How do I love the rain? Well, it didn't stop all morning, so I wheeled out my just-washed-and-polished sparkling clean and shiny Pinarello and sacrificed it to the rain gods. Was drizzling and cool for about half my 80km ride this morning, while the other half was a tad sunny. Well, sunny enough to get stupid looking tan lines on my thighs. Decided to punish myself a bit by going an extra lap -- four -- of boring ol' Changi Coast Road which goes BUMP BUMP BUMP ever so often cos of stupid speed-reducing strips that only reduce the speed of cyclists and not the other traffic. What the hell, I have half the mind to write to LTA about it. We'll see. Anyway, the winds were killer today, but, once again, smiling like an idiot did the trick! Pushed it a bit so that I could be worthy for my massage this evening... and boy, was the massage heavenly. Legs feel fresh and all ready for tomorrow morning's hill sesh at Peirce. Call 63338090 and ask for the masseuse Rita. The massage place is at Tank Road (opposite UE Square).

I recall an Economics lecture I had while at RJC years ago.. from a heavily shoulder-padded, retro-outfitted teacher whose named I have forgotten. Obviously I've retained like, three per cent of what I learnt in junior college. But then, who needs school anyway! ANYWAY, I digress. So, as I was saying, I recall a lecture which talked about how at some point in time, one cherishes leisure time over salary. As in, there is a point where even if you gave the fella more money to work more hours, he wouldn't do it because he values his personal and leisure time over that increase. (Economics teacher friends and economics graduate friends, care to enlighten me on the term to call this behavior?)

Well, anyway, I was thinking about it while out on those long, lonely training miles. And I can say I'd rather have more time to spend my hard-earned money and more time to spend with friends, family and myself, than work work work. If I could, I'd work for three months, save up enough money, and train, race and travel for the rest of the year. And repeat that cycle again and again. Sure, money will be tight, but the stress-free life makes up for it all. So, forgive me, but I can't understand why people work 16 hour days and leave no time for themselves or their loved ones.

ANYWAY, what I've written just proves one point: that endurance athletes are all a bit off-kilter and over-analytical. It's all those long, lonely training miles I tell you.

Today's workout was great though. Coach Ghana is in Sydney (and flying back in the A380, dammit!), so he SMSed our workout to us. Today was tempo run day, and the set went like this: 10min warm up, 20min hard, 5min jog, 15min hard, 5min jog, 10min hard, 5min jog, 5min hard, 5min cool down. Due to rising oil prices and a thinning pocket due to lack of funding from the Sports Council, I decided to go somewhere near home to do the workout instead. Bedok Reservoir was the best place to do the workout because it's a 4.3km loop and relatively free of pesky kids on bicycles, stand-arounders and weirdos. And just a ten minute drive from home. Started the workout at about 5pm to make sure my masochistic self got grilled a bit by the heat to get acclimatised to conditions in Pattaya. Was quite nicely overcast though, so I got away with just a slight roasting.

The first 20min hard was, well, hard, especially because when I started I had two pesky male joggers trying to follow me and making stupid comments. Dropped them like a hot potato after 100m. Recovered quite well during the 5min jog. The next 15min hard was relatively easier. The 10min hard got a bit harder... and by the time it was 5min hard, I was just thinking of dinner. Of course, throughout it all, I never forgot to smile. :-) Bye bye pain!

Covered about three and a half rounds of Bedok Reservoir, so that adds up to about 15km in an 80min workout. Headed to Safra Tampines for an easy cool down swim.. just did nice, long strokes, gliding along... after 1,000m I decided I had enough for the day, so I got out, showered, came home and cooked dinner.

And so I lie here on my cosy bed, the only activity I do other than train these days. Think there's 44 days to the Games. Damn. It's getting close.

I'm starting to get a hang of this shiznit. I mean, running fast, feeling the wind in my face, breathing hard but not overdoing it, totally in tune with my body.

