I've thinking about it more often than not. Maybe because it's hard to go running during Ramadan. Not to say I don't enjoy my runs during this period. So as I sit on the couch, I think a little. Thinking gets me off my butt and I go into the posture.
I've been to the practice ground too. Both occasions very successful. What I have been thinking about actually works. I finally understand what the magazines have been talking about. I went to the shop yesterday, ostensibly just to browse but the reality was to see if I still had it, and had a go at the try area...and yes, I still did. Tried it too just now and, yes, I still had it. It even felt easy.
Made plans with DH at the office to play a round as well. Even felt excited about it. Nisa says I should pick it up again; she had actually seen how much I had enjoyed it and how dedicated I had been. I got up the night before to tinker with the instruments, wondering if a low tech change would render unnecessary the need to spend money.
I really am fighting off this golf disease. It's not that I was playing poorly when I "retired" but my life is about running now. If only it was cheaper, and took up less time, I could have 2 hobbies.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
How to run during Ramadan
Here's how:
1. The torso has to be upright so the diaphragm is able to move and allow maximum lung capacity. Torso also slightly bent forward but just a smidgen.
2. Dislocate the shoulders. This means the arms are swinging freely, with the torso upright. The shoulders don't swing.
3. Same with the legs. They are distinct from the hips and swing back and forth, with hips stable and straight forward. If anything, the back swinging of the legs is slightly emphasized.
4. Run with all you've got. Use the calves, tights (even the butt) to push off forward. This will also prevent over striding..
5. Land with your feet under you, and not beyond.
And stop when you have stomach cramps. This is what happened just now and I took a walk break.
So this is what it feels like running on empty. It's like the last leg of a long race and it was tough. Everything just seems to be slower and I need to employ all these form tricks to get myself across the line. Short runs are now long runs, at least until Ramadan is over.
1. The torso has to be upright so the diaphragm is able to move and allow maximum lung capacity. Torso also slightly bent forward but just a smidgen.
2. Dislocate the shoulders. This means the arms are swinging freely, with the torso upright. The shoulders don't swing.
3. Same with the legs. They are distinct from the hips and swing back and forth, with hips stable and straight forward. If anything, the back swinging of the legs is slightly emphasized.
4. Run with all you've got. Use the calves, tights (even the butt) to push off forward. This will also prevent over striding..
5. Land with your feet under you, and not beyond.
And stop when you have stomach cramps. This is what happened just now and I took a walk break.
So this is what it feels like running on empty. It's like the last leg of a long race and it was tough. Everything just seems to be slower and I need to employ all these form tricks to get myself across the line. Short runs are now long runs, at least until Ramadan is over.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Disappointed
I'm bitterly disappointed - not because I've not gone for a run all of this week but a major furniture company did not deliver. And this organization had grown to have faith in them placed by all of Singapore, but not anymore by me.
We had decided to expand our storage in the ironing room and wanted to build another shelf on top of the existing ones. The existing ones had been bought from this store and I had spent an hour (and probably some) assembling them. This furniture store sells DIY stuff, with simple, workable designing and at a layman's price. It's all more than acceptable and my sofa is from ther as well. They keep saying their prices are low because it would add to the price if there's assembly so we get to do some DIY along the way. For a non-handyman, self assembly takes a long time but its all worth the while because it's for your home and it's good for your soul to be building something with your own hands.
We returned with the shelves and I started work. My colleague has been telling me to buy power tools because a powered screw driver will do an hour's work in 10min - this is really true but I'm not that much a handy man to be spending that sort of money. So away I went with the addition of the shelves. I had spend a good deal of time until I opened the last parcel. The part itself was there but there were no screws! How would you do a bloody DIY if there were no screws when they ought to be provided? I had actually cleared the present shelves because I had to drag them away from the wall and now the ironing room is stewed with stuff, and the extra shelf has remained unassembled.
Worse was that Nisa and Jamie are watching a movie without me. Jamie had been wanting to watch something and we got the blu-ray today. As I was assembling away, Jamie kept asking when I would end just so we could start the movie. They have started but if I had succeeded, there would have been something to show for missing the movie. Instead, I am left to write to record my thoughts.
