First Cross Country Run
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Bored with endless running around tracks, I signed up for the New Balance Real Run at Sentosa to see how far I can push my limit. With 6km on road, 1.6km on sand and 2.4km on trail, it was far more challenging than the 10km Standard Chartered Run. I was in awe of so many strong runners. One guy pushed past me and I noticed that he was wearing a South Park shirt. It read, "Oh man, you people suck!" I might consider getting one of those shirts once I manage to complete 10km in 40 minutes.
There were also slopes galore and I barely survived by the time we entered the beach. I never thought that I would come out alive after having to
And my runny nose did not help. I stuffed my shorts with lots of tissue paper just in case I had to drop out midway due to choking on mucus.
Pre-race warm up
By the time I passed the 8.8km mark, my stamina was nearly spent and I deteriorated into auto-pilot. Finally came those magical words, "500m left!" I just wanted to get it done and over with so I ran my heart out, tripping two runners along the way.
There was no shortage of toilets, and as the finishing line drew closer, a conversation was overheard.
"I can't! I can't! I got to go now!"
"What, are you crazy?! The finishing line is just over there, you can't go now."
"I'm about to explode... can't take it anymore. You go on ahead."
Talk about bad timing. Anyway, I completed the race in a little over an hour, which is not too shabby considering I walked the entire sand route.
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A most annoying feeling
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
That frog in my throat must have decided to throw a party and invite the entire neighbourhood. I hate phlegm that's lodged so deep that no amount of bulimic sounds I make can get rid of it. So in a bid to overcome this discomfort, I've been forcing myself to take medicine regularly instead of relying solely on natural healing process. However, that resulted in my head feeling numb and an overwhelming urge to bang my forehead on the table. Being sick is one of the worst things to happen to me because it means I end up working and feeling less than 100%.
I have a deep set fear of becoming physically inactive because it means more restrictions to an already suffocating, rule-dominated life. I sprained my right shoulder from a break fall mishap and subsequent days were spent in agony as I gently rolled my injured shoulder to keep it from becoming frozen. While I disliked having my movements restricted, I disliked pain more so I endured. On one particularly bad night when I wanted to roll over to a more comfortable position in bed, I was jolted out of sleep and I finally burst into tears. Not from pain, but from frustration. Just as well that I was already crying since I spent the next couple of minutes waving my arm wildly in all directions because I was determined not let the pain stop me from gaining control of my normal self. I woke up the next morning with only a dull ache and I had a weird triumphant grin the rest of the day convinced that I successfully shocked my body into cooperating.
I don't suppose it's a good idea to hit my throat or gurgle hot water to get rid of phlegm. But I'm open to experiment if I do not feel any better. |
National Day 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
It's that time of the year again when red and white flags outnumber red and white sale signs. I wanted to write a whole load of stuff (mainly my undying love for its local delicacy, chicken rice) to re-affirm my loyalty to my adopted country, but it just occurred to me that the colours on this blog said it all.
Happy Birthday Singapore!
A camera shy student at our school's National Day celebration. |
Pari learns that she is wimp intolerant
Monday, August 07, 2006
On a lovely Sunday morning, I pulled into MacRitchie Reservoir car park 5 minutes late. I had such wonderful sleep that I was not able to tear myself away from my lovely bed and soft pillow.
Car park was full and I was left circling the area for the next 15 minutes. However, it is lovely to know that lots of people do lead active lives and seeing several groups of people returning to their cars felt even better.
A group of young men entered a car and I waited... waited.... and waited. I pulled up beside them and asked if they were going to leave. One of them replied, "We have to rest first."
Since when resting on a bench while enjoying fresh air was not an option? It was too lovely a Sunday to have my blood boiling first thing in the morning so I continued with my search for an elusive lot. Finally, I found one and made my way to the kayak launch area.
I was paired with a newcomer who has a lovely habit of paddling for 1 minute and resting for the next 10. When he did paddle, he would sent water splashing in my face as I was directly behind him. We veered off course many times due to current and I did my best to steer by plunging my paddle into the water to create a drag. However, it was becoming a chore. I saw him resting again and suggested that we swap paddles since mine was smaller and lighter than his in hope that this could encourage him to paddle more.
Sadly, my lovely plan did not work and he complained that it was easier at the previous kayaking session. I replied that it was expected since his partner was a seasoned kayaker. It was still too lovely a Sunday to add, "you lazy moron" after that reply.
As I hear him whine about how tired he was from little sleep and see him lie back on the kayak, I could also feel my arms muscles scream in agony. We were approaching several overhanging branches so I prepared to steer our kayak away.
"Could you turn the kayak a little more to the left? The sun's in my eye."
That was when I lifted the paddle out of the water, sending the front half of the kayak and him right into the tangled mass of branches.
Lovely.... |
Italia! Day Three
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Day Three of Italy was spent in the outskirts and lots of dozing of along the way. We dropped by charming Siena for some walking along steep slopes and maze like alleyways, then proceeded to a town most commonly used as resting area for travellers going to and from England, San Gimignano (Ji mi ne-e-ah no).
Siena is a quiet town and 2 hours drive from Florence. It was an important political centre in the early centuries and populated by powerful rival families and their loyal followers.
Siena from a hill
Close up of a church.
Killing time outside a hotel in Siena.
Siena's Doumo. Zebra stripes on buildings are a common sight in Italy as they are the colours of the Government. That makes it easy for anyone to tell the political monument from the regular.
From another angle.
Painters and maintenance crew are employed full time to upkeep the Doumo. Judging from its size, the task is never-ending.
Peek-a-boo! How about a clay statue standing at the window 24 hours?
Entrance to a church near one of Italy's oldest university.
The Piazza del Campo, is at the heart of Siena and the site of the "Palio" horse races that take place in July and August.
When the sun's out in full force and you've no shelter whatsoever.. improvise!
Rival neighbourhoods clearly marked in colours.
Can you sense the law and order of this place?
Time to head on to our next destination!
Stepping into San Gimignano is like stepping into the medieval age when knights roamed and peasants droned. It's also famous throughout Italy for its white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano. I'm not an expert on wines but my dad seemed to like it.
It is tempting to stay in a house like this.
Was half-expecting the Knights of Templar to appear on their steeds.
Too bad the shirts were arranged the wrong way.
Speaking of dessert, I confess to eating gelato everyday when I was in Italy.
I was just drawn to this painting. A judge holds court for the poor as the rich are never too far away to tempt him with gold.
Would like to demonstrate how strong the town's wall really is.
Love those creeping vines
There's a lone well in the Piazza. Sealed. Probably to prevent strange tourists from falling in.
When you're in Italy during World Cup, you cannot escape the excitement. That day was the Semi Finals - Italy VS Germany
This was what we saw on our way back. The atmosphere was electrifying and it was only the Semi.
Imagine me standing on my tippy toes with arms stretched as high as I could muster while taking this shot.
A football fanatic in the making. Go Team Italia.
Everyone wants to get the best view!
Brothers. Anticipating and sharing in a global sports phenomenon.
That's it for Day 3. Beautiful Venice is in the next instalment. My favourite city in Italy at the moment. |
