After six weeks of "rest", I have tentatively start to run again since two weeks ago. Last week, was my 2nd run. (My 1st was in Asghabat;5 km) . I did a 4km run with "Mat" at KLCC. It's not much compared to my usual 6.5 to 8.0 km. We must have run at about 8 min per 1.3 km pace. I am certain that I have lost 20 to 30 per cent of my endurance.
Yesterday I managed to run 8 x 400 m (3.2 km). Right knee was a bit sore.
Right now I am taking it slow and easy. I will run short distances between 4 and 5 km each time at slow speed. A long run is out the question for now.
Be patient.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Monday, March 20, 2006
Back in Malaysia
I am glad to be back in old Malaysia. I didn't blog during the weeekend as most of the time I was wathing the Commonwealth Games on TV.
I had a terrible time on Saturday. I left Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on Friday , 6.15 pm. The Ashgabat airport is really quite bad. When I walked into the departure lounge, I was hit by heavy fumes from cigarettes. To my unpleasant surprise and contrary to the norm in other airports, smoking is not banned in airport departures lounges in Turkmenistan. There was about half a dozen people happily puffing away near the toilets. I scurried away to sit near the bar where strangely enough no one was smoking there.
My flight was on Turkmenistan Airline to Bangkok. The aircraft was a Boeing 757 perhaps in its most basic(minimal) configuration. There was no TV screen to watch nor was there any audio facilities. The service was OK but the food ordinary. The English language spoken during various announcements was utterly incomprehensible. See this website for what others had to say about Turkmen. airlines.
The flight was 6 hrs arriving in Bangkok at 2.40 pm, 30 minutes late due to late departure. Bangkok International airport is really in bad shape. There are not enough seats in a the airport and even that hour, most the seats were fully occupied. Most of the people in the airport lounges at that hour were Indian and Vietnamese. Suffice for me to say, the 6 hours I waited for the connecting flight to KL felt like 16 hrs. Next time, I will bring some bedding materials like foam sheets and potable pillows.
On running in Asghabat, I did manage to run 5 km on Wednesday evening. There are plenty of parks in Asghabat and very few people are using the parks in Winter. There is no problem with safety as there is at least one policeman/army at the park. I did get strange looks from the policeman and the locals while I was running in the park. I don't think ANYONE runs for exercise in Turkmenistan.
I will post some photos later.
My right knee is getting much better now. I did not get any symptoms when I ran 5 km last Wednesday. I plan to do some minimum running this week.
I had a terrible time on Saturday. I left Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on Friday , 6.15 pm. The Ashgabat airport is really quite bad. When I walked into the departure lounge, I was hit by heavy fumes from cigarettes. To my unpleasant surprise and contrary to the norm in other airports, smoking is not banned in airport departures lounges in Turkmenistan. There was about half a dozen people happily puffing away near the toilets. I scurried away to sit near the bar where strangely enough no one was smoking there.
My flight was on Turkmenistan Airline to Bangkok. The aircraft was a Boeing 757 perhaps in its most basic(minimal) configuration. There was no TV screen to watch nor was there any audio facilities. The service was OK but the food ordinary. The English language spoken during various announcements was utterly incomprehensible. See this website for what others had to say about Turkmen. airlines.
The flight was 6 hrs arriving in Bangkok at 2.40 pm, 30 minutes late due to late departure. Bangkok International airport is really in bad shape. There are not enough seats in a the airport and even that hour, most the seats were fully occupied. Most of the people in the airport lounges at that hour were Indian and Vietnamese. Suffice for me to say, the 6 hours I waited for the connecting flight to KL felt like 16 hrs. Next time, I will bring some bedding materials like foam sheets and potable pillows.
On running in Asghabat, I did manage to run 5 km on Wednesday evening. There are plenty of parks in Asghabat and very few people are using the parks in Winter. There is no problem with safety as there is at least one policeman/army at the park. I did get strange looks from the policeman and the locals while I was running in the park. I don't think ANYONE runs for exercise in Turkmenistan.
I will post some photos later.
My right knee is getting much better now. I did not get any symptoms when I ran 5 km last Wednesday. I plan to do some minimum running this week.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Turkmenistan - Post #1
This is my 2nd day in Turkmenistan (Ashagat).
I can't really post a long report because of a slow Internet connection. What I have discovered so far:
I can't really post a long report because of a slow Internet connection. What I have discovered so far:
- Food : I am having a bit of trouble with the local food. Most of the food here contain a lot of meat (chicken, beef, lamb etc) . The vegetables are mainly salad. Since I don't eat meat except fish , it looks like I have to become a salad eating runner here. Fish here? If they come from the Caspian sea; its better not to eat it because of the pollution problem.
