Nepal... Am I ready?

Today is rest day for me. I went for a run in the morning yesterday. I actually set my alarm clock to wake up at 7am, having slept at 11.30pm the night before. I did wake at 7am, but shut my alarm clock up, went back to sleep and was shocked to find out that it was already 9am when I woke again! GOSH! I wanted to go an early run! ARGH! I had slept for 9.5 hours! Gosh! I had breakfast and then waited for about an hour for the food to digest bfore going for a 35min run. I had to force myself to go climb stairs...

The run was a bit hard at the beginning. My right thigh and butt was still aching a bit from the biathlon on Sunday. And as I had swam only in the evening on Monday, my body was tired I guess. However, after about 25mins into the run, my body was responding well. Breathing was good as usual, and my pace could be picked up, and I ran strong. However, I had to shorten the run for I needed to go climb the stairs! In order tot rain for Nepal! If I do not start, when am I ever going to start? Geez...

I could still continue to run after the 35mins. Well, heck. I reaached the bottom of the stairs at the 1st floor. I started walking up the stairs slowly. It wasn't as hard as I imagine it to be! Most probably cuz I was warmed up. :) I set myself a goal of climbing up AND down 5 times. Why down also? Cuz going downhill/slope can be a killer on your knees and your calf muscles if they are not well-accustomed to. I need to train to 'come down' too!

After 4 sets of stair climing, I felt good and decided to increase the sets to 8 sets. I checked my watch and estimate that I take slighly less than 4mins to climb up to 14floors and 2mins to climb down. Actually, 14 floors seem to be too low. I did not feel extreme fatigue in my legs when I get up to the top floor and could actually still continue. Mmm...Maybe I should climb a 25 or 30 storey building next time. :p

Well, I completed the 8 sets that I set myself to do. Good! I felt great after that, without the severe lactic acid built up that I expected. It was not like this 3 years ago when I climbed stairs to train for my trip to Gunung Panti in Malaysia. I guess I am much stronger physically nowadays after having completed what I set out to do what only seemed like dreams years ago.

I rubbed on muscle rubs last night after reaching home from work. Mmm... My legs do feel the stretch this morning after I woke up. The muscles aches. Have not have such aches for a long time. They are still very bearable, considering I have experienced worse pains in the past after Judo training. :p Those that does not allow u to stand up or walk properly after standing up. And they last for a few days... Today's aches are 'chicken feet'. I reckon I can still go running, or maybe jogging with them present... :)

I have been trying to meet up with more friends, to no avail though. Due to my my work schedule. Working on weekends most of the time. Geez. Also trying to join the sgrunners for more of their runs. They are really a nice bunch of people. Well, there's a run on Good Friday. Finally a holiday which I need not work on! Cuz I was supposed to fly off on that day initially, but now change to 15th, so I hope I will be able to join them that morning for the run at MR!

Countdown to Nepal: 16 more days! :) I have been trying to spend more time on reading up about the country and getting my frame of mind set for the trip. It's indeed a trip of a lifetime, I'm sure and I want to fully enjoy it. Take whatever comes my way. At the age of 22, I can finally visit Nepal. A dream country since young. I have never forgotten the names, sceneries and mountains of Nepal that have fascinated me at childhood. Tenzing Norgay, Sir Edmund Hilary, K2, ABC, Everest, 8848m, altitude-mountain sickness, sherpas, the kids, the village hill tribes...


We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.
~Hilaire Belloc

So, like a forgotten fire, a childhood can always flare up again within us.
~Gaston Bachelard

And that's the dri-fit shirt! :) 

There will be more additions in the years to come... 

My Finisher's Medal! :) 

These are the partipants in the WHR! 

There's a support van and police escort with them throughout the run. 

Crossing the road! 

There the runners coming over from Still Road heading towards Marine Parade CC 

Navy Biathlon photos up!

I have finally uploaded the photos from the Navy Biathlon from Sunday! There was a problem with loading 'Hello' last night, hence did not post them. Below are photos from biathlon, and above are photos from the World Harmony Run. Just a few of them as I was only there at one of their stops at Marine Parade CC to support the runners as they ran past! :)

A group photo of all sgrunners who were at ECP 

Another group photo while I was bathing. 

After the race. From L-R: IMD, Hedgehog, Penguin, DO and me 

And this was the final 100metres dash for the finish line... :) 

Finished the swim leg! 

Out towards the sea... 

while others strolled... I was one of them! 

Some made a dash for the waters... 

Hehe... That's me before the race!  

The Swim Start! 

Finally the big day has arrived. This's the registration counter over at ECP. 

