Happy New Year!

Happy New Year !!!

Its been 2 months since my last road run, after the ankle sprain episode. Apart from the occasional short treadmill runs before spin class, I've been under utilising my Mizuno & Asics.

The short run today was unplanned and very much a spur of the moment. Slacked for 2 days, and didn't hit the gym at all. Just eat and get fatter. Anyhow, decided to go for a short run at the park connector near my place and also to check on the progress of the construction there (Part of the park was closed to construction few months back).

Construction was still on-going (apparently they are building a bridge to connect the on-going construction of some HDB flats to the market). But thankfully the jogging track is no longer closed and joggers are back in full force. What was once an empty plot of land beside one segment of the track is now occupied by on-going HDB high rises. In no time these flats would be occupied by my fellow neighbours from across the road as those blocks have been selected for en-bloc. I am pretty sure my block would be targeted for en-bloc sooner rather than later. Its just a matter of time.

Anyway, I digress. I was only targeting a short 4km run, since I haven't been on the road for a long time. I started strong, with fresh legs and felt good, and was happy that I completed the first km in less than 6 mins. I guess the treadmill run did help a little and for short distances I could ramp up from my usual 7.5min run to a 6 min run. Of course I couldn't keep up with that pace for long, but i'm not complaining :)

I finished the 4+km run in 25 mins. Really a short run, but I'm glad regardless.

Hope I will find back my motivation to run in 2010.

I Feel Good!

I finally managed to wake up early today for a run!!!!!!

For some reason I was really beat last nite and fell asleep real early, guess that's why I was able to wake up slightly earlier. I had some mild aching muscles which would have easily swayed my resolve to run, but thankfully the inability to snooze made me decide to hit the road.

Surprisingly the run today isn't bad. I was able to keep to a rather consistent pace and didn't feel winded like I have felt for the past couple of months whenever I run. I actually felt good. Tired, but good.

Finished the run (still shorter than the usual distances I covered) without much stopping like before. Though its still a good 4 - 5km shorter than before, but I'm happy for the run.

Think should be about 9km. Just hope I can keep up with this routine.

Jia you KJ!

Trying ... trying ....

I spent the last 2 weeks doing very short runs on the treadmill, just to get myself accustomed to running again. Sure running on treadmill is nothing like running on the road, but it beats not doing anything at all.

Got to work today, so I planned to do another run to office. In the past that was such an easy thing to do, but now I had to muster enough courage & determination just to get up and run that distance.

How I motivate myself to wake up to run? By adding one new song in my ipod, wanting that song to accompany me along the way. When I got down to stretching, I realised that song wasn't sync to my ipd! ()#*$(@* Had to rush back home to sync it.

After the super heavy downpour the evening before, the weather seemed to be still a bit cloudy. I overheard a couple telling an elderly couple that it seemed to be drizzling. I groaned internally and hoped the weather would hold for my run.

The same route, just cut short, and without all the added distance and loops (since I could hardly cover the shortest distance to ofc!). I was able to hold out slightly better than the last run to ofc, guess the treadmill runs.

As I got to Fullerton, I saw a mother-and-daughter pair with their race bibs, prolly walking to the starting of the GE run. So glad I was almost done with the run coz the sky was darkening by then.

Stopped at Lau Pa Sat for a 100+ rest as I was feeling really tired by then. Finished the run in about 1hr 10mins, covering at max 9km. My left ankle, which prolly still did not recover fully from the sprain, starting acting up after my run. Note to self, I really ought to go see another sinseh to have it fixed.

A long way to go to cover the distance I used to cover. sigh. Long road ahead. But I'll try, and keep on trying. Wish me luck!

Running Nowhere

Did 15 mins as warm-up before my spin this mrn.

Experimented with slight incline just to have a feel of it.

During lunch time, I decided to try another treadmill run. I kept the speed constant for most part of the run, but staggered the incline. Only managed to go up to 4% max. That's like pathetic isn't it ?

Only managed 40 mins, about 7km.

And now my right leg hurts.

*shake head*

Think I will feel the ache tomorrow. Hopeless!

SBR 2009

As could be seen by the lack of updates in this blog, it suffice to say that I ... Have .... NOT ... been ... running. So i was naturally two minds about turning up for the run today. I have been struggling with the decision for the past week, and the stress got to me on Fri night when I kept dreaming about the run. How I overslept etc.

By last night I knew I had to make a decision and glad I decided to just go for it. Even if it meant suffering the journey, it is still an experience to be had.

I wasn't able to get to sleep and managed about 3 hours of sleep in all. Got ready, chatted with mom before leaving to catch a cab to Padang. There were so many empty cabs plying my area at 4+!

