Pre-run jitters

The children are on a short cruise with their beloved grandparents and the past few days have been peaceful and busy. On Thursday, the one night that the husband and I were free, we met to pick up the race packs.

One for posterity

After which, we had dinner and stopped by a bar for 1 beer (his) and 1 dessert (ours). I have been taking carbo loading very seriously (cannot make my sister un-proud of me!) and after a week of eating full; I am quite tired of it already (hah).

View from the bar

That evening, we talked about our home renovations, our upcoming holiday plans and the run. The husband asked, "what's your strategy?" I stared at him, clueless. I hadn't thought about it at all; I am doing this to complete and tick off the bucket list. I want to enjoy running it to some degree, with little pressure or pain. He told me that he will run it with me and that is one of the most romantic and sweetest thing honestly; I truly appreciate it (inside joke, though one person will appreciate this more than the other).


As part of the training, which is actually as hard as the run, I have some reflections:

• Sickness sucks. There were a few weeks I was on total form, killing kilometres by the bulk and while my body ached, my mind was so happy and determined to keep on track. Then came the flu bug and it just made me all slothy and unwell.
• Running can take place anywhere: having a partner who takes exercise as part of life is great, as we just run on-the-go; like on our trip to Japan within training period. As part of our upcoming holiday planning, I am talking trekking, walking, lots of nature and fresh air. Woot!
• Doing only one thing is boring. I quite like running - it is efficient, it gives me fulfilment to see distance clocked (I'm not being on speed/time; accomplishment and finish is more for me) and my kilos on the Nike app go up steadily. However, when training, I have to run to train and over time, that makes it slightly dreary. Some days, I wish to do other forms of exercise so that's a bit of a strain.
• The body is amazing - many have said that I should run at least 30km to get myself ready but I have not done so. I only did 2 runs that are longish, at 21km and 23km. These runs were a week apart and with the testing of gels on these runs, I felt pretty good from the 1st to 2nd run. It's been 2 weeks since and I hope that my 3rd and final long run will be as ok as can be!
• Diet: I have always been pretty ok in my diet, eating whenever and whatever. The past week has been fun in carbo-loading (eat eat eat away!) and I have intentionally watched my alcohol intake the past month. I can actually count what I have had - no more than 4 glasses of wine and no beer. It was my company's D&D last night and I had 3 sips of beer. Proud of myself!
• My toes: lessons picked up are that Vaseline works better than tape for my toes. I have also given up having normal toe nails (or any at all). I have also learnt how to manage and treat my own blisters. It's a good skill to know!
• The husband is my rock. I deem my husband to be a fit man. He is an ironman, he is fit for work and besides being a great partner in sport, he is my rock. For him to be by my side will be so reassuring for me. Thank you, babe.

On the eve of the run, I still cannot imagine how my run will be, especially past the 20km mark; and I hope to remember these:

• Try to enjoy it. On my YOLO run, I walked and did not beat myself up about it. It is ok to walk. It is still making distance (no matter how slowly - ever hear the story of the tortoise and the hare?)
• Don't stress. I think I a quite a serious runner. My face is kinda frowny and I seem worried. I will try to remember to not worry about anything!
• Look around - I will try to take in the sights, the people around me, the weather, the everything. It's all part of the experience.
• I will be ok. Having no expectations can only be a good thing!

1-2-3-4.

First up, the children are doing the run this evening and I am going to have some fun with them - hoorah! Counting down... 13 more hours!

YOLO - my 4th half marathon & my practise run

Running a marathon was one on the bucket list; it was kinda an idea that snuck around in my brain since my past halfs - my first in 2013, my first night-run but 2nd half in 2014, and my 3rd where I ran because it was paid for (cheap, but true!). Through time, my impetus to run faded slowly but surely as
I discovered yoga and HIIT. If I can keep fit and in good shape in different ways, why not? Why do I need to sign up for runs? Thus, the bucket list item of running a marathon disappeared.
So, I kinda gave up on signing up for runs. Until my not-sure-it's-most-brilliant-brilliant moment when I got sick and tired of muddling about (just about this point when I sure felt muddled)... and I signed myself up for a marathon.
-insert shocked face-
So, it started. My training. I started trying to do longer runs; and after months, I can comfortably hit 10km. I scheduled in more paid runs including the Asics one, to help clock distance. This YOLO, was one that came about quite serendipitously and thank goodness I ran it because it was my first long run and it hurt.

