New Balance Real Run 2011

Since I started running in 2007 and with NBRR (New Balance Real Run) 10km race in 2007 been my first competitive 10km race, I was always involved in the yearly NBRR 15km races since year 2008 to 2010 and this year’s NBRR 2011 will be the first edition of the new 21km race where it also marks my 5th consecutive NBRR too.

As the nature of the race consist of a mixed terrain of trail, sand (beach) and taxiway/road, it always make this event a tough one, which probably explain why I don’t usually do well. I especially feared most when it comes to the sand where previous years it was just 800m but this year it was extended to 1.2km as the overall longer distance is now longer. with that I was mentally prepared to slow down after the sand and of course don’t expect any PB.

The race was scheduled to start on 16 October 2011 at 6:30am. As I managed to reach early at 5am, I still have time for a short nap before I proceed to for a 2km warm up run and by 6am I was already at the starting point doing my routine stretching.

After taking part in 5 half marathons this year, by now I am well aware of what pace to keep at and was cautious not to drain out my energy too early, especially when running on trail terrain as it slows you down and are always harder to run on when you are needed to keep a look out on where you step on. But surprising this year, the trail was softer where it makes you feel almost like running on sand instead and with every step you took you tends to sink in deep when you run.

Despite of that I was doing fine keeping my pace maintaining it at around 4:43min/km for about 2km till I was finally done with the trail and finally it comes the road terrain that I preferred. I was feeling so glad to get over the first hurdle as I can now concentrate running on roads.

It was at about 4km as I was running along Changi Coast Road before I saw Sam (from Safra) whom I remember was only 1min fast then me during May’s Passion run. It was at this moment that I decide to follow him closely, since his pace was consistent and very close to mine it should help me to finish the race strong.

My pace from 5km to 6km was slow as I was really cautious on not to over pace myself, meanwhile I also realized that Sam was slipping away but I thought it should be fine if he is still within my sight of just 15 meters ahead. As I started to strike form I was slowly running faster and was closing the gap, soon as I reaches the U-turn point at around 9.2km I was already running beside him before I finally round up 10km in 47mins, hmm... my thought then was it should be my fastest 10k split to date and was surprise and glad that I was still feeling fresh. 

From 11km to 15km it was irregular up and down pace as Sam was slipping away again before I managed to catch up with him again at 13km. It was only at around 14km that I overtook him when he stopped for a water break. There goes my pacer and I got to run “alone” but I was sure he will catch up with me soon, meanwhile I just need to concentrate on my run. 

Soon at 15km it came the frustrating human jam where slower 10k race runners were blocking my way as I was forced to wave in and out to over take them. It was tiring as my pace at 16km was slower and hitting 4:50min/km before I finally reaches the sand terrain (beach along Changi beach) the route which I feared most! I tried to keep my pace consistent over the sandy beach by running on sand nearer to the sea water, it was easier to run on the firmer sand there as your foot don't sink in too deep. Well my aim then was just to run and get over with it as soon as I can.

As I finally reaches the runway road I was just left with just less than 3km to go, felt motivated I took a quick water break before I up my pace again. Along the runway I was surprise as I managed to recover fast from the sand and was running at 4:44min/km pace. At around the 20km mark I decide to skip the crowded water point and pushes myself all the way knowing that I was almost done. After 20km I was surprised as I realized that it was just 600m to go, well another shorter 21km race! Anyway I just up my pace to finish the race strongly

Based on my average race pace of 4:44min/km it was a good run and consider the nature of the race this is always a tougher race and for the first time I was not feeling tired at the halfway mark. However it again raises my doubts on whether could it have been another PB? I can never be sure since the route is again shorter. Overall glad that I had an enjoyable run and a good timing over such mixed terrain race.

Time Start	Check Pt1	Rank C1	Check Pt2	Rank C2	Check Pt3	Rank C3	Net Finish	Gun Finish	Rank
06:32:10	00:11:47	59	00:44:10	50	01:18:02	38	01:37:48	01:38:10	31

5k Splits

Lap (5km)	Time (min)	Avg Pace (min/km)
0-5	23:49	4:46
6-10	23:26	4:41
11-15	23:24	4:41
16-20	24:51	4:58
20-20.66	02:31	3:50

Garmin Self-timed

Split Time Distance Avg Pace 1 4:42.9 1.00 4:42.9 2 4:43.7 1.00 4:43.7 3 4:48.1 1.00 4:48.1 4 4:45.8 1.00 4:45.8 5 4:48.2 1.00 4:48.2 6 4:47.7 1.00 4:47.7 7 4:41.5 1.00 4:41.5 8 4:39.5 1.00 4:39.5 9 4:39.1 1.00 4:39.1 10 4:37.0 1.00 4:37.0 11 4:34.2 1.00 4:34.2 12 4:47.3 1.00 4:47.3 13 4:35.3 1.00 4:35.3 14 4:42.2 1.00 4:42.2 15 4:46.0 1.00 4:46.0 16 4:50.1 1.00 4:50.1 17 5:06.3 1.00 5:06.3 18 5:22.9 1.00 5:22.9 19 4:44.3 1.00 4:44.3 20 4:37.8 1.00 4:37.8 21 2:30.9 0.66 3:49.7 Summary 1:37:51.5 20.66 4:44.2