Angry Music Makes Me Run Fast(er)

After a long hard day at work, running let's off all that steam; the pent up frustration and anger. Angry music makes me kick it into full gear.

Fuelling all my rage, burning all that lactic acid in the legs and then doing crunches/chin ups until i run out of breath, and go some more...





...but i refrain from doing the Godzilla scream at the end. Don't wanna freak the neighbours out.

Food, what else.

My colleague is a temptress. Knowing full well i'm getting back on a diet, she took me out to ION Orchard for lunch and...

I had the best tasting japanese ramen yet - Aoba Hokkaido Ramen. Every aspect of the ramen was cooked perfectly. The noodles were springy, the char siew was flavourful, the broth is lethal. Yes, i drank every drop of it.

Had soft shell crab and mentai chicken wings (oh, the coating of cheese...) to go along with that. And that wasn't it...

Chocolate Souffle from Gusttimo. Oh man, oh man.. i was advised to eat it fast, because the chocolate tastes best when it's still oozing warm, ready to burst out from the sponge soft exterior. With a scoop of cool cream, the mix of hot and cold sweetness from the cream and chocolate really brought on a delightful flavour to the palate. Sweeeeeet.

So that's how you eat it. To quote a wise man, "like that then got flavour".

Obviously this post was supposed to be about the diet, but it turned out more like a food review. Epic fail.

Lack of Motivation

I feel bad that i am feeling this way. I'm experiencing a severe crash in interest in training. It's not just a plateau i've hit, it seems like i'm totally not concerned about training anymore.

Reminder: I have an Ironman in March. With three months left, my training should be well on its way and reaching it's peak soon.

Instead, i'm still chilling after this month's marathon and i can't keep disciplined to train/diet properly (or not like i used to) because i don't even think about it.

Reflecting on why this is the case, the most plausible reason is that i'm putting focus on other things like spending more time with friends, family and priorities have shifted towards becoming less anal about training.

This has evidently resulted in me failing to achieve the goals i've set out in training. Having supposed to start intensive training, i ended up only doing three middle distance runs last week and definitely exceeded my weekly caloric intake. Looking back, i would be very upset and make up for it, but i did not even bother.

And now, i wonder where that fire went. 'Retirement' beckons. No way, man. Seriously?

Run Fatboy Run

I must be crazy. It did sound like a good idea couple of months ago when I signed up for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon back in September. In the wee hours of Sunday, 7 December 2009 at the Esplanade Bridge, it was anything but when I started the 42 kilometre run with 15,000 thousand other runners. Well, at least there were 15,000 others who were just as insane as I am.

In our lifetime, there are some memories that are eternally etched in our minds. You remember them so vividly; the emotion of that very incident, like your first kiss. Well, running a marathon is quite similar, other than the fact that it felt more like the first heartbreak. And to think I could remember it so clearly in 2008, my first marathon (also the Standard Chartered marathon) was the most painful thing I’ve done in my life, why would I subject myself to such torture?

At 5.30am, when Guest-of-Honour Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr George Yeo flagged off the full marathon, it was too late for regrets. Backing out now would be the most unmanly thing to do. “It’s only going to take 6 hours tops, so just get it over and done with it,” I told myself.

The euphoria at the starting line did help to get some adrenalin pumping, with the Black-Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow” getting the full marathoners all hyped up. As the runners took off at the starting line, it was all a familial affair - giving the neighbouring runners high-fives and masculine jabs of encouragement. We started running through Singapore’s Central Business District easily.

But after a mere five kilometers later, the atmosphere changed dramatically. It was dark, damp and silent. The sun hasn’t come up yet, your body’s starting to perspire despite the cool morning air, and when everybody’s pacing their breaths for the next 37 kilometres, nobody is talking. Running down Nicoll Highway, it looked like an endless straight road of misery up ahead.

