Running to Heaven

Total Action for the Week (20th - 26th Dec)

2009-12-31T11:01:00.001+08:00

Sun - Rest
Mon - Rest
Tue - Rest
Wed - Gym
Thu - Rest
Fri - Rest
Sat - Rest

Clearing leave..

Total Action for the Week (13th - 19th Dec)

2009-12-31T10:59:00.000+08:00

Sun - Rest
Mon - Rest
Tue - Gym
Wed - Rest
Thu - 10k run
Fri - Rest
Sat - Rest

Total Action for the Week (6th - 12th Dec)

2009-12-14T10:10:00.000+08:00

Sun - Standard Chartered 42.195k Singapore Marathon
Mon - Ache
Tue - Ache
Wed - Rest
Thu - Rest
Fri - Rest
Sat - Brother for a Wedding.. Tired..

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009

2009-12-09T17:33:00.001+08:00

Last Sunday I went for my first ever Full Marathon, and completed it successfully!

Waking up in the wee hours of morning is most probably the worst part of the run, in my point of view. Waking up before the sun does has always been a terrible ordeal for me, both mentally and physically.

Right from the onset of the race, I could feel the familiar ache from the injury in my left leg. Thankfully the pain was within tolerable limits, and I've already come so far for this day itself. Endure and push forward! And hope the pain goes away through the adrenaline..

The first 10k went smoothly as expected. The sun has not yet awaken (lucky bastard!), and we were running along relatively flat roads in the CBD. According to the statistics later posted to us, I was going at a comfortable 8.1km/hr average pace.

The next 20k will take us through part of East Coast Park and back. At this point, the sun has finally come out of his bed, but the weather was still fantastic! It had rained heavily the night before, so the sky was still pretty downcast and the air was kind of cooling.

I easily brushed aside another 10k, past circus performers (!), cheerleaders (!!) and many many volunteering supporters. I must say, having these guys around is a big boost in motivating us to keep going.

The next 10k which leads back to the CBD is a bit more difficult, as I've never gone beyond ~20k before this day. Still, with the constant encouragement from the supporters, and the very frequent water points (one every 1-1.5km! These are life-savers..), I managed to finish up to the 30k mark without struggling too much (albeit at a slower pace now, now somewhere around 6.5-7km/hr).

Now we are back in the CBD. Without the shade from trees in the ECP portion, we were all feeling the effects from the ever rising sun. After the 35k mark, my legs were starting to give up on me. Due to my left leg injury, I was tending to focus more on my right leg to propel me forward. As such, my right thigh was beginning to cramp up in pain.

I was enduring the pain and running for as long as possible. When the pain got too much to bear, I would brisk-walk until the cramps wear off, after which I would run again until the next bout of cramps hit again.

These alternating series of running and walking went on for the remaining 7k. To make things even more fun, the sun was in his full glory by now. The casualties who were lying on the ground alongside the running route grew in ever increasing numbers as we got closer to the finishing line.

So I ran, and walk, and ran again. My average pace was at its slowest so far, but I was panting away much more than before due to the pain. My legs were pushed beyond their limit already, and all energy reserves had been burnt away. At this point, my body is powered only by sheer guts and determination. Practically nothing else is left.

Suddenly the imposing presence of City Hall building rose up in front of me. I saw the sign indicating the 42k mark. Only another 0.195k more!

Then BOTH my legs started to cramp up on me. I resisted the urge to walk - I am already so close! So I crenched my teeth, endure the extreme pain in my legs and limp-run-ed to the finish line (later on, my grim face of agonizing determination will be immortalised in a series of pictures sent to us).

A final push and I was past the finishing point! Now I can finally rest and limp-walk-ed to collect my 'Finisher' shirt. When I saw it, I was like, OMG the design sucks! I went through so much pain for this??

But it was still fantastic to be able to complete my first marathon! Kudos to my colleagues who've completed it as well. I am now SO addicted to marathons. Looking forward to my next one in 2010!

Total Action for the Week (29th Nov - 5th Dec)

2009-12-08T10:49:00.000+08:00

Sun - Rest
Mon - Gym
Tue - 10k warm-up run
Wed - Rest
Thu - Rest
Fri - Rest
Sat - Rest

Think Out of the Box

2009-12-04T17:18:00.002+08:00

Yesterday I was driving behind this huge lorry. As observed in the picture, the lorry was carrying a lot of junk and stuff that do not seemed to be secured properly.

Without warning, the lorry bounced hard over a rough part of the road and out flew a wooden box from the back. Mercifully, the box was thrown out diagonally towards the left lane, landing on that side with an audible smash.

The box was at least the size of a small luggage. I shuddered to imagine how much damage it could inflict onto my car if it had flown directly behind towards me instead.

Even if the box did not hit my car, I could have been forced to jam my brakes to avoid hitting it. If the car behind me could not stop in time, then there will be a very solid 'kiss of steel' that day.

As such, I am extremely fortunate that the wooden box had gone to the left lane instead. As I was still moving (and reeling from the surprise), I did not see what havoc the box had wreaked on the other side.

Needless to say, I did not stay very near the lorry after that, and at the very nearest opportunity quickly switched lanes and overtook the bugger.

As I went past the lorry, I noticed how run-down it looked. It is almost like it could fall apart at any moment - the whole vehicle was shaking violently like a bag of bones! Fun behold.

On a lighter note, this morning on the way to work, I had stopped at a particular traffic junction near my place. A motorbike was on my left, and another car on my right.

The traffic light was glaringly red, but it did not deter the car in brazenly doing a U-turn. It was an illegal turn as well! And that junction was perhaps 500m from a police station.

As the car turned into the opposite road, I caught a glimpse of its driver. It was an auntie and she was yakking away on the phone! Sigh.. I wonder how many poor souls has she knocked down already.

I stared at this scene with jaw agape. On my left, the biker (a malay uncle) on my left was shaking his head in disbelief. What a morning.

Meat and Poison

2009-12-03T14:47:00.002+08:00

The other day me and my lunch kaki from work were discussing about my love for braised pig intestines, the kind commonly served with kway chap. Surprisingly for Singaporean Chinese, most of them do not take well to it. Words like 'Traumatising' and 'Disgusting' were recklessly used to describe this local delicacy.

In the end, it was concluded that I am simply a very non-fussy eater and would consume anything with extreme prejudice. However, I do not see myself as completely non-fussy at all, since I do have a blacklist of foodstuff that I will not touch to save my life.

The funny thing is, some of these items on my blacklist are seen as delicacies by the very same people who condemn pig intestines. I guess the quote that one man's meat may be another man's poison kind of make sense literally in this context.

Some of the food I like:

1) Milk Chocolate
2) Sambal Kang Kong
3) Meat in general
4) Sashimi (Salmon and Swordfish especially)
5) Organs in general
6) Milk Chocolate

Some of the food that I absolutely hate:

1) Green Peas
2) Lotus Paste
3) Raisins
4) Whipped Cream
5) Tiramisu (Chocolate/Coffee + Alcohol = Bad Combination)
6) Red/Green Bean Soup (Vile thing..)
7) Gui Ling Gao (It looks black and evil..)

