My 1st 21km/Half Marathon..

Recently, there have been so many deaths surrounding exercising males.. one fellow died during the Osim Tri.. a relay participant from the swimming leg.. apparently, he was suppose to be pretty fit, was a roadie as well and done hundreds and hundreds of Km, and has been preparing so hard for the swim leg.. CEO of some german telecon company, member of chinese swimming club.. well.. dead... apparently, heart cannot take it.. ironically is, his wife said he started to exercise more aggressively because he wanted to live longer... yeah right...

At the end of the day, I will say this.. I train hard, in the hope that I will have the ability to keep up with my young children.. it would always be good for them to see, that they father is a strong, fit and fast man.. I have to be careful to instill in them, that their image of a father is someone who will also be there, dependable, strong and quick.

Therefore, it is still a balance for me, that I should train and still be a father! No point in spending so much time training, that you are missing from the family!!

As usual, parking the car was not a problem at all... Thackral building. But this time round.. more cars! Need to make a mental note.. for the Stand Chart, better start earlier!! Car park fees was $6.45... apparently, if park before 6am.. consider 1 day.. then 7am is another day... awwww shucks.. additional cost.

Usual starting point.. Esplanade.. this time, didnt bother to take pictures.. and the surprising thing was that the flag off was even more lax.. the first couple of hundred metres and I was actually feeling strong.. no strain or pulls or feelings of weakness.. was surprise because I don't run in the mornings, although I do rides in the morning.. correlations?

In any case, less 2 mins of running (pace around 9km/h) a left turn and we were all heading for the AYE/ECP. With all the shrubbery on the left, many of the male runners were leaping over the metal divided to do their watery business, can't understand why so many.. I hope I never have to be in this situation!! 3 km... and the bridge was insight, legs were healthy, heart and lungs still ok... and pace.. wow.. still alittle fast.. (9km/h) towards the slope there were more people pushing foward from the back... I was very tempted to up my tempo.. but I held back.. my strategy was to up the tempo alittle when I am half way up.

Well not exactly halfway up, I decided to up the tempo... a quick check 10km/h... and I was slowly peeling away from the crowd, there were fewer 'overtakers', I didn't slow down at all, apparently, all that training on Mount Faber has really paid dividend. Stride by stride, I started to surge ahead dropping at least 10-20people every 20-30 seconds. Even on the downslope it was pretty alright...

At the base, when it was flat running again, I started to feel alittle strained.. tired. Around the 5.6km mark, I slowed to a walk.. I reasoned that phychologically, all my training on Mt. faber meant that I stop at around 5.3km, so in order to not recuperate for the rest of the distance, a slow and rest would do be good. I was pretty discipline with the walking distance.. not more than 100 metres and I was jogging again.. I was pretty adamant to keep the timing under 3hours, and that would mean that I needed to keep my speed above 7km/h.

Dura Ace C50....

So why did I get these ? Cheap! Never to repeat Price!! :P

My idea was to get more speed, nothing is more exhilarating then having wind generated from speed... Carbon wheels are the way to go... but what is the price to pay?

actually... that will be in dollars and weight...

DA C50 wheels are reknown for... value.. not for weight, not for speed.. but value.. which means in a nutshell ... what you get is... something that is not too low end.. but it may leave you wanting more in the long run...

DA C50... are fast wheels, only if you are a fast rider.. the Aero, doesn't come into effect not until around and above 35km/h. certainly not something which you want if you are casually spinning. Its not exactly a fast wheel... particular if you are talking about spin ups...

But the price that I paid for it was pretty good.. although after a couple of weeks later, I found out that I was able to get them for about 500 bucks cheaper.. but those were Chiong stuff.. you dun want to mess about with Chiong stuff...

After having them for a couple of months now.. all I can say is...

1. these are great training wheels

2. can I use them for races? Depends on the race distance. For any given distance, if you are able to keep at 35km/h and above for 70% of the time and distance.. you will certainly get an advantage.. the aero advantage... anything else.. effort to overcome the weight will be detrimental.

3.weight of these guys are not too light, but they not exactly heavy

Speedplays...

These candy looking things dun come cheap.. but are they worth it ? Well.. for a fact.. they ARE really alot easier to disengage... using a radically different engineering approach the design is a marked difference for the usual pedals found on the Road Bikes..

In hindsight, I would have chosen the black coloured ones.. as the white ones, really stain so darn easily.. The cleats are HUMONGOUS.. and enough is said about them, especially walking on them! Those Coffee shop cleat covers are an absolute must if you're gonna have those rides and eat sessions!

So how do they perform? Well.. I went from a PB of 52.9km/h to a 54.6km/h. I think the float adjustments does help abit. The biggest thing about them is the way they clip and unclip and the fact that they keep my feet from too much movement and also being close to the spindles. Initially it really takes some use to, you really need to dial them in, in terms of the heel in or heel out position. But once that is dialled in, its just a matter of getting yourself out there and training hard! On a scale from 1 to 10, on how much these have given me performance in terms of dollarts spend? Well, I am not too sure about it though, I think that Shimanos or the Keos or the Look would have probably done the same thing, only these lollypops are alot more expensive, nicer to look at and alot lighter! I'd give them a 4 for value.. as they are darn expensive. But I'd give them a high 8 or even a 9, as far as the ease of use is concerned. a 10 for cosmetics.. they are really really cute! Sigh.. the cost of ownership!

The wall.. again...

2009 started with alot of optimism.. a new job.. and a fitter me.. or so I thought.. a couple weeks into the new year and I started to experience cramps that I have never felt before.. cramping at both thighs... I've tried everything... binging on isotonic drinks, creatine, Vit C's and B's... everything.. but nothing can revise the misfortune of aging... hopes of ever completing my half marathon seems to be just so remote now...

After laying off for about a month or two.. I decided to run again.. and what a mistake... stretching sure didnt help... 3/4 of the way and the right thigh started to do the funky thing.. cramping.. it was on the down slope...

Half way up Henderson road, and I was cussing, I hate running.. I absolutely HATE it! I thought.. I should just give it up... I decided to forgo the target of doing 2 half marathons.. and instead... just concentrated on the Stand Chart... at least that will give me more time to train...

But really.. I was just so down and out today.. I just felt like giving up.. could it just be that all that cycling just killed it?

My new toys....

Some nice toys that I recently acquired..

Of these toys.. the ceramic bearings were one of the best in terms of performance...

On route to rendevous point, I was not very convince that I had spent good money on the carbon crank.. But after I passed Nicholl Highway, (around 8km on) I realised that they felt easier to pedal. The effort was about the same, but they simply felt smoother. I think the only way to really feel this smoothness, is to get accustom to how the normal stainless steel ball bearings feel and then do a ride with the ceramics. I felt that they were lighter to pedal, definitely feel that its easier to pedal.

It was on the Changi coastal while doing the paceline, that I realised just how smooth and effortless they were... they certainly got rid of the 'mash' feeling.. in that they roll alot better, smooth because they don't feel 'tight' after awhile. my guess is, since they are alot harder and the heat dissipation is better than steel, therefore, they will feel smoother the longer I cycle...

Another thing that I noticed about the carbon crank was that they didnt lose the "stiffness" which Ee Tiong warn me about. His comment was that the crank is not as stiff as the Ultegra. Which was rubbish.. the crank was certainly as stiff, if not stiffer than the Ultegra. I was also equally impressed tat what they mention about carbon parts are really quite true, that they actually absorb vibrations. The first thing that I noticed about the crank was that it was "soft" as in like you dun feel all that road buzz.. its something that's pretty subtle.. I suppose with a pair of carbon soled shoes, it would again be another level of feeling again. The lolly pop pedals are alot easier to get off when compared to the SPD type pedals, lighter, cuter and alot less dangerous.. the float adjustment is something that I need to research...

