Gym Review :: Hard Rock Hotel Singapore @ RWS

Last weekend we had a family staycation at Festive Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa {RWS} to celebrate Lil Pumpkin's and the boy's birthday. And as per our usual practice, whenever we travel, even for short staycations, I made sure to check that there was a gym {or even a CrossFit box} that we could use to work out at as the boy and I need to keep up with our regular training somewhat.

No no.. it's not about being "hardcore" or "gym rats".. it's more about being consistent and making sure that as much as we eat hard and play hard, we still get to train hard too.

Anyway while I was searching for more information on Festive Hotel's gym, I realised something... there's usually heaps and heaps of hotel reviews and photos, but negligible, if any, proper reviews and photos on hotel gyms. Sometimes there might be a paragraph / photo or two.. but that's it. And that's pretty frustrating for people like me!! I want to know if there's a proper gym available for me to complete my programme! haha..

I mean ya, I understand.. gyms are not usually top of the list when reviewing hotels. Most people prefer to cover other amenities & facilities like restaurants, pools, kids room etc.

Previously if I wrote reviews about hotels or our accommodation I probably did not say more than two paragraphs on the gym too but I think I will start something new and review hotel gyms in detail based on our personal experience now since we tend to be going to gym almost daily during our stays, and I reckon it's useful for health-conscious tourists like us who like to work out during their travels too. I'd even rate them like I did for my Singapore Playgrounds series.

Sooo.. I'll start with our recent staycation gym, then go dig out some photos and memories of the other hotel gyms we've visited in the past.

Festive Hotel does not have a gym / fitness center of its own. Hotel guests, however, are able to use the gym at Hard Rock Hotel Singapore and it is accessible 24-hours a day by tapping in with your hotel key-card.

Hard Rock Hotel Singapore is less than 5 mins walk away from Festive Hotel by a covered walk-way, so even though the gym is not within Festive Hotel itself, it still is convenient for Festive Hotel's guests.

The gym is located at lobby level, just opposite the famous pool with a man-made sandy beach {accessible only for Hard Rock Hotel's guests} and next to the Kids Club {open to all RWS visitors at S$12/hr or 1-for-1 hour at S$12 for RWS invites members}.

Hard Rock Hotel Singapore's website describes the gym to have "contemporary interiors, state-of-the-art cardio and weight-training equipment" but to be honest, the boy and I found it to be rather disappointing considering that it is located within such a luxurious hotel in the renowned Resorts World Sentosa, and is shared by guests from FIVE RWS hotels - Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Festive Hotel Equarius Hotel, Crockfords Tower and Hotel Michael. Yes, the other 4 hotels don't have their own gyms so everyone has to flock over to Hard Rock Hotel Singapore if they want to use a gym.

We expected it to be bigger, better-equipped and honestly, more well-maintained {like what Marriott has, perhaps?}. It's not like falling apart, but each time I used the lats pull-down machine and pulled the bar down.. I nearly fainted. It was so stinky!! (◞‸◟；)

I guess if you are just looking to get some cardio and stretching done, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore's gym is sufficient. But don't expect to do any proper barbell lifting or CrossFit WODS there haha..

The gym is only equipped with 3 exercise bikes, 1 elliptical cross trainer, 1 stair-climber, 3 treadmills, 2 benches, 1 leg press machine, 1 lats pull-down / row machine and a set of dumb-bells {2kg - 20kg}.

There isn't even any pull-up bar available! Superman passed me his weight belt & pin to take to my staycation so that I don't skip my heavy pull-up workout but unfortunately, I didn't get to use it even though I brought the heavy/ bulky pin along for my trip  (⁎˃ᆺ˂) I went to the gym 4x during our 3D2N stay and did these 3 simple workouts {about 1 hr each},

Workout 1 with the heaviest weights I lifted:
A1. Flat Dumb-bell Bench Press, 4 sets, 8 reps - 20kg
A2. Single Dumb-bell Row, 4 sets, 8 reps - 18kg
B1. Flat Dumb-bell Bench Press, 8 sets, 12 reps - 16kg
B2. Lats Pull-down, 8 sets, 12 reps - 9kg

Workout 2 with the heaviest weights I lifted:
A1. Seated Shoulder Press, 5 sets, 3 reps - 18kg
A2. Skater Squat, 4 sets, 10 reps - 6kg {left} & 2kg {right}
B1. Seated Arnold Press, 4 sets, 15 reps - 12kg
B2. Dumb-bell Step Up , 4 sets, 15 reps - 6kg
C1. Bicep Curl {Supinated}, 3 sets, 15 reps - 6kg
C2. Lying Tricep Extension, 3 sets, 15 reps - 8kg

Workout 3 with the heaviest weights I lifted:
A. Lats Raise, 10 sets, 10 reps - 2kg
B. Skater Squat, 10 sets, 10 reps - 4kg

Hubby used it once with me when we checked it out for the first time on our first staycation night, then decided he'd rather drive back to use our own home gym the next day before work haha and since the third day was his birthday, he rested and didn't use the hotel gym either.

