Yet another piece of stone

OSIM International Triathlon 2009.
Olympic Distance; 1.5km swim, 40km cycle & 10km run.
With my buddy, Mok a.k.a. Ben (as I saw on his tag).
4 hours 1 minute 40 seconds & 4 hours 1 minute 48 seconds.
Timing was as what we calculated, after collecting our race pack.

The evening we got our race pack, we almost decided not to turn up for this particular event. The reason being the start time for our category is at 1200hrs, when the sun is blazing up high in the sun and the air is warm! Definitely this would not be beneficial to any of us in that category.
And adding on to that, the Rules & Regulation stated that we have to check-in to the Transistion Area (TA) at 0830hrs. And so that means we have got 3 hours to wait!
What a turn-off.
After dinner that evening, I told Mok that we shall go for the event & not waste SGD$133.75 for a race pack that did not contain much. So much for being Singaporeans eh. :)

Alright, race day came & I have to admit that I did not do much carbo-loading; there was not any excitement in me for this race. It wasn't like the past events that I did. Shrugs.

Arrived at about 0830hrs and checked into TA, placed our stuffs and hanged around to look at the Elite participants racing their way through. We were like lost sheeps.
We noticed that there weren't many participants for our category and as time passed, we realised that both of us could actually have came in at a time nearer to our start time!
How did we know? We went to ask if we can return back to the TA at 1100hrs as we wanted to go and get some food. To make us jump, the staff said yes we can! How nice.

1200hrs came and we were ready. Standing on the beach at the Start Point, the 1.5km swim awaits us. 2 rounds of 750m swim, with a short run from the exit point to the entry point for the second round.
I found the swim relatively easy as I clocked 4ominutes for that leg. I admit that I did not prepare much for the swim and I breast-stroked most of the time. It took me a while to get used to swimming in murky waters and with the current against us for the longer part of the 750m, I had to get myself as one with the sea. SURFBOARD I am, getting in-sync with the sea, I found it easier to swim.
But I lost Mok in the 1st round.

Emerging from the waters, a slow jog to the TA and I rested and refuelled while waiting for Mok to start the cycling leg.
Right from the start of the cycle leg, Mok & I broke contact.
Keeping track of the number of rounds was a chore and I had to keep recounting to make sure that I did not do less or more! I had to ask a fellow cyclist that if it's 6 bloody rounds that we have to complete, just to make sure.
To conserve my legs for the run, I had to maintain at approximately 25km/h, a speed that was rather slow.

Next up was the 10km run; 2 round of 5km. Starting off slow and steady, I went at a pace of approximately 7minutes/km. It was getting hotter and I could feel the dryness in my mouth. Thank goodness they have the water sprinklers and ample water points.
As I turned the 2.5km mark, I see Mok running in my direction. Cheered him on and he signalled that he's having a strain in his thigh. Damn.
In my mind, a war is going on. To wait for him or to get a better timing? Camaraderie got the better of me. One of the traits that 1 Cdo Bn instilled in me. I went up to the next water point and waited, hoping that he will appear soon.
Mok appeared and off we went. Together, pace by pace we completed the 1st round of 5km.
It was not easy for Mok but perserverance didn't allow him to give up. After having medics looked at him and all, he stood up strong and continued. All the way to the finishing line.
Kudos to Mok. Hoo-rah!


"Never leave a man behind", a quote I was told by one of my trainers in camp. And I will always stand by it, for nothing beats brotherhood, friendship and love. Furthermore, the fastest man is as slow as the slowest man.

Now that the Olympic Distance Triathlon has been tried, more can be achieved.
But not before having a good rest. :)

The addiction is burning,
The passion is hot.
Can you feel the heat?
I hope to see you there.

"It's a lifestyle!"

I have been hearing that for a couple of times in the week before the weekend that just passed.
Alright alright, I know, the weekend has passed for sometime already & another one is just coming in.

I have been plunging for the pits lately. I have no idea why but it seems that when things happen, they come in domino-effect.
Here's what they are...

First it all started out with a phone call. Then an appointment...
The appointment had a test conducted that shows my weight to be the Devil's weight at 66.6kg, Body Mass Index (BMI) to be 22.2kg/m-square, a well-balanced body and my Physical Fitness Score is Very Good at a score of 81.

