Riding in the rain

Been raining almost every day for the past week, and our last two rides were wet, wet, wet.

12 turned up for Sat's ride and we were completely drenched barely 30 min into the ride along CCR. One effect, though. We went slower on account of the reduced visibility and wet roads :)

Does it mean that we are so hard-core that rain, heavy or light, does not stop us? 

Rave Runs: John MacArthur beach state park

In what would have been a boring out and back along the pavements of Singer Island, FL turned out to be a serendipitous discovery of sorts. After about 4km in 20C temperature (with windchill it was about 15C) out, I met HO on the way back. Didn't recognize him at first with his shades and running gear. It was about an hour ago that we listened to his research presentation - an interesting one, I might add.

HO told me about the great run through John MacArthur park, just up ahead. $2 entrance fee (which he didn't pay cuz he didn't carry any with him), but I gamely forked out the money. And it was certainly worth every cent.

First through the paved road passing by some carparks. Then the broadwalk over the waters. Not very long, possibly 500m long. Ospreys gliding and hovering overhead just 10 m up, hundreds of them. Didn't know they were ospreys or sea hawks, but for an informative signboard along this very same broadwalk. Must have an abundant fish about here to support so many of them.

On the other side, there was a sandy trail off to the right, which I promptly ran into. Not very long, much to my disappointment and I u-turned and went up a flight of steps to view a gorgeous beach. Facing me was the Atlantic Ocean. Very nice indeed.

Back out of the park, headed south again for 1.5km before backtracking to the Hilton. Managed a negative split for the 15km, which was nice given that I had not gone for a long run for more than a month (since APIM70.3).

Rounded off the run with a satisfying plate of 2-entree fried rice from Garden Malls. :)

Wintry Denver

One year ago, I endured a bitterly cold winter in Atlanta and ran a PB in the WDW marathon under sub-zero conditions. This year was much better, or so I thought. The first few days in Denver - the mile high city - was sunny, clear blue sky with temp hovering only about minus 5C.

And then the storm warnings came and my flights to Florida were cancelled. I rebooked, got cancelled again and rebooked. This morning, Denver woke up to one of the snowiest winters in many years. About 2 inches of snow. It snowed the whole day.

The hotel pool is heated and one can see the snow falling and swirling outside the pool window. The closest thing we can get to a hot spring in Japan. But with just a quarter (or less) size, it would take only two strokes to reach the other end. Not appealing in the least.

So it was back to the treadmill for the past four days. Twice were early in the morning due to jet lag. Couldn't complain about the new gym equipment, after all the Embassy Suites at Stout St opened less than a month ago. Easy jogs to get back into the swing of things after a long layoff.

Btw, today's the WDW marathon 2011. One year ago, I scrunched at the thought of the Goofy challenge. Interestingly how a year changed that perspective. 21k followed by a 42k seemed doable. Just have to take it easy.

Friend from Vancouver

It had been a couple of years since we sat down to chat, my good friend from Vancouver. We used to have lunch once a week when I was on sabbatical there, and our families knew each other well. He commented on how well I looked, and I updated him on my latest quest on the triathlon. Surprisingly he said that he would also like to do one.

In fact, he purchased a second hand bike, fitted it out and had started riding. It was his way of getting back from the spade of depression he'd over the past year. I promised to help and we'd work on a race together sometime in 2012.

He's a strong swimmer, and once he'd gotten his ride up, the plan is to get through the run. Not a bad plan.

Certainly if providing my friend with some training prompts would help him return to normality, that would be the least I can do.

FOTR retrospective

This is from SC, our most improved cyclist for 2010:

I think the group as a whole improved in the year. The average speed became higher and the distance, longer with time.

I still remember the fateful day, exactly one year ago, when I asked IN if I could join FOTR. My intention then was to have an enjoyable ride in the safety of a group. Nothing could prepare me for my first ride with FOTR which according to Ivan, was supposed to be a “recovery” ride. I struggled along Mandai and practically all the way. At the sixth avenue junction, I fell, embarrassing in front of everyone and an angmoh lady cyclist. We all had a good laugh nonetheless.

Thanks to IN, SE, JN, SY, AY, KC, CS, Michi and the rest, we pushed each other and we have come a long way and experience a lot – Bike n Blades, Tour de Bintan, Trifactor 60km, ITT, Desaru, Mount Faber, Kaki Bukit, all the triathlons and crashes. Of course, I also burned a big hole in my pocket having changed three bikes in a year plus all the nutrition, lights, wheels, helmets, shoes, handlebars, stems, saddle, crank, cassette, trainer, garmins, pedals……. but just to make sure that things get evened out, I also try very hard to psycho others to part with their hard earned dollars on the generally overpriced components. I must say I have quite a bit of success.

It was also never my intention to take part in triathlons but IN told me after one of our rides, while we were having breakfast on his veranda, that it was “very easy” - all I needed to do was to go 100% to the first buoy, 75% to the second buoy and then cruise back to shore for the swim. I duly followed his advice and duly died on my first triathlon.

I also learned that there is no such thing as “slow” or “recovery” rides in this group but this was exactly why we improved. I learned so much from the Ironmen and Ironwomen and enjoyed the company and fellowship. The other things just fell into place.

Thanks for everything and look forward to 2011.

Happy New Year!!!!

Sometimes I forget

2011

New year day. A day for reflection and resolutions.

Just two evenings ago, FOTR had a dinner gathering at JT's new house - it's so new that they had not moved in yet. It was good to have so many show up and to meet the spouses and significant other. After the food and wine, and not forgetting the house tour, we sat down to reminisce about the year past. Reminisce in recalling the funny and not so funny moments - accidents and event - that brought us closer.

Looking back, I had to admit that it was quite a year for the group as well as for me. No one sums it up better than SC, but I'll have to get his permission to reproduce it here.

For me, well, the truth of the matter is that I kinda forgot myself in the course of the year. The sub-5 marathon at WD in Jan, the completion of my first 70.3 in March, completing the 84km ultramarathon in May  had - on hindsight - raised my expectations of what I could accomplish. To achieve, one must first conceive - words of John Bingham paraphrased.

Reality checks during the Bike n Blade (Sept), Tour de Bintan (Oct) and more recently the Asia Pacific 70.3 (Dec) brought me back to earth. I was conceiving of things beyond my capabilities.

The recent bouts of flu (thankfully after Phuket) reminded me of my limitations, of what I used to be before this journey.

Was I a sportsman? No. Was I active in any sports during school days? No. Do I have better than average physical talent? No. Was I a natural athlete? No.

And what am I trying to prove, at my age and in my current station in life? Is it not enough to run for the fun of running, cycle just to enjoy the scenery, swim to release stress and relax? What is it that draws me to endurance racing?

Ironman. Ultramarathoner. What is a title? I can't put them on my name card or resume. Finisher tees and certificates? Wear them occasionally and misplace the certs. Bragging rights? Others have better and are more deserving.

The answer really is in two words. Self actualization.

The emphasis should be on Self. Not the selfish kind, but the humble recognition of my God-given gifts and lack thereof. To push beyond my limitations - and be grateful for the opportunity to do so. To accomplish things that others and I did not imagine possible five years ago. To be able to say, "I did it!"

The next question is to what end? How can I balance training and family commitments? How can I contribute other than the bottom lines of bike and shoe companies? These are soul searching questions.

So as I look forward to 2011, my aim is to be able to say, "I did it - by the grace of God, and for His glory."