Week 5: Day 7

I didn't run today. In my defence, I vacuumed the whole house and groomed the bunnies and cleaned their toilet-home and it took me like 3 hours!! And I'm not even all done with the grooming yet! So... had no time to run.

This is not so good - I only ran twice this week!

Must buck up next week...

Week 5: Days 5-6

Getting sloppy with the posts... but where is the time going?? Yikes.

Didn't run yesterday (Day 5) cos it was rest day!! Again!! Just as well, since I was too busy and all over the place anyway.

Today (Day 6), I had Muay Thai class in the morning. Not a very vigorous workout today but lots of great punching. Yeah. :)

I might go running later, so stay tuned for an exciting update! Or not.

Week 5: Day 4

Feeling discouraged, sigh.

It's week 5! I don't feel any fitter than I was five weeks ago, and I most certainly don't look fitter, nor have I lost any weight. Gah. Ran approx 3.2k today on the road. Tried to push myself to go faster but that only meant that I ended up huffing and puffing and walking half the way.

Did I mention I was discouraged?

Week 5, Days 3 & 4

Day 3

Running around like a headless chicken but no, did not actually run.

Day 4

Coughing! Weather permitting, may play tennis later though. Must not over-exert. Doubles is the way to go.

Week 5: Days 1-3

Update, update...

Day 1
Week 5 already?? What's my progress?? What do I have to show for all that sweating and running? I am not sure. On Monday I didn't run. No time! Too much to do! Had to cook dinner! Etc.

Day 2
Ran 3.2km (ugh) on the treadmill at a slow, embarrassing time of 26:50. I hereby declare that my goal for the 5k is 40mins. That is not a respectable goal. But one must be realistic.

Day 3
Rest!!

Week 5, Days 1 & 2

Am I the only one updating this?

Day 1

WEEK 5 ALREADY!!

Woke up feeling flu-ey. Bad sorethroat, and not like I ate a lot of mooncake (half a mini one, only!) or anything close. No time to run - sorting out things at home.

Day 2

Urgh. Why am I so sensitive to caffeine? Had a tiny box of milo and heart was pounding away the whole night. 

Anyway - got sms mix-up so no tennis, went to the gym instead. Tried out a treadmill which was on trial. Another huge machine... nice and sturdy though, with a fan function (didn't try, already feeling very parched). And, still not 100% today, and while running had to block all these thoughts of sudden death from exerting self while unwell. Need a nap now!

Week 4, Days 6 & 7

Day 6

Did no training at all, and am not proud of it! Only running done was of the errands kind.

Day 7

Tennis got washed out again. Rain was incredible. Opus and I went to the gym at her place instead. We took turns at the Precor treadmill and stair machine . Working out on a full and msg-laden lunch is a bad idea. 

Yay for angora!

Week 4: Day 6

Out of jelly.

Ran 2.8km on the treadmill today AND went for muay thai class. Was so hungry and tired by the end of Muay Thai class that I was flopping around, weak-limbed trying to kick and punch. Not pretty.

As for running, I see that my mental strength breaks down around 1.6km. That's when I feel like : eurgh. Time to sit down! And I have to convince myself to power through. The mental fitness is worse than the physical fitness!!!

Week 4, Day 5

Tennis today, though got rained out halfway. Thought of going to run but came home and was famished, so had lunch and now it looks like rain again. Will stay home and maybe nap instead. And eat jelly of course.

p/s Pucca all gone! 

Week 4, Day 4

Ran today, 2.8 km. Running in the morning is hard, all muscles still cold and stiff. I am doomed for 8am flagoff!

Supposed to play tennis this evening, but the kindergartener had a meltdown, so stayed home though weather was perfect!

Week 4: Day 4

Time is flying by!!

Tennis today. I sweated so much it was inhuman. I think I've gotten better, yet, not. Harumph.

Ate Konnyaku jelly today - despite its synthetic lychee flavour (being that i bought lychee flavoured Konnyaku mix), it was rather yummy.