I guess I do not make a very good 'Singaporean Chinese' either huh lol..

Clarke Quay Run

2009-12-01T16:18:00.002+08:00

Last Friday morning, me and a bunch of guys went over to Raffles Place and tried to attempt the Standard Chartered Marathon path. After running in a few circles, we managed to find Fullerton Hotel, which was where the starting point will be.

Needless to say, we soon got hopelessly lost again. We did have the printed copies of the running route, but they were of the pdf version from the SCSM website, which shows the road names only along the running route and not adjacent ones. As such we do not even know how to get to the named roads from our starting point as the SCSM map is not drawn to scale as well.

In the end, one of our group members suggested that we run to and fro along the Singapore river, then stop for breakfast. The rest quickly sounded their acquiescence.

I was initially reluctant, for we could probably head directly to ECP and back. But seeing how we do not know the way there, and hearing our group discussing out loud their thoughts of grabbing a big breakfast from McD's, I was quickly swayed as well. Call it peer pressure if you like^^

So from Boat Quay, past Clarke Quay, and to Robinson Quay and finally back to Boat Quay. In total I estimated we did around 6k perhaps.

In truth, it was a rather relaxing run. The buildings on either side of the river shielded us from the morning sun. Human traffic was at a minimum since it was still so early. There was also a nice little breeze emulating from the sea. At the end of it all, accessibility was also very convenient, with MRT stations in close proximity (City Hall, Clarke Quay, Raffles Place etc).

Definitely we will try this route again, but next time we will bring a map of all roads in the area, and try again for ECP and back!

Total Action for the Week (22nd - 28th Nov)

2009-11-30T13:30:00.001+08:00

Sun - Rest
Mon - 10k recovery run
Tue - Gym
Wed - Rest
Thu - Rest
Fri - 6k run
Sat - Rest

Under the Stars

2009-11-25T14:21:00.002+08:00

The other day I did a 10k run after work. Very very slow pace, I think maybe 5:40-45, as my left leg still kind of hurts.

So it was pretty dark at the end of the run. Did I already mentioned how much I hate to run in the dark due to my short-sightedness? Maybe I should invest in one of those sweat-absorbing headband so I can wear my spectacles.

Anyway, this weekend I am going to attempt a 30k run (or minimum of 21k) with a bunch of other guys.

Feeling motivated again! Lets hope my legs feel the same way^^

Total Action for the Week (15th - 21st Nov)

2009-11-24T09:48:00.001+08:00

Sun - Rest
Mon - Rest
Tue - Rest
Wed - 2k recovery run + gym
Thu - Rest
Fri - Rest
Sat - Swim

Horn the Bugger!

2009-11-20T10:56:00.004+08:00

Now that I am driving regularly to work, it is becoming somewhat difficult in acquiring new material for blogging.

During my public transport era, there are so many fun ways to directly confront and annoy inconsiderate commuters, since it all takes place within the same vehicle.

In the new age, there is not much I can do towards ugly drivers. At my disposal, there is the horn which I use with extreme relish, and the flashing of headlamps which I think is much less effective than the former in conveying a "WTF!" message.

So essentially, I am limited only to a single action of horning other cars, which effects to very boring posts. Imagine the following..
_______________________________________________

MONDAY, NOVEMBER XX, 2009

A car suddenly cut into my lane without signalling!

Bastard! So I horned the bugger!

ANOTHER RUN BY MAOSHI
_______________________________________________

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER XX, 2009

A lorry was eating into my lane, but he is obviously not changing lane at all. Bloody driver must be drunk or something!

So I horned the bugger!

ANOTHER RUN BY MAOSHI
_______________________________________________

So you see, there is not much I can do onto others, except to press the horn which is the proper thing to do anyway in those circumstances (as a warning device).

There was something else interesting which I witnessed today. I was driving in the rightmost lane behind two vehicles, a sport-car and a minivan. The sport-car itself was tailgating behind the slower minivan, as if to force the latter to speed up or switch to another lane.

In reaction, the minivan driver started to tap his brakes intermittently. I could see the red brake lights at the back repeatedly lighting on and off like morse code. The road in front of the minivan is completely clear, so there is no reason for the bugger to touch his brakes, not that he was going fast in the first place. So obviously he was taunting the sport-car tailgating him.

In any case, I do not advocate such actions when driving. It is both dangerous and a waste of petrol due to the unnecessary braking. I may be a confrontational person, but I am not stupid as well.

I do not know what happened next, as I switched over to the left lane and overtook both vehicles. Stupid buggers do make my day.

Total Action for the Week (8th - 14th Nov)

2009-11-20T10:15:00.000+08:00

Sun - New Balance 15k Real Run
Mon - Pain
Tue - Rest
Wed - Rest
Thu - 3k recovery run + gym
Fri - Rest
Sat - Rest

New Balance 15k Real Run

2009-11-12T16:53:00.002+08:00

Last Sunday morning I went for the New Balance 15k Real Run. I was fairly determined to finish it in spite of my recovering left leg.

First of all, I'd like to say I hate early mornings. I do not like waking up early, especially when it's before 6 am. I suppose this may be the deciding factor in deciding how many runs I would take part in for next year.

I took a cab instead of driving. One reason being I am not familiar with the route to the place, which is Changi Exhibition Centre. Parking would probably be an issue as well.

Overall the run was actually quite easy. Most of the running route goes along this stretch of road beside the Changi Airport runway, so there are almost no slopes at all.

There was a short stretch that goes along Changi beach, so we had to run on the sand. It was quite a refreshing feeling despite the sun, since we have the soothing view of lapping waves alongside us while we ran.

My only complaint about the run is that the location is soooo far from everything else. Going back is a chore, we had to queue for a while for the shuttle-bus that goes to Pasir Ris MRT. I took a cab back as well, since my legs were already gone case.

Due to my injury, I finished the run with a less than optimal timing, around 2 hours. Well at least I can complete it, and walking only at the water points. The next day my leg was in a dreadful mess lol.

Next stop, Standard Chartered Full Marathon! My leg is maybe 80-90% recovered, so I should be on the way back to combat fit levels ^^

Total Action for the Week (1st - 7th Nov)

2009-11-09T14:05:00.001+08:00

Sun - Rest
Mon - Rest
Tue - Rest
Wed - Rest
Thu - Rest
Fri - Rest
Sat - Swim a little

5C's Test for a Successful Man

2009-11-05T15:42:00.003+08:00

What defines a successful man? How do you know when you have finally 'made it'?

For me, I like to use the 5C's Test. After all, what better way to judge the level of success in Singapore than this well-known and ageless test?

A maximum of 10 points is awarded for each of the C's, for a grand total maximum of 50 points. Hence we shall see what is my level of success at this point of my life.

