I was at the Sundown familiarisation run last weekend. I was impresssed, for a run organised voluntarily, it was so well done. There was even camera crew. At about the 10km mark there was someone taking pictures. But I was already too dead to smile. I was mostly on my own at the start. I felt I was running my own pace and felt good about it. But usually I'd wish I had someone pushing me towards the end. That day as usual I was lacking motivation at the end and there was plenty of distraction. I met friends who were walking so I stayed with them for a bit of gossip before moving on. But I guess I should not be pushing myself for this and learn to treat running as an enjoyable social affair instead of taking it like a tight ass all the way. I did 21 km in 2hr 45 min.
The route along the airport can be fabulous. I mean it can be if you are fit and fab. Its long and straight with a fresh path (black and gleaming) tarmac which was great for running. But it did feel really long. About 7.7 km. At night its quite dark. The only lights coming from the airport; the park lights was on energy saving and doesnt light up a lot. The sound of airplanes taking off takes the boredom out of things. No water point until you hit East Coast.
At East Coast the body started to feel chilly. Not just from breeze and wet clothes, I did feel it was as if my immune system was vulnerable.
I didnt do the whole loop back to Changi Village, that would have been 35km. After Macdonalds I turned back to the Hawker center for kebab and teh tarik before going home. No the the tarik didnt stop me from dropping to sleep quite quickly. But its nice to have comfort food like that after a long run and I slept really well. Its my second time so far doing 21km , and at this point I am still finding it hard and finding the thought of doing 42 even more unimaginable.
Unlike 21km at the stanchart run I feel good enough to head back to the treadmill after 48 hours. (The former got me running only after 24 days!!!) I didnt wake up with my legs collapsing underneath me. And I can walk up and down stairs without wincing. So I'm assured that I didnt push myself unneccesarily.
The energy was great that day. I would do it again as a fun run if I get the chance to, a longer distance next time.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
45 km. 49kg
So finally I hit my weekly running ceiling. I've been falling way short of the required mileage but I am not punishing myself for it. I decided running outdoors takes too much effort. The hard and uneven surface is tough on my knees, I breathe in carbon monoxide or bin stink along east coast and its just way too much time and money getting there and back. After all I got my personal best the last time training on the treadmill.
This week I ran 13 km the day before menstruation. I felt I could have go on running. Its strange how the body works. you think the body is weaker from menstruation, but it really isnt. the first day was heavy and I did feel lethargy in the afternoon after yoga, but after resting I could do 10km in 61 min. Its a better timing than an average non menstruation day. Still, I felt I dont have to push myself too hard lest I injure myself.
I've also decided recovery massages would be a weekly affair until the race. I used to do it when I start to feel pain. But i decided it ought to be a preventive thing. The massages are really painful, even if i am not aware of any aches. Its supposed to heal damage faster; I hope it does.
I do body pump once or twice a week and yoga once a week. I think I ought to make an effort to go for yoga because it makes me do stretches, more intense ones, that I am too lazy to do myself after running.
After China my weight dropped to 49kg, from 50. And it became an effort to get back. I wasnt eating so much because it became quite a chore to eat the required amount of carbo. After running I am simply too sleepy to eat so much.
the weather is getting hotter. so its annoying to run in the day, even in the airconditioned comfort of a gym. i can feel teh heat of the sun through the glass window and its easy to get dizzy. So I prefer hitting the treadmill after 9 if I am at the condo gym because there'd be less people.
Its a lot of time commitment to train for a marathon, but I suppose the pay off is worth more than gold, or these days, rice.
This week I ran 13 km the day before menstruation. I felt I could have go on running. Its strange how the body works. you think the body is weaker from menstruation, but it really isnt. the first day was heavy and I did feel lethargy in the afternoon after yoga, but after resting I could do 10km in 61 min. Its a better timing than an average non menstruation day. Still, I felt I dont have to push myself too hard lest I injure myself.
I've also decided recovery massages would be a weekly affair until the race. I used to do it when I start to feel pain. But i decided it ought to be a preventive thing. The massages are really painful, even if i am not aware of any aches. Its supposed to heal damage faster; I hope it does.
I do body pump once or twice a week and yoga once a week. I think I ought to make an effort to go for yoga because it makes me do stretches, more intense ones, that I am too lazy to do myself after running.
After China my weight dropped to 49kg, from 50. And it became an effort to get back. I wasnt eating so much because it became quite a chore to eat the required amount of carbo. After running I am simply too sleepy to eat so much.
the weather is getting hotter. so its annoying to run in the day, even in the airconditioned comfort of a gym. i can feel teh heat of the sun through the glass window and its easy to get dizzy. So I prefer hitting the treadmill after 9 if I am at the condo gym because there'd be less people.
Its a lot of time commitment to train for a marathon, but I suppose the pay off is worth more than gold, or these days, rice.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Training week 9 or 10, dunno.
The week before I went on vacation was a dull one. I had lower leg tightness that disrupted good continuous running and I suffered through joey's massages to help me through. The week of rest I guess was a good thing. I was running 5km well yesterday. Today was so-so, I desensitized (touch screen - cool but spoil easily) the treadmill somehow. It got stuck at 11km /hr. By the time I changed machine I was breathless and had to stop.
As at yesterday I was 49kg. While I did not completelyt agree with food in China, I have to think that the struggle to keep the weight up is due to general laziness. i am in no mood to clean the apartment nor cook a meal. Yet the thought of eating food outside fills me with dread. My back pack is partially unpacked. At least I managed to haul out the laundry. Today I was ultra feminine because I have nothing else to wear. My little black dress does not need ironing.
With no chinese class for a month I guess I will have some time to chill out. And maybe do some cleaning.
The Thursday running group is a great chance at intervals. Its tough and I still dont know what the benefit is. But I presume it has some since all the good runners are doing it. According to a veteran, it helps you speed up again when you decide to slow down. your body recovers faster. else you have no motivation to continue.
At least its a break from running alone on the treadmill, talking to myself, mouthing lyrics and sniggering at the men next to me. My new pastime is to do men's push up in front of the weight lifters. 30. And counting. Yes I am quite the feminist bitch. If you cant have them, beat them.
I've also rejoined the gym. So I can go for yoga and weights, things I think would complement my running with strength and sufficient stretches. I also plan to swim more. Its more intensive than running I think.
2 months to go.
As at yesterday I was 49kg. While I did not completelyt agree with food in China, I have to think that the struggle to keep the weight up is due to general laziness. i am in no mood to clean the apartment nor cook a meal. Yet the thought of eating food outside fills me with dread. My back pack is partially unpacked. At least I managed to haul out the laundry. Today I was ultra feminine because I have nothing else to wear. My little black dress does not need ironing.
With no chinese class for a month I guess I will have some time to chill out. And maybe do some cleaning.
The Thursday running group is a great chance at intervals. Its tough and I still dont know what the benefit is. But I presume it has some since all the good runners are doing it. According to a veteran, it helps you speed up again when you decide to slow down. your body recovers faster. else you have no motivation to continue.
At least its a break from running alone on the treadmill, talking to myself, mouthing lyrics and sniggering at the men next to me. My new pastime is to do men's push up in front of the weight lifters. 30. And counting. Yes I am quite the feminist bitch. If you cant have them, beat them.
I've also rejoined the gym. So I can go for yoga and weights, things I think would complement my running with strength and sufficient stretches. I also plan to swim more. Its more intensive than running I think.
2 months to go.
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