Today as I return back to workplace I was pleasantly surprised by the greetings and congrats from fellow colleagues as they eagerly asked me about my race. I was really touched by their concern and the next best thing is, all of them are motivated to join in for next year's SCSM either in the 10km or 21km race. I'm really glad that my boss and I made an impact to them. My boss, another funny character, constantly asked me about my trainings every Monday, I think he is more excited about my race. Today he came to me first thing in the morning to ask about the condition of my legs, and for my race bib number because he wants to see the analysis of my results online. Classic. And he did a 1:50 for 21km without any much training... is that crazy or what?

A few people to thank when I decided to pull my socks up and seriously train for this race alone. It was a daunting thought of going ECP for long runs but encouragements along the way really help give that extra push.

1) My parents for the silent support when they willingly accomodated my time on Saturdays just to drive me to ECP because they know how inaccessible the place is. I can't imagine travelling 1hr just to go there to run.
2) My boxing buddy L for her constant encouragement as she kept telling me "You can do it one lah!" I am, in some ways, also motivated by her spirit when she told me she wants to do a 21km next year as her first step to take running seriously.
3) My senior aka shi shiong who brought me to ECP for the first time this year in his new convertible and bluffed me into running a 21km. That ignited a spark in me to do a long distance run again. And later a few runs in Maritchie before we went on to Muaythai.
4) My new boxing buddy B who is also into running. We would share tips on running, and once I jio her to run in ECP, but ended meeting her only at the 16-km mark before she ended her run shortly. She is the one that tells me "every little step counts" and that line was in my mind during the race. How true. She'll be running the Tokyo marathon next year, the same day for my HK half. I wish her all the best!
5) My camping friend S for driving me back home after a nice dinner and an awesome night drive after my longest training at ECP. Kinda made me forgot the pain in my legs and saved me the agony of taking the long bus journey back home.
6) My batam-build kaki S whom I clicked with almost instantaneously, she always tell me "tiff you are one good lady runner" but sadly I'm not. But she always makes me feel that my trainings won't go to waste, though I failed to make her interested into running. And many thanks for the sms before race day!
7) My 2 bosses, R and H, they constantly asked me about my trainings, making me feel very stressed if I didn't do any long runs... I duno why but they were really excited about me joining the full... I wanted to keep everything as low key as possible because I don't really like to broadcast the fact that I run. On the last week before the race they kept asking me whether I was ready... It's like an employee answering to an employer... the default answer can only be YES. Ever ready, i told them.
8) My colleague J for jio-ing me in her Tuesday run from ORL to her house in Queenstown, and for the free 100plus before I run back to office. I really enjoy the route from ORL-->Boat Quay --> Clark Quay --> Robertson Quay --> Redhill --> Queenstown. She is also one mightly lady, a mother of one juggling with a busy job and yet still able to squeeze in so many activities in her lifestyle including a long run on weekend. Kudos to her!
9) To all my friends for their understanding that I can't meet on Saturdays... I'm sorry but training is really essential, cannot skip leh...

And lastly, just like my previous races, I want to dedicate my medal to my brother who left us in 2002. He is my constant motivation to continue running. When he was alive he couldn't really walk and I know he always wanted to run, happy and free. I want to run for him... and with him, in my heart, and I know he will always be watching me from above. To my dear kor, another medal for you :)

One week before the race I fell ill and it was a week of jitters and worries that I wasn't able to go for the race. The cough and flu took a toil on me that I had nightmares almost everyday and feeling really weak even walking to the mrt station. Thank goodness for Vitamin C drinks and constant sleep that I finally felt better on Saturday, as if I finally saw the light.

I really enjoyed this year's race because I was blessed in many ways:
1) Free pasta party @ the Padang. Compliments from my company and got 2 friends in for free too. Great fire show!
2) My company has a tent @ the Padang on race day! I can't believe this... deposit of baggage, free massage, free food, free drinks, free seats...
3) Good weather! It was almost perfect for running except for the high humidity during the start of the race. Hardly any sun, cool temperatures...
4) No tummyache this time!
5) No leg cramps (never had leg cramps during running. The only time I had it was during shopping @ BKK... it was a full-fledge shopping craze)
6) Spotted EY walking opposite the road in the half category and the surprised look on this face when I shouted his name. Good to see him this year after we missed out each other during last year's race.
6) A stranger sprinted the last 2km with me. Without his constant encouragement I wouldn't have ran that fast because my body ran out of fuel and I was really really tired. He's really my angel!
7) And because of that.... I completed the race under 5h @ 4:58:37 !!! WOOHOOOOOO!!!!!

Luckily I never go toilet !!!!!

