Review: Greatest Charity Run @ TP 24/04/2009

Organiser: Singapore Book of Records

Date: 24/04/2009, Friday

Venue: Temasek Polytechnic Sports Hall

Category: 2.4 or 5 km run, 50m Wheel Barrow race

On the 24^th of April 2009, The Singapore Book Of Records along with several other charitable organizations such as 4PM, Teen Challenge... The event was organized in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the Largest Human Wheelbarrow Race in human history. This record was held by Carey Baptist Grammar School of Melbourne with 1,044 participants taking part in the Wheelbarrow race.

I participated in this event together with my friend Asri, with whom I will also be running with for the Sundown marathon this coming May. Being that this is a night run it will be a good practice run for us to be familiar with running at night, where the air is filled with carbon-dioxide emitted by the trees that surround us.

As it was a Friday, we were able to reach Temasek Polytechnic on time for the race from our workplace. As we entered my former school we were greeted by the 1^st wave of runners taking part in the 2.4km run. We made our way to the Sports hall where we registered ourselves and made our way to the soccer field to participate in the wheelbarrow run. It was tough. The last time we did something of this nature was in primary school. Certificates of participation were given at the end of the 50m.

8pm, All runners participating in the 5km assembled.A mass workout was conducted. Then off we went. Two rounds around route, which took us from the sports hall to the fountain, Mensa, Design canteen and the Stadium. It felt very nostalgic for me as I used to run around the route back when I was schooling there. Goody bags was given after the completion of the run. I have to say that the sponsor for the event was very generous; I did not expect to go home with so many souvenirs.

The Good:

Personally I felt that the organisers had taken great care planning the event. There were a lot of activities going on at the same time and everyone seemed to be having so much fun trying to break the world record. Goody bag contents were beyond expectation.

The Bad:

They organized it on a Friday night, this might be the reason why there were not that many participants from the general public. The event was mostly attended by the students from the Temasek Polytechnic. Also there were no clearly designated water points for the runners and I had some feedback from some runners that certain parts of the route were too dark.

My Rating:

Difficulty: 2 (1- Beginners 10- Superhuman) – an enjoyable run. The route is mostly flat and being that it was a night run, we hardly sweat as the temperature was cool.

Organisation : 7 (1 - stop organising 10-Encore plz) – Overall it was well organised, despite not having any baggage collection area. The organizer and the student helper made it a very entertaining event to be a part of. Kudos!

Will I run this run again? : Maybe. If they were to organize it on a weekend. It was a rush to get to the venue. Never the less had I had so much fun being a part of this record breaking event.

My Power Song : "Pressure by Paramore"

Photo: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=91371&id=634451274&ref=mf

What's next? Saucony 100plus Passion Run 15K 24^th May 09, ECP

Pre-Running Nutrition Tips - Speed Fuel

Pre-Run Fuel
So, You have chosen your Running Workout Programme, now you need the fuel to power you through it... Here's are some recommendations.

60 Minutes before you Run Eat...
- Muesli / Granola Bar, Yogurt and a Banana
This mix is rich in fibre, protein and carbs, so you will get slow-release energy for as long as your legs are willing to carry you.
Note: I like Quaker's Cookies and Cream Muesli bar best.


20 Minutes before you Run Eat...
- Oats and Honey
Honey is complex sugar that gives long-lasting energy, while the oats give you slow-release energy for the latter parts of your pavement odyssey.
Note: Sometime I just take the 3 in 1 instant oat cereal with honey



5 Minutes before you Run Eat...
- Handful of Jelly Beans (;
The sugar in these get metabolized almost straight away, so they'll give you an instant energy hit to give you some extra boost.
Note: Too much (excessive) might cause "Sugar Rush"

Good Luck. Cheers (:

References: Men's Health UK Jan/Feb 08 & Books

Brooks Republic Run @ North West 2009

Brooks Republic Run @ North West 2009

Date: 28th June 2009, Sunday
Venue: Republic Polytechnic

Reporting Time: 0630 hrs

Run Start Time: 0730 hrs



Categories / Fees
5km Competitive Run (19yrs old & above) - $30
5km Youth Run (14yrs old to 18yrs old) - $30
5km Fun Walk & Run (any age) - $30

All Participant will receive a Race Pack worth more than $50 consisting of:
- Sports Bag
- BROOKS exclusively designed Running Top
- One Bottle of BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken
- One Can of 7Up Revive
- Discount vouchers and others


Running Route

Start Point 1 - Woodlands Ave 9 to
Point 2 - Woodlands Ave 4 Junction
Point 3 - Admiralty Road West Junction
Point 4 - Riverside Road
Point 5 - Woodlands Ave 9
Point 6 - Woodlands Dr 91
End Point 7- Republic Crescent

For Registration Please Visit
Website: http://www.republicrun.sg/home.htm

Walk-in registration: SportsLink Outlets @ Causeway Point, Northpoint, Leisure Park Kallang, Westmall, Whitesands, Hougang Mall, Eastpoint, Bedok Central Blk 213, Ang Mo Kio Central Blk 712, Jurong Point, Tiong Bahru Plaza

My 2009 Running Events.

