Distance: 6km
Time: 40 mins
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Monday, January 05, 2009
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Friday, January 02, 2009
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Running Damaged...
Distance : 7km
Time : 58min
Status : The injury has returned. The left knee is just crying out in pain with each step, saying "Please... stop.. You're shortening my life span. I'm going to give up on you any minute now if you continue"
Doesn't help when I don't have my double knee brace on. It's a definite reminder that I have to be fully prepared each time I run, and adequately recovering when I rest in between. That means glucosamine tablets, cream and enough stretching.
Though I went very slowly, I sorta remembered quite a few things. I used to run very slowly when I started, so that I wasn't out of breath, I could go super long distances in a relaxed and enjoyable fashion, and I recovered faster. If only I could keep my current heart-rate with a much better speed. That's the goal of runners, I guess.
One day, if it ever happens, when I can break 4 hours on the marathon, I'll look back and thank all the people who paved the way to my success. There were many... will write about it next time. A preparatory speech if you will...
Time : 58min
Status : The injury has returned. The left knee is just crying out in pain with each step, saying "Please... stop.. You're shortening my life span. I'm going to give up on you any minute now if you continue"
Doesn't help when I don't have my double knee brace on. It's a definite reminder that I have to be fully prepared each time I run, and adequately recovering when I rest in between. That means glucosamine tablets, cream and enough stretching.
Though I went very slowly, I sorta remembered quite a few things. I used to run very slowly when I started, so that I wasn't out of breath, I could go super long distances in a relaxed and enjoyable fashion, and I recovered faster. If only I could keep my current heart-rate with a much better speed. That's the goal of runners, I guess.
One day, if it ever happens, when I can break 4 hours on the marathon, I'll look back and thank all the people who paved the way to my success. There were many... will write about it next time. A preparatory speech if you will...
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Running (re)Start
Distance: 10km
Time: 70 mins (not inclusive of rest stops)
Area: Start at Fort Road, ECP, ran to the end, near the Marina Bay Golf Course, and turned around, to East Coast Hawker Centre, up to East Coast Road, and then home. Stopped at 7-Eleven's at The Playground@East Coast (aka Big Splash), bought two 250ml bottles of Sunkist Orange Juice. Very handy to run and carry the drink. Can do that next time.
Thoughts: Drinks definitely helped maintain my speed, which is still slow, about 7min per km. Used to be much faster, but believe that I am on the improving slope, and hopefully can bring speed up to about 6min/km for long distances. Heart rate is still too fast, reached >180 beats per minute. Need to bring down to ~120 if possible. It's good to begin running about 10 days after my half marathon. Last year, really left it too late to restart my runs, while still overeating non-stop. This year, I am slightly more disciplined, and have restarted my jogging. Hopefully I can get up to speed for the Adidas Sundown Marathon on the 30 May 2009. Wonder if I'll attempt an overseas marathon this year, as my friends have all been talking about it.
My dream is to compete and complete the Marathon du Medoc. The most fascinating marathon ever. Where you run along the vineyards of France, drink wine and eat steak WHILE racing in fancy dress! Heard they only open the run to 9,000 entrants, with only 20% of that allocated to foreigners. It would combine all my loves: Running, Wine-tasting, Eating! Haha, who else can ask for more? Maybe it will be my 10th run, as a celebration...
Time: 70 mins (not inclusive of rest stops)
Area: Start at Fort Road, ECP, ran to the end, near the Marina Bay Golf Course, and turned around, to East Coast Hawker Centre, up to East Coast Road, and then home. Stopped at 7-Eleven's at The Playground@East Coast (aka Big Splash), bought two 250ml bottles of Sunkist Orange Juice. Very handy to run and carry the drink. Can do that next time.
