Run to Loyang

Feeling very tired, i was really worried about whether I could run on Sat. If not for the pre-arrangement to run with Taz, I'm sure I would have sit out the long run on Sat.

The aim for Taz's training this year isn't for any races nor for speed work. His aim is to build up his stamina for long distances with load, in preparation for his very siong reservist come Nov. Hence, water bag now serves as an accompaniment to his LSDs. To add load to his run. What this means is, he has to slow down his pace, in order to run the same long distance. And this is great news to me because he will be able to accommodate my snail pace!! Yooo Hoooooo!!!!

We met up at 7am outside Hougang Ave 4 and Taz led me past Ave 3 towards Tampines. Our first few km was punctuated by way too many traffic light stops and disrupted our run/walk sequences. Once we passed Ave 3 where we covered a small part of last year's Mizuno wave run route (near the airbase), the number of traffic light junctions reduced and our run got better. We turned right into Tampines road where Taz mentioned it wasn't around until recent years. The stretch was very nice to run with the trees along both sides of the road touching at their crowns and providing natural shade to the road underneath. It was a beautiful sight to behold the rays of light shining through. The only drawback of running there was that there wasn't any pavement so we had to run at the side of the road. Quite dangerous I have to say but since it was early on a weekend morning, the traffic was light and didn't posed too much of a problem for us.

That stretch of road opened up to a junction where to the left of it led us to this wafer fab factory called Siltronic. Taz started telling me about wafer fabs and the big players in SG. It was interesting listening more about this industry since I know nothing about it. Thanks Taz for sharing all the stories throughout the run! Through his interaction with his friends and ex/colleagues in this industry, he picked up a lot of the news and knowledge about the industry. That's a positive trait I found ... his ability to talk to people and through that gathered & gained lots ...

Ok, back to running. Once we past Siltronic, which was like in the middle of nowhere, we jogged for about another 1km before we hit the main roads of Tampines and saw IKEA. Reminded me that I have yet to visit the new IKEA!! Aiyo *slap forehead* ... very sua ku leh ... But when will I get to go ? Dunno leh since I have no need for any new furniture I don't have any real need to go there .... someday ba ...

We reached Pasir Ris Drive 1 about 1hr+ into the run and stopped over for a short bio and water break before we trotted on to Pasir Ris Park. Running along the pavement outside the park until we hit the sea sports club which was this very dark red building. We turned to run inside the park, admiring the morning sea and the kelongs perched in the middle. It was lovely running an enjoying the sight of the sunlight bouncing off the dancing of the sea. Awww ... good way to start a Sat morning. I was sooo glad then that I didn't skip the run!!! :)

I haven't been to Pasir Ris Park in a while, and saw some changes such as a new glass cafe which should be quite nice to chillout in in the day .. and we both noticed that the Fisherman's Village seemed much smaller than before. Perhaps many of the stores couldn't survive the lacklustre business and had folded.

By the time we left the park, we were already 1hr 40+mins into the run and both of us were feeling tired. However, based on Taz's measurement from the map, we had only covered like 10+km. Both of us were baffled by the short distance that we had covered in that long duration and the lethargy that had set in, but we continued our journey and step by step prodded on til we reached Loyang point. That was about 2hrs 10mins.

Based on Taz's map, total distance covered 17km. It should be about 15.5km for me.

We took our time to cool down and stretch at Loyang point before washing up and changed. We were amazed to see that the seemingly sleepy Loyang point actually housed two food courts (one being koufu), two supermarts (sheng siong and shop & save), one cafe, two bakeries and many more small little shops. We had our breakfast at the lesser known food court which was also quite big before we took the bus back home.

It was a very good run! The pace was good for me just that I hope I didn't slow down the Tazmanian devil too much :P Thanks Taz for accompanying me for the run, and bringing me to Pasir Ris Park & Loyang!!! *bow until head touches the floor* Not forgetting that he even brought me a towel to wash up and to allow me to put my t-shirt in his bag. Added more load to his bag! Xie Xie di di!!!