| WTF |
[Aug. 16th, 2009|12:00 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  angry | ] |
"I didnt change. u did. did u know that chris nvr replied my sos email, not even a phone call or sms even. if he's such an expert in running how come he had no advice to offer? either he doesnt know nything or could not be bothered and if he dares to lie that he tried to help me, ask him to lie to my face. i will slap him so hard he will go back to his mothers womb. CK will testify to this becos tat email was sent to both chris and ck originally the main reason ck didnt wana go kl was bcos he was disgusted with chris. anyay it was ck who went all out to help me. eat the rite food, try yoga, training properly, he encourage me to sign up for safra run n stanchart marathon to warm up for disney. do u know how much internet research ck did? how many doctors he contacted? he has been helping me train for disney. he did all he cld as a fren n is still doing.
ur darling chris did nothing! if chris dont want to help at least say so, not just keep quiet. and YOU look back to your answer to my sos email. u seemed to quote the big book of chinese mystical advice. i didnt even know what to make of ur email, then u trivialise everything by saying that i shld just go and run. it was brave of me to even admit my weakness to u. smthing that i dont even admit to my parents. u howl in pain when u fall or run barefoot, just imagine how much pain i carry on myself everyday! i hide it with smiling n joking. i even nearly died when i was in that coma."
I must first admit to having kept quiet, thats a point of note - which also leads me to ask why I do it, and how often!
But NO the rest of it is unfair.
Did I ever say I am an expert? I run alot, but thats not being an expert.
Did I ever claim to have helped when I did not?
This is not fair at all.
And if CK is disgusted (and plus himself) over what?? State the obligatory situation which I do not believe exists. What is this really about!? |
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| Anxiety ... worry ... |
[Feb. 10th, 2009|09:20 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Office | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  worried | ] |
| [ | music |
| | "I'd really love to be somewhere else" - by CCC | ] |
Not sure if she is feeling well today ... she had indicated to me last night about maybe taking MC today ...
Haven't heard from her yet this morning ... patience (maybe)? Hmmm ... oh the feeling of anxiety and worry............... |
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| Why'd I have to see that!!! |
[Feb. 8th, 2009|04:41 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | ... where am I???? | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  depressed | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad?! | ] |
Was at the National Vertical Marathon with her ... and well whilst I had to go and wait for Team SSC members to arrive (CDL Corporate Challenge - 5 members, 12 storeys each), she went for the Womens Open category.
She had a friend she was meeting there ... finished his run probably, as Mens Open is the 1st category to get underway in this event. I was in the distance ... thot I saw something between them from afar and well, I had told myself before to just avoid such stuff ... thats because I can get really paranoid about all this ... I mean firstly, from afar means I don't actually know what was happening, but yet I know I am going to go crazy with all those silly thoughts ...
I am going crazy as I type this, I mean I just needed to put it down in the hope it helps me to settle my uneasy feelings ...
The rest of the morning was rather normal, as we met up again later. Went to some bike shops as we are currently looking for road bikes for each of us.
But that picture in my mind has returned to put me in chaotic mood!!!
Arghhhhhh! Someone just kill me now! |
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| Washing the car ... |
[Jan. 25th, 2009|09:30 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  energetic | ] |
There we were at the car park at East Coast park ... filled a couple pails of water, the water pressure was rather low so it took a little while.
She needed to give the car a wash before Chinese New Year, and the day before the queue at the petrol kiosk car wash was too long!
So she started with the washing and well, I got to help too.
Thing is that it was a simple activity ... yet from it I derived so much satisfaction just to help her with it. |
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| Going Banana's on Sat, 17 Jan 09 (6:30am) |
[Jan. 19th, 2009|03:04 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | My Room | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  ecstatic | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Michael Learns To Rock | ] |
Saturday morning and my alarm clocks (yes I set more than one) went off at 5am. Rolled out of bed and grabbed a piece of bread and also drank some water, as I readied myself for some fun at the Banana Relay Run 2009.
The setting was Pasir Ris Park and I had not been there for a long time … when we arrived at 6:10am it was still dark. We settled down to some milo, coffee-o and tea at the park café (too sweet!) before finally getting to registration at 7am.
A short recce up the path and across the first bridge (there is a second one further up the 1.75km stretch) we came to the sign on the lamppost that indicated 500m from the Start/Finish point!
We got back to the main gathering area and some announcements and the briefing was conducted … and then the officials had the task of re-assigning runners as some had not turned up … I met my team mate, a young lady who introduced herself to me as Wai Ling (number tag 101 – my tag is 103), but our 2nd runner was absent (later I would find out he was down with the flu) … curiously, I peeked over at the registration tables and noticed the number 233 scribbled at where our 2nd runners nickname was, and I saw the lady with the number tag nearby … her name is Momoko and she would take over as our 2nd runner.
As I found out, Wai Ling is studying at NUS High School and she had only run 3.2km prior to this event, so I said to her to go and “enjoy yourself”. As for Momoko, she is in Singapore on a 2-year contract with DHL. She had run at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon last December! Wow!
