MR-25 Progressive Run 2017 (15km)

It was great running another MR event. MR-25 is a running club that kindly organises free-of-charge sessions nearly every month, including official races such as the MR-25 Ultramarathon or Marathon.

Today, it was time for the 15km Progressive Run.

With the closure of a section of the SICC Golf course, routes for recent MR runs had to be modified. Hence, this was a new 15km course as compared to previous years. A 5km loop around Lornie would be proceeded by a 10km out-and-back portion along the Northern route.

The Northern route is tough.

Upon flag-off, I settled to what felt pretty comfortable for a 15km race. Naturally, I found myself perhaps closer to 20th place. Nonetheless I knew that with time, I would catch up to a substantial number of participants.

The initial 5km was pretty manageable. It did feel appropriate for a 15km effort. However, this race of 15km has a pretty challenging final 10km. I repeated reminded myself to go easy, particularly on the uphills, lest I found myself crawling up hills towards the end of the race.

Having overtaken about 10 runners, I caught up with a few more by the time I reached Ranger station. The route took us further out by a few hundred, before we would make a U-turn. Along these few hundred, the returning runners passed me.

As I write this in retrospect, the leader at that point of the race was actually a Commonwealth Games Marathon participant! Ben Moreau boasts amazing PBs, way better than any Singaporean can manage at this moment. Talk about a 28:40 10km or 2:15:52 full marathon!

As I made the U-turn, I was some distance apart from Chuan Heng. He stopped for a quick drink and I caught up beside him, though I was content to follow his lead.

To be continued~

Photo credits: Chan Chai Hui

Crashing

Credit to Running Shots.

Credit to RunNUS' Facebook page.

Strava data available here. My HR was a little steeper than intended and the hills were even steeper. 

MR-25 Progressive Run 2015 (15km)

Having heard about the existence of the MR25 Progressive Run series, I made it a point not to miss the opportunity to take part in some of the shorter distances of the series (10km and 15km thus far).

Taking place on 1st March 2015, there was little more I could ask for. Here was a timed event that was free of charge while providing hydration and nutrition.

Waking up around 5.15am that morning, I began my usual routine - washing up, breakfast etc. As Macritchie was just a stone's throw away, it meant that I could leave home at 6.30am.

After a seamless registration and the collection of the timing device, we were flagged off around 7.05am. By then, the route was mildly illuminated - any more than 5 minutes earlier and we would have pretty much been running in darkness.

This time round, I made a deliberate attempt to start near the front, having experienced the mild frustration of being blocked due to the narrow initial stretch of the route in the previous edition (10km) of this series. The plan for this run was to ease into a moderate effort for first trail portion (till 3+ km), maintain the effort as I manoeuvred the sheer slopes of Island Club Road (till 8km), relax as I navigated the rocky trail (or more like a trial?) after the Ranger station (till 9+km), before aiming to speed up after the Golf Course. Overall, it was to be taken as an 8/10 effort (10 being an all-out race) as I didn't want extensive residual fatigue from this run. I was hoping to run a 1:10.

I hit the start of the first trail (0.6km) in 2:36. The first trail was uneventful and I left the forest (3.6km) in around 16:40. I knew the sensation of burning legs was to come thereafter, having significant hills to climb along Island Club Road. At this point, I caught up with some runners who had previously overtaken me. Hearing their gasps as I passed, I knew that I needed to be cautious about my effort as well. For now however, breathing was controlled though on the hills, the acidosis could be felt in my legs.

After the series of hills, I was directed into the grassy portions near the reservoir. A fellow runner, seemingly experienced with this series of events, kindly directed me along the correct trail as the runners ahead were not always within sight. This was my first time running this portion of the route and it provided a refreshing sight of the reservoir. Towards the later stages however, some portions were a little damp and narrow. The narrow route would prove to be a hassle slightly later.

The U-turn point around 6km was hit in about 28~. En route, I had the opportunity to glance at the faces of every single runner ahead of me... and many behind me as I made the U-turn myself. At this time, a vast number of runners were running in the opposite direction of me. This proved challenging as I had to negotiate and share the route with them. On a few occasions, I was forced to a standstill as the route (particularly right beside the reservoir) seemed too narrow for two runners to pass at a time.

I returned on Island Club Road and re-negotiated the hills, along the way overtaking a Caucasian. Breathing was noticeably more difficult, but I took comfort in knowing that along the rocky trail (it had a mild descent), I could recover mildly, as I always did during my jogs. I followed my plan of relaxing during this portion (running any faster would exponentially increase the risk of an ankle sprain), recovering mildly. I hit the 9km mark in about 42~.

