Slacking Runner

Oops, just got a wake up call from Roonz.

Been slacking for the whole week. Did no runs this week and it shows so prominently on the side bar.

What have I been doing???

Think I need to start a challenge soon.
If I din run once for the entire week, anyone is entitled to give me a hard punch in the arm.

Northern Run

The thought just keep coming back. My very "thoughtful" week lah.

Had been trying to figure out how to start up a North Side Run for quite a while now.

We have one in CBD, one in the East, one in the West, but hardly a regular one in the North except for the occasional HSP Run.

Being a lousy commuter, I always think of setting up a route for the fellow runners to run around Yishun.

But there are a couple of details to work out.

0) Start point - Need a good location. Parking for those who drive. Best if it is free parking. Tough lor, where to find. Yishun Stadium maybe.
1) Routes - Ain't too tough. Yishun has a few interesting locations.
Seletar Dam, Yishun Park, Simpang Kiri Park Connector, Hot Spring. Best of all, all locations can be covered in a single run, cos Yishun is that small.
2) Runner to Lead the run - Have to get a fast runner. I am definitely out, so it is a real bummer.
3) Sweeper - A runner who can pace the last guy of the run - another bummer, as I have a feeling that I will be even slower than the last guy, so how to be sweeper?
4) Refreshments after the run - Ain't no problem
5) Have to remain committed to organise the run regularly, else it will be just another run to forget.

So after point 2 and 3, I guess this run will just remain a thought.

Well, a plan of what I have stated is going to take place on Good Friday this year, but it is one of those holiday runs, where the runners are from all part of Singapore just for a simple run.

Let's see if we can work anything out after the GF run. :)

Are guys more technical than gals?

Are guys more technical than gals?
If not, why do I spot most guys wearing Polar RS200SD when they run, but hardly any gals.
Looking at their blogs, most guys' blogs will have their mileage clocked shown on the sidebar.
Once again, hardly any gals bother with those details.

Haha, speaking of which, reading fellow runners blog has become my favourite past time. I dun usually stayed in front of the computer after work, till I joined their forums...Ssh.....

Nike + vs Suunto T3

Spotted a few blogs stating the discrepancy between the foot pods and Nike+.

Did I have a few runs of 5+km with the 2 sports gadgets, Nike+ and Suunto T3.

Every time the T3 will report a shorter distance ranging from 700m to 1km.

Hmm, which one would I bet my money on?

I will take the Nike+ results, mainly for the reason that Nike has a established name in Sports, especially running. They would not have come out with a lousy product to tarnish their good name.

Secondly, Suunto is known more for their diving computers than their running kits.
It was a poor decision by me, to be tempted into purchasing T3 after reading its review on Sunday Times. But at > SGD $200 cheaper than a Polar RS200SD, who wouldn't be?

I should have kept to my Polar F11 and Nike+.

Hehe, wait till the GPS technology get better, I may be tempted to get a Garmin ForeRunner, maybe Garmin ForeRunner 305.
No more mapping out of routes. Just take it off Garmin. :D
But have to wait for the price of the watch to drop.

My policy still stays. No procurement of sports equipment above SGD$300, unless I have a very good reason to do so.

Hmm, my birthday is just round the corner...

Verdict : Not Guilty

Hmm, something strange must have happened last weekend.
Suddenly I have a lot of things to think about.

But now that I have reason with myself.
I realised that I am not guilty for not being able to commit myself as much as I should in terms of running over the past month and in many months to come.

One, running in the evening is becoming harder as wifee has gone back to work.
Two, having to wake up consistently in the night makes you want to sleep more, even though I used to run at the unearthly hour of 5am.

Hehe, but I will still try to make it a point to run at least once a week.

Things should be better in a few years' time when the kids are older.
But till then, I guess I will have to manage my time more wisely.
Haha, so much for a married life. Visas need to applied for almost everything.

Our Little Conversation

Daddy : Shannon wants to be a national runner in the future?
Shannon : Yes!
Daddy : Then you must train hard to become one.
Shannon : OK!

250 Days to SCSM 2007

Wah, the website is pretty quick.

Already showing the 2nd December 2007 as the actual date for SCSM 2007.

Well, I came to a conclusion today.

If my weight do not fall below 95kg by the time the Early Bird registration is about to close, I will only sign up for 21km.

Much as I hope to go for the Full Marathon, I felt that carry 0.1 ton for a long distance run will cause more problems in the long term.

So if I am able to lose 13 kg by end August, weighing in at 90kg on the race day should not be an issue.

