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!

23km - my last long-run

After my first long run during this practice period, I asked the husband to go for another with me. We set off on a Sunday morning, not too early; and I felt tired.... I wasn't sure how far I could go but I had an idea that I wanted to hit at least a 21km.


What made this run more challenging (and shady, a good thing) is that we ran the MacRitchie trails, which added challenge of trail and undulations; the run a week before did me good as I persevered and did not stop the entire trail; I felt proud of myself! The husband was in good form, despite not training at all (though to be fair, he'd been swimming/running for his biathlon so... still some training). Our route was sorta planned; estimated at about 20km.


We started off from the Polo Club, then through MacRitchie, past the trail forest to emerge at Thomson Road... past Upper Pierce Reservoir to Seletar Reservoir (I don't know if it's the right name, but it's past the Casurina Road roti prata). We only had 1 water point which we stopped at both to-and-fro directions. I also prepared to consume my gel (1 pack) and I learnt how to feel it course through my body and provide me with energy.


We stopped at about 19km, as we rounded back to MacRitchie and chanced into V2.

23km at final stop

At 19km, we were both tired and the chance encounter was a good break for us to chat and stretch. After bidding goodbye, the husband and I slowly walked our way back to the start point to end off our last long run before the run.

Beautiful end

We have never ventured to this end of the club and it was a peaceful end to our morning. That afternoon, we refueled with a ton of popiah and kueh pie tees and my body was not in as much pain as the week before. A much needed training slot indeed!

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 - PB for 5km!

In September 2016, I did my last registered race as a last-minute filler for someone who dropped out. It turned out to be a pretty fun and engaging day where both the kids and I got to play in different forms. That day also turned out to be a day I smashed my Personal Best (PB) to run 10km within 60minutes.
Since then, I've still been running on/off as part of my regular fitness journey, and I have actually achieved some interesting statistics successfully, on the treadmill:
2.4km within 13minutes
5km within 30minutes (29+)
10km within 60minutes (59+)
Last Saturday (19 Aug), I turned up for yet another race that I did not sign up for. Seems like I'm becoming a filler! Haha.


What happened was, 2 days before Saturday, a colleague asked if I could help fill a spot for a 5km run. The full race was a half marathon of 21.1km, and it's run ekiden style between 4 runners like a relay. I was a bit uncertain initially because I was lazy, but given that I was free, I just said yes in the end.
I'm glad I did because this bunch of Filipinos were raising funds and awareness for a good cause - special needs for Filipino children. Since I run anyway, it was really easy for me to help them out.


Come Saturday race day, I indulged in carbs and food (ok, also because greedy haha) and after bidding the kids goodbye as they were sent to class, I continued to make my way to the race track. It was so sunny (ugh) but I had to do what I had to do. I actually made it earlier than expected and managed to join in a group picture before official flag-off.

With some of the fellow runners

After not being in an official run for a while, it did feel rather exciting to be in the fanfare. I was gifted the purple UA tee for my participation so I guess that's a mini score. Hah! I was runner 2, and I am glad I made it early enough to identify 2 complete strangers (runner 1) to get the sash from and (runner 3) to pass the sash to. It felt pretty exciting to be part of a race and perhaps it may be more fun if it had been with friends.
I remained focused on completing the race and fulfilling my part... and hoorah! I surpassed my own expectations of setting my personal best record!

5km in 25.3!

I completed the whole race in about 32minutes, including walking after I'd done my sash handover, but from the above which I tracked with my run app, I am pretty chuffed with my timing. I struggled with a stitch for 2 km, from the 2-4km mark (ugh) but I pushed on. My overall average pace for the run was about 5'40".
After cooling down for a bit, I bade farewell to this bunch of people and headed to the office nearby for a shower. I was feeling so pumped that I stopped and requested for a stranger to take a pic for me.

Yay!

What are my priorities?

I have been pretty reflective lately. Possibly for a while now. Why? I'm not sure. Perhaps it is the 'time of the month' (though having said that, it's been monthsssss); perhaps it's the big changes we're going through which impacts our lifestyle, our finances, our life expectations, our ambitions, our children... everything is inter-related and I guess with things rolling about, I'm getting mildly terrified of it rolling out of control.