Next, I was being talked through the various packages and attractive rates that they are currently offering. Gosh, the rates are really attractive. Nothing like I expected!
It seems like these people can actually know what I have been thinking about!
Having such a good offer at my fingertips, how can I not grab hold of it?
Then came the questions whether if do I really need such a membership and would I actually utilise the facilities. Not forgetting that I am already in quite a good shape!
And so I was told though my score is high, what I can achieve with them, will make me a complete machine. And besides if I take it up, I am sure to utilise them!
It's a lifestyle! Somehow, I couldn't agree any less.

That was O-N-E. And now comes the T-W-O.
A phone call and then an appointment. Sounds familiar huh. Smiles.
Right, this is more of an indulgence and pampering.
You feel a sense of serenity and soothness taking over the moment you step in; you feel the restless soul inside taking a breather and your breathing starts to slow.
Yes, that is what happens when a person is feeling relaxed.

I went in for the trial session and what more can I ask for, after a long swim ages since I last swam, than a pair of good hands.
Out I came, almost floating.
There I was, going through another talk about the packages at oh-so-attractive rates.
It was like deja vu; questions of the same type popped up. Something I remember going through not too long ago!
What harm is there, to occassionally pamper oneself? Besides, it's a lifestyle!
Somehow, I couldn't agree any less. Again.

Am I an opportunist or just a sucker for such?
The former holds a higher degree of certainty while the latter is still going through transitory.
I have to make my mind, to minimise damage.
For it's a lifestyle!
Beware: The above sentence is very powerful. Please practise with care.

esperar o inesperado

Indeed, the saying taught us so and some of us chose not to make preparations for it while some of us did. But just how much can we prepare?
Nothing is ever enough; that's how I see.

On paper and verbally, we can paint the most beautiful picture ever; covering all angles and ensuring all loopholes are provided for.
But as the army has taught me, Murphy came out with a law of his own; something just have to go wrong somewhere somehow. Let me introduce to you, Murphy's Law. :)
Now do not ask me who, what, when, where and why about it.

Then there are the contingency plans, waiting to kick in once Murphy visits.
Situation awareness, quick-thinking and rapid reaction response will activate them. Abandoning the works of the beautiful picture, to ensure we have a sketch at least. Saving the blushes.

However, despite the countless times going through the plans, something totally unexpected will take its course. Such as certain screw-ups in the midst of executing a contingency plan, maybe.
There is no escape it seems.
Brace yourself, expect the unexpected.

stop & stare

i've got my heart set on anywhere but here.

Recently I have been thinking about how to handle this attraction but it is just not going anywhere. Lost touch, I may have seem. Or am I just being passive?
Maybe all I need is just a plan.

Steady hands take the wheel, in all conditions things can't help but turn out well.
The mind is already devising a plan, and patience is a virtue; let's just wait for that pounce.

It takes two to tango and to dance, two becomes one. So go on take my hand, take a breath.
Pull me close, take one step and keep your eyes locked to mine.
Open your heart and let the music be our guide.
I'll take the lead and every turn will be safe with me; I'll be there to catch you through it all.

So much talk and yet only actions proves everything. When it came to this stage, something pulls my focus out & I stood down. Funny how the heart is set on any other stuffs.
But now that I have got a plan, let's dance!

Move it, move it!

Right, finally doing something after slacking so long!

Ever since that fateful weekend, I have been passing each day waking up late, getting online, watching the television and just lazing around in the house!
It feels pretty good though.

For the past 2 years, I was always busy-busy-busy during the summer break, planning for orientation, setting the goals and timeline for the workyear, and so much more! It is N-O-W, now, that I can sit back, kick my legs up and relax. The feeling of having nothing filled in your schedule is just totally S-H-I-O-K, SHIOK! The words "I don't mind, I'm free everyday!" have been coming out from me. Alright, don't envy me. Hahaha!

But again, it is not that enjoyable too. Putting on weight and feeling fat doesn't helps. I need to move it!

It's been 2 days into the week now and I'm glad that I played some tennis and had a swim! At least the engine's starting to roar. Runs and workouts are coming up, so let's work things out.
It feels really good though it wasn't work which will bring me income, when I have been doing my part contributing to the recovery of the economy. As some of us might have preferred.
But well, health is wealth! OVERWHELMING SATISFACTION.

The tennis session and the swim I had, they left me exhausted. My stamina dropped alot; I need to build up my fitness again.
It's time... it's time to move it move it!!!

I like to move it move it...
I like to... MOVE IT MOVE IT!

la semaine dernière

I gave up on something big...

It was an event that I ambitiously signed up for; without batting a single eyelid, I clicked "Confirm" and it was point of no return.
Planned the training schedule amidst examinations, and everything sailing smooth. But Murphy's Law just had to occur; a bad footing during a soccer match and it yelled "HALT!" on my training regime. Shit happens.
Then exams came in and wham-pow-kaboom!
D-Day is here.

