I regret that second plate of chicken curry and sambal ikan bilis I had last night.
It was already a late dinner. I normally eat by 7pm. But it had been a long week and it was a rare lazy Sunday. My afternoon nap had stretched to 6.30 pm...I only started to get hungry an hour later.
Why the regret?
Well I have been resting my body and legs for the past 3 days. My last run was on Thursday. Friday, I was helped out at the #WeCare Humanitarian Aid collection centre. Moving boxes and packing loose items for shipment. On Saturday, I was on my feet the whole day conducting New Volunteer training.
Although I don't consider these two activities anywhere requiring the stamina or exerting the same pressure as running, it did work out my back and hamstrings.
This morning, I was expecting to have a great run. After a 3 day rest, I was targeting to hit new distances.
The first inkling I had that today may not go the way I was hoping, was the fact that I had to hurry to the john 3 times before I even stepped out of the house. Of course it was the spicy food I had the night before. But surely, after 3 visits, I was purged of any more spicy food. Or so I thought.
I hit the tracks and my belly felt full. Running on a full stomach requires more exertion when breathing for me. Breathing was ragged and for some reason, I just could not get into the rhythm. My belly was a centre of focus for my posture, my mind and my body.
I decided to do shorter mileage. And take breaks in between so that I could work slowly to the distances I was targeting. My belly had other ideas. 2 km in and I received another call from nature. A hurried visit to the public loo and another attempt to get back into the rhythm ended with me heading for the car park as my rhythm, mood and general feeling was all off.
Lesson I learnt from this is that spicy food does not help with running. Worst case scenario. Eat the spicy food at lunch the day before. Allow the body more time to digest and clear it out of the system. If possible, avoid altogether.
This lesson also begs the question, if spicy food can affect my performance adversely, what foods can affect my performance positively?
Hmm, gotta chew on that.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Tipping Points
In his book "The Tipping Point: How Little Things can Make a Big Difference", Malcolm Gladwell talks about "the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point".
In the last week, I think that i have actually physically experienced the Tipping Point.
I am at the beginnig of my training for my next half marathon. It's the Borneo International Marathon 2013 that will be held on the 5th of May. I've laid off running for a year now due to injury, health issues and also time factors. So starting afresh, my targets were to hit 5 km distances by end Feb, 10 km's by end March and about 16 to 18 km by April. This was, non-stop running.
To get my stamina up and my muscles in shape, I started off with running short distances with 1 min rest intervals. So I started in January at 2 min runs with 1 min rests.
Initially, all was going to plan. My time reached 5 min runs and 1 min rests at the beginning of January. My next step up would be 7 min run and 1 min rest. And after that 1 km run and 1 min rest...that was the plan anyway.
As I am getting into my pace, I was invited on a weeklong trip to Macau during the Chinese New Year. I hadn't been to Macau before and the prospect of a new destination coupled with the cooler weather was really an enticement. So off I went.
Of course, being a holiday, I only managed to hit the hotel gym twice in the week. And as I was holiday eating (i.e all the rich and scrumptious dishes) my running suffered.
I came back to KK and took another week off of running...then came the day of reckoning.
The Monday, 2 weeks since my last run.
I tentatively set off at 5 min run/1 min rest pace but could not keep it up. I could only do 3 KM as my muscles tightened and my chest was getting painful from the heavy breathing.
I went again on Tuesday, thinking that 3 KM was a light run and I could do 5 Km this day. Didn't happen. Again 3 KM was the best i could do at the intrval pace.
I rested 1 day and surrendered to the fact that my fitness had deteriorated, thanks to those Portugese egg tarts...so on Thursday, i started at 3 min run/1 min rest.
I managed to do 5 Km at that interval. On Saturday I did the same.
Then on the next Monday, i felt good in the morning. Really good My body was light, y legs felt strong. So i decided to just loosen up and run as far as i could.
That turned out to be 5 Km straight. At a decent pace of 7:45 per km.
I was shocked. How could this be? From a 3 min/1 min interval pace to this? Was it a fluke?
Two days later, I was back on the track. Could i do it again? I tried and did.
It's been 3 runs since then and each time i've completed the distance and in my last 2 runs, i've added intervals for another Km or 2 to prepare me for the next phase of 10 km straight.
