Ouch

Yesterday I decided to try out the new trainers. This is after zero running the past 10 days. I took the advice of the NB guy at the shop and took it easy...he had painted a picture of the worst case scenario and I really had no idea how difficult or painful it would be to run on these new shoes.

To be safe, I wanted to be near the car in case I had to crawl back. Ended up running little circles in the  Bougainvillea Park. So many people at the beach today!

The shoes feel great, fit like a glove though now I'm much more aware of how the left and right feet are not quite symmetrical. They are almost weightless and you can feel what's you're stepping on, so I was extra careful to avoid pebbles and cones.

Urgh.  I ran for about 10 minutes, slowly and deliberately trying to land mid-foot, and then stretched. Could already feel tense in my calves. Another 10 minutes and I'm done, I thought.  But I couldn't even make 5 more minutes.....

Today, I'm suffering. Yes I stubbornly refused The Stick.  I can hobble along but it's torture to go down stairs.

Is this a sign I'm doing it right?

Duathlon Numero Uno

Duathlons are fun!

They're certainly less boring than running 10K, that's for sure. Tried out my first duathlon yesterday (was it only yesterday?!) which consisted of a 3K run, a 20K bike, then a 3K run again.

A duathlon is not the same as a biathlon, as some people might think. A biathlon generally refers to the sport of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Yes! Hm, that sounds fun too.

Not what I was doing.

So anyway, back to the duathlon. The first 3K was a nice run, then you hop onto your bike and start riding - a stretch of road in Sengkang was blocked off for the event. I loved how there were your hardcore competitors as well as regular folk and newbies. I saw more than a few fat tyres (hybrids, mountain bikes) and even 1 or 2 fixies and foldies! The depressing thing is, they ALL passed me. I was slow. Slow slow slow.

The second 3K I was wheezing and shuffling my feet badly. Barely faster than walking pace. Nice people ran past me and called out encouragement. That's how sad and pathetic I looked, ha ha. Even an uncle and auntie out for a stroll/picnic asked me if I wanted an umbrella. Uncle asked this. Then Auntie told him not to kachow me.

After 1 hour and 51 minutes, I finished. I was one of the last few, but I achieved my goal of not being the ACTUAL last person, and my personal target of getting in under 2 hours.

Yay! I've bitten the multisport bug. What now? Join me, runningstitch!

Some Ramblings

Today I ran! My GPS failed and I've no idea how much I covered today. I did stop to take a photo (しゃしんをします）of a fish 魚 I saw stuck when the tide went out.

It's hard to believe It's been 5 years, and one of the things I said to Opus during the run was, time to get new shoes!  My Asics have served me faithfully but they are old （古い ）and worn.

So....today I went to the New Balance store at I12 Katong and got myself a pair of minimus trainers!  Photo soon! Quite excited about learning how to "run naturally ". 新しい靴ですね！

More running related shopping in store; the elusive perfect bottle belt that can fit this giant phone.

I am also trying to practice Japanese! 頑張ります！

2013

Hellooo 2013!

Yes, I know it's already mid-March. Bear with me, for I am old and slow and sluggish.

Runningstitch reminded me that we started running 5 (5!) years ago. Hooray! There have been ups and downs for sure and less running and more running at times. This year, I'm upping the ante.

We started off the year with the Singapore City Race, a fun free-form running race where our intrepid Wonder Woman (ahem) team Mm Zai Si ran 14km! Yes, we thought it was 10. But it was 14. My legs were jelly. Carrie was just warming up.

Next up: a duathlon!

Yes. With a bicycle. And my legs. Mm zai si indeed.

The weather

It's hot. I was at Daiso the other day, and a bunch of wimmen were buying up those arm covers that are supposed to shield you from the sun as you drive. Interesting.

And I'm so tired, I'm seeing stars. 540am wake-ups are not fun.

I lie down on the floor and fall asleep.

This is the 2011 me. Heavier and less fit. Boo hoo.

And all I can think of is ramen at Iluma - L, you wanna go?

Fun Fact #1: Running is tiring

First, I took the dogs for a walkie, then I took myself for a run. I love running at dusk. The dullness of running was much improved with the lack of sun and slight breeze on my face. Ah.

I ran/walk and trudged my way through 3k. Not too bad for a start as I painfully work my way back to fitness. Some people might consider 3k just a warm up. But those people are jerks.

I have to say, even though I've stopped running for so long, I think the running I've been doing for the past few years has done some good, still! Starting from scratch isn't the same as last time - I think it's easier to pick up where you left off.

Still have a ways to go. Left foot, right foot, left foot...

Now, I want to sleep.

A new beginning. A heavy, unfit beginning

Oh cripes, how far we've backslided. By we i mean me.

Since 2009 it's been a heady backward slide of soda, chips and generally overeating. It was tasty for sure. But bad bad bad.

TO A NEW BEGINNING! starting tomorrow. hahaha