I discovered this word in the Astro Wah Lai Toi series - The Gem of Life. I did not understand the meaning as was expressed by one of the main characters - when she had met the man of her life but kept spurning him because her younger sister just married the man's father... well one of my greatest enjoyment of soap operas on Astro's chinese channel is its complexity :-) heheh.. anyway, it is a nice word. 5 syllable and meaningful, rarely used...
serendipity
–noun
1. an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.
2. good fortune; luck: the serendipity of getting the first job she applied for.
1754 (but rare before 20c.), coined by Horace Walpole (1717-92) in a letter to Mann (dated Jan. 28); he said he formed it from the Persian fairy tale "The Three Princes of Serendip," whose heroes "were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of." The name is from Serendip, an old name for Ceylon (modern Sri Lanka), from Arabic Sarandib, from Skt. Simhaladvipa "Dwelling-Place-of-Lions Island." Serendipitous formed c.1950.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
1000km in 2010
This weekend, I finally broke my own momentum - every weekend I have been training at least 10-30km in either races or runs since October (a few weeks before Penang Half Marathon). This is the first weekend, I just felt too lethargic... anyway, it was no consolation that my feet were heavy and I had another long evening at a great wedding dinner of a lovely couple (congrats to Wes & Aor!!!) and was on those 3.5 inch heels again.
Training
2 x 5kms weekly gym
10km weekend
=36 weeks = 720km
(3 out of 4 weeks in a month!)
Races
17 Jan = NB 30km
7 Feb = Putrajaya 42km
27 Mar = Energizer 21km
25 Apr = Bidor 21km
16 May = Pacesetters 15km
29 May = Sundown 42km
13 Jun = Phuket 21km
27 Jun = KLIM 21km
21 Nov = Penang Bridge Marathon 42km
5 Dec = Singapore Marthon 21km
12 Dec = Malakoff 12km
=288 km
== 1008 km!!
I think it is a reasonable goal!!!
Summary
++1000km
==6hr marathon, 2hr 30 half marathon, 65mins 10km
++ 100hrs of strength training (8hrs + per mth of strength training)
--5kg of weight
In any case, I am still committed to doing the Putrajaya run, regardless of how ready I am...
Training
2 x 5kms weekly gym
10km weekend
=36 weeks = 720km
(3 out of 4 weeks in a month!)
Races
17 Jan = NB 30km
7 Feb = Putrajaya 42km
27 Mar = Energizer 21km
25 Apr = Bidor 21km
16 May = Pacesetters 15km
29 May = Sundown 42km
13 Jun = Phuket 21km
27 Jun = KLIM 21km
21 Nov = Penang Bridge Marathon 42km
5 Dec = Singapore Marthon 21km
12 Dec = Malakoff 12km
=288 km
== 1008 km!!
I think it is a reasonable goal!!!
Summary
++1000km
==6hr marathon, 2hr 30 half marathon, 65mins 10km
++ 100hrs of strength training (8hrs + per mth of strength training)
--5kg of weight
Sunday, January 17, 2010
NB 30km - my maiden 30km run ..
After approximately 4+ years of running races, and three "bad" marathons under the belt, I could not believe that I actually felt nervous on the eve of this race. Anything above 10km still makes me feel nervous..
Truth #1 - this was my first 30km race. 2006 when I first started joining the GE race, my first 20km race then, I clocked my best 20km time and then 2007, deteriorated (but still 20km), 2008 even further deteriorated (and still 20km), and 2009, DNS because too busy with work.
Truth #2 - this was really the most prepared longer distance race (longer than 20km) I had ever been - I had done a slew of end 2009 races - from Mizuno 11km, Klang 12km, Penang 21km, SCSM 21km, Malakoff 12km (hilly), Putrajaya 12 hr walk and at least 3-4 double hills and also last three weekends Hartamas 20km. In my history of running, I have never been so focussed.. and it was not even for this race. It is for the upcoming Putrajaya Night Marathon, and the "goal of the year", at least try to get under 6hr decently for a marathon. The only part in all these "training" was that I never made it past 20km.
Truth #3 - I even managed to sleep before 10pm the night before to get plenty of rest for this race, but I was nervous like hell - it was after all, almost 3/4 a marathon.
The day started pretty well - I managed to get a few good hours of sleep and woke up early as intended and drove to Bukit Aman at aroun 425am, getting there just in time to find a pretty good car park, it was almost full, another 10 more cars it would be full. Managed to walk to Padang Merbuk, had a chew of half a free Power Bar (this was probably a life saver also).. and made the loo before managing to at least meet Claire, who was running her first race after SCSM 21km.. thumbs up to her.
