Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011

The main purpose of my stay in Singapore first weekend of December 2011 is to join the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. I joined 21.1K or Half-Marathon. Their gun time is actually a little late, if you compared it to Manila since we have the same time zone. The gun time is 6.30am, but their 6.30am there is still dark!

First half of the half-marathon route is in Sentosa Island, home of Resorts World Singapore and Universal Studios. Lots of trees and overlooking the beach. According to the official publication of the organizer, there are 19,700 runners for 21.1K alone. That’s a lot of runners! But because the run lane is only narrow, there were a lot of choking points which affects PR of some, especially runners who are located at the middle and end part of the starting lane.

One thing I complained about the race is the hydrating stations—it is located every 4KM. I was used to the races in Manila where there is hydrating stations every 1.5KM. But the narrow roads and hydrating stations were compensated by the fact that part of the running route is located inside Universal Studios Singapore. I was there the day before, so when I realized that we will be running again inside, I got excited. The characters went out of their way to cheer and greet us a good morning (and doing high fives!). There was Shrek standing in front of his castle. There is Frankenstein, Marilyn Monroe, the penguins of Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and lots more.

The weather in Singapore is hot, and because we started a little late, runners bear the brunt of the heat upon reaching the finish line. It also affected their run, especially in the highway leading to the business district where there is not much shelter. You tend to walk because you are exhausted.

I may not say that my first international run is relatively superior than the fun runs I joined in Manila. We have better, and organized race here. Partly, this might be because there are fewer runners here compared to theirs at 65,000. Overall, it was a good experience that I will treasure in my lifetime.

The medal is really nice. Well carved, and shiny.

 

Singapore Swing (Day 1)

The Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011 is my first run outside Manila. And it takes months to prepare. I knew that this marathon opens its registration online around June 2011, but I cannot register then because my passport expired, and I need to get one. I immediately apply for a passport renewal in DFA so that I can register in the next 30 days (Passport # is a requirement in the registration if you are non-SG resident).

After I have my renewed passport, I immediately enroll online for the half marathon (21K) category. It’s a little expensive if you compare it to Philippine Peso, but my decision is final—I want to join an international race at least once this 2011. After the online registration, the next step is to buy plane tickets. I decided to purchase that of Air Philippines Express, the budget carrier of Philippine Airlines. It is the only budget carrier that flies directly into Changi Airport Terminal 2. The rest of the budget carriers (like Cebu Pacific, Tiger, Air Asia) dock in Budget Terminal Airport in Singapore. Yes, even the airport is being put into consideration. My plane ticket costs me roughly P8,000 roundtrip (net). That is exactly the same fare as, say, you want to go to Davao. Plane tickets going to nearby countries are affordable now.

So on a good Friday afternoon (December 02), I pack my bag and running shoes and go to Singapore. This will be a short trip (just the weekend), and I want to spend it as much meaningful as possible. I arrived in Singapore around 8.30pm of Friday, after a 3 hours and 20 minutes flight time. Immigration is a breeze, and I was not even ask by the officer. She just stamp my passport with a tourist pass. I immediately get my luggage then headed out of the airport.

I stayed with my friend there so accommodation expenses is not a problem. After we check out of the airport, we hop into the taxi and went straight to Makan Sutra Gluttons Bay for late dinner. It’s a hawkers area, but the food are just sumptuous and really good. We ordered fried rice, garlic shrimp, squid, and kangkong. Wash them all with sugarcane juice, which I must say is a newfound discovery (at least for me).

But I just have to say that there are a lot of Filipinos now there than two years ago. It’s like you never left Manila.

More of Singapore on my next blog entry.

Adidas King of the Road Southeast Asia Run

My next major run is Adidas King of the Road Southeast Asia Run on October 23. The race route is still the same from my previous runs. So, practice for me.

Rexona Run 2011

This will be my next 21K, the Rexona Run 2011. Tired of BGC area, so Mall of Asia/Roxas Blvd area for this new run then.The route here.

Bring it on.

DETAILS (Source: Runrio.com):

REGISTRATION PERIOD AND VENUE:

Online registration period is from June 8, 2011 to July 3, 2011 only. Delivery of race kits will start on June 17, 2011.

Regular In-store registration period is from June 8, to July 3, 2011 only at the following venues:
• RUNNR – G/F Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City (12nn – 8pm,Tel # 4031787)
• Toby’s SM Mall of Asia – G/F Entertainment Mall, Roxas Blvd., Manila(12nn–8pm, Tel # 556-0445)
• Planet Sports Glorietta – 2F Glorietta 3, Makati City (12nn – 8pm, Tel # 8177896)
• The Athletes Foot Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City
• Planet Sports Trinoma – 2nd level, Trinoma cor. North EDSA, Quezon City(12nn – 8pm, Tel# 9167451)
• The Athlete’s Foot Robinsons Galleria – 3F Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Pasig City(12nn – 8pm, Tel# 6363162)

Late registration period is from July 4, to July 10, 2011 at the following venues:
• RUNNR, Bonifacio Global City
• Toby’s SM Mall of Asia
• The Athletes Foot, Robinsons Galleria.

