I surrender

This running nose and sore throat that I have been enduring since Monday last has finally defected me. It has stopped me from running all of last week (except Friday where I tried intervals - and landed up totally knackered after that) and I had to dragged myself out of bed this morning to get to work.

I finally went to see the office doctor in the afternoon and was given enough medicine to write a menu on. Ok- I exaggerate a little but I was given stuff to consume. But what really knocked me out were the lozenges. They come in 2 tablets per sachet - but the dose-age was one, four times a day. When you break the sachet, you take one tablet, leaving the other....gathering dust..

Sorting things out

Nisa, Jamie and I spent the entire day attending to the renovations for the house and hunting for furniture. I have not been running because my running nose/sore throat has persisted but I am all tired out from today's activities. So is Nisa and the only one still up and playing Snakes and Ladders is Jamie.

We met the contractor, R, at 11am and went to the new home. R is the contractor that sorted out the previous home and did a pretty decent job, at a nice price as well. He was our first port of call and has tremendous patience. Nisa went over every single thing she wanted, showed photos and discussed options. She even ended by extracting a promise from R that if she forgot anything, R would have to oblige and show up at the flat again. R has now gone off to assemble his quotation and both Nisa and I am hoping he will come in reasonable. R left after 4 hours.

In between, Jamie had a field day at the house. The floor is marble and he pretended to slip-skate. He walked all over the flat, and declared that he liked it. He like his room and knew enough that he has a connected toilet. In between, Jamie and I went to the petrol station to buy drinks and Polar chicken pies.

Here's Jamie with his first meal in the flat:

I went to Sitex 2009 after that. Sitex is an annual exhibition of IT products but this is far from an event where new/latest stuff is shown off. It is an event where stuff is sold at rock bottom prices! Singaporeans wait all year for this exhibition (ok, ok, there are maybe 3 others all during the year) and no one buys electronics outside of these events. Needless to say, there are thousands there at Sitex and the strategy is to just do your research beforehand and zero in on what you want, and get out - all in 15min.

Got a blue-ray player for the home at Sitex today.

We went to IMM after that. IMM is the mother of all hardware stores for home furnishings. Everything you want for a home is there. We looked at beds, kitchen stuff, showers, sofas, dining tables - and came away dazzled at the choice but unable to find anything that grabbed our attention immediately. We did however choose (in-principal) our bed.

Nisa's going to check our fridges and ovens tomorrow. Another busy day for her ahead.

A new beginning

Guess what?? I carried Nisa across the threshold today.

No, we did not just get married - Jamie would be horrified to discover if that were the case

Yes, we all walked into our new home together!!

Peace - after a few days

There was no running at all the last few days - for the both of Nisa and I. We are ill with a running nose, which will translate into a sore throat (its inflammed...say Dr R). Not much point pushing it because the stories of healthy persons collasping dead on their runs have really gotten into me. Dr R tells me never never risk it because what is ailing you could attach the heart during the run.

Would you rather stop running a few days, or stop running the rest of your life? Per Dr R..

Things got better Thursday night on the drive back up to KL and well Friday (yesterday), and I felt good enough to do a run yesterday evening. For the first time, I tried intervals (1.255k each). Thereafter, I found peace.

The gentle ache had returned, the slight soreness all over back. In fact, I was a little worried because my left knee started hurting a little. I think it was probably the sudden effort after 5 days. Nothing a little Panadol pill could not resolve anyway. It was the peach of exhausion that ended the day yesterday.

I am almost at the point where I actually look forward to this peace feeling..

Peace of exhaustion

I'm tossing and turning, unable to sleep. I know when I eventually fall asleep, it would be just a few hours more until I have to get up to ready myself for the work day. I actually know full well how this came about.

Too much sleep in the afternoon. And too much of the green tea on the drive home from KL just.

The lullaby that procures sleep is missing tonight. There is no dull ache in the legs, no long lean feeling in the stomach and no satisfaction of a run. Nisa and I did not get our full sleep on Saturday night and we decided to give our Sunday morning run a miss. Sunday just past felt slothful, what more with the nasi lemak that got wolfed down.

I am missing the peace of exhaustion that bring about sleep.

KFC

Dear Jamie

Daddy just had his KFC meal at Ayer Keroh rest-stop, on the way back to Singapore. The meal itself was not exceptional except that whilst Daddy was sitting there, it reminded me of when we were all in Langkawi.

You were very young then, and definitely under 1yr. Daddy was quite brave to bring you out but Mommy insisted we should not live in fear and hence all of us when on a "trial" holiday in Langkawi. Ok, it wasn't the trial holiday that it seemed, we had gone to Cameron Highlands earlier and literally lugged your entire support system with us. Langkawi was much better but still, there was a lot to bring.

