Post-race Analysis & Realization

Tomorrow's posting: Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon and photos by Chan Wing Kai.

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Congratulations to the following runners who successfully crossed the finishing line of their maiden marathons in Singapore. From now on, when your telephone rings, you can say proudly and assertively: “This is MARATHONER so-and-so speaking, how can I help you?” ... :-)

Girls: MoCheng, Maryann, Siok Bee

Guys: Foong WH, Leslie Yee, Chin YH.

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Below are the excerpts of emails from runners on running Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on Sunday 3 December 2006:

From Chee Wee (Penguin-11):

All the best to the brave runners who are going down south to conquer the hot and humid Singapore Marathon. Good luck!

Cheers!

After the Singapore Marathon:

From Moira Toh:

Thank you for the kind wishes! Actually the weather was excellent for the Singapore run – much to our surprise! It was cloudy and quite cool; a little breezy at times and even drizzled a little!

I hope everyone has a good trip to Singapore!

Happy Running!

From Lim Fang Woei:

The weather was good, the food was excellent, and shopping was fantastic in Singapore. However, my timing was completely off: I did 4hr 20+mins.

At the rate I am going, if I ever dream of doing sub-4 hours, I should migrate to Pluto or the next planet. I understand from my physics teacher that time is slower there.

Best regards.

From Ngae KH:

Dear runners: sub 4 is possible for all, I feel. It is a matter of how long one needs to work at it. Like all learning curve, it gets real flat after the initial stage of dramatic improvement. In the flat part of the curve, say, between 4:00 to 4:30 for most runners, we all need to put in lot of mileage and therefore time to chase the illusory sub 4. But if you want it, you can definitely get it...


From KC:

I like the term quoted by Ngae: the illusory sub-4 hours. It is true that we need to put in lot of mileage, effort and time to achieve that target.

Running is a very honest sport. We get out what we put in. If we have not done the training for a marathon, we can't fake it. But if we put in the effort, we will reap the rewards and satisfaction. So, looks like my training was not sufficient to achieve my goal.

Cheers to marathon!

From Ngae:

Hi KC and all: Whatever the finishing time, to finish running a marathon is itself no small feat. In fact even for all those who make it to the start line, you are already special in my book.

It means you have overcome the doubt in yourself and made the commitment. You have also managed to train well so as not to be injured and becoming a DNS (did not start). To cross the finish line is a bonus, whatever the time.

Singapore got it right there: "we will wait for you, whatever your time". Just imagine, that simple philosophy changes so many people's life....all those who never thought of running a marathon make it to the start line and even cross the finish line. I cannot find a better understanding of the spirit behind the sport of marathon.

Training, running and finishing a marathon teach one to be completely honest with oneself, to be patient, to pace your life's journey (long or short regardless). Most importantly, one rediscovers the gift God gives us: the wonderful human body (except some unfortunate ones and even these handicapped ones do unbelievable feats).

If you can do all those long runs in the training and can struggle to finish 42km, you sure feel funny to ride a car (other than for security reason) to the shops 2km away within the neighbourhood.

Cheers!

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2006

All photo albums are ready.

Please click here to view 190 photos taken by WENG.

Please click here to view 128 photos taken by Miss SB Lai.

Please click here to view 111 photos taken by Chan Wing Kai.

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Without doubt, Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2006 was one of the best organized marathons. Everything was superbly carried out.

While maintaining the main structure of the course, the organizer changed most of the running route that give runners fresh experience when compared to 2005 or 2004.

The weather was superb with overcast sky which was most conducive for running marathon.

The water stations were aplenty. Most runners were worried that they over-drink in slowing them down.

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There were many mobile toilets. Most of them are located just a stone's throw away from water stations.

PowerGel was generously distributed twice. I could recognize a few of the PowerBar guys were from Kuala Lumpur. They were so generous that you can take more than one, if you are not overly concerned with the extra weight of carrying them.

Good quality banana were distributed twice. Take any amount you like.

Never have I run a marathon that I drank and ate so much. I think I was pampered by the organizer.

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I was a little disappointed with the availability of cheerleading teams. I think there were only five teams – including one team which was performed by kindergarten or Year 1 kids; another team which was performed by aunties.

