Ready For The U Run Challenge?

.For those of us who want to do more than just run, this year's U Run brings an additional challenge of a 33-storey climb up NTUC Centre, after a 10km run.

The 10km Competitive Run and 5km Fun Run continues to be available to runners out to better their 10km race, or the health-conscious looking for a good workout and have some fun at the same time.

NTUC Healthcare U Run 2011
27th Feb 2011
One Marina Boulevard

Categories
1. OMB Challenge
2. 10KM Competitive Run
3. 5KM Fun Run

Registration deadline: 31st Jan 2011

Registration modes:
1. Online (eNETS / Credit / Debit Card)
2. Walk-in (Cash only @ Downtown East)

Fees:
• OMB Challenge: $35 (NTUC Member) / $45 (Non-member)
• 10KM Competitive Run : $28 (NTUC Member) / $38 (Non-member)
• 5KM Fun Run: : $15 (NTUC Member) / $20 (Non-member)

Registration: www.usports.com.sg/events.aspx?id=7427
For enquiries, contact 6582 3459 or info@usports.com.sg
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FatBird Weekender: New Year Northern Run 2011

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We had so much fun at the inaugural Northern Run last year, that we organized another one to celebrate the start of the New Year 2011, one that we hope will bring us lots more pain-free and injury-free running and Personal Bests at the races. More than 100 runners from Team FatBird and SgRunners Northern Run Group showed up, lots of bird-talk and well wishes of Happy New Year ensued, before the beginning of the short briefing (which was hardly audible without our training mic system :)).

Runners and Guides don party hats, noise-clickers, 'horns' and whistles to spread the spirit of good cheer as the string of runners ran along towards the Reservoir area, to the amusement of groups and families out on their morning exercises. There were mobile escorts and support crew (not pre-arranged) who rode along and even provided soya sauce with half-boiled eggs at the Hot Springs. Wine were shared to celebrate the happy occasion of running friends and kakis getting together. We revisited the Yishun Bottle Tree area this year with the group of more experienced marathoners, many of whom last year were new to distance running and marathoning. This time it was a celebration of their achievements in 2010, and planning for even more adventurous marathon races and seeking better timings and performances in 2011.

Yishun Jetty

The weather was just great for photos at the various scenic spots, and without any rush for time, we were enjoying ourselves snapping group pics to the sounds of laughter and amusement. In anticipation of the highlight of the morning, the spa and wax treatment at the 'Hot Springs', almost half of the group made a beeline towards Gambas to take the secret entrance. The rest of us went for an additional 4km around parts of the Park Connector to Crab Village for water stops and more photos, enjoying the nice company and sharing more race experiences and stories with one another.

BottleTree Village, Video Courtesy FatBird Joe

Such FatBird Weekenders provide a good break for us runners to rest and recover in between the multi-week marathon training programs and races, soaking in the sights on feet, and getting to see more of the less-traveled parts of Singapore. By the time the second group arrived at the Hot Springs, the first group was already basking in the warm sunshine, with another section soaking their feet in the pails of sulphur-smelling spring water that is literally HOT....steam would rise each time the taps were opened to let out the spring water, supposedly to have health and cleansing properties.

Hot Springs

Group photos were again the order of the day, to shouts of 'HUAT AHH!' and the amusement of the other visitors of the area. Amidst the frolicking were some serious discussions of overseas marathons as well as the upcoming marathon training programs for Sundown and the GoldCoast Marathon. Many of the runners are already prepped up 'mentally' for some serious training to better their good performances in 2010. It was heartening to know that the FatBird PowerFLIGHT track intervals and hill routines helped many of the trainees and they were asking for more to be implemented in the upcoming training programs...hmm, we will surely take a serious look at those constructive feedback and suggestions to improve our training programs for 2011.

Hot Springs Video Courtesy FatBird Joe

It was great to have isotonic drinks at the end of the run, thanks to the support crew and Running Guides for the nice touch and good organization. There were those that have enjoyed the morning's Weekender session so much that they have requested for more of such fun weekenders during the off-peak training season....the good news is that we will plan for one during the upcoming Lunar New Year....stay tuned.

HAPPY NEW YEAR....HUAT AH!

Photo Contributions from the following:
FatBird DO - Album 1, Album 2
JM BTing
FatBird AC
FatBird Joe
FatBird Runner Kim Lai - Album 1, Album 2, Album 3
FatBird Min
Blade Runner
FatBird Runner Cindy
FatBird Runner Clara
FatBird Runner Lai Yin
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Team FatBird's Profile

Team FatBird is a congregation of highly passionate runners who are experienced in distance running from 10km to full marathons. Empowered with the necessary experience and expertise, the team excels in the areas of organising and leading group training, running and pacing events. 

Team FatBird focuses on leading Group Runs, pacing in the key local Marathon events, as well as organizing Training Programs for 10km through to Marathons. We conduct weekly group runs as well as other FatBirdRuns and Weekenders.

Team FatBird organizes marathon training programs for local and overseas race events:
• 2XU Compression Marathon (Operation Falcon)
• Sundown Marathon (Operation NightHawk)
• Army Half Marathon (Operation Kingfisher) 
• Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (Operation Sunbird) 
• Gold Coast Airport Marathon (Operation Kookaburra) 


Team FatBird are the marathon pacers Marathon Pacers at:
• Standard Chartered Marathon 2008
• Standard Chartered Marathon 2009
• Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2010
• Sundown Marathon 2011
• Sundown Marathon 2012
• Sundown Marathon 2013
• Sundown Marathon 2014
• GE Women's Run 2013
• Adidas King Of The Road 2013

Team FatBird has been profiled in various News articles and TV highlighting our run and training activities.

Team FatBird draws from a pool of Pacers and Running Guides who are experienced marathoners and runners who love to share their passion and knowledge of running with members of the running and sporting community. The profiles of some of our Pacers/Running Guides can be found HERE

For more information about Team FatBird and its running activities, please visit The Website and Fan Page.