This morning's track session at NYP was one of the best I'd done in a loooong time. Woke up -- planned to be 6am, but in reality was 6.20am -- feeling slighty the effects of last night's hard swim (1,500m warm up, 10x50m easy, 1,500m time trial). Heart rate -- check, 42. Legs -- good to go. Managed to haul myself out of bed with thoughts of SEA Games glory. Packed me stuff, filled me bottles, brushed me teeth, popped two pieces of cinnamon toast in the toaster then slathered it with PB&K (peanut butter and kaya) and doggie-bagged it... then rushed out of the house by 6.50am. Sky was overcast with a slight drizzle -- perfect conditions, check. The drive was smooth as I chomped on my cinnamon toast in between swigs of Gatorade. Got to the track 20 minutes earlier than the 7.30am start time and proceeded to warm up with Alan, who was also early for his pre-work workout. Coach Ghana and the others -- Kenneth and Adi -- came by just as we were ending our easy 2km... so Alan and I started the workout first.

5x (600m hard, 200m walk, 400m hard, 400m walk)
600s -- 2.15, 2.13, 2.12, 2.10, 2.11
400s -- 86, 85, 84, 85, 83

Not earth-shattering or record-battering, but certainly decent compared to my DNF a week ago for the 6x1,200m workout, where I struggled to even hold 90 for a 400. Heart rate was a lot lower and I felt much fitter. What can I say? WOOOHOOOOO!

Definitely beats Sunday's shitty run at the Great Eastern Women 10K, where I posted a super crap time and got run down by... people I usually run down easily. Just felt cruise-y all the way, but not able to shift into the next gear.

Ok, at least photos were nice. Thanks Randall!

With fellow Oakley Pink Flak Jacket wearer, Mel (good job, girl!)

Right, now all I gotta do is rest up for tonight's SPH Inter-division cross-country race at MacRitchie...

Ok, so the race went really well. Did not manage to nap in the arvo cos I was too tired from the morning's session... so I was kinda expecting to suffer during the 4.8km MacRitchie boys' route race. But, surprisingly, it was all good. I felt in control the whole way, keeping my breathing and striding rhythm in check, and finished strong feeling like I could run more. Time: 20min 45sec. Place: 1st. Prize: $350 New Balance voucher. Lucky for me Dad and J, I'm loyal to the swoosh... so they get new kicks. And whatever else they can buy for $350 at NB. Considering I had a tough sesh this morning, I'm well pleased. :-)

My latest purchase:

Nike Air Zoom Miler (was US$89.99, now US$59.99)
The first Nike spike designed specifically for the mile. Designed for the middle distance runner looking for a ultra-lightweight spike with an aggressive plate and platform. Lightweight Japan inspired mesh upper, midfoot synthetic strap adds support, synthetic glove-like leather forefoot. Ultra-thin Phylon™ midsole wedge keeps the shoe light and low to the ground while offering impact protection. Light, yet aggressive six permanent pin plate, Pebax® plate designed to support the foot for faster running. Weight 4.8 oz.

Normal women rave about heels, ballet flats and the like. I swoon over nice spikes. Yes, I must be nuts. Decided to buy this pair of spikes from Footlocker.com (despite being sponsored by Nike) as 1. I have not seen it in Singapore and 2. Paiseh to ask Nike and 3. It's a worthwhile investment anyway and 4. Big discount!

My last pair of Nike spikes was given to me by my track and field teachers at Raffles Girls' Secondary, which, at that time, was sponsored by Nike. I can't remember the model, but it was a nice white-based spike with flourescent pink trimming. It lasted me from Secondary 2 till the end of University. I called them my lucky spikes. All the sweat and memories soaked up in its perfectly light and breezy cool mesh upper. I miss my ol' spikes. Of course, after all those miles, the sole split from the upper. So, time for a new spike in my life -- the Nike Air Zoom Miler.

I haven't raced a track event since 2003, but I'm back to doing track workouts now and I think it will help me in my training. After all, if you feel fast, you'll go fast. And spikes make you feel like you could tear up the track. (Feel, that is. Doing is another thing.) The exhilaration of a track race though is a totally different affair from a road race. I've always liked track events, perhaps because it's super tactical. And that feeling of sprinting down the final straight and breasting the tape first.. phenomenal. For now, that remains a dream. But maybe I will start racing track events again after the Games.