1st event of 2006: Navy Biathlon

26th March 2006: Singapore Navy Biathlon! Over and done with in a day. Time passes so fast!

This is my 1st race of the year! Although I knew I am well-prepared for it, I still had the pre-race jittery. Geez. After all, it IS the 1st race of 2006. It would kind of serves as a morale booster if I should do well for the race! :)

Dad could not fetch me to Bedok this year as he had to go to the cemetery for Qing Ming. Argh. The 1st train from CCK to Jurong only runs at 6.03am on Sunday! I was panicking on the night before the race and actually wanted to share cab with other sgrunners, Balasing. (P/S: that's not his real name, just the forum nick). Another runner, IMD, staying in Dover actually wanted to come out earlier to pick me up with another runner at Clementi... I did not take the ride as I did not want to bother someone whom I did not know very well! :p Oh, they are really kind people by the way. It's just me, don't wanting to bother others.

Hence, after some discussions with one of the runners on MSN on the 25th at 10+pm, I decided to take a cab from Jurong East after taking the 1st train from CCK. It would be slightly cheaper?

I woke up at 5am on the big day. I had breakfast, showered, and did some last minute packing before setting out to the train station at 6am. Think I caught the 2nd train which arrived at 6.10am. I arrived at Jurong at 6.20 and spent about 10minutes looking for a cab. Ah. Crappy. Bala later said I should have sms him in the morning. :p The cab ride cost me $16. Haven?t spent so much for a taxi ride in a long time!

I arrived at the venue at 6.52am. I hurried to the registration counter and then had body marked, after which I met Bala and IMD while walking to the toilet. They were just 10 minutes (or 8mins) behind me?

I changed into my swim suit and then made my way to the transition area to set up my 'square'. I did not see any familiar faces around that time. It was already 7.20am and I was more or less ready.

Caught DO and Penguin, another 2 runners from the sgrunners forum. One was in the Men's Veteran while the other in the same category as me. We chatted a bit and they proceeded on to the swim start to warm up. I fiddled with my stuff for a while more before going over to the swim start.

Warm up. Stretches. As I stood facing the sea, the sun was rising on my left hand side. It was beautiful. A piece of heaven showing itself. The entire sky was lit up by the red sun hidden behind some clouds. It seemed like it was going to be a cloudy morning and certainly friendly for a run later after the swim. I think I had the same thought as last year when I saw this scene. How I wished I had my camera with me.

I swam a while in the water and they were announcing for participants in the 1st wave to be flagged off at 7.45am to gather at the swim start. There were as many participants as I could remember last year. They actually had to close all registration earlier this year as the capacity reached its maximum. This shows that multi-sports events are certainly taking off in Singapore.

Although like any other individual event that I participate in, this time round, I have known many other like-minded enthusiasts who are taking part as well. It is unlike last year, when I was alone and did the entire event alone! I went there alone, took part alone, came back after the event alone... and had no one to share the event with except for Ken, this other biathlete whom I knew. Geez. Although some runners did not take part, they still came to support us! How encouraging of them!

I met Alvo and Meteor at the start line. Thanks to Alvo, I had a picture of myself in swimsuit and swimcap! I loved that pic! Hah! It was really pre-race jittery that got to me as the rubber came out of my goggles as I was wearing it! *screams* I knew I was able to put it back in but guess my fingernails were short and could not pull it back in! I turned to Alvo who was at the side and he helped me with it. Thanks to him I got the rubber back into the side clasp. Phew. Funny. He let out a small scream when I approached him for help. :p

The whistle went off at 7.46pm on my watch and we were off to the waters. I walked to the waters and then started swimming and following the crowd. I got kicked many times throughout the entire swim. There seemed to be too many swimmers! I was just worried that my goggles would be kicked off my face!

There was a turn at the 1st buoy and we would be swimming parallel to the shore, with the open sea on my right hand side. I was swimming on the outer part, as I did not want to be tangled up in the human mess again. All of a sudden, I felt a stinging pain spread across my right wrist and then my right thigh at the posterior part. I wanted to pass it off as fiberglass or maybe seabugs, as I have felt this kind of pain before in other open sea swims and they disappeared quite quickly. NO!!! This time round, the stinging pain lingered on and I was quite certain that it was jellyfish. A jellyfish that had brushed past me!!!!!!!!! I hate these creatures, yet are fascinated by them at the same time as they can be so graceful and bizarrely mesmerizing as they move through the waters.

Only this time round, the 'hate' aspect came into my mind. I don't want these suckers to come near me!!!!!!!! I am aware that they do move around in schools and I though maybe it was because I was far from other human beings. I then swam closer to the crowd and to the guiding line. I was hoping that they would not get close to humans.

