Things that I stored away (specifically my fancy looking speakers) when I moved back in with my parents were finally brought out this evening. Needless to say, the there was no running this evening but that's ok - I am beginning to feel weak generally from the fasting and the run up Bukit Kiara yesterday took quite a bit out of me, leaving me feeling slightly sore throughout the day when normally I am able to cope.
I visited Adelphi today. All Singaporeans know this place as the kingdom of high-end hi-fi equipment, not to be ventured into unless you have a knowledgeable guide who's a friend. The "friend" bit is important because there is just so much to see it actually like blinding light - leaving you stunned, with the risk of you falling out of control thereafter and buy everything in sight. I went during lunch and popped into Norman Audio.
My classmate from secondary school now owns the establishment, having grown it from a shop space to something 4 times its size. He was glad to see me and to his credit, he did not express surprise when I told him my modest budget. The best advice he gave was for me to bring down everything I had before, he'll get it tested and we'll see what's next. He was confident that I had not pushed what I previously owned to the limit and he was sure he could draw everything out. If things work out, I may not have to spend much, only having to buy the flat screen TV and possibly a sub-woofer. He even offered to loan me the stuff he had in his shop for me to try at home, and if I didn't like them, I could return them. Wow!
So I spent the entire evening up till now digging out my speakers from days past. I have not been able to find the speaker stands but no matter. The speakers looked moldy, otherwise fine. The amp that had been my foot stool under my computer table also got taken out for a look and they seemed ready for duty. I even found the Monster cables (phew! these are pretty expensive pieces of wire..). Even the remote control for the amp were found (tucked under the other remote controls).
And why am I excited? Because if the old stuff works, I will save quite a bit of dosh. Nisa, Jamie and I will finally hear what real music sounds like, we'll get to see all the movies we have missed and we'll be a proper family once again.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Another ho-hum Sunday
Sunday. We slept in quite a bit and got up late. Jamie had his usual tug of war with getting his morning bathe and save for that, we stayed at home all day. Today was Sunday much like all Sundays past, except we got up early for Sahur and (obviously skipped lunch).
Here’s Jamie and I staying at home:
I went for my run at Bukit Kiara in the late afternoon and surprised myself a little at being able to maintain pace up the slopes. Nisa was in fine form going around the park and we both left from our workout fully satisfied at the endeavour. Got home just in time for breakfast, where Mom had prepared my favourite chicken dish and steamed fish.
Another ho-hum Sunday.
Here’s Jamie and I staying at home:
I went for my run at Bukit Kiara in the late afternoon and surprised myself a little at being able to maintain pace up the slopes. Nisa was in fine form going around the park and we both left from our workout fully satisfied at the endeavour. Got home just in time for breakfast, where Mom had prepared my favourite chicken dish and steamed fish.
Another ho-hum Sunday.
Friday, August 28, 2009
The tests of the season
Here I was, walking to the underground mosque at UOB Centre – Raffles Place at c12.50pm. Not exactly early but not late, in time to sit down and catch a quiet moment to ready myself for Friday prayers.
The underground mosque at UOB Centre is just that. It is built in the basement of the towering UOB Plaza 1. There is a plaque at the mosque to explain that certain Muslim owners of property along Boat Quay gave up their land in exchange for the purchaser agreeing to build a mosque. Personally, I do not know of any formal religious establishment in the Raffles Place area and so the presence of the mosque there is unique in the Singapore context. More so that someone gave up commercial gain in return for the building of a mosque. This mosque will never be described as grandiose, and it can be a dark and claustrophobic, stuffy during Friday prayers, but a mosque to serve as a place for the faithful to pray nonetheless. I would even (with some embarresment) say that if I could find a more comfortable mosque, I'll readily choose that other. But it is always the location of your faith within, and not the location of your being around, that is important to faith and worship.
As I walked to the mosque, I saw a diplomatic car cruise past. These things do not attract much attention in Singapore (and I suspect, in any other part of the world as well) but I did look because I saw a flag fluttering on the front bonnet. Diplomatic cars are not allowed to be flagged unless the ambassador himself is riding; and so I looked. It was the Saudi Arabian diplomatic flag and God tested me immediately – I failed.
I quickly formed the impression that this diplomat was pretty brazen to be cruising around town so close to the call to prayer (and on Friday prayers as well); shouldn’t he be hurrying himself to a mosque to ready himself? He is after all, from Saudi Arabia, and it is the month of Ramadan. The car went ahead and I caught up with it about 50 steps ahead; the driver had parked the car and the occupant was nowhere to be seen. He must be visiting a bank, I thought. Nothing wrong with that since this is Raffles Place but it was Friday, and in the month of Ramadan as well.
I got to the mosque and sat down. It was beginning to crowd and started getting stuffy. It is always danky at the ablution area because we are in the basement where there is no air circulation and it was no different today. Just immediately prior to the prayer call, 2 announcements were made. The first was about the programs the mosque was running during Ramadan.
The second – “We would like to welcome the new Saudi Ambassador, …”
Jamie – learn from Daddy and not be hasty in coming quick to judgement. We must always find our more before we conclude. And remember, the faithful always pray wherever, whenever because God always listens and receives; regardless of the location.
The underground mosque at UOB Centre is just that. It is built in the basement of the towering UOB Plaza 1. There is a plaque at the mosque to explain that certain Muslim owners of property along Boat Quay gave up their land in exchange for the purchaser agreeing to build a mosque. Personally, I do not know of any formal religious establishment in the Raffles Place area and so the presence of the mosque there is unique in the Singapore context. More so that someone gave up commercial gain in return for the building of a mosque. This mosque will never be described as grandiose, and it can be a dark and claustrophobic, stuffy during Friday prayers, but a mosque to serve as a place for the faithful to pray nonetheless. I would even (with some embarresment) say that if I could find a more comfortable mosque, I'll readily choose that other. But it is always the location of your faith within, and not the location of your being around, that is important to faith and worship.
