Misery loves company

Sigh. In addition to the poor race form, I've gotten two bad pieces of work news today.

Man, it's only Monday... How to get though this lah?

I hope the grey skies will clear. I don't like this me. Not one bit.

(But I guess I am better to appreciate Anna Nalick's Wreck of the Day right now...)

StanChart race

I did it. My second 10-km run.

I improved my timing by........................ all of bradheeeee 15 seconds. Damnit.

Had stitches, took two water breaks... Oh well. Well, that will learn me! (Ray said better than adding 15 secs...)

I didn't quite enjoy the run as the last one - even though I started at the back, got caught in the bottleneck for most of Marina South. Too crowded, and many people didn't give way even when you say "excuse me"... Hmm.

Funny thing, once I collected my finisher's medal, I saw a sign for a race in Chiangmai, Thailand on Dec 24. Guess where we will be over Christmas?!?

StanChart run countdown

Collected my StanChart race pack this morning.

I'd collected the Great Eastern pack very late last month and as a result, was given a size 36 tee that any self-respecting vainpot would cringe at. So I ensured I was at the collection counter bright and early on the first day this time.

And guess what? While the StanChart organisers were much more pro by ensuring you got the tee you indicated instead of some lame excuse about "while stocks last" as Great Eastern did, it's still too big. Diao!

I hung around the Kids' Dash counter in hope of sneaking a peak at the kids' size (vanity knows no bounds), but some Adidas rep kept pestering me to go and visit their counter so I gave up.

It was funny how the folks in the next line were snickering at us 10km-ers. Half marathon mah, they ;)

I've already booked Don for a foot massage for Dec 3 afternoon. Haha. I've got my priorities right, man.

PS: Did the canal-Holland Road circuit this morning. 58 minutes
;( Wonder if I can improve my timing in this race...

Race results

I came in #720 with a timing of 1:08:45.

Haha I was actually in the first half would you believe that. (39% to be exact).

I still can't believe it... ;)

Women 10K run

Did the Great Eastern 10km run yesterday.

Didn't tell anyone except Ray and Derrick so as not to jinx myself - I backed out of the Army run due to stitches, and totally FORGOT abt the Sentosa run. Duh...

Anyway, I made it there just in time for a quick warm-up. Thankfully, the skies were clear so Ray was okay with me taking the risk - it was so sweet of him to worry about my health.

I took Brendan's advice to not lean forward and most importantly, to slow down in the beginning (I tend to bolt out of the gates and then DIE later...). It worked - I was able to pace myself, and made it to 9km before taking out the iPod for a needed musical boost. Best thing, I didn't get stitches.

Ray was waiting for me about 4oom before the finishing line. He cheered me on and ran next to me. Haha, I am dead pleased he didn't go for coffee this time ;) He is my tower of strength!

I think I did about 68 mins. I will only know when the results are mailed to me.

Special thanks also go out to my colleague Serene, for being an inspiration and a reminder that "it's all mental"!

So Stanchart run, here I come!

small things

It's 12:41am. Still cranking away. I miss Ray. The dogs are asleep on the floor. It's cool at least; there was rain this afternoon. And we've got Elnora now so I can stop rushing home to do laundry if there's work to be done, and I don't have to worry so much abt the darn neighbour hurting my dogs.

Small things to be grateful. I hope she works out. I really do.

I wonder how Mom's doing. Must call her soon.

PS: I am tired.

Today

Morning walked dog, sent car to workshop, rushed to work, came home at lunch to let dogs out (morning rained and part-time maid no show), power walked them, did bloody laundry and dishes (coz maid no show), then rushed back to work, after work rushed home, took Fred out for a run (Oris retiree), rushed to mom's for sis-in-law's birthday do, rushed home to take Oris out so she doesn't get upset, walked both dogs. Showered and now abt to start work again! It's 9:58pm.

And how was your day?

PS: I want my mummy...

How far?

No one said it would be easy
No one said it'd be this hard
No one said it would be easy
No one thought we'd come this far
- Sheryl Crow

But have we really come this far?