I wouldn't go into details about the event but some bouquets and brickbats. Shall start with the negatives first.
1) Do they have to play the same music each year ??? The music really SUX. It doesn't get us into the mood at all
2) DJ absolutely CMI. Can't the army find someone better to psych up the crowd? We were like just standing around with nothing much to do and before we knew it, the run had started.
3) No proper signage to show the bag deposit. Ok, maybe I'm blind but i wasn't sure where the bag deposit was and had to ask around. And I wasn't the only one.

And now the good ...
1) Traffic control seemed better ? It was smooth and at no point do i need to stop at the traffic lights or felt that my life is in danger
2) army staff manning the water points are very efficient. There is sufficient water and isotonic drinks. Only problem was that the heat spray ran out way too quickly. So Taz only managed to get a bit of it ... luckily it lasted him for the run.
3) the way the bag deposit was handled put me at ease and I had faith that my barang wouldn't be lost, nor would it be drenched if there were a sudden downpour. And the boys manning the bag deposit counters were very efficient too. I was particularly impressed when the boy told me "ur bag in on the way" before I could open my mouth to ask for my baggage! *thumbs up*

Would like to say a very big THANK YOU to Taz for running with me!!! I wouldn't have enjoyed the run half as much if not for his company and his discipline to run-walk. I didn't suffer as much due to the run-walk !

We crossed the finishing line together, after waiting before the finishing line for 10+s for the clock to strike 2:49. Ok, though my timing has increased through the years but I'm just happy that I finished the run. I'm proud of myself. The timing is secondary. :)

MR in MR

Finally managed to join the mafias for a Mafia Run in MacRitchie.

Today I joined teelee (and his army friend), Taz, Fennel and the Mafia star - Kelley in the run. Teelee and his friend went for a fast 1 lap I guess as part of their AHM training.

Fennel was able to join us for this slow run because she hadn't been running the past weeks due to the dreaded flu (having said that, she still run faster than us :P Oh well).

My plan was to cover 1 loop since I hadn't been running, and I didn't want to cause any injury.

I was keeping pace with Kelly most of the first lap, but while she trotted up the slopes, I chose to walk up since the terrain is just so unfamiliar for me, what with the rocks, and uneven ground with bricks etc. I really marvel at all the guys (mainly the young boys) who flew past me. How come they are not afraid of tumbling??? -__-"

Anyway, Taz joined us much later as he was waiting for a friend who overslept and flew him aeroplane .... but he managed to catch up with us towards the mid-point in the first loop.

After the first loop, I felt ok enough and decided to join them for their second round. Managed to keep pace with Teelee a bit as he did his recovery run SLOWLY ... but I still fell behind after a while ... as I walked up those slopes. Kelly was slow but STEADY! I really salute her for being able to run in her army boots and pants (and mind you, she had a can of milo in her pants which she carried along for the 20km).

It was a good run, with great company and laughter ..... and Kelly finally managed to convince Fennel to join the mafia gang.
wahahahahaha ....

I was the last to return in 2hr 59mins :P

Til the next run, I'm pigging out and getting fatter :P

Tues Run

After over 2 weeks of non-running due to physical ailments (chronic headaches, body chills etc), I finally pulled myself together for a run on Tues mrn. After 2+ weeks and 3+ weeks of non-swimming, I can tell I'm growing into this obese auntie .... it had to stop with some action!!

Told myself i'll just go slow and if need be, stop / walk / take a cab !

The weather didn't seem unusual as I headed out but it started to drizzle as I got to River Valley and it was pouring by the time I hit Boat Quay! Not to be beaten, I just trotted on with water quickly soaking my shoes and all the squishing inside my rain-sodden socks did make the run a lil uncomfortable. But the rain pelting on my skin, the cool air really felt great and I decided to carry on and run to Esplanade, something I hadn't been able to achieve in the past couple of months.

My timing is really getting slower and SLOWER. For the same distance, I'm taking over 8 mins longer. *sighz*

Anyway, was a good run. Think i managed about 9+ to 10km in 1 hr 18mins.

Am I slow, or am I slow ? :P

Virgin MR run

Again didn't run on Thur mrn. Really slacking and lack motivation.

Got to know of one crazy fellow, K, who was going to bike for 2 hours before hitting MR for a 15km run. Actually there seemed to be tons of such siao people around ...

Anyhow, I think my lack of motivation sorta clouded my judgement and capability to think rationally made me invited myself for the run. Since I thought after a 2 hour bike prior, I guess I should be able to keep to his pace ??

Got to MR 10 mins before 7am and the folks were already getting ready at the carpark, mounting their bikes on the cars etc.

I had ran certain stretches of MR many many years back and thereafter had only ran past MR so this is almost like a virgin run of the MR loop. I was really unprepared and not used to the terrain as the pack happily trotted off and soon they were beyond sight, while I tried to follow K's pace.

