MacRitchie Revisited

And so after another sleepless night, I decided to head out for my run at 6am.

Surprisingly today turned out to be a good run.  Prolly the added fats from the CNY bingeing forced me to run really slowly.  I felt like I was running in slow mo, with rolls of fats bouncing as I attempt to run (disgusting right??).  Anyway, with this reduced speed, I felt that I could go on forever, and the air was fresh ..... the only headache was not knowing where to go ..... 

Finally decided to try to run to MR again .... the first attempt failed as I was stuck when the pavement ended at the expressway.  This time, I tracked across the expressway .... walking along grass patch and occassional pavement segments.

So .. I managed to get to MR!!! YAY!  Didn't really ran inside as it was still dark, and I wasn't out for an LSD.  So just ran inside for like 5 mins before I turned back on my return route.

Total distance should be 18km in about 1hr 59mins.

Good run.  If only every run could be this good.  Must be the slack week that helps in my recovery ... hehe

But now .... my eyes are closing ... but I am heading out ... gonna be a zombie today :P

Sleepless

ARGH!!!!!!

2 nights in a row that I woke up in the middle of the night and I couldn't get back to sleep

Last nite I was up from 1 til 4:30am.  Thankfully I wasn't planning for a run though its a Thurs

And now ... I'm up again and I can't sleep ...... and I'm planning to run later! SHIT ... 

This week is a damn slack week with minimal gym seshs ...only 1 swim .... I'm so going to pay for it man ... 

Ox-picious HUAT AH! Run

A brand new year!  I'm sure it would be much better than 2008.  I know it will be!  To many many great exciting and happy things to come! *thumbs up*

Yes, I typically do not run 2 days in a row.  That's my general rule of thumb in not getting injured.  But happy occassions call for happy exceptions.  And what with all the pineapple tarts, heavy reunion meal and what nonsense, I guess 2 marathons are insufficient to burn off the excesses .... *shake head*

Anyway, so I headed out for a short run along the canal .... wow, weather today is just fantastic!  It wasn't sunny even though I started out very late (8+) and the breeze was sooo therapeutic and cooling.  Very good weather to run.

I wanted to run 10km but was too drained as usual .... think the fats are slowing me down hee ... anyway ... did about 8.6 to 8.8km and took me an hour! 

To a wonderful year ahead with more INJURY-FREE, PAINLESS, HAPPY runs! 

Happy 牛 Year !

In another 4.5 hours, we will be welcoming the year of the Ox.

Here's wishing that ......

the economy will improve by leaps & bounds

there will be no layoffs (except as part of re-orgn to eliminate those dead roots ... especially those expensive dead roots :P)

everyone is happy & healthy (.. and the rest will follow)

I can have my bonus (heard that there is none *sigh*)

my resolution for 2009 will materialise

To a HUAT and SOON Ox year ahead!!!

Heng Heng Run

Wow I didn't know what happned but I must have been in a state of sleep deprivation.

I slept early on Fri nite, after a long day out squeezing in 2 spin sessions (and i didn't feel the kick), shopping in orchard, running errands etc .... 

When the alarm rang on Sat mrn for me to head out for my LSD, I ... just ... couldn't ... wake ... up.

I slept and finally woke up at 10+ and just drifted on and off until my tummy started complaining.  Had a simple lunch and right after I felt drowsy again ... so I went back to sleep, and wake up only to have dinner. Thereafter, I was feeling really light headed again and I crashed again at 7+ and finally woke up feeling brand new at 6 this mrn.  Wow... I felt like Sleeping Beauty !! (ok, not so much the beauty part haha .. but I really felt renewed) Wonder whether it was the effects of the chinese med I had for my slight flu that knocked me out ... 

So anyway, since I slacked so much on Sat, and I hadn't had an LSD in many weeks, decided I have to at least head out for a short run.

Didn't dare to go for the usual LSD route and distance since I had layed off for quite a while, so most of the time i tried to cut short the distance ... 