Today's track sesh was at 7.30am at Nanyang Poly instead of the usual 5.30pm at Gombak. Thank heavens, because at 5.30pm it was raining cats and dogs. But I didn't manage to complete my track workout today... doing just over half the workout of 6x1,200m. I guess some days when you feel tired you just shouldn't push it.

So, I rested the rest of the day. Did my surveying and shopping online for the spikes. Then headed out to White Sands to get groceries for this week's meals.... tofu, lean chix breast, muesli bars, cabbage, more tofu...

And made another purchase:

Call me cheesy, but I actually loved the movie and loved the music (and lyrics)... which led me to buy the soundtrack! I must admit, Haley Bennett's songs.. not so good. Hugh Grant's tunes... a very unpolished quality to it with meaningful lyrics that make you laugh, cry and sing along at the same time. Ok, I'm a sucker for Hugh Grant. And Hugh Jackman. But that's another story.

Don't Write Me Off
(written by Adam Schlesinger, performed by Hugh Grant)

It’s never been easy for me
To find words to go along, with a melody
But this time there’s actually something, on my mind
So please forgive these few brief awkward lines

Since I’ve met you, my whole life has changed
It’s not just my furniture, you’ve rearranged
I was living in the past, but somehow you’ve brought me back
And I haven’t felt like this since before Frankie said relax

And while I know, based on my track record
I might not seem like the safest bet
All I’m asking you, is don’t write me off, just yet

For years I’ve been telling myself, the same old story
That I’m happy to live off my so called, former glories
But you’ve given me a reason, to take another chance
Now I need you, despite the fact, that you’ve killed all my plants

And though I know, I’ve already blown more chances
Than anyone should ever get
All I’m asking you, is don’t write me off, just yet
Don’t write me off just yet

Unbelievable. Chrissie Wellington has won the 2007 Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Yeah, we all know our Jones(es), but, Chrissie Who-lington?

Chrissie Wellington. 30. British. Of TeamTBB. Won the 2006 World Age Group Championships in Lausanne 2006. Turned pro eight months ago. Did first-ever Ironman at Ironman Korea in August -- won. Qualified for Kona. Eight weeks later -- Oct 13 (yesterday) -- crowned Ironman world champion in 9:08:45. (In between, she pit-stopped at Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore on Sept 2 and came third). Down-to-earth, humble, eloquent.

The lady is phenomenal. And I'm inspired.

On the men's side, I was rooting for Craig Alexander in his Kona debut (and second Ironman ever), but it was Macca's day in his sixth Kona attempt.

A year has passed since I competed in Kona, but I can still feel the spirit of the island, smell the run-downed King Kamehameha hotel, blush at the thought of running in my underwear, feel all goose-bumpy while treading water at the startline among 1,700 of the world's best triathletes, sweat at the thought of Queen K and Hawi, beam like I just got gatorade from Peter Reid at the Energy Lab,... and those lights at the finish line on Ali'i Drive... the crowd going craaazy... Island Breeze singing... Mike Riley announcing... "You are an Ironman"..

I'm itching to go back. Now, which Ironman should I do?

Okaaaaay... focus. What I gotta do now is channel all that energy to my training for the Games. Of course, the dream is to pull a Chrissie... the reality, though, is that it's going to take a load of blood, sweat and tears... God help me.

Anyway, while the action was going on in Kona.. I was tucking into some delish jap grub.

Dinner last night with J at Kazu. Mmm...

Po po trying out Crocs mary janes.

Arms pumping, lungs chugging, legs burning... the sound of soaked Nike Air Pegasus TCs with every step... up the first hill, cruising the gentle incline and a final burst up a small steep last section to the finish line. 300m long. 10 times over. I made it in one piece. Phew.

Certainly helped that there was great company for this evening's run sesh. Eight of us, plus coach Ghana, started out at Lower Peirce carpark with an easy 2km jog to SICC. There we did 10 reps of a 300m long hill with a walk rest back to the startline. The first few were painful but it got better. As the sun set, amidst a dimly lit road, my focus shifted on each arm swing, each stride, coping with my lactate-laden legs and keeping my heartrate in check. We jogged back 2km back to Lower Peirce, where we did some stretches, sit ups and back raises. Running in a group certainly boosts your morale and performance.

