Update: Thanks everyone, for your support. This auction is now closed and the highest bidder will be contacted.
Are you keen to get your hands on a pair of limited edition New Balance running shoes that will be launched next month?
I am having a charity auction for a pair of these beautiful shoes.
A Rare Opportunity
These will be out in stores only next month. But through my charity auction, you can have a rare opportunity to bid for a pair now.
The shoes are part of the New Balance 890v4 Global City Running Pack, which is a set of four limited edition shoes that represent four major cities around the world – Boston, London, Rome and Tokyo.
I will be auctioning off the ‘London’ (forest green) shoes.
The auction will last from now until 20 April.
The Shoes
The ‘London’ shoes are forest or moss green in colour – the international motor-racing colour of the United Kingdom.
And the shoes bears the number ‘06’ – to commemorate 1906, when New Balance was founded.
100 per cent of proceeds go to charity
100 per cent of proceeds from the auction will go to the Singapore Disability Sports Council – for their members to fulfil their sporting dreams. They are one of the four charities that are supported by Sundown Marathon this year.
So by bidding, you will be helping a good cause – and gaining a beautiful, limited edition pair of shoes – that you can use for the Sundown Marathon in May.
To find out more about these limited edition 890v4 ‘London’ shoes and how to place your bid, click here.
Age is no barrier to achieving your personal dreams and aspirations. And 50-year-old doctor Joanna Lin, can definitely attest to this.
For she took part in – and conquered – her very first Full Ironman race, at the Asia-Pacific leg of the IRONMAN World Championship which was held last month. Her timing was 16 hours and 44 minutes.
The IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship, which debuted in 2012, takes place in the sporting capital of Australia, Melbourne. It comprises a swim in Frankston, south of the city and its biking course incorporates the Eastlink Tollway. The run course commences at Frankston and concludes in St. Kilda, in the shadows of the skyline of Melbourne.
A 50th birthday present to herself
The Ironman race was Joanna’s 50th birthday present to herself and she had wanted to push her limits to see how far she could go.
The avid triathlete, who only took up the sport about five years ago, has since gone on to complete several races, including Half Marathons, Full Marathons and triathlons.
Most gruelling race ever so far
But the Ironman Melbourne was the most gruelling race that she has ever participated in, especially because of the head wind that she faced during the bicycling leg and having to make do with inadequate lighting during the running leg – when the sun had already well and truly set.
Nevertheless, this Iron Woman can feel pleased with her inaugural Full Ironman race – and possibly for her, there will be more such races on the cards, in the near future.
Click here for an in-depth interview with Dr Joanna Lin on her Ironman experience.
A totally new type of running event, organised for a good cause, will take place worldwide on 4th of May at 10:00am UTC. East Asia is represented by South Korea (Jeonnam) and Taiwan (Hualien). While registration for Taiwan has closed (participation limit reached), there is still time to register for the race in South Korea and be part for this unique event!
The Whole World Is Running
The Wings for Life World Run is an entirely new type of event never before seen or undertaken in either running or any other sporting field. It is a truly global adventure, encompassing up to forty locations, in which everyone runs at the very same time all over the world! 100% of the proceeds from the event will go to the Wings for Life foundation, which funds research into curing spinal cord injury. The run will unite athletes around the world in one race, running for those who can’t!
“What is exciting about the Wings for Life World Run is that it actually has a starting line, but there is no finish line, and I think that concept is magic,” said Olympic medalist Colin Jackson of Great Britain, who is the Wings for Life World Run sports director. “A car will be chasing you down, half an hour after you started. It’s never been done before. You could be in New Zealand, you could be in South Africa, you could be in Great Britain. The races all start at the same time.”
With no finish line ahead — just Catchers Cars chasing from behind — this is a race with a twist. It is the ultimate test of each runner’s boundaries and abilities, with the last person running being crowned the global winner. The Wings for Life World Run ace isn’t just about physiological abilities; it needs incredible psychological strength, too. You’re not just running against the rest of the field in your location but against runners worldwide, AND you’re being chased by a car — it’s an extraordinary challenge even for the best runners. You know where you start, but you do not know your finish!
South Korea Is In!
