Writing it here to be thankful that this happened:
A relatively big week of training,
122 km of kayaking (I honestly cant rmb when was the last time i did this)
13 km of canoeing
~9km of running
Some pullups and pushups
*Could have been more kilometres but I controlled myself a little, probably becoming a bit wiser with age ;)
Oh yes, and inbetween 7 hours of lecturing, plus 3 days of conference and attended a wedding lunch.
Onward!
Progress (:
Sleep hours slightly down to 55 hours / week.
| Averages | Totals | |||
| 2017 (6 mths) | 2016 | 2017 (6 mths) | 2016 | |
| K | 58 | 43 | 1511 | 2235 |
| C | 17 | 7 | 430 | 366 |
| Trg | 10 | 8 | 262 | 428 |
Had quite a good day today (: and the week was quite good also (:
Finally ventured into the Northern Trail again. Twice this week actually. 44'18 from shed to the big rock and back, not too bad. Got the running feel back and it was quite exciting to run in the rain and lightning/thunder all around (don't try this at home!). Limiting factors were the leg muscles and joints, not cardio haha. Hopefully continue to grease the groove and it will be even better.
And did a 10km paddling timetrial today haha. I haven't done this proper in maybe 6 years :p Limiting factor seemed to be the muscles, every stroke was solid, again cardio wasn't too taxed yet. 59'23. Was trying to sub 1 hour, then was hanging on to sub 59'30. Last 500m was at 2'40 pace actually, so it means I can go much faster!
Now to improve these timings by 15% ;) Funny how things come full circle and I'm just coming back to where I left off from 6 years ago. Good thing is that I'm hopefully much wiser now.
On a side note, MacR was very peaceful this week (save for the crazy lightning and thunderstorms), with minimal school kids around.
Oh yes, there was much more time this week so I biked to check out the new coastal road. Not the best stretch to cycle :p 47 km took me ~2.5 h as I watched my speed drop slowly :p
The plan for 2017 was to beat this, and possibly aim for 4000 km:
2016
Total dist (K): 2235
Total dist (C): 366
No. of trgs: 428
If divided evenly to 4 quarters,
is to beat this:
2016
Total dist (K): 2235
Total dist (C): 366
No. of trgs: 428
Not too hard considering I didn't train properly in the 2nd half of the year :p
So maybe, let's do 4000 km instead :D
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
William Ernest Henley (1849–1903)
Let's start with my favourite quote at the moment. Pertains to the team that I am coaching now. It's been a huge privilege to share my love for canoeing (as well as the whole underdog struggling thing), and this is trying to spark off some of that magic in them too:
"You don’t climb mountains without a team, you don’t climb mountains
without being fit, you don’t climb mountains without being prepared and
you don’t climb mountains without balancing the risks and rewards. And
you never climb a mountain on accident — it has to be intentional.” Mark Udall
“If you knew you could climb a mountain, you probably wouldn’t do it,”
he said. “It’s the uncertainty, the challenge and the willingness to put
it all on the line that draws a lot of people to climb mountains. That
can also apply to a lot of other challenges in life, whether it’s
running for office, starting a family, going to grad school or taking
all of your cash and assets and starting a business. You don’t know if
you’re going to be successful, but you want to see what you’re capable
of.”
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_39/mark_udall_conquered_many_mountains_before_capitol_hill-209329-1.html?pg=2&dczone=hill-life
Already more than a quarter-century old! Am very lucky to be doing what I consider purposeful "work". But then again, it's not work (:
There are many things I want to do, and accomplish, in 2016. The new year always brings opportunities. Now to see me put everything together and make it work (:
Few more days till the end of 2015. Been a rough year but it has made me much clearer on everything. Going to revive this (: Figured that is one way to keep it grounded amidst the fun and exciting year ahead!
It's been months.
Was caught in a thunderstorm with 30km/h wind with Coach on a speedboat. 4 years ago during the marathon WC in Singapore, that was one crazy storm too ;) memories.
2014, you have been one rough year.
New year, new dawn. Hello 2015 (:
What if you believe?
Put in some of the long (boring) training yesterday, and it was good. Really enjoying the swimming pool facility at the sports hub (:
Back onto the C1 after 6 days. And it still feels familiar (:
DB trg was awesome. Yes, I miss this feeling. I love the thrill of sprinting, of pushing my muscles and lungs and nervous system to go as hard and as fast for as long as I can. That point where it is just spinning out of control (and I think I might not make it), but somehow, there is still that extra when I dig deep enough.
Slightly pleased with myself. Another 42km of cycling done today (: Once-a-day training for the past 3 days to fix my back. So Monday PM was cycling as well and Tues AM was a very invigorating swim at the sports hub aquatic centre. Two thumbs up for the facilities! And I love the certainty of an indoor pool, no Cat I to worry about.
Time to up my game (:
Do it for your people
Do it for your pride
Never gonna know if you never even try
Do it for your country
Do it for your name
Optimism is coursing through my veins (: Just got to keep this tight for 50 more weeks.
ITCC 2014, NTU clinched the women's title and
overall champions! (: It was my honour and pleasure to race under the
NTU banner, and the team was extremely welcoming although I hardly know
most of them.
No medal for me, placed 4th in the k1
200m but hoped my three points helped! Happy for the day though, 53"
despite the limited paddling hours/mileage (yes, guilty as charged).
Just imagine, 3 weeks ago it was 1', which is the same speed as my C1
hahhaha.
I think I looked pretty chill during/after the heats,
but honestly, that belies the fact that my forearms were exploding from
the lack of proper kayaking training. 50m more and I wouldn't have made
it. Still, the thrill from bursting out was exhilarating
And yes, it's been awhile... 3 years since my last sprint kayak race
and 5 years since I last raced injury-free. I've still got another 3
years to go for my post-grad studies = 3 more years to compete in
tertiary. Let's seize this, and see how much is left in an older (and
hopefully wiser) me. Never too late!
