As we push towards the century ride (160km), we came across Audax cycling. And there's a Audax group in Singapore: Audax Randonneurs Singapore.
200km, 300km and even 400km rides! Makes our Desaru 130km ride next week look like a stroll in the park.
Wonder if I could ever get to do one?!?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Cycling under influence
A few months ago, I offended a friend when I turned down a glass of wine at his place. That was before the Sundown ultra and I had been staying off alcohol whenever training went high gear.
The verbalized reason is that alcohol has a negative effect on my training. There is another reason why I cut down on my drinking.
Two snapshots. (1) A few weeks ago, a car continued past a yield sign without waiting for the last riders in our group to clear. This was early in the morning, around 5 am. Our friend AY was sufficiently quick and deft to avoid the car. We believed the driver was driving under influence. (2) Last weekend, a car ploughed into a group of cyclists along the West Coast highway and 5 riders were injured. How could a driver miss a group of blinkers unless he/she was drunk?
As a cyclist, I am deeply affected by these incidents. I won't want to be cycling when someone is under the influence of alcohol. Conversely, the mere possibility that I might hit a fellow cyclist is sufficient to deter me from drink driving.
So what is to become of the 200+ bottles of wine in my cellar and 4 cases in the wine locker? Well, I would drink them in 2012 - my sabbatical year from racing. By then, the CDPs, Bordeaux Shirazes and Cab Merlots would be drinking very nicely.
And I'll have my fellow cyclists and ironmen to drink alongside. As long as they take the cab home.
The verbalized reason is that alcohol has a negative effect on my training. There is another reason why I cut down on my drinking.
Two snapshots. (1) A few weeks ago, a car continued past a yield sign without waiting for the last riders in our group to clear. This was early in the morning, around 5 am. Our friend AY was sufficiently quick and deft to avoid the car. We believed the driver was driving under influence. (2) Last weekend, a car ploughed into a group of cyclists along the West Coast highway and 5 riders were injured. How could a driver miss a group of blinkers unless he/she was drunk?
As a cyclist, I am deeply affected by these incidents. I won't want to be cycling when someone is under the influence of alcohol. Conversely, the mere possibility that I might hit a fellow cyclist is sufficient to deter me from drink driving.
So what is to become of the 200+ bottles of wine in my cellar and 4 cases in the wine locker? Well, I would drink them in 2012 - my sabbatical year from racing. By then, the CDPs, Bordeaux Shirazes and Cab Merlots would be drinking very nicely.
And I'll have my fellow cyclists and ironmen to drink alongside. As long as they take the cab home.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Obsessive compulsion
What is it about clocking saddle time that is so addictive, and even obsessive compulsive?
We (FOTR) were bringing our mileage up to prep for the Sept Bike n Blade 160 km (x2) ride to Mersing. Somehow, we didn't quite hit our mileage the past few weeks. And I was determined to do the two 100km back-to-back rides this past weekend, not least because I lost some training time due to a minor setback.
Sat's ride was with three other riders prepaing for London-Paris. Hardcore veterans. We also had JC joining us, and Kaki Bukit was a baptism of fire. The group waited for us at Tampines Ave 10 as they were not familiar with the route to Yishun camp. We went via Jln Kayu and Seletar (I believe there is a shortcut from Ponggol).
Was surprised to met FeetofFlury at Ponggol Point. He qualified for Boston! Great news. He's taking a rest from running due to PF, and is now into swimming. And photography. He was there with a bunch of photo enthusiasts. Good to see you again, Max.
With the big group (11 - 12 of us), it was hard to keep track. And thank
God I saw someone looking like SC going down a parallel road when on the way to the dam. Indeed, SC missed a turn and SY had to go back to fetch him. Sorry we had to keep Jodan waiting at the Yishun dam.
The fast group had left Mandai Shell by the time we arrived, and the sky wasn't looking too good. We decided to press on to LCK. Rain promptly came while we were at Neo Tiew, and we were looking for a bus stop to take shelter. Guess what. No bus stops along Neo Tiew (we always learn something new). By the time we were at LCK, the rain had stopped. After a short break, Jodan turned back (poor chap had to work OT on Sat) and we proceeded to West Coast. Felt a little tired by the time we reached West Coast SPC station, but the thought of mee pok at Sixth Avenue brought a new lease of life to our weary legs. Clocked 98.6 km.
Sunday's ride was an afternoon affair, in part due to the ladies Shape Run in the morning, and in part we wanted to train under the hot sun. JN, WL and I took turns pulling as we did two CCR loops. Met up with TC at NSRCC for his first road ride. Not bad for a first time, managing 25 km on the way to Changi Village, and like most people, slower on the return. We were just glad to spin on easy gears to get rid of the lactic acid.