Thereafter came the golf course and next came the climb into the final series of the trail. The fatigue set in as I ascended. Thereafter, the familiar stretch was covered strongly and I passed 11.7km in about 55:40 and knew I'd certainly run sub 1:10. Unfortunately, despite my plan to attempt to speed up significantly, I probably barely managed to hold on to tempo pace. It was an uneventful stretch and I exited the trails (14.2km) in about 1:05~.

From then on, I tried to speed up while remaining relaxed. After hitting the Reservoir Road, I sped up, aided by the descent. Though tired, I was in absolute control and expected a 1:08+ finish. It was only till about a hundred metres away that I realised that had I started kicking earlier, a sub 1:08 was possible. I crossed in 1:08:04.

This was definitely a satisfying run, having seen much improvement from the MR25 Progressive Run 2015 (10km) earlier in January. Many thanks to MR25 for the facilitation of this event :)

The additional 5km (thereabout, compared to the PR 10km) took under 21 minutes to cover.

A series of photos taken before the first trail. Credit to Chan Chai Hui.

Race Against Cancer 2014

This was a race that was high up on my priority list because of the cause it advocated. Personal experience, complemented with what I've been learning in school, highlighted the need for cancer awareness for early detection and treatment (or prevention).

Merely two weeks ago, on 19th July, was the 10km Run for Life 2014, also at ECP. Come 3rd August, I was going to run the 15km - to be the longest race that I would run since Race Against Cancer 2013 where I also participated in the 15km distance.

After arriving about 20 minutes before 7.15am (the official flag-off for the 15km), we hurriedly deposited our belongings before finding the others. Met Wen Shien and passed Sean Joseph's (who overslept) race pack before regrouping with the 94s from Bartley. Not all of us were running the 15km and after a quick prayer, the few of us went in.

The race started early, perhaps 7.13am, according to my watch. I was still making my way towards the front of the start pen when the emcee announced that flag-off was about to begin in 15 seconds. Having only managed to start around 15m from the front, it was a good 20+ seconds after flag-off before I crossed the start. The plan was conservative for this race - begin slow (4:30 for the first km) before trying to speed up a little.

Having crossed the start later than hoped for (5-10 seconds), the route was understandably crowded with runners that start off way too quickly for their ability. I didn't intend to waste vital energy forcing a 4:30 km by compensating for the slow start, instead running by a 4:30 effort wherever I could, passing the 1km marker in 4:47. The route cleared after the 1km mark, and I crossed the 2km marker in about 9:12. I did not think I was running that fast however, so perhaps the marker was slightly misplaced (40m short?). 

En route to the 3km marker, which was passed in 13:06 (the marker possibly misplaced - I certainly wasn't running a sub-4min km), I grabbed hydration - carefully, with both hands - after noticing two runners ahead miss their cups from the volunteers. Unlike a majority of previous races that I've participated in, the volunteers here actually held out cups for runners. Yet due to the speed most runners were moving at, the volunteers often got wet from the "splash" as runners collected their cups. I tried my best to be gentle to avoid getting the volunteers drenched. I ensured I obtained hydration at every point (consistently about 2km apart) - important for this longer distance.

After the first U-turn, I caught sight of Bryan, then Andrew, then Wenshien. Noticing friends along the way is always an encouraging experience. Shortly after, I passed the 4km marker in 17+. Then the 5km in 21:40 or so. It was around that point (5km was near the Cable Ski park) that I overtook the lead female (I was not aware at that time). The route then began to quieten tremendously after I passed the the lagoon.

Just around Angsana Green, now in 9th place.
Credit to Pixelated (Yeo Kim Song).

I passed runners gradually as I clung on to my pace. On every occasion, I'd casually glance across, checking to see if they wore a race bib. A majority, in fact, seemed to just be casual runners embarking on their Sunday run. I suspected I was in a good position, perhaps top 15, and this was pleasantly confirmed when a Caucasian running in the opposite direction (not a race participant) informed me I was in 9th place around the 7km mark. From here on - it was to be a quiet journey. 

Alone - around the 9km mark at the National Sailing Centre.
Credit to the Race Against Cancer 2014 - Photos Facebook page. 

