The Singaporeans from Sabah race were meeting up tonight for a catch up dinner. But first, I had to pump some adrenalin out of the way following the jog-ala-stroll yesterday. Prepped myself for a spin class after work. Yes, my first RPM in I-can't-remember-how-long. I think I'm just wasting my gym membership from low usage. Sigh.
The class was unusually full today. Eddie was there too, had not seen him in a while. Ali took the class through the usual 9 tracks for a RPM Challenge, and threw in an extra speed track at the end. Nobody in class objected nor supported the addition. Probably all too flustered after the last climb to respond. Ha. "To flush out the lactic from the legs", Ali reasoned. It was an old speed track from RPM 22. Good to have a familiar music piece to motivate the legs.
Drove over to catch up with the SAC racers after class. Rowdy and hilarious bunch, mostly hardcore MTBrs. The two Indian chaps were there too, regaling stories about their very adventurous race, wrong turns, lost in the dark and getting stuck in a mini whirlpool in the dark for an hour. The rest of them were trading stories about MTB trails in Singapore, the upcoming 100k at the new Tampines trail park, a newly rated ubin trail etc. Something totally out of my usual circuit, as I listened on curiously. I was fascinated by the trail descriptions, but from a runner's perspective. I would love to run on them and explore the terrain. A tempting idea obviously. The dinner ended with most people declaring their intentions to race again next year in the 10th anniversary of the SAC. Yes indeed, but first, I would need a decent MTB and full armour to guard against more stitches or broken body parts. Oops!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday Morning Stroll
My first long run in a week! I was apprehensive if I would be able to complete it. There was a Sundown Familiarization 34km run occuring as well this morning. I decided not to go for that and join the Safra run instead because I was not confident that I could complete the distance after a week's hiatus.
True enough, the run was a nightmare. We ran from clubhouse towards S. Buona Vista and NUH. Up and up, round and round we went, up the 99-loop road. I reckoned I did about 10km before my engine died. I was near the NUS running tracks when Ricci, Ong etc came from the opposite direction. I walked around Clementi Road to NUS entrance, up the slope, took a water break before I resumed running to NUH. Did not see Alber ahead even as I entered Science Park I, he was probably either way in front, or had stopped behind to look for me. As I was wondering, I heard his footsteps from behind. Must have missed me when I went to refill my water. We ran into Kent Ridge Park before our momentum died again. Oh sheesh. It was painfully pointless to continue the run, so we decided to walk back to Safra. Took a shortcut via the Hort Park and Depot Road. Lovely weather amidst a scenic laidback surrounding for a Sunday morning stroll. Hungry.... Most tempted to stop at the hawker centre for breakfast. :)
I realised I was not too hung up today about the incomplete run. On any other days, I would have been most annoyed. But today, I took it all in my stride (literally walking strides, ha). There would be another run another day. Probably need to gradually ease back into the training routine. Amazing (or annoying?) what a week's break could do to our fitness. Meanwhile, inhale the fresh air in the park. :)
True enough, the run was a nightmare. We ran from clubhouse towards S. Buona Vista and NUH. Up and up, round and round we went, up the 99-loop road. I reckoned I did about 10km before my engine died. I was near the NUS running tracks when Ricci, Ong etc came from the opposite direction. I walked around Clementi Road to NUS entrance, up the slope, took a water break before I resumed running to NUH. Did not see Alber ahead even as I entered Science Park I, he was probably either way in front, or had stopped behind to look for me. As I was wondering, I heard his footsteps from behind. Must have missed me when I went to refill my water. We ran into Kent Ridge Park before our momentum died again. Oh sheesh. It was painfully pointless to continue the run, so we decided to walk back to Safra. Took a shortcut via the Hort Park and Depot Road. Lovely weather amidst a scenic laidback surrounding for a Sunday morning stroll. Hungry.... Most tempted to stop at the hawker centre for breakfast. :)
I realised I was not too hung up today about the incomplete run. On any other days, I would have been most annoyed. But today, I took it all in my stride (literally walking strides, ha). There would be another run another day. Probably need to gradually ease back into the training routine. Amazing (or annoying?) what a week's break could do to our fitness. Meanwhile, inhale the fresh air in the park. :)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Sabah Adventure Challenge (Part 1)
The stitches are out! :)
It's been a week since my inaugural crash on my virgin mountain bike ride during my first real adventure race overseas. Too many firsts all at once. Our trip to the Sabah Adventure Challenge was full of surprises and crises. Recap....
