Changi Point Boardwalk Run

This month Eastside Run was to start from Changi Village in line with the rotation policy of starting each run from a different location in the East. However, due to this being the eve of the Sundown marathon, it was only left to me, myself and I and of course the M to do this run.

We started from this point just in front of the Changi Point Ferry Terminal.

We can see the many ferries  witing to to bring passengers to Pulau Ubin

The run was mainly on pavements like this and

Wooden board or what is commonly termed boardwalk

Essentially, we were running on the Changi Point Boardwalk, a 2km long of walkway covering the Beach Walk, Sailing Point Walk, Kelong Walk, SunsetWalk and Cliff Walk

The sceneries along the route

The Aloha Bungalow for civil servants

Sailing boats 

Changi Sailing Club

Kelong Walk

Changi Beach Club

Rocky Outcrops

From the Changi Point Boardwalk, we went up to visit the most famous building in the area, the old Changi Hospital

A close up of one of the graffiti

There were many heritage trees along the way, this being just one of them

And finally, we ended at the Sundown Marathon Village but the place was still deserted

But of course that did not stop us from taking a pic or two

Cold Storage Kids Run 2009

Kids - aren't they cute. Nothing can be more enjoyable than watching kids enjoying themselves. Which was why I happily spent 3 weekends and sacrifice one race to take pictures. And here are just some of the cute little boys and girls.

Seriously, I love kids - just as long as they don't scream and behave like a spoilt brats.

More pictures of the Cold Storage Kids Run here

Brooks Axiom 3

My third 'new' pair of shoes this month and this one came courtesy of a friend.

Photo from T@z's collection at run-to-live

Traded my Nike Lunar for his Brooks Axiom 3 on Thursday evening at the Running Lab run. Both of us immediately took our respective 'new' shoe for the run.

Initially, probably because I didn't do any adjustment to the laces, the toe portion was too lose and the instep too tight and it didn't feel very comfortable. But because I was running at a very easy pace with 2 newcomers, I couldn't really tell how good the cushioning was blah blah blah.

Anyway, took it out for a longer run this morning and this time inserted my insole, wore a pair of Wright double layer socks and adjusted the laces and this time it gave no problem at all. However, it felt heavy (I think quite obvious) after being having worn lightweight shoes for the past few runs. But I reckon this shoe should be just nice for my long runs.

Coming back to the trade, I think it is a good idea for runners to trade shoes which for one reasons or another is not suitable like in our case although I think he got a raw deal. His Axiom is in much better condition than the Lunar and has less mileage too. But it is better to trade than to dump it or leave it to rot.

Here are the reviews did by the original owner. Read them. Definitely more informative and useful than my one-liner.

national-day-2008-surprise-gift
Brooks Axiom vs Nike Air Zoom Elite
And his goodbye

Races: Nil
Retired: 10.9.2010
Mileage  689km (post T@z)

Q&A on Exercise, Health and Nutrition

Some commonsense Q&A on exercise and food and nutrition which I hope everybody take heed of (with a bit of salt:))

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this
true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!.... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO ! Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. And remember:

'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming'WOO HOO, What a Ride'

I like this - especially the last bit on Life. Actually quite true hor?