Today after a long while I went swimming!
Oh how I've missed it.
I used to do about 10 laps of freestyle on one side, then another 10 on the other side. This was because when I taught myself to swim freestyle, I started with the left side. But I wanted to be able to do both, so I spent many laps doing the right side. At first it was horrible and I kept swallowing water, my form was awful but after a while I got the hang of it.
Today, I combined: I swam left and right after 5 strokes. I know it's such a long time to resurface back, people usually do about 1-3 strokes, but I like to play with my breathing. I think it helps me a lot in my running. To be able to do 5 strokes without resurfacing is hard work for me. Because I haven't swam for a while, the first lap of that left me winded! When I swam regularly I could do a straight 100m (albeit a slight delay at the end of the lap because I have yet to master the flip turn!) but now I had to stop after 50m for 5 seconds before continuing.
After 500m of so, my breathing went back to normal and I was able to focus on my form. I wanted to make sure I wasn't kicking from my knees, but from my hips instead. I read in various swimming forums that knee kicking is the worst thing you could do. Plus, with my weak knees I do not need the extra pressure.
I did the last 100m in a faster pace, just to send my heart racing a little bit.
Best part: the chinese uncle who swims regularly (always see him on saturdays) for his spine problem gave me a thumbs up after my final lap. "good la you," he said. OH YEAH!
It was an amazing 1km swim. I can't wait to do it next Saturday!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Friday Speedwork
Today was my first attempt at doing speedwork... or intervals or however you call it. To be honest I have no idea how to do it but I figured the easiest way would be speeding for a distance and doing it for a couple of times. I remember when me and my dad used to run at the subang lake 4 years back there was this uncle who always did speedwork on wednesdays mornings. I haven't seen him around at the lake anymore.
Measuring it by time would be tough because my stopwatch is a simple 'start-stop-erase and start again' system. So I used distance markings. I warmed up with an slow 1.1km run in 7 minutes trying to loosen joints on my knees and ankles. Then I did 200m (roughly) in a pace of RPE 5-6. I wanted to run slowly in between but my heart was pounding so hard I had to walk, but I was careful not to let my heart rate slowed down to a normal level. So this is what it feels like to do speed intervals, I was thinking to myself. What torture!
I did it for 5 times before calling it quit. I would love to do more, but I didn't want to overexert myself plus I've been feeling quite tired the past few days. I spent more time on stretching then headed home. I was satisfied because despite the brief workout (30 minutes) I covered 3.3km haha. Any km is good!
Measuring it by time would be tough because my stopwatch is a simple 'start-stop-erase and start again' system. So I used distance markings. I warmed up with an slow 1.1km run in 7 minutes trying to loosen joints on my knees and ankles. Then I did 200m (roughly) in a pace of RPE 5-6. I wanted to run slowly in between but my heart was pounding so hard I had to walk, but I was careful not to let my heart rate slowed down to a normal level. So this is what it feels like to do speed intervals, I was thinking to myself. What torture!
I did it for 5 times before calling it quit. I would love to do more, but I didn't want to overexert myself plus I've been feeling quite tired the past few days. I spent more time on stretching then headed home. I was satisfied because despite the brief workout (30 minutes) I covered 3.3km haha. Any km is good!
Memory Lane
Ever since I started to run seriously last July, I have joined 3 running events: McDonalds Run, Siemens, and Adidas KOTR. I didn't have pictures for all three because I either went alone, or we were always late to register and arrived just in time. Our bags would be in the car.
