Vacuum and moping floor also strain the ITB????? ***Faint**** sian x 100 ^_^

Playing detective

A while ago over msn:

Linus says:
hi, what are you doing

**oh..linus is pinging me..must be something abt this sat**
ST says:
working...what else do you think?

Linus says:
haha, maybe you doing something else

Linussays:
some secretive

**Something is not right. Block the suspicious Linus and SMS-ed the real Linus. Ask if he's on msn and did he msn me 2 mins ago**

My sms: Hey, are you on msn now? did you just msn me?
Real Linus: Nope. I'm not on msn. Is the person using hotmail or live account?
My sms: Hotmail. I've blocked him. He sounds weird.
Real Linus: Hmm..that must be the person that hacked my account then. Talk to him lah. See if can find out who is he :)

^_^ Looking at another victim's blog, it seems that these hacker will ask "what are you doing" or similar question??

Ok people...LISTEN UP. I won't be so boh liao to msn you and ask "what are you doing" ok? If you see that from my msn acct, pls SMS me to confirm hor!!

The verdict is out! I have a right tendon inflamation and a right leg ITB syndrome. Yes, loud and clear. I have ITBS!!!

Strongly recommended by Roonz and some real positive remarks from forum, I called out The Clinics @ Cuppage to make an appt with Dr Low. To my suprise, I can see him today. He gave me a very good first impression which is very good. Anyway to cut the story short, he did some test and anlysis. This is what going to happen:

- no running for 10 days
- must finish the entire 1 week anti-inflammation medication even though there's no more pain
- no cycling, no lunges, no yoga, no knee lift, no eliptical training
- no swimming in breast stroke. Only can swim in front crawl which I do not know how. ha....

After all the analysis (somehow I enjoy the analysis process), I was then referred to Leslie at 1 Physiotherapy. Again, I made an appt with them on the spot and managed to get a slot today. So make my way from Cuppage to Capitol Building.

Some initial assessment done and Leslie started the deep tissue massage on the ITB. Wahhhhhh!!!!!!!! Now I know what the running kaki meant by "sweet sweet pain". It's not sweet to me at all!!! IT IS PAINFUL!!!!! VERY PAINFUL!!! Next is the ultra-sound treatment...Hmm..can't rmbr what's the ultra sound for..anyway, this was a relaxing one. Not struggle, no teeth biting like the massage.

So, with all the restriction for the next 10 days, what am I going to do now? I can't just rot at home, sleep work and eat. If this happen, I'm just going to end up being more grumpy, more temperamental for sure :)

Looks like I can't do anything that need to have my knee bended. Hmm...should I do something with that flabby arms and stubborn fats on the tummy???? Or...maybe it's time to learn front crawl? If and ONLY if I'm vigilant enough :)

I broke yet another personal record in Shape run yesterday ------ The most painful run 2008.

I thought I'm said I'm going to hang up my leg until recovered. So, serve me right. A walk to the train station this morning took twice the effort, twice the time to reach and a visit to the physio is now a must! The moral of the story is "kiang is enough, dun keh kiang".

Visiting SeaWorld in Gold Coast is probably one of the best itinerary I’ve had throughout that entire week. All because I like seeing dolphins. There is a dolphin nursery in there and seeing how good they are being taken care of makes me wonder……. How good will it be if I can be given such opportunities, working in such serene environment. At least for sure I know I won’t be caught in “everything also urgent” situation or having to be a hypocrite to pacify demanding customers. Then again, how many dolphins in Singapore can I take care of? Apart from that few pink dolphin at Sentosa?? Dream on bah…..

Ok. I hope I'm not hook to this marathon thingie and classifying myself as another "crazy" one. Before I can think of anything, I need to nurse my pai kah first.

But can't help it, here it goes --> the top 10 world class marathon. None from Asia, all these are going to cost a bomb.

1. London Marathon, April
2. Berlin Marathon, September
3 New York City Marathon, November
4 Chicago Marathon, October
5. Boston Marathon, April
6. Stockholm Marathon, June
7. Rotterdam Marathon, April
8. Paris Marathon, April
9. Honolulu Marathon, December
10. Amsterdam Marathon, October

After yesterday's CBD run which is the 2nd run after GCM, let me officially declare that :

I AM PAI KAH!!

