel. The coach journey was about 11 hours. We reached Penang with a beautiful sunrise as we cross the Penang bridge and in our mind we were thinking tomorrow morning we are going to run across the bride. The length of the bridge from Penang to the main land is 8.5km. Both way is 17km.

We reach the bus interchanged, took a cab to the lodge "hotel", check-in and off we went to Queensway Bay Shopping mall to pick up our race pack. Then is idle time to walk around the shopping mall. Fennel made some kind arrangement to have her cousin to pick us up and drove us to Gunney Drive shopping mall.

We have our dinner at Gunney Drive and I digged in to a plate of Penang Fried Chao Kuay Teow. I was careful in the food as not wantng to have stomach upset before the race. Still nursing the flu and cough. So I ordered no "hum" and no chilli.

Night came, Balasing offered me some panadol and I poped two and then slept. Woke up at 12am to get ready for the race. We need to be at the assembly line at 2am. The race started at 3:30am. When we reached the assembly area, we need to show our race ticket and race bib number before we were allowed into the holding area for full marathon runners. I was refused entry as I didn't have the 2nd race bib number. I was wearing one race bib number tied to the race belt. The official was very strict. Some of the runners were held out. I begged the officail and said " Uncle..tolong lah...I left it in the hotel and is very far away..please...let me in." He finally let me in. Some of my runner friend like Shutelup and TeeLee went back to take their. I took the advice from them last night that only one race bib number is enough and not need two as we are not elite runners going for time and prize money. See what had got us into. Thank God....the official let me in. Collected my first runner rubber band and I stayed insde the school compound.

Guess what..? Edward came up to me and say "Hi..." Took me a while to recall..Yes. The same Edward that I met at KL for the KL International Marathon. His sister Apple was also with him but doing the 10km run. She is outside. Was glad to met a friend from Singapore.

The race started at 3:30am and off we went. My legs were fresh and I could go forward strong and completed the 10km in 50minutes. Crossed the bridge and up the slope and overtook the rest. Slope is no longer a worry to me. I have ran up Mount Faber 3 times for the 30km Ultra Challenge organised by SAFRA and thus the slope in the Penang Bridge is not an issue to me.

After finishing the Penang bridge both way and back to Penang island and along the costal road, it was long and lonely. Was looking out for the 30km marker but couldn't find or rather haven't reach yet. I overtook a few more runners and that stretch of road towards the 30km was very dark. Reach a junction and I stop to wait for the next runner to come up and I asked him which way. Straight or go down the left. He replied "Straight" and I ran along with him and then I was alone again. Next IMD and Teelee called out to me "Kayano". Sensing 30km marker is near and is where the U-turn is. I crossed the 30km marker and the time was 3hr 30mins. I started to strategised abit as my leg is very tired and also with the flu and cough, I need to becareful as the next 10km is killing. At the 35km, I poured away the 100plus in my 4-bottle fuel belt as I was feeling the load. The water point was enough for me and thus I didn't use the fuel-belt bottle.

Though the run, I had the opportunity to blow mose mucus and spit out the phlegm on the road. This time, I didn't pee along the road. There was no urine to pee.

While toward the last 3km at the 37km marker, Tigger came from behind and "joi" me to run with him. He is running strong and started to overtook a few runners infront of me. I told and waved him to go ahead. Seeing him some 100 metres ahead of me, I began to pick up pace and also overtook the few runners infront of me. After the U-Turn into the 41km marker, I couldn't see Tigger anymore. He must have up the final slope and to the finish place at USM. I paced up the final slope of the flyover. This is where the 10km and fun runner route merged with the returning route of the 42.195km runners. Mind..mind. I had to dogged my way and zig-zag here and there as there was a crowd of fun runner and walker. I race down the flyover and back toward the USM compound. Some crowd on the roadside began to cheered me and clapped in encouragement. I waved at them to acknowleged their cheers.

Reached the finishing line at 4hrs 41mins. It was 5 minutes better than the KL International Marathon. The memory of this marathon was that I ran with a flu/cough condition and not very wise to do it. Thank God I survived. Not a way to gamble my life for it. I thought and already plan that if worse, I will just quit along the way. However, as I ran, I listen to my body and also watchful of my running pace.

I am glad I finished the race with endurance of a flu and cough.


After resting a day on Monday, I was back to work on Tuesday...still with the flu and cough. Then on Friday, I was totally down and have a long weekend of rest from Friday to Sunday. Thank God. I fully recovered on the next Monday and back into action.

The run gave us some free time to visit Fennel's parents hosue and they treated to nice lunch at the nearby restaurant and then back to her parents' house to pluck some rambutan fruits. Took some pictures of the rambutan tree with the fruits and also dragon fruits growing on the dragon tree.

Thanks Shutelup, TeeLee, Balasing, Fennel, George, Eliza for the memory trip and run in Penang.

Cheers !