Filed under: Train woman TRAIN!!!
Ok so the race day is just around the corner and I am just worried sick about it. Ive never EVER been competitive about this events as I always just did them for fun. This is the first time I have actually trained pretty hard for an event so I cant help but feel the pressure ; I mean this training has taken up the better part of nearly 3 months !!! Dont get me wrong, I have really enjoyed training for it but with it has suddenly come the pressure to do decently – or dare I say , even do WELL. What is well? I have no idea – I find my definition of that adapts rapidly during the race depending on how Im fairing..
I have a couple of fears about the race which range from coming last, to falling off my bike – or doing really well , and suddenly discovering there are only 12 year olds racing in my category. Trust me, the last one is probably the worst fear.
Filed under: Train woman TRAIN!!!
The shape run was about 2 weeks ago but I’ve only just gotten around to writing about it – it was better organized and with a larger field of participants this year ( 5000 if I recall ) ! The shirt this year was SOOO much better, as opposed to the crappy black nike top we got last year.
My only gripe with the shape run is that there are lot of walkers – which in itself is not a problem, except that they like to get right in the front !!! Its a bit frustrating because you then spend your time weaving in and out of people but anyways who am I kidding, its not like Im THAT fast…
So this year’s timing was an improvement on last year …drum roll please ….. 33 mins for 5km . Doh. I’II admit it , I wasnt thrilled with it, I did 35 mins last year. I was hoping for at least 30 mins but oh well c’est la vie, n’est pas? It reminds me of a quote that triathletes are not built why training, but while resting. It helps me remember that I need to chisel away at me being the best athlete I can be – it wont come over night from training hard for just a day, and like wise the improvements wont be huge leaps but rather a series of slow and steady improvements over time 
Filed under: Train woman TRAIN!!!
She’s so gorgeous I could CRY !!! I picked up my new bike tonight and I so excited I can barely keep it in!! YIPPIE YIPPIE YIPPIE ! She is just soooo gorgeous in person , this photo does not do my baby any justice. Its a Specialized Allez Pro 07 frame, with Shimano 105 Components. Sadly the Allez Pro complete bike is not sold outside the US not to mention from the 07 onwards they aren’t doing full bikes for the Allez Pro – so Aida ( wonderful biker chick who works at Specialized) suggested 105s with the frame. I had contemplated getting ultegra parts but was discouraged as apparently it only makes sense to splurge on that if I have a carbon frame ( anyone wanna donate SGD4000 so I can get said frame ?…I thought not ) …and she herself has ridden on 105s for the last 5 years with no complaints so I figure if its good enough for her , its good enough for me !!
I also picked up some accessories like biking shorts with the mother of all padding and riding gloves too. Wearing those pants honestly feels like wearing pampers but Im sure my crotch will thank me after my first ride. I am taking the day off on Friday , part of the reason being that I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE, I WANT TO RIDE MY BIKE !!! The girls have arranged some training over the weekend so I want to make sure Im a bit more familiar with my baby before I take her out training….
Any suggestions on names for my baby ??
Filed under: Life
Ahhh its sale season in Singapore which normally is great news HOWEVER , not if youre married to me LOL !! Ive been on course at a hotel on Orchard road for the last 3 days and with the hubster out of town it means Ive had plenty of time to peruse and ( as Jon would say ) – shop “unsupervised”. Anyways come to think of it even if he were around I still would pop by the shops so NER :p
Cotton On has recently opened in Wisma Atria and I could not resist picking up some great basics like easy thin cotton cardigans which are great for this Asian weather and some other easy cotton tops. I also picked up a great jacket in this crazy mustard yellow colour which I cant wait to wear. I’m not sure why but Cotton On seems to have this “cheapo” type image, or so I have picked up from Jon who seemed largely unimpressed by the opening of this boutique. Yes, I know what you ladies think – as if ANY guy would care about another shop opening up anywhere – unless all the sales assistants looked like they used to work at hooters!!! But no seriously Jon is quite the fashion aficionado in his own way – so I take it Cotton on is rather too common for his Gucci loving ways.
Today I also picked 2 Nike bags which were like 70% and 50% off – I couldnt believe my luck ! I finally have a decent carrier after using Jon’s free Fitness First bag which has been falling apart recent..next on my shopping list? A day looking for THE ultimate pair of jeans with the J & C next week…Jon will NOT be happy hehehe :p Whatever – I work hard for my dough…so Im going to splurge if I want to !
Training has been going slowly for the last 2 weeks – what with falling sick with flu and travelling to Penang. Kelvin thought I was nuts for waking up on Sat to go for a run in the gym on Saturday morning in Penang but after working so hard to actually build up my endurance, Id much rather work a little to maintain it – than stop and go through the pain of going through it all over again !!!
Race is coming up in less than a month, pretty nervous and excited I cant wait !!!