Coupled with an easy 2.5km swim this morning, today has been a great training day. Met J for dinner at Longhouse, which was the perfect end to my day. Looking forward to an easy run or bike tomorrow.

Golf, anyone?

I was literally brought to my knees yesterday during the track session at Gombak. It was a huge wake-up call for me. I'm almost completely void of speed. We did four sets of 300m hard, 100m walk, 400m hard, 100m walk -- which may sound to you like a piece of cake -- but it sure wasn't for me. After operating in Ironman mode (ie long, slow distance mode) for a year or so, I've realised I'm pretty much like my 17-year-old beemer. Build like a tank, can cruise at lower speeds for eternity, but put foot to the pedal and floor accelerator and the engine stutters and struggles to come to life. After the seventh rep I was down on my hands and knees. My adductors and hammies, still aching from Saturday's drills, totally went weak. The only good thing was that I pushed on and completed the whole workout. Thank God for Danny who gave me one of the best rub downs ever after the session. I was writhing in pain on the massage table, but after that my muscles were as relaxed as a lounge chair. Call me a masochist, but I'm looking forward to the next track session.

Had a bit of fun yesterday morning, putting my two and a half year-old golf set to good use -- finally. The beatiful leather gloves were still in its wrapping. The clubs had never felt a human touch. My shoes smelled like it was right out of the factory. My pink club covers were pristine and pretty. Yep, I had all the gear, just never had the time to haul my ass down for a golf lesson. Fortunately, a nice PR agency organised a golf clinic for my colleagues and I at Sentosa Golf Club, conducted by the club's resident golf pro Skye. Golf is such a tough, technical sport. I managed to hit the ball about 50 to 60m in various unintended directions. Every now and then I would hit a sweet straight shot. But the consistency was never there. I guess that little 90min clinic really showed me how bloody out-of-this-world talented those golf professionals are. Hopefully I can get some lessons going and start playing some serious golf!

If you don't play good, look good can already.
Nike dri-fit top, Oakley Flak Jackets and visor... Cleveland wedges.

Back to what I do better -- triathlon.

After yesterday's track sesh brought me to my knees, I woke up this morning with my adductors and hammies still feeling strained. Good thing I had to go down to my insurance company's office at Raffles Place, which was the perfect excuse I needed to skip a morning sesh. Got back, had fish soup (see post below, but sans noodles this time) for lunch and then slept. Woke up and went for a 2h 10min steady-paced ride at Coastal, covering about 65km. Mixed it up in the middle with 5x(5min big gear, 5min spin)... along the way tackling some strong head/cross-winds. But it was all good. By the time I got back it was time for dinner,... and I whipped this up:

Wholemeal spaghetti with black-pepper tuna and one apple-cheese sausage,
with a sprinkling of bacon bits on top and OJ on the side.
(Eh, I know, looks like dog food but tastes damn good.
Lousy Nokia E65 camera phone also does not do justice to my cooking.)

OUCH, my butt still hurts. Those plyometric drills, specifically the lunges, really got me. I can hardly bring my knee higher than waist level. Funny, though, that I hardly felt any gluteal pain when I went for a nice, easy 50min run at 6am this morning. Probably because it was just about pancake flat all the way, save for running up the overpass and some little molehills here and there. I did some stretching at my void deck after the run... and I could barely raise my leg onto the stone table for a stretch. Ooh, the pain. And there's trackwork tomorrow. Uh-oh. Good thing it's just a swim sesh tonight.

Well, yesterday's 5km open water swim got rained out. The 5km swimmers flagged off in two waves at 12.30pm and 12.35pm. It was a five-lapper, and mid-way through my second lap the sea suddenly turned into a washing machine, the sky was dark grey and storming rain down hard on us. I quite enjoyed it, actually. Just that there was lightning and thunder, which would mean I could've been struck. But other than that, I quite liked swimming in the waves. The first thoughts that crossed my mind was that this would make for some great photographs! I haven't seen any photos of the carnage though. Anyway, the jet skis came out and told us to go under the lane rope and head straight for shore. I kept swimming right along the lane rope, till a jet ski came by and the rider pulled me up on it. Shucks. But the jet ski was fun, though! I almost got thrown off, but it was quite an experience riding it in the storm. The scary thing was that it was impossible to tell if there was anyone left stranded out in the water. I hope no one was.