That's one perspective.


The other, is that things are extremely exciting and there is so much to look forward to; because change - while unsettling - can also be viewed as terribly amazing!


I guess I toggle between the two, depending on my mood. I still feel this gap within sometimes, wondering what it is that makes me feel so unsettled.  I then turn to emotional eating which, while it's a guilty pleasure, it is not necessary; especially if done excessively.


I wonder, what drives me? What makes me happy? Perhaps, it need not be so tough. Perhaps I should just focus on what my true priorities are (I say true, because it's not 'seemingly' important priorities that garner short-term gratification which can blindside me. But truly important ones that fulfills) - and just focus on those that make me happy.


If I remember right, I had this same resolution (or something along the same lines) for 2 years: Don't sweat the small stuff. I don't think I have been practising that.


Oh, my mind is so full of such random thoughts. I need to simplify and focus on my true priorities.


For starters, I know who really matters.

My everything

That's a good start point, an anchor that cannot go wrong, because family is always the right/best choice.


Guess I'll keep muddling along, and figure it out. One day at a time.

Day 7: our last full day in Seoul

After flying yesterday, it felt good to lay in this morning and know that we were not in a rush to go anywhere. The husband and I had planned to try the hotel breakfast (ambition since day 2), but it didn't happen because we woke up at 8ish am. By the time we rolled out of bed and made it to the restaurant, it was 9am. 45minutes was not enough time for a long, leisurely breakfast; so we opted not to eat it.


Instead, we ventured out. First stop, Mammoth Coffee which was just around the corner of the hotel's entrance to wake me up; then we strolled towards Myeongdong. The street felt so quiet and clean in daylight, very different from the bustling night scene.


After strolling about, we found a congee house that was open and was pretty crowded too. In we went.

1x porridge, 1x dumpling soup, 1x a-lot-of-serve-of-side-dishes

I had read about the Korean-type-dumplings but it was our first time trying it this morning, and I was sold! It was just how I like it - plenty of stuffing! Yum. We also bought the seaweed, and kimchi from this restaurant. Sounds auntie, I know; but it was so worth it. Yes, I say so even after lugging them back because we got to share them with our family, plus continue the taste of Korea even after coming home. The kimchi was the bomb - it was spicy, just the way we liked it. At breakfast, we discussed what we could do the rest of the day and there were several possibilities that involved a hair appointment, a meal at Michelin-star restaurant (Jungsik), trek at Bhukhansan National Park....


Our morning kinda got tense after, because reality is that while on holidays, people do fight too. Between picking time/when to eat and making arrangements with the restaurant, layered with miscommunication and assumptions, let's just say that the husband and I had a squabble. I'm just putting it out there, to prove that it's normal to be grumpy no matter where you are, but the process of talking it out, being patient and having the common desire to let things be ok again - it's part and parcel of life.


After being grumpy and upset and becoming better again, we moved on with our day.

First time on a public bus in Korea. Bus to Bhukhansan.

It was about 1pm by the time we arrived at the Bhukhansan estate, which is about an hour's drive from the city. We strolled the streets and went into one random restaurant to have our lunch. It was empty besides for the owners and we spent the next hour in there (1) using the loo (2) eating our lunch (3) experiencing catfish in its full glory and knowing that I don't like it much (4) having a laugh as we struggled to communicate with the earnest ahjumma serving us.

Google translate, a menu in Korean only, a lady who speaks no English = lunch surprise!

Pot of soup

Upclose and personal with catfish

Tiny prawn!

Lunch was edible (truth: I had more kimchi than rice or soup), and we moved on to trek. By this time, it was 2pm and our first stop - getting our bearings around the place.

I'm quite sure this says national park or something.

Here's one that we can read

The next 2 hours was surprisingly lovely. We started off at the foot and upon learning that it'd take us 4-6 hours for the short route, we were slightly taken aback. (Or maybe it was just me.) The initial 20 minutes were funny, as the husband lamented "let's turn back now, this will be how it'd be for the next 2 hours... exactly like this!"

30 minutes in, we found an opening that held wooden tents. They looked like triangular huts that looked like this.

I was grossed out and did not want to go in. So he did.

