Monday, February 27, 2017

Safari Run 2017 & Marina Run 2017

The races started for 2017! In a span of a week, I participated in both Safari Run 2017 & Marina Run 2017.

Safari Run was pretty memorable, since this is the first official 10km race my wife joined me in running. She has never ran in an organised race longer than a 7km route. Thanks to sponsored tickets, we were able to do so as a couple.

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Waking up at 5am, reaching Singapore Zoo at 6am, I have to thank my wife for being the best recreational companion for me. The route was simple, 2 rounds around the park, roads were pretty clear and wide. Kless commented that the animal poop ranked by smelliest were – deer, rhino, elephant. I guessed that was what motivated her to run faster and get our of the place as soon as possible.

Water points were adequate and well planned. We had a great run, especially not all the time we get to run a scenic venue like the Singapore Zoo. Companionship played a great part too. Looking forward to more runs with my wife!

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I did my 3rd Half Marathon since last August at this year’s Marina Run 2017.

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Not fully prepared even though I have been running quite frequently. I think my muscles are quite tensed and tight. The first 5km was tough, as my left shin was feeling the pain (fingers-crossed that it is not splints), probably just some muscle swelling. Other thing I did wrongly was not to eat a light dinner before the run. I was afraid of stomach upset cos the few days before the run, I was suffering from stomach flu. Reminder to stock up some energy bars.

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By the way, it was my first run with the 2XU MCS (Muscle Containment Stamping) tights. Feels good and it really provide a considerable amount of compression around the calf and quads area, reducing muscle oscillation and damage. A great investment for running.

This is my first time running in Marina Run, and also my first time running along the long East Coast Park stretch (gave me a good preview of what to expect for my Full Marathon with SCM2017).

First up, the baggage drop was relatively small with only 2 counters for Men’s 21km runners. And the young staff were not exactly friendly, when I was collecting my bag after the race, standing there for 5mins pointing out my bib number for collection, they simply ignored me until I seriously thought I was transparent. Maybe it’s good to have some more senior staff to be around, especially after a run, runners tend to be tired and running out of patience. Or maybe it’s just me.

Secondly, the isotonic drinks available at certain points were super diluted. I was reminded of my army days when we were given “colored water”. No taste just color.

Thirdly, and probably the most amusing part, along the ECP stretch, some parts were really dark, but there were no traffic marshals to guide the runners, especially when the tracks were not fully closed off (public users are running, cycling, rollerblading all over the same tracks). Then when I passed by a very bright stretch, I saw one of the traffic marshals standing under the lamp post with his traffic guiding stick. What for? And the road marshals were not enough, a few occasions I saw some runners squatting by the road sides trying to catch their breath. Can the organisers please look into this?

Having say all, not all was bad. I have always enjoyed running at the Marina area, the view and the breeze makes the run that extra enjoyable.

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So after 2:22:56 (my second best timing), I crossed the finishing line with pride once again. Not about the timing, but every race is a race to prove that I am a finisher. Never give up!

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Next race will be Sundown Marathon! Another Half Marathon waiting for me. I need to strengthen my leg muscles for this!

Thursday, February 16, 2017

[Giveaway] Wild Barley

Product Review

Eating healthy is no longer just a culture outside of home.

Wild Barley Singapore provides a whole range of healthy, organic, and natural food, free from chemicals and artificial additives and preservatives. Conveniently, at a click’s away.

wild barley

To live well, you have to eat healthy and well. In the wisdom of ages, good health is not the absence of disease, but the daily healthy lifestyle, and healthy mental attitude.

The team at Wild Barley is founded with a simple mission in mind; to source and provide the community with healthier choices to everyday foods. Even comfort food items like pasta sauces, juices, ice cream, snacks etc, are carefully sourced from all over the world. The team at Wild Barley guarantees that they will personally conduct a taste test before putting any of their products on the shelves.

A personalised basket of goodies from the nice people of Wild Barley.

