Ops Kingfisher Session #2 - Showers Of Initiation

Field Report: FatBird Anthony
Photos Slideshow: FatBirds DO, Spencer, Max
Video Interviews: COMING SOON from TFB Media

Ops Kingfisher Session #2 - Newton Shoe Trials

It was the first Newton Shoe Trials at Team FatBird's Operation Kingfisher, in a series of 3 planned for the Kingfisher 6-week Half-Marathon Training Program. We also established a sheltered FatBird Nest at The Sand Pit at The PlayGround @ Big Splash. The organizing team was at The PlayGround from 6.30am to set up the Newton Shoe Trials with our Ops Kingfisher partner, KeyPower International. Runners began streaming in at 6.45am from all direction to assemble at FatBird Nest. A total of 65 runners turned up, not bad for a weekend training session. 40 runners had signed up for the shoe trials, and most were trying them for the first time.

We conducted a briefing on the new FatBird location at ECP, the training cards, aspects of the training session, introductions to members of the Kingfisher Training Crew and the 8km-15km training routes. A few group photos later, we started off from the entrance to The PlayGround at 7.30am. The 21km runners were grouped into the 3 broad-based pace timings in this 2nd week of endurance training. There was a 8-10km group which went at their comfortable pace, led by FatBird Esther.

Briefing at The FatBird Nest, Sand Pit @ The PlayGround

The runners' spirits were high, especially with the cool, cloudy weather and the new shoes that many were trialing. As usual, ECP was strewn with many running groups, esp. those from the army units training for the AHM. Fatbird Keonz led the sub 5min group, while DO and I was with the 5min group, Sylvia, Eline, Annie, Darren, Horus, jeregoh, yamsong, and a few new runners. We maintained our pace quite steadily. Again, it was fun bumping into friendly and familiar faces, and it was nice to see all the brightly coloured green, yellow, blue Newton shoes running along. My green Racer allowed me to keep to a steady 5min pace....after 2 weeks of use, I am able to manage the shoes to give me the optimum ride at a sustainable speed.

There was another race from F2...all guys....likely to be from the army units. I gave them some cheers and encouragement, before stopping at the Sailing Centre toilets together with Darren to U-turn the FatBird Runners. All were running strong, maintaining solid pacing. FatBirds YN and Spencer kept the 5:30min/km group tight and they ran in high spirits. Terry, Beverly, Suan, Beng, Marcus, Amy and a big group were at 6min/km pace. Just as I started on the return leg, water rained down on us heavily. As there was no lightning, we continued to run. The cap I left behind at the start point was sorely missed as the rain water drenched my whole head and beat on my face with a vengeance. It was more than a year since I ran in that kind of rain, but I was enjoying the challenge and the opportunity to test the drainage qualities of the Newton.

Many runners and visitors to the ECP were taking shelter in the Pavilions along the way. I was impressed that FatBird Runners continued unabated in the rain, and they even seemed to be enjoying themselves...all smiles, with heads held up high :). I met Henry again along F2, and further up, I was pleasantly surprised to see Rose chugging along in her Newton. She didn't seem affected by the rain at all, and even had a fluid momentum in her motion...nice. By C4, I was running along with Dave Cawley, Horus, and a number of others in the 5:15min pace. Nice chats with all of them...by then, the rain had gotten light, and the shoes felt dry. We made a steady push for the final 1km to end back at FatBird Nest, The Sand Pit....15km in 1hr15min for my pace group.

We had Accelerade protein-enhanced sports drink today, along with bananas for the hungry runners who had worked hard. Many were excited by their Newton experience, especially by its light-weight, fast-paced and good-drainage features. Those who did not have an opportunity to try them will surely look forward to the next shoe trials in a fortnight. The rest will look forward to chalking up good attendance at Kingfisher and getting their Team FatBird Training Card. Team FatBird Media was on location to get interviews from the runners and trainers. KPI was most helpful in setting up the shoe trials as well as dispensing advice and tips on the use of the Newtons.

Showers Of Initiation

We are appreciative of the The PlayGround team, who not only provided a nice MEETING POINT for Team FatBird, but also joined in the run and meet with the FatBird Runners. It was so much fun that many stayed on till 10am. Overall, it was a very smooth training run cum shoe trials, all in spite of the inclement weather, which actually provided very good conditions for stress training and testing of equipment and shoes....thanks to Robert, Sham and the KPI team for the support. We now look forward to Kingfisher #3, where paced training groups from 1hr30min - 2hr30min will be provided to run along with runners according to their targeted 21km completion time.