5C's Test

1) Career

The first and most important C of the five. For the test, I have replaced Country Club with Career instead, since I do not and will never play golf at all. In any case, this is the one C that contributes significantly to the other four C's.

For my case, being an almost fresh graduate and all, I am still somewhere in the bottom hierarchy of the corporate ladder. But I am anything but bogged down deep and unmoving. Just like for our Standing Board Jump fitness test, aim far and you will land far. Thus I am optimistic but for now I can only get 4 points.

Score for Career: 4/10

2) Cash

This C is linked directly to the first C. Obviously a successful career equates to more spending power and thus a higher score for this C.

Certainly I have enough for both me and my family not to starve so I guess its a borderline case.

Score for Cash: 4/10

3) Credit Cards

Almost everyone have these nowadays, so its not a really big deal. This C goes hand in hand with Cash, as without cash to pay off the credit card bills, you will just end up with lots of D's. Debts.

Score for Credit Cards: 8/10

4) Car

To achieve points for this C, the cost of the car will have to be fully or partially borne by the person. Cars bought as gifts by parents (or whoever else) do not count. That will be more for a How Lucky Are You Test.

Anyway for my case, definitely passed. I got the car entirely on my own savings and salary. If not, I suppose that my Cash score will be much higher.

Score for Car: 10/10

5) Condominium

Basically any kind of private property will do. However as with cars, said property has to be bought entirely/partially by the person to be tested. Property that were essentially passed down for free from the parents do not count.

I do not yet own any private property. However I believe it is only a matter of time^^. But for now..

Score for Condominium: 0/10

V
V

Grand Total: 26/50 or 52% passed

Discussion: It is not a very high score I have to abmit. But I do suppose it is decent enough for a person with less than 2 years of work experience. This means I still have plenty of time to reach 100%!

I end with a quote from Les Brown - "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you will land amongst the stars." Or also from me - " Aim far and you will land far." Lol..

My New Baby

2009-11-02T15:11:00.002+08:00

My brand new baby.. My very own Nissan Latio DS-R.. Ah it brings tears to my eyes just to gaze upon the glossy sapphire black bonnet, the polished but fierce-looking grilles, and the suave overall style.

At last I am free from the tyranny of SMRT, SBS or TIBS. I determine my own schedules and routes. I can go wherever and whenever I want. If I do get stuck in a jam, then at least I know the fault lies with me, and I can actually DO something about it, like avoiding that particular stretch of road during peak hours.

Now I have my own air-conditioned personal space no matter where I go. No more jostling and exchanging sweat droplets with smelly louts. No more salted fish smell being forced up your nose with nowhere to escape just because the train/bus is packed. Ewww..

Sure there is a price to pay. A very exorbitant price. My bank account is screaming for mercy already, although I still have enough not to worry about unemployment for a while. Well actually I do not have to worry about unemployment in the first place, since my job is uber stable so long as I do not screw up^^.

In any case, money can always be earned back again, and I am not entirely lowly-paid (for an almost-fresh graduate anyway). Soon I will also have to start playing a little with investing (recommended amount is 10% of salary they say). Owning a car or even a house in Singapore is not a trifle affair when it comes to finances. As such I suppose it will be a good idea to invest an expendable portion of my salary to make sure I have enough to spend in the future (or to buy a supercar heh).

Something trivial to ponder about.. Am I still lower middle class or with my own car I have upgraded to upper middle class? Or do I have to own a private property as well? Hmmm..ok next target - a condo!

Total Action for the Week (25th - 31st Oct)

2009-11-02T15:09:00.000+08:00

Sun - Rest
Mon - Rest
Tue - 1k run/limp + gym
Wed - Rest
Thu - 2k run/limp + gym
Fri - Rest
Sat - Rest

Global Warmer

2009-10-30T11:16:00.002+08:00

Today is quite possibly the last day that I'll be taking public transport to/from work. Huat ah!

From next week onwards, I will be doing my part as a dutiful citizen for global warming. When acid rain starts falling in dangerous concentrations 20 years from now, I can feel good knowing that I was one of many drivers who have selflessly contributed to its success.

Furthermore, I can bring my own twisted version of justice from the train tracks onto roads and terrorize inconsiderate drivers. I will have to be more cautious of course, considering both the obvious danger and possible damage to my own very precious Latio DS-R.

On a different note, I managed to hit 2k for my recovery run. I probably could have gone further, but I was testing the system by trying different ways to increase my speed. Therefore by the 1k mark, I was limping again, although this time I was able to run, or rather limp through the pain for a while.

I will rest for the weekend. Next Sunday I have the 15k Real Run. If all goes well, meaning no more pain, I should be able to complete it easily since 15k is not a very long distance. Stay tune!

Shiny Shin

2009-10-26T09:50:00.001+08:00

Update on shin splint condition: I tried to run on the track, but could not last more than 500m before the pain became overwhelming.

While it is already an improvement (before this I cannot even do one step), the recovery rate is still too slow! It is just so agonizing.

So yesterday I did some resistance cycling instead, plus lots of fast walking on the treadmill, and weights as usual. I can feel the pounds returning back to me again.. Argh....... Will try to run again tomorrow.

At least I am getting a brand new car by this weekend, just the thought of it brings a smile without fail ^^^^^^^^

Total Action for the Week (18th - 24th Oct)

2009-10-26T09:48:00.000+08:00

Sun - Rest
Mon - Rest
Tue - Rest
Wed - Rest
Thu - 0.5k run + 10k resistance cycling + 4k fast walking + gym
Fri - Rest
Sat - Rest

Car Car Car

2009-10-23T13:58:00.002+08:00

I want my car now I want my car now I want my car now.

Shopping for a COE

2009-10-22T14:19:00.002+08:00

Henceforth I will cease all complaints on issues pertaining to public transport. Instead I will direct my personal department of ranting to a different kind of crowd. Inconsiderate Drivers to be specific (as opposed to Commuters before).

For I have gotten my COE! On the very first bid no less. For the less informed, buyers of new cars are typically entitled to 6 bids for a COE. If the car dealer fails to get a COE for you even after 6 bids (very rare), the deal may be off and you get your deposit back.

Buyers also have the option of topping up with a few thousand bucks to get a '2 bids guaranteed COE'. So these buyers will get a COE by the 2nd bid regardless of its price.

I, on the other hand, went for the default route, which is the 6 bids 'non-guaranteed' way. The COE for my first bidding exercise went up to almost 19k, which is the highest in many years! So you can say I am extremely lucky to get it at all (and I am paying less for it too - meaning the car dealer absorbs the offset).

This coming weekend, I will settle everything (insurance, loan etc). Then it is a matter of waiting 1-2 weeks for my new wife to come! So exciting^^^^^^^^

On a side note, I am going to try running later today. I hope to manage maybe 3k or so, at a very slow pace since it is a recovery run. My leg still hurts, but its almost tolerable now. My friends are discouraging me from starting to run before full recovery, but I am soooo needing to run off my excitement. Sigh..

