One week before the Sundown marathon and this is the first time i am not involved in a major running event in Singapore since 2005. I had been rest and getting fat after Pacesetters 30 km run in Jan. Most of the MF runners who are involved in the 84 km run seemed to be ready for it. But i was surprised by the lack of supports in this event.

 

I had planned the 20 km Mount Faber run to test their conditions for the race. This route is one of the toughest in our training program. It incurred running up MF hill twice which is very taxing for average runners. For me, i intended to just enjoy the run. Dear was instructed to go to the market this morning and she have no choice but to go. About 20 runners turned up for the long run. Tampines runners were at the clubhouse earlier and they were attempting the southern bridges.

 

At 7.35 am, we started off the run after my briefing. Teck Hou was running at a fast pace and i was surprised that he was running at this pace as next week he need to adjust to the slow pace race. I was happy to stay behind him, letting the morning sun poured at me. Enjoying the run, getting used to the tough training i am planning ahead. I was quite alright when attempting the steep slope but my fever after effects were making me weak. Derrick overtook me when we approached Morse Rd. Joshua followed closely behind. I asked him to go upfront as i was not ready to be his pacer today. 3 of us reached the clubhouse for the first loop in 47 min. Teck Hou was way in front. I took my break at Esso station when attempting the second loop. Joshua followed me for a break but after that, he went on his own. I enjoyed my Pocari Sweat before i started off. Running up the MF steep slope is agony and demoralising. A lot of tourists were at Jewel box by then. When i descend down from the hill, i saw Peter, Siew Lee and Shirley running up from Morse Rd. Siew Lee passed me her car keys to get the ice packs for the runners. It was very nice of her to prepare milo and ice packs out of her good will every Sunday. With 4 km left to go, i decided to give it a miss as i was not giving my best efforts for this run. I headed to Henderson ways bridge and go back to the clubhouse from there.

 

Tampines runners were already at the clubhouse and i offered them some 100 plus from our store. In return, they offered some ice packs which Siew Lee have already prepared. Soon the runners were back. Teck Hou finished in 1 hr 35 min, Derrick in 1 hr 39 min and Joshua finished it in 1 hr 41 min. It was a good feeling to get back to long endurance run.

 

25th May 2008 (Sun). Distance: 20 km

 

 

I was trying to make a comeback on my endurance test. I have not doing a long run for a long time. It was a 22km run this morning conducted by Ricci. About 20 runners turned up for the endurance run. Chairman was here too, he had been training very hard these days. Seem like he is going to test his PB this year.

 

Ricci led the run upfront and was quite ahead. I was happy to stay behind due to my lack of endurance run as i was not sure of my conditions despite improvements in my speed. We ran past Depot Rd - Alexandra Rd - Pasir Panjang .. as usual, very quiet early in the morning. But the sun was pouring at us by then. My legs were feeling tired when i tried on the slopes of SBV due to recent power training. Ricci was quite a distance away but i couldn't see the running group behind me. As i approached NUS, the sloppy terrain made me feeling more tired. I was feeling thirsty, a real test of endurance. When i completed the Clementi loop, Ricci was waiting for me at the Cheers. He asked me whether i had any spare cash as he was feeling very thirsty. I could see that he was not feeling quite well, he was coughing quite badlly.

 

I accompanied him for the rest of the route but we changed the route plan by running through the southern bridges linking HortPark to Telok Blangah Hill and to Mount Faber hill. I never expected the route to be tough, have to overcome several slopes. And then we descend from Kampung Bahru side, i guessed we had done a longer route. By the time, we were back to the clubhouse, everyone was back there.

 

It was a good start from there. I will pick up more mileage from there.

 

18th May 2008 (Sun). Distance: 22 km

 

 

 

I was late for training yesterday and i went up straight at the MF carpark to wait for them without joining them for the warm-up run. There were about 40 runners tonight and some new faces attended this tough training. As usual, i gave a briefing on the MF loop training and the safety precautions to take note before we started off.

 

At 7.10 pm, we started off the run and immediately we were met by some big coaches dashing down the downslope. It was going to be a heavy traffic night since the wooden bridge had opened. I joined Melvin in front to lead the running pack. The elite runners were having their power run too. I clocked 7 min 34 sec for the first loop and soon leading in front. I tried to maintain the timing constantly with the second loop on 7 min 30 sec. It was pretty hard to maintain the constant time especially at my maintenance conditions. The third loop finished with 7 min 36 sec which was satisfying. But i dropped pace at the fourth and fifth loop, clocking 7 min 48 min and 7 min 51 sec respectively. I knew i was not in my best running conditions.

 

After that, we trained other parts of our leg muscles by doing staircase PT. This workout really made our legs jelly. Overall, it was a good training. At the dinner, Kumaran asked me why i missed so much long runs this year. This question also popped up in my mind every weekend. Probably i did not have a goal in front. Missing a goal make a runner weak.

 

13th May 2008 (Tues)

 

 

The PI registration forms were ready and i bought over to the clubhouse for the runners. CM mentioned to me to get 50% subsidy for this race. Well, i don't have any objections. It is a big effort for Tampines Safra running club to organise this event.

 

Jimmy conduct today's training, anyway it's a long run. I was not feeling quite good after a fever strike me last night. We were supposed to run to Kent Ridge Park via Science Park 1 and return by Kampung Bahru. The distance was around 14 km. Some new comers joined us for the run this evening. Kumaran and myself dashed out as usual to lead upfront. We were way in front of the running group and it was a good pace between us. We stopped at the Queensway junction to let others joined up. I stopped at various junctions to direct junctions to guide the runners and tried to slow down to lead them into Kent Ridge.

 

I ran 1.5 round around Kent Ridge hill before i waited for the rest of the runners. After the last runner past me, i decided to go on my own run to HortPark and back to the clubhouse through Depot Rd. I decided to do a time trial from Depot Rd to the clubhouse. It took me 8 min 30 sec to complete the 2 km route. My whole body was feeling a bit aching. Nevertheless, it was a good sweat-out.

 

8th May 2008.

 

 

The training was conducted by Jimmy this evening. The program stated 5 rounds around Telok Blangah hill but i am sure which route he was refering to. The elite group strength was growing, more stronger runners were joining Alan's specialized training. It was motivating to see these runners, reaching out for great heights.

 

This year with the economic slowdown, my running also followed suit. No particular goal for me to aim and i probably will not break any PB this year. But i still try to keep my fitness in tact. Hopefully i will turn my engine on and start training hard again. I miss the tough training.

 

We have a slow jog to the TBH carpark. From there, Jimmy gave a briefing on the route. We supposed to do the normal 1 km route and then run all the way to the entrance of TBH and climb back again. He mentioned the distance to be 1.2 km but i felt it should be 1.4 km according to my running time. Ricci was doing his surging run on the slope while i led the group through the 5 sets. Melvin followed me tightly behind and i like his steady running. My fitness was not tip-top and i was feeling hard on upslope running. I was particularly comfortable with the upslope and it was a bit unusual. My lack of long run was shown and my endurance was dropping. I felt some fats on my stomach area - eat too much.

 

I completed the 5 loops with a time of 38 min. It was satisfying as i was able to complete all the sets.

 

6th May 2008 (Tues).