The scenic Jeonnam, one of the cities where the race will take place.
South Korea will welcome thousands of runners to Jeollanam-do’s Yeongam and Mokpo, where it’s past history and modern scenery were created harmoniously. The race will begin on the Korea International Circuit, home of the iconic Korean F1 Grand Prix. Continuing the trail, one will soon cross the 4,000m Mokpo Bridge and discover its beautiful night view. Eventually the runners will discover Mokpo’s Peace Square which is located on a road running parallel to the ocean. You can’t miss the beautiful glow of the fountain central to the square. Passing the Daebul Industry Complex, which is central to the south western economic stronghold in the local area, you will be able to finish the race at the Yeongam Public Stadium.
Wings For Life World Run runners will experience the city’s historical tourist attractions with its outstanding architecture, beautiful coastline and vast landscapes. Most importantly, running on behalf of those who cannot is a unique global sporting event. Runners will also help in taking precious steps for the foundation in finding a cure for those with debilitating spinal cord injuries.
Registration for the Jeonnam race is open until April 20th 2014, for everyone being at least 18 years old on the race day. The entry fee is 50,000 KRW (approx. S$ 60).
Wings For Life World Run 2014: Jeonnam, South Korea route,
The race format
SIMULTANEOUSLY RUNNING ALL OVER THE WORLD The Wings For Life World Run is the first event in which the entire World can race together, simultaneously. This groundbreaking race format means that on the 4th of May 2014, at 10am UTC, and equivalent times across the globe, thousands of competitors will start to run on up to 35 race tracks worldwide. On this day the world will run as one.
UNIQUE RUNNING EXPERIENCE The format of the Wings For Life World Run is a first in not only in running but also of all sporting events. Routes will be defined but runners will not be running a set distance, as unlike normal races the finish line is chasing them rather than them running towards it; in short you know where you start, but you do not know your finish. This is how it works: half an hour after the start signal sounds and the first runners leave the start line official catcher cars will simultaneously set off at each course, pursuing the runners. This pace will accelerate at determined intervals to a rigid global schedule. When the catcher car passes a runner their race is over and its time to catch the shuttle back to start area and celebrate.
The “catcher car” – A new type of finishing line! Photo credit: Samo Vidic/Red Bull Content Pool
So, what does the Catcher Car actually do? The Catcher Car chases the runners; it’s the moving finish line. When it passes a runner, that runner is out of the race. To give participants a sporting chance, cars start at 10.30 UTC, thirty minutes after the runners have set off. For the first hour, the speed is 15km/h, steady and unchanging, and then progressively increasing.
Yes, by miracle tape, I’m referring to those colorful tapes that you see on runners and athletes. These tapes were made famous during the 2008 Beijing Olympics by the beach volleyball players (I think, do correct me if I’m mistaken here). I was skeptical to try them at first, but after the 2013 Standard Chartered Marathon, I had a niggling ankle pain that would not go away. Tried all kinds of solutions, but none really work, and the 2XU marathon was really coming up. I then decided to give these tapes a trial…. and voila, they actually worked!
I taped my ankle like how they show on the video, and I was running like there was no pain at all! It’s amazing… prior to that, no matter how much I had read about the theory of it, I just couldn’t convince myself that it will work. But it does… at least it seems there is no placebo effect here, because pain is pain, you can definitely feel it. So I’m sold… and convince that these tapes do work (for me, at least).
I love exploring places running, so when I first heard about this “free form” event, I knew I had to sign up. For those not familiar with the concept (I for once had never heard of such an event before), runners are given a map just before the flag-off with a number of checkpoint stations marked. There is no predefined route or road closures, and you get to choose the order you clear the checkpoints. After clearing them all, you have to get back to the starting point (Marina Barrage). There were four categories, namely, 5 km (Mini distance), 15 km (Short distance), 25 km (Mid distance) and 45 km (Long distance). I went for the “Short distance”, which was proven to be not so short after all!
Flag-off for my category was at 9:00am (a bit too late!), so I was at Marina Barrage around 8:00am. I was a bit disappointed that there was no baggage deposit, as I use public transportation and have no place to leave my stuff. So, this time I had to carry on a change of clothes (along with keys etc). At least we were informed about this in advance. In any case, no long queues at the starting pen and pretty much a lax atmosphere. Runners had to check-in half an hour in advance, this is when you are given a string backpack and the map with the check-in stations.
