Even die-hard runners have days when they just don’t want to run. For example, it’s a rainy day, or the night was crazy, or you have too much work, or there’s a new TV-show on Netflix… Perhaps, the real problem is that you’ve just got bored of your everyday jogging because it doesn’t seem to be a fun thing now. In this case, listening to the right podcasts is what can change your mind and put you in a right mood. Of course, podcasts won’t change the weather or make you the best runner in the city, but they will give you more motivation, and you will learn something new while having a workout.
What Makes Podcasts so Addictive and Pleasurable?
First of all, podcasts are convenient. This method of consuming the information is much easier than reading a text. You can find interesting podcasts, subscribe to them, and your device will automatically download new episodes. Podcasts also involve a more personal approach, as you hear a speaker talking to you directly. It makes you more involved in the process and increases your attention.
Another great thing about podcasts is portability. You can download them to your iPhone or Android smartphone, iPod, or PC. Most podcasts are available for iTunes, Google Play, RSS, Sticher, and hundreds of other apps. You can even synchronize new episodes with all your devices and listen to them no matter where you are.
So, if you are lost and you don’t know where to begin, we have compiled this handy go-to list! Happy training!
This podcast is about everything associated with running. Interesting discussions, interviews, and advice from coaches — hosts Tom and Martin do everything possible to make your jog informative and fun. There are more than 400 episodes, so you may not get some jokes at first, but after a while, you’ll love stories about their families as much as discussions about doping in sport. Episodes are about 90 minutes long.
This podcast is hosted by coaches Chris McClung and Steve Sisson (who worked in the University of Texas and founded the Rogue running community in Austin). Having many years of experience, they share their ideas about training strategies, motivation, and sports in general. This podcast will be interesting for both beginners and professional athletes. The atmosphere of friendly, relaxed chatting will surely help you get in the mood.
Hosted by two running mothers, Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea, this is one of the oldest podcasts for runners. Here you can learn a bunch of health tips, as well as new diets, and fun facts. The hosts interview various fitness experts and talk about everything that runners want to know. Episodes are 60 to 120 minutes long.
Hosts David Herald and Jody Raynsford describe this podcast as the alternative for those runners who are tired of all the other podcasts. It’s less focused on running itself and resembles conversations in a pub after a workout. The hosts (who are also running journalists) claim that, in this podcast, everybody will find something to be offended by.
Beginner Runner Village Podcast
As the name suggests, this is a great choice for beginners. Debbie Voiles will tell you everything you need to know about sports, and running in particular. You will learn how to prevent injuries, how to prepare for your first race, and what habits you need to avoid if you want to become an athlete. However, experienced runners will also find some useful information here, for example, interesting training strategies.
This podcast is about everything from sport to personal development to mindful lifestyle and business. Once an overweight 40-year-old man dependent on the alcohol, Rich changed his life for good and became a vegan athlete. However, this podcast is not only for vegans but for everyone who also wants to change his or her life for the better. Rich gives a lot of food for thought and interviews outstanding personalities from various areas. Every episode is 90-120 minutes long.
Even if you’re a road runner, you’ll find a lot of useful and interesting information here. Professional athletes and enthusiasts talk about increasing performance, rules of trail running, and motivation. When listening to this podcast, you’ll certainly want to run a longer distance.
Run Selfie Repeat
The host of this podcast, Kelly Roberts, is not only smart but also fun. She honestly talks about all the difficulties that may stop us from running and explain why we should never stop. Here you can find inspiration and laugh.
Every month, Ben Hobson and Rick Pearson talk about the world of running, inviting interesting guests and inspiring you to keep moving no matter what.
I’ll Have Another with Lindsey Hein
Lindsey Hein is honest, inspiring, and fun. She invites various athletes (mostly runners) and asks them about everything, from races to favorite movies and biggest failures. Lindsey always manages to balance between serious and funny, making every episode unique and interesting. Episodes are 60-90 minutes long.
These are just a few of many wonderful podcasts for runners. You can always make your run more meaningful, interesting, and fun by listening to people who devoted their lives to sport and fitness. If you need a little more motivation to wake up and put on your tracksuit, now you know what to do!
Guest Author / Bio:
Berta Melder is an experienced brand manager and co-founder of the Masterra. She finds her inspiration in creative writing and blogging. Enjoys aerial yoga and hiking/backpacking tours. Her Twitter @BertaMelder.
All run information including routes, elevation charts, updated mandatory gear and a race briefing video were made available to runners before race weekend.
elevation profile
Upon reaching race pack collection point, we were directed to have our information checked and submitted our indemnity forms. Then we had our mandatory gear checked. Only after all these are done were we allowed to collect our BIBs.
Mandatory gear check
There was no actual race briefing this time. However they were playing the race briefing video at the BIB collection area.
There was a tea party for runners the day prior to race day. So we went there to eat and mingle with fellow runners.
Prata was served at the tea party
Run day
As the hotel I was staying at IS the event venue, I did not have to take a transport over. So I just went to have my breakfast at the hotel at around 0300hrs before walking over to the start point. It was no fault of the organiser but the hotel breakfast served was not hot at all. I guess they prepared the food early and did not heat them up before putting them out for our breakfast buffet.
Start Point
It was party atmosphere at the start point with music blasting and runners all mingling around. If I did not know any better, I would have thought this was the starting area for a 5km fun run. But it was to be the start of a gruelling 100km by 290 runners and at 0345hrs, off we went into the mountains.
Start Point to CP 3 (16.5km)
The toughest section of the run with close to 80% of it in the jungle. I have been to a few technical trail runs but this was by far the most brutal. It rained for a while the day before thus the trails were wet. Many a times I had to use all 4 limbs to make my way up. Tree stumps, roots, rocks, branches; anything I can grab hold onto was used to climb up and down. Some parts were so muddy that I slipped a couple of times even with my TNF Ultra Vertical cos the lugs were thick with mud. But I was mindful not to trip on roots like I did in 2016 as I am not a big fan of becoming a flying Superman again. Even when the path looked runable I still chose to fast walk to be on the safe side what with the darkness and all. Whenever I heard foot steps behind me I will step aside for the faster runners to pass through as I really did not want to rush myself though I was moving at a much slower pace than I would have liked. But I know once I am out of this section, I would be able to make up time. Finally after close to 5hrs, I cleared this section and arrived at CP 3, with slightly more than an hour of buffer time.