If the boy can't be bothered to use the gym when there's one right at our doorstep, I think it says a lot about the gym actually.... (¬д¬。)

Like I mentioned above, we expected more from Hard Rock Hotel Singapore's gym given its prestigious location and since it's supposed to cater to guests from 5 hotels, but although we found it slightly disappointing, it is still a decent gym since it is clean, air-conditioned, has a water dispenser & TV with limited cable channels, and isn't crowded at all in the early mornings and late nights.

Since it is conveniently located next to the Kids Club, parents with kids can also easily drop them off next-door under supervised care while you work out with a peace of mind #winning

And oh, if you come early enough in the morning, there's a basket of free fruits for you to pick from too. Do remember to bring your own towels though as none are provided.

☆ Gym Star Rating for Hard Rock Hotel Singapore Gym ☆

Overall satisfaction: 3/5

Equipment: 2/5 

Atmosphere: 3.5/5

Cleanliness: 4/5

Accessibility: 5/5

Staff availability: Nil

*****

Other weekend getaway ideas: 

Holiday Inn Resort, Batam Indonesia

 Angsana Bintan Resort & Spa, Indonesia

Holiday Inn Bali Benoa, Indonesia

Hong Kong Disneyland

The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel

Follow my Fitness Diary posts here or on Instagram {#AiFitnessDiary}.

One-on-On Personal Training Updates:

The Beginning - First 4 Months
Girls Can Pull-Up Too!

Genesis Gym Personal Training Updates:
The Beginning - Signing Up for Personal Training

Week 1 - Getting the Right Form for Fitness

Week 2 - The Right Trainer Matters

Week 3 - Keeping Fit Needs Brain & Brawns

Week 4 - Reality Check

Week 5 - New Workout Programs, New Challenges
Week 6 - Program Progress Report
Week 7 - Training with a Weak Back
Week 8 - Keep Calm & Gym On
Week 9 - Making Sense of Trap Lifts, TRX & Med Ball Slams

Week 10 - Workout Max Out
Week 11 - Rolling in the Deep
Week 12 - Program End Report
Week 13 - Start of Cycle 2
Weeks 14 to 16 - Slow & Steady
Weeks 17 to 20 - Milos Giant Sets
Weeks 21 to 24 - Cycle 2 Program End Report
Weeks 25 to 28 - German Volume Training & MetCon Workouts
Weeks 29 to 32 - What Doesn't Kill You
Weeks 33 to 36 -  Cycle 3 Program End Report
Personal Training - Results 1 Year Later

Wendler's 5/3/1 Program to Reach Strength Targets
15% Body Fat Target Reached!
Good Bye Genesis Gym

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Happy Happy Birthday Weekend! σ(≧ε≦ｏ)

May has always been my favourite month of the year what with so many birthday celebrations this month... including mine, of course (*^▽^*)

We've been to Sentosa sooooo many times, but this weekend will be the first time we are going to have a family staycation there!! As always, Lil Pumpkin wanted to go to Universal Studios for her birthday {if we aren't traveling during this period we'd usually bring her too} so I had a look at the Resorts World Sentosa {RWS} staycation packages and decided to book one for the weekend as a surprise gift for the boy and her! ♥ And yup, we'll be staying there for 3D2N and be going not just to one theme park.. but to THREE - USS, Adventure Cove AND Sea Aquarium!!! Woohoo!!!

It' a long awaited rest-and-relax time with the family as we haven't gone for any holiday overseas or staycations this year yet... considering that we used to travel at least once a month, even for short weekend trips, this has been quite a record! But oh well.. we've really been busy juggling our new work, school and extra-curricular activities for the year so this break is long-awaited and very welcome.

Lil Pumpkin will be celebrating her birthday today, and on Sunday will be the boy's special 40th birthday!!! Woot woot!!! What a milestone! 