Growing Old

Always receive those emails stating that you are old, when u still remember playing zero point, 5 stones in primary school.

Yeah, those were our days.

But I am sure I have one up against these youngsters. :)

Who has the privilege of cycling up and down TPE every weekend uninhibited.
I can always remember of joy of being able to cycle to and from Jalan Kayu to Lorong Halus along the TPE , an expressway void of traffic.

So yeah, I am growing old, but I had with me a lot of golden memories.

Yishun Ring Road Run

Haha, to avoid being punched in the face, I picked myself up and went for a Yishun Ring Road Run. Sorry guys, the punching invitation will have to wait. :)

Tried to look out for the market near the Yishun Library but could not find it. The only market I knew is the one in Chong Pang. Hmm, wonder where she is staying. Well, till next time...

Maybe I am too familiar with this route and it gets kind of boring? So the mind did some mental work.

Observations made during this run.

1) My pace stands at 6:59min/km. So my guess that interval training is required still stands.
Somehow it amaze me how I always manage to get this magic number for my pace. Been seeing this number once too often.

2) There is a NTUC near Yishun Library.
Hmm, Yishun is a blessed place. We have all sorts of amenities in such a small district.
2 x NTUCs
4 x MacDonalds (unless North View area has one, that will make it 5)
But we are also one small town managed by 2 GRCs and 2 Single Wards.
Why can't things be simpler.

3) Yishun Ring Road is managed by all 4 constituencies. So when you do a YRR Run, you are literally running through 4 constituencies. Cool eh...
Just imagine our constituencies like the states in US of A.
How interesting will it be to tell others that you have literally run through 4 states within a span of an hour.

4) I am not able to do interval training yet. I "chiong" for the traffic light at Chong Pang and it literally ends my run. What was the distance? 50m maybe...

5) I am unable to run longer distance seemingly due to the lack of fluids. I just feel the throat getting drier and drier. Swallowing of saliva does not seems to help at all.
But I dun really like to bring along a bottle of water when I run. CamelPak?
Nah, like "killing chicken using a cow's knife" (Hehe, who knows the English idiom for such a phrase?)

Hopeless, just hopeless.....
Lost some weight fast, will you!!!

P.S. If anyone has read this entry before, u will see a lot of changes. That is what happen when u try to pen down your thoughts within a space of 3 minutes.

Happiness is...

This feeling came out of the blue.

I was just browsing through Friendster reading friends' testimonals.

It reminded me that there are still friends out there whom you can be with and just be yourself.

Guess I lost those kind of trust with people when I joined CSA 7 years ago.
I never like to hide behind a mask, not even at work, but my reward for being myself is a lot of unhappiness.
Since then, I must say I have been cynical when I meet people.

But ever since I meet these folks at the CBD Run, they shown me that there is still another world out there for me to explore, for me to let myself out.

I am so glad that I have found all of you. Thanks, guys and gals.

After so long, I think I finally found the answer to Happiness.

Happiness is being myself.

Help!!!

I seriously do not know what I am doing these days.

I woke up at 5am today, but decided I need more sleep and went right back to sleep.

What happen to my discipline of running every other day. I have not been running for a week liao.

Ever since I had fever just before Chinese New Year and had that irritating sore throat that won't go away, I just lose my momentum.

Weekend Weekend. If I still dun run, someone please punch me in the face.

Male Ego

Was talking to LadyLuck about taking the Sprint Distance for OSIM Triathlon this year.
She has done the mini-triathlon last year, but has no confidence to do the Sprint Distance.

After reading Roonz blog and realised that she has yet to do a full marathon, although she has taken part in numerous half-marathons, I start to think that if a male ego is at play.

After completing my first 10km since my army days at SCSM 2006, I am all set to do the SCSM Half-Marathon.

But after considering all the races that I have intended to do during 2007, I have decided to give SCSM Full Marathon a shot.

My pace is nowhere near Roonz, my race experience is zilch, yet this super rookie is super ambitious.

I notice that most guys won't hesitate to do long distances , but ladies will try out numerous LSDs before they proceed for the BIG one.

Am I going to crash and burn this December???

Or even worse this April's Mizuno-MR25 Mount Faber Run....

Future Vertical Marathoner

Think we have a vertical marathoner-wannabe (hehe, hope I did not infringe any copyright here) in the making.

We went to the pasar malam at Khatib after our dinner.

After walking the length of the pasar malam, my dear Shannon wanted to climb up the stairs. Thus up we go. After reaching the top, all she wanted to do was to walk down the stairs.

