Unforgettable Races in Singapore
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Why Running?
The image above is during those runs around Marina Bay Sands after work. We found this perfectly unattended, surprisingly no one was queuing up to take a picture. What can I say, after a long night running it's great to have fun and be happy. Great Run. Great Night. I'm glad I got myself involved in different running events in Singapore. It has shaped my character and changed me to someone more patient, and persistent and gave me peace of mind. Some people find it hard to concentrate with all the worries they have in mind, I did too.
My Happy Place
When I started running I learned to be calm, even clear my mind for hours, I get to do some thinking too and I don't stop running till I get my answer. Running has shown me a different kind of happiness, I'll be doing this for a long time. Besides it's the cheapest sport on the planet, you don't need fancy shoes or a gym card membership and you don't really need to join races just run in your neighborhood for fun.
"When your legs can't run anymore, run with your heart." Let's go!
1. Bare Your Sole
My first non-competitive sports event in Singapore. It's a walk for humanity, and all proceeds go to charity thus making this event a significant one. A friend of mine from work walked with me barefooted around Gardens by the Bay to Marina Bay Sands. A good walk for a good cause. This showed me how great it is to run in Singapore, the roads are wide and super clean, with not a single needle on the road.
This run was supposed to be a 3 days nonstop event but we did it in a day. It was the longest run I've ever done. We started late in the morning, had a few breaks in between and continued running in the early afternoon till midnight. Yes, you heard that right till past midnight. We hadn't done any training so it was hard on our body but our minds were crazily determined and foolish.
The run was designed to get a finisher medal for every accumulated lap from 10km, 21km and 42km. It was quite addicting as after making the first few laps and getting the medal it fueled us to keep running. The goal that day was to catch the last train, we waved that goodbye when we can't barely walk to the finish line. We laughed like mad people as we ended the run at 42km after midnight. This race sparked my love for running, it dawned on me that I'm able to run even in pain and still have fun with it.
3. 2XU Half Marathon
The first legit marathon I've ever joined in Singapore. Gruesome and Memorable. I wasn't looking for something this challenging but I wanted to try long running. Why not do it the extreme way?! besides you can do 5km and 10km runs on your own yet with 21km this takes real motivation. I trained for it. Mastering my breathing, footing and pacing. It taught me a lot about discipline which I don't have when it comes to following a morning or evening running routine.
I've even done my research about the right kinds of food intake for pre and post-running. A colleague from work told me about this run and the cool freebies she got from it. It's not just the freebies that I want, her story about her pain and persistence pushed me to register for 2XU. Good thing, that a close friend of mine said yes to running with me and that started a beautiful friendship, not that she became my ultimate running buddy for most of my runs.
I've heard about the Commando Challenge by word of mouth. An obstacle run designed to keep your heart pumping as your muscle tightens in action. I want that challenge even though it's daunting and terrifying for a newbie like me. Three of my friends joined in the craze. We had to practice climbing high walls, even monkey bars, jump here, jump there and at the same time run a few kilometres. The monkey bars in the playground became a friend of mine. A great arm exercise to strengthen the upper limb and core muscles.
The picture above shows the last part of the race where a number of electric wires dangle in the air to congratulate the runners. Something strange and new, I like that! Now I know how Dory from "Finding Nemo" felt when going through the Jellyfish tentacles in one of the scenes. The electric shock somehow revives the tired muscles and a runner's orientation back to reality. And take note we swam in cold ice water before making our way to the finishing line, just imagine the exhilarating feeling of the electricity running through our veins.
5. Osim Sundown Full Marathon
Sweet Misery. My first night running a marathon. My first full marathon. It was a crazy ordeal. I was told that you can't tune in your body in just a week's time, it would take at least months of training. I'm stubborn and motivated. Get to know your body, and see what works best for you. But I was still cautious, I did my short runs at least 3 times a week and long runs on weekends. Everyone should at least try to run a full marathon once in their lifetime. The feeling is extraordinary, if you want that then start training for your 42-kilometre run right now. No excuses if you really want it to happen.