JN had to go back, but I decided to complete the fourth and last lap to make up to 100km. Hard (relatively) out and easy back with a much needed drink at CV. It was almost 7 pm when I reached back home.
How'd it feel after two 100km btb rides? The closest comparison for me would be two long 20+ km btb runs. Bloated from the water, require food (carbo) but yet not quite hungry. Legs were ok from Sat, and a little sore after Sun. But the glutes were quite sore (as usual).
We (FOTR) were bringing our mileage up to prep for the Sept Bike n Blade 160 km (x2) ride to Mersing. Somehow, we didn't quite hit our mileage the past few weeks. And I was determined to do the two 100km back-to-back rides this past weekend, not least because I lost some training time due to a minor setback.
Sat's ride was with three other riders prepaing for London-Paris. Hardcore veterans. We also had JC joining us, and Kaki Bukit was a baptism of fire. The group waited for us at Tampines Ave 10 as they were not familiar with the route to Yishun camp. We went via Jln Kayu and Seletar (I believe there is a shortcut from Ponggol).
Was surprised to met FeetofFlury at Ponggol Point. He qualified for Boston! Great news. He's taking a rest from running due to PF, and is now into swimming. And photography. He was there with a bunch of photo enthusiasts. Good to see you again, Max.
With the big group (11 - 12 of us), it was hard to keep track. And thank
God I saw someone looking like SC going down a parallel road when on the way to the dam. Indeed, SC missed a turn and SY had to go back to fetch him. Sorry we had to keep Jodan waiting at the Yishun dam.
The fast group had left Mandai Shell by the time we arrived, and the sky wasn't looking too good. We decided to press on to LCK. Rain promptly came while we were at Neo Tiew, and we were looking for a bus stop to take shelter. Guess what. No bus stops along Neo Tiew (we always learn something new). By the time we were at LCK, the rain had stopped. After a short break, Jodan turned back (poor chap had to work OT on Sat) and we proceeded to West Coast. Felt a little tired by the time we reached West Coast SPC station, but the thought of mee pok at Sixth Avenue brought a new lease of life to our weary legs. Clocked 98.6 km.
Sunday's ride was an afternoon affair, in part due to the ladies Shape Run in the morning, and in part we wanted to train under the hot sun. JN, WL and I took turns pulling as we did two CCR loops. Met up with TC at NSRCC for his first road ride. Not bad for a first time, managing 25 km on the way to Changi Village, and like most people, slower on the return. We were just glad to spin on easy gears to get rid of the lactic acid.
JN had to go back, but I decided to complete the fourth and last lap to make up to 100km. Hard (relatively) out and easy back with a much needed drink at CV. It was almost 7 pm when I reached back home.
How'd it feel after two 100km btb rides? The closest comparison for me would be two long 20+ km btb runs. Bloated from the water, require food (carbo) but yet not quite hungry. Legs were ok from Sat, and a little sore after Sun. But the glutes were quite sore (as usual).
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Training updates
This week was a watered down recovery week, not by design, but by fall-induced and travel-related reasons. Four days to Hong Kong, where the only exercise was a 10km treadmill run.
Which is larger (in area) - Singapore or Hong Kong island? No, not Singapore. It's Hong Kong island flattened out. (Modification of the Colorado - Texas question posed by Philip Yancey).
Did a 7 km hills training run yesterday. Supposed to find a steep hill and run up and down it continuously. No good hills in the east, so I picked the slopes of Parbury and Lucky Heights.
Sat's 70km ride was rained out - a no starter. Incidentally, the rain was so bad that it caused flooding in many areas.
Sun's 60km ride was two loops of KB, and one CCR. Only IN, JN, SC, CS, MH and SY came for this ride. TC and DG were no-show at the 6:15 RV. Overslept/alarm not working. :\
Enough rest already. For better workouts next week!
Which is larger (in area) - Singapore or Hong Kong island? No, not Singapore. It's Hong Kong island flattened out. (Modification of the Colorado - Texas question posed by Philip Yancey).
Did a 7 km hills training run yesterday. Supposed to find a steep hill and run up and down it continuously. No good hills in the east, so I picked the slopes of Parbury and Lucky Heights.
Sat's 70km ride was rained out - a no starter. Incidentally, the rain was so bad that it caused flooding in many areas.
Sun's 60km ride was two loops of KB, and one CCR. Only IN, JN, SC, CS, MH and SY came for this ride. TC and DG were no-show at the 6:15 RV. Overslept/alarm not working. :\
Enough rest already. For better workouts next week!
