12-week Structured Marathon Training Program For SCMS 2016

Operation Sunbird is a specially-designed 12-week FlightZONES^TM Marathon training program to prepare runners for the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS).  The training is also geared towards preparations for other international marathons happening in the months of November & December.

Team FatBird FlightZONES^TM Structured Marathon Training Program

• A 12-week program comprising of weekday tempo/strength/fartlek workouts and one weekend long run, weekly.
• Workout sessions will focus on building strength and endurance for the 21km and 42km distances, with a good mix of tempos, hills, repeats, coupled with weekend LSD and pace runs.
• Experienced Marathoners and Pacers leading and guiding the runs
• The FlightZONES^TM Training System, incorporating heart-rate measurements and progressive paced running
• The PowerFLIGHT^TM Training System, incorporating hill repeats and trails/rolling hills
• Two levels of training – beginners and experienced runners
• Regular EDMs and online postings of the weekly training plan and tips on running techniques, form and pace
• Post Run Hydration/Refreshments for all weekend training runs
• Equipping Discounts and Special Promotions on Sponsors/Partner products
• eCertificates Of Completion/Achievement

Training Fees:

FM/42km participants pay a fixed contribution............$150
HM/21km participants pay a fixed contribution............$140

Past Team FatBird (TFB) Participants.........................$130*
Drop-In (Per session), no entitlements.........................$23/session

* FatBird Membership Card holders and Past FatBird fee-paying trainees enjoy discounted pricing

REGISTER HERE!

Training will begin in 11 September 2016 for successful applicants.

Click HERE for the Training Dates/Schedules for your planning purposes.

Click HERE for Frequently Asked Questions.

To avoid disappointment, 
REGISTER FOR TRAINING EARLY!

Please email to training@teamfatbird.com for any clarifications or if you wish to drop-in on a per session basis:

Subject: OSB2016
Name:
Contact No:

Ops FINALE: The Sunbirds Graduate

After 11 weeks of base building and pace training, the Sunbirds arrived to Week 12's training in good shape and raring to put in one final long run before the big day.

The slight drizzle earlier in the morning brought about a nice, cool weather for this tapering session.  As the run distances planned were short, there was time for some tips and advice for race day, including a few graduating group photos.

The Sunbirds were in high spirits as they ran along the length of ECP in their respective pace groups, looking very smart in their Sunbird running top.  There were visibly less runners at ECP this morning, most probably due to other run events happening at about the same time, and also many runners are tapering for next weekend's SCMS.

The Sunbirds completed the final training requirements with strength and full of confidence.The remaining few days will have them do active recovery and a few tempo runs to maintain the sharpness and speed.

Going into SCMS with a good foundation, Team FatBird and our trainers are looking forward to a good showing by the Sunbird trainees, with many possibilities of PBs and Seasons' Bests (SBs).

The Sunbirds Graduate With Flying Colours

Photos & Collages By FatBird Ronnie

Week #11: Sunbirds in tip-top condition for SCMS

With less than 3 weeks to Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS15), the Sunbirds gathered at The Sports Hub for Optimal Pace long runs to prepare for race day.  A short talk on the importance of recovery and muscle activation with mysofascial massage was conducted to bring across to all Sunbirds the importance of keeping an injury-free physical condition for optimal race performance.

The Sunbirds started off the run with steady Optimal Pace in their respective timing groups, moving along Geylang PCN, Tanjong Rhu waterway and onto Gardens By The Bay all the way to the Marina Promontory.  There was a hive of activity in the area as there was the YOLO Run and a race-walking competition happening the the morning.

The cool morning weather was enhanced when the rains came midway in our training run, adding on to an even nicer weather for sustaining our paces.  Many of the Sunbirds were able to break away and move to the front of the packs to test out their race readiness.

It was quite interesting when we ran alongside the YOLO runners, picking out targets to pace and overtake, providing a good simulation of race day scenarios.  The Sunbird trainees and their trainers were enjoying the long run, chatting and exchanging pointers during the run.

The Sunbirds completed the whole training run by 10:30am in high spirits, and feeling very strong.   The cool weather if replicated on Dec 6 would provide the impetus for some solid performances from our runners.  

What remains now in the lead up for race day would be to clear any minor injuries and prime up our physical and mental conditions in the next 2 weeks.  We look forward to the finale run in Week #12 for a final rehearsal before the Sunbird's performance at SCMS 2016.

The Sunbirds Are In Tip-Top Shape!

Photos & Collages By FatBird Ronnie

Week #10: The Longest Flight

After a good buildup from last week's 20km (HM) and 32km (FM), the Sunbirds gathered at Parkland Green for our longest training run distances of 21km and 35km at Marathon Pace.  This was a time trials of sorts to see where we stand in terms of maintaining race pace for 80-100% of the required race distances.

The briefing was kept short so we could maximize our time on the road.  The weather was great after the the past weeks of lousy air caused by Haze.  The respective pace groups proceeded steadily towards Gardens By The Bay and then Marina Promontory in high spirits.

The sun's rays beat down on us by 8am, something which we have to prepared for on SCMS race day.  The Sunbirds, much stronger than when they first joined FatBird's training 10 weeks ago, kept up with their form and pace to run strongly as a group.

The Gatorade hydration points (at the 15km mark) to support the Sunbirds was a welcomed sight for the marathoners.  The iced cold taste of Cherry-flavoured isotonic drinks was just great refuel for the tiring runners, who wasted no time to keep up with the target pace after the refreshment.

