Work almost got the better of me...

With work commitments going off the top, i started training at about 11pm. Did a 40min cycle with a 20min run. Had to follow heart rate (HR) which was really tough as i would have normally pushed hard and as fast as i can. Patience is a virtue right? Let's see.

To go fast go slow

Today is my first day of training using Racers Toolbox's programme. Its kinda of funny that not training hard and furious as i normally would. Only time will tell. This is really a journey of discovery. Patience is a virtue and i've got very little of that just right now... however, i'm willing to let this whole experience unfold into my goal of completing the aviva half iron-man in 2010.

See you there if you're going.

Puncture, Peel and Pain on the Deepavali ride

940pm we left casurina and decided to head coastal, the long route. In my mind i was wondering if i could make back for a midnight movie. After deciding coastal, it fell from my need list i guess. Adjusted my seat 1cm higher as i felt as if i was squatting as i spun to the FUP. Winz and Elgin was already there and after the quick adjustment to the seat cycled into the dark of the upper Pierce Reservoir Road...

As we headed towards Seng Kang, winz discovered that his ride was getting a little soft. We stopped to check and his turbular rear had a flat. 23km into the ride on the side of the road and jo refused to provide service recovery. But for good reason of course... babies not asleep and babies are definately above bikes.

No worries there was super E. Faster then the rolling O able to leap capital T in a single bound and before you knew it, she was there. That was the easy part. She brought the bike rack but failed to bring 2 important components... the straps. duh. No worries, we figured another way to fix up the bikes.

We gave winz a life back and on the way decided to get some grub. Found a coffee shop near Winz place and had one of the best tasting hor funs you can find at 1230pm in the night. They even provide delivery service believe it or not. Anyways... got home and discovered the2nd P. Peeling... i was sure i fixed the bike firmly on the rack, but obviously not firmly enuf. Cos it was off the rubber piece when i got home and the paint had peeled off 2 parts. That was when the pain came... arrrgggghhh stab in the heart kind of a pain.

sigh - my beautiful bike.

Time to do a little RND about the paint work.

No pain No Gain myth.

Had an afternoon nap after fetching the boys from berries. They knocked out in the car and made me want to do the same. So a nap i did take... then called gin and vic to see if they were keen on a ride in the night.

Elgin is getting stronger and thats great... will make a strong rider if he keeps going the way of the jedi - force is getting stronger.

the ride was super short and as much as i'd like to think its the bike, i remember that its really not about the bike... ok training is in order. lol. As soon as my popliteus tendon heals, it'll be build up time.

Every slope seemed longer then usual... nose was leaking, not sure if it were the cold, stomach was pretty full from the late dinner just before the ride... ok ok bad combination before the ride... well tell that to enthusiasm.

Learned something from physio this week... pain is very often an indication of the load we ought not to bear... sometimes we might over train and instead of getting stronger injure ourselves... so find out first. So much for all in the mind huh? Well perhaps not all the time... u need to know your body so that we ultimately don't kill ourselves whilst trying to have fun.

Another firsts... on the destiny.

destiny mileage to date: 75km.

On doctors orders to only spin on the bike, no standing in the saddle and gone is my hope for 70.3 next year as my popliteus tendon needs recovery. Last nights ride was pretty exhausting especially with Elgin who has been losing weight, gaining stamina and becoming more experienced... the force is strong with this one. It was great fun but tiring... hopefully all of us stay away today.

For the first time in 3 years that i travelled this crossing just before Kranji dam, we saw a passing train... we ended up having soy bean at the famous race course Tao Huay diagonally opposite peace centre. Boy was i tired. By the time we crawled home, it was about 1240ish.

Its really not about the bike...

Back in 2005 i remember a friend aged 22, who just recovered from cancer and passing me this book told me i should read it. I knew it was going to inspire me, but before i knew it, i was glued to the book which also eventually got me riding after 15years off the saddle. In those early stages of getting on the bike again... every time i climbed the hills or just trying to keep up with the guys on the front... i always reminded myself that it was really not about the bike and how i needed to get myself fit again. As craftsmen, we cannot blame our tools...

Thanks to some very encouraging and nice guys like rock & roll josh and ivan who were instrumental in assimilating me into a peleton - truly grateful.

Its been 3 years now and i'm trying to break out of another period of slackness... come join me wherever you are. Lets get out there and catch a little sun.

The road is calling.

Video Snippet..

I wanted to see how i looked on in the tri position so as to make adjustments... they said my back was pretty flat... is this too flat out? Was also wondering whether if it was natural to have my thighs hitting my stomach as i peddled.

Hope to sort out these things in days to come.

Thanks Winz, who was kind enough to shoot this short clip for me to take a look and hopefully make some adjustments.