It was a leap for my running affair.

What took me so long?

I was thinking to myself  these 6 years of running 5km, 10km mostly. If it was so tough mentally and physically to run 10km, can you imagine how bad it would to be? The picture of pain was always in my mind.What if I  ran 10km and my leg hurts so much till I have to limp another 10km? Ouch! Another awful scenario. Pain aside, I think I was simply coward.

So how did I end up running 21km this year?

• I wanted to find out how it was like: was it going to be painful, what if I could only run half of it and walk the other half? What if I was the last one to finish the run, wouldn’t it be embarrassing?

• I wanted something different this year: I wanted to challenge myself mentally (more than physically) so on the first day of 2010, I set 3 resolutions ‘witnessed’ by my other 3 friends, one of which was to complete a 21km run. I’m happy to announce out of the 3, 2 goals are achieved.  It was a stretch for me, a good one though! I believe I’ve gained so much from the run.

About the race

• So was the run as tough and painful as what I thought it was? NO! It was easier though I didn’t expect so many slopes in Sentosa. I’m glad that the half-marathon route includes Universal Studio. It was a huge bonus for the runners! More so for me since I’ve never been there. Sometimes in life, we think too much, our mind cooks up many ‘what ifs’ to prevent us from moving out of the comfort zone. We need to step out to expand our mental capacity, just like how my 21km run has proven to myself that it’s achievable.

• Did I run half and walk the other half? NO! Though I didn’t run the entire race but I’m proud to admit I was running for at least 15-16km before I walked 400-500m at every drink station from 16km onwards. It took a much louder voice to overshadow the other to start running after the walk.

• Was I the last one to finish? NO! I competed the race in 3.5 hours, much better than the expectation of 4 hours. Actually time wasn’t too much a factor for me as all I had in mind was to complete the race.

It was a memorable and proud moment for me, largely due to the running I’ve done over these months. Though not consistent and I didn’t even ran the half-marathon distance before the race, it was a great start for me!

In my attempt to be a minimalist runner, I was running with my running shoes, nike shorts, event tee and a arm pouch with an Ezlink card, ATM card and keys. No mobile phone, no watch, no music player! It works perfectly for me. I love the distraction-free run and perhaps most importantly I didn’t have to walk back another 2km (yes, after the 21km) to retrieve any baggage which was deposited before the race.

Proud of myself.

I was amazed by this simple yet beneficial gear.

What is an ID Band?

As the name suggests, it is a band (perhaps of  rubber or plastic material) which gives you information on identity of the wearer worn usually at the wrist or ankle or perhaps it can be attached to shoes. Information can be customized to include:

• Name & Identification of wearer
• Emergency contact person name & contact number
• Medical information like allergy, medical condition, medication, blood group

Who is an ID Band for?

It can be catered for different groups of people ranging from althethes, young kids, senior citizens and perhaps I think travellers. In fact, its usage can even lead to a fashion statement; just like the yellow band ‘LIVE STRONG’ by Lance Armstrong Foundation which swept the world with much excitement and coolness!

What is an ID Band for?

It provides information of the wearer in case of emergency during sports events, hiking …

It is also an information tag useful for school teachers and caregivers so that they are instantly aware of any condition that the wearer is having and take the correct set of actions and responses to handle any situations.

How can I benefit from wearing an ID Band?

Being a regular runner, I would think wearing an ID Band is a form of personal security that I insure my life with. Because we do not know what can happen anytime, anywhere. However with an ID Band, should I meet with any circumstances which are beyond my control, assistance can be seeked almost immediately by any passer-by. The amount of seconds and minutes saved is crucial to one’s life situation. Being a runner, I am fully aware of the risk involved and I understand that that could be times when I might not be even able to communicate with anyone due to malfunctioning of my body. This is where ID Band comes in really handy and definitely life saving. Not only that, my loved ones are assured that should anything happen to me, there will be much faster response.

I still remembered vividly when I had a biking accident in USA during Summer 2004. I totally lost control of my bike while cruising down a slope and bake too late to avoid a sharp bend. I was flung off my road bike and luckily I was wearing my helmet (which has a slight crack). I think I was unconscious for almost 30 to 45 seconds due to the strong impact. I couldn’t speak then. I count myself lucky to have survived this ordeal.I remembered clearly the discomfort I was facing when the medic had to ask me tons of standard operating procedure questions. This could have been minimized if I have a ID Band, couldn’t it?

So in conclusion, my point is an ID Band would definitely not only offer a peace of mind to the wearer and his loved ones, but also reduces reaction time should there be any emergency!

Why You Need an ID Band?

You just don’t know when it can be your talking guardian angel!

To receive your talking guardian angel, go to ID Band.net

I read the papers today and saw the route for 2008 Standard Chartered Marathon. I’m running the 10KM route. This should be my 4th year. Everything is perhaps the same except for the route.

I have never run this route before so it is a little panicky for me. The last 10KM run was in July I think, Shape Run. Nevertheless, I will enjoy the scenery and pace myself.

This shall be the last year for 10KM. Time to get out of comfort zone to meet new challenges and conquer them!

Here I come!

Went to see him yesterday but he was having too many patients, I couldn’t wait as I have a class in Orchard. So I visited him again this morning. Waited almost 45 minutes for my turn.

Went for Shape Run 2 Sundays ago. Everything was fine when I did my run which I completed within 80 minutes I believe. The next Monday, my right feet starts to hurt a little and I was busy with an event that I couldn’t find time to see the Dr until today.

He claims to be a 60+ man when he is like looking really young with his head of black hair, dressed in his typical white cotton shirt and jeans. He likes to talk while doing his job. His topic of the day was oon our gah-men. (Content is confidential, tsktsk…)

This experience was different from the rest, as usually my knee was the part which needs some healing but this time, it was my ankle. He performed the classical twist and I went “OUCH”! The crack sound was really loud and certainly painful

Here’s the end result:

I was limping around CCK and Yew Tee with this leggy of mine.

PS: Should anyone need some twisting and cracking, he is located @ West Coast Food Centre Blk 504 #01-222 ( In a provision shop opp Jurong Wanton!)

Now I am not complaining but rather doing my part to help runners to be cost-effective whenever I can.

This is the promo-code I receive as I was a participant of Great Eastern Women Run.It gives you 10% off the registration.  

SBCDGE5

Hope that this is useful and a cost saving strategy for you to enjoy runs.

This year, they increase the registration fee from $20 to $30 (w/0 shape magazine subscription)

I am nevertheless going for this run as usual.

See you there.

Received a Cold Storage Kids Run 2008 mailer today.

Was surprised as I did not think I qualify. But read the little print it was sent to me as I was a partcipant of Women 10K run.

Now for those who wish to register, you can use the following promo code KR08WTTD

I ain’t going to use it anyway so give to all readers.

Hope it comes in useful.

 This event is a new one for me. Never heard of it before.

More details here.

I am going to register for the 15km run! First time ever to run a 15km. It will be memorable

Who else is going for the run?

I am looking forward to the 21 KM event. From now till then, there are about 25 weeks for me to train for 4 rounds of 5km. LOL, it makes me feel easier and more confortable as 2 rounds of 10km sounds so much. It’s all a matter of perspection!

Who’s going to join me? Hands up! We can perhaps run in the west area.

First 21 KM event!

http://www.lioncitymarathon.com/