This is all so disappointing. I have to go back tomorrow and ask for the screws. And to think just 8 bloody screws have caused me to lose faith in the furniture company, and yes, I really have.
We had decided to expand our storage in the ironing room and wanted to build another shelf on top of the existing ones. The existing ones had been bought from this store and I had spent an hour (and probably some) assembling them. This furniture store sells DIY stuff, with simple, workable designing and at a layman's price. It's all more than acceptable and my sofa is from ther as well. They keep saying their prices are low because it would add to the price if there's assembly so we get to do some DIY along the way. For a non-handyman, self assembly takes a long time but its all worth the while because it's for your home and it's good for your soul to be building something with your own hands.
We returned with the shelves and I started work. My colleague has been telling me to buy power tools because a powered screw driver will do an hour's work in 10min - this is really true but I'm not that much a handy man to be spending that sort of money. So away I went with the addition of the shelves. I had spend a good deal of time until I opened the last parcel. The part itself was there but there were no screws! How would you do a bloody DIY if there were no screws when they ought to be provided? I had actually cleared the present shelves because I had to drag them away from the wall and now the ironing room is stewed with stuff, and the extra shelf has remained unassembled.
Worse was that Nisa and Jamie are watching a movie without me. Jamie had been wanting to watch something and we got the blu-ray today. As I was assembling away, Jamie kept asking when I would end just so we could start the movie. They have started but if I had succeeded, there would have been something to show for missing the movie. Instead, I am left to write to record my thoughts.
This is all so disappointing. I have to go back tomorrow and ask for the screws. And to think just 8 bloody screws have caused me to lose faith in the furniture company, and yes, I really have.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The KL equivalent of a Singapore legend
I can still remember the Singapore legend, after all these years. I had first encountered it in the mid-80s and since then, whenever the guys get together for reservist, the topic comes up. The talk always centered around heroism, endurance, pain and (finally) victory. About how many times the ascend was made and then how everyone stumbled, fell, tripped our way down in the smooth stones and gravel.
In fact, Peng Kang hill is so famous we even joked that a memorial ought to be erected at its base, and thereafter station a military sentry to control the people going up and coming down. Its really hallowed ground with soldiers because many of us have gone up and down the steep hill. I still remember, a little hazy now with the passing of the years, that there are 3 turns; and on the third turn on the way up, the incline is so steep you see the sky. I don't remember having ran up Peng Kang hill without stopping, needing to stop at least once to catch my breath - and during army training, there is always someone barking at you whenever you stop.
I am just thinking back to the run up Bukit Kiara just now. The hill is paved, unlike Peng Kang hill so there is no slipping and falling. It is way longer than Peng Kang because the entire journey up, with a loop around at the top and back down is about 5k. But it has the same 3 turns, and it is steep. How does it compare with Peng Kang hill? I remember I had to expend the same effort, the same breathlessness. I have never, never, gone up Bkt Kiara without having to stop and the best I have done is to stop once during the ascend, and again somewhere within the loop (where the "broken road kerbs" are). Today, I had to stopped more than twice but it was a good clip throughout.
I daresay Bkt Kiara is just as famous at least amongst those who know. There is a drinks seller at the base, and monkeys all over. Within Bkt Kiara, I am told there are mountain bike trails. On a weekend, many many people walk up and down the hill, with only a few running. These runners are really fit; one of them stopped me when he saw I had donned on a singlet from another race to enquire if I had enjoyed that race and when I said it was my first half, he said he did the ultra! The conversation ended with him telling me that anyone that could go up and down Bkt Kiara for 90 minutes would be marathon fit.
Bkt Kiara is the Peng Kang hill for me now. That hill in Spore is within a restricted area and the public is not allowed in. Bkt Kiara is where memories are built now.