But this was a picture I found last year on a run me and my friends did for fun, but it was that run that made me feel like running for something, with a goal, is more fun than simply running:
It was a normal breakfast run with a distance of 7km going up into the trails of the TTDI hills. I have stopped running regularly for quite some time after graduation, busy with work. All three of us had just started working, but ALi (stripped shirt) insisted that we joined this thing. So we did. We were amateurs, without proper shoes (them, not me hehe) and have never actually tried running in an event. I think I walked most of the route. The funniest part was when we got out of the trails into the normal tarred road, a man was like, "Keep going you're one of the first!" and we were spurred... until he continued, "just behind the women's seniors." HAHAHA
Other pictures I found off my old hardrive that are not about running, but working out a sweat nevertheless:
This was in 2000-2001. I was crazy about bodyboarding and surfing. Every year during the moonsoon me and my friend (who is fortunate to live in Teluk Chempedak, Kuantan) head to her place and spent about 2 months (for semester break) surfing. I got soo dark tmy pictures turned orange due to the flash. My family took turns taking pictures with me just to compare how much fairer they look. That was me at the back. I think I just scored a couple of swell waves.
Hahaha me jumping into the deep end of the pond. This was earlier this year, after we finished some random jungle activities such as:
Waterfall abseiling. It was a crazy thing, slippery and my palms burned and I slipped a couple of times but I survived. A schoolgirl did the same thing and she banged herself pretty bad against the rocks though.
Flying fox! This is a pretty simple one compared to the hairier versions I've been through.
White water rafting in April... before our raft flipped over. My bestfriend fractured her hipbone and chipped her tooth. This was Kuala Selangor which is considered to be the toughest rapids in peninsular, the toughest in malaysia being in Sabah. I don't like it as much as the Sg Kampar because you make a lot of pit stops to prepare for the rapids, as opposed to Sg Kampar where you just float through.
In Sg Kampar... you can see me at the far end of the tree giving my infamous peace sign.
Today I shall be working on my speedwork... although to be honest I have no idea how to do that. It's just something I read about in running sites haha. But there's always time to learn and to implement!
One more thing I've been wondering about: When we go downhill, do we let ourselves run with the faster speed or try to contain the speed and run at a normal pace? I think I've read before that you should try to maintain your speed while going downhill but I see a lot of runners giving it their all while going downhill... won;t it hurt the knees? *paranoid*
But this was a picture I found last year on a run me and my friends did for fun, but it was that run that made me feel like running for something, with a goal, is more fun than simply running:
It was a normal breakfast run with a distance of 7km going up into the trails of the TTDI hills. I have stopped running regularly for quite some time after graduation, busy with work. All three of us had just started working, but ALi (stripped shirt) insisted that we joined this thing. So we did. We were amateurs, without proper shoes (them, not me hehe) and have never actually tried running in an event. I think I walked most of the route. The funniest part was when we got out of the trails into the normal tarred road, a man was like, "Keep going you're one of the first!" and we were spurred... until he continued, "just behind the women's seniors." HAHAHAOther pictures I found off my old hardrive that are not about running, but working out a sweat nevertheless:
This was in 2000-2001. I was crazy about bodyboarding and surfing. Every year during the moonsoon me and my friend (who is fortunate to live in Teluk Chempedak, Kuantan) head to her place and spent about 2 months (for semester break) surfing. I got soo dark tmy pictures turned orange due to the flash. My family took turns taking pictures with me just to compare how much fairer they look. That was me at the back. I think I just scored a couple of swell waves.
Hahaha me jumping into the deep end of the pond. This was earlier this year, after we finished some random jungle activities such as:
Waterfall abseiling. It was a crazy thing, slippery and my palms burned and I slipped a couple of times but I survived. A schoolgirl did the same thing and she banged herself pretty bad against the rocks though.
Flying fox! This is a pretty simple one compared to the hairier versions I've been through.
White water rafting in April... before our raft flipped over. My bestfriend fractured her hipbone and chipped her tooth. This was Kuala Selangor which is considered to be the toughest rapids in peninsular, the toughest in malaysia being in Sabah. I don't like it as much as the Sg Kampar because you make a lot of pit stops to prepare for the rapids, as opposed to Sg Kampar where you just float through.
In Sg Kampar... you can see me at the far end of the tree giving my infamous peace sign.Today I shall be working on my speedwork... although to be honest I have no idea how to do that. It's just something I read about in running sites haha. But there's always time to learn and to implement!
