Limping Marathon Runner

.... whatever that means. Baby talk, at times, is more or less like DaVinci Code. Only the like-minded (another kid) would understand. I am blessed to have an opportunity to dine with myFTOgpx and his family. Most important of all, a dinner with his little darling. Aww.. She is so adorable, as with most kids, running around. Instantly, she gathered the attention of next two tables, while we were having coffee. Everyone wants to take pictures with her! During dinner, she picked corns from her macaroni soup and munching on those with a naughty wink. Cute! Right after dinner, we left for home and little sweetie blew me a goodbye kiss! *Sweet*

Finished a 7hr charity cycle marathon. It wasn't so much about who clocks the most most mileage. There are six teams, with five members in each team and three stationary bikes assigned to each team - team members take turns on the bikes. With a team name called Team Jiak, we were quite sure, we are going to eat and bike at the same time. Thanks to plenty of support from fellow good friends and runners who came. Mental as well as food support. There were Godzilla bao, MOS Burger fries (yum), bananas, pears and Subway sandwiches *drool*. Torture us (with food) please! Living with a label Slacker, how can I outdo others? The "trusty" Polar measured a 101km but I would prefer to measure by my gut feel - The Slack-O-Meter .... approximately 80km? Surprisingly, my ITB doesn't feel a thing. It was something else. Strange... or it is something more?

Yesterday, it was a busy day at work and more, resulting in reaching the climb site late. Awaiting for me was a surprise - saw my ex-colleague there. We chatted on some work related stuff before tackling our own routes for the night. Total of 5 climbs only. But, I was absolutely bouncing with joy since I managed to do a 6A+ route, called Vanilla Ice. The first time that I tried, I failed at a last move to the top. Doing it again, I completed it with a power move in that last move. Not much of a technique climb. In fact, I almost slipped at the last part. Nevertheless, it was a good attempt - complete with screams and hints from below.

Watched this MV on TV just now. Another piece of quality work from this singer.

歌： 思念是一种病
原唱: 张震岳

当你在穿山越岭的另一边
我在孤独的路上没有尽头
一辈子有多少的来不及
发现已经失去
最重要的东西
恍然大悟早已远去
为何总是在犯错之后
才肯相信错的是自己
他们说这就是人生
试著体会试著忍住眼泪
还是躲不开应该有的情绪
我不会奢求世界停止转动
我知道逃避一点都没有用
只是这段时间里尤其在夜里
还是会想起难忘的事情
我想我的思念是一种病
久久不能痊愈
当你在穿山越岭的另一边
我在孤独的路上没有尽头
时常感觉你在耳后的呼吸
却未曾感觉你在心口的鼻息
汲汲营营
忘记身边的人需要爱和关心
藉口总是拉远了距离
不知不觉无声无息
我们总是在抱怨事与愿违
却不愿意回头看看自己
想想自己到底做了甚黱蠢事情
也许是上帝给我一个试炼
只是这伤口需要花点时间
只是会想念过去的一切
那些人事物会离我远去
而我们终究也会远离
变成回忆
oh 思念是一种病
oh 思念是一种病一种病
多久没有说我爱你
多久没有拥抱你所爱的人
当这个世界不在那黱美好
只有爱可以让他更好
我相信一切都来得及
别管那些纷纷扰扰
别让不开心的事停下了脚步
就怕你不说就怕你不做
别让遗憾继续一切都来得及

From here.

With Roentgen's departure date nearing, some of us met up for dinner. The theme for dinner was local food. Since our center of attraction will be heading overseas where local delicacies are non-existent, the choice is clear. We topped up the evening with ice cream over loading. I would say they have some pretty interesting flavors.

Clearly the ITB problem will not go away in a short term. Now, I try pushing it by running without a strap till the point I need it. I strap it on and continues further. Let's see how this goes. Its called educating the ITB.

