In my past life (ie. when I was young and energetic), I used to love to run. It sure feels like a lifetime ago now! Still, those days of running with my team mates were some of the best days of my life and my fondest memories from my schooling days. While I rarely run these days — running after my kids probably doesn’t count — I still remember the buzz I used to get from running and competing, something that I would love my kids to experience for themselves as well.
Well, an opportunity presented itself recently in the form of the Safari Zoo Run 2016. It’s been on my list forever to sign my kids up for a fun run but the thing about such mass runs is that they are usually held on Sunday morning. That’s a no-go for us because we have to attend church on Sunday mornings. So you can imagine my delight when I checked out this run and realised that it would be held over 2 mornings, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th Feb 2016! The only tiiiiny problem was that the run was 5.5km. Yes, 5.5km with a 5-year old and 7 year old who have never done a distance run before. No problem, right? That’s what I thought!
We were up bright and early on Saturday morning, and while we stressed a bit about getting parking, we were relieved that we didn’t have any trouble finding a lot at about 8.20am before the flag off at 9am. Wandering to the starting line, the kids were delighted when we chanced on some mascots. Couldn’t resist getting some pictures taken!
All smiles for the camera before the run!
Thereafter, we followed the stream of people ahead of us and were channeled to the start line. There was already a good crowd there and a great carnival atmosphere as we took our places near the back. The kids started getting excited and so did I! Noey started doing his own stretches while I, err, took more pictures.
One busy limbering up and the other busy looking good!
All together now for the camera before we set off!
It was soon our turn to flag off, and Noey was raring to go. Seeing how he was keen to speed off, the husb and I decided to split up and take a kid each, with the boys taking off first and Mei and I following at our own pace behind.
This was supposed to be a fun run, but if there’s something I learnt that morning, it was that I am incapable to taking it easy in a race. What can I say? Old habits die hard! It was my 4-going -on-5-year old I was running with but I didn’t cut her much slack. All my old racing mantras came to the fore and I got Mei to keep running, coaching her to keep her feet moving even up slope. Like the trooper she is, she obligingly kept on running.
Making it to the 2km mark!
One of the highlights of the Safari Zoo Run is the fact that the run cuts through the zoo so there is plenty to see along the way. The route wound through portions of the night safari which is usually only accessible by tram and it was a treat getting up close and personal with the animals going about their daily activities. Not that I allowed either Mei or myself to stop for long. We were there to run, weren’t we?
Before long, we caught up with the boys who were taking a break at the polar bear viewing area. The first thing I asked them when I saw them? “Why aren’t you running??” (I’m such a tyrant, I know!) To give Mei a break, DD and I switched kids with Mei staying behind with him and Noey taking off with me.
Noey didn’t take ten steps before he was ready to walk again, but the poor boy was with me now and I didn’t let him.
“Come on Noey, keep running. Do you know that 90% of the pain is in your head?” I said as I cajoled him.
“Then what is the other 10%?”
“Well… I suppose that’s real pain…“, I was forced to admit.
At this point the lady who was running next to us burst out laughing. “I’m feeling some real pain too!” she said.
In the end it was the Aquarius that they were freely handing out at the many water points that kept Noey going. And when the going got tough in between, he was much cheered by the sight of animals we spotted in their enclosures along our route. Like when we rounded a corner and came upon the elephants feeding right in front of us. Even I thought it was a photo opportunity not to be missed!
Thrilled to see the elephants!
Each kilometre marker was met with much enthusiasm as we inched our way toward the finish line. When we reached the 5km mark, we both got our second wind and enthusiastically picked up our speed to whizz past the finish line. WE DID IT! Noey was so proud of himself and his sense of accomplishment was palpable. I was super proud of him too.
At the 5km mark just before we hit the last stretch to finish our race!
We hung around the finish line while we waited for DD and Mei to come in. It took some time but eventually they came a-running. I heard from DD that Mei took several breaks but she completed the entire distance on her own, which I think was a real achievement for my little 4-year old!
All together for the camera! Ms Cheekypants was real proud of finishing the race!
Our morning didn’t end with the race. After collecting our medals, we wandered over to where a magician was just starting his act. The kids spent the next twenty minutes being hugely entertained and even got the opportunity to assist on a couple of tricks.
Being the magician’s assistant can be pretty funny sometimes, especially when the joke’s on you!
After the act, we went to explore the River Safari, since admission was free for all runners. Where we found the energy, I really don’t know! DD and I collapsed when we got home but the kids still kept going for the rest of the day. Maybe I should let them do a 5.5km rum every week to expend all that excess energy?
Safari Zoo Run, we’ll be back next year!
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