I am also VERY pleased that the weaving on the crank is almost identical to the weaving on my frame.. its just such a pleasant surprise.. in fact.. the weaving on the Carbon bottle cages, frame and crank are almost identical, that is just so cool!
The TUNE skewers were a pretty cosmetic thing.. but they are light, amongst the lightest in the industry.. too darn expensive, and really there for a Bling Bling factor. They're really nice to look at.. and I'm a firm believer that if we cant' ride fast.. at least we need to look good !

PEARL IZUMI ATTACKS!

When I opened the shoe box, I was very surprised at the state that they were in. They were IMMACULATE! the PI paper wrapping were tightly wrapped around each shoe, and they were looking so nice and shiny.. I really can't imagine that these were CLOSE OUTS.. Cosmetics, they look great... color theme to the exact match of my Gal.. red, black and white. They weigh decently, but was wishing that they were carbon soled. Still they are probably stiff enough. Comfortable? Not really.. maybe they need breaking into.. the tongue.. was not that all comfortable.. I dun like those velcro straps.. and the ratchet was an added relief.. but the micro-adjustments and not that accurate( when compared to my Sidi). The shoes are alot cheaper than if I got them from Singapore, in fact, they are NOT available in Singapore.. At 67 bucks US$... they dun come any cheaper! One thing I noticed that their ventilation is alot better than my other pair.. but I am still looking for a pair that would have ventilation at the bottom of the sole.

the knights were riding in the night!

Saturday early morning showers put a huge damper on alot of people's sporting activities.. I heard that several jogging and running groups had to cancel their runs due to the rains.

I remembered waking up early, at 4am in the morning, and the thunder and the lightning was just so daunting! A quick check with the radar images and my heart sank.. and so it was back to bed...

The day was quite empty, the highlight of it was to bring the family out for some shopping and a nice lunch. Late afternoon came, and I had to do some chores. Collecting the stuff from ET and also going to visit that EskiMoo place for the ice cream. I had D24 ice cream and Guiness and ET had Tea Tarik and coffee/banana... strange flavors, but absolutely rich and delicious ice creams. We parted our ways, after getting those DELICIOUS goreng pisangs at long house.. my children TOTALLY enjoyed those.. by 5pm, the itch was too much, a quick SMS, to the regulars to meet at Fort Road, and surprisingly, a ride was born!!

Set off at 905pm, met Kuen at the usual place and it was a fantastic ride through the city. Sometime magical about riding through the city in the evenings.. 930pm at Fort Road and ET was there.. cool.. on time and ready to rock! Tim was to be cycling down the service road, and we were to meet him half way up. The service roads were madness! I have never experienced a traffic jam on the service roads before?! But not for long.. apparently, some inconsiderate taxi, restaurant goers, and a bus... we cut them off and soon we had the roads to ourselves again. And there was Tim.. just rolling down... we signalled.. and everyone was present and heading for checkpoint.
Paceline riding was great, I have recovered and I was able to hold the line and hold my lead. It was gorgeous that pumping hard and piercing through the night air... we reached checkpoint, probably in record time again..
Fellowship was great, we had a great time chatting and didnt believe that it was alrady past 11pm! We all had to go back to our wives.. afterall, it was going to be mothers' day tomorrow!
The ride back was nice. Tim went ballistic.. (as usual) and drafted.. yes drafted behind a speeding bus... I think Tim was doing about 45-50km... crazy angmo... anyway.. we met up again, somewhere down the coastal.. at the entrance of NSRCC, Tim had to split and it was ET, Kuen and myself..
we decided to go on the inside, instead of service roads.. and it was chaos! Bad choice... too many people, drunks, groupees, bladers etc etc.. almost had a crash! I think its always better to be at the service roads! Period!
On the way back, Kuen did the unthinkable, dashed a red light and was almost knocked down... I just dont know why he did it.. i went to him.. and he was in a daze too.
All in all, we all had a great ride.. and Saturday night isnt too bad a night to do some serious but fun riding... Hmmmmm.....

Brutal.. but friend shine through..

I was looking forward to the Wednesday ride with the small group of frens that will turn up. ET and his BIL, and there will be Tim and Kin. Unfortunately, Kin was so messed up by that soccer match followed by Monday's ride... he was still sore..

Wednesday itself presented quite a challenge, work was phenomenally inspirational, the sharing was good and everyone left the workshop with something precious. The feedback was gold. But the worrying part for me was, since I have been standing up and walking around.. how would my legs hold up? I used the insoles that mom gave me... Stellar performance!! Only problem is.. its squeaks!! Gotta fix that!

Back home in time, suit up, and out I went.. to meet the rest of the guys..ride through town was brutal... traffic was bad, spend most time, waiting to cross roads... esp towards Spottiswood park.. terrible! Then it is the cross to Shenton Way... but that's a very small headache.. once on Shenton way to cecil street, it was alot better. Due to the bus lanes of course... but on Esplanade drive.. another headache.. Cars, buses.. writing this down, i can't imagine that I actually rode there! When I was riding then, the adrenalin must have masked the potentially hazardous riding and traffic conditions. Its about a rider being among road and vehicles whose drivers'mindset is that roads are only for cars and such.. and no place for bikers.

Anyway, God's journey mercy was with me, once on the Nicoll HW, I was even able to aerobar for a while. At Merdeka bridge, I cross under.. and at Stadium, it was deserted. Crossed the beautiful and new bridge.. and down that awfully crowded and unfrenly Tanjung Rhu road, and that right turn towards East Coast Park and Rendevous Point is ALWAYS potentially Dangerous.. you havet to alwasy watch out for the mad one, rushing to join back the ECP towards Airport. Anyway... met the guys in under 30 mins. Quite a feat. Of course, on the Sat early morning, it would be sub 20 mins... due to traffic conditions.

The ride to CP was brutal. I thought that my feet were fine. But the thigh muscles were not. In fact, my muscles were very very tired. During the ride, they were tired, and they were pumped up too early. I started to ache very badly.. worse... my head started to pound.. the headaches were so intense, I had to stop the paceline riding. I dropped back... while the rest pushed on. It was bad.. immediately, I knew that I should never do a ride after my workshops. It would be too punishing.

Once at CP, we had a great time, eating and chatting. Tim shared about his fren Marcus, how he was cured from Stage 4 cancer and is now resting at home.

May Day... is a good day...

Even before the alarm went off.. I was already awake.. I was excited that the group was going to try a new route.. Upp. Bukit Timah to Kranji... it was suppose to be a 60km ride...

It was going to be Full Attendence, only without ET and his BIL. ET was to attend to his other love.. understandable.. if I had been given the permission, I would have done...

Kuen decided to do the crazy thing and cycle to rendevous point, I decided to drive as I had more riding to do for the weekend. Arrive at the CP, and everyone was there! I was the last, but I wasn't late.

Kuen, Leng, Ben, Maurice, Kel, Tim, Ron, Yew Fei & me... 9 riders in toll... it was fun. Down the stretch of Upp. BT, turning off to Upp Thomson, towards Mandai .... it was hilly.... after about 20km, I was disorientated, this was pass Mandai, was about to turn left and go back down to Upp BT, was chided by the guys behind, for being a quitter, a quick glance at my speedo, and I realised that it was only 20km! There was more to come, it was suppose to be a Right turn instead, towards, Woodlands and then on to Neo Tiew and Alma Keng and then back down to CCK...

It was a spirited ride... my wheels were rolling very fast..everytime I coasted down, I was able to catch up... I was pondering whether my bike was more aerodynamic? I guess the fact that I am heavy also helped! I coasted next to Ronald and commented that either I am really aerodynamic or my bike is.. and he said, that when I did the aero tuck, all he could see was this big fat ass.. my reply to him was, 'well at least it was an AERO ass!' hahaha...