As I walked to the mosque, I saw a diplomatic car cruise past. These things do not attract much attention in Singapore (and I suspect, in any other part of the world as well) but I did look because I saw a flag fluttering on the front bonnet. Diplomatic cars are not allowed to be flagged unless the ambassador himself is riding; and so I looked. It was the Saudi Arabian diplomatic flag and God tested me immediately – I failed.
I quickly formed the impression that this diplomat was pretty brazen to be cruising around town so close to the call to prayer (and on Friday prayers as well); shouldn’t he be hurrying himself to a mosque to ready himself? He is after all, from Saudi Arabia, and it is the month of Ramadan. The car went ahead and I caught up with it about 50 steps ahead; the driver had parked the car and the occupant was nowhere to be seen. He must be visiting a bank, I thought. Nothing wrong with that since this is Raffles Place but it was Friday, and in the month of Ramadan as well.
I got to the mosque and sat down. It was beginning to crowd and started getting stuffy. It is always danky at the ablution area because we are in the basement where there is no air circulation and it was no different today. Just immediately prior to the prayer call, 2 announcements were made. The first was about the programs the mosque was running during Ramadan.
The second – “We would like to welcome the new Saudi Ambassador, …”
Jamie – learn from Daddy and not be hasty in coming quick to judgement. We must always find our more before we conclude. And remember, the faithful always pray wherever, whenever because God always listens and receives; regardless of the location.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Let's go on a trek!
I scarificed my run today and went to the bicycle shop instead.
Truth be told, it was probably a good idea not running tonight. Like all past Ramadans, I have not been sleeping well and I know I am tired. My right knee also felt "loose" on the last run and I think the muscles were not strong enough to hold the knee in place, probably because the orthotics had changed my gait and I now engaged different facets of the same muscle group.
No knock on them but these shops do not stay open till late. I visited one that did not look very impressive close to my home, arriving at 7.45pm to find them shutting down yesterday and I told myself I needed to get there earlier. Which is a little difficult seeing I only leave the office 6pm and have to travel home. Kamal provided me with the addresses this time and I got to one of the more decent shops along the East Coast at 7.35pm. The proprietor, Nick, spent time telling me about bicycles notwithstanding he was shutting down 8pm; I left 8.20pm.
My plan is to get a decent but not expensive, bicycle for when Nisa, Jamie and I live in Singapore. The way petrol prices are going, and the costs and inconvenience of driving around would make riding around and about a pretty sensible option. I had already made up my mind that trips to the petrol station to buy milk, drinks, ice would be on a bicycle. The same with going to the hawker centre to buy food, and to the provision shops to buy groceries and the like. No serious distances will be travelled and Lance need never to feel threatened whenever I got onto the bike. No off-roading too. After this download to Nick, he promptly pronounced that I should get a hybrid.
I had never heard of a hybrid bicycle before. It is a cross between a road and mountain bike. The more polite amongst the cycling community would not refer to this as a commuter bike and those that ride like the wind have called this "the bike you ride for charity events". All said, it did make sense and I am now giving this serious thought. The fact that the price fell within my budget also made it compelling. Plus, the frame was branded! I asked Nick if it came in other colours and he actually had to pause to recall - during which I silently told myself I probably sounded shallow to him to be asking about colour and not performance specs. Oh well - I'm effectively a newbie at this so I guess its ok.
The bicycle will not replace my running; and at this stage, I cannot imagine anything will. The bicycle will serve exactly as what I intend, and maybe a little more in my using it to explore new running routes before Nisa and I actually embark on them. I'll be making my decision to buy in the next few days but until then, it'll be going onto the internet to find out more.
Truth be told, it was probably a good idea not running tonight. Like all past Ramadans, I have not been sleeping well and I know I am tired. My right knee also felt "loose" on the last run and I think the muscles were not strong enough to hold the knee in place, probably because the orthotics had changed my gait and I now engaged different facets of the same muscle group.
No knock on them but these shops do not stay open till late. I visited one that did not look very impressive close to my home, arriving at 7.45pm to find them shutting down yesterday and I told myself I needed to get there earlier. Which is a little difficult seeing I only leave the office 6pm and have to travel home. Kamal provided me with the addresses this time and I got to one of the more decent shops along the East Coast at 7.35pm. The proprietor, Nick, spent time telling me about bicycles notwithstanding he was shutting down 8pm; I left 8.20pm.
My plan is to get a decent but not expensive, bicycle for when Nisa, Jamie and I live in Singapore. The way petrol prices are going, and the costs and inconvenience of driving around would make riding around and about a pretty sensible option. I had already made up my mind that trips to the petrol station to buy milk, drinks, ice would be on a bicycle. The same with going to the hawker centre to buy food, and to the provision shops to buy groceries and the like. No serious distances will be travelled and Lance need never to feel threatened whenever I got onto the bike. No off-roading too. After this download to Nick, he promptly pronounced that I should get a hybrid.
I had never heard of a hybrid bicycle before. It is a cross between a road and mountain bike. The more polite amongst the cycling community would not refer to this as a commuter bike and those that ride like the wind have called this "the bike you ride for charity events". All said, it did make sense and I am now giving this serious thought. The fact that the price fell within my budget also made it compelling. Plus, the frame was branded! I asked Nick if it came in other colours and he actually had to pause to recall - during which I silently told myself I probably sounded shallow to him to be asking about colour and not performance specs. Oh well - I'm effectively a newbie at this so I guess its ok.
The bicycle will not replace my running; and at this stage, I cannot imagine anything will. The bicycle will serve exactly as what I intend, and maybe a little more in my using it to explore new running routes before Nisa and I actually embark on them. I'll be making my decision to buy in the next few days but until then, it'll be going onto the internet to find out more.
Monday, August 24, 2009
The shine chronicles - the end (no truly, its the end)
Ole Ignatius will be mighty glad to be reading this post.
