Eighth time’s the Charm for Cold Storage Kids Run 2015

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This year's Cold Storage Kids Run was into its eight edition, and it was the first time that everyone in the family agreed unanimously that this was the best organised one yet.

In case you didn't know, Ash holds the distinction in the family of being the only one who has been running in every single Cold Storage Kids Run since its inception in 2008. And seeing how the venue has changed from the Padang and F1 Pit Building to The Meadows, Gardens by the Bay over the years, I have to say I prefer the current location for its wide open spaces and non-claustrophobic surroundings.

For starters, this year's run had actually reduced the total number of participants from 6,000 to 5,000 so that the venue do not get too overcrowded.

The carpark at The Meadows was also closed this year, and incorporated into the running route which saw a markedly improved running experience. The width at hot spots was doubled to reduce bottlenecks and other parts of the route had also been changed to ease the flow of runners.

The result? Ash and Ayd comfortably completed their 1.6km runs and added yet another finisher's medal to their collection - even though all of us had to wake up at 6am (ugh!!!) for their run.

As for Ale's run, I was once again the designated running companion.

Our first Dad & Daughter ‪run last year‬ was cruelly cut short by a massive downpour last year and even though she still collected a medal last year for her efforts, it was just not the same.

So for this year, this little Diva was determined to finish the entire 800m all on her own.

As usual, she was so quick off the blocks in the beginning that I could barely keep up with her. Fatigue soon set in by the halfway mark though, and she slowed to a walking pace. But she soon perked up when she saw her brothers and Mummy cheering in the distance!

Nothing like some encouragement from your loved ones to lift one's spirits!

Photo courtesy of David, Life's Tiny Miracles

From then on, she did not look back as she chugged all the way to the finish line.

Her first-ever 800m that she completed all on her own - and she celebrated the achievement by going on a whirlwind mission to snap photos of her posing with all mascots in the shortest possible time. Lol.

One of the major complaints from parents when it comes to kids runs is the looooong waiting time that the kids are kept in the holding tents just before their respective races. This was also one of my main bugbear for last year's edition where Ale and I waited in the holding area for close to 40 minutes before we could run. Multiply this by the huge number of 2 to 4 year olds who were being cooped up as well and you can probably imagine how much crankiness was involved.

This year's edition was completely the opposite. Everything ran like clockwork and each race category was flagged off on the dot, ensuring that all of the races started on time. In fact, Ale's race category was scheduled to start at 8.45am and by 9.05am, we were all done and ready to head home!

So yes, we will definitely be back for the ninth edition!

Cold Storage Kids Run 2015 is Back!

If there is one run that my monkies never fail to participate every year, it would have to be the Cold Storage Kids Run. In fact, did you know that Ash holds the honour in the family of being the only one who has been running in every single race since its inception in 2008?

2008

2009 - the year when Ayd joined in.

2010

2011

2012 - the year Ale participated, albeit in the comfort of her stroller!

2013

2014

So as you can probably predict, we will be there when the Cold Storage Kids Run returns for its eighth edition and flags off at The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay come 17 May 2015.

And this time, the monkies are proud to be its Kids Run Ambassadors as well! So all their running has not gone to waste then. Heh.

Kids from six months to 12 years old can register in a range of 13 categories, consisting of competitive (Sprint) and non-competitive (Family Fun) races ranging from 800m to 1.6km. This year’s Cold Storage Kids Run also features the 3Gen Family Fun Run category to promote inter-generation fitness and bonding. In this non-competitive category, kids aged four to 12 yeas old can team up with one parent and one grandparent to walk or run a distance of 800m. 

The Run shifted to The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay last year, which remains the same location for this year's edition. But one notable tweak that the organisers made this year is the reduction of participants from 6,000 to 5,000. I think this definitely ensures a much smoother race experience, coupled with an improved running route design. The width at hot spots is now doubled and other parts of the route have been changed to ease the flow of runners.

Okay I know what you are thinking - I can easily replicate the run with a jog around my estate and spare myself of all the waiting time spent on the races. But it just would not be the same, no?

There is just something intangible and special in seeing your kids complete a 800m or 1.6km race on their own, collecting their prized medals and declaring that they will be back again next year.

Of course, a family carnival with specially designed activities that will allow children to explore sports in interesting and different ways will not hurt either!

Registration for the Cold Storage Kids Runwill be open till 16 April 2015, or when the race capacity of 5,000 is reached. Sign up before 9 April 2015, and be eligible for Early Bird registration rates! Visit HERE for the fees and to sign up. Normal registration rates kick in from 10-16 April 2015.

So what are you waiting for? Register soon and we will see you at the Kids Run on 17 May 2015!

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To further encourage families to stay active together in the lead-up to Cold Storage Kids Run 2015, two types of fitness clinics are being offered. Learn proper postures & techniques, as well as some fun exercises that you and your kid can work out together!

Running Clinic (1 Parent & 1 Child)

Training professionals will coach parents and children on proper running postures and techniques to avoid injury while having fun.