The ride towards and through out Neo Tiew was magnificient... we passed NSRCC Kranji, the air was so cool, i think it was like 25-26 degrees C? Then the sight that we saw, the BBC radar fields, and mist on the wet vegetables... and the dam which on the opposite side is Malaysia.. it was beautiful, breathtaking even. I remembered an invitation of an Indian friend, to go ride in his country... he leaves about 50 miles from the Taj Mahal.. I'm wondering if I should go for a riding adventure?

In Neo Tiew, the winding roads were alot of fun, but have to watch out for the cars. In hindsight, doing this ride in the early morning is a great idea. Out of Neo Tiew, the descent is pretty steep and dangerous, the junction is heavily used by construction vechicles, and that means alot of sand and debris on the road, turning at high speeds and mean danger. Once the group hit the Alma Keng straights, we decided to do a little paceriding.. and it was such a sight to behold, 9 riders pacing and drafting... too bad, the straights was too short.

All in all, it was a fantastic ride. I totally enjoyed myself and so did the group. We're definitely going to do this again, and this time, hopefully ET and Nick can join us.

In all, it was only 55km... when I asked Ronald where did the other 5km go? His reply was, '60km is from my house!'... very typical answer from Ronald.

Speedidida, speedididum....

Nothing feels more alive... than the cool early morning breeze against your face as you cycling against the breeze. The sun has yet to rise.. and already some of those early birds and chirping and flying around.. as if to wake to sun up..

Another morning, another chance to cycle and add the kilometres to my cycling log. As the kilometres begin to pile on my odometer, I could feel a sense of pride and joy, simultaneously, as my legs pounded on my pedals to spin the crank... revolution after revolution, as I strain my ears to hear the sound of my whirling wheels and the wind against the straps on my helmet.

Down the stretch of Cecil street.. it was quiet but brightly lit. In the afternoons, the street will be feel with hundreds of people walking around and cars and buses zipping by.. but at 5am in the morning... I have the road all to myself... pass Cecil street and towards the Esplanade, a quick glance to my right, and I am always capivated by the sight of the Singapore river... 20 revolutions of my pedals and I see myself entering Nicholl highway... here is where my turbo boosters come alive.. keep my head low.. shoulders still... I imagined my legs to be large and animated pistons as I powered across the Medeka bridge.... stride for stride.. the wind starts to howl pass my ears as I start to pick up speed...

Its been a couple of months, cycling down this stretch.. but it never fails to bring so much joy. I believe only a joy that can only be enjoyed while we are still capable to cycle... I dredge to think what would have happen to me as age starts to claim my abilities.. times when I think about those thoughts, all the more I find myself, wanting to be stronger and healthier... I guess, there will come a time, when I am no longer able to spin the crank like I am spinning em now.. but as long as I try them now... at least when the time comes to relinguish my capabilities, I still have my memories...

Iran.. again... hahaha

Iran.. more aptly.... I ran.... I really hate running now. I hate it, when I start the slow jogging.. and I hate it when the pace seems to quicken by itself.. I hate the feeling that legs pounding the tarmac.. I hate it, absolutely loathe it, it irks me... I want to stop running and just go home...

this evening, it was slightly different.. we were late for ballet class, 15 mins late.. and I knew I have to complete my run in less than 40 mins. Perhaps that would help me put some life into those dead steps of mine...

Not having enough time to do my usual stretching left me wondering if I will actually cramp up... I was apprehensive, therefore, I was delibrate in my slow jog. I watched the foot pod anxiously, not wanted to go overly fast and thus destroy the chance of completing this run....

Its been several months now. And I have not been able to get back to the times when I could actually love or like running... I remember.. not too long again, completely this route was not a problem.. yet today, strong as I was.. I still surrendered to the gradient of the slope. I just could not plod on... it was too exhausting.. too hard... I wanted and I did.. gave up.... it's just so darn hard! The slope gets steeper, the feet gets heavier, the knees protest, the heart screams and pounds like mad.. the mind gets muddled and age catches up and wraps its tentacles so tightly around your will.. that I slow down to a trot.. and then to a walk... a stroll... body agrees with that... body likes that and begs the mind to continue strolling like that...

Like a drill sergent, sneaking from behind on unwary trainee soldiers, the mind send turbo messages to the legs... it fires for a while.. but the stroll was just so much more comfortable.. less lift threatening... and I strolled again....

I hate running.. someone suggested golf... HAH! I was the club's champion... and I have a gold medallion to prove that.. and golf is not much easier.. may be easier on the legs.. but definitely not on the mind, if you were golf with those wolves and vultures that I used to golf with... enuff said... I just couldnt understand why i am still doing this... I am sad.. that the passion for running has died... I really really cannot go on...

I tell myself.. that this year.. will be my last year for wanting to run... as I am spending more and more of my time riding.... and I love riding.. riding doesnt hurt me like running does... yet... I will try only 2 events this year then....

The Army half marathon and the Stand Chart half marathon... and after that... I will retire.. truly retire...

The hardest run...

Do you know actually know when you are going to have the hardest run ? I can't really tell.. because.. every darn run seems to be the hardest?!?! The last couple of runs have been horrendous.. is it my age? And is it my bulge?

Its really getting harder and harder to run.. I can almost sense the disgust and the contempt of my body.. when it came to preparing for the run.. and during the run.. it was most chaotic, between the legs, lungs, brain and heart.

pushing 40... int

pushing 40 has a new meaning to me...
and that new meaning comes in the form of stretching and warmups.
I remembered not too long ago, how I could just hop on my bicycle and ride all day, or hang on to my badminton or squash racket and swing all day long.. hour after hour.. such was the pleasure, power and joy of youth.

But at 40.. the body in general has lost so much of its suppleness, its strength and stamina.. or has it?

Incorrectly, many middle aged men feel that they have come of age and that so many times, a little muscle strain here or a little muscle cramp there, the pain itself was amplified by the psychology of the man, where his psyched into believing that perhaps its time to slow down.

For the last couple of months, and since turning 40, it has indeed been harder. But as I looked back at my achievement, I know for a fact, that I am fitter than I ever was, and I am stronger and alot faster on my feet and on my bike.

Its not difficult to understand, that with age, it takes alittle bit more effort to hone our bodies to fitness peak. But its a worthwhile task. I enjoy training hard. I enjoy stretching and warming up, getting myself ready, either for a ride or a run. Regular stretching allows oneself to be in-tune with the limits of his muscles, his limbs and his body. Stretching should be done with a little being of meditation, alot like yoga.. and stretching is the only way for the old men to feel young again!

As with fitness level, all it takes is consistency. Fitness is like a shy lover, you need to court it with all your passion and you must be fiercely protective of her, if you lose sight of her just for a moment, its take plenty of efforts to have her back again, but being persistent, is key to win her back.

Really a piece of crap.... (?)

The watchshop guy confirmed that its actually a good brand.. and its product is actually not bad.. but the watch on his wrist was a polar... maybe he talks like that because he needs to sell more of this crap....
The experience that I had with the Suunto had nothing been really lousy... except for making a good friend out of the person whom I bought it from... the HRM belt broke just 2 weeks after I started to use it. I tried epoxy-ing it, and the other side gave way... I gave up... and after 3 months, Daniel told me that someone's letting go the accessories... I picked it up, and continued using it. The footpod is really accurate. But the GPS is not that good, can't go to places where there are too many trees and it sucks batteries for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The PC Pod is CRAP to use! Hardly ever get it connected if at all!
Would I recommend this piece of crap to anyone? NEVER! DUN BUY A SUUNTO!! I am trapped. Got 2 Heart straps, one GPS, one FootPod (that really works well!) and a PC pod (good for nothing!). I guess I will use this until, the darn thing dies or malfunction... maybe it never will? I dun really care anymore. To me, its just something that gives me information that I value for the time being...
And the cost of the strap? $69... its a small price to pay considering that I would probably need to fork on up to 3 or 4 times that amount to get another watch and with the same types of peripherals. Anyway, the strap looks alot more sturdier...
Actually not trying to fault Suunto for the rubber strap, but I had a Timex that also broke. (Rubber strap)...Hopefully, this new strap can live afew more year... or should I be hoping that the watch can live afew more years?