Tonight was a slight milestones of sorts. It was the first true run during the month of Ramadan. After all day of fasting, I broke fast with my family but unlike occasions of past, I did not wolf down a giant of a meal. I surprised myself by eating a smaller portion, actually leaving a little behind to be consumed when the shock to the system deprived of food and drink settled. I started off the run with no lofty expectations this time. I just got out and ran, making every effort to look left and right, just so I enjoyed the jaunt and appreciated the park at night.
The orthotics started off feeling like stones under my sole - no surprises there. Within 1km, the shoes felt tight and I loosen my laces. I never do this because I have always laced my shoes tightly but I did contrary this time - it wasn't like my feet were sloshing within my shoes as the laces were let out only a smidgen. And I ran without pain or blister all through.
I ran without fear, I ran without pace, I ran without competition, and I ran towards the horizon. I even lost track of the distance markers and only turned back when I felt the need to. Wanting to cover just 5k on my Ramadan maintenance run, I cover 7k. And I ran without pain and blister all through.
Nisa also says her orthotics are working out, so I guess its see you, Ignatius, in 3months or so for the orthotics maintenance that you promised will be free.
Oh yes - And I ran without pain and blister all through.
Tonight was a slight milestones of sorts. It was the first true run during the month of Ramadan. After all day of fasting, I broke fast with my family but unlike occasions of past, I did not wolf down a giant of a meal. I surprised myself by eating a smaller portion, actually leaving a little behind to be consumed when the shock to the system deprived of food and drink settled. I started off the run with no lofty expectations this time. I just got out and ran, making every effort to look left and right, just so I enjoyed the jaunt and appreciated the park at night.
The orthotics started off feeling like stones under my sole - no surprises there. Within 1km, the shoes felt tight and I loosen my laces. I never do this because I have always laced my shoes tightly but I did contrary this time - it wasn't like my feet were sloshing within my shoes as the laces were let out only a smidgen. And I ran without pain or blister all through.
I ran without fear, I ran without pace, I ran without competition, and I ran towards the horizon. I even lost track of the distance markers and only turned back when I felt the need to. Wanting to cover just 5k on my Ramadan maintenance run, I cover 7k. And I ran without pain and blister all through.
Nisa also says her orthotics are working out, so I guess its see you, Ignatius, in 3months or so for the orthotics maintenance that you promised will be free.
Oh yes - And I ran without pain and blister all through.
Friday, August 21, 2009
You don't want to hear this..
I normally rush through my lunch after Friday prayers and today was no different except I got Nisa's sms - "Mom has high blood pressure and needs to go to hosp. I want to go home tonight". This was real and frightening, more so because it is the second time in very recent memory that Mom (in-law)'s blood pressure went high. No point asking for details and I immediately went back to the office and asked for a half-day's leave, applied on an urgent basis.
The journey home from Raffles Place rained, matching the occasion. There are things no one wants to think about and I deliberately blocked them out; bad karma to even let the thought cross the mind but I could not help myself at all during the ride home on the MRT. I tried to keep busy on the blackberry but only just. Nisa was crying a little when I got home, and we packed quickly. Jamie was his usual inquisitive shelf and wanting to play with everything but this time, he got silenced with a stern "Mak is very sakit. Get ready to go home to KL now" - and he turned sombre as well.
We arrived home KL in the night. Mom was out of the woods by then and walking about, smiling. Seems she had refused to be admitted into the hospital and in lieu, was order home to rest, to return in 2hrs. Her blood pressure had climbed down from its peak by then and the doctor felt good enough not to insist on admission. I am guessing that secretly, both doctor and patient were equally relieved. Nisa and her sisters will be buying a blood pressure monitor this weekend.
Does Jamie know the severity of the situation? I doubt, but he can sense the anxiety and concern (fear?) in our faces. But there's peace and happiness now, and God is watching over us. This whole episode just tells me God watches over everything, and He is merciful, even during the times when we forget and even ignore. Ramadan started a few hours early for us this year.
The journey home from Raffles Place rained, matching the occasion. There are things no one wants to think about and I deliberately blocked them out; bad karma to even let the thought cross the mind but I could not help myself at all during the ride home on the MRT. I tried to keep busy on the blackberry but only just. Nisa was crying a little when I got home, and we packed quickly. Jamie was his usual inquisitive shelf and wanting to play with everything but this time, he got silenced with a stern "Mak is very sakit. Get ready to go home to KL now" - and he turned sombre as well.
We arrived home KL in the night. Mom was out of the woods by then and walking about, smiling. Seems she had refused to be admitted into the hospital and in lieu, was order home to rest, to return in 2hrs. Her blood pressure had climbed down from its peak by then and the doctor felt good enough not to insist on admission. I am guessing that secretly, both doctor and patient were equally relieved. Nisa and her sisters will be buying a blood pressure monitor this weekend.
Does Jamie know the severity of the situation? I doubt, but he can sense the anxiety and concern (fear?) in our faces. But there's peace and happiness now, and God is watching over us. This whole episode just tells me God watches over everything, and He is merciful, even during the times when we forget and even ignore. Ramadan started a few hours early for us this year.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
This is why
For some 10yrs+ before Nisa and I re-discovered running, I played golf. I never had the power but I was pretty decent all round, with a better than average short game. What this means is that I could never "get on in regulation" so hitting the nice high draw into the green was something I could only see in my playing partners and could not execute myself. But once every long while or so, I would hit that shot. That once every 6 month shot is what kept me going all those golfing years.
It happened again tonight, but it was in my run.
Tonight did not start off ideally. I wasn't in the mood, and looking for any excuse to avoid the run. It wasn't for the lack of the best of them - there was a cornetto flavoured ice cream at MacDonalds, for a limited time only. The family was keen and so was I, until Nisa reminded me Jamie's was experiencing a tummy ache all day and the last thing suitable was an ice cream. There was nothing left after that but to go for a run at which point, the weather conspired against me and started to drizzle. I actually stopped to contemplate but decided to continue.
