Excited for my upcoming trip

I love travelling. It's a time for me to be recharged, a time for me to experience the culture and a time for me to get lost.

My boyfriend and I are currently in a mission of travelling to countries to participate in races; a motivation for us to train hard and an excuse to travel.

I love to travel since young but I'm a coward to travel alone, but now that I have a partner, we love getting lost together. I enjoy planning (DIY) trips where i get to customise my itineraries and to be able to take public transport. My boyfriend like to recite this "Everywhere you go, I follow. Whatever food I cook, you swallow". That was the sweet thing I ever heard from him. But eventually I will be the one following while he swallow the food I cook. Have to start learning how to cook though I only enough baking and ice cream making.

Man, the leader of the Household
For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. - Ephesians 5:32-24

Man, to love your wife too (Very important)
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. - Ephesians 5:25

Back to the topic...

I have been planning for this trip while my boyfriend prepares for his first Ironman race in Busselton, Perth. For those that do not know what is Ironman, it is not the ironman Tony Stark (love that show) but an endurance race comprising of 3.9km swim, 180km bike and 42km run.

Busselton is the located southWest of Western Australia, along Geographe Bay. In busselton, the main attraction is the beach and it's 2km long jetty with an observatory. The period that we are visiting will be in Summer, so basking on the beach and dipping in the water is a must. A plus point is that we might have the opportunity to catch one or two whale swimming pass the ocean as it is also the season for whale immigration.

I shall keep you in suspense on the itinerary that I have planned up for this trip. Will be in Geographe Bay for a week, for the ironman race and a road trip further south and to margaret river. Followed by another week in Perth. I am so excited to visit Perth again after my last visit 11years ago for my track & Field training. 

That's all for now and to get some rest because I'm having a fever now! 

Dating - Garden by the bay and J's swim outing

I have been always complaining about my boyfriend training hard for his first Ironman race that will be held in December 2012, and has not has much time for us (me & the dog). Though I complain alot (one of the privilege that girls get to do to their boyfriend), I am completely understanding and supportive because I myself loves sport too.

One a side note: We spent most of our time together (dating time) while we are training or doing sport ministry... and once in awhile we will catch a mid night movie.

I totally understand that once we tied the knot and have all the family commitments rolling in, we will have lesser time to do the things we like; so his goal is to do a few ironman races before he commit himself to be a family men. Nonetheless, we still hope to be sportive; using sport as a tool to impact the young lives among us as well as our kids... *blush*.

Let's not digress further... So this wonderful man of my life was so sweet that he managed his training schedule in order to accommodate our dating...

He woke up earlier (4am) on one of the Saturday as well as on the Deepavali holiday to cycle so that he could make time for me. Feel so loved.

Garden by the bay

My friend bought a ticket for us, which allows access to the Cooled Conservatories and the OCBC Skyway.He initially forgot about this outing but he still make time for this. I was quite touched when he accommodated to me. Thank you for loving me.

 Here are the photos [To be uploaded soon].

J's swim outing
I think he will make a great dad next time. =) Though he has hectic amount of work and squeezes his time to train, he still make the effort to spend time with his family.
J is his dog; totally pampered by his dad and treats it like a daughter. It favourite hobby is swimming, so his dad suggested to bring the dog out for a swim since we have not done it for months.

Impatient look

Thank you for bring me for a swim.. Love U look

Can we go into the water now?



Denched J (Left) with her fluffy friend Tommy (Right)

 

[Training Log] 12Nov 2012 - 14Nov 2012

Training log. A page to log some of my trainings.

Since coach is not around this week so my training program is to complete long run.

12 Nov 2012
Did a 1hour on track, covered a distance of about 9.6km (24 rounds).

14 Nov 2012
Had a crazy idea of completing 30 rounds on the track, and I did it in 1hour 16mins.
Timings for each round:
(1) 2:43 (500m)
(2) 2:28
(3) 2:27
(4) 2:27
(5) 2:30
(6) 2:31
(7) 2:32
(8) 2:34
(9) 2:35
(10) 2:37
(11) 2:35
(12) 2:36
(13) 2:36
(14) 2:35
(15) 2:35
(16) 2:43 - 6.4km
(17) 2:40
(18) 2:40
(19) 2:39
(20) 2:42
(21) 2:44
(22) 2:44
(23) 2:44
(24) 2:43 - 9.6km (1hour)
(25) 2:46 - Mentally tired at this round 
(26) 2:46
(27) 2:48 - Started looking at stop watch, shocked to see my lap time was so slow
(28) 2:44
(29) 2:47
(30) 2:50

Remark: Have to be more constant. After 6.4km started to slow down.

