So this is it,

Friday I am flying off to realise a dream. I did dream, but never thought I'll be here given the events of the past few years. It still hasn't hit me yet, but we'll see. After that it is back to the drawing board for 2015.

If we can take them for 1m, we can take them for the next, and the next, and the next. Got to believe that we will stay as close to them as we deserve to (If we haven't done enough to deserve it, then that's another matter).

Thank you for this chance. 

24th

I remember spending my birthday last year doing weights (after paddling).

This year, it was spent on db timetrial, and some weights after that (: I am so thankful to be able to train and compete, and today was how I wanted it to be. Must be because I'm getting old, but the idea that being an athlete is a privilege, not a right, resonates deeply. I don't see sport as trivial; getting better every day is a perfect microcosm for life.

To many more days, months and years

What if you believe?

Rock bottom is a pretty good place to build your foundation

Got to get this out of my system.

To set the stage, yesterday's land trial was rather disastrous. Logged my worst scores ever in the run and ergo. I blame a bad lower back (left). But this is an excuse lah, if I were much better, then an off-day would still be enough to win.

A bit of time for retrospection this week, so here goes.

Been too kind to myself I think, too many last chances. The way I see it, the coming pre-season will be my last chance to develop a strong foundation. If I'm not ready at the end of it, I'll never be ready. I would love to say just be fearless and go for it, but with age, I guess this has to be tempered by some wisdom. Yea, mind over body is a great mantra until you realise that sometimes (and one time is already one time too many), you get your wish and your body goes on autopilot and damages itself beyond the point of no return.

The onlooker suggests that life would be much easier to just move on. But what's the point then? Life isn't meant to be easy. And it's not everyone who is lucky enough to find their calling. I do this cos I get the kicks out of it, in all seriousness. I love the intensity and the emotions that come with being an athlete. Nothing feels more alive then my heart and muscles on fire after a well-fought race, whether it is against real or imaginary opponents. 

So while the season is not quite over, I'm already looking forward to the next with lots of trepidation and excitement. If you don't fear, then there's no fun right? The greatest satisfaction I get from training and racing are those moments/times when I'm not 100% sure whether I can make it (although of course, in the arena, 100% self-belief is extremely important), where there's uncertainty and a risk of failure, where in order to achieve the best outcome, something almost magical must happen.

On a related note, I'm always haunted by what a trusted friend said about priorities, sometimes you have to be selfish and do things for yourself.

Alright, a good post here to unload my thoughts. Back to writing that paper.

It never gets old,
What if you believe?

Hello blog, everything is ok, not to worry. Just living life on the edge a little, September has come and gone. Raced at Taiwan, finished my races at ACC, got my driving license, progressed somewhat in phd life. So now, another push before a short break at the end of the year.

It's really crazy how time passes so fast. Just like that, it's almost 10 whole months since I joined the national db team. I can't even describe how thankful I am for this chance opportunity. Hang on ladies, just a bit more to the end of the year.

Kallang canal

Repost from my fb:

In the afternoon showers today, we were approaching the third bridge towards the end of an eight minute set when something unexpected happened. Usually this place is deserted, save for the occasional passerby or two, but today was different;
Amidst the pouring rain, a group of girls stopped to cheer and shout for us.

I don't think they could see the flag on our lifevests, and i don't know if they knew who we were, but it was such an inspiring moment for me. I was no longer paddling in the kallang canal; suddenly it was 2015 and we were in front of our home crowd.

Thank you ladies, for reminding me who and what we are paddling for, and that everything will be worth the while.

The charge of the light brigade

So many things have happened. This will have to suffice for now.

I seldom watch TV. The Blind Side happened to be on:
"...any fool can have courage. But honor, that's the real reason for you either do something or you don't. It's who you are and maybe who you want to be. If you die trying for something important, then you have both honor and courage, and that's pretty good. I think that's what the writer was saying, that you should hope for courage and try for honor."

http://poetry.eserver.org/light-brigade.html

 

Men love their country, not because it is great, but because it is their own. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Men love their country, not because it is great, but because it is their own.
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

I guess you could say the same for one's school.

Haven't updated in awhile, lots have happened. Good stuff mostly, and tight scheduling.

I won't be able to live with it if I let the boat be one pair short, since it is within my power to change that. Never stood a chance from the start, but that didn't matter. I did it for my school.

On another note, a battle plan is needed. How far we will go in this journey is something none of us will know now. But if you don't try, you'll never know. 

If there is no way, make one.  

Wake Me Up When September Ends

I recall the last time I had this feeling was J2 year (or was it J1?) while studying for exams.

Tomorrow onwards I have to be in school and just looking at my schedule for the next two months, honestly, I am scared. (You can't be brave if you're never scared yes?).

In my 7 years as an athlete and 4 years with the national team,  I've never had such a jammed packed schedule of back-to-back races, timetrials, trainings and school. The best part is that everything is important.

