This was a race I have been waiting for the past 3 months. In this race, there is only 1 competitor and there is no prize. It is only me running against the clock and against my mind.
Over the past 3 and the half months since I started running, I have set my target to do a proper 10km run by end March. I have deliberately refrained from running a 10km distance so far just so that I can surprise myself, I hope!. My runs have ranged from short 2 km to 12 km but never 10. I wanted to see whether I still have it in me to run a 10k under 60mins.
To most people, 60mins to complete a 10k is a walk in the park. I used to think so too. My PB although not in a race was 51 mins with sifu BC. So why 60mins? Because I think it is a realistic achievable target that will not force me to over-train to achieve. It is also a pace that I hope to be able to sustain for future long runs and if I can maintain for 10k, it should be the base for me to move forward.
So M and me went to ECP. We started at carpark F3 - ran to the toilet where the old '0' km marker was and u-turn and ran to the toilet immediately after the chalets (old '5' km marker) and u-turn back to the start. Distance was approximately 10km +/- 200 metres. Weather was cool but still humid despite the earlier thunderstorm.
Started off slowly with M in front. After 5 mins picked up the speed and overtook M. At the 1st u-turn (about 4km) was about 22 mins; well on target. Turning back, beginning to grasp for breathe as the fast pace took its toil. Slowed down slightly but still find it hard. This is where the mind comes into play. "Take it easy; never mind no prize to win; what if you injure yourself; take a walk; can speed up again" but I know the minute I stopped, I won't be able to resume, not at the same pace anyway. At 5 km was about 28 mins - still within target. Continued at this pace and at 7 km uturn was about 40 mins. Could celebrate now - couldn't see why I can't do the last 3 km in 20 mins but still subconsciously picked up the pace a bit. M was about 200 metres behind me. She has really improved a lot during these 3 months as well.
Yay - Finally finished the 10k challenge with 4 minutes to spare. But gasping for breath. Conditioning still not very good. But I am satisfied. Leg and mind in one piece - no pain, no sore and no giving in to temptation. Now to move on to the next target to meet by end June.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
A Weekend of Runs
For the second time in as many weeks, went running at Mt Faber again.
Than on Sunday, join the sgrunners for the Eastside run breaking my own cardinal rule of not running on 2 continuous days.
Firstly - the Mt Faber run. This was decided to let those who wish to test out the slopes before signing up for the Mizuno Mt Faber Run. 8 persons came including M's ex-colleague, Lily and Alicia. Also making a guest appearance was SV. We started at Safra and went up via Henderson Rd - Morse Rd - Pender Rd - Mt Faber Loop -down via Kampong Bahru - Lower Delta Rd - Telok Blangah Way - a distance of app. 5km.
Lily who was running for the 2nd time this year faltered at the start of Pender Rd and started walking. SV stayed with her initially before he moved off. She complained of chest pain alarming me like hell. Told her to walk while I dashed off to join the rest but stayed back at every junction to make sure she didn't loose her way. Eventually, she completed the run/walk in about 58 mins.
Alicia, forced by the Mrs to come did very well considering that she has hardly run this year. She only started to walk on the way down somewhere just outside the condo. I'm so proud of her!
The rest took about 45 mins to finish and except for Bambi who was looking rather pale and feeling a bit giddy, seems quite game to sign on for the race.
This morning, met up with the sgrunners for a run to Bedok Reservoir. The route is the same as the previous run. Led by the boss, TLR, we went at about 7mins pace. There was a l0 mins toilet break at the reservoir and in the tradition of sgrunners, a photo taking session at the top of the slope. Didn't join them back to Kembagan, instead ran back to Simei with Avin who ran back to Pasir Ris. Thanks for the company guys!
Than on Sunday, join the sgrunners for the Eastside run breaking my own cardinal rule of not running on 2 continuous days.
Firstly - the Mt Faber run. This was decided to let those who wish to test out the slopes before signing up for the Mizuno Mt Faber Run. 8 persons came including M's ex-colleague, Lily and Alicia. Also making a guest appearance was SV. We started at Safra and went up via Henderson Rd - Morse Rd - Pender Rd - Mt Faber Loop -down via Kampong Bahru - Lower Delta Rd - Telok Blangah Way - a distance of app. 5km.
Lily who was running for the 2nd time this year faltered at the start of Pender Rd and started walking. SV stayed with her initially before he moved off. She complained of chest pain alarming me like hell. Told her to walk while I dashed off to join the rest but stayed back at every junction to make sure she didn't loose her way. Eventually, she completed the run/walk in about 58 mins.
