Bishan Park

A little interesting Friday for Bumpy and I.
We managed to wake up for a morning run/walk/picture taking at Bishan Park. One of the nonsensical thing that I have been bugging/asking/bothering Bumpy since he enlisted into army; when would he run with me again?
And on Friday since he get a day earlier to book out, that's when he kept his promise. Okay technically not a promise but he gave in to my request (at last!).
We had a nice start, you know warming up and aiming to run 10km that morning and at least to cover that distance in whatever timing we will take. BUT HOR. The moment we reach Bishan Park, it was a whole different thing. Okay, kitty's fault since I got amused by the surrounding and self-reminding myself to snap pictures later. Eventually we just totally stopped the run and just snapped pictures instead. Good job!

 
Definitely a park I want to explore more the next time round and hopefully run a whole round! Hahah. No more pictures taking the next time, must concentrate on covering distance.
As much as I'm still in agony that I have to run such a long distance. Still, you can argue that it's cause I'm not training for it that's why I'm complaining about the distance. But logically thinking, it's not even advisable for someone whose longest distance ran is 12km (two years ago?) to suddenly triple her distance covered in such a short time.
Least when I'm not constantly running as well. Sigh at weird peer pressure. Just hope I can survive through the run and at least try not to walk that much. Hello music, you're my only company (if Bumpy only accompany me after 21km). After that I reckon I'm calling it quits for such insane distance for running, I'll dutifully stick to only 10km. Honestly, it's short attention span.

Mmkay enough of scenery pictures, now is couple pictures! Hahah.

 
At the end of the run, I asked Bumpy for a couple shot where he piggyback me! And he agreed \(^_^)/
Well, we did ask a passer-by to help me snap the pictures, but what was surprising was that he even snapped the process of the piggyback, sort of accidentally.
And it's the only freaking picture where it looked as though I have toned legs. Must treasure this rare picture!

We started off with a run, continued with a walk and ended with a piggyback!
Best morning spend of the week, of the month! And after that we're off for breakfast at Long John Silver and there goes the calories I tried burning off (but failed).

Yellow Ribbon

Today marks another day where I joined and participated in a running event. Collecting my second medal of the year.
To admit, I was kind of reluctant to run this morning. Firstly, I haven't been training for the run like at all. Second, I haven't ran in a month (or more) not since my Bumpy ran with me. Third, it's so early in the morning and my bed loves me too much to let me go. Hahah.
But well, it's a race I paid for, kind of not worth it if I didn't run in the end, even if I didn't really do well for it.

So up in the morning I got up (still very reluctantly), changed and got out to meet my friends to go together. The event provided free shuttle bus services from Singapore Expo which was really awesome. And that's where we parked as well. Getting there was no issue and eventually we hopped onto the bus, and were on our way to the starting point.
But first, baggage drop. I had to pack a change of clothes, slippers and towel. Standard packing for running.
They had trucks ready for the baggage drop off, and they provided big plastic bags for you to place your belongings inside and secure it with a band.

Kitty's caption: What are these people wearing yellow for?
Probably cats and hair colours the second main things on my mind right now. No hints needed to guess what's the first and last thing on my mind everyday.

The event was well organized, buses picking the runners up from Singapore Expo. Well seen signs to direct runners for their baggage drop off before directing them to the starting point.
Unfortunately, we weren't there as early as we hopped to be, and by the time we were done with baggage and friend going to the washroom, it was about 7.30am then. And the race was starting in about 15 minutes time.
Had to pick up the pace to reach to the starting point and even so when the siren went off, it took us like three minutes before passing the starting line. That's how far we were from the starting point. And with that three minutes lag time, the fastest person could have completed a km already (who knows?)

It was like the best weather to run. Despite other parts of Singapore having heavy rain, at Changi area it was cloudy (with the chance of heavy downpour as well) but it just didn't rain at all even after the race was completed. Though there were some times where the wind was a little chilly and with a sweaty body, it gives the chills.
Good run and venue, though the up and down slopes were pretty horrible. In my mind I was mindfucking myself and saying 'this is why I trained at MacRitchie'. It's kind of like self psycho-ing yourself to complete the race. And also how I know Bumpy wouldn't like it if I give up halfway during the run as well.

