2011: A Perspective from 2010

*Tries to be as positive as possible even though I'm down with a flu and need to book in tonight*Hey! It's the final hours of 2010 and we are counting down! This year there will be no traditional gathering and countdown celebration for me as everyone is busy. We the army guys are in camp, others have love interest, etc. Indeed, I will be counting down in camp heh.Every year eve, our NP clique will sit down quietly after countdown and have a good chat about their year and their hopes for the next. However this year it ain't happening which is quite a shame. So instead, BLOG! I will be putting my heartfelt thoughts as we share the moment together...A look back, wow, it has been a good year. Better than 2009, if you asked me. And I thought 2009 was a great year. It just keeps getting better,...

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Seeking Solace through Adversity

Time for fun and games is over. Serious training for next year is starting on Friday and all the junk that I've been gorging will be burned off. It's finally come to and end, 2010. This year I have finally turned myself into a Runner AND Marathoner after much work. After the Marathon, I admit, I took it easy and threw away all discipline and motivation to train. But it allowed my body to relax and recuperate. I think that's necessary. However, I think it's about time I got sick of this lifestyle. Eating waste food consisting of empty calories and lazing around isn't my thing anymore. I need to jump back to the sane, familiar 'Runner's Path'. So this Friday, 31/12/2010, the last day of the year, I will be doing my last run of the year. After half a year of competitive running and...

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AM Off

Weird. It was a last minute decision too. I think it's wasteful to use AM off since you have to book in again, but..I stayed up too late and only got a few hours sleep. I am so short of time. I'm desperate. And I sure as hell do not want to go for CPFA and VRE =.=Since I can't take off anytime soon (unless miracle happens), and I already have 3.5 off, and that I'll be doing 1st Jan, and guard duty, it's really meaningless to keep off. What if I kena minus off again? Speaking of which, yes, DAMN IT I kena 1st Jan. All hope is almost lost. Unless that Saviour comes through with our deal. Which is 99% unlikely to happen. Fingers crossed.Going to camp n...

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A little Update

Forgot where I left off...yea, I was pretty stressed the past week. Figured some time off from the blog would be good. Nothing life changing or blog worthy stuff happened recently.. Well, indeed, I have gained weight again, but who cares bout' that? It's getting boring, and I'm getting bored of losing it. Just going with the flow this time guys, but fret not, I am still running. Clocked 6K on Christmas and 10K on boxing day. Wanted to challenge 25K on 25/12 as an Xmas themed run...but, well, it is too tough for me now. I am just doing short distances at a blistering pace to retain my speed. My endurance is kinda poor now. It is normal to slack off after a Marathon, especially in Dec. But the proper training for my Ultra 2011 will commence soon. Am still in the 'dark...

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Horrible Day! Freakin' blur..

Oh man...I gotta wake up. Today just exemplified the worst of me in more ways than one. I know my one great weakness clearly now; being very blur cock. Especially when I'm scared or nervous. I will be so self conscious and brainless that I f-up even the most simple things.I had to book in today. Only one other platoon guy was in camp. During CPFA, both of us were on status so we went aside..then after a while, I went to cut my hair. After that, we left the barber and went to eat. Suddenly my friend asked, "Where's your jockey cap?". Oh shit, I misplaced it, I thought. I went back to the canteen to check. Not there. I hadn't a clue where I left it, so I instantly suggested going back to the barber to check. Luckily, it was there. How could I have been so ignorant. But my mind was wreaked...

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Dark times, dark times.

December's just started. December's just started.Somehow, karma never fails to hit me in the most ironical of ways. It ALWAYS happens this way. By a cruel twist of fate. My life is just like that. My stars are fixed. Well.I just signed 3 extra AGAIN.You know, there's no use elaborating about how it signed, why I signed or whatever. There's no point in letting people know since it's my blog. If people are truly concerned they will ask themselves, Lab. So leave it there. I only need to focus on how to clean this shit up. Yes, from my tone I am damn pissed just talking about it, but on doing the extra, it really doesn't bother me after a long thought. After all, it's just staying in extra hours in camp, a few hours of sleep taken away, for what, three days. It's nothing. I can handle...

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Am I Injured?

