No Pics AGAIN !!!

I don’t believe it !! 2 years in a row and no official picture of me running the SCSM !!

Heres’ what I got when I search under the photo section.

And this was last years 2008 run where I did the 10K

Every other person I know of that ran the race got a photo I even (well being a little KPO) checked it out and the minimum was 1 at least with the max being a friend of mine who ran the Full Marathon having 12 shots !! That’s right 12 shots and what do I get ….. a big fat ZERO. NIL, KOSONG, ZI TAN.

Well at least the consolation was I had a friend around to get pictures of me. And they did put up the video of the finishing and this time I could actually spot myself in the video. Whereas last year I could not see myself. Did managed to get a video grab of me finishing the race. That’s me there in the center in blue with white trimmings on the side (not the guy in white or the guy with the headband). Running in my sexy Nike shorts.

SCSM 2009 (Half Marathon)

Pre-Run Prep

I had signed up for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009 (SCSM) -- the Half 21.1K distance -- quite early this year within the first week or so once registration opened. I had set a target to complete it within 3 hrs which seemed a fair and achievable target. I had scheduled a few built up runs to this like the Nike 10K and the 15K REAL run. It was good preparation but I had my tonsil removal operation 1 month before this run (just directly after the REAL run) and was out of action for 2 weeks. On top of that just as I was recovering from the op, I sprained my right ankle while ironing clothes (don't ask) another week of rest, which left only 1 week before the big race. It would be my longest run in over 15 years I think the longest run I ever did was a 3/4 marathon when they had those long long long long ago. (still got my finisher's mug lying around somewhere -- they gave mugs instead of medals in the old days …) So collected the race pack (very fast and simple love it) and for this year the missus and me decided to check into a hotel so that it was easier to get to the event. Night before I did my normal pre-run ritual of laying out my gear and accessories and did my final pre-run check :- running shorts, running vest, number tag pin on, socks both left and right ones, pair of shoes laces undone, race chip, food for breakfast, pre-run drinks, watch, deep heat rub and of course my lucky lucky lucky underwear. With that done I WAS ALL SET !!

D-Day

I woke up just in time to see the flag off for the Full Marathoners from my hotel window. Did the 3 “S” ritual that every male human does in the morning : Shower, Shit and Shave. Changed into my gear did my warm up prep and I was off to the start line. Weather forecast was rain but in the end it was a beautiful day for a run.

The race route started on Esplanade Drive near Fullerton Hotel, down to MAS building turn off to Marina South and loop back towards Benjamin Sheares Bridge (major uphill climb !!) down to Suntec's Fountain of Wealth and out pass the F1 pit buildings, turn onto Nicoll Highway down to Mountbatten where we made the U-turn at the Swimming Pool, cut into the National Stadium, back out onto Nicoll Highway, onto the actually F1 starting grid lane, pass the Singapore Flyer under the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, pass Esplanade Building, turn off to Anderson Bridge (Singapore's oldest bridge I believe) and finally end at the Padang in front of City Hall. Now isn't that the most scenic race route ever !!

At 6.45am we were flagged off. Down Shenton Way we went me and 12,499 other half Marathoners and the Christmas lights were still on which made for a very nice start. My good deed for the day happened here when I reminded a fellow runner that his laces were undone ... and no it was not to overtake him (that's a real low blow) I caught a glimpse of the elite full marathon runners as I made my way to the F1 pit buildings could just see the top 2 running onto the track. The other top 8 or so runners were behind all of them were definitely in a league of their own. All Africans.