Here's a list of running events that we will be participating in 2009:

1. Bedok Reservoir Park Valentine Run
Date/ Time: 15 February 2009, 7am
Locations: Bedok Reservoir
Distance: 8.6km
Link: http://www.ekampong.com.sg/bedokRrun.htm

2. Newton Active Run 09
Date/ Time: 1 March 2009, 7:30am
Locations: open field near Farmway LRT station and Anchorvale CC
Distance: 10km
Link: http://newtonactiverun09.blogspot.com/

3. SubUrban @ North East Run
Date/ Time: 15 March 2009, 8am
Locations: Sengkang East Drive, Bakau LRT
Distance: 10km
Link: http://suburbanrun.com/

4. Greatest Charity Run
Date/ Time: 24 Apr 09, 8pm
Locations: Temasek Poly, Sports Hall
Distance: 50 m Wheel barrel, 5km Run
Link: http://greatestcharityrun.wordpress.com/


5.Saucony 100Plus Passion Run 2009
Date/ Time: 24 May 2009, 7am
Locations: ECP Angsana Green
Distance: 15Km
Link: http://www.singaporepassionrun.com/


6.Adidas Sundown Marathon 2009
Date/ Time: 30 May 2009, 8pm
Locations: Changi Coast Rd
Distance: 10.5km Corporate Challenge
Link: http://www.sundownmarathon.com/

7.Mizuno Mount Faber Run 09
Date/ Time: 14 June (Sunday) 2009, 7am
Locations: Mount Faber Park
Distance: 10Km
Link: http://mizunomtfaberrun.com/about-the-race/race-details/#content

8. Brooks Republic Run 2009
Date/ Time: 28 June (Sunday) 2009, 6.30am
Locations: Republic Polytechnic
Distance: 5km Competitive
Link: http://www.republicrun.sg/

9.The StreetWise Run 2009 (Citibank Milk Run)
Date/ Time: 5 July 2009
Locations: River Valley Primary School (TBC)
Distance: 9.4Km
Link: http://www.milkrun.sg/

10.SAFRA S'pore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon 09
Date/ Time: 16 August 2009
Locations: Esplanade Bridge
Distance: 21Km
Link: http://www.safra.sg/page.aspx?pageid=300

11.Mizuno Wave Run 09 (TBC if gg)
Date/ Time: 13 Sep 2009
Locations: Temasek Polytechnic
Distance: 10Km
Link: http://www.worldofsports.com.sg/index.cfm?GPID=22

12.New Balance Real Run 09
Date/ Time: 8 November 2008
Locations: Changi Exhibition Centre
Distance: 10Km
Link: http://www.hometeamns.sg

13.Salomon X-Trail Run 09
Date/ Time: 8 November 2009
Locations: TBC
Distance: 10Km
Link: http://www.worldofsports.com.sg/index.cfm?GPID=22

14.Standard Chartered Marathon 09
Date/ Time: 6 December 2009
Locations: TBC
Distance: 42Km
Link: http://singaporemarathon.com/en/

Other runs that we might be participating are (some of these events have yet to be confirmed):

• Asics Run For Hope 09 - (22nd November 09(Sunday), East Coast Park, Angsana Green)
• Reebok Pink Ribbon Walk 09 - 3rrd October 09 (Saturday) East Coast Park, Big Splash
  
• NewPaper Big Walk 09
• Swissotel Vertical Marathon - 22 November 2009 (Sunday), Swissôtel The Stamford
• Let's Take A Walk 09
  

Hope to see you guys in these running events. Remain Motivated, Keep Running!

Cheers.

Recovery Remedy after Running.

Do you know?

Drinking caffeine while consuming carbohydrates helps with muscle recovery.

Consuming caffeine drinks such as coffee along with carbohydrate drinks such as 100plus after a workout or run will help Glycogen levels in your muscles recover 34% faster than just taking carbohydrate drinks only.

