SCMS 2012: The Countdown

Ops Sunbird 2012: Operation FINALE

Facebook Photos from FatBirds Chin, Ronnie.

And there we were, after 11 weeks of intensive but progressive buildup of endurance and pace strength, with a journey through hills, slopes, trails, tarmac and park connectors with a flock of wonderful runners and trainers - The Sunbird Team.

This is where it all comes down to...a finale tapering LSD of 40% of the actual marathon distance at the Optimal Pace we have set out for our team.  Decked out in the Sunbird training and finisher tops, we were back at the FatBird Playground for "passing-out" photos and   catching up.

As the Sunbirds took their final LSD pre-race flight along the east coast parkway, there was an air of confidence in their strides and paces as they ran in their respective group formations led by the steady wings of the training crew.

It was a joy to see the Sunbird trainees, who have come quite a distance (no pun intended) in terms of building strong foundations and improvements to our abilities to tackle the marathon with confidence, with the know-how to complete the challenge within targets.

All the groups completed their run with well-controlled optimal paces, field-testing their race-day gear and equipment, including hydration and fuel plans which will be important to their ability to complete the mission objectives.

The flock gathered for a debrief and some final tips for race day, before going their separate paths in mini sections for their post-run meals.  Although there were a few trainees who were still nursing minor injuries, the team was 90% fit and at REDCON 2. The remaining few days of proper rest and nutrition will be key to rev up to REDCON 1 by race day.  The Sunbirds Are Race Ready - Follow Our Pace, Win Your Race!

A mini video journey of Flight Ops Sunbird 2012 (OSB12), credit FatBird Joe Tan

Ops Sunbird #9: The Longest Run

With 3 weeks left to the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS), the Sunbirds were scheduled for the longest Long Slow Distance (LSD) run in our preparations for the marathon - distances at marathon race pace - 22km for the HM and 35km for the FM groups.

We started earlier at 6:30am with a very quick briefing, before flagging the different pace groups off in the direction of Changi Coastal Road.  

 

The pace groups led by their respective pacers went on steady target paces for most of the first 21km.  Because of the Passion Run also happening in the vicinity, there were a few crowded points when we returned from Coastal Road after 23km, although we had pretty smooth access in the first half of our run.

The Sunbirds were advised to take a more cautious approach, adopting more sustainable and measured paces for at least the distances up to 30km - to do a trial test of the sustainable marathon pace each trainee can maintain.  On race day, it will be every Sunbird will be self-sufficient in doing their own paced marathon, using the marathon pacers more as guideposts rather than be too reliant on them to provide the paces throughout.

 In spite of the seriousness of the training, there were lots of chatter and laughter which actually helped the runners to ease into the target zones and melt the km away, especially on the 'mentally challenging' Changi Coastal Road stretches.

There were ample opportunities for hydration and fuel replenishment practice.  The heat of the mid-morning sun drove many Sunbirds to the toilets for top-ups and wash-downs to their heads and bodies - the heat was so intense at some points that we could feel the burning sensation on our bare skin.

The HM groups had no problems fulfilling their tasks in spite of having to weave amongst the thick crowd of Passion-ate runners.  The FM Sunbirds met the wall from about 25-28km, when the sun was beating down on us furiously...what with a very warm morning.  

By the time we reached back to C4 having covered 29km, we were real spent.  However, many of the FM Sunbirds continued on towards Playground @ Big Splash in spite of their tired legs.  Such was the mental strength and commitment to finish the mission, which distinguishes the Sunbirds from casual runners.

It helped that the cloud cover came on subsequently, and with the isotonic hydration replenished, many of the trainees went on to complete 33-36km of paced training.  The mental attitudes of the trainees were indeed strong....and knowing that it was final longest run before tapering begins, many just pushed on (within safety limits) to accomplished the admirable feats of distances.

The Sunbirds completed the longest training run at pace well within regulation time, and many were so happy that they stayed on much longer than usual to share experiences with one another, checking with the trainers on preparations and rest and recovery tips to keep their trained engines in good condition for the race on Dec 2.  

The Sunbirds have shown they are up to the task at hand, and with many having very good shots at meeting their set marathon objectives, we are looking at a good outing at the SCMS race.  Operation Sunbird - Follow Our Pace, Win Your Race!