Week 4, Day 3

Oh, it's really week 4 already??

I rested today too! We are definitely on the right track; I am so pleased. 

I thought about konnyaku jelly too! (I hope you're not eating yours in bed, Opus.) But got a surprise homemade WHOLE pandan cake to take home after delicious homemade (by same person) Thai lunch (spicy-sourish tanghoon  salad with shrimp, Thai chicken green curry and fried chicken wings). Mmmm.

I've been pretty good with supplements too. Dang, have a strange twinge in right knee that won't quit. Urgh.

Week 4: Day 3

No running today. Got to respect the REST DAY. Respect.
Peace out.

(p.s. I bought some multivitamins AND some Konnyaku jelly. ha ha!)

Week 4, Day 2

Did nothing related to sports. It rained, so no chance to hit the gym since no swim lesson for kids (phew, thank You God).

Running really takes a lot out of me, I find. Yesterday morning I ran and by this time I was all out of sorts and just waiting to have a shower and sleep and generally very crabby. But today, I made little things with my hands, read a book, played Text Twirl and am still quite amiable now. Hmmm. 

Is running turning me into Little Miss Grumpy?

Week 4: Day 2

Ran 2.8k today at SPP (Slow Plodding Pace). I managed to pass: a couple walking! Yes.

I feel like I've regressed thanks to my poor Week 3 training. Tsk. I tried to focus on better strides this time around. I feel like if I focus on pushing off on the balls of my feet rather than putting too much weight on my heels or just pushing off with my feet very flat on the ground (.... that being a characteristic of SPP of course), it actually helps. Who knows if this is valid running theory? But it sounds good to me...

Week 3 , Days 6 & 7 and Week 4, Day 1

Getting tardy at this! 

Let's see now....

Week 3, Day 6

Rested, since I ran on Friday. Realised that diet goes to pot on weekends. Had HUGE bowl of bak chor mee pok (extra chilli and vinegar) for lunch, then XL waffle with gelato for dessert. Went looking for mooncake and bought 1 double-yolk lotus paste baked skin mooncake for after-dinner. Resisted buying a whole box in case they sucked and I would have to waste calories just to finish them.

Dinner was chicken rice.  Then mooncake. It was good! Am officially on a mooncake hunt.... must find more of similar variety, plus pumpkin seeds!

Week 3, Day 7

Chicken rice for lunch (I know, I know) and as per normal when we eat at my parents', it was a eat-until-it-comes-out-of-ears-sized serving. Watched Phelps receive gold medal #8. How inspiring, and at the same time depressing when I think of my own state of un-fitness. 

Then played tennis in the afternoon. Opus had the giggles. The way we played made her laugh. Sigh.

Week 4, Day 1

Woke up with insect bites on face! Urgh.

HOT! Was considering going to the stadium to run again but the lack of shelter during run made me decide otherwise. Ended up at the beach again. This time, had my watch along and refused to look at it till I was halfway done, and then again only when I finished. I ran non-stop for half an hour! Still no clue how far (or not) it was though.

Week 4: Day 1

Week 4!! And, I cannot run to save my life. Just pathetic.

Today I ran just 2k but tried to do some interval training/fartlek type running. It was good, pushing myself to run faster and take bigger strides than my usual plodding. But man, I don't think I managed to run fast for more than 100 metres at a time.

And once, while I was "sprinting", I kept pace with a middle-aged man who was jogging beside me! My "sprint" = old man's jog!! Argh.

Then again, maybe he picked up his pace so that he wouldn't be beat by a girl. Ha.

Week 3: Day 7

Hmm... why blog on Sunday when it's just the two of us reading this blog??

Just in case: for our phantom reader out there (you know who you are) - we played tennis today. And we beat the rain. Yay!

Week 3: Day 6

Muay Thai class today! Lots of punching, kicking, situps and squats. Dues paid today.

Considering how bad runningstitch has made me look lately, though, I considered running. But... I didn't.