- Language : Hardly anyone on the streets can speak English.
- Traffic : There is no traffic jam. The cars here are mostly old Russian cars, squarish shape and very battered looking.
The weather has been dry and cold but OK (5 deg. C nightime and 15 deg C daytime). I can survive in these temperatures.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Going To Turkmenistan Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning I am going to Turkmenistan. Where is this place ? Check out this link.
I will flying from KL to Instanbul (Turke), transit for 8 hrs and then fly to Ashgabat (Turkm.) at 11.30 pm. Total journey time = about 26 hrs. I will return to KL next weekend.
I heard from a colleague , the temperature in Asghabat is now higher; low 20's deg. C in the daytime. Much better than during winter when it can be as low as -2 and to -10 deg. C.
I will bringing my running gear to run over there. I heard NO ONE runs for exercise over there. One of the local female staff went jogging and everyone looked at her as if she was crazy.
I plan to post some entries and photos on this site next week.
I will flying from KL to Instanbul (Turke), transit for 8 hrs and then fly to Ashgabat (Turkm.) at 11.30 pm. Total journey time = about 26 hrs. I will return to KL next weekend.
I heard from a colleague , the temperature in Asghabat is now higher; low 20's deg. C in the daytime. Much better than during winter when it can be as low as -2 and to -10 deg. C.
I will bringing my running gear to run over there. I heard NO ONE runs for exercise over there. One of the local female staff went jogging and everyone looked at her as if she was crazy.
I plan to post some entries and photos on this site next week.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Born(1991), Died (2006), Age 15 Years Old
I don't remember the month he was born except it was some time in 1991. He was born to my favourite cat, a three colour (white,orange and black) female named Tompok (Spot). He was completely black in colour with a pair of emerald green eyes. The last time I had a black coloured cat was when I was seven years old.
When he was a kitten, he was playful as as cats are at that age . The games I played with him was to get him chasing after string which I dangled just beyond his reach. The other game he played was to chase after a ping pong ball.
When he was older, he was the neighbourhood Boss cat. The other male cats were terrified of him. He was fierce to other male cats especially to those who trespassed around his "Area". He often got into fights and although he was not that big, he managed to intimidate every male cat in the area. He was the undisputed Boss and the Top Cat.
When it came to female cats, unlike his owner (me) he was something of a playboy. He would often dissapear for days or weeks to pursue his "love interests". I guessed he must have sired many of the cats around the area by now. When he was around the house, he would wait outside the door in the morning when I got out to go to work. I stroked him, petted him and fed him breakast - Friskies cat food.
About 3 to 4 years ago, he became much less active. Sometimes he was coughing and wheezing when it gets a bit cold especially in the morning or at night. He did not roam so much and stayed close to the house. I saw him more often as he was always waited outside the door early in the morning. Sometimes I had to look closely as he was black in colour and diffcult to see in dark. But I knew where to look as he usually sits on the slippers or flip flops.
About 2 weeks ago he was really sick for a few days. He fur became red in colour except the area on his head and he had trouble breathing. I was planning to bring him to the vet but somehow he recovered. I was glad he recovered and survived.
Last Saturday he didn't eat the dinner I had placed for him and later he dissapeared. On Sunday, my father saw him hiding in some bushes near a lamp post about 10m near the house. My parents could not find him over the next 4 days. I thought he had been roaming again around the neighbourhood.
Yesterday night I found out he had died. My father noticed a black tail sticking out out of the bushes. It was him and he was dead. His fur had turned red except for ones on his head which was still black. My father buried him near the house.
I do miss him but I think he had lived an unusually long life for a cat. At 15 years old he was equivalent in human age to someone 77 years old. An old cat whom I hope over the past 15 years had enjoyed his life to the fullest and knew he was much loved.
On a side note, I ran 2.6 km yesterday at KLCC park without any pain or soreness in my right knee. There is still hope for me to continue running but I have to be patient.
When he was a kitten, he was playful as as cats are at that age . The games I played with him was to get him chasing after string which I dangled just beyond his reach. The other game he played was to chase after a ping pong ball.
When he was older, he was the neighbourhood Boss cat. The other male cats were terrified of him. He was fierce to other male cats especially to those who trespassed around his "Area". He often got into fights and although he was not that big, he managed to intimidate every male cat in the area. He was the undisputed Boss and the Top Cat.
When it came to female cats, unlike his owner (me) he was something of a playboy. He would often dissapear for days or weeks to pursue his "love interests". I guessed he must have sired many of the cats around the area by now. When he was around the house, he would wait outside the door in the morning when I got out to go to work. I stroked him, petted him and fed him breakast - Friskies cat food.
