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Singapore is running….do you want to keep pace?

I must admit, it is only recently that I discovered the joy of running.

If you are like me, then you would have noticed die-hard running enthusiasts unfazed by the sun, rain or the humidity, oblivious to distractions around them, running outdoors at any time of the day or night, and like me you would have thought with a mix of scorn and grudging admiration ‘now there is another idiot. Whatever makes him/her want to do this? I wonder’.

Not anymore! I sing a different tune these days.

A friend persuaded me to sign up for a 5km run last year and I spent the better part of what should have been my training month after that bragging about my forthcoming achievement. I did have a target in mind, a rather comfortable target I admit, but I got out of bed on occasion, laced up and ran to train. That is when everything just changed.

Race day was upon me before I knew it and I was as nervous as on an examination even though I had sorted myself out as best as I could the night before.

The race itself was exhilarating. It was only a 5km run and I must have run the first couple of kilometres on sheer adrenalin alone. The scale of the event, the runners all around and ready to go, palpable excitement: it is like a wave that sweeps over you.

After the event I remember getting home and updating my facebook status to read ‘I just finished the 5k race and I feel like at the end of a good book…Need to sign up for more’. And I did.

The ‘high’ I get from running outdoors is now so real. It is at my time, set at my own pace, and completely addicting. The benefits or fallout of the exercise is secondary: I am currently only basking in the process and enjoying it thoroughly.

The route I run along the Singapore River is vibrant at any time of the day or night. In true Singapore style, the pavements are well maintained and the streets well lit. The innumerable watering holes, eating places, commercial establishments are either just waking up or busy depending on the time.
There are tourists ambling along, passengers boarding or alighting the many bumboats, office-goers on their way, school children in uniform, groups rehearsing or performing at the outdoor theatre and friends out for a spot of fun. There is never a dull moment. I enjoy the buzz that the run provides.

On quieter days, I choose to run at Fort Canning which is also close to my home. The beautiful green is refreshing to say the least. The training I had initially started on has developed into a pleasant routine and now I find myself restless for an outdoor run.

I have discovered that Singapore offers many races over the year. Some support a cause, some are big sporting events, some are new entrants to the race calendar and some are licences for world-wide races. Each of these is mostly a well organised event.

There is a wonderful website www.sgrunners.com that lists many of these races, and has blogs with valuable information on runs in Singapore.
Personal mapping of your run can be done at www.mapmyrun.com as well. Of course there are many more wonderful sites to visit and discover once the bug bites. (For instance stores like Running Lab and Nike offer specialized merchandise designed to ‘enhance the experience’ and I found another reason to shop!)

Finding extended community, connecting over a common interest, getting out; since I am having such a nice time with this myself, I thought it might be useful if I listed some major races being run in Singapore here. Who knows some day you might just lace up and get going…and never want to stop…?

Happy running!