Source : Men's Health US March 09

See coffee isn't that bad for you after all.. Hmm.. all of a sudden I have a craving for a cuppa. (:

Review : SubUrban North East Run 15/03/2009

While some choose to wake up late, throw a party or go for a holiday on their birthday, I chose to participate and run the SubUrban North East Run with one of my best friends; Aliff.

Organiser : HiVelocity & North East CDC

Date : 15/03/2009

Route : Sengkang East Drive -> Oasis LRT -> Serangoon Secondary and back

Category: 10k Competitive Men/ Female Open , 5k Category& 2k Fun Run, Team Run 10k & 5k

On 15th March 2009, HiVelocity and North East CDC organised the SubUrban run which was held in Sengkang East Drive. This was the first ever 'Two-In-A-Team' race category.Runners took part in the race with their best friend, parent, child , brother or sister or even their neighbour.

Everyone waited patiently at the starting point. Runners from all around Singapore had gathered together to run the race. Aliff who stays in the west had to leave his house at 6am so he could make it in time for the start of the race. The day sure was a good for getting a nice sun burn.

Flag off was at 8am for the 10k category. They made their way from Oasis LRT station followed by a U-Turn near Serangoon secondary and back to the starting point at Sengkang East Drive. The run was a relatively easy one as the route consisted of mostly flat even surfaces with some uphill and downhill. Road marshals were stationed every 500m to guide runners. Water points were stationed every 2.5km serving 100 Plus and mineral water to the runners.

At the end of the race, runners gathered at the finishing mark to collect their finisher medals, sponsor caps and bananas. The organiser had setup several carnival booths. Among them was an archery booth. The prize giving ceremony was held last.

The Good :

Personally I felt that the organisers had taken great care planning this race. Certain roads were closed and there were road marshals and paramedics stationed at strategic locations along the route to assist runners. For an urban run,I was pleasantly surprised to find some parts of the route to be scenic. All in all it was a wonderful Sunday morning run. Water points provided 100 Plus to runners which I felt was good considering the blistering heat. The race pack for the event was good as well.Participants definitely got value for their money. I also greatly enjoyed the carnival they set up.



The Bad:

As the event was held in Sengkang East Drive (2mins walk from Bakau LRT) which is one of the remote places in Singapore, many runners had difficulties locating the venue. A good number of runners actually started late for the 10k category as claimed that they missed the shuttle bus or were delayed by a long queue at the baggage deposit area because they booth was too small and there were too many people handling it. Based on feedback I received, some runners felt annoyed when they had to queue up more then 20 mins after the run to collect their finisher medal and belongings. Some felt that organiser should have started the race at 7am instead of 8am in order to avoid the heat.

My Rating:

Difficulty: 4 (1- Beginners 10- Superhuman) – everyone should at least give it a go. Most of the route is on flat surfaces.

Organisation : 8 (1 - stop organising 10-Encore plz) – Overall it was well organised, other then the problem with the queue and collection of baggage everything else was awesome.

Will I run this run again?: Definitely! Had an awesome experience being that this is my first ever two man team race. I had fun running the race with my best friend on my B'day.

My Power Song : "Afraid by Yellowcard"

Although I started late because of the queue I managed to conquer 10k in 64mins. Had an awesome time despite getting sunburn.

What's next? Greatest Charity Run, 24 April 2009 Temasek Polytechnic

Photos

Race Pack Collection 07/03/2009 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=81834&id=634451274
Race Photo 15/03/2009 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=81834&id=634451274#/album.php?aid=83246&id=634451274

(: Cheers!

Gear review: ID BAND

- This little accessory might save your life one day!

No one can predict when they might face the nightmare of being involved in an accident. Whether you are just out for a run or even going home from a friend’s place, accidents can occur anytime and anywhere. ID Band is one way to ensure your survival.

Not only is it a fashionable accessory to put on your wrist, it is also practical. Each ID Band is unique as important details such as name, address, contact numbers, contact person, blood type and medicine allergies is recorded on to the band. This is useful in situations whereby the wearer is unable to speak after a accident.

In the past few years there have been cases of hit and run in which runners and cyclists have been run down by a vehicle while crossing the road, even when following the laws of the road.

As an avid runner, I normally run at night when it is cooler. Recently I've had some close calls while crossing at road junctions or zebra crossings. At night some drivers are even more reckless. Wearing the ID Band, I can be assured that in the event of an emergency, my status can be updated to my parents and that the paramedic will be able to tend to me better with the information provided by the band.