So with the race about to start, the first runners were asked to pick up their banana batons. Wai Ling picked up ours and once all the teams were ready, the race was flagged off. Momoko took over after that and then followed by me … by the halfway stage (1st leg completed), we guessed we were around 5th position. She had asked me how many I had overtaken in my 1st leg and I said about 4, and she told me that for her it was about 3. That was when we kinda joked and dreamed about a top-3 finish to try and get some ‘souvenirs’ to bring back! :P
Wai Ling was on her 2nd leg then, and Momoko and I were eager to try for the top-3now, and so we started to really count how many teams were ahead of us … Wai Ling was taking a little longer for her 2nd run, and she held it as best as she could. When Momoko took over the two bananas (yup we have double for the 2nd legs), I think we were about 4th … and I was thinking about how my strategy would be, it was dependant on how close … but then my friend gave me the most valuable tip (coaching) of all, he said, “Just shut up and run!”.
And that’s what I did … I casually took the bananas from Momoko (confirm 4th as 3 runners had started their final legs) and bolted after them!
About 1.2km up and I saw the runner from the team in 3rd place, but then the surprise … the other two runners were also close by … so I picked them off one by one, that included the leading runner just before making the turn around to head back!
Having assumed leadership of the race, it was 1.75km to glory! Haa haa
So I put my head down and ran off as fast as I could … I was beginning to feel some fatigue so I kept something “in the tank” just in case I had to fend off an “attack” … when I neared the 1st bridge which meant I was now within 500m of the Finish, I emptied my tanks gradually and went across the line! A little winded as I passed the girls who were giggling away nearby … we were all on a high!
Later on, came the prize presentation, this was after a very very long lucky draw … it was as if they would never run out of prizes!! Haa haa haa
We went up for our Team Champions medals and prize! They were presented to us by M. Rameshon. Took our pics and all ... powerful stuff all this, makes the blood rush!! Yeah!
But then the excitement didn’t end there … when we returned to our places, before I could sit down the MC told me not to!? This was as he announced the Fastest Man title, suddenly I had a little lump in my throat! He made a comment that referred to my SGrunners-nickname and that confirmed that I had won it (totally unexpected and out-of-the-blue)! So I went up again … humbly accepting such an accolade and to be garnered the medal by Rameshon (again), our National record holder for the Marathon! WOW!!
What a Saturday morning!!! :D |
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| Grandma's gone ... |
[Jun. 6th, 2008|03:30 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | My Room | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | sad | ] |
| [ | music |
| | ~ none ~ | ] |
My Grandma had been warded since earlier in the week after a bad fall!
Things haven't been that great for a couple of months now and of late, whenever an SMS came in from one of my Uncle's or Aunt's, I sorta hesitated a moment before daring to read the message ...
Got that same feeling on Thursday (5 Jun) morning when my Uncle messaged that Grandma's condition was not too stable ...
And then suddenly an SMS at 3.30am ... oh my ... she's gone now, she has finally been called back.
Dun feel too good, kinda miss her telling me all her stories ... she always struck me as a very strong (and strong-willed) person, and someone I would deem as "power".
Only in getting into her 80s did her power seem to wane a little, meaning that she would no longer take bus trips to Chinatown, or sweep the courtyard ...
She would go on, and on. Into her 90s ... and only lately have those 'signs' made me feel worried for her ... just wished she was all "power" again!
I am missing her already as I type this and its not been half hour?! Guess I have a tendency to feel emotional, to bring out the emotions, to reminesce.
I can still remember just a few weeks ago and we were having our regular Sunday lunch. And how you need to really heat things up for her, otherwise she would complain that "its not hot".
Take care "Ah Ma". Miss ya ... |
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| Injuries abound! Maybe 2008 is over for me |
[Mar. 7th, 2008|11:11 pm] |
Just when you thought it was safe to get into the water ... things just been taking the wrong turn for me this year, and from high-anticipation of the events to come, maybe 2008 is over for me!?!
Got another couple of injuries to contend with, the 'killer blow' coming from a possible hernia-problem! The ache is right there, and no way I can even exert during activity. Wise thing is to lay-low and take it easy ... using natural healing as the weapon to resolve this! I pray that I will not need invasive surgery or other techniques!
Injury Update
-------------
Hernia problem (quite possibly)
Left Knee (behind knee actually)
Left Thigh (still recovering the flexibility) |
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| From despair to 'gonna freak out' to 'no feeling left' |
[Feb. 28th, 2008|11:59 pm] |
Had my dept. seminar (the one we arrange today) ... and things just never really fell into place, they just fell!
Before long I had already gone from the despair, thru the 'gonna freak out' and into 'no feeling left' ... there were so many helpful friends around and even then, it was a disaster!
I have a naggy feeling that I am going to be facing the firing-squad soon, so I expect a bad post-mortem with me right in the mix of it.