Thoughts: Drinks definitely helped maintain my speed, which is still slow, about 7min per km. Used to be much faster, but believe that I am on the improving slope, and hopefully can bring speed up to about 6min/km for long distances. Heart rate is still too fast, reached >180 beats per minute. Need to bring down to ~120 if possible. It's good to begin running about 10 days after my half marathon. Last year, really left it too late to restart my runs, while still overeating non-stop. This year, I am slightly more disciplined, and have restarted my jogging. Hopefully I can get up to speed for the Adidas Sundown Marathon on the 30 May 2009. Wonder if I'll attempt an overseas marathon this year, as my friends have all been talking about it.
My dream is to compete and complete the Marathon du Medoc. The most fascinating marathon ever. Where you run along the vineyards of France, drink wine and eat steak WHILE racing in fancy dress! Heard they only open the run to 9,000 entrants, with only 20% of that allocated to foreigners. It would combine all my loves: Running, Wine-tasting, Eating! Haha, who else can ask for more? Maybe it will be my 10th run, as a celebration...
Stanchart Singapore (Half) Marathon
Ran the Half Marathon in about 3 hours. Dreadfully slow, but my knees took it well. In fact, i wanted to run the next few days but i held back to conserve them for my diving trip.
It was really quite fun, and to be honest, maybe coz i was going very slowly, but the 21km mark seems kinda short nowadays. Was disappointed that i didn't persist and actually go for the full distance. Saw the new finisher tee and it looks fantastic, too bad i dun get to wear this one. Means that I still got at least 9 more marathons to go, but definitely the spirit, the thrill of the race, is back within me. It was gone last year, after I completed the full, and lost the appetite for it somewhat, and had to force myself to run.
Maybe it was the book that i've been reading (Haruki Murakami's What I talk about when I talk about running), maybe it's my knee recovering from my long-suffering pains, maybe it's the remembrance of the great times i had when i was running along Charles River in Boston, but i feel like i have been given a fresh lease of running life.
It's good, it's what I always wanted. While running, i had this realization... I run to become a better man, and that's a journey, not a destination, so I will continue to just run and run and run, and improve and improve and improve and improve, hopefully :)
i hope that one day, i can just keep running to work, and avoid all the nasty commuting crap, life will certainly be different. My future commuting companions: my Garmin watch, my Asics Keyanos, my Ipod Shuffle and Sennheisers CX500s, Cho-pat Knee Guards, running cap, Adidas running shorts and my Mizunos tee... That's plenty company :)
It was really quite fun, and to be honest, maybe coz i was going very slowly, but the 21km mark seems kinda short nowadays. Was disappointed that i didn't persist and actually go for the full distance. Saw the new finisher tee and it looks fantastic, too bad i dun get to wear this one. Means that I still got at least 9 more marathons to go, but definitely the spirit, the thrill of the race, is back within me. It was gone last year, after I completed the full, and lost the appetite for it somewhat, and had to force myself to run.
Maybe it was the book that i've been reading (Haruki Murakami's What I talk about when I talk about running), maybe it's my knee recovering from my long-suffering pains, maybe it's the remembrance of the great times i had when i was running along Charles River in Boston, but i feel like i have been given a fresh lease of running life.
It's good, it's what I always wanted. While running, i had this realization... I run to become a better man, and that's a journey, not a destination, so I will continue to just run and run and run, and improve and improve and improve and improve, hopefully :)
i hope that one day, i can just keep running to work, and avoid all the nasty commuting crap, life will certainly be different. My future commuting companions: my Garmin watch, my Asics Keyanos, my Ipod Shuffle and Sennheisers CX500s, Cho-pat Knee Guards, running cap, Adidas running shorts and my Mizunos tee... That's plenty company :)
Monday, December 01, 2008
Swim today
Laps: 35
Time: About 50 mins
Feeling: Not bad, weather was good today, think I was rather ok on timing, could do 30 laps under 40mins, so still can make it for the biathlon trials. Kinda disappointed about my knees, won't be doing the marathon this Sunday, but shall look and think long-term, i.e. the next 20-30 marathons, instead of just this one on Sunday...
