TK,
Good news!
I just checked that the 10K category will also give away finishing medal
if you complete it in 90 mins (yesterday, the web didn't say you
will get any finishing medal for the 10K).
BTW, medal is a very valuable piece of sourvenir and
could also be something you can shows off to your buddies
that you have participated and finished a race.
In smaller race where there is a limit of medals(say
first 100 or so), runners like us would run into the
ground just to get one.
You can check the SCKLM web site on
http://www.kl-marathon.com/
Let the kids visit the site too, so that they will
be looking forward to it, hey, itsn't it the most suitable thing
that qualified as leading by example or family quality time kind
of things.
90min 10K is running at 4.1MPH, 14:30min/mile pace.
So, aim running all your training faster than this pace.
You don't have to do it in the first day of running,
but keep in mind that the 4.1 is something you have to conquer.
Actually 4.1MPH is quite slow, you can even walk with this pace
though it is a bit difficult.
Anyway, try don't stop progress at 4.1MPH, try to build up to
5MPH, you can do that, trust me!
Also, always set at least 1% or 2% of inclination on the
treadmill, it is more gender to your knee plus it gives
you a better workout.
Got to go!
Crank on.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
T Kune 10K Training Program
Dear TK,
I have planned a 14 week program for the 10K SCKLMarathon
for you. Take a look and see whther it fit you.
For the first few weeks, you actually do a lot of elliptical
training rather than running. I know that you would have no problem
with the elliptical training; but try to follow the run/walk time
as planned, it is designed to slowly get you to get used to running.
Try not to walk, you can slow down the pace, but try your best not to
walk. Don't get your heart rate over 145 either, the running
pace should be below that HR for all the duration of running.
I know that you have heel pain(plantar fascitis), get a bucket and
filled it with ice cube(I prefer to make blocks of ice with
ICE cream boxes and break it with hammer) and water and soak your
heel(foot) into the ice water. Soak about 20-30 minutes. The first
few minutes feel like burning, but after a while, your foot will
get numb and it is bearable.
Also, go to pharmacy to get over the counter drug call IBUPROFEN, take
them with/after food twice a day. That would heel the pain.
Very importantly, get a pair of motion control shoe, I know you have
flat foot type, so may be try the BROOKS TRANCE 8, pricey, but quite good.
If you ice your foot, take IBUPROFEN, and wear proper shoe,
the heel pain will be resolved in a few weeks; that's why I design
the program that you do mostly elliptical rather than running so that
your heel injury will be recovered.
Noticed that you exercise everyday and it is measured on time
rather than distance for the first few weeks.
That is to get you into the habit of exercising everyday.
When you enter into the second phase of the program, you would do it the
hard-easy approach, that's a hard day is followed by easy and recovery day.
The Sunday is the long run day and most important day, that's why
you have rest day on Saturday and Monday, so that you are fresher in
getting the long run done and recover better after that,
, try sticking with the plan, especially the important 4, 4.5,5 mile runs.
You will do fewer and fewer sessions of elliptical too.
For the rest day, just relax or if you prefer, you
can do some light training of your liking, like elliptical.
There is a week when you travel back to KL, so that's the rest week.
The week before the race is also an easy week and we call it
taper week.
Hope it helps and Good luck.
By the way, is your wife running the 10K too, kids? I
need to register the race for you all.
Do let me know soon.
Crank on.
Scroll way way down to see the program!
I have planned a 14 week program for the 10K SCKLMarathon
for you. Take a look and see whther it fit you.
For the first few weeks, you actually do a lot of elliptical
training rather than running. I know that you would have no problem
with the elliptical training; but try to follow the run/walk time
as planned, it is designed to slowly get you to get used to running.
Try not to walk, you can slow down the pace, but try your best not to
walk. Don't get your heart rate over 145 either, the running
pace should be below that HR for all the duration of running.
I know that you have heel pain(plantar fascitis), get a bucket and
filled it with ice cube(I prefer to make blocks of ice with
ICE cream boxes and break it with hammer) and water and soak your
heel(foot) into the ice water. Soak about 20-30 minutes. The first
few minutes feel like burning, but after a while, your foot will
get numb and it is bearable.
Also, go to pharmacy to get over the counter drug call IBUPROFEN, take
them with/after food twice a day. That would heel the pain.
Very importantly, get a pair of motion control shoe, I know you have
flat foot type, so may be try the BROOKS TRANCE 8, pricey, but quite good.
If you ice your foot, take IBUPROFEN, and wear proper shoe,
the heel pain will be resolved in a few weeks; that's why I design
the program that you do mostly elliptical rather than running so that
your heel injury will be recovered.
Noticed that you exercise everyday and it is measured on time
rather than distance for the first few weeks.
That is to get you into the habit of exercising everyday.
When you enter into the second phase of the program, you would do it the
hard-easy approach, that's a hard day is followed by easy and recovery day.
The Sunday is the long run day and most important day, that's why
you have rest day on Saturday and Monday, so that you are fresher in
getting the long run done and recover better after that,
, try sticking with the plan, especially the important 4, 4.5,5 mile runs.
You will do fewer and fewer sessions of elliptical too.
For the rest day, just relax or if you prefer, you
can do some light training of your liking, like elliptical.