One more thing I've been wondering about: When we go downhill, do we let ourselves run with the faster speed or try to contain the speed and run at a normal pace? I think I've read before that you should try to maintain your speed while going downhill but I see a lot of runners giving it their all while going downhill... won;t it hurt the knees? *paranoid*
Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon
Without a doubt, this is the worst race organizer ever.
Well the term 'worst' is relative since this is my first encounter of such unprofessional handling of matters.
Look at the picture below:
It is a screen shot of my Maybank2u credit card transaction slip. It says, if I may, that I have made a payment to Standard Chartered Singapore SG for the amount of $52 (for half marathon) on the July 27th.
I have emailed them about 5 times. I called their hotline about more than 15 times. I think they all know my name already. I still haven't received the confirmation slip. When they checked their database, they say my name nor the payment is recorded. They asked me to check with my bank.
I checked with Maybank, and they said there is really nothing they could do because the payment has been made to them. I should print out this transaction as proof, they said.
I have already attached this screenshot. And the hotline said that if it was their payment, it would have the RBS Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on the slip.
So I said, okay fine. I'll re-register again, even if it means I burned rm 128 for some phantom payment to standard chartered, even if it means I missed out on the early bird fee.
This morning, I registered. And I GOT THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. As soon as I pressed Ok for the visa payment, it LEAD ME BACK TO THEIR WAIVER PAGE, no confirmation whatsoever. What is wrong with their system?
To say that there is something wrong with MY card, it couldn't be because just yesterday I registered for the great eastern women singapore and it got through just like in seconds. From RBS as well. So no complaints from my card or the bank.
What I am frustrated about is the fact that they don't want to help at all. Like, dude, I am sorry, but you seem to be the ONLY one who's having this problem... so it's your loss not mine. We've already received a staggering response from people.
I told them that I have no idea how this happen, but my intention is simple: I just wanted to register. Is there anything, ANYTHINg you could do? I mean, short of telling me I have to register in person in singapore, there's nothing they could do, they say. Just like that.
The worst thing is that I might have to look for someone who lives in Singapore who is kind hearted enough to register for me at the registration center. The standard chartered people gave me their number, and when I told them (the singapore athletics association) they say it's typical of the race organizers to 'tai-chi' the problems to the registration center. That guy was really kind. He says since they have no such technologies, and they can only accept manual registration, he would allow somebody else to register for me, even if it is strictly in person.
THAT'S how you want to help people. Even if I'm the only person having this problem. How could you say, "Sorry... there's nothing we can do?" to someone who wants to register?
Anyway, yesterday because of this particularly upsetting news, I decided to take it easy on my running. I did a simple 5.5km in 39:38:09 which is slower than my normal times, but I couldn't be bothered. My knees hurt all the time now... and my shin is starting to throb. Im feeling an onset of injuries piling in. But I'm a bit upset about the registration to worry about other things. I do not want to miss the race. But how am I able to register if they won't let me??
Well the term 'worst' is relative since this is my first encounter of such unprofessional handling of matters.
Look at the picture below:
It is a screen shot of my Maybank2u credit card transaction slip. It says, if I may, that I have made a payment to Standard Chartered Singapore SG for the amount of $52 (for half marathon) on the July 27th.
I have emailed them about 5 times. I called their hotline about more than 15 times. I think they all know my name already. I still haven't received the confirmation slip. When they checked their database, they say my name nor the payment is recorded. They asked me to check with my bank.
I checked with Maybank, and they said there is really nothing they could do because the payment has been made to them. I should print out this transaction as proof, they said.
I have already attached this screenshot. And the hotline said that if it was their payment, it would have the RBS Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on the slip.
So I said, okay fine. I'll re-register again, even if it means I burned rm 128 for some phantom payment to standard chartered, even if it means I missed out on the early bird fee.
