GoodBye 2007

It seems to be rather traditional to recall what we have done in the last 1 year and what we should or wanted to achive in 2008.

I was browing thru my 2007 resolution in SGrunner's blog as well as the one I posted on my blog.

1) Be able to make running as part of my lifestyle - Achived and to be maintain in the years to come
2) Have the guts to run a half mara - Achieved. Not 1 but 2. YAY!!
3) Be able reduce some body fat - Hmm... not 100% achieved but more to come

Needless to say, 2007 is indeed a good year and full of God's blessings (in no particular order).

1) I am blessed to have a good boss and colleague to work with. There is no conflict of working together with the team at all throughout the entire year.
2) I am blessed to get to know a bunch of good kakis from SGrunners. These bunch of ppl helps me to push beyond limit and is part of my source of encouragement to do 2 HM in 2007
3) I am blessed that I am still healthy and improved my fitness level
4) I am blessed to have a loving family
5) I am blessed to have a good bunch of friends in church who treated each other like their own families

So any resolution in 2008? Sure do...but mostly are meant to be broken?? hehee

- Improve my fitness to the next level. That includes running longer distance, improve and strengthen core muscles, swim & cycle more regularly
- Take a 2-3 weeks vacation. The last one was way back in 2004. Die die must aim for this.
- Continue to have a good working relation with the team
- Improve my management & communication skills at work
- Able to continue to dedicate my whatever talent to God & learn to be thankful in all circumstances
- Spent more time with friends and family, instead of going idle at home most of the time
- Treat others as how I would like to be treated

God never promise that life will be good but from all trials and tribulations that we encounter in our everyday life, we will come out shining like gold and become a stronger person.

Cheers to all my blog reader...

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HAVE A GOOD YEAR AHEAD!!!!

Longest ever......

MR Ultramarathon 2007

It was never in my intention at all to complete yesterday's MR ultra of 5 x 10.8km. Min 5 laps between 7am - 7pm. Some target to go beyond 5. But somehow, just a few days before the actual day, I felt a sudden urge and are motivated to complete the 5 loops. I was feeling good mentally and decided to give it a try, subject to body condition with lots of lots and reasoning :

1) I am not familiar with the terrain in MR
2) I have not trained under such terrain before
3) I've never run longer than 23km before

Nevertheless, 2 loops is the min, best to go for 3 loops, excellent if I can push for 5 loops. I will decide to go for the next loop at the end of each loops. No pressure at all.

Reached MR at 6:40am yesterday and get to see all the excitement that everyone has. Here's what happen throughout the run.

1st lap: Ran with Tiwazz. The day before, over MSN, we have agreed to run together as his pace is very comfortable to me. It was a good one but there's some downhill slope that I couldn't land properly. Hit my toe hard on several times. But it's ok. Next, just before reaching golf course, I trip on a huge rock/stone whatever you call it. So hard that I almost push the gal in front of me. Luckily managed to balance in time without falling BUT dunno how I ended a pull on my butt and upper thigh muscle. It's an almost immediate cramp on my butt and upper thigh. Jialat... I walk for a while and ask Tiwazz to move ahead. I tried jog slowly, luckily the pain faded off after 5 mins and managed to catch up with Tiwazz again. Have not run this 10.8km route before and my goodness..so many slopes!! Being just the 1st lap, everything went well. Reached the start point in 1.30hr

2nd lap: Started off with Tiwazz again. It was smooth sailing until we are about to exit Lornie Road. While trying to balance myself on the downslope on those rocky terrain, I sprained my ankle. Started to give me some slight discomfort, I have to run/walk all the way. Tiwazz is already way infront, like 200m infront of me. I thought the pain will fade away just like the 1st incident I have in the 1st loop. Reached the 2nd water point, took a powergel and slowly make my way to the end point. Rested a while, chatted with FD and had a choc bar. Feeling the pain on the ankle is getting more painful, I'm in doubt if I should go for the 3rd. Tiwazz keep jio-ing me. I hesitated a while but decided to give it a try. Can walk the entire loop I really can't run.