After the water break at the ranger, there was a long relaxing stroll before we started again. This funny bunch is really something. Whilst they talked about slacking and bargaining for a shorter distance, they readily picked-up pace when K "commanded" them to proceed. -___-"

For me, once I stopped, its hard for me to kick-start the engine again lor ....

Anyway, had no choice but to struggle behind ... trying my best to catch up with K while the front pack was way out of sight.

I really hate running up slopes and MR seemed to have an endless number of such slopes (ok ok, to most runners, I think they would be wondering "what slopes?". As K would say, "these are just speed bumps" -___-")

Interesting to know that there was this stretch that can lead us to Bukit Timah, near the King Albert complex. Cool, I can try that route and run home from there when I'm more conditioned.

A reprieve came towards the 2nd half of the run when I was greeted with proper trails and even roads (Yay!) and that's when I felt more confident and happy and was able to run at a more decent pace. Was really happy to see another familiar face along the way with T escorting Ke in her run in army pants and boots. -____-" There are indeed seriously crazy people around!

The final stretch was basically running alone as K steadily ran up each "speed bump" while I just struggled to keep my balance and walked up each miserable slope.

Not sure how long I ran in total since there were many long walk and rest breaks but nevertheless it was a good experience. As what The Gifted had mentioned when I first consulted him on whether I should join in the run, MR is challenging and would be a good experience. Damn right it is! I had a good fun, nice running (behind) this pack of cheerful and friendly runners, and I'm sure suffering from the aftermath of this run *kah sng*.

I can only salute all these runners who treat MR like their playground, running loops ever so often, and some ultra-marathoners who had did over 5 loops in a few hours! I can hardly survive 1 loop!

HSP Revisited

As the motivation to run wanes .... I SOS-ed The Gifted for help.

"Run with me ... need motivation"

The ever-accomodating soul agreed and as a bonus, got T to join in. T promptly mapped out a route and thus hatched my first ever LSD after such a long (2 years?) absence from group LSD.

The original plan to run to the beach was aborted as T mentioned about possibly meeting wild dogs along the stretch ("unlike u boys, auntie can't out-run wild dogs!!!!", I exclaimed in fright). And since I had been away from the neighbourhood for a long while, I was excited to see what I have been missing in the 1+ years I was away.

So we started off from Buangkok towards Ponggol where I got to see the new hockey stadium + swimming pool. Place has developed a lot! The once sleepy (almost ulu) area has now a 24hour Mac, a pretty big 7-11 right outside the pool (there are 5 pools of varying purposes - olympic pool, sheltered pool, jacuzzi pool, kids pool and a slide pool). Should be fun! Can't wait to visit the pool soon (probably on a weekday as I reckoned weekends will be thronged with si gin na kids).

As we started early, the weather was cool and nice. We met several lone runners and PACKS of cyclists riding along the ponggol stretch. It felt good to be out running and seeing lots of others doing what they enjoy on an early Sat mrn.

The run was relaxing (thanks for keeping the pace slow so that I could keep up!!) and entertaining as I was treated to constant blabber on mafia wars (I'm still struggling with that!!) and the on-going developments in Ponggol. I didn't know there is even a Sengkang forum!!! Wow!!! Someone even found his future neighbours (in the same level!) from the forum. *faint*

Not sure how long we ran, am still waiting for one of the kind souls to plot the route but I reckon we should have covered minimally 17km in 2hours 10 mins. A very good run, though I was really shagged towards the last few km. And The Gifted is still running on Sun! *double faint*

Well, I don't call him that for nothing ;)

Thanks so much again for the wonderful tour of HSP (Hougang-Sengkang-Ponggol). Not running alone sure HELPS a lot!!! Major!

Can't wait for the next HSP run!

*thumbs up*

Give Up

I think until I get back my motivation in running, I shall stop blogging about my runs since its so stale to repeat the same story over and over :P

Til better times ....

Suntan

Suppose to be another LSD.  Body is rested (after 2 days of non-activity) but the mind is weak.

Ran a bit and felt sian and tired.  Enough said.  I ran walked and gave up after my first water break at the petrol kiosk.  Barely covered 6km in 45mins of run walk.

Geez.  I feel like hanging up my shoes for good.

So, it wasn't a run today but more like a mrn walk to get some sun.  wahahaha

Thur Run

I woke up at 5 and thought it was raining when I looked out the window.  The sky had a reddish hue and the wind was blowing.  But I wasn't sure whether I was dreaming and in my groggy state, I washed up, got changed and got out of the house.

True enough it was drizzling but since I had made the effort to get ready, I decided to heck it and just run.

The cool weather (with occassional strong wind!!) helped the run.  I didn't feel as dehydrated and managed to finish the run, though short, rather comfortably.

