On racing, disappointments and perhaps, getting stronger

I ran my first race of 2016 today - Venus Run, a 5km race - with a nett timing of 23:10.

Wasn't the best shot ever and was feeling pretty much hesitant about running because I felt unprepared and I successfully managed to fall ill the night before (probably due to the heat). Moreover, word from the organisers mentioned that they will be combining all teams of 4 into one category due to the lack of numbers and I was pretty afraid of competing with F1 or Shufflers. We didn't send in a strong team this year because Rachel was out and I was down but I was glad for Debs, Kristal and Michelle, who were positive and kept my spirits up.

Been talking to A more often nowadays and he mentioned that he'll be down to support but little did I expect him to go down to run with me! Really thankful for him helping me keep pace though I was lagging behind a bit. Sounds wrong but recently, I've been so thankful for him as a distraction to all my worries and issues. Honestly, it sounds even more wrong when A mentioned he attended church too :O So yes, we won 3rd for team category (yays!), at least still top 3 even though I was a little disappointment we dropped from 1st placing last year. But yea, I'm thankful.

After that, Debs and I went to watch the OCBC road cycling at Seletar. She went to support Dane and I was there to support David, Dwayne and Shuwie. Was a bit worried that I'll bump into E but thankfully no. Well, the race was exciting with crashes and sprint-offs but was quite disappointed that David didn't manage to hang onto the pack at the last 1.5 loops. Road racing seems scary though. I thought I saw E with the rest of the guys but it turned out he was likely in the sportive category and that he crashed out on the 3rd lap.

Momentarily I felt sorry for him but I guess after reading his post, maybe not so after all. Well, his girl went down to support him so perhaps, that was all that he needed...I really still can't let go of the whole issue at all..

Am I disappointed with what happened today? Yes..Am i perhaps getting stronger? Maybe.

END 2015 musing

Probably the last post of 2015 - hard to type with 1-2 fingers despite being a lefty.

It had been a wild and scary 4 days from Christmas..I was pretty excited going for my first Rapha Festive500 ride and also meeting E once again. Things happened so quickly that the next moment I was in TTSH and now, I'm out. To be honest, it was really a 3 painful days that seemed rather surreal, till now, I can't really recall the moments in the hospital and also during the crash. Surprisingly, I don't recall any pain, shouts or screams - would that be what happen when one dies? I think I just blacked out. But I really thank God for His Angels that had protected me, that my life was preserved.

The things that happened after, the visits from my beloved friends and even E, was hard to recall. I could only capture some words said to me. But as much as I'm thankful, I'm rather scared what the future holds. Looks-wise, would I still be fit? What about further violent objections from the parents? :((( Dad may be ok but Mum is a definite no-no.

Really want to thank all the visits and get well gifts from the Running Dept Crew-Terry, Nic, Roy, Steven, Ruimei,Tracy,Eve; Declan, Lance, Jiahui, Eugene, Jem, Ken; CA team aunties-Hanniebun, , Jasmine, Candice, Mel, Ivy Wee and Liu, ChuHua, Gillian, Renee, Patrick, May and family; RWG people-Debbie and Jack, Coach Ghana, Jerome, Kevin, Jiarui, Uncle Lim; church friends, Marianne, Aunty Lee Luang, CG friends; Rui Yong, Sweehong, Adriel, Chloe, Yenbin, NUS Aquathlon people (Joshie, JJ, Pam, Sher, YW, Naz, Debs)..and not forgetting E.. Love you guys even though I can't recall much.

Next year 2016 would be a tough one for me..really want to continue to pray for strength.. :((

Year-end Thoughts 2015

A quarter of a century old, interestingly this year has been one of the most memorable one as well. Perhaps not as exciting as my university days but definitely a special year for me. I'll just try to list down as many things I am thankful to God for blessing me at the top of my head that occurred in 2015.

1. Countless of overseas trips - burnt quite a large hole in my pocket but it's the experience that counts.
-Dubai (3 times), Sydney, Hong Kong, Koh Samui, Malaysia

2. Plenty of new guys/friends - I do enjoy getting to know people a lot better

3. Two pacing opportunities - Great Eastern Women's Run 21K and a part of the StanChart Marathon 15K which ended today

4. My longest races - 14K City2Surf, Port Dickson Duathlon (10-60-8), Dubai International Triathlon

5. Supportive friends and coaches who provide countless of encouragement and help - as small as Coach Ghana sending me to AMK to pick up my bike, David coming over to my house to help pack my stuff...etc.

Back-to-back Racing July-August - My First Olympic Distance Triathlon experience

10 August 2014, my first OD triathlon done at Port Dickson

Avillon Admiral Cove Hotel

Swim Start

Carbo-loading

Finisher Medal!

