It was touted as The ultimate X-Terrain Challenge. Team FatBird incorporated The New Balance Real Run 2010 as a key time trial in Operation Sunbird. It was to be mid-point gauge of the trainees in the 12-week Sunbird marathon training program. We are glad to announce that all the Sunbird trainees passed with respectable timings in spite of the challenging terrain and humid weather posed to them.
Our group met up at 6.15am just outside The Changi Aviation Hall for final race preparations and group photos. The runners were in high spirits, and have made good pre-race preparations. Because of the 'heat' and the lack of 'cover' along major portions of the route experienced in previous NBRR years, the runners were quite apprehensive of getting 'roasted' yet again. Many of us came prepared with cap and shades this morning, and the Sunbirds have been given prior notice to be 'mentally' prepared for the heat as well.
The 15km was promptly started at 7am. After a short stretch of tarmac road, we hit a stretch of undulating sand trail that ran for 4km. This portion posed a nice challenge to runners who have normally run on roads, and a number of us pulled back slightly 
after realizing that the undulating terrain were to continue for a good few km. The Changi Coastal stretch offered some shelter and a chance to take a breather and get on with a more steady pace. After the U-turn at 8.5km, it was fun to see the larger group of runners coming in and cheering one another on. There were shouts of encouragement and acknowledgement that rang through that lusher and shadier stretch of road.
The sand portion at Changi Beach drained quite a fair bit of reserves from us. Fortunately, it was just 3km to go when we climbed out from the very puffy white sand. I was happy to see supporters from SAFRA Tampines and their generous offer of Sng Pao...thanks Shirlyn. The final 2.5km along that long straight road back stretched us both physically and mentally. Our shades came into good use here, and it helped us to feel cooler somewhat. '
Spotted the front pack 10km runners overtaking, and with 1km to go, we maintained our paces to finish what was quite a pleasant race for many of us. Spotted Sunbird Irene Sy who were there cheering and taking photos. Sunbird JacQ Foo was on hand to snap FatBird Runners crossing the finish too. Ashley, Johnny, Alan and a few other Sunbirds came in. Quite a bunch of Sunbirds came back before 1hr30min...well done. We cheered each of our runners as they cross the finish, and congratulatory messages with finishing snaps were taken for the memories. By 1hr45min, 80% of the Sunbirds had come back, and we were causing a din, cheering and shouting for the returning runners.
All the FatBirds & Sunbirds returned by 2:15h to join the flock already resting and getting 'cooled' in the air-conditioned Aviation Hall. FatBird Sweeper Mohan did an outstanding job to make sure that no bird or JieMei was left behind. A commendable performance by the Sunbirds, with many giving very positive feedback and responses to the race. The x-terrain challenges were tackled with properly planned start-off pacing, hydration and fuel strategy along the way, including run-walking the difficult beach portion. The Sunbirds passed with flying colours on their first time trial as a group, and we look forward to bringing the strengthened pace to our hill and pace training for the final 6-weeks leading to the year-end marathon. Sunbirds Tackled REAL, Towards SCMS We SAIL!.
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