There is a week when you travel back to KL, so that's the rest week.
The week before the race is also an easy week and we call it
taper week.
Hope it helps and Good luck.
By the way, is your wife running the 10K too, kids? I
need to register the race for you all.
Do let me know soon.
Crank on.
Scroll way way down to see the program!
Week | Date | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun | Total K/Time per week | Comment |
1 | 23/3 | Elliptical 15min | RUN/WALK 15min | Elliptical 30min | RUN/WALK 15min | Elliptical 30min | RUN/WALK 15min | Elliptical 60min | 3hrs | Build Base week 1 |
2 | 30/3 | Elliptical 15min | RUN/WALK 15min | Elliptical 40min | RUN/WALK 15min | Elliptical 40min | RUN/WALK 15min | Elliptical 60min | 3hrs 20min | Build Base week 2 |
3 | 6/4 | RUN/WALK 15min | RUN/WALK 15min | Elliptical 45min | RUN/WALK 15min | Elliptical 45min | RUN/WALK 15min | Elliptical 70min | 3hrs 40min | Build Base week 3 |
4 | 13/4 | RUN/WALK 15min | RUN/WALK 20min | Elliptical 45min | RUN/WALK 15min | Elliptical 45min | RUN/WALK 15min | RUN/WALK 20min Elliptical 40min | 3Hour 35min | Build Base week 4 |
5 | 20/4 | RUN/WALK 15min | RUN/WALK 20min | Elliptical 45min | RUN/WALK 20min | Elliptical 45min | RUN/WALK 20min | RUN/WALK 25min Elliptical 40min | 3Hour 50min | Build Base week 5 |
6 | 27/4 | RUN/WALK 20min | RUN/WALK 15min | Elliptical 45min | RUN/WALK 20min | Elliptical 45min | RUN/WALK 20min | RUN/WALK 30min Elliptical 40min | 4Hour 05min | Build Base week 5 |
7 | 4/5 | Rest | RUN 2 mile | Ellitrical 30min | RUN 2 mile | Elliptical 30min | Rest | RUN 3.5 mile | 7.5mile | Race Preparation Week1 |
8 | 11/5 | Rest | RUN 2 mile | Ellitrical 30min | RUN 2 mile | Elliptical 30min | Rest | RUN 4 mile *important | 8mile | Race Preparation Week2 |
9 | 18/5 | Rest | RUN 2.5 mile | Elliptical 30min | RUN 2 mile | Elliptical 30min | Rest | RUN 4.5mile **important | 9mile | Race Preparation Week3 **Hard week |
10 | 25/5 | Rest | RUN 2.5mile | Elliptical 35min | RUN 2.5 mile | Elliptical 35min | Rest | RUN 5 mile ***Most important | 10mile | Race Preparation Week4 *** Hardest week |
11 | 1/6 | Rest | RUN 2 mile | Rest | Rest | Rest | Rest | Rest | 2 mile | Travel back to KL |
12 | 8/6 | Rest | Rest | Rest | RUN 2 mile | Rest | Rest | RUN 5 mile ***Most important | 7 mile | Race Preparation Week5 |
13 | 15/6 | Rest | RUN 2 mile | Rest | RUN 2 mile | Rest | Rest | RUN 2 mile | 6 mile | Taper |
14 | 22/6 | Rest | Rest | Rest | RUN 2 mile | Rest | Rest | RACE 10K (6mile) | 8 mile | RACE WEEK |
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
SCKLIM Training Program
I am not a big fan in posting the training plan, as
I think everybody train differently, what work for one
might be disastrous to another. Everyone should experiment
what work and what not.
The below plan is a 16 week program for the KLIM, noticed that
this week is supposed to be the second week of the program.
It is based on the concept that we are doing 3 quality runs
per week, with the training marked Q1 being most important,
Q2 the second follow by Q3.
If you would like to skip a run, skip all those that is marked
easy, and if things really are way out of hand, then go ahead
and skip the Q3. Try not to skip Q2, and don't cheat on Q1!
The tempo run is the workbout, you always have to do about
1.5K-2K of warmup and another 1.5K or so for cool down, so for the
run marked "tempo 8K", it means run 2K warmup, then the 8K
tempo, follow by anothr 2K of cool down, and it might be as
well as 12K run for that day.
Similar to tempo run, you also need to do warmup and cool down
for the Interval workout. Roughly the total distance is about
10K-12K for the interval workout except the tapering weeks.
There are a few races listed in the plan, noticed that you actually
train through the race, with the race taking the place of the tempo
run mostly and as in the case of Bidor, it is considered a long run.
You won't be making PR or race your best in those races, simply
there isn't enough taper. But those races aren't your goal race
in the first place.
The weekly milage totals about 55K per week, if that is too high
for you, skip all those easy runs, or slightly cut short the long runs.
If you don't have some base, this program is not easy. Doing 3 Quality
run per week is really tiring and very prone to injury. Back off if
things back fire (this goes to me especially!)
Hope it help, Good luck!
Crank on.
P/S: Somehow, the table shows way way below, you reallly have to
scroll down to see it!
I think everybody train differently, what work for one
might be disastrous to another. Everyone should experiment
what work and what not.
The below plan is a 16 week program for the KLIM, noticed that
this week is supposed to be the second week of the program.