Waking up at an unearthly hour.

Creeping about the kitchen to feed myself

Reading material - I was trying to take note of drinking stations

I was meant to do the run with the husband, but he didn't make it (overseas travel), so I went all by myself. Yup. At the last minute, just as I was stepping out of the house, I remembered to tape my toes (preventing blisters through friction) - not that it really helped, so that's one lesson I learnt.


I drove myself to the Singapore Flyer carpark, very close to the start/finish line. Best decision ever - and honestly, while the area was slowly swarming with people, and there was some traffic, it's generally a really quiet and smooth drive.


Upon arrival, I headed to the loo. I held nothing at all except for things I needed during my run. Then I headed to the start pen.

As far as I could worm forward

The start was delayed and here, I'm going to bullet note my run progress:

• Drinking water (3 big gulps) and not starting the run caused me to need to pee. Flag off was delayed (logistics error, boo to organisers) and everyone stood waiting around for 50 minutes. My wait was probably about 35 minutes as I only entered the start pen past 5am.
• At the 2km mark, I made a toilet stop.
• At the 11km mark, I saw a professional runner on his way back. How mad quick was that!
• My right hip muscle started to twitch and ache past the 10km mark and it escalated.
• In sync with my plan and hydration station, I consumed my first-ever gel. It was orange flavoured and not awful.
• The plasters did not help my toes.
• I walked at several points in the race because I was just not feeling it.
• I felt energetic with the gels, but I felt heavy and could not push myself more.
• I started to walk but enjoy the walking; not worth stressing as I was not gunning for any time at all.
• It was a relatively cool morning and I am thankful for that.
• At the 16km mark, I had to stop at a hydration point to stretch. The ache in my hip was increasingly uncomfortable/painful.
• When the mind is weak, the going is near impossible.
• I was in pain towards the end because my toes were squishy and rubbing hard against each other (the tape!)
• I managed to jog the final 2km because I wanted to finish the race.

ZOMG so long.

Shot with the girls who did 10km, except that the silly organisers
shortened the run to 7km without informing any runners.

I was totally aching when I met with the girls. My hip ache was screaming for me to do something about it (it was one of those pains where I couldn't resolve just by stretching) and my legs super achey that I nearly-cramped on a few occasions as I was walking - ouch. I made it to the car safely and spent a good 45minutes stretching the sh*t out of my legs because oh-so-painful.

arghhh the pain, and arghhh I did it!

Lesson to self: don't only tape random toes. I had a giant blister on my
3rd toe (right foot) and I had to self-operate it thrice.

Hooray at least NIKE applauds my achievement

Truly, the run was an awakening for me. It was necessary because I had not done any long runs prior to this and it gave me a taste of how much pain I would be for the real run. It also taught me that the gel that I ate helped me. While I could have been mentally stronger and ran more, the gel surely helped in my energy levels not crashing; and I actually felt better than I expected.

Still running - last 2km

Serious face

I learnt a few key lessons and here are my parting thoughts:

• Not pressuring myself to perform helped me just cruise along
• Consuming the gel made me more aware of my body and how it can help
• I held the small bottle of water throughout the run but I did not need to actually, so it's a decision I have to make if I want to hold something for the full run
• Aching legs are surely a pain and this made me realise that the pain will go away.
• Just keep going.

A good overall experience to add to my training, gahhh!

ASICS Relay 2017 - 2nd year running, a new PB

Colleagues rallied to sign up for this ASICS relay again this year, as it was a pretty fun event last year. I signed up gamely, because I am meant to clock mileage (gasp) and this year, I ran with a different team.