Last year, it was choppy waters which caused many swimmers to get lost. This year? Jellyfishes. Geez. The waters of ECP eh. Someone posted on the sgrunners forum that the highest tide was 2+metres at 8am in the morning. I guess this was the reason that brought in the jellyfishes with the changing of tides. Bleah.

The pain was there throughout the swim. I checked occasionally my wrist and touched my thigh to make sure there was no open wound or simply to sooth the pain. Didn't help, of course. I was just expecting for the worst to happen. I hope that they were not poisonous and that I would not knock out in the waters anytime soon! I was thinking also am I the only unlucky one or do others get this too?

I was glad to make a turnabout at the 2nd buoy. This marked the return leg of the swim before turning for one last time which would head for shore all the way. Although the condition of the waters was much calmer and friendlier than last year's, this return leg certainly felt VERY LONG! I had a good swim on this stretch but it really took too long. There were a few times when I wondered if I was lost or swimming in a zig-zag manner. I saw other swimmers dispersed far in front of me and they were wearing red caps. Yeah, correct, we are in the same category. The blue cap swimmers from Wave who were flagged off 15minutes after us, soon caught up with us. Whoa. All from the Men's open category.

I checked my watch after what seemed like an eternity swim. I do not like to check my watch for I just wanted to do my best and not stress myself. However, this was getting too much. Sigh. I knew I would not be able to sub 40mins for my swim already. I persevered on till I finally neared the last buoy! I thought I would be long free from the tresses of the jellyfish but alas! I got stung again! This time on my left forearm! Stinging pain radiating across the entire forearm. Grin and bear it. I have experienced worse pains before.

Finally the exit. I heard Meteor's voice cheering for me. I was checking my time and my wrist and forearm as I exited the waters. Disappointed with the swim time. Almost 44 minutes. I know I am capable of even better timings. *SIGH*

I rinsed myself with a pail of water and hurried to the transition area. Dried myself and then put on my shorts and tee. Last to go on was my shoes. Then took my fuel bottle along which contained 100PLUS to last throughout the run. Spent about 2 mintues in the transition area.

I felt good and strong as I ran out of the transition area. I did not go too fast for fear of stitches which seemed inevitable and to get my body used to the rhythm of running first. Start slow and steady, and finish strong and proud.

I saw DO in front of me, as well as Penguin. Penguin exited the water 1st, followed by DO and then me. However, both DO and I overtook Penguin. She went slow for the run as she did not train. She's really a strong swimmer and a good runner too. Except that she is too lazy to train, which she herself admits. Otherwise, she would make a very strong biathlete! :)

I was pacing this Raffles girl in front of me. Well, she was wearing her sleeveless dri-fit top which had the 'RAFFLES' word sprawled across it. We were at around the same speed as the distance between us was constant more or less. There was once when I ran up beside her at about the 3rd or 4th kilometer and she hurried her pace and sped up. It's okay. It was still early in the run. I kept reminding myself to run at a comfortable pace, for there's still more than half to go. I ran past several female runners who are smaller sized than me (:p) and some men's veteran category guys too. Not pushing myself too hard, I just want to enjoy the run.

The route was exactly the same as last year, but only that it was totally cloudy this time round and the weather was perfect for running. I noticed that the crowd this year seems to consist of stronger participants as I ran past MANY participants from the Men Veteran category last year. Not so this year!

I did check my timing at the 3km mark. Took about 15minutes. If I could continue at this speed, I could sub 1hour for my 10km. In this case, I could maybe sub 1hour 40min for the event. This became my target for the event then.

At the last turnaround, I managed to catch up with the Raffles girl. She was in front of me all the while. There was the last 3km or so to go. I closed up the distance with her though I did not speed up significantly yet. She slowed down, I think. I was running neck to neck with her for about 50metres when she seemed to be challenging me with an increased speed in order to overtake me again. But this time round, she did not make it. Guess she was too tired from the over-expenditure of energy right from the start.

Dad used to tell me all the time when I was younger that one should not expend all his energy in a race at the beginning for there?s still a long way to go. A piece of sound advice which sticks with me my whole life.

My strategy worked! I sped up at the last 2km gradually. I could feel some tightness in my thigh and calves, and was wary. However, I was feeling strong. The last 1km (with signboards indicating every 100metre distance) was where I really took up speed. I checked my watch at the 5km mark and 8 km mark. I could really sub 1hour! As to sub 1hour 40min for the event, that was possible too!