Time to hang up the legs......:(

Sudden thoughts..... Regardless of whether you completed a marathon in 3 hrs or 7 hrs, as long as you've done your best to push yourself towards the finished line, I guess it is an achievement that is well respected.

Was just glancing thru the Gold Coast Marathon race results and something really caught my attention:

BIB: M1761
Name: MARGARET CRIBBENS
Gun time: 07:09:02
Chip time: 07:06:27

I saw this lady with 3 others dressed themselves in yellow & red after both U-turn point. I can see that they are all enjoying the morning breeze, enjoying each other company. No stress on their face, just pure enjoyment. What truly amazed me is she is running a marathon to celebrate her 80th birthday!! She is 80 years old! Finished her marathon in 7:09, 51 sec before the official cut off time! Nothing but applause to her.... I doubt I'll still be running when I turn 80 honestly......^_^

Ok. Pictures speaks a thousand words. Here it goes:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/chong.suetting/GoldCoastJul3112008

GCM - Part 2

And so, the run started. Am indeed glad and thankful that the weather is good though a bit windy for the 1st 5km. At least I'm seeing some blue sky, just a slight drizzle. Other than that, it was perfectly fine. Soon, we're at Surfers Paradise. A route which I enjoyed the most. Enjoying the breeze, running along the beach....it's heavenly!

What really amazed me was everyone is running fast!!! That is like a "by default speed". The first u-turn point was around 13km mark. I reckon that at the speed that I'm running, there should be quite a lot of runners around me if I were to run in SG. But what I'm seeing is, the majority comes from 3hr-3.30hr!! Even the Japanese ah-mmph and ah-pek is faster than me!! Haiz...I decided not to look at the people around me. I should just look at the sea, the building the people who's cheering.

1st half of the route done and we're passing by the start point again before we proceed to run along side some residential area. 32km mark, things started to turn a bit ugly. Apart from the sore muscles which is expected, there's pain at the top of my right feet. Never encounter such pain before. Started to do a bit of walk/run. Making thing worst....I'm feeling hungry!! haah.... Sports drink is diluted. Finished 2 packet of power gel, no food given!! Aiyoh...got to tahan a bit liao.

Feet is getting more and more painful but the run has to go on. All the ah-mmph and ah-pek is long gone way in front :( At 39km, though feet is in pain, I was mentally boosted again when someone overtook me whom I reckon that he is no younger than 70 years old, running with his grandaugther, bearing a photo at the back of his shirt with a word written "I run in memory of xxxx". The granddaughter having the same saying "I run in memory of my grandma". I can see that he's in pain, he' struggling. But he was power-walking. I was still running together with them till 41km. The marshall and all the spectators was giving us all a thumbs-up at this time with 1km to go. No matter how painful, I'll have to run till the finish. Hearing more and more cheering as I slowly make my way to the finished line......

It is done!!! Chip time of 5:37. I am on cloud-9, happy, satisfied.....runners will know...the feeling is simply amazing :) Met up with JC and proceed to the coach pickup and guess what. With those sore muscle and painful feet, we waited for almost an hour for the pickup!! Reached the hotel, check on the damage - no abrasion, no blister but ended up with a red and swollen feet... BUT it is still a good and enjoyable race after all....:)

So people, for those who's considering GCM, here's some facts for you to consider:

- route is not flat like roti prata. There are a bit of short, mild humps here and there but should not do you any damage
- Sports drink is diluted. You can prepare your own drink and place it at designated water station
- Cooling weather. Not too cold, not too hot

VERDICT: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED RACE

Field Report - GCM 2008 - Part 1

Sad to say......I'm finally back to reality.....The reality of having to work, sitting in conference call, attending to 'hard-to-please' customers.....the list goes on...But that being said, that one week of break truly gives me a boost mentally and no doubt, I'm fully recharged to look forward to these "realities".

Too much to report on the 8 days trip but here it goes:

Pre- Race
Jul 4 - Checking in at Paradise Resort hotel, we proceed to the race pack collection at Southport, located approximately 3km from our hotel. Took the public bus, super expensive. $2.70 per person for a 10min ride. Collection was a breeze. No hassle at all. Spotted lots and lots of Japanese, all age, all size. We walked ard the expo and was tempted by JC to get the GCM limited edition Asics 2130. Within 10mins, both of us was succumb to the temptation. $$$ damaged done within a few minutes.

