30th March 2013 Musings

Perfect morning for cycling.
But with 2 pretty stuffed nostrils, it is really easy for me to abandon the ride even though I was up bright and early at 3am. :(
Darn the haze.

27th March 2013 Cycling

Managed to catch the JR 3rd Newbie train along Woodlands Road after a long chase.
Lost the group at Hume Ave but managed to catch them again at Bukit Timah.
That is where I see that Marcus Pang still have not grown up.
Someone in the pack broke loose and to chase the pack,  Marcus chose to ride in the middle of the second car lane.
Previously, I let him off when he choose to cut right in front of the bus causing the poor bus to e-brake.
The bus cannot advance causing the whole train to go in front of the bus.
This really reflect badly on the JR group,  especially so cos of an immature Ride Leader.
But today's action is totally unwarranted.
Riding rear, u wonder how long he is going to stay in the second lane.
It is a good 20 seconds before he veer back into the group.
20 seconds too long...

Took a lone ride home after stopping for a cuppa at Newton.

Strava Premium

Hehe, some of you know that I have been uploading my training logs religiously to Strava.

It is good to get kudos from friends. =p

Recently, Strava is offering a Strava Premium Free 1 month Trial which is expiring tomorrow, 27th March 2013.

Decided to sign up for the trial.
The catch is that you need to cancel the trial before the month is up or you will be paying an annual fee of USD59 / UKP36 once the trial is over.

It offer the additional features of showing your Suffer Score based on your HR and Estimated Power Analysis.

Sad to say, I only started wearing my HRM for the past few rides after reading an article by Mark Allen.
I have never understood the reason behind using a HRM for training till I read his article.

Thus I am not able to see most of my Suffer Score for the previous rides. Especially those of IMWA 2011. =(

But looking back at MetaSprint Duathlon 2013, I noticed that I have maxed out my HR Zone for both the bike and runs.
There is nothing more that I can give for that race.

It also shows that I have been taking it too easy for my morning rides. =p

Interesting stuff but not sure if it is worth the money to sign up long term, just for 2 extra features....

Having said that, if I do not train, it will be more money down the long kang...

The 'Accidental' Diver

Umizaru - A good movie about divers

*****

I got my PADI Open Water Diver Certification a decade ago.

Having seen WK's video posted by CL, it brought back memories.

Circumstances surrounding WK's demise can be puzzling but as a diver I can understand the danger spots after watching the video.

If my memories served me right, here is the account of the 'Accidental' Diver.

Jo went for her PADI Certification and did not pass the test as she had panic attacks underwater. 

The divemaster suggested that I join her and I readily agree. O_o

Had one/two theory lessons before proceeding for 2 or 4 practical lessons at the Outram pool.

The first pool lesson was a culture shock as you have to learn to breathe in and out through your regulator.

It is something that do not come naturally to any of us.

You start getting comfortable with it and all the certification drills gets easier.

Being Jo's buddy, she is definitely more relaxed as noted by the Dive Master. Lol.

Night to Mersing. Our bus went to the wrong jetty and it was a sprint to the correct jetty as the boat cannot wait too long! Got there in the nick of time and we were on the boat in a blur. 

I am not a guy who got  seasick easily but the 5 hours ride to Puala Aur got most of us wanting to throw out. 

I got to know the wonder of Peppermint Medicated Oil. Lol

I do not have much recollection about the accommodation and food.

The first dive was going down a rope which was set out in an L shape.

Depth was 10m (likely) or 20m.

Buddies were at either side of the rope at Sea Bottom.

I recall that we were instructed not to look up in case of panic attacks.

After completing the drills, I looked up and was in awe.

I am really here. Tons of water above me and I am here, kneeling at the Sea Bottom.

This is way cooler than staring up from the 4.5m Deep Pool which I have the luxury of diving in every week during my school days. :)

The 4.5m weekly dives probably explains my lack of anxiety during the Open Water Dives.

(Those were the days. I seriously dun think it will be allowed in today's schools anymore)

We went to a site near the rocks where there were scores of boats around. 

There were a school of fish swimming in circles and the view was stunning.

Swam right into the middle of them and see them swimming around you is priceless. 

Tried to touch the fishes but they just swim around you without breaking formation.

I recall going to Dayang on the second day.

Having helped out in the boat throughout the course, the DiveMaster deemed it fit for me to go into the water first on our last dive instead of one of his Diving Instructors.

There was two ways to enter the water.

The Giant Step Entry or the Seated Entry.

Seated Entry is more hazardous as you lost orientation momentarily during entry. Worst still if you got your regulator knocked out of your mouth. 

But a head count will be conducted before descent.

At Dayang, I entered the water and immediately got swept almost 5-10m away from the boat. Got 'scolded' for swimming away without instructions. 

It was much later that DM realised that I was trying to keep up as the boat got swept around by the currents.

He dropped a rope. I hung onto the rope and was immediately pulled along by the boat.

My immediate task was to ensure that all the trainees hang onto the rope.

After a headcount, we were reminded again to watch out for trigger fish before we made our descent and began our guided dive.

The corals and fishes were stunning.

It was a wonderful experience. 

Hehe, I do have a little difficulty swimming though as Jo was grabbing onto me too tightly and there was no way I could tell her to loosen.

There came a stage where I could hardly move that I have to shake her hand loose and I hold onto her instead. Lol.

Too soon, we have to make our ascent and were given the congratulatory message that all of us have passed the test. :)

I recall that there were two other boats in close proximity and they will be called upon and all dives abandoned if any of the trainees of either boat got into trouble.