Study the map for 15-20 mins and chit-chat around to discuss optimal routes, and off we go. I decided to clear Masjid Sultan Mosque first, then Orchard Rd since those were the two most distant ones. Then I would go for Fort Canning, Sri Thendayuthapani Temple and finally Chinatown before heading back to Marina Barrage. The majority of the people I talked to were thinking to do it the other way around but I stuck to my original plan.
Getting ready for the run!
Getting to Arab Street was easy, as was getting to Orchard Rd from there. Running on a Sunday morning in Orchard is not an easy task; talk about an obstacle course! After clearing that check-point, my plan was to get on Scotts Rd and then Orchand Boulevard, Devonshire and Oxley, all the way down to Clemencau Avenue. Here is where I got a bit lost. I am not familiar with this area and I got a wrong turn on Scotts Rd. I was running in circles for a while, so I decided to change the plan and retrace along Orchard Rd for a while. After clearing Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, I made my way up to Fort Canning, and it was rather easy to find the Buddha Tooth Relic station after that. One of the highlights of my run had to be the refreshing coconut I got along the way in Chinatown! While trying to make my way back to Marina Barrage I missed a turn so I ended up to Clarke Quay instead. From there, I ran by the Esplanade and finally got back to Marina Barrage.
My route for the “Short Distance” category, Nathan Singapore City Race 2014
Plenty of food and hydration was waiting for us, along with a nicely-designed ELM medal. According to my GPS, I tracked about 20 km for the “15 km” route; it was fun getting lost!
Nathan Singapore City Race 2014 finisher medal
In summary:
Pros:
A unique and fun concept.
Especially fun when signing up as team (Just Run Lah! team for next year anybody? 🙂
The provided map was of high-quality
Nice finisher medal.
Cons / room for improvement:
Flag-off should be earlier, the heat was almost unbearable.
I have added Pocari Sweat Singapore on Facebook ever since I have joined the Pocari Sweat Run 2013. Why?
It is to make sure that I will be the first few to sign up for Pocari Sweat Run 2014.
Pocari Sweat Run 2013 was well- organised. With ample water stations, clear signages and encouraging road marshals, I remembered having an enjoyable and satisfying 10km. Despite the fact that it clashed with Fathers’ Day last year, it still garnered a huge amount of support as evident from the crowd. In fact, the race tee that was sponsored by Adidas last year is one of the most comfortable running tees I have had from many races.
A few days ago, Pocari Sweat Singapore posted their release of the race tee designs on Facebook. I have to say they do look good for both men and women. The one on the left with be for men, and the one on the right will be for women. It is sponsored by 2XU this time round. Having just completed my 2xu 10km race with the 2XU running tee, I have a pretty good impression of racing tees sponsored by 2XU.
Pocari Sweat Run 2014 Singlet
Not to forget, the closing date for the registration of Pocari Sweat Run is soon!
So what are you guys waiting for?
Sign up for one of the best races in Singapore, hydrate yourself with one of the best sports drinks ever after the run and, feel good in one of the best designed running tees ever!
NUS Open Day was hosted last weekend at UTown, the newest part of the Kent Ridge campus. NUS Sports Committee and RunNUS Organising Committee had their own booth and activities. The following flyer was circulated, and apparently RunNUS will make its return on 23rd August 2014. I took part in last year’s event and it left me with good memories, so I can’t wait to join this year’s edition.
Details about the race are still not known, but it is expected to be the biggest yet of the series. I personally hope they add a finisher’s medal, and I wouldn’t mind it being at the expense of the finisher’s t-shirt.
Find out more / connect with RunNUS 2014 through their Facebook page.
The sky was still dark though a glimmer of dawn was evident. Yet, the excited faces of the 10km runners shone brightly as they started to proceed to the starting point of the race that was opened at 645am. Before the race started, some of them were taking photos as evidences that they are participants of one of the world’s most popular race ever, some of them were doing warm-ups to get ready to ace the run (just like me) whilst others were pumping themselves up with music.
