jogging and motivation thread

[sph777]

HK FM was my fastest FM so far. My Garmin recorded 4:44.

I think I could have done faster. I will be aiming for 4:30 in Tokyo.

I ran my first 21 km on the faster side of around 6:00/km. On hindsight I would go a bit slower and incorporate more short walking segments. I did not get cramps but I did get onsets of cramps after 21 km and I knew I had to slowdown if not I would be limping to the end. So a better paced first half should theoretically allow me to go faster overall.

Well done! Tokyo is a flat course so I am sure U will hit another PB! I still wish I got the ballot for it

 

[winningeleven]

Well done! Tokyo is a flat course so I am sure U will hit another PB! I still wish I got the ballot for it

Any ideas when it is the usual time of the year where the ballot for Tokyo marathon is open ?

 

[2yearswastedlife]

thanks for sharing! im a new runner and in the past, running was mainly to train for 2.4km.

for zone 2 running, what is the objective / end goal? does it help in improving 2.4km running time?

Yeah, just keep to the 5k mark at the moment for next 4-8 weeks and strengthen first, then slowly add distance at 5% per week or 10% in 2 weeks.
Say for your Z2 runs, that means 5.5k 2 weeks later
6km 4 weeks later
6.6k 6 weeks later
7.26k 8 weeks later
8k 10 weeks later
8.8k 12 weeks later
9.68k 14 weeks later
10.64 16 weeks later
11.71k 18 weeks later
12.88k 20 weeks later.
14.16k 22 weeks later
15.6k 24 weeks later.
17.14k 26 weeks later
18.85k 28 weeks later
20.74k 30 weeks later.
Distances agaration can aleady, no need to be too exact, just for illustration....

That means total duration is conservatively 34-38 weeks with first 4-8 weeks focusing on solely strengthening. You do your zone 2 runs and also any form of speedwork along the way keeping number of Z2 running / speedwork days the same.

The above schedule also drills and reinforces consistency/persistence/discipline for mindset, which is key in SG's context with work and career. If coupled with interest, these alone would ensure very good success in performance, not merely "finishing the half marathon" or any other distance for that matter. Seriously, even my pri 6 school kid can technically finish HM lah, it's actually no biggie if no time limit....he actually hit 96km cycling distance yesterday and on Saturday 68km on a cheap foldie, no road bike or what lol But then he would struggle in maintaining say 30km/h even for just 2 mins ie along the 1.5k length at Bay Garden East. As long as sufficient fuel, coz he has bonked several times before, once so bad that he had to sit down beside the road and then slowly walk to the bus stop and lie down while i searched for soda drinks. lol.

You should largely be fine even with somewhat bad form doing self-coached way with no analysis by other experts , things will adapt ok + help from strenghthening along the way.

edit - a bit of correction regarding "no" time limit. I really meant no time goals.
Usually locally is 4hrs cut off for HM which is very very generous and designed to be extremely inclusive to even full distance walkers, which is like just a bit faster than 11:30 min/km pace.
That is something that a pri school kid or BMI 25-30 pax can walk at...less any fainiting spells or heat adaptation issues. Of coz if one is already injured or morbidly obese BMI 35 or a fella who is aged 60 and have had zero exercise for the past 4 decades, then cannot lah.

 

[winningeleven]

Hi all, looking for some recommendations for running shoes or places to get them to train for a half marathon

Some context:
- Only used SAF Asics running shoe before (during ns time physiotherapist said I had flat foot so I bought this model, but I checked years later that my arch is actually normal)
- Feel numbness in lower calf after 4-5km into the run
- Pain and slight swelling in arch of feet after longer runs

Suspect is due to the arch of the shoe and perhaps I should invest in a better shoe for longer distances. Any help or recommendation is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Have u try running on a stadium track where the ground is much softer where it will give less impact when u land your foot .

 

[dreamaurora]

Any ideas when it is the usual time of the year where the ballot for Tokyo marathon is open ?

Last year balloting registration was mid-August. But you can pay for virtual runs organized throughout the year for additional balloting chances.

 

[dreamaurora]

Well done! Tokyo is a flat course so I am sure U will hit another PB! I still wish I got the ballot for it

Hope so, Tokyo will be my first Majors and the 10th FM I officially complete. Then can start trying to ballot for London or Berlin.

 

[dreamaurora]

thanks for sharing! im a new runner and in the past, running was mainly to train for 2.4km.

for zone 2 running, what is the objective / end goal? does it help in improving 2.4km running time?

Zone 2 provides general improvement to cardio. You can mix in short bursts of sprint into your Zone 2 runs to build speed also.

Perhaps you might want to try more cushioned shoes like Novablast 5.

 

[sph777]

Any ideas when it is the usual time of the year where the ballot for Tokyo marathon is open ?

2025 RACE DRAWS
Major	Required Stars	Draw Date	Race Date
Sydney 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	May 2, 2025	August 31, 2025
Berlin 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	May 9, 2025	September 21, 2025
Chicago 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	May 23, 2025	October 12, 2025
New York City 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	June 6, 2025	November 2, 2025
Tokyo 2026	4, 5, or 6	August 15, 2025	March 1, 2026
Boston 2026	4, 5, or 6	August 22, 2025	April 20, 2026
London 2026	3, 4, 5, or 6	August 29, 2025	April 26, 2026

 

[sph777]

2025 RACE DRAWS
Major	Required Stars	Draw Date	Race Date
Sydney 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	May 2, 2025	August 31, 2025
Berlin 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	May 9, 2025	September 21, 2025
Chicago 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	May 23, 2025	October 12, 2025
New York City 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	June 6, 2025	November 2, 2025
Tokyo 2026	4, 5, or 6	August 15, 2025	March 1, 2026
Boston 2026	4, 5, or 6	August 22, 2025	April 20, 2026
London 2026	3, 4, 5, or 6	August 29, 2025	April 26, 2026

Means by june have to go see when the registration for ballot opens

 

[dreamaurora]

Means by june have to go see when the registration for ballot opens

The public balloting I think opened earlier compared to Abbot ones.

