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15k Progressive Run – by Ken Lee

This is my 3rd time taking part in the MR25 progressive run. My first experience was the 35K which was the final progressive run held by MR25 in 2016. Before the run, I was feeling nervous that I might get lost during the run or the lack of hydration point being a volunteered organised run. I reached MR about 6:35am to meet my running kaki Lennon first and together we registered ourselves on the spot. He was feeling much more nervous being the first trail run experience and the distance is really intimidating, but somehow I still persuaded him to join me. Registration was simple and efficient. Collected our BIB number and proceed do our warm up. The run started on time at 7am. The run was cooling inside the trail and soon we were welcomed by the rolling hills. Met a few fellow runners and started to make friends with them. Well, it is interesting to make friends in this manner rather than adding Facebook friends. We reached our first hydration point. It was a simple set up with isotonic drinks and water. I was surprised to see plenty of isotonic drinks being served since this is a free event. Subsequent hydration points were also set up in strategic locations which is well sheltered from the Sun. A win-win situation for both runners and volunteers. Road marshals were also placed at the strategic location to assist directions for us. A big thumbs up for these volunteers who stand there to feed the mosquitoes. I would say it is not easy to be a volunteer than a runner. The Post-Run was a good experience too with plenty of isotonic and water for the runners. My 2nd Progressive  Run was the 10km on Jan 2017 and my 3rd Progressive Run(15Km) was on last Sunday  (March 5 2017).
Having past experience joining some local fun races and competitive races, I would say that I really enjoy the Progressive Run, in terms of the easy on-the-spot registration, distribution of BIBS, strategic deployment of road marshals and volunteers at the hydration points, time keepers etc. which the club make it so simple again and again. Bonus point is the generous servings of isotonic drinks and water. Some races even limit the number of isotonic drinks to be given to runner. Bear in mind that this is just a free event for the public and club members to join, yet the club has taken good arrangement for all the basic runners’ basic needs, because the organiser are also RUNNERS themselves, they know what the runners need. On top of this, free photos are taken along the run by one of the veteran club member affectionately known as Uncle Chan. He is one nice man who really put in his own time and effort not only by just taking photo, he even take time to prepare a nice cover photo for the top 10 runners after every run. Thumbs up to him!
I would definitely recommend to any runners to join all MR organised run if you have yet to do so!

A new team – Welcome Jack & Ray


MR25 was introduced to me by my teacher-coach when I was in my secondary school in the 80’s. Distance running was my “first love” when I was in my youth but due to my job requirements and family commitments I left the running community for almost 20 over years. Since came back to run, I was encouraged again by the home coming feeling of the club members. Thanks for the friendship for the prodigal son of MR25,  Jack Cheng.

 

 

I am 46 years old, just joined MR25 less than a month. I started doing long distance run in May 2015.

I must confess i had never run more than 5km in my life, including my 20 years spent in Republic of Singapore Navy. During my time in NAVY, only need to run 3 months a year to prepare myself well for IPPT. I left the service on 1 July 2013. In 2015 started to do 5km run in MR with main objective to reduce my weight from 68kg to 60kg (This was the weight before I left the service ).

I was being introduced to a running group by my secondary friend Jenny Oh when i met her in MR and started to run with this group every Saturday morning. This is how my long distance  running chapter began.

I get to know about MR 25 from the Saturday running group. It doesn’t cross my mind to go for time trial to qualify for MR25 until I get to know Jack Cheng last year in Army Half Marathon in Aug. With his encouragement, I decided to take up the challenge to go for time trial on 5 Feb 2017. It was a challenging time trial for me and the experience of going through the time trial was great.

Now is the beginning of my next chapter..

By Ray Lee

 

Welcome New Member Lennon Ng

“成为MR25的一分子后，我感到无上光荣。也非常感谢MR25让我有加入俱乐部的机会！加入小组，是希望找到一个环境，找到一群志同道合的队友。

在时间实验之前，当时自己的差距还很大，还有许多缺点和不足等。我将用组组的领导，听从指挥，切实打开批评与自我批评，虚心向前辈学习。
自觉地接受前辈和群众的帮助与监督，努力的想跟上节奏和克服自己的缺点，严格要求自己争取当日符合组织的要求，经得起组织的考验。
最后，我还要感谢Jack Cheng，Ken Lee，Johnny Low和所有帮助过支持过我的跑步伙伴。

(Joining a running club provided me with an wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded runners. I feel so honour to be part of the MR25 family now.
Before I qualify as a member, I felt that I will not make the cut as I used to make lot of mistakes in races such as the MR25 time trial. So I seek advice from club members, trained with them and tried my best to follow their guidance. With these, I finally managed to qualify and I gain lot of valuable experience throughout the journey.
Last but not least, I like to express my appreciation to Jack Cheng, Ken Lee, Johnny Low and all those who supported me and ran with me.)”

Sent from my iPhone – LennonNg

MR25 AGM 2017

Hi members

Time for you to join/vote for a new team to serve you.

Date – 26 February 2017 @ 11.00 am

Venue – Upper Thomson Community Club, Upper Thomson Road.

 

 

SCMS 2016 – by Wann Ong

SCMS 2016 – It has almost been a ritual for the past decade to end the year running the Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon. A race that I always endeavour to do. A run that saps the being physically and mentally to toe the finishing line. To me, it also means putting any negativity behind and start the coming new year afresh.

Training for this marathon started sometime in July when I began my 1st long run. I have never been a fan of ‘long run’. It was stressful whenever we…ekend approached, even more a challenge to do it all alone. Somehow I got to do it to achieve the goal I set myself.

Routine training constituted of three days running (Interval, Tempo & Long), one core day, one strengthening day and two rest days. Track works at Gombak Stadium and Long Run at Zhenghua Park to Yew Tee PCN.

I am glad to train with a group of running enthusiasts at Gombak Stadium. Some are ‘old birds’ of Macritchie 25 (MR25), fast and furious! Grateful for the training philosophy shared by these experienced and tip-top ‘old & young birds’.

Race day started smooth except for the humidity. Was cruising at the pace that I set out to do until the 27km mark when my stomach started to cramp most likely due to the lack of water after swallowing a packet of gel along ECP loop. Pace dropped to a minute slower. I was despondent thinking that I was going to miss my target. Luckily, stomach started to ease at 31km and managed to pick up my pace but not to target pace as I was beginning to run with elephant’s legs. Sun was out and it was hot and humid, every steps seem draggy. The physical was almost drained, the mind was in to do the psycho work. Last 2km to the finish line was a push to the limit having to squeeze through packs of 10km and 21km runners. At last, the finish line was crossed with a PB! I was happy!

Thanks to the supporters who came down early in the morning to cheer us up!

Thanks to the training buddies from Gombak and MR25!

Lastly, thanks to MR25 for holding the Race within Race! I got a free pair of running shoes!

Thanks Mel for the pics!