I was really motivated and gave my best in the last 2km. I ran strong and finished the race proud. Finished my race in my own targeted timing. 1hour 39min 27sec. I was happy. The 10km run was my personal best. 54min 17sec. I never expected to sub 55min for 10km, much less after a 1.5 km swim! However, it could just well be the swim which warmed up the muscles and set the whole body in motion!

Alvo, Meteor and Tiwazz were at the railings by the side nearing the finishing point. I met Astrogirl for the 1st time too. Thanks to Alvo and Meteor again, I got a pic of myself running in! :)

I paced up and down the finishing area. I still felt strong after the run. Could still jog on tiptoe to cool down. Got my finisher's medal. Then I met Penguin who suggested me going to the First-Aid Station to see what they can do about the stings.

True enough, it was confirmed to be jellyfish stings. Not poisonous. And there were many other participants who got it as well. Actually one other thing that I was concerned about after the stings got me was that I hoped I would not get stung in my face! :p that must be AWFUL! A lady participant got stung on her neck! YIKES!

Vinegar and some cream later, we moved on to look for the supporters at the railings. We took a few group photos, after IMD and Hedgehog(whom I met for the 1st time) came in. we waited and cheered for Balasing next. I went off to shower at about 10.20. I was hoping to catch Ken whom I knew was taking part, and estimated he should come in at about 10am. No sight of him after half hour. Probably he had come in, or I might have missed him.

After showering, it was more photo taking time. By this time, Renohtaram had come down to cheer us. Oh dear, that boy had lost even more weight after a few months. He's really stressed at work. I met Xuanjing while collecting my certicate too. She did not join us. I met Cheow12 and Violet(his girlfriend) for the 1st time too. DO, Penguin, Balasing and I squeezed into the back seat of Alvo?s car to go to Marine Parade hawker Centre for lunch. I had a hard time choosing what to eat there. Finally, I decided to have the famous Apollo char kway teow. It's my 1st plate of char kway teow in years! And it did not taste fabulous. Too wet and not sweet enough. It did not suit my palate.

I sat at the same table as Balasing, Penguin and later Tiwazz and Sportventurer came to join us too. Penguin had to leave for NUS to go for lecture. I chatted with the others at the table. After everyone had finished lunch, we proceeded on to Marine Parade CC on foot to meet the World Harmony Run runners who would pass by the CC for a 10min break. It's a 37km run whereby the runners would pass by certain places of worship for the 4 major religions and end off somewhere in the east. This run is held throughout the world and the organizer happens to be a sgrunners forum member.

I met Cokiee and Charlotte for the 1st time. There are some other members on the run who were not introduced to me. By the way, Cokiee was a judoka from CJC! What a small world. He knows Alby, Mike, Sureen, Julia, Celeste and Selene... :)

The WHR runners continued on their run after the short break and we departed. Hedgehog, Kops21, IMD, Sportventurer and DO joined them for the last 10km of the run. I went to meet LL to attend a talk at Bedok CC. Tiwazz, Alvo and Metoer went to Planet Fitness for their gym session while Balasing went to shop in Suntec.

What can I say about the entire day? Fruitful and fulfilling. To be able to take part in my favourite event with other like-minded enthusiasts and meeting so many new friends. Even having friends who would come down all the way from home to cheer u on in the early morning even though they are not taking part. I have not felt this kind of camaderie for a long time. Not since the last Nike Real Run in 2003 with the judokas. Sad, but the harsh reality is that everyone moves on in life with new-found targets, aspirations, and goals. We move on into different realms of what Life has to offer. We do not occupy the same reality anymore and I have to find new friends who are into such activities. Once upon a time not too long ago, I had to go for biathlon and runs alone, often envious of those who do belong to a group that offers support. Now, I have found a group that I feel a sense of belonging. It's a great, yet relieved feeling.

Although the disappointment with my swim timings is real, and the stings from the jellyfish pained, the PB in my run timing and the wonderful people I have met on this more than made up for all the shortfalls. There are bound to be more events which I would have a chance to meet up with these pals. Kudos to the sgrunners!

Another race completed. Another worthwhile moment. Another entry into my diary of accomplishments. :) I love doing the things I love! That is what Like is all about, ain't it? :)))

"It never occur to me to stop, or give up."


P/S: A colonel passed away after the event, when he was just 600m from the finish line. He left behind a widow and 2 girls aged 2 and 7. My deepest condolences to his family. Many runners voiced their concerns on this issue of pushing ourselves too hard. Our bodies are the best indicators of our physical state. When it needs to slow down and rest, we should allow it to. Taking a step back would save your life and there are always other races in the future. In the pursuit of personal best and pushing the mind beyond, one needs to stay in check of the physical signs of the body and also think of the family... Maybe easier said than done as PB may all that occupies you mind when u race...