I hit the 10K mark at 1hr 10 mins, and I was feeling better as the race went on, the first 5K was a little tough which is normal for me I do take some time to get into the ‘flow’. By the time I hit the 12K mark I knew the missus was awake and having breakfast. Some runner than passed me and practically shouted at me ‘I like your shoes!’ got a fright of my life there. At the Mountbatten turn I ran into a friend who was volunteering as a Road Marshall was he surprised to see me but at least he gave me some encouragement. (later I found out another lady I knew was also a volunteer on the 10K route) Next stop was the National Stadium turn as I entered passing the MacDonalds and KFC outlets, I suddenly felt hungry. What luck the next water point had FOOD !! Banana’s !! I would like to say that the SCSM has one of the best water points ever, it’s long and they have enough volunteers to man them. So I grabbed my drink and a banana and the problem I have here is that I have not mastered the art of eating a banana on the run. Got to practice this more often maybe even upgrade to eating Chicken Rice on the trot. At the 15K mark I caught up with the 2hr 30 min pacer. There were these volunteers who would run the pace for you and as long as you follow them you would reach your target time. I actually passed Mr Pacer !! But it was at the 18/19 K point that fatigue starts to set in. I found this part the toughest and it was also started to get crowded it was around the F1 track area as the main full marathoners and 10K runners were all converging together with the half marathoners. Then THERE HE WAS --- SPIDERMAN !! Could you believe it it was the black suit Spiderman. (Venom for all you comic fans) I think he probably gave me some motivation as I knew the guy under the mask was an elderly chap (first met him when I did the Vertical Marathon last year) I pressed on and continued to the 20K mark where Mr Pacer came back and took over. I basically followed him all the way in. Just as you pass Anderson Bridge there was just one more right turn and it was the home stretch to the finishing line. It was at this point that I slowed a bit as I looked out for my ‘Official Photographer’ but I could not spot her. I think I was probably too damn shack at this point to even notice if she was waving or not. An elephant could have stood beside me and I probably would not have noticed. But she did spot me thank goodness. Last year I ran the 10K and same thing did not get a photo of me finishing by the organisers camera man as I was blocked by everyone, so this year I got my own ‘personal photographer’. With a final surge and a raised left arm I crossed the finishing line. I finished in a gun time of 2hr 30min 02sec (chip time – 2hr 28min 39sec) – woo hoo I was pleased with the time and it was within my target.

I knew a few other friends who were running at least 1 in the full and 1 in the 10K while the bulk of them were running in the half at least 6 well it should have been 7 but she injured herself and so was there to lend her support as my ‘official photographer’. Besides the 1 volunteer I saw, I only met 1 other person and that was it with 50,000 people running all events and more volunteers and spectators it was like finding a wet hanky in a washing machine.

Post-Run

It really felt good to complete the run. The usual body aches were there and I knew it was probably going to get worst the next day so after I showered I did apply cold sprays and joint rubs for my legs and knees. It was also during my shower that I realized that the run cause some abrasions to my nipple and groin area, lucky for me only those 2 areas and my underarms were fine. I think I have got to get some cream if I am to do longer runs. So after my rub down and cool down I put a medicated plaster on my left shoulder as it hurt a little never felt that kind of hurt in a run before guess it must be due to the strain of raising my arm at the finishing line. (note to self never raise arm at finishing line again)

It’s been 24 hrs after the race and I am still pump I feel like I could go out and do another round. My legs did not hurt as bad as I expected. The soreness was fading. As I write this on the 2 day after my run I am almost back to normal. only the tights and 1 little toe still hurts.

Before I got to the pics of me at the SCSM just a little summary of what was good and what was not.

PROS

- The Water points, much better than other runs.

- Pacers who help you achieve your target times.

- Volunteers who were all along the route to encourage you.

- Love the Carnival at the Padang

- The ease of signing up, collection and finishing.

CONS

- Getting abrasions I really hate them.

- The mass orgy that happens at the end of the run.

- Runners who use pace watches that go beep beep and very loud and irritating intervals.

- Runners who do not have the simple courtesy to throw their drinks cups to the side instead of right in the middle of the race route.

SO now its photo time taken by “my official photographer” :)

That’s ME finishing the race check out the time and guess what it’s snowing in Singapore !!

Finally its over rested a bit before I took this picture you can just make out the finishing line behind me.

Trying to figure out which is which.

 

Finally the close up of the my half marathon finisher medal and my number tag quick quick go buy 4-D or 5-D.

2 Weeks Later

Finally the pain from my operation has gone down. The doctors were right it takes about 2 week to return to normal. Started weaning off MacDonalds Soft Serve ice-cream now and started taking solid foods. So far no fried stuff yet and no chilli. The throat still feels more like it has some stuff at the back but the pain is minimal as long as I don’t sneeze, the sneeze really hurts but it gets better as the days go by. Hopefully I can eat Fried Chicken soon :)

1 Week Later

It’s been a week now since my tonsillectomy … a painful week. The days were ok as being awake you could always remember to drink plenty of water and take your medication on time. It’s the nights that were killers. I have not had a proper nights rest since the operation. Every 3 hrs or so I would be awaken with a pain in my throat, it’s either dry or the medication had worn off and the pain was really INTENSE. There were days where swallowing my own saliva was so painful that it brought a tear to my eye every time I swallowed my saliva. Luckily I found that the gargle is so far the best thing to numb the pain. Well my other antibiotics are finished and a couple of more days before I go back for my check up. Just hope the gargle holds out. 