Week 3: Day 5

wow, you really are making me look bad. You ran today?? I took another rest day. As per schedule.

Who knew the offer of cake would be so controversial?

week 3 , Day 5

and why are you feeding me 16 oz (452 g) net of Pucca? and promise me cake??

you know how weak I am... grrr.

anyway, went for massage today. therapist remarks, you have a lot of muscles! (huh?? since when?) as she was rubbing my back. could it be them push-ups, all 20 of them?

then went for run after that, 2.8km. was so hungry after that. wolfed down rojak and a chocolate- covered and -filled donut while cheering on foreign talent for table tennis. Yay, Singapore!!

Week 3: Day 4

Oh and now you're making me look bad??!?

2.8km AND tennis? Sigh.

Only tennis for me today. And too much soda. But, the new tennis shoes were great! Playing tennis is like sprints. At least that's what I tell myself.

Week 3 , Day 4

Oh, now it's my fault is it??

Today I ran 2.8km in the morning at the gym, it was nauseating having to finish an extra 400m. Then in the evening I played tennis. I deserve an award. Cake will also do.

Week 3: Day 2 & 3

What did you make me do?!?

Anyway. Week 3 was falling apart for me at first! I finally ran today (whew) - did my requisite 2.8k today cos I didn't run yesterday. It wasn't so bad, although it's amazing what a mental struggle an additional 400m can be. Oof. My legs do feel more... exercised today. Goody.

Good thing we double our current training schedule. Can you imagine doing all this in 7 weeks?? I can't.

Week 3 , Day 3

oh dear,
WHAT HAVE WE DONE!?

anyway, today's Wednesday, rest day. yay! will panic later.

Week 3 , Day 2

Pucca is almost just a memory .... only a couple of fish and octopi left.

Tennis today. Brilliant weather - overcast, with slight breeze. I have new pink grip!

Week 3: Day 1

I didn't run today! No time! Oh dear. Shame. Remorse. Sorrow.

Week 3 , Day 1

It's run or rest - no contest. 

(I'm a poet and I don't know it!)

Week 2: Day 7

Korean bbq was deeeelicious!

Anyway, runningstitch and i have decided to declare Sundays a rest day. After all, it's... Sunday. You know?

Week 3 up next - longer running distances according to the chart! You can do it, rs!!!

Week 2, Day 7

Sunday - thwarted by the weather! Opus and I planned to play tennis today but it rained out. All these good intentions should count for something! So we went to Queensway instead. Shopped for shoes (Opus) and sports br*s (both) and hooray for National Day sales! 

I had chocolate milk tea with pearls, mmmm. And some fries from McD's. Did I run today? No prizes for guessing. At least I didn't stuff face with Korean bbq.

Week 2, Day 6

Ran in the morning at Pasir Ris Park. Being National Day (HB Singapore!) it was crowded, more crowded than I've ever seen it before. Lots of people wearing red t-shirts playing captain's ball, and more than usual cyclists (perilous to us runner-types! stick to your own cycling path!!) and families picnic-ing and kite-flying. 

Ran and ran and ran, till I got lost. Noticed that there were actually marks on the running/walking path to show distance, marked out every 100m. But I strayed off the marked path to try to find bearings. Think it was about 2km or so. I hope! 

Week 2, Day 5

Hardly any time to self! Busy making stuff (photos soon!) and had planned to go to the stadium to run 2.4 and even found my old Baby-G to time the run, but alas, left knee was telling me it needed a break so, I rested.

Week 2: Day 6

Muay Thai is also way more fun than running. Had an hour-and-a-half class of Muay Thai today. It's great! Punching and kicking for one and half hours? What's not to like? Lots of flexibility and ab work too - ouch. Have you noticed how Muay Thai fighters are actually really svelte and have thin waists?? It must be good for you, this workout.

I fear I am not running enough!

Week 2: Day 5

Rest day again! I thought about running, but then... i didn't.