OCBC CYCLES... part 2...

Its such a surreal feelng, to be writing about an event of which one of the stars of that event is no longer around. Its been almost 3 days already... and I just can't take my mind off her. There has been some progress with the claims. Hopefully, my need for speed is met again.... anyway, I owe it to her, that I should write how she became a part of one of the biggest event of my life.

The day started early. I met up with Kuen, and we were looking sharp in our jerseys. I was pleased that the colors suit her colors. We were a matching pair. At 545am, we were already whizzing pass Cecil street and moving towards Fullerton. The streets were empty and at the Fullerton bridge, the road block was already up, with our jerseys on, the police had no problem identifying us as participants... we cut through the road block and then did a turn into Raffles Boulevard. The 50km participants were alrady there.. getting ready to start... we reached our destination and were rewarded with some 100 plus... I messaged the rest of the gang, that we were at the Neutral Services booth... one by one, we met up... lo and behold, Mr TC Teochew came along.. and all the time, he chattered about how good his son was, he very clever and hardworking very kind to join him at the cycles, doing well at the university, and that he is going to Australia for fishing for 14 days.. yada yada yada... the fact that he was yapping so much about himself, was perhaps he was sore that he couldn't get a road bike like me and Ee Tiong.. he was still adamant about the mountain bike.. look.. I love mountain biking.. and I am a cyclist at heart.. give me rolling hills, and give me offroad.. just give me the right bike... and there my heart will be... he just dun get that!

Time came (and I was so glad), that I had to move to my line.. together with Ee Tiong we went to our respective starting lines... the adrenaline was pumping, and it was getting to be brighter now... it looked as if it was going to be warm too... there were thousands upon thousands of people. We waited.. chatted nervously, and scouted around to see who may be the trouble makers... least of our worries actually... the time came.. everyone jockeyed their bikes to the front, there so many people, you could feel the electrifying aura around... Joel started appearing on my left... hah! Fate had to be so cruel.. TC Teochew will get to see my poweress! air horn blew.. and off we went.. my starting group was cool, everyone was very considerate.. 5 metres ahead, I could see TC ahead, he flicked the GD post, to get a better leverage, but that didn't matter at all, in 2 shakes of salt, I was up ahead and doing 30 plus.. no one tried to do any crazy stunts, they stayed their line and knew their limits... once out of the F1 area and onto Raffles Boulevard, things got pretty wild, but still manageable... on Clifford road nearer the U-turn, several water bottles on the road, but I manage to steer clear out of trouble and remain on the left and outside.. I kept my speed at around 30... around the Uie, it was about 22.. then up to about 35.. I sprinted abit to get back to Raffles boulevard... there, it began to become abit of wild party, some folks didnt like being cut, and would actually fight back... and then there was that sandy left turn back to Nicoll highway, that was narrow and some fatty on a cervelo was really close and was shouting at me, I was keeping my line.. I didnt really know what all his shouting was for... he and his frens start to sprint ahead.. I thought it was to soon for me to turn on my juice.. so I just mainted at around 34.... after the Uie at Nicoll some groups started to pull away, and I tried following them, the crazy fat Cervelo guy had a mini group with him, I drafted them for awhile, they were going too fast, I ended up being alone, the front group was way ahead and the behind group was way behind.. with no one to pull me along, I was hammering it up the gentle slope at Nicoll... I completed Nicoll at an average of 34... that was pretty neat! I eased off abit at Guillemard as I made the right turn towards Tanjung Rhu... once I hit the straights.. I started hammering again, 34-35... it was quick and easy.. My GAL was having fun and so was I... I felt faint... and soon.. Ee Tiong caught up with me.. and he was urging me... faster faster...

in 10 seconds he was up ahead... a quick glance at my comps, and it was only 12 kilos down so far.. still too early for the turbo... time for a swig at the bottles... and the cool, orangy elixir brought some relief to the already warm morning. At the straights towards the service roads, I turn on the turbo... 38... cut about 15 riders.... made a fast but smooth left turn into the service roads... my GAL just loved to carve... she carved silently and efficient, the wheelset spinning in perfect unison.. as both rider and bicycle became one unit, cutting through air, leaning into the curve as the centripetal force sent both into the tangent of the curve... once on the straights.. turbo again... 38... I didnt want to raise it to 40.. not yet becuase at the speed it will expend my reserves very very quickly.... once on the service road.. it was a very strange feeling... it was as if I have done this a thousand million times, it became so familiar.. every thing, the buzz on the road, as rubber tires rolled on rough tarmac, the shadows of the trees, the speed stripes... the blurring or the curbs, white black white black... I concentrated only on one thing... the sound of my breathing.. a quick glance at my HRM, my suunto T3.. 183... optimal.. I am definitely at my race pace now... the east coast will be the biggest obstacle.. I had to maintain as high a speed as possible... I hammered on... remember Lance Armstrong's technics... I kept my shoulders very still and just focused on hammer my legs.. it was strange too, that my knees were holding up so well... left right left right.. pound pound pound... left right left right.. pound pound pound... Carl's junior... speed hump.. speed stripes... Road safety park... chalets... Macdonalds, bowling alley... tennis centre...it was a straight but punishing road, as the surface was not smooth... met up with crazy fat cervelo guy and his group, they were crushed, I zipped past them, not an aggressive in your face kinda pass, more like a ha-ha-ha-you-bonked! kinda pass. As I was reaching the hawker centre, I was familiar with the slope... I pounded harder... 37... I did the slope and at the down slope.. I took another swig.. but this time there was no relief... that was when I realised that I was depliting my energy quite rapidly... suddenly, I felt my first pang of fear... fortunately, adrenalin pushed it aside... there was some riders bunched up... a quick hammer session.. and they were left behind.. the stiff BB on my Gal was amazing.. no wasted energy.. every stride was efficiently translated into forward motion... there will be another slope up.. this will be a longer and steeper slope.. here I remembered what Kuen had advised me.. when you take them out.. take them out fast, far and long... I turn my turbo on.. 40... and I blasted the slope... I left Ee Tiong behind... coming down the slope.. the comps registered 42... I was fast... but without sacrifice.. by then I was pretty exhausted.. 24km already.. wow.. less than half to go!