"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. "
~T.S. Eliot

"The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running. "
~Author Unknown, in reference to Ecclesiastes 9:11, "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."

"There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream."
~Author Unknown

Another one 

A portrait view at the same zoom length 

A more aerial view of the sky 

A beautfiul sunset on 25th March, Saturday 

Of runs, destructions & passion

2 weeks since I last blogged. Well, been on a lot of shift work ever since I transferred to A&E. However, I realized that I am growing to like the shift work. I can do my swims and runs in the morning when I'm more energetic and then proceed to report for work at 2pm. I am in fact not tired in this way and most of the time, perform better for my workouts in the morning. When the roster this week required me to wake up at 6am to report for work fro 8am to 3pm, *WHOA OH*, it was quite a killer in a way. I needed my dose of coffee every morning, otherwise I would be suffering at work! Although the swims and runs could be done in the afternoons, it?s usually very hot (just like in the mornings at around 9-10 when I usually exercise) and I would be very tired mentally as well.

There's lotsa free time to myself as well. So much so that I have not have the chance to meet up some friends for very long! *Screams* I miss u girls! :( So hard to coordinate a timing to meet since I'm working on most weekends. Sorry pals... I work mostly 2-9pm too. I have to train for my upcoming biathlon and have been putting much time into the trainings. It's in preparation for my Nepal trip too!

Talking about Nepal, I'm trying to get myself excited about it. Yeah, actually no need to try. I know when the time comes to getting all the last-minute logistics and paperwork to be done, I would be naturally EXCITED. Haha... Of course, I have been reading up very generally on the country as well. The usual prep I would do before visiting any country. But this time round, no need to go into details into the places I wanna visit and the itinery cuz everything's planned!

There is definitely mild excitement as I read about Nepal as there would be in every other trip I went for. However, this is really different cuz to put it simply, Nepal is a CHILDHOOD DREAM. Yes, a country I have always wanted to go the very moment I read about it. Or maybe watched a TV documentary on it. Long before I even started backpacking. Long before I even fascinated about visiting the exotic countries in every nook and cranny. Long before I even dreamed that I was 'born to roam'...

There are 5 countries I always wanted to visit since young. Egypt, Greece, Rome (not a country, but I did not know it last time! I always mixed it up with Greece where all the Roman ruins and architecture are! Hah!), Tibet and Nepal. Each and every country had something that fascinated me at a young tender age when I read about them, seen pictures or watched TV. Of course, the list has grown very long ever since! But these places do occupy a special place in my heart. They are what 'makes a Man big, for he dares to dream'.

Nepal. Here I come. I'm looking forward to stepping on your sacred ground.

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I actually had today off, but a colleague changed his off day with me as he's flying to HK. Have fun, boy! Anyway, it was a kind of a 'normal' weekend for me more or less (besides the fact I have to work today). I had yesterday off and it was precious. I went to GV to do my simulation training for the biathlon next week. The last one before the race. I did 60laps across the pool at 8:27, 8:28, 8:25. 8:25, 8:35, 8:35 and took 3minutes for transition, after which I ran 52 minutes to Hillview area and back. The sun was strong, but there was shade along the way. Still tolerable.

Definitely not as strong as the very 1st time I did the simu-training. Probably due to the fact I did over an hour of swim? Anyway, no serious muscles tension in calves nor thighs after that. Good.

Cooled down with 10laps of B.S and 6 laps of F.S. There was only 3 other guys in the pool at that time! 1pm! 2 were teacher and student. Another was swimming seriously. What a great pool! Yet underutilized.

Wanted to meet LL after that for a drink but she was not feeling well. So off she went to rest at home. Hope she's feeling better now. The weather lately is a killer when u are not in an A/C environment. :p Humid, stuffy and fair(no clouds!) in the morning. That's the sunny island of Singapore for you.

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It was early when I got back today and the weather was relatively cloudy. I decided to get my bike out and go cycling to capture some images that I always wanted to take when I'm out running around GV area. Of the destruction caused by Man in order to build some roads and drain a canal(?!) Sigh. I got those pictures. I really miss the old area which I used to run. I did not take them for granted. I appreciate the moments I get to run there and meet fellow runners or walkers and the friendly smile or greeting I would get from them. Sigh. One stretch is forever gone. There was an uncle who usually runs there and I met him just now with another uncle picking durians. They were talking about how the number of runners along that stretch had dwindled due to the blocked access to another path. Sigh. Of course, even I do not run that stretch anymore. SIGH.

