3 Great Ideas to Better Utilize you Free Running Bags from Runs
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| Too many free... shoebags.... |
June 3, 2016
May 10, 2016
Rejoice! Fans of Descendant of the Sun for the Army Half Marathon is Here!
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
April 29, 2016
National Step Challenge Points Bonus Day
After my despicable post on how to cheat on the National Step Challenge, there are readers who asked us for more information. Good news! Health Promotion Board is launching a bonus point day whereby you can earn 2X the points on 8th May. The season 1 will end on 30th of June and there must have been many Unfit Singaporeans who has been giving feedback that they are unable to clock 10,000 steps every day and they need some point boost along the way. Our kind governmental agency who has been giving out vouchers to get lazy ass Singaporeans off their seat has complied.
Details can be found here
Details can be found here
April 13, 2016
5 Despicable Ways to Earn Vouchers via HPB's National Steps Challenge
On 30th of January, we waited in line to collect our free pacer in order to participate in the National Steps Challenge. How the challenge works is pretty simple, download the Healthy 365 App, link it to your free pace tracker, strap on the pace tracker to some part of your body and go about your daily lives. The trick is that you will need to walk at least 5000 steps to a maximum 10,000 steps per day in order to earn up to 60 points a day and the points can be used to exchange for vouchers.
April 1, 2016
GuangZhou - China: Challenging and Thrilling Run of Yue Xiu Park (越秀公园）
March 22, 2016
Mizuno Ekiden Singapore Run - 16th July 2016
SG Unfit Runners are contemplating taking on a 21km run, after conquering the 10km barrier a couple of years ago.
No, we are not going to cripple ourselves by running 21km individually, but we are contemplating to run 21km in aggregation using the Ekiden method.
Before you go, "What is Ekiden?" which is my first reaction when I read about it, here is a brief explanation of the origins of the word.
The first ekiden race was held in 1917, in conjunction with celebrating the anniversary of the moving of the capital to Tokyo. The ekiden race was held over three days between the old Japanese capital of Kyoto and the modern capital of Tokyo with the total distance amounting to 508 km.
The original concept of the race stems from Japan’s communication and transportation system during the olden days, in which stations were posted at intervals along the road. The word Eki. “駅” means station and den “伝” represents transmit.
So it practically works like a baton passing run, just that it is spread over 21km and 42km. However, one of the short-coming of an Ekiden is that the last runner will have to spend some time fiddling on their phone while waiting for their running partners to complete their respectively leg of the race.
On top of that, the race starts at 4pm and there is little doubt that some of the SG Unfit Runners will complain about the heat.
Let's hope they have tons of isotonic drinks and water along the way!
Fees are $45 for the 21km run per pax and $50 for the 42km run per pax.
For more information about Mizuno Ekiden Singapore Run, click here
March 18, 2016
Pocari Sweat Run - 23rd July 2016
One of the key running event that shaped the experience of their running experience is the Pocari Sweat run. If the readers have noticed, we have participated almost on an annual basis since the launch of Pocari Sweat run and it all started as using the run as a mile stone goal to train up for 5km during the starting phrase of our group. Another reason for picking the Pocari Sweat run is due to Alcoholic and Big Boned Guy's obsession of the free flow of Pocari Sweat after the run. Usually, Alcoholic does not join us for runs but he makes exceptions for his love of Pocari Sweat...
This year, Pocari Sweat Run decided to change their format from the typically unearthly early morning run to a night run and they decided to theme it "Let's Run to the Moon".
Here's their official press release:
The POCARI SWEAT Run returns for the fifth consecutive year; this time with a special mission to complete. On 23 July 2016 at 5pm, runners will combine their efforts to complete the final leg of POCARI SWEAT’s journey to the Moon at The Float @ Marina Bay.
Similar to the concept of ascending to the Moon, POCARI SWEAT is calling out to runners to join the brand in completing the journey and running together in this year’s edition of the Run. In the four years that the POCARI SWEAT Run has been held in Singapore, runners have covered a total of 300,000 KM, which is more than 75% of the distance between the Earth and the Moon. In 2016, with a remaining distance of 80,000 KM, participants can make history by taking part in either the 5KM or 10KM category, with each step contributing to the journey to the Moon.
The marketing effort is a marked departure from their usual "Hey, come run and drink Pocari Sweat for a reasonable running fee!" and some efforts have been put in putting together a theme and backstory to the run. Well, it's not fantastic, but than again, you can't compete with other runs with already a strong back story like One Piece Run or Hello Kitty Run. Sign-up fee is $50 and $60 for the 5km and 10km run which is a $2 increase from last year's fee.