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I also was disappointed with my timing. Seven more kilometers to finishing line, I felt tiredness in my legs. I was running slowly -- the mind was wiling but the legs were failing. At the last 2km, my toes in my left foot began to cramp; I was forced to walk amid little running. My timing: 4 hours 22 minutes. I will try to improve my timing again in the next marathon.

Overall, it was fun running in the Singapore marathon.

Photos are by courtesy of WENG, who ran his marathon with a Nikon camera.

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By KC

Prelude to Singapore International Marathon (SIM) 2006

Note: The next posting is on Tuesday 5 December. Have a pleasant holiday or week-end.

In three days’ time, we will be running in a world-class event – Singapore International Marathon (SIM) on 3 December 2006. This event attracts a record number of participants – 28,000 runners – and well surpassing last year’s mark. Just after two months of opening for registration, the window was abruptly closed as the number was fast approaching threshold limit of maintaining proper crowd control.

Quite a number of the runners were pleasantly surprised (for those who have registered), or shock (for those who have not registered) with the overwhelming responses. The organizer of SIM was most considerate to extend another 50 numbers to Pacesetters members but without the special discount. How I wish such hot response were happening here in our turf – the mediocre KLIM (Kuala Lumpur International Marathon). Nevertheless, nothing is impossible to improve the situation.

Maiden Attempt

This time, there were six runners – 3 guys and 3 girls – in my group in attempting their maiden full marathon. Talk about group motivation: I presume it started with a girl runner who has decided that it is time to upgrade to run a full marathon. She in turn invited her friends and it spread like wild fire. I remember one of them said, “Just run only, die die lah.” I remember reading one article that says: when we need more challenges in life, then run a full marathon.

With months of preparation and dutifully follow the training schedule for long runs, I presume the scenario is quite different now. Though the fear factor is there, the situation is manageable. Too much test run is incomplete; let’s try it in a real marathon race.

While there is limit to our physical capabilities, the mental power is boundless. During the moments of adversities, the encouragement or the presence of running friends would charge runners up for the necessary fuel to the finishing line.

Sub-4 Hours

As for me, when I run a marathon, I always set my goal to repeat my timing of sub-4 hours which I gloriously did it in 2004 SIM for 3 hours 51 minutes. Goal setting is the strongest force for human motivation; set a goal and make it come true. Aim high, and if I don’t succeed, I hope I would not be too far off target.

Coincidently, my best timing was achieved when the cheerleading teams in SIM 2004 were keenly competing for the best cheerleading title. When I passed the cheerleading groups, automatically, I was charged up by their roar and motivational quotes, and ran faster. Interestingly, my timing was slower in subsequent marathons in the absence of cheerleading teams.

The Journey

The mode of travelling to Singapore by runners is varied: by Pacesetters coaches, by Friday 10:30 p.m. south-bound train, by Friday mid-night TransNational bus, by car-pooling and by MAS flight. But the objectives are similar: let’s have lots of funs running the marathon and complete the race.

To the seasoned runners: wishing you a good run and achieve your objective that you have set mentally. To the maiden-attempt runners: wishing you a pleasant run in crossing the finishing line. It takes a lot of courage to be standing tall at the starting line in a full marathon race. Enjoy the feeling of elation and satisfaction when completing the race.

Passion --> Energy

One person that I would like to praise is the photographer of Pacesetters Club, Chan Wing Kai. He shows renewed enthusiasm in taking photos for the Club: 19 November in Ipoh Cross-country race; a week later he flew to Bangkok International Marathon; third consecutive Sundays, to Singapore International Marathon.

Contrary to most runners’ perception, all photographic equipment and expenses are self-financed. Yeah, passion fuels energy in sustaining our endeavour. So, when you see a Club photographer in action, raise your hands or jump up and down (beware of muscle cramp), attract his attention and give your best smile, will ya?

Written By KC

The Line-up (of runners that I know)

Full marathon

KC (Penguin-1)

Tony (Penguin-3)

Steven (Penguin-5)

Chiam (Penguin-8)

Jason Chin (Penguin-12)

Chin YH -- maiden attempt

Leslie Yee - maiden attempt

Foong Weng Horn - maiden attempt

Lim Fang Woei

Ngae MY

WENG

Chong Yin Fook

Yan Tuck Wing

MoCheng - maiden attempt

Maryann - maiden attempt

Ong Siok Bee - maiden attempt

Chantelle

Vivian Ngok

Lim Peck Yah

Lynn Choo

Half Marathon

Eric Teo (Penguin-10)

Marvin Lau

Ong Siok Leng

YeohSC

Josie Yap

Moira Toh

Yee Hua

Comment by MoCheng, who is attempting her maiden full marathon in SIM:

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With the countdown to Singapore marathon, I am excited amid worry and anxiety. I have completed only one 30km training run. However, I am not sure whether I have done enough training but my coach is very optimistic and positive.