Up ahead was the final Uie.. I pounded for a while to maintain speed above 30.... made the Uie at around 26... and then hammer it up... again.. caught up with several riders.. and pounded away... as I was reaching the Yacht club, I had to regroup my strength... Ee Tiong suddenly came from behind... faster faster he urged me... I was hurting.. and I decided to stay behind... I watched him as he approached that short steep slope, strange... he stopped pedalling! I wouldnt do that.. you dun stop pedalling moments before you enter a slope! I started hammering again, 34... 35.. I passed him on the way up the slope.. and as I came down, I was doing 43... there was to be a gradual slope again past the sunset boulevard bar... I had to maintain smart gear changes to continue at an optimal speed.... Ee Tiong was left.. far behind.. could tell he was exhausted. Past the gradual slope..on the way down.. drinking time... towards the hawker centre, up the slope, down the slope, past the water skii lagoon.. back on the east coast parkway cycling track... usually we would turn left.. but this time we had to go up the slope... and there were a bunch of mountain bikers slow poking on the left, so I took the right... suddenly, there was road compression right in front of it.. crap... immediately, i loosen my grip on my handle bars, my front wheel jacked violently up... but my rear wheel absorbed it well, I was standing up by this time, so my body took most of the shock! I shouted to the jokers on my left to "stay your line"".. meaning dont sway too much... and they were obedient enough, I powered past them.. 44... and then i continued going at that pace... upon nearing the futsal place.. I slowed down.. 30... 29.. omigosh.. I was going flat! I had to engage mind power now..manage to only bump it up to 32... I was slowing down for sure... I just continued to focus on my breathing, I didnt really feel the lactic burn, so i forced up the pace. The tarmac below me blurred as I bowed to watch the cyclical movements of my thighs, my SIDIéd feet. Left right, left right, pump pump pump... suddenly I was using the term pump instead of pound... scary.. even the vocabulary that I used was showing signs of weakness! Once pass Carl's Junior, I know, the East Coast leg was drawing to a close, that probably released some endorphins, becuase my speed started to increased, could be the elixir taking it effect too. Down that stretch towards the sandy right turn, I slowed down again, that turning is treacherous! I stop pounding, and instead drank a little bit. The bike carved a nice line and I am back on the straights, up ahead, another slow peloton. I cut them on the right, this was where I met Mr SEVEN and his leather Brooks seat. He looked like a strong rider. And his cadence was smooth and effortless. I passed him and carved a beautiful arc back onto Tanjung Rhu bend, en route to Stadium for the U-turn... he started to draft me. Now I had a puller on my tail! I was surprise that fat cervelo guy didnt catch up as I was really slowing down, I tried really hard to keep up the speed. But I had to keep up the speed, there was the crawford tunnel up ahead and that need alot of energy. I was really glad that kuen and I had done the practise runs, it really helped with the gear changing strategies.

At the stadium Uie, I was surprised that they temporary close the bus terminal! Making it alot easier to do the Uie, 27 on a Uie.. somehow, more endorphins, and I surged ahead, taking out more riders. On the straight, it was a good couple of hundreds of metres before a left turn towards a short stretch on the Nicholl to go back under the Mederka bridge. Somehow, the endorphins didn't last long, and on Nicholl turning into the stretch towards under the Mederka Bridge I was really really tired. The sun was up and the heat was getting to me. I triggered my mind for happy thoughts, hoping that they will give me some strength. Under the bridge the roads were pretty sandy and suddenly there were many riders?! There was this guy, he started to chase me, and it was hard for me to shake him off, I wanted to break free so that when I reach the left turn to Sims Drive, I would have space, as the surface at the part is really bad with plenty of that dried up concrete. I couldn't shake him and also I was getting so tired. A quick check at the speedo and I had about less than 7km more, wow, I actually completed 33km alrady... back on Sims, the roads were alive with traffic, but of course we were riding on a closed road, so we were riding alongside the buses and cars, and it felt good.

By that time, the sun was already up and the heat was getting to me. My legs were tired and honestly, I was eagerly waiting for this race to finish! The turn back to the F1 pits were quick and trecherous.. its all a blur to me now.. but all I can remember is that really really tight 90 degrees corner.. and the amazing last couple of hundred metres.. that dash was really fun.. had a guy who was egging me and sprinting with me... we high five'd each other when we crossed the finish line... It was pretty amazing.. to actually have to wait all these years for this experience..

And God took her away... too soon and too tragic.

After an initial and intense love affair that started on the 12th February, its suddenly and abruptly ended on the 28th Feb. Just one day shy of my 40th Birthday.

She was so beautiful when I first laid my eyes on her. There was no lust, there was no craving, it was a very communicative kind of love affair. The ones that would usually last. I wanted lightness, stiffness and speed, she was all that and more. I was strong, but she made me stronger, and she wanted to be brought to places and go the distance, and I relented to all her requests... together, I felt unequivocally invincible, the world was our oyster, together, the world seemed so small, together, we will no longer be... God took her away. May her soul rest in peace.

It happened all so suddenly... after a blistering ride back from Changi Point to NSRCC ( averaging 33km/h), I slowed down once I connected to the cycling path at NSRCC. I had to do that, because the rest of the group was so far behind... my speed was down to 26, easy for them to catch up with me, it was also time to load up on my electrolytes, took a swagger on my 'secret formula' and watched the joggers whizzing pass me, ah.. Chia Wee boon was jogging, so nice to see him back in singapore again! as I approached the winding bend, I saw a large peloton of cyclists, i slow down even more, and decided to go to the left hand side... as I went down the bend, there 4-6 errant riders from the peloton, coming onto the left hand side of the road, 2 cyclists especially fast, one of them came to close.. and he killed my darling.

It was a sickening 'çrack' sound, the sound you hear when someone breaks his bones. The cervelo guy took a tumble, I was ok, but I decided to go lie on the grass. I looked at my bike. Amazing. Nothing was broken. No major scratches and no major breaks, even my fork was intact. I was furious at the duo.. as cyclists they did the worst thing ever, negotiating a curve and going into the wrong lane and worst! Clipping at another cyclist. His friends sheepishly admitted that they were going too fast.

I picked her up, she seemed alright. I went all the way back to the redenvous point. About 15 km more. On the ride back, it was usual. Her lightness and stiffness was still evident. On the speed humps and even on the speed stripes, I couldn't feel that her life was actually ebbing away. She took a hard blow on the head. And her neck has been cracked. But my darling, didnt knew how to fail me, least of all, she just wanted me to reach my destination safely. She held up. on the way back, I cursed the rider that hit us, then a voice in me told me to be thankful that I am still in 1 piece and that nothing serious had happened.

Upon arrival, I was still the first to reach the carpark. The rest were still catching up. I related the whole scene to the guys when they finally came. And it was Ronald who saw the death marks on my darling. The crack stretched from one end to the other. She's a goner. I was furious, but there was nothing that could be done.

In the afternoon, I brought her in. And there is only but a sliver of hope that I can get my warranty claimed. I do hope that God will give her back to me. All day long, I felt as if a huge part of me had died. Indeed it had. I'm still strugling to get on my feet again.. I stil have my Titus and she's another favourite of mine.. but its just not the same anymore... its will never be the same again either... Good bye, Gal. It was absolutely brilliant, while it lasted. I thank God, that He provided all the wonderful times we have had. The training, the safe long rides that we had. I have learnt the finer points of how to handle a high percision engineered machine. Although it left a bitter taste in the seperation, but it has also heightened my senses and my cravings for highly engineered machines. May you rest in peace.

OCBC CYCLES... part 1

same time, sort of same place.. different excitement, different preparation...

over the last few months of blood, sweat and tears and a small part of my LIFE savings! :P... this was what it was amounting to..

Out with the Kula and In with the Argon... it definitely saved off many precious minutes.. but more importantly, I wasn't hurting so much (you think?!)

This is it.... just a few more moments, I will be en-route to what was I deem, the 'greatest' event of my life.. for 2009... hahaha... from a physical activity stand point... I don't even feel this sort of rush when I was representing RCC in the Inter-league games... and that was involving cash and status... this is just a CHALLENGE! Not even a race! Gosh, the mind does play tricks...

well... here's wishing myself all the best......

From Prince to Pauper... hahaha...

65km.... that was how long this ride was...
this was to be my second ride on my Gal, and what a ride it was...