Dates: 4 April, 11 April, 18 April, 25 April

Time: 1 pm – 2pm

Location: Radiance Physiotherapy, AXA Towers, 8 Shenton Way, #01-02 & #02-02

Fees: $10 per parent & child pair

DynaKids Classes (1 Parent & 1 Child)

This class is aimed to get children exercising with confidence. A functional fitness programme, DynaKids participants will get to use agility ladders and jump ropes along with body weight and resistance training.

Dates: 4 April, 11 April, 18 April, 25 April

Time: 2 pm – 3pm

Location: Radiance Physiotherapy, AXA Towers, 8 Shenton Way, #01-02 & #02-02

Fees: $10 per parent & child pair

Visit www.kidsrun.com.sg/fun-camps for more details.

Useful Information

Cold Storage Kids Run 2015
Date: 17 May 2014 (Sunday)
Time: 7am onwards
Venue: The Meadows, Gardens by the Bay
Registration Fees: www.kidsrun.com.sg/race-info/categories-fees
Registration Period: Now until 16 April 2015 or when the race capacity of 5,000 is reached, whichever is earlier. Register online via www.kidsrun.com.sg.

Cold Storage Kids Run 2014: Blowing Hot & Cold

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(Daddy runs)

Yesterday was the day the monkies have been looking forward to all week and my, what an adventure it turned out to be.

The Cold Storage Kids Run is the only run that my kids have never failed to participate every single year. Especially Ash, who has been running in every single race since the inaugural Kids Run in 2008. So there we were, bright and early as we could be, at The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay.

Yes, we had to drag our sleepy bums out of our beds even before the sun had risen... on a SUNDAY! But I guess there is something special in going on a kind of run with filled with kids, customized running tees, race bibs and finisher medals. And clearly, all three of them were pumped up for it.

How they can look so chirpy at 6.50am is beyond me.

I had accompanied the 2 boys on each of their running escapades in all of the previous editions. And this year marked the first time ever that both Ash and Ayd participated in the competitive SPRINT Categories, which also meant that they will be running entirely on their own.

But as glad as I was that I need not be huffing and puffing alongside them, I had reasons to be worried for both of them.

For one, the competitive race route spanned 1.6km. They had only ran 800m in the previous races, and that was probably the longest distance they had ever completed in a single run. Coupled with the fact that they had ZERO training prior to the Kids Run, I was not entirely certain they could finish the 1.6km route.

Well, as it turned out, my fears were completely unfounded.

Ash was the first to be flagged off, and he came back all drenched in perspiration... but in mighty high spirits! He told me that midway through the run, he became incredibly tired and so slowed to a walk. But he pushed on and picked up speed again after a while, and had a medal to show for his efforts. Well done, son!

Even Ayd, who has a history of tripping or stopping totally in the middle of the race, managed to last the distance and collected his medal in his trademark toothless smile.

I asked Ayd whether he felt like giving up at any point of his run, and he replied that he did think of it at some point while he was getting breathless. But he told himself that he must not give up, and so slowed down his pace to a slight jog and manage to cross the the finish line in the end. Yet another run well done, Ayd!

As like past years, the Meadow area was filled with a carnival-like atmosphere with games, roving mascots and activities to keep the kids busy.

But there was no time to indulge in all of that, as the time soon came for Ale (and me) to take our places in her race category.

During last year's run, the wifey was the running companion of choice for the Diva and it ended with the wifey having to carry her for almost of the entire 800m! So this year, I was graciously being volunteered by the wifey to run with Ale.

And the good news was that I had one year to work on those arm muscles. The bad news was, if Ale was hatching a plot to make me carry her when the race started, she wasn't showing it.

On the contrary, she seemed extremely eager to have the air horn sound off and begin the race!

And when the air horn did blare, she was off in such a quick manner that I could barely keep up with her.

300m into the race, and she was still going strong!

By the 400m mark though, I could tell that she got a little tired but she made a determined face and kept plugging away... albeit wanting to hold my hand as we jogged together.

The skies must have taken pity on her because the next thing we knew, a huge downpour ensued. And this possibly gave her the perfect excuse to ask to be carried... which I did, despite my protesting arms. Let me just say that running in the rain, with a 13kg sack of rice in my hands AND trying my darnedest to keep my camera bag from being totally drenched is one trying task, but an immensely FUN one at that too.

Yes, no rain - no matter how heavy - was going to rain our parade and we completed the run, muddy shoes, soaked underwear and all... with a well-deserved finisher's medal to boot!

I have read some of the complaints made on Cold Storage Kids Run's Facebook page and while I would not totally dismiss all of them, I personally felt that this year's edition was much better than previous years. The Padang, though more accessible, was a much smaller venue and its field was too small to accommodate everyone. There was more seating space at The Meadow and it didn't feel as claustrophobic.

The only bugbear I have is that of the Reporting Time for Ale's run category (Singapura Finance Blue Sky Fun for 2-4 years old). It was set at 8.35am, much much earlier than some of the other categories before it. With the actual race time scheduled to be 9.15am, this meant that most of the 2 to 4 year olds were being cooped up in the holding tent for more than an hour (since the programme timings over ran) and caused plenty of children to turn cranky, uncomfortable and plain wonky.