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Running a marathon is very much a mental game, as I was told: You can, if you think you can. On race day, I hope I am energized and feeling terrific in overcoming obstacles (leg pain or muscle cramp) beyond 30km mark. Since I am going into uncharted water, I shall expect the unexpected.

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Are there any handsome guy cheerleaders in SIM to give me a boost in my energy level when the going gets tough (and the tough goes running marathon)?

Comment by Leslie Yee. He is running his first full marathon:

My training is Okay so far but may not be enough to run a satisfactory marathon. It’s my first – and maybe the last – so my training schedule was just meeting the minimum requirement of running mileage.

In preparation before training run or running any race, eating banana or PowerBar is something I always do to provide the necessary energy. So it will be the same formula during competition. My last race was running Bidor Half marathon a few weeks ago. During the tapering week, I have been sleeping at 10pm and waking up at 6am to do short jogs -- what a super healthy lifestyle.

I am feeling well-prepared mentally and physically. Since there are many factors that affect performance and timing, I will do my best on race day.

I'm targeting to complete in 5 hours. My strategy is to run at slower pace for 15km and then run slightly faster for next 15km and then maintain my steady speed till crossing the finishing line.

Fight or Flight?

By Moira Toh. She lives in Penang.

This is a short tale of how the mind controls the body...

I love running in this little quiet loop/trail just off the normal route in the Penang Botanical Gardens. It is a short loop/trail that evokes warm memories of a time not so long ago when I was a kid (OK OK quite some time ago…..) and this loop/trail leads to a small lily pond before looping out again to the normal route of the gardens. I still have black and white photos of my family and I in front of this (recently improved and “manicured”) lily pond.

This is me after my last saturday long run - I am standing on the little bridge that links the loop.

I therefore cannot resist running into this short (about 300 metres) loop/trail each time I am running in the gardens. It is quiet, full of trees and plants (think of all the oxygen!) that cover off almost all sunlight and you reach a lily pond – what a sight! And the trail leading up to the lily pond is on a small hill so it is a great workout for the quads! The only problem with this short loop/trail is that it is VERY QUIET and can become VERY DARK at sunset…..

This is part of the short loop/trail. My friend Hooi Fang is running down towards the end of the loop where it meets the normal route of the Penang Botanical Gardens.

A few days ago, I decided to run into this little loop/trail at about 7.15pm in the evening, there was still a little sunlight so it was fine. About 10 mins later I decided to run into this loop/trail again and suddenly it struck me it was kinda DARK and creepy, actually REALLY, REALLY DARK. Instantly, weird and scary thoughts started creeping into my mind, what if there is a stalker? What if there are weird people and attackers waiting for me?? Without realizing it, I started to run really really fast and pant really, really loudly and even started praying!! I even thought of how loud to scream if the inevitable happened!!!!

My friend Hooi Fang and I infront of the lily pond in the middle of the loop.

Boy was I relived to see some fellow runners (one friendly one even “warned” me that it was way too dark to run in the little loop/trail) and the street lights that lighted the gardens at the end of the little loop/trail. One quick glance at my watch and I realized I was running at 4 mins per km!! Had my body primped itself for “flight”??? Or was it ready for a “fight”???? All I can say is that I am glad I neither had to take flight or had to fight and know now that our bodies will react to what our mind thinks and will take care to be safe rather than to be sorry next time!!!

After the adrenalin pumping moment as aforesaid, yours truly was on hyper-mood the whole night long and could hardly sleep!! Was it endorphins high or adrenalin high?

Happy running!

Moira Toh

23.11.2006

The Making of ...

Please click here to view 50 photos taken by KC and WENG. This third and final album contains photos with cameramen in action. Yeah, finally, Jason Lee and I were appearing in the photos together with the models.

The guy in sunglasses is Leslie Yee. He helped to declare "Take 3" after we NG twice.

