25th training (30th) run of 2010

So, 6 months to 30 June 2010: I've done 30 runs. A milestone I suppose. 1st Half year and already take part in 5 events. Also a record. Total annual mileage also headed for possible record.
Jan-Dec 2008: 451km
Jan-Dec 2009: 464km
Jan-Jun 2010: 319km

Today feel 'sian' drafting report. Wanted to leave office by 6:30pm but 6:45pm still not finish. So left office at 7pm, a bit upset because I wanted to run a little. Actually after the 7km run on Sunday which was 3 weeks after the previous run, my knee here and there, hamstring here and there, on & off feel discomfort or slight soreness. Irritating sia. 7km only on a Sunday. Before June, 2010 weekends were long runs >12km. Jialat........

Started tonight just before 8pm on my watch. Planned to do 4km. Finished 1st 2km loop and felt good. Only right knee some niggling pain. Did the 2nd 2km loop and felt tired. Decided to do one more 2km loop and total 20km for the entire month of June (LOL, right?). At 5km+ like last Sunday, I was out of breath and had to walk, walk. (Goes to show how fitness level and endurance had dropped after 3 weeks of eat, eat, eat and no jogging) Actually during the 2nd loop, my lower heart where the ventricles are felt some pain. Then when I was walking on my third loop, I felt numbness all the way down my left arm almost to my wrist. Astute readers will tell me that's sure symptoms of heart attack. Well, you might be right (especially with my chronic medical conditions). I basically walked and do stretches for 1/3 of my 3rd loop. From praying when jogging my 1st 2 loops, I was talking to God. Dying ain't something I fear but of course, I'm not running to commit suicide either by triggering a heart attack. Definitely not suicidal or anything like that. But definitely at peace and not in fear. Since 2004, I don't hold too tightly to temporal life on this earth. What's more important is the eternity beyond and we should all ensure we're at peace in our soul with God our Creator because after this earth, it's forever and ever and ever.

I jogged the balance 1.25km to complete my 6km in 45:20 (Avg pace of 7:33min/km which is faster pace than Sunday 7km avg. pace).

Get over common fears and become a better runner

Tips for Beginning Runners

MOVING FORWARD

By Jeff Galloway

From the August 2010 issue of Runner's World 

Chances are, when you started running, your goals were simple—run more, walk less. Inevitably, as you progress, you expect more out of yourself. But some runners avoid stepping up the intensity, citing a range of anxieties. Here's how to free yourself from your worries and enjoy the next phase of your life as a runner.

I WANT TO ENTER A RACE, BUT I'M AFRAID I'LL BE LAST Most community events attract recreational walkers, so sorry, the last-place position is already taken. Ask your runner friends or the staff at local running stores about which races are most fun for a beginner—meaning they attract runners of all abilities and have a supportive cheering section.

WHEN I RACE, EVERYONE SEEMS FASTER THAN ME There will always be runners that are faster than you. As long as you can finish within the allotted time, run and walk however you want.

I FEEL STUCK IN MY COMFORT ZONE. HOW WILL I EVER GET FASTER? Once a week, warm up, then run intervals. Pick up the pace for one minute (don't sprint), then walk for two minutes. Start with three or four of these accelerations. Add one or two intervals each week until you can do eight to 10 of them.

I'M WORRIED I'LL HURT MYSELF IF I GO FASTER If you gradually increase your speed and distance, and incorporate sufficient walk breaks and rest days, there's little chance you'll suffer an injury.

I THOUGHT I'D EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO RUN WITHOUT WALKING Running continuously doesn't have to be a goal. Most of the runners I've worked with find that taking walk breaks throughout their run results in faster times and more overall enjoyment. If your goal is to run faster and feel good, it's often best to use some form of run/walk strategy.

24th training (29th) run of 2010

Long break since my last jog on 6th June. 1 weekend at Universal Studios and another weekend last week down with diarrhoea & fever last Sunday.

I planned to do 7km, if not, 5km. Didn't want to do 10km or more and end up with leg injures. Need to ramp up mileage in coming weeks to do the AHM 2010 on 12 Sept.

Well, felt out of breath 5.2km+. So settled on 7km completed in 54:24 (Avg pace of 7:46/km) which I am happy with.

23rd training (28th) run of 2010

After 2 weeks of no running due to recovery from PAssion Run and rain last week, I set out for my weekend run.

I planned 10km to start it off since next week, unlikely to be able to do any run for another 2 weeks.

5:05pm, it was bright and HOT. Good thing I slapped on some sunblock on my arms, cheeks and neck b4 I set out. When I took my 3rd jogging (not running) step, I felt my heart muscle gripped and a little pain. I was like, "huh? what happened?". I took a few more steps and the heart muscle strain eased off. So dear readers, was that a heart attack? Debatable, I say. NO other symptoms of heart attack. Anyway, I carried on and had no other 'heart' issue thereafter.

It was so hot that I felt dehydrated just after 2km. By 4km+, I was exhausted and very dehydrated. Can tell because I was still sweating but the saliva has turned thick and sticky and the throat started to dry up. I went to Koufu toilet and took 4 mouthfuls of water. Walked 10mins. Jogged 150m, walked 200m, jogged 700m, walked 500m. Terrible time to walk and jogged. At 5:45pm, still so bright and hot. I extended another 2km and completed 7km in 57:43. Timing was bad. Hamstrings felt 'tired'. So, the longer distance training and conditioning more or less gone after 2 weeks no jogging. That's not good news.

The only comfort is that I have till early Sept before my next run event. Hopefully, I can train consistently and safely. I haven't figured the early 'heart grip' yet, but I'm gonna let it go for the time being and not worry about it. Anyway, I don't fear death. But, I'm not gonna speed my way to heaven prematurely. Emmanuel.