Friday, May 29, 2009

The Sundown Race is on Tonite!

Since last wk's 20KM, I have been hibernating. Carbo loading since Tue, now, feel like a bit overdone. Man, my little tummy just slip out!

A great day today. Went to GNC shop to buy some gels. Trying out the GU gel for the 1st time. Met up a lady at the counter who offered her membership card to me, so that I am entitled to 1-for-1 deal for the GU gels. How kind. So touched. Bought 4 packs. 1 each for an hour interval! Gotta pamper myself with better energy distribution this time. Hope cramp would stay away.

Had a dinner with Ameba, Rwen & Jason today. OX fish soup at Chinatown.

Tomorrow, can't wait to put on the shoes and run under the stary night. I hope it will be a stary night.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

I've got my Sundown Marathon Race Pack

A thicker fabric than last yr. Wont be revealing your nipples anymore. I like the vest very much.


My bib. I pin it at my work place. After a further 20KM today, can't wait for this coming wkend run.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Finally, I did it under 30min!

Perhaps, my legs boosted by the LSD?

I ofthen run back home from office. It's abt 7K. Treat it as recovery run or speed run. My best timing was 30:30.

Today, did it at 29:50! Finally...

My 1st back-to-back LSD wkend

Urged by desperation, forced myself to get up at 430am last Saturday. I felt like zombie. Just reach PJ from Spore at 1am. What to do, I have a 'date' with ameba.

She thanked me for pace with her, but I thanked her too. In fact, her pace is my pace. Just nice. Felt so good upon finish. I was wet, head to toe. Enjoyed so much to gulp down the 100+ non-stop. Once hit my bed, slept until 5pm after punishing my body. Rest well for the next day.

At nite, ameba sent me a text, she wants to do 30KM. I told her I surrender and she replied it was actually a joke. The fact on the next day is, no joke. She did 30K. Salute. At the end, the 100+ liquid made me felt so good again. It was a trophy winning feeling.

Monday, April 13, 2009

The Southern Ridges Run

Long heard abt this trail but never have the thought of running it thru as almost every wkend, I will either back in Msia, or meet up running friend at ECP.

Until last Sunday, after I was back from Bali with extra kilos and then pampered myself with movies (Fast&Furious 4 is GOOD), the sin overwhelmed me and with sudden urge, I decided to try out The Southern Ridges which comprises a 9-kilometre chain of green, open spaces spanning the rolling hills of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park before ending at West Coast Park where I am staying now.



9KM. But I ended up with 25KM.



First, I went into a long wrong way in HortPark, running against Kent Ridge Park. Had to ask an angmo for the way out. Then, I did merry-go-round at Canopy Walk (suppose I should be heading towards West Coast Park by now) which I ended up following the trail to Science Park I. Sought for direction from a stranger on how to get out from the 'remote' area. It was until I ran thru a winding road along South Buona Vista Rd, I finally seeing familiar scene ahead, it's connecting back to Pasir Panjang Rd that will eventually led me to West Coast area.

Managed to ran thru all the above tourist spots. Each site is uniquely designed for nature lovers' convinient. Singapore is indeed a very well organized beautiful Garden City. But, I guess it's the human nature. When you have less, you tend to appreciate more. Less-is-more is utterly true in this context.

Monday, April 06, 2009

8wks to go for Sundown

Trying hard to have more consistent training this time for Sundown.

Wanted to join PM1's gang but, it was too much for me to get up when my bus arrived Pudu at 1am. With Ameba going back to hometown (probably bring someone home too) for parents, I've turned my hope to Tey as my running companion last Saturday.

Fortunately he's available even after running 20K on Saturday. Very very lucky to have him paced with me. Extremely lucky when I needed tissue paper the most, he had it in his pouch! Don't ask too details. Embarassing. For those who might smell something awful around Tijani2, I am really sorry. It was an extremely urgent call that I must reply. At the verge liao.

At least, 20K is a comfortable distance for me now. Hope to push for 25/30K this Sunday, after Im back from a short Bali vacation. SGD50 back and fro airfare is hard to resist.

Gotta plan carefully my schedule from now on. Every wkend is crucial! I can't miss a single wkend LSD from now on!

