24th November 2012 Running

The run is too embarrassing to post in my training log.

First 1km feels fine.
500m later, I feel like sxxx.
2km down, I can still run, but my body just refuse to.

This book helps plenty.
This book make me realise that even the great Jeff went through the same sxxxxy feeling I get once in a while. =)

It is just one of those days....
Days where you feel good and bad at the same time.

The dusk skyline looks awesome.
But the air feels awful.

Oh well, till another day. =)

22nd December 2012 Cycling

I really wanna thank my 3 mentors for watching over my training (logs).
It is really hearty to get those hi-fives. :)

****

Out of the house at 5:20, I am at least 5km behind the train.

Rode hard to Mandai Shell and was contemplating what route to do along the way.
Was surprised to see Spencer.
He mentioned that he has been waiting for Mike Tan for the past 5 mins.
We decided to ride ahead after I confirmed that I din past anyone along the way.
Haha, both of us had intended to do a Mandai Loop and called it a day, had we not seen each other. ;p

I took the lead and rode hard.
Thighs are burning. Been a long time since I had such a sensation.

Reached Newton to find Mike drinking coffee with the gang!
Spencer could have missed him while pulling into Mandai Shell.

After brekkie, I had Spencer for company all the way to Mandai-Sembawang before peeling off for home.
Thanks, Spencer!

14th November 2012 Running

Collectively, I sleep 9 hours for the past 2 nights.
I was so tired while putting the kids to sleep that I could not string the alphabets song together.
No wonder I was totally un-enthusiastic about cycling this morning.

******

Start my run at 6:30am.
During the first km, my eyes keep closing. I am really that sleepy.
Second km, I am slightly awake.
Third km, I am feeling good.
I find I am running at a better pace as compared to my previous runs.
This is the route I like.
No traffic lights. 1 loop, that is it! =)
Shaved another minute off my timing. Yipee!
Hopefully the timing will not plateau too early.

*******

I just cannot make sense of my pace.
When I first started running, I am doing sub-7 min/km pace consistently for a few months.
Those were the days before Garmin and I am doing a 6 km route.
Take the total time divided by the distance. This includes traffic light stops.

Then my timing just deteriorate. I start doing 8:30 min/km pace.
During all my races, I am doing 8 min/km pace.

Last year, I start doing 9 min/km pace both for runs and races.
Last year's pace make sense as I started to control my heart rate to do a consistent pace.

These few runs, I have to run regularly to bring down the pace, but the distance is a lot shorter.
But will I ever see light of sub-7 min/km pace again?

13th November 2012 Musings

With 4 hours of sleep, I was contemplating whether to ride.
Decided to do the FOTR Deepavali Ride sans the Hockey Stick.
Plan was to catch them along Jalan Buroh.

I had never like the Hockey Stick although I had never rode that stretch before. (Driving in that area is already a mystery to me)
The bad feeling lingers.
Maybe today is just not the day for a mystery ride.
May just ride there one day.

Added an extra bottle in case this turns out to be a solo ride. Was about to step out of the house when I hear the all too familiar sound outside the window!

Gosh,  this really looks like a sign for me not to cycle today. The timing could not be any closer.
I shall not tempt fate today.

11th November 2012 Swimming

Finally took FR910XT for a swim.
The laps came up to exactly 1000m.
Somehow I do not trust the watch when it tells me that I completed my swim in 23:17 min.
A look at the laps proves a bit unbelievable.
There is no way I can do 27seconds or 38seconds for 50m!
I will take the elapsed time of 24:52 as the official time!
The only reason I can think of for such incredible timing is that I change stroke mid way into the lap.
But then again, some of the stroke counts dun make sense too.
Oh well, next time I will probably stick to a single swim stroke and see how things go.

10th November 2012 Running

Was sifting through and clearing my FB messages.

This is what I found. Sweet memories.
Bintan Triathlon 2008

I also just realised why I feared Tour de Bintan!
I went to TdB with an alu bike, normal cranks and 3 bottles of plain water!!!
Not so much about the bike, but 3 bottles of plain water? No salt tablets, no electrolytes (Gosh, din even know about such stuff till 2011. Really a super noob.)

Reading back on messages dated 2009 to 2011, it was really awful.
I am literally working most weekends and public holidays.
Glad those days are over.

 ****

Felt the urge to do a run so off I went.
Again, the first km was tough.
But once past that, things got better although the second km always meant a gentle climb.
I can feel the pace a little faster than yesterday but that does not necessary translate into better timing.
Was so disappointed when I saw 34.58 on the watch.
Only when I brought up yesterday's timing did I gain some relief...
I was half a minute quicker. Phew...

10th November 2012 Cycling

Ending the 90mins (over the) air support at 4:30am, it was time to prep for the ride.

Out of the house at 4:50am, I proceed to do a Old Mandai Road loop and a mini Mandai loop before joining the group at Mandai Shell.

Pace was good with slight amendments to the route.
We rode to Admiralty via Riverside Road.

Along Sembawang Road, Kitten Mandai got dropped, but John is there to sweep her.

Along Seletar West Link, the lead rider step on the accelerator and the stragglers got stranded.