The process repeated for 5 times.
During the 4th time, I counted the steps. There is a total of 30 steps. Thus she has climbed 150 steps. Divided that by the average steps per HDB floor, my little girl has climbed almost an entire HDB block by herself.

If I had not stopped her from continuing, who knows how many times more she had wanted to carry on.

Was amazed by her athleticsm. Think she has inherited her genes from her daddy. :)

SGRunners

I already had a lot of respect for the guys and gals of SGRunners.
But over the weekend, that quantity just multiply ten-fold.
Although I was not there at both events - Singapore Biathlon and KL Marathon , but from the blog entries and forum postings, you can feel how closely knitted the family is.
And to think that we are from all walks of life with a passion for running.
The encouragement for SV during the Singapore Biathlon is something that I can only imagine.
The other motivating factor about this group is that some of the guys just do not know what is call "shag".
They completed the SB on Saturday, rush down to the Bus Terminal to catch the bus to KL for the KLIM which starts at 4am. It is less than 18 hours in between both events.
TeeLee even has time to update his blog after the SB before he proceed for the KLIM.
Kudos to all the guys and guys who compete and/or support both events.

P.S. A bit disappointed that I did not manage to do the Singapore Biathlon for the 2nd year running.......
Also missed the chance to absorb the atmosphere of the event. Well, I guess there is always a next time.
Hehe, to compensate for that, I guess the best reward is to see Shannon's delight during the Desaru trip. My little girl is really growing up fast.

Holiday Run

In Desaru right now.
Really lazing away the days.
But isn't that is what holidays are about.
So shiok that they have complimentary Internet Access @ Sebana Cove.
Else I may be bored to h...
Went for a morning run at the gym this morning.
Almost fell off the treadmill fiddling with the iPod.
Been a year since I last stepped on a treadmill. Still prefer to run on the roads.
But it is definitely better for the knees. Sigh, see how it goes.
Did a 4.3 km run within 30 minutes.
Still unable to push my pace below 6:30km/h.
Think weight loss is a major factor in determining my pace.
Speaking of which, I have been only losing 1kg per month.
What can I do????

Slacker Slacker

Sigh, sometimes really hate it when I cannot run for days.
Sometimes it is so tough when you have kids.
Hard to run on weekends. And the best time for you to run on weekdays is when the kids are still asleep.
Having working hours that start at 8am means that I have to wake up around 5.30am.
But I still amaze my colleagues, as none of them assume that running before work is humanely possible.

To compound to it, the evenings has not been too kind either.
The CBD Run was cancelled due to rain. :(
Targeting to chalk up 2 runs at Desaru. :)

Blog Comments and Confirmation Slip

Hehe, never realise that anyone would be reading my blog.
But I must say, I am happy to pen down my thoughts.
Did not realise that Roonz and Angie has posted comments on my blog.
Sigh, not very good with this Blogger stuff.
Anyway, just realise that I can get notified through email if someone leaves a comment.
Hmm, ain't Blogger a bit dumb? They have an option for us to login using our Gmail account, can't they default the mailing address for the comments to Gmail?

Handed my Singapore Biathlon place to AerosolCan.
Glad that my confirmation slip did not go to waste.
After going through 2 swim trials just to make the cut, I am sort of disappointed that I will not be able to participate in the race.

Oh well, Family comes first.
Going to Desaru for a family trip this week.
The trip was not in the plan when I signed up for the race in November 2006.

There is always another race I can take part in.
Not too sure if Aquathlon participation can qualify as a certified Biathlon.
Else I would have to go through another swim trial next year.

CBD Run aborted!!!

Today is exactly 1 month since I last join the SGrunners for the CBD Run.
Thought that it would have been good to finally be able to join the SGRunners for another run.
When I reached Wallick Lane, it was still okay. The slight drizzle does not seems to faze all the hard-cored runners.
Some runners like Juwatin and Bee came in their sandals though, refusing to change into running shoes till the last possible moment.
But after waiting half an hour for the others to arrive, we had lightning and a 10-minute shower and the run was called off.
As the other guys proceed to Lao Pa Sat, I proceed home.

Consistency

Not very consistent in my runs after CNY.
Not doing my alternate day runs any more.
But it should be okay, I should not be slave to my body.
Rather take running as a way to keep fit.
Lose weight??? Hmm, not much weight loss yet, but hope it does soon.

Pretty worried about Roonz.
She is pretty active, but exercising to the extent of numbing oneself???
Anyway, should not be so kay poh, just concerned.