Subsequently, I passed the National Sailing Centre. The quiet journey had only begun to be quieter as I ploughed my way through the NSRCC stretch. I saw a Gurkha returning (after the final U-turn), before I caught sight of a Caucasian, Colin Tung, then two Caucasians running alongside. I passed the 10km marker in about 43:50. After two other runners, I noticed Eugene(from Delta)! He was in 8th, but easily one to two minutes ahead of me - I had no hope of catching him unless he slowed tremendously. 

After I made the final U-turn and headed back, I then caught sight of the lead female and another male (10th) in the distance. They were possibly a few hundred metres back so I knew my spot was safe unless I was to slow immensely. 

I probably did slow a little. I caught sight of the 13km marker just as my clock ticked 58. Sub-8 for the final 2km to get 1:05+. Somewhat resigned to fate and fatigue, yet still glad to meet my estimate of a 1:06, I slowed a little. Definitely not too much however, because I passed the 14km in slightly above 1:02. Yet the final 1km was probably longer than the distance markers indicated. The long home straight was empty, save Eugene way ahead. The long home straight was arduous as well. I crossed the finish just as the clock ticked past 1:07:00. Nett time was around 1:06:45 on my watch.

The home stretch. Credit to Lifestyle1881.

My first top 10 finish :) However, this race had a low participation
rate due to other races taking place on the same day.
Nonetheless, this marks more than a 7min improvement since RAC 2012.

Overall, this race held much motivation for me - first in the cause, second in the enjoyment of running. It was encouraging knowing that friends from all around - army, school, church - were running alongside.

Me, Andrew, a fellow Delta dragon (after I disrupted), Eugene.
Eugene and I finished 8th and 9th respectively.

LKC Medicine. M2s from 4th August 2014.

Frontline Youth from Bartley. Take a close look at my medal (;

Race Against Cancer 2013

21072013

Insight.

To be cont'd.

I barely managed to participate in RAC 2013 actually. It was only till the final day of registration that I did so because I was nursing my sprained ankle. However, I decided to do so not because I wanted to run a good time, but because there was a cause that people were jointly participating for.

Grace passed away in May. I never knew her well personally, yet from the testimonies of others I knew that she was faithful, determined and full of potential. For cancer to have taken her life at her tender age, it's certainly reminded us of the fragility of our lives.

I don't wish to elaborate on the race itself because this race wasn't run with the intent of a time, but instead, for a cause. Zhiting and I just paced and we finished in about 1:40. Though this was a far-cry from my timing of 1:14 last year, it didn't matter. Below are some photos.

I'm sure Grace is really proud of you:)

For more than ourselves. For G(RAC)E

Race Against Cancer 2012

My second race thus far, suggested by Ben. Signed up for the 15k with the guys. The girls signed up for 10k. The race was to take place at East Coast Park on the 22nd July, 2012.

The night before the race, we stayed over at Zhiting's place. Barely got any sleep though, perhaps it was due to the different sleeping environment and my nervousness about this run. I was intent on doing a decent timing for this run, preferably about 1:15 - 1:20, averaging about 5min/km.

Reached venue promptly at 7:20 or so, rushed over to the start point, and we were off. When we began, I certainly felt the fatigue due to the poor night's rest. I don't recall many details, but I know the first km was passed at around 5:40 due to the crowd. I reached the 7km mark at about 37. I was on track for a sub 1:20 timing, but the pace was relaxed, hence I was convinced that a negative split was possible. If I remember, I hit the 12k mark slightly above an hour. Sped up for the last 3k(though I didn't manage my pace well) and finished in 1:14:13. I'm estimating my 7.5k splits were 39/35min. 

The home stretch - I take a particular liking to this photograph. Credit to Danik Salasalan for the photograph.

Upon completion, met Zhiting who finished her 10k in a commendable 1:02, then found Joanna(1:05 for 10km). Subsequently, found Jiajun(1:28 for 15km). We were wondering where Ben and Bryan were. After eternity, they arrived. I shan't post their timings to protect their pride:)

Friends from church:)

Those from church left subsequently. Waited for my amazing classmate & ex-schoolmate. Both arrived about 40mins after the 15k flag off. Nic Soh and Hao Bai completed eventually, though with horrible gun timings;D

We certainly'll be doing more races;) SCMS?

RAC was definitely a pleasant race experience, the race was comfortable, with hydration(pocari sweat/water) available every 2k and it wasn't too crowded. Post-race refreshments were satisfying as well. However, event-tee sizings were rather limited. Personally I'd have preferred a smaller and less 'fluttery' shirt. Nonetheless, a highly recommended race!