I ran down Marine Parade Rd, turned into Marine Parade housing estate, crossed onto the ECP via the underpass and headed to my turning point. Somewhere along the outward bound leg, amidst the drizzle, I hit the hero golf shot equivalent in running. I felt nothing, floating. My legs cycled onwards unassisted, and unwilled. I heard the waves crashing onto the beach, and smelled the air. The stones under my soles that are the orthotics melted away. I smiled. Fom start to end, it could not have lasted more than 20sec but it is enough of a memory to last.
These last few weeks have been different because Nisa and Jamie are in Spore over a period. The family is together and I am glad, and enjoying it. I get to see Jamie every day and hear his stories with his ever expanding vocabulary. God willing, we are finally starting our lives in Singapore and whether I know it consciously or not, this is the transition. Many roads are ahead of us, all needing a journey. The family needs to undertake many endeavours, most of them mundane but all exciting. Nisa and I are talking about how to decorate our home (she's in charge of that bit), and finally..I can dream of being together..
It happened again tonight, but it was in my run.
Tonight did not start off ideally. I wasn't in the mood, and looking for any excuse to avoid the run. It wasn't for the lack of the best of them - there was a cornetto flavoured ice cream at MacDonalds, for a limited time only. The family was keen and so was I, until Nisa reminded me Jamie's was experiencing a tummy ache all day and the last thing suitable was an ice cream. There was nothing left after that but to go for a run at which point, the weather conspired against me and started to drizzle. I actually stopped to contemplate but decided to continue.
I ran down Marine Parade Rd, turned into Marine Parade housing estate, crossed onto the ECP via the underpass and headed to my turning point. Somewhere along the outward bound leg, amidst the drizzle, I hit the hero golf shot equivalent in running. I felt nothing, floating. My legs cycled onwards unassisted, and unwilled. I heard the waves crashing onto the beach, and smelled the air. The stones under my soles that are the orthotics melted away. I smiled. Fom start to end, it could not have lasted more than 20sec but it is enough of a memory to last.
These last few weeks have been different because Nisa and Jamie are in Spore over a period. The family is together and I am glad, and enjoying it. I get to see Jamie every day and hear his stories with his ever expanding vocabulary. God willing, we are finally starting our lives in Singapore and whether I know it consciously or not, this is the transition. Many roads are ahead of us, all needing a journey. The family needs to undertake many endeavours, most of them mundane but all exciting. Nisa and I are talking about how to decorate our home (she's in charge of that bit), and finally..I can dream of being together..
Monday, August 17, 2009
The shine chronicles - the end
The drive back home from Raffles Place this evening affirmed my view that it will be such a bother to drive into town and back. Nisa was stuck in a jam coming into Raffles Place to pick me up, and when we left, there was traffic and (of course) the ERP, which is to me as iconic as the Singapore Flyer. Nothing identifies Singapore more to Singaporean drivers then the ERP, something that is creeping all over the island's roads.
This post is not about the ERP but about the orthotics. Tonight's the (final) test and this is a before and after post. I have just finished dinner and waiting for the food to settle before I go for my 7k run along the ECP with the orthotics in the Lunars. I went to the running speciality shop during lunch time today to scout out the 2 layered WrightOnes socks but did not buy them because I think they are too expensive. My cousin who was with me said I feared more of the socks doing such a good job preventing blisters that I may become a permanent convert to wearing them; he's probably right but at this point in my running, I'm not ready to pay big money for socks.
So I'm all ready to see if the orthotics work and I sure hope they will. The novelty of getting them is slowly being replaced with the frustration that every outing ends with a blister. I'm going out in my best socks though (err..the WrightOnes bought at a discount) and we'll see how things turn out.
Post-run 11.30pm
Undecided!
The orthotics performed better today. They started off feeling like hard stones under each of my feet and this gave me concern because I had never felt them this pronounced yet. Easing into the run, they felt ok and the left foot soon forgot all about them. The right orthotics continued to remain pronounced and at the 6k mark, started to cause discomfort - oh well, at least it was not a blister but some rough skin being slightly torn.
So they remain undecided. Which means I will probably have to live with them because objectively, they are much more plush now, with the 3rd tweak on them by Ignatious. And so ends the shine chronicles.
This post is not about the ERP but about the orthotics. Tonight's the (final) test and this is a before and after post. I have just finished dinner and waiting for the food to settle before I go for my 7k run along the ECP with the orthotics in the Lunars. I went to the running speciality shop during lunch time today to scout out the 2 layered WrightOnes socks but did not buy them because I think they are too expensive. My cousin who was with me said I feared more of the socks doing such a good job preventing blisters that I may become a permanent convert to wearing them; he's probably right but at this point in my running, I'm not ready to pay big money for socks.
So I'm all ready to see if the orthotics work and I sure hope they will. The novelty of getting them is slowly being replaced with the frustration that every outing ends with a blister. I'm going out in my best socks though (err..the WrightOnes bought at a discount) and we'll see how things turn out.
Post-run 11.30pm
Undecided!
The orthotics performed better today. They started off feeling like hard stones under each of my feet and this gave me concern because I had never felt them this pronounced yet. Easing into the run, they felt ok and the left foot soon forgot all about them. The right orthotics continued to remain pronounced and at the 6k mark, started to cause discomfort - oh well, at least it was not a blister but some rough skin being slightly torn.
So they remain undecided. Which means I will probably have to live with them because objectively, they are much more plush now, with the 3rd tweak on them by Ignatious. And so ends the shine chronicles.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Big steps..small steps..
I took MBZ out for a second run on his Brooks racers Saturday. I'm a little disappointed that this is only the second but in reality, I shouldn't be expecting a 12yr old boy to be logging miles all by himself during the weekday, what with school, tuition and all. The computer at home crashed as well so it wasn't like he spent all his time home from school surfing.
