My calves were screaming and my quads felt like jelly. My shoulders felt as though I was lugging a fully loaded ALICE pack. If my HRM was working properly, I won't be surprised it would've read 95%.
That was how I felt DURING the run yesterday. Today, I'm feeling kinda tired, but I'm still going for the flat 10km in East Coast.
Am I normal? Am I unfit?
Okay, I managed to find some 'feel-good' articles on Hill Running and its benefits:
"Running Hills Can Be Key to Improving Performance" by the American Running Association
"Everything You Need to Know About Hill Training" by Runner's World, UK
Looks like I'm on the right road to building stamina and power.......
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
It was like dragging a tonne of bricks!
Alright I'm worried. I wore my new pair of Mizuno Wave Creation shoes and went for a hilly run after work this evening.
It was only a 5.6km run, but it felt like I was dragging a tonne of bricks! I took a very mortal but un-runner-like time of 40 minutes to conquer Telok Blangah Hill.
Notes to myself:
1. The Mizunos are much heavier than my previous lightweight NBs and Adidas. Why did I get the Mizunos? Well, since I'd be training and running the marathon, I figured I needed to protect my knees from over-pounding. Moreover my experience with the lightweights on runs beyond 20km didn't go too well with my feet. My priority was therefore to get some comfort running, hence the heavier Mizunos. AND HEAVIER IT WAS! My calves were screaming murder.
2. OOooooooh....... Heavier brand new shoes on a brand new route and a totally new running experience. Yes, I haven't done any hill runs in 2 years. My calves and thighs wouldn't forgive me for the 'new experience and new shoes'.
So what should I do now? Any coach out there?
I think I'll go for a 10km flat run at East Coast Park tomorrow evening with the Mizunos. At least I'll train my calves to take some punishment. How?
It was only a 5.6km run, but it felt like I was dragging a tonne of bricks! I took a very mortal but un-runner-like time of 40 minutes to conquer Telok Blangah Hill.
Notes to myself:
1. The Mizunos are much heavier than my previous lightweight NBs and Adidas. Why did I get the Mizunos? Well, since I'd be training and running the marathon, I figured I needed to protect my knees from over-pounding. Moreover my experience with the lightweights on runs beyond 20km didn't go too well with my feet. My priority was therefore to get some comfort running, hence the heavier Mizunos. AND HEAVIER IT WAS! My calves were screaming murder.
2. OOooooooh....... Heavier brand new shoes on a brand new route and a totally new running experience. Yes, I haven't done any hill runs in 2 years. My calves and thighs wouldn't forgive me for the 'new experience and new shoes'.
So what should I do now? Any coach out there?
I think I'll go for a 10km flat run at East Coast Park tomorrow evening with the Mizunos. At least I'll train my calves to take some punishment. How?
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
No Time to Eat, Shit, Sleep, or Train
Excuses, excuses, excuses. That's what the naysayers would say about my lack of time management.
Honestly, I'm overwhelmed - no, in fact, my entire team is - with a lot of overseas master planning projects. We're not stressed yet, but we've just got too many things in our hands. So far it's been challenging because each project is unique, and handling every project head-on requires a quick mind.
It's analogous to retrieving the correct folder in the file cabinet brain of yours.
Attending meetings for Russian projects in one instance, then going for another workshop for a new city in Abu Dhabi. Immediately after lunch, it's tackling the social issues in the heart of Mumbai. Meanwhile, we get calls from architects seeking our advice for the various projects in Vietnam. Oops, the boss sends an email asking if we could take on a project in Bahrain. Then there's the local developer client who drops by the office to say hi.
Corporate juggling. It's a circus here!
But like I said, it's challenging. I shouldn't throw in the towel yet (or even think about it) coz it's a matter of time management and working smart.
It's been long hours in the office. Even the lighting timer on my fish tank turns off before I pack my laptop for home. I've had to compromise on relaxation time and training time.
Dang! And the Sundown Marathon is in about 6 weeks time! Perhaps my (unglorified) half marathon in Kuala Lumpur a couple weekends ago should be some sort of consolation, but we all know that that isn't enough for a good comfy 42.2km run at the end of May.
I need to incorporate lunchtime workouts again. Work smart, train smarter. I may not have the time to put in the mileage, but I could certainly work on the core muscles, some interval training and active recovery routines. 5km runs, some brick training at SAFRA, perhaps a couple of stationary bike workouts for the heart rate, pilates on the ball, etc. It's gotta be purposeful training.
Yes I'm overwhelmed with projects. But am I stressed? Nope. Not yet at least. Look, it's still better to do overtime with different projects than with one single boring project. I can't imagine spending my every waking moment on a single project for a few years! I mean... where's the challenge? Talk about creativity stagnation!
I take it as a learning experience. Time management and project management. I also need to manage my resources properly as well.
Pssst, and taking a break by updating this blog is about time management too... I've been sketching road networks in Vietnam, India and Russia for the past 3 days already!
Honestly, I'm overwhelmed - no, in fact, my entire team is - with a lot of overseas master planning projects. We're not stressed yet, but we've just got too many things in our hands. So far it's been challenging because each project is unique, and handling every project head-on requires a quick mind.
It's analogous to retrieving the correct folder in the file cabinet brain of yours.
Attending meetings for Russian projects in one instance, then going for another workshop for a new city in Abu Dhabi. Immediately after lunch, it's tackling the social issues in the heart of Mumbai. Meanwhile, we get calls from architects seeking our advice for the various projects in Vietnam. Oops, the boss sends an email asking if we could take on a project in Bahrain. Then there's the local developer client who drops by the office to say hi.
Corporate juggling. It's a circus here!
But like I said, it's challenging. I shouldn't throw in the towel yet (or even think about it) coz it's a matter of time management and working smart.
It's been long hours in the office. Even the lighting timer on my fish tank turns off before I pack my laptop for home. I've had to compromise on relaxation time and training time.
Dang! And the Sundown Marathon is in about 6 weeks time! Perhaps my (unglorified) half marathon in Kuala Lumpur a couple weekends ago should be some sort of consolation, but we all know that that isn't enough for a good comfy 42.2km run at the end of May.
I need to incorporate lunchtime workouts again. Work smart, train smarter. I may not have the time to put in the mileage, but I could certainly work on the core muscles, some interval training and active recovery routines. 5km runs, some brick training at SAFRA, perhaps a couple of stationary bike workouts for the heart rate, pilates on the ball, etc. It's gotta be purposeful training.
Yes I'm overwhelmed with projects. But am I stressed? Nope. Not yet at least. Look, it's still better to do overtime with different projects than with one single boring project. I can't imagine spending my every waking moment on a single project for a few years! I mean... where's the challenge? Talk about creativity stagnation!
I take it as a learning experience. Time management and project management. I also need to manage my resources properly as well.
Pssst, and taking a break by updating this blog is about time management too... I've been sketching road networks in Vietnam, India and Russia for the past 3 days already!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