The moment I entered GV, all tension and stress within me seemingly evaporated into the air immediately. I was surrounded by Nature, with just the path before me to watch out for. And the sounds of the birds and insects in the bushes. The sound of the water flowing in the canal. The smells from the bushes or canal, sometimes putrid, sometimes crisp. I have not cycled through GV for very, very long. I almost always ran through it only. Cycling provides a different way of enabling you to enjoy the scenery without feeling the stress of your body weight with each step and the need to concentrate on your breathing. There was a light breeze as I cycled along. It was simply a piece of paradise. I stopped occasionally to take some pictures and appreciate the surroundings, taking in the fresh air that encapsulated the entire environs. *Pure bliss*

I went off-road into the army training grounds. It was mountain biking here. Whoa. Heart rate increased and perspiration dripped. Lactic acid built up as well. It was not for long though. I did not go to the hard trails for this was supposed to be a leisure ride on a supposedly rest-day.

I was going to exit GV soon and cycle to Yew Tee where I wanted to take some pictures of a stretch. I missed the initial feelings of entering GV already, whereby the emotions experienced was one that was indescribable for you have to feel it yourself. *In 7th heaven*

I cycled to Yew Tee and along the way, passed by Mowbray Camp, and of course there was lots of greenery on one side of me. That stretch of road is actually rather quiet on the weekends and the coolness exulted from the greenery on my left side thrilled me! I felt so good. It was a rather long stretch and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Oh gosh... I was reminded of the times I cycled in Ubud, Bali, and of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Not that I cycled in Sri Lanka, but the coolness somehow reminded me of the very cool weather in NE. And the kind of peace and solitude that I enjoyed within was comparable to what I felt when I was in those places. Beautiful memories... :)

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I went swimming on Thursday, 9th March at CCK pool. I forgot to bring my goggles and had to come back home to pick it up. Otherwise, I would swim at Delta which is quieter. It's the school hols, so it's a mistake to come to CCK pool. Maybe due to the fact that it was already after office hours, hence there were many adults as well. Many 'frolickers', I would call them, as they seemed to be nothing but S.O.Ls!!! (ie. space occupying lesions, ermmm a medical term) They do not do serious swimming and some, or in this case, many(!) do not have the basic courtesy to give way to you, knowing you are doing laps. This would not occur in a pool which sees serious swimmers mostly, such as Delta, Queenstown and SPE. Argh. Those people would give way to you. In the 1st place, they would not even take your lane, knowing that you are doing laps! Ah ha!

I was 'massaging' my back in the jacuzzi pool after that (yeah, there's one in CCK swimming pool and the jets are quite strong!) when a mother was speaking to her 6-7 year old daughter in Cantonese. The little girl was very sweet as she spoke to her mum and to hear a young child speaking dialect to their parents is so rare nowadays. I immediately suspect she?s not local. I was right, when her other kids came to join them. Malaysians. Cuz of the Mandarin they spoke. I could not understand a word of their exchange simply. And it reminded me of my own shortcoming of not being able to speak even my own dialect properly. Sigh. I refused to learn when I was young, and I really regret it now. Sigh.

By the way, I find it very pleasant to hear a child speaking in dialect to her elderly. It's so innocent. :)

There's a wave pool at CCK too. There would be waves generated every hour and when it came, many kids from the Jacuzzi pool would flock to the pool. I could see rather well from where I was positioned that people were really enjoying themselves in the artificial waves. Friends would hold hands and try to venture further 'out' into deeper parts and float there. I remembered those times I was in Redang. :) When we tried to jump into the waves whenever one crashes onto the shore.

I just wondered, how could people be just satisfied with just playing with artificial waves? Why don't they try to get out into the sea with REAL waves? I mean, go to the beach or something like that. Some people may view this point of mine as trying to drive at something more parallel to Life. Put it in another way. Some people may be afraid of the unknown when they go to the beach. After all, who have not watched 'Jaws' before? The artificial wave pool could boost their confidence by letting them have a go at what it's like to be out in the open sea. But come on, don't deceive yourself. Those who have been to the sea or even oceans before can never find the same ecstasy when in an artificial wave pool.

Simply put: When you have experienced something that you truly want in Life, you want to keep going back. You would find ways and means to fulfill that objective you have found and relive the exhilaration all over again. Because every time you go through that process, you would feel that you have lived all over again. With no regrets.

Think about it. What is the most passionate thing to you?


Jack Palance: "Do you know what the secret of life is? One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and everything else don't mean shit."
Billy Crystal: "Yeah, but what's that one thing?"
Jack Palance: "That's what you've got to figure out."
~From the movie City Slickers

Reality Check(s)

Reality Check 1: At this time yesterday, I was going to my friend's place to do a simulation training for my upcoming biathlon. It?s pretty late already as it's only 3 weeks away top the biathlon. I used to start much earlier so that my body could get used to the demands of a biath. I was kind of worrying that I might suffer during yesterday's training.