With the experience from last year, I was more prepared with my diet through the day. In the morning, I had my usual breakfast then headed out for a short volunteer stint. By the time it was over and I met up with the family, it was time to go for lunch by the time we headed out.


We ran an errand of picking up the race pack for YOLO, had this pretty nice ramen (Nagi), and I bade farewell to the family as they headed home to rest pre-class; while I had the afternoon to myself. Knowing that I had the run, I devoured all my carbs from the ramen bowl, which I know would come in handy (carbo loading FTW).


I was truly tired, and I decided to head to a safe haven to rest - my office. It didn't make sense for me to go all the way home, as my race was nearer to where I already was; plus I was well-equipped with all that I needed; and so that's where I spent my afternoon. I was so tired that after arranging some seats for best-possible comfort, I fell asleep. I needed the nap and it actually felt pretty restful! I took my time to get ready for the run and at 4+, I made my way. It was just a few train stops away.

Race village sighted

It was such a crowd! We had a rough meeting spot and by the stipulated meeting time (530pm), not everyone had rocked up, so this was the group that made it into this first shot.



The earlier ones

D, C and I were first runners so we left our stuff with the rest and headed to the start pen. Flag off was at 6pm.

Start pen

And.... off we went! I was kinda pumped (slightly) because after running sub-60 last year, I was kinda hoping to do it again. I was also trying out running in a face with my new race belt (Fitbelt) and newer set of shoes.
Happy to share that I did it! According to my Nike app..

Fastest 10km recorded - woot!

To be honest, there's may be some untruth to this because
1. I did stop to have water on several occasions
2. I did walk on some occasions - 2 were due to slopes and fatigue, 1 major stretch was due to a human roadblock in a bottleneck area of the race.
3. I had to jog slowly on 1 occasion where I nearly came to a stop clarifying the race information with the marshals - it was not clear which item was meant to be passed on to my next relay runner
The app stops if I come to a standstill which doesn't take into account the true run wholly, but given that I did put in decent effort to run when I was running, I'm quite happy with my performance. The weather was lovely, sunset was a quick descent due to the pending rain and I got caught in it the last 1km, so I'm quite lucky. The rest of my team (esp runner #2) got more of it, so I can't complain.

Helpful colleague who prepared all these - our personal food/hydration point

Here's one of all of us runner #1 post-race

Running log has been sporadic, but I do have this record from last December. It's been a love-hate r'ship with running these past few months, primarily because of my training (inserts weh weh face); but it all adds up to my personal strength and experience. So, all good!

Race village - pretty lit

Another run, another record, another lesson to self. Checked!

Achievement unlocked - the girl can cycle too!

After learning that her brother can cycle, this little girl had been grumpy, citing "it's not fair" that he got to try/master the skill and not her. The husband pulled his weight, squeezing in time to make this happen before he left for an overseas work stint and I am so proud of the girl.

Look at that beaming pride!

Whee!

So, while I wasn't there to witness her lesson, the husband gave me feedback that she did even better than the boy. Now, the boy picked up the skill within minutes, so to know that she did better truly blew my mind. Wow!


So thankful that the husband made time for this, and am so proud of my girl to have picked up this skill. Since then, she's been cycling and seems to be doing really well. The boy doesn't do so well on this taller bike, so we gotta find something more suitable for him to practise.


So proud of my little beings! -insert muscular emoji-

Progress

Mid-Feb: was trying to get my feet straighter

19 Feb

(L) 14 Feb; (R) 23 Feb

As with anything at all, practise makes perfect. Tracking my own progress is interesting, and there is no hard or fast rule against what you may achieve at the end of the day. The only constant is that if you do not try, there is no chance of improving. So always try!


This has been a relevant reminder not just to yoga, but to work and everything else.


Another goal I have is to do a pull-up unassisted. Despite having some muscles, I cannot do a pull-up. Boo. I have just begun working on that by using the assisted chin-up machine at the gym. Let's see how I progress!


