Rejoice! Fans of Descendant of the Sun for the Army Half Marathon is Here!

It was the year 2002.

I was in my second year of my 2.5 years of military national service, we were offered an irresistible deal at that point of time. Volunteer as the company representative for the army half marathon and you will get off days for training and recovery. Being stuck on the remote island of Pulau Tekong was not that pleasant at that point of time as the nearest shopping mall is an 1hr ride by boat and bus and getting home was usually an epic journey worthy of Frodo's adventure in "Lord of the Rings". Imagine taking day offs on Fridays where you can spend a solid 3 days at home without wasting too much traveling time each week.

Unfortunately, I managed to clinch the representative spot for Army Half Marathon. As an ex school representative gymnast, I was pretty fit on all fronts except for running and stamina sport. My IPPT results were usually straight "A" with exception of 2.4km run. That was my Achilles heel and I saw the half marathon as a chance to buff up on my running ability as well as to earn some Off days.

I started to train and all was well until I hit the 10km mark and my ankle started to hurt. As a result of reading too much Slam Dunk and Dragon Ball manga whereby willpower is the path to success, I pushed on, only for the pain to multiply exponentially for every 100meters I run. I gave up at 12km and spent the next 2 week hobbling around in camp.

After recovery, I started running again and this time, on top of ankle pain, my knees started hurting and I just could not over-come the 10km mark. With little hope of completing the actual half marathon, and potentially embarrassing myself and my unit in front of the entire Singapore Armed Forces, I dropped out of the race and I convinced myself that I was not destined to run... ever.

At that point of time, there was no professional trainers who were there to advise on proper running techniques, shoes or what so ever. I was also born a natural super flat foot using a heel strike running technique, which put a lot of stress on my knees and ankles.

I did not know about this until I started Unfit Runners 12 years later, which ignited my passion for running.

In 2013, I managed to take my revenge on the Army Half Marathon by completing the 10 km run

For some reason, I did not blog about the whole experience but other than the usual walking and shuffling at the starting point and certain choke points at Helix Bridge which is usual for any large scale running event, the event was well organized with lots of fun and interactive activities and freebies at the end of the race.

So if you do not mind the crowds of a large scale running event, the Safra run and the Army Half Marathon is one of the most value for money organized run in Singapore with special discounts for NSmen (which is like the entire male Singapore residents), SAFRA members and their family members.

$13 for 21km run and $9 for the 10km run along with all the usual entitlements of running singlets and medals.

For the ladies who recently finished watching Korean hit drama Descendant of the Sun and is looking for their special one in the military, this is probably one of the best chance to see our Army boys in action!

 
Details of Army Half Marathon
Date: 28th August 2016
Routes Available: 5km, 10km, 21km
Registration closing date: 21st July 2016

Details and Registration can be found here

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Green Corridor 2016 Run - Mud, Rocks and a Bad Sorethroat

6th March 2016

Ahh... The legendary Green Corridor Run. The run that destroys running shoes, turning it from pristine white into muddy brown. For some reason, it rained almost every year during the the run and Big Boned Guy who participated during one of the wettest Green Corridor Run in history, had to discard his SAF shoes. This year, he volunteered all of us to participate in this run, so that we had a chance to enjoy the muddy mess and an excuse to throw out our old running shoes.

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Bizad Charity Run 2015

Run date: 10th Jan 2015

I have not participated in any paid runs, ever since my Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) injuries 2 years ago. I have some what recovered since than to be able to run 5-6km without much pain to my outer knee. I decided to try out a 5km Charity run organized by NUS Business School to test out the recovery of my knee.

I should have picked a easier run.  

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How to Fix a Broken Shoulder Part 3: Recovery

By Slacker | Guest Writer

Previously on How to Fix a Broken Shoulder...

"Throughout my visits to TTSH and Dr Lim, Iwas visiting the Sinseh regularly every fortnight. He would use medicine, acupuncture with heat, cupping & evenletting of blood to aid my recovery & sore muscles. There were times wherehe would put some secret Shaolin formula on my shoulder, wrap it up & toldme to leave it there for 3 days. Given the bucket loads that I sweat, I could feel the itch already..."

My Gym

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How to Fix a Broken Shoulder Part 2: Diagnosis & Treatment

By Slacker | Guest Writer

Previously on How to Fix a Broken Shoulder .....

"To my surprise, the big pain never came & I was still able to use my right hand for light tasks. Off to TTSH (Tan Tock Seng Hospital) I went but not before a bath & lunch as the wait will be way too long I'm sure. It didn't feel too bad but changing of clothes was a real wake up call if you know what I meanGiven the symptoms & my prior experience, I remember thinking that I should be back in no time but unbeknownst to me then, this split second has changed my way of life forever.."

The A&E nurses & doc were somewhat surprised at how calm & matter of fact I was (thanks to my prior experience which calls for another article). I guessed that's why she only offered pain killers (which I declined), 1 day MC & told me to reuse my old arm sling (if I can find it, it was a good 9 years back after all)!

I took it as a sign that all will be back to normal in no time. The swelling went down pretty fast & the pain & soreness were pretty much gone by the 3rd day. I found my old slings & used it primarily when commuting, just in case I get bumped by Singaporeans who are walking blindly, engrossed with their mobile devices.