It is based on the concept that we are doing 3 quality runs
per week, with the training marked Q1 being most important,
Q2 the second follow by Q3.
If you would like to skip a run, skip all those that is marked
easy, and if things really are way out of hand, then go ahead
and skip the Q3. Try not to skip Q2, and don't cheat on Q1!
The tempo run is the workbout, you always have to do about
1.5K-2K of warmup and another 1.5K or so for cool down, so for the
run marked "tempo 8K", it means run 2K warmup, then the 8K
tempo, follow by anothr 2K of cool down, and it might be as
well as 12K run for that day.
Similar to tempo run, you also need to do warmup and cool down
for the Interval workout. Roughly the total distance is about
10K-12K for the interval workout except the tapering weeks.
There are a few races listed in the plan, noticed that you actually
train through the race, with the race taking the place of the tempo
run mostly and as in the case of Bidor, it is considered a long run.
You won't be making PR or race your best in those races, simply
there isn't enough taper. But those races aren't your goal race
in the first place.
The weekly milage totals about 55K per week, if that is too high
for you, skip all those easy runs, or slightly cut short the long runs.
If you don't have some base, this program is not easy. Doing 3 Quality
run per week is really tiring and very prone to injury. Back off if
things back fire (this goes to me especially!)
Hope it help, Good luck!
Crank on.
P/S: Somehow, the table shows way way below, you reallly have to
scroll down to see it!
Week | Date | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun | Total K per week | Comment |
1 | 9/3 | Rest | Tempo 6K5 Q2 | Easy5K | Int 5X600m (1minRI) Q3 | Easy5K | Rest | LongRun20K Q1 | 50 | |
2 | 16/3 | Rest | Tempo 8k Q2 | Easy5K | Int 6X600m, (1minRI) Q3 | Easy5K | Rest | LongRun22K Q1 | 55 | |
3 | 23/3 | Rest | Tempo 6K5 Q2 | Easy5K | Int 7X600m (1minRI) Q3 | Easy5K | Rest | LongRun25K Q1 | 55 | |
4 | 30/3 | Rest | Tempo 8K Q2 | Easy5K | Int 8X600m (1minRI) Q3 | Rest | Rest | LongRun27K Q1 * | 55 | |
5 | 6/4 | Rest | Tempo 10K Q2 | Easy5K | Int 4X800m (1:30minRI) Q3 | Easy5K | Rest | LongRun22K Q1 | 55 | |
6 | 13/4 | Rest | Tempo 8K Q2 | Easy5K | Int5X800m (1:30min RI) Q3 | Rest | Rest | LongRun30K Q1 ** | 57 | |
7 | 20/4 | Rest | Tempo 10K Q2 | Easy7K | Int6X800m (1min RI) Q3 | Rest | Rest | Bidor 21K Q1 | 50 | |
8 | 27/4 | Rest | Tempo 6K5 Q2 | Easy7K | Int 4X1200m (2minRI) Q3 | Rest | Rest | LongRun27K Q1 * | 57 | |
9 | 4/5 | Rest | Int 4X1200m (1:30minRI) Q3 | Easy8K | LongRun20K Q1 | Rest | Rest | Bomba 10K Q2 | 50 | |
10 | 11/5 | Rest | Int 4X1200m (1minRI)Q3 | Easy8K | LongRun20K Q1 | Rest | Rest | NB 15K Q2 | 55 | |
11 | 18/5 | Rest | Tempo 8K Q2 | Easy5K | Int5X1200m (1minRI) Q3 | Rest | Rest | LongRun30K Q1 ** | 57 | |
12 | 25/5 | Rest | Tempo 15K Q2 | Easy7K | Int 4X1600m (1minRI) Q3 | Easy5K | Rest | LongRun25K Q1 | 65 | |
13 | 1/6 | Rest | Tempo 8K Q2 | Rest | Int 4X1600m (1minRI)Q3 | Rest | Rest | 32K longest long Run Q1 *** | 55 | |
14 | 8/6 | Rest | Tempo 10K Q2 | Rest | Int6X800m (1minRI) Q3 | Rest | Rest | LongRun21K Q1 | 45 | |
15 | 15/6 | Rest | Tempo 5K Q3 | Rest | Int6X800m (1minRI) Q1 | Rest | Rest | 15K Q2 | 30 | |
16 | 22/6 | Rest | Tempo 3K Q3 | Rest | Int4X600m (1minRI) Q2 | Rest | Rest | KLIM42K Q1 | 55 |
Monday, March 16, 2009
Be a Runner, Be a Better You!
I just talked my elder brother into signing up the 10k
race in the upcoming inaugural Standard Chartered KL Marathon,
which is going to be his first race ever.
For regular runners like most of us, running or racing
a 10Ker doesn't seem to be such a big deal, after all, we do
it all the time. However, we mustn't forget that signing up for the
first 10K or any race, is a huge leap forward in the journey
of SELF REALIZATION to being a runner.
In fact, it might be the very first step that kicks start
the transformation process that will eventually turn
one into a health fanatic from a coach potato, into a runner from a jogger,
or into one's own hero from a zero.
xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
On reflection on my path of becoming a running, I think that the most
critical period for any success in running is the beginning stage.
