2009 Year in Review

Well its the end of another year and its time to stock take again. The year began like any other year, not much of a difference, but by the second quarter we had really good news that my missus was expecting our first child and not one but a set of twins ! We were overjoyed. We were even further blessed by the fact that soon they told us that we would be expecting a boy and a girl ! Now that can only be God’s gift. We were thrilled, most of the other half of the year was spent in preparation of the arrival.

Mid year was also when I changed my job and after 6 months on the job it was going well. I guess it might be something that suits me more. Last quarter saw me going for a Tonsillectomy where I had my tonsils removed after all these years. Did not want to really see it go but I guess did nto really have any choice as it was just not going down with 3 rounds of antibiotic treatment. My running also picked up as I went for longer runs slowly graduating from 10K to 15K to the half marathon which I completed in 2hrs 28mins. It felt good the only thing that spoilt it all was no photo of me again similar to last years run.

So most of the year was spent in preparation for the arrival of the babies, first they surprised us with the pregnancy then that there were 2 of them and then it was boy and girl. Finally they gave us the ultimate surprise and Christmas Present – they arrived on 20th Dec 2009. (they were originally expected on first or 2nd week of Jan 2010) The 2 little ones were full of surprises. It was a really panic rush on the 20th as we were both not expecting them I thought I had at least after Christmas to prepare for their arrival. But they really are the two sweetest gifts that God could ever give to us and we thank him for answering our prays.

So that was the year I guess 2009 will be remember most for the year of the babies. But what about my New Years Resolution it’s time to have a look at them.

1) Complete 4 XBox games :- well in the end I only managed to complete 1. I was tied down with the other things this year and the baby took most of my time.

2) Complete Comic Book Cataloguing :- I have managed to finish getting all the info down on paper and sorted out my comics and stuff into boxes, but now still need to key them into the system that is all.

3) Complete my Mighty Muggs Star Wars collection :- I finally found the last piece that I needed at the Comic and Toy fair this year and my collection is complete.

4) Run a Half Marathon under 3hrs :- I did that on 6th Dec at the Standard Chartered Marathon where I did the half marathon in 2 hrs 28 mins.

5) Keep fit and loose some weight :- The beginning of the year I actually gained about 2 to 3 kilos but then it slowly stop and only after my operation to remove my tonsils did I loose some weight (due to not being able to eat) I did managed to keep it down and overall at the end of the year I lost 1 kilo from the beginning of this year. Well that’s a start.

Well I guess you can say I definitely completed (3) and (4), for (5) yep I did loose some weight but not my ideal weight lost, need to bring it down a little further to healthy levels but it was an achievement. (2) I would say partial 50% and finally (1) was the only one I was not able to get anywhere only 25% done. So all in not a bad year at least better than last year where I did only 1. For this year I completed 3 and the other 2 were partial. So tomorrow a new set of resolutions will begin, now I have to starting thinking of some … in the mean time …

HAPPY

NEW

YEAR

Running 2009 – year in review

Well decided to do a write up of my running year for 2009. In all this year I signed up for 6 runs, but I had to skip the Passion Run as I was sick on that day and was not feeling well. The other runs I signed up for was the Army Half Marathon/Sheares Bridge run (10k), Nike Run (10K), Yellow Ribbon run (10K), REAL Run (15K) and the StandChart Marathon (Half Marathon). I have to admit this year the great thing was the use of disposable timing chips, all the runs I participated used them except for Nike which used a disposable D-Tag, with the chips you actually could keep them and I collected the 4 that I had.

 

Every run had a slightly different feel to it and each carried its own memories for me. She Army run I guess was the only one which feature the Sheares Bridge, it probably would be better if I had gone for the Half Marathon instead of the 10K. Well next year will definately go for the Half Marathon.

There were 2 runs which had the most innovative starts – The Yellow Ribbon run and the Nike Run. For the Yellow Ribbon run the start had these 2 dummy Prison gates and we had to run through them. But I guess the Nike run beats them all when you run UNDER a band they built the stage right across the running track, not only that the countdown was done by the rock band themselves.Now how cool was that. But the Yellow Ribbon run takes the cake for the most unusual ending point – within Changi Prison itself. Now that is the first time I have ever gotten to see what was behind those barb wire/fence up area.

For terrain it has to be the REAL run since it incoporates a multitude of running surfaces, from bush to road to track to beach to an airplane runway. I really like this run and it was the first time I tried the 15K route. I really enjoyed myself on this one.

The year ended with the season ending Standard Charted Singapore Marathon. It was the furthest that I have ever run in a long time as I entered for the Half Marathon. Again I enjoyed this run. It seems the longer distances I enjoy more than the shorter 10K runs, I am not sure why although it could be due to the slower start or it’s just me always taking a long time to warm up and I only get into the rhythm at the 6/7 km stage. But whatever it is 2009 saw a few first including the Visit to the Prison, running under a Band and doing a Half Marathon.

So what will 2010 bring ? Goal will be to complete the full marathon at then end of 2010 (the Stand Chart event) but along the way I plan to do the REAL run again and the Army Half Marathon hope they will run across the Marina Barrage again. I have already signed up for the Addidas Sunsdown Half Marathon and likely to sign up for another event before that. Of course hopefully more Racing Chips to Collect ha ha ….

Christmas Surprise

Boy has it been a very surprising week, it all began on Saturday the 19th of December. We had our family Christmas get together, there was a Church get together 2 days ago. Our families came over and we had the Christmas Tree up with lights, presents and lots of food. We forgo the turkey in favour of chicken, honey baked ham, curry, noodles, german sausages, otah, salad, cakes, ice cream and a couple of other dishes. The charades was hilarious and everyone went home happy and in the Christmas mood.