This morning, I registered. And I GOT THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. As soon as I pressed Ok for the visa payment, it LEAD ME BACK TO THEIR WAIVER PAGE, no confirmation whatsoever. What is wrong with their system?
To say that there is something wrong with MY card, it couldn't be because just yesterday I registered for the great eastern women singapore and it got through just like in seconds. From RBS as well. So no complaints from my card or the bank.
What I am frustrated about is the fact that they don't want to help at all. Like, dude, I am sorry, but you seem to be the ONLY one who's having this problem... so it's your loss not mine. We've already received a staggering response from people.
I told them that I have no idea how this happen, but my intention is simple: I just wanted to register. Is there anything, ANYTHINg you could do? I mean, short of telling me I have to register in person in singapore, there's nothing they could do, they say. Just like that.
The worst thing is that I might have to look for someone who lives in Singapore who is kind hearted enough to register for me at the registration center. The standard chartered people gave me their number, and when I told them (the singapore athletics association) they say it's typical of the race organizers to 'tai-chi' the problems to the registration center. That guy was really kind. He says since they have no such technologies, and they can only accept manual registration, he would allow somebody else to register for me, even if it is strictly in person.
THAT'S how you want to help people. Even if I'm the only person having this problem. How could you say, "Sorry... there's nothing we can do?" to someone who wants to register?
Anyway, yesterday because of this particularly upsetting news, I decided to take it easy on my running. I did a simple 5.5km in 39:38:09 which is slower than my normal times, but I couldn't be bothered. My knees hurt all the time now... and my shin is starting to throb. Im feeling an onset of injuries piling in. But I'm a bit upset about the registration to worry about other things. I do not want to miss the race. But how am I able to register if they won't let me??
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wednesday Lake
I just realized something on my run today.
I am getting slower each lap. And it's my own fault.
I started out too fast because I was already comfortable doing 2km as opposed to when I first started - gasping for air at the last 500 meters. Because of that my time for the first lap was the fastest. I maintained the speed on my second lap, but got progressively slower the third until the fifth.
I am such a show off. I hate it when I feel like I need to run fast just to show that I could. Urgh. I'm not in high school anymore, competing for 200m.
Tomorrow it's going to be my easy run. I'm going to start very slow, slower than normal, because if I could, I'm going to up my distance to 6.6 km. Why 6.6? Because one complete circle is 1.1km.
My time for completing today's 5.5km? 38 minutes and 05 seconds.
I didn't really sweat as much or felt exhausted like I usually do after the run. Maybe my body is telling me that I can up the distance now. But I'm careful to take it slow because my knees are starting to hurt even when not running and my shin hurt too when I run. I am SO scared of injuries especially my knees. I have weak knees which is the reason why I swim so much.
I have a good news today, which carried me for the first lap. And then I psyched myself to finish the last km by thinking about how much I miss my boyfriend who is at a football summer camp in Japan. Hhaha whatever works ey?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Kertih Beach
I heard that someone died during the Adidas KOTR. He was 22 years old.
So young.
I hope running was his passion. Because at least he ended his life doing something he was into.
I can't fathom deaths. I think at some point I was (or maybe still am) obsessed with subject of deaths.
My next door neighbor who was fit as a fiddle died of a heart attack at age 25. He was playing futsal. That was 2 years ago.
Anyway, I am writing to you from the comfort of my friend's apartment. I am in Kertih, on a work assignment that ended way too early to my delight. My flight is at night. So I am here hanging out by my lonesome enjoying the beautiful view of the shore.
Yesterday was supposed to be my rest day according to my 'training plan'. But my bestfriend (who works in Kertih) told me she's going for a jog by the beach, and I didn't hesitate. I've been meaning to have a taste of running along the shores with the waves beating down and the fresh air and the wonderful view for ages. Plus, there's something challenging about running on the sands.