Total Action for the Week (11th - 17th Oct)

2009-10-22T14:16:00.000+08:00

Sun - Rest
Mon - Danced abit..
Tue - Rest
Wed - Rest
Thu - Rest
Fri - Rest
Sat - Rest

Nissan Latio DS-R

2009-10-16T09:40:00.002+08:00

Will be driving this girl very soon!

Poem - "Ah Long the Hungry Arowana"

2009-10-14T12:56:00.001+08:00

Ah Long Ah Long ah,
Ever the hungry arowana!

Met two drunk goldfish at the pub
Said hi and then gobbled them up
Make all run from you in fright!
Oh when will you ever be satisfied?

Ah Long Ah Long ah,
Ever the hungry arowana!

Met a hot catfish at Pearl Harbor
You could’ve been a cute couple
Had you not eaten her up stir-fried!
Oh when will you ever be satisfied?

X-Ray Exclamation

2009-10-13T11:12:00.000+08:00

I did a X-Ray scan of my left lower leg over the weekend. The scans showed no obvious fracture, but the pain is like a persistent leech. Always there, silently sucking at my constitution.

2 weeks and I still cannot run. Last night I went to this Lindy Hop social dance at the Flyer, and I can feel that my limbs are still very rigid. After the event, even though I did not move alot, my lower leg was
like on fire.

This is bad. I have the Real Run on the 8th next month. Its only 15k so I'm not too worried since I should be able to handle it even with little training. But a month after that I'll be doing the full 42k run.

I have a feeling I'm be walking alot for the latter run. Oh well there's always Sundown run next year.

On a good note, I am getting a car soon!

This morning I was in the train and there was this super uber bloody hell stinking fellow beside me. I had to hold my breath everytime the movement of the wind blows his rancid odour towards me. I cannot wait to be driving in my own personal space. Freedom!

Total Action for the Week (4th - 10th Oct)

2009-10-13T11:11:00.000+08:00

Sun - Pain
Mon - Pain
Tue - Pain
Wed - Pain
Thu - Pain
Fri - Pain
Sat - X-ray

Dreams

2009-10-08T12:46:00.004+08:00

Subconsciously I must really miss running alot. For the night before I had a dream about running in a competitive race.

I recalled clearly that I was in an open area near some HDB flats. There was a small crowd scattered around me. And then the race started and I was off.

Amazingly, there was no pain in my legs (since I am in a dream after all). I was surprised and overjoyed at the same time. It was an euphoric feeling I remembered. I was free again, flying like the wind!

So I ran and ran. Strangely the route cut through many HDB void decks. As such there was plenty of pillars to avoid and run around. The other runners were just all over the place.

Then there was some big lady blocking a narrow corridor between two big pillars. Without breaking a stride, I shoved her aside and continued onwards in my momentum. I would never do this in real life of course, and certainly not that effortlessly.

I woke up not long after. Running must really be imbued deeply into my mind, for me to dream of it. In fact this is not the first time I dreamt of running. On a side note, I am limping less already. Can't wait to get back outdoors and fly again..

Just to add, I had another strange dream last night. I was at an aunt's house, and my cousins were hanging there. Then I saw my chincilla persian cat there as well!

My cat then passed me some stuff (cannot remember what was it) and he asked me to do a dance! Bloody weird..

So I'm like, no way man, and turned around. And there she was, facing right at me. I was still holding onto that thing my cat gave me, and I cannot remembered if I handed it over to her or if she took it from it.

Then my dream focused onto her eyes like in the movies, and I could see tears forming. What happened after that I shall not reveal (until I am drunk).

But nonetheless dreams like these do make me wonder and raises many questions. Like, is there a message? If so, who or what sent these signs? Why am I always so violent in my dreams? Why don't I ever dream of Fiona Xie?

As for my answers, I suppose I can only wait till tonight. Or tomorrow night. Or the night after. Eventuality.

Total Action for the Week (27th Sept - 3rd Oct)

2009-10-08T12:44:00.000+08:00

Sun - 19k LSD Run
Mon - NA
Tue - NA
Wed - Gym
Thu - NA
Fri - NA
Sat - NA

Shin Splint Recovery Update

2009-10-06T15:10:00.002+08:00

This is a friendly reminder to myself. I am suspecting my little 5k on the treadmill is the main cause of my extreme shin splint in my left leg. Why so?

Well I finished the run in roughly 25 minutes, as such I was literally slamming down on the tread to keep up the speed. To be specific, I was slamming my left foot alot more than my right. I think this means I propel myself from the ground with my right leg, and then land (hard) with my left.

So much for treadmills being an "safer" less-impacting option for running.

Anyway as a recovery update, I am able to descend stairs without too much pain now, so hopefully I am on the way back to my running. Shall attempt to do another 19-20k on this weekend.

Revenge of the Splint

2009-10-02T11:04:00.001+08:00

I have been limping around for the past couple of days. It seems like the shin splint on my left leg was worsened by our team-building event on Wednesday. We were competing in Captain's ball and I was jumping plus running around quite a bit.

My team did trashed the opponent team, but I was left with a very painful left shin as soon as the adrenaline wore off. So as now, I have had 2 days of rest, although by rest I mean no running. I still went to the gym, and worked out my lower legs.

But I would assume that so long as I avoid high-impact activities on my legs, it should be fine right? Thankfully I could already feel the ever so slight lessening in the pain, so I'm hoping it is not stress fracture of the bone. Yet I am still limping in pain, and walking (yes, just walking! Sad..) for longer than a few hundred metres really drains my endurance.

I will of course continue to either head to the gym or go long distance cycling for these few days. I cannot afford to slack, not when the marathon is already so close. Most of all, I cannot afford to back down.

See you at the finishing line.

Fire in the Hole!

2009-09-29T17:17:00.003+08:00

Have you ever board a bus or train, settle down comfortably somewhere, and then you catch a strong whiff of (insert animal) dung emanating from some unknown location?

So it happened to me on one such bus ride. At that point, the bus was slightly packed with commuters (most seats taken, nobody standing). As such, this trip should be a fairly relaxed and comfortable ride non?

Except for that strong permeating smell that can only originated from crap. Which in turn refers to the kind that comes out of a back-end. Obviously some poor chap had unwittingly stepped on some (insert animal) crap and was now spreading the joy to the rest of us in the vicinity.

The question on the mind of everybody in the area must be, is it my shoes? Even I wondered if it might be my shoes. Yet it might not be wise to actually look down and check your shoes, as this may give the misconception of being the guilty party.

And thus nobody try to check the bottom of their shoes. I glanced at the lady sitting beside me. She looked back knowingly. Is it her? No doubt she was thinking the same thing about me. To avert that notion from either of our minds, we both looked away at the same time.

All around, I am sure everyone was observing at everyone else. Who could it be? Who will be the first one to panic and check his/her shoes, thus inviting the accusing gaze of everybody? Yet nobody did, and I finally arrived at my stop.

After I alighted, the first thing I did was to check my shoes (after the bus drove away of course). They were clean of any offending material. The mystery therefore continues, at least to those remaining poor chaps still being tormented in the bus.