We went to Kiara and what a show he put up compared to the trot last week. Best to illustrate in comparatives:
1. Going up from the same start point as before to the guard house, MBZ only took one walk break (and a short one at that); the last outing, he took 3 walk breaks;
2. He could only manage the guard house to the pump house; this time, he went some 50m further to the flat;
3. Flat to the crest of Kiara (the crest then goes slightly downhill to the crossroads at the "summit"), one walk break as compared to the 2 or 3 the last time;
4. Ran all the way down this time vs walking all the way down the last time;
5. Probably said "Oh my God" 3-4 times; too many to remember during the last trot.
I was mightily proud of him during and after the run and told him so. Nothing can put in words the nice warm feeling you feel within when something good happens before your eyes, with you partly as the contributory. I told him to tell his mom of his performance when we got back and he promptly did so! (and to his Aunt Farah as well!!).
Mom (in-law) and I had a quiet chat in the car late this morning about MBZ. If the running could supplement in the values he constantly picks up from his family, that would be super. And the best would be him putting on his Brooks racer by himself, during the weekday, and going out. Mom reminded me that its like prayer for us; God is pleased when we pray amongst others, but the real test is when we continue to pray without others around.
I took small steps today. I went up Kiara all the way to the summit in one go, with only one walk break. Within the loop there was another walking break and then its downhill back to Kiara park all through. This is as compared to having to take 4-5 walking breaks usually. My pace was decidedly slower but an accomplishment all the same. The orthotics had also been tweaked with an additional layer and they are a lot more plush now. The best way to describe them currently after the Kiara run today would be - "undecided". I think the test will come tomorrow when I do something along the flattish ECP and we'll see how that goes.
We went to Kiara and what a show he put up compared to the trot last week. Best to illustrate in comparatives:
1. Going up from the same start point as before to the guard house, MBZ only took one walk break (and a short one at that); the last outing, he took 3 walk breaks;
2. He could only manage the guard house to the pump house; this time, he went some 50m further to the flat;
3. Flat to the crest of Kiara (the crest then goes slightly downhill to the crossroads at the "summit"), one walk break as compared to the 2 or 3 the last time;
4. Ran all the way down this time vs walking all the way down the last time;
5. Probably said "Oh my God" 3-4 times; too many to remember during the last trot.
I was mightily proud of him during and after the run and told him so. Nothing can put in words the nice warm feeling you feel within when something good happens before your eyes, with you partly as the contributory. I told him to tell his mom of his performance when we got back and he promptly did so! (and to his Aunt Farah as well!!).
Mom (in-law) and I had a quiet chat in the car late this morning about MBZ. If the running could supplement in the values he constantly picks up from his family, that would be super. And the best would be him putting on his Brooks racer by himself, during the weekday, and going out. Mom reminded me that its like prayer for us; God is pleased when we pray amongst others, but the real test is when we continue to pray without others around.
I took small steps today. I went up Kiara all the way to the summit in one go, with only one walk break. Within the loop there was another walking break and then its downhill back to Kiara park all through. This is as compared to having to take 4-5 walking breaks usually. My pace was decidedly slower but an accomplishment all the same. The orthotics had also been tweaked with an additional layer and they are a lot more plush now. The best way to describe them currently after the Kiara run today would be - "undecided". I think the test will come tomorrow when I do something along the flattish ECP and we'll see how that goes.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Absolutely knackered
I am absolutely knackered today from all that I went through since I came back from KL Monday last. Not just physically but more mentally. In the past when I could not summon the effort to go for a run, I would repeat the Armstrong mantra - "pain lasts a few days but regret lasts forever". If this doesn't work, then its "I've not regretted going for a run, but I have regretted not going for a run". Both did not work today.
All this started when I only managed some 3+ hours of sleep when I returned from the mother of all jams Monday night. It was off to work Tues, a run Tues night culminating in a blister from the orthotics. That was enough to set my spirits back because I was convinced before that the orthotics had been adjusted just right. I had to negotiate and work on some documentation for our family Wed and it was a rush to appoint counsel today that sapped whatever little I had left. I had always thought appointing counsel would be a relatively simply affair (and indeed, I appointed 2 different sets for my firm in the last 48hrs) but it was not. The problem lies in the fact that I have always relied on lawyers in the other departments will always be available but now that I have moved outside a law firm, that resource is no longer there. Friends have mostly ceased practice and those who continue to be active are in large firms, whom will have billing pressures to face.
So I'm tried from it all and will sleep early tonight. Tomorrow will bring its own rewards, which I am looking forward to.
God willing, we will have our home by the end of November.
All this started when I only managed some 3+ hours of sleep when I returned from the mother of all jams Monday night. It was off to work Tues, a run Tues night culminating in a blister from the orthotics. That was enough to set my spirits back because I was convinced before that the orthotics had been adjusted just right. I had to negotiate and work on some documentation for our family Wed and it was a rush to appoint counsel today that sapped whatever little I had left. I had always thought appointing counsel would be a relatively simply affair (and indeed, I appointed 2 different sets for my firm in the last 48hrs) but it was not. The problem lies in the fact that I have always relied on lawyers in the other departments will always be available but now that I have moved outside a law firm, that resource is no longer there. Friends have mostly ceased practice and those who continue to be active are in large firms, whom will have billing pressures to face.
So I'm tried from it all and will sleep early tonight. Tomorrow will bring its own rewards, which I am looking forward to.
God willing, we will have our home by the end of November.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The shine chronicles - eclipse of the sun
I am such a sucker for customisation that I am willing to endure pain for this nonsense.
All was well when I went for the Sunday (9 Aug) run at Kiara. The orthotics were in the Cumulus and I bounded up the hill; with nothing to seemingly hold me back. Mind you the orthotics had not even been adjusted yet but all seemed ok. My blister had dried up sufficient to the extent it no longer caused discomfort and I even entertain thoughts of not going back to see Ignatius to have him look at the orthotics. I came down Kiara in full blunt downhill running style ie all out, and again, there was no discomfort with the orthotics. Nonetheless, Nisa and I saw Ignatius that afternoon and we got the orthotics tweaked.