It's my vow for this marathon preparation. 8wks to go. Im a bit excited.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Homebake Almond Cookie

I never thought doing this yummy cookie is that easy.

Ingredients:
100g Bienetta sugar flour mixture
250g Fresh Almond Flakes
Wax paper
Mix half of Bienetta with almonds.
Stir to mix it evenly. You can add a pinch of salt if you like a bit of salty taste.
Distribute the mixture EVENLY onto the wax paper. Try to avoid using mahjong paper, else, it will stick to the paper after taken out from oven. Then, sprinkle the other half of Bienetta to 'close the gap'. As it contains sugar, once heated, it melts and becomes the base.
Bake abt 20min with 150C in the oven until it about to turn brownish.
Taa dah...
Once taken out from oven, while it's hot and still soft, use a knife to cut into grid line. Then, let it gets harden.
The final product!

This is the 'mouse' of course.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Detaching Nike+ from Nike shoes

Nike+ product is a marvellous product, but without the shoes.

After relentless google, I have found some ideas from the net & youtube about ways to detach Nike+ from Nike shoes in the most economic way.

I feel this is the best for me, a Nike+ Sensor in a ziploc bag, fold it and slot it thru the shoelace like below. What's more, it's weatherproof and no issue of discomfort. To have 100% accuracy, just calibrate it.

Now, every shoes is Nike+ Enabled!


Monday, January 26, 2009

I don't want any medals or event tees

I never mind paying for a race.

The event organizer has to mobilize resource/volunteers to ensure the road safety & water stations; the cost to apply for road permit perhaps; also a sum must have been gone to pakcik JPJ who deserve the credit/OT indeed.

But, I personally never intended to keep the medal or wear the event tee. As such, I always deem these 2 items are 'rubbish' to me. I hope I know there's a way to recycle those medals & those singlets or finisher tees. Furthermore, the size of the tees often give me a surprise. Although some registration form has been thoughtful to emphasize that it's base on 'Asian-Size', the final actual size can be still smaller or bigger.

I have a thought. What if the organizer give some discount on those who wants to opt out for tees & medal? Or, they can keep the medal and tees for themselves, I don't mind. It's more environment friendly.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Great Eastern 30K - 18.01.2009

Can somebody pass me a steel bar? I want to bite! Arrgh...

I thought I wont get cramp in 30K. I thought the Phiten will work its magic. Diet didn't care much too. I started to get mild cramp at 25K and it was under 2hr05min. Gosh, I thought I was on the way to hit 2hr30min. I was so wrong. When the cramp aggravated at the last 2KM, it also dashed my hope to clock under 2hr45min.

What happen? I am not really sure. Frens said coz the route is very challenging with camel backs but I don't feel the hills causing trouble to me, except after I got cramp. I didn't even feel my heart had worked hard. I am aware I started with fast pace, and I did try to slow down after 15KM. Perhaps, back to the basics, not-enough-training. But for sure, I wont be running with Nike shoes for any distance above 20KM.

Ended with 2hr49min. Even Ameba over took me... Arrrgh... Where's the steel bar!??



那些在远方的朋友们。。。

上了一下Facebook,才知道有个朋友人在Angola工作了。真的时撞鬼了。什么鬼地方啊?看样子应该是在那过'黑'历新年了。没法子啦,工钱多,而且公司是当初自己选的。没什么好怨。本来,我是很羡慕他有着一份高薪的工作。不过,上了一些年纪,结了婚,真的比较希望settling down的工作。That's the tradeoff.


另一个朋友,毕业不久,就只身去到Canada,也不清楚在那搞什么,直到现在,才晓得当了个老师。看样子,应该会在哪呆很久了。在大学,我非常欣赏他,看定他未来肯是有一番作为的白领人士。结果,好大的差异。家庭观念满重的我,其实好想问他是否想家。。。当初是什么事情让他有了这样子的一个决定,选择。


珍重吧,我远方的朋友。Happy 牛 Year!

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

My new Nike+ sensor

Yes. I lost my previous one. Dont ask me how. I wish to know too! %^&*(@#$

Was very upset initially coz I thought I have to buy a new whole set, which includes with the Receiver that still attach to my ipod nano. By luck, I saw this place sells the sensor separately! The purchasing experience is at ease. Paid by credit card, indicated the delivery address & mobile numb, DONE!