Tick off the bucket list - a headstand at Korea's national park!

It felt good to sweat it out after pigging out the past week, and being in nature brings out this joy that I cannot explain. The husband and I both enjoyed ourselves, which is why I was surprised at how good it felt (zero expectations helped) - but I think we both do enjoy being in the outdoors and it was a nice, zen feeling to be with nature and feel this happy innately. It is also a great reminder of how small I am. I am only but a tiny being in the whole, wide world and all the problems and fights that we face daily seem so insignificant in the grand scheme of things in the world.


How humbling.


I'm also reminded that the husband and I are good and mature enough to not let squabbles affect us; cos if we had not let go of our ill feelings from that morning, we wouldn't have this chance to continue having fun, discovering new things and being happy in this current moment this afternoon.

I am humbled.

Happiness :)

He was braver than me!

He made me do this.

More happiness.

There was passing showers at some point and we decided to go on. It felt really, really nice. I thoroughly enjoyed myself on this short hike (we did not make it very far at all!) and if we have the chance, I'll love to go conquer more of this trail.

We turned around at about 4pm, and made our way downhill. Some parts were pretty tricky and it felt good to get our bodies moving. We retraced our steps and took the bus back to the city. It was peak hour traffic at this point so the ride back was way longer than our ride to Bhukhansan.

Upon arrival, we headed straight for dinner. The husband had some inkling of what he wanted and we ended up at this little, local Korean joint. We ordered everything on the menu! OK, we did not but it sure felt like it. Hah.

Meal for two. By our gluttony standards.

Mmmmm something new! Pork thingy. Yum!

I swear we were judged by the tables next to us, as our table was overflowing with food. The best part? WE FINISHED IT ALL.

After this super filling meal, we split up. I had scheduled a hair appointment to pamper myself and the husband decided to chill and figure out his evening.

I have steam coming out from my head

Did I say I was full? But cannot resist snack.

The treatment was so pampering and it was the first time I did a hair treatment ever, and though it was very pricey, it was a session I chose to pamper myself. I spent 2 hours there being cleaned up - super worth it because I had grit from the national park to rid of! Gross but true.


The husband decided to go for some play and he headed to the Casino. When I was done at the salom, I strolled around Myeongdong, taking in the vibes as it was our last night. I did some last minute shopping and headed back to the hotel. I spent the next hour+ continuing to pamper myself by soaking in the bath tub, and relaxing.


I had to pack but made poor progress, and then there was a surprise delivery!

Two two chicken for supper!

Fried chicken was something I wanted to eat but never got around to... so on this last night, I felt truly loved as the husband went out of his way to tapau it for us.

We ended the night packing and packing... making plans for our commute to the airport the next day... and I went to sleep with my tummy and heart full again.

It was the perfect end to this day, full of love and promises. What a week it had been!

Recap: Day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4, day 5, day 6.

Yoga progress

On my recent holiday to Korea, I did a headstand in the Bukhansan National Park. Before that, I did it at Halong Bay, Vietnam. It struck me that it's been a year since I successfully attempted the tripod headstand unsupported. It was a milestone for me then, but since, because I haven't put in additional effort to practise, my yoga progress has been.. naught. It's true, that what you reap is what you sow; cos when you don't, there is nothing to account for.


This morning, I did not manage a long run due to the storm, and instead, did my usual ashtanga practice (standing series). I have been doing this for 2+ years now, and have made no progress. At the end of that practice, I decided to try a headstand. I had tried it once before and felt it was super hard and today was no exception.



This looks deceivingly simple.

Faith in my trusty walls

That one second that I managed to stay up.

I enjoy yoga, as it gives me a chance to stretch yet sweat it out slightly. I like yoga for the benefits my body reaps from it. I also like the challenge that seemingly simple poses are actually not; not at all! I also like to know that as with any other sport, progress can be tracked by how I do it and/or how I improve for many different poses.


Since my last yoga progress post, I haven't been doing that much at all. So it's a good reminder to self to keep going. Let this be a new challenge to myself, that I wish to continue to practise; not that I needed a reason to, but it's always nice to have a check to track how it's going.


Onwards, we surge on this #fitnessjourney!