Runway Skating/Cycling held every year in Paya Lebar AirBase (PLAB), is one of most anticipated leisure event for cyclists and inline skaters since the '90s. Needless to say, TSV is always being sighted in their colourful skins, jerseys, helmets and personas. This year we will have our 2 new Rookies, Corinne and Cedric to cover the exciting moments of Runway Skating/Cycling '04.

Cedric :: Corinne, Corrine, Corinne... this is your 'virgin' Runway Skate, right? So what were your expectations?

Corinne :: The much hyped about Runway Skating (actually Cycling) finally arrived and happened. From a casual gathering of information to fitness training and anticipation to actual performance, I have enjoyed the whole run-up to it tremendously. The thought of skating on a closed runway with thousands of people had been stimulating. I was told very positively that "it's really beautiful" and "you will surely enjoy it". So much so that I even impressed my friend, Vip, to participate. It was exciting because I have heard so much about it and was finally going to experience it.

As I know it Cedric, this is not the first Runway Skating you have attended. So, can you tell us how it was like in the previous events?

Cedric :: Oh, such a long story.... During 1997, I was an AirForce regular who just picked up skating with my buddy Anthony Koh. Geared up in our brand new Roces - Los Angeles ('96) and out of ignorance we crashed into the scene (Runway Cycling '97 - meant only for cyclists). Within minutes, there were shouts & whistles. To our surprise, it's from the Regimental Police who were trying to stop us and from another end, a jeep pulled up in front! That didn't stop us; we dashed into the crowd and sprinted ahead. The rest of the 21km was a killer for me, a 2-month-old skater. What happened afterwards? Well, you will have to catch me to find out! :P

To my surprise, '98 was opened up to skaters! I missed it because I over slept! I also missed 1999-2001 Runway Cycling/Skating event due to my heavy tasked flying program. I did a come back in 2002, riding on my new Roces Melbourne ('02 prototype). Screaming through my 1st 15km with not much effort, I went on another 15km with my long-distance-skating-buddy, Emily Wong.

So did the experience and scenery live up to the hype?

Corinne :: In reality, the event took place and came to a climax in the wink of an eye. No, I am kidding, you do not take 1 hour to wink. That 1 hour, well almost, had felt like the longest time then. The runway never seemed to end when my back was breaking and I was daunted to see skaters past me one by one. Come on, they looked like recreational skaters only. But we all really looked like a sea of Israelites in an Exodus scene!

Just as in all performances, the preparation process is always longer than the momentary show itself. What was important though was that I did my best to seriously train for the day and I am pleased with having done that. As for the great scenery, I did not have time to appreciate it and the enjoyment only came afterwards as a thought to savour. Hey, you skated since 1997, but I just realized you have joined TSV during end of last year and have completed 45km in this current event, 15km more than previous. So what do you have to share with us?

Cedric :: In the beginning, I thought advancing into speed skating would be quite simple. I was wrong, very wrong! In this few months with TSV, I realized that it's a sport more than just skating on your own. There's perseverance and unity. Wolves don't hunt alone, but in a pack.

Resolution for Runway Cycling '04 - out in a pack, back with the pack, leaves no man behind. Same as what we did in 'A gate crash of 100km' & 'TSV Flight 0206' and all our previous events.

So we did, hitting on the runway with the Elite team in front & the ORD team aft. After leading the ORD team for 5km into the runway, we launched off at our faster pace. Riding on the gusting wind, a nostalgic feeling lingers. In no time, we started to find familiar faces and offer them a draft. It was great to see skaters from different teams come together and work together for this task.

I saw a group of cyclist that pathed a vacuum for a group of skaters behind them. They are so sweet.

After completing 30km, tiredness did surface from our footwork, but our 'bullet train' headed by Virus CK, will not stop. TSV train decided to go for another 15km! Though I was tired, just couldn't resist the once a year opportunity. We pulled, we pushed, drank from each other's water pack, shared our power gel and rolled on in a pack. By now, the runway was totally empty - no more skaters, no more cyclists; only air force personnel starring at us in awe as a zoomed by. Soon, the finishing point was in sight, and there we go again, bursting with every last energy to hit 'home'.

Wow Corinne, you won the 1st prize in the lucky draw! So did you bring anything else home other than a prize bicycle?

Corinne :: I did leave with a tinge of regret though. I had set my sight on skating 15km. So after managing that, I stopped for rest for the day. However, I could have gone for more after the recovery but by the time Randy found me and volunteered to skate with me, they were already starting to clear the runway. Hmm ... would I feel better under-achieving a higher goal or achieving a standard one? Now that I have this 1st time as a benchmark, next year's plan will of course not be the same.

But I must mention my teammates Stacey, KP and Randy who had all motivated me to skate on at different parts of the journey. Having partners to push you on do make a great deal of difference!

As for the bike, seems like a timely prize for some serious cross training. TSV is really blessed isn't it? Last year, Virus 003 got an Epson colour printer for 3rd prize. Amazing!

Wow, 45km did sound more of a great ride than mine! So, any last thoughts to conclude?

Cedric :: Another 45km please! Now, I mean NOW!!!!!!!!!! Wahahaahaa,,, I don't think I would have come so far, if not for TSV. Breaking every limit I have and setting new ones ahead. Come join us and feel how it is like;

• to have a kid who can skate faster than you
• to have an auntie baby who can skate longer distances than you
• to sprint 500m faster in skate than on foot
• to share the very last drop of water with you
• to skate with a group of die-hard cafe-kopitiam chatter loafs (eehhh,,, we simply chat more than we skate)

Corinne, Cedric & the rest of TSV signing off.... See you guys next year!!!