17 Nov 2012
Am I still able to do another 10km? The question should be "will I still run a 10km?". I am quite hyped up after the long runs but I'm also lazy. hmmm...

BJ having Monday Blues

Having Monday's blues? BJ having that too, because everyone is heading to work and she will be home alone again.

BJ is a very active female sheltie. Having an athlete owner, she is also inspired to be a tri-dog. Her favourite hobbies are swimming, running and sleeping. Among the 3, she loves swimming the most (she becomes very impatient when she knows she is going for a swim), she will do her 3km run as and when the owner has no training. Days that she doesn't do her workouts (when everyone is busy), she spend most her time having her beauty sleep.

Oh~ It's Monday again!

1 More Minute Please....

 Have a great weekdays ahead, with loves from the sheltie that doesn't like Monday too.

[Review] Dove Hair Fall Rescue Treatment

If you have read my previous post on my hair fall problem, you would know how my hair fall problem has affected me. I was selected to be a winner to experience this wonderful treatment but due to personal commitment I have to forgo this and this means that I do not get the full range of product.

I wanted to try if this work so I went to buy the product. It has now been 3 months now since I started using. In the processing of trying, I snipped of my hair so my hair fall problem reduces because my hair is less heavy. I personally feel that there is slight improvement but not the desirable result that I'm looking for.

[Event] Run for the Nation 2012

Run for the Nation, RunNat, is a event organized by a group of christian runners who are inspired by God with this vision of praying for the Nation. It was initiated in Malaysia in 2007 and the Lord spread the vision to Australia, Singapore and Cambodia... and so we have this event birth in Singapore 2011.

Similar to prayer walk; each group of runners will be covering 5km route, praying for their neighbourhood while they run. The relay started from various direction of Singapore (North, East, Northeast and West), covering 40km each directions and finally meets at St. Andrew Cathedral.

As we run, we pray for the needs of our fellow Singaporeans and believing that all prayers are being heard and trusting God that He will truly bless Singapore.

I could run, many could pray but how often runners pray as they run? I confess I don't do that often too. It is so tiring! It is tough Pray-running as every grasp of breath you take, you say a prayer for the surrounding. But with our simple faith and effort, we believe God see all our sacrifices blessing those that are around us. This brings a different purpose to running (I personally feels).



First Northeast Group started the run at 5am, 6th Oct 2012

Passing the "baton' prayer card to the 2nd team

Some are not physically fit for 5km but they did it!

Some has smaller group,
but God say, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” - Matt 18:20

We continue to pray as we run

We pray for the heartlands

We pray for the city

Praying for every parts of Singapore, running with faith

 

Believing that we will eventually see Lord's Glory in Singapore.



And by the grace of God, the event came as a success! Not by the number of participants, but by having God's presence dwelling among each runners throughout the run and seeing Christians from different churches in Singapore coming together to run and pray for Singapore.

Read more about other testimonies, to know more about the event and/or thinking of participating RunNat 2013, look out for this space:
http://runforthenation.com/singapore/



New Hair Cut

Was sick for a while. Physically and Emotionally. Had a very bad food poisoning and the experience was horrible.



Anyway... I had a new hair cut!

Bye to my precious hair. Feel lighter physically and emotionally. I'm letting go the burden that I have been carrying for years and start a new again. Committing all to God (I hope). It is so human to depend on self understanding and strength but God is the answer to all queries.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  - Matthew 11:28-20

By the way, I hope to post a review on the dove hair fall treatment soon.

Training Log : Just another interval training but it was a killer

It is just another interval training but this was a tough one. After months of training or rather 1 year of committed long distance training, I'm so used to hearing crazy workout of 10X400m. 10 times is the minimum I can get. So what's the big deal doing another set of the similar training!

I confess I wasn't taking good care of my body recently, into a hobby craze of making ice cream (don't need to emphasize what I do with it after churning) and I wasn't that dilligent in doing my massaging because I was just too busy (lazy).

All in all, this force me to my limit during this training. I couldn't possibily tell my coach all the nonsense I'm involved in so it was a mental torture for me to just completed the given workout.