Green Corridor Trail Run - Crew and Gawad Kalinga Build to Run - Crew
7. Spartan Race
8. 21 Days 100 km Challenge
9. Climb for Rainbows
10. Salomon Trail Run
11. Dragonboat Race
12. Duathlon
13. Northface 50 km Trail Run
I've volunteered in two runs, one is for a charity event and the other is for a trail run event. The Gawad Kalinga Run was organized to help the typhoon victims in the Philippines. This run is close to my heart as it will help my fellow Filipinos affected by the calamity.
The next one was a run for the opening of the Tanjong Pagar Trail. I've always been curious why there are volunteers for this kind of event. I always tell myself you'll never know if you'll never try. Now I have a deeper respect for volunteers in all my runs. The crew needs to be in the venue as early as possible, when the runners are all sleeping the volunteers make sure everything is set up from the registration to the water station, paramedics and run marshalls. Everyone makes sure of the smooth flow of the running event and all runner's safety.
As a bag storage crew,, it was easy but when I said yes to being stationed at the finish line it was a great challenge. We can't leave unless all runners finish the race and we have to keep congratulating them when they run through the mark. It really depends on you if you want to give a high five to everyone, but I realized as a runner it will surely put a smile on my face. So I kept that hand of mine firm and strong up in the air the whole time.
After surviving the Commando Challenge I was all fired up to try a more difficult obstacle race. Spartan Race is what I was looking for, an obstacle run with a longer kilometre run and more eye-popping roadblocks. However, they don't have the ice water challenge like in Commando. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this run so much. As every runner tried to help each other, there was still competition in the air but still, if a runner saw someone struggling they lent a helping hand. It's not surprising to see that the less athletic ones pull each other to the top.
The camaraderie between strangers is strong, it clearly shows that there is still hope for humanity. Silly as it may sound I loved it when people take turns pushing each other's buttocks up in the air. Lovely sight, Indeed! We finished strong and sealed it with a big laugh and high fives for everyone. One of the most exciting races I've ever done in Singapore.
I joined this running challenge as a preparation for my next few runs. Let me just say that this challenge has truly leveled up my running routine. It has encouraged me to keep running further and farther. I actually started late for my run challenge as I went abroad for a vacation. But excuses will just be considered as excuses, it doesn't count at all. Monitoring my runs was an eye-opener as it clearly showed how lazy I am, even with my wrong footing and slow pace. However, the improvements in my runs in 21 days were astonishing. I learned more about my stamina, my pain and my drive to keep me running.
My first vertical non-competitive charity run. This reminds me of my first run in the Philippines. A charity race for Bantay Bata, an association that helps abused kids in the country. I like running for a cause. As a fundraiser climber, we were encouraged to raise funds for Climb Rainbows, wherein the proceeds will be used for the treatment of kids with chronic illnesses. My goal was to raise 100 SGD, but surprisingly it reached 700 SGD. I was overwhelmed with joy. It made the 40-storey climb easy as I leapt with happiness at each step.
Another first. I've done a lot of first time for different kinds of running events in Singapore. I've been wanting to try trail running. Every time I climb mountains it gives me this rush feeling of running to the summit, which is not advisable might as well do it the safe way like in a flat terrain. This sparked the idea of signing up for my first-ever trail race. Running with nature is amazing. Both worlds that I love were brought together in one event, I couldn't asked for more. Top 20 out of 70 participants, I put my hands in the air like I just don't care!
11. Dragonboat Race
I'd never done a dragon boat race before, so when my friend asked me to join them on their company sports day, I said Y E S right away. Dragonboat is all about teamwork, having solidarity with the people rowing leads to the ultimate goal. Everyone has to watch the person in front of them, ride with the timing and row strong with each stride. No wonder my team got first place. It's always a pleasure to be with the winning team. I can't imagine the pressure put on Olympic athletes, but I guess the price of winning gold is ecstatic, the same feeling I get when I reach the summit of a mountain.