About 3 to 4 years ago, he became much less active. Sometimes he was coughing and wheezing when it gets a bit cold especially in the morning or at night. He did not roam so much and stayed close to the house. I saw him more often as he was always waited outside the door early in the morning. Sometimes I had to look closely as he was black in colour and diffcult to see in dark. But I knew where to look as he usually sits on the slippers or flip flops.
About 2 weeks ago he was really sick for a few days. He fur became red in colour except the area on his head and he had trouble breathing. I was planning to bring him to the vet but somehow he recovered. I was glad he recovered and survived.
Last Saturday he didn't eat the dinner I had placed for him and later he dissapeared. On Sunday, my father saw him hiding in some bushes near a lamp post about 10m near the house. My parents could not find him over the next 4 days. I thought he had been roaming again around the neighbourhood.
Yesterday night I found out he had died. My father noticed a black tail sticking out out of the bushes. It was him and he was dead. His fur had turned red except for ones on his head which was still black. My father buried him near the house.
I do miss him but I think he had lived an unusually long life for a cat. At 15 years old he was equivalent in human age to someone 77 years old. An old cat whom I hope over the past 15 years had enjoyed his life to the fullest and knew he was much loved.
On a side note, I ran 2.6 km yesterday at KLCC park without any pain or soreness in my right knee. There is still hope for me to continue running but I have to be patient.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Hungry
Its almost 1.00 pm and I am quite hungry now. But I cannot eat because I am on a "diet".
After doing less running over the past 2 months or so due to the knee injury, my body weight has crept up from 56kg to ........... 58 kg! Horror.
So I am going on a diet to reduce my daily calorie intake.My plan is:-
Weekday
Breakfast : Cereal and fruit. Occasional Malaysian food not more than twice in 5 days.
Lunch : Fruit or sandwich (homemade)
Dinner : Rice with vegetable. Occasional fish.
Weekend
Same as above but I will a normal lunch.
I will maintain this regime until my weight goes down to 55kg.
Tomorrow I will start running again. I hope there will not be too much problems with my right knee.
After doing less running over the past 2 months or so due to the knee injury, my body weight has crept up from 56kg to ........... 58 kg! Horror.
So I am going on a diet to reduce my daily calorie intake.My plan is:-
Weekday
Breakfast : Cereal and fruit. Occasional Malaysian food not more than twice in 5 days.
Lunch : Fruit or sandwich (homemade)
Dinner : Rice with vegetable. Occasional fish.
Weekend
Same as above but I will a normal lunch.
I will maintain this regime until my weight goes down to 55kg.
Tomorrow I will start running again. I hope there will not be too much problems with my right knee.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
KLIM 2006 - Back to Basics
My aspiration and path to run my first marathon has been beset by uncertanities.
I have been training well enough, faithfully doing my weekend long runs until injury struck on Monday, 13 February. It was my fault really when I decided to do some speed training for a change. As a result, my already damaged right knee became much worse. I could only run maybe five times during the 3 weeks leading to the KL International Marathon. Sometimes even walking brought pain. Two weeks before KLIM, the pain and soreness had dissappeared -perhaps if I could recover in one week?
However all was not well yet. When I ran, my right knee became sore after just 3 km. Sometimes it would swell up for several hours and remain swollen for the whole day.
Just one week before KLIM, my knee injury improved with the swelling duration reduced to about 2 hrs on Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, the soreness had dissipated too. On Friday, Ronnie passed me the T-shirt, bib, reporting card and timing chip.
The fate of my marathon debut was dependent my condition on Saturday , the day before KLIM. I needed to know if I could run for at least 30km. In the evening, at the Klang stadium, I walked for 1200m before running for 100m. There was no pain when I ran but when I stopped I knew something was wrong. For the next 2 hrs, my knee was swollen. There will be no KLIM for me.
Still at 10.00 pm, I pin the running bib to my running vest, made other preparations and set my alarm clock to wake me up at 3.10am. I tried to sleep but couldn't sleep until 2.00 am. Pre-race jitters I suppose By this time I was elated to discover my right knee was OK - no more soreness and swolleness. I was going to run my first marathon!
At 3.10 am, the alarm went off and I woke up. I did the usual preparations, had a bowl of oatmeal and toilet business. I tested my right knee by walking around the house. The soreness was indeed gone but the knee felt unstable. How far would I be able to run? 42 km is very long distance to walk even if I could do it on an unstable knee.