Summit
CP 3 to 4 (5.7km)
Was surprised to see her at CP 3 together with the wives of some of our friends who were also running waiting for us. It was definitely a morale booster. However I did not linger long as I wanted to gain more time in anticipation for the return route that night. I reckoned if I needed close to 5hrs for CP 1 to 3 while I was still fresh, I might need close to 8hrs for CP 3 to the End Point as I should be almost spent by then. So I bid her goodbye and went on towards CP 4. After another 2km or so of jungle trails with a steep descend, I hit the main road and that was when I opened up. And I arrived at CP 4 about an hour later.
surprise visitorlettuce farm
CP 4 to CP 8 (28.1km)
CP 4 was the U-turn point for the 30km runners and also where we can access our Special Needs Bag. As I have no special needs, I did not leave any bags here. Porridge was served here but I did not feel like having any food then. So i refuelled and left with 5mins. Since CP 1, I had been topping up 1 of my flask with 100 Plus and the other with Cola and that would remain my hydration plan for the whole run.
Chef with our porridgetoilet and shower room
I enjoyed my run at this section as again I was running through the tea plantations with some magnificent views. Met many friends along the way and we kept on encouraging each other. My running strategy was up walk, flat and down run. So I took photos while walking uphills and run with no photos while downhills. CP 5 to 6 was the longest leg at 13.3km. With the sun in full blast then, it was challenging to keep going. I just refuelled at every CP and ate some oranges. I arrived at CP 8, which was my U-turn point after almost 11hrs. Which meant I now have a buffer time of 3hrs, which was still not enough from my estimation. So i tried to quicken my pace after.
tea leaf harvesting
CP 8 to CP 4 (28.1km)
With fatigue setting in gradually, I adjusted my running strategy to up and flat walk, and down run as I figured making use of gravity to aid my runs would be better off than attempting to run on flat grounds. I was surprised I could still do sub-5 pace while bombing downhills in the dark after a long day. And I guess this strength of mine of being able to bomb downhills aided me a lot during this run. I overtook a lot of runners whenever I ran down but I know they will catch up later during the ups. It did not bother me that they will catch up as I know my goal was not to get good placing but just to get more time for the last section. I targeted to reach CP 4 by 2000hrs so I can reach CP 3 by 2200hrs. But I missed it and only reached CP 4 at close to 2030hrs.
ran into a herd of goats
CP 4 to CP 3 (5.7km)
The Z monster started to get to me here and I felt sleepy and disorientated. So much so that I took a wrong turn and found myself in a unfamiliar place. I had earlier turned off the navigation function on my Fenix in a bid to conserve its battery so it did not prompt me that I was off course. It took me a while to realise I made a turn too early as I did not see any route markings around and so I turned back. I lost maybe 10mins there but well, if I blindly continued on, I may have lost more time. The 2km or so of jungle trails to reach CP 3 was unforgiving especially with my body condition then. I was so totally spent already. I kept digging within me to get myself going until I know I had almost nothing left in me. CP 3 arrival time; 2210hrs. buffer time 4hrs 30mins.
CP 3 to end point (16.5km)
I sent a text to her at this point letting her know I may not complete the run as I was really exhausted. It was also the first time I told her I was contemplating DNF as the last section was really daunting especially with my state of mind then. She encouraged me to keep going since I was not unwell or injured. So I told her I will try and budgeted 10hrs to clear this last 16.5km.
The climb to the summit at CP 3; Berembun Peak was a killer. I came across many runners just sitting along the route in a daze or napping. I myself took 2 short naps along the way as well as I was really tired. After what seemed like hours and still no summit in sight, I was so despondent that I shouted up “Summit?!” and was lagi demoralised when the reply was “Still far!” from a runner above. What to do? In the mountain now want to stop also cannot. So I just bite the bullet and kept pushing. CP 3 to CP 2 was a mere 5.6km but it took me 4hrs.
When I thought CP 3 to 2 was the worst because of the summit, I was in for a nasty surprise after CP 2. After about 2km of road, of which I took another wrong turn before turning back again, we entered the jungle again. There I came across one of the many volunteer tents and a volunteer took down my BIB number. I then asked her how far to CP 1 and she said about 950m. 950?! I was like finally! That was so near! I should be there within 30mins I told myself. I cannot be more wrong. It took me close to 2hrs to clear the 950m. Reason? Mud fest.
The trail was already muddy in the morning. After all the 100km runners ran through, came the 55km runners, then the 30km runners, then the 15km runners and finally the returning 100km runners. So what greeted me then was pure, mud, fest. I cannot stand without slipping, I cannot walk, I cannot run. I have forgotten how many times I had slipped. I was lucky that I did not ever fall face down. I did not need a face spa. Once I slipped and sat on the mud, and refused to move due to exasperation. 2 runners got by me and asked if I was okay. I just said lazy to move and told them to carry on. After a while I just continue slipping down on my buttocks as I figured getting up was futile. My gloves were thick with mud but I could not care for cleanliness then. I even used them to move my straw so I can drink. At close to 0500hrs, I reached CP 1 with only 3hrs 45mins left to Cut off time (COT).
I texted her again that I will likely miss the COT if the last part was another mud fest. So I told her not to wait for me at the finishing until about 0900hrs, which was after the COT. I will continue on but COT will likely be missed. Here I met a bunch of runners and we all agreed that we do not have much time left. So we quickly took off towards the end point with another summit; Jasar Peak to conquer.
This is where I got my big break. As I cleared this part in the morning while it was still dark, I could not remember the route condition. So I was expecting jungle terrain towards the summit just like CP 3 to 2. But we came to a mud road heading up instead. I looked at my Fenix for the expected elevation climb and saw that I needed to clear about 250m of elevation. As I slowly moved along upwards on the mud road, I kept telling myself this is good, better than being in the jungle going up. So I was hoping the 250m of elevation would have more of this mud road. However I was happy to be wrong this time; the whole 250m of elevation was on this mud road because soon after I heard some of the faster runners ahead shouting in elation and that was when I knew we had reached the summit.
With the summit cleared, I started to make my way down and it was down all the way now albeit on the jungle side; the side we came up from in the morning. But my spirits were high as I was quietly confident I would be able to meet the COT. I did tell myself not to count the eggs too soon as I still had this part to clear and who knows what might happen. Some parts of the trails were muddy but it was not as bad as the previous section. So I just slowly plowed my way through. After a while I started to see street lights, started to hear motorcycles passing by and even heard the prayers in a nearby mosque, but somehow I still have not seen the exit. It can be unnerving at times when you know the end is near but not near enough. Finally at 0650hrs, I reached the main road with 1.6km left to go.