This is the period that the habit of running has not been ingrained deeply into
one's life yet. Hence, this is the period that PERSISTENCE and CONSISTENCY
is needed most as one hasn't learned to enjoy running yet, in fact,
at this period, running could be likely a very tortouring act.
At this stage, it is likely that one can't run very far.
Don't worry!
Just run comfortably or take walk break if required.
It doesn't matter how long one could run at this stage, the key point is to run
everyday and slowly build up the duration of the run.
Forget about how far one can run, just concentrate on running for the time.
Be very patient!!!
Unless one is very fit to begin with, everyone else of the normal mortal
is likely to has inflicted some damage through years of abuse to the
body by practising things like smoking, drinking, overeating, etc.,
and it is not unusual that some time (sometime years) is needed
to undone all this damages.
Just go slow and steady! But never stop running!
Once running for a certain time daily becomes easier and more comfortable, increase the
duration of run slowly. Be particularly careful not to increase the duration of
the run too drastically, as it usually will lead to injury.
I couldn't stress more on the importance of PERSISTENCE AND CONSISTENCY.
Forgets about what others are telling, keep running everyday!
At this stage, if one could find an excuse not to run on a particular day,
one will find another reason not to run on the following day too.
The MAGIC bullet is not to make it an exception. Everyday is a running day
no matter what. Even when things are really tough and times are really rough,
force oneself for at least a 15 minutes run.
The point is not about the benefit of that 15 minutes run,
BUT OF NOT MAKING IT AN EXCEPTION OF NOT RUNNING!!!
BE COMPULSIVE!!!
BE OBSESSIVE!!!
xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
If one follows this and keeps running for a long enough period of time,
some strange things usually happen.
One starts ENJOYING the run!!!
Slowly and unconsciously, running will become the CLIMAX of the day.
It becomes something one really looking forward to while working,
attending meetings, doing chores, etc.
It becomes the most enjoyable activity of the day instead of a
punishing act as before.
It becomes one's friend that one relies on whole heartedly.
It gives one cheers and it makes one happy.
It becomes one's best companion as it is something
one can always fall back to when things doesn't seem to go one's way.
It becomes one's refuge when time get rough and things aren't right.
It becomes one's solid reason to refrain and abstain from
damaging substance like smoking and drinking.
It becomes everything that is good ....
All the sudden, one realizes that running is the best thing that happens
and it becomes one of the best attribute of one's characteristic.
xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
Once one gets into the previous mentioned stage of running, running becomes one's
second nature. The identity of being a runner will slowly and definitely
takes precedence of everyhing else.
One starts relates oneself as a runner more than anything else, be it
a programmer, an engineer, or a chef.
One starts browsing all the running related sites on the web,
at the same time, transferring all those running books stored on the
local book store shelves home. In the process, not only one becomes
more knowledgable about running , but also becomes a far better
learner in all aspect of life.
One starts researching and experimenting on the different runs and workouts
that presumably would train the different exercise physiological systems.
The terminologies such as tempo run, interval, VO2max, lactate threshold,
cruise interval, recovery run, cruise tempo, fartlek, etc.,
that once sounds like a foreign language vocabularies eventually becomes familiar.
One starts eating a certain kind of food while avoiding others, all because one
hopes to shed off a few unwanted pounds, hopefully that will result
in finishing with a shinning PR the next time that one races.
One also starts going to bed early, skipping all those once faithfully followed
soup operas or late night super bowls, so that the body would recover faster
from the weary repititions of the evening's interval workout and thus
better ready for the next two day's grueling marathon pace long run.
One would abstain from any alcohol, sweet, ice cream, soda...
one would train and train endlessly...
one would dedicated a few years of perspiration and inspiration...
in fact, one would do any damn thing on earth just to hope that it
would give the body an slight edge so that the next race will be completed
in a few seconds faster.
xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
And if one thinks that is all the package that comes together with running,
thinks again!!!
The ripple of changes seem to propagates to all aspect of life...
One tends to be more efficient at work and completes all assignments in
lighting-speed so that one could head out the door and hit the road before
dinner is served.
One becomes calmer and more tactful in dealing with stressful situations,
as one naturally avoids any conflicts and definitely stop creating
any, after all, isn't the marathon training already stressful enough,
who wants more?
Through a two-hour long run, one understands one's running patner far better
than one would from a whole night of dine and wine and bull. One values
and enjoys the commarderie of one's patner and becomes
a far better companion in return. Very soon, one
finds that one is surrounded by a whole gang of friends who share
one's interest and passion of running.
At the last few miles of the marathon, one starts digging deep
down into one's soul, searching for the revital source of energy
to would yet to push just another step, as the glycogen store
is fully depleted and the legs are long dead by then; during those miles,
one learns to be humble and realizes that there are things that are much
bigger, greater and more significant than oneself, and one has to
let go and start believing, as it is the faith in whatever above
oneself that would carry one through the agony of those late miles...
At this stage, one reach out and extends oneself not only on the physical
horizon, but also on the mental, emotional and spiritual dimension.
IT IS AT THIS STAGE THAT A BETTER ONESELF HAS EMERGED!
ONE BECOMES FASTER, STRONGER, FITTER, HEALTHIER, HAPPIER ....
