ON TEMPORARY RETIREMENT FROM RACES

Dear all my running / outdoor friends,

It is sad to announce that I am temporarily quitting races from now until the end of September 2007. I am not having any injury at all. I just want to quit temporarily and focused on something that I have been neglected for the past 4 years. It is time for me to take a break for my own good. I’ll definitely be back after September 2007. If possible, I may also be back before the end of September 2007 or whichever dates earlier. This will however depend on the circumstances.

Although I may not race, I’ll still run or do other activities (such as swimming, cycling or hiking) to keep myself fit. Whatever it is, I would like to wish you all good luck for your coming races and stay free from injury.

Happy running or enjoy your outdoor activities.

7 JANUARY 2007

Location: TTDI Park, evening
Activity: Run 6.5 km outside the park and going up the hill and back to the park with backpack of 12 kg
Timing = 52 min+
Objective: To test my ability to carry heavy loads and to run under such condition
Result: No problem at all to run with backpack of 12 kg. Felt very much relief after the run as I managed to sweat heavily

Activity 2: Seat-up
Target = 30 times in 1 minute
Achieved = 30 times
Result = Passed
Seat-up gradation of fitness level = Good
Will try to increase the number of times per minute

Activity 3: Push-up
Achieved = 13 times in 1 minute (not on the ground but with the assistance of horizontal bars)
Result = Failed
Must try to do it on the ground and achieve a decent result before Chinese New Year.

6 JANUARY 2007

Location: KLCC Park
Activity: Run 2 laps without MP3 player but with running shoe and casual attire (not for running)
Timing: 1st lap split = 6 min 1.57 sec
2nd lap split = 6 min 24.41 sec (only completed 1.1 km)
Total time = 12 min 25.98 sec
Total distance = 2.4 km
Target = To run 2.4 km under 12 minutes
Result = Failed
12 minutes running stamina = General
Next time must try to run 2.4 km within 12 minutes

Activity 2 = Seat up
Target = 30 times within 1 minute
Achieved = 28 times
Result = Failed
Sit-up assessment = General

Activity 3 = Push-up
Achieved = 15 times in 1 minute (not on ground but with assistance of horizontal bars)
Result = Failed
Must try to do it on the ground.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007

Just want to wish readers a happy new year 2007. It has been a long time I have not posted messages or updates in my blog. After Singapore marathon 2006, it was quite a hectic time for me. I was engaged in an urgent corporate assignment with tight deadlines. I did not manage to have time for running and had to comeback almost every Saturday and Sunday to work. To my horror, at certain days, I left the office at 3.30 a.m. just to complete my work to meet the tight deadlines.

How I celebrate new year 2007 ? Well, I had to come to the office to work. It was quite a stressful working days having to deal with uneasy and irritating working environment within the bank. I just could not believe what I have done to the office staff or colleagues from other department. I lost my temper and as a result I yelled, bang and hit the table and doors loudly just to release my anger and frustration to the extent that the entire 24th floor knows about it. It was not my intention to vent my anger at anyone and I just did not understand why I reacted that way. I was facing tremendous pressure from my immediate boss to deliver the compiled document to the other department and I was pissed off with the attitude of the administration staff that caused me to waste my precious time. As a result I vent my anger and frustration to the whole office. I could also feel some minor pain in my chest due to sudden rise in my blood pressure level.

Anyway, that was on 4 January 2007. After 5 January 2007, my nightmare of meeting tight deadlines was finally over. It was quite a relief for me. I missed out the KLIM Circuit Run I 2007 as I overslept (I left the office on 6 January 2007 at 1 a.m.). I wanted to run or go hiking on Sunday but I overslept.