The horn sounded and here we go! Having participated in other races before, I am glad that the path for the starting point of 10km was wide enough for one to manoeuvre his/her way out instead of getting blocked by other runners. The first 5km was a breeze with water stations at every 2km. Restrooms were conveniently located within close distances too. Not to forget, road marshals and signages of the distance we have completed were clearly located. In fact, despite having to share the road with the 21km and 42km runners after 8km of our race route, there was no experience of overcrowding or a lack of space to run freely. Bravo to the careful planning of the race routes.
The scenery we ran past was breathtaking too. The beautiful architecture of the upcoming Singapore Sports Hub, the one and only Singapore flyer and the glistening Kallang River in the morning as it reflected off the sunlight of the morning sun. This is in fact one of the most relaxing and satisfied races I have ever had.
Picturesque scenery, comfortable race routes, clear signages. Perfect combination for a good race.
The cold towels provided at the end of the race was a total bonus to add on the my good impression of this race. Massage corners were available for full marathon runners too. The Yellow Fellows had a booth to themselves to encourage runners to contribute a little to aid the cancer victims and their friends/family whilst the stage was packed with post-race activities.
Well, I survived the 2XU marathon, and not only survived… I achieved a better timing than the previous timing by 15mins. Not only I achieve a better timing, I felt quite good after the run, and felt that I can go on for another few km… I was nursing an ankle injury, but with the help of the KT tape, I actually pulled through and did not aggravate the injury further… quite amazing what that synthetic tape can do. There is the inevitable soreness and pain over the past 2 days, but I’m amazed that I recover so quickly. I attribute the improved timing and quick recovery to the time I spend cross-training, ie. in the gym, swimming, and a little bit of boxing. I guess all these help build my endurance, energy and core muscles which help me in running.
I’m now gunning for the next marathon to finish below 5 hours.
However, it is very saddening to hear that a fellow runner collapsed and passed away during the run. I actually pass by the location where he collapsed, there were a few runners trying to help him. A reminder that we must take care of our body and health, regardless of how fit we think we are. My condolence to the family, and may he rest in peace.
A couple of weeks ago, the new series of Takumi racing flats were launched in Japan. These racing flats are the premium marathon shoes from Adidas and is renowned for its responsiveness. I have personally wore the first series of Takumi Sen for all my races.
You may refer to my simple review of Takumi Sen here.
From top to bottom: Takumi Sen v2 , Takumi Ren v2, Takumi Idomi v1.
Here you have it, the new series of Takumi. The new season of Takumi running shoes is unisex. Takumi Idomi is new and resembles the Boston series at first sight. It is supposed to act as a training shoe which was missing out in the original Takumi series.
Takumi Sen V2
There will be two colorways for Takumi Sen v2 at launch. Not sure whether there will be new colors, but judging from series 1, the chances are high. From the looks of it, the outsole retains the continental rubber for cushioning. It seemed similar compared to V1. I was a heel striker back then and this piece of rubber last me 400km. The bulk of the sole seemed to receive an ‘upgrade’, every bit of rubber seemed larger compared to Sen v1. Sen v1 is responsive and has a firm ride and i wouldn’t expect Sen 2 to be lacking in that aspect with minimal modifications.
Adidas Takumi Sen v2, 2014
The upper design also feature some changes in the forefoot area. In v2, there is no plastic overlays around your forefoot upper. This modification should potentially allow better flexibility during toe off. Other than that, the meshed-like structure makes this an extremely breathable shoe.
The shoelaces also received an upgrade. Sen v1 laces looks good to the eye but doesn’t seem to hold the upper well. Sen v2 looks to remedy that with more traditional and flatter laces.
Sen v2 retains weighs in at 175grams compared to 173grams for Sen v1, no much difference here.
Takumi Ren V2
I used to own a Takumi Ren before, but unfortunately the heel did not fit me well. I seemed to be weighed down by it everytime I toe off and I sold it off soon after.
Adidas Takumi Ren v2, 2014
Prior to Idomi, the Ren is supposed to be the slightly heavier, more cushioned ‘trainer’. Based on the specs, the weight of the shoe remains the same as V1.
