REAL Run 2011

Went for the yearly REAL Run that I REALly like, ha ha pun intended ... Held at the same place at Changi, this year they scraped the 15K category and added in the 21K category which suited me just fine as I really wanted to do a long run. As usual I bought the bus ticket which cost $3 for the bus ride to the start point. The bus pick up time was 4.45am, so I was up around 3.30am to get myself ready and took the walk to the pick up point which was about 10 minutes away from my place. Arrived at the Changi Exhibition Centre, dump my bag at the bag deposit which still cost $1 and this is the only bag deposit I hae ever used as it is in a building so away from the elements, did my warm ups and was already for the 6.30am start.

We were flagged off on time all 3000 of us, th 10K run had abotu 7000 participants, hit the trail, surprisingly I felt good. I was running slow as I wanted to maintain a nice comfrotable full marathon pace. Did the 10k in 1hr 15min which was cmfortable for me, the trick was to maintain that pace and I knew the ending the last 2 or 3 kilometers were killers as its on an open road with the sun beating down on you. But by the 14K I started to cramp a little and the beach was coming up so I ease up. Just as you entered the beach there was a medical tentage and I guess the medic's there had a lot of free time as they made 'ice-packs' from rubber gloves and handed them out. It was really refreshing as I ran along the beach maybe that help me to at least run 3/4 of the beach and walk the last bits. The beach run was longer this year and hot as hell. Out of the beach top up water and it was the final stretch towards the finishing line in the hot sun. Just as I started the long trek in, muscle cramp started, don't know why but again same spot as I got my cramps last year. It was the entrance area just along the up slope. Maybe that is why. Anyway jog/walk the rest of the way in, just managed to complete it in under 3hrs. The first thing about the race that struck me was for the 21K runners I think they are mostly people who run alot and have water point discipline as I call it. At the water points and mainly after the water points you don't see many paper cups thrown all over the place, they are all thrown at the side of the road so you don't have to run through mountains of used cups. However once the route merges with the 10K runners you see cups all over the route. The other thing was 3000 runners was a very comfortable number not a very crowded race until you meet up with the 10K runners that is.

Next run would be the Full Marathon as I have to skip the Newton 30K as it clashes with my holiday plans. On a side note don't ever go down to MacRitchie on a holiday as it's Jam Pack with people, the car park was full and there were 20 cars at least waiting to get in. I think it's due to the completio of the renovation works now the park has better amenities..

3 Day, 2 Nights

My little boy went for an operation recently, after visiting his doctor, we were advised to have his throat check by a specialist due to the panting he sometimes gets. We were referred to an ENT specialist at KKH, it was found that he had an enlarged Andenoid, his Tonsils were big too and his left ear was block so a full ENT would be done. Hopefully after they clear the wax in his ear there would be no water behind else they will need to drain that too.

Made the appointment and both me and the missus took leave, his sister had to stay home for a few days and not join him. We checked in a day before as they needed him to stay as the operation was early the next morning. The poor little boy could sense something was not right. He was a little grumpy the whole day.

Next day 9am was the op, doctors came in and got him ready for it we went to the operating theatre he was really fussy now. In the end only 1 parent could bring him in and the missus took him in, he was screaming a lot the poor little boy. The missus came out told me they have put him to sleep and will call us once it was over would be about 45 mins to an hour or so. We waited in the waiting area, really hate this part where you don't know what is going on and you just wait outside. After 45 mins, still no word, an hour passed and still nothing. After about an 1hr 15 mins the nurse came out and asked one of us to go in first. The missus went in to see the little one. 5 mins later I was allowed in. The poor little boy was a little groggy but awake. The doctor told us his ear was fine no water in it. The op was successful his Andenoid and Tonsil were reduced so now they needed to monitor him for another day. Thank god everything went well.

The boy was so very groggy with all the sedatives, he slept most of the time. Aunties, Uncles and grandparents came visiting, he got lots of new toys to play with. At night he did not want to sleep and was very fussy he did not take his medicine well and refused to drink his milk. Then he vomited and the nurse check his vomit and said it's ok he just threw out the bad blood as there was trace of blood in the vomit. The boy threw out one more time and after that he was better, he took his medicine, drank his milk and went to sleep through out the night. Guess he just needed to get the stuff out of his tummy and he felt better after that. I on the other hand had to make a quick detour home to change as he had threw up on me.

Next day doctors came to check he was find everything ok and he was discharged, Had to stay home for 1 week and go for a post op check. All cleared after the post op check and he is doing better now.

Freaky Rain

It rain so heavy yesterday as I was leaving work for home that I got totally SOAK !!!! My bag was soaked, shirt was wet, pants even the umbrella I had was kind of useless !! even my underwear was soaked !!! The new drainage did not seem to help !! It made things WORST if you ask me so much water ponding !!! But had a nice warm shower after that and had a good night’s sleep on a cool night.