Surprisingly, I kept up with the pace as we turned into Mountbatten road and towards East Coast Park. The sun starting coming up and the scenic view of a sunrise helped keep my mind off the repetitive steps of feet pounding the road. Having done several jogs around East Coast Park previously, the confidence of familiarity did wonders for me. And as we turned at the halfway mark near the National Sailing Centre, I felt fresh and was good for to go until the end.

I was terribly wrong. At the 30 kilometre mark, my feet felt like they were filled with lead. The lactic acid started to build up and I could not help but to feel that I should have been better prepared nutritionally for a moment like this. Coming out of East Coast Park and back towards Fort Road, I started to drag my feet. It was already nine in the morning and some of the residents staying around the area came out with their fanfare to encourage us.

If I were in their shoes, I would probably be thinking, “why subject yourself to such agony on a beautiful Sunday morning? You gotta be nuts.” Well, but that’s just me.

They were in good spirits; giving out drinks, bananas and high-fives to us. Unfortunately, at that point of time, all the strength I had was just enough to muster a smile at the supporters.

The remaining ten kilometers was just a blur. I believe that is what the professionals call “hitting the wall”, but mine was less dramatic than crawling to the finish line. I started walking and just when I thought the worst was over, came the ‘valley of death’.

I will always remember that slope down, then up Republic Avenue. It was already that late stage in the run when everyone is almost depleted, why is there such an insurmountable slope there to demoralize us? As I mentally hurled expletives at the event organizers, I grudgingly crept forward to what seemed like a climb up Everest.

But once that was over and done with, what remained was just the sheer desire to get to the finish line. Running past Glutton’s Bay, down under the Esplanade Bridge and finally surfacing at Saint Andrew’s Road, there was total disregard for my body and the excitement of seeing the words, “FINISH” gave me the unexplainable energy to pick up my feet and make a last ditch jog towards the welcoming arms of my ‘adoring fans’. Kudos to the supporters at the finish line!

As I crossed the finish line and wobbled to the Padang, I felt such relief and an overwhelming sense of achievement. And although I questioned myself just six hours earlier, the feeling of finishing a 42 kilometre run in under six hours to me was all worth it in the end.

I could be crazy, but 2010 anyone?

Tomorrow is just a day away!

I'm hyped! After collecting my race pack and having very nice "onion-less" lunch company, it's time to prepare for Sunday...

Run, family, flight to Philippines... Seeya guys, be back on Thursday!

Recover

I'm feeling loads better. Going to do a light run tomorrow to see how the body reacts. I'm still planning to run 42 this Sunday.

Flu

Ha! I think it's funny, really.

Everything is happening this Sunday - the marathon at 5.30 am followed by my midnight flight to Philippines. Now i'm getting the flu. Ha. Ha.

Seriously. No, really.

Screw you stupid flu bug. Die a miserable death. Resurrect your sorry self so i can kill you again. I'll kill you until you die from it.

Now i'm nervous

Ok. So, now i'm nervous.

Had a really good look at next Sunday's race route to get myself mentally prepared. The mixed emotions are finally settling in. Checking out my route; it's almost similar to last year's (how different could it get right?) and i've been training on a good part of it, from Kallang MRT to the National Sailing Centre and back, during my long weekend runs.

Looking at my preparation, i should be able to improve on last year's timing. That's if all conditions warrant it - like my knee and if i pace myself correctly so i don't walk out the last 10km. Preparing myself mentally meant that i can imagine the atmosphere at the start line. This year, being the third time i'm running in Stan Chart, the euphoria doesn't seem to attract me anymore. Don't get me wrong, the adrenalin and novelty of it all was what helped me finish the races and made it memorable.

But I'm not cajoled by it anymore. I don't fancy the high-5s to your neighbouring runners, waving your hands as you start/finish, the hordes of female supporters cheering you on as if they really want to have your children, the finisher shirt that everybody will be proudly wearing for the next couple of weeks.

I just hope for a quiet, focused race. Doing everything right - the pace, the right time to drink or consume the gel - and the satisfaction of knowing i stuck to the game plan and it worked.
That's the only reason why i'm nervous now - all that i've done will culminate in 5hours (hopefully less) next Sunday morning. I've enjoyed the peripherals of the event, now i just want to perform.



