Training

Post Raya training has been tough.

Immediately after Raya break, I was looking forward to a long run. I know I will suffer as the weekdays which were prior to this was filled with hopeless milleage and speed. So when Sun came (Sat had to abandon plans 10mins before leaving the house as all of a sudden AIR1 called out for me....and I spent the whole morning resting with him at home instead ;p), I left as early as I could.

Target - 3 loops
Loop #1 - slow, but felt good
Loop #2 - still slow and felt like dying at the steep slope
Loop #3 - half walked up that same steep slope

And I realise I need to put in more if I wanted to complete PBIM close to my PB or even my 1st half mara time in 2001 and 2000 respectively. Ouch...that's 10 years ago!!

Mon morning - the ache in my legs felt as though I ran a marathon...yes, literally.

And last week, long weekend, and I planned to run on all 3 days.
Fri - 3 loops, but this time I believe I was slower than the previous week. Seriously suffered. Short of breath after 1 loop.
Sat - 3 loops, though I wanted 4 but at the end of 3, felt like I was going to just die of shortness of breath
Sun - slow and easy with a friend. Felt good because I was not pressuring or pushing myself.

Need to rest and recover. Perhaps lack of sleep caused the breathing problems. Body was tired, I guess.

If I consistently do that 3 loops or 4 soon, every weekend, then I think I will be ok for PBIM. Otherwise I am having 2nd thoughts.

Decisions decisions.....should I or should I not sign up now??

The weekend that wasn't :)

All systems were set to go. Plan was to wake up at 4am on Saturday, train, sahur then maybe squeeze a short run before the anticipated time AIR would wake up. Unfortunately things were not as ideal.

Woke up at 4am. As I was gettin ready, AIR stirred at 410 asking for me and his blanket. Then I made him milk hoping he will sleep. After finishing the milk, he started to chat with me. Oh dear, I knew that spelt trouble. I coaxed him to sleep promising to take him for a swim later after he sleeps. But no.

445 and seems like my plans are already down the drain. Went to reheat some food and made drinks for sahur and he sat with us. Refusing to sleep. After sahur, I tried again, hoping I'd at least get to run. No way he was backing down.

He did his big business, saw a firefly and got daddy to catch it for him and I don't remember how long it was as I eventually dozed off. And he woke me up again at 730am. I doubt he actually slept.

Sunday was a different story as I slept late and 4am was impossible. And of course while waiting for the sky to brighten a lil, proved much difficult without caffeine. Lesson learnt for next weekend.

Was a glorious Mon as I managed to spin. And now I await the evening for a short miserable run. :)

Training & baking!

11 June

Supposed to start my run at 0530 but ended up only leaving the house at 0600. The toilet ritual was horrible. It’s not even a race, but it has been 3 times this has happened, on my planned LSDs.

I ended up starting at almost 0630. Anticipating a loooong journey I started slow. Knees were not in the best shape and decided to take it easy since I was running alone this time. But then I thought I saw Fong’s ride at the carpark. I wasn’t sure.

Almost at the end of Loop 1, Fong came up and I was surprised that she was still around. It made my running more fun. But then it was just a short run to the entrance and she was going off.

Total loops done – almost 4 (got discounted cos of laborious breathing and knee pain)
Went home abit disappointed.

Decided to test out my kit for the coming weekend.
Swam for 15 mins or so. Also discounted cos it was super duper cold and I felt really weak and thought I was going to pass out in the cold water. Sides (tummy) hurt while breathing, made me feel like I was still running (the type of side stitch you get while running) so I decided to call it quits.

12 June
0530 – spinned. 20mins later, AIR2 awakens. Patted her hoping she’ll go to sleep again. No luck. Plans abandoned. :(

Used AIR2 as my weights while entertaining her at the same time. Lasted for 15 mins before I ran out of idea as I was still kinda sleepy and she not extremely thrilled as I think she was still groggy ;p

0930 – went for a swim, finally a decent swim. 30mins, maybe 1.5km or so. Forgot to count my laps ;p Satisfied.

1030 – took AIR1 for a swim instead. He sat by the pool for a good 15 mins in the sun before taking a dip and then refusing to leave. J

After lunch, went for a fondant cookie deco class. It was interesting. As expected, I’m not too good with my fingers, but I think it can be improved. Now only if I can find time to bake and make all these deco. I miss baking those cuppies, though they’re not excellent, but its therapeutic, I guess.Came back and after seeing AIR1 wallop the ‘elephant’ and ‘caterpillar’, I was thrilled and convinced I should make more J for his next birthday, perhaps.