19 March 2008, 2am. A day before our departure. One of my team mates discovered, to all our horror, that he lost his passport! A frantic search and contingency plans ensued - replacement candidates, cancel the trip, join the race late etc. Thankfully, the immigration officers helpfully issued a temporary travel document in the same day and we were set to go.
20 Mar 2008, 4am. Morning of the flight. My humble house. Our transport came to collect us and our bikes/ gear to Senai Airport in Johor. 1 giant carton-box, 1 big carton-box, 1 relatively compact bike case, 1 huge duffel bag, and 3x 50-60L backpacks. We had a MPV. The giant carton-box would not fit into the length of the car! Frantic attempts to shove and prop the boxes. The winning configuration was the 3 bike boxes lying comfortably on 2 rows of totally flattened out seats, while Dom and I precariously squashed ourselves atop those flattened backs. KC, by virtue of his length (height) enjoyed the front passenger seat. The lead-up to the race in the past week seemed like a roller coaster, and we were not even on the plane! I only hoped that we would safely hop on the flight and reach Kota Kinabalu. Everyone suffered from lack of sleep in the past week, and we snoozed the entire journey.
We landed. At last! A sigh of relief. Dom's aunt, Fiona, was at the airport with her friend, Michael, to pick us. Another round of loading and unloading before we got everything secured on the back of the 4WD truck. Fiona generously put us up at her apartment during this trip. It was a nice cosily renovated 3 bedroom place, airy and comfortable. :) The rest of the day was spent re-assemblying our bicycles and registering for the race. For some strange reason, KC's front tire did not sit well, and we burst 2 inner tubes trying to align the wheel. We had to find a new tire but many bike shops were closed. We finally bought a spare one (RM75!) from the race organizers. After the race briefing and packing, it was past midnight when we were done. We had to meet at 630am the next morning.
It's been a week since my inaugural crash on my virgin mountain bike ride during my first real adventure race overseas. Too many firsts all at once. Our trip to the Sabah Adventure Challenge was full of surprises and crises. Recap....
19 March 2008, 2am. A day before our departure. One of my team mates discovered, to all our horror, that he lost his passport! A frantic search and contingency plans ensued - replacement candidates, cancel the trip, join the race late etc. Thankfully, the immigration officers helpfully issued a temporary travel document in the same day and we were set to go.
20 Mar 2008, 4am. Morning of the flight. My humble house. Our transport came to collect us and our bikes/ gear to Senai Airport in Johor. 1 giant carton-box, 1 big carton-box, 1 relatively compact bike case, 1 huge duffel bag, and 3x 50-60L backpacks. We had a MPV. The giant carton-box would not fit into the length of the car! Frantic attempts to shove and prop the boxes. The winning configuration was the 3 bike boxes lying comfortably on 2 rows of totally flattened out seats, while Dom and I precariously squashed ourselves atop those flattened backs. KC, by virtue of his length (height) enjoyed the front passenger seat. The lead-up to the race in the past week seemed like a roller coaster, and we were not even on the plane! I only hoped that we would safely hop on the flight and reach Kota Kinabalu. Everyone suffered from lack of sleep in the past week, and we snoozed the entire journey.
We landed. At last! A sigh of relief. Dom's aunt, Fiona, was at the airport with her friend, Michael, to pick us. Another round of loading and unloading before we got everything secured on the back of the 4WD truck. Fiona generously put us up at her apartment during this trip. It was a nice cosily renovated 3 bedroom place, airy and comfortable. :) The rest of the day was spent re-assemblying our bicycles and registering for the race. For some strange reason, KC's front tire did not sit well, and we burst 2 inner tubes trying to align the wheel. We had to find a new tire but many bike shops were closed. We finally bought a spare one (RM75!) from the race organizers. After the race briefing and packing, it was past midnight when we were done. We had to meet at 630am the next morning.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Recovery Jog
So I'd laid off and chilled for an entire week after the bike crash and returning to Singapore. I counted. Exactly 7 days of idling and no workouts.