Total Action for the Week (20 - 26th Sept)

2009-09-29T17:17:00.001+08:00

Sun - NA
Mon - NA
Tue - Gym
Wed - Cycling
Thu - NA
Fri - Cycling
Sat - NA

Shin Splints

2009-09-24T15:12:00.000+08:00

I have discovered the source of my recurring lower leg pains. It's a condition that is known as Shin Splints! According to this website (http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/0161-shin-splints-treatment.htm), it is apparently one of the more common problems that may plague a long distance runner.

As such, I will take the next 1-2 weeks to focus on building my lower leg muscles as recommended by the same website. My only concern would be the significant reduction in mileage for this period, even if I am still exercising in the form of no-impact activities eg cycling.

Perhaps I should venture into long distance cycling instead? On second thought, my butt probably won't be able to handle the torture.

Total Action for the Week (13 - 19th Sept)

2009-09-24T14:57:00.001+08:00

Sun - Mizuno Wave Run 16+2=18k!!
Mon - Pain
Tue - Pain
Wed - 5k (5.25 pace) + gym
Thu - Sore
Fri - Sore
Sat - Sore

Washington Conference in Jan 2010

2009-09-24T11:17:00.002+08:00

My paper has been accepted by the Joint MMM/InterMAG conference! This is both good and bad. The good part is that I may be going for a free trip to Washington DC where the conference is held.

The bad part is that I have suddenly become very busy, due to the preparations that must be made.

Sigh.

More Stupid Commuters

2009-09-17T16:36:00.003+08:00

Just how stupid can people get?

So the other day I was taking the train to work. Once I entered the train, I took my usual spot at the joint between 2 carriages where I can read my book in peace. And there in front of me was a young couple sitting on the floor. From their conversations, they are most likely to be local university students.

The couple had some bulky bags strewn around them, so I supposed it makes sense for them to sit down even if more space is thus taken up. At the moment, the train is still not packed with commuters. But already more and more people are crowding in as the train moves on.

As such, you would think that eventually the sitting couple will stand up so as to give more space to other commuters right? Well if they had done the considerate thing, I wouldn't be writing this post, would I?

By now people are already massing around me. Yet the sitting couple remains.. well, sitting. And thus they take up space that can be allocated for at least 4-5 standing (and reasonably slim) commuters.

So what would a typical Singaporean bystander do in this case? Most probably the average Ah Seng/Ah Hua will simply be pacifist and ignore the offending couple (while trying not to stare at them as well). Meanwhile other innocent commuters outside the train will be left stranded and cursing.

I, on the other hand, am always itching for confrontations. Nothing is more satisfying and fulfilling to my day than providing an educational lesson in life to deserving idiots, free-of-charge.

Sure my lessons can be painful (mentally or physically or both) to the recipients. But then sometimes not-so-smart people need to experience a bit of pain to better remember their lesson non? As the saying goes, "The burned hand teaches best."

So anyway, I walked over to directly in front of the couple. I then placed my right hand on the wall above their heads for balance, while my sling bag was slung over my right shoulder. As such, my bag will be hovering right in front of their faces, and always threatening to whack their face due to the swaying of the train.

All the while I pretended not to have noticed their obvious discomfort. A few times the guy looked up to stare at me, so I stared back as a basic courtesy until he looked back down.

Once my sling bag came very close to the girl's face, so the guy tried to touch my bag. Instinctively, I jerked back back my bag from his reaching hand and stared at him menacingly (it helps if you're unshaven for that day).

The guy softly muttered an apology and then said something to his girl. At which they both prepared to stand up. Naturally I gave way for them to do the right thing. Satisfied with their reformed conduct, I graciously left them alone for the remaining duration of the ride.

Another lesson well taught to the bottom bell curve of societal stupidity! This just shows that even for highly-educated people, there is no easy path to learning lessons in life. I am sure those two young adults are glad to have met me and thus gained a priceless experience.

Mizuno Wave Run 09

2009-09-15T10:43:00.004+08:00

Last Sunday I bravely went for the Mizuno Wave Run 09, which starts from the stadium in NYP. This being a Mizuno run, we can all naturally expect plenty of screw-ups to whack us real good.

Right from the onset, there was already trouble brewing. The announcer was screaming in his mike for everyone to get ready for start off in 5 minutes time. But there was still an extremely long queue at the baggage deposit point.

To be fair, many of these people should have anticipated the queue and try to come earlier. I, on the other hand, did the much easier thing and just brought along the essentials in a waist-pouch which was with me throughout the whole event.

2 minutes! 1 minute! The guy was screaming for everyone to get behind the start-line. A lot of people are going to start off late. For them, there will be serious repercussions later on in the run.

So the race started off and we ran and ran. When I reached the 2nd water point, there were no paper cups left. So the helpers simply passed the 1.5l 100plus bottles directly to the runners. I opted for a smaller (300ml?) Newater bottle to carry along.

Moving away from the water point, I noticed quite a large number of still-almost-full 1.5l 100plus bottles discarded along the path. There were plenty of half-filled Newater bottles on the ground as well.

What a waste! So later it turns out that both the slower and late runners will have to suffer for this lack of logistic management. For they will not get any water or 100plus at all at many of the water points!

When we reached Upper Thomson Road, we were directed up this side path (which I later found out to be Old Upper Thomson Road). Right away, something felt wrong. From my memory of the race route, we are supposed to run straight up north along Upper Thomson Road before turning back.

Instead, we were led along this very winding road up a small forested hill. Oh well, perhaps the organizers changed the route at the very last minute due to the traffic or whatever other reasons?

And so we ran and ran again for what seems to be a really long while. Shouldn't we have already reached the next water point by now? Finally we burst out onto the main road and U-turned back. Still no water point in view!

What awaits us instead was a strange sight. I saw the slower runners actually coming towards us from the opposite direction. Not on the side path, but on the main road! Okaaay something is really out of place here.

When I finally finished the run (barely) and got back home (painfully), I checked the online forums. It turns out that the lead group of runners were actually directed up the wrong route, which is that winding side path! This essentially added another 2k to the normal 16k (total 18k).

No wonder it was so painful! This is my longest distance so far, and I had skipped at least 1 of the water points due to the wrong route. I wonder how I can train on my own without bringing along any hydration fluids. Perhaps it's time I invest in a fuel belt? Or bring lots of small change to buy isotonic drinks from petrol stations!

PS: Throughout the run, I was constantly looking out for a bright blue cap among the other runners. My hope was dashed though ^^.

Total Action for the Week (6th - 12th Sept)

2009-09-15T10:42:00.000+08:00

Sun - NA
Mon - NA
Tue - NA
Wed - 6k run
Thu - NA
Fri - NA
Sat - NA

Another slack week.. Resting for Mizuno Wave Run ^^..

