Night Hawk #10 - Blink Blink Run

Field Report filed by FatBird Anthony
Photo Slideshow by FatBird Spencer and FatBird Anthony

Attendees of the Ops NightHawk Session #10

The Playground @ Big Splash in ECP came alive with 80 Team FatBird (TFB) runners assembled to do the 10th session of the NightHawk training for Sundown. Many were new runners who have heard about the training recently from various sources, and have gone down to put in their final conditioning training for the big race on May30. I conducted a briefing at 10.15pm about the purpose of the 10th session - that all should familiarize themselves with the 'not-so-easy' Sundown mid-portion, practice with whatever raceday gear they would be using, as well as conditioning themselves for the after midnight hours of staying awake. Francis gave a good overview of the 15km-30km route, with the 3 U-Turn and Regrouping points.

Registration and awaiting briefing of NightHawk #10

84km runners lining up for their 50km distance

The 84km runners, led by Henry, who were doing 50km-60km, was flagged off at 10.30pm. FatBirds Jancy and Suan took care of the 10km-15km runners, FatBirds Spencer, Beng and myself looked after 26km, while FatBirds Keonz, YN, Terry and Francis led the 30km-ers. The weather was a tad humid when we started off at 10.40pm in high spirits. The group was bunched together along ECP, running as though in formation....what a sight :). 2km down to C4, and we crossed the long bridge to the Siglap Connector. The string of runners moving along the bridge in the moonlit night was a sight to behold.

It was lots of small-talk and getting to know the runners, especially the new ones. Many have joined Team FatBird's group training runs recently to build up their base for Sundown....and it was an opportune time for them to begin running in the dead of the night; the boredom eased with the presence of a large group. Sleek, senza, aerorunner, LYK, mercifulfate and the rest from Team Coconut joined in for the 15km distance, after having done an earlier 8km on their own. Some of the 84km runners like Eileen also did her own 7-8km before joining them for the 50km distance. FatBird DO who was down with flu had to give this important session a miss. I was covering the gap between the 26km and 30km runners initially.

Regrouping @ Bedok Town Park

The first Regrouping Point was at the Bedown Town Park toilet for 7.5km. It was the U-Turn Point for 15km. I informed that we would be setting up a mini support station there for the NightHawkers on Sundown night. We turned back the 15km runners, before moving on with the 26km and 30km groups. It was then onto Bedok Reservoir and the gravel trail for a change.....lots of shuffling in the night. A curious couple asked about the run, and they too joined in after learning it was for Sundown preparation. A few others along the way were also interested to find out more about Team FatBird and our training runs....nice :).

The 26km and 30km groups were still running along together at the 12km mark, keeping one another motivated and pumped up. Lots of questions about night running and preparations were posed....we were happy answering them and dispensing small nuggets of tips and advice where we could. The distance up to the coffee-shop along Tampines Ave 9 read 13km. Spencer and a group took a break, before U-turning. Francis, Adrian and I moved on towards the Mobil Station 1.2km ahead to marry-up with the rest who had regrouped. I joined in the 30km group from there since it was just 1km up to the bridge before crossing to Pasir Ris Town Park.

I joined Beverly, Amy, YN, Terry and about 20 others in the 30km group on the return. It was a smooth journey back, and whenever there were traffic stops, I took some snapshots with my phone camera. The group was still strong and in good spirits after 20km, as we headed back along Bedok Reservoir. I chatted with Peacefool about his preparations for 84km. He was already tapering and making final preparations....good. The stretch along the Bedok Reservoir gravel proved to be quite 'mental' for some. Those who have not been used to running at night found that their bodies were 'shutting down'....very sleepy. 1 or 2 even contemplated to take a cab home to sleep....haha.

I tempted them with a break at the Bedok Town Park toilet, where they got refreshed for the final push. With 8km to go, all had to perk up and continue. A powergel and some sugar water did it for some. It was then the snaking along the undulating Bedok Connector stretch....the ladies (Beverly, Amy, Nana) were going on quite steadily. Some of the guys were finding it hard to keep awake, and were just counting down the miles. Alex had a ITB problem with his leg and had to slow down to walk too. The group was encouraged when we reached Kembangan MRT as it meant the final 5km to go. Matthew was having some stomach problems, and he too had to take a walk.

Almost there....10km to GO!

The rest just followed my pace and pushed on through the Siglap Park Connector....soon, we hit the final bridge back at ECP. Smiles came on the faces of the weary runners, and some even picked up their paces. We were on the road for 3hr45min by then....the legs were feeling a tad tired, but good for conditioning them for the long hours on race day. I completed the run with the 30km group in about 4hr, and was welcomed by the water party of Suan, Jancy and Spencer. The iced-cold 100plus were refreshing, and the bananas refueled well. Those who had returned earlier were sprawled all over, chatting and sharing their night LSD experience under the moonlit night. The first of the 50km runners, Chun, passed our location not too long later.

Many of the runners have enjoyed their maiden run with Team FatBird, and they were looking forward to next Friday's final night familiarization run of 26km, starting from Changi Beach Park. Amelia and Alex from SAFRA MF were glad to finish their 30km training after having decided to go down last-minute. They too will be back for next Friday. Simon and mercifulfate looked fresh even after they had done 30-32km....such were their level of readiness for 42km. Henry and the 50km runners passed our point at 4.30am. I would conclude that all those 80 who came for the 10th session are now quite prepared 'mentally', if not physically as well, for the Sundown Challenge. Barring any injuries or unforseen circumstances, all should do a respectable race come May30.

When Dusk Cometh, The NightHawkers Emerge!