R.O.A.R Adventure Racing 2011

My 2nd Ever adventure Endurannce Race this year was Indeed an good experience and gain lots of knowledge of Topo maps and navigating using Compass. 

When was the last time i did something for the first time? Surrounded by the rustic and untouched charms of Pulau Ubin, Avontuur R.O.A.R will definitely give me a different perspective.

Let's see what Does R.O.A.R really means?
Avontuur R.O.A.R is Republic Polytechnic and Outward Bound Singapore inaugural adventure race.

Avontuur means ‘Adventure’ in Dutch, and it has been used in the previous adventure races organised by the Republic Polytechnic Adventure Racing Team.
R.O.A.R means Republic Polytechnic-Outward Bound Singapore Adventure Race to recognise the partnership and collaboration between the two organisations.


Avontuur R.O.A.R aims to increase the awareness on adventure and what it is all about through series of various disciplines that will test the participants both in brains and brawl.


A total of 30km which consist of Walking , running , cycling , kayaking and swimming round Pula Ubin island and exploring Places I have never been before as it's These Routes are not Open to public for safety precautions.

Took part in the Adventure race with 2 other ladies , Hui Xiang and Shermane for the first time. Got to work with them and seen their Most Shag faces both Mentally and physically. Kuddos to these both girls for getting out of their comfort zone to challenged themselves! This race for me was not too bad , other then Sunburnt which is.

We Braved the Muddy routes , Hot scotch Sun , Salty Water and every other element today TODAY and clock a personal timing of 6hour 29mins!

Would like to also thank God for watching over us for the entire race thou we "Holland" a couple of Times!

Our Bulk

Bulk mate and Race Team H.J.S

Finish our Race at 6hour 29mins

Post race map and Route

My Virgin 21km Standard chartered marathon 2011

My First half marathon experience I did was ultimately awesome.  Getting all excited and lots of butterflies during the night and could not help but stay awake till 1am. As the race starts at 6.30am at Sentosa gateway and I got to be awake at 4am which means only 3hours of sleep.


This year standard chartered marathon 2011 was surprisingly good as they provide Public Trains and buses as early as 1am in the morning. Another interesting fact is that I'm running with my Brother Joel as well. His a Season running which compared to me " New Bird".


So Queue for almost 30mins to drop our Bag at the baggage Booth. Which cost us to be 20mins late from the actual Gun time. With my heavy bladder and Toufu muscles, We quickly do a 5mins warmed up before heading out for my 21km Journey.


So as i begin my first 10km Journey in Sentosa, Lots of thing came to my mind. Firstly would be " will my this brand new shoes give me blister? " which will spoilt my entire run.
 Secondly , Will i die after completing my 21km as I did not even run anything more then 10km in my Life.


So oh well.. Managed to just give it my personal Best and Just run! The Sentosa route was hilarious and JAM Packed with Runners! I had to find ways to overtake slower runners and even started dodging them one by one. Seems like a fun running activity to kick start everything.  Thank God for ZiBin Ipod Nano which kept me alive! The long route would be bored without it that's for sure. So many runners stop and even took pictures with the mascot along USS too! Envy them! Sentosa staff cheered us on along the way too, which makes it even more interesting.


My First 10km in there was totally no kick at all. More of site scenery I would say.
So i just keep on running running and running with my full bladder , looking for the right man to pace me and encouraging Runners along the way to not give Up like what JoeyAsherTan did during his 42km marathon last year.  Took a small sip of Water and H2O at every water station too.


Not until my 18km over at Benjamin shears Bridge when my knee muscle and toes muscles started becoming fatigue. That's when i Changed to side sweeps and backwards running for a couple of seconds to lighten my calf and tights muscle group. Imagine a clown doing all sort of running methods while everyone is running forward position. I bet many runners might be wondering " what's wrong with this guy ?" Burst to laughter if i see this myself!

So my last 3km was when I'm so determine to just walk as many runners around me were doing so.  Imagine only 4 runners jogging while the rest are walking? That's how bad the situation at that point of time.  Legs , Toes , Nipples ( abrasion ) and armpit ( abrasion ) were in pain and getting lazy to breath too.. Thank God i started breathing or else i might blackout along the way. Boys' Bridage has taught me well in determination indeed!

So i Completed my 21.1km with a personal best record of 2 Hours 31mins.  With my non-season Asics gel Shoe without any blister!

Thank God for protecting me and watching over me during this 21.1km run.  No major injuries thou the lack of trainings.
But unfortunatly, one 21year old kid past away after this marathon. Someone who has been training and better fitness level as me. Heard that his a NYP Band student too! RIP fellow "steel man". here's the News article : http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_741134.html


This will be my Motivation to do endurance marathons. More to come in future :D  Hopefully to run for a good cause to raise funds.

Top runners!

This is what i recorded using nike app in Ipod Nano

My brother timing and my timing

timing provided by organisers

my position in the marathon ( not that bad huh)

Official timing!

My 1st Running Asics shoes

I'm jumping for JOY as I unwrap my first asics running shoes :) Would like to thank my Buddy Sze wei and the salesman at running Lab@velocity for guiding and educating me of the selection of running shoe and doing fitting for my feet!


Till today I did't know that my Left foot is 0.5cm longer then my right foot. Also just knew that my foot is flat footed. Not normal
Feet from what I knew back then. That's the reason why we should visit a proper running store instead of those crappy stores as a proper running store would have all the essential equipment to assist you in getting a well fitted shoe.


Oh yes, i was recommended to get a maximum cushioning shoes from New Balance store initially but with little credibility from the store assistant, I decided to just Hop over to Running LaB.
There was when , I wanted to give a knowledge test to both stores assistant.
Here
Goes for my test:
i act blur(round 1) and started listening to what the salesman got to say about which shoe I got to get in New balance store . He recommended me to get shoes that gives me cushion as my flat foot is quite extreme.
So round 2 of testing out the credibility of this store assistant in running lab, I insist of getting the maximum cushioning as stated by the store assistant in new-balance store which cost $280+ . If this store assistant is interested in just making money and not the needs of the runner, he would advice me to get the most expensive shoe that is..


So finally settled down with a mid range shoe which provides me with stability instead of cushioning.
All pumped up to get down on my feet for this Sunday 21km marathon. I seriously got only 6 days to season my newly bought RED shoes. Oh dear...
My incoming weeks will be a physical demanding one that's for sure. So dear Asics shoe please faster season yourself and be fitted with my feet alright?