Tapering: The Big Easy Before The Big Tough

This morning, I ran the 15km race in the New Balance Real Run. It took place at the Changi Exhibition Centre – a venue for the large-scale international aerospace show.

The dual-format event, comprising the 10km and the 15km runs, took place over a diverse menu of sandy trail, tar road, and sandy beach. There were adequate water-points, and it was tempting to skip them if you were on the ‘fast track yet I did not dare. I had to meander around runners in front, since I started way back behind the front, faster pack. Slowly, but surely I took advantage of every opportunity to overtake. I took it when I could take it (in terms of pace intensity).

I was pleased to hold a 4:30 pace for most of the distance, until I hit the 12km mark that brought us to a stretch of beach. Thus, I had to work harder on the soft sand (and the ambitious temperature) for a short distance – it was designed to fatigue us more. Fortunately, I was alert to notice and acknowledge familiar faces, and even ‘leave some in the tank’ to finish with a determined sprint. It was a rewarding morning despite the 7.30am start-off, and I secured personal best (PB) times in my 10km, 11km and 15km. It has been a good week of tapering and unofficial PBs. Thanks Reeves and SK for keeping me company, and for our minor celebration afterwards.

Read this article on Forbes about the parallels between great athletes and executives.

Leadership Lessons: Know how to taper, as it helps you fine-tune your performance. Learning to do less is to appreciate doing more. In Systems Thinking, less can be more; slow can be fast. Live and learn.

9 Wild and Whacky Races to Consider

I have observed the increased racing activity on almost every weekend. New events like the SAFRA Quadthlon, which integrates a rollerblading leg within a triathlon, have increased the difficulty level; especially if you do not do too well standing on a razor’s edge. Other races like the Sundown Marathon occurs in the evening and runs (literally) through the night, and even late morning (if you punish yourself by not training for the 84km ultra-marathon, which suggests a death-wish on your part).

Here are some propositions; hopefully, we can find brave and innovative sponsors to realize these events and articulate their importance to the endurance sporting community.

1. The Unreal Run (occurs on tar, mud, water, pebbles, sand, grass, escalators, stairs, back-lanes, forests, and slopes)

2. The Umbrella Run (same as Unreal Run except you carry an open umbrella)

3. The Snorkeling Race (swim with a snorkel in a reservoir or sea)

4. Real Man’s Run (all-men, chauvinistic race – we’ll show them for having a Woman’s Run!)

5. Penthlon (like the Quadthlon and we add another near-impossible phase, like 3-ball juggling, sushi-rolling or beer-drinking)

6. Panty-thlon (run in your undies and T-shirt, just like the Underwear Run in Kona, Hawaii)

7. Mad Hatters (inspired by the on-going run Hash House Harriers for decades, except this time we race and wear tall-hats)

8. Triathlon Family Beer Run (an actual race that will be carried out – details on the Triathlon Family Forum page)

9. Parathon (dressed in runner’s kit and we pub crawl over 42km by foot, over a dozen pubs – winners buy coffee and toast)

I have run with the Singapore Hash House Harriers in 1990. The quenching of thirsts after the fun run, as parched throats are sloughed off with Tiger Beer was memorable, as was the company. But, that's another story!

Nota bene [note well]: This piece was done, tongue in cheek, while writing my 50,000-word novel.