ONE SIMPLY BECOMES A BETTER PERSON!!!!
But until then,
ONE HAS TO TAKE THE VERY FIRST STEP OF STARTING THE RUN OF TODAY.
Every journey of thousand miles begin and continues with the single
step that one takes at this moment.
xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
Don't just sign up that 10K race and sit back doing nothing!
Let that upcoming race be the motivation to push both the mind and
the body to train hard.
Let that upcoming race be the beacon of light that keep life into perspective
and on the right track.
Let that upcoming race be a goal of today and the benchmark of future performance.
Let that race day becomes the D-DAY that is aimed at today, and let it the
the GLORY day that would be remembered in the distant future.
NOW,
LACE THAT SHOE and
GET your ass ON THAT MILL
or
GET OUT OF that damn DOOR
and
BE A RUNNER! BE A BETTER YOU!
Crank on.
race in the upcoming inaugural Standard Chartered KL Marathon,
which is going to be his first race ever.
For regular runners like most of us, running or racing
a 10Ker doesn't seem to be such a big deal, after all, we do
it all the time. However, we mustn't forget that signing up for the
first 10K or any race, is a huge leap forward in the journey
of SELF REALIZATION to being a runner.
In fact, it might be the very first step that kicks start
the transformation process that will eventually turn
one into a health fanatic from a coach potato, into a runner from a jogger,
or into one's own hero from a zero.
xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
On reflection on my path of becoming a running, I think that the most
critical period for any success in running is the beginning stage.
This is the period that the habit of running has not been ingrained deeply into
one's life yet. Hence, this is the period that PERSISTENCE and CONSISTENCY
is needed most as one hasn't learned to enjoy running yet, in fact,
at this period, running could be likely a very tortouring act.
At this stage, it is likely that one can't run very far.
Don't worry!
Just run comfortably or take walk break if required.
It doesn't matter how long one could run at this stage, the key point is to run
everyday and slowly build up the duration of the run.
Forget about how far one can run, just concentrate on running for the time.
Be very patient!!!
Unless one is very fit to begin with, everyone else of the normal mortal
is likely to has inflicted some damage through years of abuse to the
body by practising things like smoking, drinking, overeating, etc.,
and it is not unusual that some time (sometime years) is needed
to undone all this damages.
Just go slow and steady! But never stop running!
Once running for a certain time daily becomes easier and more comfortable, increase the
duration of run slowly. Be particularly careful not to increase the duration of
the run too drastically, as it usually will lead to injury.
I couldn't stress more on the importance of PERSISTENCE AND CONSISTENCY.
Forgets about what others are telling, keep running everyday!
At this stage, if one could find an excuse not to run on a particular day,
one will find another reason not to run on the following day too.
The MAGIC bullet is not to make it an exception. Everyday is a running day
no matter what. Even when things are really tough and times are really rough,
force oneself for at least a 15 minutes run.
The point is not about the benefit of that 15 minutes run,
BUT OF NOT MAKING IT AN EXCEPTION OF NOT RUNNING!!!
BE COMPULSIVE!!!
BE OBSESSIVE!!!
xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
If one follows this and keeps running for a long enough period of time,
some strange things usually happen.
One starts ENJOYING the run!!!
Slowly and unconsciously, running will become the CLIMAX of the day.
It becomes something one really looking forward to while working,
attending meetings, doing chores, etc.
It becomes the most enjoyable activity of the day instead of a
punishing act as before.
It becomes one's friend that one relies on whole heartedly.
It gives one cheers and it makes one happy.
It becomes one's best companion as it is something
one can always fall back to when things doesn't seem to go one's way.
It becomes one's refuge when time get rough and things aren't right.
It becomes one's solid reason to refrain and abstain from
damaging substance like smoking and drinking.
It becomes everything that is good ....
All the sudden, one realizes that running is the best thing that happens
and it becomes one of the best attribute of one's characteristic.
xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
Once one gets into the previous mentioned stage of running, running becomes one's
second nature. The identity of being a runner will slowly and definitely
takes precedence of everyhing else.
One starts relates oneself as a runner more than anything else, be it
a programmer, an engineer, or a chef.
One starts browsing all the running related sites on the web,
at the same time, transferring all those running books stored on the
local book store shelves home. In the process, not only one becomes
more knowledgable about running , but also becomes a far better
learner in all aspect of life.
One starts researching and experimenting on the different runs and workouts
that presumably would train the different exercise physiological systems.
The terminologies such as tempo run, interval, VO2max, lactate threshold,
cruise interval, recovery run, cruise tempo, fartlek, etc.,
that once sounds like a foreign language vocabularies eventually becomes familiar.
One starts eating a certain kind of food while avoiding others, all because one
hopes to shed off a few unwanted pounds, hopefully that will result
in finishing with a shinning PR the next time that one races.
One also starts going to bed early, skipping all those once faithfully followed
soup operas or late night super bowls, so that the body would recover faster
from the weary repititions of the evening's interval workout and thus
better ready for the next two day's grueling marathon pace long run.
One would abstain from any alcohol, sweet, ice cream, soda...
one would train and train endlessly...
one would dedicated a few years of perspiration and inspiration...
in fact, one would do any damn thing on earth just to hope that it
would give the body an slight edge so that the next race will be completed
in a few seconds faster.
xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
And if one thinks that is all the package that comes together with running,
thinks again!!!