So its February 29th ... uncanny really, coz the feeling is that I may not make this 'leap'.
Good night everyone!!! |
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| *CRACK* *BANG* *OUCH* |
[Jan. 30th, 2008|11:59 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | My Room | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | sad | ] |
I had not been on the field more than 15 minutes?!
Soccer at National Stadium ... I graced this game which served as a testimonial for my colleague who is leaving! :-!
The opponents were fairly tough ... pretty organised and a little into the 30s type, which should have been good news for me! Not so ..............
Going in as a substitute for my friend, I took over his striker role.
Then came the moment, a loose ball and I looked to sprint clear in between two defenders ... and then the one slightly nearer lunged his leg to block me! *CRACK* *BANG* *OUCH*
Think his knee(cap) must have caught my thigh coz it was the worst I have ever got hit this way before! I went flying and landed on the grass!
( no the fall did not hurt at all ... grass lah )
It was kinda surreal, I was totally in my own focusing on my leg ( somewhere in the backdrop of all this, the guy received a yellow card and my team-mates prepared for the subsequent free-kick ), and I stood up to find that this was something I was not going to run-off ...
I signalled to the bench for someone to take over, anyway I went over to my bag and started to dekit my boots, socks, shin-pads ... by this time, a rather obvious swelling could be seen on my left thigh and the mobility was beginning to get tough as it 'hardened up'! I frantically asked if anyone had ice, but no. So I just scooted off on my bicycle and headed home ( I know there is ice ready for me there! ).
That nice I iced my leg about 4 times, hoping to aid my recovery as much as possible! My thigh had become hard as a rock by bedtime!
Next day and things had changed ... my thigh had now taken a roundish shape and had become like a soft balloon! Painful to the tough though as I struggled with even walking.
The weekend came and it was getting past 48 hours and my icing lessened somewhat ... I did compress my thigh on a few days with a tuby-grip. The swelling only began to subside about Sunday, the 4th day since the injury.
Its been more than a week later now, and still some pain exists. The full range of motion is still not yet achievable without pain, and some stretching is still on the cards ... think it may just be time to call off the field soccer days ... it just isn't worth it! I mean I still love the art of the game (soccer) but the contact/physical aspects are to be abhored ... ... |
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| Its not easy ... they dun get it ... |
[Jan. 25th, 2008|11:59 pm] |
Having been at a dinner with a friend, I only then discovered about the Adebayor v Bendtner war!! It certainly raised my curiousity and thus I searched Yahoo! Sports for the news and soon I was running through the lines and lines of information about this.
The writer of the article mentioned that Bendtner had had previous encounters with team mates before, and thus made this latest incident less of a surprise.
( incomplete ) |
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| International Migrants Day Futsal 2007 |
[Dec. 16th, 2007|04:00 pm] |
The above event was held at Delta Sports Hall on Sunday, 16 Dec 07.
We (the group of mates) arrived there at about 8.15-8.30am. Then we found out that they had split/mixed us up into the various teams. So we each had to attach coloured number tags (to differentiate the teams). However, there was a little confusion to this and some took the opportunity to swap teams ... this meant it was not as balance as it could have been.
The migrants (workers) came from various countries, including Thailand, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, etc.
I think the loudest cheers and most excitement was reserved for the Ladies games ... they showed so much spirit, and many were kicking the ball for the first (few) times only. There were a few ladies who showed their mettle, and stood out from the rest! ;)
One team, I joked (with my mates), was unofficial Ladies Champions already before they even kicked a ball! I explained to my mates that it was because even before the first game had kicked-off, the photographer was snapping pictures for them like dozens of shots, so I joked that they must have been the glamour queens and hot favourites! ha ha ha
( Btw, no surprises then when they made it all the way to the Final. )
The star player in the Ladies event, Jas ... looked to me of Indian descent? Well, she looked so good on the ball, and pulled her team (with several novices) all the way, with her goals and craft ... they went to the Final!
So Grand Finale (Ladies). The 'favourites' took an unsurprising lead with their slick inter-play ... at that point, I did not see how Jas could turn the tide, virtually alone with her team mates who were working hard but were obviously new and outclassed. But she did what she could first, earning a free-kick and then planting the ball into the top-corner to equalise!
Then came an inspired swap within Jas' team to tip the odds ... their goalie, who I felt had shown some ability, changed positions with one of her team mates, and together with Jas, they began to dictate the game. They literally tore them apart and Jas added her 2nd to give them the lead ... and then with time running out, the (ex-)goalie shot in the 3rd for an awe-inspiring and exciting 3-1 win! WOW! The crowd erupted ... and of course, some sadness for the vanquished ...
In the Mens event, the Thai representatives were becoming increasingly prominent with their speed, fitness, and neat skills.
I was pretty lucky to have two of them in my team, and one of them was simply a Power-Forward, he had speed, power, acceleration ... single-mindedly putting the ball away efficiently!