In fact, Peng Kang hill is so famous we even joked that a memorial ought to be erected at its base, and thereafter station a military sentry to control the people going up and coming down. Its really hallowed ground with soldiers because many of us have gone up and down the steep hill. I still remember, a little hazy now with the passing of the years, that there are 3 turns; and on the third turn on the way up, the incline is so steep you see the sky. I don't remember having ran up Peng Kang hill without stopping, needing to stop at least once to catch my breath - and during army training, there is always someone barking at you whenever you stop.
I am just thinking back to the run up Bukit Kiara just now. The hill is paved, unlike Peng Kang hill so there is no slipping and falling. It is way longer than Peng Kang because the entire journey up, with a loop around at the top and back down is about 5k. But it has the same 3 turns, and it is steep. How does it compare with Peng Kang hill? I remember I had to expend the same effort, the same breathlessness. I have never, never, gone up Bkt Kiara without having to stop and the best I have done is to stop once during the ascend, and again somewhere within the loop (where the "broken road kerbs" are). Today, I had to stopped more than twice but it was a good clip throughout.
I daresay Bkt Kiara is just as famous at least amongst those who know. There is a drinks seller at the base, and monkeys all over. Within Bkt Kiara, I am told there are mountain bike trails. On a weekend, many many people walk up and down the hill, with only a few running. These runners are really fit; one of them stopped me when he saw I had donned on a singlet from another race to enquire if I had enjoyed that race and when I said it was my first half, he said he did the ultra! The conversation ended with him telling me that anyone that could go up and down Bkt Kiara for 90 minutes would be marathon fit.
Bkt Kiara is the Peng Kang hill for me now. That hill in Spore is within a restricted area and the public is not allowed in. Bkt Kiara is where memories are built now.
Achieved!
With a sigh of relief, we left PKNS in the mid-afternoon today.
This is an annual Ramadan story, and event. We would try to get out Raya outfits as early as possible into Ramadan and always, we fail miserably. In fact, on one Ramadan, I had left it to the last weekend (24hrs before Raya!) before I got my outfit. The one last year fitted so poorly - because I had just grabbed anything that was in sight. I brought it to the tailor to alter last week and when I wore it, he laughed; this is something he has never done but he actually did, making the remark that I looked like a Waiyang (Chinese opera) performer. So this is how I have come to dread the annual trip to purchase Raya outfits.
Like many past Ramadans, I have vowed to myself I will start the journey way in advance and if anything, on the first weekend of Ramadan. Today was not the first weekend but it was early enough. The traditional place to get outfits is this place called PKNS over in Shah Alam. The first thing that hits you when you arrive at the vicinity is the amount of cars, all looking for parking and ending up parking all over the roads, blocking traffic. The weather is always unrelenting, hot, which compunds the experience. PKNS looks like Lucky Plaza and Far East Plaza all rolled into one, with hugh crowds to boot. This occassion was no different from the last, and various Ramadans past, notwithstanding it was early days in Ramadan.
Where there are crowds, hot weather, and limited parking, the only way to do things is to be "surgical". Know what you want before, make a beeline for the product, and get out! With these mission parimeters, Nisa, Farah, Mom-inlaw and Jamie went in, zero-ed in on the outfits and quickly bought them. I bought my songkohk without much ado. I was a little worried I could not find my cuff-link type buttons for my baju Melayu but a few steps away from the songkohk shop was a vendor selling them. Price negotiations are common placed in PKNS but the wares were secured after a little haggling. Both vendor, and more importantly, the customer came away pleased with the outcome.
This is an annual Ramadan story, and event. We would try to get out Raya outfits as early as possible into Ramadan and always, we fail miserably. In fact, on one Ramadan, I had left it to the last weekend (24hrs before Raya!) before I got my outfit. The one last year fitted so poorly - because I had just grabbed anything that was in sight. I brought it to the tailor to alter last week and when I wore it, he laughed; this is something he has never done but he actually did, making the remark that I looked like a Waiyang (Chinese opera) performer. So this is how I have come to dread the annual trip to purchase Raya outfits.