Oh, and maybe wear that finisher T-shirt.

I must go run tomorrow

Before i start to taper for next Sunday's marathon, this was supposed to be the final stretch of discipline and training.

I only have one word...

Oops.

It started out really well but with today's holiday break, it got abit out of hand when i didn't wake up in time for my run this evening and to top it off, i went i had Macca's for supper.

Oh, but it tasted sooooooo gooood. Yikes.

Sedated

I'm feel stoic. I've been training hard, keeping to a strict diet (i even said no to a free steamboat buffet. it has got to be a first for mike to say no to steamboat buffet.) and i can feel my fitness peaking again.

I've successfully managed running non-stop for 3.5hours, pounded the route from my place to the end of ecp and back.

And it's just about one week to my second full marathon. But i'm not feeling excited, nervous or pumped. I'm guessing it's because i've been mentally busy with work and peripheral pertubations.

42? Yawns...

Well, i'm since i'm still doing everything right, it should be fun. It will when i get there, i guess. Yawn.

Motivate

3 more weeks to 42km..

Training is a b*tch. I ask myself, why am i doing this.

Why? What for?

There could be a million reasons, but right now, all i need is one.

But sometimes, you don't. Because, you just do it.

Snuff the Flame

After a two week hiatus, i finally did a long run - from Boon Keng, i ran to Kallang, then the entire East Coast Park and back. I'm still trying to figure how far i actually ran last night, but based on timing, i've not been able to run continuously for three hours (3:09 tops).

It kinda made me panic abit, knowing that 42km is exactly four weeks from now, i'm still far from my promise to not walk the entire marathon.

A big challenge i'm facing now, from doing these long runs, is after doing one, you don't feel like running for a long time. Sometimes, my body tells me, "you've done a great job! awesome! ...now stop it and let me rest you stupid prick." So sometimes after a good run, i get lazy and not be as disciplined in training. With four weeks left, i'm not sure if there's more i can do.

At the very least, i've finally subscribed to advice of 'eat as much as you can'. I'm not as conscious as i am about my weight/physique anymore; i'm pretty happy with my current 'curves' and since i'm burning more calories now, i can afford the occasional junk food.

But i may have to be alcohol-free from now until race day. So no beer or 'cockblockers' when i meet up with the guys/girls. Thou shalt not succumb to social pressure. Let's see how that goes. So how?

I'm still finding new motivation to get through to 6 December. For now, it's just the thought of my Philippines trip the following day, but i still need something stronger. Any ideas?

Tri*Factor Triathlon

My second Oly Triathlon and best yet! I'm happy i did 2 hour 35minutes!

Waiting for the Six...

I did a good run yesterday, and that's giving me motivation to do another one tonight. But my legs are still aching, so i should give it some rest. At this point of time, i'm finding harder and harder to find motivation to do my runs.

Perhaps it's been 3 years since i've committed myself to doing endurance events and the fact i've pretty much reached where i can go as an amateur. I'm really blessed to have a job that allows me to commit that much time/energy to training and preparing for races. If i had been in an agency (which i am actually planning to go back to), i doubt i'd have the luxury. Secondly, i'm so thankful to have advice from professionals - specifically dieting. Professional athletes pay for such services. I have a good friend who kindly does it for me, for free!..professionally i might add. Awesome.

I used to have an avid supporter who would be there for all my events. Sounds superficial but think about this - whether you are running your first race, or doing your third full marathon, knowing that there's someone waiting for you at the finishing line, patiently waiting, even though you'd probably take another hour, makes a hell lot of difference.

He/she is eagerly waiting to see your body appear round the bend. He/she's cramped up with hundred of other supporters under the blazing midday sun, and yes, he/she hates crowds.

And he/she is willing to support you. Now how does that sound? I'm only too grateful and to have lost such a supporter is really sad. If you have someone like that for you, i hope you're not taking him/her for granted.