My completed project, except the pirate.

Catepillar with some parts gone

Can you guess what these are?

Boy I do miss baking.

School Holidaysssss

It doesn't seem to make much of a difference to me this time. Ok, it does slightly...I leave 15mins later. hahaha, like it makes heaps of difference!

I could leave later but I don't. That's cos I still want to reach the babysitter's by 0715 or maybe 0725 the latest so that I can squeezeee in at least a 30min session of run. Actually if I wanted to run longer I could, but then I'll be leaving office past 6, then poor kiddos will be waiting. So instead I try to make it to office by 0810, then shower etc...

So far, this seems to be the best way to get my 30min runs! And before I leave the house, I'll squeeze in a short spin or some weights.

Inspired by Fong to get new weights now! Think my miserable weights are getting too light and boring for me ;p

Desperate to work out! I miss that pink-flushed-look after every cardio session!!

NB15k?

It was just not meant to be... Registered and forgot that it was the same weekend I was going up north. And here I am, up north in Kedah, for a relative's kenduri. Next stop will be Penang to see mummy & daddy. This means no training at all this weekend! :(

Oh dear...the weather, coupled with a super-sticky-AIR2, it hasn't been easy. Except when she has slept. She'll crawl all over, grab everything in her way and unfortunately me being against the fact that there are cats wondering in the house during other times of the day, makes me uneasy letting her crawl all over..I'll be calling after her, running after her and trying to grab her before she grabs anything.

And because of that, my already not-so-perfect left knee is now suffering.
Hope tomorrow will be better.

Gym in Sandakan

Mini gym at Mark's Lodge, Sandakan.

Can't complain, as long as it works and makes me realise that I've got my running legs back but only need to work a little more on my stamina...I'm almost at BC (before childbirth) speed! Almost only, ok.

This is what keeps me happy when it rains outside ;p and it has been raining for already 24 hours, since yesterday. Boy oh boy...

The sky allowed me to run back to hotel from 6pm yesterday and apparently it was raining at the hotel, but when I arrived at that area, roads were wet, but it wasn't raining. After I went into the hotel, not too long, it started to rain again. aaaahhh I feel so loved :)

And then today was a gloomy, wet, raining, grey day!!

Can't wait for 6am tomorrow!!

I got my 10!

Finally, after resuming 'training' I finally managed to get 10km in one outing!

I was sore when I missed my ride yesterday as weather was great. Today I was just being lazy, as I only left the house at 8am, I didn't want to be riding till too late, hence I went to Bkt Jalil, followed Fong's directions to the safest car park and trotted abit before it became a proper run!

Had a 'partner' for a short stretch but because he only ran the small loop, we parted at the junction.

Satisfied, though I think I almost collapsed on my 2nd round up that super steep short slope. Now, how am I going to do 21km on a hilly terrain?

Mind over matter! :) .... I hope!

The run that didn't happen

Arrrgh! No sweat no fun lah!

All fired up for a run but a disturbed sleep the night before made me lazy. AIR1 woke up and cried for no reason. Gave him milk but that was not what he wanted. He just kept on crying. Not because he was scared but it was a 'just-because' type of cry and he wanted attention. For no apparent reason he just cried.

And so when my alarm went off, I sms-ed Fong to tell her am not going. 30minutes later AIR1 wakes up asking for milk. And I realised it was only 715am. I can still go. AIR1 was happily entertaining AIR2 and playing with her.

Sat up, got AIR1 ready and when I was changing, I realised my knee stil had that nagging on-off tendon pain. When walking it would suddenly be aggravated and I'll be in sudden pain. Since I was ready, and I had errands to run, I took him out anyway. I decided no Bkt Jalil for me lah, though it was really tempting. (All this while I didn't realised Fong had sms to say she's still at home - haha).

Until I reached home, then I realised I could've just gone to BJ for a walk with AIR1 and Fong's family. Oh well....another time lah. And it was such a waste of nice weather today.

No adrenaline rush and I feel unmotivated the whole day! Dang!

Brick

don't ask why my weird expression

My first brick in dunno how long - again! haha...

One week after my first ride, I was fired up to go the distance. Planned with my 'sifu' to start at 730am and though I felt like cancelling, I dragged myself out of bed. AIR2 didn't sleep too well the night before.

I didn't realise my sifu had sent me a text message to say he wanted to postpone. I was reluctant to let the day go to waste so I thought I'd go for a run instead. AIR1 was awake and stuck to me when he sensed I was going to go out and leave him behind.