Poem - "Limit"

2009-09-11T15:13:00.001+08:00

I am a Runner
My throat thirsts
My lungs scream
My legs burn
My feet bleeds
Live and Die

Feels darn good
Just so high
Just keep going
Just a bit more
Just drop dead
Through Hell and back
Because I am
A Runner

Zero Mileage

2009-09-10T15:32:00.004+08:00

The past week has been rather stagnant in terms of mileage. I went through 6 days of courses! No time to run at all. Luckily the Wave run for this coming Sunday is only 16k, so should be able to complete easily.

On another note, I have also registered for the New Balance Real Run 09. It is comprised of around 10k+ on a runway (Changi), about 4k on trail (whatever that refers to), and 0.6k on sand. Total is 15k. There's also a 10k version as well.

This is my first such run. It would be very interesting to be running on sand, even if for a relatively short distance. I've heard that the sand can get into your shoes and essentially create mayhem for your feet. Perhaps I might need to remove my shoes just before the sand part and run barefooted?

On the plus side, the race pack seems pretty good! 36 bucks for a sling bag and of course a running tee as well. Call me shallow or whatever, but I'm always such a sucker for nice race packs or goodie bags.

In any case the race takes place somewhere in November, so we'll just have to see how things turn out then.

Total Action for the Week (30th Aug - 5th Sept)

2009-09-10T15:29:00.001+08:00

Sun - NA
Mon - NA
Tue - 10k run
Wed - NA
Thu - NA
Fri - NA
Sat - NA

Total Action for the Week (23-29th Aug)

2009-08-31T15:36:00.002+08:00

Sun - NA
Mon - 5k run + gym
Tue - NA
Wed - NA
Thu - NA
Fri - NA
Sat - 2k swim

This week is birthday week! Almost everyday had a makan celebration. Gained back a bit of weight most probably, but its only once a year right? Of course not counting the gatherings from Christmas, Chinese New Year etc etc..

Worst. Commuter. Ever.

2009-08-27T16:52:00.002+08:00

Sometimes do you ever have the feeling that when taking the MRT, the last trains for the day always seem to have plenty of weirdos and jokers?

Me and a friend had just finished a late movie, and we managed to catch the last train out of Boon Lay station. Plenty of seats for everyone, just take your time, find a seat, make yourselves comfortable and wait for the doors to close.

And so the doors started to close. Then they opened again. I looked at my friend and slightly raised an eyebrow. Oh well there's nothing to worry about, happens all the time anyway...erm right?

The doors closed again. Or at least they tried to. The doors opened again, closed, and opened again.

Okaaaay something is out of place here. We stared around and behold, half a carriage away was a suspicious-looking auntie standing behind one of the train doors. As the doors started to close again, the auntie whipped out her gigantic handbag with surprising dexterity and blocked the doors just before they close. This effectively prevents the doors from closing completely and forces them to automatically open again.

We stared at the scene with disbelief and open jaws. Good Lord, what the hell was the lady thinking? This is the last train for goodness sake, a hundred other commuters are tired and just want to get home quick. And here the auntie was disrupting the train for a good many minutes.

The doors started to close again. Everyone in the train held their breath in suspense. Without battling an eyelid, the auntie swinged out her boulder of a bag and wham! The doors clamped down on the bag for a second and then opened again.

During this time, everyone else was just staring nonchalantly. What was going through the minds of those commuters nearest to that uncivilized peasant? Are they not tired? Do they not want to get home quick? Well I was tired and I DO want to get home asap. Bloody hell, I could already feel the anger coursing through my veins. My state of mind was subconsciously psyching myself for a big confrontation.

The auntie remorselessly blocked the train doors yet one more time. At this moment, I stood up abruptly, said loudly 'what the f*** is this person doing!', and walked purposefully over to the barbarian. My friend, ever the pacifist, followed suit but did not utter a word. A fellow commuter, a Chinese comrade with a big 'Ah Tiong' bag, got up and followed me as well. Good, I have some backup at least.

Now I have a closer view of the auntie. Her black polo tee indicated her to be a staff of Popular Bookstore, probably just knocked off from the evening shift. The auntie was also yapping away at her handphone. From what I could hear, she was telling in Singlish to some friend of hers to hurry up for the last train.

My god, the entire train is being delayed because of one person? This is unbelievable. I placed myself near the auntie and stared at her. My friend stood behind me, while the Chinese comrade came to my side and stared at her as well.

The beeping melody that signals the closing of the doors sounded again. The auntie looked up at us. We looked back at her. Our little vigilante group did not say a word, but our unrelenting stares dared her to try her stunt again, this time right in front of us. A crystal clear message in spite of the lack of spoken words I'll say.

To her benefit, the auntie is not THAT dumb and she understood the situation right away. As the doors closed, she wisely hold back her bag and suggested to the friend on the other line to take a cab instead. Under our unforgiving glares, she walked towards where another colleague of hers was seating and sat down.

Mission accomplished, the three of us heroic trio went back to our seats, all the while shaking our heads. Sad to say I was cursing and swearing to my friend like nobody's business throughout the rest of the journey. All in a day's work I suppose (^^).

9 Psychological Benefits Of Running

2009-08-25T12:21:00.002+08:00

Positive State of Mind.
One survey found that 72% of those who exercised sufficiently to maintain a moderate level of fitness – equivalent to running 10km per week – claimed they were very happy. In groups who answered that they were either pretty happy or not so happy, only slightly more than one third were physically fit.
Reduced Tension and Anxiety.
Anxiety levels were reduced after vigorous exercise and chronic exercise also decreases anxiety levels and trained people have lower levels of anxiety than non-exercisers. One study suggests that regular training reduces the activity of the serotonin receptors in the brain. Reduced sensitivity of these receptors to stimulation might explain the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of exercise.
Decreased Depression.
Jogging has proved an effective adjunct in the treatment of depression and may be at least as effective as, and is certainly cheaper than, conventional drug therapy in mild cases. Cross sectional studies show that depressive symptoms decrease with increased levels of exercise.
Increased Quality of Life.
University students who participated in a 15 week jogging programme showed a significant increase in their reported quality of life, whereas a control group showed no such change. Long distance runners also scored higher on this scale than did college students and non runners.
Positive Personality Traits.
There have been a number of studies of the effects of exercise training on personality. Canadian researcher McPherson and his colleagues reported that healthy adults who have exercised regularly for four or more years exhibited greater energy, patience, humour, ambition, and optimism and were more amiable, graceful, good tempered, elated and easy going than were a group of people just commencing an exercise programme.
Stress Resistance.
Exercise greatly increases the ability to cope with the minor irritations and stresses experienced every day, especially at work. It has been found that people who exercise regularly are more resistant to the detrimental physiological and psychological effects of stressful events. This could be because that exercise alters the concentrations of certain chemical transmitters in the brain, including endorphins, and that these then dampen our responses to stress.
Fewer Minor Medical Complaints.
It has been shown that physically fit people complain less of minor medical conditions such as colds, allergies, fatigue, backache, and digestive disorders than do less fit people.
Improved Mental Functioning.
Studies suggest that exercise training increases mental functioning, as shown by increased scores after exercise in a variety of tests of mathematical and other reasoning abilities. Thus giving credence to the very old adage: A healthy body is a healthy mind.
More Awareness of Health.
Runners and other endurance athletes are far more conscious of their physical and mental health. This probably comes from the fact that due to the physical demands of running and other endurance activities they learn to listen to their bodies. They can only perform well and enjoy their exercise if they take good care of themselves. The result is that endurance athletes become health conscious and follow good health practices.

