AHM

.Pain.

I think that is the only describable feeling I have now...or at least there is a word for it. Fresh from the run, and plonking myself into the first available chair at home is heaven. lol. The stomach just growls hungrily and awaiting for more energy to be replaced. Carbohydrates. Fibre. Protein. And the lot.

It's just one of those very few days that you wish you could just lie down, but you don't want to 'cos you wish to do something; you could just sit up to do something, but that is worse 'cos by sitting your legs ain't resting fully.

Sleeping @ 9.15pm, waking up @ 3.40am for a 21km half-marathon run ain't a big joke. Added to the fact that the place is bloody big and so many ppl wearing virtually the same running attire are crowded in one small place called the PADANG.

CPT Chua sms-ed me early in the morning, saying that "Life is so so HARD". And I agreed :P Anyway, the person who made us run ain't running, and certain ppl seemed dead certain never to appear.

And there I was, as IC for my coy, trying to find and direct ppl to our location, which was near to the Parliament House, till the fact that I have no time to warm up. And it was too too late when I realised it. Luckily, WO Lui brought some heat rub and I've applied a *generous* amount to my thigh and calf muscles in preparation. The day was cool, the sun wasnt out and here we are, all standing around awaiting the 21km run to start.

Soon, the emcee announced that the competitive runners are off, and that the non-competitive runners are to be lined up for the run. So we walked there slowly, I estimate about 5,000 plus runners for the 21km, to the Esplanade Bridge. Until the call of nature. Knowing that you cant run a good run without letting out your surpluses, me and Lawrence decided to go for a quickie. And then, we lost sight of all our guys in the crowd.

And sheesh, going to the starting point was already a problem. As we walked on the distinctive sound of the horn made us realise that the race had started. And we were far from the start. Not even near the bridge. Cutting and weaving through the mass, we finally made our way topside, on the bridge. By then, we could not see even the front of the pack. -.-' And people were walking...at the START?!?!? Oh well, when we started I guess we were quite some time behind, most probably 8 mins or more, since we did not even see the SEIKO clock there (yea the yellow digital one...).

And thus, we weaved in and out of the walkers, in a bid to do catchup. Met Bolin and Yangxing, but soon lost track of both of them. So we ran along the Raffles Quay Rd, past Lau Pa Sat and the rest of the buildings, then turned into Maxwell Rd to AYE/ECP.

It was still dark at that time, sun aint risen, yet we were all soaked in sweat. And it was barely 4km (as the signs stated) when we hit the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. It was upwards all the way, and still both of us were staying close, cutting in and out, trying to get away from the pack. BSB was sure long. And the fact that cars zoomed past us did not do any good as I was left thinking "This is meant for cars! Not for running!" And we were doing well as far as the distance vs time was concerned. However, there wasn't any drinks along the bridge, which was quite bad. My intention was to drink early along the race to replenish the lost fluids as soon as possible.

Soon we hit the down stretch of BSB, and it was quick. Transferring your body weight forward and letting gravity do most of the job, it was much better. And the drinks were available. Which was good. Gatorade was welcoming and seemed like deliverance. Of course, without Gatorade, plain water would do a good subsitute for me. Very soon we hit the Fort Rd exit, and turned right to enter East Coast Park (ECP). And we saw the competitive runners, running ever so effortlessly towards the end point.

After hitting the ECP, it was quite okay, but slowly Lawrence lost pace and I just moved on with my pace. Hitting the mid-point gave me a definite answer that the battle was half won...only. I remember that the timing then was 1:18 for the half-way mark, and was thinking "Sheesh, off the pace liao. Left 10km or more to cover to hit 2:45". So we did a U-turn back towards Fort Rd and then, Mountbatten Rd.

My pace was going on okay, but losing a little steam then, as I felt some tingling sensation in my muscles. Seemed like cramps and strains, but I just went on. Past KFC and MacDonalds, past National Stadium, past the Indoor Stadium and hitting the roundabout at the Indoor Stadium area, then hitting Stadium Link and Geylang Road. By then, I realised that something was not right. My muscles were starting to give problems and though my breathing was VERY okay, my pace and legs weren't.

And it hit me. When it hit, it was pained but you couldn't do anything 'cos it was something felt on the inside and not seen. Pulling aside to stretch did little to help. At that time I passed the old PowerWorks at Kallang and was hitting Marina Promenade. I trudged on further, walking and running. Sometimes, they say that the best way to deal with cramps are to walk it off, and I felt so too. I was nearing the 18km mark, and along Marina Promenade. Ironically, those ppl I weaved past and overtook suddenly overtook me in packs. And it was demoralising. But clutching a butt strain(?) on the left and a thigh cramp on the left (ALSO) sure wasn't making the last 3km easy. I walked a fair bit, which I did not want but had no choice.

So I trudged, an injured man, along the entire stretch of Marina Promenade, bursting and running in certain parts to do catch up (was doing it the whole race) with the pack, which was starting to go faster. Possibly due to the fact that they know that the end is near. As I ran/walked, I saw quite a number of people who were also feeling the cramps and strains which I did, and had to walk.

And Marina Promenade must the most frickin' longest stretch to be called 3km for me!!!