I really wanted to do something extra meaningful for him, so I gathered some of our friends and families to wish him happy birthday and printed giant posters of the messages to put up on our wall, and encourage him for the future as a reminder that he is loved and respected not just by his immediate family, but by everyone he meets too. There's a positive and inspiring glow within him that touches people.. and the most wondrous thing is, he doesn't even realise it. And I really wanted him to know it.

It was a pretty impromptu idea because it took me a long time to figure out what to give something to a man who seems to have it all.. I only started on this project last week {!!!} so I'm very grateful to those that answered my last-minute request & took the effort to think through and write personal and meaningful birthday wishes to him. Thank you.

As I read through all the wonderful messages that poured in, it made my heart swell with pride and eyes tear with joy. Not meaning to brag or whatever, but honestly, my dear husband is such a well-liked guy that has motivated many others through his kind heart, hard work and humbleness. He is not a man of many words, but his actions speak louder than anything he can ever say and truly, I can safely assure you that if you ever meet him outside, he is the same honest, caring, loving and thoughtful man at home too.

I am so proud to call him my husband, and so blessed to have him take care of me and be a father to Lil Pumpkin.

Happy 8th birthday to our darling daughter, and happy 40th birthday to my dear Poogeo! 

IT'S CELEBRATION TIME!!! (ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧

P.S. It's my dad's birthday this Sunday too!! Yup, he and hubs share the same birthday!!

P.P.S. I gave hubby his gift yesterday as I didn't want to lug the huge posters all the way to Sentosa haha.. the boy was truly surprised, touched and adored them too. Mission accomplished ♥

P.P.P.S. These family photos are the recent ones taken by Alwyn at Gardens by the Bay {East}. Check out the rest of the collection here. We love them!

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Bub & Me: Singapore's First My Little Pony Run!

Last Sunday we took part in Singapore's first ever My Little Pony Friendship Run!! It's been about half a year since our last family run {DC Justice Heroes League Run} and it was great to be out and about at it again.

It was so bright and sunny... absolutely gorgeous weather to run around Sentosa in!

{source: My Little Pony Friendship Run 2016}

The starting point was at Sentosa Palawan Green and the event had more than 5,000 participants! My Little Pony characters - Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash - also made special appearances. 

My Little Pony Friendship Run featured three race categories: the 6km Bestie Run where best friends came hand in hand to celebrate the Magic of Friendship; the 1km Pony Kids Run for parents to bond with their children; as well as the 4km Fun Run which was the run we took part in.

These are the race routes that started near the Beach Station. You can click here to see a bigger picture.

The boy was very game to join in our family run, even though My Little Pony isn't really a very macho thing haha... He did modify the runner's t-shirt into a muscle tee to make it more "manly" （>∀<）

Lil Pumpkin was obviously the happiest of us all!! She likes the My Little Pony cartoon and knows the names of all the characters by heart.

We saw a number of our friends at the run and Lil Pumpkin was thrilled to spot her P5 buddy there too!

They ran together almost continuously for half the way but Lil Pumpkin was quite tired after that and couldn't keep up so I told the buddy not to worry and just go on ahead with her uncle, whom she came with.

Maybe after a few more runs and proper training, Lil Pumpkin will be able to run the full distance! I think her buddy is in the sports team or goes running regularly as I see that her run technique is pretty good. It was quite a feat for Lil Pumpkin to keep up with her buddy for about 2km and we're so proud of her!

There were 2 water points - one near the 2km mark, and the other near the 3km mark. The course marshals were very efficient in giving out cups of water and even kindly helped me to fill up Lil Pumpkin's water bottle when I asked.

I reckon it would have been a good idea to have the first water point further up the race though. Since it's a Fun Run, most participants probably want to travel light and not bring their own water or sports drink. Usually we'd have to wait around 20-30 minutes for the race to start, and especially in our hot climate, we'd be very thirsty soon after the run starts and having the first water point nearing the halfway mark is a tad too far IMHO.

Luckily I brought along Lil Pumpkin's water bottle for her! She drank most of her water by the time we reached the first water point (つД・) So parents, if you're joining any fun runs, please remember to bring your own water just in case!

Mandatory family pictures at the route markers!!! hahahaha...

The 4km run around scenic Sentosa was very enjoyable and it was interesting to see many fans dressed up as characters from the popular cartoon show, sporting iridescent hair extensions and colourful outfits!

The last kilometer or so Lil Pumpkin was exhausted so the boy and I took turns training our muscles and carrying her forward.. we definitely put all our fitness training to good use heh!

