Yes, it’s come to the time of the year when I’ve finally finished all the marking of exam scripts. One wave of invigilation has passed, and awaiting for the next round of (O-levels) invigilation to come.

Time has indeed passed very quickly, and the school term will be ending in a weeks’ time. (Of course, that’s for the Sec 1s to 3s. Sec 4s’ got Os to conquer, and the teachers still have to work as usual.) The next thing I’m looking forward to is bringing the girls to Chiang Rai for CIP.

Anyway, I did a run with Boon Thong again this evening. After I mapped out my run, it was a little disappointing that we covered a distance less than the initial target of 7 km. Nevertheless, the run was a good work-out and a prelude to my upcoming Real Run this coming Sunday.

Ok, off to watch TV and cook a packet of Tom Yum noodles to eat! Haha

Felt great after the run.

แอ๊บ คิดถึงจริงๆนะ ดีไจที่อาทิตย์หน้าจะไดเจะกันแล้ว ^^ ฮันนี่ต้อง handsome นะ รัก

For the past week or so, I’ve been quite consistent in adhering to my self-imposed run routine, hitting the roads 9 out of 14 days. And I realised that it was not realistic in planning to run everyday. Haha. Well, at least I’m quite satisfied that I finally have the motivation to run routinely again.

My route.

I’m bored from marking homework in the library, and hence decided to post something up this nearly dead blog.

Well, life’s been fine although I’m down with a stubborn flu that’s still resisting my effort to get rid of it. At least I’ve got something to look forward to every month now.

I’ve just borrowed 2 Runner’s World magazine and after flipping through a few pages, I’m inspired to try something that I’ve never done before: Doing at least a 5 km everyday (unless I’m doing some other sports on that particular day).

Before detractors start casting doubts on my resolutions (or questioning why I would waste such time torturing myself by running when I could spend the time relaxing at home), let me explain my reason for making this decision.

I’ve slacken quite considerably since participating in the Singapore Biathlon in the earlier part of 2008. I’ve been bogged down by work in the second semester. I suddenly lacked the same discipline that once helped me complete my first marathon. And the truth is, I missed the times when I was so self-motivated to run. Running was pure enjoyment, as well as a channel for me to relieve stress.

So, starting from today, I’m going to exercise this resolution. Spending 30 minutes a day isn’t too much, considering it can keep me healthy and happy.

Ok, 12 more pieces of assignments to mark, and I can go home and do my 5 km. Can’t wait for it.

ิแอ๊บ!!55..คิดถึงมากๆนะ!!

Yay! Completed yet another marathon! Although the timing was not good at all (6 hr 05 min, 1hr 20 min off my best timing), I’m glad I managed to finish this 42km race without suffering from any injuries except some muscle aches which is inevitable.

Since my previous marathon in Dec last year (which I suffered like hell during the last 15 km), I’ve come to realised that training is really important, and that I should not go for timing if I’ve not seriously trained specifically for the race. So this time round, I did it at an easy pace, and walk during the times when I’m too tired to run. Well, slow and steady doesn’t win a race, but it certainly helped me complete it.

The reward for completing the tough mid-night run 

I think I’ll take back my statement in the previous post. I’m now looking forward to a next marathon.

I’m gonna have my first marathon of this year (and probably the last one?), but having to go for Jubilate during the day time (which stretches all the way till night) means I won’t have any time to rest before my 42km. ><

I’m going to buy lotsa snicker bars to carbo-load myself throughout the day. I hope that works. I need luck!

แอ๊บ!! จะรับเหรียญให้คุณนะ รักแอ๊บที่สุด! ^o^

I completed the Singapore Biathlon yesterday morning. It was my 3rd biathlon, and my 2nd in 2 weeks. The turn-out was huge, but this event was dominated by men (I believe only 5% of the 2000 odd people were females). Weather was good because there was a heavy downpour just before the start of the event. No strong sun, and there was a slight drizzle during my run leg. Haha, too bad for those people who badly wanted a tan, but I enjoyed the swim plus run throughout. The finisher t-shirt was really cartoonish, and the medal design is typical of what you would receive in any TAS (triathlon Association of Singapore) event. At least it is 10x better than the NUS biathlon’s medal.