This customisation thingy is so captivating that I fall right into it. To me, the customisation that are the orthotics are like getting a Savile Row suit, where every tiny detail is attended to, everything bespoke. And what better proof of this than when I look at the orthotics; my right is different from the left! There is more arch support on the left than on the right, and after tweaking for the blister-prone area, the right is now a little flatter visibly. When you put them on, the fit is perfect, uncomfortable but in a perfect fit sort of way..
Tonight was the full blown run in the orthotics - the real test of it all. Whilst every run is maintenance from now on till the end of Ramadan, I did the 7k along East Coast park is a quick-ish manner, on the Lunars. Maybe it was the lack of support on the Lunars but I developed another blister, on the same foot, slightly higher than on the old one. So much for orthotics perfection there. To be balanced, the blister only came on late in the run, and it was markly smaller and less painful than the prior. But a blister nonetheless. Strangely the left felt perfect, no discomfort, almost to the point I forgot I was wearing orthotics.
So its back to old Ignatius. No point throwing the orthotics away because they cost us a ton of money to get them. Oh well, the sun did come out for a while but there's an eclipse now so its a little dark again
All was well when I went for the Sunday (9 Aug) run at Kiara. The orthotics were in the Cumulus and I bounded up the hill; with nothing to seemingly hold me back. Mind you the orthotics had not even been adjusted yet but all seemed ok. My blister had dried up sufficient to the extent it no longer caused discomfort and I even entertain thoughts of not going back to see Ignatius to have him look at the orthotics. I came down Kiara in full blunt downhill running style ie all out, and again, there was no discomfort with the orthotics. Nonetheless, Nisa and I saw Ignatius that afternoon and we got the orthotics tweaked.
This customisation thingy is so captivating that I fall right into it. To me, the customisation that are the orthotics are like getting a Savile Row suit, where every tiny detail is attended to, everything bespoke. And what better proof of this than when I look at the orthotics; my right is different from the left! There is more arch support on the left than on the right, and after tweaking for the blister-prone area, the right is now a little flatter visibly. When you put them on, the fit is perfect, uncomfortable but in a perfect fit sort of way..
Tonight was the full blown run in the orthotics - the real test of it all. Whilst every run is maintenance from now on till the end of Ramadan, I did the 7k along East Coast park is a quick-ish manner, on the Lunars. Maybe it was the lack of support on the Lunars but I developed another blister, on the same foot, slightly higher than on the old one. So much for orthotics perfection there. To be balanced, the blister only came on late in the run, and it was markly smaller and less painful than the prior. But a blister nonetheless. Strangely the left felt perfect, no discomfort, almost to the point I forgot I was wearing orthotics.
So its back to old Ignatius. No point throwing the orthotics away because they cost us a ton of money to get them. Oh well, the sun did come out for a while but there's an eclipse now so its a little dark again
Mother of all traffic jams
Never have I been in a worse traffic jam!
I started my journey home from KL Monday (10 Aug) night. This is the big National Day weekend; because National Day falls on Sunday, all Singapore gets Monday off as well and I stayed an extra day in KL with Nisa and Jamie - hence, leaving KL for home on Monday night instead of (the usual) Sunday night.
There is this electronic signboard at the 27km mark (as you travel on the North South highway in the direction of Singapore) which bold (and proudly) proclaims "Avoid Jam - Use Second Link" in flashing lights. I notice these things because I almost exclusively travel on the Second Link..well..simply to avoid the traffic jam at the Causeway and it feels good that at least someone agrees with me. Tonight, it was either every bloody Singapore car obeyed this signboard, or everyone chose to travel to Malaysia this weekend, or a combination of both as when I arrived at the last petrol station 11.15pm before crossing into Spore, the jam had started. This petrol station is some 1km from the toll booth, which is some 2.5km from the immigration checkpoint.
It is not common for there to be a jam at the Second Link and in all of my years of travelling to KL, I have never seen the traffic jam start here. The traffic was standstill but everyone seemed patient. This is something that is uncharacteristic of drivers in general but very typical of Sporean drivers. We will drive badly in Malaysia, toss out thrash from windows as we zip slowly down the highways, not give way when cars flash for us to get out of their lane and religiously stick to the speed limit to the point traffic piles up on the highway behind us. Many of us will even get into the wrong toll booth corral and have to reverse out (all without a visible tingle of embarressment). But when stuck in a traffic jam, we never honk and instead sit quietly and fume in our cars, together with the fumes.
I waited one whole hour at the petrol station, leaving when I saw the rows of cars had cleared the toll booth. Only to be stuck behind them after the toll booth. Like many Malaysian cars (note - not Spore cars), I pulled over and waited another 30min. This then took me past Malaysian customs and then it was the jam over at the Spore side. For some 45min.
I just got home and started on this post 10min after that. Why am I still awake? Because the bloody jam has now kept my mind up and I am mentally too active to sleep. Sheesh!!!
I started my journey home from KL Monday (10 Aug) night. This is the big National Day weekend; because National Day falls on Sunday, all Singapore gets Monday off as well and I stayed an extra day in KL with Nisa and Jamie - hence, leaving KL for home on Monday night instead of (the usual) Sunday night.
There is this electronic signboard at the 27km mark (as you travel on the North South highway in the direction of Singapore) which bold (and proudly) proclaims "Avoid Jam - Use Second Link" in flashing lights. I notice these things because I almost exclusively travel on the Second Link..well..simply to avoid the traffic jam at the Causeway and it feels good that at least someone agrees with me. Tonight, it was either every bloody Singapore car obeyed this signboard, or everyone chose to travel to Malaysia this weekend, or a combination of both as when I arrived at the last petrol station 11.15pm before crossing into Spore, the jam had started. This petrol station is some 1km from the toll booth, which is some 2.5km from the immigration checkpoint.