32.5km each way... from my home to changi point.. and then back...

en-route to changi point along the coastal, there was this young chap, Pinarello Prince. Aero wheels, those dimpled zipps, with aero bars... I was going through the speed humps and he cut me on those humps, I was pretty pissed, why can't he wait to cut me after the humps.? I give chase but the strange thing was, it was effortless! He soon realised that I was on his tail, and try as he might, he just couldn't shake me! The amazing thing was, I was on my largest in front and 4th on my back, and I have lots of power to stay with him! He tried his aero position, he tried to standup and stride but all I didnt was just quicken my cadence and I was never more than 2 ft from him... he was exasperated! He swung several times to the right, thinking that it was the drafting that made me powerful, he was wrong, because I was strong! Hahaha.. the poor young chap was hurting... in the end, he made a U-turn at the lights and I carried on towards CP.. I hope he caught a goooood glimpse of my bike.... just a normal carbon bike with alu wheels...
made my evening! To turn that little spoilt Prince into a pauper! I believe he must be hurting tonite.. kekeke... Our average along that stretch was probably in the 40's.. because I registered a top speed of 47.... one thing's for sure... I am so glad that I bought this bike. Its really fast and there is no need for me to get aero bars or aero wheels.. its really more about me, the engine.

The ride from town to CP was tough.. but fun... lots of cars.. lot of stares.. but lots of fun. Poor Kin was not having so much fun! But I was so glad he came along. After Nicholl highway we went across the new bridge at Mounbatten Road. It was scenic!

On the coastals, there were several cyclists, but there were more on the way back... amounting to 20-30 cyclists.. of course not in one peleton. Perhaps it just that everyone is training for the OCBC... Anyway, I had a great time. Can't wait to try it again....

Goodbye my friend...

Its only been less than a year.. and yet.. the end was inadvertable. Bought on 13th June 2008, as a Father''s Day present to myself.. it rekindled much of my childhood or maybe even my teenage passion to ride. It was to power me through to my first Bicycle competition. And it had served me well on the trails both at Tampines and Bukit Timah as well. Then came the Titus and now the Gallium. It had no place in the small stable. Fast as it may be, it can never be a match to the stiffness of carbon and in terms of weight, there will be little advantage in keeping her.

Sad as it is, the decision has been made to sell her. The wheelset was the first to go, and Wilson has been really kind to allow his Mechs to stripe out most of her parts. One by one they will be sold. The Chris King headset, the crankset, the brakes, slowly going to new homes, where hopefully, they will be able to serve well and continue to be of use.

The end of an era is the ushering of a beginning of a new one.. and this is where the Gallium PRO will come in... honestly, I was more of a Cervelo person, wanting like crazy to order it from the US, but in the end, common sense got the most out of me, perhaps thanks to the ever cynical Ronald, who never failed to blast me with fire and brimstones, making it more bearable when compared to Sodom and Gomarrah! (ha!) anyway, many factors sublimed into this choice and one of them was Wilson from TEF. Nice bloke.. and from how the deal was finally transpired, I've decided to lend him my fullest support.

I wanted to Gallium Pro not because I wanted a PRO bike, in fact, I didnt even know what the heck was a PRO bike.. eventually, I found out.. that a PRO bike had very demanding geometry.. CRAP! I wanted the Gallium Pro, more for its weight! Anyway, its weight is bloody amazing.. the scales were out of batt at TEF! So I would have to weigh it another time.. BUT as it is, I need to go back there again, when my saddle arrives.. right now, I have the ugliest test saddle on the sexiest bike that I have ever laid eyes on! The Fulcrum Racing 3's are ABSOLUTELY killer looking! 18 spokes in the front and 24 at the back.. how they still feel stiffer than my mountain bike ones.. I can only imagine...

Still, getting onto a PRO geometry bike, would be a step up from normal road bikes, but not as demanding as a TT or Tri-bike.. so I guess, its about getting used to and training.. great.. with only 5 days to the OCBC.. not very wise..

Push up day 3....

This is day 3... I find that its easy to go through the sets after at least 1 min of rest... can tell that I am getting the hang of it.

Each time I finish the push up days, I am usually sore the next day... so its really working..

set 1 = 12
set 2 = 12
set 3 = 15
set 4 = 18
set 5 = 13
set 6 = 10

Total : 80

IPPT...

One of the best feelings that you get, is when you are able to accomplish, physically, what you set out to achieve. And when you achieve your target, your goal, against odds, against the nay sayers, against your own beliefs and experiences, the feeling is all the more sweeter.

Having been brought up with the belief that flat footers cannot run. Having been through all the pain and tears of the shin muscles when I ran too much when I was young, only proved a unsurmountable obstacle, for me to ever be able to like running long distances.

Life has its usual twists and turns, and only at the age of 39, that I realised that this unsurmountable obstacle was just that, an obstacle. Obstacles are there, to make us stronger, only if we were to challenge ourselves. Challenging ourselves, we are able to focus on our weaknesses, training our own bodies, to get stronger, to bring our threshold for pain higher, our endurance, longer.

Well, I trained really hard for the IPPT. And finally, the results as shown. Perhaps it was the terrain. Perhaps it was the pills... perhaps, perhaps perhaps... but the point was, I did it.

6 flat rounds... brought all my barang barang... and guess what? I forgot the watch! hahaha.. stress!

6 rounds in the multi-storey car-park...

Push up log... day 2 only... sigh..

ok... push up log seems to be a lot harder... mainly because of the IPPT week last week... no time to concentrate on that...

Ok.. day 2... actually.. I feel that I am alot stronger.. even though I didnt follow the program, but I on and off will "knock it down"... 10 or 20 a day...

ok.. day 2... 7th Feb 2009

set 1 = 12
set 2 = 12
set 3 = 10
set 4 = 12
set 5 = 14

total = 60

100 pushups... week1 day 1

Been trying to get this program going, but unfortunately... on and off just like a traffic light! So, I decided to blog it down....

It interesting how something so simple can actually start an industry... the training program is laid out professionally in a nice looking suave table, with easy to follow instructions.. and what is this all about? 100 pushups! In 6 weeks that is! Anyway, I have decided to go for this.. and see if I can get there in 6 weeks...

Today.. Monday.. 1st day.. starting with column one of Week 3... would probably have to do Week 3's program for at least 2 weeks to move on to Week 4 and 5....

Day 1 rest 60 seconds between each SET (longer if required)

set 1 = 12
set 2 = 12
set 3 = 8
set 4 = 8
set 5 = 12

total : 52
Here we go!

Changi Coastal BLITZ..

This morning, Ronald and his gang couldn't make it, but the old regulars like TT, Samsung1 were there... Samsung1 brought along another friend this morning, Samsung2... who rides a hybrid... a Marin but the back triangle is more like a racer..

The morning route was to be on the inside all the way till NSRCC where we will head out to the coastal roads.. this morning were to be alittle different for me in terms of preparations.. I am left were 3 Hcut tabs which I decided to down it together with my Bcomplex. I took nothing else, except for my regular HB and HC tablets. Only difference, no usual coffee for me.

The morning ride started the usual, I was leading the pack, all the way until we reached NSRCC, there becuase of the timing, the 3 of them crossed the road faster than me, and I was left behind.. but the start of the coastal I was probably a good 1-2km behind, I wasn't too worried about that, afterall, they were on road bikes with 700C wheels... so I kept my speed between 29-31km/h.. realised that I was pretty strong this morning.... with only 7km to go, I could see samsung1 was lagging behind the 2 leaders, I surged ahead, but I didnt want to waste precious energy so I made sure that I didnt go beyond 35km/h... pretty soon Samsung1 was behind me as I kept my speed at around 32, could tell that he was exhausted, .... ET and Ss2 was about 1km ahead and I pounded my pedals and tried to close the gap, but my legs were screaming and I had to slow down... we finally met rendevous point, but alas! Bak Chor Mee was not available... instead it was the bee hoon and egg for me! I couldnt finish my portion, the lady was too generous! But I had my ice coffee anyway...