Not letting this get me down, i still want to keep going. I'm still going to keep training and i definitely want to get faster. But now, i think i'm going to hit another wall.. bad timing of course, considering i've got 42km in 5 weeks' time, and an Ironman in March next year.

Shucks. If only i could just turn professional for couple of months, that would be so cool. The closest i'm getting to that is via Lance Armstrong's tweets. Sheesh.

A Good Break

Took a short break from training and spent the weekend at a quiet beach in Malaysia with collegemates.

But still ended up doing a short 6km run along the shoreline. It's really therapeutic to be running with the waves crashing at your feet, endless horizon and though the sun was awesome (as prayed for), the cool ocean breeze made it as perfect as can be.

Someone is missing

Maggi Mee & Monopoly

A view i will always miss.

While it wasn't a 5 star beach getaway, it was good enough i managed to get some rest, time away from the busy city, my mind away from work and most of all spending the time with good friends.

Altough training for December's 42 km and work beckons tomorrow, i'm really not in the mood to think about it. For that 24 hours away from Singapore, diet, exercise, work...was all out the window.

Long Runs & Heart Rates

I finally made it to running 3hours 3 minutes without stopping. Difference was a really carbo-laden dinner i prepared myself...

Aglio olio style - lots of olive oil, garlic and some pork cubes. I filled myself with a full packet of pasta and even after my run, i wasn't hungry (which isn't usually the case). I also took Yellow's advice and drink 500ml of isotonic drink. But i'm not sure if i drank a little too late, after 2hours of exercise.

But all in all, i'm contented i managed to run 3hours at a consistent stable pace. I'm hyped! Going to plan a 30km run next.

I also got myself a TIMEX Heart Rate Monitor. Awesome stuff. I haven't really played around with it, but i've monitored my heart rate for couple of 14km runs now. I've been able to hit like 150 bpm consistently. So..that's an OK zone right? Like 150bpm for 1hour20minutes?

I love tech and i love sports. This is the best of both worlds, baby! For noobs like me, i feel so pro. Hahaha!

Abrasion!!

Unfortunately, noobs like me don't wear the band properly and don't even have the cow sense to apply some vaseline. Ouch.

After all this time...

Perhaps running is my feeble attempt to move on. But deep down, i can't because i'm still wishing i can turn back time.




Looking back at the past 16 months. I really can't believe all that has happened and i don't know if there will ever be that 'high' and that perfect joy that i have experienced.

Although i know it, i definitely cannot feel it right now. I have never felt like this before. Never felt so stupid, so sorry, so angry, so miserable and so wrong. This shall be the lowest point in my life.

So i can keep running and moving forward with time. But somehow, i left my heart back there... when i could tell her i truly love her, forever.

After all this war
Would you ever wanna leave it
Maybe you could not believe it
That my love for you was blind
But I couldn't make you see it
Couldn't make you see it
That I loved you more than you will ever know
A part of me died when I let you go
That I loved you more than you'll ever know
A part of me died when I let you go

Hitting the wall...again

My 26km run last night was disastrous. After two hours and 35 minutes, i had to walk. Funny thing was that i felt like i paced myself well. After reaching Farmway LRT station, i felt really fresh and was pretty confident that i could make it all the way back without stopping. Wrong.

When i hit Serangoon MRT station, i felt hungry (yes! starving!) and thirsty. I took a quick detour into the MRT toilet and drank water from the public toilet. I must have scared the sh*t out of the commuters who had their evening ruined after a hard day at work, looking forward to the weekend, or party-goers who were glamorously dressed to some disco/pub. Darn.