The damage of neglect
Mitch Albom in his book 'The 5 people you meet in heaven' wrote:
'All parents damage their children. Youth, like pristine glass, absorbs the prints if it's handlers. Some parents smudge, others crack, a few shatter childhoods beyond repair.'
The first damage is the damage of neglect.
Exercise, like work or hobbies, can be an obsession that leads to neglect of our loved ones, especially our children. Let's face it, training for endurance events involve long hours on the road, away from home. Try as we may to schedule training in the wee hours of the night or early morning, it inevitably takes time away from the family.
I do not have a good solution, but the first step is to recognize the issue.
No finisher medals or PBs can make up for a smudged glass.
'All parents damage their children. Youth, like pristine glass, absorbs the prints if it's handlers. Some parents smudge, others crack, a few shatter childhoods beyond repair.'
The first damage is the damage of neglect.
Exercise, like work or hobbies, can be an obsession that leads to neglect of our loved ones, especially our children. Let's face it, training for endurance events involve long hours on the road, away from home. Try as we may to schedule training in the wee hours of the night or early morning, it inevitably takes time away from the family.
I do not have a good solution, but the first step is to recognize the issue.
No finisher medals or PBs can make up for a smudged glass.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Inspiration to Run
I usually run the first half of the marathon and run-walk the last half. It gets harder to run 26.2 miles at my age, but I'm inspired by the memory of friends I've lost.
Harriette Thompson, 87-year-old grandmother of ten and marathon runner
Harriette Thompson, 87-year-old grandmother of ten and marathon runner
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The week that was (not)
The week started out pretty well. Easy 8km run and swim on Monday, bike-run brick session on Tue, gym and swim with SportInc on Wed (I actually enjoyed the swim session!). Then came unlucky Thu. Just a casual spin with TC, my good friend from VS who wanted to take up cycling. I had arranged for him to buy a second hand bike, and went down with him to test ride, buy cycling gear, and Thu was supposed to be a confidence booster for TC before he went on the roads.
Silly me decided to go on my tri-bike and was spinning along the PCN wooded park when I hit a depression (which I couldn't see) and down I went. As SC reminded me later, wasn't it Lance Armstrong who said that it is not whether we'll crash, but when. Thank God nothing serious. Some abrasions on the arms and right knee. Just a bloody mess, which my sons squirmed at. The right wrist was a little tender.
The fall meant that I missed the Sat 100km ride (sigh) and two swim sessions and another 12 km run. But on Sunday, I felt good enough to go back on the bike.
And what a ride that was. About 5km into the ride, up along Bartley viaduct, we heard a loud bang. I thought it was my tire, but it was IN's. His second puncture on the 1080s. Good thing CS was on hand to show us how to change a tubular tire (his spare). Took about half an hour. Sounded familiar? Last week we had a puncture as well.
Three loops of KB, and the rest were cursing me for picking this route. Then two more loops of Selarang/Loyang. Of course it was not fair that I had fresh legs. I remembered how dogged tired I was at the end of last week's second long ride.
There were 9 of us in all. The first time we had our two ladies with us. Would have been 11 had JN and Jodan been able to make it.
We cut short the ride to only 75km on account of various factors - tiredness, time constraints, etc. But it was certainly good to be back on the bike, bandage and all.
After breakfast, I discovered to my dismay that my front tire was flat. Two punctures in one day. CS to the rescue again. And this time, he showed us how to use pit stop. We should pay CS for the tire changing lessons!
Silly me decided to go on my tri-bike and was spinning along the PCN wooded park when I hit a depression (which I couldn't see) and down I went. As SC reminded me later, wasn't it Lance Armstrong who said that it is not whether we'll crash, but when. Thank God nothing serious. Some abrasions on the arms and right knee. Just a bloody mess, which my sons squirmed at. The right wrist was a little tender.
The fall meant that I missed the Sat 100km ride (sigh) and two swim sessions and another 12 km run. But on Sunday, I felt good enough to go back on the bike.
And what a ride that was. About 5km into the ride, up along Bartley viaduct, we heard a loud bang. I thought it was my tire, but it was IN's. His second puncture on the 1080s. Good thing CS was on hand to show us how to change a tubular tire (his spare). Took about half an hour. Sounded familiar? Last week we had a puncture as well.
Three loops of KB, and the rest were cursing me for picking this route. Then two more loops of Selarang/Loyang. Of course it was not fair that I had fresh legs. I remembered how dogged tired I was at the end of last week's second long ride.
