Siong Chye recounts his Adidas King Of The Road 2011 experience...
I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to participate in this year's King Of The Road Singapore (KOTR-S) race. With much gratefulness, I wish to pen some of my experiences in this post.
Running is a natural ability of humans to travel places independently, like birds fly and fishes swim. To me, it's always a great joy when running takes me to places - to explore (trails or new area), to connect (catch up with family or friends), for daily activities (eat, shop), etc. It's never about the timing nor the distance covered for a run but the liberating experience of running (although good timing and long distance don't fail to excite me).
If running is never about the measurable indicators then why join a race, you might be thinking. I would say what attracts me is the joy of running together with masses of strangers, the opportunity to run on deliberately isolated routes and the occasional desire to complete a defined distance that manifest in me once in a while.
KOTR-S bear some unique features of its own - (1) it's not the usual full or half marathon but covering only 16.8 km of city run, (2) there is only 1 distance race which starts at sane hour of 7am (3) event singlets of various colors are issued to runners, (4) winners of the race gets the chance to compete in Philippines for the grand race (this point don't matter to me though).
With its shorter distance, I feel KOTR-S offers a race that allow runners to try out different running ways to explore various new techniques for themselves. For me, I hope to explore how to sustain running at a better speed throughout the length of this shorter race. A few basic things which I know to better sustain a better performance run during the race - (1) fuel myself properly before and during the run, (2) I can't be running the same speed throughout; and so I relied on these simple pointers to craft a simple plan for the race.
It was a cooling morning at 5am on 28 Aug 2011, KOTR-S day. I woke up earlier to prepare my all-natural fuel drinks. For the pre-race drink, I blended : lime, lemon, coconut water, coconut meat, dates, chia seeds; all in appropriate portions (now i recalled I forget to drop some olive oil & salt). The drink was refreshing - its sweet, chewy and tinkling sourly; and packed with good calories. The 2nd drink I prepared was a mixture of lime, lemon and coconut water (again I recalled forgetting to drop some salt) which I kept in my vacuum water bottle I would be running with. After all my drinks preps, I grab some dollars (leaving all my cards behind) and left for the starting pen.
Starting pen is crowded as usual but it is also unusually colorful because of the various colored event singlets the runners were wearing. It kind of gives a fun feeling before the race. Although I was not in one of those colorful singlets, I hoped I did chip in to the diversity of colors with my orange Nike cotton t-shirt.
I managed to make my way forward nearer to the starting line. As the starting horn sounded, runners at the front begin to push off for their run. I noticed there was a race volunteer and a event security holding a yellow chain on each end parallel but some distance behind the starting line separating us from the front group of runners. While I was trying to figure out the purpose of the chain, some runners on my side crossed under/over the chain to join the front group of runners with some display of anger. Then I realized that the intention was to dispatch the runners in waves so as to provide good running spaces. This doesn't hurt a runner's net timing and in fact it helps to reduce the clutter that could slow the runners. I thought this is very thoughtful of the organizer and a pleasant difference from the past race I have participated.
The first 3km brings me past the Central Business District (CBD) and around the perimeters of Marina Bay Sands (MBS). Being more familiar with its busier faces, it is always a refreshing experience to past through the calm and tranquil CBD streets on weekend morning. Especially so when I am almost running alone on the empty and spacious streets, thanks to the wave concept.
Along the perimeter of MBS, I found myself running beside a stretch of reflective dark glass walls which gave me a good chance to observe my running form. Small and quick strides below waist, upright back and kick back steps, I was quite happy with my natural form. And I recommend you to run along this stretch too, to get free observation of your own running form yourself :)
For the next 8km, other than the F1 Pit I don't really know the places I have passed by. However it was at the F1 track that I believe I might have hurt my right leg by running on the uneven surface of the track kerb. I left the F1 Pit with a tinkering pain on the outer side of my right knee, it 's my IT band acting up again. My experience with this familiar pain is that it will weaken my right leg to a point that it will not be able to support my body weight thus I will have to stop and walk slowly.