We had just gone up to the 7 wells waterfall. On the journey down, you cried because you were hungry. Not that you cried a lot and in fact, you were a very pleasant baby. But at that time, this was the only way you could tell us you were hungry, and so you cried. Mommy was pretty cool about this but Daddy was a little stricken inside. We did not bring your milk and bottles and there was nothing for you. The only thing at that time you could eat was semi-solids and so it was whipped potato from KFC.

Daddy never felt quite so bad before, because I felt I had failed in providing for you - we could muster up nothing except fast food, and KFC at that. I even remembered you burnt your lips a little because you were hungry and ate the whipped potato too quickly. Daddy was hungry too but I could not eat much because of the guilt I felt.

You're talking now, and eating all sorts of stuff. You can tell me when you are hungry and I try my best to make sure you get quality stuff. If there is anything gkong-gkong drilled into me is that food must always be of the best quality. We've also gone beyond Langkawi now although its never the destination but the journey.

Daddy could not help thinking back to when we were at the KFC in Langkawi sometime back. You wouldn't remember because you were too young but Daddy will never forget these things.

Daddy loves you, son.

Your loving father,

Daddy

Those around us

You see the same crowd every time on a run. And whom I see largely depends on the route I take. If I'm on a "known" route, then its the serious runners; some of whom bear down all the time with eyes dead ahead whilst many many others would venture a tiny thumbs up or a slight wave. You can hardly tell a person by his running cadence, foot strike, wave etc.

I have been sitting in a little corner on earth in the last few days, doing nothing but observing people and proceedings. Not day dreaming because I have a proper job to do but a large part of it involves observation and reporting. From my vantage point, there are 2 types of persons, each well known to us.

There is the first, whom if you reduce down to a basic level, is nothing more than a hunter - and no doubt paid very well to be such. This one prowls and hovers, puts in reserve whatever he has been given, baits and then pounces. He is a leopard. The innocent walks across the street without seeing, right into his gun sights and he fires. The leopard fired many times today, more because he was frustrated that his prey never felt within his sights and it was quite a show.

The second does not need stealth, guile or force. You get floored by his force of logic. There is no need to shout, or hoot - because logic is applied quietly and effectively.

I once envied the leopard but as I grew up, I rather be the vulcan.

No more a home run

The feeling I started and ended my run in the last 2 days must have been how I felt some 20yrs ago when I stopped going to MacRitchie. MacRitchie has been a haven for me, where I found friendship, a free running spirit I never thought I had and a welcome respite to the week. I am leaving my home running routes again, this time in KL, when we move down to Singapore in the next few weeks.

Of course we will return every 2 weeks or so. Visiting Nisa's family is an important thing for our family, as will the frequent times we will now see my folks (and for our respective parents to see Jamie). Kiara and Lake Gardens will nonetheless not count as my home running ground anymore. I realised this as I went on my Lake Gardens/Tugu Negara run yesterday. Nothing heroic and no PBs were set - just a good strong run that from a technical standpoint, showed that I was fitter then previously. It did not take any effort to remember every step of the route, the bends on the road and the buildings all around me because they stay as clear in my mind as MacRitchie has all these years.

I did the same at the Kiara hills route this morning. It was tough because Kiara punishes if you have not done hill workouts lately. But the route was as vivid as the first time I ran there. Lake Gardens and Kiara are now being subconsciously filed away in my mind, just as MacRitchie was. This is how I say goodbye to a running route that has been close to me. This is the same as when we leave KL for Singapore to set up our home.

Singapore will not be easy, but it is my home and I love it. I hope my family will love it as much as I. For one, the reality of finding food will be stark. We had the Ikea meatballs for dinner last night and Nisa remarked we will never get this in Spore; and so we will have to buy the freeze dried version in KL and bring it with us to Singapore in the future. Simple solution but symtomatic of what we will have to face in Singapore.

Here's what we looked like after the Ikea meatballs - satisfied!



I told Jamie a minute ago we will only have the 3 of us in Singapore - lonely but nonetheless, a family together.

The rain on my face

The weather was absolutely perfect on the night run just now, and as I got past the 1k mark, I felt rain. I could have sworn it was rain and the sky looked a little bright and reddish. The few people that were out were walking nonchalantly and so I thought I was imagining the rain. Until I saw the couple under an umbrella.

The rain was refreshing because it wasn't pouring; it wasn't even weeping, just a slight drizzle. It went away after a while and towards the end, it came back, by which time I had entered the last km of my run and almost home. The rain was my companion tonight, a light caress, a gentle push and a pleasing feeling all through my run. It reminded me of my boy, my companion, whom I have not seen for some weeks now. He's always in my thoughts but as the days rolled along when I am away from him, he faded from being vivid to memory. Even the photos and videos I have on my phone are not current anymore. I am missing him.