Week 2, Day 4

urgh, treadmill today, finished 2.4km at 16.12 mins. Feel better as I run, though still have to drag myself to do it. And, can't wait to hit the cool down button. 

keep thinking about eggs! not any old kind but the 3/4 boiled kind that comes with ramen. yum!

nice, rainy afternoon!

Week 2, Day 3

Rest day, but still busy busy busy! Love the Snoopy picture.

Week 2: Day 4

Tennis way way more fun and awesome than running. I played tennis today, and then I ate a donut.

QED.

Week 2: Day 3

Rest day! How happy am I?

This happy:

Week 2: Day 2

Ran my 2.4k today, and tried to push myself a little harder. It worked for a while... but then the rest of the run was a lot of starts and stops. Ah... Perhaps we need to try this "interval training". Or fartleks . I love that word. Fartlek, fartlek, fartlek. I think I am more inclined towards interval training, but fartlek is a way cooler word. I'm just saying.

Week 2, Day 2

Only week 2!! 

Tennis today. Pucca half gone. Too tired to write more. 

Week 2: Day 1

Is anyone even reading this blog besides us? :D

Treadmill day for me. I ran 2.4k and clocked almost 19 minutes! Egads. How embarrassing. I think my biggest problem - aside from the lack of stamina, yes - is mental weakness too. I always want to give up. I am a choker. I shift my goals ("Maybe 2k is good enough, I should stop at 2k, etc.) Must... build... mental... strength...

Week 2, Day 1

Ran today! Beach, 10 am. Ran in opposite direction this time. Maintained good speed when started, but failed to muster enough pace to even scare crows on way back. 

Still not sure how far I've been "running"! Took about half an hour. More careful to warm up and down now.

Then, wolfed down leftover noodles and a pack of dried mangoes. Man, all this exercise makes me hungry.

And - learnt something too: not a good idea to have anything spicy to eat before a run! That otah sandwich was really gave me stomach fire while running.

Week 1, Day 7

We were at Joo Chiat too! Having FeiFei wanton noodles, then going to pick up food from Glory and cake from KMall. Mmmmm....

Yes, run tomorrow! It's been a long week....

Also - went to check out Adidas at Parkway yesterday. Sales person chirpily offers info that the GE10k run voucher is multi-usable. Not that I saw anything that I really liked! Plus, only for running items. Boo.

Week 1: Day 7

This weather is truly inhuman.

I didn't run today either, although I did take part in a half hour forced walk around Joo Chiat in the morning, so I'd say that counts as my exercise for today! Believe it or not, it was part of the 24-hour playwriting competition. Overall, the competition was both fun and not fun - which basically describes all kinds of writing anyway. I wrote some kind of post-apocalyptic sci-fi epic with rushed and unsatisfying payoffs at the end. I have severe doubts it will win anything.

Back to running tomorrow!

Week 1, Day 6

Only exercise I did today was walking, mainly from one shaded spot to another. Is it true though, that you can gain calories by just looking at food, and not actually consuming? Hmmm.

And does eating also count as exercise? You sure work up a sweat just putting away chilli crab! More so than say, playing darts or bowling.

The weather is killing me. 

Week 1: Day 6

Erm, day 6 isn't a rest day, runningstitch.

But, no matter, I shall not hold it against you because I am not running either. Heheh. I don't have the time today cos I'm off participating in a 24-hour Playwriting Competition. I really have no idea why I joined. In fact, I am there now, and instead of writing a PLAY, I am writing a blog entry.

I'll make sure to run tomorrow. It's one and a half hours into the competition, and I've eaten one chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting, and one oatmeal raisin cookie (mm). I'm going to have a cup of tea now.

postscript: oh, you exercised yesterday. Oh, I get it now. Well, what about your one hour walk on Sunday? Hmmm?

Week 1, Day 5

All this exercise really works up an appetite! Feel emaciated!!

Tennis today, so shall rest tomorrow and Sunday - eat lots of noodles and cake, as is mandatory for birthday parties.

Week 1: Day 5

Rest day!!

I'm so happy.