Time: About 50 mins
Feeling: Not bad, weather was good today, think I was rather ok on timing, could do 30 laps under 40mins, so still can make it for the biathlon trials. Kinda disappointed about my knees, won't be doing the marathon this Sunday, but shall look and think long-term, i.e. the next 20-30 marathons, instead of just this one on Sunday...
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tennis insights
Was playing on saturday with a friend, and realized something new, so am going to log it down so that i'll remember it easily...
Everytime i hit the ball with my forehand, and my backhand as well, realized that i tensed up too much, and hit the ball in an arc way above my natural swing. I started relaxing my arm, consciously lowering it each other just before i swing out, and it really works! the parabola is really smooth and the ball stays in, and i feel alot more natural hitting it again and again.
Must say my tennis really improved after this, next is to keep the consistency and work on the same concept with my backhand swing: to untense,to lower the arm, and to swing in a natural, slightly upward tilt.
Can't wait for my next tennis game...
:)
Everytime i hit the ball with my forehand, and my backhand as well, realized that i tensed up too much, and hit the ball in an arc way above my natural swing. I started relaxing my arm, consciously lowering it each other just before i swing out, and it really works! the parabola is really smooth and the ball stays in, and i feel alot more natural hitting it again and again.
Must say my tennis really improved after this, next is to keep the consistency and work on the same concept with my backhand swing: to untense,to lower the arm, and to swing in a natural, slightly upward tilt.
Can't wait for my next tennis game...
:)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!
I know it's sorta terrible and bad-ass, but i can't help it, i LOVE this song!
"It Wasn't Me"
(feat. Ricardo Ducent)
Youtube Video
(Yo', man) Yo'
(Open up, man) What do you want, man?
(My girl just caught me) You let her catch you?
(I don't know how I let this happen) With who?
(The girl next door, you know) Man
(I don't know what to do) Say it wasn't you
(Alright)
Honey came in and she caught me red-handed
Creeping with the girl next door
Picture this, we were both butt naked, banging on the bathroom floor
How could I forget that I had
Given her an extra key
All this time she was standing there
She never took her eyes off me
How you can grant the woman access to your villa
Trespasser and a witness while you cling to your pillow
You better watch your back before she turn into a killer
Best for you and the situation not to call the beaner
To be a true player you have to know how to play
If she say a night, convince her say a day
Never admit to a word when she say makes a claim
And you tell her baby no way
But she caught me on the counter (It wasn't me)
Saw me bangin' on the sofa (It wasn't me)
I even had her in the shower (It wasn't me)
She even caught me on camera (It wasn't me)
She saw the marks on my shoulder (It wasn't me)
Heard the words that I told her (It wasn't me)
Heard the scream get louder (It wasn't me)
She stayed until it was over
Honey came in and she caught me red-handed
Creeping with the girl next door
Picture this, we were both butt naked, banging on the bathroom floor
I had tried to keep her
From what she was about to see
Why should she believe me
When I told her it wasn't me
Make sure she knows it's not you and lead her on the right prefix
Whenever you should see her make the giggolo flex
As funny as it be by you, it not that complex
Seeing is believing so you better change your specs
You know she not gonna be worrying bout things from the past
Hardly recollecting and then she'll go to noontime mass
Wait for your answer: go over there
But if she pack a gun you know you better run fast
But she caught me on the counter (It wasn't me)
Saw me bangin' on the sofa (It wasn't me)
I even had her in the shower (It wasn't me)
She even caught me on camera (It wasn't me)
She saw the marks on my shoulder (It wasn't me)
Heard the words that I told her (It wasn't me)
Heard the scream get louder (It wasn't me)
She stayed until it was over
Honey came in and she caught me red-handed
Creeping with the girl next door
Picture this, we were both butt naked, banging on the bathroom floor
How could I forget that I had
Given her an extra key
All this time she was standing there
She never took her eyes off me
Gonna tell her that I'm sorry
For the pain that I've caused
I've been listening to your reasoning
It makes no sense at all
We should tell her that I'm sorry
For the pain that I've caused
You may think that you're a player
But you're completely lost
That's why I sing
Honey came in and she caught me red-handed
Creeping with the girl next door
Picture this, we were both butt naked, banging on the bathroom floor
How could I forget that I had
Given her an extra key
All this time she was standing there
She never took her eyes off me
"It Wasn't Me"
(feat. Ricardo Ducent)
Youtube Video
(Yo', man) Yo'
(Open up, man) What do you want, man?