Felt the fatique of my body during my warm up and was hoping for a lighter workout. "Then what's training for?" (That's what I will say if I'm the coach). I could feel the heaviness of my leg with each stride I took and seem like my body gonna break apart.

Interval was the true nightmare. Targeted time: below 1min 50sec. Game plan: Just follow whoever is in front of me Feeling: Terrified.

Managed to complete the first 5 interval at 1min 47sec, but every set was a torture with my obvious facial expression (Super ugly!) and was mentally tired. My brain was luring me to throw the towel and call it a day. With the mental struggle, I took a rest; skipping the sixth set but the guilt of not completing started to crawl in. Set myself up, took the courage and continued with the remaining 5 sets.

Every set was a torture but I'm glad I overcome it. Completed within the expected time except for one. That was the happiest moment of training for that day.

Physical training is not about the body but also the involvement of mental. That's what I like about it (No! not exactly, love because it mold me to be a more disciplined person). When our body is weak, our mind comes into play as a most important organ to keep you driving forward.

Regret the choice of being lazy... but..
Some choices we made may not be the most sensible ones but the boldness of facing the consequences is admirable. I'm glad I chose to face it. Jesus was the source of my strength to finish the training. Thank God.

This remind me of a chapter in the bible (Matthew 4). When Jesus was weak and hungry after 40days of fasting, He was tempted to turn stones into bread. Being a human, he felt the total weakness of a human being; as God he could choose to relieve Himself from the hunger but He chose to be obedience.

Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God
                                                                                                                       - Matthew 4:4

Ice Cream Excursion

As the title has said it all... Yes it will be a fun post with overwhelming joy.

This was 2 weeks back. My week at work was horrible so my best friend suggested we go for an ice cream excursion since I do not have my boyfriend with me that weekend. Supposed to go to Port Dickson race with him but there was some last minute arrangement so I have to forgo the trip. How I wish I could be there nonetheless the ice creams were good too.

We have limited time so we were selective.

1st stop: Twelve Cupcakes
Venue - Millenia Walk

"Handmade with loves.." the motto does help to ease the disappointments. Feel so love with each bite I took. As an athlete, I often choose to avoid whip cream but the fattening feeling was good that day! I tried red valet and I would say the whip cream taste refreshing with a aftertaste of lemon.

See these cute litte things... So colourful and cheerful

2nd Stop: Francisca Dessert Parlour
Venue - Millenia Walk P2-35/36

This was an unintensional pit stop because the colours of the shop caught my eye.The cafe is decorated in pink and turquoise. "Dreamy" that was the word to describe the place and I scored a point for myself while I was talking to the boss. This cafe has not offically launch, so the boss happened to be there as it was their first week of opening and would like to check out the crowd. Had a nice chat with him but did not have a chance to sit down to have a nice cup of tea because it is too girlish for my guy friend. Will make a visit soon with my girl friends instead. They have bervage, chocolates, ice creams and cupcakes. Saw something unique so I tried a scoop of their sakura Ice cream. Sakura season is over by now so was curious but I guess there is some secret recipe that the boss is not sharing.. haha.


3rd Stop: Tom's Palette
Venue - Shaw Leisure Gallery #01-25


Used to visit there in my University days. If I did not remember wrongly, they have around 80 flavours.
With the 25 flavours display, we are spoilt for choice. Since we could not make up our mind, we were introduced to their new recipe. It is their belgium waffle. What's new you would ask? It comes with a blueberry blob with cream cheese frosting. And it comes with a free scoop of Ice cream.

Let me introduce you to the blob. It is a blueberry sauce covered by a thin layer of membrane coating. This is a fun way to eat my waffle because I get to cut the blob to induce the sauce out! I love their cream cheese frosting too, a taste of cheese in the whip cream, a combination of salty & sweet. We chose chocolate sorbet but it taste nothing like sorbet, I guess chocolate itself has a certain amount of creamy-ness. The waffle is not fantastic as well. Seem like it is been prepared a long time just waiting to be served. As we were talking about the waffle, "Tom" came out to check if we like their new creation.


By the way, the boss is not named Tom. Tom's Palette came about because it is a form of motivation that drive them to create more flavours for us.


He was honest with us that the waffle has to be done that way because of the ingridents they used, he mentioned it was the true belgium wheat waffle. Hmm.. I guess more research and development need to done.