Some of you might say "You can still opt not to go for it", "Steady lah, not ready still go", etc.
I guess those are people who do not know me, yet.
Maybe it is foolish but I'm just being myself, or maybe it was instilled in me during my NS training.
Nevertheless, I live by the quote "you'll never know, until you've tried it".

Same time last week, I gave up on something big...

Leaving the Pit Stop, I felt all good to go.
"That's it Ben, you're halfway there. Go for it!", the mind spoke to the body.
"Let's go, let's go!", yelled the body.

1km, 2km, 3km, almost 4km and there it was; I can just feel it starting to resist the expansion. Damn it, why so soon! Achilles had been dormant and now it is awake.
Pushing the limits, endurance is what I need.
Every step I take, every lift of the heel, Achilles sent a stronger resistance. Unwilling to accept defeat, staggering down the never-ending string of lights to a pace slower than a stroll in the park, I hit the 10.1km mark. Achilles is threatening to put future events away, my heart is raging to finish it.
I had a decision to make; to stop or to risk participation in future events.

That's it. It was not easy.
It was by choice; nobody to blame.
I was not prepared enough. YMCA, as what people said.
Comforting words I got.
Thank you to all.

I will be stronger next year this time.

And I said to someone, your presence is all I need. Truly.
Merci beaucoup.

race the night

the long awaited day has finally arrived... but the night has not!

as the hours & minutes hand tick towards the evening, my heartbeat rate increases.
in my mind, I have been running through the route, visualizing the pains & aches.
now the route awaits me; playing the angel & the devil.
I can feel the fear in me, but hang on!
the thought of it alone excites me; tingling down my spine.

mind over body; pushing the limits.
battling in the night, alone in no man's land.
endurance is what I need.
till I've crossed the line, I'll be racing the night.

poder adquisitivo

Wealth attributes to certain consumer behaviour and the more wealth one holds, the higher the purchasing power.
Having this power gives one the ability to "command" and so purchasing power, to some extent, is a form of social power.

In general, for as long as one possesses this commanding power, the individual has the freedom to choose but of course, we must not forget about opportunity cost! Opportunity cost is not only assessed in monetary and/or material terms, but can be assessed in terms of anything that is of value.
Having mentioned about trial & error in an earlier post, and in my humble opinion there is an opportunity cost involved here; because what we chose might not be suitable. The next best thing that a person can engage in is referred to as the opportunity cost of doing the best thing and ignoring the next best thing to be done.
As Greg Mankiw, an economist, described, "To get one thing that we like, we usually have to give up another thing that we like".
Almost similar to what I always quote, "You got to give up one thing in order to gain another."

The power to choose really depends on what one is looking for, irregardless of the amount of wealth. One can enjoy the maximum wealth in the world but yet not being able to find what he/she is looking for, is equivalent to having zero wealth.

But even having the slightest idea of what you want, one might not commit to it right away due to the "china-doll-syndrome". Having insecurities that hinders or forces one to conceal their true selves from one another, it makes one consider the need to make the purchase and will it be just another impulsive buy.
How sad for the person that held that chance, and dropped it. For they too might have felt the same exact way, and regret that they shut that door, but might think that it was for the better.
Thus unable to touch or move in on the chance that leave that shelf; missing out on the perfect buy. What a waste.

However, on the other hand, there are the trigger-happy ones. Such individuals shoot on sight, sweeping what they like off the shelf.
Afterall, holding that power to purchase can be the key to happiness.
Just like what retail therapy does for me.

I feel

... ... lazy; that I have not been putting in effort in my studies. Straying away from the New Year resolution.
I need to start.

... ... weak; I have not been working out and I feel so uncomfortable. Getting tired easily is the biggest sign.
I need to start.

... ... empty; friends are & can be the greatest company but they need their space too.
I miss someone.

... ... envious; seeing people happily attached makes my heart yearn for the all-so-sweet experience.
I miss someone.

... ... lost (in translation); submerged in one's contradiction.
I need to know.

... ... uncertain; short-run and/or long-run assurance.
I need to know.

... ... I need to start
... ... I miss someone
... ... I need to know

That is how I feel.

Baggages

Yes, we all have lots of baggages collected over certain periods of time in our lives, just that you might not actually realise that you have been lugging them along for so long.