It's feel like a scenery run instead. Going back Changi Chapel & Museum, passing by factory and even having policemen cheering you on. Not bad I'll say. Hahah. And just at the last part of the run, we were running beside Changi Prison and the most unexpected is when we turned into the entrance. I was like overwhelmed. Like I'm literally going into prison. That feeling when you went pass the gates and know you're a 'prisoner' for a few hours. And turning the corners, you spot the big field where they have the end point and where everyone is gathering there. Inside I'm telling myself, just a bit more. You can see the finishing line already.

And with every race event, somehow the last km is the one where they mindfuck you the most. Just when you can see the finishing line, they decided to make you run a little longer. I thought it was a simple run to the end, make a U-turn and head back towards the end point. But no, they decided it was better to make another turn (Like straight and turn right, something like a L shape instead) before making a U-turn and running back. It's like that additional 300m that mindfuck you a lot. And quite a number of people didn't expect that and they started to pick up pace not knowing there was a little more before actually picking up the pace for real. Still sadly 'cause I didn't train for this run, I struggled a lot. And the last two km I slowed down my pace. Suffered cramps and it was just bad for me. Legs hurt like crazy while running 'cause there wasn't any proper warm up done.
Bright side, I finished the race though not my desired timing of below an hour. But it was 1.01:29. Just a minute above the hour limit. Hahah. Maybe if I didn't slow down that much at the last part it could be possible.
But hey for someone who didn't train or run for the last month. Spend every weekend pigging out with her boyfr and eating so much dessert. I'll give myself a good pat on the back.

After the race, first and second thing is getting myself an isotonic drink to hydrate and heading to the washroom. Hahah. Bad decision to be heading to the washroom though. I feel light-headed after the run and suddenly sitting down and focusing on something, I feel a bad headache coming up soon.
Thank goodness it wasn't a warm weather else I would definitely suffer a headache next. Yea I think my immune system getting weaker.

Headed off to collect our goodie bag and they give awesome items! Like they even personalized a piece of mooncake with the yellow ribbon stamp on top. Secretly saving that piece from my family to share with Bumpy (Shhhh!).
Collected a lot of can drinks as well. And even grabbed a big cup of water to proper hydrate myself instead of drinking too much isotonic drinks. Water is after all the best ingredient for the body. I was like holding the big cup the whole time, slowly sipping water from time to time.

The organizers even set up a separate tent where they display the route of acceptance. Elaborating how there are different courses that prisoners are able to take up while serving their time. From sport to culinary, you name it. They even have a mock cell to show you how small the cell is, the daily activities of a prisoner and the items they received.

The excited moment of texting my Bumpy to tell him my timing.
Was telling him that I aimed to finish my run before 9am and text him then. Hahah. And he surprised me back with long mushy messages.
We weren't able to play some of the games they had there (SIGH). Did want to spend more time there but time wasn't on my side since I was meeting my family later for lunch. Grouping back with my friends and finding each other, we got a group picture before heading to find the shuttle bus service back to Singapore Expo.

And here me...
Holding the big empty cup which I finally finish after an hour of holding it around.
And needing another cup of water instead.
On the bus ride home, I can really feel my wobbly legs and a bad feeling that I would be sore the whole day and the following day. Hahah. Next run, I better be prepared!

The formation of the Yellow Ribbon before grabbing a picture. And they are all wearing yellow caps as well. Hahah! It's a good run. And it is said that there were about 10k participants that morning running.
Well, sometimes during the run, I would be cursing and swearing that it is a long and tiring route, and why I didn't prepare well for it and also after 5k mark, I started to lose interest in completing the race 'cause it got boring running.
Other times, I wonder why am I torturing myself and joining race events when right now I should be running is to keep fit and for leisure. Not for serious training or anything. Then again, I got to work towards my final and last race event of the year; standard chartered. Wish me lots of luck on that, and hopefully to complete the race below 4.5hours.
Even asked Bumpy if he would like to accompany me to run, so at least I have company the whole route and not be even bored running the race. Probably asked him to meet me at the 21km part and he paced me the remaining journey together.

Life is like a race. At times we are not prepare for it, but we are ready to run it anyway.

RAC

Just run, no sweat.
To conquer, to overcome and not to yield because only the finest make it through.
The extra effort differentiate a winner from second place.