Bananas were provided at the 17km mark to boost the energy reserves of the Sunbirds, who made it all the way back for a good training run.  The Full Marathoners headed towards NSRCC along with their respective Sunbird trainers who provided good motivation and advice for race day preparations.

By the time the Sunbirds U-turned back to Gatorade hydration point at F2, the signs of satisfaction and relief could be seen in their faces as there was just 5-6km remaining to the end of the longest run training.  The Gatorade isotonic mix provided the additional boost for the runners to continue to sustain Marathon Pace all the way to Parkland Green for 35km.

Although visibly tired, the Sunbirds still held out strong after 35km of hard running, evidence of their preparedness for good HM and FM at SCMS.  A number of Sunbirds stayed behind to get additional tips and sharing on injury prevention and resting and recovery in the Tapering phase we are entering.

Thanks to the clear skies, good support from Gatorade, along with the great attitude of the Sunbirds, Week 10's training was a good success with many aspects of training objectives met.  The physical endurance and mental strength of the Sunbirds have gone up a few notches, which will put them in good stead as we enter the Tapering segment of training from next week.

The Sunbirds are maxing their potential

Photos & Collages by FatBird Ronnie

Week #8: Double Hills Delight

Blessed with the haze reprieve this weekend, the Sunbirds were happy to gather at SAFRA Mt. Faber for one of the most challenging workouts in the Sunbird Program - the double hills repeats of Mt. Faber & Labrador Park Hills.

The run started off in the opposite direction from our usual Mt. Faber (MF) route, proceeding to MF Hills loop for the first set of 1.6km hills repeats.  The HM Sunbirds did 2 repeats while the FM Sunbirds completed 5 repeats with an allocated time of 50min.

The weather was rather humid with the thick cloud cover, and by the time we left the Mt. Faber hills for Labrador Park, the sun had started to peek through the skies.  Marathon Pace (MP) was averaged for all the timing groups.

The Sunbirds looked strong in spite of the few weeks of training disruptions due to the haze menace, pointing to the fact that the trainees did their own 'Ninja' workouts to maintain their cardiovascular fitness as well as their marathon 'physique'.

The 2.4km Figure-Of-8 loops incorporating a challenging hill up the Labrador Tunnels served to tax the Sunbirds who had expended much of their reserves at the Mt. Faber Hills.  That was the time that the runners would be stressing their legs and drawing upon fuel and hydration reserves for them to sustain the target paces.

A small group of runners did the 6km scenic Keppel Marina route to avoid incurring any risk to injury, especially with the few who were having niggles in their ankles and knees.  The Sunbirds kept up with their target paces and at the end, 90% of them completed 90% of the training requirements for the morning.

It was evident that a number of Sunbird trainees, especially the newer ones who have joined us recently, have shed some excess weight, lessening the effort required normally for such a tough workout.  With the dedication and commitment put into training, it is always satisfying to achieve the results set out earlier before the start of the program.

All Sunbirds returned back to the training area by 10:45am, well ahead of the maximum time allocated.  There was a good post-run stretching for the HM trainees and also getting tips from the Sunbird trainers regarding injury prevention and running form.

The Sunbirds Achieved Double Happiness At The Hills

Photos by FatBird Onin

Week #6: Marathon Pace Training

After 5 weeks of basebuilding, the Sunbirds arrive to Parkland Green, ECP for the start of Pace training in Week #6.  The haze was kept at bay for most of the morning, allowing us yet another opportunity to get our much needed long pace run in.

Because of the Newton Challenge the following day, there were less Sunbirds as many were resting for a good Newton race.  Still, for the many of us who are training for SCMS, we welcomed the clearer air with glee.

The route briefing was short as we wanted to get down to start running before the haze turned against us.  The first part of the run was a tad faster than Marathon Pace (MP), mainly due to pent-up energy levels in the run-deprived Sunbirds.

It was rather cloudy as we ran into Gardens By The Bay, but the psi was mostly at the 100 levels and the air did not feel that bad.  Still, a few of us were cautious in our breathing, although it could be more mental than physical effects we were experiencing.

The Half Marathon (HM) Sunbirds turned back at the Helix Bridge, whilst the Full Marathon (FM) participants proceeded on to the Marina Promontory before looping back to run back to Parkland Green.

The OSAKA-bound marathoners completed a shorter 16km run, along with the HM Sunbirds as they are tapering for OSAKA Marathon next weekend.  Those who were to do Newton Challenge also did a shorter run just to keep the engines warm for a good race on Sunday.

A handful, mainly in Groups 1 and 2, with a few more from Group 3, went on farther to F2 and PA Campsite before turning back for 30km and 28km respectively.  Marathon Pace or slightly faster was maintained by most groups, testimony to the foundation and base of the trainees who have strengthened over the past few training sessions.

There weren't the usual large groups of runners at ECP, mainly due to the haze bordering on moderate levels, and possibly trending upwards by late morning.  That allowed us more free range of access along the pathways, making pace running a lot more smoother.

All Sunbirds with their Group trainers and pacers returned by 10:45am, allowing us to finish training on a positive note and well within regulation time.  Many of us were pleased to be able to get our pace training run in, and were already looking forward to the following weekend's run at Sports Hub.

Photos & Collages by FatBird Ronnie