[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...

[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/



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

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.

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.