(Aside: Funny how certain things that happen during the day give me the emotional-motivation to do all these runs. Sadly, none of them are happy. I channel all the stress at work, all the bad thoughts and i expire each and every one of them when i run. Yesterday's run was no different. I thought long and hard about what happened and realised that if i caused someone so much frustration and annoyance, then shouldn't i just back away? I mean, if i'm not wanted, then even as a friend, i would just disappear then. With that being said, it was during the run that i was thankful i know i have friends and company who really cared for me and yeah, though we argue sometimes, friends are people who go through thick and thin with you. So, i know when i'm not wanted. I'll gladly back off)

I admit, i didn't give my body enough fuel to do a long run. Guess i gotta consult my dietician again. But i was also wondering if i should continue to "punish" my body - my starving it, i am making it adjusted to work longer on less energy, so when i do load properly, i should be better, no?

So anyway, after last night. I thought, hey.. i deserve some crap. So this morning i had not one but TWO iced milk coffees. And for lunch...wait for it...wait for it...

"Ke Ai Ji" - Ain't that one "Cute" bird??

I ate one whole bird. plus fries man. Sheesh.

Damn, check out that grin. What a smuck.

Oh and for dinner? What else but my double cheeseburger upsized meal. Damn.

Cutting It Away

I have never wanted anything so bad, so much in my life before. I want to stop clinging on to the past and wake up to a completely new start.

One last time, I’m looking back at all the failures and achievements that I’ve had during the past 25 years of my life. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine myself where I am now.

And now it’s time to move on to another phase.

This time, I don’t want to carry the memories with me. It’s not going to be easy because I know I will cling to parts of the past, especially the ones that I hold dear, but I must accept the fact that these memories will not serve any further purpose, apart from the sad reality that things have changed; different.

On this very day, I’m totally new. People, job, environment, life.

I thought I was running away. Running as hard and fast as I can, running away from you. But as I turned around and stopped looking back, I realized that I was running into You.

goodbye and Hello.

Getting Back in Shape

You probably know by now, i'm really really satisfied with my most recent triathlon. With an official timing of 2:35, it's a huge improvement to my earlier OSIM time of 3:08. Of course, i had lots of support and advise, so big love and thanks to them.

Then i took a weeks' break and boy did i really enjoy. Ate as much junk food as i wanted, overate almost every meal and i felt bloated almost all the time. I could feel all greased up inside and due to all the oily, spicy food, my body got so heaty.

Reality struck when last week, i got back to training. It was so darn demoralising, because it was like waking up in a totally different body. When i started running, i felt out of breath and tired just after 15 minutes. You know me well enough to tell that i don't mean to brag, but i used to run comfortable for 50minutes. Now, it's just 15. Feet felt like it was filled with lead and i could really feel myself carrying the additional weight.

So i ran for 4 consecutive days to get back up to speed. That was last week. So currently, i'm almost getting back to shape. I've done my usual 14km runs and did a 21km yesterday. It's abit different now that i'm training for a marathon. I feel that it's more difficult psychologically as it's not exactly as mentally-stimulation as a triathlon with the thrill of transitions, alertness during the bike leg, etc.

Marathons just mean run, run, run and run. After last night's run, my threshold so far is 2hour25minutes. After that, i feel mentally bored and my muscles start to complain.

Well, according to my training plan, i'll be doing the usual 14-16km run during the weekdays and a long (gradually increasing from 21km to 36/39km) run on the weekends.

Next up, Standard Chartered 42km!

Grateful, Thankful

I'm thankful for the past 100 days. It was pretty awesome training hard for my first two Olympic triathlons & learning so much along the way. Once again, thanks to my dietician, who really showed me what a big difference proper dieting (yes, you might say 'Durh!?') can help in overall performance.

This looks alot harder than it looks. Really.

I've also enjoyed the training i've gone through. All those dreaded static station mondays, 10k sprints on wednesday, long-painful runs on fridays and lap-after-lap of 1 hour swims in between. It was tough at times, but seeing how much fitter/stronger i've become in 4 short weeks really gave me a kick. Yes, it's not easy, but i want to do it again.

Apart from training, i've had good company. The love and support from loved ones and friends, even those who did so 'silently', are not forgotten. Even the simple stuff like a chat over coffee helped to break the routine. Gorging on buffets was also fun, like a temporary-release from the strict dieting, and having good laughs over all that made it heavenly.