(My girl just caught me) You let her catch you?
(I don't know how I let this happen) With who?
(The girl next door, you know) Man
(I don't know what to do) Say it wasn't you
(Alright)
Honey came in and she caught me red-handed
Creeping with the girl next door
Picture this, we were both butt naked, banging on the bathroom floor
How could I forget that I had
Given her an extra key
All this time she was standing there
She never took her eyes off me
How you can grant the woman access to your villa
Trespasser and a witness while you cling to your pillow
You better watch your back before she turn into a killer
Best for you and the situation not to call the beaner
To be a true player you have to know how to play
If she say a night, convince her say a day
Never admit to a word when she say makes a claim
And you tell her baby no way
But she caught me on the counter (It wasn't me)
Saw me bangin' on the sofa (It wasn't me)
I even had her in the shower (It wasn't me)
She even caught me on camera (It wasn't me)
She saw the marks on my shoulder (It wasn't me)
Heard the words that I told her (It wasn't me)
Heard the scream get louder (It wasn't me)
She stayed until it was over
Honey came in and she caught me red-handed
Creeping with the girl next door
Picture this, we were both butt naked, banging on the bathroom floor
I had tried to keep her
From what she was about to see
Why should she believe me
When I told her it wasn't me
Make sure she knows it's not you and lead her on the right prefix
Whenever you should see her make the giggolo flex
As funny as it be by you, it not that complex
Seeing is believing so you better change your specs
You know she not gonna be worrying bout things from the past
Hardly recollecting and then she'll go to noontime mass
Wait for your answer: go over there
But if she pack a gun you know you better run fast
But she caught me on the counter (It wasn't me)
Saw me bangin' on the sofa (It wasn't me)
I even had her in the shower (It wasn't me)
She even caught me on camera (It wasn't me)
She saw the marks on my shoulder (It wasn't me)
Heard the words that I told her (It wasn't me)
Heard the scream get louder (It wasn't me)
She stayed until it was over
Honey came in and she caught me red-handed
Creeping with the girl next door
Picture this, we were both butt naked, banging on the bathroom floor
How could I forget that I had
Given her an extra key
All this time she was standing there
She never took her eyes off me
Gonna tell her that I'm sorry
For the pain that I've caused
I've been listening to your reasoning
It makes no sense at all
We should tell her that I'm sorry
For the pain that I've caused
You may think that you're a player
But you're completely lost
That's why I sing
Honey came in and she caught me red-handed
Creeping with the girl next door
Picture this, we were both butt naked, banging on the bathroom floor
How could I forget that I had
Given her an extra key
All this time she was standing there
She never took her eyes off me
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Self-discipline...
Weaning off msn on weeknights...
They say it takes 21 days for a habit to form... I have to endure it for 3 weeks...
They say it takes 21 days for a habit to form... I have to endure it for 3 weeks...
Monday, October 20, 2008
Swimming...