Interested runners who have somewhat a similar unholy love for Pocari Sweat drinks, you can sign up for the run here.
March 14, 2016
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.
February 26, 2016
11 Art Pieces and 1 Movie to Look Out For While Running Along Singapore River
1. The Underpass Murals
There are 2 connecting underpasses between Boat Quay and Clark Quay on both banks of the river and on the walls of these dim tunnels are 4 sets of murals on the walls of these underpasses. One of them has a big scary face painted on it and anybody who is too engrossed with their phones while walking along the tunnels in the middle of the night may have a shock of their life finding a huge monstrous face staring back at them... that if the person can even tear their eyes away from their Clash of Clans game in the first place...
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| Valentine day is around the corner... |
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| Half naked man moving heavy stuff... That's so 19th century |
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| Singapore is a sea port! I get that! |
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| Erm. Neighborhood playground turned evil? |
2. The Fat Bird
Known affectionately as the fat bird, the bronze statue designed by famed Colombia artist Botero has been featured in Indian Movies and is the gathering point for Singapore's famous running club: Team FatBird
3. The Sweaty Men
Who says that Singapore is a conservative society? We have our own share of half naked bronze statue right smack in the middle of the country. Designed by Mr Aw Tee Hong, it explores the historical roots of Singapore River and the racial diversity and immigration when Singapore was born. Still waiting for a statue which is R-18 rated to be displayed in the public.
4. Kids Learning To Swim the Old Fashion Way
This is one of my favorite artwork along the way. The artwork "First Generation" by Mr Chong Fah Cheong represents how kids learn about the world through exploring and not getting themselves run over by bum boats and sampans during the early days of Singapore River when it is a bustling commercial port.
5. The Selfie Metal Sphere
Need to check if your waterproof make-up or hair is in place while running along Singapore River? Have no fear, the metallic sphere is is here! Located just outside the Asian Civilization Museum, they make the perfect preening spot, if you don't mind looking fatter and rounder than your usual self.
6. The Pirate Treasure Rocks
300 years ago, Captain Jack Sparrow visited Singapore and left his treasure on the pirate infested island. Before leaving, he carved the secret location of his treasure on a series of rocks along Singapore River. Look close enough and you may discover the location of the hidden treasure!
7. The English Man
Who is this english man who seems to be so important, staring down at the passerby with an arrogant look? He is no other than the founder of colonial Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles (A reminder for those who have forgotten their history lessons!)
8. The Statues Which Look Like Aliens When You are Drunk
One of the favorite puking spot along Clark Quay, these poor alien looking statues are popular puke spots after a night of revelry at the famous watering hole at Clark Quay. I always spot pools of puke around these statues during my early Sunday morning runs along Clark Quay. Maybe they are just too scary looking and scares the living daylights out of drunk patrons.
January 27, 2016
Running Events in China (feat Nonsense Reviews by Unfit Runners)
SG Unfit Runners was approached by 42race.sg a couple of weeks ago to help them spread awareness of the various running events around the world. 42race is a tour agency that specializes in organizing tour packages for runners to participate in runs for Singaporeans who are looking for an overseas running experience. We have agreed to help them spread the word on a Pro Bono basis as we see the value of them taking the hassle out of helping lazy people like us who always wanted to fly overseas for a run but couldn't find any scapegoat to volunteer to do all the dirty work. We have been talking about participating in Penang Marathon for the longest time but no one stepped up to do the organizing, so we can see the value of what 42race is doing.
This article is contributed by 42race.sg on popular running events in China.
There are many reasons that China is the world’s popular destination for tourism – rich culture, natural wonders, amazing architecture, and many more. China is so culturally different from countries outside of East Asia and has many of the most amazing sceneries in the world. If you are looking for an exotic adventure, packed full of new sights and experiences, China is the place to go. Here are 3 races in China that you may join this year to experience all of it:
Race date: 27 March 2016
This article is contributed by 42race.sg on popular running events in China.
There are many reasons that China is the world’s popular destination for tourism – rich culture, natural wonders, amazing architecture, and many more. China is so culturally different from countries outside of East Asia and has many of the most amazing sceneries in the world. If you are looking for an exotic adventure, packed full of new sights and experiences, China is the place to go. Here are 3 races in China that you may join this year to experience all of it:
Chengdu Marathon
Dujiangyan, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaRace date: 27 March 2016
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