Light up your Life Run should be Fun

Light up your Life Run should be fun.
Alas, we had to skip this 5km race due to the Haze two weeks ago.
Light up your Life Run photos

“Light up your Life Run” was organised by animal welfare organization SOSD
(Singapore: Dog Rescue and Adoption), together with Assisi Hospice.
Humans can run with their pet dogs to raise funds for both organisations.

Our kids love pets.
We believe pets would give kids a valuable lesson to care for little animals.
Kids might learn about loving, empathy, and responsibility.

However, I am worried the kids will discard the pet once the novelty wears off.
That is why we love the dog run at Bishan Park. Kids can interact with the friendly pets.

When I heard about the inaugural “Light up your Life Run”, I knew the kids would be overjoyed to see so many dogs at East Coast Park. A pity the haze persistently hanged around 150 to 200. Otherwise, it would have been a spectacular evening for the kids.

There was still an enthusiastic crowd on the actual day, and we were glad to hear that the haze subsided enough for the walk and race to continue. Check out the fun and lovely humans and dogs bonding photos on “Light up Your Life Run” fanpage.
Light up your Life Run
Light up your Life Run2
(image screenshot from Light Up Your Life Fanpage)

More details and photos can be found on this website and Fanpage.

Straits Time Run 18.45 km YES!

I ran the Straits Time Run 18.45 km this morning, which is just 2km shy of half marathon.
A few milestones were achieved for this run.

First – The Haze stayed away another day! Any new day with PSI < 100 is another day to treasure. We need our fresh air, kids should be outdoor and not cooped indoors. At the same time, it does give kids an opportunity to appreciate that good weather is not a granted. Straits Time run 18.45 km finisher

Secondly
, my previous benchmark was 10km in about 1 hour (Nila Run and North East Compressport). My timing of 2hr 30min (for 18.45km) is considered slow (Kenyan ran 58mins, and fast-paced walking can complete route in under 3km). I failed to train for this run, recent cough and haze did not help to improve the situation, but I am glad to complete the run.

Another opportunity to demonstrate to kids “Never give up, persevere, and set new benchmark for ourselves”. Perhaps 42km for 2016!

ST Run 2015 OCBC arena

Earlier, we arrived at Singapore Sports Hub 0400, 1 hour before the race commence. We were determined to make the most out of another haze free day! Positive energies and enthusiasm from fellow runners will rub off on us and motivate us to stretch further. The pacers for 2hr 10min even got pop music from their sound bar, Great job!

During the run, it felt like running a never-ending uphill, but we just had to persevere until the end. The faster I complete my race, the earlier I can reach home.
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The waterfront route helps to take the focus away from our tired calves, accompanied by sea breeze. Some other iconic buildings include Singapore Flyer, Esplanade, Merlion, MBS, Gardens by the Bay.

This is not an unfamiliar route as I had joined colleagues around “Gardens by the Bay” before. The only difference is we are starting our run earlier, and clearing 18.45 km instead of 6 to 8km.

From the map below, cramps start appearing after 6km.
straits time run route

The end point is inside the stadium itself, very spectacular. More importantly, this run will pushed my running confidence up another notch.
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* click Running tag to find out which other races my family had participated before