Last day of the year ...

Many incidents happen over the year. Both good and bad. Laughters and tears. You gain some and you lose some.

But I am happy that I 'gain' someone. :-)

Ultra Marathon

Went down to support the fellow runners in their last run of the year at MR. Many of them just did 5 rounds and call it a day. Guess they had other plans for the night. :-) I'm happy that I have excuse not to run for this event. ;-)

Merry Christmas!!!

Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas to all!

What did I do today? I went to ECP to run. :-) Left my barang barang at the locker near the bicycle shop and start my run from there to junction of Changi Coast Rd and back. Caught in a slight drizzle on the way. After the run, went to Suntec to jalan jalan. Bought another book, Eragon.

Company Christmas Party at DXO

Went for the company christmas party at DXO on 15-Dec-2006. It is located right next to the Esplanade. Free flow of beer and soft drinks. Everyone had a good time especially the big boss and his three musketeers..

Birthday ...

I dun really celebrate my birthday. Why? I also do not know. Maybe dun like cakes?

Last few years is like a company/ department thingy to have birthday celebrations for the month, etc.

This year round, suprisingly, quite a few of my ex-colleagues wanted to celebrate with me but I just turn all of them down with stupid reasons like training for the marathon, etc. And I really went for my Wednesday run on my birthday. Happen that my running gear is orange from top to bottom. :-)



BUT I still end up with a birthday celebration from my new running friends after the run. My 'buddy' sabo me loh. It's a pleasant surprise thou. :-)

THUD! - by Terry Pratchett

Bought a book called THUD! by Terry Pratchett in SAN Bookshop at Vivo City. I always keep a lookout for this author's book especially the Discworld series. Light reading. Some how due to change of publisher, the front cover illustrations is no longer so nice. Last time was published under Corgi.

Down with Flu

Was down with flu since thursday. Thought the RL Run would chase the flu bug away. Guess I was wrong ..

Friday was feeling very lethargic and tired as the flu is running it's course. Went back after work and had a good night's rest. Dr Doraemon instructed that I need plenty of rest and water.

Today feeling much better. Guess have to save my returning to the basketball court for next week.

Planing to go for the BG run tomorrow thou ..

Hamster Room

It started off with only one container. Now it occupy the whole room. Mad liao..

And these cute little dudes bites! Dun touch them at all.

Recovery Run

Finally did a run today at NUS with Doraemon and Leng Meng. It was drizzling when I reach NUS but stopped when we are about to start running.

Told Leng Meng he will lead for today as both Doraemon and myself are still suffering from the aches.

Leng Meng lead us for a loop at West Coast Park and on the return track. We were got in the rain and had to stop at the underpass.

My quads felt better after the run. Great, will do another at Running Lab tomorrow.

SCSM 2006

Finally race day, Sunday 20061203. As pre-planned,walk 15 minutes from the house to the Jurong East Stadium to catch the 04.30am shuttle service. Along the way, saw a senior guy taking a walk in the cool morning. Why is he not in bed? Seems like older folks dun sleep that much..

When I board the bus, I was immediately greeted by OP & Freddy. OP was all ready for a fun and enjoyable run. Freddy look tired, perhaps the newborn is keeping him away from his sleep? Tried to catch some Zzz on the bus but cannot. Simply just too hype up.

When we arrived next to the Padang, we quickly locate the mobile toilets to release our 'anxiety'. Hmm, after 3 minues of effort. I give up. The feeling is just not there. :-( Came out and OP & Freddy is no way to be found.

But then at the bend next to the War Memorial, found OP, Stalza & Shortlegs? Hmm, memory a bit blur. Maybe have not wake up. ;-) Then we proceed to meet up with the rest of the SGRunners.Wah, they good hor, manage to 'grab' a tentage for SGRunners.

Wait for me, wait for me! Just in time to join in for the photo taking session. Then the group started to chit chat, some break off to deposit the barang barang and others just do their warmup. Most of us proceed to the starting lineup. Along the way, saw Doraemon, 'Swoop' and Fennel. But then .. when at the starting lineup, we lost sight of the rest.