Of course, the legs now are pretty much in pain but lucily the knees are feeling alright after a day's rest. Yippiee! I conclude glucosamine really helps for knee pains. I'm really happy because all the weekend long runs finally paid off. I have to thank my parents for the free rides to ECP every Saturday afternoon and friends for accomodating my schedule to meet me on Sundays instead. And thanks to all the encouragement and congrats after the race! It's really heart warming to read all of your writings :)

Running is indeed addictive and now it made me fall in love with it even more. Marathons are no longer that daunting anymore and I'm looking forward to the next one. Trainings can be torturing but the rewards are really sweet :) And of course, have to take great care of the feet, legs and knees.

In the meantime I'm gonna enjoy the next off days from running and guilt-free snacks at night.

The photos are out!

No more surrender pose this time (it was on my mind during the last km) :D

I can't believe but it's true... it's here... it's HERE!

The month of anticipation... the month of adventures.... the month of changes....

Await, awaits :)

..... because I'm going overseas in December!

Bought air tickets today after being recruited into the trip, totally last minute. Yippieee! I just know that I won't be staying in SG year-end and I'm damn right.

Yes yes YESSS!!!!!!!!

I'm going to complete my tour in SEA this year, well... almost !

Just find it coincidental when there are correlations made to the number 10.

1) Bangkok trip
Took Jetstar to Bangkok and upon arrival at the airport I was feeling all excited and hyper. The walk to the luggage and immigration counter was super duper long and thus I began to crack some nonsense to my traveling partner to ease the pain of long walking. Remember how Jetstar aggressively made promo on TV and said they'll do a 10% discount if competitors offer cheaper rates. Thus, I kept making the 10% hand signal to Audris to irritate her.

See.... TEN PERCENT *shows all 10 fingers with a silly grin on the face*

And I kept doing that for at least 10 times... can feel the irritation growing in her. Muahaha.

Upon arriving at the our hotel I realise they actually gave us a 10% discount. Hoh seh ah.


2) Team meeting
During one of the bi-weekly team meeting last week, I was sharing with my colleagues on one of my experiences in Austria where the doctor gave me 10 days of MC due to fever and flu. I kept showing my favourite "10" pose showing all my fingers in full view with that funny look on the face. I dunno why they kept laughing but I guess my constant emphasize on the TEN really tingled a funny bone or two.

3) Marathon
Okay, it's effectively 10 more days to race day.


TEN 10 TEN 10 TEN 10 !!!

Just find it very amusing... hee hee. Now I see 10 in a different manner. Even my colleague loves this number.

TEN TEN !

Pardon me.... but I didn't realise this Friday is a public holiday until Monday. I feel really silly... maybe because I'm in such a holiday mood these days.

Because because... December is coming. Holiday season.... Christmas.... feast... bright lights and decos... everything... adds up.

And I'm feeling happy. I love December.... waited 11 months for it and it's finally coming :)

Today went for the weekly muaythai and saw an old old friend from Uni. Yippie... our clan is getting bigger now! Hee hee. Had a swell of a time talking about nothings and giggling at old jokes over ice milo and shaker fries. I love it... !

Feeling like a child all over again. Wednesdays are never the same!



Chill chill .... 10 more days to marathon! I'm feeling the jitters.

No more trips for this year... So I guess festive season will be spent in hot and humid Singapore (though a small part of me is hoping for impromptu trips). Feeling really broke so I guess the best way is to stay in town :)

And I have great plans for December!

I've decided to use the money supposedly for the year-end trip to get myself a bicycle. Yes... finally I thought of getting one after my previous bicycle was stolen 8 years ago. I think it's great to cycle around the neighbourhood. I saw several people cycling leisurely during my jogging sessions and they all look really happy peddling along.

I don't intend to get any of those mountain or road bicycles... maybe something for old-fashioned. Did some search online and there are actually BRANDED bicycles?

Gucci:

I love the red bag at the side and the front light. Machiam riding a bike.

Kona:

I like the shape of the bicycle... looks funny. And the basket in front for me to put my stuffs after my trip to the NTUC.


Channel:

Look at the suspension beneath the seat... looking real attas with the leather finishing at the pedals there and the side bag.


What about a Hello Kitty bicycle?

Even the wheel has Hello Kitty prints!

But no I don't really like pink bicycles....

Okie I know what I want....

The Beach Cruiser Bicycle:


I think it looks really cute.... my kind of bicycle, idle of cycling on a lazy weekend afternoon. :D

I'm in the midst of converting all the songs from the old cds into itunes and oh boy, all the old songs bring back good ole memories of secondary school and college days. My favourites include Eternal, Boyz2men, 98 deg, The Corrs, Eric Clapton, just to name a few.

