Standard Chartered Marathon 2009 | Training Confession

I'm sorry. For this year's marathon, i didn't do much posting on my trainings and race preparations. Mind is quite occupied with the fact that i need to go army 2 days before the race. I didn't follow the actual training programme provided by Coach Pekya, hence didn't want to post any training log.

Find that my training for this year's marathon wasn't as comprehensive compared to previous years, even thou i had more time to prepare and marked another personal best timing. If i wasn't wrong, training started as early as Sept. Remember attending for all the long runs on Saturdays. But remembered even clearly, that i had to go for work in the evening after runs. This schedule burns me out ALOT! I really don't know how Wilson can survive by going for Bike Project and head straight for work without any break in between. After the 32km long run, again follow by evening work shifts, i gave up on the Saturday long runs. Also because i have classes to mark up on the weekend (Saturday) due to attending Army Briefing on the weekdays! Should be around November then.

Shifted my training to focus more on track workout, which i find them very helpful the previous years. Was way behind the training programme, as i always follow the Team's training programme. But its more catered to foundation and drills, low mileage, short intensity interval as Team is focusing on 5km runs. No changes in sets objective till November when i decided that i had to start doing track workout for Marathon.

Instead of Thursday which is official run session for the Team. I open another training slot on Monday, starting at 6pm which focus is just to run the sets. Ends around 7+pm and head straight for Grandma place. No strength workout, little motivation and extra irritation from the TP Archery Team. They are a bunch of F@#Kers who cant stick to single lane, always running side by side, taking up lane 1 and 2.

Instead of 20+km runs on Saturday. I make up by running 10-16km on Saturday and 10km on Sunday, allowing me to attend school in morning. OH! and before i forget. I remember, missing some weekend runs due to the heavy downpour, during that period of time.

To summarize, I find that my training for this year's marathon is shifted towards running on mileage than track workout. Remembered i can survive the marathon with just couple of 20+km runs and attending ALL the track workout. Track workout is really important.

That's all for my pre-race comments. Only race plan for the run itself is to follow the pacers whom disappoints me. Stay tuned to more post on Standard Chartered Marathon 2009!

New Handphone Application: Sportypal

Tired of using 'mapmyrun' after training to check how much you have run? No more worries. Happened to stumbled across this forum thread in Singapore Runners while looking for reviews on GPS watches.

Found this zero cost investment tool, Sportypal. Can check out the website to see if your handphone is in their supported list. But shouldn't have any problem as they support almost all operating systems which include Apple, Blackberry, Google and Windows Mobile. But phone have to be GPS supported la..

How to use it or get it into your handphone is pretty straightforward. Now i will show you some screenshots on how it looks like on your handphone.

The application is able to give you real time readings on your speed, avg speed and distance. Unlike a GPS for car, it does not show your whereabouts in map view. However, when you uploaded the file, it will show you the exact route you took!! Swee~

Uploading of file is piece of cake, all you need is a wifi access point and you got in online in less than 1 min. File format can also be downloaded and then uploaded to "Mapmyrun"

When I'm testing it, i held it on my hand while riding around. I know, we don't hold handphone while running or cycling, just want to try out its usability. Will try to bring my phone out for ride or run, see if the reception of the GPS will be strong when its in my running shorts or cycling jersey.

Now thinking about changing handphone and getting GPS watch...

Application Testing In Progress
C Cube

Carbon Bike Frame Project: Part 4 | Inspiring Bike Brand

This post is nothing to do with the progression of my carbon bike project. Just to share this blog, which records the process of them sourcing, designing and testing the own brand.

http://velocitebikes.blogspot.com

Designed bike frames for road made of all 3 common materials, aluminum, titanium and carbon. Namely their Selene, Millennium, Helios, Magnus and MTB frame, Flux.

Selection of wheels tubular and clincher version, aluminum and carbon rim of different width. Many more.. Slowly go through their posts, especially from first post.

Had been sourcing my carbon frame from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Hence somehow see the similarity of their products and the OEM frames. No much different. But from their post, i learn what to look out for and how to test my OEM suppliers.

Asking technical question (which answer might not make sense to you) is a good way to filter out the supplier, asking for quality pictures etc.. Fortunately the supplier which i have been corresponding is able to provide me these information without much hesitation, without throwing the questions back to me.

From these at least you can tell they know their products. Even if they don't, and the information are faked to me, at least they are prepared for such questions. Some pictures sent to me by the suppliers

BB, Head Tube and Dropout Stress Test

Matte Finish

Currently what the supplier is able to offer me is the above frame ( mine is ISP). Seems like the exact copy of the Trek Madone. However i don't really like the fork design, not fierce enough! Sourcing out other suppliers and monthly email the supplier if there is any new fork design.

From the picture and frame drawing, the rear seat stay is only 1 cm thick! Damn scary to ride on it. But consider Cervelo having the same thickness and my bike-look ego doesn't allow me to lose out on it. haha!

Stay Tuned For More Updates
C Cube

New Camera Canon SX1 IS !!!

Got myself a new camera Canon SX1 IS. Another upgrade from my current (spoilt) camera, Casio Exilim EX-Z1050, which i used for almost 2 years.

Canon SX1 retail at $880+, got it 2nd hand for $450 with only a pathetic 2GB SD card and 3 months left warranty. Soft Pouch does not comes with it. Bought a canon carry pouch for $30 (2nd hand) and planning to get a 4GB SD card.

Canon SX1 IS

Cant wait to take pictures to post. Will try it out and start posting pictures taken from this camera from now on.


Snap Shoot
C Cube

Back to Green Land, Juggling with Text Books

03 Dec, 0730: LTA C Cube is required to wear his kept-away-1yr army uniform and book in camp

After 4 attempts to appeal with supporting 2 letters from the SIM, deferment is still not approved. CO and Mindef claimed to excuse us on non important days to go back school. *Crossing my fingers and pinning all hope.

Its a headache to find make up lectures for the next 2 weeks (3rd Dec - 19th Dec). Same module lectures can be taught by different lectures and at different pace. That's why we are always encourage to go for the allocated time slot when choosing the modules.

Due to this ICT, I have to ask all my lecturers on their alternate lecture days and check on the pace of the lecture. If the lecturer is able to keep all his lectures in same pace. GG for me, no other make up lectures if i miss the whole week's lectures.

Thankfully, this first ICT does not seem to be out to kill us. 2 days of outfield, 3 IPPT and the rest are mainly revision for detachment level drills. I have passed my IPPT, hence these days would mean i have a chance to go school. Classroom revision, i have small chances of asking for excuse to go school. Pinning my hopes high, if everything goes according to plan (till end of next week), i shouldn't miss any lectures.

There is much more to rant about going back. But i wanna keep this blog ongoing for years, so holding back most of the firepower. Will be pleased if i can really make it back to school. Just sucks to know that you got to miss school due to poor planning from higher authority.


Uncommon People, Uncommon Place
C Cube