I thought it will be a waste if I do not continue with the race. Another thought that pops up was that I do not wish to develop a bad habit of giving up during race (when going is tough), at least not without trying. So I decided to adjust slightly to the pain by bending my knees lower as I run, hoping to keep the IT band less extended (based on my brief understanding of how the band works). Practicing mindfulness on my adjusted running for around 1km, the pain slowly went away. I would love to believe that it's because of my adjustment. I remained mindful of my running state (i.e. be aware of every landing step, kick back and breathing), till I hit the 11th km where I stop to drink from my water bottle.
This is the first time that I am running with a water bottle in a race. It's a 500ml vacuum water bottle I have used for years. The reason why I carry my water bottle for the race is because I find it extremely wasteful to consume so many paper cups while hydrating ourselves. I realized in my last race that I disposed up to 7 paper cups for a mere few seconds of usage to hydrate myself over a span of 21 km. Multiple that by the number of runners and some runners may be getting more than a cup, the number of disposed paper cups are enormous for an event that only last for a few hours. This is not environmentally friendly at all. I feel that while we are hydrating ourselves for the benefit of ourselves, we should also be aware of the environment impact, we can't be selfish. Every runners are physically fit enough to attempt the long distance, we should also be fit enough to take care of our environment. I do not expect everyone to carry your own water bottle because there are so many other alternatives - water bag, fuel belts or even hold on to your paper cup till the next hydration station for refills.
As I stopped to hydrate myself for the first time in the race at the 11th km, something funny happened to me. My hands and clothing are too wet to open my water bottle! I struggled with my slippery hands for at least 3 minutes before a road marshaler who is kind and dry enough to provide assistance to open the vault to my water source. If you recall, my bottle contains a mixture of coconut, lemon and lime juice. It's totally refreshing sipping coconut water in the midst of a run with tingling sourness from lemon and lime; most importantly it's a natural drink that provides water, salt, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and more. It is really a good energy drink that energize instantly and naturally (no gas). This is the benefit of carrying your water source for your run, you have a choice to the fuel you wish to hydrate in. While enjoying my drink, I feel that I may have hydrated myself slightly too late as I was sweating quite excessively at the first stretch of my run.
I continued with the run after my drink. At this point, I started to accelerate by shuffling my steps faster.
Accelerating may be something common to some runners, however, this is actually my first time doing so. Most of the runs, I will maintain the same pace throughout. Sometimes, my mind will start to warn me what if I cannot sustain the increase in energy requirement when I wish to accelerate thus convincing me to drop the idea. Considering that this is a shorter race, I have planned before the race that if I stay within my fat burning pace for the first 11 km, I should be able to finish the last 5 km with carbo burning (faster) pace. So this time I was determined to try accelerating for the last 5 km.
While I was running faster, I remained mindful of my running state and especially maintaining my knees slightly bend to prevent re-triggering of my aching right IT band. However, this accelerated pace only lasted for 2 km before I felt my body is not keeping up well. Not that I was having cramps or low in energy level but I felt my legs and arms were feeling a bit numb and stiffness. Although I stopped twice after having that feeling to finish my drink, it seems to only recover slightly. Since I was not able to push my body to go faster, I went back to the starting pace for the rest of the 3 km+ to complete the race.
It's never tiring as I chased down to the finishing line. There is always an emotional rush sprinting down the last 100 meters to cross the last racing map.
Overall, the race is well organized (really like the wave concept). Weather is good. Asphalt road is as usual punishing for me. Happy to try a few experiments myself in my water bottle and accelerating.
Lessons learnt : I will put a rubber band around my water bottle to address the slippery situations next time. I will hydrate more regularly throughout the next race - which I feel dehydration may be the cause to the stiffness in my leg and arms although my mind would love to say 'see, I told you so'.
Lastly, I hope a speedy recovery for Poi and hopefully he be able to join the year end marathon.