From: World Wide Web

Total Action for the Week (16-22nd Aug)

2009-08-25T12:18:00.001+08:00

Sun - NA
Mon - 5k run + gym
Tue - NA
Wed - Tennis + gym
Thu - 14k (tripped and fell!)
Fri - NA
Sat - NA

This week like not a lot.. Due to Friday commitment. Well I suppose it's a good time for resting my legs too. Lower legs are getting better.

Another Painful Lesson

2009-08-21T13:26:00.002+08:00

Last night, I had a very painful taste of why running at night is such a dangerous affair.

I was going for 14k, so it was getting dark by the time I'm heading back. Towards the 9k mark, I was already feeling darn good and going fast at a steady pace. I can already see myself dunking down an ice-cold isotonic drink. Ahh..

Then without warning, my left foot met resistance and I found myself flying forward about one and a half metre. My resulting landing was not exactly world class, so I found myself flat down on the tar road (I flew off the pavement).

Realizing that I was lying on a road, I quickly picked myself up and hobbled back to the pavement. Thankfully nothing seems to be broken, although I can already start to feel the pain from the multiple abrasions on my limbs.

Looking back, I saw what my left foot had fatefully kissed. A broken part of a kerb is extended partially onto the pavement. In the dark, it can be overlooked quite easily. I swore at the abominated piece of concrete and walked over to a nearby petrol station where I washed and examined my abrasions in the toilet.

A closer examination reveals that it's not so bad as it felt. I had serious abrasions on my left knee and elbow (which bore the blunt of the landing impact). My right palm had some skin that was torn off.

Luckily I am still drunk in my runner's high, so the pain was somewhat numbed. So I flexed my limbs, hopped around a bit to see if I could still continue the run back. After all, its only around 5k or so left. Shouldn't be too hard eh?

Satisfied with my condition, I started to make my way back. After a short while, I fully regained my runner's high and the pain was completely numbed, even if I could still feel the trickling down of blood down my left leg and hands (^^). Must have be quite a sight to any anyone who met me at my end point wahaha!

All in all, there is no permanent damage done. But perhaps I really should change my longer runs to fridays when I knocked off earlier? Or change to weekend mornings. I suppose I'll plan something out eventually. For now, a full weekend of rest for me!

Poem - "Running to Heaven"

2009-08-20T17:20:00.002+08:00

I wonder at the forlorn sky
What lies beyond the gloom
No need no more to ask why
Running to Heaven
I am

Soon the end may well be nigh
What awaits is impending doom
Yet like the wind I will fly
Running to Heaven
I am

A Painful Lesson

2009-08-17T23:10:00.000+08:00

The last couple of runs had been a rather painful experience. In the lower legs to be exact. I reckon that I may have been pushing myself a little too hard of late? After all, my normal running distance did jumped from 5k to 10+k right away.

As such, I will try to cut down on the running for a while and see how it goes. As my fridays will be occupied for 2 weeks every month, on those weeks I can perhaps have one LD solo run. On other weeks, two LD runs: one solo, and the other with my running kaki.

I wonder if this will be sufficient training for the 42k run in early December. I am seriously hoping to hit 20k by mid/end September, 30k by October, and finally I should be doing a 42k run at least twice before the actual race.

Oh well, one good thing about running is that there's not so much need to think too far ahead, just whack and whack (in moderation of course) until you become stronger, or just collapse and die as a weakling.

Back to the topic, standard fare for workout will be gym twice a week, and tennis once a week.

Tennis is quite a nice game actually, even if stray tennis balls do seem to have a life of their own, and are always desperately trying their damnest to bounce and roll as far as possible from you. As opposed to badminton, where the shuttlecocks are relatively tame unless they are flying towards your face at 100mph.

As a minor prelude to the 42k run, me and a colleague have signed up for the Mizuno 16k Wave Run (http://mizunowaverun.com). The registration fee of $45 does seemed to be a little steep for such a short run, but we do get a free $60 Mizuno backpack as part of the race pack! Either way, this run will be a reasonable short-termed objective to spur us on.

Total Action for the Week (09-15th Aug)

2009-08-17T22:15:00.001+08:00

Sun - NA
Mon - NA (due to rain (-_-)..)
Tue - 14km run (meant to do 10, but got lost again..)
Wed - NA
Thu - NA
Fri - 10km run
Sat - 1.5km swim

Alone in the Dark

2009-08-13T11:00:00.002+08:00

Running at night on your own in forested areas is actually quite unnerving. My solo long distance run on Monday or Tuesday is done after work, so I start at around 6.30pm. My route takes me from NUS through a series of heavily forested parks and back. The problem is that it can get quite dark on the way back, due in part to the extensive foliage cover.

Of course, the fact that I run without my spectacles also adds to the atmosphere. While my degree of short-sightedness is not that deep, the darkness practically turns me into a blind bat. A very vulnerable blind bat I'll say.

On one such run in the dark, I had a brief apprehension when I saw what seems to be the lower half of a body in white floating towards my direction! As I get closer, much closer, I realized that it was actually a Bangladeshi wearing a black shirt and white bermudas (o_O).

So anyway I may either reduce the distance of my solo runs, or perhaps change to Sunday mornings. I will try to work out a new schedule in time. Talking about schedules, I have added my total workout on the left column! It'll easier for me to update and to keep track.

As a side note, there'll be a Nike 10k Human Race on the 24th Oct 09. However, it seems like there may be no actual run at all! Apparently it'll be something like a virtual race, where anyone in the world can run 10k anywhere and anytime on that day. Those with iPods can download some software from the Nike web-page that tracks their run.

I'm hoping that there will be an official Nike run in Singapore anyway. Even though I'll then have to pay a fee, at least I'll walk (or run) away with a nice Nike shirt for a souvenir eh? Something like a reminder of your achievement.

Poem - "Running to Heaven"

2009-08-07T14:09:00.003+08:00

A Misadventure (Updated)

2009-08-06T11:33:00.003+08:00

I have signed up for the Standard Chartered Full Marathon. 42km!! This is gonna be fun.

Now that I have been going for 10km runs regularly, it has somehow become a kind of addiction for me. I cannot explain why, but as 10km runs get easier and easier, you feel the compulsion to increase the distance more and more. Maybe it is the increasing sense of achievement, or maybe it is the obsession to be better than a certain someone (*You are going for marathon? I will go for BIATHLON!!).

Either way, I am hooked and there are already plans with my running kaki to run together every Friday after work. We will start with 10km first (for the sake of the guys who are not regular LD runners), and hopefully next friday we can go for 12km and so on. Eventually we must be able to continue running for a few hours non-stop.