In our 1st game, I started on the bench and watched as we conceded a goal (against the run of play) and struggled to equalise as the other team remained resilient. After about 9 mins (of the 10) had elapsed, I finally got my introduction into the game. Straight away I latched onto a loose ball and brought it forward before lashing the ball at goal, the keeper pushed it out for a corner. Then with time running out, I got the ball wide-right again and I lashed it at goal again, this time the keeper blocked it, but my Power-Forward team mate (No.5) scored from the rebound! We had got the draw. hee hee hee
2nd game and aside from a tough opening few minutes, things got easier as my Power-Forward struck again! Not once, not twice, but Thrice as he scored a wonderful hat-trick. The other team were not bad, but we marshalled their two or three key players well, and restricted their play. Score: 3-0.
3rd game and I sat this one out ... the other team was one of the weakest and I personally did not like to pile on to their misery ... the guys were simply too strong for them, and we probably hit them for 7-0.
So with the 2 wins and 1 draw, we qualified for the Semi-Finals. There we met the pretty strong opponent which featured 3 Thais who has shown a telepathy like I have ever seen, dummies & back-heels, they just knew where each other was like none other ... my friend Kim Chye was on that team too, and he added metal to their defensive line. They led twice, and we managed to respond with each of our Thais (No.5 with the first one) equalising. It finished 2-2 and we needed a penalty shootout to decide this one ... our Thais stepped up confidently and scored, and our keeper Shaiful stopped both of their kicks, where at 2-0 in a best-of-three shootout, we won the right to play the Final.
In the Final, and we were up against a very young team (their oldest player was only 22) who were all local ... this is what I meant that some teams were not balanced ... anyway this was a friendly futsal day and we were underdogs ... they led 1-0 before we levelled it up. But as it went, they hit us hard and fast with two more goals and ended 3-1 in their favour.
So the curtain came down on the event! I sure had a pretty nice time and hope most everyone did too! They asked us for feedback and so I expect their next event to be even better! Well done! |
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| Bull Run 2007 |
[Oct. 12th, 2007|11:59 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | My Room | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | energetic | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar | ] |
The Bull Run finally happened ... strangely I had thought I had missed out on it already, thinking it had happened sometime earlier in the year, in May or something. =P
So on this Friday evening we were to run on roads like Shenton Way, Collyer Quay, McCallum Street, etc. The early signs were ominous though ... from National Stadium where I work, thunder could be heard and the NEA website seemed to indicate a storm brewing in the West.
I received a message and it informed me that all the gals had decided to pull out ... oh whoa ...
The few of us remaining going from 'stadium' car-pooled, my friend David kindly giving us a ride in his car, Andrew and me. And so we finally arrived at Padang ... festivities had only just begun.
As Team Captain, I proceeded straight to the Registration Tentage to pick up our number tags. Then we stopped at one of the empty tentages at the rear to wait for the others ... Chin Yeh soon arrived, and so did William.
We then sort of staked-out near the form up area, to put ourselves in a strategically good position to get to the front for 'fast runners'. There was a SSC tentage/area, where the promotion of i-Run was taking place, and Frederick was there.
Then Surprise! Surprise! Elena and Karen appeared! Apparently the two of them had changed their minds. ;-)
Finally we were formed up almost right up front! 'fast runners' mah. haahaa
The Fun Run was soon flagged off and away we went on the sprint!
David was away first, hot on the heels of the leading pack (of about 6 runners, later David said). As for myself, I found myself blocked by some of the enthusiastic 'joggers' who squeezed in front of me at the starting area, however they were hardly that fast and so i went along the wide right channel and got around them.
Onto Anderson Bridge and I could finally begin my pursuit for the leaders! hee hee hee
Turning onto Collyer Quay, I passed David there, and urged him on saying, "Pace yourself man!".
Going on down to Shenton Way, and this number 0556 went quickly past, wow! He looked too strong for me ... and then number 1322 was doing quite well too, and I found myself keeping up just behind him. I kept to my own pace to keep myself quite comfortable, stretching out my legs and keeping a good form.
On the return stretch then and passing 'Lau Pa Sat', I was like having a personal duel with 1322 ... this time though, I passed him and never looked back. It seemed as though he was no longer able to respond.
So I pushed a little more all the way back to Connaught Drive (where we had started) and the Finish was only just ahead now as we came back across the Anderson Bridge ... finishing straight and one tall guy in my category was finishing pretty strong, but i decided that I could still out pace him to the line, and I did!!! heh heh heh
After that I warmed down, and tried to locate my mates coming back ...
Yay! I was happy! The timing looked pretty neat ... my guess is I may have sneaked into the top-10, but so far the official results have yet to be displayed. |
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| BMU 1 - 4 Mattie's Boys |
[Oct. 6th, 2007|06:00 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | My Room | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
Just the time ... weekend ... to have soccer friendly!!
The event happening at Farrer Park sports complex was the launch of Longines Sports Collection!
