Regular Exercise Active Lifestyle or the New Balance REAL Run 2008 was held recently at Changi. I finally found out what the REAL in REAL stood for ha ha ....
I went for my second REAL Run on Sunday. It was the run which allowed you to run on different terrains. It's held where they did the Changi Airshow. I got up bright an early around 4.45am to get the 5.45 shuttle from Toa Payoh to the run venue. I had a mild case of diarrhoea the previous night, I think it might have been something I had for breakfast the other day, was not feeling particularly upbeat. Anyway's got to the venue, the driver of the bus got lost and took a wrong turn but still we managed to get there around 6.30am. Had a quick change of clothes, did my check-in of my bags and some warmups and before you know it, it was almost 7am, the atmosphere was electrifying, really gets you in the mood for a run. The run starts at 7.30am for 10km, while the 15km runners start at 7.45am. The announcer started to call everyone to the start line, as I was making my way there they had these ladies going round giving out free samples of NEAT 3B (I think that's what it's called) it's to prevent abrasions and stuff, usually applied to the underarms, groin and for guys the nipple area while for ladies the bra area. One of the ladies (who incidentally also does the warmups, probably some aerobics instructor) came up to me to ask me to try some, there was a photographer with her and so just happen to have a picture taken with the lady. I tried the product but I think the race is short so don't think abrasions really come into play plus these days the clothing material is better and you don't get abrasions. I used to get them over long distances before but abrasions don't happen very often these days. Well to me anyway's. Well we did the warmup with the instructors and soon it was flag off time.
I don't know who flagged us of as I could not really hear the announcer and was too far away to see who it was but I think it might have been Mr Ho Peng Kee, but could be wrong. So the run started and this year they had a new route. It was a hot day and with the sun rising we set off into the sun. For the first 4km we were running on a dirt track with low shrubs by the side, fairly wide, hard sand but no shade. It was freaking HOT !! After that it was another 2 km of running on the road which basically was the access road to the Airshow area, it's a 6 lane road with no trees or shade. The sun was really HOT !! The next 1km was on a forest track and at least the only good thing about this section was there was some shade. We then turn to the beach and I had to practically squint my eyes as the glade was really bad. 1km of beach running in the open on soft sand with the sun beating down on you and reflected off the water, really test your mind and body. Finally the last 2 km consisted of the road again to the finishing line where we got onto the runway. Again no shade. It as a really killer of a run with the heat, no shade or cover and hardly any breeze. You would think a beach area would have some breeze but there was absolutely none that day. Last year after the run I could mingle around near the finishing area to watch the other runners come in but this year it was soooooooo hot that I just went into the hanger area to rest up. Most people did that too.
Well I was pleased with my time it was around 1hr 17mins or so but will wait for the official confirmation when they sent me my certificate. At least it was an improvement over last year's 1hr 20min+ timing. The run was a really killer, especially the beach and coming in stretch. Absolutely Hot Hot Hot !!
They gave out bananas at the end of the run. I collected my goodie bag with the T-Shirt and other freebies. Normally at these runs at the end NEAT also provides this leg massage service. Usually there is a long queue and I never bother to wait around, however this time when I came in there was less than 20 people in the queue so I decided to queue up. Waited for about 20 mins and I got my turn to get a rub down. Not too bad, at least got a free leg rub of my aching muscles. Took off my socks and was shocked to see a tan, so you know how hot it was. They had some entertainment and lucky draw stuff but I passed on those as I just wanted to get home. Took the 10am shuttle to the Pasir Ris MRT station, caught the train to Lavender before getting on a bus.
There is only 1 word to describe this year's run -- HOT !! -- my tights are still aching and this time round the stomach area hurts as well and I am not sure why that is. No pictures of the event as I was just too drained.
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