Counting down now to next race! Sunday 7 December 2008!! 10 km!!
This week, quite productive. Played tennis on Tuesday morning, though only for half an hour. Tennis kaki had to dash off.
Today (Thurs) went to the gym in the morning. Tried to calibrate the Nike+ contraption and was quite flustered at first; receiver couldn't even detect the sensor! Was quite warmed up by the time I got it to work and then ran for 2k to calibrate, and another 2.9k after that. Another first for me - running 30 minutes without stopping on the treadmill. Oh, I am unstoppable now! Having said that, I seriously couldn't run any faster without feeling nauseous - how to run for 10k??
ACK.
Need new earphones for iPod. Right bud keeps falling out, though left sits snugly without problem.
Then this evening, played tennis again. Doubles this time. Of course, I was the worst player. After the game, the ladies gathered and one turned to me and asked, where did I get my shoes? I love my white-brown (BROWN!) Adiprene with diamante. I may not play great, but at least I have nice shoes. I am secretly thrilled that I am the Posh Spice of the tennis group.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
It is Finished
For now, that is.
Race Day I was frightful. Hordes of women dressed in the same top (!!), lots of annoying rah-rah by skinny Ms Sunshine MC, and no personal space to even uncreak my lower back. And they made us warm up to "YMCA"! After an agonising 20 minute wait, finally the foghorns were sounded and everyone burst forward. Had to concentrate hard so not to trip over any one of the 5,000+ women around me.
It was comforting to see some not even bothering to jog/run from the start. At least there was hope I wouldn't be last - YAY! Tried to keep pace with lady with brown full-face visor and brown rubber bands in her hair. It was a sign! After all, brown is my fave colour. She was fast! And she didn't go round the cones or kerbs, and after a bit I lost sight of her.
Woe to you who come in groups and stroll 4 abreast! And those who whip their elbows side to side while moving forward! And mostly, woe to those who do not break sweat while bouncing along and chatting with friends!
And, am I glad I did some roadside running before the race. It is truly treacherous, dealing with the pollution and hot road surfaces. My feet felt so hot after the halfway mark, and the weather was (thankfully) not even that warm yesterday morning.
Throughout the run I was thinking, how am I going to do the 10k? Aieeeeeee.....
Seemed like forever till the end was in sight. Tried to concentrate on music, though noticed for the first time how disturbing the lyrics of some of the songs I have on my iPod are. Finally, crossed the finishing arc and greeted by too-enthusiastic ushers. Mental note to self - never print real name on bib again.
YAY!! We did it, we did it!!
Now, had to search for water. Loud broadcasted reminders to keep hydrated were annoyingly frustrated by refreshments being hidden. That was plain evil! Legs so wobbly! Throat so parched! And still had to make way to far end of field to get something to drink.
Did semblance of warm down, then off to celebratory lunch! Dulukala Peranakan Restuarant at Beauty world Plaza. Mmmmmm! First time for everyone and it was great! Assam fish head, ayam goreng, sambal sweet potato leaves, ayam buah keluak, babi pongteh, and lotsa drinks.
Came home and crashed, had a nice long nap.
I dedicate the successful completion to all our fans who believed in us - K, had I read your Celtic blessing *before* the run, maybe I wouldn't even need music; Carrie, whom I've not met but thanks for all the kind words :) and Jared, who actually asked if I would come in first (sorry mummy has disappointed you but I'm pinning all my dreams of running glory on you!), and thanks also to Opus - we can check this off out Bucket List now - wouldn't have done this without you and wouldn't dream of doing this with any other penguin! Keeskees!
p/s 4 weeks till 10k!
Race Day I was frightful. Hordes of women dressed in the same top (!!), lots of annoying rah-rah by skinny Ms Sunshine MC, and no personal space to even uncreak my lower back. And they made us warm up to "YMCA"! After an agonising 20 minute wait, finally the foghorns were sounded and everyone burst forward. Had to concentrate hard so not to trip over any one of the 5,000+ women around me.
It was comforting to see some not even bothering to jog/run from the start. At least there was hope I wouldn't be last - YAY! Tried to keep pace with lady with brown full-face visor and brown rubber bands in her hair. It was a sign! After all, brown is my fave colour. She was fast! And she didn't go round the cones or kerbs, and after a bit I lost sight of her.
Woe to you who come in groups and stroll 4 abreast! And those who whip their elbows side to side while moving forward! And mostly, woe to those who do not break sweat while bouncing along and chatting with friends!
And, am I glad I did some roadside running before the race. It is truly treacherous, dealing with the pollution and hot road surfaces. My feet felt so hot after the halfway mark, and the weather was (thankfully) not even that warm yesterday morning.
Throughout the run I was thinking, how am I going to do the 10k? Aieeeeeee.....
Seemed like forever till the end was in sight. Tried to concentrate on music, though noticed for the first time how disturbing the lyrics of some of the songs I have on my iPod are. Finally, crossed the finishing arc and greeted by too-enthusiastic ushers. Mental note to self - never print real name on bib again.
YAY!! We did it, we did it!!
Now, had to search for water. Loud broadcasted reminders to keep hydrated were annoyingly frustrated by refreshments being hidden. That was plain evil! Legs so wobbly! Throat so parched! And still had to make way to far end of field to get something to drink.