Matt invited me to get my team down for a friendly versus Team SSC. I got my guys, and on the day, the other side was SSC plus several others who Matt had recruited ... quite a powerful bunch altogether.
For me, I got my P-Ball guys plus some of Kheng Chuan's team ... unfortunately Kim Chye overslept (obviously feeling the effects of his ICT and night duty) and Zhong Chuan pulled out last minute. This forced us to shuffle it around ... Terence and Gary (invited by Matt) joined us to boost our numbers.
Even Kheng Chuan was slotted in, to play at right-back.
We started pretty brightly, Raymond picking the ball from deep, Nelson making his forays on the right with Jon supporting him. Seemed like we were slightly in ascendancy ...
But then we went 1-0 down ... Vijay went down the right wing and crossed the ball, and David easily nudged it in with his shin.
It got worst! Don bamboozled the defence with his mazy moves and took it on solo before shooting into the bottom corner.
We pulled a goal back though ... we earned a corner and Terence swung it in, Shaiful came out of his goal but did not catch it, so Nelson put pressure on the defender next to him who headed it down (still in the danger area) so I gleefully volleyed it home from 4 meters!
The 1st half was coming to a close and we conceded a free-kick on our right flank ... ball floated in (I assume it was meant as a cross) and it dropped in under the crossbar at the far corner of our goal. I think Daniel was unlucky, especially with all the other good work he had displayed.
Raymond and Nelson worked hard to initiate more for us, but fatigue was creeping in ... there were chances where a pass would probably have served us better, but the option chosen of shooting from unrealistic range proved fruitless.
With tired legs almost all round, we were basically camped in our own half (perhaps even our penalty box) and found it hard to get out ... after more sustained pressure, the ball found its way out of the box, and was fired superbly on target, and Daniel got his hand but couldn't keep it out.
Anyway, by this time Team SSC were playing without a keeper at goal ... we could probably have sneaked another consolation with slightly more energy and focus, but the game was generally up way before this.
Final whistle went, and I hope for everyone, it was an enjoyable encounter!
Lots of work went in and I am proud of all ... thanks and a pleasure as always to play with you guys!! |
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| Oooh! Now thats Chong Pang Nasi Lemak!! |
[Sep. 8th, 2007|12:06 pm] |
So on this day I was at Food Republic, Vivo City.
Finally I thought I would try the Chong Pang Nasi Lemak ... on my last visit, my throat was bad and thus I passed back then.
My turn came and I asked the 'Uncle' for a little more rice, guess he supposedly added a full-bowl more?! Coz I got charged for it. Opted for some vege, ikan bilis, tofu, and fried chicken (pieces).
Watched the 'Auntie' key-in on the cash register ... $6.60 ... later I examined the receipt, Coconut Rice @ $0.80 x2, vege @ $1.20, ikan bilis @ $1.20, tofu @ $0.60, and fried chicken @ $2.00.
Ah well, I sat down and tucked-in to what is the most expensive nasi lemak I have ever eaten! Savoured every bit of it ... better, otherwise there is unlikely to be a next time! har har har har
Overall I think its 'shiok' ... the price though ... ... |
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| CSC Reservoir Run 2007 |
[Sep. 4th, 2007|11:59 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | My Room | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | relieved | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Fields Of Gold | ] |
Just 9 days and 2 days earlier and I had run 21km for the AHM and Aviva Ironman Triathlon Singapore respectively, and the lack of mileage left me pretty beat ... especially after the Aviva.
My left quad which had almost cramped at the end of my run was still aching, and going into the 10km for the CSC Reservoir Run I was going to warm it up as long as I needed to and see if it could even go!
I knew I lacked mileage overall anyway, so 1st round was surely going to be slower ...
Starting out in the 1st round, I ended up tagging along with my team mate, David Shum. And so we went around and completed our 1st round ... 22:38, which was just about what I wanted, but David told me later, he was worried he had run too hot liao! ( no worries lah, he did very well! )
2nd round and I just could not convince myself to really go ... and then we came up to a familiar figure in front of us, it was Kenneth Woo of JTC, we were team mates earlier in the year for the NTUC Cross Country ... we were surprised to see him as we had the idea he would have sped-off ahead by then.
Anyway, we were together for a bit, and coming to the reservoir power-station which meant we were beginning to go back toward Temasek Poly's direction ... and I finally decided to open up and see how far I could go!
Off I went and neither David nor Kenneth came alongside me at that time, but then this NYP runner was taking the challenge and keeping with me ... after a while, I decided to shrug him off and put on a little bit more into the after-burners to see if how he responded ... well I was soon in clear air on my own.
A few more bends and I was beginning to feel the strain ( I had dreaded ) but I imagined the guys over-taking me to push myself more ... and also, I told myself to keep my legs moving and not to drop too much on the pace. And even if I knocked myself out, if I could motivate the guys to push harder, then I dun totally lose. har har har
Finally came the turn back into Temasek Poly grounds, and back to the stadium track to finish ... I maintained as best I could and when I eventually reached the track, I surged into my final flurry and went into a sprint ... round the final corner and my long time team mate Lee Ho Khee came to encourage me, I put it all into my legs now as I powered to the finish! The last part was a blinder, but I could hear the girls screaming and cheering ... the feeling was exhilirating!!