Barely in SHAPE

Hey, I did it! I completed the SHAPE 5km run!

I did 37.07 mins - lousy timing. The excuse is that I'd a double dose of the stitches about 1km into the run, but die-die also cannot clutch the sides (while the cameras are around). But face it, I am slow.

My dear colleagues Serene and Diana did the 10km and 5km in 54 mins and 30 mins respectively. And I am full of respect of them. I must get fitter and make it to... 32 mins? ;)

The Ah Lau took a few shots of me warming up and at the start. But then the si gin nah went to look for kopi orh kosong and er, MISSED me at the finishing point. DUH. And to think I braved the Sim Lim Square crowd to get the long lens the day before... Sigh. Men. Can't live with 'em, can't shoot 'em.

I should have known to take a shot of me and the two gals before the run - I thought the post-run would make us more macho *thump chest* and not make us so obviously yow gui (we were really only there for the goodie bag).

All in all, I'd fun. I can't believe I would ever say this about running in my life, but heck, life's funny like that.

Army 6-km city run, anyone?

Out of SHAPE runner

Hmm, not sure if this is the right move but I've decided to sign up for the SHAPE run. I am doing the 5km while Serene is of course doing her warm-up session of 10km. She'll do it in half the time I get to the finish line for half the distance of course.

But hey (pat pat), I actually managed to run the one full canal (the usual distance for me on a good day), plus I made it to the end of the condo on the canal on the other side..... It was, however, about four days later that I could feel my legs again. Urgh.

Maybe they should call the July event Out of SHAPE run...

The 'Thon Girl

Hey, I did it. Joined my first 'thon of any kind.... ;) Went for the Young NTUC (gulp!) Dualthon which consisted of a short run and an even shorter swim. It was nice of Ray to come along and support his wife in this masa- masad event - especially when she'd been throwing up since the day before....(well actually, still am)

I am also thankful for my hubby for marrying me and as a result forcing me to get into running (as a last-minute desperate act to fit into my gown), and Serene for being a shining example and positive influence.

Like she said, it's all mental. Of course she says it after 20km. I? 2km...

Hey, we've all got to start somewhere.

Happy Birthday to Chicklet

Happy Birthday to me!!!!

Hubby not here (a new hat trick? He's already done it with Valentine's Day...). Went for run. Walked dogs. Swam during lunch break. I am looking forward to CAKE!
Serene swam 15 laps in the time I did 10. I was about to console myself that I ran this morning when she broke the news that she also ran this morning. Damndamndamn. Young people. Can't live with them, can't catch up with 'em! Man, I feel 30 plus...

Hope to get some yummy nasi lemak for dinner. Supposed to meet up with Derrick and fellow aunty Adeline (the dog groomer).

Apparently, I share my birthday with Adolf Hitler. Gulp.

Mao: The Unknown Story

I must say, so far I am not impressed by June Chang's version of the Chinese leader (tyrant?). I've read several biographies on him, as well as stories set in the Communist era, and all were infinitely better than Ms Chang's tome. Even Red Azelea.

Mao: The Unknown Story rambles on, and does not offer much detail or depth to truly grip the reader. Alot of research, and it's as if she was determined to squeeze it all in. Sigh. And I am only a quarter through it.

I particularly enjoyed the Private Life of Chairman Mao by Li Zhi Sui. Partly because it's got juicy bits, but more because the way it was written, well you could believe the guy (Li was Mao's physician). You were transported into his world, you could see it...

Well, I shall give Ms Chang the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps I should read it alongside Mao: A Life by Philip Short. It seems to be other recommended Mao title at the moment.

Mrs Me

It's done. We're married. Feels a little weird letting go of my singlehood. But it's good. It's reeeeal good.

Good things come to those who wait long long

I can't believe it .... Ray finally decided on a compromise with the hotel... So yeah, I am getting *married*!!!

Shiokerdodo.

AND I will meet him in Hong Kong tomorrow night! Disneyland, here we come! Dim sum, here we come!

Double shiok.