The route was horrendously hilly, but I had a newfound realisation - I actually sucked on downhills and did decently on uphills because of the increase in Hartamas runs meant my knee was sometimes more stressed during downhills and through the LSDs I also acquired a better appreciation of running up hills without walking. Because the route was a warped version of everything the Pacesetters team could throw at us, it was quite hard to determine the km distances.
For the first 10km, we ran through the palace through to Tugu back to Jalan Parlimen, and then the usual Pacesetters route to Hartamas took place. The first water stop was at the start of the Bukit Tunku hills, near the Arabic school, after Lanai Kijang / Bank Negara little hill. I'm glad I took some water at the first water stop, because it would be until almost 10km before the next water station. The next 2kms up to the crossover of Jalan Mahameru was very creepy as usual. I had only gone through this route in the dark with Per-li on one of the LSD runs when we were there before 7 and it was still dark. The thing about being dark was that this route was PITCH DARK. You could not see the runner probably 20feet away, and if you try to do so, to watch for the runners ahead, you will be straining your eye and it becomes dizzying after a while. The good thing was that all the way till Jalan Duta, it was like automation for me, because this was my regular training route (wow, I can actually say regular now!). With us having done about 2km upfront, the Jalan Duta point became approximately 7.5km, which was good news.
Meng ran past me at the istana, so I thought I was doing good, since the IM guys are all taking it slowly, but their slow is my really fast. Running through to Hartamas and at approximately 10km mark, Keat Seong said hi across the road. I was surprised because this meant I suspect they were about 5km ahead, which translated to me being very slow. By this time, I suspected that the water stations were not really ample, and actually contemplated stopping by Petronas for gatorade. It did not help that at least 4-5 people passed me with full bottles of gatorade on their hands, and I had to labor up to 10km to have a gel.
For 10-20km, it was rather uneventful, except that the 2km loop reversed did not deter me in circling hartamas, it was actually quite pleasant. At approximately near the new Istana, Boone overtook me and I joked to him this was sap sap sui compared to Klang Penembak run. The untaken route around the square was new, but relatively ok, so was the one around the lembaga peperiksaan. At the corner of the downhill from the loop, Chee Hon overtook me (he was running 20km) and nicely told me that the 30km route has additional loop .. heheh .. I chased him away ..
The first time I stopped to walk was really at the double hill, when I realised that in turning to the double hill route, there would be no water for a long long while and I was incredibly thirsty by then, having the last drink about 10km away. Displaying a lack of respect for double hill, I tried to run, but only managed to "slog" through up till the turning back down the hill, when again I got annoyed because the power bar guys gave away free gels , but there was NO WATER in sight. So in annoyance, I ran downhill a bit, every corner looking for the final merge and the water station.
So, down we went, got some excel isotonic, gulped my 2nd gel, and then felt an immediate stomach cramp so could not run for another 1km+.. which was ok because it was tijani 1 and then more hills..
To cut a long painful story short, I managed to jog the rest of the way there onwards, from 24km onwards.. I knew the race brings us back to Jalan Parlimen for another loop around bank negara.. and by then, I was just interested to come in before 4hrs 15mins qualifying..
Finished the race .. and guess what? No more finishers tee and no more milo. The no more milo annoyed me more because the 2nd loop around Jalan Parlimen I was dreaming of sugar boost of milo..
Halfway through the race, I was thinking of postphoning my first marathon for this year, Putrajaya Night Marathon. Finish of the race, Chee Hon reminded me via SMS that I could logically make it for a sub 6hr race if I could finish another 12km in under 1hr 50min. Which is indeed do-able...
Post race, I had the most amazing recovery - I was actually in more pain than 20km LSD runs, but recovered in less than 2hrs to feel really good, and up and about walking happily much less time than the LSD runs. What is the reason? I believe it was a few possible combination - having enough rest, a better dehydration the day before, and after the race (despite having little water during the race), my 2XU decompression shorts (maybe), the carbo load the night before, the power bar I ate before the race, and maybe even just adrenaline.
Whatever it is, I need to repeat this for another 12km in 3 weeks time or pull out...
PS - one interesting thing, I am beginning to appreciate the beauty of beautiful lights more during running. A few great photo-opps:
1) Bangunan Matrade - this building in the rising sun is just too pretty
2) The masjid up the first hill in route to Hartamas - this building is always awesome with the morning lights
3) Ray of sunshine along Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, between the crossover to the route through to Tugu. The sunshines through the three is usually split in rays, and if taken with a filter, it will come out magical
4) New- amazing leaves falling during the run just before tugu - the leaves being golden reflected the light nicely - just like those falling leaves in Avatar movie..