Look at her cheeky face when she's carried by us!! (๑￫ܫ￩)

I made sure that she got down nearing the finish line and finished strong on her own two feet though!! 

After our run we continued the fun and had a picnic at the Ponyville Marketplace. There were various My Little Pony-themed fringe activities such as the Rarity Carousel Boutique and the My Little Pony animation screenings.

It truly was a Sunday well spent and I can't wait for our next family fun run again!!! I wonder what else is coming up this year haha..

Have a look at a video I made of our family experience in My Little Pony Friendship Run 2016! You can spot the four fun-filled zones we ran through - Bubbles in the Air, Sparkle Zone, Rainbow Zone and the “Say Cheese” Zone - before crossing the finish line.

If the video isn't working, please watch it on my YouTube channel here. For more updates on future My Little Pony Runs in Singapore, visit their website and follow on Facebook.

Also check out the rest of our Bub & Me activities or list of kid-friendly places in Singapore!!

P.S. Don't miss out on the Abbott Grow Hampers {worth S$50} Giveaway I'm hosting these two weeks too! o(*^▽^*)o

P.P.S. If you're looking for a fun novelty run to join, check out Singapore's first Snoopy Run at Sports Hub in April 2016! Early bird promo ends on 16 Mar 2016, and registration closes on 22 Mar 2016.

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Bub & Me: Singapore's First DC Justice League Superheroes Run!

It seemed as if a whole galaxy of superheroes landed in Singapore yesterday at our country's first ever DC Justice League Run!!

Every other month {week??} there's a fun and exciting run happening in Singapore and it makes me so delighted to know that there's such interesting options available to get the whole family together to run and stay healthy together. Last year the boy had no qualms joining me in the meccha kawaii Hello Kitty Run last year, so even though I'm not really a comic superhero fan, I was excited to sign up with him for the DC Justice League Run too!

But I mean, who can resist dressing up as a Superhero and strutting around with some "super powers"??!

There were 5 DC Comics Superhero teams to choose from, and each runner's race kit will include a special gear based on the Superhero you want to represent {in addition to a draw-string haversack bag, race tank-top and some vouchers}.

Runners can be a part of Team Superman, taking the Last Son of Krypton to greater heights than ever, or strike fear into their competition like the Dark Knight and run for Team Batman. They can also join Diana, the Amazon Princess, and take on the run as part of Team Wonder Woman or have the willpower to complete the race and join the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps as part of Team Green Lantern. Lastly, they could also join Team Flash to perhaps end the age old debate of who is the fastest!

I'm not a particular fan of any but I wanted Superman's cape so I joined Team Superman, while the boy chose Team Green Lantern and Lil Pumpkin wanted to be in Team Flash because of the red mask hahahaha. Yeah.. she's as practical as I am （●￫‿ฺ￩●）

Unlike most runs we've attended where all runners receive the same event T-shirt, the complimentary race tank top of the DC Justice League Run matches the team you represent too. Very nice!!

Kids aged 3-12 receive a cute T-shirt with a picture of all the Superheroes in action and are unable to choose these tank tops.

This is the 5km race route around Sentosa island, which started near Beach Station. You can click here to see a bigger picture.

We ran around Sentosa for the first time last year for the Hello Kitty Run but this time it was soooo much more enjoyable since it wasn't raining!! Absolutely gorgeous weather to be on our State of Fun! ( ﾉ^ω^)ﾉﾟ

Flag-off time was 8am so we decided to park at Beach Station. We could get free entry into Sentosa by flashing our race bibs at the gantry {usual price S$7/car weekends} and we arrived about 6.45am.

I was quite worried that we were too late and there won't be any parking lots left!! Luckily there was about 40 lots available when we arrived. Phew!! We left about 9.45am and paid S$7 for parking.

Since we arrived early, we had time to walk the Carnival ground first and take photos with the many cool backgrounds!! Very insta-worthy hahaha. It wasn't that crowded so early before the event either so didn't have to wait long for each photo booth...

I think for our future family runs, we'd arrive earlier to check out the Carnival grounds before the runs start too since since usually, by the time we finish our runs, the Carnival grounds are extremely packed and it's so hard to take photos there!

About 7.30am we made our way to the start line. Apparently there were more than 5,000 Superhero runners at the event! I loved seeing everyone being so sporting and dressing up in their team's colours and gears. Some even went all the way out and put on costume make-up and the full body-suits!

Massive, massive crowd but everyone waited patiently for their turn. After waiting for about 30 mins, we could finally see the start line!! Heard the DJ say we were in the 3rd wave.