These quotes stick with me as I run the race. And half or literally almost all the time I was trying to mindfuck myself with the distance left to run.
The excitement, the adrenalin rush inside as you stand around the starting line, waiting for the emcee to tell you it's 10s more to the start of the run.
You wasn't sure whether you would survive running, or whether you would come close to your target timing. It's just a matter of seconds before the race starts, and focus is all that is on your mind.
The horn went off, and people started rushing past the starting line.
It's suddenly a race of who can squeeze through the tiny gap between runners and getting to the front.

The first kilometer was easy, I mean I just started the race, I'm still fresh with energy. Come on, I can do it.
But one mistake was to start a little too fast ahead of my normal speed. And like all things, I eventually can't maintain at that speed.
Half the time, it was about enjoying the run, observing the way people run and their expression. And it wasn't about just running, but the fact that people are taking time out to exercise.
It was a 5km run up before a turn about and we run back another 5km.
On the other side, I see the disabled cyclists, and the runners beside them cheering them on.

A guy with a red shirt ran past me, and his shirt says 'feel like heaven after running like hell'. Total motivation to chase after him. And the excuse to ask where he get the shirt from.
Another guy on the opposite side was dragging a car tire as he runs, ultimate salute for him. You can hear the sound of the car tire being dragged on the ground as he runs.
You see people running, jogging and walking.

It's almost like a life route.
At the start, things look easy and you're sure that you can do it.
The start is good, a nice comfortable pace or maybe a little too fast but it's still good.
As it continue, you realize that it starts to get a little tiring and stopping is just so tempting.
You look forward to the halfway mark where you can turn around and now head towards the finishing line. It's like a mental state where you either focus on running, or you let your mind wander and distract.
The distance gets longer, the pain starts kicking in. You see people overtaking you and you try to match their pace.
Finally you reach the last kilometer and you increase your pace, yet trying to match it to a comfortable pace so you can last.
One thing you still hate about the last kilometer is that the route seemed longer, you can't see the finishing line and just when you turn the corner and hope the line is there, no, it's a lot further away.
But after you cross the line, it's the sense of achievement that you have completed the race. You challenged yourself and you achieved it.

Yea, that's what happened when you run.
And after that it's enjoyment of the milo van ^^
The word is just 'OMG'. I haven't seen that milo van in at least 4 years since my last race in Secondary 4. Fond memories. And the thing on my mind then is just spam drinking milo. I'm never going to see much of this milo van again.

So let's start from the beginning. My first race pack collection.
And the thought of purchasing the RAC bears. Yet I'm always in a rush from places to places.
Headed down to Velocity to collect my race pack the day before my exams. Good job. After collecting it, it's a straight journey home to study.
And mummy was more amused at my number tag than me because it had her name on it.
Hahah!
So that was day one.

Some pictures taken before and after the race.
And my first medal this year!
Though I couldn't take pictures of the cheer-leading quad like in front, but hey, back view is awesome too!
Barely slept the night before and was up like twice that night chatting with Box. Thank goodness for him sleeping late else I won't have anyone to talk to in the middle of the night.
Ended up getting up at 4.30am and just like going to survive on less than 5hours of sleep for the whole day.

After the race, it was another rushing day for me to head down to Chinatown for some work.
And Box finding me after that. Ultimate happyness.
Who knew that working two days there, and I know well quite a number of people there already. From the 7-eleven aunty to the kfc staffs and even some other staffs there and the security guards as well! They even can joked with me that they wanted to help me take the whole carton of tissues away for me so I can go back earlier. But unfortunately I still have to be there for three hours.

After that it's earning the first meal of the day with Box.
Literally surviving almost 9hours without much proper food is starving and dying.
Lunch at Genki Sushi, our first time there and we both got super amused by how they delivered the food to you.
The dishes you ordered is sent to you on a moving train. It reduce the staff need to carry and serve you every dish and you get all the dishes at one shot. How cool is that.
And I got my well-awaited Starbucks drink. Tried their new drink of dark mocha white chocolate pudding frap. Honestly, I didn't quite enjoy it. I prefer back my original drink of dark mocha, skinny and without whip cream.
We were joking how the white chocolate pudding looks like tofu!
But that's my guilty treat of the day and starting today (Monday) I am going on a no-dessert diet.
Do wonder when I would start having withdrawal symptoms or like binge eat dessert.

First day of term, and the lecturer didn't turn up. Good job! Wasted two hours of my time to travel there and wait for a non-existence lecturer.
Tomorrow, work and study. Back to being busy busy busy. Sigh T.T