So we did. I think the distance was about... give and take 2.3k-3km. It's not really that far, but the level of exertion was twice as much if you were running the same distance on a normal route/terrain. The wind was exceptionally strong. The shore was uneven, the sands too soft at some places, just hard at some. The waves lapped at my feet, sometimes tugging me into the sea. I struggled for the longest time at one stretch of dune because of the soft sands, sweat trickling off my face and neck. I stepped on thousands of seashells, giving me feet a nice reflexlogy massage. But it was an amazing run, a different mood altogether than my normal straight to the point run. I'm glad I made it to the far end of the bay. Plus, my knees and shin don't hurt so much because of the soft ground.
Since I'd only be reaching Subang at 7pm, I'll make today my rest day.
And I'll start running again tomorrow!
To be honest, I am worried that I'll stop my running if there aren't any events to look forward to. I've been running dilligently for the past 2 months because there were events I was training for, but now since the nearest event is in October, plus the ramadhan coming up, plus some crazy schedule in my life coming up, I'm afraid I won't be able to maintain my routine.
But I guess it's all mind over matter. When there's a will, they say, there's a way.
So young.
I hope running was his passion. Because at least he ended his life doing something he was into.
I can't fathom deaths. I think at some point I was (or maybe still am) obsessed with subject of deaths.
My next door neighbor who was fit as a fiddle died of a heart attack at age 25. He was playing futsal. That was 2 years ago.
Anyway, I am writing to you from the comfort of my friend's apartment. I am in Kertih, on a work assignment that ended way too early to my delight. My flight is at night. So I am here hanging out by my lonesome enjoying the beautiful view of the shore.
Yesterday was supposed to be my rest day according to my 'training plan'. But my bestfriend (who works in Kertih) told me she's going for a jog by the beach, and I didn't hesitate. I've been meaning to have a taste of running along the shores with the waves beating down and the fresh air and the wonderful view for ages. Plus, there's something challenging about running on the sands.
So we did. I think the distance was about... give and take 2.3k-3km. It's not really that far, but the level of exertion was twice as much if you were running the same distance on a normal route/terrain. The wind was exceptionally strong. The shore was uneven, the sands too soft at some places, just hard at some. The waves lapped at my feet, sometimes tugging me into the sea. I struggled for the longest time at one stretch of dune because of the soft sands, sweat trickling off my face and neck. I stepped on thousands of seashells, giving me feet a nice reflexlogy massage. But it was an amazing run, a different mood altogether than my normal straight to the point run. I'm glad I made it to the far end of the bay. Plus, my knees and shin don't hurt so much because of the soft ground.
Since I'd only be reaching Subang at 7pm, I'll make today my rest day.
And I'll start running again tomorrow!
To be honest, I am worried that I'll stop my running if there aren't any events to look forward to. I've been running dilligently for the past 2 months because there were events I was training for, but now since the nearest event is in October, plus the ramadhan coming up, plus some crazy schedule in my life coming up, I'm afraid I won't be able to maintain my routine.
But I guess it's all mind over matter. When there's a will, they say, there's a way.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Adidas King of The Road, Shah Alam
Aaah... to be back in the lovely comforting place called home. This is my second official 10k race... and I started this one out with a slight glitch.
I woke up at 540 am, and woke my friend up (who always join the events with me) at610am, but he took his own sweet time and we arrived there at 650am, and when we were walking towards the stadium, we found out that the race has begun! So we rushed to the area and after running blindly for a couple seconds looking for the registration area, somebody slapped me with the wrist band and told us, "Just run!!"
So the last of the runner was ahead of us about 10 ft away. When we reached the first roundabout I managed to overtake the last group of runners. I think the first 7km was great; my body has warmed up due to the rushing, and I made my way slowly until I feel comfortable that I'm at the right runners' pack (in other words, runners who will safely make it to the qualifying time).
But as we reached the last 4km, fatigue started to show its face. I felt it more so on my upper back, and for the first time ever my shoulders were tensed. I had to shake it out. I was carrying the small water bottle but took only 3 sips in between running; I'd considered dropping the bottle off as it was weighing me down but didn't want to litter the place. I asked a couple of ladies whether they wanted water but none of them did. When I looked at my watch I realized that the qualifying time is about to be over, and I silently cursed the hills!