The weather was good, and I had some hiccups into getting into the condominium of my friend and had to get her to come down to pick me up. Oops, in the end, I could enter at the convenience of some aunties who were lugging a lot of produce bought back from the market. The guard did not even sense this stranger wearing running attire in slippers trying to enter their condo with a bag and shoebag. *Chuckles*

Earlier, I also met Norman who was going to meet SC for a gym session at the Gombak gym. It was actually SC who called me to let me know that the gate had new security features which they will need u to use your card to tap and release the lock. I then called up LL, another friend who' staying at the same condo. Yeah, I'm so lucky to have 2 good friends staying here! And being able to make use of their condo facilities!

After a short chat with LL, I went to change and jumped into the pool. No time to waste! I had to report for work at 2pm and it was already 920am then! I was seriously behind time. I had wanted to start the training much earlier.

After 40minutes (50laps) of swim, I got out, dried myself as much as possible, then put on the attire and shoes and I was out running in 2minutes. Not bad for a transition timing. Reminded myself to start slow and continue at a comfortable pace. I had a small bottle of H2O with me too.

The run was definitely far better than what I expected. My legs and trunk did not feel tired and heavy and I could continue at my ideal pace. Only thing that occurred was some nudging stitches which refused to go away for a long time.

Flashback: I still remembered my very 1st training simulation training in NYP last year during the schooldays. Argh. The swim was good, but when it came to the running, I felt like shit! My body and legs just could not take it! Oh man... Subsequent trainings were not as ideal also, but of course I did improve with time. Then came last year's aquathlon training in Sep. They were definitely better than the 1st biathlon I have done and I wanted to test myself if I could still continue with such activities despite after having started work at the hectic 'A' corridor.

I did it. The aquathlon was testament to my ability to still train and participate in such activities despite having started work. And I did it yesterday as well. I was glad I managed a 50min run after the swim. The distance that almost killed me during the 1st simulation training for my aquathlon last year seemed short yesterday and I even ran another route in order to run a longer distance. 50minutes. I only lasted 40minutes for the 1st run last year. :)
Perhaps it was the H2O or perhaps cuz I'm stronger after having done 2 biathlons, 2 half-marathons and numerous 10km runs. I'm looking forward to doing a triathlon one day and it would be a dream come true. But 1st, I would need a good bike, and gloves and helmet. :p

I cooled down by swimming another 16laps in the pool. 12 laps of B.S and 4 laps of F.S. I love G.V's pool. There's always not many people doing serious swimming there and the pool is long enough for u to train there. Yet it's set in a condo environment, hence giving me a very peaceful and calming atmosphere to train in. A different change from the Olympic-sized pools I always swim in. The run around there is great too, with the route taking me to Hillview area where it?' quiet due to the many private apartments there. Long straight routes which I like too. Hey, pals! Thanks for letting me train in your condo! Hah!

It was home sweet home after the training. Ate lunch and then off to work at 1pm! I was not feeling tired nor having any muscle strains! Miracle~!


Reality Check 2: I did an hour 17min run! And it was in the morning after breakfast! I have not done a morning run for quite some time already and this was a good run. How would I define a good run? As long as my legs and trunk were not feeling like they need a break during the run. I felt really good after the run. I even managed 4sets of F/C, taking only 5,6,5,5 minutes for each set! Whoa oh! Am I high or something?

It was sunny so I decided to run to Yew Tee where there would be more shade along the way and it's quiet too. I carried along my MP3 player and listened to it most of the time. To the radio though. Have I not mentioned that I lost my receiver of 4 years on 15th Feb during a morning run? I was sad......... So sad.... The purple little music player had accompanied me on so many trips aboard and runs as well. It's still working so well after 4 years and the earphones were new too, boasting quality sound as compared to my old earphones. SIGH. I miss it a lot. Oh gosh. I was soooo careless. I left it on the bench while doing my workouts at the fitness corner. After the workout, after half an hour, I simply left to come home and clean forgotten about it! It was only on the train to work at 1pm when I looked for it did I realize it was gone! Called Mum to look for it for me. To no avail. I went to the F/C at 10pm after work. Could not find anything. On the way to swimming the next day, I went again. Nope. It's gone.

To whoever hands it fell into, I hope the person will appreciate it for its quality sounds and the fact that it is still working so well after 4 years despite all the sweat and grit it had endured. Sigh. How would the 'finder's keeper' know?