Today, I eventually dragged myself out for a short run. I had some time after work and before dinner, so what better use of the time than to be out for a trot. I must have somehow hit my left rib/ chest area from the fall. The abrasions were ok, superficial wounds that healed quite fast. The internal strain was harder to detect and recover from. It hurts when I stretch my hands upwards, or lift my chest out, or swing my arms on the run. Ouch. Anyhow, I ran from office to the end of Esplanade Park and back. 45min. Legs felt fresh after the long break. Lungs, though, were trying to wake up from the hibernation state.
I'd dropped 1kg from the spate of stomach quirks since last week. Hmm... Not good, no strength, no power. Need to rebuild fitness.
Today, I eventually dragged myself out for a short run. I had some time after work and before dinner, so what better use of the time than to be out for a trot. I must have somehow hit my left rib/ chest area from the fall. The abrasions were ok, superficial wounds that healed quite fast. The internal strain was harder to detect and recover from. It hurts when I stretch my hands upwards, or lift my chest out, or swing my arms on the run. Ouch. Anyhow, I ran from office to the end of Esplanade Park and back. 45min. Legs felt fresh after the long break. Lungs, though, were trying to wake up from the hibernation state.
I'd dropped 1kg from the spate of stomach quirks since last week. Hmm... Not good, no strength, no power. Need to rebuild fitness.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Maths Prodigy or Klutz
There are Maths prodigies who could blink and dream up multiple solutions to a single problem. Then there are Number klutzs who could not, for the life of them, solve a simple quadratic equation to save themselves. Tonight I felt like that E-grade student with no numerical affinity and could not solve the Maths puzzle no matter how hard he tried.
4x 1200m @ Queenstown stadium. I should retire from running. Looking at the turn-up tonight, I knew I would be the sweeper again.
First, the warm up run to stadium. Everyone was going so fast, even before the speedwork. Felt a bit of stomach cramp.
Then, the track workout per se. Target was <2min per 400m, and <6min per set of 1200m. I barely made it under 6min. It was consistently 5.55-5.57min for all 4 sets. Heaving, panting. Light-headed and headache by the last set. Did not dare to open up strides fully and strain my joints. 95% of the group was ahead of me.
Last, the return jog. At the onset of the return journey, I felt a tinge of ITB and knee discomfort. Did not feel it during the speedwork, perhaps too focused on catching oxygen and not be last. I was really slow on the return, even behind our newer, slower runners. I trotted, stretched, strolled, trotted. Runners were midway through their stretching when I returned. Demoralizing is an understatement. I went into the gym for my cool down and abs routine.
I am not really look forward to my weekly trainings. There is probably a limit to the cliched "challenging oneself" or "turning adversity into strength", or "yardstick to do better". Being put in place 3 times a week is not very encouraging. Maybe I should simply accept that I am slow, retire, and run my own leisure runs to keep fit. Like the E-grader simply trying hard for a pass.
Just for the record, I aced my Maths in school.....
4x 1200m @ Queenstown stadium. I should retire from running. Looking at the turn-up tonight, I knew I would be the sweeper again.
First, the warm up run to stadium. Everyone was going so fast, even before the speedwork. Felt a bit of stomach cramp.
Then, the track workout per se. Target was <2min per 400m, and <6min per set of 1200m. I barely made it under 6min. It was consistently 5.55-5.57min for all 4 sets. Heaving, panting. Light-headed and headache by the last set. Did not dare to open up strides fully and strain my joints. 95% of the group was ahead of me.
Last, the return jog. At the onset of the return journey, I felt a tinge of ITB and knee discomfort. Did not feel it during the speedwork, perhaps too focused on catching oxygen and not be last. I was really slow on the return, even behind our newer, slower runners. I trotted, stretched, strolled, trotted. Runners were midway through their stretching when I returned. Demoralizing is an understatement. I went into the gym for my cool down and abs routine.