This ain't good man..I've fked my left again after today's run..First, my foot...which I thought was healed. It's some kind of twitching pain that doesn't go away...I don't know whether it's the joints or bone. It's not affecting me much other than the pain. But freak, it's back again and I think I'd better stop running any time soon.Then my freaking knee. Is it Runner's knee I don't really know. It's at the side of the kneecap and is really getting more and more painful after each run. At first it was nothing but after today's run I can really feel the burn. I guess I really need a break. These repetitive pounding and thrashing of my joints is not looking good for my legs now and in the future. Let's hope the pain subsides after my two days duty (SIBEI SIAN, WEEKEND DUTY SOMEMORE). It's...

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God Damn ULCERS!

It's killin' me...every second, every minute, every DAY..! PAIN, PAIN, unadulterated PAIN that doesn't let me have a break!!!It's the damn ULCER(S) in my mouth!!! I'm seriously gonna be super careful not to brush my lips again...ARGH. People take it for granted when their mouth are free of ulcers but when the damn irritant comes it hits and hurts HARD man! Somemore my ulcer is not one but two or three overlapping ZZZZZZZZZZZZ just imagining it makes my hair stand!!! AND! If you roll your tongue and try to feel it, you actually feel how deep the hole is *brain burstsss*!!!! HOLY CRAP...... I can't eat, I can't drink, I can't even sleep properly. And it is definitely affecting my mood so much. I feel so freaking piss-as-shit every second man!!! I get damn moody, and so easily irritable...as...

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Nice Surprise!

Wow, I ran the Pandan Reservoir Run 2010 and didn't expect to get Second Runner-up overall! It was 6.2K, a single loop around the Reservoir. I was just looking to clock a personal best for my 5K, since I've never done that before. Little did I know that my timing was enough for a trophy! Of course, this is a small scale and little known neighbourhood event, with only maybe 200 participants, but hey, a trophy is still a trophy!The weather was excellent. Clear skies, some breeze but not too strong. Perfect for a Sunday morning run. I have not ran since Stan Chart, so I was well rested and ready for a good performance. After the little 'oldies'...

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Keep on Transiting...

Alright, say goodbye to the old template! This current one is close to what I had envisioned, and taking into account my lack of HTML skills, I think this should do for now. Life after the Marathon has resumed! I have taken a long break, didn't run since Sunday and still resting now. Well, actually I'm supposed to ain't I? Guess what, luck or fate has it that the Medical Officer thinks so too! So I went for a check on my foot two days ago (though mainly cos' I couldn't run and do drills), and he gave me more than I asked for -- EX L/L for TWO WEEKS, and a X-ray appointment! My left foot was indeed feeling a bit of sharp pain post-Marathon, but I've recovered from those before. So I was very surprised to get such a good excuse LOL. But still, I think I deserve the free rest after...

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Humbled by the Marathon.

I figured I'd do a thorough recollection of my Marathon experience just for the record.So I went to bed at 8.30pm sharp the night before. Had a absolutely shocking dream that ended up with me not attending the Marathon...guess I was too excited. Slept till' past 2am before waking up and packing up my stuff.Re-visited 'Spirit of the Marathon' and David Goggins clips to pump me up. Then, changed into gear and cabbed to Orchard. When we reached, we took our time to do last minute preparation such as having an energy bar or putting some vaseline before depositing our bags. Then it was off to the starting point! By the time we walked to Ngee Ann City,...

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Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2010 Review

Okay, let's get a formal review up before I post about my performance. This year was a first, in many ways. The course was split into three different start points for the Full/Half/10K. Of course, there were the newly introduced routes where runners got to cruise around iconic landmarks of Singapore such as Orchard, Sentosa, Singapore Flyer, Universal Studios etc. It certainly made the run more interesting and scenic. And also, a new record of 60,000 runners took part -- a good sign that the SCMS is still the pinnacle public sports event locally. On the Full Marathon route; I thought it was great! My words may not hold much since this is my maiden Marathon, but I definitely liked the fact that I got to see all the iconic landmarks as I run. Serves as a good distraction too! The start...

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I'm not a Runner...

...till' I complete a Marathon.Nuff Said.No more time wasted, I need to sleep. I'm already behind schedule.Key points. Breakfast, pee, drink alot, pee somemore, and gut it out there for 42K. I can do it...Alright wait for my postrace revie...

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The Final Stop - Thoughts on Sunday.

