Beat the Sunrise

Completing my maiden full marathon at the Adidas SunDown Marathon 2010 had definitely been wrought with many challenges...despite having stomach flu since Thursday, I am still glad that I managed to beat the sunrise with my stomach churning and calf cramping though a little disappointed at a 6.04hr finish which was a whole 30mins off my expected time. Well, it was really a race of mental power over the physical pain and definitely an experience

First half of the race was strong despite my stomach is slightly bloated and churning, I was still about 6-7mins ahead of my expected timing at good pace and was not exerting really hard. But it really hit me towards the 21k mark when my calves started to tighten and cramped up. I know I had to slow down and try to ease the muscles...That's when the rhythm of the run was greatly affected...was trying to beat the odds that hit me all the same time between 21k to 28k ...Z-monster, the stomach, the calves...trying to keep myself focus but I guess I had to say I failed...the pain was making me weak...The long monotonous route and the lack of cheering crowd definitely did not help...The cheering support was really much lacking and many zombie-fied runners did not help boost that morale...

However, must really give thanks to all other support and cheering crew from the various running groups...they made ECP come alive at some spots to spur the runners on. Must really say a BIG THANK YOU to all the support and cheering crew...if without you guys and girls I would have given up after 21k when my calves start cramping up and the stomach just can't stop turning like a washing machine. Need to make a special mention and give thanks to the Team FatBird support crew at the National Sailing Club, "Madam Sergeant Major" Esther Tay, your "Don't walk! Run!!!" scream at the face of all the tired runners and some of the tired runners were saying "Wah! Army training ah"...really reminded me of the Strepsils advertisement...haha..., Also to Lilian, Johnny and SC Toh, thanks for the "Sng Bao" and it definitely gave me the boost all the way to Changi Coastal Road...despite me already slipping my 30km timing. Lucky for the morale booster, I was able to cover some time all the way till Changi Coastal Road...

The final stretch was sheer mental torture with me cursing and swearing along the way and the distances never seem to be shortening...every 1km seems so far away...Felt a little more relieved when I saw the turn into the Aviation Park road after 39k mark for the last stretch...at this point of time I keep telling myself to keep focus, breath and the end is not far...just 2+k more...but I was wrong...haha...it was a very long 2k!! Upon reaching the 40k mark, I almost broke down in tears...I finally broke the 40k mark...however, there is still another 2k more...and this runner behind me started chanting "Finisher T, Finisher T, Finisher T" as he tried to pick up his pace...The place was dark and long and yet I cannot see the end point and it was quite de-moralising...it was quite an emotional roller-coaster...till I finally saw the finishing line and heard the MC called out my Bib No. and Name...Frankly by then I guess I was already tearing when I cross the finishing line and glad to see familiar faces of Ck Chin, Susie and Sylvia calling out to me at the finishing line...was very grateful especially to the 2 sweet ladies who had completed their half marathons 6-7 hours before and stayed behind to cheer us on...

Definitely great memories and comradeship that I will always cherish...Now time to recover well and recuperate....Looking to become stronger...to earn another feather to my hat!!

Towards a new Decade - A Reflection....

Finally the last few hours to the end of 2009 cometh...time pass so fast in 2009 and soon we will be in the new decade of the 21st century. Wow...

As usual there had been many ups and downs as in the years passed...but am grateful to the Special someone who had been there supporting me all this while and cheering me on in whatever I do...taking all my tantrums and impatience....you know who you are lah...I know I can be such a child and rascal sometimes and really thank you for your patience and care and love and always being there for me and really hope that the next decade would see us stronger and this bond will not break *hugz*

Looking back at 2009....working life apart (which is better left unsaid...hahaha), I really did not expect myself to be able to accomplish so much more in running. Besides S support with all the encouragement in your dreams and dress me up with all the gears, I am grateful to a group of new found running enthusiast too. FatBirds...really glad to be able to flock with you all...guys and gals....you all are such an inspiration and motivation to push me further...Seeing that there is really no age or medical barrier to keep fit and be healthy...

Lastly, I am very happy that I am finally able to fulfill my 2007 resolution (yes 2 years late...thanks to procrastination and lack of confidence...haha...) to do my first 21k Half Marathon. 2009 had really see me stronger and running most races I have ever done for the last 15 years since National Service (wow...yeah I am so old liow...hahha...but still doing reservist...haiz)

Races in 2009

==========

Yellow Ribbon Prison Run (10k - my 1st sub 1-hour race) - 59mins 27sec

Nike Human Race (10k) - 1hr 07mins

NB Real Run(15k) - 1hr 51mins

StanChart Singapore Marathon (21k) - 2hr 24mins

Now time to reflect and set new goals...Happy New Year lah!!!

Races planned for 2010

=================

11 Apr - 2XU Compress Run (Sentosa)

29 May - Adidas Sundown Marathon

Aug - Army Bay Run

10 Oct - Newton 30k Challenge

Dec - StanChart Singapore Marathon

Yellow Ribbon Prison Run 2009

1st run for the year 2009.

The journey to the run did not really started well. Despite waking up at 5.30am with every things prep the night before, leaving at 6.00am still was obviously not good enough.

Hiccup 1 - MRT towards Pasir Ris was delayed but no public announcement was made. You'll be surprise to see such a crowd at the station at 6.00am on a Sunday....Hmm...waited for almost half an hour for a train to arrive.

