On- road combat

I guess I need to respond next time. When one overtakes you, it means you're slowing down and if you're in that race then you jolly well keep up. That's the point of racing. If you can't keep up then quit. Don't be in a race if you dun want to. So if you're overtaken, respond and overtake back. Then maintain pace. Let that change of gears play on. Play with the opponent till he's flat.

I guess running is not all about going forward. It's about on- road and on- track combat too. Yeah you and the other opponents are just running forward but it's also a game of expending energy. And to see who's the toughest, who's the mentally strongest. Of course how physically tough you are is based on the training you put in all these while.

This running is no ordinary sport. It's more complicated than how simple you think it is.

Real Run 2008

I juz let myself down.

Whatever. The heat. Inadequate training. The distance. Whatever. All those are excuses. But the point is, you lost. You lost, dear you. Dear me. Yes speaking.

I dun know why. I dun know how. Science says it should be all right. Pre- race preparation was systematic like clockwork. And though I missed Changi Coast Road, I still got there in time. So what's missing?

What's missing? It's supposed to be like this. Supposed to turn out like this. But it didn't. You can see the emotional wreckage I'm in now. It hurts. When something just slipped out of your hands. I lost the money, I lost the dignity. This year it's 15km. 5 more. But that's supposed to be to your advantage. I guess it's just not my share this time. I've tried to win but couldn't. I can try harder next year.

Back

It's been a real long time. I'm back. I've been through a lot. I've somewhat changed. Small changes. Some things just remain. The kids came over for Hari Raya today. They're great. But I still have a lot to learn. If this is gonna be a career for life. Then it better be a serious committment. Serious thoughts have to be put into it. I'm willing to learn, anytime. It will be alright, it will be fine.

I have an important race next week. Can I repeat it again this year?

Next week I will screen the movie Rogue for them to see. Hope they like it.

Peace of mind

It has got to be one of the best moments. After doing 12 reps of 400 metres averaging about 75 seconds, i felt quite satisfied and sort of refreshed. It's the endorphins maybe? Though i din even hit 72 seconds as targetted by coach, i still felt happy. Because the workout isn't easy but nevertheless it was still done. So that's a consolation.

Is there some kind of a theory behind inducing happiness through hardship? Is there some kind of a correlation between happiness and overcoming a hardship? I felt a post- workout satisfaction that day.

Reminder

This serves as both a post and reminder. Of what I need to do on Sunday, 18 May. It's about tactics. Over the years of experience, there is no one method of tactics that is un- arguably the most effective, most powerful, most popular. Some kill from the start, some kill at the last lap. Some are impressively very very consistent.

Over the years I've learnt I'm not a 1500 runner- yet. It requires careful training of course, and patience is very essential. But I've made better improvement in the 5000. I love 5000 as it is less hurting than 1500. So this Sunday I really need to coast. I've run more and more 5000s. It's about tactics and I'm learning everytime.

Fish tank

I'd like to talk about the new fish tank in my room. It's big- more than two arm's length. It's nice- the water is clear and it looks like a habitat on the river bed. And the fishes inside gives meaning to what life is all about in the rectangular tank. A week ago I bought four tetra fishes and my brother seemed fascinated. This craze about fishes started from my brother and I can never start it due to my busy schedule. I'd never care about this cold- blooded animal until only recently now. Maybe I care a bit. The underwater display is simply nice. It's beautiful- the colours, the clarity and the visual effect of zero gravity. There's a lot about the aquarium- the art of the underwater environment and buying and discovering new species.

New commodity

Everything seems precious, and everyone wants a share. I wanted to throw some stacks of waste paper. But was stopped by the auntie. She needs it. I dunno for what but she seemed to regard it like something of real value. And if you sit around the coffeeshops there's these folks who go around collecting used drink cans. They are desperate. I'm having dinner and they keep a watchful eye on me- not me but the piece of shiny can on my table. It looks crazy. If people go after money that's understandable. But now in this new era, we have a new commodity- trash, scrap and reusable and recyclable items. These new generation of junk- collecting community is helping to save the Earth. But they are amusing too.

Trash is becoming a commodity. A train about to move off is as precious as gold. The bus about to move off too. The society's become so fast- paced, so competitive. It's weird to think about the things people go after these days.