Our team of about 20 of us went up to Port Dickson over the National Day weekend (how patriotic we are!), most of the team were doing the relay races, a couple of us, did individual sprint/OD triathlons. I had to admit I was feeling super worried and scared because it was my first OD triathlon. I've done individual races leading up to this to prepare, but doing everything together is different altogether - such as the Trifactor 3km swim, 5-20-5 KM Duathlon (first for my category!), 36km bike ITT at coastal the week before (1:03 PB) and of course the run races, latest being Run for Hope. :S I think tbh, confidence is a HUGE issue for me...

Run on KM Duathlon

Participants of KM Duathlon

Team NUS at KM Duathlon! (plus Jason Loh)

"favourite course" on KM Duathlon

Read my KM Duathlon post on Trititude!

Although I was feeling lazy to write a post on this race and that I wasn't too proud of the race results, I thought it would be good to do a post-race reflection, as Coach David has always encouraged us to. This would not only serve as a physical reminder of what I thought I did well and what needs improvement on, something to look back to when I feel discouraged, and most importantly, to THANK all who has been helping me one way or another :)

2:38:40 - didn't hit my goal but at least not worse. Just nice it fell into 10th placing.

SWIM (plus a 800m beach run) - was 9th in my age group, off my watch out of the water it was a 27min. I guess I couldn't ask for more because it was one of the rare times that I felt that I was actually moving in the water. Drank a lot of salt water, got kicked on the face too but it felt good drafting. Time to work on my power and techniques, hopefully I can go much faster soon! 

BIKE - I really did enjoy the bike course although I was pretty much worried throughout the course that I might crash - a bad habit I must kick. It was a nice course despite the rolling hills, the roads weren't too narrow and scenery was pretty. It was my first time riding in such a huge pack of 20-30 in and out and it was certainly a much easier ride. There was a kind guy who helped to pull me to catch up with another pack, and I must say that I never expect anyone to do that for me! One regret was that I stopped at the U-turn point because I was still uncomfortable to turn clockwise, causing me to lose the pack and having to cycle a lot harder to catch up. Something I really need to work on.

RUN - The run route was interesting but it was my most disappointing segment because it was the time I gave up on my race and myself and started walking. I wasn't even panting hard but somehow my brain just kept telling me to slow down and stop. Finally i relented and found it harder to continue. This was supposed to be my best segment but somehow this was the part I SHOULD HAVE done better. So much more to work on for this, especially my willpower. Time for more bricks and harder runs...

Just would like to thank my coaches for so patiently encouraging me, correcting my swim/run positions and not giving up on me - Mr Ghana and Mr Robin Tan, as well as Uncle David. I will continue to train hard so as not to disappoint you! Thanks for inspiring me :D

The NUS Aquathlon team - JJ for taking the trouble to organise this trip up to PD :)) It was really fun to spend this holiday period with the team! And for all those who went up, the trip would be nothing without the jokes, the support during races, the countless selfies (especially Sherlynn - you never fail to excite everyone!) and most importantly, all the tips and encouragements offered to me, who was actually quite scared and nervous before this race,especially Justin, who reminded me to take it easy and enjoy the experience. Thanks Debs for doing this OD with me and congrats on completing your first OD too (WELL DONE YOU!) Thanks Jon (Tan) for your awesomely light wheels - psychologically & physically they helped :P

Not sure when my next OD is but hopefully, I'll be able to do this again next year, with a much more satisfying timing. Good job to all friends who completed the race too - going out to Andrew, Dave, Diana, Jason and Inn Inn from RD, Clement Chua, Nuo Shi, Khai Leng, Rui Mei, Yan Ling (thanks for the draft on the bike).Swee Hong, good job on your first tri and pls recover well-don't be discouraged ok! Congrats Jason (Loh), Sher-JJ-Josh & Aaron-Dwayne-Dex teams on winning too :) 

A week after PD, I did the 5km Shape Run, thankful for a 7th placing even though hitting a 23 min on my run isn't anywhere close to my PB :( It was quite a mentally painful run (which I need to break) - looks like I need to race more often. Meihui, on the contrary, is improving. Her 21min plus was one of her not-so-good results. But still, happy for her. I really need to find out what's wrong with me.

Great Eastern Women Pacer :)

Having fun post-race with the Shape Run RD Pacers

Me & Meihui 7th and 6th at SHAPE RUN 2014

Prize Presentation at SHAPE Run

Supporters/participants at Sing Tri

Oh yes, I was involved in Great Eastern Women's Run pacer programme too! Free Adidas jerseys & New Balance Shoes for me..hehehes :D Watched the Elites race at Singapore Triathlon too, pretty inspiring too..Hope I can reach that level someday...

