Have you been running regularly? If not and especially if you have signed up for the 42km distance at the end of the year, it's time to stop contemplation. Unstick your butts from the chair and start now. You have only 4 months left to prepare.
There are many aspects to enjoying your training runs. Running with friends, wearing matching gear, doing new or scenic routes etc. Every run can be as different as you plan it to be. It need not be a chore.
I train with my training buddy every Saturday morning. Pulling myself out of bed early on a Saturday morning can be difficult, but knowing that you'll be letting your buddy down will help you get there. We usually have breakfast together, and sometimes after training, lunch. Before and after training, we bitch about our work week. It's good that we don't have common friends. During training, we chat and spur each other on. It is a social activity, regardless how individualistic the sport itself is.
I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a sucker for matching gear, from visor and shades to singlet to shorts/tights to socks and shoes. It makes me feel good about myself. I often find excuses to buy new stuff for major events, just so that I can just look different and good. As they always say, "If you are not very good at it, at least look the part".
Unlike swimming which takes place usually only in a pool, and every pool is almost identical looking downwards, you can choose any route to run. I have my usual favourite running routes, along the Alexandra Canal, around Mt Faber etc. But every now and then, I'll run along the Singapore River through the various quays to the Esplanade, or drive myself down to ECP just for a run. Scenic routes like the one down Singapore River to Esplanade, I will choose to run back via a different path; I'll run back passing MBS crossing the Helix Bridge. Once a while, you'll need such a run just to feel good, never mind the speed or distance.
Since 2007, I've almost always run when I'm on any overseas trip. Climate, environment and time permitting, running is one of the best form of sightseeing. So far, I've ran in Neuchatel (CH), Barcelona (ES), San Rafael (US), Margaret River (AU), Cardiff (UK), Hua Hin (TH). More recently, I completed my first overseas race at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon. If you have a choice between running on a treadmill in the hotel gym or running outside while overseas, I strongly encourage you to opt for the latter. Of course, chart out your route before heading out and do bring some cash along just in case.
So, are you already planning for your next run?
There are many aspects to enjoying your training runs. Running with friends, wearing matching gear, doing new or scenic routes etc. Every run can be as different as you plan it to be. It need not be a chore.
I train with my training buddy every Saturday morning. Pulling myself out of bed early on a Saturday morning can be difficult, but knowing that you'll be letting your buddy down will help you get there. We usually have breakfast together, and sometimes after training, lunch. Before and after training, we bitch about our work week. It's good that we don't have common friends. During training, we chat and spur each other on. It is a social activity, regardless how individualistic the sport itself is.
I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a sucker for matching gear, from visor and shades to singlet to shorts/tights to socks and shoes. It makes me feel good about myself. I often find excuses to buy new stuff for major events, just so that I can just look different and good. As they always say, "If you are not very good at it, at least look the part".
Unlike swimming which takes place usually only in a pool, and every pool is almost identical looking downwards, you can choose any route to run. I have my usual favourite running routes, along the Alexandra Canal, around Mt Faber etc. But every now and then, I'll run along the Singapore River through the various quays to the Esplanade, or drive myself down to ECP just for a run. Scenic routes like the one down Singapore River to Esplanade, I will choose to run back via a different path; I'll run back passing MBS crossing the Helix Bridge. Once a while, you'll need such a run just to feel good, never mind the speed or distance.
Since 2007, I've almost always run when I'm on any overseas trip. Climate, environment and time permitting, running is one of the best form of sightseeing. So far, I've ran in Neuchatel (CH), Barcelona (ES), San Rafael (US), Margaret River (AU), Cardiff (UK), Hua Hin (TH). More recently, I completed my first overseas race at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon. If you have a choice between running on a treadmill in the hotel gym or running outside while overseas, I strongly encourage you to opt for the latter. Of course, chart out your route before heading out and do bring some cash along just in case.
So, are you already planning for your next run?
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