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.

Competition Photos

Truth is, competition photos are a form of inspiration. It plays on pride (or vanity as i say...come on, admit it!) and a fulfilling sense of accomplishment.

That moment of anguish or even pain, when you feel like you cannot not go on, but managed to victoriously pull through; is forever etched in your history. Now, you live to agree with Lance Armstrong - that pain is only temporary, and pride is forever!

Today, while going through the OSIM triathlon website (reading the E-briefing), i stumbled on a link for sports photos. And i was surprised to see that they have earlier event photos i took part in! Being proud (or vain) as i am, i searched my name and found photos of myself i never knew was taken! Woooot!

Pictures from Singapore Biathlon 2009...

Fresh out of transition zone...still can 'pose'.

And after 5km.. The real Chicken Run.

And bike/run pics from Tribob Sprint Triathlon 2009...

Macho Bike Pose #1

Macho Bike Pose #2

And lastly, Macho ...Eh!! What the!?

This is it

This evening, i did not go below my previous time of 47min21sec. Instead, i did 47min45sec.

With OSIM just 2 weeks away, and time required to taper, i must admit that my enthusiasm is dying down. I don't feel as 'powerful' as i should be, my appetite is actually getting out of control (as i'm craving for more junk food).

So how? Feeling abit demoralised and not as hyped up as i should be.

What happened to all that excitement! I need to get my adrenalin back or risk wasting all the effort i've put in over the last couple of months.

Thinking of joining a gym. That might help. Core training should be good right? Desperate times call for desperate measures...

Happy

[This has nothing to do with my training]

Barely six months ago, i was grappling with relationship issues and a major turning point in my life. Admittingly so, i've done many things any self-respecting decent man would be ashamed of. The only solace i have now is i have buried my past sins, wiped the slate clean and at the very least, i have no desire or want to go back to who i was. All this would not have been possible without the grace and love of God that truly transformed my life.

I'm not done yet, not on this earth at least, and i know there's more to learn, more to grow and more to become. At this moment, i am at peace with myself. And i have been so for the past couple of months. The childish anger, insecurity and deeper condemnation that has unconsciously plagued me during my growing up years are finally dissapating and to say the least, i am truly happy where i am headed now.

If i may say so, i feel that finally, i see what true love should be and i understand all that i failed to do in my previous relationships. To love someone wholeheartedly, to give everything to that person. To put aside myself completely and live for another's dream. And to do that, i would have to be at peace with myself and secure with who i am. Of course, there's still that "risk", but that comes from fear right? And perfect Love casts out all fear.

I truly understand and believe now that there is no fear in loving someone. No insecurity, but total commitment. With whoever you are, you can support who he/she is and will become. To grow old and live forever.

I used to think i know who that person is. But not anymore. Because looking back at the events from the past month, i'm not going to regret what i have done or said. Because deep inside, i did it from a position of peace. I was truly at peace and reconciled with myself.

At least i can say, i was waiting, praying, hoping. But that didn't happen. Perhaps there's a deeper reason to things; as with many things in life we cannot control. While i can only do what i can, the rest is literally up to her. I'm ready, but she's not. Instead, anger, miscommunication and pain ensued.

After much thought, what i should do now is to present an offering of peace - That it is best for us not to speak at all. How ironic - when i'm certain now that i will not run away from my problems, the best solution to give happiness now is to do just that - walk away.

How ironic.

Everyone deserves some happiness, peace, love and joy. But sometimes we don't get all of it. Only God knows and sees the entire picture. At least He is for me.

So once and for all, let's close this chapter and finally move on. I cannot decide for you if your heart is not willing. All i know is i've been ready and i can't help but see how perfect it is...or now, how perfect it could have been.

It could have been.

Smile, because we deserve to. Live life to the fullest and hold on the Truth.

Forever yours, Mike

What did i get myself into?!

My good friend, Miss Liyan Huang is now my dietician. Check it...i got a dietician. It's awesome isn't it? A professional (she's got a Masters degree, so don't play play) who will advise me on my diet to better my performance - I feel like i'm a professional athlete now. This is THE dream for me.. Or is it?

Well, i just realised that in order for Miss Huang to monitor my diet and advise me accordingly, she has to track my diet and exercise regime. Not a problem, i think... I've been training hard, training regularly. So i won't have a problem reporting in my every food intake and physical activity.

But my diet? Hmm..so now i gotta come clean. I have been snacking again. My relapse started a month ago. While i believe i can (still) control my cravings for big meals like steamboat buffet, chicken rice, prata, etc... i'm a sucker for snacks..

Pringles.

I'm able to finish a whole can..yes, even the Jumbo can (+40g more, somemore) in one sitting. Now that i have to report everything i shove in my mouth to Miss Huang, i must say goodbye to my favourite moustache-man-with-the-bushy-eyebrows-and-funky-red-bow-tie.

Pola snack.

Oh my gosh, even though there's a "Eat in Moderation" stamp that advises two packets a day, i can go 5 packets while watching TV. Worst part is - this snack is dirt cheap and easily available at the minimart just across the street.

And finally.. what i believe to be a popular favourite...Who can resist the crunchy biscuit oozing with flavourful cream chocolate that bursts in your mouth when you chomp down on it?

Hello Panda

Sigh...but now that i have a dietician to report to...

Goodbye, Panda.

What a Difference a Day Makes...

I came, I saw, I conquered. Maybe not so dramatic. But i am fairly pleased to say that i managed to swim, run and cycle today!

Swam my usual 2.5k after work. It was was an awesome swim. Perfect weather to boot, and i am quite sure i'll be sunburnt in the morning. (My arms look lobster-red).

Did an evenly-paced 10k run in the evening. I'm feeling the benefits of doing static station and interval training. Keeping a consistent pace was a breeze to say the least. I'm very sure i can complete the Olympic distance in 4 weeks, but of course, doing a good timing would be another matter altogether. 

The tricky thing about it being my first Olympic distance is my lack of confidence in deciding what my pace should be, or how much i should push? Should i remain conservative? Or risk burning out? I guess that's why athletes need coaches. 

Anyway, after the run, i'll be honest to say that i was tempted to rest. Well, i guess that's why i'm glad that i managed to push on and went to my usual riding route to do an hours' ride. Err.. i gave my legs a lactic bath. I could have believed my legs were filled with lead.

Overall, an awesome day of training!..

... and now i'm paying the price.

Need to lose 4 more kilos

.. but today after work, i didn't go run and ended up ordering...

Double Cheeseburger upsize meal. Jialat la.. like that how to train and improve?