I texted her that I was out from the mountains already and was slowly making my way back. So, after 27hrs 22mins, I crossed the finishing line to complete my 100km Cultra adventure, one of the 199 who completed out of 290.
Proud SingaporeanBest reward for completion. Ever
Post-run
Collected my medal and finisher tee before making it to the rest area to take photos and chat with her and friends. There was food being served there as well but I did not take any.
Breakfast packs
Takeaways
The course is beautiful with the vast mountain ranges and the tea plantations. Support stations were well stocked with isotonic drinks, cola, water, oranges, pears and dates. Some of the later CPs also have cup noodles for us. Volunteers were on hand eager to assist whenever they can. Route was well marked and as long as we pay attention to the markings, we should not get lost.
There was live tracking of runners available but apparently it was not really ‘live’ as it had delays in updating resulting in some anxieties amongst the supporters who were tracking their love ones and friends. Seeing your love ones last checked in 4hrs ago and not seen then can be a tad little nerve wrecking. Perhaps the poor network in the mountains played a part in this.
the not so ‘live’ live tracking
The weather was chilly in the morning and at night. In a way we were lucky it did not rain as forecasted if not the mud fest would have become a mud party. I did not have to wear my windbreaker at night as I felt ok and even hot when climbing though there were many runners who wore theirs at night. Some of my friends who did the course 2 years ago had to use their emergency blanket due to the extreme cold then.
The challenge is in the first 16.5km. All runners from 100km to 15km will have to go through this section with the 100km runners doing it twice (reverse on the way back). It is very technical and runners really need to be physically and more importantly, mentally prepared for it. Be prepared to climb on all 4s and a good pair of gloves is a must. I did not use any trekking poles as I personally did not find them helpful during VMM last year. But I did see many runners with poles. So it is really a matter of personal preference. To be honest, nothing we do in Singapore can prepare us for such a terrain there. So it would be good to do some trails nearby perhaps in Malaysia to be more familiar with this kind of technical terrain.
For those who intend to do this course, a word of advice;
Car-Free Sunday SG is an initiative that involves the closure of roads around the Civic District and Central Business District, including the Telok Ayer Conservation Area, to create a car-free experience for pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy.
It was first introduced in 2016, a community initiative by the URA, Land Transport Authority, National Parks Board, National Arts Council, Health Promotion Board, Sport Singapore and Singapore Land Authority. There are various programs catered for all age groups, and many of these programs are family-friendly.
The next editions of Car-Free Sunday will run in October and December and is usually held on the last weekend of the month.
My first participation in a Car-Free Sunday was in July last year, exactly one year ago. In that edition, I had catered transport to bring my family and our bicycles to cycle in the event. Apart from OCBC Cycle, I believe this is the other only event where we can walk, jog, roller blade or cycle in the CBD main roads without fear of being hit by cars!
On 29th July morning last sunday, I took a Grab to Raffles City with my foldie. Note that there will be some road closures and bus diversions in order to facilitate this event. Hence, the most convenient mode of transport is actually by train, where you can choose to alight at City Hall, Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar, areas whereby some of the activities were being held.
The event had officially commenced at 8 am. I arrived at 8.30 am and immediately joined the ranks of cyclists plying the road. It was great cycling in the CBD, where the roads are wide and the tall buildings block out the direct heat of the sun. There were marshals helping to direct the cyclists and clear signage to urge users to share the roads. Wheelers were reminded to keep at a speed of no more than 15 km/h.
There were also groups of students and participants from the community centres, who chose to walk the closed roads and many of them were wearing red, as it is relatively near to National Day.
Most activities were concentrated around the Padang area. There were trishaw rides, kids zone and yoga or fitness workouts. There were also booths for rental of bikes and e-scooters. Isotonic drinks such as pocari sweat and 100 plus were provided.
There were other activities scattered at the Telok Ayer district as well. The advantage of riding a bike means I was able to easily access these areas. It must have been quite some time I last visited here, and I certainly missed the cultural scene and of course, the many good food at the Amoy Street Hawker Centre.
I stayed till 1030 am, before cycling back to Bedok via East Coast Park. This is one of the favourite route for cyclists, as it brings you past the Gardens By the Bay, Marina Barrage, Gardens By the Bay East and East Coast Park. Some even cycle all the way to Changi Village through this route. As for myself, I exited to upper east coast road to treat myself a well deserved katong laksa for lunch!
Comments
Car-Free Sunday is a great event where families and friends can come and bond, spending quality time together. It is my annual ‘pilgrimage’ I won’t want to miss!
PASAY CITY – A former champion and a new face stole the scene from almost 28,000 runners at the conclusion of the 42nd National MILO Marathon Metro Manila qualifiers Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. Amidst the sporadic downpours, Jeson Agravante and Christina Hallasgo brought home the championships of their respective divisions in the full marathon and will lead the Big City delegation to the National Finals set for December 9, 2018 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Agravante entered the race with the mindset of getting back the MILO King title he won in 2016 in Iloilo City but lost it last year in Cebu City to surprise winner Jeorge Andrade. The Silay City, Negros Occidental native also won the Metro Manila qualifier in 2012 but suddenly went on a two-year hiatus from running but he has indeed returned with aplomb.
He literally flew and built an over one-kilometer gap with the chase pack upon hitting Gil Puyat Avenue from Fort Bonifacio for the final push back to MOA. Agravante finished the 42.195-kilometer course in 2:35:10, seven minutes faster than runner-up Eric Paniqui (2:42:41) and third placer Bryan Quinco (2:43:59).
Hallasgo from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon may be an unknown quantity nationally but she is a star in the Mindanao running scene. She is a back-to-back MILO Cagayan de Oro champion from 2014 to 2015 and took a break in 2016 to give birth to her first child but returned immediately to rule MILO Butuan last season.
Hallasgo overtook early leader and defending champion Cinderella Lorenzo somewhere along Gil Puyat and never looked back. She clocked 3:05:17 to beat two-time MILO Queen Jho-An Banayag-Villarma of Philippine Army (3:14:28) while Lorenzo of Team Soleus faded to Third Place (3:17:48).
In other distances, Richard Salano (1:08:46) and Nhea-Ann Barcena (1:31:02) ruled the 21 kilometers which also serves a qualifier for the Laoag Nationals. Southeast Asian Games gold medal winner Mervin Guarte (34:04) and Meagy Ninuna (40:24) topped the 10 kilometers that also saw actress and MILO Ambassador Solenn Heussaff take 10th Place (55:56).
