Limping Marathon Runner

In my recent months of M.I.A., I give total credit to my day job. Those who are familiar with my scope agrees that the infinite loop repeats itself with climbing expectations.

These day, I don't get to do a lot of stuff that would love to. Fortunately, some friends gave me this opportunity today. I came to know Kops21, Wentze and Lazer went for a morning run. Meteor, Alvo and myself joined them for a kayaking session out under the mid-day sun. Two dancers, three ocean kayaks and a Lazer made their way across the small channel aiming for Pulau Ubin. The sky and clouds above were picture perfect. Along the way, there were a few herons anchored on buoys and planks that served as a temporary flotation devices. We caught a few waves sent by passing vessels. But, they weren't that huge and I felt like we were going over a bump. 55mins into our paddling adventure, the sandy small beach front was within our sights. A fellow kayaker requested to have his picture taken with his friends, in which he returned the favor. With a sign, we drifted some 30m away (after that few clicks) and had to fight our way back, against the current. Once on the beach, we arranged our stuff and ordered our food while waiting for Lazer to check in. Eventually, after waiting for sometime, we finished up Lazer's share of food before heading back to mainland. Strange. It took us just 45mins back to mainland. It must have been the current. Since most of us had appointment to follow up on, some of us went for drinks before I met up with another friend to top of my day's activity list.

--Pics soon--

Just finished the movie, Marathon. What can i say? =)

With thanks to my ex-colleague, I was invited to him place for a gathering. Most of my ex-colleagues reached around late noon, where we started eating and some of them proceeded to card games. While I wasn't into "card games", I played with my ex-colleague's lovely daughter. My ex-colleague had always wanted a little girl. To my understanding, as a family, they attended church and pray for a little girl. When she was expecting this little angel, they were overwhelmed with joy. This baby girl is so charming even at her age. Everyone just wanted to interact with her. I bet she'll be a heartbreaker when she grows up. When she saw a dog in the house, she was really excited, pointing and mumbling her baby talks. I watched some ex-colleagues playing PS3 too. I was asked to join in the "fun". All awaiting to poke fun at me when I miss the notes on Guitar Hero III. The songs like Santana's Black Magic Woman, The Rolling Stones' Paint It Black, some of Guns and Roses and Aerosmith, etc. I had mostly 95% hits on notes. Definitely giving credit to my days spent in arcade centres. Of course, they were playing the easy mode. However, there were a few friends who could not get it right, initially. When they got a hang of it, there were so high that they wanted to play every song. It was fun! I even asked Petit Anges to shake her head and do jumps like a rocker. Everyone laughed! I wish we had more gatherings like these. We stopped to watch a horror movie before the disc got hanged and we decided to call it a night. Around 3am where I slept at home this morning, I was tired but happy.

I was tired and had only woke up at 11am. Once ready, I walked over to Chini's place. We started to feast on sushi and I babysit Dayan while the rest played mahjong. Dayan begins to learn more and can hold a conversation better, calling me Uncle Mugg. He even knows his chess pieces names. Pawn, bishop, king, queen, knight, castle. I'm impressed! We ran around the house after I got him to drink his milk on bed. We rolled ourselves on his bed. Unknowingly unleashing the big kid in me, we laughed so hard when we doing the "cycling in the air" motion. He doesn't want to sleep at all and no signs of fatigue! Around 5.30pm, I had to bid him goodbye and promised to play with him again.

Hmm... I did not think of T3. Why didn't I? I would say the departure hall certainly looks bright and spacious. Hmm... agree that part of the viewing gallery looks very much like Bangkok's airport. Wait... a pinch? We walked around the area before settling our dinner. Club sandwich (blurp) and Macaroni and cheese gratin. I swear I can reproduce both dishes as they are not too difficult. We walked to another cafe for Camomile tea and more talks before heading home. There is a blur side of me (definitely in anyone too!).

My jaw was almost dislocated when I rammed into my opponent during our squash game. Oww. But, it was a good game and my opponent is catching up fast. I can see that she is already picking up my moves and shots!

After the game, on my way back, I start to question if it is ITB after all. It just feel strange on those areas.

Right after work, I bumped into Slacking IMD and his missus while on my way home. Slacker bought new shoes? You need to run in those and not display them. Hahaahaha.

Plunging into the pool to try out something that I saw on video recently, I just needed some practical sessions to get a feel of it. Initially, my left arm felt the "catch" better than my right. I do notice an "elbows down" scenario once fatigue sets in. Reminders reminders reminders. By the end of it, I feel that I am learning freestyle over again. Maybe. Till my next pool session

With the recent "departure" of my MP3 player, getting cranky, I got no choice but to upgrade to ZEN player. The good thing about this player is that it accepts SD cards, plays audio, video, and has FM radio too. Neat.