Jul 5 - Woke up at 6am as per plan to do a 6km run to 'test' out the weather condition. What a disappointment! It was raining, gloomy and windy outside. We waited and waited till 8am. The weather didn't get any better. I know someone will say there's no bad weather, only weak mind. But but but...it's only 1 day to race day, we decided not to take risk. Proceed to brekkie. The rest of the day are spent with my sis, bro-in law and nephew who also flew in from Perth to join us for the 2nd half of the holiday.

Jul 6 - Race day. Proceed to the coach pickup at the bus stop right outside the hotel at 5.10am, where we've paid for $5 per person return journey. It was cold!!! Quickly put on the gloves and waited. Slowly I see the crowd is building up at the bus stop. Slowly I see coach after coach passing by us with full loads of runners without stopping to pick us up. One by one, the coach drove pass us without stopping. It's 5.50am and we are still waiting at the bus stop with lots of runners getting a bit impatient by now. Die.....What to do now. Race start at 6.50am. Situation doesn't look optimistic at all. I decided to get back to the hotel and call my bro-in-law to send us to the start point. Wise choice indeed. Main road was close, bro drop us at the back of the main street and as soon as we alight, it was abt 6.20am by now, we ran to the baggage tent. That's probably abt 500m zig zag here and there. I'm getting a bit panic as we're running out of time. The baggage deposit is long queue. Try to act blur and cut queue, boh pian. Proceed to toilet and we're 2 mins left to start time. Jump in to the start line and within 2 min the max I reckon, the race started!! Considering if we were to wait for the coach, we would have been late!!!!

TBC......

In 12 hours time, I will be heading to T3 boarding SQ flight to a lively city Down Under. All sorts of mix feeling. I’m longing for this holiday and are hoping that I can really stay out of work 100% for the next 1 week. At the same time, also feeling excited, anxious, worried and a little bit scary thinking about the event this Sunday. I hope…..I hope I’ll at least be able to bring back that piece of flat metal , adding that to my collection :)

Thank u all guys and gals for the best wishes!!

Random shot during WC's wedding....Tskkk...tskkk.tskk.......Whoever come out with this idea......Aiyoh...dunno what to say......Don't you dare to offend them... :)

Poor guy are force to eat this specially made curry chic wrap in pampers...**GROSSS**

I broke my record in yesterday’s CBD Run. It was the usual Esplanade – CQ – Zouk – Outram route. I was happily running along trying to keep a view of the front group (as usual I only managed to do that for the 1st half) and suddenly, for unknown reason I fell down!!! What is happening?!?!? It was along Singapore river, there’s no hunk, no 6Ps, nothing! I fell on the left side, do some stunt and landed flat face up the sky. Stoned for a while, took a couple of seconds but couldn’t recall what was I thinking or looking at that time. Si Hui slightly in front of me say she heard some sound from behind, turned back and ask if I’m ok. Soon, Laser, Bee and Ronnie appear, surrounding me. I was still sitting on the floor at that time, trying to recompose myself. Told them I’m ok and we move on slowly from there. Hmm…any damage? Minor abrasion on the left arm and orh-cheh at the thigh. I can still continue to run, how serious can it be :) Ya… first time falling down ever since I started running……..
The front pack has disappear by this time, leaving a few of us pacing each other till the end point. Good in a sense, I don't have a chance to chase them until my lung burst. ha.....

I recently realized that there are more and more people reading this blog without me knowing!! Hmm…Gotta be really careful of the content in this blog :)

Anyway, I was in conversation with someone recently about running form. Why and where do I get the forms at times? When it comes, I felt as if I can go on running forever and the feeling is so great inside out. Why on the other hand that at times, no matter how much I try to squeeze it out, it just didn’t appear. No matter how hard I try and lift up that pair of heavy legs, it never work.

Is it the diet? The lifestyle? The mentality? Something that we can control?? I still haven’t gotten any answers to that yet because only 2 out of 10 runs I’ll get those “VERY GOOD” form…haha… Meaning…I have to do a few more hundreds of run to analyze what’s the pattern b4/during/after the “VERY GOOD” run…LOL!!!