4th Stop: Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffee
Venue - 128 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-835


Dissatisfed with the waffle, "Tom" recommended us to Creamier which was our next stop. Here we were excited to taste a good waffle.

The choices of ice cream wasn't as many as Tom's but we are still spoilt for choice. Can make our mind we decided to go with the flow as most people were ordering roasted pistachio for our waffle.


With the limited understanding, I was told their waffle is a combination of belgium and Amercian waffle. The texture and freshly made waffle was good. The ice cream was a compliment with nutty taste. I love it.

Bought a pint of pistachio ice cream back home but it doesn't taste as good as the one I had there. I believe it was because the pistachios have been soaked long enough in the ice cream and lose it crunchiness. It is abit to sweet for me to it is alone by itself too.


That's all folk! Spread the happiness!

Fly Scoot Taiwan Sale

I got my scoot tickets to Taiwan!

Taiwan has always been in my "to go list" and since my parent have been asking me to bring them for a trip. Why no this time? I'm just a fresh graduate that has only been working for a year... How could I afford to pay for the whole family. Maybe Scoot Taipei sale is the opportunity to spend on my family.

The online booking experience is not fun and it is very tiring, especially for sale ticket. I was looking at the sale yesterday morning, checking for good dates but nothing caught my eyes (maybe I'm too slow, people had make their purchase already).

When I finally saw a date that is good for all, parent had problem remembering their passport number while other is unreachable... Coordinating to get the ticket is the down side of travelling, but I believe this is the trip that I have been looking forward to. When was the last time you have a family travel trip? I don't usually go overseas with them because I come from a slightly lower than average income family. Parent have been working hard to meet ends meet. I stop taking pocket money after I graduated from Poly and I'm proud to say that I saved up to pay for my own University fee (yes there were days where I went crying to mom for some allowances while I was bankrupt but that was for my last semester school fee. Which means I still owe her money!) SO.. my last trip with them was Genting Highland 6years back. Looking at my parent, make me realised that as I am busying growing up and search for the true purpose in life, my parent are growing old.

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Exodus 20:12

Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself. 

 Matthew 19:19

Beside paying for my parent, I decided to be sweet to give my boyfriend a treat. Nothing big as compare to what he has been giving me. A boyfriend who is so selfless and always sponsor me for our holidays and he was my support while I'm in university paying for some of my necessities. I was thrifty on food so that I could save more but he never fails to bring me to indulge in good food. Having my budget I could only afford on budget airline. So I'm afraid he will suffer with the limited leg space. He is 188cm tall, VERY tall so he usually go for non-budget airline.

Back to the online booking. Beside having hard time coordinating, I had a hard time booking as well... Ask me how many times I tried, 3 times! Error message keep popping while trying to make the payment. And sale being sale, ticket can be gone by seconds. Called up scoot, but took me so long to get through. The booking was reserve but when I called back to make payment they told me the booking has been cancelled. Have to do it online booking again! Ok, fine. Key in the details again and once again had problem on the payment page. Called scoot again and the "best thing" is there is no booking reflected on the system this time so I cannot make payment through the phone, unless I book through teleconversation and have an additional charge of $30. Of cause I won't since I'm trying to get the most out of what I could pay for. Decided to give it a last try. Blood boiling high at that time. Luckily it get through, by then It was 4pm! With all the mishap, I only managed to get the departure sale ticket. Paying $172 for returning flight. Sad but still feel that it was a catch.

Looking forward to fly with scoot for the first time, hope it will be good.

Taiwan, I'm coming!
Which are the places that are a must to visit while I'm in taiwan?



Dove Hair Fall Rescue treatment 2

Check out my final review [Click Here]

QUICK UPDATE. If you could remember my previous post on my hair fall problem, yes! I wrote in to dove to share my problem, recieved my starter kit. More than that, I will be given a full range of dove hair fall rescue product to try on and I'm invited to dove event to share my experience.

Hmm... the full range of products to help save my hair sound awesome! But I'm still considering to attend the event. I guess it will be fun though to be able to meet the star bloggers.

Stay tune, I hope to share my dove experience soon. Hopefully my hair fall problem will be reduced.

