Your chance to go to New York City!

Photo: Singapore Airlines

Want to go to New York City like I did? Singapore Airlines is giving out a pair of BUSINESS CLASS TICKETS!

Just answer two questions from the website above and you might be on your way to the Big Apple!

Good Luck! ^^V

On that ING NYC Marathon morning…

I woke up early as I was quite excited about the marathon. The sky was brightening slowly and the Hudson river seems to cheer on for me.

I packed my stuff into the transparent bag provided and brought it with me to the Starting point.

There were like thousands of people already at the South Ferry Terminal, all ready to run!

To accommodate 47,000 runners, you can imagine how many mobile toilets they have.

The sun is out but it is still very cold.

From the Staten Island, you can see the impressive skyline of Manhattan. Amazing.

We still need to take a bus to get to the starting point. Took a while and turned here and there.

Finally, the Start Village.

The power bars, mineral water, coffee from Dunkin Donuts and hot tea were free for all. It is like an all-you-can-eat buffet kind of thing but of course, a serious runner won’t do that.

ING New York City Marathon - DONE!

Alrighty, so I have finished the run and completed my mission here. The supporters were totally amazing and the weather was great – but too cold for me. I ran for 4 hours 30 minutes but I thought it could have been better.

Maybe I spent too much time in the mobile toilets because of a rumbling tummy – too much cold air. Luckily I brought along with me the Tiger Balm ACITVE Muscle Spray with to ease the soreness in my legs. I also shared it with the other runners too!

There were many hurdles to clear before the run – finding suitable food, getting used to the time change, getting to the starting point, depositing my luggage. There are many different cuisines here but sourcing for suitable food is not easy. The easiest way would be to go to McDonald’s which is relatively cheaper than most of the other delicatessens.

Time change was something that caught me by surprise. I didn’t know about this until last night. I mean, I would have made my way earlier to the Ferry Terminal at 8am but because of the time change, the 8am is not 9am. Confusing? Go Google!

Then, after reaching Staten Island, we still had to take a shuttle bus and go round and round and round. That took like 20 minutes and luckily I got myself a seat.

Lots of people moved around the Start Village and there were so many things to look out for. I almost missed my chance to deposit my luggage with Team for Kids. The closing time was 9.20am and I got there around 9am but I was figuring out where to go.

Waiting for the marathon to start was challenging too – cold wind. Very very cold. I had an additional shirt but that was not enough. Something to take note if I am coming back next year.

Somebody sang “God Bless America” before the run and I think maybe we can consider singing something like that in Singapore. Maybe “Majulah Singapura”?

And here we go…

The weather was great, spirits were high and there were a lot of excitements. The skyline of Manhattan from Staten Island was amazing and superb.

There were many supporters along the way, cheering for everyone. Kids were extending out their hands, waiting for someone to hi-five with them. People also shouted out, “Go ACTIVE!”, “Great Job, ACTIVE”, “Stay ACTIVE” to me. They must have thought that my name is ACTIVE, maybe they also saw that I already changed my name to Steven ACTIVE Goh on Facebook!

Supporters were also handing out candies, chocolates, water, Gatorade to runners. They were not stingy with their cheering and food. And as we ran through the different boroughs, it was obvious that they are proud of their own neighbourhoods. It will be great if residents in the different towns in Singapore can exhibit the same passion and love. There were also live bands performing throughout the run. Lots of music and lots of cheers.

There were runners from everywhere. France, Uruguay, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Germany… 47,000 of us! Maybe we can have more Singaporeans running this marathon next year. And more Singaporean supporters too!

Overall, I must say it was an awesome experience – doing ‘big business’ at the super duper yucky mobile toilets, tahan-ing the cold weather, being cheered and inspired by the passionate crowd, drinking tons of Gatorade, enjoying the Power Gel and banana.

A great way to see New York City and an amazing way to achieve another Finishers’ Medal.

Thank you very much Tiger Balm ACTIVE for sending me here!

You guys rock!

Today’s the D A Y ! ! !

Finally, the reason why I am here in New York, the ING NYC Marathon is going to take place today.

I got two timing strips – 3 hr 30 min and 4 hr 5 min. I wanted to get the 4 hr strip but it was all given out. Seems like many people want to run within this timing.

Nonetheless, I have more or less gotten use to the weather here. But I still hope that the wind is not that strong later, otherwise, it will be really chilly…

Got to go.

Wish me luck!

Shooting with the German Tigers

Day Two at New York started with shooting with the Team Tiger Balm from Germany! We just walked out of the hotel and boomz, there’s Times Square!

So we did some shots here and immersed in the great atmosphere. It was 9am and the whole place was full of vibrancy and life. There were dancers filming a music video and there were people queuing up for discounted broadway musicals. 

There’s a bus with the ING New York City Marathon ad and “I thought I saw a TIGER!”

Time Change

Source: timeanddate.com

Important reminder for all ING New York City Marathon runners!! Dalylight Saving Time ends at 2am tomorrow morning! This means that 2am is turned backward 1 hour to 1am.

Confusing?

If you are in the first wave aka starting at 8.45am, based on today’s time, you should be starting at 9.45am instead. Don’t think too much and you shall not be confused.

Happy Running!

Walking around the Big Apple

When you walk around the Big Apple, you can’t help but to take lots of photos. The buildings are a mixture of old and new and they fused together perfectly.

Midtown feels like a huge Orchard Road and the heart of all happenings is at the Times Square. That is where I am staying! ^^V