On the 2nd day, I was back to work & my boss tapped on my injured shoulder hard a few times, thinking that it would be a harmless joke. I was really HIGH and I could probably hit some Celine Dion high notes. He was probably unaware how bad my injury was as I removed my sling once I reached office. 

Morale of the story: Wear your sling, made sure every Tom, Dick & Harry knows about your injury.

I later did some googling, compared the illustrations to my x-rays and concluded that the injury looks like a Type-III AC joint disruption. Generally, surgery is not performed as studies have shown that the recovery is about the same whether surgery is prescribed or not. Some people have also commented in the forums that a complete tear is less painful than a partial tear down the road as there is less contact between the bones. Wonder if I should feel happy or not, hmm...

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How to Fix a Broken Shoulder: Irresistible Force vs. Immovable Object

by Slacker | Guest Writer

First some self introduction, I’m very laid back & lazy as most people are (I guess), thus calling myself Slacker as a reminder to keep on moving my lazy bum. Training Muay Thai & Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) up to 6 days a week & Mountain Biking with my buddy to round off the week, it’s been my way of life since I can remember & I’m loving it..

As Newton has said – an object in motion tends to stay in motion. And so I am, in my mid 30s, active, happy, healthy & fit as a fiddle. But stop it did, on the 4^th May 2014 as irresistible force met immovable object!

Bukit Timah Bike Trail

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VIP Threatment for Knee: Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)

Chien Chi Tow (拳器道) People's Park Center

Looks like my running hobby might be temporarily suspended for now.

This knee issue has been troubling me for months, and I never really got down to investigate the root of the problem. I was running on and off during the past few months and as my knee slowly healed, I managed to increase my distance from a paltry 1 km to 4km before I feel any pain. 2 weeks ago, as I was exploring the newly launched Sports Hub, I felt a sharp pain and the pain persisted for the next few days. At that point of time, I realize that I need to seek help.

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Bedok Reservoir Night Run - First Post Surgery Run

Night at Bedok Reservoir. Doesn't look Hazy

It has been 2 months since my last run.

I have been wanting to stretch my legs for the past few days but lo and behold, the haze from Indonesia started their assault on Singapore. This evening, the air seems to be fresher without the usual burning smell. I decide to risk a run.

As I was heading out, my mum yelled at me, "The PSI is 84! Where are you going?!?"

"Mum, out for a run. No worries."

"The PSI is higher today than yesterday! Yesterday is only at 64!"

"But the air smells okie. Besides, I need to work out a bit!"

Without waiting for any more protest from my overly concern mother, I dashed out of the door.

Well, the air smells alright and the sky looks clear!

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Farewell ECP! - A visit to the dysfunctional expressway (4km)

Good Morning! ECP!

The biggest news in Singapore this week. The closure of a segment of the most scenic section of the East Coast Parkway Expressway and the 2 hours jam at the newly opened Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) which is an expensive, undersea and boring expressway which will replace the ECP. The former ECP cuts through some of the most scenic and expensive real estate in Singapore and after pleads from one of the richest man in the world, Sidney Adelson, owner of Sand Casino and the Marina Bay Sands, that he needs more space to expand the integrated resort, the government decided to reroute the expressway. (Baseless allegations. Pure speculations on my part. Adelson did appeal for more space though!)

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Marina Bay - 3rd Month of Rest with Knee Injury

Run report: 3 months after injury

Location: marina bay

1km - no pain, feeling great

1.3km - small ache

1.5km - can feel the ache more consciously

1.9km - time to call it a day :(

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Tanjong Pagar Run - Short Run to Test Recovery of Knee

Staycation at Amara Hotel

Ever since my knee injury, I have been testing the recovery level of my knee with short distance runs to gauge how much it has recovered. I tried 1 km before the pain came back a 3 months back, worsen the injury due to me pushing myself during a run in Europe and since 2 weeks ago, I can advance 1.5km before the pain starts kicking in. Today, I am going to test my knee again.

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Stanchart Half-Marathon: Short Interruption to my Running Career

The last few weeks, have been quite a depressing affair for my running career. First, I injured my knee during one of my routine Sat run during the end of Sept. I thought resting for a 2 weeks before my Europe trip will give it time for my knee to recover. I tried a short run just before my Europe trip but my knee starting throbbing after 1km. Than I forced a run at Amsterdam doing about 2km. Knee hurts but not that bad. During the next run at Dusseldorf Germany, I forced an even further run of 5km. My knee gave way at 3km. I hobbled my way from Hamburg to Berlin to Paris for the rest of the trip, cursing at every European staircase that confronted me.

After I got back from my Europe trip at the end of Oct, I thought that a good one month rest should be enough for my knee to recovery for the Stanchart Half Marathon. A week before the race, I strapped on my shoes and tried to run. My knee started to throb after hitting the 1km mark. I started to feel pain after 1.5km. I have little choice but to abandon the Standchart Half Marathon.

This is depressing. I wonder when my knee will heal...

A few days after the Stanchart Half Marathon, I came upon this piece of news whereby an unknown Singaporean runner who won the local title for Stanchart, was disqualified. He ran for 6km, felt a pain in the knee, probably went somewhere to drink some coffee before walking back to the finish point and "accidently" clinched the first place. He also revealed that he cheated not only once, but thrice, just because he wanted the finisher T-shirt and the medal.

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