Finisher’s Medal (it won’t stay long in my possession.. heh) 

Ahh. Reservist in 7 hrs’ time. I prefer greenboard marker to rifle. Then again, at least I don’t need to go around being pricked by needles this coming week. Won’t be updating for at least 1 week. Seeya people!  

Oh yea..it’s a last minute decision to join the NUS biathlon. So this coming Sunday, I’ll swim 1.5 km in the east coast waters and run 10 km of the park. I’ll treat it as part of my training for my Singapore Biathlon (on 1st March) as well. It’s gonna be a special Biathlon.. well, in a way! That’s all peeps. Isn’t this more interesting than the previous post?

Bleah >< 

Signed up for the Singapore Biathlon a couple of weeks ago, and I was required to go for a swim trial. One has to swim 30 laps within 40 minutes in order to be eligible for the actual event itself in March.

I did my first biathlon late last year, but since that event organiser didn’t provide any certificate of completion, I had no proof of completing any biathlon, and thus had to undergo the dreadful trial too. Dreadful not because I didn’t do it under 40 minutes before, but because I hadn’t swam such long distance since last October.

Things didn’t go smoothly for me right from the start. I underestimated the travelling time, and had to get out of the MRT halfway to hop into a cab in hope to reach Safra Tampines in time. That costed me $10++++. Ran into Safra like a lost and anxious ant, stopping everyone in my way to ask where the pool is. Phew, lucky my detail had not started yet. 

No time to do stretching, quickly changed into my tri-shorts and dipped into the pool with 7 other swimmers. "3, 2, 1, go!" shouted the timer, and the 7 swimmers dashed ahead with front crawl, leaving me struggling behind with breast stroke. I had to cautiously check my lap timing on my polar watch every lap, making sure that I did not exceed 1 min 20 sec (which is actually hopelessly slow) for each lap. 10, 15, 20, 25.. and 30. Yay, completed the much dreaded 30 laps.. and I passed the swimming trial! I actually improved my personal timing to 36 min 16 sec, shaving off almost 30 secs from my last bi’s open water swim! A moment of relief indeed.

Met up with my cousin for a nice late dinner and coffee at Cafe Cartel before heading home. Not a bad day afterall.  

Photos courtesy of Tekko 

Last Saturday was my first Olympic Biathlon attempt. Organised by NIE and RunningLab, it was considered to be a very small-scale event as there’re not even a hundred participants in the Men’s Category. The weather didn’t look good at all, and it rained heavily just before my wave started. Fortunately, it was just a passing shower and my wave start was delayed only by about 15 minutes.

It was 2 laps of 750m in the open water, followed by a 10km run along Ecp. I can’t explain why, but I enjoy swimming in the sea so much more than in the pool. I also felt that I could swim more effortlessly in the sea. Perhaps it is the salt level that causes more buoyancy?

Anyway, since I was using breast-stroke, I got over-taken by most participants, including majority of the female swimmers who started 5 minutes after my wave. But that didn’t matter, as I really enjoyed the swimming.

Out of the water after my 2nd lap, I put on my socks and shoes for my 10km run. It was tiring as I’ve not done any brick training prior to this race. However, my objective was just to complete, so I went easy at a steady pace. I was to run 2 loops before reaching the finishing point. Personally, I felt it would’ve been better if they planned just a loop. The run turned out to be shorter than 10km, but I’m glad that was the case. I’ve got a valid reason to run less than 10km!

All in all, a fairly low publicity event, but it did help me gain confidence in joining next year’s Singapore Biathlon next year. And with this race in hand, I can skip the 30-lap time trial next year! Enjoyable race.

Towards the finishing point! 

Position: 54/65 (Men’s Cat)

Swim Time: 0:36:44

Transition Time: 0:02:18

Run Time: 0:55:32

Total Time: 1: 34: 33