Round and round the hamster went...

I have 4 hamsters at home now. My kids hamsters. 2 of the bigger dwarf ones love the wheel. And ever so often, they would be on the wheel spinning away.


This was just like what I did in the evening today. The weather was so consuming that I decided to hold on the 21 km run till evening. I only started out on the warm up at 1815. Started to run round the track for 21km. I started while there were many people around. Groups of people came and left while I was on my way to 52.5 laps. Till almost 2015 there were only a handful of joggers around.


It was so warm and humid that even after the sun had set, I needed to refresh myself by pouring water on myself several times. And it sure felt good to have the cool water on my head, down my face and to the jersey. Was particularly careful to not get my shoes wet coz they were the new ones which I had worn to season for Challenge Cairns.


Coach had prescribed a 21km run at 5:30 pace. Worked out to be 2:12 per lap and I did just that. Some laps went down to 2:13 and 2:14 but mostly kept at 2:11-2:12. Last 600m I hastened my pace and it made up for all the lost time in the previous laps. Clocked 1:55:05. It was probably the most accurate timing for the correct distance. I may have done better before but I am sure that was a wrong distance because I relied on the Polar GPS which I had found to be highly inaccurate.


So it was an average timing only. But it would have to do. Perhaps considered as another tempo run for myself, except that this is for a longer distance of 21km. 2 more weeks of training before I start to taper I think? Yes, it is 4 weeks to Challenge Cairns.

***

Talking about elections. The opposition created a history in wrestling Aljunied GRC over from the ruling party. And the ruling party popularity decreased to 60.1%, though out of the 87 seats, 81 went to them. Statistically, it doesnt make sense but heck, that was what happened.


What do I think was the main reason for the reduction? Was it really all the reasons the citizens had voiced out? Perhaps. But likely the bulk of the reason was the information that was readily available on the internet and the social media. In the past, without the information super highway, most of the people relied on the media - both print as well as televised. With the youths more linked with the internet, word spread like wild fire.


Strikes need not take the physical form any more. Perhaps, they should be considered a thing of the past. Facebook is the incumbant threat. It is strange. I find it worrying. National issues are important, in fact too important to be challenged by the layman who have no idea the works of politics. In the past, the word that went around was that the government always wrestled the people to accept their policies. But with the change in political climate due to the social media, will the government be wrestled to the ground by the whims and fancies of the people?


Perhaps, the Chinese government was far sighted and saw the threat Facebook posed and thus shut it away from its people. Maybe they were right after all?


Then again, what do I know? I am just a layman.

Elections 2011

For the past week, the papers, the media and the social network was abuzzed with 7 May 2011 elections. Mudslinging, clarifications, apologies, personal statements. Wow, the elections really had changed from the time I first voted at the turn of the millenia. For most of the time where I have stayed were uncontested areas. Either that, I was just too young. I remembered I first heard about the hammer, aka Workers Party, back in 80s when my parents were required to vote. I didnt know much then coz I was just too young. I didnt even understand the relevance of the opposition in the political scene.

Facebook seemed to have changed the whole course of the elections. More information is being put up for more to see, as compared to the past when the citizens were restricted to the news on TV and print. Well, unless of course, you happen to stay in the opposition ward. Only then will people be able to understand slightly what life was like that to be in a non current ruling party ward.

I made it a point to attend the rally because I wanted to have a foretaste of what the electrifying atmosphere was like. Singapore has been peaceful internally so far. There are no strikes, nor demonstrations. And what I saw, opened my eyes to the power of mob mentality. With a crowd of 30000, any form of upheavals of emotions will render any form of law maintenance helpless.

***

Monday's swim was followed by dinner with the blokes. First time doing it and it was peppered with laughter the whole hour I was there. Funny Nick was the joker for the night. Apparently, every Monday night!

Been working late again recently and Tuesday I just couldnt make it out the door for my intervals. Frustrated, I slept in early.

Wednesday afternoon was washed out. Into the 6th km and I was forced to take shelter at petrol kiosk. Lightning filled the sky and was really threatening. Spent the afternoon on the trainer doing cycling sets, to a total of just over 2 hours.


Thursday afternoon I tried to do a 8km tempo run on the track. I had to run at 3pm because I had a meeting at 1630. But on the 8.5 lap (out of 20), I called it off. The temperature was just too suffocating and the body was not cooling fast enough. Stopped to douse water but it still did not work. Started the run again at 1800. This time with Andrew and Uncle Lim (from MR25) following me - dammit, as their WARM UP! They had their sets to do which I did not have a part in. Needed to get home for a nice sports massage at night.


Friday did my swim 500m to 100m in step down of 100m. Followed by 10x50m with 15s break in between. Slightly better than last week's session but still not swimming at the times I did before. Am wondering when I can get the pace back.


Did 180km bike today. 4 loops Mandai followed by the usual route. Am glad that the cadence was back today. But the legs endurance had slipped. Could withstand the distance but the speed was not quite up to mark. Weather played a part in increasing the fatigue I think. It was really hot from 10am onwards and I reached home only at about 1pm.

Kids Tribob Triathlon

Last of the series of 3. It was a crazy time. Reached there pretty late. They were still doing their warm up swim when I saw the older kid's wave took off! Had to rush her through to start line so that she could start the swim. Next thing I realised, my younger kid's wave had already gone even before they did their warm up. In the end, she joined the last wave with the older boys. Yeah, she was the only girl then. Pretty crazy morning. They still did their tri nonetheless. Starter was nice enough to let my younger kid join the last wave.

***

Embarked on my 32.8 km run today in the evening. Weather for the whole day had been good. Cloudy, light drizzle, cool temperature. Slept for an hour before heading out to clear any fatigue from the lack of sleep over the week.


8 laps round the estate of 4.1km per lap. Coach prescribed 5:40 pace for 4x8km, 2min breaks in between the 8km. With overall timing of 3:05:41, it is within expectations. BUT I did take extra breathers on the 5th and 7th laps. Times per lap were 22:47, 23:16, 22:55, 22:41, 23:05, 23:09, 23:43 and 24:03. The last 2 laps I was overwhelmed. I thought I was going at the same pace as before - hoping to catch the 23:14 target. Overshot by so much and wanted the last lap to count and it turned out to be the worst of the lot.


Am I ready for Cairns? Before reservist, perhaps. I knew then I was getting kind of tired also. After reservist, I can get by, but not with the improvement I would have wanted. But like I said, such is life. Perhaps I peaked too early. Perhaps it is a sign I should take a break. One thing is for sure, I dont think I am cut out to do 2 ironman distance triathlons in a period of 6 months. That, I am quite sure of.


So, after Cairns, I will focus on shorter sessions but with higher intensity. I have sort of a programme planned out in my head for myself already. To keep myself tuned up and prevent the rust from setting in. After all, it has been 3 years of ironman training. Not about to throw it all away. I still enjoy all 3 legs. Keeps me fit physically and mentally. Hope to continue with this lifestyle for more years to come.