Night Hawk #11 - Coastal Melody

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

Sundown Faimiliarization #3 - Coastal Melody

In the 3rd and final installment of the Sundown night familiarization training run, close to 60 Team FatBird runners gathered at Changi Beach Park on Friday night. That was the start/end point of the Sundown Marathon, where close to 11,000 runners will congregate on May30 to complete the various Quarter Marathon, Full Marathon and Ultra-Marathon distances. The weather was cool after the bout of afternoon showers, and runners were busy chatting and enqiring about the new Team FatBird Running Top 2009.

After the customary group photos and route briefing, the entire ensemble set off towards the Loyang Connector along the Netheravon Road. The runners were shown the final 2km finishing stretch of the Sundown 42km loop, and were briefed about the junction leading into Cramwell Road. Many were quite excited when we covered that stretch for it gave them a sense of what was to come on Race Day. The NightHawk Central team of David, Terry, Anthony, YN, Spencer were marshalling the 25km distance while Keonz, Beng, Jancy marshalled the 12km runners. Henry took care of the 35km distance.

The crossing of the stone bridge at Changi Village signalled the start of the stretch along Changi Beach Park, and onto the challenging Changi Coastal Road. The stone bridge will be one 'happening' place on race day as that would be the final 200m to the finish line, where spectators will be cheering the finishers and conquerors of the Sundown Marathon. We were pretty bunched up along Changi Beach Park as we explained parts of the New Balance Real Run route. Most of the runners were taking it easy and enjoying the night scenes near the beach....it was quiet though, save for our large group running along :)

Advancing into Changi Beach Park in the still of the night

As we headed onto Changi Coastal Road, the group stretched apart, with the 12km runners turning back at the first shelter. Keonz was on hand to show the way. Irene, Careen, Kevin and the team were happy to turn back for another 6km to complete their final night run of the NightHawk series....a well-deserving pat on their backs for turning up for so many of the runs and completing the challenging NightHawk series of training runs with Team FatBird...hehe. The 25km runners moved on from there, and as it would be happening on race day, the group got thinner and we were just pacing one another along the long, quiet Coastal Melody stetch.

There was a hive of activity just across to the runway, with planes taking off at regular 5-10min intervals. As we ran, we could hear one another's footsteps and even soft breathing.....the cool weather made it all rather pleasant too. Anthony Quek, Terry, Spencer, and the front group were on the return when we were about 1km to the U-Turn Point. The good thing about a to/fro route is that we get to meet runners on the return, where we can exchange greetings and words of encouragement. Lots of cheers and hellos went on as we crossed paths at what was approximately the 13km mark.

Beverly arrived at the U-Turn looking determined to do some PB of sorts (haha), followed by Raymond, Rebecca and the final group. David and I ran back with the final few, dispensing some words of advice on preparations for race day. We crossed paths this time with the 35km runners Andy, Chun, Michael, Wee and Darren blazing by, heading towards NSRCC. I was surprised to see zco running in his full body armour, and when he said he was going to Clementi (in the West), Raymond was in awe...haha. I explained that he was probably putting in his final miles to prepare for his second 84km this year *kudos*.

We made a final toilet stop at Changi Beach Park at 12.30am. By then, the zzz monsters have attacked us, and we were starting to feel like zombies. DO was rooted to the ground, just with his mouth moving (to encourage the runners, of course...hehe). To keep the final batch moving, we did not stop for long. We pushed on to complete the 23km (measured by 405) in 3hrs. DO and Rebecca came back not too long after....well done. The 12km runners had dispersed by then, likely to be in slumberland. Some of the 35km runners like Johnny, Matthew, Andy, Kok San, Wei Beng started coming back at 2am.....not bad. They had done their final night LSD, and would be ready for the Sundown Challenge. Eileen did her rather usual 45km distance...haha. Aaron from i-RUN@CBP joined us from The PlayGround@ECP, where he thought the meeting point was....he ran from there to meet with us...wow!

A satisfied 12km bunch

All in a night's work :)

After a nice morning shower at 2.30am, we packed up and headed to Changi Village for what else, but their famous Nasi Lemak....sinful, but I guess we could indulge after a hard night's work eh? With this final night training run done, there remain just 1 final 18km LSD next Saturday to complete the Operation NightHawk Program. It should be a real easy tune-up and 'keep-the-engines-warm' workout, nothing too strenuous nor hard. Do make a date with Team FatBird for this finale to Ops NightHawk, and especially for those who need to clock in their minimum 3 runs to get the by-now-much-desired TFB Training Card and enjoy the special benefits that come with it.

Team FatBird
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