After some contemplation, I decided biking it will be as I will be running the next day with Fong. And so after some persuasion and crying, I left. Felt so bad I couldn't take him along.

I arrived with a horrible stomach ache but didn't want to waste time. HOped on the bike and left. After finishing, I decided to run. Goodness, it was a horrible transition. Never felt transition so bad before. Ran past Putrajaya Mosque, along the bridge and u-turn at the small roundabout. Saw a few cyclists. On the way back my legs felt better but my tummy was acting up.

Finished and as going back, I had to make an emergency pit stop. My tummy was not going to wait for me to reach home.SOS!!

Had a good ride, though I wished I could've gone further and ran more. But since it's just the begining, I'm contented.

Putrajaya slow and easy

hmmm superbly small pics. Nevermind. That was where I was, roaming around on the 2-wheels of mine!

Finally my cateye clocked more than a miserable 10km ;p 25km slow and easy ride just to get the feel of things again. Nice gloomy weather, no drizzle and I managed to wriggle myself from AIR1. My 'maiden' ride in 3+ years (last was 2006 Desaru) and 1st in 2011!!

Bike handling? better than 1month ago

Shoes? Still not confident enough to ride with my clips....was in a 'market-going-mode' with my running shoes. Will 'upgrade' this weekend.

Helmet? think it's time to look for a replacement. This baby has cracked from my previous accident.

Outfit? Was wearing my 1st jersey. hahaha Shall not reveal how old that is!

Overall? Now I'm motivated to do more than 25 as the 25 left me asking for more! Due to time constraint and unknown body condition I stopped at 25. Let's head out again this weekend!

Wake up, Sleepy head!

On normal days (not school holidays like now), I would have appreciated my ‘natural’ alarm at 530 or 545 am. But for the past 3 days, it wasn’t very highly appreciated :(

My ‘natural alarm’ would be my lil’ girl crying out for milk. :D Last night, before going to bed, I told myself, if she wakes up early, I’ll feed her and then sneak out for a run if it was not raining/drizzling. But by the time I was ready to go to bed, I felt a certain uneasiness, i.e. aches at my neck area and the weary feeling I sometimes get when I’m about to be ‘down’. (Weekend’s here and I don’t want to be confined at home!) And so at 5 am she woke up, my head was really heavy and I literally had to drag myself out of bed.

So there goes my plans for a cool morning run!

After the school holidays, perhaps? ;p

Maiden ride after.....

4 looooong years!

That's how long it was sitting around, moved from one house to another and finally it saw tarmac again, from all angles! haha

Of course, I had to perform some stunts! I decided to ride 'proper' with helmet and bike shoes, wanting to practise what clipping and unclipping.

Comfortably 'rode' a slight downhill towards a flat, then turned around, backtrack again. OK, the uphill didn't look very tormenting, but for someone who hasn't ridden for 4 years, and first time clipping my shoes.....I realised my bike almost came to a stand still and it was too late before I unclipped! So you can guess what happened next! AH-HAH! Thank God knee scrapped a bit and no one to laugh at me! *shy*

After half an hour of going round and round and round and realising that I need to do a lot more (perhaps the gym would help) before attempting some mild slopes, I decided I had enough. Jaja, luckily I didn't follow you guys the other day....I'd probably be pushing my bike ALL the way! Maybe I shall target 1 month from now! (keeping fingers n toes crossed)

I kept trying to imagine how I did it the last time I started riding. I guess it was more or less flats and with a couple of friends with lots of patience. ;0 Now, I need to get down this steep hill where I call home, and then decide how to get myself up after my rides on the flats.....

If there's a will, there's always a way!!

Expensive investment!

I'm amazed at prices of things nowadays.

Running shoes used to cost in the rance of RM150-250 and you get really good ones. Now, it goes up to RM700!!!?? and some even more!

Tri-suit was in the range of less than RM250, and then, I thought it was expensive. Now, there's nothing less than RM400!!

Now, let's not talk about bike and its accessories yet, cos I've no intention of upgrading or getting anything. But I may have to get a new helmet if its gonna be more than a once a month affair. Will have to wait and see.

Thanks God I can still fit into all that I used to have. Who cares about being in fashion? haha

And with all that, how come my pay didn't increase two-folds from the last time I was actively tri-ing?

Gym-time!

Today, for the first time after having 2 kids, I went to the gym in the morning.