Then after going for reservist and taking a break - much has changed. The diet is gone, i've snacked on junk food and overate at every meal, the training has stopped completely. And sadly, i've lost some of that wonderful company.

So as December's 42km marathon and the Half-Ironman Triathlon in March looms closer, it's time i got my focus back. I'm prepared.

It's red too! Awesome!

I'm totally in love with my spanking new Asics Cumulus 11. I'll miss my Adizero; it has served me well and is, in my opinion, the best lightweight sprint shoe. But for a full marathon and half-iron, it's time for adequate cushioning, comfort, performance and to be injury-free.

Got new running kit, courtesy of Nike too.

And come tomorrow, it's back to the good old simple diet. Trainings will get longer and harder than ever before - now that i'm not just doing a full marathon, but the half-iron is not a exactly a walk in the park.

Perhaps i won't get the support i used to. Having less time to meet up with the guys, losing a dear one along the way, but i'm still counting on God's Love & Grace to get me through it all.

Ready for Race Day

Got the day off from reservist duty to rest before my next Triathlon tomorrow. Tomorrow's race will be abit more exciting - now that i have been armed with proper nutritional advice, apparently i must go below my OSIM timing and do a sub-3hour race.

Honestly, i wasn't counting on doing a faster timing. I was planning to do as slow as i can, enjoy the race and not risk fainting like i almost did the last time.

But i felt assured by my lovely dietician that this was not to be the case, if i take her advice religiously. So i intend to.

I really wasn't expecting it, so i was pleasantly surprised that she got me the necessary supplements (is that what you call it?) to get me through the race.

She patiently instructed me when i should take each supplement (to which i really hope i won't be too overwhelmed during the race to forget) and i couldn't help but to feel assured once again.

Apart from nutrition, i'm still left hanging in terms of race strategy. I'mon my own on this one. Knowing that my swim leg is the strongest, i feel i'm hitting a plateu on my bike and unless i have enough stamina, i'm going to bomb on my run. So my plan is to go a sub 30min for my swim, take my transitions nice and easy. Do a consistent pace for my bike and by the time i get to my run, i should be able to maintain a good pace and hopefully give a final burst at the end.

With that (broad) strategy and a detailed diet that will apparently keep my body well-fuelled throughout the race, a sub-3hour timing now looks plausible.

Thank God for the many undeserved favours granted for this race, i'm going to swim, bike, run with a smile and let Him do the rest!

What Next?

Four more days to my next Triathlon. Learning from my earlier race, i'm going slow. Key word for Sunday's race is consistency.

And i feel good, i've been running at least 12k and swimming 3k every alternate day for the past week. I've also been feasting on the carbo-laden food made available in camp and though i feel a tummy coming back, it has undoubtedly given me energy to do my swims and runs.

While i never liked the regimentation of the military, i'm still thankful for my 3-week long reservist. Being unable to buy anything at my whim and fancy, and having all my meals covered means i hardly have any need and time to spend any money at all.

Since i get slots of free time in between my duty, i actually have time to catch up on reading. It feels good to finish a book in 2 days. I'm eager to swallow more!

More importantly, i get to swim and run every alternate day. Or at least i've been disciplined enough to do so. So far, so good. It almost feels like my dream to be a professional athlete. I get to swim and run practically all day long!

In fact, after this post, i'm going to hit the pool (and judging by the weather from inside my room, it looks like i'm going to get a tan) then when the sun is setting, it's time for a long run. And i've found good music to keep me pumped for my runs. I've stumbled upon this from the "9" trailer,

Coheed and Cambria's 'Welcome Home'

So, today shall be the last day of exercise before i rest and prepare for Sunday...

Time to gear up and enjoy the week ahead!

It's Only Been One Week

It's only been one week, so there's two more weeks to the end of reservist. Thankfully, i've had pretty good swims and runs the past week to feel satisfied and prepared for this Sunday's triathlon.