Have to work hard on this road of doing better!

Watch this space for updates on AHM and Trifactor tri!

My reflections - 8 years of growing as a runner

Thinking there's nothing else more for a runner than just running, you can draw inspirations from my contemplation about my growing life as a runner.

After much thinking, I decided to categorise my experiences into different stages of a runner. As I move ahead in time, I become more acquainted with various aspects of a runner's life and discovered that it has made me a more holistic runner and these interesting experiences has molded me to who I am today.

STAGE 1: Baby Steps to Starting to Run

I picked up running 8 years ago when I was introduced to my school's TAF (Trim and Fit) Programme that rewards us with a shirt if we completed 100 rounds around the school in a year, and together with my friend, we attempted this ridiculous-sounding task. My family was not very active and a chubby-me also wanted to lose some weight, hence I decided to pick up running.

STAGE 2: A Recreational Runner

Seeing how my distances resulted in weight loss, made me look and feel better, the adrenaline rush experienced during and after my runs, I was convinced about the benefits of running. Besides these, I did enjoy unwinding after a tiring day at school with a jog around my green neighbourhood in Sengkang. It also helped when Singapore saw a growing number of run races organised which I signed up for and that motivated me to 'train' up for them. Besides that, I joined my school's soccer team and that had required me to improve my stamina through running and that fuelled my passion for the sport.

STAGE 3: A Competitive Edge

About 4 years ago, encouraged by a university senior, I took a leap of faith to join my varsity's cross country team. Initially, I was rather apprehensive because I had no running background compared to my teammates who were running the Nationals Cross Country Championships since young. However, seeing how friendly the team was and the satisfaction I had gained after a tough intervals workout, I persevered and saw my run timings improve. What I have learnt was that most people just run to race, but through my experiences in the team and my coach, Mr Steven Quek, has taught me that it is more than that - one must LEARN TO TRAIN before TRAINING TO RACE. A competitive runner who wants to improve has to have the discipline to train, rest, eat well and sacrifise a lot. It was then when I suffered my first setbacks in running, shin splints, knee pains, muscle fatigues, but I felt this made me grow by listening to my body, knowing when to push and when to rest. It was also then when I saw my timings improve and my goals in races would not only include a good timing but a good race position, which gave me personal satisfaction and adrenaline rushes during racing.

STAGE 4: Moving Beyond Myself

What's there to do besides just mere running, some of you might ask. There are plenty of paths to take which requires you to run but continue to have varied and new experiences. For myself, a year ago, I took up the challenge of joining my school's aquathlon team. Personally, I feel that I am fortunate to have a coach, Mr David Tay, to help and build my confidence in swimming, whereby I started out only being able to swim a lap, to now being able to achieve good timings in aquathlon races. Swimming also helps in cross-training for runners because it builds up one's cardiovascular system and upper body strength which aids in running. My next goal would be training up for a triathlon, which requires me to pick up cycling and one of my life's goals would be to complete an Ironman. Based on studies, cycling complements running because it is not only a good form of active recovery but also strengthens your leg muscles for running. Beyond myself, I have recently joined a new running group called Running Department which aims to foster a running community in Singapore through running-together programmes and we help to run clinics and pacer services in races to help others improve their runs, as well as achieve personal bests. My aquathlon team also has future plans to adopt charity organisations, as a way to give back to the community. These all does help me focus on the community instead of MYSELF and MY runs, allowing me to gain a new purpose in running.

To all runners who feel jaded or bored of running, I hope this gives you something to think about and perhaps you might just rediscover the joy of being a runner once more.

TEAMNUS Cross Country

TEAM NUS Aquathlon

Helped Mok Ying Ren with a running clinic

Singapore Aquathlon 2013 - A first for me ^^

   A year ago, I ran Singapore Aquathlon as a runner, in the tertiary relay with Enid. We both achieved first as a team but as the race was pretty small, there wasn't much competition and hence, I was happy but it lasted for a short while. However, at that time, I was only a rookie in the field of biathlon/aquathlon (swim & run), my hopes wasn't too high.

   This year, after about a year of racing and trainings (especially my swims), I was a little more confident of my swims (which compensates for the lack of confidence in my runs after being down due to injury) and forked out $70 to take part in Singapore Aquathlon 2013. This event seemed much bigger, based on the publicity, number of participants, Metasports as the event organisers and definitely the higher cost, as it was replacing Singapore Biathlon (not held this year).