Tonsillectomy

For the last 3 months and after 3 rounds of antibiotics, my tonsils would not go down they were still inflamed. So it was with some regret that I have decided to go for a tonsillectomy. After all, over the years my tonsils have been my early warning system against any sickness, once they start to hurt or blow up I knew I was coming down with something.

So the day finally came after all the visits and appointments to the doctors for test and checks. It was finally the day where I would get my tonsils removed. I had to check into the day surgery ward at 7.30am. I was there on the dot and submitted my forms, by 8am my name was called, registration done by a nurse who verified my NRIC number and another nurse got me to the ward and verified my NRIC again and gave me the necessary instructions on what to expect. It was then that I found out that I was scheduled for the 8.30 operation. So I got changed into those hospital gowns, you know the type where your butt is open for the whole world to see. I as told to wait a few minutes while the nurse got the ‘operating theatre’ staff. They got me on the bed and then it was time, the operating theatre staff came, another round of verification with my NRIC and what I was here for, I guess they did not want to remove things which were not meant to be removed. Off we went.

I got pushed to the operating theatre, and you know when you lie on the hospital bed and they push you it’s exactly like in the movies where you see the florescent lights in the ceiling go by. Soon I was in the what they called holding area a room slightly larger that the bed itself. The nurse again did more verification. The staff was very pleasant, they chattered with me and I guess it help me calm down. The anaesthetist came in, he started to find my vein but surprising he failed during the first try and he was very apologetic as he had to make another needle prick. This time he got it. They put a drip on me and hook me up to more monitors and then the doors opened and I was pushed into the operating theatre.

Oh my god, it’s huge, a big spacious place, it’s the first time I have ever been in an operating room. The doctor was there he came up to me spoke to me asked how I was feeling. Told him nervous as hell ! He said not to worry it’ll be painless and over soon. The did one last verification check of my name and NRIC and what I was here for which was to get my tonsils removed. Then they prep me for the op they had this ‘air blanket’ which I though was so cool it’s like those floats that you can lie on in the water but this had holes in them and warm air passed through it to keep your body warm. Someone turn on the radio. Yep you got that right they actually play music during the surgery. Finally the anaesthetist said that the doctor was here, or the chief anaesthetist, there was a brief exchange between them then the lady said, hello, not to worry you will go to sleep soon ok. It was nice to hear they injected me, told me to breath through the oxygen mask. I looked at the lights in the ceiling they seem to wobble a bit out of focus but then the focus came back … and … next thing I knew I was opening my eyes in a room with nurses talking to me if I am ok and how I am feeling. I could feel tightness in my throat and was surprised that boy it’s over !! The nurse gave me some water then told me to take some panadol to ease the pain. She was very nice she said she will crush it for me to make it easier to swallow. Then I was wheel back to the main day ward. There was no one there I was the first back. The ward could accommodate 6 beds but I was the only one there at the moment. I saw the time it was around 11am or so. The operation and recovery was about 2 hrs.

 

The nurses gave me a jug of water and told me to take sips of it. They even provided a straw for me the ice water felt cool and nice. I slept some more and then the missus came by. The nurses had called her once I was out of surgery. Soon another patient came in. The nurse told my missus to get the medication from the pharmacy downstairs and soon she came back with the big package. It was around 2pm when the missus left, I slept some more the drugs were still in my system. by 4pm I was really hungry and the nurse asked if I wanted something to eat. She said how about ice milo and soft bread. That sounded good. So I got the ice milo and soft bread sandwich. The milo I could sip down and it felt refreshing but the bread I just could not swallow. After the drink they took out the tube since I was able to eat already. Lying there by 5pm another 2 more patients came in. There were 4 of us now in the ward.

 

Soon it was dinner time and I got porridge and they actually cool the porridge for me before serving it. Had soup as well which was cooled down. Chicken porridge was good and the soup was nice. My medication was given to me 5 tablets and 1 gargle formula plus a lozenges to suck. By 7pm the ward was full another 2 more patients came in. Of which me and another guy had our tonsils removed. Oh the doctor came to make his rounds to see how we were. He came with another intern I think or a junior doctor. So he asked how I was told him throat is still sore. He say that is expected, need to drink more water and try to eat through the pain so that the wound can heal. He then checked to see if there was any bleeding. He asked me to open my mouth and stuck the ice-cream stick down my throat, just for a second, took it out and told the young doctor, it’s dry. (guess I wasn’t drinking much water) then it was the young doctors turn. Stick the ice-cream stick down my throat for what seem like ages !! I almost choked on it. Don’t they know if you still that in there too long the patient is going to throw up. He went over to the other tonsil patient did the examination and left the room.