As the day ends, we can conclude our preparation for the Marathon this Sunday.I've not said this, but I was battling a nagging ache on my left leg. In fact, the truth is my body was hurting like hell for the past week, due to my last gym session and worsen by the high intensity soccer session. Yea, I admit if I could have done thing differently, I would have listened to my body and rest instead of playing through the pain. Well I am glad to say, the pain has subsided after days of sufficient rest and lots of muscular balm. It is still not 100%, but I will be fully healed by Sunday. I only fear that doing a Marathon straight after healing...

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Same Plot; Time to Fight.

Let's get straight down to it.Recieved a call from my spec this morning. Guess what? Apparently, he DID NOT KNOW I WAS ON LEAVE ON COG DAY and put me for COG. I was like, what the F***? Well, since the new protocol was to give full strength for all parades, everyone not on duty or leave must do parade. But I was clearly on freaking leave! I had taken 3-7 Dec don't know how many bloody months ago, approved, and now he says I must be recalled back for COG if there's no replacement? Like that's my F***king problem that you don't check whether I was on leave or not? How can a spec, just throw in my name without checking whether I'm on leave that...

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Why run a Marathon?

The typical question. Have heard it countless times, and the more you try to give a satisfying answer to the person who asks, the more frustrated you get. Face it, people who don't get it will never get it, unless they do it themselves. I just saw this person on Facebook minutes ago, who really annoyed me. He was actually scolding Standard Chartered and labeled them as "Bastards" for leaving his name out of the slot. When asked why, his response was that he did not went to collect his race pack on the spot.Come on you dumb MOFO, if you don't bother to collect your race pack, you should very well know the consequences and that would be your disqualification in the race. And now you CB you go blame the organisers? How freaking dumb are you? He is the type of pimp/clubber/good-for-nothing...

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When Everything Goes Wrong

This night Murphy's law rang loud in my head; "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong". Seems like so much bad things are happening in my community nowadays.On the national level, Singapore seems to be struck by a series of unfortunate and certainly, unnecessary events. Look, first the resurgence of gang related incidents. I may not have blogged about it but trust me, I am FURIOUS if anything, about what is going on. Senseless maniacs going around hacking people? What right do they have to do that? The false sense that the whole world belong to them? They can do anything they want? I won't place too much emotions onto this matter, but I sure know I would at least bring a few of them down with me if I happen to be attacked. I can't recall more prominent events but I know right...

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And soon, the start/end of and Era.

Less than 6 months ago I started.Less than 6 days later I will undergo the first test. This final week is crucial leading to race day. I'm ultimately scared of catching illnesses or getting injured so we're trying to be as careful as possible here. But how ironic I still played soccer (after a long time) yesterday and would be playing again tomorrow. How dangerous man. If people decide to play rough. On the marathon, there's no need to give so much hype, as least in my opinion. It's just that people compare results with inferior standards. Look, in Singapore, the average timing for a full marathon is SIX hours. And so completing a sub-6 is considered good. But to people who know better, SIX hours is NOTHING. If we compare to say, USA, where the average marathon timing is...

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The Four Hour Marathon

Hey...less than two weeks to the Marathon...it's time for the motivational videos, ain't it?Well I might get too emotional right now and lose focus since we haven't really round up our final preparations. Yes, my final LSD 33K is done. And with that, the tapering process has already begun. Time to cut down the trainings, lower intensity by 50%, carbo-load, etc etc. And I am listening, it's always good to take the tried and proven route, especially for something as momentous as a marathon. On my target timing. My head says 4:30 but my heart wants a 3:59:59 or less. I wonder, when I look at the videos, how 3:30 is so easily achievable by fellow runners who look ....just plain average! It sends the message that a sub-4 marathon is actually simple, but truth is it's NOT. Well, at least...

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Positive, positive stuff.

FINALLYI COMPLETED 33 KILOMETRES.Just so much emotions right now...I finally did it...I FINALLY BROKE THE 30K barrier AND I smashed the 'WALL'!This is the BEST run I have ever done.When I stopped halfway during my last attempt, a number of reasons attributed to it.Now, the same goes, there's many reasons why I could do it today.It was adequate rest. Sufficient preparation. Focused mindset. Hunger. All these must be present in order to complete a marathon.Right now, I have all the confidence that I can finish it. A lot of positives from this run.-> NO CRAMPS ANYWHERE. NONE. YOU KNOW WHEN PEOPLE CRAMP UP OR PULL THEIR MUSCLE AFTER SOMETIME? NONE FOR ME. FREAKING SOLID LEG MUSCLES. ->I RAN AT BLOODY 90% OF MY RACE PACE. HOW I DID IT I DON'T KNOW. I COMPLETED WITHIN 4:30, BUT MINUS...