REGISTRATION FEES

Race Category	Registration Fee	Race Features
3k	Php500	Race Kit, (Singlet, Timing Chip, Bib Number, 20% Off Coupon from Planet Sports & Athlete’s Foot Stores & 10% Off Coupon from Toby’s / Runnr Store), Race Analysis, Finishers Kit, Certificate,Free photo
5k	Php600	Race Kit, (Singlet, Timing Chip, Bib Number, 20% Off Coupon from Planet Sports & Athlete’s Foot Stores & 10% Off Coupon from Toby’s / Runnr Store), Race Analysis, Finishers Kit, Certificate,Free photo
10k	Php600	Race Kit, (Singlet, D-tag, Timing Chip, Bib Number, 20% Off Coupon from Planet Sports & Athlete’s Foot Stores & 10% Off Coupon from Toby’s / Runnr Store), Race Analysis, Finishers Kit, Certificate. Free photo
21k	Php750	Race Kit, (Singlet, Timing Chip, Bib Number, 20% Off Coupon from Planet Sports & Athlete’s Foot Stores & 10% Off Coupon from Toby’s / Runnr Store), Race Analysis, Finishers Kit, Finisher’s Shirt, Finisher’s Medal, Certificate, Free photo

 

miCoach run result (May 26, 2011)

Goldilocks Fun Run 2011

It is official. I am running the Goldilocks Fun Run 2011 in celebration of the bakeshop’s 45th anniversary. What had me to join this, versus Greentennial, are the following: Runrio event, nice singlet by New Balance, and the freebies (including 10% discount on Runnr!).

The 21K race route is the same as that of NatGeo Earth Day Run last April 09, 2011 in Bonifacio Global City.

There will be a medal and finisher’s shirt for all 21K runners. That will include me. Excited.

NatGeo Earth Day Run 2011

I joined the Earth Day Run 2011 sponsored by National Geographic. The running event was held last April 10, 2011 at the Bonifacio Global City. It was my 4^th 21K run this year. My time is around 2H.34M. Not my personal best, but I enjoyed this run more than the Globe Run For Home last March. There were more than enough water in the hydrating stations, versus Globe’s. One hydrating station along Gil Puyat during Globe’s run run out of water, leaving runners dry. Also, I notice that the per kilometer market along the running path is complete from 1km up to the finish line. During Globe’s, some km milestone were not marked.

During the starting fire of the 21K, there was a fireworks display; a first for any running event that I joined. But aside from the nice technical shirt, I especially like the medal. Way better than Globe’s. If only they have photovendo photos, then I can confidently say that this is my favorite run this year (so far).

Next 21K: NatGeo Earth Day Run

Half Mary

It was my 3^rd 21K run last March 06, 2011. I joined Unilab Run 2011 (Leg 1) at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. I am happy because my personal record (PR) is improving.

	Running Event	Hours:Minutes:Seconds
1	Quezon City International Marathon	3:04:00
2	Condura Skyway Run For The Dolphins	2:35:00
3	Unilab Run 2011 (Leg 1)	2:31:00
4	Globe Run For Home 2011	coming
5	National Geographic Run	coming

My next 21K run is on March 27, 2011 also at The Bonifacio Global City. This is for Globe Run For Home, which has a sentimental value for me because this was my first run last year. I joined 5K then, with a time of 46minutes. One year after, I am already doing half-marathons. Indeed, I have come a long way and I am happy to realize that I can do it.

The beauty of running long distance is that it gives you so many values that is worth keeping:

·         Sense of Direction. Both literally and figuratively, running is a way of life; a direction to the right path (health-consciousness) because you improve your distance as time goes by.

·       Discipline. Like any athletes in any sporting event, running keeps you discipline. There are practice days (which means, early morning run or late night run) to condition your self for a running event. Some serious runners even have a calendar of trainings that they follow before the event.

·         Meditation. You don’t only derived sense of calmness from sitting still and do incantations and prayer in a silent sanctuary. Running is also a form of meditation because it calms the mind (effect of oxidation to the brain from the cardio activity). I am the running testament to this. When I feel stressed after work, I just don my running shoes and start running in a nearby plaza near my area. The feeling after the run is just so good; you feel like your mind is so clean and clear. They call this “runner’s high” from the endorphins that your body produce.

·         Personality development. When you run long distance, there will come a time inside the race route that you will feel tired. Your legs will start complaining. Your crotch area will feel a little uncomfortable due to skin friction. Many things will come to your mind—foremost of which is you want to give up and just not finish the run. But most runners don’t do it because all of them knows finishing the run is a better option than give up.

·         You will feel pain. But just think of it as an investment, a sort of prevention to diseases that may come your way.

·         Camaraderie. You will find awesome friends from the running community. Friends that have the same passionate inkling to running.

·         Rosy cheeks. No further explanation.

So what are you waiting for? Wear that shoes, and run!

Unilab Run 2011 (Leg 1)

I join the Unilab Run 2011 Leg 1 last March 06, 2011, registered in the 21K category. It was a nice run, nice weather (considering that it was raining the previous night), and good medal.

I finish the run in 2 hours, 31 minutes. And this is my third 21K so far.

My race stats here:

http://cdn.bazumedia.com/iframe/ru12011-results.html