TGIF!

Running

Tried something new again this day and did a run from office, around the beautiful bay area.

8km.

I must say, that the running route is truly beautiful. Part of the route is also sheltered which makes it a bonus. The view was so pleasant, I did 2 rounds instead of 1 - totally unplanned, and a great result, I must say.


Starting to remember to mix running into my routine. So thankful for lovely skies, beautiful weather and a safe environment to exercise in.

One day, I will make time to lay down on this wooden platform.

Progress

I can still go straighter, will keep practising!

200 runs

A friend started on a running journey early January. She tagged it #target200runs and seems to be on a mission to well, run 200 runs. I should clarify with her if there is a minimum distance to cover, or other conditions; but so far, several friends have joined in this fitness journey. I run anyway, and I figure there is no harm joining in. All I need to do is include the same #hashtag and number my runs as I accomplish them. I have been slacking in the running department, and this was the right motivation to get me started.

My first run in this #target200runs

So while I did some short runs (2.4km) early Jan, they were just warm-up types with no motivation to do more, this was just the right trigger to get me going. I still do my workouts, I still have my yoga stretches, I replaced some cardio with combat classes but running has taken a back-seat. 
So now, this is a boost for me to run when I feel lazy, and I simply number my runs as I accomplish them.

#target200runs (Current count: 2)

Bruised knees

My awkward knees with tiny brown bruises - because I did push ups. Ha!

My running journey - personal best achievement

Before the year closes, I will finally get my ass down to updating my personal best record that took place 24 September, 2016.

It was a team relay (approx. 10.2km x 4 runners to form the distance of a marathon) and one that I was approached to form a team for, three times. I rejected to be part of the initial sign-up because (a) it seemed too far ahead to commit to  a race on a weekend (b) it was at night time and I do not prefer to run at night (c) I had lost motivation to run any races at all this year.

I was then approached to replace a colleague who could not make it, but they found someone who could commit before me. When I was approached a third time, I guess things were meant to be and so it happened.

Truth is, I did not prepare for the run but one cannot deny the hard work that the body is used to through a period of time, and oh boy, did I surprise myself when I broke my personal best time of 10km!

Statistics of the day

Group results

The weather was hot and looping 2x on the same circuit is so un-fun. I think the mind was not too strong that day because I was walking at parts, but still happy to have set a record.

Part credit must be given to the husband, because his parting words to me when he dropped me off at the race was 'try for less than 1 hour'. I guess it really was up to me and I truly did it. HOORAY!

I didn't run, I flew!

Saturday funday

I made some changes to our Saturday schedule, so that our afternoons are now freed up. This makes our day a lot more relaxed, as there is no need to rush from Point A to home for a nap, to rush to Point B. It sounds a lot more tiring and energy-sapping than it sounds, and for those who need to shuttle children, will truly understand.
<Special mention to my beloved Dad who plays a major role in this change!>


So, with this change, I have time to just let it be with no need to rush. So last Saturday, the boy could pick his preferred lunch venue and off we went after his class. Thankfully, there was no queue, and it was a nice, albeit indulgent, lunch for us both.



小笼包王子

For the record, he had some noodles (I had most of it), and EIGHT 小笼包s. He really, really loves them! After lunch, we took public transport back home and had time to laze about. I had to attend a run in the evening, and decided to bring the kids along for play because it was at a right time slot.


The husband dropped us off at the Sports Hub and off we went. We spent some time gathered while I met with my colleagues, whom I was doing the run with. I was really a substitute runner, and honestly, despite my initial reluctance, the run turned out to be pretty fun. While I went off to prepare and run, the children were with good company.

New friends + water play

They also met superdog

Team LEGO runners!

So the way the run works, is that it's relay style with a team of 4 and each runner completes 10.3km to finish a full marathon collectively.


A colleague snapped the below pic and it looks so beautiful. It was definitely way hotter than what this looked like when I was actually running, between 6-7pm, but I made it. Phew.

