Runway Ride

Last Sunday, I brought my two girls and my wife to the National Runway Cycling 2008 at Paya Lebar Airbase, which is a key event of the National Family Week 2008.

The four of us wake up 5am in the morning. My plan was to get out of the house by 6am and reach there before 7am in order to secure a parking lot. The biggest challenge come first thing in the morning, there is loading four bicycle onto my car, two 26”, one 24” and one 20”. It was to me tougher than riding 6km on the runway actually.



There are 3 categories in the event, 6km family route, 15km leisure route and 45km endurance challenge. Needless to say, all four of us took up the 6km family ride. The two girls were very excited in front of the runway, but the 6km was quite an endurances test for them on their 24” and 20”, we could see from their expression at the end of the ride.



The event was well organised, booths were set up by SAFRA, and a few well known bike shop and supplier. There are also performances that keep us entertained while we rest after our ride. We left around noon, where we headed straight home and slept through the afternoon.

Two Wheels Adventure

Nearly three months ago, I found a new reason to take my run more seriously. Running becomes a supplementary training for my new hobby, Mountain Biking. I brought my bike just two days before Chinese New Year, it’s a Scott Reflex 30.

When I decided to take up mountain biking, it appears to me that I will be doing slow trail riding with my family in the nature like what many did in the parks. So I went on to ride about fifteen kilometers of roads a few nights before to get me into the mood, and I thought I will be ok on the trail. But I was wrong. My first trip into the trail was shocking, my dream for the family ride got further, the stamina and skill needed to ride ten minute into the trail far exceed my fitness level. I felt like I am back to BMT training at the end of the trail, it was very "SIONG".

Nevertheless, I was determined to carry on with my new hobby, there is no turning back after throwing in close to a grand to acquire the necessary gadget. In fact, I even went on to get three more mountain bikes for my wife and the two elder daughters.

Last week, my effort is starting to pay off, I took my wife and eldest daughter to Gangsa Hill on two separate days, and they were coping well for a start. And although my big girl complains about the need to wash the bike after the trip, she is looking forward to the next trip.

Writing And Running

It is been a long time since I last contribute to my blog, so much has happen in the last few months, I have even got a new job. Many time I wanted to start typing but it just don’t work out. I realize it is very much like running, when I stop running for a week or more, it become less enjoyable to start stepping out again. Nearly two year ago, I was busy looking for reasons to be excused from running i.e. IPPT. I was too tired after work, I need more time with my kids, and I have got asthma. Interestingly, after running for six month, I countered all the excuses myself, running actually improve my energy level, I got my wife and kids to run with me, and better fitness brings better health which help suppress my asthmatic condition. Anyway, I ran 8km in about one hour last night, I am happy I have made such progress. Next month, I will be doing a 10km run in the Saucony 100PLUS PAssion run 2008.

My Running Shoe

I went for a run on Tuesday night. I have pre-plan the route with MapMyRun, a distance of about 2.8 km, which I only walk for 50m during the run to regulate my breathing. I am quite happy with my progress due to the fact that I started my first run a month ago with only 800 meters of running. Interestingly this is also the longest route I have run voluntarily.

Technologies these days are really of great help to many people in many ways. On measurement of running distance alone, other than using the internet to plan the running route, one can also use watches, mini gadgets or shoes with GPS or pacing software, these devices also have extra functions to measuring other figures like the speed and calories burned, and software to gauge your performance. There are also shoes to fit all kinds of legs, including flat-footers, clothing that are light and remove sweat from your body, MP3s to help you to stay focus and enjoy your run. Medical information on injuries, diet, types of foots, ways of running can be found on the web easily. The list goes on.

What use to be very simple only a decade ago is now a science subject. In my army days, we just put on our vest and shorts, and any fitting pair of the multi-purpose shoe and there we goes. Today, choosing my pair of running shoe alone took me more than one hour, this is the first time it is happening to me, and I used to think that only girls do that, silly me. The sale person first measure my foot, length and width, then they let me walk and run on the treadmill when they determine the type of foot I have, and my walking and running style. Lastly, they narrow down a few models of shoes for me to try on. Along the process, the sale person would explain what and why they checking or doing. And at last, I pay $140 for this Asics GEL-CUMULUS® 9.

Healthy Living

While reading SgRunners few days back, I registered for a talk, as its title says “Fit for Running” the talk was meant to create awareness and prepare runners for the upcoming marathon event. I am not a marathon runner, but I still went on to attend the talk since I am almost 40 and have not been running for a long long time. Most of the subjects are quite dry, but I did the right thing to attend the talk. I learn to understand injuries, the preventions and managing them if it happens, I learn some techniques of strength training, and there are also what and how to eat and drink correctly for runners, lastly about the risk a runner face when running a marathon, why some runner died running. It was 3 hours well spend, at least I learn to run the right way, rather than sacrificing health for fitness.



Back home in the evening my wife suggested a family run, and so every member including my youngest daughter was at my usual running spot, and amazingly, she did 800 meters. Not bad for the first run of a 4 years old, really.

This is really one memorable Sunday in my life, not only did it motivate me to take a wider step in running towards my dream, it also marks a milestone in the family’s healthier lifestyle.