Now, something else needed a change. My mobile phone. After barely surviving a bowl Miso soup splash by my colleague, it started to display erratic behavior. There were tofu bits and seaweed all over my phone and the beige hue shaded my black mobile phone cover. *arrrrrrrrg* Looks like its fated that I should get the Nokia E51, which I did after our lunch.

Looking at a different angle, I ran a quick 3.4km today. I hope work will clear up with some good structure soon.

It sounds totally weird that my first post is on 7th Jan 08, 3plus AM in the morning! For whatever reasons, I could not sleep and I started switching on my laptop. Next thing I knew, I was working (replying mails). Heck. If I had equipment at my place, I would have done testings.

Many thanks to those for asking and checking here for updates. I'm just pretty tight - caught up in a web of work. Busy. Busy. Busy. Most say busy is a good thing. Others beg to differ. Why? recent conversation from Year 2008 MSN:

Ex-colleague: Hey! Saw you the other day, wanted to talk to you more to catch up. Who was that girl? Your girl friend?
Me: No. She is ..... .....

Ex-colleague: Don't work so hard. Your boss will love you. She won't.
Me: .......

Ex-colleague: Spend more time with "someone". You have to know what is important to you.
Me: -_____-

Work. Saturday was no exception. Meeting the "C" level (surprised) of some company before he goes off to China. My only chance to grab him for a talk. After which, I prep some equipment while solving someone's installation issues. LittleJapBoy called for an American Pool session and I agreed. One good thing is, we are never too serious about our games. We laugh at every shot we make - be it lousy or excellent. That's the point. It is just a game.

I managed to get the song that I wanted. It is available for download (here) - under Sounds of The Underground. Venessa Fenandez - You Don't Need To Speed. Why this song? I am a slacker and I don't need to speed.

Nothing related to Microsoft at all! I felt like I am working in a Stock Exchange today. Mobile phone on left ear and a desk phone on my right ear. Two laptops running different tests - troubleshooting two different cases. Mad. Good thing, its a holiday tomorrow.

This week has been near madness and I feel like it is longer than a 42km. I got a beer together with some munchies at Dirty Nelly's last night. I am glad the work week ended today (at least work to be done) and I feel drained. Solved three cases at one go and I still have some other stuff to do. Didn't join EndlessTrail for the talk and decided to head on home. Stopping at the video store, I picked up Transformers for Bala. The Pursuit of Happyness and Stealth for myself. Okay, the show is going to start soon!

Deciding to stop and rest my legs for 1 month (away from running), one cannot image the rushing endorphins I received, just by doing a short dash of 5 metres for the bus. Caught the movie "Enchanted" at Great World around evening. Looking forward to running again!

Well done to Kops21 and ShortLegs for finishing their Western Australia IM event!

.. as some describes this - I know Fennel would. That was what left me wincing in pain as I did let the foam roller and laws of gravity carried out its tasks. Sadist (but effective) tips from Kops21, stacking both legs on the foam to increase its intensity, almost made me squeal. My face wrinkled with squinty eyes was an instant reflex from the indescribable sensation. Just little kids who want toys after dental visits. Some hot tea, please? ITB feels much better. Somemore? I'll leave that till tomorrow. It was 1.2k swim today. Recovery.

I slept as early as 4pm the day before, waking up periodically and at 7pm for dinner before sleeping again. Waking at 12 midnight, I caught some movie on T.V. before taking some noodles. I sensed that I will not have an easy day with odds stacked against me. With timed friendly feeder service at 4.10am by IMD, we reached the venue early. Baggage was a little chaotic and fortunately AlecChua was taking the half marathon, I left my shoe bag with him for deposit. Making my way to the start line, there were plenty of familiar faces to wave to.

With a countdown to 5.30am and off we went. I was still feeling good and was pretty cautious of my speed for the first 10km. But, that was not what I looked out for. at 12km, what I feared for has arrived. That warning sensation on my ITB. The first attack came at 19km. I went down to run - walk technique. At 28km, it was so intense that the only better option was to brisk walk. I could only hold up to 35km before I came down to a normal walking pace. Just before 36km, I spotted someone with cramps and I went over to assist. His calf muscle was twitching pretty badly. We spent probably 5mins to stabilize it before buddying up and chatting all the way to the finish line. With 300m before finish line, I did a slow (which was painfully slow) jog back to cross the finish line. My personal worst timing but finishing was all that matters.

Good to hear that most achieved some pretty impressive timing while others suffered like me. We will be back for revenge next year!