Map above isn't the true route that I took but is close enough.  Gotto add another 2 km for the final distance back in the park connector.  

So total distance covered ought to be 21km in 2hrs 31mins.  Damn slow with lots of long walk breaks in between.  

Anyhow, at least I have broken the curse of the LSD-slackness!  Hooray!

Only problem now is ... I feel sleepy again!!! :P

Mad Rush ....

Planned to be on leave starting Thur PM.  Informed all relevant parties and had made many plans on the errands I gotta run.

But alas, there were just too many things i had to follow-up with that I decided to just cancel it.

Had mtgs and discussions til 12+.  Colleague then brought me to the Straits Kitchen near our office for nonya food.  Wow! I didn't even know there is such a gem hidden in CBD!  The place was quiet and the food was actually pretty good.  Had a very enjoyable time chatting with colleague.  That's a good thing that happened to my otherwise spoilt plans. :)

Managed to get most of the critical work out of the way and I hurriedly left to run some errands after work.  Even managed to squeeze in a hair cut!!! Hooray!  So happy.

Then had late dinner with a friend who needed some company.  We then originally wanted to head to Tong Shui opposite Great World City for some dessert but on our way there, our attention was taken by The Pump Room.  Against my better judgement (since I'm falling sick), I suggested we go for a few drinks at The Pump Room instead.  It was a very good choice afterall.  The place was quiet safe for a few customers and we had a few beers, cocktail and enjoyed the serenity while watching the Australian Tennis Open on ESPN.  There was even live band at 10+. We were agreeable with the music as they played music from the 80s :P  Nice.

I would definitely want to go back there again.

Ok, a nice end to a busy Thurs. 

To many more great days ahead! *thumbs up* 

Thur Run

Woke up in the middle of the night and just sneezed non-stop!  Felt sickly, itchy throat and all.  Damn, think I'm coming down with the FLU again :(

Anyway, woke up at 5 and decided to just head out for a run as usual.  Chase the virus away.

I was worried about the breathlessness and so told myself to take ... it ... S.L.O.W .....

So the run was more enjoyable.  Definitely slower but at least I could better enjoy the run.  Even managed to cover a slightly longer distance that what I did last week.

And I even ran with my Asics Cumulus!  Been a long while since I ran with it.  Thankfully this time it felt alright.  Not as uncomfy as before.

Total distance should be close to 10km 1hrs 8mins.

Slow but good run! I'm glad.

Tues Run

Told myself I shall run the usual route today unless I really feel bad.

Thankfully I stuck to it.  

ITB didn't really act up but I do feel really unfit .... kept to a slow pace and slowed down a lot especially towards the end .... 

But I was just glad I managed to cover similar distance as before.  About 12+km 1hr 25mins.

Happy about the run, but think I over-exert again coz I felt the ITB settling in by afternoon :(

SHIT 

Gotto assess the situation tomorrow ... 

Slightly Better Run

Attempted another run this mrn.

Just 1 min into the run, I was feeling breathless.  I was like shit !  what is wrong ?

Consciously slowed down further and the run improved.

No pain experienced, just a mild sng-ness and weakness towards the back of the right knee.  At least I managed to complete the same distance as Tues without having to stop and stretch.

Took me 62mins to hit the 9km i think.  Sigh, I'm like taking 2 steps forward and now 1 step back again :(  So much for hitting 26km for my LSD.  I'm now back to short distances ... triple sigh 

Anyway, I hope the massage and accupunture are working.  Will go back for another round of treatment this weekend.  Pray hard I get better soon!

Stretchhhh

hahaha .... 

so cute .... 

This is sooo me :P

.

CNY Mood

I want to take leave to enjoy my fav festival of the year, but i can't find the time!!!

Arghhhh .... 

I want to enjoy the Gong Xi Fa Cai mood!

I want to shop shop shop!