Another national athlete Immuel Camino (15:18) and Joida Gagnao (18:39) were the fastest over five kilometers. The special kids’ race of three kilometers went to Cedric Alcoriza (11:33) and Rishane Abellar (12:23).
Marathon 31 and counting with no plans of stopping.
The next MILO qualifier will be hosted by Tarlac City on August 26. The cities of Batangas (September 16) and Lucena (September 30) will next take their turn before the caravan moves to the Visayas and Mindanao for more races.
Embarking on a mission to save the environment! On 29th July, a group of runners gathered to explore the Rail Corridor, one of Singapore’s most iconic trails as recommended by JustMove Asia. We met at Hillview MRT Station and plogged our way down to old Bukit Timah Railway Station.
What is Plogging?
Picking up litter while jogging in groups has become a popular pastime in Sweden. Yesterday, it has officially arrived in Singapore. Running is good for your health and picking up litter is good for the planet’s health. Why not combine the two?
Plogging brings awareness to just how much litter lines our streets, parks, and trails. It is an easy, feel-good way to make a direct impact in our community. A great way to connect with nature, while helping to restore it. Oh, and you will burn some calories, too! Stay tuned for their next Session.
“We do what we can to help, every “litter” way. Start Plogging today!” – Neyton Tan
“Fulfilling, meaningful and awesome morning spent!” – Serene Er
“Felt heart-warming to see everyone taking time out to participate and seeing their commitment during the plogging session.” – Christina Leo
Plogging at Rail Corridor
Also, check out Plogging in other parts of the world:
Bintan Resorts will be hosting the inaugural world-class running event, International Bintan Marathon on 9 September 2018 with the tagline, ‘Run and Discover’. Offering a wide range of distances; 10km (Charity Run), 21km and 42km. The event is expected to host more than 2,000 runners. The marathon will start and finish at a popular tourist spot at Bintan Resorts,Plaza Lagoi in Lagoi Bay. Just a 60 mins ferry ride from Singapore, you can race alongside the breath-taking sunrise and white sandy beaches.
Stand a Chance to Win A Free Slot To International Bintan Marathon 2018
Great news for JustRunLah! readers – 9 lucky winners will stand a chance to win a complimentary slot, with a choice of 10km, 21 km or 42km, to International Bintan Marathon 2018!
Just fill in the form below to take part in the contest!
The contest has ended. Thank you!
Check out these unique entitlements!
Know the route before your run!
Lastly, get comfortable during your stay!
2D1N Stay in a Deluxe Room (Twin-share, $95 per person/night)
Two-way return direct ferry from Singapore to Bintan Lagoon Terminal
Two-way return land transfer from the ferry terminal to resort
Welcome Drink
Complimentary two-way transfer to the race site
Buffet breakfast at Fiesta
For more information, Visit their official website at https://www.bintanlagoon.com/bintan-packages/promotions-partners/international-bintan-marathon-2018-promotion/
Exclusive for JustRunLah! readers: 10% OFF Promo Code!
Great news! You can now enter code: IBMJRL to enjoy 10% OFF Public Rates during registration.
Fastest male and female Singaporean runners in the 50km trail race will win a fully paid trip to Hong Kong for the Asian Skyrunning Championships in December along with cash prize and gym membership
Singapore, 26 July 2018 – To inspire and encourage Singaporean trail runners to challenge their limits and break their boundaries, a trio of National Award prizes is introduced to the MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 for the first time this year.
Supported by MSIG Insurance, the National Award prizes will be awarded to the first male and female Singaporean runners to cross the finish line at the 50km race to be held on Saturday, 29 September 2018.
As part of the prizes, the two Singaporean winners will get the opportunity to represent Singapore at the Asian Skyrunning Championships – Lantau 50 in Hong Kong on 2 December 2018. Other than the all-expense-paid trip covering air ticket and hotel accommodation, the two winners will each receive a $300 cash prize and a 3-month gym membership at TripleFit.
Other new additions to the MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 this year are the Zero Waste category and a 5km distance for beginners and novice trail runners.
Participants who choose to run under the Zero Waste category will voluntarily give up the event t-shirt and finisher’s medal. They will, in turn, receive a special race bib to recognize their support of the Zero Waste movement. Guest-of-Honour Mr. Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth & Transport, will also flag off and join the Zero Waste 10km race in support of a greener Singapore.
To minimise environmental damage along the route, the MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 is operating a strict no-cup policy. Runners are advised to bring their own water bottles or hydration packs and refill them at the water checkpoints throughout the course.
The event is possible thanks to the generous support of our title sponsor MSIG Insurance and supporting partners Action X Store, Singapore Tourism Board, Outdoor Channel, Triplefit, Royale International, Run Magazine, Runsociety, JustRunLah and the Action Asia Foundation.
Race Info
Event Name
MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50
Date
29 September 2018 (Saturday)
Start Time
6:30am – 50km
7:00am – 21km
7:30am – 10km & 5km
Start and Finish Location
Hindhede Walk, Bukit Timah
(600-metre walk across the bridge from Beauty World MRT)
Distance
50km, 21km, 10km, 5km
Category
Trail Running – mostly off-road for 5km/10km/21km; 50km is a mixture of grass track, trail and road.
Know this might sound pretty straightforward. If the items are listed as mandatory, they must be brought along right? Well, apparently not all runners think so. Here I will give my personal take on the matter.
Why organisers list certain items as mandatory
? CM50
There are many reasons organisers do that, though more often than not, it is for safety reasons. If runners are expected to be on the trails into the night, a headlamp with spare batteries would be an absolute must. Some organisers might even need you to be equipped with 2 headlamps for the purpose of redundancy in case your headlamp fails you en route. If running on public road at night is expected, a reflective vest with a blinker light may be in order.
Depending on the distances between each water stations, organisers would also dictate your water carrying capacity for your hydration. They wouldn’t want you to run out of water midway.
Other items like mylar emergency blankets, whistles, waterproof jackets, a mobile phone with network are pretty standard as well. With more races going Green now, you may be required to bring along your own cup, which is usually used for you to consume hot beverages especially during cold weather. Bowls, spoon or fork may also be needed if the organisers serve hot soup or food at their water stations.
After listing down the above, it would seem logical to bring them along. So why do some runners prefer not to follow the mandatory list?
Why runners choose to leave out some ‘mandatory’ items
“I do not eat during my run, why do I need a bowl/fork/spoon?”
“I run fast enough to be back before nightfall, so I do not need headlamps.”
“I am not afraid of cold, so I will never need an emergency blanket.”