Fed up with the daily traffic inconsistency, no matter what time I left the house I will still seem to arrive at the nursery about 8am! hack! A complete waste of time on the road! What happen to arriving at 745am or even 730 am?

The jam along the East-West Link is getting ridiculous. Trying to slot in my already pathetic 20min run in the evening sometimes leaves me frustrated. Part of me want to go fetch the kiddos early, part of me desperately want that 20min feel-good-factor. Oh well, and finally, with a 30-day-pass, and some calculation and time shift, I decided to go back to what I used to do 2 years ago. Get myself to the gym as its doors open.

OKlah, technically, in this case, after the nursery opens :)

Felt good, in a way, though I didn't manage to squeeze in much of a real workout, but I think those weight machines (some pretty funky ones, which I've not encoutered 2 yrs back) did make me work it out!

Maybe I'll try to put in a run tomoro (but it's such a waste of a gym pass, if all I use is just the treadmill!). Haha the evil in me is suggesting more milleage so perhaps I can run the Pg Bridge half mara! Anyway, I will just utilise it to my advantage!

Can't wait for tomoro morning!!

Let's go to the gym

Used to be a FF gym member for about 5 years. Until I was pregnant. Terminated my membership, knowing it will be unused (not underutilized).

2 years and 2 babies on, I’ve decided that I will not join a gym as it will definitely be underutilized. The so-called gym at my place is good enough and somehow working out outdoors with the kids is a better option. Improvise-lah, in other words.

Recently TF called to offer a free pass for 3 or 4 weeks (depending on which outlet you choose). Since it’s free, why not? So yesterday, I went to the gym in Jaya 33.

It was as though I’ve not been to a gym before. I forgot to pack so many things. Gosh! But anyway, I went.

First impression, BIG and spacious compared to FF. Equipment still quite new. So off I went on the elliptical trainer. Next, I noticed, not all cardio machines were located in areas with TV, unlike in FF. One drawback. I prefer watching the screen then plugging in into songs.

Then I went on to the weight machines. First try, wah, impressed that I could still lift/use the same weight or even slightly more than 2 years back. I guess I still have the strength but my muscles are just not toned. Or perhaps my ‘weights’ back home did help :)

So from one machine to another I went, reliving my previous workouts. As I headed to the free weight area, I got stares from the macho looking guys there. Why? Female can’t do free weights? Felt like giving them a slap, but instead, since I didn’t bring my gloves (excuses), I turned around and went back to the weight machines.

I was kinda bored. Don’t ask me why. I dunno either. Perhaps I felt like an outsider. Haha go gym also must feel welcomed eh? Or I’m now more ‘one-with-nature’? hehe

Then I decided to stretch and call it a day.

The day after – body ache? None. Muscle sore? None. Maybe I didn’t push myself hard enough. But maybe my muscles were already used to it, just that they only need to be toned with more consistent and structured workouts. Well, my 11kg and 5kg awaits me daily at home, shopping, makan2 or jalan2, just about anywhere. :) I just need to get a regular routine up with them after my free pass expires ;p

Marathon Benchmark

Pic courtesy of iaaf.org

Yesterday I bumped into one of my many bosses on the way to the pantry, he stopped and said to me that he heard I took part in Newton. (He himself used to be an avid runer) He says not many people can even do a 10km run, after I told him I was very slow in the 12km event. Our small talk went on and he learnt that I also do the triathlon and half and full marathon. As he was telling me about the full marathon in Hong Kong in 2005, I realized that ok, we’re almost on par (our speed lah I mean) seeing that the HK Mara is also running across the bridge, similar to Pg Bridge mara, which I did in 2006. I’ve never done the KL mara. It always clashes with something I have.

And then he was surprised to learn that I too have done the 42km. He then said that there’s only 4 of us in the office now who has done the full mara, and went on to list the 4 down, including me. He seemed impressed.

So, does running the marathon become a benchmark?

It is impressive that one person can run the marathon, esp to those who don’t run. But after completing one, especially without any stoppage, in my opinion, it doesn’t seem to be good enough. Hehe I have the urge to go again and improve my time or to run a longer distance.

But my current condition tells me to sit back, take it easy and stick to shorter runs. My knees are not in their best condition now and I would still need their services for perhaps at least another 30 years or more. Though am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that perhaps Sundown will be my next challenge.

To all TNF runners, be it solo or duo, all the best!

Lazinessssss

I've planned to take part in some of those contests organized by fellow bloggers and considering that I have some free time, I thought I'd have time to do so. But.....