Alicia, forced by the Mrs to come did very well considering that she has hardly run this year. She only started to walk on the way down somewhere just outside the condo. I'm so proud of her!
The rest took about 45 mins to finish and except for Bambi who was looking rather pale and feeling a bit giddy, seems quite game to sign on for the race.
This morning, met up with the sgrunners for a run to Bedok Reservoir. The route is the same as the previous run. Led by the boss, TLR, we went at about 7mins pace. There was a l0 mins toilet break at the reservoir and in the tradition of sgrunners, a photo taking session at the top of the slope. Didn't join them back to Kembagan, instead ran back to Simei with Avin who ran back to Pasir Ris. Thanks for the company guys!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Recap - 3 months post op running
Crossed the 3 months mark since resuming running after the op.
So far except for the CNY period, been doing
- average of 3 runs a week comprising 1 short hard run, 1 easy run usually on Thursday night at RL and 1 slightly longer run on weekend. Longest run was on 25 Feb - a 12km run with the sgrunners. The fastest run was today at avg 5:23m/km for 20mins at the gym.
- swim 1 or twice a week. If weekend - at least 2km - weekdays 800m
- cycle twice a week 30 minutes session in the gym
- weights everyday - each major muscle group at least once a week but the legs more often.
Results - weight has gone up! from 73kg pre-op to 75 Christmas to 77 CNY.
I loved to think has gained more muscle mass but who am I kidding - all the extra weight has gone to the waistline.
I think God has a purpose there. If cannot run - can use the spare tire to roll myself.
So far except for the CNY period, been doing
- average of 3 runs a week comprising 1 short hard run, 1 easy run usually on Thursday night at RL and 1 slightly longer run on weekend. Longest run was on 25 Feb - a 12km run with the sgrunners. The fastest run was today at avg 5:23m/km for 20mins at the gym.
- swim 1 or twice a week. If weekend - at least 2km - weekdays 800m
- cycle twice a week 30 minutes session in the gym
- weights everyday - each major muscle group at least once a week but the legs more often.
Results - weight has gone up! from 73kg pre-op to 75 Christmas to 77 CNY.
I loved to think has gained more muscle mass but who am I kidding - all the extra weight has gone to the waistline.
I think God has a purpose there. If cannot run - can use the spare tire to roll myself.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Mount Faber
2 years of NS in Gilman camp and never got round to running up Mt Faber. Today decided to see whether I can conquer it. Chio Sebas to pace me. Reach Safra Mt Faber and there were a few Safra runners warming up. Did not run with them. Not in their league.
We started from Safra - ran towards Henderson Rd and bumped into DO and Dream who seems to have ran from somewhere to join the Safra Runners. Up to Telok Blangah Rd before turning into Morse Road and up Pender Road which runs all the way up to the top. According to Sebas, this is only about 1.5km whereas from Kampong Bahru side up is about 1.1km only. After huffing and puffing my way to the top, glad did not stop to walk, we let the downward slopes drives us down and finally reached the bottom where we saw Bug speeding away. Checked the watch - alamak only 28 mins which means we had barely covered 5km at our pace.
Since had come all the way from the East, decided to run some more otherwise waste time. So we went along Kampong Bahru Rd past the beautiful St Teresa Convent down to Jalan Bukit Merah turned to Lower Delta Rd and finally Telok Blangah Dr and ended back at Safra. Took 56 min and guess the distance should be around 8km which works out to a 7min pace. Slow no doubt but I did it - my first run up to Mt Faber!
We started from Safra - ran towards Henderson Rd and bumped into DO and Dream who seems to have ran from somewhere to join the Safra Runners. Up to Telok Blangah Rd before turning into Morse Road and up Pender Road which runs all the way up to the top. According to Sebas, this is only about 1.5km whereas from Kampong Bahru side up is about 1.1km only. After huffing and puffing my way to the top, glad did not stop to walk, we let the downward slopes drives us down and finally reached the bottom where we saw Bug speeding away. Checked the watch - alamak only 28 mins which means we had barely covered 5km at our pace.
Since had come all the way from the East, decided to run some more otherwise waste time. So we went along Kampong Bahru Rd past the beautiful St Teresa Convent down to Jalan Bukit Merah turned to Lower Delta Rd and finally Telok Blangah Dr and ended back at Safra. Took 56 min and guess the distance should be around 8km which works out to a 7min pace. Slow no doubt but I did it - my first run up to Mt Faber!
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