Magical hour

I'll share more of my run achievements in a separate post, but it was my best time clocked for 10km, so a Personal Best for me - hooray! The children joined me in the stadium after my run and I spent an hour or so hanging out at the event site engaging in activities with them.

But first, let's take a picture.

We met Ironman on stilts

This looked more fun than it was - because the children did not meet the
minimum height criteria to join it

Thankfully, we found an activity that the children could partake in. This is a circuit where they
had to hop, do push-ups, jump over hurdles, do sit-ups then dash to the finish line.

JUMP!

It was about 8pm after we were done mucking around, and by this point, I was so ready to sit down (I was literally bouncing around having fun with them). I settled easily on fast food (it was not crowded) and after re-fuelling, we took the MRT back home. It turned out to be less painless than expected as the trains were swift and I did not have to stress about road closures/locating taxis at that hour. We made it home within an hour, so it worked out very well.


That night, the children collapsed to bed pretty quickly after all that fanfare. It was a super fruitful Saturday!

Regaining my running mojo - about my exercise regime

With our new morning routine that started in July, my exercise regime has gone awry. My free window period that used to take place every morning (between 0545-0700) has changed. I realise that I crave routine and with the changes, it is slightly disconcerting.


The result of the consistent exercising every day from Jan - May this year, is that I became super toned, and also super thin. I had not realised that, until the regime broke and now that I am 3-4kg heavier.


What's new, is how I am exercising now. My options are:
1) Ending work early and going back for a workout.
While this has happened on a few occasions, where I fit in a run before dinner, the act of rushing home just to work out then rush the night routine (of putting the kids to sleep) - is sometimes daunting (also known as, I get lazy). It is also a challenge to slip out of home once I see the munchkins as they start talking to me etc etc...


2) Fitting in a workout before work
By the time I send K to school and come to the office, it is about 0745. I have tried to Kayla to finish the workout by 0830, in time to wash-up and be ready for work by 0900. In that same time, I can practise yoga.


3) Running to the office
This works brilliant as it combines me working out and making my way to work. It works best when I pre-plan my wardrobe and have an outfit to change into when at work, and it is great for days that I need to start my day earlier. The route is a nice, easy one cutting through Orchard Road and works great in the early hours of the morning.


4) Running home from the office
I have tried this on a handful of occasions from my previous offices, and yesterday, I did it for the first time from this premise. It felt pretty good honestly, and though my body is protesting slightly at the long run (been so slack), it is still an effective way in using my time, fitting in a workout and forcing me to go the distance.

11.9km

5) Exercising on the weekend
I try to work out at least once on the weekend, whether at home, out for a run, or at the gym. So far, so good - except that my routine on Saturday (my regular visits to the gym) is going to change soon. So let's see how that unfolds.


The husband made a comment recently that it is not only applicable to specific people who may be required to be fit in their role at work. Exercising regularly is a lifestyle and I believe that if we make some effort, it should be something that we do for ourselves - whatever your motivation is. It has been several years since I started my lifestyle of exercising regularly and it's amazing how much it impacts my daily life. I get grumpy when I don't exercise, I feel sluggish when I am not active. I feel not as happy with myself (and my body) even if there is absolutely nothing wrong with me. The benefits of exercising totally outweighs any reason to not exercise and I am glad that the husband is a constant motivation for me to keep active, not forgetting us wanting to play lead examples to the children.


I'm definitely in good spirits today after the run yesterday, and now if I can control my gluttony more... I can be even healthier than what I am right now :P

1000km

It was about 10 years ago, and while I don't remember the date or year clearly, I remember my first paid race was for 'Run for Hope' (or something to that extent) - while I don't remember the name of the run, I do remember the cause. It was a run to gather funds and to support cancer, and it was a 10-km race held at East Coast Park. I had signed up with some friends and the husband.


