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New Year Resolution for 2008: Swim faster, Run longer, maybe return to cycling.

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Reflections of Nine-Eleven and Sheares Bridge Run

Today happens to be the Annual Sheares Bridge Run (Army Half Marathon) and the anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks in the USA.

To be honest, I didn't have a good feeling about this run. I was afraid that terrorists would strike during the run and cause massive physical losses and psychological damage to Singapore and Singaporeans. After all, our island state is one of their targets. It would have been quite easy for them to hit us. The thought was scary and disturbing but I knew I shouldn't let thoughts like this hamper me from taking part in a national event. I must not be scared as a citizen yet I have to be vigilant.

What hindered me from doing my best was the gastric flu that I had for the past two days. I felt queasy on Friday evening and the abdominal pangs remained on most of Saturday. I had my doubts if I wanted to take part in the 12km mini race due to health issues. I still tried to drink lots of water, especially isotonic ones to replenish the lost electrolytes in the body.

Anyway I woke up at 5:30am to get ready to meet Chad Mobley at the Hotel Intercontinental. We met at 6:30am and had breakfast at the hotel. We walked to the Esplanade Bridge after that to start the run at 8:00am.

We ran for the first 6km and then walked for the next 3km. We ran the remaining and final 3km back to the Padang. We took a total of about 1hr 45min. Not much speed and glory put into it as I felt my stomach churning. The lack of water points didn't help much either. False hopes of Gatorade stations added to the frustration. Nevertheless we finished the distance. My 200sd read 12.5km.

We caught sight of Mythos slightly beyond the finishing line with his wife Margaret and son Jonathon.

Run Summary:
Total Distance - 12.57km
Total Time - 1hr 50min
Max HR - 174 (92%)
Avg HR - 142 (75%) - walked quite abit
Max Speed - 11.1 km/hr
Avg Speed - 6.6 km/hr - see lah! must be walking too much!
Calories - 1337 kcal

3 comments:

mis_nomer said...

I agree -- thinking you were going to get Gatorade and getting water instead was pretty disappointing during the run! I carried water for my friend and I during the Sheares Bridge Run.

Am thinking of purchasing a Polar RS200sd, but still deliberating between the Polar and the Garmin, or nothing at all. Do you like it so far?

Chelonia Munnster said...

Hi misnomer,

I love the Polar RS200sd. I've yet to discover every single part of it coz the basic function is already so useful. I mean, I can already monitor my own speed/distance improvements just by normal daily use. I'm gonna experiment with the interval function soon. My personal opinion is that the Garmin is more like a GPS system. The company is more well known for GPS. And doesn't it rely on satellites? I've had no problems with my Polar so far as long as my footpod has got sufficient battery!

mis_nomer said...

Thanks! Still thinking about it 'cos reluctant to put so much into a watch, but will prob get the Polar after all my humming and hawing...