Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sundown Familiarization

I am still too low on my mileage. My right foot Achilles tendon seems to recover. Therefore, I joined the team fatbird for their familiarization run.

The run starts from the carpark C4 and follow the Sundown route. I choose the 35km distance which U-turn in Loyang Ave. I set up my goal as a total of 7 hours. Target to arrive back to carpark C4 after 5.5 hours and go for more in the East Coast Park. As a practice for Sundown, I will do pure brisk walk as well.


I start at a moderate pace but slowdown to pace the couple that are also walking. The couple u-turn just before Bedok reservior park and I get back to my normal pace.


When I arrive back to carpark C4, It was 34km and I am at 5:26, slightly slower than my goal. Then, I add another 8km along the East Coast Park to completed 42.5km in 6:58. The route is tough since it is a U-turn and I had to cross 8 bridges. The up-down terrain in the Bedok HDB is also tough on the body.

When I arrived back at around 4:30am, a group of 55km runners are still chatting at carpark C4. But I was too tired to join them for "breakfast". Muscle ache for about a day. And on today, I feel ok. To avoid another DNF, I need more mileage and it is only 2 more weeks to accumulate mileage. Not sure whehter I will get to my planned 60km mark. I suppose to reach 50km mark for my training this week.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Dusty Run 2009

I have been troubled by my Achilles Tendon problem for a few weeks. I cut down on my training to once a week (or less). Mileage has been low and no high intensity exercise. But I still need to get my long run to prepared for the Sundown. I joined the Dusty Run with about 100 other runners. I decided to go for at least 30km and possibly longer (if I am still in good shape after 30km). I followed the 30km route. And when I was back at the starting point, I feel that I can do a few more. I have a total of 35km - longest training since Hong Kong Marathon.


The route goes from East Coast Park F2 carpark. We go eastward to and cross the East Coast Parkway to Bedok park connector. Make a loop in the Expo and heading to Bedok Reservoir Park. After that, follow the Siglap Park Connector, Siglap Place, Bedok and back to East Coast Park. I do some extra after arriving in F2 carpark to the hawker center and the Bedok Jitty.


The the first 8km, I was walking with Le Giang at a slow pace of 10:30. She catch up on the MRT at Expo and then I speed up to 8:30 pace for the next 7-8km. But the uphill portion at the Siglap Place is taxing on me and I have to slow down to 9:30 pace. Plus, I was running low on water along Bedok South Road and have to slow down to avoid de-hydration. I stop by in a coffee shop for a coke and head back. Overall pace is a bit slow. and the 35km took me 5hr 43 mins. I need a slightly faster pace in the Sundown, perhaps a 6hr 30mins for the 1st loop.

My Achilles tendon holds up ok. Though a bit tired but everything is fine. There is only about 4 more weeks to up the mileage before tappering down.