Singapore Zoo Run 2011 Race Review

looking forward for a good run, which didn't happen...
Bad Weather. Race Cancelled.

Along Mandai road, runners parked their cars along double yellow lines

Last Saturday was the zoo run, signed up for the competitive men 8km, upon arrival at Mandai Road, that was this jam. The traffic police stopped us at 1.5km before the zoo entrance, so i have to walked in (again walking out after the run).

A massive crowd when i arrived, it was hard to find a place to warm up too, at around 4 pm it started to run, thunderstorm, i just find a corner below the information counter and sat down, no point standing up waiting when you don't know how soon the rain will stop. Closed my eyes seated cross-legged, kind of in a meditation position. At around a 5 pm i decided to stand up and walk around, unknowingly i joined the queue in collection the medal. Super long queue, saw our Singapore Marathon Champion Mok Ying Ren, waited for around 20-25 mins before i got the items (medal & a hand-held water bottle). I walked towards the start line and saw a crowd of runners waiting, the rain had stopped at around 5:10 pm. So i just joined the 6km fun run (people were eating ice-cream, drinking 100 plus as the race starts, this is surely a fun run/walk). It was dangerous as kids around the height of my hip, were running in front of me, i had to stop suddenly a couple of times, as usual couples holding hand walking, it was expected as it was a fun run anyway. A small boy about 6 years old dashed in front of me and fell, i pat him on his shoulder as he was standing up, the wet ground made running dangerous.

Collecting the medal before the run.
Holding on the medal & hand-held water bottle, completed the 6 km fun run, this medal is just a sovenir. This is the second time i didn't run in a race i signed up. In one year, i didn't turn up for the Mizuno Wave run, because of a thunderstorm.

The organizer should make announcement on the PA system and update us on their plan. Most competitive runners (8km men & women) left when they learnt the race was cancelled. Not knowing they were supposed to collect the medal & a free hand-held water bottle. (they can collect the items at 2XU store at Marina Square from 22 Feb to 25 Feb), check facebook page for more updates.

Last year, i had joined the Newton 30km run organized by Pink Apple, there was slight rain before the race, and it started anyway. They can probably delay the race for 15-30 mins and before deciding what to do, the rain stopped at around 5:10pm. When the race was supposed to start at 4:45pm, they can combine both men & women together. However for safely reasons, it is definitely better to cancel as the route was wet & slippery, but they still proceed with the fun run. Given an ice-cream after the run, but no water, i didn't see the 100 plus, only drink when i reached home at around 8pm.

The organizer (Pink Apple Pte Ltd) should have free shuttle buses to the zoo, pick up point at MRT station, so it will not create this jam along Mandai (most runners taking cabs and parked their vehicles along the whole stretch of road)

This is the first time signing up for the race ($50), it will be my last too. Felt sick after the run, with slight fever, having a rest day today.

This evening, the organizer had send an apologise letter to all competitive runner, and I accepted it. As usual, just move on, there will always be another run.

Newton Run 2010 Race Review

The finisher medal, both 18km and 30km runners received the same medal (similiar design as Malaysia Newton Run on 26 Sept 12km/25km), I thought they should at least differentiate the 2 race distance. Well the ribbon colour remains me of the flag of Thailand.

Running 3 rounds of 10km each, along the beach there was strong headwind in the early morning and it made us push harder, that was tough.

On Sunday morning, together with 5 of my running friends we completed the 30km run at East Coast Park. The cut off time for the race initially was 3:30 hrs for 30km, however the organizer decided to change it to 5:30 hrs just in Sept. The emcee announced that there were 3,500 runners for both race distance, however it looked less than that. Before the start of the race, my friend gave me a packet of power gel, which I intended to take at around 13-14km.

The race starts at 7am, it was drizzling (cool perfect weather) and I reminded myself to be careful of the wet ground. The participants in this race are mostly seasoned runners(signed up to meet the cut off time), once flag off, all these runners just push forward.

Started the race at a comfortable pace, slightly faster than what I did in training. At the 2nd water point around at around 4-5km (at the lagoon) I picked up 2 packets of gel at the water station. Finished the first 10km (round 1), I checked my time it was slightly more than 1hr, was running at a good pace. In the second round, I met up with my running mate Roland, and we ran together for most of the 2nd round, at 20km mark upon crossing the line at the check point, I checked my time it was 2 hrs 1 min, I told my friend Roland we are going out a bit fast, but he just maintained his pace while I started to slow down, pretty soon I lost sight of him.

The final round of 10km (after running 20km) was the most challenging, my longest training run had been around 19km. At around 23km, was starting to feel the strain, my legs are alright (just a bit tired by now), no problem with my knees, so I looked at my watch again and knew that I can probably finish the race within 3hrs or so.. to get another PB. Popped the 3rd packet of gel before the lagoon, guess it was more of a psychological effect, thinking you are energised by the gel...I kind of slow down more in the final round, trying to maintain the pace I wanted.

In the last 3-4km towards the end, started to pick up some speed, I knew I was the last to finished in our group, at the last 2km, I maintained a good pace. Finally crossed the line in relief, finished the 30km run ... a true test of strength, stamina, endurance and speed. Crossed the line in 3 hrs 7 mins. Was happy with my time, gave my best, at least I didn't walk apart from drinking at the water stations.

Well, at the finish I took 2 cans of 100-plus, given an ice-cream and a wet towel (kind of refreshing).. with some ice, I used the towel to cool down..

The fastest time acheived by my friend was 2 hrs 25 mins, followed by 2hrs 45 mins, 2hrs 47 mins and Roland was 3 hrs 6 mins (he was 58 years old). Another friend finished in 3 hrs 20 mins. A good race with everyone getting a Personal Best.

This is a small scale race, the participants are manageable, however I can tell that there are a shortage of volunteers at the water stations. There wasn't any cheering group along the route, apart from the 30-40 people cheering at the finish line. Anyway a good race.

Till the next race. The next largest event will be the full marathon in December, and it was less than 2 months away.