As to the new MP3 player, it's a 512MB which I bought in Sim Lim for only $120. It looks exactly like a model fro SamSung and the quality of the sounds are as good as SamSung too! The salesman told me they use the same chip as SamSung, except the consumers are paying for the adverts and the brand for the SamSung one. Oh well, whatever. I just need one with radio. I reckon it would be silly to buy back a $45 receiver with only radio when MP3s are so in now and it would be like losing $45 if I replaced the old receiver by buying a new one.

(Sigh. I really don't need an MP3 that much. Heck)

When it was all the rave a while ago, I do not see the need to, as I'm not going to spend my free time downloading music onto the hardware. Yeah, a week after buying this (bought this on 26th Feb), I still have not downloaded any songs in there. Am happy with the radio. :p

Diverted for so long. Back to the run. I ran to Yew Tee, circled the small park for 4 rounds before running to the Kadut canal and the sun was in my face that time! Argh! Back up to Yew Tee and then to the other canal and up and down one lap before I exited the park, ran past the swimming complex before ending at CCK Park. I wanted to stop there and work out at the F/C there, but it was too hot. No shade. Ran back thus.

Trivial details which will bore readers out there, but it's meant for my own record. :p

Conclusion: My runs in morning seem to be getting better! ;)


Reality Check 3: I am going to Nepal! This was confirmed last Thursday when I met my senior who plans the roster after she came back from a week-long holiday. Oh gosh. The fact sunk in quite late and actually till now, the feelings of euphoria and anticipation have left me. I did get uplifted when I do think about it and let myself sink into the reality that I AM GOING TO NEPAL. However, it did not last long everytime. As I am typing this right now, I am not feeling any sense of excitement actually. I wonder why? Most probably, I still have many other things to complete, the next big event being the biathlon. Otherwise, I am living out each day as fully as possible, making the best out of Life. The initial thrill of having to choose between Hong Kong and Nepal did hit me early last month. Having to apply for leave, checking out details and starting serious training for the biathlon then overtook all the excitement and it simmered down.

I would write again about it when I return to my ecstatic mood.


Reality Check 4: A friend recently emailed me and asked if I'm interested in adventure racing. There's going to be one in Singapore on April 2nd. I would like to give it a try but reality-wise, I simply cannot pluck out the time to gather together all the equipment needed and start the training as well. I reckon I should be working on that day too! Being the week after the biathlon and just merely 2weeks before flying off to Nepal(!), I have to start staircase climbing! Argh! To tell u the fact, one has to prioritise and I simply did not show much interest in this race at all. Sadly. Because this would not be me 2 years ago, when I was dying to try out EVERYTHING. From gathering friends to go for runs to looking for partners to participate in duathlons/biathlons to surfing the net for interesting events around the world. Yes, AROUND THE WORLD. U heard it. It can be as near as an adventure race in Malaysia to as far as an ultra-marathon in Morrocco. I have researched and read up a lot. Nah, it's simply to much! Everytime u have high hopes of taking part in something, u have to drop it due to reality. Be it due to commitment in school, or unable to gather a team or simply the cash issue! Sigh. Let's face reality eh? U cannot get EVERYTHING u want out of Life.

Hence, I was reminded of a 'me' in my slightly younger days. Sigh. Do I still harbour thoughts of taking part in an adventure race? Do I still harbour dreams of being an OBS or diving instructor? The former, u bet; but the latter, it could be somewhere deep inside my heart somewhere... Lost dreams, eh?

Sadly, I have to reject my friend. I think it's not the 1st time! Oops. There are much more important priorities right now. And why does everything has to fall right into the same period?!


Reality Check 5: Turkey. I have been watching snippets of Turkey here and there on TV over the past 2 weeks. Chatted with my friends about my trip there in 2003 as well. One dream that I would not forget: To stay for an extended period of time in Istanbul and pick up Turkish! To understand and soak in the culture of the country. *With dreamy eyes, I can imagine myself sitting in a sidewalk café reading a book, sipping café and watching the world roll by in Istanbul right now...* Sigh.

Today is rest day. Not totally too. I'm going to do some core strengthening exercise later. Working 2-9pm today. Monday afternoons. Argh. Do people understand truly what does 'A&E' stand for?!

Something to look forward to end of the week. LL, LM and I are confirmed going to the Civil Service Club. Siok still pending! Have not met up with them for more than a month! Due to my awkward roster after starting work in A&E. Yippee! Chilling out session! Not before the 2nd simulation training that morning!


"Every man dies. Not every man really lives."
~Braveheart

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
~Abraham Lincoln