Operation NightHawk 2011: FINALE

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Facebook Photos from:
FatBird CK Chin (Album 1, Album 2)
FatBird AC Leong
FatBird Runner Tan Kim Lai

The light showers brought some respite to a rather warm evening yesterday, as the NightHawk trainees and Sundown Pacers gathered this morning for our Final Training LSD before the actual event on May 28...the much anticipated Sundown Marathon 2011, one of the the most happening night races in Asia.

Being tasked with assembling and training the Official Pacer team for Sundown 2011, Team FatBird's Pacers and Running Guides started training 15 weeks ago, and then having the 100+ NightHawk Marathon Trainees join us for basebuilding and pace training 11 weeks ago. It was a progressive journey of weekday short runs coupled with important weekend long runs, building up the foundation and sense of pacing for all the Team FatBird Marathoners.

It was 'passing out' for the NightHawks today, and they received their Certificates Of Achievement and proudly don the Operation NightHawk 2011 finisher vest for a finale 13-18km run in their respective target timing pace groups. Quite a number of trainees, including Sundown Pacers participated in the 12km, 25km Passion run yesterday, but a few still came down to support their friends and to do light recovery work....thanks for the espirit-de-corps and team spirit exhibited, some of which might have been captured in footage done for a NDP special video :)

The runners took their time this morning, as they put in their strides in the all-by-now familiar Team FatBird Pace Plans with target paces, aided by customized 'Optimal Pacing' bands given to them by their respective pace group leaders. Although the sun came up, it was still a relatively cool and breezy morning. Maybe it was with the knowledge that it was a much reduced mileage and that they would be required to be put on 'forced rest' to prepare for race night, the NightHawks were running relaxed and the 13km-18km distances at target race pace felt easy and enjoyable to most. They finished strongly and in happy mood. Many stayed behind to chit-chat with fellow FatBird Runners and to take time out to cheer for their friends and running kakis.

2Hr Half Marathon and 4Hr Full Marathon group

2:15Hr Half Marathon and 4:30Hr Full Marathon group

2:30Hr Half Marathon and 5:00Hr Full Marathon group

5:30Hr and 6:00Hr Full Marathon group

Post run discussions about carbo-loading, race night gathering and final preparations ensued, followed by a get-together of the Sundown Pacer team to tie-up loose ends and put in the final glue for the respective pace groups. Everyone was in confident mood with a good sense of preparedness for the final task on May 28 - to help bring the group of thousands of Sundowners across the finish line to meet their respective target timings. Amongst these Sundown Marathoners would be the cohort of Operation NightHawk 2011, who will see their hard work and consistency over the past 12 weeks bear fruit.

Sleep Can Wait on May 28. Sundown Pacers & NightHawks Are Ready To Beat The Sunrise. We invite all Sundown Marathon & Half-Marathon participants to join the Sundown Pacers at the start-line for The Journey.
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