It all started when I arrived back from Bangkok to Singapore airport and overheard them playing Christmas songs by Jim Brickman. Aww. I have the cds I recalled. And i can't wait to dig them out from the cupboard, all the cds hidden deep in it. I can't believe I've been keeping them all and totally forgotten about them.

And yes, I love Jim Brickman. The perfect time to listen to his songs is now... the after-rain weather, cooling and quiet in the night. I'm enjoying it all.

Okay back to the frenzy of converting all the songs I love.

One of my all time favourites:

Found and tried in Bangkok!



Mr Donut.... Reunited!

Absolutely thrilled at this discovery. The last time I lay my hands on them was a year ago in Taiwan. Can't believe my eyes when I saw them in Platinum mall basement. The authentic donut is AWESOME. I wish they have it in SG!

I din know shopping is more tiring than running a race. I came back with back and thigh aches. It's really the survival of the fittest... and my mind is weak for a succumbed to the temptations of cheap sales and fanciful shops. We are totally unleashed on the foreign land.

BKK totally rocks... Boomz all the way!

Thanks for my wonderful traveling buddy who went through thick and thin.... whose mind is as weak as me too,


Now I'm banning myself from shopping... till... maybe next year?

This time round I'm going Bangkok.... with a Boomz! Flight is taking off in 7h time, gonna leave home at 5am and now it's almost 1am.... I'm forever so last minute when it comes to packing and buying travel insurance.

My strategy for the coming trip (I've shared this with countless people today) is to SHOP MASSAGE EAT all the way for the next 3 days 2 nights non stop. Shop till I drop, then go for a nice massage, followed by a nice meal to fuel the body before going on a frenzy shopping mission.

BANGGGGGKOK...... HERE I COMEEEEEE!

:D

On a different note, there are many christmas lightings up along the streets in the city. Really nice to see the lights flicker here and there, it's so romantic. I miss christmas markets in europe, I miss the cold cold weather, I miss the feeling of snow falling down on my cheeks, I miss the feeling of being fat and gorging on food to make me warm.



Ahhh.. i miss those days. The fat ole goody days.

Finally, the long awaited 30km was finally accomplished TODAY!

Location: ECP
Weather: Cooling
Time: 345-7pm
Attire: Cap, singlet and shorts, fuel belt
Assets: $7.20, 1 snicker bar (melted)

And the run was awesome. Saw this malay guy every weekend and finally today we greeted as we ran past each other.

I never knew mind is the most powerful thing.

And I got a free ride back home after a fab catchup session from Siglap to Changi Village.



Nice weekend everyone :)

Today is my first attempt to run after work from the office. The route starts from ORL, past Clark Quay then ends in Queensway. Head up to my colleague's house for a cup of 100plus and small chat before I ran back to office. The way back was totally confusing for me as I have problems remembering the route back. Got abit lost around Robertson Quay before finding the right track back via the underpass. It felt totally strange running along Clark Quay amongst party goers while I tried not to bump onto them.

Upon seeing the Esplanade sets a huge relief within me. I'm back and not lost anymore! It's an awesome run indeed and tonight it was really windy and thank god, no rain. Yet another 15km tonight... Keep the mileage coming in!

How can the weather be so freakish today.

Morning perfect weather, noon super hot, evening... POURING rain.

I was perpetually wet throughout the run @ ECP. Shoes eventually gave squeaky sounds as I prod along and when the rain got too big that I couldn't see what's ahead of me, the next alternative was to look for a toilet to seek shelter.

I hate rains. It came so unexpectedly. It's so ... unfair to those runners in ECP!!!

And the $5 dollar stashed in my pouch... is very very wet.

My running shoes are so wet that I can squeeze water out of it.

I can't belive my intended long run was cut short just like that. Only managed to do a 15-km (It rained barely 3km into the run).

Haixx.

I really think long runs are addictive. I feel exceptionally happy after each run... especially after a long run.

Give me back my sun!

It has been 3 days since i'm back to civilization, back to city area, in a new working entity. It felt weird obviously, being the newbie once again and talking in hush tones and agreeing to everything that was shoved to my direction and accepting all forms of training invites and meetings. I was pretty much in a cloud of confusion after walking the entire floor shaking hands with people I meet for the first time and trying to remember their names when the team lead said "This is an important person to remember". Okayyy... i try to absorb as like sponge to water.

It's so tiring.

Everyone told me to enjoy the honeymoon period of a newbie. Heck, it doesn't apply to this team at all. Still trying to get intune with everything. Well, almost!

I'm glad my new team is supportive as of now. I'm sad iConnect doesn't work anymore :( Had to call up old colleagues to chat for a while to relieve the distant-longing. Hee hee.

Fish are friends, not food.

I love my friends. I eat them.