To go or don't go ? I agonised over it. Should I be more courageous and risk it? I wanted to run this very badly after undergoing 3 months of training. I have been a runner for six years and have yet to run a marathon Do it or not ?
Finally I decided not to run. I would have wait longer and allow my injury to recover. My first marathon would have to wait.
Later, I did go to KLIM in the morning but as a spectator and supporter. I stationed myself at the 40.7km and shouted encouragements to the runners. I took photos of my friends who ran the marathon. The photos which many were not focused properly due to my excitement t0 see them.
Many of the marathoners have completed the race beyond their expectations (see Jamie's report) and there are some who felt they could have done better. Still whether good and bad, running a marathon itself is no small feat. It takes determination and as much mental/ emotional strength as the physical effort to finish one. Perhaps one day I will experience it too.
Putrajaya marathon (10 Sept. 2006) anyone ?
I have been training well enough, faithfully doing my weekend long runs until injury struck on Monday, 13 February. It was my fault really when I decided to do some speed training for a change. As a result, my already damaged right knee became much worse. I could only run maybe five times during the 3 weeks leading to the KL International Marathon. Sometimes even walking brought pain. Two weeks before KLIM, the pain and soreness had dissappeared -perhaps if I could recover in one week?
However all was not well yet. When I ran, my right knee became sore after just 3 km. Sometimes it would swell up for several hours and remain swollen for the whole day.
Just one week before KLIM, my knee injury improved with the swelling duration reduced to about 2 hrs on Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, the soreness had dissipated too. On Friday, Ronnie passed me the T-shirt, bib, reporting card and timing chip.
The fate of my marathon debut was dependent my condition on Saturday , the day before KLIM. I needed to know if I could run for at least 30km. In the evening, at the Klang stadium, I walked for 1200m before running for 100m. There was no pain when I ran but when I stopped I knew something was wrong. For the next 2 hrs, my knee was swollen. There will be no KLIM for me.
Still at 10.00 pm, I pin the running bib to my running vest, made other preparations and set my alarm clock to wake me up at 3.10am. I tried to sleep but couldn't sleep until 2.00 am. Pre-race jitters I suppose By this time I was elated to discover my right knee was OK - no more soreness and swolleness. I was going to run my first marathon!
At 3.10 am, the alarm went off and I woke up. I did the usual preparations, had a bowl of oatmeal and toilet business. I tested my right knee by walking around the house. The soreness was indeed gone but the knee felt unstable. How far would I be able to run? 42 km is very long distance to walk even if I could do it on an unstable knee.
To go or don't go ? I agonised over it. Should I be more courageous and risk it? I wanted to run this very badly after undergoing 3 months of training. I have been a runner for six years and have yet to run a marathon Do it or not ?
Finally I decided not to run. I would have wait longer and allow my injury to recover. My first marathon would have to wait.
Later, I did go to KLIM in the morning but as a spectator and supporter. I stationed myself at the 40.7km and shouted encouragements to the runners. I took photos of my friends who ran the marathon. The photos which many were not focused properly due to my excitement t0 see them.
Many of the marathoners have completed the race beyond their expectations (see Jamie's report) and there are some who felt they could have done better. Still whether good and bad, running a marathon itself is no small feat. It takes determination and as much mental/ emotional strength as the physical effort to finish one. Perhaps one day I will experience it too.
Putrajaya marathon (10 Sept. 2006) anyone ?
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Today : Getting High
I had planned to run this evening at KLCC park but it rained heavily. The purpose of my planned run was to test the condition of my right knee. This evening I had to run on the treadmill at the gym. Over the past 3 weeks I had only managed to run about five times (total less than 30 km). I found these runs difficult and not very enjoyable due to my injury.
On the treadmill, I found myself enjoying the experience of running again. I rediscoved the pleasure and euphoria when I become immersed in the running experience - living in the present and not in the past or future.
Unfortunately I can now say for certain I will not be running the marathon this Sunday. My right became sore after 2 km and I had to stop running at 4 km. Perhaps one day I will be able to run longer distances. For now, I have to be patient.........
To my friends who are running this Sunday:
Good luck ! Run not just for time and medals but to experience life at its fullest.
On the treadmill, I found myself enjoying the experience of running again. I rediscoved the pleasure and euphoria when I become immersed in the running experience - living in the present and not in the past or future.
Unfortunately I can now say for certain I will not be running the marathon this Sunday. My right became sore after 2 km and I had to stop running at 4 km. Perhaps one day I will be able to run longer distances. For now, I have to be patient.........
To my friends who are running this Sunday:
Good luck ! Run not just for time and medals but to experience life at its fullest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)