Like many past Ramadans, I have vowed to myself I will start the journey way in advance and if anything, on the first weekend of Ramadan. Today was not the first weekend but it was early enough. The traditional place to get outfits is this place called PKNS over in Shah Alam. The first thing that hits you when you arrive at the vicinity is the amount of cars, all looking for parking and ending up parking all over the roads, blocking traffic. The weather is always unrelenting, hot, which compunds the experience. PKNS looks like Lucky Plaza and Far East Plaza all rolled into one, with hugh crowds to boot. This occassion was no different from the last, and various Ramadans past, notwithstanding it was early days in Ramadan.
Where there are crowds, hot weather, and limited parking, the only way to do things is to be "surgical". Know what you want before, make a beeline for the product, and get out! With these mission parimeters, Nisa, Farah, Mom-inlaw and Jamie went in, zero-ed in on the outfits and quickly bought them. I bought my songkohk without much ado. I was a little worried I could not find my cuff-link type buttons for my baju Melayu but a few steps away from the songkohk shop was a vendor selling them. Price negotiations are common placed in PKNS but the wares were secured after a little haggling. Both vendor, and more importantly, the customer came away pleased with the outcome.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
I found my intervals
I have been running my intervals along this 400m quiet road within the housing estate behind where we live. It is short and tough because it is a hill (and steep too). When hill intervals are overly tough, it is not much fun since I can only manage a few intervals before I get winded. Yet it's good training because it is instant fitness with minimal effort - this is after all, the benefit of running hill intervals.
I had chanced upon an alternative route within the same estate when I had to take a short cut to end a run. Up the same route but within 300m, take a left turn and this made all the difference. This new route became a slight flat and then a gradual slope, ending with a slightly greater incline with the last 30m downhill (for relief). All in, an 800m effort which is just perfect. Enough to be taxing but not debilitating, enough to be enjoyable to want to do more.
I have found my ideal hill intervals route! Best of all, the name of the roads all start with "Lucky"
I had chanced upon an alternative route within the same estate when I had to take a short cut to end a run. Up the same route but within 300m, take a left turn and this made all the difference. This new route became a slight flat and then a gradual slope, ending with a slightly greater incline with the last 30m downhill (for relief). All in, an 800m effort which is just perfect. Enough to be taxing but not debilitating, enough to be enjoyable to want to do more.
I have found my ideal hill intervals route! Best of all, the name of the roads all start with "Lucky"
Monday, August 16, 2010
Dumb irrational fear
I hAve to admit it - as I stumble out of bed for my morning meal, I am pretty groggy, more asleep than awake. The end of the meal does not turn this state around and in fact, I am almost wanting to go back to sleep immediately afterwards. Nonetheless, I make an effort to take in my multi vitamins.
The vitamins are pretty large tablets; and in order to keep them dry, there is the silica pack. It's bigger than the tablets and it's really a small pouch, at a size that is larger than a thumb nail - impossible to miss. Yet I have this dumb irrational fear that in my groggy state, I might swallow it by mistake! I actually hold the tablet in my hands and look to be sure!
The vitamins are pretty large tablets; and in order to keep them dry, there is the silica pack. It's bigger than the tablets and it's really a small pouch, at a size that is larger than a thumb nail - impossible to miss. Yet I have this dumb irrational fear that in my groggy state, I might swallow it by mistake! I actually hold the tablet in my hands and look to be sure!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
We (well Nisa, actually) got it!!
I had wanted to do this properly. I wanted to buy it from the store like everyone else, and not wanting to put my name down on some list and have it delivered to the home without me being there. There is, to me at least, a big difference in bring home Nisa's birthday present from having it delivered by an anonymous postman. Even though Nisa already knew what it was that I would be getting.
It didn't really work out that way in the end. Dr R called today to say he had over-ordered one piece. Would I be interested in it? At cost? Otherwise, he would sell it on ebay at a 30% markup - such is the current demand for this. We drove to meet him immediately to pick it up and by the evening, this is the outcome:
And after warming up to it, this is what came next for Jamie:
Oh yes, photos taken with the new camera at night in the home. I'm pleased.