As an added benefit, people are commenting on me getting trimmer. Which is a good thing, seeing how stagnant I have become over the past few years. Suddenly I have a lot of time for working out as well (^^).

For my personal tracking (and perhaps to motivate any potential runners who may come across this site), I will tally the total distance I have achieved and post it every week or so. Additionally, I will continue to narrate any interesting experiences I may have encountered either in my workouts or daily life.

So anyway, a couple days back, I ran outside NUS for the very first time. Previously for my runs, I will either start from home on the weekends, or go on the track in the NUS stadium. Since we are now going for longer distances, I've planned a nice 10+km route using mapmyrun.com that goes partly along the Southern Ridges (http://www.nparks.gov.sg), and which we will use for Friday.

Because I had already ran 10km two days before, my initial plan was to scout a little and stop somewhere along the 3plus km which lies at the edge of Kent Ridge Park, then head back via another path for a total distance of around 6 km. I thought I have memorised the route, but as all things go, the path layout of the park is super confusing. Therefore if I do get lost (which I did), I will blame the designer of the park.

So I ran and ran, trying to find my way back. Since I was expecting a short run, all I have with me are my locker keys. Finally with much effort, I managed to escape the park, ran along a row of bunglalows for a long while (while evading overzealous dogs), and popped out into a highway (West Coast). I trusted my instincts, picked a direction and continued running.

I passed a bunch of bars, took note of the area (damn I'm incorrigible. Turns out the place is called The Village Centre). Then after a while I was in front of Har Par Villa, and I am like, wtf? Since I know that place is reasonably far from NUS.

Further down from Har Par Villa, I found this NUS freshman who was lost as well. Turns out he's staying in a hostel, and have been exploring the area around NUS before school starts. So the two of us picked a direction and continued going. Along the way we were discussing the prospects of him working in A*STAR, since he likes research a lot (o_O).

Finally my new friend found a road he recognizes, and we thus split paths; he went on back to his hostel while I carried on to the main area of NUS. And completed another 10+km (I mapped out my journey after I reached home).

Total Workout for this week (02-08th Aug):
Sun - 10km run
Mon - 2km swim
Tue - 10km run
Wed - Tennis + Gym
Thu - NA
Fri - 15km !!
Sat - NA

Poem - "The Cat in a Cab"

2009-07-28T17:40:00.006+08:00

And so there once was a cat
Who was really kind of fat
Walking makes him so shack
Thus he has taken to cabs!

And so on a warm sunny day
Our cat got a cab as always
Take me to Sembawang he says
And the driver replied okay!

And so the driver chit-chats
To the white cat in his cab
Ah our cat was tired out flat
Eyes now closed under his hat!

And so he slept the entire way
Woke up & alighted in disarray
Our cat then observed with dismay
To realize he is in Marina Bay!

Mickey the Cat

Poem - "A Sailor's Hope"

2009-07-24T14:13:00.007+08:00

Ahoy and a Yo Ho there!
At the maelstrom I glare!

Through titan waves and typhoon,
I steer this faithful heap of junk!
Up and down the massive dunes,
By the Lord I will not be sunk!

Ahoy and a Yo Ho there!
A light I spied at the end!

How far thereabout I cannot judge,
With my eyes blinded by the gale!
But for hope my heart is begrudged,
So onwards the beacon I shall sail!

Ahoy and a Yo Ho there!
The last laugh I will have!

Angry Sailor

Got Credit Card, Got No Cash

2008-05-27T20:49:00.003+08:00

I've just received my first credit card (OCBC Visa)! But I have no money for using it! (since I am a noob)

Instead, I'll only be using it for paying air tickets and hotel stay for my overseas business trips. For which I have no cash to pay first! And the company can only credit the money back to me only after I have pay first!

Life's great huh?

Turn of Events

2008-05-23T23:47:00.003+08:00

I was supposed to be in Ansan again this week. However, I still do not have either a corporate AMEX nor a personal credit card. And this time round, my team guys are also not that willing to fork out all my expenses again (which WILL run into the thousands).

Therefore, I am still in SG instead of drinking soju (korean rice wine) with the koreans right now. Which may or may not be a good thing, seeing that its the start of the GSS. And its also the start of school holidays, so fortunately I won't be stuck in a plane crammed with kids (hellboys) for 6 hours at a go.

On another note, I've also heard that some of our customers are moving their factories to India.

Which is still not so bad.

Really.

Except that I may probably die from heatstroke. Furthermore, being extremely sensitive to strong perfumes, I also sincerely hope that the women there do not wear such horrendously permeable volatile organic chemicals as with many of their SG counterparts here (I should be typing a Reasons on Why I Hate Taking the MRT list soon).

I wonder if I can find a gas mask in beach road. Worse comes to worst, there's always my trusty handheld battery-powered fan. I hope I won't have to resort to a nuclear-powered one.

First Trip to Ansan and Seoul, South Korea

2008-05-18T23:46:00.013+08:00

Third day of my first job and I'm in Korea! The week before, my supervisor called to ask if I have a coporate credit card. Of course not I replied, its my first job ever. Haha so it turns out that since I don't even have a credit card, he has to pay everything first, from the air tickets to the hotel stay.

Despite the initial excitement, its all work and no fun over there. Most of the day I'm in a meeting. Other times, I'm stuck in traffic jams (which is like most of the time). At night, its also not safe to wander around alone. As a result, most of the pictures are taken from my hotel. Hopefully when I get to plan my own trips, I'll be be able to assign a day or two for sightseeing (don't tell the company haha).

14th May - Reach Ansan

In Ansan City (Southeast of Seoul), I got to stay in this 3-star hotel (Mirama Hotel). Apparently its the best over there, since Ansan is still a developing industrial area. Most of my work in Korea will be based here, so I will probably get used to this place soon enough.

View from my room

My room - 3 pillows just for me!

'Orchard Road' in Ansan

That's what I call maximising space

Lorry load of roasted chestnuts

15th May - Reach Seoul

In Seoul itself, I got to stay in this 5-star hotel (Mariott Executive Apartments). The room itself is amazing, just like a mini-HDB unit!

My very own living room

My very own washing machines

My very own kitchen, complete with a whole range of utensils and stuff

Bedroom - 10 pillows just for me!

Sleep and watch

View during day

View at night

Some park with a giantic Korean flagpole

16th May - Back to SG

A New Beginning

2008-05-18T23:34:00.002+08:00

Gosh it's been a while since I came in here. Anyway I'm now an engineer, no longer a student, and my job requires me to travel to various countries. Hopefully, I'll have the time to upload pictures from the travels onto my blog. Hence my blog can be considered to be some kinda of a pseudo-travel blog now.

I've deleted all my previous posts as well, getting a bit cluttered and defragmented, especially with zero posts in the archives since god knows when.

In any case, my first trip was to South Korea, right on my third day of work! I'll be uploading the pictures in just awhile..

Cheers