Let me just say it out loud again, my first Duathlon Ever Baby! I can't contain my excitement as I just completed another bucket list of mine. Cycling has never been one of my strengths, even for running I do like what any average female Joe is able to do, just maybe more smiles and hands up in the air. This is one difficult race as we bike longer than the runs. Run, Bike, Run. Sometimes I wonder where I get my strengths that keep me going, I guess I'm afraid of failure. I don't want to let myself down and my running buddy as well. Having a running buddy is an excellent motivator, they keep your head on the game.
The most exciting and happiest run I've ever joined in Singapore. It's memorable not just because it's my last run, the race itself is quite an amazing experience. I love nature and having to run along the trees and step on mud gave me so much joy. The challenge of proper footing is important, as one wrong step means facing head down with the rocks or luckily just a mud splash. I remember having a sudden death moment when going downhill. I've almost lost my balance due to a slippery rock. If I didn't catch myself falling in split seconds I could have French kiss the rocks with all its glory. That means going home with a sutured mouth, bruised cheeks and a battered heart. Well, thank goodness for my guardian angel. Top 10 for the Duo Run, all smiles!
Say Hello To My Running Buddy
Most of my runs are with my running buddy, Idell and I couldn't have accomplished all my runs without her. Below she expresses her most amazing runs in Singapore.
We are all runners
We walk or we run. We may be running on the roads or walking on the trails. We are all striving to reach each of our finish lines, our goal. We may all possess the characteristics a marathoner should have in order to finish each life's race. This year's race taught me two important lessons in my life. The value of consistency and practice.
In the first month of the year, I made my first amazing run, the New Year's Resolution Run, a challenge for me to run & to finish the race on my own. Literally, alone. It was a virtual race anywhere in Singapore where participants were allowed to run on their own route. We were free to set our own goals from 5km, 10km, 21km or 42km. And yes, I chose the full marathon. I loaded my phone with Bruno Mars compilation songs (some song lyrics are not so good though but the beat is just too lively) and also a few motivational speeches.
From the start, it fueled me to run. I ran to the beat of the songs and I ran while internalizing the message of the speeches. It was a great but tiring job. I was halfway there when I started thinking like quitting. I just wanted to ride a bus going home. Nobody knows anyway. While negative thoughts tried to pull me down, the universe tried to push me to my goal. I saw a guy wearing a shirt that brought the message "Quitting is unacceptable ". It hit me. I ran fast until I felt pain in my upper right abdomen. I knew it was not right and I needed to correct my running. I slowed down my pace and consistently stepped forward to finish the run.
In life, it doesn't need to be fast to achieve our goals. The faster we are, the more we get tired. Consistency is an important ingredient in achieving our goals. Let's just keep our own pace that we can sustain throughout the race.
Standard Chartered Marathon
It was December, and I ended the year with my last amazing run, the Standard Chartered Marathon. It was flooded with runners. At the start, almost all the runners were really running. Yes, in a marathon, not all we called runners are running. They walked too and they walked a lot. Their edge is they finished it, they survived even if it hurts and even if it still hurts days after. I was one of them. My body muscles hurt so much after our run. Ahhh, I still remembered the face of a friend who offered me the slot to run instead of her sister. Without any doubt, I said yes to her. Excited, worried but I know I can do it. I had expected the pain I would feel after. I was into running 2 years ago and I have tried running a full marathon 4 times. I feel strongly that's why I did it without practice, my last run was in January. I am indeed strong coz I finished the race but I would have finished the race stronger if I had practiced beforehand.
Bruce Lee says "Fear not the man who practiced 10,000 times once but the man who practiced once 10,000 times." I felt like I was the man who practiced 10,000 once in this situation.
To be a master of something is to do it many times in our life. By practicing many times, we commit mistakes, we learn, we grow and we become better.
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Do you want more adventure?
Here is a Compilation of all my thrilling escapades over the past few years. Perhaps it's time to revisit your own bucket list and make some progress towards achieving your goals.
Where am I going next?
My next adventure is to Los Angeles, California and I have here a survival guide on how to go around the city.
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