I don't know what happened but it really feels like there was a tipping point. Some where in my body or mind, my muscles said "he's reached critical mass, let's go"...
Whatever caused it, its a wonderful start and I am just taking it in my stride.
In the last week, I think that i have actually physically experienced the Tipping Point.
I am at the beginnig of my training for my next half marathon. It's the Borneo International Marathon 2013 that will be held on the 5th of May. I've laid off running for a year now due to injury, health issues and also time factors. So starting afresh, my targets were to hit 5 km distances by end Feb, 10 km's by end March and about 16 to 18 km by April. This was, non-stop running.
To get my stamina up and my muscles in shape, I started off with running short distances with 1 min rest intervals. So I started in January at 2 min runs with 1 min rests.
Initially, all was going to plan. My time reached 5 min runs and 1 min rests at the beginning of January. My next step up would be 7 min run and 1 min rest. And after that 1 km run and 1 min rest...that was the plan anyway.
As I am getting into my pace, I was invited on a weeklong trip to Macau during the Chinese New Year. I hadn't been to Macau before and the prospect of a new destination coupled with the cooler weather was really an enticement. So off I went.
Of course, being a holiday, I only managed to hit the hotel gym twice in the week. And as I was holiday eating (i.e all the rich and scrumptious dishes) my running suffered.
I came back to KK and took another week off of running...then came the day of reckoning.
The Monday, 2 weeks since my last run.
I tentatively set off at 5 min run/1 min rest pace but could not keep it up. I could only do 3 KM as my muscles tightened and my chest was getting painful from the heavy breathing.
I went again on Tuesday, thinking that 3 KM was a light run and I could do 5 Km this day. Didn't happen. Again 3 KM was the best i could do at the intrval pace.
I rested 1 day and surrendered to the fact that my fitness had deteriorated, thanks to those Portugese egg tarts...so on Thursday, i started at 3 min run/1 min rest.
I managed to do 5 Km at that interval. On Saturday I did the same.
Then on the next Monday, i felt good in the morning. Really good My body was light, y legs felt strong. So i decided to just loosen up and run as far as i could.
That turned out to be 5 Km straight. At a decent pace of 7:45 per km.
I was shocked. How could this be? From a 3 min/1 min interval pace to this? Was it a fluke?
Two days later, I was back on the track. Could i do it again? I tried and did.
It's been 3 runs since then and each time i've completed the distance and in my last 2 runs, i've added intervals for another Km or 2 to prepare me for the next phase of 10 km straight.
I don't know what happened but it really feels like there was a tipping point. Some where in my body or mind, my muscles said "he's reached critical mass, let's go"...
Whatever caused it, its a wonderful start and I am just taking it in my stride.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
BIM 2012
Against my better judgement, I ran in and completed the 2012 Borneo International Marathon half.
Why against my better judgement? My training has not been going well. Either i've been injured or been sick. This was the most underprepared and undertrained half marathon i participated in.
As i mentioned in my fb post, I discovered that recovery is inversely proportional to the amount of training one has done prior to the race. As I had hardly trained, my thighs and quads continue to ache, 2 days after the marathon.
I am thankful though for my Skins compression tights, my knee guard (acquired 12 hours before the race) and my Merrel Barefoot shoes. My experience garnered from previous runs also helped me get to the finish line.
Will update more on the run soon.
Why against my better judgement? My training has not been going well. Either i've been injured or been sick. This was the most underprepared and undertrained half marathon i participated in.
As i mentioned in my fb post, I discovered that recovery is inversely proportional to the amount of training one has done prior to the race. As I had hardly trained, my thighs and quads continue to ache, 2 days after the marathon.
I am thankful though for my Skins compression tights, my knee guard (acquired 12 hours before the race) and my Merrel Barefoot shoes. My experience garnered from previous runs also helped me get to the finish line.
Will update more on the run soon.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Mizuno Wave Alchemy 9
I bought my first pair when it was launched in Malaysia and it cost me RM 430 or thereabouts (can't remember the exact price). I used that pair to train for the 2009 SCB Singapore Half marathon, which, if you read my earlier blogs, i did not end up running in due to dengue fever.