I stayed over night for observation, During the night my temperature rose, I was coming down with a fever which is normal after an operation. Luckily by morning it had gone off. Next morning my missus had to come pick me up but first the doctor came round to see us again. Thank goodness it was only the senior doctor. He did a quick examination and said all is find and I could go home once the family member came to pick me up and he will see me in 2 weeks time. All the other patients had their own doctors come to check on them and everyone was able to leave except for 1 elderly man who was running a fever and the doctors decided to keep him a little longer for observation. They moved him to a more permanent ward. While everyone was waiting for someone to come pick them up, the nurses started getting us changed and gave us out medication. The other tonsil guy was being told what to do by this ‘granny’ nurse, how to take the tablets when to take it what to do and even had to show him how to gargle. I was going oh boy I’m next. But luckily another nurse came to brief me. My missus came at 9am and I was able to leave.

It was a real experience being in the hospital. It’s actually a rather nice place. I had a good experience there the level of care is good. My thanks to the doctors and nurses from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Day Surgery Ward) my stay there was memorable. Now off to recuperate at home, I was given 2 weeks MC, more to rest and also not to go out where the risk of infection was higher.

Regular Exercise Active Lifestyle

Regular Exercise Active Lifestyle aka REAL is my annual ‘pilgrimage’ (if you call it that) to attend the running event. Ever since I started running 2 years ago this was my first run I signed up for and I have been attending it ever since. This is the third year of my participation. I decided that this year I would do the 15km run instead of the 10km run which I have been doing for the past 2 years.

As usually I bought the bus ticket to get me there to Changi Exhibition centre. This race has pickup points around the island which was one of the nice things. But I had to wake up like 4am and meet the bus at 5.15am we were there by 6am. The 10K starts at 7am and the 15K starts at 7.30am. I have to say the race started promptly at 7am the guest of honor was Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee. He went down to talk to the elite runners for the 10K event and soon they were off. It took almost 8 minutes to clear everyone. Then there were some tokens of appreciation given out and soon it was time for the 15K event. The minister actually made his way down the line and I got to shake his hand. Well that was a first for me and a nice gesture on his part.

We were off at around 7.30am. The route took us through some grasslands, then onto the long stretch of link road (with no shade), the route split after that with the 10K runners heading to the trail while the 15K runners took another route to cover some road running. The route eventually headed back to the trail and you could see the tail end of the 15K runners. There were a few ‘large’ runners at the end and I was really impressed by them as they were doing the 15K and even if they walked it was a 15km walk which is 15km more than any couch potatoe was doing. The route then joined up with the 10K runners at the trail and then it was the 400m stretch of beach, one of the hottest parts before running back to the finishing point on the link road (the one with no shelter or shade)

It was an enjoyable run for me and a good warm up for the half marathon that I hope to attempt in december.

GE

I was there at the recent GE Women’s 10K run. No not as a participant but was there with  a friend to take some photo’s of the event since I can’t be running in it. Did not really have to wake up too early for it. We arrived at the event just in time as we made our way to the start. Used the overhead bridge as a vantage point to get the runners coming down field. After that we made our way to the end point which was at the Padang just in time to the get lead runners coming in. I move around a bit went all the way to the esplanade and back again to the end point. Here are some of the shots taken.

A main group of Elite Runners starting the race above and below the swarm of red after the start.

 

Above some of the last few runners as they made their way down the start, still smiling :)

There were a lot of photographers there, from the official guys to the media to the professionals and to the weekend photographers or those who were there to take family and friends. Here’s a shot of a camera man taking the runners guess he was not expecting someone behind him taking the shots.

 

 

Some of the runners above as they made their way to the finishing line.

And below the Elite Runners coming home. The winner from Kenya and I think the other photo should be the first Singaporean.

Finally just some shots of the main body of runners coming in and the joy of completing the run.

 

Movie Night

Me and the missus had a movie night recently. Watch the DVD Paul Blart : Mall Cop. That was a hilarious show. Kevin James is funny. It’s not often we have a quiet night together, it’s not going to get any quieter soon !!

29th Generation

I’ve just found out that I am the 29th Generation in my family tree. Now that’s something you don’t learn everyday.