Yay managed to snap a quick shot with the DC Superheroes at the start line hehe (*´꒳`*)

Lil Pumpkin was raring to go and started to run as soon as the boy put her down!!

We started joining family runs when Lil Pumpkin was about 3-4 years old {our first one was at Safari Zoo Run 2013} and for us, it's not so much as competing to be the fastest, but more about having fun and spending quality time together while exercising.

We would normally bring along her stroller mainly because we don't expect her to walk/run the whole way and it would be even more tiring/ stressful if we had to carry her. Also, we have a lot of barang barang like snacks, extra water, ponchos etc. that's just more convenient to dump under her stroller and in case of inclement weather {this has happened a few times before!}, it's much easier to keep her safe and dry inside while the boy and I continue with our route since we don't mind walking/running in the rain.

However, Lil Pumpkin showed some of her own super powers and this run was the first time that Lil Pumpkin completed the 5km all by herself!! #achievementunlocked Oh my oh my!! She ran and walked all by herself without sitting in her stroller or asking to be carried even once and this race route was not an easy one for a young child. There were many uphills and turns which left even us adults huffing and puffing from exhaustion.

The boy and I are extremely proud of her tenacity and strength. It's a huge progress but I should have seen it coming though as for the past few runs, she has been walking/running more and more. Her weekly swimming classes have also probably helped develop her strength and endurance too. 

I guess this means we won't need to bring her stroller for future fun runs anymore ☆d（＾U＾ｄ）

Our family tradition - taking photos with all the route markers haha...

Nearly missed the 4km marker that was on the opposite side of the road of the race route, near the second water station.

There were only 2 water stations in this run and although this is manageable, I think they should have had more, especially since it's a family fun run with so many young kids and older folks taking part. It was really hot and easy to get dehydrated. If I'm not wrong, I remember there's usually around 3-4 in a 5km fun run.

What I really enjoyed about the run though was the opportunity to see a different side of Sentosa because how often do you get to be there so early in the morning??

We also got to explore some trails that we've never been on before and discover new sights and beauty of the island. Made me feel so grateful once again to be able to live in such a peaceful, clean and breath-taking country with my family.

Finally finished our 5km Fun Run in about 1 hours time!!! Lil Pumpkin ran ahead of us so couldn't get her in this shot (^‿^✿)

Happy with our exclusive finisher's medals!! You definitely earned this one Lil Pumpkin!! #proudmama

Have a quick look at our run in this short clip! If it isn't showing properly, watch the video on my YouTube channel here.

I'm not sure if the DC Justice League Run will be back again next year, but do keep updated via the DC Justice League Run Singapore website and Facebook page. It was very well-coordinated and everything was a breeze from start to end. Hassle-free FUN for the whole family.. which is what we parents always look for, right?? :P

Also check out the rest of our Bub & Me activities or list of kid-friendly places in Singapore!!

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Bub & Me: Singapore's First-Ever Hello Kitty Run!

After a long wait, we finally got to take part in Singapore's first Hello Kitty Run last Saturday! You have no idea how excited this Hello Kitty fan was!! :)

Don't ask me why I love Hello Kitty.. I just do. It might be because of her kawaii-ness, it might be because of her simple childhood innocence, it might also be because it reminds me of all the happy times when I lived in Japan and went around collecting everything from Hello Kitty mobile charms, to toiletries, to obento boxes, to handkerchiefs from all the provinces I visited, to pillows etc. It got so "bad" that whenever my friends wanted to give me omiyage or gifts, they just had to give me something Hello Kitty.

My close friends even gave me a whole box of Hello Kitty goods for my bachelorette party when I got married, no sexy lingerie haha. One day I'll write a post on all the Hello Kitty stuff I have.. erm, it might actually be a series of posts actually #hellokittyloversunite

This is the complete runners kit which included a pull-string haversack, a small special edition Hello Kitty plush toy, a box of Nestlé cornflakes, discount vouchers and temporary Hello Kitty tattoos.

Hello Kitty celebrates her 40th birthday in 2014 so that's why she has "40" on her runner's bib :)

This is the race route around Sentosa. You can see here for a larger map. I thought it was going to be 5km, but the actual distance is 4.2km. It was our family's first time having a fun run around Sentosa island.

Since the run started at 8am, the boy and I woke up pretty early to get ready. We wanted to reach by 7.15am since those that drove would have to park at Vivocity {start point was at Sentosa Gateway} and carpark lots are limited.