Filed under: Life
Its been about a month and half since my latest addition which means I will needs to go for a touch up sometime this week. Im seriously dreading this as this was definitely the most painful one yet – and I know Jaws being the perfectionist he is means that yes I will squirm like a worm while he does his touch ups…*sigh* well no pain no gain I guess…
Filed under: Train woman TRAIN!!!
its been a while since the last entry and since then Ive been trying to bounce back from my flu which has taken a while to shake off. Instead of really being worried about being sick, I was more concerned about missing out on all the training !! Its frustrating because progress takes constant training so I get completely paranoid when I miss any training sessions – which explains why I havent been on one of my infamous weekend getaways in a while but obviousl I couldnt hold out THAT long…I am finally getting away this weekend to Penang with the husband and some friends and the timing is all perfect in that there is no swim training next week so Im only missing bike training ( yes I know, Im completely heart broken hahaah NOT ! ).
I’ve started to really really enjoy training sessions on the weekend as the group started to finally chat and bond last weekend. its really great to talk to all these women from different walks of life, differing ages, completely differing abilities ( yes , Im always last !! :p ) and still find enough in common to complain about men, dating and other girlie things. Ive always really enjoyed training sessions but this is just the cherry on the cake. Jon was also kind enough to not mind me joining the ladies for lunch after training, which Im so grateful to him for since he knows Ive been missing some female companionship especially with all my girlfriends being in Miri, KL or now Philippines !!
This week my focus is making sure Im getting an hour of cardio at least 6 days of the week. I know its a little late in the game to be building volume – but I think Ive been going too light on my running side which is effecting my training in the other disciplines. So the idea this week is, 60 mins of whatever I want , starting with a nice easy run over lunch. Im concious that I will be away in Penang this way so I want to ensure that I continue training ( specially since everyone will still be toiling away ) and will make sure I squeeze in at least a run each day even though Im on holiday. Besides I will need to burn off all that good food which we will be eating all day long !
I just realised its just over a month until the race and I just cant wait !!! Yippie !
Filed under: Life
Ok this is one of this days which are unfortunately just going to suck – work was crazy with some list minute requests which meant I spent the whole day with my stomach in knots wondering if I could get it all done. The one thing I was looking fwd to was a free facial from this place down at Winsland House – to cut a long story short , that facial did not happen as this crapfest of a place INSISTED I must have my work pass with me in order to use my voucher. They “offered” to let me pay a $50 deposit that I would have to go back to reclaim once I brought my work pass, or to re-schedule the appointment altogether ( which took a month to bloody well make in the first place !). This place was worst than the Ministry of Manpower ! I offered them proof of my job with my business card – but nope , they just weren’t having it. Needless to say I gave them a piece of my mind - the whole episode was such a waste of time and I totally wasted the taxi fare to get there !!! I hate companies that are just completely inflexible – they needed the work pass just to CHECK that I hadnt been to their outlets in the last 6 months or bought any packages. HA HA HA – FAT BLOODY CHANCE OF THAT NOW MATE !
Filed under: Train woman TRAIN!!!
Yesterday was quite a fruitful training day with 1.5 hours in the bike with a decent rpm and average speed. I did have to reduce the resistance towards the last 40 minutes as I just starting to fade – I think the amount of carbs matters but thankfully managed to last the full 90 minutes. Ive decided to loosen the reigns on having carbs during the day just as long as I know my workouts are fruitful.
Today, Im in a dilemma – run , swim, run or swim ? I want to squeeze in at least 1 hour of running though I dont want to be exhausted tomorrow as I have loads of things to get to. I’ve realised that since starting cycling and swimming my appetite for running has reduced. Well ok, I was never that big a fan of running - I did it because it was a challenge to run. Ironically of all the 3 sports its actually my “base” but Ive been so reluctant to hit the treadmill or the outdoors recently that Im worried Im losing my ability to actually run….ho hum…
I need to be up at 4.30am ( yes you read that correctly ) were I will be volunteering at the OSIM Triathlon as a swim marshal , and by the looks of the schedule I wont be done til midday. Then its off to lector training at church , not to mention I need to pick up some things from the tailors – following by swim training with David at 7pm. I really wanted to squeeze in a 30 min run tomorrow but I dont it will be possible with all those things going on. Ahhh decisions decisions; if only there were more hours in the day !
Filed under: The glory of Youtube
This is just hilarious…for all you Harry Potter fans out there.
Filed under: Train woman TRAIN!!!
Ok, so I did it. I signed up a while ago. I don’t know why and or what delusional state I was in, but I signed up for my first triathlon. Swim Bike Run has been tattooed across my forehead for the last month and Im realising just what a freaking lump of lard I really am…I’ve been surfing the net checking out other people training for the triladies event and I read their blogs with my mouth a-gapping wide. They run 22km on the weekend. For FUN. Inbetween all the other training they do. What is WRONG with you people ?!?
Ok no I kid, I dont mean to treat you freakishly – specially since Im a nutter to have signed up too but Im seriously feeling out of my league with these endurance sports junkies. But I guess for me that is part of the allure – what the fun in doing something that doesnt push you past your limits ? Where’s the challenge? Anyways here we go because…Triladies ( Sept something or other) here we come !!!