? TITI Ultra
Basically these runners find these items troublesome, cumbersome and adds on to their already heavy load. So what they usually do is to leave out what they feel they do not need. Or perhaps remove them after the mandatory gear inspection because some races do not check their gear again after the race starts. If organisers are not aware of what they had done, the runners will gladly complete their races with a lesser load than mandated.
It is smart for the runners to circumvent the rules this way right? Afterall, no harm’s done.
No. It is not right
When runners registered for races, they know what they are signing up for. From the distance, to the elevations to the terrain, and, the mandatory gear list. So to not bring along all that are mandated is akin to, cheating in my humble opinion. It is like say, I know this route has a shortcut to the next water point, so I take the shortcut. Organisers do not get to know, nobody gets hurt, I complete my race. Does that sound right? Safety aspects not withstanding, what is the difference between cutting short a route and cutting short your mandatory gear list? They both amount to the same principle of not adhering to the rules. No?
Some races conduct random checks on runners during the races and if runners are found to have lesser gear than what they are supposed to have, they will be penalized or may even get a DQ (disqualification). But from my own personal experience, such checks are far and few between (I have only been checked once in over 10 ultra trail races). Which is why some runners took the decision not to have all their gear with them because they know chances of them getting checked are low. Based on this logic, is it alright to cheat during an examination if you know chances of you getting caught is low?
Verdict – To bring all or not to bring all
All in!
There is no right or wrong as every runner is responsible for their own actions. But for me, I would rather complete a race (or DNF) knowing I had done it legitimately bringing along all that was mandated. And not complete a race knowing I only had 90% of what was required with me because for me, that is not a completion.
Fashion is creating a bridge straight from the runway to the world of sports and fitness. It all started in 2007 with the introduction of the FitBit. Since then, the company has gained over 25 million users and has paved an incredible road towards advanced fashionable technology. Other companies are now following in Fitbit’s footsteps and creating wearable technology for everyone to stay fit and healthy. Check out these cool gadgets that can help you improve your workout progress and look great doing it.
Nadi X Smart Yoga Pants for a Relaxed Session
Yoga develops inner awareness, strengthens the mind and body, improves weight loss, and lowers blood pressure. One yoga session provides many health benefits, but the right pants can help you go even further. Nadi X Smart yoga pants track its wearer’s performance and provide personalized yoga training in real time. The stylish pants have accelerometers and haptic feedback at the ankles, hips, and knees that guide the flow of yoga through the release of gentle vibrations. The vibrations pulse your body around the essential areas and encourage you to move and hold positions. You can then get additional feedback on your phone through a Bluetooth sync-up. The pants come in four assorted sizes and styles and are sold at many stores around the world.
Lumo Run for Improved Running Posture
Although running has many great benefits for your body, it can also be harmful if you’re doing it wrong. Bad posture is common in many runners and can lead to injuries such as shin splints, stress fractures, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, and Achilles tendinosis. Therefore, a company called Lumo created smart running shorts and capris that monitor bodily metrics to improve posture. The shorts measure cadence, ground contact time, pelvic rotation, and stride length and provide feedback through your headphones. According to the company, 97 percent of runners that wear their technology improved their running form within the first three runs and 80 percent improved their pace or distance.
Polar Team Pro to Improve Team Sports Performance
For sports such as football and rugby, it can be hard to track the performance of every individual player. Therefore, Polar Team Pro has combined fashion with GPS, motion tracking technology, and heart rate monitoring to provide the ultimate solution. The trackable technology is interwoven in a compression shirt that is designed with athletics in mind. It allows each wearer to broadcast their training data so that their teammates and coaches can monitor their condition and training performance. The shirts are currently being used by over 50 professional football teams, 13 national American football teams, and 5 basketball teams.
Comfort is the new style of fashion and it’s infecting the world of fitness. You can expect wearable sports technology to take off in the next couple of years as athletes learn of its extreme benefits.
RunNUS is an annual running event in the Kent Ridge Campus, organized by NUS Students’ Sports Club to promote a healthy lifestyle in the NUS community. This year, RunNUS will be held on 9 September at University Town.
Stand a Chance to Win A Free Entry To RunNUS 2018
Great news for JustRunLah! readers – 5 lucky winners will stand a chance to win a complimentary slot to RunNUS 2018, for any category they wish! Just fill in the form below to take part in the contest.
The contest has ended. Thank you.
Don’t miss the cool entitlements!
By participating, you will receive a RunNUS 2018 Race Singlet, Carnival Entry, Finisher Medal (For 5 km & 10 km only) and Finisher T-Shirt (For 10 km only). Take a closer look to their race apparel designs!
Exclusive for JustRunLah! readers: 5% OFF Public Rate
Did not plan to do a report on this initially. However I got to know there are more runners who are interested in this now, so figured I can do a short write up for interested runners to have a better idea of the run.
Pre-run
We boarded our bus on Saturday morning 0630hrs and headed over to Malaysia via Tuas Second Link. It was a long journey with a delayed lunch stop due to an accident on the expressway. We finally arrived at our hotel in Kuala Lumpur around 1700hrs.
With our large group size (2 coaches), we made arrangements with the race organiser for our race packs to be delivered to our hotels and so we collected ours directly at the hotel. Alternatively, the race pack can be collected at the race site on actual day for overseas runners.
Event T
Run day
Our bus arrived to pick us up at 0330hrs and we arrived at race site around 0410hrs. With the flag off at 0430hrs, we only had a little buffer time. So it was a good idea to have our race packs delivered to our hotel.
Start Point
Race site was a little dark and after a little talk by the race director, we were flagged off at 0430hrs sharp.
Race Director JeffReady to eat. I mean run
The Run
The route, which was all on tarmac roads, took us past the local villages. The route itself was not tough though we did have some elevations after the 11.5km mark.
Distance markers were placed at every km. However, there were no light sticks placed on the markers. So until the sun got up, the markers basically served no purpose as they cannot be seen with lights.
Route with water stations marked. Even detailing what fruits will be served at which station.
One major concern we had was with the lighting. With the flag off at 0430hrs, the sun was far from up. Thus we relied on the street lighting along the way. The problem was the street lighting was not available the whole route. Before the 11.5km water station, we were still in the villages, thus there were still some lights from those street lights that were working/turned on. Even then. there were still stretches of road that were too dark for comfort especially when there were vehicles sharing the same road as runners. We had to rely on runners with headlamps (headlamps were not mandatory) to illuminate the path ahead. Beyond the 11.5km water station it was worse as the road ahead has no street light structures at all. So it was pitch dark once runners with headlamps left us behind. It remained that way till the sun came up.