The hills were such a mental torture. I always start the race really slow but picked up pace on the last 4~5km. But the hills made it impossible. I told myself that my goals for entering a race is simple: to complete the distance without any walking. I soldiered on the first few hills, but before we reach the last roundabout, the hill were so taxing that I was forced (yes, forced) to walk for I think 2~3 minutes. I felt like I lost the race already. My thoughts were like, "don't walk! You want to complete the race RUNNING," and "Just a minute of walking wouldn't kill you! Besides, you're already at a walking pace!"
When we reached the stadium I picked up pace (realized now how important Gentle Pickup and intervals are!!) because I thought the finish line would be at the same place, but instead they took us to a really mentally taxing underground route. At this point my brains were screaming bloody murder. "Damn you KOTR!!"
When I arrived at the area, there was no F sign anywhere. But I figured the F sign probably fell off and I took the rightmost lane, and was awarded with a smile and a medal. Since I was already 3 minutes late from the qualifying time (according to my stopwatch) I thought everybody gets the finisher medals, but realized that not all ladies were holding a medal. So I'm not sure if my stopwatch is not accurate... or they cut some slack with the qualifying medals. Either way...I'm glad I did finish this race, but NOT GLAD that I walked for 2~3 minutes.
My time? According to my stopwatch, I completed the 11km in 01:23:50. I that good or bad?
I woke up at 540 am, and woke my friend up (who always join the events with me) at610am, but he took his own sweet time and we arrived there at 650am, and when we were walking towards the stadium, we found out that the race has begun! So we rushed to the area and after running blindly for a couple seconds looking for the registration area, somebody slapped me with the wrist band and told us, "Just run!!"
So the last of the runner was ahead of us about 10 ft away. When we reached the first roundabout I managed to overtake the last group of runners. I think the first 7km was great; my body has warmed up due to the rushing, and I made my way slowly until I feel comfortable that I'm at the right runners' pack (in other words, runners who will safely make it to the qualifying time).
But as we reached the last 4km, fatigue started to show its face. I felt it more so on my upper back, and for the first time ever my shoulders were tensed. I had to shake it out. I was carrying the small water bottle but took only 3 sips in between running; I'd considered dropping the bottle off as it was weighing me down but didn't want to litter the place. I asked a couple of ladies whether they wanted water but none of them did. When I looked at my watch I realized that the qualifying time is about to be over, and I silently cursed the hills!
The hills were such a mental torture. I always start the race really slow but picked up pace on the last 4~5km. But the hills made it impossible. I told myself that my goals for entering a race is simple: to complete the distance without any walking. I soldiered on the first few hills, but before we reach the last roundabout, the hill were so taxing that I was forced (yes, forced) to walk for I think 2~3 minutes. I felt like I lost the race already. My thoughts were like, "don't walk! You want to complete the race RUNNING," and "Just a minute of walking wouldn't kill you! Besides, you're already at a walking pace!"
When we reached the stadium I picked up pace (realized now how important Gentle Pickup and intervals are!!) because I thought the finish line would be at the same place, but instead they took us to a really mentally taxing underground route. At this point my brains were screaming bloody murder. "Damn you KOTR!!"
When I arrived at the area, there was no F sign anywhere. But I figured the F sign probably fell off and I took the rightmost lane, and was awarded with a smile and a medal. Since I was already 3 minutes late from the qualifying time (according to my stopwatch) I thought everybody gets the finisher medals, but realized that not all ladies were holding a medal. So I'm not sure if my stopwatch is not accurate... or they cut some slack with the qualifying medals. Either way...I'm glad I did finish this race, but NOT GLAD that I walked for 2~3 minutes.
My time? According to my stopwatch, I completed the 11km in 01:23:50. I that good or bad?
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