It didn't really work out that way in the end. Dr R called today to say he had over-ordered one piece. Would I be interested in it? At cost? Otherwise, he would sell it on ebay at a 30% markup - such is the current demand for this. We drove to meet him immediately to pick it up and by the evening, this is the outcome:
And after warming up to it, this is what came next for Jamie:
Oh yes, photos taken with the new camera at night in the home. I'm pleased.
Friday, August 13, 2010
My new toy - it was justified
Firstly, here's the justification..
Our camera is some 7-8 years old; it is really falling apart. The open/shut mechanism is loose and one of the metal parts is threatening to separate from the body. Its a 4 mega pixel camera, and it was the best point and shoot in its time. Heavy too, by today's standard and poor Nisa had to lug is all over KL when we were courting because I had wanted to take photos of us to remember when I return to KL. It didn't feel heavy then because it was the best in its class. To its credit, it has lasted us all through our vacations and when Jamie was an infant - many many shots were taken and the camera was what made memories for us. Nisa recently remarked that we ought to get something since the camera was really falling apart. The choice was between a Canon S90 or a Lumix LX-3.
These cameras are head to head in its class, although I knew the LX-5 has been released. Internet opinions were divided, but were leaning towards the LX-3. The LX-3 had better ergonomics but when shut, it was not as compact as the S90. It was close but I got the S90 in the end, what swayed me was that our old camera before was a S40 and on trials at the shop, the S90 seemed to take better pics than the Lumix.
Now comes the fun (or not)..
I bought the S90 a few days back. There is a myraid of functions because this is more than a point-and-shoot; functions are fully adjustable and hence almost every aspect of photograpy may be manupilated. This means there is a lot to learn for me. It was the same for the S40 but as with every new toy, you want to try everything. There was just too much to play with and I have reserve all of Saturday morning to play and explore. I am really looking forward to this.
Our camera is some 7-8 years old; it is really falling apart. The open/shut mechanism is loose and one of the metal parts is threatening to separate from the body. Its a 4 mega pixel camera, and it was the best point and shoot in its time. Heavy too, by today's standard and poor Nisa had to lug is all over KL when we were courting because I had wanted to take photos of us to remember when I return to KL. It didn't feel heavy then because it was the best in its class. To its credit, it has lasted us all through our vacations and when Jamie was an infant - many many shots were taken and the camera was what made memories for us. Nisa recently remarked that we ought to get something since the camera was really falling apart. The choice was between a Canon S90 or a Lumix LX-3.
These cameras are head to head in its class, although I knew the LX-5 has been released. Internet opinions were divided, but were leaning towards the LX-3. The LX-3 had better ergonomics but when shut, it was not as compact as the S90. It was close but I got the S90 in the end, what swayed me was that our old camera before was a S40 and on trials at the shop, the S90 seemed to take better pics than the Lumix.
Now comes the fun (or not)..
I bought the S90 a few days back. There is a myraid of functions because this is more than a point-and-shoot; functions are fully adjustable and hence almost every aspect of photograpy may be manupilated. This means there is a lot to learn for me. It was the same for the S40 but as with every new toy, you want to try everything. There was just too much to play with and I have reserve all of Saturday morning to play and explore. I am really looking forward to this.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
There goes another week
The running week is almost over and I'm fretting again for letting it slip. Hard runs were done last Sunday and Monday, Tuesday was enforced rest and Wednesday was off to KL on a day trip ending with a late night drive back with the family. Thursday is almost ending and the evening was done gardening and going all over town looking for an iPad. A new shipment had just arrived today and off I went to get the family one. Tomorrow evening will be spent on classes (it's the last session) but by then, the weekend is here and the only running I got in was the first two days of the week.
I'm so bumped by the lack of running that I am almost tempted to do hills right now. But it's late and I need to sleep.
Sleep is such a precious commodity during the fasting month. It's always been my pitfall and every year, I resolve to sleep early in order that I have enough when I get up early next morning for my meal. Every year, I'm stymied. The bightest spark this year is that my family is with me, and Nisa is cooking. That's such a treat.