Though I am so NOT domesticated, but I do need to clean my room 

.... And my office cubicle is desperately in need of a good cleaning too... my area is beyond messy and totally unbecoming (for a female - as I've been told many times) and unprofessional!  i'm ashamed of meself! 

I want to have some quiet time .... the past 1+ months with the school holidays, everywhere in this little island is just-So-PACKED!!!  I'm just looking forward to a nice relaxing quiet weekday afternoon out in orchard ... (oh, but yah, still have those tertiary students :P)

I must try to keep one day next week free of any mtgs .... or important work to follow-up with ... Yes, ME MUST! *determined*

Test Run

After 8 days, I'm getting used to the slack (not good).  But at the same time I'm actually roaring to go for my run.  The slack helped to freshen me up a little I guess.  Such conflicting emotions.  One part of me would love to continue slacking while the other can't wait to test whether my leg has healed.

Anyway ... though there is still the occasional pain, I decided to head out for my usual mrn run today.

Told myself I will run short, and no slopes today, no matter how mild.  Hence the plan was to do the usual Thur run, and to keep it short.  No additional loops (unless if I feel up to it).

Ok, so I DON'T feel up to it at all.  I felt breathless shortly into the run.  I hoped the lethargy would wear off after a while but sadly it didn't.  I struggled all the way, towards Havelock Road and past SG River.  The surprising part wasn't the pain on my ITB, but rather more the breathlessness.  Strange.

Anyway, the pain started to set in at the 40th min I think and it gotten bad enough by the time I got to Robinson Road that I decided to stop and walk the rest of the way to the office.  

By far the worst run I had.  

Total distance should be 8.5km.  59mins.

For a shorter distance, I actually felt the kah sng-ness when I settled down @ work!!! What's up man?!!  Anyway, thankfully the ITB didn't get worse (well, at least not yet).  And I just went to see a sinseh to get it treated.  Let's hope I recover soon after after a few sessions with the sinseh *cross fingers*.

In the meantime, guess I just have to take things very easy.

Hope I recover in time to kick start the ox-picious year with a CNY run!

moooooooooooo!!!

Chinatown

Went to soak in the CNY festivities last nite @ Chinatown.

Some taiwan brand hand-made eggroll.  Done on the spot.  

1 pkt (3 pcs) for $2

2 pkts for $3.50

5 flavours.  Can't remember all .... think chocolate, seaweed .. 

As its made on the spot, you've got to have the patience to queue for the goods 

We waited quite a while for our turn

It was alright .... Thicker (not those paper thin types that you get from those factory made ones) and softer to the bite (it crumbles easily).  Ok lah, not something I would go all out to eat.  I'm contented with the usual cheaper versions. 

Crowded!!   .... and lots of CNY decorations, and the usual tidbits from Taiwan (muah chee, jellies, healthy nutes), dried sausages & meats that you commonly see during CNY, flowers, pomelos, cookies (nothing fanciful) ... all the usual ... nothing interesting that caught our fancy

This is the nian2 gao1 from Taiwan.  Different flavours such as coffee, chocolate, green tea etc.  Taste just like muah chee to me.  Apart from the novelty, nothing to wow about.  I would much prefer our traditional nian2 gao1.  But having said that, I'm really no fan of this sticky sweet delicacy.

All in all a good way to while away an hour or two soaking in the sights and festivities ... but really nothing interesting.  Not that you can't get any of these same goods elsewhere.  Am sure the same merchandises are available round the island.   So small wonder we ended up empty handed.  Didn't buy anything.  

Two more weeks to CNY.  Hooray! :D

 

Rest Week

Day 8 of my super slack week of non running.

My ITB still hurts.... not sure whether my spinning hindered the recovery .... 

And I swim more this week.  Five times since mon.

Had a swim at a friend's condo.  Very relaxing swim considering the pool is much bigger than the one at FF!! and so much cleaner! And I had the pool all to myself!  Fantastic!