Although I thought I was bonking, I managed to find enough energy to pull Karen and Valerie.
Maybe it is a guy's thing? I probably dun wanna look bad in front of the gals? ;p

Pace was quick all the way to Loyang Shell where I decided to U-turn and ride home vis Punggol Park. ;)

Happy distance meant not trying to do more distance than what my body can handle.

Happy morning meant that I still made it in time to have brekkie with my family. :)

9th November 2012 Brick Training #2

Out of the house at 5:05am, I hit the Mandai slopes at 5:16am.
The train is nowhere to be seen.
Extrapolating my timing, I should reach Mandai Shell at 5:28am-5:30am
There is no reason for me to miss the train, unless...

Reaching Mandai Shell at 5:28am, the train rolled in soon after.
Mike asked me if I wanna follow him for tomorrow's ride reece and I obliged.
There may be some changes to the route tomorrow.
Instead of crossing into Admiralty Road via Woodlands Road, we may travel via Woodlands Center Road.
Instead of passing through Yishun, we may go along Sembawang Road to avoid the bizarre traffic lights along the route. =)

Reaching home before 6:30am and clocking less than 30km on the bike, I decided to go for a run. =)
First km was tough, but as the distance grows, the endorphins kicked in.
Happy feeling kicked in, speed picked up slightly, run distance seems shorter.
I may be able to go on for another 2km, but decided that I have to let the feeling stay positive, thus I stick on my orignial plan. =)

Proceed for a well earned brekkie, before returning home. =)

6th November 2012 Cycling

Trying to motivate Daniel to cycle, Gerald and I keep sending him messages daily to entice him to cycle.

***

Reaching Sembawang-Mandai traffic junction, I was surprised to see the train coming up Sembawang slopes!
Must be the JRT and I wasn't wrong!
Again, I got sucked in and spit out in quick succession.

Reached Mandai Shell only to realise that there is a second train coming in.
While the cyclists are contemplating whether to continue or turn back due to the impending rain report, I rode ahead with the Newbies United (NU).

Cycling in the middle of the pack was scary.
The cyclists keep swaying left and right.
I decided to let the riders go ahead after Bukit Panjang.

Was surprised to see Lizzie trailing after the group.
She prompted me to go ahead, but I decided to stay with her.
Turned out she has an impending flu.
Rode and chat with her till she turned off at Stevens Road.

Joined the group at Newton for brekkie before proceeding home with Spencer.
Thanks, mate!

3rd November 2012 Brick Training #1

Possibly my first solo ever brick training. Lol

******

All ready to leave for the ride, a look at the phone gave me a mild hear attack.
Showers?
Quickly log on to NEA and my fear as unwarranted.

Climbing Mandai Road at 5:18am, I am all ready to be sucked into the FOTR slipstream anytime now.
Reached Mandai Shell and less than a minute later, the train pulled in.

Along Neo Tiew Road, I hanged on desperately onto the lead rider.
It was so much easier to draft someone than to do it alone.
Out onto the main road, I asked the group to go ahead repeatedly but no one is listening. I ended up keeping tag with the guys.  Thanks, guys!

Reaching Lim Chu Kang Straight, all hell broke loose as Ivan lead the charge!

I could not keep up and BFG fall back to lead me. Thanks, Boss!

We picked up Theo and BFG stayed with him while I picked up my pace slightly.
Boss is not going to leave anyone behind.

While waiting at the Bukit Batok traffic junction,  Boss rolled in with an unexpected guest, Dennis!

Dennis was five minutes late and have chased the group all the way.
Given the fast pace of the extremely small group this morning, Dennis's achievement is notable.

Travelling via Woodlands Road and Mandai Road, I bid the group farewell along Yishun Avenue 1. Thanks for the ride,  guys.

Reaching home, my family were still sound asleep.

I decided to go for a run.
This is probably the first time I did a solo brick training!
Hard to imagine hearing that from a triathlete hor? =p

Pace wasn't fantastic but I am happy.
Past a gal along Sembawang Road.
It wasn't till we exchanged greetings did I notice her.
Confirmed with her later via Facebook that she was indeed Amanda.
Active Yishun runner whom I am met for the first time. =)

Complete the Yishun-Sembawang mini loop and rewarded myself to a hearty brekkie before continuing on my family duties. =)

1st November 2012 Cycling

Out of the house at 5am, I had time to do Old Mandai Road and hopefully join the group along Sembawang Road.
Hitting Sembawang Road at 5:15am, I am pretty sure that I have missed the group.
The only puzzle is why I did not past any riders on Old Mandai Road.

While climbing Mandai Road, Gerald overtook me and told me the group is behind.
I got chewed and spit out from the group during the climb!

While waiting for the light to turn green, Aaron introduces himself.
First question he asked "Are you a triathlete?" (Looking at my rear hydration system)
Keke, this is new to me. =D

He just got back to cycling, so did I, thus we decided to take it easy.
He started doing triathlons this year and is targeting to qualify for Kona within 3 years. Wow!
His knowledge of the three disciplines is good, I wish him luck!

Reaching Newton, NU were wondering what happen to Aaron.
Aaron introduce me to the group. =)

Long after the group has left, Aaron and I sat down and chat before it was time for us to leave for home. ;)