I won't be 'going all out' or as hyped up as i was for OSIM. This triathlon, organised by Trifactor, is pretty much a feel-up triathlon to before i delve into training for the stan chart marathon, again to prepare for the biggest event of 2010 - The Half Ironman Triathlon!

So this sunday's triathlon would be more of efficiency, sustainability and more importantly, safety. Last thing i want now is an injury. The longer runs are causing my right knee to feel sore and i'm starting to experience those jolting pains every now and then. Perhaps is because i left my glucosamine in the office, so i haven't been taking them for the past week. Yikes.

For now, i'm facing the challenges with my in-camp training. We're actually treated like recruits. That sucks. It's different to have tough training for reservist, but to be yelled at and told off my warrant officers and even 19-year-old NSFs? That's totally unecessary.

I'm just leaving all that to God to handle and i'm sure He's the best person to watch my back. For now, i'm just enjoying the time away from the office and more time to train.

Majulah Singapura

Started reservist last week, and i still have two-and-a-half weeks of it to go. Reservist for me is guard duty, in-camp for 27 hours, book out and report back in within 20 hours. Although guard duty is fairly 'senang', it's the feeling of having the weekends (yes, saturdays and sundays) stuck in camp. Yikes, i'm doing reservist and i get weekends burnt?! Darn.

And the fact that my training for my next triathlon has been disrupted, it's a real sore. But i guess i'll make the best of it.

Since i'm out now with some time to spare, i think i'll hit the pool and go for a long run tonight!

OSIM Triathlon 2009

Ok, the wait is finally over. 2 August 2009 is the day i did my first Olympic distance triathlon. The feeling of having the worst & best day of your life, all meshed up in 3hours. I'll let the pictures do the talking, simply there aren't any words to describe this..

Big thanks to Chian Lin for the photos...

She's a triathlete too!

Top 20 Finisher!

Thankful for completing Sunday's triathlon. Having mixed feelings about it - i'm thankful that i've accomplished a Olympic distance triathlon. Yet i'm hungry to do a better timing. Well, considering i'll be due for another OD triathlon in 5 weeks' time, i'll have a chance to do better.

For now.. i will enjoy..

...me and my McFlurry.

So Sure

I've got thick phlegm choking my throat, my body is starting to ache, with runny nose. I am showing signs that this flu/fever will be full blown in couple of days' time.

But i will be thankful and i'm at total rest. God will handle this. In short - this weekend's race will be nothing less than perfect and good.


With a spirit of thanksgiving and the security of His Word, this Sunday - my first Oly triathlon - will be one to remember. When i update this blog post-OSIM triathlon, it will be a good one.


Wait and see. See the Glory of God manifest! =)

42 kilometres...

I've made up my mind and decided to forgo the Phuket International Triathlon and do Standard Chartered's annual marathong. The phuket triathlon is hands-down more exciting (an overseas competition, woooot!) than running...running...running...running like there's no tomorrow.

So why? Err...i really don't know. I'm a sucker for punishment? But really. I really based my decision to do the Stan Chart marathong purely on the fact that it's going to be more painful to do. Training will be so damn boring - no more swimming, bike sessions, but purely running and more.. (you guessed it!) running.

And the excitement for the virgin marathong is way over. I don't feel the adrenalin of the unknown. I know how painful (and boring) it is going to be. The last and only motivation for me this time round is to do a faster timing. Perhaps go below 5hours 15minutes?

But i must say that the countdown timer on the website (how many days, hours, seconds to Dec 6) is an interesting tool to motivate the runners. Being a freak that i am, i constantly go back to the website to check for any updates, training tips and hopefully be inspired with the XXdays XXhours XXseconds to the race!

Hmmm.. but i keep getting this crappy message on my browser when i key in the web address. I absolutely hate it when they don't maintain their website well, especially since this is a major event...

@#!!??^*&?!!!

Seriously...What the !?!?

Oh wait...got typo.

Paiseh.

Marathon.