Distance: 35 laps
Time: ~50 mins
Overall:
Great. Sun was quite light, and took the liberty to go for a slow and leisurely swim. Realised the trend that pool is usually empty at 12pm, which will then be populated by mostly guys at around 12.20 onwards. Nearly 12.50pm, the composition changes, with more ladies than men. In fact, when I left the pool, there was only 1 guy, as opposed to 5 gals. Will go and observe again soon to confirm hypothesis :P
Time: ~50 mins
Overall:
Great. Sun was quite light, and took the liberty to go for a slow and leisurely swim. Realised the trend that pool is usually empty at 12pm, which will then be populated by mostly guys at around 12.20 onwards. Nearly 12.50pm, the composition changes, with more ladies than men. In fact, when I left the pool, there was only 1 guy, as opposed to 5 gals. Will go and observe again soon to confirm hypothesis :P
Friday, October 10, 2008
Suntec to Vivo
Distance: 5.72km
Time: ~38 mins
Route: From Suntec to Vivocity
Overall: Very tiring. The knees were quite badly pounded by the track, running up and down. The terrain wasn't that great, and was running along the main road, filled with cars, trucks and alot of manure smell. Well, it was a new track, and after that felt good.
Oh ya, at the Vivocity 7-eleven, had tried to buy 100+ drinks using my ez-Link card, which the lady assured me that they accepted. So I got the drink, and as my friend was paying using her card, we started drinking...
Her card FAILED!!!! So nonchalently, I passed the counter lady (Jessie was her name) my own card to try, all the while convinced my friend's card was just an ordinary mishap.
Who knew? MY CARD FAILED AS WELL. All we brought from Suntec were our door passes and our ez-link cards to bus back to Suntec... So there we were, drinking drinks that we couldn't possibly pay. It was then that we realised this little-known fact: Apparently Ez-link cards with GIRO enablement are NOT able to be used to make retail purchases... I was blooming furious, while at the same time, exceedingly embarrassed!
And this Jessie was pressing us on how we were going to settle... Do you have ATM card? Do you have any friends here who could pay on your behalf...Oh manz, never felt so bad before! I even wondered if Jessie was going to call the police and arrest us for not paying for our stuff...
At our wits' end, a ray of hope emerged. Jessie offered this... She said, "Well, it wasn't so expensive the things you bought ($2.60), so why don't I pay for it first, and I take this $2.60 as the cost of making friends. When you next come back, (I recognise you anyway), just pay me back lor."
Such a nice person!! I guess kindness still exist. To actually offer to help strangers like that! I'm not sure that in the same situation, I would do the same for others...
Felt great after that... Good deeds make the recipients feel good, and also make the givers feel great as well... Perhaps it's time to start being kinder and gentler after all...
I must definitely go back soon to repay her ($-wise), but I also wonder if there's any way I could repay her (kindness).
Time: ~38 mins
Route: From Suntec to Vivocity
Overall: Very tiring. The knees were quite badly pounded by the track, running up and down. The terrain wasn't that great, and was running along the main road, filled with cars, trucks and alot of manure smell. Well, it was a new track, and after that felt good.
Oh ya, at the Vivocity 7-eleven, had tried to buy 100+ drinks using my ez-Link card, which the lady assured me that they accepted. So I got the drink, and as my friend was paying using her card, we started drinking...
Her card FAILED!!!! So nonchalently, I passed the counter lady (Jessie was her name) my own card to try, all the while convinced my friend's card was just an ordinary mishap.
Who knew? MY CARD FAILED AS WELL. All we brought from Suntec were our door passes and our ez-link cards to bus back to Suntec... So there we were, drinking drinks that we couldn't possibly pay. It was then that we realised this little-known fact: Apparently Ez-link cards with GIRO enablement are NOT able to be used to make retail purchases... I was blooming furious, while at the same time, exceedingly embarrassed!
And this Jessie was pressing us on how we were going to settle... Do you have ATM card? Do you have any friends here who could pay on your behalf...Oh manz, never felt so bad before! I even wondered if Jessie was going to call the police and arrest us for not paying for our stuff...
At our wits' end, a ray of hope emerged. Jessie offered this... She said, "Well, it wasn't so expensive the things you bought ($2.60), so why don't I pay for it first, and I take this $2.60 as the cost of making friends. When you next come back, (I recognise you anyway), just pay me back lor."
Such a nice person!! I guess kindness still exist. To actually offer to help strangers like that! I'm not sure that in the same situation, I would do the same for others...