Shld be about 10km in 1hr 13 mins.  Very slow I know.  But at least I ran lah .... my consolation haha

Yet Another Lousy Run ...

Woke up this mrn and felt so much like skipping work. Felt like I was coming down with something, and I really just didn't feel like running.

So I guess the drive wasn't there. As I neared the 7-11 store near to Liang Court, I just decided I was thirsty enough and thus stopped to get myself a drink. Thereafter it was just slower ... and slower ... with many walk breaks.

Took me about 1hr 15mins to cover probably 10km.

Geez ....

I'm really slacking

Failed Mission

Celebrating my eldest niece's upcoming birthday at sis' place today. They are having a party ... So plan was to run to sis place.

Started early at about 6:45am and didn't feel anything amiss.

Alas, not long into the run I felt winded and in less than 20 mins, I had to walk. *shake head*

Legs were tired and I was struggling even before I got to MacRitchie.

Lousy lousy run. I walked most of the way after my water break at Long House and after another 30 mins of stroll, I gave up near Teachers' Estate and took a cab to sis place. Haha ....

Failed mission. And again the top of my left foot starts to hurt. Aiyo.... been eating lots more, growing horizontally exponentially and yet I'm working out LESS.

Thur Run

Woke up at 4+ and couldn't get back to bed.  Decided to start early since I wanted to get something done in the ofc.   I'm so early that I actually saw a patrol car stopped in front of me and questioned a guy who was holding something in a plastic bag.  And I was this early that the usual coffeeshop that I passed by in Queenstown, which normally would already have its share of early risers having their breakfast, was still getting ready unloading food supplies to get ready for their business.

Anyway, it was a better run.  Able to cover about 12+km, 1hr 26mins i think

Tues Run

Still about 5 mins slower than before and was struggling towards the last part of the run.

But all in all glad I ran.

Nothing much.  About 10km 1hrs 14mins.

LSD

Got to work on Sat so ran to work as part of LSD, knowing that if I don't do that, I would surely not run on Sun.

There was lots of mental struggle between continuing my sleep and running to work.  Thankfully the sheer logic of running to work wins. 

While puffing away at the early stages of the run, I came to realise that I had forgotten the objective of my runs.  I shouldn't beat myself up, nor whine about my runs.  Looking back to the period when I was injured and couldn't even run 1km, i had told myself then that it doesn't matter how short/slow I run, as long as i CAN still run.  That's the objective and I somehow lost sight of that objective recently.

Realising this again, I was more relaxed and just run or stop whenever I feel like it.   

Ran to Labrador Park again .... the sky was beautiful.   One slight glitch in the run.  I planned to buy water at the vending machine at the park but alas, it somehow just couldn't accept $2 notes when it was suppose to.  After much trying, I gave up.  I was dreading the run out because the next kiosk would be a distance away.  I decided to try my luck at the city beach resort and finally managed to get some change.  100+ never tasted THIS good.

Managed to get to office in 2.5 hours.  Strange that the distance clocked is a mere 15km.  Really don't think I'm THAT slow.  I'll still think I clock about 20km minimum.

Thur Run

Today's run is slightly better.  

Still slower than before .... but consolation was I managed to run a longer distance

Took me 1hrs 25mins to cover about 12km.

I still have some way to go.

My input ... is wayyyyyy above my output.    I'm fated to be fat. hahahaha

LOUSY RUN

Quite disheartened to write.  Three words sum up the run this mrn.

Breathless.  Slow.  Disappointing.

One of the worst runs ever.  Felt chuan right from the very beginning.  And possibly due to the insufficient water intake the day before, I was extremely dehydrated and this marks the 2nd time in my weekday run that I had to get water at the 7-11.

Cut short the run, much shorter than usual.  Think was about 9km for 1hrs 12mins.  Really disheartening.

Really hope I can regain my fitness soon.  Will I or is this really part and parcel of aging?  I've been told long ago that one will feel the physical decline at the age of 30.  I admit I didn't feel much of that when I cross the big 3-0.  However, I'm feeling it now ... maybe its the difference between the physical age and the bio age.  To console myself I prolly just cross the bio age of 30 not so long ago.

haha ... 

Hope I regained some level of fitness soon.

 

Thur Run

Another run .... the top of my left foot hurts since my LSD on Sun.
It gets better but the pain will return during my run ... now its still hurting.

Did my usual Tues route except that I cut short the distance as I was feeling really tired and foot hurts when I hit Fullerton. So didn't manage to go to Esplanade. Anyway I was running late as I overslept.

It started to rain when I got to Fullerton and got progressively heavier. But sure was nice and cooling to run in the rain.

My timing is really lousy .... I've slowed down by almost 10 mins :(

Sigh. Today shld cover just 9.5km. 1hr 13mins.

Ok lah hor, better than slacking.