Thought Lil Pumpkin would sleep in later and I'll carry her to the car but she woke up early too. Guess she was just as excited as well! I pinned a Hello Kitty ribbon on her hair and brought along our Hello Kitty specs/ shades for the run hehe.

After parking, we went straight to the start line. There was already lots of people there! We couldn't get close enough to the front stage to see Dear Daniel present a bouquet of flowers to Hello Kitty or her birthday cake, but we did sing Happy Birthday to her together with the 17,000 run participants that day *grins*

Since we were so far back, I didn't have any hope of seeing Hello Kitty at the front line anymore after the first 2 waves left but luckily, she came back for our wave-off!!! Was really so thrilled!!! ハローキティちゃん大好～きだよ！！

うちだち、キティちゃんとディアダニエル。Close up of us with Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel. When we went pass the stage after the flag-off, Lil Pumpkin nearly got to shake hands with Hello Kitty!!! Too bad the boy was pushing the stroller and couldn't take a shot :/

Yup, we brought her stroller along since it was going to be a long distance. We've been to enough family runs to know that her walking and our carrying limit was only up to 3km haha. With a stroller around, we won't put undue pressure on ourselves and on her. She can just walk/run as much as she likes, then rest as much as she likes.

It was a good thing though as we were walking into a heavy storm!! See the rainclouds above??

At the starting line I was just telling the boy that I should have worn my Hello Kitty bodysuit.. if not, where would I ever have the chance to in Singapore again?? But thank goodness I didn't since I would have been such a soaking wet kitty!!!

Nearly missed the 800m check-point shot as I was expecting it at the 1km mark. Luckily the boy spotted it :)

Soon after that, the heavy rain came and thankfully, Lil Pumpkin was kept dry and safe inside her stroller.

The boy and I didn't mind the rain much as long as Lil Pumpkin was snug & covered so we continued on with the run and braved the rain without stopping to seek any shelter. We enjoyed the stroll actually as it gave us time to talk about a lot of stuff and enjoy each other's company. We haven't done such a silly thing as walking in the rain for a long time!

We reached the finish line after about 1.5hrs? Not sure.. didn't really take note.

The run ended at Siloso Beach where there was a big carnival featuring a live band performance, a fashion show with Hello Kitty themed apparels, Hello Kitty merchandise store, Instagram-printing booths, sand-castle building etc. Looked really fun, but we weren't in the mood to enjoy it though...

The finish line and the medal collection was the only frustrating part of the run actually, not the rain. There was a lot of confusion and misdirections, and we had to go back and forth for the medal collection 2-3 times. I very nearly wanted to give up and just return another day to collect the medals somewhere else... but then, a part of me didn't want to wait since we had already endured so much so we determined through and finally got our hands on our finishers' medals.

We've participated in other runs like Safari Zoo Run and Garfield Run by the same organiser so was pretty surprised at how the medal collection for Hello Kitty Run was handled. To be objective, I don't think the whole chaos can be solely blamed on their poor organisation skills because they've proven to us before that they can organise great runs.. even during this non-competitive run, there was effort shown by the organisers to make it enjoyable with the various balloon photo-taking points {oh Hello Kitty fans looooove to take photos no doubt!}, kawaii route markers, encouraging cheer-leaders who stayed on in the rain and sufficient water points.

Part of the blame really goes to those people that grabbed more medals than they should, or shouldn't even have gotten medals because they didn't even run. Where is the joy in getting a runner's medal if you didn't even run or complete the run???? And why turn this all into a fiasco just to make a few quick bucks selling the medals?? It just made everything so frustrating and disappointing for the rest of us who were already tired out.

That said, I hope the organisers learn from this to improve for next year's run {please make Hello Kitty Run an annual event!!} with a better wet weather contingency plan and training to the run crew {some were pretty clueless with the change in plans and others seemed inexperienced with medal distribution}. They should now know that when dealing with Hello Kitty fans, it's not on the same level as dealing with the usual runners :P  

Overall, I'm still glad that we got to take part in this. It was like a Hello Kitty lover's dream come true for me and I'm really happy to have shared this experience with my family. Despite the hiccups at the end, I'd definitely do it all over again.

If you haven't gotten your finishers' medals yet, see the Hello Kitty Run Singapore website or Facebook page for updates. Follow them if you're interested to run in this next year too. Prices start from S$65.

Read about the other fun activities we did with Lil Pumpkin or my list of Kid-Friendly places in Singapore.

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