Felt great after that... Good deeds make the recipients feel good, and also make the givers feel great as well... Perhaps it's time to start being kinder and gentler after all...
I must definitely go back soon to repay her ($-wise), but I also wonder if there's any way I could repay her (kindness).
Monday, October 06, 2008
Tired
Distance: ~5km
Time: ~ 36min
Rest: 45 min :P
Condition: Outdoors
Location: Running along East Coast Road
Overall:
Running outdoors is infinitely harder than running on the treadmill. There's alot more impact, alot of upslopes and downslopes, cars to avoid, intersections that hurts the momentum...
I'm just slower when I'm not dependent on a machine moving me... Gotta restart my outdoor running enough for Stanchart...
Time: ~ 36min
Rest: 45 min :P
Condition: Outdoors
Location: Running along East Coast Road
Overall:
Running outdoors is infinitely harder than running on the treadmill. There's alot more impact, alot of upslopes and downslopes, cars to avoid, intersections that hurts the momentum...
I'm just slower when I'm not dependent on a machine moving me... Gotta restart my outdoor running enough for Stanchart...
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Sunday morning jog.....
Distance: 10km
Time: 65min 40sec
Rest: 0 min
Feeling: Good!
Overall: Not out of breath. Breathing was controlled. Knees were ok, but a little cranky at the start and the end. Ankles were aching, the right one more than the left.
Hmmm, this is improving, not out of breath means that perhaps I can go a little faster, but don't want to aggravate the knees...
:)
Time: 65min 40sec
Rest: 0 min
Feeling: Good!
Overall: Not out of breath. Breathing was controlled. Knees were ok, but a little cranky at the start and the end. Ankles were aching, the right one more than the left.
Hmmm, this is improving, not out of breath means that perhaps I can go a little faster, but don't want to aggravate the knees...
:)
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Watch out....
People who are habitually late, or no-shows, please stay away.
I have grown tired of having 'friends' who keep showing up late, or keep missing appts, citing ridiculous reasons, like "I overslept", or "Sorry, last-min farewell drinks", or "My cat died", etc.
My time is precious too, as well as the resources I have invested into making the appt, sacrificing my opportunity costs, committing my friendship. And people just easily discard these things when they keep canceling/ being late on me. I would rather sit at home and watch my toenails grow, watch paint dry, then waste another second standing there waiting for you, or another beautiful sunday morning getting cancelled on and disrupting all my other plans.
I AM TIRED OF THIS.
If you cannot make it, say so in advance. Not wait till I check with you why you not around yet.
If you know you will be late, change the appt time EARLY enough to give me a chance to plan something else. Not when I'm down there waiting already for an half hour.
If you don't want to meet me, just say so. Not just push and push, or accept and cancel.
Either you value my friendship, or you don't. For those who obviously don't, please please screw off...
I have grown tired of having 'friends' who keep showing up late, or keep missing appts, citing ridiculous reasons, like "I overslept", or "Sorry, last-min farewell drinks", or "My cat died", etc.
My time is precious too, as well as the resources I have invested into making the appt, sacrificing my opportunity costs, committing my friendship. And people just easily discard these things when they keep canceling/ being late on me. I would rather sit at home and watch my toenails grow, watch paint dry, then waste another second standing there waiting for you, or another beautiful sunday morning getting cancelled on and disrupting all my other plans.
I AM TIRED OF THIS.
If you cannot make it, say so in advance. Not wait till I check with you why you not around yet.
If you know you will be late, change the appt time EARLY enough to give me a chance to plan something else. Not when I'm down there waiting already for an half hour.
If you don't want to meet me, just say so. Not just push and push, or accept and cancel.
Either you value my friendship, or you don't. For those who obviously don't, please please screw off...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Singapore GP - 28 Sep 08
AMAZING RACE! All the thrills and spills! Just DAMN fantastic! It's certainly going to be the highlight of the Formula One championships from now onwards! Will post more later...
Saturday, September 27, 2008
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