It is not common for there to be a jam at the Second Link and in all of my years of travelling to KL, I have never seen the traffic jam start here. The traffic was standstill but everyone seemed patient. This is something that is uncharacteristic of drivers in general but very typical of Sporean drivers. We will drive badly in Malaysia, toss out thrash from windows as we zip slowly down the highways, not give way when cars flash for us to get out of their lane and religiously stick to the speed limit to the point traffic piles up on the highway behind us. Many of us will even get into the wrong toll booth corral and have to reverse out (all without a visible tingle of embarressment). But when stuck in a traffic jam, we never honk and instead sit quietly and fume in our cars, together with the fumes.
I waited one whole hour at the petrol station, leaving when I saw the rows of cars had cleared the toll booth. Only to be stuck behind them after the toll booth. Like many Malaysian cars (note - not Spore cars), I pulled over and waited another 30min. This then took me past Malaysian customs and then it was the jam over at the Spore side. For some 45min.
I just got home and started on this post 10min after that. Why am I still awake? Because the bloody jam has now kept my mind up and I am mentally too active to sleep. Sheesh!!!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
..of discipline, committment
By far, the more significant event today was the buying of new shoes for my nephew MBZ.
MBZ is really at the age where boys begin to pick up life skills and mores, together with forming habits and interest that will last them all through their lives. This is more than is apparent because the correct stuff picked up now will serve as anchors when life gets stormy later. Whilst Nisa and I started on our running journey relatively late (and only just), we have discovered it brings many good values – discipline, commitment, labour (ie no short cuts), but the results are quick and visible. All of this is cyclical; as we get better, the incremental improvement requires a greater measure of toil and this teaches the meaning of strive.
We got off early and arrived at the Brooks shop at the Curve 11am. I applied the same diligence to choosing a pair of running shoes to myself as for MBZ although this effort may have been lost on him. We’ll only know some 20+ years later – when MBZ squats down to check the arches of his children, making them walk (and later run) up and down to check pronation and then going to the shop to try a myriad of shoes. Not only did we stop at Brooks, we also went to Nike, just to be sure. I'm pretty glad he preferred comfort and fit, over colour. We finally settled on a pair of racing flats that MBZ liked because they were lightweight and the cushioning was just sufficient (he did not like the men’s version of neutral running shoes because he was not heavy enough to compress the cushioning). We left Brooks with MBZ the proud owner of the racing flats that Brian Sell wears (and MBZ now knows who Brian Sell is). More importantly, he was inspired to go running that evening.
We headed off to Kiara that evening; so begins his journey. In a way, my journey with him begins as well.
It never really is the cost of the shoes but this is a worthwhile endeavour to encourage (and even coerce) because the right values are priceless. My boy, Jamie, will have the same as well.
MBZ is really at the age where boys begin to pick up life skills and mores, together with forming habits and interest that will last them all through their lives. This is more than is apparent because the correct stuff picked up now will serve as anchors when life gets stormy later. Whilst Nisa and I started on our running journey relatively late (and only just), we have discovered it brings many good values – discipline, commitment, labour (ie no short cuts), but the results are quick and visible. All of this is cyclical; as we get better, the incremental improvement requires a greater measure of toil and this teaches the meaning of strive.
We got off early and arrived at the Brooks shop at the Curve 11am. I applied the same diligence to choosing a pair of running shoes to myself as for MBZ although this effort may have been lost on him. We’ll only know some 20+ years later – when MBZ squats down to check the arches of his children, making them walk (and later run) up and down to check pronation and then going to the shop to try a myriad of shoes. Not only did we stop at Brooks, we also went to Nike, just to be sure. I'm pretty glad he preferred comfort and fit, over colour. We finally settled on a pair of racing flats that MBZ liked because they were lightweight and the cushioning was just sufficient (he did not like the men’s version of neutral running shoes because he was not heavy enough to compress the cushioning). We left Brooks with MBZ the proud owner of the racing flats that Brian Sell wears (and MBZ now knows who Brian Sell is). More importantly, he was inspired to go running that evening.
We headed off to Kiara that evening; so begins his journey. In a way, my journey with him begins as well.
It never really is the cost of the shoes but this is a worthwhile endeavour to encourage (and even coerce) because the right values are priceless. My boy, Jamie, will have the same as well.
The shine chronicles - the sun's coming out
I only started running again Saturday (8 Aug) when my blister from the orthotics dried up sufficiently. Not really a full blown run but a walk cum run up Kiara with my nephew, who got his first pair of running shoes.
The blister continues to cause slight discomfort from the orthotics but tolerable because the healing process had commenced. I'm (a little, I guess) different from the rest - once that part of the skin blisters, it will not do so again; and therefore on this very Kiara outing, I entertained thoughts that the orthotics indeed needed no adjustment. Nisa promptly dismissed this thought and told me to take them back because she was experiencing discomfort on her left middle toe as well.
How are the orthotics so far? They press up on my sole..excessively, I think. This is probably a good thing because pronation is prevented. Orthotics has nothing to do with comfort so that bit goes out of the window. I am experiencing aches in my legs because different (and the proper) muscles have now been fired up to match the gait. All in, I am taking it in my stride.
The blister continues to cause slight discomfort from the orthotics but tolerable because the healing process had commenced. I'm (a little, I guess) different from the rest - once that part of the skin blisters, it will not do so again; and therefore on this very Kiara outing, I entertained thoughts that the orthotics indeed needed no adjustment. Nisa promptly dismissed this thought and told me to take them back because she was experiencing discomfort on her left middle toe as well.
How are the orthotics so far? They press up on my sole..excessively, I think. This is probably a good thing because pronation is prevented. Orthotics has nothing to do with comfort so that bit goes out of the window. I am experiencing aches in my legs because different (and the proper) muscles have now been fired up to match the gait. All in, I am taking it in my stride.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
The shine chronicles - Did not shine..
Today was the first run after KOTR 2009.
Nisa, Jamie and I are in Spore all this week to visit my cousin, Flo, Julian and Justine. I think the adults had a whale of a time yesterday at the visit whilst the kids played with their toys. Jamie is so fortunate to have loving relations on both sides. Aunt Fara and "Mom" Nagat absolutely dote on him, whilst Flo constantly has a present him every time we visit (and these are not little things you get at MacDonalds but big stuff!!).