Happy food

Terrible mood and speechless... If only I could get this cute food to brighten my day or rather week

Do it for God, not for Men

Have a very rough day at work. Trying my best to work for the company but seem like I'm the only one trying to work hard. Department don't corporate and / or there is a generation gap. Being a newbie fresh graduate, I am giving the position to handle a newly set up department myself and alone. It will be fine if the boss give some support but no! I'm throw to the edge of volcano and waiting to see me die. Don't talk about planning about having training to groom the younger generation when the culture here has say it all.

Politic is everywhere, but I feel that it is very intense here. Maybe because I am still new to office politic I guess. I could only encourage myself that every effort I put in it is to glorify God. I guess I cannot share whatever happened today to anyone but just to vent my unhappiness and dishearten here.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men - Colossians 3:23

And to take comfort in the Lord.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:17-18

Dove Hair Fall Rescue Treatment

Check out my final review [Click Here]

I'm attracted when I first saw the dove advertisement on television. The way the lady applied the Intensive Roots Tonic on her hair scalp look so professional. Want to have this professional treatment that I can do it myself too.

Dove Hair Fall Rescue Treatment

I always have this hair fall problem. Though I have a dense amount of hair, which I always get praises from mom and hairdressers but when it comes to hair falls I have a lot of trouble too.

Mom will scream whenever I comb my hair. Hair will fall even when I gently stroke it. Sometime it is a girl's thing to play with my hair but I make sure I do that when I am home alone. The amount of hair I drop can make an art and craft paint brush. No joke! It is so embarrassing!

I consider my hair fall problem as very bad because I only dyed my hair twice and I seldom style my hair to reduce the damage.

Have much hair to loss but it will comes to a stop one day when age catches up. It will be a nightmare i guess. Quite skeptical with products in the market recently because it does not help. And since Dove is giving away free starter kit, why not give it a try.

According to the advertisement, the amount of hair fall will reduce after two weeks. So if I manage to get the starter kit, I will try to do a review. So excited.

Yes! I got the free kit and was selected to have a trial on the full range of product. Will do my review soon!

Training Log : 2.4km time trial

2.4km time trial, sound so unfamiliar to me. I guess I had my previous 2.4km time trial in my secondary day and the last time I did a timed 2.4km was the NAFA test during my last year of polytechnic. After committing to a serious training for a year, today is the day to put it to a test. Dislike trial because it is just unnecessary stress. Rushed to training after work, did my warm up but doesn't feel good. Kept talking positive to myself. Did a quick stretch because all my juniors had done their warm up. Target: 12minutes Judging from my interval training, I'm doing around 1:53 per round, this target is reasonable. Time starts, everyone breath hard as they drive each step. First lap was terrible, did too fast, 1:48min. Lactic acid started to build up and my mouth began to dry up. Switch off by then, just focusing on putting a leg forward at each time. Maintained 1:55 for the 2nd and 3rd lap. Unfortunately, I got tired and started going slower. Timer keep beeping(1:55 interval) at 350m. Which means I'm 50m slower than target. Last lap was a torture I would say. Mental is weak. Honestly, I was on the verge of giving up. "last lap, I can't just waste my effort!" Last 50m I gave my last shot, crossing the finishing line with the timing of 11:50. Well done Madeline, I hit my target. Was a good fight, especially the senior boys! They showed me what is running with boldness, doing a sub 8 for their 2.4km.

Happy Father's day

June came too fast. Spent the last week of May thinking of what I want to achieve. Unclear; but somehow figured out what I want and committed that in prayers. Unsure; but took a leap of faith trusting God will make a way and closes all doors that are against His way. Things aren't that smooth recently but I guess I have to learn to deal with it. Feeling down but still believing.

Filled with doubts, not in God but in my abilities. However, in my incapability its somehow portrait God greatness in my life.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13

I am so thankful that I am a daughter of Christ. Not because I am worthy, but because He chose me. God who has a reputation to uphold still accepted me eventhough I am so

undeserving. No words can describe how thankful I am.
"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him." - Matthew 7:11

If my earthly parent can gives me good gifts, what's more that my heavenly Father cannot gives.

My earthly father loves me alot. Just that he doesn't know how express it.