Thanks.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to participate in this year's King Of The Road Singapore (KOTR-S) race. With much gratefulness, I wish to pen some of my experiences in this post.
Running is a natural ability of humans to travel places independently, like birds fly and fishes swim. To me, it's always a great joy when running takes me to places - to explore (trails or new area), to connect (catch up with family or friends), for daily activities (eat, shop), etc. It's never about the timing nor the distance covered for a run but the liberating experience of running (although good timing and long distance don't fail to excite me).
If running is never about the measurable indicators then why join a race, you might be thinking. I would say what attracts me is the joy of running together with masses of strangers, the opportunity to run on deliberately isolated routes and the occasional desire to complete a defined distance that manifest in me once in a while.
KOTR-S bear some unique features of its own - (1) it's not the usual full or half marathon but covering only 16.8 km of city run, (2) there is only 1 distance race which starts at sane hour of 7am (3) event singlets of various colors are issued to runners, (4) winners of the race gets the chance to compete in Philippines for the grand race (this point don't matter to me though).
With its shorter distance, I feel KOTR-S offers a race that allow runners to try out different running ways to explore various new techniques for themselves. For me, I hope to explore how to sustain running at a better speed throughout the length of this shorter race. A few basic things which I know to better sustain a better performance run during the race - (1) fuel myself properly before and during the run, (2) I can't be running the same speed throughout; and so I relied on these simple pointers to craft a simple plan for the race.
It was a cooling morning at 5am on 28 Aug 2011, KOTR-S day. I woke up earlier to prepare my all-natural fuel drinks. For the pre-race drink, I blended : lime, lemon, coconut water, coconut meat, dates, chia seeds; all in appropriate portions (now i recalled I forget to drop some olive oil & salt). The drink was refreshing - its sweet, chewy and tinkling sourly; and packed with good calories. The 2nd drink I prepared was a mixture of lime, lemon and coconut water (again I recalled forgetting to drop some salt) which I kept in my vacuum water bottle I would be running with. After all my drinks preps, I grab some dollars (leaving all my cards behind) and left for the starting pen.
Starting pen is crowded as usual but it is also unusually colorful because of the various colored event singlets the runners were wearing. It kind of gives a fun feeling before the race. Although I was not in one of those colorful singlets, I hoped I did chip in to the diversity of colors with my orange Nike cotton t-shirt.
I managed to make my way forward nearer to the starting line. As the starting horn sounded, runners at the front begin to push off for their run. I noticed there was a race volunteer and a event security holding a yellow chain on each end parallel but some distance behind the starting line separating us from the front group of runners. While I was trying to figure out the purpose of the chain, some runners on my side crossed under/over the chain to join the front group of runners with some display of anger. Then I realized that the intention was to dispatch the runners in waves so as to provide good running spaces. This doesn't hurt a runner's net timing and in fact it helps to reduce the clutter that could slow the runners. I thought this is very thoughtful of the organizer and a pleasant difference from the past race I have participated.
The first 3km brings me past the Central Business District (CBD) and around the perimeters of Marina Bay Sands (MBS). Being more familiar with its busier faces, it is always a refreshing experience to past through the calm and tranquil CBD streets on weekend morning. Especially so when I am almost running alone on the empty and spacious streets, thanks to the wave concept.
Along the perimeter of MBS, I found myself running beside a stretch of reflective dark glass walls which gave me a good chance to observe my running form. Small and quick strides below waist, upright back and kick back steps, I was quite happy with my natural form. And I recommend you to run along this stretch too, to get free observation of your own running form yourself :)
For the next 8km, other than the F1 Pit I don't really know the places I have passed by. However it was at the F1 track that I believe I might have hurt my right leg by running on the uneven surface of the track kerb. I left the F1 Pit with a tinkering pain on the outer side of my right knee, it 's my IT band acting up again. My experience with this familiar pain is that it will weaken my right leg to a point that it will not be able to support my body weight thus I will have to stop and walk slowly.