I walked around as I recovered my breath ... and met Glen Copsey of LTA on the track up ahead ... then Dr. Ben Tan also greeted me. He had done a superb 41:20 ... I want the formula!!! heh heh
David was soon in too, and the few of us were exchanging greetings and chatting. Kenneth passed by and commented on me, "... always come from behind", owing to how I usually start out behind some of the other runners and finish a little stronger and overtake them (I did it at NTUC Cross Country too!). Well, I feel I had my reasons, but this could very well be my own trademark style. :-) |
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| Army Half Marathon a.k.a. Singapore Bay Run? =P |
[Aug. 26th, 2007|08:36 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | My Room | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  exhausted | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Someday - MLTR | ] |
2 hours sleep I got ... yup, my own doing as I watched English Premier League and then Formula 1 qualifying until about 2am!! At 4.20am I stirred as I realised I needed to go ... a brief moment of hesitation before I literally slid myself off the bed!
SMSed David and Chin Yeh to try and establish a meeting point, and reply came only from Chin Yeh ... we set the Cenotaph monument as the place. I donned my running gear and put on my contacts before jumping on my bike and rode off ... finally down Nicoll Highway where I passed (rode thru) several sleepy NS guys who must have worked through the night!! Some were still alert enough to shift, but those who weren't I simply plotted my way around them. Thanks!!
Getting to Cenotaph, it was about 5am and I did not recognise anyone ... by the time it was 5.15am I thought to walk toward the start point (Fullerton Bridge) ... I found out later that Chin Yeh arrived only a few minutes after I moved along (aww man!!).
On the Fullerton Bridge and I finally saw someone I knew, Jason Chia (Sports Doctor, CGH) but he moved forward fast and I did not manage to catch him. And then I saw a group taking pictures, it was the SAFRA Runners ... good chance to find David, I thought, and I saw Kin Fai whom I had met at the Passion Run a little while back and greeted him. Photos taken and the SAFRA Runners spread themselves out, and ... David was right there!! We chatted a bit and finally it was flag-off time.
Just starting out and on Shenton Way, I greeted Lynette who was surprised to see me there as I had actually mentioned before that I intended to skip the event ... so I asked her about her target and wished her well, and hopefully she did it!! ;)
On my way then and I was moving along, trying to conserve energy and take care of my painful knees ... getting onto the ECP a runner caught my eye, it was a young girl whose running vest had the words "SRJC Athletics". heh heh. She was doing a good pace, slightly stronger than me at this stage, I was quite pleased and tried to keep up, happy also that my old school had representatives! Think in my time back then we may not have had a team.
Going up the Sheares Bridge and I was really enjoying myself as I pumped myself on the ascent, overtaking many runners who were slowed by the terrain ... and then on the way down, I did not want to go too fast, but then my left knee hurt me as I tried to 'put on the brakes', so I 'bo chap' and opened up and descended at speed! Shiok!
Back down to the ECP flats and alamak! The momentum and gravity gone liao ... it was feeling relatively more laborious now. *pant pant*
Worse ... no SRJC girl to chase ... so entering the East Coast Park and I had to find all sorts of reasons to keep it up as my mind & body started flagging ...
First was this fella whose shoes made a noise on each of his steps, like the front part of the sole rubs the ground momentarily ... and he was behind my left shoulder, it was driving me nuts, and I told myself to try and get away from him ... eventually I did.
Then as we made the turnaround, this guys breathing!! Wah lau eh! Scary man! It was so loud, it sounded like his lungs were gonna burst ... I did not wanna stick around for any more of his scary breathing noises!
And as we got out of East Coast Park and got close to Fort Road, heavy pounding steps were heard as this guy came from behind and went past ... after a while, I was listening to my own steps, and well, as I grew wearier, I could hear them more distinctly. =P
One may also remember the "Pirates" ... which division are they from, I wonder ... would have loved to swashbuckle with them if I had the time!! :)
Fort Road then, and it was last 5km and I was thinking about having a good finish ... but my body showed it was way too early at the state it was in then ... saw this guy I think having cold spray in his hand and spraying his knees, how I wanted to say, "gimme that!" coz my knees were killing me too!
My first drink (had resisted the urge to take on any earlier as my stomach felt a bit unstable) was on Mountbatten Road (at the bus stop opposite the 2 petrol kiosks), Orange flavoured 100-Plus ... took my time to drink! *slurp*
But then quite weak liao, missed a 2-point shot when right over the ring, i.e. my empty cup hit the rim of the dustbin and fell to the road. hyak hyak hyak
Going along and passing the Kallang Netball Centre, and onto Nicoll Highway, my legs were really killing me, just kept plugging at it. The Merdeka Bridge never felt so steep before ( heehee ) ... the group of runners around me, it was like I had been seeing their backs since we left East Coast Park, and I had made no headway with them (yet).