Getting kinda worried about the pain.  The pain while walking can be bad after sitting in a fixed position for a long while.  That happened in the first 5 to 10 mins of walking after a movie ... 

If this continue I would have to seek professional help ... maybe a massage now will help ...

Anyway ..... saw this super cool limo at a junction yesterday .... 

Its for rent .... 

Reflections

Happy New Year to one and all!!!

Hahaha, yes yes, I know this post is very much delayed but I guess I wasn't ready to write down my thoughts about 2008.  Don't think I'm still very much sorted out with my thoughts .... and I guessed I hadn't achieve anything worthwhile in 2008.  Gosh, I felt like I've wasted another year ... 

Nonetheless, some thoughts to round up 2008 

1. Glad that I returned to my running routine in Feb.  It wasn't smooth sailing at the start, and I stopped for a while before returning to it in Mar.  I've come a long way.  From starting with 3km and gradually increasing, and sometimes returning to square one ... and I guessed it was such a milestone for me when I finally crossed the 10km mark.  I was glad for a gym instructress advice "just tell urself u can do it!".  So each time I thought of giving up, especially while training for the SBR, i just kept repeating this same mantra to myself. It worked!  I'm glad that I managed to complete SBR this year.
2. Just checking back my old posts and my NY Resolution for 2008 was "To improve my health".  In a way I think I achieved it.  Nope, I didn't lose weight, but I think that wasn't my resolution.  But yes, I am glad that I stuck to my gym routines and my runs.  Though the runs are slow, but I guessed the lone mrn runs did help keep me sane.  Looking back, I'm kinda proud of myself for sticking to the routine even at my darkest moments in 2008.
3. Did a make-over of my room.  Totally cleaned up my space, dumped all the old unwanted stuff and had a fresh coat of paint and complete new look for my room.  I now spend more time in my cosy little corner - and all this wouldn't have been possible without the wonderful help from my closest friend HY.  Thanks gal!
4. Managed to make several trips this year.  KL in Mar.  BKK in May.  Japan in July/Aug.  Cameron Highlands in Oct.  I had fun in all the trips.  My first trip to Japan and I was really in awe of the place, especially Hokkaido.  Even though I wasn't that impressed with the hussle and bussle of Tokyo, I really wouldn't mind going back!  Cameron Highlands was also a wonderful trip made with some very wonderful people.  I dunno about them but I enjoyed their company immersely, and the place is oh-so-serene and beautiful.
5. I'm happy and thankful for the few but wonderful good friends around.  In a way I think friends are with you for a season.  Somehow no matter what happens, friends come and go. Maybe its me.  But nonetheless, I treasure the handful of wonderful friends that I have.  Many friendships were forged in SGRunners and I'm happy that these are friends to keep.  I shall not name anyone here but I'm just glad for this wonderful group of people.  Its funny how though I put in so much time and energy at work, what pleased me most isn't the end-result of the piece of work.  Rather, its the comraderie, or the friendships that I established that warms my heart and brings this contented smile on my face.  Really.  I'm happy to know two wonderful co-workers whom are now more than just colleagues.  One will cheer me up when I'm down, the other guides me along with her intelligence, confidence and easy air.  I'm thankful for them.  I'm also touched by the friendships made with my ex-users, whom I am closer to now because we still chat and catch up over lunch.  I feel a bigger sense of accomplishment keeping them as friends then when we completed a big project together. 
6. There are of course sad & depressing moments.  Moments that I doubt myself.  Moments that i just wonder, what's the point (in fact I still think that all the time! :P).  There was also a very difficult patch that I went through lately ... but I guessed no matter how painful, there is always a lesson to be learnt.   
7. My one regret is not partaking in any charity-related project this year.  Could be attributed mainly to laziness and lack of opportunity (but mainly laziness and inertia ba).  Let's hope I'll get off my lazy bum and do something this year. 

Geez, was just browsing back the past entries and was surprised some of the entries were so long ago though they felt like they only happened couple of months back!  Time truly flies! 