I always hope to have a better relationship with my father. Not in any way that he is bad but he is a tradition chinese man that takes no jokes and no nonsense. We seldom exchange words at home and we don't share common topic. Always portrait a strict and stern look. Most of my growing up decisions were made by myself (which also means I have to bear all consequences), but at the same time he ensure that i do not go off track. Eg, in order to keep me away from bad influence, curfew was implemented to prevent me from coming home late and no stay over at chalet. And he was so suspicion whenever i mixed with male friends, this often lead us to quarrels. These were things that eventually cause our relationship to be far apart.

I have my dreams to chase but at the same time there will always be a opposing force holding me back because trying to be a good daughter my dad wants is not easy. The lack of communication and understanding eventually aggravate our relationship and it came to a point that we stop talking to each other.

If I did not remember wrongly, we have not been talking for almost 2 years. It was hurtful. Tears filled my eyes when this topic is being brought up and I will secretly cry at night. I could only get comfort from my bedtime prayers.  

My prayers are heard though it does not come instantly. I could not understand how and don't know when my relationship with my dad become better, but I thank God for this. We start to talk about things that we usually don't and he will ask me to watch some youtube clips on his phone. Simple gestures remind me of how close we used to be when I were just a child.

My dad (a non believer) may not knows that my prayer was answered but I reckon this is the best father's day gift God has given to him and me.

What Sundown Organiser did not tell me

This was what happened during Sundown 2012. I was delayed by 15min before I could start my run.

Sundown Marathon 2012

This is my very first Sundown. Excited to achieve my personal best (pb) timing for my 21km. Different experience I would say. All my previous races were held in the morning, i do not need to spend the time waiting for my race (wake up & just run).

The reasons not participating sundown previously were partly the start time & the route; in previous years, participants had to climb overhead bridge. So why I participate this year? There are 2 main reasons, 1) I can't participate in Standard Chart Marathon at the end of the year because I wont be in Singapore, so I decided to take part in other event 2) They change the route to be in town, passing by attractive landmarks. But I'm very disappointed with their organizing committee.

Sundown 2012 Map

My Experience
As most of you have read that on the newspaper,  "The Sundown Marathon, touted as Singapore's biggest night race" - The Straitstimes. I believe everyone runs for a reason. Some would like to just spend time with family & friends. For me, I would like to beat my personal best.


Arrived at Nicoll Highway that night, I went to queue up in the allocated slot. Eager to start my run. When the flag rose, runners started to run... but to my horror, my section was block from starting, letting those last minutes runners that did not queue up to enter through the side. I WAITED FOR 15 MINUTES?! This is totally unacceptable. Opening up the side just let everyone the opportunity to cut the queue even though they do not intend to finish the race in a faster timing.

"Please stand in your estimated completion time zone for a comfortable start pace." But this did not happened that day!

When it was my turn to cross the start line, the front had been filled with joggers & walkers. I spent 5km dodging my way through. All my energy wasted on this. Irritated. To make thing worst, sundown combined the start time of the 42km & the 21km, which mean there will be a human jam (which really happened) but the organizing committee only allocated ONE road lane opened up for the runners. Badly organized.


Frustrated but trying to stay focus. God suddenly whispered to me "Would you continue running for me or for your dream even if there are so many barriers in front of you?" Of course not, I'm very certain about it. That was my only motivation to keep me going for that night.

After I hit the 10km, I was making a decision if I should take my power gel because I was having some indigestion issue recently. I wouldn't want to vomit after taking, so I decided to give it a miss. It was really a run using sheer power & God given strength. Panic at the same time; i missed my spilt time by 2min. I am suppose to be doing a 6min 10sec per km but with the human jam & the energy wasted, I clocked 8min per km. My watch keep beeping every 6min but I just can't make it on target.

I gave up with my plan & decided to just go with my pace. Nothing came smooth that night. When I reached Marina South, there was a road block for 1 min, letting the construction truck passed while all the runners waited. "HUH?!" That was my only response. Totally frustrated by then. Luckily I have Aaron beside me to keep asking me to stay focus.

It wasn't easy & was praying that I would not be off timing too much. Lactic acid started to build up at 13km. Why?! I have not experienced lactic acid in any 21km race before (I think it could be the sport massage which I may not get used to). I still have 8km to go & my ankles were not feeling comfortable too, because I ran too much on the pavement. The only thing on my mind was keep counting down the km left and just keep up with Aaron.
The remaining 1.5km was a struggle, to walk or not to because my leg was really in pain. Nonetheless, my stubborness pushed me to run even if I have to drag myself til the finishing line. 