The ride back was one of the most amazing.... on the way back.. ET decided to take the outside road, while the rest of us wanted to go by the inside.... all the way back to NSRCC, Ss1 was hot on my wheel, I caught sight of ET, he was gone in 2 mins, surging so fast ahead...but I wasn't feeling faint at all, very strange feel... I was very careful to be really sensitive to any pain on my left knee, I would have to slow down as soon as I feel the pain... I hammered on the pedals for the whole stretch on the changi coastal, all 7km of it... 32-35km/h... Ss1 chasing me... he was very strong, on 2 occasions almost trying to take the lead... when we reached the road cross, he actually led for a short period of time! I was not perturb, taking care not to overexert myself! Back on the ECP, the race was on! Ss1 led all the way until we reached the "Paris-Roubaix" point, at the stage, I turbo blasted the short 700metre cobbled route, reaching up to about 47km/h.... from there I kept my speed at around 32-34km/h.... Ss1 still chased on... we briefly met at around the new skatepark area, I told him that I will heading out on the road, just before the hawker centre.. once I headed out to the road, lo and behold! ET was just up ahead...very unusual of him to slack.... I cruised on... 33... passed him... and then hammered on... 34.... 1-2-3-4km.. and I was still at 34.... wow... either the Hcut tablets were working or was it the combination of the coffee? I really dun know... I was also trying to be real sensitive about my legs.. my knee... gosh! No pain! Could this be the endorphins? watever it was... I really liked this state that I was in... is this the zone? I looked back... even Ss1 have given up the chase and he was coasting with ET... 3 mins passed... I turned... and wow! No one! I reached the carpark.. and took a look at my watch.... to my amazement.. 40mins 23 seconds.. I new Personal Best...

I am still pondering what was it that made this ride so exceptional ? I would like to think it was the training that I have done over the week.. but I have a slight suspicion that its due to the Hcut tablets that I took. Anyway, I will be getting some new supplies soon. That way, I can really tell if they are really that effective or not...

My 1st Bull Run..

Realising that I only have another 2 weeks to cut my timing about a minute, I knew I had to continue to run and diet as well. Right after Chinese New Year is probably the worst time of the year to go for an IPPT. But what to do, my birthday is coming and if I don't go for this round, I would have missed my last opportunity before I MR.

Anyway, the previous runs were just awful, I don't really feel that I am pushing myself really hard enough, becuase at the end of the run, I am not really out of breath.. all I can remember is the lethargy feeling that I have which causes me to not push that hard. Its very different when I am cyling..

Still... the evening run on the 1st day of the New Chinese Year was really good... I managed to save about 20 seconds off... I have been very conscious about my diet over the holiday period.. and was able to avoid all those sweet and preserved stuff..

Currently, I believe the strategy is to keep speed above 10.4km/h and then stepping it up to 11km/h for the last 1km or so... hopefully this can be achieved...

Finally.... 75kg....

Just days to the lunar new year, my weight has gone down to 75kg.... and this was after a bowl of nice bak chor mee and a mug full of ice kopi from my usual coastal pit stop!

I am feeling alot stronger now.. thanks to all that cross training...

Today's ride was unbelievably fast... I was able to bump up the TE factor above 4... and all of this.. during a bout of diahorrea... (too much of the mandarin oranges!!)

Very tired.. but satisfied.. CNY... have to control diet!! sigh!!

The worst week of my life...

It is with so much anguish that I am writing this log... all the weeks of preparation and the results just didnt tally... immediately there was so much accusation within.. am I really getting too old? Was I over confident?

Week after week, all that sacrifice of running and cross training.. but I missed incentive by a mere second... yes ... a mere second... when I passed the tape.. and when I saw the timing, I was shocked beyond believe... I was only 10th in position out of 115 runners, how could I have run so poorly? 13 mins 26 secs...

I was full of resolve.. I can still re-register for another test... I have 2 more months to go before my 40th birthday... so I really need to train alot harder...

13th Jan.. Chi-ing again at Ft Canning

Yesterday's run was invigorating... and I wanted to try Chi-ing this time with a different pair of shoes.. the Kayano 12.. .The 12's were my running shoes for the 10km which I did several months back... they're really nice... its feels hard.. but after awhile, you really appreciate the suspension that it provides...

In today's run, I realised that the 12 was more suited for the Heel-strike runner... for forefoot running, the cushioning that the 12 offers is SO sucky! One thing that I have found so far with Chi-running, is that I have not had any arch pain... quite amazing... in fact, I would have expected to have very tired calves.. but I have not experience that for the last 2 days.

Today, I actually shaved off 3 mins from my time, but the strange thing was that my HR did not increase... Hmmmm... I think I can actually run harder... still.. the total distance is about 3.17km so i think for the 2.4km on Friday, I can definitely afford to run harder...

The cushioning on the 12 is worse than my 11's... I have yet to try this on my new balance.. so I think I will do that on Thursday... to make up my mind on which pair I should do my IPPT on.

I really hope I do well to get that 200 bucks... I can't wait to try on those new Newtons!

12th Jan..Chi running at Fort Canning

The time was alittle pass 8pm in the evening, there was more than a slight breeze, it was excellent weather for a run. This Friday is to be my IPPT, and running has never been my forte.

This evening's objective was to try and do as much CHI as possible..the first 400 meters, towards Clemenceau Ave down Oxley Rise was alittle too fast, but again, I wasn't pushing it, instead, it was more like letting gravity taking over, most of it was downhill, so all i had to do was lean over, and let gravity take over, my feet were there in tandem to make sure that I dun fall over flat on my face, and they worked like a wheel with shoes! Rollin rolling rolling... my upper body was relaxed, noticably my arms. The lower legs felt stronger, I wasn't feeling any strain at all..maybe it was just too early in the run!

At Clemenceau Ave, DRATS! The lifting of ERP, meant that the cars will be pouring in to the district.. a good 3-4 mins was wasted waiting to cross the road..

Once at the foot of Ft. Canning, I began Chi-ing, and it was alot slower this time, my breathing was different as well, 1.2km later.. tried to revert back to the old form, but it didnt add to the comfort, and the weird thing was, my body actually went back to Chi-ing instinctively.. that brought a smile to my face!

Amazing thing, I ran all the way, no stopping... I felt strong... my legs didnt feel strained in any way.. it was pretty amazing... I realised that my lungs were stronger than I know it... and I pushed myself harder when the incline started... my average HR went up by 20bpm...

10th January 2009

It was just like any ordinary early Saturday morning. The heavens were kind enough not to have poured, afterall, we are still in the monsoon season in this side of the planet.
545am... and I am at the usual spot at the car-park. I had a rough night.. slept at 1am, and woke up hourly, and I just didnt feel rested. Many things were on my mind, my job status, my obsession with the R3, something which I can afford but just don't feel that I should get it now.

Morris was the second to arrive and then came Ronald. We limbered up, stretching, warming up, hoping to shake off whatever sleepiness there is in the system. Yew Fei was late, but it was okay, as long as someone is coming, we usually will wait.

I was still feeling slightly sore from the chin-up exercises that I did on Wednesday. Strange, that its taking so long to heal. I need to get myself ready for the IPPT on Friday, my absolute last chance of getting $200 from the Government. I'm pretty sure that with the running, I should be able to get it. But I have been training my chin-ups and my sit-ups.. better condition myself over the weekend!

The cool East Coast breeze whistled pass the helmet straps near my ears and instinctly I could feel my thighs cringing in fear as the volume of the whistle was a good indication of how hard the head wind would be. On monsoon Coastal rides, its almost certain that riders would be facing a strong headwind as they made their way to Changi Point, a good 25km away...