The ripple of changes seem to propagates to all aspect of life...
One tends to be more efficient at work and completes all assignments in
lighting-speed so that one could head out the door and hit the road before
dinner is served.
One becomes calmer and more tactful in dealing with stressful situations,
as one naturally avoids any conflicts and definitely stop creating
any, after all, isn't the marathon training already stressful enough,
who wants more?
Through a two-hour long run, one understands one's running patner far better
than one would from a whole night of dine and wine and bull. One values
and enjoys the commarderie of one's patner and becomes
a far better companion in return. Very soon, one
finds that one is surrounded by a whole gang of friends who share
one's interest and passion of running.
At the last few miles of the marathon, one starts digging deep
down into one's soul, searching for the revital source of energy
to would yet to push just another step, as the glycogen store
is fully depleted and the legs are long dead by then; during those miles,
one learns to be humble and realizes that there are things that are much
bigger, greater and more significant than oneself, and one has to
let go and start believing, as it is the faith in whatever above
oneself that would carry one through the agony of those late miles...
At this stage, one reach out and extends oneself not only on the physical
horizon, but also on the mental, emotional and spiritual dimension.
IT IS AT THIS STAGE THAT A BETTER ONESELF HAS EMERGED!
ONE BECOMES FASTER, STRONGER, FITTER, HEALTHIER, HAPPIER ....
ONE SIMPLY BECOMES A BETTER PERSON!!!!
But until then,
ONE HAS TO TAKE THE VERY FIRST STEP OF STARTING THE RUN OF TODAY.
Every journey of thousand miles begin and continues with the single
step that one takes at this moment.
xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx
Don't just sign up that 10K race and sit back doing nothing!
Let that upcoming race be the motivation to push both the mind and
the body to train hard.
Let that upcoming race be the beacon of light that keep life into perspective
and on the right track.
Let that upcoming race be a goal of today and the benchmark of future performance.
Let that race day becomes the D-DAY that is aimed at today, and let it the
the GLORY day that would be remembered in the distant future.
NOW,
LACE THAT SHOE and
GET your ass ON THAT MILL
or
GET OUT OF that damn DOOR
and
BE A RUNNER! BE A BETTER YOU!
Crank on.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
645
Today my magic number is 645.
645!!!
Every moment this number crossed my mind,
or mumbled in my mouth, I broke into a
smile, with sense of pride and deep satisfaction aroused.
645!!!
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
645 it is! Or rather it is 6:45!
It is the time that I completed my second 1600m time trial on Sunday evening.
Never mind the fact that I know someone out there could do it in
less than 4 minutes, and never mind that some fast runners out there will
burst into thunderous laughter when they read Mill-Runner clocked a 645 mile
and still make it sounds like big deal.
BUT 645 IS MY TIME, and it is darn relevant to me.
And above all, I am proud of it!!!
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
If you asked me before how fast I could run a mile, honestly,
I have no idea. I ran 10 marathons, many halfs, 10Kers and 5Kers,
but never had I have a chance to run a 1600m (BTW, a mile is 1609.34m,
or you could think of it as 1.61k, just about 10 meters more than the
distance covered in 4 standard track laps. I know that the .01K isn't
much, but you know how loony an obsessive runner can be about
getting the EXACT distance. Well, if I run the 1600m in 6:45,
then it would have cost me another 2 seconds to cover that extra 10 meters,
and it means I would have run a 6:47mile instead).
This 6:45 1600m was actually my second attempt of the distance.
My first attempt dated few weeks ago when I suddenly decided
to give track running a try. On the first day running on
the oval, I have done a 5K time trial. It was a very hot morning
(frankly, I overslept and was doing that 5Ker at about 10:30am,
and in a tropical country like Malaysia, the sun is blazing hot
by then). That was a really torturing 5ker, and for some moments,
I wasn't even sure I could complete that. I ended up
a 24:45 for the 5ker, somewhat a minute slower than planned.
After the recovery, the obsessive part of me kicked in again, and
I started doing another 4 laps of time trial, and not surprising,
with a disappointing 7:21.
From then onwards, I always wondered if I could break 7:00 if the
weather wasn't that hot and/or I haven't tired myself first with the
5ker time trial before the mile trial.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Yesterday, while I brought along my sons running on the track,
I decided to give the mile another try. After the warm up( I am
not sure the last lap of the warm up could be classified as warm up,
as I was running it way way faster than a warm up run should
have been, I did it in 1:34), I started the first lap with a goal of
breaking the 7:00.
I knew that I supposed to be able to break that 7:00
as McMillan Calculator predicted 6:50, but I haven't done it before
and I was keen to know whether I could actually do it.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
The first lap didn't feel as easy as it should have been and it was
alarming. I could feel that my legs were heavier than usual
after that stupid 1:34 'warm up' lap. My confidence started shattering.
I was holding back after the second straight of the first lap and
split a 1:47 for the first lap, somewhat 2 seconds slower
than the 1:45 planned split.
Having fall short by 2 seconds, I knew that I needed to give
a harder effort or the 700 was gone forever. I picked up the
pace while held it under control. The second lap was hard alright,
but still comfortable and I split an exact 1:45.