   Arrived at the race venue early at 8am, thanks to Leon who decided to go for a morning ECP run and offered me a lift. The event ground was pretty neat, with all the tents clearly marked and I was able to find out where was the information booth, baggage deposit, body marking, drinks station quite easily. And everything was pretty well-organised and there was not much of a queue at any of the stations, despite the high participation rates - I guess Metasports is an expert in organising such events. The only downside, which I was not too happy about were the meals/food for post-race where there was only nasi lemak available (whoever eats that after a race?!) and the electrolyte drink was pretty bad (had to settle for water).

   Anyways, I wasn't expecting much from the race because I was a little shocked when I saw the number of participants for the Sprint Distance was so much more than the Standard Distance and I haven't been back to my usual speed for my run. :( In fact, I was a little more confident for my swim in comparison because I have been working hard at it. Josh Li, Dereck, Debbie and Sherlynn went first at 830 & 840 while me, Max and his brother, Clement waited for 940 and 950 to start our race. Race cap, Oakleys, shoes, goggles, race bib, gel checked. Moved them all to the transition area before Max and I did a short jog to warm-up. You see, unlike runs, there is quite a number of things to prepare for a aquathlon (and even more for a triathlon) - the benefit is that it does diffuses the pre-race tensions :) Looking at the ships direction, I made a mental note on the swim course I should go (following it strictly is another matter altogether though). 

   Watched Max and Clement go off, I made a final mental check on everything and slowly headed to the starting line. Decided to stay at the front and do my best to attempt to draft the front swimmers. hahahas..which kinda failed but at least it was a try. 3min, 2min 30seconds, the organisers were pretty punctual. GO. Telling myself not to be afraid of swim kicks I rushed ahead with the front pack and tried to follow them - at least for the first 100m. The course, though it was only 750m, felt super long but at least the waters were not too choppy.

   Soon, I got out of the water and ran to the transition site. I spotted Yiwei in front of me and recognised her to be the SMU girl who won me during the run in SUNIG 2012. I was quite determined to chase her but my race plan was to tail her from the back until the last 1km. Good thing my transition went rather smoothly and I was out in a jiffy. Following her was quite comfortable for the first 2k all the way to the Sailing Centre u-turn, where my stamina felt it had taken a bashing. Slowed down a little but was telling myself, COME ON, YOU CAN DO THIS!

   At the last 1k, the gap was widening but I managed to catch up with her at the last 200m. Summing all my strength, I sprinted to the finishing line but the gap was a little too wide and I lost to Yiwei by a mere 3 seconds!!! :( Thank God that He gave me the strength to complete the race in a good time and that I managed a 3rd position for the 20-39 category! :D yays!

   

   Although we didn't enter as TeamNUS Aquathlon, it was nice that Coach David, Kenley, Jon Tan and Chunnie came to support us and that there were some of us taking part! Sherlynn and Debs were 2nd and 4th for Standard Distance, Dereck and Josh were 1st and 2nd, Max and Clement were 2nd and 3rd. Pretty good achievements for the NUS family :)

Hopefully, I will be brave enough to up the level next year to do the Standard Distance. But for now, my aim is still to complete a Sprint within sub-40 :)

Yays..i lost to Yiwei by 3seconds but oh well..

Much room for improvements - both run & swim

The $70 trophy - that's how much its worth

Hello 2013

It's been a really lonnnngggg time since I've posted anything..

School's gonna start in 1 week's time and things are gonna get hectic (already is)

Stuff to blog about:
1. China trip
2. Training Camp
3. 2012 experiences/recap
4. 2013 aims & goals

It's been a good holiday :) Despite the downs

Below Expectations...

Recently, I've been trying to keep up with trainings; increasing my intensity to 7 times a week, ignoring Mr Quek's motto of not overtraining in order to test my limits - motivated by the aquathlon people's practice of training for more than 7 sessions a week. I don't really know if my body can take or not but for now, I think its taking a toll on my speed - so I really don't know what should I exactly do. Should I just press on or not? By not racing well in today's NIKE race (first time I'm slower than Meihui & Tiff), unlike previous few NIKE races, as well as yesterday's Geylang Serai 4.3k (ONLY) it is really affected my confidence level in racing :(  Plus Meihui & Bee were like running at 42min+ when I was only doing a 46min?!?!

Am I really burning out? Or I just did not push hard enough during trainings and hence my lousy timings?? Next year; I really have to aim to do much better and fight back my top5.

To keep in mind John's words "We learn from our worst races, not the ones we win"

Wise words from my go-home buddy which really makes a lot of sense. I'm really thankful for him..always listening to my complaints and all, encouraging me & making me feel a lot better about myself :)

Maybe it would be good to set a simple off season goal for myself:

Swim 10k + Run 30k per week.