 

[WussRedXLi]

WTF his friend aged 45 can run 66 mins for HM (pace 3:10)

 

[WussRedXLi]

 

[WussRedXLi]

thanks for sharing! im a new runner and in the past, running was mainly to train for 2.4km.

for zone 2 running, what is the objective / end goal? does it help in improving 2.4km running time?

Well basically what all the youtube vids would say for zone 2, can do a search all the info there too much to list here.

But personally, i feel zone 2 rides or runs are more chillax and sustainable to rack up the mileage, which is overall important too (Say for tendon/ligament or even bone mass density improvements etc). There is no way anyone can rack up bigger mileages with high intensities without sustaining injuries here and there or recovering enough if you had done too much tempo/threshold or even VO2max, which is the other part of the whole equation. So end up not improving. Say you are aiming for 60km/week to improve in your 2.4 or 5k, how to do all that 60km in threshold/VO2max territory, can try but even for advanced /elite runners i think 1 week can die one. Just not possible.
This is also how i would share it in a way in layman terms in a non-sciency way that can be easily understood.


edit - yes, it would definitely improve 2.4k time till a pretty decent level even if you literally done 95% or vast majority in zone 2, i think you still below 35 or 40 havent FFI yet. It will not be optimal, you will definitely not approach the 7 mins mark if you are gunning to compete in Pocari 2.4 races, but for passing IPPT by doing 10-12 mins, sure can. But you'd need to be consistent and disciplined and rack up sufficient mileage.
Practical story - i was doing racewalking from covid 2020 thru covid (no running at all, just racewalk....a bit different from brisk walk) and Q4 2022 i "time trialed" ran 2 laps of my 800m "track" here. 6 mins 20 seconds, or basically sub 10 mins for 2.4. I wasnt even running when i TT-ed run that time, just was doing mainly zone 2 racewalking heart race keeping below 130, i didnt even do any LTHR tests to accurately determine my zones accurately. ie in a way, i anyhow hantum one, and i did not even run so in essence there should be some decent cross benefits between racewalking and running, predominantly cardio (HR) fitness i guess. However, while racewalking, i was doing 60-75m SIT as well with my kid - sprint interval training, it's sorta running, but also sorta not really recognised as running coz it does not involve any "real" distances/volume at all, though it also has its specific benefits.

 

[Ender]

2025 RACE DRAWS
Major	Required Stars	Draw Date	Race Date
Sydney 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	May 2, 2025	August 31, 2025
Berlin 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	May 9, 2025	September 21, 2025
Chicago 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	May 23, 2025	October 12, 2025
New York City 2025	3, 4, 5, or 6	June 6, 2025	November 2, 2025
Tokyo 2026	4, 5, or 6	August 15, 2025	March 1, 2026
Boston 2026	4, 5, or 6	August 22, 2025	April 20, 2026
London 2026	3, 4, 5, or 6	August 29, 2025	April 26, 2026

What are the stars? I always thought those WMM, are ballot or qualifying time. Seems like need to collect stars? How to collect? Anyway I no money to achieve alll seven.. Just can put one in the bucket list.

 

[dreamaurora]

What are the stars? I always thought those WMM, are ballot or qualifying time. Seems like need to collect stars? How to collect? Anyway I no money to achieve alll seven.. Just can put one in the bucket list.

If you complete one Majors marathon then you get one star. The Majors except Boston everyone can ballot for a place, but those who have the stars have additional balloting chance.

For foreigners to get a slot at some Majors through public balloting like Tokyo and London very slim chance like 1 in 50 chance. So every additional chance to ballot helps. Otherwise just suck it up and purchase an overpriced tour package with guaranteed entry.

Can lar. One year one major. That’s my plan. Just travel solo and stay in cheap hotel or guesthouse if want to save money.

 

[Ender]

If you complete one Majors marathon then you get one star. The Majors except Boston everyone can ballot for a place, but those who have the stars have additional balloting chance.

For foreigners to get a slot at some Majors through public balloting like Tokyo and London very slim chance like 1 in 50 chance. So every additional chance to ballot helps. Otherwise just suck it up and purchase an overpriced tour package with guaranteed entry.

Can lar. One year one major. That’s my plan. Just travel solo and stay in cheap hotel or guesthouse if want to save money.

Every year keep hearing on FB and whatsapp of several acquaintances going to Berlin, Sydney, Tokyo. I guess these three have higher chances to win the lottery for a place. I believe NY also need qualifying time which is harder than Boston.

 

[dreamaurora]

Every year keep hearing on FB and whatsapp of several acquaintances going to Berlin, Sydney, Tokyo. I guess these three have higher chances to win the lottery for a place. I believe NY also need qualifying time which is harder than Boston.

Berlin easiest to get, apparently 1 in 2 chance. Sydney only this year start balloting, last year could still register normally. Tokyo notoriously very hard to get, many angmohs finished their last sixth star in Tokyo. They just purchased tour package or donate to charity coz could not get slots through balloting. NY marathon open for public even for first-timers, no qualifying time.

 

[WussRedXLi]

 

[WussRedXLi]

 

[WussRedXLi]

IHERB

But are you fooking kidding me? Just during Xmas, 2 tubs = S$115 shipped after discount, now S$157 shipped after discount?!

Same for ALLMAX price increased from $92 before discount to now $132 before discount (this one i use for my kid and my wife, my father uses EVLution same as me)