FAST & FURIOUS- TERIYAKI BOYS!
The haze has really wrecked havoc on most of our training plans. For those of us running in Singapore come December, this is quite a crucial period of our training. On my part, based on my current training, I'd say that tempo runs and intervals are of importance. But I can't do my workouts if the very air that I breathe is filled with toxic stuff courtesy of the forest fires raging in our neighbouring country. I'm hoping that November it will be haze free.
Last Sunday I participated in the Pacemakers Network Run or also known as the AliBaba Run. It was organised by the captain Ronnie See. With the dearth of races in October, it was appropriate that the Run was held mid October.
I had pretty much decided that if the haze was bad, I will take it easy in the Run. No point in running all out in the haze. I woke up at 6am on Sunday to get ready for the run and also to assess the haze. Although it was still dark, the heaze was bad enough to be seen. My mind was pretty much made up by then. A cup of coffee, some light stretching and warming up later, I was out the door and headed to the children's playground at the Lake Gardens.
It took me 5 minutes to get there and after parking my car, I already found the car park/children's playground to be abuzz with actvity- the volunteers were busy, runners chatting, stretching, warming up, doing strides. The usual motley crew of runners were there, and it was great to see them, chat with them, and soak up the atmosphere.
Kelvin Ng, the designated loudspeaker (no microphone needed due to his booming voice) then called the runners together and thereupon began his "introductory" and "welcoming" speech. Minutes later, we were at the starting line.
We were then flagged off (at 7:18am) with our countdown from 10 to 0, and the race began!
Naresh, Lai Fong Sang, Ah Toh and Gunaselan sprinted straight ahead. The 2nd bunch consisted of me, Chen, Ronnie, Khoo Yit Kiat and William Chan. I didn't really check to see who was behind us. We were running quite comfortably in the first lap. When we were almost completing the 1st lap, we overtook Lai Fong Sang. We were pretty much on our own after that. The bunch of us stayed more or less together throughout the 2nd lap, before Chen started taking off from the 3rd lap onwards. William Chan followed suit, then it was Ronnie, Khoo and finally me. Although I was momentarily tempted to follow them, I realised that i was running at an already decent pace. I was also concerned about the haze. I turned around to look who was behind me- no one in sight. So I decided to maintain my pace and position. It was pretty much the same for the remainder 3 laps.
I finished in a time of 1:03.37, which I think averaged out to around 10:36 per lap.
After completing my run, I stayed on to get some Gatorade, bananas, and to cheer the remaining runners. Joked around with the whole gang, and later was presented with a medal and a trophy.
Later, we celebrated the birthdays of the runners born in October. A large birthday cake was cut and subsequently shared by runners and their families who turned up.
All in all a great way to start Sunday morning! As always, the organisation was superb, atmosphere wonderful. I'd have to congratulate Ronnie See and all the volunteers who made the AliBaba Run a success.
Now, if only the haze will f**k off.
Last Sunday I participated in the Pacemakers Network Run or also known as the AliBaba Run. It was organised by the captain Ronnie See. With the dearth of races in October, it was appropriate that the Run was held mid October.
I had pretty much decided that if the haze was bad, I will take it easy in the Run. No point in running all out in the haze. I woke up at 6am on Sunday to get ready for the run and also to assess the haze. Although it was still dark, the heaze was bad enough to be seen. My mind was pretty much made up by then. A cup of coffee, some light stretching and warming up later, I was out the door and headed to the children's playground at the Lake Gardens.
It took me 5 minutes to get there and after parking my car, I already found the car park/children's playground to be abuzz with actvity- the volunteers were busy, runners chatting, stretching, warming up, doing strides. The usual motley crew of runners were there, and it was great to see them, chat with them, and soak up the atmosphere.
Kelvin Ng, the designated loudspeaker (no microphone needed due to his booming voice) then called the runners together and thereupon began his "introductory" and "welcoming" speech. Minutes later, we were at the starting line.
We were then flagged off (at 7:18am) with our countdown from 10 to 0, and the race began!
Naresh, Lai Fong Sang, Ah Toh and Gunaselan sprinted straight ahead. The 2nd bunch consisted of me, Chen, Ronnie, Khoo Yit Kiat and William Chan. I didn't really check to see who was behind us. We were running quite comfortably in the first lap. When we were almost completing the 1st lap, we overtook Lai Fong Sang. We were pretty much on our own after that. The bunch of us stayed more or less together throughout the 2nd lap, before Chen started taking off from the 3rd lap onwards. William Chan followed suit, then it was Ronnie, Khoo and finally me. Although I was momentarily tempted to follow them, I realised that i was running at an already decent pace. I was also concerned about the haze. I turned around to look who was behind me- no one in sight. So I decided to maintain my pace and position. It was pretty much the same for the remainder 3 laps.
I finished in a time of 1:03.37, which I think averaged out to around 10:36 per lap.
After completing my run, I stayed on to get some Gatorade, bananas, and to cheer the remaining runners. Joked around with the whole gang, and later was presented with a medal and a trophy.
Later, we celebrated the birthdays of the runners born in October. A large birthday cake was cut and subsequently shared by runners and their families who turned up.
All in all a great way to start Sunday morning! As always, the organisation was superb, atmosphere wonderful. I'd have to congratulate Ronnie See and all the volunteers who made the AliBaba Run a success.
Now, if only the haze will f**k off.
posted by pm19 at
12:13 pm
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