God willing, I will be with him this weekend. It could even be as soon as in the next 24hrs.

The year's effort

Last night's run was a very very good run.

My old stomping ground

I did something that I had never done before - I ran twice today.

Went with my cousin to Botanic Garden this morning. I picked him up at 8am and when we started running there, it was about 8.25am. The park was full of people, many dog walkers, runners. There were even 2 qigong sessions going on - with the full fluid movements and shouts and all, and someone with a make-believe sword! We did a slow walk/slow jog and covered some 4k. My heart rate was in the "easy" zone and I now know what it is to be on a recovery run. I did not have my camera phone with me and would have been a little shy to have whipped it out because the park also attracts quite a few serious photographers. These are the chaps with the long white lenses; I had seen some of them at Lake Gardens but there are many more over here at Botanic Gardens.

Resisting a roti canai/roti prata breakfast after the run, we had the famous Adam Road nasi lemak instead. There is an urban legend to this nasi lemak stall - the Sultan of Brunei would come all the way here to get some, whenever he is in Singapore. I remarked to my cousin this stall is pretty good but nothing beats the KL version. The nasi lemak stall just outside the KL home does not enjoy the same patronage but would be able to challenge this Adam Road one for taste anytime.

I had been wanting to go back to MacRitchie for sometime. The last planned outing there was aborted. MacRitchie somehow holds a certain allure for me because it was the place I started running many years ago. Till today, I can vividly recall the route, the uneven ground, the hills, the slippery path and all - and the route remained the same today as it was some 20yrs ago. The hills seemed more gentle, and the turn-off at SICC is no longer slippery because it had been sanded over.

Only in Singapore will you get the authorities trucking a ton of sand deep into a nature reserve, just to ensure a 150m uphill strip of earth does not become slippery from usage and rain. I half suspect the strip had even been paved over! No where else in the world would you get such attention to detail, because most people would leave a nature reserve, well, as a nature reserve...letting the trees lie where they had fallen..

The only thing that I found foreign with MacRitchie this time was that the canopy of trees made it extra humid and breathing difficult. I wanted to go easy on the outward leg, which was within the nature reserve itself, and I did. Only when I hit Lornie Road (the return leg) that I picked up speed. I turned in a respectable 25min flat - enough to qualify me for the MR25 club.

Everything about MacRitchie remained the same, right down to the school boys from VS running there Sunday afternoons. But the bit of the park at the end-point of the run has been modernised - new multi-story car park, new makan area. A bit of a shame because that used to be an area for the sprint finish, into a sea of other fellow runners whom had finished earlier (quicker!). I only have my memories of that area now.

I'm getting it

Instead of continually attempting an easy run pace, and landing up going at 90+% of my MHR, I decided that I had done 2 hard efforts till now and rested Thurs and Friday. The work hours had also become longer because I am in all day meetings. No different today, notwithstanding it is a Saturday - we are meeting at 10am and expected to last all day.

What I just did was a very measured effort at a 10k. I used the HRM and went out easy, and found I had enough in the tank on the return trip. 32min for the outward, 28min coming back - a decent time and a fairly easy effort all round.

So maybe the easy run thingy is not for me. I'll start using the HRM to tell me if I did a hard run (and therefore needing rest), and to help pace myself during a long run. I think I am getting it now.

Poles apart

Too late to attempt any decent LSD and went round Chai Chee for 8km instead. Took my bloody time to, because this was meant to be a easy recovery run.

But the HRM and I are poles apart. I really thought I took it easy today; yet the HRM said I went out at a hard effort, averaging 89%, with a maximum of 98%. Today's readings showed a more strenuous do than yesterday's but yet I felt I took it easier.

A bit lost as to what's next. I might even walk around a bit but I am too much of a runner for that. i'll figure it out during tomorrow's run..

Phew! I did it!

Whilst the run this morning was pretty eye opening and best be described as a measured workout, I was feeling some form of pressure over the weekend.

I had an exam scheduled this afternoon. Its really related to the field I have been in for the last 16yrs or so, but the exam focused on the applicable regulations. MKL and my cousin said I ought to have no problem but having looked through the study guide, I could see some effort was required in order to pass. There are many many technical things to learn, all of which are beyond logic and reason. For example, if an offer is to be extended by another 14 days, then I just had to commit to memory that its 14 (and not something else). No amount of logical analysis will bring me to 14, except by rote. Studying (ie memory) by rote is something I despise.