5) New- morning red clouds across the new istana negara, if only the construction can be avoided...
Truth #1 - this was my first 30km race. 2006 when I first started joining the GE race, my first 20km race then, I clocked my best 20km time and then 2007, deteriorated (but still 20km), 2008 even further deteriorated (and still 20km), and 2009, DNS because too busy with work.
Truth #2 - this was really the most prepared longer distance race (longer than 20km) I had ever been - I had done a slew of end 2009 races - from Mizuno 11km, Klang 12km, Penang 21km, SCSM 21km, Malakoff 12km (hilly), Putrajaya 12 hr walk and at least 3-4 double hills and also last three weekends Hartamas 20km. In my history of running, I have never been so focussed.. and it was not even for this race. It is for the upcoming Putrajaya Night Marathon, and the "goal of the year", at least try to get under 6hr decently for a marathon. The only part in all these "training" was that I never made it past 20km.
Truth #3 - I even managed to sleep before 10pm the night before to get plenty of rest for this race, but I was nervous like hell - it was after all, almost 3/4 a marathon.
The day started pretty well - I managed to get a few good hours of sleep and woke up early as intended and drove to Bukit Aman at aroun 425am, getting there just in time to find a pretty good car park, it was almost full, another 10 more cars it would be full. Managed to walk to Padang Merbuk, had a chew of half a free Power Bar (this was probably a life saver also).. and made the loo before managing to at least meet Claire, who was running her first race after SCSM 21km.. thumbs up to her.
The route was horrendously hilly, but I had a newfound realisation - I actually sucked on downhills and did decently on uphills because of the increase in Hartamas runs meant my knee was sometimes more stressed during downhills and through the LSDs I also acquired a better appreciation of running up hills without walking. Because the route was a warped version of everything the Pacesetters team could throw at us, it was quite hard to determine the km distances.
For the first 10km, we ran through the palace through to Tugu back to Jalan Parlimen, and then the usual Pacesetters route to Hartamas took place. The first water stop was at the start of the Bukit Tunku hills, near the Arabic school, after Lanai Kijang / Bank Negara little hill. I'm glad I took some water at the first water stop, because it would be until almost 10km before the next water station. The next 2kms up to the crossover of Jalan Mahameru was very creepy as usual. I had only gone through this route in the dark with Per-li on one of the LSD runs when we were there before 7 and it was still dark. The thing about being dark was that this route was PITCH DARK. You could not see the runner probably 20feet away, and if you try to do so, to watch for the runners ahead, you will be straining your eye and it becomes dizzying after a while. The good thing was that all the way till Jalan Duta, it was like automation for me, because this was my regular training route (wow, I can actually say regular now!). With us having done about 2km upfront, the Jalan Duta point became approximately 7.5km, which was good news.
Meng ran past me at the istana, so I thought I was doing good, since the IM guys are all taking it slowly, but their slow is my really fast. Running through to Hartamas and at approximately 10km mark, Keat Seong said hi across the road. I was surprised because this meant I suspect they were about 5km ahead, which translated to me being very slow. By this time, I suspected that the water stations were not really ample, and actually contemplated stopping by Petronas for gatorade. It did not help that at least 4-5 people passed me with full bottles of gatorade on their hands, and I had to labor up to 10km to have a gel.
For 10-20km, it was rather uneventful, except that the 2km loop reversed did not deter me in circling hartamas, it was actually quite pleasant. At approximately near the new Istana, Boone overtook me and I joked to him this was sap sap sui compared to Klang Penembak run. The untaken route around the square was new, but relatively ok, so was the one around the lembaga peperiksaan. At the corner of the downhill from the loop, Chee Hon overtook me (he was running 20km) and nicely told me that the 30km route has additional loop .. heheh .. I chased him away ..
The first time I stopped to walk was really at the double hill, when I realised that in turning to the double hill route, there would be no water for a long long while and I was incredibly thirsty by then, having the last drink about 10km away. Displaying a lack of respect for double hill, I tried to run, but only managed to "slog" through up till the turning back down the hill, when again I got annoyed because the power bar guys gave away free gels , but there was NO WATER in sight. So in annoyance, I ran downhill a bit, every corner looking for the final merge and the water station.
So, down we went, got some excel isotonic, gulped my 2nd gel, and then felt an immediate stomach cramp so could not run for another 1km+.. which was ok because it was tijani 1 and then more hills..
