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