I'm so bumped by the lack of running that I am almost tempted to do hills right now. But it's late and I need to sleep.
Sleep is such a precious commodity during the fasting month. It's always been my pitfall and every year, I resolve to sleep early in order that I have enough when I get up early next morning for my meal. Every year, I'm stymied. The bightest spark this year is that my family is with me, and Nisa is cooking. That's such a treat.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The first day of Ramadan
The day before Ramadan has always been spent preparing for the month ahead. Every year past, it's been planning for what to eat for the morning meal. And drinking lots of water the days before to keep the body hydrated for as long as possible. Last year, i even told myself I'll go buy my Raya outfit the first weekend of Ramadan; every year had been a rush at the end, cramming with everyone (and their in-laws) just to find something suitable - of course last year was no different.
Ramadan sort of crept up on me this year. Oh, I was aware it was coming, and vaguely knew which day it would start. But there was hardly any planning involved. Maybe it's because I'm less spiritual these days, maybe it's because I've got my family next to me this time. Maybe it's also because I'm in a better state of health too.
Whatever it was, the first day did not go well. The fasting month is always characterized by a lack of sleep. I'll get up half groggy for the morning meal, and go back to sleep. Sleep interrupted is no sleep. The lack of sleep (without fail) would trigger a migraine attack. Today, the lack of sleep was amplified by my having to catch a morning flight to KL. Even though I crashed out on the plane, sleep interrupted is no sleep. The migraine came a calling in the afternoon; I'm glad for my fitness because the migraine's effect got blunted and it only became a horrible headache. Nisa says the travelling compounded the problem.
God tells you something everyday and today, God said I had to not rely on my fitness and give the holy month it's due. Sleep adequately and live the proper life. The headache is a sign that no matter the physical shape i'm in, it is not sufficient if the fasting month is not given it's due. And by observing the month, I renew, cleanse and re-establish communion.
Ramadan sort of crept up on me this year. Oh, I was aware it was coming, and vaguely knew which day it would start. But there was hardly any planning involved. Maybe it's because I'm less spiritual these days, maybe it's because I've got my family next to me this time. Maybe it's also because I'm in a better state of health too.
Whatever it was, the first day did not go well. The fasting month is always characterized by a lack of sleep. I'll get up half groggy for the morning meal, and go back to sleep. Sleep interrupted is no sleep. The lack of sleep (without fail) would trigger a migraine attack. Today, the lack of sleep was amplified by my having to catch a morning flight to KL. Even though I crashed out on the plane, sleep interrupted is no sleep. The migraine came a calling in the afternoon; I'm glad for my fitness because the migraine's effect got blunted and it only became a horrible headache. Nisa says the travelling compounded the problem.
God tells you something everyday and today, God said I had to not rely on my fitness and give the holy month it's due. Sleep adequately and live the proper life. The headache is a sign that no matter the physical shape i'm in, it is not sufficient if the fasting month is not given it's due. And by observing the month, I renew, cleanse and re-establish communion.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Double Hills - my first!
There is a famed running route in KL. When I first started running within Lake Gardens, I had heard about it and when I ran just outside the gardens itself (round the avery, memorial, and along the National Mosque), I had though it was it - it wasn't. This route that was the training route of a KL running club was called the Double Hills route - going into Bkt Tunku
The NB15k this year was the first time I ran the full route. I had previously discovered part of it but we had to do this route during the race itself. I had always wanted to go back and do the full route, more so because I regard myself as being a part of the KL running community and hence had to claim the route as my own.
Well I did it today. I had to walk up a part of the journey but I completed it. I'll always remember the effort today because everyone I saw on the route waved at (or back at) me. Such is the community in KL.
The NB15k this year was the first time I ran the full route. I had previously discovered part of it but we had to do this route during the race itself. I had always wanted to go back and do the full route, more so because I regard myself as being a part of the KL running community and hence had to claim the route as my own.
Well I did it today. I had to walk up a part of the journey but I completed it. I'll always remember the effort today because everyone I saw on the route waved at (or back at) me. Such is the community in KL.
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