To cut a long painful story short, I managed to jog the rest of the way there onwards, from 24km onwards.. I knew the race brings us back to Jalan Parlimen for another loop around bank negara.. and by then, I was just interested to come in before 4hrs 15mins qualifying..
Finished the race .. and guess what? No more finishers tee and no more milo. The no more milo annoyed me more because the 2nd loop around Jalan Parlimen I was dreaming of sugar boost of milo..
Halfway through the race, I was thinking of postphoning my first marathon for this year, Putrajaya Night Marathon. Finish of the race, Chee Hon reminded me via SMS that I could logically make it for a sub 6hr race if I could finish another 12km in under 1hr 50min. Which is indeed do-able...
Post race, I had the most amazing recovery - I was actually in more pain than 20km LSD runs, but recovered in less than 2hrs to feel really good, and up and about walking happily much less time than the LSD runs. What is the reason? I believe it was a few possible combination - having enough rest, a better dehydration the day before, and after the race (despite having little water during the race), my 2XU decompression shorts (maybe), the carbo load the night before, the power bar I ate before the race, and maybe even just adrenaline.
Whatever it is, I need to repeat this for another 12km in 3 weeks time or pull out...
PS - one interesting thing, I am beginning to appreciate the beauty of beautiful lights more during running. A few great photo-opps:
1) Bangunan Matrade - this building in the rising sun is just too pretty
2) The masjid up the first hill in route to Hartamas - this building is always awesome with the morning lights
3) Ray of sunshine along Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, between the crossover to the route through to Tugu. The sunshines through the three is usually split in rays, and if taken with a filter, it will come out magical
4) New- amazing leaves falling during the run just before tugu - the leaves being golden reflected the light nicely - just like those falling leaves in Avatar movie..
5) New- morning red clouds across the new istana negara, if only the construction can be avoided...
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Pretty Lights
Over the 20km route to Hartamas last weekend, my third consequetive weekend of LSD (and third different running partner!), I was huffing and puffing with SCH over camera's and the flash class he had attended.
An irony was that I had just come back from a great dinner the night before at a long time friend's house - mr gadget - and he had loaned me his DSLR flash - the SB900 .. "under utilized"...
So huffing and puffing up and down hills, SCH actually managed to update me on the greatest on lights, nikon classes, SB commander modes, and why he wanted to buy my friend's flash to have more flashes, to take great photos!!!
For me, I remember the one piece I read - to see and enjoy photography of pretty lights, one has to find the scene, wait for the right time, and be prepared.
But first, one has to have the right timing and the right opportunity to see the great light.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Twisted Fate - A wet day ends with a meeting with a new friend
Welcome to 2010 with a 20km run from Bukit Aman to Hartamas with Perli, luckily we started early at 630am (EARLY? this is late already!) - and pushed off in a rain respite. Halfway across at 5km mark, the rain drops started to pour and another km, we were fully drenched.
The rain however did not dampen my spirits - in fact, I actually loved it! Strange conditions but I do believe the rain separates the dedicated and committed from the safe players. Dedicated and committed meant that each person you pass by drenched to their toes deserves a nod of respect, especially along the Hartamas route.
Perli is a great pacer - she runs at her pace but slows to match mine when she needs to, and she does not push too hard if she sees I am slower than I need to be. In any case, we were rewarded with one 100plus at Hartamas drenched wet with a camaraderie of runners, and then back at Bukit Aman, when it finally stopped halfway, with a Tropicana Twister mixed with 100plus.
Incidentally, as fate would be I met with Ija and her husband the first time - Ija is the stranger I offered some cash near the heart of KL for a drink during the KL Marathon. Twisted fate or whatever, she called out to me in bukit aman today, she too had done the Hartamas route in the rain, and I was again carrying a Tropicana Twister (she remembered me with the twister in the KL Marathon).
My next runs will be a 25km, followed by a 30km in New Balance 30km race on 17 Jan - I need to push to meet the cutoff - what happens without the cutoff? I think I may not get the medal.. but 2010 - great start to running...
... and good meeting with the rest of friends today along the route.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy 2010
Simple resolutions. Headlines : 2010 = 20 races, 10 deals and 2010 kms.
Sub-headlines :
a) Enjoy blogging. Reactivating all of my blogs which is why I write.
b) Learn cooking to supplement my running (heheh~)
c) Photograph thoughts, emotions and sensuality. Photographs which brings meaning to photo tells a thousand words..
Photo - Photo Booth product - thinking of my new year resolutions (and still thinking) whilst waiting for the rain to stop so that I could run!
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