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Let's get this over with!

Uh, through the pain, relentless workouts, but that's the only way Lab works, and the only way I know how. I'm feelin' kinda jittery and hyper after the speed training. Woo~! Yes what they say is true, those people who run Marathons and Ultras are in one way or another screwed up in the mind. I guess I'm on the right track then...=DDAlright, since I like breaking records so much, let's break another record! Nope, not in running this time. From tomorrow till' Sunday, I will be mounting consecutively, FOUR days in a row -- New Personal Record AHA! Yea you've every reason to think that I've really gone mad now. =DDCrap aside, these four days especially the Sunday will be CRUCIAL in determining my Marathon performance now why do I say that? It's because my final LSD (33K) will be...

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Barrage virgin hits HIGH

Well I gotta admit, the group run just now with old NPCC buddies is pretty enjoyable. Clocked 14K, and finished with a hills repeat. Well sort of, if the Marina Barrage upslope is considered a "hill". But workout wise, I am on target. No wonder night running is so appealing, there's the breezy and cooling weather, the quiet surroundings, and somehow you don't lose energy as quickly. Oh, and running past the crowded Orchard Road at 10pm does motivate you, hah. Hmm, the next time I go back would probably be this Monday, if not on 5 Dec itself, so yea, looking forward to it man! A preview for next year: New races! Two of the ones I'm participating...

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Races down...the Marathon looms ahead.

How time flies, and we are already heading for the end of 2010..!!Is it good? Is it bad?? Have I done all I can for this year? Well...those shall be addressed next time, but for my 'running life' at least, I should be quite satisfied. It was less than half a year ago when I actually wanted to take up running seriously...If you'd read my post back in June, you'd realise one of my running idols David Goggins ignited the spark in me to join competitive races. Looking back, we've done quite a few this year, haven't we? The Nicorette Quitters Run, Army Half Marathon, Nike City 10k races, New Balance Real Run, and the most recent Salomon X-Trail Run. It has been fun...the journey until now. Learning and training rigorously everyday... making mistakes here and there...planning and organising...

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The good ol' days of "ST65" are back?

Just finished a workout. Well, I have kind of forgotten about yesterday's bad patch. Sort of. Thought it would be good to add in an impromptu workout today since I did not complete yesterday. So I went out at 4:30pm, and managed to complete a 8K mile repeats plus 2K run. I'm glad to say after that refreshing workout, I have rebuilt my confidence and strengthen my tenacity as a runner. That said, I have already rescheduled a date for the 33K. This time I should learn from my past mistakes and finally do it, before it's too late. Ah yes, I have put my self cook plans into action. Went to get all the groceries after receiving my pay to stock up for the next 3 three weeks. Yup, I am going back to self cooking in preparation for the marathon. That is how important I view the marathon. Total,...

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Giving Up.

Update: I gave up half way on my 33K run.Stopped at 10K mark. After some thought, I guess I must have suffered from burnout. Going too far, too much, too soon. Not letting the body rest. I should have known going 33K today was impossible but I still tried. Not just physically, mentally, I was even worse. I wasn't psyched up for today at all. Zero motivation, not realising that I am fighting a beast today. Not prepared. I don't have the rage. I can't feed on negativity. Where are all the things that make me jealous? I need them so that I can fuel up! Post all your happy facebook pictures! Go into relationships and make me jealous! Do the sweetest lovey dovey things and post them on facebook and enrage me! If I don't see all these I can't be motivated to train myself!! Things just seem too good...

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The Leave-Off Combo STARTS!

Let's see...Thur (L), Fri (Off), Sat (D), Sun (L), Mon (L), Mon (Off), Tue (PH), Wed (Off?)Chain broken on Saturday but it's ok since I'm repaying duty. It's only one day, and I'll take it as a rest day for SALOMON X TRAIL RACE on Sunday! Yes, though I've never update much but I'm still looking forward to this. First trail run, no worries about timing or whatsoever as I just want to experience trail running. Following our Pre-marathon plans, tomorrow is going to be a BIG day for a LONG run. Really LONG. I am almost shitting brix thinking now...THIRTY-THREE (33) KILOMETRES. *Gulps*.Insane to the average and people who don't understand, but a necessity for runner's who are doing their final preparation for the marathon. It's like taking prelims, you know? Seriously I don't even know...

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