Lazinesss has set in and somehow I've not been updating my blog as regular as I want to...arrrgh! Perhaps the daunting reality that my 8 weeks of paid leave is coming to and end, with only 2 weeks to go, and fasting month is fast approaching, I am gettin lazy, wanting to R&R more than anything.

My swollen knee is not doing justice to me, though it's slightly better, but not back to normal. And knowing that there is athritic changes in my knee is also not a good sign! Arrrgh am aging too early in my knee!! CRAP!

Oh well....

And my plan to go for a swim today seems bleak! It seems like it's gonna rain cats n dogs....aiseh!

OK lah, I'll go rest!

One week to go!

Yup, time just flew by...

But, last night my problem knee (the left knee) suddenly seemed to realise that it's going to be tortured again...and decided to kick a fuss, literally. Suddenly I was having knee pain, at the rear of the knee...adoi! So upsetting..and I wasn't even sitting on the floor or doing strange contortions...just suddenly while walking...

Crap! Now, let's give it a week to recover....now hasn't my month-long staying away of cooling-food, ice and cold drinks help? arrrrgh! Frustrating....

Nevermindlah...worse case scenario...swim everyday! With AIR1 of course...kekeke mum will freak if I actually take AIR2 for a swim at 4-5 weeks old!!

Training

Now, when will I regain that? Opps regain? hahaha, it was never there, except for the skinny legs, the ultra-flat tummy?? hehehe

So, lets see...if I can squeeze in a walk before that plan to f00d-binge of mine, it'll be superb. Otherwise it can wait till the next day, Saturday.

Day 1 - Walk, walk faster, brisk walk and gym-ball
Day 2 - Brisk walk, gym-ball
Day 3 - Brisk walk, slow jog, gym-ball
Day 4 - Slow jog, gym-ball
Day 5 - Jog -lah!

Well, it should remain as jog, and short runs, but bearing in mind all this in a hilly terrain....so I will have to see how my under-used knees (only used for weight bearing during the 9 months) will survive the first few days before I push myself along.

Then there's the fasting month coming up, 2 weeks after I gain 'freedom' ....and 2 weeks after Raya IS Newton Run...alamak! ;p

Daunting!

Another weekend!

Saturday was a blast. Why? It’s been a while since we spent most of our time at home. Since just before Raya, that is. Always out for food, or buying groceries to make cookies erm, going everywhere…its been our habit, erm we’ve not able to stay still too long!

So Saturday morning, again, was awaken by AIR (what’s new?). Decided to take him to the playground and then we’ll decide later if I’m up for a walk/run. After the playground, he didn’t seem THAT sleepy, so I decided to put him in the stroller and jog. But I ended up walking cos 1) the new jogging route I wanted to try next to the new housing area didn’t look very safe as there were few men cleaning/grass cutting and doing some landscaping there; 2) I didn’t want to risk it with baby & stroller and w/o my handphone to call for help. So I walked down the ‘hill’ right to the guard and attempted to ‘speed walk’ up, but only managed ¾ of the way. Hmmmph fitness now non-existance lah! (I guess my dream of attempting Powerman Lumut is also non-existance lah – Darn!)

Usually by the time I reach the ‘top’ again, AIR would be asleep or almost. This time, not…so I decided to go for another round. I enjoyed it. Most weekend mornings I’m too tired to even think about walking. At 11am, since hubby wanted to take the car for a wash, I decided to go for a swim. Haaa another almost-forgotten activity. Slower than my previous first-attempts but I felt good.

And it was open-house-feast in the evening. All the way to Senawang. Not too bad la. Food so-so but durian we tapau-ed from Langat was da-bomb! :D

On Sunday, I awoke to body ache. Hah now, that’s new. Usually after swims, I rarely get that. Now, that’s a sign that my body is soooo tired and I’m totally unfit! Bah! I need to get my routine up again. Pants are getting slightly tight on the waistline!

And yesterday itself too, I went and bought my gym-ball (after almost half a year of contemplating) and I think I’ll start today! It’s going to be difficult to work-out out of the house and during un-Godly hours for someone like me. I’m alright with the un-Godly hours but its getting really unsafe out there! Hence a small investment! Now I’m already imagining some nice abs (hahaha, I wonder how long it’ll take) and toned triceps. I’ve got imbalanced triceps-biceps now. If only I had enough budget for my very own treadmill.....hmmmm

My shoulder still aches – this is definitely not from swimming – its diff, think it’s from office or carrying AIR's stuff. Crap! I can’t wait to get on my ‘durian-like’ gymball. :D