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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A Terrifying Experience.

Geez, been a long time hasn't it?I guess I was too busy staying in for duties to even go back home. Anyway, wasted no time to track back to my training schedule. Three days after my last run, and this was what I did today.Three rounds around Pandan Reservoir. That's 6K x 3 or 18K in total. Well, I must say that I changed the plan for today because I was not properly fuelled for the original 21K. So instead, I just did 18K, split into 3 sessions. All three done at Marathon Pace, but at different times. I am quite confident that this produced better results, instead of 21K slow run. One in the morning, one in the afternoon, and the last one at...

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Getting used to life.

*Bam* and it's going to Thursday already..! Two duties done..! I finally managed to get myself not to go home before duties...and truth be told, it's not so bad after all. Maybe I've gotten used to the people in my platoon. Just have to follow their pattern and things will go well. No mood no mood no mood no mood.I don't want to post anymore. Why? I JUST LOST MY PHONE IN THE BUS. HOW'S THAT. LOST MY BLOODY PHONE.BLARGHHHH..!How am I gonna survive now. Wanted to post about my need to lost some extra pounds..wanted to post about my tempo run today...my strategy for the marathon...the new races...even that one time I saw MM LKY in person having a stroll...Oh every thing I spoilt by this! One of the very important valuables that is my PHONE!&nb...

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