The customer service didn't just stop there. Their delivery system kept me updated with the delivery status, via email & SMS! Apple Store is brilliant! They have a very good backend system that supporting their biz very well I guess. Coz, I am a very happy customer!

I hope my system is impressing customers too.

Do you know how does Nike+ Sensor work? Click here Overall, it's a very simple gadget with a good software to translate the data at http://www.nikeplus.com/. I like simplicity. That's why, I don't think I will throw in my bucks for Polar S625X. Not yet. But for sure, not Garmin GPS Forerunner. The idea of recharging its battery that last only 8hr isnt appealing to me.

My gadget should serve me, not the other way!


Updated:
Guess what I found!!! This is cool -> How to use Nike+ sports kit WITHOUT Nike shoes!

Monday, January 05, 2009

That 7,000 calories Xmas Dinner!

For food lovers, I am proudly present you "My Xmas Dinner' as shown below.

Our starter:
corn + spinach + cream soup. 5-star taste.

Main course(s):
Turkey with stuffing + bacons. All were being further 'fine tuned' by the host. 5-star.
Salad that made of Capsicum+ apricot + Italian vinegar + secret recipe. 5-star.
Hams with cherry. Can't finish. Tah pao some more. 5-star.
Sushi from Sake Sushi. 5-star.

Wine:
Tyrrels Vat 1 semillion 2006 (from Hunter Valley). Splendid! 5-star.



If this article is correct, then, I really need to run more laps to get rid of extra yet expected calories. Base on my weight, I have to run about 100KM to clear all these exessive 7,000 calories!

Anyway, what a great gathering it was. The people who Me & wifey spent time with are far more fulfilling than those food. It's the ppl who bring the food together, not the food bring the ppl together.

What da heck! Merry Xmas again ;D

Sunday, January 04, 2009

GE 30K Simulation Run

Suppose to join Ameba & PM1 for the run on Sat. But, I overslept! Must be the Baileys the nite before... Felt so guilty not to run coz I must hit 30K by now.

Luckily, got to know Tey & Jamie will be running on Sun. Guess what, I didn't (can't) sleep the whole nite! Not that I don't want to! Think sh be due to the chilled Nescafe I had after dinner. At 4am, had 2 homemade Pao, a Milo and reach at 5am to meet Tey.

'Assume' Split time:
9KM - 1hr02
18KM - 1hr50
27KM - 2hr44

Punctured at 23KM. Right thigh started to contract! Darn. Blame the Nike Zoom Victory. I hardly feel the cushion. Soreness built up around my ankles. Lack of shock absorption had transferred the stress to my knees too, eventually, thighs. It is my own synopsis but I think it makes sense.

Of coz I don't rule out the main reason to puncture was due to my muscle was not 'fresh' at all... It's now 24hr now I didn't sleep. Good, once I got on the bus later at 4pm, reaching Spore needs only a brink of my eyes... Just hope I won't snore on the bus ;-)

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

你是真忙,装忙还是瞎忙?

Are you really busy(真忙)? Pretend to be busy(装忙)? Or just being fuss around(瞎忙)?

It's such a common organization behavior.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

MALAKOFF 12KM 2008 - 21.12.2008

It has been a while I am missing from Msia's road race. Always, timing not right or having other priority. All OX somehow not even 1 in joining this event. Probably due to the RM30/40 registration fee. Ya, it's not cheap. But to me, I need a race to feel again the joy of crossing a finish line.

I brought along a new toy to the race, Nike+. Never before I logged down my own running pattern.


I am happy with my unofficial timing, 55:33. Graph above tells all. Trapped in the flock of surging cavalry once race started. Darn, I really couldn't get what is in some runners' mind. If you want to tuck yourself in front of the running pack, then please start to run once you cross the starting line la. Somehow they just start to WALK! Arggh, next time, I will choose to stand in front! Right after I got away from the jam, a steep accent followed.