There were 9 of us in all. The first time we had our two ladies with us. Would have been 11 had JN and Jodan been able to make it.
We cut short the ride to only 75km on account of various factors - tiredness, time constraints, etc. But it was certainly good to be back on the bike, bandage and all.
After breakfast, I discovered to my dismay that my front tire was flat. Two punctures in one day. CS to the rescue again. And this time, he showed us how to use pit stop. We should pay CS for the tire changing lessons!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
FOTR B2B long rides July 3 & 4
Taking a page from my recent ultra training, we are embarking on a series of b2b long rides to build up endurance for the upcoming mersing rides (160k x2) and tour de bintan. The past weekend comprised a 80k and 100k.
Must admit that we're in uncharted territory, and me legs were working OT big time.
Saturday's ride: started from Namly, up Lornie, Braddell and Bartley viaduct. We took turns pulling in twos, and we're getting better at this. Hit 33 - 34 kph in the first 7 km. Got distracted with chatting with IN and good thing Jodan was with us - he showed us a new way to old Tampines road.
As usual, we stomped up Punggol point and that was when IN overtook me to show how much he'd improved! That wasn't all. As we turned into Mandai road, Sean picked up the pace and I was just content to draft him at close to 40 kph for several km. That was the fastest time I took to cover the mandai stretch!
Met AY and the BnB riders at Mandai Shell. Seemed like somehow we always linked up on the weekends.
It was along Upper Bt Timah Road that JN got a puncture. His second puncture in as many years. Took all of us quite a while and two tubes to fix the puncture. Sorry to keep Jodan waiting as he had gone ahead. The delay meant that we had to skip RRR.
I was somewhat apprehensive for Sunday's ride, but the good news was that we had fresh legs - CS, CT, CL and the everlasting AY to lead us. Along the way, we picked up CL's cousin. Went up Admiralty way, and there were some interesting slopes. Definitely tougher than the Mandai way.
We wanted to ride to Tuas, but AY pointed us to the side road parallel to AYE, before heading off. None of us had gone that way before, and it took a few more km of sightseeing and exploration before we headed the same way back. Realizing that we were getting late, we decided to skip SBV and go up Clementi Road and Ulu Pandan instead. Second time up Ulu Pandan felt much much tougher than the first time earlier in the morning.
Breakfast at the 6th avenue coffee shop - a mee pok and coffee affair with light drizzle seemed quite a good way to end the 100km ride.
The usual routine that accompanied long runs ensued - recovery drink, compression tights and a recovery swim that afternoon - to flush out the lactic acid. MBH gave me a good massage on Monday.
Note to myself: Should pace myself for the next two B2B long rides.
Must admit that we're in uncharted territory, and me legs were working OT big time.
Saturday's ride: started from Namly, up Lornie, Braddell and Bartley viaduct. We took turns pulling in twos, and we're getting better at this. Hit 33 - 34 kph in the first 7 km. Got distracted with chatting with IN and good thing Jodan was with us - he showed us a new way to old Tampines road.
As usual, we stomped up Punggol point and that was when IN overtook me to show how much he'd improved! That wasn't all. As we turned into Mandai road, Sean picked up the pace and I was just content to draft him at close to 40 kph for several km. That was the fastest time I took to cover the mandai stretch!
Met AY and the BnB riders at Mandai Shell. Seemed like somehow we always linked up on the weekends.
It was along Upper Bt Timah Road that JN got a puncture. His second puncture in as many years. Took all of us quite a while and two tubes to fix the puncture. Sorry to keep Jodan waiting as he had gone ahead. The delay meant that we had to skip RRR.
I was somewhat apprehensive for Sunday's ride, but the good news was that we had fresh legs - CS, CT, CL and the everlasting AY to lead us. Along the way, we picked up CL's cousin. Went up Admiralty way, and there were some interesting slopes. Definitely tougher than the Mandai way.
We wanted to ride to Tuas, but AY pointed us to the side road parallel to AYE, before heading off. None of us had gone that way before, and it took a few more km of sightseeing and exploration before we headed the same way back. Realizing that we were getting late, we decided to skip SBV and go up Clementi Road and Ulu Pandan instead. Second time up Ulu Pandan felt much much tougher than the first time earlier in the morning.
Breakfast at the 6th avenue coffee shop - a mee pok and coffee affair with light drizzle seemed quite a good way to end the 100km ride.
The usual routine that accompanied long runs ensued - recovery drink, compression tights and a recovery swim that afternoon - to flush out the lactic acid. MBH gave me a good massage on Monday.
Note to myself: Should pace myself for the next two B2B long rides.
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