As the flag off time slowly crawls through the remaining 5 minutes, anxiety builds up. I started to have 'feeling'. Oh man, bad timing. Tell my body to shutup (Hee hee, Richy's advice). So upon flag off, Doraemon and myself started off and whisking through the togs of runners to find our pace.

Along Marina South, I am suprise that my 'pah ciao' eyes can spot two mobile toilets. I dash in and do my small business. Wah arh ... shiok ... For me, the race then begins. Speed up a bit to catch up with Doraemon. Not sure after running how far then I manage to spot the red monster. I keep telling myself to focus and tail after Doraemon. Saw many runners along the way, Ultra zoom pass. Time and distant whisked by, soon we reached our 12km refuel point. First pack of GU gel down, 3 more to go. As we turn out from Marina South and continue back to Esplanade, I just couldn't believe the weather was so good! Keep reminding myself not to say it aloud for fear that the weather may just change for the worst.

Along the way, Terence caught up and we ran alongside for a while. At ECP we took our second refuel. After running a while, I got a *poop* feeling. :-( Was lucky to spot the toilets on the right and I dashed in to do my big business. Finally after wasting precious time, I'm ready to chong! Nothing is going to side track me this time! Tried to catch up to Doraemon again but after skipping two water points, I still cannot spot her. Ha ha, di I overtake her? Fat hope. Just before the turning point at the Lagoon, spoted her going strong towards it.

Inch by inch, foot by foot, I manage to close the gap until two steps behind her. Because my stride is longer than hers, eventually, I ran alongside and give her the thumbs up signal. She signal back. Great run! After the lagoon, I spoted TLR and trailed after him. Doraemon did the same. I planned to get the sponge and the deep heat at the 30km support station.

Finally reach the support station! I was feeling so wasted. Grap the sponge and spray the deep heat on my shoulder, knees and thighs. Doraemon just whizzed pass and I quickly left the pit stop. Play catchup again. Down the third pack of GU gel maybe in 32km?

Step by step, metres by metres, km by km, we hit the Kallang Stadium trailing after TLR. At the water point, I took my last pack of GU gel and apply the deep heat. That is the point where I lose sight of TLR. Spot DR with the orange tee at 39km.

At the Esplanade bridge, sgrunners' runspirator Bee shouted my name* and I give her a thumbs up. Then a photographer friend spotted me and shouted my name as well. Suprise suprise.

I summon my last ounce of energy to sprint the last 195m. When I was about to cross the finish line, saw the timing 03:56:?? Clenched my fists and raised my hands. YES!!

Unlike the past few marathons, I do not need to get a bottle of water to cool my head. I walk around to catch back my breath. As I walk back to the finish line, spotted Doraemon being helped by the organisers. Uh oh. I quickly walked over to her to ask what was wrong. Apparently she had strained her shoulders for the last 195m. Took a rest at the side and then she recovered and we went in to de-chipped.

We met quite a number of the SGRunners on the way to the baggage counter. When we assembled at the War Memorial for a photo shot, the rain started to drizzle. Took a few shots and we parted ways. Doraemon, Doraemon's supporter, 'Swoop', Fennel and myself went over to Suntec swimming pool for bath and swim. Basically for me, it's poop time and hot shower.

With our bodies refreshed after bath and swim for Doraemon & Swoop. We had lunch at the NUS Guild House. Thanks to Doraemon for giving us a treat! Yummy!

After lunch, 'Swoop' and Fennel went jalan jalan. Doraemon and myself just board the shuttle bus to City Hall. Simply too aching to walk through City Link. :-) Unfortunately for Doraemon, she had to go back to office to finish up some work.

I finally reach home around 4 plus ...

* actually I did not spot Bee. Only when I heard the voice, then I know who and roughly where she is. Same goes to my photographer friend.