3rd lap: It was the most painful and torturing and longest 10km that I've ever done in my life. Just when I started the 3rd lap, I'm already feeling that the ankle is acting up in pain. It's not even into the trail yet. I asked Tiwazz to go ahead and I'll follow him from behind. Should I u-turn back? or should I continue? Maybe it'll get better later? The same thoughts is in me in the first 2km. I decided to take the risk. I continue to walk and try to run slowly. It lasted for a little while but the pain is getting serious as I doesn't seem to be able to bend my feet during landing. If not I'll have to run or walk on the inner side of the foot. I am trying all sorts of method to run/walk in order to speed up. Helps a little but doesn't last long. Then.... my planter faciitis act up!! On the same feet! So my right feet is basically out of function at this point. There's like 6km more to go and I'm walking like a snail. Even the tourist taking pics of monkeys are faster than me. I sat at the Ranger station, took off my shoe and do some massaging, seeing all runners passing by still in high spirit. Sigh..... so demoralized. I'll have to rely on my left leg to do all the climbing of slopes and draw more strength from there. But as expected loh...the left knee will also be screeming in exhausion..haha..Serve me right... Along the way, Jodan catch up with me. Chatted a while and he passed me his EZlink card. Told him I don't think I need it but just in case, I took it from him. It was really a mental torture and it's so tiring to walk a 10km. It's taking forever and ever and ever to reach. I tried a couple of time to run but serve me right again, that same spot on the ankle got a slight sprain again. So it's double attack. I made my slow slow way towards the 2nd water point and catch up with Jodan. Took a long break with him at the bus stop. I decided to slowwwwllyyy walk back with him to start point. Maybe just 20m after walking, I decided to u-turn back and take a bus. Just about 3 bus stop away. Totally not a good way to end the 3rd loop but I think this 3rd lap is already a total failure. So it doesn't really matter haha.. A bit demoralised already. Weak mind? Maybe. Why do I want to risk for more injury and may not able to run for the next month or so, worth it not?
Anyway, I alighted 1 bus stop earlier so there's still a bit of a walking to do before I reach the end point.

I guess each of us have different goals in mind. Some wanted to push hard enough to earn the MRUltramarathon finisher title no matter how much pain they are bearing. But to me, there's no hero here. I am very conservative. We know our body best. There will be peer pressure to push us along but they wouldn't know the agony you are having right now. Some commented that with 5-6 hours left to go, I can easily walk to complete the 5 loops. Yes I agree. But that will be 100% walking in SLOW speed and in pain. It has totally defeated the purpose to taking part in Ultra. Even without a sprained ankle, I don't think I will adapt a run 2 round, walk 3 round method. I hope to be able to run as much as my body can take.

So in a way, I'm not totally disapointed (hmm...maybe a little lah) that I did not complete the 5 loops. At least, I've achieved my 2 loops min, 3 loops will be best expectation :) A little pity that JC is not able to participate in this run, as I'm sure he will be one of those who will push to the maximum throughout the 12 hours. Anyway, safety comes first. Stayed through until 530pm and it was pretty enjoyable to catch up and chit chat with all sgrunners and witnessing all the runners finishing lap after lap. It is heart warming to see the them coming in to the finishing line, though exhausted and some are in pain. I'm happy to share their joy :)

Enough is enough

As expected, it was a week of feasting and feasting and more feasting. At a glance,

Friday 21st – Knock off sharp at 5pm, quickly went for a swim before heading to church for practice
Sat 22nd – 50th anniversary celebration in church. It was a full day program from morn till night. Haven’t been having such full day activities for ages. Felt super exhausted at the end of the day. Special lunch catered. Dinner at Sakae Sushi
Sun 23rd – Met with SGrunners kaki for laksa at Yishun. Lady boss have been craving for laksa ever since SCSM. But guess what…. Laksa stall is not open yet!!!!! Walk over to another coffee shop for the “not so good” laksa and dim sum. Head off to WC housewarming. Eat again!!
Mon 24th – Church 50th anniversary dinner. Eat again!!

Feasting is ok BUT the worst part is….input is more than output = Pui liao!! Did a couple of short run but definitely not able to get rid of all those calories consumed!! And I missed the 3-hill-run that I have been looking forward to, organized by “someone”. ***Double madness****

I NEED A DICIPLINARY TEACHER!!!