Suunto T3 Running Pack

Bought the Suunto T3 Running Pack on 15th February 2007 from Amazon through vPostUSA.

After a long 22 days wait, the parcel finally arrived.

Something to comment about the delivery.

Although I do not know why it took so long to leave the Amazon warehouse, the tracker updates of the delivery package was good.

Its tracker details matches those of US Postal Services (USPS), its courier services scan timing to a T.

I could not say the same thing about vPostUSA. It has only one status. "Processed in USA" is all I got during my whole 8 days of wait since the package arrive in Compton, California, the location of vPOSTUSA in the States.

I ended up writing email to vPostUSA numberous times to check on the status.

Back to the package.

The Suunto Running Pack consisted of a Suunto T3 watch, a HR Belt and a Foot Pod.

First impression really sucks.

Given its reputation in Diving Computers, I have expected the quality of the watch to be similar to Polar watches.

But it is nowhere near. The strap looks flimsy, likely to last only 1 year?

It has a lot of LCD space, but it refuses to display the full date.It only shows 09.03. To the untrained, this could means anything. Why can they just print out the year as well. 09.03.2007 or 09.03.07 would have been nice.

Secondly, the display is pretty dimmed. And I just got confirmation from Suunto Helpdesk that the contrast cannot be adjusted. Bummer

2nd Bummer : The logs cannot be deleted. Even if I have started the stopwatch accidentally. Sigh.... should have stick to Polar...

Well, it is my choice. Will hv to stick with it.

22nd Run of 2007, 3rd Recovery Run

Did the exact same route that I have completed for the last 2 runs. A bit disappointed, cos there is no improvement in pace. I guess the only method to build up my pace is to do interval training. But by doing so, I am afraid that I may not have enough energy to finish the run. Let's me think about it.

21st Run of the 2007 / 2nd Recovery Run

Did my second run in 2 days.Testing my limits in a way, cos the last time I tried, the body just could not take it.Maybe I have built up my stamina liao?

Maybe what one of the SGRunners said is true.When you have build up your stamina, even if you slack for a while, you will stil be able to perform your runs well.Think the trick is "dun rest too long between breaks".

Took the exact same route as yesterday. The run went pretty fine.

Recovery Run

Lost count of the number of runs that I have done.

Anyway, did a count on the Nike+, total 20 runs since the start of 2007.

But I am happy today, as I have crossed the century mark for my Nike+ Runs.

I am running fine, except for a blocked nose and slightly irritating sore throat that never seems to go away.

NUS Biathlon 2007

Completed my first Biathlon.

Sprint Distance of 750m swim and 5km run.

Official timing is the whole race 1:00:24, while the swim finish is 23:50.

My Timex recorded my Run Start at 26:50. I must have been taking my own sweet 3 minutes time for the transition.

Run time should be quite be quite accurate. Timex was recorded as 35:59, while Nike+ recorded 35:44.

Anyway, just glad that I have completed the race.

Except for a bit of abrasion on my sole, I feels good.

Meet up with the SGRunners gang.

Sotong, Mrs Sotong, Ripley, Cookiee, CFred84, SV, Roonz, Angie, GuguGaga, Swyog, lcpsimongoh, TeeLee, Charmane were all there to either participate or lend support.

So glad to have know the group. Make participating more fun.

Rather than just run and go back home, now I am able to talk, joke and have fun during all my races.

Roonz cycled all the way from Yishun to ECP. Had a bad fall trying to avoid a careless cyclist.

Bad cuts and abrasion on her elbow and knees. But she still carry on with the race. Kudos to Roonz. Take good care of yourself, Roonz. Cut down on your exercise for the time being ok.

NUS Biathlon Before the Race

Later this morning I will be going to the NUS Biathlon.
Woke up early today cos of my daughter. :)
Could not get back to sleep.
With only 4 hours of sleep, I hope I will be okay during the race.
Wish I can do well during the race.

NUS Biathlon Pre-Race Pack

Got the NUS Biathlon Pre-Race Pack.

Luckily took a look out for my Bib No. before queueing. It delayed the queue as a lot of ppl din bother to check the noticeboard before queueing?

NUS could have done it better, how hard is it to look up a name in a Excel spreadsheet? How come they dun have that on their registration booths?

Wanted to wait for the other guys from SGRunners, but the only gal I saw after hanging around for half an hour was Angie.

Being the forever shy guy who always have problems approaching gals, I din approach Angie, although I keep looking in her direction. Sad, she din recognise me from the Pre-Valentine Day CBD Run.