From what I understand, the orange version will be launched in March 1st 2014. Much have been speculated about the colorways of these shoes. There were sources stating there might be ‘wide’ versions in Ren and this news should delight runners requiring larger widths for their racing shoes. There are also speculation stating specific female colorways and thus doesn’t make this a unisex shoe. Do note these speculations might be untrue at time of publishing.
This shoe retains the breathable racing upper, high traction out-sole which looks 90% similar to Sen v2 and is worth a try for anyone wanting a new racing flat. Expect a firm ride on Ren v2.
Takumi Idomi
By the looks of it, it looks like the ‘Japanese version’ of Boston series in the US market. The weight is similar to Boston and so is the design of the upper and sole.
Adidas Takumi Idomi, 2014
This shoe is marketed as the trainer version of the Takumi series for runners aiming for a Sub-5 marathon. The sole as you can see is much thicker than Ren and provides more durability with much more significant rubber overlays across the sole. Black colorway is the rumored wide version for Takumi Idomi.
I got my Takumi Sen v2 from Hong Kong at HKD1099. Sorry for the lousy pictures as i took it in the hotel. I took one run to break in and i raced with it in the Hong Kong Marathon the very next day. Initial impressions seemed extremely similar with Sen, not much changes and seemed like an exact prototype to it. Upper with its changes gives a more secure fit while retaining the meshy structure to encourage breathability.
The Takumi series are not available in Singapore at time of publishing.
One more week before the 2XU Marathon… I’m actually not quite ready, my longest run this month has only been 14km. Been somewhat busy with work, and a whole lot of other stuff, just couldn’t have enough time to commit to run a 21km.
Oh well, it’s a little too late to do anything now… Having ran a few marathon, I have come to realised it really is all in the mind. Injury aside, it is all about one’s mental strength to want to complete the 42.2km.
I’m still gunning to better my previous time of a 5:30 finish…. remember I said no more trying new shoes a couple of blogs ago? Haha.. I did not keep to my own words, I bought the Kayano 20 today and planned to run around with it in the next few days, and use it for the 2XU marathon next Sunday.
6 Days. 250 km. Across the Sahara desert. For charity.
Two Singaporeans, Chin Wei Chong and Ian Lye, are running 250km within 6 days (April 4-14 2014) across the Sahara Desert to raise S$100,000 for the local animal welfare organization Save Our Street Dogs. Just Run Lah! is always happy to support such good causes, and after Yvonne’s 7 Marathons In 7 Continents, we hereby present you their case.
Marathon des Sables
Held in Morocco each year, the Marathon des Sables (MDS) is considered by many to be the “toughest footrace on Earth”.
Participants cover approximately 250 km (156 miles) over the course of six days. During this time, they must traverse the Sahara desert crossing dunes, mountains, and brave sand storms and temperatures that can exceed 50 degrees Celcius, while carrying all of their own supplies, including food, clothing, a sleeping bag, and other items needed to survive, except for a small ration of water given out each day.
Taken during their hilly terrain training stint in Lantau, Hong Kong, in January this year. Wei Chong and Ian flew there to practice running/power hiking up hilly terrain to simulate the dunes that they will be coming across in the MDS.
Project Saharan Footprints
Wei Chong and Ian have been training for ultramarathons since the start of 2013. Motivated by the possibility of finishing races in excess of 42 km, they signed up for the Sundown Marathon 100km and trained progressively towards the 14 September event. To get the confidence of running longer races, Wei Chong and Ian completed back-to-back weekend runs of up to 80 km from May to August. They also completed both the Sundown half and full marathon races on consecutive days in May.
In an attempt to simulate the MDS’ punishing conditions including the harsh terrain and heat, Wei Chong and Ian have decided to inject a twist into their training program since December 2013. Road runs became a mean to cultivate speed and stamina while the key focus were to maintain long distances on sand, trail and hill runs during the hottest hours in Singapore. Four times a week, they will hit the sandy beaches of East Coast, run the undulating trails from MacRitchie to Bukit Timah, work on hill repeats at Bukit Timah, as well as run the Southern Ridges to Mount Faber and train on stairs.