Water stations were placed just 3km apart and well stocked. Isotonic drinks were available every alternate stations though they are not chilled. There was one water station where the volunteers took their initiative to chill the isotonic drinks in a very creative way. However water was served chilled throughout.
Chilling isotonic drinks on their own accord. The only station what did this. Kudos to them.
It got interesting from the 11.5km water station onwards as that was where the fruits started to be available. The fruits were the reason we took part in this afterall. Banana, Watermelon, Jackfruit, Coconut, Rambutan, Longan and ultimately Durian were served at each of the water stations from then on. With such a wide range of fruit for runners to enjoy, no wonder the marathon has a very generous cut off time of 10hrs. So we ate and ate and ate the whole way, not forgetting to take tons of photos along the way too.
Jackfruit!Durian!RambutanLonganCoconutsPeirce Reservoir Runners! ?: Lim Soo Khuan
Finishing Point
After some seemingly endless eating, we crossed the finishing line like, finally! However as our bus was waiting, we did not have time to explore the finishing area. We collected our finisher entitlements and quickly boarded the bus. We only got to know from friends later there were lots of food there as well! What a pity we did not get to eat them.
Finisher T with a Hawaii feelSoya bean ?: Lim Soo Khuan#justjiaklah ?: Lim Soo KhuanChendol also have. ?: Lim Soo Khuan
After thoughts
This being a fun run, we did not take it too seriously. I mean, with so much fruits, how serious can we get? Right?
Route was pretty straight forward with nary a chance for any runner to get lost. Medical support was prompt as we did see some runners struggling with cramps and help was rather quick to arrive. We ourselves encountered a runner sitting by the roadside unable to move due to cramp and once we notified the volunteers at the next water station, a medical personnel went immediately on a motorcycle to attend to him.
The highlight of the event was ultimately the fruits on offer and there were plenty to go around.
The only problem we had was with the darkness. The organiser should have made headlamps and blinker lights recommended equipment if not mandatory. He might not have wanted to make it mandatory as it may make the run feel more serious that it actually was but with safety of runners at stake here, perhaps he should. Or at least mark these 2 items as recommended equipment. I did a run last year at the same stretch and headlamp plus blinker lights were mandatory from 1900hrs to 0700hrs.
For those wondering how dark can it be, it was this dark. The little red dots are from the blinker lights of the runners ahead.
Verdict
Should you do it? Yes. This is a relaxing marathon with the chance to run in rural areas thrown in. With the local runs getting repetitive on locations, this is indeed a refreshing route. What with all the fruits.
However personally I would suggest runners to go by flight. You may be paying $50 or so more for the air tickets as compared to the bus, but you saved on the travelling time. We spent close to 20hrs on the road which is, a very long time. By paying that little bit more, you get to spend almost 2 full days in KL for eating and shopping pre/post run. The reason we had to leave the finishing area quickly was also because we need to make our way back to Singapore by 1300hrs just to get back to Singapore by 2200hrs. So we did not get to enjoy the 10hrs cut off time on offer.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Singtel – Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer (RAC). This race aims to raise funds for various welfare schemes related to cancer, such as treatment subsidies, screenings and public education. It was held at the Angsana Green, East Coast, on the 22nd July.
I was here just 4 months ago for The Terry Fox Run, for which the objective was to raise funds for cancer research and celebrate the legacy of Terry Fox.
Race Day
I took the public transport and arrived at East Coast before 7 am. There was a slight traffic jam on the road leading to the event site, which I believe was due to the many participants driving there.
There were 3 categories to the race: 5 km fun run, 10 km and 15 km competitive runs. I was taking part in the 10 km run. This was my first run after my last race – The Force of Nature Ultra two weeks ago. I took a rest and thus, I was quite looking forward to this race to restart my training regime.
The weather was fair. RAC Goodwill Ambassador Rebecca Lim gave a short speech in support of the RAC cause. Several Mediacorp artistes – Aileen Tan, Pang Ling Ling and others were also invited to voice their support in the fight against cancer. The 15 km runners were flagged off at 7.05 am by the Guest-of-Honour, Mr. Chan Chun Sing, who is the Minister for Trade and Industry. Subsequently, the 10 km runners were flagged off in 2 waves, as there was much more runners in this category.
The race route was the familiar westbound towards the direction of Parkland Green. There were hydration points at every 2 km of the route. Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) volunteers handed out cups of Pokka isotonic drinks to the runners and encouraged us to keep going to the Finish Point. There were groups of pacers leading the race and according to RAC website, comprised of familiar names such as Jasmine Goh, Rachel See and blogger Pris Chew. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to spot them probably because I was ‘too far behind’!
The view at East Coast is always scenic, with ships anchoring in the far horizons. But it was getting hot and I kept hydrated not only by drinking but also try to keep cool with several trips to the toilets to splash water around my body. Well, this is the advantage of a park run!
I reached the Finish Point in time for the awards presentation to the podium winners. I lingered a while more before heading to the nearby hawker centre for a well-deserved coconut drink.
Comments
1) There were 3 ambulances at the event site. Perhaps one of them could have been deployed at the 5 km turning point.
2) The SCS volunteers were great and the deployment of St John’s Bridgade students along the route to provide medical coverage was re-assuring.
3) Honestly, I feel the activity level at the event site to be comparatively low.
4) The entire site was barricaded. Security was tight. I was thinking an open concept would allow the public to participate in some activities and perhaps, even make donations to the SCS.
5) I understand that the RAC had been held at the Angsana Green for the past few years. The disadvantages of holding at this location is it is not very accessible and when the sun is up, there is little shelter for the runners looking for rest after the run. Thus, many choose to leave right after taking their finisher entitlements.
Considering the large number of sponsors and participants (8,000), perhaps SCS could organize next year’s race at another location, after considering the costs factor? More activities would also have been better!
The “Pegasus” was introduced by Nike in 1983. Over its 35 years of life, it has become the company’s all-time best selling running shoe, and year after year it has been undergoing major technology shifts that brought us to the latest release, the “Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35”. Commonly referred to as “the Nike peg”, is a shoe used and loved by runners of all levels, including some of the world’s best distance runners, such as Eliud Kipchoge, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Matthew Centrowtiz, Timothy Cheruiyot, Amy Cragg, Lelisa Desisa, Evan Jager, Geoffrey Kamworor, Faith Kipyegon and Bernard Lagat.
I am very glad to get the opportunity and try on this year’s upgrade, the Air Zoom Pegasus 35; here are my first thoughts after taking them out for a run.