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Diferente Aromatic Sparkling Cuvee
This is an alcohol-free premium drink. A great tasting extra-dry cuvee, reminiscent of fresh applesauce, ripe pear and crust aromas, perfect when tasted with sweet and salted dishes, either alone or mixed in a fruity aperitif.
Best served in a large tumbler filled with ice cubes and a few mint leaves, and a whole group of friends!
http://www.zeroalcoholdrinks.com/

Natipuri Apricot Juice
40% apricot juice. With apple juice from concentrate, water, lemon juice from concentrate. Organic ingredients. Certified Bio
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Ki Mixed Berries Jam
65% berries in varying proportions (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, currants). With concentrated apple puree, concentrated apple juice. Organic ingredients. Certified Bio
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Cello Whisps Parmesan Cheese Crisps
A pure cheese snack made by Cello, an artisan cheesemaker themselves. The unforgettable flavor comes from their very own Wisconsin cheeses. Each wheel is aged and individually selected at the peak of its flavor to make the Whisps Crisps.
http://www.cellowhisps.com/

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Wild Barley Dried Lotus Seed
In house brand of dried lotus seeds. Made with 100% natural, dried lotus seeds with no artificial flavorings and preservatives. Nuts are sourced from Vietnam.
Warning! These are super addictive! I can’t stop munching on these nuts once I have started. I personally recommend eating this with some of the sparkling cuvee. Nice!

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Three Twins Bittersweet Chocolate & Three Twins Lemon Cookie
Bittersweet Chocolate has an abundance of organic cocoa, which makes it darker than most chocolate ice creams, and it also adds an incredibly rich flavor and texture.
All the ice cream flavors are made with combined organic ingredients, milk and cream with sugar and eggs to make the ice cream base.
http://www.threetwinsicecream.com/

Liquid Gold
100% natural honeycomb straight from the beehive unprocessed. Giving you all the pure goodness as nature created it.

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3-Elephants Thai Organic 3 Color Brown Rice
100% whole kernel Thai organic mixed brown rice. Free from chemical fertilizers, free from chemical pesticides and herbicides. Free from additives, coloring and preservatives. No soaking required when cooking.
My children has been eating brown rice for a few years now, so they are not unfamiliar with it. But this 3 color brown rice (Black Rice + Brown Rice + Hom Mali brown rice) is slightly different from the ones we usually buy from the supermarket. Harder in texture but taste great. Since I am a lover of “hard-texture” rice, this suits me perfectly. But the girls, we added a small portion of white rice to soften the bite.
Did you know? Black rice has lower calories and a better source of fibre compared to brown rice?

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Ki Shelled & Roasted Hazelnuts
High fibre, contains at least 6g / 100g of fibres or at least 3g / 100kcal of fibres.

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Sign up as a member of Wild Barley (membership is free), and enjoy a 10% voucher (redeemable through Promo Code). And as members, you will also get to enjoy discounts or free delivery through Promo Codes which Wild Barley will send out to members monthly.

GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away 3 hampers (worth $70 each) to 3 winners!
Follow the instructions below and stand a chance to win some of the mentioned goodies for your family.
The giveaway will run from today till 23 Feb 2017, 10pm. All the best!

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Thursday, February 2, 2017

Sundown Marathon Singapore 2017

[Giveaway]

Have you signed up for the biggest night run in Singapore? What are you waiting for?

#SundownMarathon #SleepCanWait #1NightRun

What is your hashtag for running? For me, it will be #42running42 because this year will be the year for me to finally run in a Full Marathon before I officially turn 43.

And I am running in the Half Marathon for SDM2017, in preparation for my personal goal. Whatever goal you may have, here are some of the reasons you should not miss this year’s Sundown Marathon.

1. This year (2017) is the 10th edition of Asia’s largest night run, OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017 returns to its fundamental ethos of challenging you to sacrifice sleep, run through the night and beat the sunrise.
2. The magic when you run at night – You see the lights in the dark (fellow runners with different goals on the same journey). You smell the scent of the fresh night breeze (mixed with your sweat and even tears). You touch the coolness of the air (each stride of the way).
3. You will receive the most exclusive 2017 race singlet and race entitlements that is only offered for the 10th edition.
4. You can boast about being part of the largest night race in Asia.

So wait no more!

Sign up now with my exclusive code (SDM2017ISAIAH10) and get the final chance to enjoy a 10% discount, until Feb 28.

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Wait a moment! All good things doesn’t just end with a discount!

GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away 2 FREE slots to 2 winners! You can choose any category you want (valid for all individual categories).
Follow the instructions below and stand a chance to run with me and thousand others in this year’s Sundown Marathon 2017!

The giveaway will run from today till 9 Feb 2017, 10pm. All the best runners!

 

 

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