Anyway, so I ended, with a final burst (more people mah. cant be you walk up and flash a big smile and strut up to the box to deposit your tag ba.) to the finish point. The time, 2:02. Definitely shocking, since I was not really running the entire 2nd leg of the race. No doubt, I was relived, but my right thigh muscle cramps started settling in, and I quickly found a place alongst the end point to sit down and do some stretches, to no avail. They did not seem to help alleviate the pain. And I got to my feet, took a few steps and leaned on a nearby table 'cos the pain was too unbearable. The muscle just stiffened and I was helpless. So I leaned there, trying to stretch (but can't) and finally the pain subsided. I wearily made my way back to the gathering area (Padang). The Padang was surprisingly sparse of people, mostly making up of competitive runners who had collected their medals and goodie bags (which showed how damn fast they are), and were making their way, either going home or walking around the various tentages.

Gatorade 2 for $2 was cheap, and I got 2 before settling down to rest (and stretch). Yang Xing came back, followed by Thomas and Lawrence and WO Lui. All looked shack, and legs were numb. Socks were drenched with water/Gatorade/sweat. Shoes were wearing out, and the entire sole seemed different. Challenging no doubt, punishing definitely, but finishing gave a sense of achievement. Alas, there wasn't any certificate or token of rememberance for the run. Memories like this, definitely will last.

Today, I will just rest. Expect to see me online the whole day. Signing out~

Current Mood: Exhausted, Hungry, Thirsty (Great combo -.-')

Current Music: Zhou Jie Lun - Kun Shou Zhi Dou

Thoughts

Hmmm...pretty slow week. But I guess the month has passed by me a lot faster than I thought...all of sudden, I'm staring at the end of September, the end of another month, and closer to ORD, oh well.

But I guess work was disrupted here and there. ISO 14000 inspections. Pre-LRI preparations. Range Preparations and TH tests. SCDF talk (today). And lots more, no doubt.

Maybe when you have more time on your hands you tend to walk the ground more and solicit more views, listen to them, see what they do and interview those who wish to raise concerns. All these are good, on top of normal workload, and of course the ultra-mentally-taxing work like NDP. But it's a breather in a way, yet I ain't used to it. No problems is the precursor to many problems to come.

And I've a hint here and there.

21km coming up. Oh well. Another hurdle. Too bad, wish for more outfields. Really takes time out of the workshop into a totally different environment, which is all GOOD :P

Current Mood: In Thought

Current Music: Zhang Zhi Cheng - Wo Zuo Zhu

Wad a Day...

One moment it is sunny, and another it rains cats and dogs.. -.-' Weather seems so damned bad recently. Rain and shine coming one after another, or worse still, together. Most recently, there is rain in the morning or early afternoon period. Seems like if there is strong sunshine in the morning, it is gonna rain in the afternoon, or vice versa. Regardless to say, weather is damned hot already. Sigh. That's why the air-con is invented for :P

The Terminal.
Great movie, it's witty, funny and full of punch. It has a real feel to it, possible due to the fact that it is a movie based on a true (adapted) story. Morals to be learnt, and one feels for the main character, Viktor Navorski, played by Tom Hanks, who has a promise to fulfill, and the answer lies in the interesting little can of Platters peanut butter which is with him from the start till the end of the show. ^_^ The movie has sentiment, feelings. As the audience, we are kept in suspense as Viktor is forced to stay in the JFK airport due to civil war arising in his home country of Krakozhia. How different personalities revolve and intertwine their fates is interesting, and we are often kept in fascination, like how Viktor manages to stay in the airport through his imaginative and often creative ways. Things he does will make you wow in disbelief, wondering whether he could do that, since he has little food ^^" Moreover, this guy is a quick learner, and adapts to the forced environment quickly. Overall, I would recommend this movie to all you ppl out there..Cheers!

Oh yea, today spent the Kino vouchers which are fast expiring, spending on 2 books and a X-men comic which I've been eyeing for quite some time. And Taka has a big sale for mooncakes, cuz mooncake season is in...Time for the original Lotus Paste mooncakes...haha :P

Evening was spent watching Yi Tian Tu Long Ji, and yea, Zhaomin is the star, haha... Seems like every weekend night cannot miss the episdoes of this Jing Yong classic, as Jia Jing Wen is stunning and *ahem* cute. She gives the cuteness to the role of Zhaomin, who is a Mongolian princess and is smart and crafty. And to end it off, here's a pic of her! ^_^

Current Mood: Happy

sHacK

zZZzz..

Oh yea. Damn happening for the 3d 2n outfield over @ Sim Pang & Lam Sam sia...Sheesh, all those events which you recall as memories, vehicles bogged down, rain, shine, tears....lol.

Hmmm, lotsa lessons learnt also.

Interesting stuff to note:

1) Helmet ran over by *ahem* wrecker. Owner of this poor helmet (which looks like a folded piece of metal now...)? The driver of the wrecker -.-'

2) Tire of HMTV blown, yeowch. Talk about burning rubber man. Luckily enough, it was near midnight. Therefore, traffic was relatively easier to control (though vehicles still fail to adhere to safety and try to go so close to our hazard triangles which were placed 30m from the vehicles).

3) Not to be under the spar when unloading...Yeah. Whats a helmet for?!?! -.-'

Oh well...time for a nice rest. 7 hrs over 3d. Lotsa travelling, walking and pictures taken :) But to be combined. Let's see how they want to give these pictures to the ICT fellas.

Current Mood: Exhausted

Current Music: Groove Coverage - Home

aWaY

Yea....just to drop a note that I'm away for ICT (In-Camp Training) for the NS dudes over the next 2 weeks, so yeap....doubt I'll be in any shape to post anything!

And if you thought 5day week applies for us, nah...

^^"

And yea...tagging along to learn some new stuff...hehe...

Current Mood: Hyper

Current Music: Stella - Wen Yu