I was too familiar with this coastal ride, every nook and cranny, when to surge ahead and when to coast, I've even have a stretch which I have so fondly christianed the "Paris-Roubaix'' stage. Its a short 800-900 stretch of cobbled stone road, which is essential a park connector from Bedok. My aim was to hit 32-34 on this stretch.

Today's first leg was great for me. I was alot stronger compared to the 1st 2 rides that I had earlier this week. I realised that its essential to at least cycle 3 times a week. How am I going to achieve this if/when I should start working ? Sad.

On the actual Coastal rode, I actually overtook a roadie, my constant speed above 30km/h certainly was proving fomidable. I guess it was alittle too early, as there weren't any Tri guys or groupies.. I lost Ronald at the T-junction towards coastal.. surely I can't be that fast?

Of course not! Apparently Morris had a flat and it was Ronald to the rescue. I was unaware of that, and I continued to hammer on, keeping constant cadence... and trying not to lose speed... I was finding my balance point and at the same time the right pressure for the pedals, I realised that it was around 29-30km/h, 2nd smallest cog... it came effortlessly..

45 mins later. There I was at rendevous point. Not smashed to the point of no return, but the thighs were alittle stiff...

I ordered my favourite comfort food, my $3 bak chor mee with no fried wanton, no chilli, just tomato ketchup. Today, he decided to give me alittle more of the ketchup, everything was sweeter. Had my usual Ice coffee (the caffeine is really good for the ride back!) and the group finally arrived when I finished seeping up the last remaining drop of my pick-me-up'per.

Surprise surprise, ET and Kelvin showed up as well, they were on the way to Ubin, Ronald call them the TITUS gang. I would have joined them if it wasnt for the Mobilisation in the afternoon.

The ride back was phenomenon. It's probably got to do with the ice coffee. Because I merely took 44 mins to get back... The route back was more than 20km as well... as I was really sub-90 mins for the 40km... it was a PB... and on a mountain bike as well..

On hindsight, its got to be how the week's riding that helped. Sat was to be my 3rd ride.. and I certainly felt stronger. Like I said before, it would have to be at least 3 times a week to see any improvements.

8th Jan... Duo day!

Today was a special day... I actually did a 40km Non-stop (ok, at 20km mark, I had a rest of 3 mins and a bite off my trail-mix bar!), plus a 3km run in the evening! For the bike ride, I actually came back with a timing of 1hr 31mins! This must be some personal record of sort! Actually the strange thing was, after the rest, and that little bit of Trail-mix, I was able to do the Changi Coastal stretch (6.7km) at above 32km/h and at times around 37km/h it seems to me, that after the 20km, my body was warmed up ? I need to do more research on this.

I must say, that I was very pleased with my new performance enhancing gadget, a weight saving pair of pedals. I had a little trouble with it yesterday, can to change the cleats on my shoes to get it really working. They're the crank brothers Eggbeater pedals. They were a little creaky in the end, probably needs alittle lub.

On the way back, it was around 30 plus.. then I met this Ang-mo, who cut me at 33km/h... I sat on his wheel for awhile, I checked out his gearing configuration, he was alrady at max power gears, and it seems like he was already gasping, and he was wearing sandles... so i waited for my chance... I would sit on his wheel, and when the speedo reaches 2km left, I will let go!
And let go i did! My HR raced to above 180, 192 to be exact! Top speed was 47.5km/h! Incredible! still... it was impossible for me to complete that last 2km at above 45km/h... maybe I need to train just alittle more harder!

I came back home, had to pick the kids up, and quickly made myself a mixture of Red Bull and 7-up... that must have been it! Back at my mother's, I had a power nap... actually cannot nap properly.. no proper bed! So got up and decided to burn more calories!

Anyway, this has been exciting...

25th Dec 2008..

So what do you do on Christmas day? When the kids haven't arrive then.. it was always about Golf.. be it christmas or new year's, whatever the holidays.. but since the kids arrival.. no such luck. Leisure activities have to be short.. else it would be seen as a selfish act of self indulgence. Ronald had made an appointment to do riding at 6am.. but after the Christmas Eve party, no way.
I decided to go for a run instead.. and the best time was when the kids were taking their afternoon nap... and so there I was, plodding towards Mt Faber, hoping to make a round trip...
As usual, after at least a rest of 4-5 days, lethargy will be the greatest enemy.. still once on top of Mt. Faber, the scenario is stunning and the pace is picked up..
I did it with the footpod.. after recalibrating it at Pasir Ris Park, the darn thing is actually quite accurate. The GPS is really crappy, I wouldnt want to use it for registering my runs.. it requires so time to triangulate the satellites.

Fitness Toys for 2009...

Ah.. What would a new year be without dreaming about the toys to get?
On the bike scene... for the OCBC race.. I am eyeing... actually drooling (more like it!) for a Cervelo R3... its so Gobsmackingly gorgeous... the 07 and 08 and 09 models do not have any difference at all... in terms of design, so talk about great technology there! Team CSC (go google them to see just how fantastic they are!) stickers are no longer on the 09 models.. not that I am a fan of theirs... but unless I get job... there will only remain as a dream...

SHOES! Newton... or maybe a pair of Pearls? For 09, I am definitely going to give Chi running (or mid-sole running) a try. Saw some great testimony and even Daniel (Jodan) is apparently thrilled with it. It suppose to help overpronators like me... the Newton are the shoes made for mid-sole running and they don't come cheap.. mostly have to order from online as well... wonder whether chain reaction have them ?

Clothes, apparel... Dream cycling jersey would be the Super Groover Jersey 2007, by Pearl Izumi, these were going for US$44.. an unheard of price... but due to some unknown reasons Ee Tiong decided NOT to order for me. Right, thanks very much after all that help you have recieved from me! (NOT!)
Another SKINS compression 1/2 tights would do nicely... I am a firm believer on compression apparel.. its just that.. they are just so expensive! I would also love to get another pair of Pearl Izumi Cycling shorts.. totally great stuff!

OSIM Corporate Tri... 2008

The guys in the office had been talking about this tri thingy for a few years now... I believe it was back in 2006... back then I heard they formed 2 teams.. and I heard that thiam wah almost died of a heart attack doing the cycling bit.. in 2007.. they were again looking for participants.. but I wasn't too keen... I didn't have a bike then!

This year... was different.. the Kula came into my life in 13thJune 2008.. and it was a Friday too! It was suppose to be a father's day present for myself... a present to get me to start cycling..

I bought it also.. because I knew that Daniel had 2 bikes.. and so did Ronald.. I would not be short of cycling partners... I was wrong.. but that would be on another blog..

back to the tri..

Preparation was tough.. only 3 months to cut my timing down to <40mins..>, I spend several sessions on the slopes of Mt Faber and also started coastal riding. But 2 weeks before the competition, I had a very bad bout of flu and I was out of action for about a week. When I got back on the saddle, I felt alot weaker and my lungs just didnt had the capacity it use to.

I still remember race day. All of us were so hopeful, Alvin was a great swimmer and Catherine was a pretty good runner, so getting a top 10 finish was looking really good on the cards. We had a strategy to play fresh legs on the transitions, to hopefully shave precious time by providing fresh legs during the transition of the tags.. alas! We did not practise enough, and in actually wasted more time! Here's what happened... Alvin will cross the bridge where he will pass the tag to Catherine who will run to me to pass me the tag... I would be waiting for her at the beginning of the bike out area... unfortunately, the bike out area was very crowded, (the others were also adopting this same strategy!) and she missed me, and she actually ran up and down twice! The transition took a murderous 5 mins! when actually it should be a 1 minute affair... shame shame shame!