As far as I can remember, I think I had my best evening workout yesterday ever since GCM. That’s almost 2 months ago. Extremely cautious of my physical activities ever since the injury, I’m taking every single advice from everyone. As long as it won’t aggravate the condition further, it will prevent more injury, it will speed up recovery, I shall listen and take no risk :)
So, after a few sessions on the threadmill over the last few weeks, I decided to do it on a track. A 10min detour jog from home to Meridian JC at Pasir Ris where they open the track for public in the evening. That 10mins jog is pretty satisfying actually. Ya, first time out on road and still feeling comfortable after 10mins. I started the loop immediately. There’s this group of ang moh playing soccer at the JC soccer field. Looking at them from head to toe, left to right, doesn’t look like a JC student at all. Oh well, looking at their soccer game while doing the loop. Interestingly, I managed to do some experiment on myself although not an intention at all initially.
It was a comfortable pace throughout and I thought since I could not open up the stride or run fast at this point, maybe I’ll just focus on my posture and make it a habit to run with the right posture. I started to feel some signs coming up from ITB and at the same time, I happen to realized that my posture is out, I’m hunching a bit. Straighten my back and tucking in that 1 big mid pack of mine, the strain is gone!!!! Hmm…I thought I’m just being over-sensitive. And then, it happen for the 2nd and the 3rd time!!! Back straight + tummy suck in + arm relax = no strain…Haha….Luv it!! Completed 6 loops decided to go for another 6 loops on the opposite direction. This Mr. Aaron have been reminding me to go opposite direction when doing loops in the track. Couldn’t see what’s the logic and dunno if there’s any scientific proof, I still heed to his advice lah.. If the theory is true, at least I’m on the safer side. If it wasn’t, I have nothing to lose either except feeling a bit odd running against everyone’s direction..Ha….Even more surprising, the 2nd set of 6 loops seems to be faster than the first… Short, sweet, satisfied evening run :)
A bit slow but Desaru candid shot can be found at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/chong.suetting/DesaruHIM2008
One year ago, it was my 1st attempt to participate in a semi-long distance race. The Army Half Marathon/Sheares Bridge Run/Singapore Bay Run….whatever you call it. Fall in love running that kind of distance as soon as I completed the race, mainly because it was my first, there was not a single expectation from myself. I did not push, I just soak myself in to the atmosphere.
1 year later, while I was so enthusiastic to train well for this, I decided to DNS because of some aggravating pain in the ITB and patella tendon. Running have been very minimum and mostly on track/threadmill. So anyway, I decided to make my way down to Padang to soak in the atmosphere. It does felt a little helpless seeing everyone running and you can’t but but but…… to rest is to run longer… I convinced myself.
Reached City Hall MRT and the moment I stepped out….oh my goodness!!! It is sooo crowded! I make my way to the padang and……$#*&^$(#*^%( it was disgustingly muddy. Even more $&^#*^&*#@, I’m wearing a almost brand new shoe. Ya..it was sparkling white. I just wore it once and it’s now soaking in the mud!!! No matter how I detour, I couldn’t get out of that muddy field. That place is getting so crowded with many many thousands of 10km runners waiting for their race to be flagged off. It gets even worst when everyone started returning from their 10/21km run. Not only my sparkling white shoe is no longer sparkling, I got stuck in between those “ah ping ge”. CROWDED! MUDDY!SWEATY! What a combination! And the need of having to find a few buddy among the 70,000 crowd, it’s really not getting any fun. And I missed out the group photo taking, because I’m lazy to move over to the other side and walk over the muddy fields again…haha…
And by the way, I didn’t run but I ended up having to ice my ITB when I get home…..The results of walking and standing for 5 hours :)
Aug 15 2008 marked my virgin trip to Desaru!! Yea, never been to Desaru before. All that I spoke to are telling me the same – “there’s nothing much in Desaru”. I acknowledge and didn’t bother too much about the comment since it’s my first time. In addition to the Triathlon event that I’m going to witness and give my support, it’s going to be an exciting trip. A weekend getaway to laze around is probably a better definition of this trip. No stress, no need to keep checking on my list whether I’ve got all the powergel, bodyglide, plaster blah blah blah…Totally stress free :)
Reached Desaru on Friday late afternoon, checked in and as expected laze around till dinner time. Hmm…Desaru is really nothing much..haha…. The event on the following day was a long one. 2km swim, 90km bike and 20km run. I witness how strong the waves when the triathlete start their waves. Can never find the guts of doing it. At least not now. By the time the race ended, it’s about 6pm. Ya…truly a whole day event. I think I felt more tired than anyone else doing the race...haha..
My 6 years old nephew in Australia and the one whom I've spent some time with while in GC called me yesterday. He said "I called you yesterday but you were not at home. Mum say maybe you are running in the olympic marathon"
Random thoughts again......
Worried/stress/upset/annoyed/ is what I have been feeling this couple of weeks over every single little thing at work/life/church. Hmm......Not really the usual me...but could it be the lack of endorphin and/or lack of quiet time with Him........
Ponder upon I will.............Meanwhile, cross train/min running plan is still progressing well at least :)
http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/Schedule/AT.shtml
17 Aug / Womens Marathon/ 7.30am
Urgh!!! Not in town... Doubt we can catch it over there?
24 Aug /Mens Marathon / 7.30am
S*** It's AHM!! I'm not running but I'll be busy kepo-ing at the race site!
My running life is rather pathetic or almost non-existent (although given a clearance of 30mins on road) in the past few weeks. My initial plan of a short 5km run yesterday morning turned out to be a disaster again. I couldn't last for 1km. This is the 2nd time I'm doing the same route, same time and having the same pain struck on me at the same spot!!! What happen?? I thought I'm to the road of recovery. A 2.4km on the threadmill last week seems to be perfectly fine. Hmmm..maybe this route is a jinx?!?!?! Dissapointed ---- Yes I am but am admitting the fact. If you're injured, you ARE injured. Just need to be patience.
Got an sms from a running buddy that says "No run won't die. Use the time to do things that you have always wanted to do". Another says "this is a good time to pick up some cross training". So...I have all my cross-train cum minimal running planned on hand with different combination of gear - mainly shoes, knee guard, insoles :) *** plan is always a plan....whether it's executed as per plan.....ahem...a different story*** First of all, I think I really need to learn to luv the track and threadmill. Go soft and easy for my poorly injured knee for the time being.....
On the other hand, looking forward to this coming weekend outing...I shall get some inspiration from the gang!!!
After 12 days of a "semi-sedentary" lifestyle, 3 physio session, zero running/cycling/swimming, I finally got a clearance from doc to do a no more than 30 mins run on flat road with the following condition:
- start with 30mins, progressively add another 10mins for subsequent day
- new way of tying my shoe lace to provide better side support
- ice the itb/knee if feeling sore
- take anti-inflammation medication if pain arise
And so, the long awaited day comes..... Extremely conservative in the run but did try out different running method. Small/quick stride works the best. No major pain. Big stride, can feel the strain is coming. Sigh...... I'm starting as a baby once again :)
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CBD gang is going up MF today!! wuahahahahaah.....I miss those hills :(