Christmas run

I have been having a stressful week or rather in the last 2 weeks and things may going to get worst before it becomes better. I was comtemplating whether to go for CBD with the theme of Christmas Run this week. Not because I am lazy to run. I seriously need that run but I'm not in a mood of socializing and chit chatting. All I'm thinking is work and work...and more work.

Nevertheless, it comes to a point where I've had enough. I need to take a break and get away from my computer screen. "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.", I reminded myself.

So off I go and head off to CBD. Somehow, as soon as I change to running attire, do a quick wash up, the emotion changed. I felt at ease, I felt relax. Seeing the familiar faces, exchanging "hi" here and there, I'm back to old selves!!! No more stress and starts to socialize.

The menu is up to Mount Faber to visit the Chritmas tree (which is not lighted up unfortunately) and 1 loop of 1.3km, then back TP. Should be around 11-12km. I am pacing myself throughout at a relaxing pace, no speed up at all. Just don't bother abt speed at this time.

Am glad that I make it to the run and pull myself away from the stressful environment. Able to sleep well and get ready for a new day after a good workout :)

Just brighten the day

This is very similar to the one I took while I was in Alaska way back in 2004. Just when thing looks a little bit gloomy, once again I'm being reminded by the rainbow I'm seeing right now in front of my office desk, just how God has blessed me throughout ups and down, stress and happiness. For two weeks in a row, I'm seeing a beautiful full arch rainbow at the perfect time when I'm feeling tense up at work.

Eruption....

I felt like I'm going to explode anytime soon. Not because of anger. But there's too much stuff inside that I need to release and talk it out loud! But different topic has different target audience and different audience have different comfort level to me. So…… ignore me if you see me mumbling to myself.......

HY

HOT YOGA......

Hmm...I'm not a yoga person but I decided to give this a try yesterday. After 1.5 hrs of pumping on weight training & a light cardio, I head off to the HY studio. Not knowing what to expect as it is my first time trying, I went to the back of the studio and prepare my mat.

It wasn't as hot as I thought. Instructor came and the fun begin. Oh dear...I haven't been doing or rather have not done such extent of stretching in my entire life leh. Some of the movement is really not easy but instructor is kind enough to give us an easier option. Still....I find it difficult. Yeah...I admit. My muscles are all pretty tight. I can feel that, the doctor said the same too. Which is why I decided to give yoga a try.

The session ended in an hour. I'm EXHAUSTED!!! Chop Chop go shower. This morning, as expected, I'm bearing the pain in my butt, abs, thigh and arms :) Everything got to go slow motion a bit loh

I still prefer the adrenalin rush that I get from a good cardio workout as compare to low intensity workout. I might still want to give it another shot... Shall see :)

Back in action

After more than a week of slackness = 0 mileage since SCM, I'm back to CBD run today. Was deparately looking forward as legs are starting to get itchi, stomach felt a bit bloated.

It was dark clouds all over but suprisingly a huge turnout today. As soon as we started on the way along Maxwell, I felt weird. Hmm.... as if my two legs and hand are not in sync. Felt like I've forgotten how to run. Maybe I'm just not warm up yet I thought. It gets slighter better towards Esplanade and all the way to the top of Fort Canning. Still felt a bit weird, shoulder and back are aching but bearable. Trainer say do 1 loop at the top of FC, relac pace. Ok, I tag along the crowd. Half way thru, I can really feel that my engine is dying. Dunno why....hmmm...actually I know why lah. Anyway.... I got to change gear already, from moderately relax to super slow pace. Halfway thru on the way back, was stopped by a group of Indian tourist. "Where is the Merlion?" "Sorry?" I responded. "Where is the merlion?" "The merlion? It's just right across the traffic light there". Good I thought. Give me a few seconds to rest my leg before continuing my slow slow run back to TP again. By the time I reach....all are back there cooling down already.. Oh well..... not really a good run for me but good to sweat it all out.