To celebrate the return of our Supreme Slacker, we did a low mileage swim today. Wait. Or was I the only low mileage swimmer. Nevermind. Good to see the Supreme Slacker with a new hairdo and a fierce one too!

I hope it holds. We shall see in six days' time.

Now, festive moods are everywhere. Malls are playing Christmas tunes. Decorations seen along roads and in malls. The signs are different this year and it is a little worrying to me. On a different note, is it going to be the same as last year?

Not much time to update anything - clearing work.

ET go home, ET go home One of our MenInGreen weds today! Holding his wedding lunch at Sentosa, it was a great "overseas trip". I was playing with ChiniJr where this little fella needs warming up.

The day seems great for an open water swim!

Want to know why I keep doing marathons? To feel alive. Here's how and why.

Something is wrong. It feels weird. Definitely. As much as I can contain it, I will. Felt better after three sets of muscle rehab. Weak. Okay, self-impose ban on climb tomorrow.

Yesterday, I crossed the causeway to attend my ex-colleague's wedding (not mentioning the one hour jam). From her, I learned something that I was searching (in answer) for in years. She has been through similar experiences and kind enough to explain. Once she asked if I could attend her wedding, I gave a "Definitely!" answer right away. Her wedding is pretty much like the local chinese wedding in the 80s, where singers entertain her guests on stage with their love songs and duets. Watching the entire process of her husband professing his love for her on the big screen from morning's "ordeal for the groom" makes everyone laugh because they are the cutest couple alive. We left after the banquet and faced another hour plus of jam before reaching home. Sleeping at 3am - not good.

Today's run wasn't spectacular. At 16km, problems started to surface. I stopped at 24km, estimating at 2hrs 30mins, where I am suppose to do a 35km. Plagued by several problems lately, just got to fight them off. Saw Benson, speed-monster, at the canal today. Yes, I almost got ran over by an inline skater wannabe. Perhaps I should do the treadmill.

Most significant songs from my ex-colleague's wedding:

歌: 愛,很簡單
歌手: 陶喆

忘了是怎麼開始
也許就是對你有一種感覺
忽然間發現自己
以深深愛上你 真的很簡單

愛的地暗天黑都已無所謂
是是非非無法決擇
沒有後悔為愛日也去跟隨
那個瘋狂人是我 喔

I LOVE YOU 無法不愛你 BABY
說你也愛我
I LOVE YOU 永遠不願意 BABY
失去你

不可能更快樂 只要能在一起
做什麼都可以 雖然世界變個不停
用最真誠的心 讓愛變得簡單

I LOVE YOU 我一直在這裡
一直在愛你
I LOVE YOU, OH YES I DO
永遠都不放棄 這愛你的權利

如果你還有一些困惑 OH NO
請貼 我的心傾聽 聽我說着 愛你
YES I DO 我愛你

Song: Because I Love You
Singer: Stevens Shakin'

If I got down on my knees and I pleaded with you,
if I crossed a million oceans just to be with you,
Would you ever let me down?

If I climbed the highest mountain just to hold you tight,
if I said that I would love you every single night,
Would you ever let me down?

Well, I'm sorry if it sounds kinds sad,
it's just that I'm worried,
so worried that you'll let me down.

Because I love you, love you, love you, so don't let me down.

If I swam the longest river just to call your name,
if I said the way I feel for you would never change,
Would you ever fool around?
Well, I'm sorry if it sounds kinds bad, it's just that I'm worried,
I'm so worried that you'll let me down.

Because I(love you, love you), love you, love you.

Well I'm sorry if it sounds kinds bad, it's just that I'm worried,
Yes, I'm so worried that you'll let me down.

Because I love you, love you,

Oooh, I love you, love you, love you.

This afternoon, a manageable 14.2km as I detour-ed to Cold Storage to check out their variety of cheese. The cool breeze from air-con was like the greatest gift ever on a hot afternoon. During the initial few kilometers, my right knee had some discomfort. Was it physical or mental? It went away as I pounded on and on. While running, 35km kept flashing in my head. I took the option of shelving it to Saturday instead, not doing it too fast.

I am absolutely clueless why am I still unable to sleep. Eyes totally wide open. I can't figure it out!

... the wall. As much as the title suggests, I was practically doing that to the sports climbing wall. Karen is always saying that I have suggestive moves. LOL. I do not.That move costs one bruised knee and two bruised (scratched) buckles on my harness. Probably, my butt is big. EndlessTrail pressed on my butt with my body closer to the wall when I figured out the balance. I see what he is trying to point at and I certainly think I need more practice on this. Definitely. Equipment wear and tear - expected.