I am not really look forward to my weekly trainings. There is probably a limit to the cliched "challenging oneself" or "turning adversity into strength", or "yardstick to do better". Being put in place 3 times a week is not very encouraging. Maybe I should simply accept that I am slow, retire, and run my own leisure runs to keep fit. Like the E-grader simply trying hard for a pass.
Just for the record, I aced my Maths in school.....
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Hot Long Run
After a week's incessant rain, today was exceptionally bright and sunny. Hot and humid. The weather was so sapping, running was very draining. I drank a lot and refilled at every water/ toilet points. Marina South was its usual - mental. We turned right after Prince Edwards to extend towards the Esplanade. By the time I reached the Singapore Flyer, I was shuffling along and had to stop and stretch my ITB many times. I decided to turn around and run back to the club. Finally I could not resist and bought a sports drink from the 7-11 at Anson Road. It had been water water throughout the whole run. Oh the chilled isotonic drink felt so good! At least I managed to up my shuffle to an... uhm... faster shuffle. Totally sapped and and tired by the end of the run.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
1st Trail Ride
This morning we took our MTBs for a trial ride in the trails. There was something stiff about my front wheel, it was not spinning smoothly. Dom said we would need to "bleed" the hydraulic disc brake fluid, but we did not have the tools. No choice, had to pedal extra hard just to get the bike moving. And still lagged far behind the two guys.
Dom led the way to Dairy Farm and up to Chestnut/ Zhenghua trail area. Everything was a first for me. The roads, the trails, the surroundings. But it was fun! Pedalling up the slopes and flying down. Heave, huff, pant, steady steady pedal, don't stop as I commanded the bike up the slopes, rolling over rocks, gravel and mud pools (courtesy of the torrential rain in the past week). Grrr grrr grrr grrr... my vision blurred as the bike rushed downhill with me suppressing between a smile and scream. I bounced over roots and potholes, flew over the edge of a rock to land on the path below....... well, okay, the edge was not very high, probably raised 20ish cm above the ground. But when that was your first time, hurtling downwards at high speed, and suddenly chancing upon that gap where the path sunk 20cm below your wheels, it seemed like going off the edge of Grand Canyon. Yeah well, somewhat exaggerated, but you get the picture.
After a short ride, we headed to a nearby coffeeshop for breakfast. Cycling through the HDB carparks, rolling over kerbs and void decks, I discovered that I could go over the kerbs without flying off my bike! :) Post-event, I was advised that I should have lifted the front wheel of the bike when mounting a kerb. Uh... that information had outlived its timeliness!
Now, if only the MTB segment during the race was as easy as this. Imagine doing this repeatedly over 3 days. Eeeks!
Dom led the way to Dairy Farm and up to Chestnut/ Zhenghua trail area. Everything was a first for me. The roads, the trails, the surroundings. But it was fun! Pedalling up the slopes and flying down. Heave, huff, pant, steady steady pedal, don't stop as I commanded the bike up the slopes, rolling over rocks, gravel and mud pools (courtesy of the torrential rain in the past week). Grrr grrr grrr grrr... my vision blurred as the bike rushed downhill with me suppressing between a smile and scream. I bounced over roots and potholes, flew over the edge of a rock to land on the path below....... well, okay, the edge was not very high, probably raised 20ish cm above the ground. But when that was your first time, hurtling downwards at high speed, and suddenly chancing upon that gap where the path sunk 20cm below your wheels, it seemed like going off the edge of Grand Canyon. Yeah well, somewhat exaggerated, but you get the picture.
After a short ride, we headed to a nearby coffeeshop for breakfast. Cycling through the HDB carparks, rolling over kerbs and void decks, I discovered that I could go over the kerbs without flying off my bike! :) Post-event, I was advised that I should have lifted the front wheel of the bike when mounting a kerb. Uh... that information had outlived its timeliness!
Now, if only the MTB segment during the race was as easy as this. Imagine doing this repeatedly over 3 days. Eeeks!
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