Hiccup 2 - Shuttle bus from Singapore Expo was caught in a traffic jam to the start point. Took the 6.55am shuttle bus but reached Changi Village only at 7.25am. Well, all thanks to all those kiasu people who wanted to try their luck driving to the start point despite the organiser's advice not to....can see people parking along the road and slip raods...haiz....

Hiccup 3 - Baggage point to the start point was like 1 km away!! Guess it must have been difficult to find a right location for the for all the logistics. But the baggage point point and start point on the map certainly did not say it was 1 km away! (Awww...the fineprint says map not drawn to scale...hahaha) Hmm...from Changi Village Hawker Centre to Changi Air Base....figure out the distance...

The run had already been flagged off when finally reaching the start point....so no warm ups (luckily from all the walk to the start point, the legs are kind of warmed up) and Ready, Steady, Poom Bi Bi. The weather drizzled a little but luckily it held out throughout the run. The race route was narrow and the crowd was larger than expected. But it was kind of good forcing a slow paced start. The route was a little tougher with many uphills and downhills but generally the run was in good form and the breathing was consistent. This is one of the better runs so far and able to finish off to a sub-1-hour timing. But am really perplexed by the stupidity of a race route to have a U-turn before the last stretch to the finishing line after a down slope run. Oh well....I guess they need to make up for the 10k distance

The final hiccup must have been the baggage collection. The trucks did not arrive till almost 10am due to the road closure.....hmmm...wonder if there had been a dry run prior to this. When they finally arrived, it was another chaos...despite the well planned queues, the baggage were mixed up between the trucks. Too bad, did not have a camera to take down all the runners becoming "bidders" on the floor raising up their number tags, as if bidding for our belongings. Hahaha....

After the baggage collection, it started to drizzle again just when Mr. VIP Teo is taking his leave after all the I don't know what is going on at the main tentage....'cos half the time I queuing for something (from Goodie Bag, Sports Massage, Food & Beverage and Baggage....hmmm...damn I missed the Anderson Ice Cream queue)...haha

Oh well the last queue is to queue for the Shuttle Bus back to Expo....

anyone lived in a pretty how town

anyone lived in a pretty how town

(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did.

Women and men (both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed (but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
with by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men (both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain

-by E.E. Cummings

深拥

作词：梁文福　作曲：梁文福　演唱：王邦吉

爱情他住在你的没有地址的心里
我写好一封一封决定　欲寄不能寄

你说过一片沧海只有一次曾经
此刻我拥着你的今夕　仿佛拥着梦境

拥着你的现在　拥着你的过去
拥着所有也许　我就是你的也许

拨着你的黑发　拨着你的忧虑
将你所有情绪　都扣在我的衣襟

每个春夏秋冬都会过去
经过你的我的耳边眼底
只有温柔不去　陪伴着我和你

天冷 － 一定要再回来

很奇怪的，又是在戏落幕后才写下观后感。也许是还在沉淀被它的感动与惊喜。 其实从五一劳动节看了《天冷》后，就一直不停的重复听著原声带。就如2007年，不能不说对梁文褔老师的填词功力佩服不已。每一字每一段词都是那么的淒美感人，2009年似乎再次让我重新认识每一首歌，再一次被感动。今年，对好几首歌，如《深拥》、《戒情人》和 《另一首歌另一个伤心的故事》，有更深的感受。尤其是《深拥》， 在07年的时候并没有给我很多感触，相隔两年， 也是在这幕让我的眼泪决提。 如今听这首歌时，还是会有很多画面，让我有很深很深的感触。尤其一个人听这首歌的时候，还是常会听得眼眶湿湿的。哈哈，真没用。

2009年，《天冷》做了一些调整，加了机场离别的那一幕和改了最后一场不再是回新卖“新加坡派”，让我觉得整出戏更完整了。演员吗，除了主要演员如George，Joanna，Windson，Ric，林燮毅，黃家強外，也加入了石欣卉，刘俊葳 （Jeffery），彭達文（Oliver）。多了一些不同火花和感受。虽然会有一些先入为主的看法，对演员的唱功还是觉得有一点参差不齐，但主要演员默契似乎有所已提升， 故事也比较完整，所以会觉得这次还是不错看哟。

天冷， 是否该回来？一定要，一定要再回来。即使是再等5年，也一定要回来。

Bemused

“I’m in this Book! On page 73!" As justification for calling herself The Feminist Mentor and demanding respect for the elders.

[snipplets from the sideline]

“What book is she talking about that she’s on page 73 of?”
“Dunno. Maybe the Bible. She’s saying God appointed her on page 73,”

[snipplets]

Haha...

Wonders how one can self-proclaim herself as a mentor just because she is being mentioned in a "dunno what" book? And demand for respect. If you don't respect others and yet wants to be respected as an elder? Haha...you see those priority seats are occupied by those youngsters who care less?

Try to learn to earn that respect first doc...

[snipplets from The Sunday Times]

Later, she told The Sunday Times she was surprised by the 'anger' and 'vehemence' she felt from the Aware members. 'It's very scary,' she said. 'What is happening to women in Singapore?'

[snipplets]

I am really amused by her reactions and it nearly makes me fall off the bench. Has she been living in her ivory tower since the whole saga she had single-handedly orchestrated, did she think that the whole world is still on her side?

BTW, why her law firm not provide free legal counsel to her mentees causing them to incur $90000 to get a legal advice to step down base on "courtesy, custom and common sense"?

Ouch...did the rock just dropped on someone's foot?