Now came the fierce third lap. This is the lap that make or
break the 700. It is also the lap that the urge to slowdown
or quit altogether raises its ugly head.
This is the lap that testifies the determination, that is
the lap that defines me... THIS IS THE LAP!
I knew it was going to be a TOUGH lap.
From the Polar HRM log, my HR long ago crossed the 175 boarder
line. I started to feel the tightness on my chess. My legs
were dead, and worst of all, I knew I have at least another lap to go.
I mumbled my mantra "IT SUPPOSE TO BE PAINFUL, IT SUPPOSE TO BE HARD ..."
While enduring the fatique, I clocked a 1:41 for the
third and I knew that the 7:00 was secured.
The last lap was always torturing (if it wasn't, then I am
surely not giving my best), but it was also so close to the finish
that I keep telling myself " almost there, almost there ... ".
I could still remember the sprint that I did on the last straight
of the last lap. I was clearly leaving all out on the track and
GIVING MY BEST SHOT.
When I pressed the big RED button on the watch,
it showed 1:32 and a total time of 6:45!!!
YES, I did it!!!
Not only did I broke the 700, but I surpassed McMillan prediction
by 5 seconds. And immediately, the sense of pride, the
bliss of happiness rushed through the vein and lasted even
till now.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
While I was typing this on the PC, I could felt the constant pain of
my right gluteus, and my right plantar were sore as hell while
I walked the first step (obviously, that 645 1600m has aggravated
my nagging injuries, another evidence proving how silly
an obsessive runner can be). But the moment I typed in a 645,
a smile cracked and lingered on my lips...
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Now, while I endure the pain on the butt and heel, I keep wondering how fast
I can run the mile if I haven't run that 1:34 warm up lap, or
I haven't done that 12Ker the morning before the mile time trial.
Better still, how fast I can run the mile if I properly train
for it and successfully getting rid of all nagging
injuries and taper sufficiently.
While I wonder on the possibility of a 630, my eyes gaze far
across the oceans into the 6min mile....
Crank on.
645!!!
Every moment this number crossed my mind,
or mumbled in my mouth, I broke into a
smile, with sense of pride and deep satisfaction aroused.
645!!!
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
645 it is! Or rather it is 6:45!
It is the time that I completed my second 1600m time trial on Sunday evening.
Never mind the fact that I know someone out there could do it in
less than 4 minutes, and never mind that some fast runners out there will
burst into thunderous laughter when they read Mill-Runner clocked a 645 mile
and still make it sounds like big deal.
BUT 645 IS MY TIME, and it is darn relevant to me.
And above all, I am proud of it!!!
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
If you asked me before how fast I could run a mile, honestly,
I have no idea. I ran 10 marathons, many halfs, 10Kers and 5Kers,
but never had I have a chance to run a 1600m (BTW, a mile is 1609.34m,
or you could think of it as 1.61k, just about 10 meters more than the
distance covered in 4 standard track laps. I know that the .01K isn't
much, but you know how loony an obsessive runner can be about
getting the EXACT distance. Well, if I run the 1600m in 6:45,
then it would have cost me another 2 seconds to cover that extra 10 meters,
and it means I would have run a 6:47mile instead).
This 6:45 1600m was actually my second attempt of the distance.
My first attempt dated few weeks ago when I suddenly decided
to give track running a try. On the first day running on
the oval, I have done a 5K time trial. It was a very hot morning
(frankly, I overslept and was doing that 5Ker at about 10:30am,
and in a tropical country like Malaysia, the sun is blazing hot
by then). That was a really torturing 5ker, and for some moments,
I wasn't even sure I could complete that. I ended up
a 24:45 for the 5ker, somewhat a minute slower than planned.
After the recovery, the obsessive part of me kicked in again, and
I started doing another 4 laps of time trial, and not surprising,
with a disappointing 7:21.
From then onwards, I always wondered if I could break 7:00 if the
weather wasn't that hot and/or I haven't tired myself first with the
5ker time trial before the mile trial.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Yesterday, while I brought along my sons running on the track,
I decided to give the mile another try. After the warm up( I am
not sure the last lap of the warm up could be classified as warm up,
as I was running it way way faster than a warm up run should
have been, I did it in 1:34), I started the first lap with a goal of
breaking the 7:00.
I knew that I supposed to be able to break that 7:00
as McMillan Calculator predicted 6:50, but I haven't done it before
and I was keen to know whether I could actually do it.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
The first lap didn't feel as easy as it should have been and it was
alarming. I could feel that my legs were heavier than usual
after that stupid 1:34 'warm up' lap. My confidence started shattering.
I was holding back after the second straight of the first lap and
split a 1:47 for the first lap, somewhat 2 seconds slower
than the 1:45 planned split.
Having fall short by 2 seconds, I knew that I needed to give
a harder effort or the 700 was gone forever. I picked up the
pace while held it under control. The second lap was hard alright,
but still comfortable and I split an exact 1:45.
Now came the fierce third lap. This is the lap that make or
break the 700. It is also the lap that the urge to slowdown
or quit altogether raises its ugly head.
This is the lap that testifies the determination, that is
the lap that defines me... THIS IS THE LAP!
I knew it was going to be a TOUGH lap.
