A "Fool" Print

This evening, we (Me and Pei Choon) were running slightly late. Michelle was already waiting for us at the Singapore River. Lucky for us, Jancy, Anthony, Benny and Eugene (Leaders) were conducting warm-up exercise when we reached the meeting point. It was an expensive trip, which cost me $10.30 for the taxi fare. : (

After registered our names and category to be participated in (7 km), I joined the group and started the run with the rest. There were about 30 of us with each participated to run at different distance. At various turning points for the different groups, the running leader of the group would stop over to guide us for direction. The 7km running route was rather convoluted with many turning here and there. It was confusing for me to anticipate each turn should take. I was running together with a Malay guy (wearing Safra running shirt) and a lady foreigner whom slightly behind me. The guy was rather helpful. At every turn to take, he would call upon me to direct me of the turn. In addition, Anthony, DO, Jancy and the rest of running leaders/ assistants would cheer for us to go on.

After the run, a woman at the registration counter asked me for the timing to complete the run. I couldn’t understand the rational behind it since I thought it would be a leisure run to encourage people to keep up this sport. Apparently, they would like to gauge the runner of any improvement to their health. Still, I wouldn’t agree to their method since a person’s health couldn’t be measured by how fast he/she could run. Well, I might just give her my timing based on my usual pace. Subsequently, I went with Michelle towards Raffles City to have our dinner over there and picked up a book titled “The Last Lecture” which supposed to be inspirational.

Rush. Rush. Rush. This was the description for the series of events happened to me for today.

After finishing my afternoon agendas, I sent my bike for inspection in the evening before the rode with Toa Payoh began. My new triathlon bike has been making squeaking sound ever since I gotten hold of it. Initially, I thought it was normal but my suspicious arose as I experienced difficulties in pedaling it. The shop owner of the bike shop (at Zion Road) confirmed my suspicion. The crank set and rear derailer had not been aligned properly. However, talk about rip-off!! I was charged $25 for the service rendered. Gosh!! Without other alternatives and running short of time, I agreed to the fee. : (

Subsequently, Yean, Ka Liang and his father had cycled to Zion Road to meet with me. Together, we rode via Orchard Road, Newton Circle and reached Toa Payoh to meet with the rest of the group. It was a huge group for today’s ride. There were about 14 of us. The group made up a mixture of roadies and mountain bikes. Tonight, our route would cover Mandai Road, Choa Chua Kang to Bt Timah. Talk about déjà vu. I would still remember the rode with Alvin, Eddie, PS and the rest where I was exhausted and could not catch up with the rest. Tonight was a chance to prove myself again. Ha.

The ride was extremely smooth along the journey. Perhaps it was due to the alignment done at the bike shop. I could pedal the bike with no problem and manage to conquer one slope after another with little trade off in speed. On average, I was riding at 30km/hr. Geez!! Hee hee

The group’s stamina does not match equally with each other. At several junctions, we would stop to wait for the rest to catch up. Nevertheless, this also provided the chance for us to chit-chat and know each other better. At Bt Batok petrol kiosk, we decided to rode to Adam Road Hawker Center to have our supper before we spilt off from there. Unfortunately, after 700m before reaching the point, my tire was punctured. Luckily, there was mechanic support in the group. Ka Liang and Calvin came to my rescue to change a new tube. At 12am, the group greeted each other good-bye and reminded ourselves to meet together at next Saturday. In the end, although there were some confusions and disobeyed of cyclist’s rules at certain T-junctions, but the ride was fun and enjoyable overall.

I was participating as part of the Invitational Team(for my company) for this event. There were 5 of us including Melvin, Andrew... and the rest i couldn't remember their names. It was a short 5km run, which demanded speed and a test of one's Max VO2. I hadn't recovered from my cough yet and the run proved to be strenuous for me.

Andrew was fast and furious!! He had came in first under the invitational team category with Melvin followed behind. During the run, my lung was burning, and grasping desperately for more air. Still, I managed to complete at rank 11, or as third member of the group.

Finally, at the prize ceremony, our team came in second within the Invitational Team Category, and won $150 voucher from Royal Sporting House. Not bad for a day's effort. :)

It had been a while since i met my Full-Time MBA classmates. Thomas was finally back in SG before he flied off again to HK. On the other hand, Mayuko would soon go back to her own country(flying next tue).

It was a delightful gathering where all of us talking about our dreams and hopes. And lastly, We were all wondering where would we be after the next ten years.....

Today was the 1st series of the Pearl Izumi Run held at Bedok Town Park. My stomach was not feeling well for the whole day. Perhaps it was due to the barbecue food taken yesterday night. I was waiting inside the toilet and searching around for toilet paper all the while before the race began.

Too bad, the toilet had ran out of toilet paper and my search for the paper was futile. Pulling out from the race did occur in my mind. Still, it was a short race (12km) and I reckoned i would bear with the pain.

The horn had sounded. I was running slowly and mentally telling myself not to rush my pace as to further inject any discomfort to my stomach. It was a slow pace and i would see many of runners had overtaken me. At the exit point out from the park, Chairman ridiculed me for running far behind of the others. I pointed to my stomach and indicated the discomfort I was experiencing with.

Throughout the race, I was running closely with Benny, Richard Ho and Lee. Yong was about 500m in front of me. At 10km, I reckoned it was safe for me to speed up my pace. Immediately, i overtake a few other runners and attempt to catch up with Yong.

At the last 500m, i dashed towards the finishing line and keeping close to Yong. Perhaps Yong had felt my presence and also started to race towards the end point. The Safra runners waiting at the finishing line were cheering for both of us. At the background, i could hear the DJ announcing our close encounter as if reporting a horse racing. ha

In the end, i managed to overtake Yong, crossed over the line(1:04hr) and running towards the bag deposit area to pick up my bag searching for toilet frantically. : (

Went by home at 9pm. Had a quick dinner, and rest for a while before starting my run... Gosh!! By the time I was out of my house, it was a quarter before 11pm. I would have missed the Everest Beyond the Limit Season 2. I did a quick three loops around Tiong Bahru Park instead, which used to be my usual training ground.

The Everest Beyond the Limit Season 2 was showing some of the climbers trekking towards the North Col Camp.. It looked treacherous and difficult which made me start to wonder if my physical condition could allow me to succeed in reaching the campsite... Hmmm.

Late as I am to join the Safra run tonight. Did a quick loop around the whole stretch of Mt Faber and saw Chin in the bathroom. Chin was training together with his mates for the coming kinabalu climbaton. Hmm. perhaps one day i might join him to train for my trekking trip.

Thenafter, I had an enjoyable dinner with the rest of the Safra runners. At midnight, suddenly felt a urge to write a poem to send my best wishes to SGrunners forum. :)

Running fast or waddling on.
A group of us shares the running passion.
Coming from SG, roaming around the island
Picking up a starting point and we all gather up
Sharing the laughter, sweat and perspiration
No matter how bright the Sun or Late is the hour
SGrunners will always be here and stay on
To motivate, inspire and keep the running spirit going on!!