I thought it will be a waste if I do not continue with the race. Another thought that pops up was that I do not wish to develop a bad habit of giving up during race (when going is tough), at least not without trying. So I decided to adjust slightly to the pain by bending my knees lower as I run, hoping to keep the IT band less extended (based on my brief understanding of how the band works). Practicing mindfulness on my adjusted running for around 1km, the pain slowly went away. I would love to believe that it's because of my adjustment. I remained mindful of my running state (i.e. be aware of every landing step, kick back and breathing), till I hit the 11th km where I stop to drink from my water bottle.
This is the first time that I am running with a water bottle in a race. It's a 500ml vacuum water bottle I have used for years. The reason why I carry my water bottle for the race is because I find it extremely wasteful to consume so many paper cups while hydrating ourselves. I realized in my last race that I disposed up to 7 paper cups for a mere few seconds of usage to hydrate myself over a span of 21 km. Multiple that by the number of runners and some runners may be getting more than a cup, the number of disposed paper cups are enormous for an event that only last for a few hours. This is not environmentally friendly at all. I feel that while we are hydrating ourselves for the benefit of ourselves, we should also be aware of the environment impact, we can't be selfish. Every runners are physically fit enough to attempt the long distance, we should also be fit enough to take care of our environment. I do not expect everyone to carry your own water bottle because there are so many other alternatives - water bag, fuel belts or even hold on to your paper cup till the next hydration station for refills.
As I stopped to hydrate myself for the first time in the race at the 11th km, something funny happened to me. My hands and clothing are too wet to open my water bottle! I struggled with my slippery hands for at least 3 minutes before a road marshaler who is kind and dry enough to provide assistance to open the vault to my water source. If you recall, my bottle contains a mixture of coconut, lemon and lime juice. It's totally refreshing sipping coconut water in the midst of a run with tingling sourness from lemon and lime; most importantly it's a natural drink that provides water, salt, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and more. It is really a good energy drink that energize instantly and naturally (no gas). This is the benefit of carrying your water source for your run, you have a choice to the fuel you wish to hydrate in. While enjoying my drink, I feel that I may have hydrated myself slightly too late as I was sweating quite excessively at the first stretch of my run.
I continued with the run after my drink. At this point, I started to accelerate by shuffling my steps faster.
Accelerating may be something common to some runners, however, this is actually my first time doing so. Most of the runs, I will maintain the same pace throughout. Sometimes, my mind will start to warn me what if I cannot sustain the increase in energy requirement when I wish to accelerate thus convincing me to drop the idea. Considering that this is a shorter race, I have planned before the race that if I stay within my fat burning pace for the first 11 km, I should be able to finish the last 5 km with carbo burning (faster) pace. So this time I was determined to try accelerating for the last 5 km.
While I was running faster, I remained mindful of my running state and especially maintaining my knees slightly bend to prevent re-triggering of my aching right IT band. However, this accelerated pace only lasted for 2 km before I felt my body is not keeping up well. Not that I was having cramps or low in energy level but I felt my legs and arms were feeling a bit numb and stiffness. Although I stopped twice after having that feeling to finish my drink, it seems to only recover slightly. Since I was not able to push my body to go faster, I went back to the starting pace for the rest of the 3 km+ to complete the race.
It's never tiring as I chased down to the finishing line. There is always an emotional rush sprinting down the last 100 meters to cross the last racing map.
Overall, the race is well organized (really like the wave concept). Weather is good. Asphalt road is as usual punishing for me. Happy to try a few experiments myself in my water bottle and accelerating.
Lessons learnt : I will put a rubber band around my water bottle to address the slippery situations next time. I will hydrate more regularly throughout the next race - which I feel dehydration may be the cause to the stiffness in my leg and arms although my mind would love to say 'see, I told you so'.
Lastly, I hope a speedy recovery for Poi and hopefully he be able to join the year end marathon.
Thanks.
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