From the Polar HRM log, my HR long ago crossed the 175 boarder
line. I started to feel the tightness on my chess. My legs
were dead, and worst of all, I knew I have at least another lap to go.
I mumbled my mantra "IT SUPPOSE TO BE PAINFUL, IT SUPPOSE TO BE HARD ..."
While enduring the fatique, I clocked a 1:41 for the
third and I knew that the 7:00 was secured.
The last lap was always torturing (if it wasn't, then I am
surely not giving my best), but it was also so close to the finish
that I keep telling myself " almost there, almost there ... ".
I could still remember the sprint that I did on the last straight
of the last lap. I was clearly leaving all out on the track and
GIVING MY BEST SHOT.
When I pressed the big RED button on the watch,
it showed 1:32 and a total time of 6:45!!!
YES, I did it!!!
Not only did I broke the 700, but I surpassed McMillan prediction
by 5 seconds. And immediately, the sense of pride, the
bliss of happiness rushed through the vein and lasted even
till now.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
While I was typing this on the PC, I could felt the constant pain of
my right gluteus, and my right plantar were sore as hell while
I walked the first step (obviously, that 645 1600m has aggravated
my nagging injuries, another evidence proving how silly
an obsessive runner can be). But the moment I typed in a 645,
a smile cracked and lingered on my lips...
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Now, while I endure the pain on the butt and heel, I keep wondering how fast
I can run the mile if I haven't run that 1:34 warm up lap, or
I haven't done that 12Ker the morning before the mile time trial.
Better still, how fast I can run the mile if I properly train
for it and successfully getting rid of all nagging
injuries and taper sufficiently.
While I wonder on the possibility of a 630, my eyes gaze far
across the oceans into the 6min mile....
Crank on.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Dispute On KL Marathon 2009 Resolved
KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- The dispute on the organising of the inaugural Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 has finally been resolved when the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) and the Federal Territory Amateur Athletics Union (FTAAU) reached a decision at a meeting on Tuesday.
MAAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the MAAU would act as the organisers of the championship to be held on June 28 while the FTAAU would collaborate in terms of giving technical assistance.
"Whatever problems that cropped up with the FTAAU have been resolved at the meeting amicably for mutual benefits," he told reporters here Tuesday.
He hoped the inaugural event would attract 12,000 participants from within and outside the country.
Shahidan said the MAAU was now waiting for the licence from the Sports Commissioner's Office and hoped it would be approved immediately because the problem with the FTAAU had been resolved.
The dispute started when the FTAAU, which is also an affiliate of the MAAU, claimed that the KL International Marathon (KLIM) was the brainchild of the FTAAU since it was introduced in 1984 and the hosting of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon by the national parent body was akin to robbing its right.
-- BERNAMA
MAAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the MAAU would act as the organisers of the championship to be held on June 28 while the FTAAU would collaborate in terms of giving technical assistance.
"Whatever problems that cropped up with the FTAAU have been resolved at the meeting amicably for mutual benefits," he told reporters here Tuesday.
He hoped the inaugural event would attract 12,000 participants from within and outside the country.
Shahidan said the MAAU was now waiting for the licence from the Sports Commissioner's Office and hoped it would be approved immediately because the problem with the FTAAU had been resolved.
The dispute started when the FTAAU, which is also an affiliate of the MAAU, claimed that the KL International Marathon (KLIM) was the brainchild of the FTAAU since it was introduced in 1984 and the hosting of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon by the national parent body was akin to robbing its right.
-- BERNAMA
Dispute On KL Marathon 2009 Resolved
KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- The dispute on the organising of the inaugural Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 has finally been resolved when the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) and the Federal Territory Amateur Athletics Union (FTAAU) reached a decision at a meeting on Tuesday.
MAAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the MAAU would act as the organisers of the championship to be held on June 28 while the FTAAU would collaborate in terms of giving technical assistance.
"Whatever problems that cropped up with the FTAAU have been resolved at the meeting amicably for mutual benefits," he told reporters here Tuesday.
He hoped the inaugural event would attract 12,000 participants from within and outside the country.
Shahidan said the MAAU was now waiting for the licence from the Sports Commissioner's Office and hoped it would be approved immediately because the problem with the FTAAU had been resolved.
The dispute started when the FTAAU, which is also an affiliate of the MAAU, claimed that the KL International Marathon (KLIM) was the brainchild of the FTAAU since it was introduced in 1984 and the hosting of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon by the national parent body was akin to robbing its right.
-- BERNAMA
MAAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the MAAU would act as the organisers of the championship to be held on June 28 while the FTAAU would collaborate in terms of giving technical assistance.
"Whatever problems that cropped up with the FTAAU have been resolved at the meeting amicably for mutual benefits," he told reporters here Tuesday.
He hoped the inaugural event would attract 12,000 participants from within and outside the country.
Shahidan said the MAAU was now waiting for the licence from the Sports Commissioner's Office and hoped it would be approved immediately because the problem with the FTAAU had been resolved.
The dispute started when the FTAAU, which is also an affiliate of the MAAU, claimed that the KL International Marathon (KLIM) was the brainchild of the FTAAU since it was introduced in 1984 and the hosting of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon by the national parent body was akin to robbing its right.
-- BERNAMA