Comfortable Fit and Run that “pops”
The Air Zoom Pegasus 35 fits true to size. The fit is snug through the midfoot, but roomy in the forefoot. The arch support is evident, and the responsive Cushlon foam cushioning provides a comfortable but solid grip. The shoe is equipped with new full-length Zoom Air “airbags” that smooth out the transition from heel to toe as you go through your stride and facilitates energy return. This is the first time that Nike places such a full-length airbag in a running shoe, following feedback from elite runners around the world, including Mo Farah.
Running in the Air Zoom Pegasus 35 is stable and smooth. I could feel the firm grip that the responsive cushioning provides, as well as a “pop” towards the transition to the next stride. I personally love the upper; not only it looks cool, but it is breathable (a huge plus for Singapore’s climate) as well as soft, and seam-free. You could easily go sockless if you want.
Modern, minimal design
The Air Zoom Pegasus 35 comes in 12 color combinations; I was given the gray with crimson red one, which I find very stylish not only for running, but for everyday use as well.
There are two prominent features: First, the long high tongue. It didn’t seem to interfere with anything during the run – if anything, it helps the show to stay in place. It also allows for a quick on and off.
Second, the back is pointy and rigid. The collar is tall, but it is turned away so it doesn’t rub against your Achilles tendon. This is a welcome upgrade to the series, cause it minimizes the friction.
All in all, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 will give you a nice, smooth ride and should work for the majority of runners. The fit is comfortable as the mesh hugs the foot but isn’t constricting. The upturned collar and pointed heel add to the aesthetic and give these shoes their own identity.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 is available in Singapore via www.nike.com for S$199
Before I go, here are 6 facts and figures about the Pegasus that I found interesting (taken from nike.com).
It’s Nike’s all-time best-selling running shoe.
The Pegasus was the first shoe to feature an Air Wedge, a heel-only Air unit that, according to an October 1982 Nike catalog, “improves shock absorption by 12 percent over an EVA wedge” (which it replaced). In fact, it’s why the shoe was originally called the Air Wedge Trainer.
A children’s model became part of the line-up in 1987.
NIKE, Inc. founder, Phil Knight, may be wearing a Pegasus (in black) right now. He’s been spotted in Peg at black-tie events, public speaking appearances and between meetings at Nike’s World Campus in Beaverton, Oregon.
The franchise was temporarily dropped from the line in 1997. In 1998, it was renamed the Arma, and the technology (essentially) remained in the line. It made its official return to the line in 2000 as the Air Pegasus 2000, which was designed by Air Max Plus designer Sean McDowell as part of the newly created Bowerman Series (a collection dedicated to making consistent, dependable footwear for runners by runners).
In 2004 and for the first time in Pegasus history, the women’s version was adapted specifically for the anatomy of the female foot. The women’s saddle was made more “curvaceous,” and the medial support was increased. It wasn’t until 2006 that it became completely gender specific. And for 2018, if offers responsive Cushlon foam specifically tuned for women for the first time.
* Disclaimer: This review represents the genuine, unbiased views of the author. The author was provided with a free unit. Nike’s products have been and might currently be advertised on JustRunLah! via different channels, however, these relationships do not influence the editorial content of reviews.
Congratulations to the organiser of Gold Coast Marathon on your 40th edition.
Congratulations to all finishers from all categories. Thank you to all the volunteers who have made the event possible. Appreciate all race day supports who have made this event memorable!
Record-breaking 4,307 international participants from 51 countries
PB race
Gold Coast Marathon, which was held during the winter in Australia, consists of a flat route which is indeed a favorable and an ideal setting for most runners who are gunning for their PB. In 2018, 32.3% of the participants finished their marathon under 4 hours.
Special mention for Joe Clark-Murphy (M70-74) finishing with a net time of 03:56:08 and Kenichi Koike (M70-74) finishing with a net time of 03:59:03. Huge respect to these two seniors!
Great Race Experience
Then, there are lots who just wanted a great race experience. Well, the event can’t go wrong when you have kids waking up early and still be in their pyjamas, lined the streets and high-fiving every participant which provides a boost of motivation for the runners. Additionally, crowds filled the streets with foods that spurred you on. To end it off, hundreds waited at a 100m grandstand for the arrival of the runners to cheer you past the finishing line.
Stay for the fun
Factory outlet, theme parks, helicopter tour, jet boating, whale watching awaits you pre/post-race. Not only that, warm sunshine and clear blue sky greeting you daily and the perfect temperature hovering around 20-degree Celsius, fun times are almost guaranteed every day!
Personal Thoughts
I strongly believed in enjoying the process (training) and the rest will eventually follow. As the saying goes, you reap what you sow. Therefore, adjust your expectations accordingly.
For all sorts of reasons, it has taken me 5 years to get back into marathon racing. GCM18 has provided me an opportunity to witness again the community’s deep passion for running and thus excelling in it. Almost pain-free from two slipped discs in 2017 and I’m gladly looking forward to exploring the world on my legs.
With so many races in Asia to choose from, take this opportunity to ask yourself, what kind of race experience are you after? This is because every race provides a unique experience for each individual. If PB and fun form an integral part of your selection, see you next year at Gold Coast Marathon 2019!
And, to the disappointed runner, let’s train harder and return to challenge the course in 2019! Just a heads-up, the event is scheduled for 6-7 July 2019.
It’s been over 2 years since I reviewed SONY’s Smart B-Trainer™ an all-in-one device for running and fitness. This time, I get to try the WF-SP700Ns; the new noise-canceling, truly wireless earbuds from SONY, designed especially for fitness. I had never owned a pair of “truly wireless” earbuds before, so I jumped at the opportunity of taking up this review, even more so cause of their promise for “Extra Bass“.
Out the box
I was given the black version of the WF-SP700Ns, while White, Pink and Yellow finishings are also available in the market. The earbuds are lightweight, and there is only one button on each of them. The button on the right-side earbud controls play / pause, skipping of tracks, picking up calls and activating Siri or Google Assistant, while the one on the left toggles between noise cancellation and ambient sound modes, as well as turns on/off the device. As usual, a number of differently-sized ear tips and rubber wings are included, to ensure a good fit for everybody.
The earbuds come with a charging case, which looks sleek and stylish (I love the way it opens), but feels rather fragile; we’ll have to see how it stands the test of time. The case itself charges over Micro USB.