Yet, because the exam concerns regulations, I ought to do well. In fact, passing the exam on the first try ought to be a given. I hardly need to remind myself of the embarrassment if I had to re-take the exam. When MKL told me about the need to take this exam and hence get qualified, I can still recall my asking him in half-jest (and half-seriousness) if I could do a viva instead.

I arrived at the examination venue some 20min before the start. Other candidates were already there, and in true Singapore style, were reviewing the study guide, reading and cramming till the very last minute. The paper was all MCQ and the questions were tricky; there were some questions that came from outside the study guide. I had no choice but to draw on my knowledge and practice experience.

Phew! I did it! I passed.

Lies and untruths

All excited about my run this morning. In fact, within 5min of getting up, I was hyped and almost out through the door. This is whilst dawn was breaking and temperatures have not started their daily climb. Nothing beats this for a morning run. The HRM was ready and so was I.

Today would be an easy 7k effort, to recover from the long run and intervals over the weekend. This HRM thingy is addictive, because I kept wanting to look at it every few steps. Within 1k, I had gone up to my "easy" zone heart rate. I'm not surprised by this because the heart rate climbs quickly on a run. 1.5k into the run and I was over the "easy" zone, into the "moderate" zone.

The HRM is meant for me to learn my pace, and to regulate my effort. I doubt I will be using it on every run because the chest strap is all too uncomfortable; and I never intended it to be used every time. I deliberately told myself to go easy through this 7k and I really felt I did; I was breathing a little but all in, it was a easy 7k. What was surprising is that the HRM told me I was in the 90% range (average) and had hit a high of 95%. So either my max heart rate is wrongly calibrated - unlikely since I got the number through an interval effort (and that took a lot out of me), or I am needing to slow down.

Oh well, sometimes technology messes you up. Or that my "easy" effort is really my "hard", which explains why I have been feeling poorly fairly lately because this is the cumulation of the year's running at "hard".

The LSD at "easy" tomorrow evening is next and I'll have a better picture then.

All set for a new phase

I woke up feeling tired and achy all over; the muscles on my legs were slightly sore as well. This is how I have been feeling over the last 2 months or so, and the feeling always goes away as I ease into the day. The trigger is the morning coffee at the office.

How do I feel?

Perfect!

A slow recovery run is in store and I am excited because I will get to use my new toy, the HRM. Its too late to go out tonight and I will do the sunrise run tomorrow.

My aching heart

Today started off bright enough. I got up and was determined to get myself a heart rate monitor. I have come to the decision (..I would like to say "realisation" but that probably implies I need, rather than I want.., which isn't really the case) that I need a heart rate monitor. The last few weeks have been really lousy for me - I have been feeling lethargic, whilst pushing myself for long runs, quick runs inbetween. The collapse in health immediately before and after the Mizuno 2009 told me something was wrong. I figured I have been over-training..simply pushing it too hard, too soon.

I got onto my bike, rolled into Siglap Centre and got myself a MacDonald's hotcakes breakfast. MacDonalds at Siglap Centre strategically faces the Siglap junction, the centre of all life in the Siglap area. I planted myself there and went long and slow on my breakfast, taking in everything and at peace with all. Here's what the junction looked like:

Yup - the centre of the universe..

The quest for a HRM went downhill after breakfast. I went to the bicycle shop at Frankel to buy the HRM and waited outside for some 20min for the shop to open. There was a sign plastered on the door that invited everyone to join their Sat and Sun morning rides and I guessed they must be still out. Nonetheless, the opening hours were 11am and no one had showed up by then. I called the number on the door and the proprietor sheepishly said he was not going to open the shop today.

So why was the bloody sign still out in the front facade saying the opening hours for Sundays are 11am to 4pm!!! No explanation offered except a weak "sorry, can you come back tomorrow?"

The other 3 bike shops in the Siglap area either did not have the model I was looking for, or was trying to sell me a lower model for some S$20 cheaper.

And why would I not pay S$20 more just to get the more advanced model that had all the bells and whistles? The one that can even hold a bloody conversation with me!!! No explanation offered except a blank look in return, together with the silently mouth-ed words "take it or leave it, bro".

In the end, I went to Parkway Parade. I was not hopeful but did stumble onto a shop that sold the HRM I was looking for. The shop and I wasted no time in closing the deal - I told him what price I wanted, and after a few punches of the calculator (no doubt to ensure the shop continued to enjoy a healthy profit margin), the deal was done in cash. I emerged a proud owner of a Polar HRM.

I have just done some hill intervals to determine my maximum heart rate..and am all set for the next phase of my running. No more will I treat every run as a PR seeking effort.