It was a short relax run but I ended up feeling tired as if I've done an interval run. Took MRT home and while walking back from the station, this guy (can't be bothered to find out was it insurance, credit card...etc) rep trying to start a conversation with me. I wonder whether they are trained to do PR? He was just tagging along slightly behind me and I didn't have any eye contact with him at all. For all a sudden he started off asking "eh? you came back from basketball? or badminton?" Haiz..young man...I think my face is clearly stated that I'm tired and can't wait to reach home. Stop bothering me. Sorry to be blunt but I just give him a "NO" and off I go.

Dec = Holiday Season

Almost half a month gone for Dec. It is always known as a month of festive, feasting, holiday, shopping, pressies, bonus and Christmas

Sad to say, none of these applies to me. At least it is not NOW. It is still as busy as it is, so much so that I've decided to stay away from it for a while and update my blog. I dun understand why. Seems like those people out there are still doing server migration, rolling out new project at this time? Oh plz.... it's really not fun to do such stuff in Dec.

Xia Yue liao

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It's raining like no tomorrow since this afternoon.
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Shivering in the office. How I wish I could be lying on bed with a warm blanket around....nice...:)

SCM over...what now?

Woke up at 3am as per planned. It is indeed important to feel good about the race. There's some inner strength that give you the mental and physical strength to push thru the journey. Somehow, I didn't have the "feeling good" as what I have during AHM. And my lower pack is aching when I try to bend forward. Doesn't matter, just go and see how it work out.


Didn't see any familiar faces before the race. I proceed to the toilet as usual and deposit my bag. Off I went to the starting point.


1 - 6km - Was at a comfortable place. Reached 5km in 32mins. Still doing good

6-12km - Exited Marina South at about 10km and towards Esplanade bridge. There were a huge crowded cheering alongside the road which definitely spur up the energy in you. Hmmm..Runspiration DOES HELP :)

12-16km - Checkpoint at 15km at 1:45hr. Which means that I have 45 mins to complete the remaining 6km if I want to meet the 2.30hr. Hmm...normal days no problem. But at this stage, fatigue already set in, the sun is getting hotter. Argh...I'll try my best

16-21km - Leg did felt a bit heavy, muscle a bit tight but not to the extend that I need to stop yet. But I make an attempt to walk a few seconds at each water break. Just happen that I saw a guy with a tube of heatrub and nobody was there. I got some from him and apply on both thigh and calf. First time trying the heat rub. Dunno whether that will help. Nevermind lah. But after a while, did feel some sensation on both legs and give some turbo charge..hehe

The last return leg at Esplanade bridge again, it was hot, I was tired. I pull down my visor and concentrate on each steps forward. I usually don't look in front while running as that would demoralized me to see that I still have a long journey to go. Anyway, that's just me. haha

Entering into City Hall, we were merged with the 10km runners towards the finishing point. Can't really speed up much here as it was pretty jam up after the merging. Tried my best to find some empty spots and increase my speed a little toward finish line.


Time checked....I think it's no more than 2mins improvement from AHM...hahahah... Anyway, given the amount of effort I put in the training, I can't be expecting a good PB. Moreover, something is not right this time. I don't feel good, I don't feel the runner's high, I don't feel positive about the race. Anyway, I'm glad I did it and fulfilled one of my 2007 resolution :)

So what's next? 42.195? Hmmm... I need to build a solid foundation on 21km before deciding. Just like how I can do a 10km without much fatigue now. We shall see......

Oh... JC got his PB of 3:39:4x. Wanted to pace him at Esplanade but there wasn't enough time for me by the time I reach the finish line and make my way there. So better stay put at the finish line to wait for him. Spotted him like 50m away before finishing line. This man...so funny...cry again when he got his PB. Aiyoh!!

Post race group photos with sgrunners

12 more hours

Just finished packing all the stuff for tomorrow.

- Pin bib to tee
- secured championchip to shoe
- put aside stuff that needs tomorrow morning
- pack all other into the deposit bag

Dunno if it's the anxiety. I felt that both my legs are pretty heavy, weak and a bit numb. Aiyah..dun care lah. I just need to sleep early, apply some yoko yoko and it "should" be fine.

Till then........