That pair did serve me in the my Borneo Half marathon in May of 2010 and then the KL Hlaf marathon at the end of June. By that time, the shoes were quite worn out and I bought another pair from the Mizuno shop in Gardens. This time, I only paid RM 380 as it was discounted by 20% being an older model.
Whilst visiting my parents house at the end of 2010, this second pair was stolen. Aside from having to go home barefoot, the loss affected my running for 2 days until I had the time to find a replacement. And that replacement turned out to be (drum roll please)..yes, the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 9..again...this time at a 30% discount and in the bargain trolley.
I love the design and comfort of this pair of shoes. This is why I have repeatedly purchased this model. I do live in fear that I will not be able to find a replacement for this model in future when the old stock is all sold.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
StanChart KL 2011 Marathon
Registration for the 2011 Standard Chartered Bank KL Marathon started on the 17th of Jan.
I signed up for the half marathon hours after registration opened. Last year, around 17,500 runners took part and they are targeting 25,000 this year. If you are interested in the marathon, you'd better sign up now at SCB KL Marathon.
My target this year is to improve on my time and finish the half under 3 hours. Yes, i know. Pathetic timing. But there is always room to improve.
The KL marathon is a really enjoyable marathon as you get to run by places you normally would drive by in a car. The view from the car and on foot are totally different. As you run through areas like Cheras and Maluri you get a different feel of the area. Other than this marathon, i can't think of any other event where the police and DBKL shut down so many roads to vehicle traffic and limit it to only foot traffic.
The route brings you through around and then into the heart of the City. Running through Bukit Bintang and the Star Hill area early in the morning is also a great contrast from when its normally packed with tourists and shoppers.
In last year's edition, a runner lost his life close to the finishing line. A lot of blogs and eyewitnesses cited lack of medical support as the main cause of the unfortunate incident. Hopefully, the organizers have improved on the medical service for this year.
If you have to choose one Marathon to run in KL this year, go for the KL marathon.
I signed up for the half marathon hours after registration opened. Last year, around 17,500 runners took part and they are targeting 25,000 this year. If you are interested in the marathon, you'd better sign up now at SCB KL Marathon.
My target this year is to improve on my time and finish the half under 3 hours. Yes, i know. Pathetic timing. But there is always room to improve.
The KL marathon is a really enjoyable marathon as you get to run by places you normally would drive by in a car. The view from the car and on foot are totally different. As you run through areas like Cheras and Maluri you get a different feel of the area. Other than this marathon, i can't think of any other event where the police and DBKL shut down so many roads to vehicle traffic and limit it to only foot traffic.
The route brings you through around and then into the heart of the City. Running through Bukit Bintang and the Star Hill area early in the morning is also a great contrast from when its normally packed with tourists and shoppers.
In last year's edition, a runner lost his life close to the finishing line. A lot of blogs and eyewitnesses cited lack of medical support as the main cause of the unfortunate incident. Hopefully, the organizers have improved on the medical service for this year.
If you have to choose one Marathon to run in KL this year, go for the KL marathon.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Penang Bridge 2011
The Penang Bridge Marathon was held last Sunday.
Although I had planned to run, a combination of health and other pressing demands derailed that plan. However, Penang Bridge is definitely in my 2011 plans.
Looking through facebook and the posts of friends who ran, it seems that staying home might have been the better choice. Running in the rain can be enjoyable...if for a few minutes...but when you are running 21 km or 42 km, the constant friction in your shoes between skin, shoe and water does not make for a good result.
Anyway, the Borneo marathon banners are up and marketing for that run on the 1st of May 2011 has begun...next year is going to be an exciting year for my running.
Although I had planned to run, a combination of health and other pressing demands derailed that plan. However, Penang Bridge is definitely in my 2011 plans.
Looking through facebook and the posts of friends who ran, it seems that staying home might have been the better choice. Running in the rain can be enjoyable...if for a few minutes...but when you are running 21 km or 42 km, the constant friction in your shoes between skin, shoe and water does not make for a good result.
Anyway, the Borneo marathon banners are up and marketing for that run on the 1st of May 2011 has begun...next year is going to be an exciting year for my running.
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