The LIVE band at the turn to Republic Boulevard ... oh yeah, they were having a rocking good time! And it 'adrenalized' me as I gave them a raised fist of approval and suddenly the speed delimiter was off! My legs powered up and I was literally 'running through the pain' as I ate up the last 1km, overtaking all my 'good company of runners' since East Coast Park ... it was a terrific feeling coursing through my veins as I charged all the way to the Finish. The ecstatic feelings enveloped me, and well, add the niggly pains and muscles bordering toward cramps. har har har
Taking in 100-Plus, I waited around the waiting area to wait for anybody I knew ... eventually Chin Yeh came thru, and a little later, Yee Lee ... add David and we were 4 out of 6 for NIE Director's Relay Team! ;)
After that ... ... well, we all went along to take our well-deserved rest!
Cheers!
Injury Update
-------------
Aching Left Knee
Aching Back
( any more and let you know when Monday/Tuesday arrive ) |
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| The Replacements at the Osim Triathlon 2007 |
[Jul. 28th, 2007|03:12 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | My Room | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | content | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Tina Turner - The Best | ] |
Now what turned out as a great time and enjoyable experience at the Osim Triathlon 2007 today, actually has a long story attached to it ... eventually getting to how The Replacements came together, specialists in each of the legs we undertook.
Jessie, her boyfriend Chris, and David signed up for the Sprint - Mixed Relay. And then one day, David asked me, "can you do me a favour?", and I replied, "yes, what is it?". He asked if I would replace him for the running-leg of the relay, and I readily agreed (5km run sounded fun).
And so as the days went by, we were all anticipating taking to the sea, track, route on Sat, 28 July. But then when I emailed Jessie closer to the event, she informed me that she was not swimming!? And so I asked her why ... she had got pneumonia and whats more, it got passed to Chris as well. This meant that Jessie's swimming coach and one of their cycling buddies would replace them! This completed the full set of Replacements, and borrowing Jessie's own words, a power-packed lineup! And so I got to meet Lynette and Charles on the day!
Jessie was especially excited even before we got to the event ... we could win it, she said. I felt some nervousness creep in, and all sorts of scenarios went through my mind as I prepared for what was to unfold.
We all gathered and met up at 9.30am Saturday morning, and the team was in good spirit! I found it hard to wait for our race time really ...
Finally it was 11am, and Lynette took to the water! She did extremely well and when Charles and I saw her from the TA, she was leading the race! She came around the last corner so fast that she slipped on the wet grass ... so Charles picked it up from there and velcro-ed the championchip to his left ankle.
After 18 mins, I spotted Charles sweep by as he completed his 1st round, I had been looking out so as to give me a gauge on when I should start getting ready to take my turn! Jessie came to the other side of the "Bike Out" passageway to inform me that Charles was on his way, and so I kept my eyes peeled and legs warm.
And then it was time, Charles handed me the velcro and I nervously pasted it around my left ankle. One team in our category had already started the running leg, and so I whooshed up the overhead bridge and onto the running route on the other side.
I began pacing myself and went around the lagoon ... and then suddenly the rain rolled in! Torrents of rain came down and I was soon drenched. I thought to myself about how this might slow me down a bit, but focused on getting myself through the paces properly ... there was lots of ground water and very soon my socks and shoes were soaking wet.
Then as I neared the turn-around point, I began keeping a lookout for the guy in my category who was ahead of me, I wanted to know if he was close enough for me to 'attack' him, somehow though I did not see anyone with the markings or number tag ... oh well, so I turned and headed back toward the Finish and I switched my attention to how close the next competitor in my category was ... after a while I saw some of them, so I kept going best I could to stay ahead.
Eventually I reached the other side of the lagoon and you could just 'smell' the Finish now ... and so coming around near the food centre, I passed this guy and I really thought I saw "RX106_" marked on his upper arm, he was at jogging pace and I assumed it meant we were leading the race again!
Last corner then and onto the last straight, I was taking no chances on being caught, so I launched into a sprint as soon as I felt confident enough and headed down the road ... getting to the blue carpeted stretch (last 100m) I opened even more to get there! Yeah!
The rain was still coming down and Jessie, Chris, and Charles were at the side to greet me and shake my hand! I was happy, relieved, glad, and wet all-in-one. hyak hyak
Still catching my breath, I took one isotonic and one plain water from the drinks tentage ... phew! We were soon gathered together again, and Lynette and her mum were there too. We were still unsure on the eventual/actual result, and guess we just have to wait for all results to be confirmed then.
Simply Fantastic! I just feel good to have experienced what I have today ... I hope the very best to all my team mates too! Being together with such esteemed individuals, it is an honour!
