Changi Business Park

My fave Run Route 3

Thanks to Taz, found this cool new distance plotting map at MapMyRun. Much better than Singapore Street Directory and Can.com.



Changi Business Park is my usual training ground when I want to do a simple 10km run. The route is generally flat and once pass New Upp Changi Road East, there is relatively little traffic especially if running in the early morning or evening. The route can be varied by running through the various side roads or by running in the picturesque park.


The Route: 1 round starting from Eastpoint and back is app. 9.8km.
Extra 1: Instead of turning into Changi Business Park, by crossing the road to Laguna Country Club, can continue to run all the way to East Coast Park or Bedok Reservoir.



Best time to run: Early morning or evening after 7pm to avoid traffic

Facilities: Toilets available at the Expo MRT station and Expo. There is a 7-Eleven at the Singapore Expo

Fun element: There used to be a beautiful and mysterious Pulai tree which supposingly cannot/should not be cut down but it was cut down for the construction of the UNSW. Look what happened to the UNSW now! Click here for a 3D view of the tree

Danger List: Heavy vehicles along the routes at times. Can be too quiet in the evening. Certain area like the park itself is very deserted.

How to get there: Simei MRT station & Expo MRT station.

Nearby Eat: Simei town centre

Picture of Changi Business Park from JTC Photolibrary;
picture of Pulai Tree from SPI website

Offiical Opening of Simei Covered Basketball Court

Boon Chye bought tickets for us for this Sunday and told us it was a walk-and-jog event organised by Simei CSC. So we dragged ourselves there and found out it was actually the official opening of the Blk 106 covered basketball court cum block party. But the organiser had included a short run as a prelude.

First thing first, there was a lady from Club Fitness One who led everybody (which comprises a lot of aunties and children) in a warm up aerobics session. Than came the run which was flagged off by MP for East Coast GRC, Jessica Tan.

It was a short run - approximately about 3.6km along Simei St 3, Simei Road, Upp Changi Rd, Simei Ave and back to the start. Boon Chye led the pace since there wasn't much runners. Didn't expect the aunties and the overweight RC members to really run right? For most part of the route, I was second about 100metres behind him. There was this little boy about 12 who was running alongside me. He is really good. The MP Jessica Tan is also rather fast - just slightly behind me. I estimated I was running at a 6mins pace. 100 metres to the end, stopped at the traffic light outside Changkat Sec and the boy and the MP caught up. I let the boy run ahead and pace the MP back. Wah.. damn stylo.. first time run with MP. Found out from her she runs twice a week early in the morning. Reached the end in 20 minutes which roughly works out to a 5:45 pace and I think in 4th or 5th place behind BC, the boy and the MP and another RC member. But there was no prize:( but hey the goodie bag more than made up for it.

For the $2 registration fee, (which incidentally was paid for by BC), there was a towel, banana, apple, bamboo pole stopper, 1 water saving device for placing in the cistern, mineral water) and buffet breakfast! How about that! There was also a lucky draw but unfortunately we didn't win anything.

What is an official opening of a basketball court without a basketball match... so dutifully, the organiser rolled out a match between some youths. They must be so happy now they can play basketball out of the rain and sun.

60 Seconds

60 seconds or 1 minute

Very insignificant when going about our daily lives BUT

A 1 minutes difference in pace every km works out to a 10 minutes slower run for a 10km run; 20 minutes for a 20k....etc

1 minute difference - so minuscule by itself but running at 5km/6km/7km pace for 10 minutes - that 1 minute is dramatically magnified

Sigh.. how to bridge the gap?

My new Pearl Izumi SyncroPace

After beoing the shoes for a few months, finally when my run log reminded me that the 2110 is due for retirement, decided to go ahead and get the PI SyncroPace. Wasn't really sure about the shoes - just like the design. Eddie recommended the SyncroFloat but that was all in grey whilst the SyncroPace was orange and metallic silver - very chio and stylo.



Took it out for a test run Saturday evening. Went to Kent Ridge with the gang. The cushioning is superb - like wearing a pair of Hush Puppies even with my insole. Unfortunately, I had not tied the shoelaces properly and it was rather loose. 30 minutes into the run, it started to pour so run called off.

Continued the breaking in of the shoes the next morning with a longer run - this time at ECP. The cushioning was good, it felt lighter than my 2110 and the feet didn't feel hot. But somewhere about 1 hour later, the toes started to protest - Not too sure what caused it. maybe this time round I tied the shoe laces too tight and the foot had no space to expand? Or is it too wide? It certainly felt very roomy when I put it on. Got to test some more.

According to PI, the SyncoPace is a stability shoe for normal or low arch. It comes with the Skydex technology which PI claims is stronger, lighter and more durable for smarter cushioning and this certainly it lives up to its claim. It also comes with Syncroframe which PI claims is a guidance system which 'guides the foot for increased energy return, stability and durability' whatever that means. Finally, there is OrthoLite which is the comfort foam insoles which is supposed to keep air flow for a cool foot, odor and fungus inhibiting, wicks moistures away and is long lasting. Hurray no more wet and smelly shoes!