Facebook Photos from FatBird Ronnie

Ops Sunbird Week #8: The Hill Seekers

Facebook Photos @ Ronnie Goh, CK Chin

With barely a month left to the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS) on Dec 2, the Sunbirds took to the hills region of Mt. Faber and Labrador for their 30km pace LSD along rolling hills and undulating terrain.

After overnight rains, the morning was crisply cool as we headed towards Labrador Park for the 60min-90min hills repeats.  With the drive and motivation provided in group running, amidst lush forested landscape, the Sunbirds were able to overcome the hills challenge in good form with reserves for the remaining 8-10km finish.

Maxifuel was in full hydration support, providing electrolyte drinks which became the source of energy and something that the Sunbirds looked forward to when they complete each of the 2.2km figure-of-8 challenge.

The training was successfully completed by 11am back at the clubhouse, with a quick debrief as well as feedback from the trainee and trainers on the morning's training.  All performed very well, even those who just got back from the Newton Challenge and Adidas KOTR last weekend.

We now look forward to the longest LSD next weekend, taking care to R.I.C.E. and watch carefully for niggling pains and discomfort, especially in the hamstrings and calves.  

The Sunbirds are looking very confident as we move towards the final 3 weeks of preparation, and if we are able to keep to our sustainable marathon paces over 28-30km, Dec 2 will see many PBs and celebration finishes from the Sunbirds - Follow Our Pace, Win Your Pace!

The REAL Sunbirds

Sunbirds @ New Balance Real Run 2012

Photo Contributions from Ronnie Goh, Tan Kim Lai, Running Shots

The weather was just perfect for what would be an enjoyable and fruitful 10km and 21km x-terrain challenge of trail, sand and road for the FatBird Runners and Sunbirds in their first official race since they embarked on the training 6 weeks ago.

We arrived at the Changi Exhibition Centre at 5:15am to a growing group of team members and fellow runners who had already begun taking photos and preparing for the race.  All decked out in their favourite Team FatBird jersey tops, many of the Sunbirds were all excited about this race as it was not only the first time doing this course for most of them, it was also a time-trial of sorts to measure the progress of their Sunbird journey.

In the end, they passed with flying colours, many scoring Personal Bests on what would be a tougher course than the typical road race.  After the group photos were taken with much fanfare, the runners lined up comfortably in the starting pen.  With two other races happening in the same morning, there was a smaller crowd but with some real serious challengers at the NBRR - a number of Kenyans, Moroccans and local champions sighted, in the midst of many more 'real runners' :D

The first 2km of sand was smooth, except for the puddles of water accumulated from the early showers, causing us to side step and adopting a more cautious start.  Once out onto the road, we quickly settled into our steady paces and into that long ride up and down the 'mentally challenging' Changi Coastal road.  The paces were tapered at various stretches due to temporary lapses of focus, but things perked up whenever there were shouts of encouragement from friends and fellow mates from across the other side of traffic flow.

It was pretty smooth going in nice weather till the 15km where there was a mini human wall from the bunching up of the 10km runners which started 30min later.  Fortunately, that was not too long a stretch before we hit the beach stretch - it was here where most of the photographers were positioned, as if expecting the the soft sand to suck the final breaths from the unknowing runners.  The more experienced ones could be differentiated from the newbies as evident in how they tackled the sand to make smooth exits back onto the final 3km to the finish.

The skies remained overcast and cloudy, with even a few droplets of rain felt, affording a quick recovery for an easier coast home to the finish line to loud cheers and crowd support.  Many of the Sunbirds reported better than expected finishing times and Personal Bests, a lot attributing the good showing to the tough hills and trails training they had experienced in the first phase of Ops Sunbird.  There were beaming faces all round, with many making time to visit the sponsors' booths for more photos and post-race fanfare.  

After a rather no-fuss collection of the nice finisher medal and tee, we proceeded to grab drinks, bananas, apples, biscuits and spent time cheering the remaining Sunbirds and FatBirds coming through as well as catching up with our friends and supporters at New Balance, Soleus watch and RUN Singapore magazine.  

It was an eventful and fruitful race for the Sunbirds and also for the rest of the FatBird community and friends who not only did well in terms of executing their race plans, but also the joy of meeting with so many friends and familiar faces as well as soaking in the whole friendly post-race atmosphere.  

Congratulations to the race organizers for another well executed NBRR.  To all runners who raced and overcame this x-terrain challenge - You All Are 100% REAL RUNNERS!