Did semblance of warm down, then off to celebratory lunch! Dulukala Peranakan Restuarant at Beauty world Plaza. Mmmmmm! First time for everyone and it was great! Assam fish head, ayam goreng, sambal sweet potato leaves, ayam buah keluak, babi pongteh, and lotsa drinks.
Came home and crashed, had a nice long nap.
I dedicate the successful completion to all our fans who believed in us - K, had I read your Celtic blessing *before* the run, maybe I wouldn't even need music; Carrie, whom I've not met but thanks for all the kind words :) and Jared, who actually asked if I would come in first (sorry mummy has disappointed you but I'm pinning all my dreams of running glory on you!), and thanks also to Opus - we can check this off out Bucket List now - wouldn't have done this without you and wouldn't dream of doing this with any other penguin! Keeskees!
p/s 4 weeks till 10k!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Done!!
... in more ways than one.
Er, sorry, fan(s), forgot to post before race day. Too stressed out over a pathetic 5k. Honestly.
Anyway, we did it! Me in 34min and runningstitch in 30min. Basically I lost sight of runningstitch within the first 400m and never saw her again. I endeavoured to and managed to pass at least a couple of ah sohs, one or two um, "larger women", and one or two school children (who would annoyingly just pass you again later). But i also did not pass a LOT of other people. Still - i'm glad i ran the whole thing!
I have to say running in a crowd makes a big diffference. It's no where near as boring as running on your own, and the sight of ah sohs running ahead of you just makes you push on. Seriously.
My heart was a bit skippy, but that's what I get for quaffing a whole 6-pack of coke a week before the race.
Disappointingly, once you pass the finish line, you do not run straight into a table full of cookies, bananas, jelly and water. As was my dream. (Organizers! Note for next year!)
Thanks to our cheerleaders and thanks to runningstitch without whom i would not beable to do this involved in this madness.
Er, sorry, fan(s), forgot to post before race day. Too stressed out over a pathetic 5k. Honestly.
Anyway, we did it! Me in 34min and runningstitch in 30min. Basically I lost sight of runningstitch within the first 400m and never saw her again. I endeavoured to and managed to pass at least a couple of ah sohs, one or two um, "larger women", and one or two school children (who would annoyingly just pass you again later). But i also did not pass a LOT of other people. Still - i'm glad i ran the whole thing!
I have to say running in a crowd makes a big diffference. It's no where near as boring as running on your own, and the sight of ah sohs running ahead of you just makes you push on. Seriously.
My heart was a bit skippy, but that's what I get for quaffing a whole 6-pack of coke a week before the race.
Disappointingly, once you pass the finish line, you do not run straight into a table full of cookies, bananas, jelly and water. As was my dream. (Organizers! Note for next year!)
Thanks to our cheerleaders and thanks to runningstitch without whom i would not be
Thursday, October 23, 2008
T minus 3
I woke up feeling a little sick-ish today ... and i was still sore from (stupidly) doing a bunch of sit ups and push ups the other day, so i decided to take a rest day.
La di dah. I think i'm in denial about Sunday.
La di dah. I think i'm in denial about Sunday.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
T minus 4!
I have apparently put on more weight again! What the --! Running is bad for you. It makes you fat! Shit.
Anyways, I ran on the treadmill today. 20min = 2.75k @ roughly 7.1 min/k which doesn't sound fast but man my lungs were burning up. And my heart was hopping around.
I tried to be a bit more scientific about it cos I'd read this How to Improve your 5k Time (getting ahead of myself, I know) and also this neat Training Pace Calculator but I only read them cursorily and I think I did it all wrong. I thought I was doing a tempo run at my tempo pace, but I was not. Ha. Oh well.
Anyways, I ran on the treadmill today. 20min = 2.75k @ roughly 7.1 min/k which doesn't sound fast but man my lungs were burning up. And my heart was hopping around.
I tried to be a bit more scientific about it cos I'd read this How to Improve your 5k Time (getting ahead of myself, I know) and also this neat Training Pace Calculator but I only read them cursorily and I think I did it all wrong. I thought I was doing a tempo run at my tempo pace, but I was not. Ha. Oh well.
T minus 3/4??
Ran yesterday on treadmill, could only do 3km! Was so tired, and not running fast at all! Anyway, the Nike+ thingy is way off, recorded over 4+ km. Such false, inflated hopes it's giving me.
Didn't run today. Had class, then it rained and basically am in denial. Wondering about possibility of inclement weather and/or PSI levels spiking over the weekend, in particular Sunday morning. Stayed in and spent a pleasant afternoon doing some embroidery.
Didn't run today. Had class, then it rained and basically am in denial. Wondering about possibility of inclement weather and/or PSI levels spiking over the weekend, in particular Sunday morning. Stayed in and spent a pleasant afternoon doing some embroidery.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
T minus 5
Went to the gym tonight but someone was on the treadmill - grr. So I went on the ellipsis/stair machine instead, and while I was on that, the first person on the treadmill left and someone else got on! Double grr! And the other person took so long I just ended up doing some interval training on the ellipsis machine, then some sit ups. That was my training for today.
The most infuriating part was that both people who used the treadmill were just walking. WALKING!! The nerve.
The most infuriating part was that both people who used the treadmill were just walking. WALKING!! The nerve.
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