The night was like any other night, we cleaned up after the party, watched a little bit of TV and went to bed. At around 2.15am the missus woke up and exclaimed ‘oh no, I think my water broke’! The missus was expecting our twins and they were not due till early or mid Jan 2010. We soon realised that her water had broke. Me being the super unprepared husband panicked a little, all I could think of was to get her to the hospital. I called the hospital emergency line and they told us to come in to A&E. So I bundled the missus into the car and off we went to the hospital. Took about 20 to 25 minutes to get there.

We arrived at the A&E at 3am and the attendant on duty calmly wheeled the missus up to the delivery floor where a couple of nurses were on standby for our arrival. The missus was placed in the delivery ward and a round of questions was asked to ascertain what was going on. The missus was having some contraction. Her doctor was called and the doctor told the nurses to administer an injection and to monitor for an hour. It was about 4am now and I asked the Nurse what was going to happen next. She said they will just monitor and then they will see how it goes, it sometimes takes a couple of hours or even 12 hrs or more she said. Boy was I a sucker for that. So I asked if I could go back and get the night bag since we had rushed out and had not really packed. They said it was ok as long as I kept my handphone on, nothing to worry about they said. Boy was I in for a surprised.

So I headed back home, had a quick shower and was packing my bag when my handphone rang, it was about 5am. It was the hospital and they said that it was time for the delivery, the doctors are on their way in and they asked if I could return to the hospital. So I said ok will be there in half an hour. They said, if I could make it there in 10 minutes and they will wait for me. I said ok ok can can will be there in 10 minutes. So I grabbed the only bag I had ready which was my camera bag and got into the car, time check 5am, arrived at hospital, parked car – time check 5.08am. I made it in 8 minutes, there was not much traffic at 5am in the morning and the lights were really in my favour. But as I got out of the car, there was a slight smell of burnt rubber, guess I accelerated and braked a little hard along the way.

 

I was with my missus when they started to roll her to the delivery room as it was an emergency c-sec I was nto allowed in. It was 5.15am. The doctor arrived at 5.20 and she spoke to me before she went into the operating room. The paediatrician came at 5.25am or so. soon everyone was in the room. I waited outside. Got time then to SMS the family on more happenings. My sis drop by at around 5.55am and at 6am the doors opened and out came a nurse with the 2 cutest little bundles of joy. The twins have arrived. They were being wheeled to the Neonatal ICU center. The paediatrician came out and spoke to me told me to follow the babies up first and half hour later my missus would be ready to come out of the operating room.

 

I went up to check on the twins, managed to say hi to them, but as they were in ICU I did not really want to stay too long in case I got in the way of the nurses. Met up with the missus after she came out of her sedation, told her the twins were find and here’s the first look at them. Nigel and Natalie, the Lord’s little Angels.

 

It was the Night After the Party

It was the Night after the Party, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse.
The plates were all washed and kept my dear,
In hopes that our babies will soon be here.

When out of the blue there arose a shout,
I sprang out of bed to ask "What it's about?"
"It's burst, it's burst" exclaimed my wife,
What a shock I got, a real shock of my life.

I knew in a moment that it must be the babes,
All ready to come into the world of late.
Now Nigel ! Now Natalie ! you have to wait,
While Daddy and Mummy get out of bed.

And then in an instance the water came,
Down unto the floor and into the drain.
I bundled the missus into the van,
Away to the hospital as fast as I can.

Calm down dear sir the nurses said,
It'll be a while before we operate.
But the little babies had other ideas,
To miss Christmas was one of their fears.

"It's time, It's time" I was told,
Soon the babies will reach their goal.
Mummy was wheeled into the room,
While Daddy sat outside looking gloom.

It's 6am and the doors flew open,
Out came the babies wrapped in cotton.
The new born babies were a joy to hold,
A parents joy it was to behold.

Not one but two special ones to lift,
Nigel and Natalie were heavens great gifts.
Mummy is well, and Daddy smiles bright,
A Blessed Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night.

Drama

A little drama happened near our place last night. About 10pm.the sound of sirens filled the air. Me being a little curious poke my head out the window and saw a fire truck at the opposite block of HDB flats. A Red Rhino was also pulling up the flashing blue and red lights making it look a little like a Christmas Party down by the road side. Spotted a couple of fireman running around (ya they were running not walking and although the flats were not near, I could actually here them shouting something to one another. I told the missus “hey something’s going on over there, maybe fire”. A police patrol car then arrived on scene. It was soon followed by another patrol car and I could just vaguely make out that blue and white police tape being strung up.

The missus at this time was a little excited and asked me to go investigate. So off I went down to be like one of the many ‘Kay Pohs’ There was already a crowd gathering. Soon a third patrol car joined in and then came the arrival of one of those big Fire Engines, you know the kind with a ladder attached. Looks like a fire or something was happening in one of the flats since a few firemen were wearing those oxygen tanks on their backs and the fire hose were laid out, the hydrants were open and the pumps were working. But I could not see any smoke or anything in any of the flats. The Ladder Truck shone its spotlight up to the 3rd floor window but can’t really see anything happening from where I was standing (with the other KPOs, in flip flops and pyjama's) I stood there for about 10 mins and then I guess it was over as the firemen started packing their things. Not sure what happen, but I could see a lady talking to a Police Officer and the Fire Chief or whatever they are called those Firemen in white helmets.

I tried walking round the block but could not really see anything and so I went back reported to the missus that it was probably a fire or something but could not really tell. Anyways the missus was watching one of those Chinese Drama Serials on TV and had become less interested in what was happening downstairs. I think she’ll probably stay and watch her drama serials than evacuate a burning building.

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.