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.