In the last 3 months leading up to the race in April 2014, Wei Chong and Ian will ramp up their weekly mileage from 65 km to 110 km over 5 runs a week. They will also be training with a backpack that weighs at least 10kg by end February, up from the current 3kg they train with. From 10th to 12th January, they will be travelling to Hong Kong to train on the technical trails in Lantau with elevation of more than 3000 feet to test their running performance in an unfamiliar terrain. During this time, they will also be testing out their kit and food packs to find the optimal configuration.
As part of their preparation towards the MDS, Wei Chong and Ian will also be reaching out to fellow Singaporean runners who have done similar races to seek advice and get tips on surviving multi-day stage ultramarathon races in the Sahara desert.
Meet the runners
Chin Wei Chong:
Wei Chong has run countless races and marathons since year 2000. An avid adventurer with a zest for the path less travelled, he has backpacked across the Middle East and scaled numerous mountains in South East Asia. Upon completing his 12th marathon last year, Wei Chong contemplated ultra and adventure racing, fuelled by his passion for running and admiration for the legendary Ray Zahab. He is currently training for the Marathon Des Sables.
Wei Chong graduated from the RMIT University in 2005 and is currently the Asia Pacific Marketing Communications Director for First Advantage. He has worked for companies like Shell and Premier Farnell over the past 10 years where he managed Corporate and Internal Communications in region. He has also spearheaded Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives where he led employee activities to raise funds and volunteer with Associations for the Disabled and Children’s homes.
Wei Chong strongly believes in contributing actively to worthy causes and is pleased to be able to help raise funds for Save Our Street Dogs through his participation in the MDS. Wei Chong is married with two children and his other leisure pursuits include reading, travelling and spending time with his family.
Ian Lye:
Ian has led a nomadic existence for a large part of his live, having travelled to more than 60 countries and lived in North Carolina, Washington D.C., Seville, Beirut and Damascus. He is currently back in his native Singapore working for Thomson Reuters as a Research Manager while also pursuing a part-time Masters degree at Nanyang Technological University.
As the owner of 3 dogs, animal welfare causes have always resonated with him. The work of SOSD in particular has been a cause that is deeply personal to him, as he adopted one of the dogs rescued by SOSD 2 years ago.
Although Ian has been racing for many years, he had never run further than a full marathon. In 2013, however, he completed a 100 km ultramarathon in September as part of his preparation for the desert race. By participating in the MDS, he hopes to help SOSD raise SG$100,000 to offset the astronomical costs that are required for its operating expenses. The documentary “Running the Sahara” inspired him several years ago to contemplate the possibility of running in the desert one day, so returning to the Sahara to run will also be the culmination of a longtime dream of his, having first visited the beautiful alien landscapes of Southern Morocco almost 10 years ago.
About Save Our Street Dogs
Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD) is a group of volunteers in Singapore, banded together by the common passion and conviction to be part of a unified voice, purposed to make a difference and effect change to the welfare of our street dogs—our homeless strays.
It’s mission? Till every dog has a refuge of safety; a home to call their own. SOSD’s mission is to save street dogs to the best of our ability, and give them a chance in life.
Learn more about Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD): www.sosd.org.sg
Finisher t-shirts is not a rare sight in our country. You must have come across people wearing them and proudly displaying their achievement in all sorts of places, from the gym to the hawker center, and from classrooms to a night out. How many of them are they doing it right?
For the serious runner, choosing just the correct apparel for the right occasion can be a daunting and difficult task. The following guidelines have been compiled (in fun), to help the responsible t-shirt wearer avoid potential embarrassment and/or elevate their perceived status in their athletic community.
We cannot claim the creative license for the following list, however, as we found it to be one of the most hilarious articles on the runners’ sub-culture, we are giving you some of the best as a teaser and encourage you to visit the source for more.
A shirt cannot be worn unless the wearer has participated in the event. There is an exception, though: “significant others” and volunteers.
2. Any race tee, less than a marathon distance, shouldn’t be worn to an ultramarathon event. It simply doesn’t represent a high enough “cool factor ” and sends a red flag regarding your rookiness. It’s like taking a knife to a gunfight.