NY Resolutions for 2009 ?

Hmmm ... typically I refrain from making any.  Yes, the defeatist concept.  Don't even want to attempt to make any so I don't have to feel like I've failed to keep to them :P

But seriously, I just have four for myself:

1. To be more positive.  Stop walking around with a rain cloud hovering above me.  Its really tough coz I'm such a grumpy pessimist.  But yes, i'll try.
2. To not spend as much energy at work.  No, I don't work very hard, but I think perhaps I got to relax a little and not let the job gets to me.  Time to re-prioritise what's important in life.
3. To continue with my exercise routine so as to keep fit and sane.   
4. To go on a trip to Europe.

There, no  specific targets to reach (such as to complete a marathon or to pass an exam etc.).   I'll prolly have to think harder about what I want to achieve this year.

Rest

The outer back of my right knee hurts .... not major pain but I could feel the discomfort ... the pain when i walk ... when i go down stairs 

and the general weakness in the right knee .... 

This is not good.  I hope I'm not injured... just a minor strain ... 

So I had no choice but to have this self-imposed rest .... 

No spin today, and possibly for the next couple of days if situation does not improve

and definitely no runs this week.

Lay off.  Rest.  Cham, just bingeing and getting more obese.  Damn,

Another LSD

Yet another Long Suffering Distance.

What's up man ? Why am I having difficulties with my runs lately ?? argh!

Anyway .... my route for the day

First stop ... Portsdown Road ...
Nice to run inside there ... peace and quiet .... ok ok, kinda ulu ... but I ran at 7+ so it was bright and all ... 

They have several colonial buildings that said "WorkLife@Wessex".  I can only dream of working and living here ... 

Several cafes had sprung up in the area. There is a chocolate cafe or something ... CICADA - think i've read about this in some food blog previously ...
Time to check this place out!

From atop Labrador Park .... 

Inside NUS - The NUSS Graduates hse or something looks spanking new. Is this new ?

Not a good run.  Both my legs didn't feel right.  Left calf gave me some ache while front of the right ankle still hurt.  The more worrying one is my right ITB, feeling the pain today when I ran.  Really a bad sign.  I could feel the pain just now when walking down the stairs, and now my legs feel wobbly and weak.  

Time to lay off and rest ..... 

And oh, my ipod earphones decided to retire as well.   Guess I will have no companion in my next few runs until I find a replacement ....

 

Total distance about 16km but it took me 2hrs 10mins!!! *faint* This is BEYOND bad!

Happy New Year Walk Horse See Flower Run

As usual, no inspiration on the route and had difficulties psychoing myself to head out for a run.

After lots of internal coercion, I promised myself an easy relaxed simple run.

And this became Part 1 of my anyhow run .... 

An idea slowly formed in my head as I was jogging. Decided to explore the place that I've been meaning to explore .... but always procrastinated because I knew I wouldn't be able to really have a proper run there. I anticipated lots of walking up slopes etc and since I wasn't in the best of mental form today to have a good run, decided to heck it and enjoy myself out in the open.

Didn't want to map the route inside the "trail" since its mainly walking, taking pics and more walking ....

Inside Kent Ridge Park ... towards Hort Park ... there is NO way I could run up those slopes!!!

In Hort Park .... Nice!!!

Towards Henderson Waves ...

Reached Mt Faber ... so happy!!!!! The last time I was there was like many years ago ... Jewel Box was not even there yet I think, or at least not in the form that it is in now.  There is also this glass restaurant on the top of the hill, which is some chinese restaurant.  Looks quite atas but a really nice place to be at.  Will try out this restaurant soon.

And finally Marang Trail .... 

I walked for the most part of the route since its either up or down slope.  Hence its really just "walk horse see flower"...

Exited out opposite Harbour Front, had my 100+ break at Seah Im before starting my return route.

Actual run distance should be about 11+km while total distance on foot including all the walking should be 16km ?  Took me 2hrs 24mins.