Many said it's a boring route but I don't mind. Just make sure the safety and there's sufficient water station, I wont complain. Although, it's true this is a camel back's route. Saw PM1 500M before making the 1st U-turn. Damn fast. Knowing his finishing time is abt 49Min. A big room for improvement if I am able to be more discipline, which is the hardest part ;D

Next, the GE30K. Should meet some new runners in Spore asap else, I will have to train alone.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Hapi 1st Anniversary!

Cheers!

Time flies in light speed. Don't ask me how do I feel abt marriage. I can't be frank here ;-D But, I do feel it's feasible for university to intro a new management subject calls Marriage Management.

Celebrating this mandatory yet wonderful event in 1 of my favorite western restaurants - Paulaner Bräuhaus. To be exact, I only go for its beer - Munich Lager. FANTASTIC! The Curve has 1 too.

That's the 0.5L Munich Lager.

German sausages.
Dessert - Crispy crunchy Silverfish.

Still feel quite unbelievable. Never thought I would get married so soon actually. Maybe my residing hairlines told me so. Hard to have someone who you really sure can spend together for lifetime. Made some bad investments over the years. Luckily, I got my marriage right! Haha.

缘.

I feel blessed.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Gosh... I bought NIKE+

Cost me another SGD50. Eventually, I spent SGD175 on NIKE product over the weekend. Maybe I think that during a worse recession next yr, I wont dare to buy anything, so, spend now la. It consists only 2 simple components. A sensor and a receiver.
1 thing that Im sure going to find out is, how technically the gadget work. Then, will try to attach the sensor to any other shoes. Does anyone ever attempted before?

Legs still sore after sunday's 20km run. So, try it for the 1st time just to collect data. As usual, started from office and end at home. The ipod readings as follow:
Distance: 6.9KM
Time: 33:25

Pace: 4:49min/km
Calories: 430
(gosh, Im 60kg now)

Monday, November 17, 2008

Shoes... IN and OUT

God damn it!
My Adidas Supernova Cushion 7 got stolen! Cursing hard the thief... Such a great shoes! Light, responsive, ventilated, comfort and cushioned. Bought at SGD127 last time.

Decided not to buy back the same shoes so that I can try on other. Somehow, this shoes just caught my eyes with its innovative design. Look really nice, Nike Zoom Victory+. SGD125. Took it to ECP for a 18KM 'ride. Narrow toe area. Sole is hard for my feet. Guess it's more like a shopping shoes for me now. Perhaps, a few more run it will fit more to my feet.


Months ago, bought an Asics GT2130 at SGD120, 40% disc. It should be my main racing shoes for now. Once, tried it on 30KM LSD. Light, responsive with cushion. Happy with it.


Do think of buying another pair specifically for training. I am thinking for AdiStar. My last pair of AdiStar Control left some fond memory with me. Great cushion. I felt my feet is proctected. Though it's heavier, but not a problem to me. The weight is good during training.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Take my strides back to the road

Bothered by ever change project schedule. Bombarded by a series of RED BOOM in Dec too. Decided not to register any run. But I really miss Penang's running event. To be exact, I miss Penang Foods! Still remember my 1st Penang race where I endured the stomach pain after halfway coz was carrying some kilos of shit with me. Too much food the day before even though had it released before the run started.

Have been running at least a time at wk day. Running back from office to West Coast. Appox 7/8KM within 35min. Then, thanks to Rwen's companion at ECP for 20K. Really love the route with greens, pretty ladies, sea breeze and Old Town White Coffee that we eventually had our breakfast. Home sick? Just feel the same shop in Msia has the better taste.

The following week, back to Msia and found some 30K kakis for weekend. On Fri nite, I had some alcohol and it made me headache when I woke up at 5am. Abandoned the plan to run with ameba and Choi. I should stop thinking that I am still young la...

Luckily, Tey and Grace did plan to run on Sunday. Didn't have breakfast! Found there's no hot water for a Milo too, so, just left la.Made no mistake to be there on time. So nice in meeting them since my wedding. At least, keep myself updating abt the running circle there. Finished my run in 1hr50min. Wanted to wait for Grace and Tey but I was just too hungry and left.

I start to wonder if the Phiten really works in reducing tiredness? Since I put it on, I have yet to get any cramp! Sure hope it works on me.