This conclude the account of the 'Accidental' Diver

24th March 2013 MetaSprint Duathlon

Losing on e bike to SW is a hard pill to swallow. It hits at your confidence many times over.
Today's race has me thinking if I still have it in me to complete another Ironman.
Then I realised that I got another more urgent item on hand!
June's Kuantan Century Ride!
I am running out of time training for the ride!
The Ironman fate shall result from KCR.

****

As the race starts at 9am, I took my time to wake up, had brekkie and prep C-One for the ride.
Took a relaxed ride to the race but got kan cheong when I could not find the transition point and keep circling around the estate.
After riding Alize for so long, I can really feel the loss of power transfer on C-One.

Set up my transition with 15 mins to spare. The race started with me right behind the pack. Within 400m, I know I am blowing it at a pace I am not comfortable with.
Took a cup of plain water at the 1km mark and realised the fatal mistake!
That is the only water point for the entire race!!!
Met Alex, Sotong and Tekko during the race.
Thanks guys! So glad to see familiar faces! :)
Reaching T1, I glupped down half a bottle of water before starting the ride.
The ride was becoming embarrassing.
My strongest discipline and I am getting passed by cyclists in all shapes and sizes and in all sorts of bikes.
Really hope the embarrassment will end soon. It does not help to see SW zooming past me.
Dan keep shouting out encouragements but even he is pulling away fast. *Dig hole and hide*
After T2, it was a painful walk to finish the race. I gulped down 3 cups of isotonic drinks at the 1 km mark but that is hardly enough to replenished whatever fluid I had lost.
Finished the race in 1:44hr.
Took a slow ride home and realised that I won't have enough energy to make it home.
Stopped over at Jalan Kayu for my lunch before proceeding home.

22 March 2013 Cycling

Did a Newton Ride. Stopped over at Newton for brekkie.
Joyce was always so excited to see me. Realised that I am one of the 'Old Guards' still cycling with JR.
On e way home, Spencer and I stopped over at Casuarina for more breakfast before heading home. (I am not the hungry one. ;) )

17th March 2013 Swimming

While accompanying my daughter for her swim class, I took the chance to do an easy 1.2km swim.
Kept the HR low till two swimmers came alongside me.
Did okay and did a 50m sprint at the end. =p

***

Had a dream...
First half of the dream, I dreamt that I was taking part in a race and someone was taking my photos.
I was as slim as can be.
Second half of the dream, I was bodygliding myself while putting on my wetsuit while the race was waving off the competitors in waves. Lol...

17th March 2013 Musings

As boss has mentioned in his blog before, we should all train more and blog less.
Indeed, I find it more beneficial to do so.
Do not need to stress about writing about all the cycling but only blog occasionally. =p

After 3 rides in January and February 2013, I decided to start riding again.
Time to lose some serious weight. Which I have not been successful so far.
Oh well, history tells me that the weight won't decline so fast.
But I am already making a little progress. Hovering around 108 now, instead of the fearful 110.7kg

1st March 2013. 41km

3rd March 2013. Was cycling alone along Seletar West Link and Mandai after missing the FOTR train. Chanced upon another lone cyclist along Mandai Road whom we keep overtaking each other and decided to chat with him. Turns out he is going to NTU Bike Rally. NTU Bike Rally? Didn't that happened yesterday??? I was aware that it was initially slated for 23rd February 2013, which is a Saturday, and was aware that it was postponed till a week later, but I was caught totally wrong footed about the change in day!
Realising that he has 25 mins to reach NTU from Mandai Shell and is attempting to ride there via Neo Tiew, I advised him on taking Tengah Road as a faster alternative. He looked confused but he understood my directions.
Bid him farewell and U-turn back at Mandai Shell.
After 1km, I decided to tag along to guide him along the way. After all, I do not have any concrete cycling plan for the day.
While he joined the group at Tengah-LCK junction, I decided to ride to NTU to start my ride there. =p
Team Bandung is the sweeper team for NTU Bike Rally.
Some unpleasant sights of selfish riders along the way.
A group of 4 'more experienced' riders were hogging the single lane along Old LCK even though I shouted out about vehicles coming from the rear.
Bike Crew were flouting traffic rules when they should be the one setting the good examples.
Cyclists riding on the second and third lane of Mandai Ave got me shouting at the top of my lungs the entire stretch.
Decided it is not worth getting myself so agitated, I decided to turn left at Yishun Ave 2 instead of the planned Seletar West Link.

4th March 2013. I could not stand up straight. The lower back was hurting...

5th March 2013. 以毒攻毒. While I cannot stand up straight, the pain seems to have miraculously disappear once I am not the bike. But I can really feel the tail bone...

6th March 2013. I have problem getting out of bed. Ultimately managed to roll out of bed. :( I have trouble taking deep breath, cough or sneeze which will cause me to double over. :(( I felt like I have aged 10 years overnight.

7th March 2013. The pain seems to have miraculously disappeared! I feel 10 years younger!

8th March 2013. Took my chance on the bike again and survived. =D

9th March 2013. Pure laziness made me sleep thru a wonderful morning.

10th March 2013. Unable to ride due to work. =(

13th to 16th March 2013. My most productive streak yet. =D
Day 1 : Usual JR Newton 41km plus 2 loops of Old Mandai Road

Day 2 : Usual JR Newton 41km plus 1 loop of Old Mandai Road

Day 3 : Usual JR Newton 41km. Decided against doing junk miles.

Day 4 : Joined FOTR along Yishun Dam. Got lost with Kelvin Ong and Jonathan after getting dropped. I did about 20km shorter than the rest of the gang. =p

Day 5 : Probably won't happen.... Am blogging now at 1:30am while getting hit by insomnia...