Being a Singaporean Chinese, the Lunar New Year is approaching and it is when we end the year and welcome the start of another year on a joyous festive note.
Everybody should be wrapping up what they call the "spring cleaning", before the LNY Eve approaches. During this period of time, while everybody is busy cleaning their houses spanking clean, some of us are still struggling with our baggages that are perhaps long due for the thrash can. And some of these baggages can actually be quite new!

These baggages are of different sizes; big & small. And they hold emotions, memories, experiences and occassionally, lessons that we can bring along in life.
These are what makes us carry the baggages along into different stages of life, and in some way or another, affecting the way we live our lives. One may deny that such actually affect his/her life, but the fact is that subconsciously, it is. Some of us may realise this, some of us may not; in fact at times people are still living in the shadows of their past. Certain things that people do, say, are skeptical of and/or hang on to, are due to what has happened to them before, perhaps for an example, in a relationship. A thousand things can happen in a relationship and certain fateful event leaves behind a scar. Unknowningly, this becomes part of the baggage. With this baggage, this traveller is constantly being reminded of the scar each time a trigger is pulled. Thus, casting a shadow over the area, turning it into a dark alley which we are always warned not to walk into, for there are dangers lurking around. As time goes, decisions are at times made to detour around that dark little alley.

But this is not the case for every individual, especially for those who are able to put the past behind them (of course, this is not an easy task). Not in the sense that they totally have forgotten about the past, as nobody can forget the past for we are no computers where we can just hit the "Delete" button and viola!, it is gone forever. I am sorry but none of that is going to happen, ever.
Simply to say, this can actually be the most simple action on this beautiful world which is to simply pack, lock up and leave the baggage behind without any worries. But hold on, that is something which we always thought of doing when dogged by troubles and hardships! What an irony.

("Moving on!")

Yes, clearing the old baggages in time for the new year for a new start. Too many people have been carrying old baggages around, at times tiring them out easily. How do you actually clear them off?
This, I must say, is very, very subjective to individuals.
Some may take a year or two, while some might just need a month or two! And some might need a bottle or two, maybe three.

In a bustling environment, where speed is essential, efficiency highly sought after and effectiveness is core, clearing away some space is something not to be pushed or hurried. It should be done when one is ready to do so, or in other words, when the time is ripe.
There might be a whole list for to do, or there might not a be need to lift a finger. Who knows. Perhaps someday when one relaxes on his/her favourite couch, thinks about the past and being able to smile from deep within, with a "Thank You" to a particular opposition, for in some way or another, a better person is carved. Or perhaps maybe even after a friendly chat over a cup of coffee, a helium balloon tied to an anchor, will be set free just like that.
However, to do so, one must have the courage to stand in the face of the dark alley.

So go on, pour away the water and let it go.
Let the water flow on its own, to a place where it will finally come to a rest.
That will exactly be when and where one's old baggage(s) will be left behind; starting a new chapter.

Best Fit

It is just like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, in which all pieces fit nicely with another.

In all things we do, we are subconsciously subjected to finding the best fit and without us realising it.
Could it be matching that pair of jeans with a tee shirt or a shirt?
Could it be choosing that dish to go along with the plain rice that you are having for lunch?
Could it be buying that birthday gift for your best buddy?
Could it be looking out for someone that catches your eye?

Be it any of the above or the thousand and one things that's happening in your life, yes, we are constantly looking to find the best fit for all events.

Easier said than done. So how do we find it?
I must simply say, perhaps one of my favourite quotes, "It's all about trial & error."

BUT I am not saying that we enter into anything, having a trial & error mentality.
We should be strong & confident, and most importantly, dare to be wrong and/or fail.
For if we do not, then never would we be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel; as the first step will never be taken.

If you do not try, you will never know what awaits you at the other end of the road.

And of course, certain characteristics have to be there. One has to have courage to take the daring initiative, followed by the patience and determination to persevere as well as the wits to take on the events of life.
Not forgetting the strength to stand back up upon failure.

Failure is a big word; sometimes too big for people to handle, they collapse.
As there's a saying "failure is the mother of success" (correct me if I'm wrong), I totally agree with it.
To me, failure is a learning process and what does not kills us, only makes us stronger.
BUT of course, we definitely must not plan to fail. One should always plan to succeed.
However, not all events carry the same backlash; some so insignificant that one might not even feel it.

Having being able to find the best fit, things will naturally flow smoothly. And it brings alot into life; joy & sorrow. Being best fit, these will be easily overcomed and the bond will be stronger, working towards the common goal and achieving it.
And when one looks back in time, we can only be grateful & thank God that we found the right one, completing the beautiful jigsaw puzzle.

And I'm still looking for that beautiful piece.