I completed my run in 2hr 18min. 2min off my targeted time. Disappointed & alot of discomfort but I'm glad that I had this experience. Good time spent with Aaron who usually not that patient with me (It was tough for him too because this is not the pace he does). Good time spent with God as well. Did not expect HIM to appear to me at such moment. 

Well Synchronized

First race with my braces on

Hmm... conslusion is maybe this will be my last Sundown. Unless there is any unforeseen circumstance. Nonetheless, Aaron was a good pacer & motivator.

Singapore Aquathlon 19th May 2012

Had my morning run at ECP that day & I did the dumbest thing of all in my entire running endeavours. A runner doesn't has his/her running shoe, is like a writer without his/her pen and/or shitting without toilet paper. How does that happened to me? I have been running for 15 years & I can forget to bring my running shoe! Oh gosh! Can't believe I did that but Aaron will always say "that's not common". "No!" I defended. "I may forget to take my house key, my wallet or my hand phone but no way...." But I feel like boxing myself. I have to explain myself: I took my shoe bag not check what is inside assume that it is my running shoe. How hilarious it is! Aaron was really patient with me that morning (he usually don't. How sweet of him to do that knowing that I'm so stress at work recently) & drove me home to collect it & head back to ecp again. I set a new limit to my forgetfulness & blur-ness. (keep rolling my eye on myself).

Anyway that not what the main thing I want to share about.

I stayed a little longer after my run to watch the race. The first 2 waves are the juniors girls & boys from 7-10 years old. They are so cute. I'm so encouraged by their boldness to swim in the open water. The race encompass of 200m swim + 1km run. The fastest boy & girl completed the race in 11min15sec & 11min32sec respectively. Why are they so brave?! Or am I so weak? Haha.

Something that caught my attention is their parents are so enthusiastic! They run with them after their swim to the transition pit. Woah, such an encouraging parents they got. Hope that my mum & dad were there to see me complete when i'm young too. One dad in particular, grab out the water bottle & passed it to his exhausted boy. So heart-warming. Parent always expect their children to performance mainly in their studies but these group of parent definitely understand the importance of having a balance life.

"Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." - Hebrews 12:1

I want to be like them when i'm a parent myself.

June is coming

Wow... Time flies! It is almost the end of May. Which means we have come to the half way mark of 2012. Have you achieve any pointers from your resolution? 

I don't think I even set one for 2012. I guess December is always my busiest month of the year especially last year. Usually December is a month for church camp, Christmas & thanksgiving, but in 2011 I skipped all this to attend my friend's wedding in Cambodia. It was a eye opener & a good culture exchange. Looking back, I think i should start some post on the places I visited to share my experiences & the things I learn from each trip. I love traveling because it allow me to understand the cultures and appreciate Singapore better.

Fruit basket to bless the newly wed

Back track. Since I have not set any resolution for 2012, let me set one for the remaining months. Recently, this phase keep appearing "To be a better person" & this strike something in me. I guess for the longest time I think I am doing fine in term of my attitude. I don't get into any arguments, I am easy going, accommodating, patient & kind with words towards people. But I am hard on myself in term of performance. I was told that I am a very performance-driven person & rather a perfectionist. But there is something about me that I not good enough, I'm not daring enough, not bold enough to fulfill the dream I always wanted. I may be kind & gracious to others that are mean to me but inside me i keep complaining. I believe all these aren't the most positive way to handle things. I have not come out with way to tackle this issue but I will soon. I guess I have to set a boundary & limit in order not to allow people to take advantage of me but at the same time handle it with graciousness. Sound hard, indeed it is. How? I guess I have to pray hard for this. 

How this got to do with being a better person you may ask. But I guess I have to first love myself truly (I mean truly not selfishly) first in order to spread the excess to the people around me. I have to be truly myself so that those around me can feel my sincerity I guess. 

Probably I will take this last week of May to review & jot down the things that I really want to achieve & how to be a better person. Life has be monotonous; doing the things that I do not enjoy most everyday with the mental torture I get. The only things that keep me going is attending my training, where I get to meet a group of fun people. I intention there is to encourage this youngsters but in return I think I get more from them. I so motivated by their enthusiasm in running, which i think the flame in me has almost gone (noting that I have been running for almost 15 years but stop competing for awhile because of some reasons). Love the vibe they have. "Giving is a gift itself"