That feel .... that achy feeling on my ITB. It vanished! Many thanks to Philip. I was quite skeptical about using the patt strap. Today, I gave in. I paid for an "M" size and went home to test it out. Still doing my due diligence in stretching, I strapped it on my left leg and went out for a run. Cautious about my speed at the same time, I tracked my ITB condition. Finishing my 6.6km run, there wasn't even a slightest discomfort in that area! Grateful and taking this slow.

Back since yesterday, from a conference held overseas. Great to know that techies of my level are all fun-loving fellas. Even the techies Director joins when it comes to play and he plays hard! It was a great get-to-know session and experience for me.

However, at certain parts of the town or off islands, reality of tourism sets in. Where tourists dollars are concerned, this trade kills the natural habitat of other species. We see nothing but rocks of what it used to be ... corals. Petrol used in jet skis ... which offer nothing more but just a thrill ride. We may be losing it (our environment) all too soon.

During the trip, I finished Shambhala by Laurence J. Brahm and am now reading his Conversations with sacred mountains. One talks about the western Tibet, mythical Shambhala known as 'Shangri-La'. While the latter highlights his journey through Yunnan's Tea Caravan Trail - Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Lugu, Zhongdian and Kawagebo.

Nursing a bad cough now.

The sky above my head looked cloudy before I left for East Coast. Fair enough, it seems like they can hold. Nearing the coastal area, a threatening shade of grey showed up on the left side of my radar - the inlands.

Most of the folks were already there. Slackers like Tiwazz and Roonz had already settled their 3km swim. Slacker IMD did not slack a bit at all. Cycling to East Coast on his trusty HIM-Certified transport. I heard that someone got "ushered" to the end point. It did not come across to us, we (too) suffered the same fate....

The "white caps" gathered at the start point and listened to an official's last minute briefing. 5laps of 1km each - remember to loop and step on mat. Sure thing. Flag off! Our detail made waves and I reminded myself to take it easy. Swimmers lapped me like power crafts. As usual, I got molested from knee level and below. A jelly fish must have scored since I had a sting - burning sensation across my chest. I let out a "yeeeeeow", underwater. Once out of water for first lap, Mrs. Sotong (our resident pom pom girl) and Sxuanjing cheered for me. Thanks!! Trying hard not to look like I'm slacking too much. I grabbed a cup of isotonic drink, gulped down the yellow liquid and dived back down into the sea. Approximately 100m away from the shore, it started to pour. I always love rain drops falling on my head. Dark skies swiftly move to our location. Everything changed. Heavy downpour, strong winds and choppy waves sent the officials to declare the race to be stopped. It was for everyone's safety. I completed approximately 1.5km before being asked to head back to shore. A quick check with Kops21 calling Sxuanjing, Sotong was out of the waters too. Great!

All of us went for our carbo reload at Kallang hawker. To replenish my lost carbo, I took a bowl of noodles, almond paste and hamcheebang.

DNF - NMF

psst... Did Not Finish - Not My Fault
Our friend seems pretty affected by DNF.... cheer up! We'll get our revenge!

Long break from running to nurse an injury, I started my first intended run today. No fancy moves - just a short slow 3.2km. Let's do a slightly long distance tomorrow. For now, short distances, small steps will do.

I picked up my Fuji Xerox 5km Charity swim race pack today after a reminder from Julia. Thanks! A life saver ... I nearly forgot with my head in the work pile. While collecting my race pack and chatting with Beng over the phone, I saw Crudestar. She'll be doing a 3km with others like Julia, Tiwazz, Roonz and more!! Good luck!

Today, a total of 6 climbs and 1 of which I managed only half way (Magic Potion). While there weren't much people climbing today, it was a great opportunity to pick which ever route you want. We started isolating hand holds that we can't touch - minus those hand holds which made the route slightly tougher. Can't rule out more screaming, cursing and swearing. Good session. I have a better feel on CG and shifting of body weight.

Running tomorrow!~