Went for training eventually. Actually had little incentive to miss training. Except the irritating flu that doesn't go away when i'm not training. But when i'm actually training, it doesn't really bother me much, until the point where i am stretching, then i need the tissue. Hee
Anyway, left work slightly early to head to Geylang East Swimming complex. Was worried that it would be some run down neighborhood swimming pool. But when i got there, i was amazed at how little people swim there despite the fact that it is really nice. Then again, it could be the fact that it was like 5.30pm and most hardworking people were still at work. Anyway, saw a familiar face there. One of the lifeguards that used to be at NUS pool. And i guess i don't have a forgettable face, although i have a common face. Anyway, we chatted for a while. Didn't feel good to just start swimming especially since i remember i use to chat with him and Ken in NUS quite a bit. But i was running short of time. Coz i only budgeted 45 min for the swim and knew i had to get to Toa Payoh by 6.30pm.
Did only 100 for warm up. Then did two sets of 500. Both below 12 mins. Which isn't good. But i realized how tired my arms were and how out of shape i felt. Anyway, by the time i hit the pool, it was 5.50. And by the time i finished the two sets, it was like 6.20. I knew that was it. But at least i swam a little. Does that sort of make it a BRIC training?
Went for training after that. The usual guy who leads the recreational run is in HK running the marathon. So, there wasn't really anyone who wanted to lead the recreational run. Anyway, Samuel said i could do the same route i did last week, probably about 9km. So i said, what the heck. Will just run with the main pack. And there were so many people today, i figured there would definitely be people equally slow like me. So i won't feel as bad making them wait for me.
Felt good in the first 2km or so. And when i reached the traffic junction, i had a mini debate with myself whether i should do the 11km route or the 9km route. But i figured since there were still like at least 10 people behind me, i'll try the 11km route and see how it went. And i figured if i kept a steady 6'30 pace, i would be able to finish the run, albeit a little slow. It was rather heartening seeing others that run with the main pack just slightly in front of me, so i decided to push on. The killer was not in the run, coz many people were actually running with me. But the killer was when i had to climb the overhead bridge. Whoa... running was ok. Climbing... Ouch... Now i wonder how people do the vertical marathon. Maybe when i get fitter, i will give it a shot too, just coz i'm a pain addict. Haa
But when i finished crossing the overhead bridge, which i practically crawled up, i felt a sharp pain at my right chest. I was a little worried actually coz i felt like i was doing an easy pace and wasn't really pushing. So where did the pain come from? Then i remembered i had the FLU. And suddenly, i was really really worried. Like would i drop dead from the run suddenly. I know i'm like super melodramatic and paranoid. But 1000 and 1 things were running through my head when the pain persisted. Like it's really my fault. Should have known better.. Shouldn't have been training with the flu. But then again, i was going at a really easy and comfortable pace.. =(
Well, the fact that you're reading this posting only means that i finished the run without collapsing. (Hmm.. was that a complex equivalent??) But at that point of time, i was pretty worried. Really. So, when one of the guys asked if anyone wanted to take the shortcut, i happily agreed. Only to find out after that the shortcut is like only 300m shorter. But the 300m shortcut also meant that i didn't have to climb another overhead bridge. So no climbing is good. And after taking the shortcut, i actually managed to merge with the mid-end pack. Mentally, it felt good. And i was rather pleased with myself. Of course, i would have felt a greater sense of achievement if i had done the whole full route. But, it's a good enough effort for my longest run yet. Ended the session with some stretching and of course it was at this point where the nose started to get drippy.
Well, long post here. But i'm really glad. Makes me feel a little more comfortable with the 10km run this Sunday. My target is to do the 10km in 63min. If i manage to do it in 60min, then its a bonus. But more importantly, the aim is to finish the race this Sunday.
Distance covered: 11.29Km
Time Taken: 1hr 13min 38sec
Pace: 6'31/km
Happy camper now needs to Zzzzz and recover. Probably will give my legs the well deserved rest, if not, then a maximum of 5km. And might do some intervals plus drills at the pool. But all will depend on how i feel when i wake up and am no longer high on endorphin.
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