So goodbye to my already minimal social circle outside of training and school. Next two months will take all I've got. 

As always, I find comfort in this:

What if you believe?

the feeling of being taken for granted is rather uncomfortable.

Do it.
BECAUSE THEY SAID YOU CAN'T.

not too bad for a chill out day:

24km cycle
to play basketball
then some light swimming (but still could not resist the temptation to try and did 50m in one breath)
24km cycle

lots of stuff have happened over the past few months. life is good.

What if you believe?

The darkest hour is just before the dawn.

Every stroke must come from your heart.

Be honest to yourself, be honest to the team, be honest to the program.

Every stroke must come from your heart.

Inspired

Every stroke make sure it comes from your heart!

Hello world, let's make this great conspiracy happen. It's been awhile.

If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough. Mario Andretti

(:

From The Meaning of Sports by Simon Barnes: "All the sacrifice! Sacrifice for what? If you sacrifice something for yourself, it is not really sacrifice, is it?"

Another respite today. Ytd was practically ko-ed for the whole day of classes, but yes, I surprise again by answering questions after arousing from my slumber(s).

Tuesday was land trials. And while I will not attempt to jump the gun again, let's just say I benched 109% BW for 1 RM and pulled 106% (: and of course, PULLUPS (: Hello again the view up there! 18 times! This despite not doing more than 18 pullups added together over the last 1 year 1 month. And of course the bench press too, hardly touched it, neither did I do much pushups. Moral of the story? Paddling is good for you! Strengthens the pushing and pulling muscles (: happy. haha, I know I was beaming after the bench press. Of course it is still far from what I used to be able to do, but yes, there are signs it will be possible to exceed even that.

one task down for today, let's make the most out of the next few hours to clear work so weekend can be happy training (:

What if you believe?

Ytd had a really good time (:

The park connectors from Punggol Park is really amazing. Never thought Singapore had something so beautiful (just like Hungary!). Loved the waters, now living in the north east is a possibility.

The journey of self-discovery continues.

What if you believe?

Was a great weekend well spent, now time to catch up on work :p

Did decently for C1 200m, will get faster and better (:

and dragonboat timetrial 20 crew boat today was thrilling. First time doing a 500m timetrial in a big boat and the best part is I haven't trained in it before. The starts were fast and furious, and aggression abounded. Halfway during the 500m set, my arms were no longer mine. It was very painful, but very thrilling (: Wished we had other boats to race against though, but there will be a chance soon.

So things are looking up, just keep to keep giving my best effort. All it takes is all I've got.

What if you believe?

T1 2x 2km timetrial ytd was a semi-disaster. Poor is the word. Yes I was sick, yes my left shoulder was cranky, yes I had no one to chase cos I started first.

But no excuses. Better work harder.

On a happier note, C1 this morning was nice. Kept up with the fastest of the nus t1 db girls for their set (was it 2'?) Haha, I do hope they don't mind me sneaking in to join them for some of their trg.

Still have a bit of time to shake leg now, but come tomorrow (or perhaps, even beginning this evening), it's going to be a mad rush until Monday.

Let's do this.

What if you believe?

Great start to the Year of the Snake!

Well, not quite, haha, woke up just in time for it's arrival cos my blisters were throbbing.

But this morning's run was nice, if a little painful towards the end. 25km in just under 3 hours including stopping awhile at red lights. 6.38am to 9.37am. So on track for sub 5 hour marathon! yay

Have to start clearing work today so I can play tomorrow (:

exciting

Today's program came up to ~16km. That's the furthest I've ever paddled in a dragonboat in one session! Of course there was a price to pay, some blisters, but worth it. this also means tomorrow's plans have changed! Long run here I come (:

trust

It's been about 5 weeks but it feels as if I've known these people for years (:

The year thus far has been very interesting in many ways. Finding more about the world out there, and at the same time, finding myself.

 “Set your expectations high; find men and women whose integrity and values you respect; get their agreement on a course of action; and give them your ultimate trust.”

—John Fellows Akers 

"It only hurt once, from beginning to end."
James Counsilman, College Swimming Coach (after swimming the English Channel at the age of 58). Counsilman got his start as a swimmer at the East St. Louis YMCA. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Coach in 1976

 
What if you believe?

The adventure thus far has been great. Feeling a little extra cheer in my heart, very nice feeling (:

Been up to some training that I didn't even think was possible/ does it even exist. But pullled through and life is good.

What an experience last night was! Whatever I had previously thought and experienced of dragonboat- clunky, chugging along - was dispelled. I never knew a dragonboat could glide like that, even if it's just with 2 people paddling. Needless to say, I'm hooked. Plus the camaraderie is something I could get used to (: Only thing is, left shoulder has been a bit uncooperative. Going to see the doctor in awhile, hope he can fix it without too much hassle.

Let 2013 be the year of venturing. Not all who wander are lost.