Thank you all! Take a bow please, you really deserve it! Each and every one! |
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| Training Run 2 @ NIE/NTU (4.5km) |
[Jul. 25th, 2007|11:59 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | The Sleepy Place | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | thirsty | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Guns N Roses - Sweet Child O Mine | ] |
Getting outta the cab, Jess, Yee Lee and I found ourselves facing this daunting flight of steps ... ooh! Once up at the top, we found it led to the NIE Canteen (it looked like there was a little renovation or refurbishment going on) and one more flight of steps and we were in the main courtyard of NIE.
So I called Chin Yeh who had sms-ed me that he was already somewhere near the Administration Block, and after a moment, we realised the little figure up ahead donning the reddish polo was he.
Man! The map cannot beat the real thing! The place looked huge in actual, a lovely and spacious area, and people looked so tiny when they were at just the other end of the block!
Jess' friend Ken Lim soon arrived and we met him down at Car Park No.4, he had so graciously joined us for the run, providing safe-keeping of our 'barang barang' in his car!
And then it was up those steps again!! *pant pant pant*
We finally got going and it was 7.20pm. Going round the courtyard and then heading toward NIE Administration Block, we then went through and went the first incline before turning right onto Nanyang Drive. This went clockwise around NIE ... this part felt easy as it was virtually all downhill.
Then reaching the first major road junction (where turning right would have taken us down Nanyang Walk and back to NIE Admin. Block), we went down Nanyang Crescent, which passes by Halls 12 & 13, 14, and 15 ... there are a few inclines, and then we found it veering right and so at the next junction, turning right we hit Nanyang Avenue!
The Finish was not far off now ... and going along another incline or two, the steeper one came just as we headed right getting on Nanyang Drive. Passing the first bus stop we ran under the covered walkway and came to where we saw "N I E" with the colourful logo on top, and turning right it steeped upward and when we got to the top of the slope, we missed the left turning onto the service road which would have taken us back thru the Administration Block and straight on to the Finish at LT1 (we assumed, or next to Science Block).
So we found ourselves finishing at Car Park 4 next to Ken's car. =P
Anyway, we had to figure out which turn we had missed, and so it was up those steps AGAIN! Phew!!!
We back-tracked from the Finish point, and we came out to the service road, and knew where we had 'not' turned, it all became clear before long ... heh heh heh
Feeling like another go to establish my race pace, I went a second time ... and my mates warmed down with a half round. Wisely so as several are involved for Osim Triathlon the coming weekend. |
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| Passion saw me through ... my cranky right knee was yelling at me! |
[Jul. 8th, 2007|11:30 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | My Room | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | good | ] |
| [ | music |
| | MLTR - Strange Foreign Beauty | ] |
Early start to the day, this morning it was the Saucony-100Plus Passion Run 2007, held at the East Coast Park ... I overslept a little, but still managed to cycle over to East Coast Carpark E2 to meet a colleague/running kaki.
As it turned out, my friend Matthew who had got me in for this event, only got me in for the 5km Fun Run. I was kinda surprised and probably preferred to do a more serious run like 10K ... oh well, and then I met my colleague David Shum who was going for the competitive Mens Open, and we agreed that I could pace him to try to help him boost his performance!
Not having a number tag was a slight hurdle, so I waited for him to be released (Wave 2 @ 7:45am flag-off) before I found an opportune time to join up alongside East Coast Lagoon there ... Dr Ben Tan was too fast and soon disappeared ahead of us!! :-D
Either I missed them or they were not there?! Finally the 3km marker came up and I looked at my watch to see 13:35 which was just about what David wanted ... we made the turn-around at about 24 minutes, but the 6th kilometre proved uphill as time was lost as David experienced an energy-dip (legs felt heavy and harder and harder to maintain) ... eventually I broke off for him to run his own race, and well, I could not allow myself any excuses as I pushed to finish the last 4km ... of course, being unregistered I veered off toward the right side of the Finish point. :-P
David emerged a little later and finished in 48:41 ... but overall I think he felt satisfied, saying that without my pacing he may have dropped off more time! May need to rethink his race format/plan to accomodate and along his own style, being a marathoner, perhaps he needs to start slower first.
The drinks station was pretty miserly about the 100Plus being distributed, limiting it to one per runner ... which is okay, understandable. In the end, when I passed by later on, they had probably a few hundred bottles of Orange flavoured 100Plus pet bottles left, and they carted them back to their van/lorry.
Oh how I would have loved to get my hands on one of those!! =P
Legs were pretty strained ... anyway I rode off eventually to meet Timothy and Matthew at East Coast MacDonald's, but on the way there, my bicycle chain went off, and it proved to be a gear malfunction!! Still I could cycle it, but the chain could slip whenever it would, and caused a little concern. Definitely effectiveness was compromised and thus I had to work harder to get to where I was headed. *sad*
I got there, beads of sweat all over ... and well, it still made it back home later on. In a sense, at least this equipment failure is better than if my cranky knee it had been ... phew!! |
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