Next Run

After the arm up of the Nike 10K, I’m off to the next run in 2 weeks time the REAL Run, which I have signed up for the 15K event and that will be the longest I have run since like 20 years ago !!! It will all lead up to Decembers Standard Chartered Marathon event which I have signed up for the half marathon. Hope to get through that one :)

Nike+ Human Run

I was at the Nike+ 10K Run on Saturday. Well the day did not really start out great, the night before I forgot that I left my cranola bar in the office so I did not really have anything to eat for breakfast in the morning. I did drink just a pack of ice milo. Then when I reached the area I realised I did not pack my deep heat to warm the muscles up. Not a good start.

The Event started slightly after 7am. I have to admit it was a refreshing start as they had a rock concert going on and the stage was built just slightly behind the start/finish line and they built 2 tunnels under the stage so you literally ran under the band that was playing. It was pretty cool if I do say so myself. problem was the rock music blaring was really really loud. I really pity the senior citizens they probably could get a heart attack even before the race began.

We were actually flagged off by the band itself halfway through their number they started a beat and then the countdown began and off we went just a sea of RED. It was absolutely amazing.

So race strategy was to take it easy for the first half and come in strongly in the second. It was just after the 5km water point that I felt something sticking to my shoe, I looked down and saw what I though was a black tape so I quickly pulled to the side and scraped the piece off. Just about the 7km mark I felt the stickiness again and looking down saw another black tape like stuff stuck to the sole of my shoes. I stopped and pulled off the black item and I got a shock it was part of the sole of my shoe !! My left shoe was disintegrating as I ran !! I went oh-oh like a telly tubby. I immediately slowed down I did not want to do a Zola Budd and run barefooted. I guess after 2 years the shoes had enough and decided to call it a day on me. So I ease into a slow job and made my way back to the finish point thankfully in 1 piece.

 

I got the Nike band for completing the race, very nice. Had my bananas but missed out on the ice-cream, they ran out before I got a chance to queue up it was really hot so I had moved to the back away from the food stalls and missed my chance to get a free ice-cream.

Overall it was an enjoyable race and unique in many ways. Oh I think I saw Rod Monterio there among the runners as well.

Pre-Op Checkup

Recently just went for my pre-op checkup. I never knew they had such a thing in the first place. Surprisingly it was a relatively quick affair. Arrive early in the morning took my number. I got attended to by the Asst. Manager (first AM I ever met in a hospital) she guided me through the procedure what to expect and what I needed to fill in on the day itself. Took my weight, height and blood pressure, everything seems normal that day. Finally met the aesthesis' and got a briefing on what to expect from the knock out dose and the recovery procedures. All in about 45 mins spent at the hospital before I was out of there and off to work.

Maid in Singapore

We finally decided to get a Maid, previous week me and the missus pop in to an agency and being first timers at this we got to know of the little things that were needed just to get a maid employed here. Now I’ve never really had a maid myself, during my early years I remember we had a malay nanny who was a really nice lady I remember even after her services were not needed we would still visit her during Hari Raya but we drifted apart after both families moved. The rest of my early years I was looked after by my grandparents. The only other time a maid ever stepped in was to look after my elderly grandfather and we had a Sri Lankan maid. But that was for a short while. We did some looking around further and finally decided on an agency. Picked a maid, paid the fees (it’s like a human auction) and the missus did get to talk to the maid over the phone the other day and so far she seems ok. The agency said they need to do the paper work and some additional training was being conducted for them which was fine by us as we only needed her to come in around mid-Dec. The missus had to take a test as well and we needed to print out the cert (it was an online test) at the end as proof that someone in the household took the test. So now the big shift to get the babies and maids room in order.

TREMORS

The movie TREMORS which was about some giant earth worms which terrorises a small town, I love that show. They had a couple of sequels to it but the first was the BEST. Anyway it’s not about the movie but the recent Earthquakes and Typhoons hitting the region. I actually felt the 2nd tremor from the earthquake, the floor swayed a little it was like for a second or so but you could feel it, the missus on the other hand was totally oblivious to it. So with all this earth moving going on our estate has been selected by the BCA (Building and Construction Authority) to have sensors installed in the estate to monitor the movement, It will take a month or so for them to install the stuff and at various levels of the block for their study.

Heat WAVE

It’s a freaking HEAT WAVE ……. ooohhh man the haze is back and I think it is just trapping all the heat !!!!