I hated it. I was gasping, I was out of breath, the husband was encouraging me, trying to be supportive and all I remember was snapping at him and willing him to shut up because I was so, super, duper grumpy! It's safe to declare that it was not a fit period of my life.


I believe I started running at the gym. I was a gym bunny at some points in my life (approximately 2002-2009) where I held membership at the original Planet Fitness) and I enjoyed the group classes tremendously and running was ok and conducted on the treadmill. I liked the control I had knowing the information of what I had accomplished - seeing the distance and time clearly on the machine validated my exercise. I never quite understood why some friends preferred to run 'in the outdoors'. Clocking time built my stamina and I beliee  I then remember another race, my first (& only) 12km race with the husband and his friends; it was a 2XU race and I did it just because I thought I was pretty ready to tackle this. I believe this run was after I had birthed K and before I was pregnant with J. I also remember that by this race, I was not grumpy, not as unfit and did pretty fine.


At some point after I delivered K and before I was pregnant again (2009-2011), I aborted paying for any fitness memberships because I just did not have the time, energy or commitment to stick it out at the gym as before. Instead, I opted to run. I believe I started because I was cheap (no need to pay to run in the open), and I was constrained by the time that I had (random bouts of free time when the child was taken care of/ asleep/ etc) plus I was vain. I was done with being 'pregnant/pregnant fat/post pregnant fat' and wanted to do something about it. So I did. I ran by the canal near my in-law's home where I used to stay with the husband.


Then pregnancy happened (round 2) and I was inactive again for about 1.5years, before I reverted to running for all the same reasons I did before. This time, my body was more accustomed to moving and I did runs with the husband (sometimes like this) and I also started jogging in the mornings with my son, the early riser. I remember using the 'map my run' application to monitor my progress.


I then switched over to use the Nike Running App because it was sleeker and I'm biased towards Nike. I started it in 2014, January and it has been a good run.

January 2014 - July 2016 - 1005km clocked

I was promoted to 'blue'!

The run on 1 July when I crossed the 1000km mark

To more runs, to an able and healthy body, to being happy (hello endorphins!), to being fit.

A visit to Pasir Ris Park

This little boy decided that he wanted to go to Pasir Ris Park to cycle. He decided this early in the day and told me of it. The weather had been erratic lately, so I told him that we'd have to see how the skies hold up, before I commit to bringing them to the park.

 

Saturday rolled by with passing showers, and by the time we were done with our must-dos of the day (classes), the skies still looked slightly overcast. I was honestly reluctant to hit the park because it seemed so much effort and far away... but a determined person is hard to distract and despite countering options, the request for the park was still high and strong and because it truly was not raining at that point in time (at about 5.30pm), I made the call to "let's go!"

 

I decided on a whim to drive by to get dinner so that we'd all not starve, picked up the girl and my helper so that we could have an impromptu picnic... and when we hit the park the kids realised their desire of renting bicycles to cycle.

 

View from my mat

 

Honestly, I did not move from the mat once I settled on it. I was tired - had been from the past weeks of work baggage - and I did feel guilty that I wasn't truly engaged in activities with the children. But I sought comfort from their happiness in sweating it out through cycling... and indulging them in play plus junk food (when Mommy gives them Maccas, it's a rarity!)

Happy Meal-time

 

Happy kids

 

An observation I made, was that the food was not as exciting to them as cycling. Perhaps they were out of breath and unable to eat properly, but it seemed that they came back to the mat to drink water and have some nibbles, but seemed more keen to move on and continue cycling than indulge in their fries & burger. Anyhow, the hour's rental was perfect because it was enough to give them the physical expension they needed, while not tiring them out completely if it was more than an hour.

 

Sweaty cyclist

Relaxing alone

After they returned the bicycles, they sat about and made a lot of noise... and I thought it was sweet to capture a pic of them hugging, so I asked them to pose for me.

Sight for sore eyes

That resulted in a collapsed heap of giggles as they started to tickle and feel all gigglish... and with that, I end off with my favourite moment/picture of the day.

Giggles