(Oh, by the way, all my races but three this year had rain pouring on me. No rain -- Oakley City Duathlon, Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore, Ironman Malaysia. Rain -- Port Dickson Triathlon, Desaru Long Distance Triathlon. Rained out -- Osim Singapore Triathlon, Triladies Triathlon, Fuji Xerox Open Water Swimming.)

So back to shore we went and everyone took shelter under whatever they could. But the howling wind was so strong everyone pretty much got wet. When it finally stopped I decided to head home instead of heading straight to office as was planned. Took a warm bath, plopped on my bed and starting filing my story. But I started nodding off, and the next time I opened my eyes it was 5pm. (Work was supposed to start at 4pm). Got changed and rushed out, reached work at 5.30pm. No complaints from the boss, phew.

Wrote my story, and just when I was about to leave... one of my editors came by and wished me good luck in my training for the SEA Games. And also said something to the effect of "don't disappoint us, come back with a medal, or your colleagues will feel let down". I can't remember her exact words but that was pretty close to what she meant.

Really. No stress at all. Riiiiiiiight.

And so I begin my journey of sorts towards Dec 8. Well, really it began in 2003, when I first knew that triathlon would be added to the Games. But as circumstances would have it, I missed the previous opportunity to go. I've now been thrown another lifeline, and I sure will make full use of it.

Thanks to my bosses and colleauges at SPH for letting me go (and paying me for a month at the same time). Thanks to my fellow front-enders for covering my load when I'm gone. Thanks to Nike and Oakley for your continued suport. Thanks to SNOC and TAS for my selection and your faith in me. And thank God for giving me this chance to chase my dream.

And now that I'm home for more hours a week than the combined total of the year gone by... I'm eating home more times a week than the combined total of the year gone by... stocked up with tons of food like veggies, tuna, salmon, wholemeal spaghetti, wholemeal bread, ham...

This was the storm I cooked up today

It must've been good cos Doggie couldn't stop looking longingly at it

Okay, it has been a while I know. Since I returned from covering the ITU BG Beijing Triathlon World Cup in Changping three weeks ago, everything has been crazy. I've been extra busy and feeling extra tired and training is going extra bad. The good news is that tomorrow will be my official last day of work till December's South-east Asia Games in Thailand. I'll be taking a two-month break to train full-time for the duathlon event on Dec 8. As soon as that's done, I'm back to work -- covering the SEA Games there.

I've started running with national coach Ghana, because recently I've felt like I can't seem to get a good run in. From being my strength, it has become quite a weakness and I'm really looking to get back in form. Went for my first track workout in over two and a half years on Tuesday at Gombak Stadium. I knew the workout before hand -- 4x2,000m -- and I thought I was going to die after the first set. But it wasn't too bad. I paced myself ok, it was waaay off my former times, but oh well, it's a start.

Today instead of doing the long bike ride with Cycleworx, I decided to do a brick of sorts. I biked 40km and ended up at Lower Peirce Reservoir for some run training. Well, kindof a run training. We did an easy 5k to warm-up, and then we did two sets of plyometric drills and core work involving nine exercises. Let's just say I worked muscles today that I haven't worked since stopping netball seven years ago. And I'm going to pay for it tomorrow. After the run sesh I biked home... an easy 20k spin. Although each time I hit the hills (and there were quite a few) my butt was screaming! Ahhh.. but pain feels good. Heh.

Speaking of tomorrow, I'll be swimming the 5km event at the Fuji Xerox Open Water Swim at East Coast Park. Just go there and play play, lah!

Haven't got many pictures from the weeks gone by. Anyway, there is nothing much to capture when you're just working and working and working. Well, here are a few snapshots...

Vicky and I at the Triladies Triathlon.
I did the sprint, but it got rained out and they stopped me
while I was on the bike. Bleah. Thanks Vick for the pic.

Ah Fei's pics he took at the Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore a month back.
Thanks Ah Fei (the man in green), very nice.