But overall, we had a physically fun morning. Sure, it was hot - and then cold - with lots of waiting time spent on the races and I could technically replicate the run with a jog around my estate but it just would not be the same, is it?

There is just something special in seeing your children complete a 1.6km race, collecting their prized medals and yet still declaring that they will be back again next year.

There is just something equally crazy too, in carrying your child and sprinting like mad through the pouring rain... and wanting to do it all over again come the same time next year, in a heartbeat.

Cold Storage Kids Run 2014

Media Invite

(Daddy sprints)

Cold Storage Kids Run is back again this year and you can be sure that we will be there once again! In fact, Ash has the honour of running in every Cold Storage Kids Run since its inception in 2008 so yes, he is a well-seasoned pro when it comes to the Kids Run. Ayd is not too far behind too, with him participating in the run since 2009.

This year, the Run will be held at an all-new and picturesque venue, The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, on 18 May (Sunday) 2014. 

Participants of the Cold Storage Kids Run got a sneak preview over the weekend at United Square into the type of fun to expect at the run, where those who signed up at the roadshow received a bonus goodie bag!

And as with all roadshows meant for children, there were plenty of kids-centric activities to keep them busy as well!

With 13 diverse categories to choose from, children from as young as six months to 12 years-old will be able to take part in one of the most fun Kids Run that the monkies have participated so far. In fact, the Cold Storage Kids Run is one run that both Ash and Ayd always look forward to every year! For more details on the various race categories and fees, click HERE.

Oh, and a new category - All Dressed Up Family Fun - will also be introduced this year. Parents and their children (four to eight years old) can get creatively wild and dress up in the costumes of their life heroes and run together as a pair. The top three best-dressed and coordinated parent-child pair will be awarded with attractive prizes.

And here are MORE reasons to sign up for the run this year: Each child participant will be entitled to 15% discount off local admission rates to 2 Conservatories at The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay... PLUS he/she will receive one complimentary ticket to LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort worth S$44!

Registration for the Cold Storage Kids Runwill be open till 10 April 2014, or when the race capacity of 6,000 is reached. The last I heard, more than 50% of the slots have been snapped up! So what are you waiting for? Register soon and we will see you at the Kids Run come 18 May 2014!

Useful Information:

Cold Storage Kids Run 2014
Date: 18 May 2014 (Sunday)
Time: 7am to 2pm
Venue: The Meadows, Gardens by the Bay
Registration Fees: Click HERE
Registration Period: Now until Thursday, 10 April 2014 or when the race capacity of 6,000 is reached, whichever is earlier. Register online via www.kidsrun.com.sg.

Keep on Running

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(Daddy runs)

It's amazing how time flies. Ash was just three years old when the first Cold Storage Kids Run burst onto the scene in 2008. And since then, the two boys have been participating in every single one of them. Last year was Ale's first foray into the world of Kids Run too, although technically she just sat high and mighty in her stroller while the wifey pushed her through the 800m course.

This time around, Kids Run #6 would see the Diva pound the tarmac on her own (or so I thought) and the boys fall into the same running age band - which was obviously great news for me as I would not have to run the route TWICE, unlike last year.

Parking at Marina Square was a breeze, but the weather at the Padang was not. Because it was hot, hot, hot!

But I guess the sunny skyline was way better than a dreary wet morning, coupled with a squishy and muddy grass field. It helped that there were ample tents that we all could seek refuge under while awaiting for our turns to run.

As always, the entire Padang was filled with a carnival-like atmosphere with games and roving mascots (some were quite hilarious to be honest) to keep the kids busy.

The wifey offered to run alongside with Ale, and I took the boys. I think this year's edition must have been a record turnout because just take a look at all the participants waiting to enter the holding tent!

And to think this was just the runners for the boys' category. Well, I wasn't going to stand around to wilt in the heat so we decided to head back to our shaded area and let the crowd in front dissipate first. In the end, we strolled into the starting line as part of the final wave of runners for our category - minus all the crowding and melting in the heat.

And judging by how quick both Ash and Ayd were off the blocks, I would say that the merciless sun didn't sap too much of their energy.

In fact, I had a teeny weeny bit of trouble keeping up with them!

Halfway though the 800m run, fatigue started to set in but to my disappointment, they refused to walk! So what to do, I had to soldier on as well.

When the Finish Line eventually was in sight, the boys' pace picked up considerably as they made a final sprint to the end.

I think Ayd has definitely improved considerably. The last few editions had him either tripping or stopping halfway because of fatigue but he completed this run rather uneventfully. And for that, I am immensely proud of him.

As for Ash, all I can say is I guess he is ready for the competitive run next year!

How about Ale then? It turned out that the wifey had to carry her three-quarters of the 800m journey! She must have felt that it was a tremendous ordeal for her because when I finally convened with the wifey and Ale, she flashed her trademark pitiful facial expression at me.

It must have worked on the older brother too, for he offered to carry her while we were walking back to our car.

Well, I guess there is always next year.

And I have already been volunteered by the wifey to run with Ale the next time. Guess I better start working on those arm muscles then.