MBH & Chrissie Wellington

"Come run with me," said MBH last evening after we got back from work. It was my day off. Last weekend, MBH remarked that I had not been working out as hard as before. I was just getting back into the swing of things, I had tried to explain.

MBH's next statement: "Don't be lazy! It's a nice evening to run."

How could I not? So dutifully I changed up, put on my ASCIS and we went out for a nice easy 4 km run/jog. :)

Sometimes, we get a kick in the butt from the least expected source. So be it. And I'm thankful for that.

One of the things we talked about was MBH's goal of doing a half marathon some time. Her logic is that serious runners go beyond 10 km. 5 km is "play-play" distance.

Just the other day, my friend JN mentioned that he went for a short 5 km run. It's a sure tell-tale sign - that the person has gone from recreational running to something more serious.

A tipping point.

Speaking of tipping point, coach told me today about Chrissie Wellington (GBR) setting a new world record for women Ironman. 8:31:59 at the Quelle Roth Challenge, Germany. Truly amazing feat. For a long time, women IM triathletes found it hard to break the 9 hour barrier. Chrissie won the 2007 and 2008 World Ironman Championship (on a Cervelo P2!), with winning times of 9:08 and 9:06. She went under 9 hours only twice previously - 8:51 at 2008 European Championship and 8:57 at Ironman Australia 2009, so the new record is a HUGE leap ahead! Congratulations.

Read more at Chrissie's website.

A remarkable achievement @ Newton Active 10k run

Any time your spouse achieved a personal best in her sports of choice is an occasion for celebration. But when your spouse achieved a PB in your sports of choice, that is a remarkable achievement! Yes, MBH completed her first 10k race (and longest distance to-date) at the Newton Active run held in Seng Kang. Needless to say, I am very proud of and for her!

The Newton Active run is a new race held in the northeast of Singapore, a pleasant break from the usual City Hall/Marina site. The Minster of Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean was the GoH who flagged us off. We were in the second wave - veteran category, which had a smaller field compared to the open category. Overall, this is a small field.


What did we like about the race?
Good communication/emails
Easy collection
Sufficient parking
Distance markers - accurate and prominent
Adequate road marshalls
Cheerleaders (MBH didn't like those who told us to "hurry up")
Cool morning except for the last 30 min
Nice scenery ... a pleasant change from the city route

What we didn't quite like about the race?
MC was a little annoying at times (so was I to MBH!)
No water at the first water point (luckily for us, we managed to get a bottle each at the second water point!)
Some slopes (MBH didn't appreciate them at all)


View Larger Map

We stuck to our game plan, going at our training pace interspered with walk breaks. As it was a small field, we were the rear guards and it became quite quiet at times, especially after we parted ways with the 5-km runners.

There was a mini (friendly) competition among the rear guards. When another couple was closing on us around the 6 km mark, MBH sped up even we were going upslope. Although we didn't get threatened again by this couple, I was worried whether we could sustain it for the remaining 4 km. But sustain we did.

At the finish line, MBH was surprised that we took only 1:32! She thought we were out there for 2 hours! But IMHO, this is a great timing for someone who only took up running less than a year ago. As I said, a remarkable achievement.

It was nice to meet up with tekko and M (who were constantly encouraging us, and thanks for the pix!), feetofflury (good luck to the Gold Coast marathon), and other SGRunners.

Recovery week

Not sure if others experience the same thing, but during the third week of training, I'd start looking forward to the recovery week (4th week). However, before the recovery week is up, I'd start doing more than I'd supposed to. Hhmm.. maybe add another short run here, another bike session there.

So I found myself in a similar position today ... toying with the idea of doing something. Kinda have to remind myself that rest and recovery are also part and parcel of training. Essential aspect, in fact, as the body needs periods of rest to become stronger. Also, recovery prevents the ills associated with over-training. Better to be slightly undertrained than overtrained, is a good mantra to follow, especially when we plan to engage in this sport for a long time.

So now I have to learn the discipline of rest. Active rest ... with lots of stretching throughout the day, particularly for these old bones. :)

Did I mention that MBH has signed up for the woman's 10 km run during the Sundown marathon? We went for another 5 km run yesterday, and she remarked that she's increasingly surprised that 5 km runs weren't so bad after all. The first km or two is a struggle, but once the momentum is there, it gets easier. I fully agree. Guess that's how adaptable God made our bodies to be!

Lunar New Year celebrations

This is that time of the year where feasting and celebrations play havoc with my weight and waistline.

So this is my simple POV: What's the point of training if we can't get to eat? But then, what's the point of eating too much only to suffer in training?

In any case, I was rather "good" this time around ... and put on only 1 kg! :)

So here's how I celebrated my LNY:
Monday Jan 26; 90 min recovery bike to Changi village and back. Head wind difference in speed: about 3 km/hour. Still at 25 to 28 km/h.

Tuesday Jan 27: 8 km with MBH... her first 8 km! A significant achievement, even though we had to walk the last km. Then a 32 lap swim session in the afternoon. Managed to swim continuously for 300m and 30 to 45 sec rest after every 100m. Also practiced breathing on the left, alternate breathing, and sighting.

The one difference between a swim and run workout is that I get very hungry after swimming.

Mass participation at the PAssion Run 2008

Jun 8, 2008

Second year running (no pun intended), the Saucony 100plus PAssion Run this year has a 15k category in addition to the 10k and 5k (non-competitive) categories. What's so special this year were:

1. Special flag off by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong
2. Ideal weather - overcast sky and 26 deg C temperature.
3. Maiden run by MBH and other friends!



We were all in the 5k fun run category, which was the last to flag off.

All sorts of runners took part, we were glad to note. From elderly gentlemen (one whom turned up in his jeans) to young children and toddlers. It was heart warming to note one small toddler running with his dad, proudly wearing a bib. A young man kept running back to encourage other runners. That was really sweet. And of course, there were couples holding hands as they took walk breaks.

I was told that more than 9,000 runners took part!

Overall, I thought that the logistics were well organized, with a holding area for runners going out and coming in. The supporters were great, especially the painted faces and wigs!

We'll be there next year! Perhaps with the children as well!



On a personal note: MBH had put in months of training, starting from a zero base to walking, to jogging for a short duration, and then longer durations. From once a week to five times a week. To longer runs over 4k on at least three occassions, leading up to her first 5k event! Well done!! We are all very proud of your achievement.

PS: To top it off, MBH purchased a new set of running apparel that afternoon. That is a good good sign of things to come!! :)