Team FatBird Marathon Training Session #4

Field Report #1
- Field report by FatBird Anthony
- Photo Slideshow by FatBird Jancy

Team A NightHawkers

Team B NightHawkers

The weather forecast predicted it was going to be a hot day at Team FatBird's NightHawk Marathon Training session #4. When we arrived at The PlayGround @ Big Splash at 6:50am, a large group had already gathered. We chit-chatted, mingled a little, and got to know a few newcomers. Attendance was taken, followed by a brief of the 10km-28km route towards Changi Coastal Road, and the run was started at 7.20am.

I was sweeping the rear of Group A (22km-28km) and was sharing with BernOh, Zhi Lei, and a few new runners on the virtues of starting at a slower pace. There was certainly a lot more compression tights and hydration belts amongst the runners today, as all were prepared for some long running in the heat. My heart rate was registering a good 130+ average for the first 10km, which was within zone.

As we hit out into the park connector, the sun was staring at us with its heated fury. It was good that many of the runners came prepared with water bottles and belts. I took many sips of the gatorade mix from my new Ultimate Direction fuelbelt.....which sat rather comfortably. I have been adhering to the FatTrim Zones training for these past few weeks, and it seemed to be working....running in the correct zone to improve fuel efficiency.

As we went into Changi Coastal Road, bumped into wee from TODAY...he did a very fast 3hr36min HK Marathon....*kudos* considering that he only took up distance run after his following our (NTUC Climbathon Team) adventure at the Mt. Kinabalu Climbathon in 2007. It was good chats with DO, wee and the small group we were in. At the 14km U-turn (4th Shelter), I stayed on to wait a little for the rest. On the way back, a number of the runners took a beating from the very HOT sun....a few were walking at the connector out from Changi Coastal Rd. With 10km to go, I spotted DO, SiYi and her group doing a very steady pace....they have been improving over the past few runs.

FatBirds soaring

Simon was spotted with 6km to go....the heat seemed to be getting a little to him. We ran alongside for a good 3km, with my HR averaging 135...not bad, burning more fats...hehe. The sun was really HOT this morning, but I was feeling quite ok as I started with a very slow, easy pace....the glycogen stores were still sufficient....with 2km to go, I ramped on the HR to 150+ and completed the 28km with SiYi and her group in a nice photo-finish. Went to the FatBird watering hole for some cold 100-Plus and Sng Pao. A crowd had gathered by then, and lots of group photos were taken....chats with the bikers and other interested runners took us till 11am, when Team Coconut's reps arrived for a lunch appointment with us :)

Bubbly Birds Buzzing after the run

It was yet another successful mission for Team FatBird and the participants....conquering the grueling weather and distance to finish one of the more grueling training sessions in the schedule...one more day training session (28km) next sat morning, and then the highly anticipated Dusty Run (30km) leg on a friday night, April 10. Till then, its back to the nest to soak the tired legs in warm water, followed by a good uSqueez and some roller-foaming :)

Field Report #2

- Field Report by Keonz Quek

- Photos by Jancy Yap

It was the 4th week since the TeamFatbird Ops NightHawk training session began in early March. Very soon, we will be cossing over to April where the training will become more intensive as the distance goes beyond 30km. In week 4 of the training, we had our training at ECP (Playground @ Big Splash) which is similar to last saturday's training. I reached the meet-up point at about 7.00am sharp where most of the runners has arrived, all looking great and enthusiatic for the morning run. The weather was fine and the sky was very clear, without much breeze. The ECP was already LIVE up with some runners doing their early morning jog. The sun has already risen. And i told myself that it was gonna be a hot run. I was in my full 2XU attire in black, my sunglass and cap, ready for a good sat morning training ahead.

As usual, Anthony and DO commenced their briefing on the route when all the runners has arrived and gathered at about 7.05am. Apart from the regular active runners, we saw several new commers today who chose to run shorter distance. We also have runners like Julie and Lai Chee from SAFRA MF joining us as well. Altogether, it was a good turnout. Glad to see many runners waking up early to joined in the training on a sat morning. Meanwhile, jancy and Ah Beng were busy taking attendance and taking down the particulars of the new runners. The distance that we are covering are 10, 15, 20, 22 , 24, 26 and 28km. Team A pacers comprises of myself, Anthony, Daivd and YN with each of us running at different paces for distances covering all the way from 20to 28km. Team B comprises of Jancy, Ah Beng and Terry who will be covering shorter distance from 10-20km.

At about 7.15am sharp, the run kicked off. As the front pack pacer, i led the group with a steady pace all the way till NSRCC where the pace began to go slighty faster when we have warmed up with our body and reached the canal. By then, it was getting a little hot. Along the way, we saw several SGRunners like Andy, Tekko, IMD, Yee Hua running for another event held at the other corner of ECP. We waved to them as we ran past them. They were all having some fun :). As usual, the bikers along Changi were out in force dashing through the flat long famous Changi Coastal Rd.

I was running together with Ray (who had joined us for the second time in training and first time running at ECP) and Sealboon till 11km when sealboon made a u-turn to complete his remaining 11km to the end point. Ray and i continued to run towards the 28km u-turn point. Along the way, i told Ray about the various shethers which mark as a u-turn point for various distances. Soon, i reached the 28km u-turn point which was the 7th shether from the NRSCC. I stopped for a while, ensuring that some runners made a u-turn before i contiuned to run. Behind us was Teelee and Lai Chee. Both looking strong. Darren Goh and Lai chee did an additional distance and ran beyond 28km for their personal training.

Runners who did shorter distances

Some of the new runners

On the return route, saw runners like YN, Bernard, Anthony, Daivd, Eugene, Costner and some others running at a good pace. I waved to them while i ran with a faster pace back. I endured through as the weather gets hotter and more humid. Soon, i reached the ending point. Runners doing shorter distances were already back and the drinks were already well prepared to reward us. Thanks to the refreshment team who prepared all these for us. It was really a good reward for me especially when it was so hot and humid and the fact that i was in total black compression top and tights and that i tried not to have any water throughout the run (I am just afraid of getting stitches). I had several cups of 100 plus as well as the heavenly barley prepared by our Jancy. It was shiok.

A group pic after the run

As more and more runners progressively returning back, Esther and Jancy took pics of the runners running back. While the rest of us chit chat with one another and enjoyed the sea breeze. As most of the runners were back, we then took several group pictures from different angles (basically, it was a 360 degree turn). Afterwhich, we had our usual wash-up and proceeded to Old Airport Rd for our lunch. It was a nice morning run with my usual running group. It was touger run as compared to last saturday but i am sure everyone had fun today. This marks the end of the Week 4 training. Soon, we will be moving to Week 5 training when we see an increase in the distance.

Keonz & Edwin (Left-Right) trying very hard not to smile

As we end week 4 training, we began our countdown to Dusty Run (Episode II).

12 days to go.