3. When you are returning to a race in which you have previously finished, then wear the shirt from the first year you completed the race. Don’t short-change yourself by wearing the shirt from the year before. It doesn’t adequately display the feat of accomplishment or the consummate veteran statusthat you are due.
4. Never wear a race event shirt for the (same) race you are about to do. It’s like being at work and constantly announcing “I’m at work”. Besides, you wont have the correct post-race shirt then.
5. Never wear a shirt from a run that you did not finish.To wear a race shirt is to say “I finished it”. Exceptions: see guideline #1.
6. A DNF’er (did-not-finisher) may wear a race shirt if and only if the letters DNF are boldly written on the shirt in question.
7. Volunteers have full t-shirt rights and all privileges pertaining thereto. So there. Remember, you can always volunteer for a race and get a shirt. I encourage this as your civic duty to be a member of the running community. Races don’t happen without volunteers, folks.
8. No souvenir shirts: therefore, friends or anyone else not associated with the race may not wear a race shirt. If your mom thinks that your Boston shirt is lovely, tell her to qualify for Boston herself, and send in her application early for next year, so she can earn her own shirt. Note that your mom can wear your finisher’s shirt under one of these 4 conditions- 1) you still live with your mother; 2) she funded your trip to the race; 3) she recently bailed you out of the slammer; or 4) All of the above.
9. Your t-shirt should be kept clean, but dried blood stains are okay. If you’re an ultrarunner, you can even leave in mud and grass stains.
10. Never wear a t-shirt that vastly out-classes the event you’re running. It’s like taking a gun to a knife fight.
11. Never wear a blatantly prestigious t-shirt downtown or at the mall among non-running ilk. People will just think you have a big head, which you do.
12. Never wear a shirt that has more sponsors listed on it than people that ran in the event (are you listening, race directors?), or any sponsors on it that you don’t agree with.
13. If an event is cancelled at the last minute, but the event shirts were already given out, you can’t wear the shirt unless you actually ran the race on that day. This means you will have to run your own unsupported event, through snow storms, hurricanes, or whatever lame excuse the Race Organizers came up with for cancelling said event. If you still want to wear the shirt, you have to mark it with a sharpie, “I didn’t run this lousy event, and I’m all the better for it, thank you.” across the front of it.
I recently visited Philippines for vacations, and more specifically Palawan island. Now, I always like to go for a run in a new place, even if it is just a short one around the hotel, however, this time a new opportunity was presented to me: I would be able to literally run around an island.
Pandan (or Makesi) Island is about 40 minutes away from Puerto Princesa City by boat. It is situated in Honda Bay and it is very famous for snorkelling and island hoping.
When approaching the island I saw that it looked to be completely surrounded by beach, so the idea was planted in my head. After we had a quick dive, I had to try it out!
Setting off for a run around Pandan Island
Early on I was approached by a dog playfully barking at me. He (she?) was limping, but started following me.
Further away from the touristic area.
The sandy beach keeps going on around the island, apart from a 100m or so stretch where you have to go through some bushes, grass and trees. It is still very accessible and suitable for barefoot running or walking.
The least accessible part of the island, still easy to walk through.
Bravely enough, the small, limping dog ran by my side for the whole time. When we arrived back to the main beach, it looked exhausted and went straight for a dive in the crystal clear waters – and so did I. It wasn’t a long run (the island circumference is about 1.8km according to my GPS), but it was very enjoyable. And I did make a new friend!
Later on, I went for a leg massage by the beach, and I found out that the dog was born on the island, and has been limping since he was born.
If you want to find out more about Pandan Island, I refer you to this blog entry.
Wei Chong has run countless races and marathons since year 2000. An avid adventurer with a zest for the path less travelled, he has backpacked across the Middle East and scaled numerous mountains in South East Asia. Upon completing his 12th marathon last year, Wei Chong contemplated ultra and adventure racing, fuelled by his passion for running and admiration for the legendary Ray Zahab. He is currently training for the Marathon Des Sables.
Ian has led a nomadic existence for a large part of his live, having travelled to more than 60 countries and lived in North Carolina, Washington D.C., Seville, Beirut and Damascus. He is currently back in his native Singapore working for Thomson Reuters as a Research Manager while also pursuing a part-time Masters degree at Nanyang Technological University.