We came home late-ish this evening and I left for my 6k maintenance run at 11pm. It's all maintenance runs now because there are no impending races and Ramadan is around the corner. Tonight was also significant because it was my first trip out with my orthotics. In bullet points, here are my thoughts on them
* I still don't think I need them because I am not convinced I pronate;
* I could not feel the gel cushioning that Asics is famed for
* I am prepared for sore leg muscles tomorrow because my gait has probably changed (ie from something that my body cobbled together to something that is more bio-mechanically efficient (I hope))
* I have a bloody blister half the size of my thumb!!!!!
I cannot understand how this blister came about. It was ok up to some 3k+ of my run until I felt the blister developing. I knew what it was because things you experience whilst serving in the army tend to stay with you your entire life. The blister became full blown only when I reached the 5k mark and I wanted to run through it. I didn't because I guess there was nothing to push for or prove at my age. And so I stopped and walked the last 600m home. This blister thingy is not really good news because I have big running plans this weekend and they are now in jeopardy. Foremost of these plans is to run the KOTR route again.
The rationale for having orthotics remains compelling nonetheless and I will stick with them. No point running without orthotics aid and when the pain in the knee, hips, back etc etc arrives, it will be too late. The blister should heal in 48hrs and this will take me nicely into the weekend.
Nisa, Jamie and I are in Spore all this week to visit my cousin, Flo, Julian and Justine. I think the adults had a whale of a time yesterday at the visit whilst the kids played with their toys. Jamie is so fortunate to have loving relations on both sides. Aunt Fara and "Mom" Nagat absolutely dote on him, whilst Flo constantly has a present him every time we visit (and these are not little things you get at MacDonalds but big stuff!!).
We came home late-ish this evening and I left for my 6k maintenance run at 11pm. It's all maintenance runs now because there are no impending races and Ramadan is around the corner. Tonight was also significant because it was my first trip out with my orthotics. In bullet points, here are my thoughts on them
* I still don't think I need them because I am not convinced I pronate;
* I could not feel the gel cushioning that Asics is famed for
* I am prepared for sore leg muscles tomorrow because my gait has probably changed (ie from something that my body cobbled together to something that is more bio-mechanically efficient (I hope))
* I have a bloody blister half the size of my thumb!!!!!
I cannot understand how this blister came about. It was ok up to some 3k+ of my run until I felt the blister developing. I knew what it was because things you experience whilst serving in the army tend to stay with you your entire life. The blister became full blown only when I reached the 5k mark and I wanted to run through it. I didn't because I guess there was nothing to push for or prove at my age. And so I stopped and walked the last 600m home. This blister thingy is not really good news because I have big running plans this weekend and they are now in jeopardy. Foremost of these plans is to run the KOTR route again.
The rationale for having orthotics remains compelling nonetheless and I will stick with them. No point running without orthotics aid and when the pain in the knee, hips, back etc etc arrives, it will be too late. The blister should heal in 48hrs and this will take me nicely into the weekend.
Monday, August 3, 2009
My pet peeve
This MRT commute of mine just started this year and so far, it has been a joy. My journey in is now fuss free, arrival assured in 18min. The MRT is so efficient it even gives you the travel time down to the minute! And accurate as well. I never get a seat though because the train is full all through and I am quite happy to stand for the 18mins, reading the morning paper. Its my little serenity before the work day starts.
I have a pet peeve though. There are priority seats on the train. These are well marked, with stickman figures to show the pregnant, the older and the infirmed are entitled as a priority. It goes to reason that if you are not one of those who have been accorded priority, you would leave the seat empty, a little ashamed to be occupying something that was meant for others. But this is not the case for Singaporeans. These seats are always taken by the young, worse by those serving in the military, who then promptly pretend to fall asleep so they become oblivious to those whom were meant to occupy. Many a times I have seen a parent holding an infant child, a pregnant lady, or an older person standing and eyeing the occupied seat longingly.
Imagine my chargin when the priority seat gets vacated and someone makes a beeline for the seat, cutting past one or two commuters along the way. And there are those who are seemingly polite; when it gets vacated and I am standing right in front of the seat, they will ask me if I am wanting to occupy. My reply is "No, thanks - I am not priority"; implying that they should not as well because they are hardly priority. But no one cares because no one gets the backhanded insult.
Oh well, back to reading the morning paper. The contents are not as depressing as they were 6 months ago although I doubt we can hardly say we are coming out of the economic depression..
The hills of Shah Alam (KOTR 2009)
We did everything right preparing for this run. We scouted the route, just so we would know it without marshalls. We checked out the route for hills..and yes there were..
I arrived Shah Alam stadium just on time and position myself under the starter's gun. And off we went!! I stuck with the main body all through to Concorde Hotel and only started improving my position as we turned into Raja Muda. The main body was going along pretty briskly up to Concorde and although I deliberately paced myself slower, I think I took the hills up to there a little too quickly. On the return leg, the hills started showing up in all their glory and it was tough. Just as I crested one, and made my way down, another loomed. And there were plenty of them to last all through the 11k.
Kiara is short, brutal but quick; the hills of Shah Alam are something else. The first one right out of the stadium is the most daunting, only because I took them too quickly. I realised the gradient when I was returning (and all of this in the last km in..so what a bloody slog).
The run ended with all of us going through the stadium tunnel to emerge onto the track..I am an Olympian suddenly!!
I now know why some shoes are racing flats..because they are meant for flat roads and not hills!! The Lunar Trainers are not true racers but coming down the hills, I felt I did not get enough cushioning. Maybe they were too minimalist and the lack of structure meant the absence of support all round. I should have used my Asics trainers but every race brings its own lessons.
The hills made this one tough run but this is why Nisa and I did it:
"Izzit Daddy and Mommy go running so there is a medal for me??!!"
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