Great fit once you find the right sizing
Never having used wireless buds before, my biggest concern was if they would stay on for my run! I always run outdoors, and the last thing I’d want is to have them fall out of ears. For my first run, I used the default-sized eartips and supporting arches. The fit wasn’t spectacular; even though they stayed on, I could feel them budging a bit. Before my second run, I did a bit of testing with the different set of tips and arches until I found my perfect fit. The experience has been great ever since, so, don’t give up on them if they don’t feel right out of the box!
The WF-SP700Ns are IPX4 water resistant and they handled my excessive sweating with no problems during several 10km runs in crazy-humid Singapore. Even when wet, the fitting and sound quality was not compromised.
Crisp sound, superb bass, but occasional cutouts and delays
The frequency response is very satisfactory for earbuds in the fitness category. I really enjoy listening to all types of music on them, equally when commuting to work, or during exercising. The mobile app comes with an equalizer that lets you choose from a few presets like bright, excited, relaxed, or treble boost. There is no option to edit or create your own presets, however. In any case, I left that setting to the default, flat, response, which is more than good enough.
SONY promised “Extra Bass” and they really delivered! If rumbling bass is what you are looking for, you have to look no further – WF-SP700Ns are the earbuds for you. The lower-end frequencies are powerful and ideal for workout playlists; loud enough to give you a boost, yet not too much to tire your ears.
The digital noise cancellation is an interesting feature; while the difference is not very noticeable during my runs, it does improve the listening experience during exercise as well as in other everyday settings. Ambient Sound Mode is preferred for running outdoors, while Noise Cancelling mode is better to be used for exercising indoors or running on the treadmill. The noise cancellation mode can be easily adjusted through the Headphone Connect App, as well as by pressing the button on the left earbud.
The only hiccup in the listening experience is some brief cutouts and audio skips that occur every few minutes or so (they last for 1-2 seconds). Similarly, when watching videos the audio is lagging, leading to sync issues. Even though there is a toggle on the app that lets you prioritise either a stable connection with fewer interrupts or best sound, it didn’t seem to help much. The issues are not really unbearable – the buds are meant for outdoors / fitness usage anyway – but I do hope that these problems will be addressed in future versions. One possible improvement would be using Bluetooth 5 instead of the 4.1 that is currently implemented, hopefully making the connection faster and supporting longer-range pairing.
Subpar battery life
Fully charged, the WF-SP700Ns will give you up to three hours of music playback. The charging case holds two additional full charging cycles, giving you a total allowance of 9 hours playback while you are on the go – assuming you can bring the (rather bulky) case with you.
Granted, the 3-hour per charge lifetime will be sufficient for your daily workout – or even for your half-marathon, but, unless you are an elite runner, forget about finishing a marathon while listening to your favorite tunes on these headphones. Frankly speaking, the battery life is overall disappointing, especially when compared to other “truly wireless” earbuds, or even older SONY’s products (for example, Smart B-Trainer™ has a batter life of 10 hours, XB80BS EXTRA BASS™ up to 7 hours, and so on).
The verdict
SONY’s WF-SP700Ns are marketed as “Truly wireless, totally active” earbuds with “Extra bass“, and this is exactly what you’ll find them to be. Their fit is great, their design stylish and their sound performance and bass boosting makes ideal for working out or running. Improvements in the battery life and connectivity will be welcome in the next models, while the add-on features such as digital noise cancellation, Siri / Google Assistant, call pick-up etc are great to have. If you are looking for a solid pair of workout earbuds that fit well, sound good and feel comfortable, and you don’t mind the nuisances from infrequent audio cutouts or video syncing, the WF-SP700Ns are a great option for your next gear purchase.
* Disclaimer: This review represents the genuine, unbiased views of the author. The author was provided with a free unit. SONY’s products have been and might currently be advertised on JustRunLah! via different channels, however, these relationships do not influence the editorial content of reviews.
A triathlon is probably one of the most difficult sporting events known to man. A triathlon event includes running/sprinting, biking and swimming. It’s a test of physical and mental endurance, where a triathlete goes head to head with a lot of adversaries like Mother Nature. Your body needs to endure scorching hot temperatures, uneven terrain and probably the wrath of a cold lake.
Apart from picking out which marathon apparel to wear, there are five important things that people, who are new to triathlons, need to know about:
Never overtrain:
Over training leads to injuries and as a beginner, you’re probably excited in pushing your body to the limits on the first day of training. Admirable as it may be, it’s ill-advised to train till you puke. Start at a slow and steady pace so your body can adjust to the stresses. Train hard, train right and train safe.
Never overeat:
Overeating is your worst enemy; after a day of training, your body will crave for nutrients to help it recover faster. Just because you burn many calories in running, it doesn’t entitle you to a binge-eating pass. A balanced diet of protein, healthy carbohydrates and fiber can help maintain your body’s physical peak without depriving yourself of nutrients.
Know your weakness:
A triathlon is composed of running, swimming and biking for a certain distance. You need to determine which aspect is your weakness so you will be able to focus on eliminating that weakness and turn it into one of your greatest strengths. If you feel that your cardio is not enough for swimming and biking, then a few laps at the swimming pool or a few miles in a bike can help you.
Never hesitate to ask questions:
Every triathlon athlete was a beginner once and it’s OK to seek the advice of seasoned athletes and coaches to help you train. Whether it’s a question about where to shop for cool clothes, or what diet plan is good for your body, you should never be ashamed of asking those questions because the answers just might be able to help you survive your first triathlon.
Enjoy your first triathlon:
Despite the intensity and insanity of the event, don’t forget to enjoy the entire triathlon. Win or lose, you need to pat yourself on the back for a job well done in training yourself and pushing yourself. Remember, you are still new so don’t expect too much or you’ll only end up frustrated. After all, not everybody can do a tri gear and run, swim and bike for miles.
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to train for the triathlon so make sure you commit yourself.
Guest author: Christine Bourne is a writer, consultant and author of many posts. Now she works as a content manager in essay writer help service. She focuses not only on consulting tips about writing to help but also on creating interesting content for other topics.
PASAY CITY – A former champion and a new face stole the scene from almost 28,000 runners at the conclusion of the 42nd National MILO Marathon Metro Manila qualifiers Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. Amidst the sporadic downpours, Jeson Agravante and Christina Hallasgo brought home the championships of their respective divisions in the full marathon and will lead the Big City delegation to the National Finals set for December 9, 2018 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
![Race Review: Singtel – Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer 2018 [10 km] (by stargazer)](https://www.justrunlah.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/IMG_20180722_094147-768x521.jpg "Race Review: Singtel – Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer 2018 [10 km] (by stargazer)")