By KC

Photo Shoot of Great Eastern - Pacesetters 30km Course

Please click here to view 40 selected photos taken by Jason Lee on the 2007 GE-Pacesetters 30km course.
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Please click here to view 58 photos taken by KC with closer look at the models.

At around 8.00 a.m., all except two runners were at the Bukit Aman car park. Jessbird, Maryann, Jason and Lai went for their usual morning run just in time for the photo shoot. I was impressed when I say Maryann was running at fast speed to the Bukit Aman car park as she was slightly late.

The models: Jason Chin, Jessbird Yip, Miss Lai, Eric Teo, Maryann, and Yee Hua.

Weng and Jason Lee were there. When we were ready to go, we have a group photo shoot at the Bukit Aman car park. I invited one senior EXCO to join the model runners and he humbly said: "I was not dressed for the occasion."

Weng was driving a Toyota Unser, big enough to ferry nine people. The first stop was at Jalan Parliament, a fairly busy road next to Padang Merbuk. Immediately, I recognized the toughness of the job. I have to discuss with Jason Lee, the photographer, very quickly for the best angle and also taking into consideration where the direction of the sun was so that the subjects are not in backlight condition.

After the location has been decided, I have to run back to the runners (as the runners and Jason Lee were far apart) to inform them of the formation of running; whether to run fast or slow; whether to smile or to wave their hands. The first scene was NG (no good) a few times. Going through the first scene, I was sweating already. When it was done, Weng ferried all of us to the next location.

There were many roads where there were hardly any vehicles; the runners were able to run abreast occupying the whole road. Overall, most scenes were NG a few times, and the runners were required to repeat running.

While we were at the pit stop at Petronas petrol station in Sri Hartamas, Vivian, OngSiokBee and Leslie drove their cars to witness the photo shoot; instead, we invited them to be in the photos with the model runners for a photo.

After many scenes later, I began to feel the tiredness and I actually cut short a few of the scenes which I planned earlier.

It was really fun and I believe all the nine members were having good times together for a common objective.

The entire photo shoot session took us three hours. We were really happy when finish shooting a scene and we shout in Cantonese: “sow kung” (job is done), similar to those feeling of production crew of Hong Kong movies.

This is only the beginning: we hope to capture different occasions showing different distance of running route, eg. Pacesetters 20km Run, 15km Run and 10km Run.

I will be making three photo albums: (1) emphasizing the course with runners in smaller size, (2) emphasizing the runners, (3) the making of type.

By KC

Photo Shoot of Great Eastern 30km

With concurrence from Pacesetters Club Exco, we will go ahead with photos shoot detailing the course for 2007 Great Eastern - Pacesetters 30km run (on 21 January 2007).

I actually got the idea from Kuching Marathon (held in March 2006). An improved version is to include runners in action while showing the course. The photos are useful for non-local runners in deciding whether to enroll in the run after viewing the photos of scenic course via Internet.

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I have identified the following model runners (all the leng chai and leng lui) for photos shoot this Sunday 8:00 a.m., 26 November. We will drive cars along the 30km route and take photos at the scenic locations. So, if you are running within the vicinity, you are most welcome in supporting us.

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Project Code: 2007GE30
Producer: Not available since it is self-financing
Models (guys): Jason Chin, Eric Teo, Wong Jin Hun
Models (gals): Chantelle, Maryann, Yee Hua, Sheryl
Photographer: Jason Lee
Equipment: Nikon D70s dSLR
Ke-le-fe: Yours Truly (cum Transport Manager, stand-in crew, self-proclaim Director)

I have identified the following scenic locations for photos shoot:

1. Start: Road adjacent to Padang Merbuk, Jalan Parliament
2. Uphill slope
3. Belvedere Condominium
4. Tijian 2 Condominium, Jalan Langgak Tunku
5. Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan
6. Shopping Complex, Jalan Sri Hartamas
7. Petronas, Sri Hartamas
8. Return Journey: Uphill run at Jalan Dalaman Tunku
9. Small Round-about, Persiaran Tunku
10. Wisma Tani, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin
11. Junction of Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin
12. National Monument
13. Lake Garden

To add variety, the runners will run in following formation: V-shape, In-line, abreast, double-pack, random arrangement, etc.

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To Lensa Malaysia photography friends, if you are interested to join in the photo shoot, kindly give me a call at 012- 266 8166.

By KC