Lousy Mind = Lousy Run

To clock a good personal timing, smart training and efforts during each trg & on actual race day must be sowed. It is rarely that a PB drops on us by chance ;)

My 10km run this morning was not good.

First of all, i was late, not officially but in terms of race readiness. I got off at Tanjong Pagar MRT station & jogged to the start point. I was glad i did that cos it took away the anxiety (i still get nervy for 10km races, i dunno y). I was planning to deposit my bag, pass the bib to Joyce & start JIT so that i dun have to warm up during the 1st 2km of the race. Lesson learnt: I shld have looked at the type of event i was in. There was a HUGE crowd lined up at the holding area before start line when i reached there at 7.15am.

By the time i met up with Joyce (she was punctual, as always) and deposited our stuff, it was 1 min to flag off time. Together with some 10km runners, we "strolled" to the holding area. I told Joyce to run along. I then took not too long (at least before they flagged off the 5km ladies) but long enuff to get to the start line. The RFIT timing system works kinda differently cos i din rem seeing any mat but some structures in the air that beeped as we ran past.

Right after we turn into Prince Edward (PE) Road, some ladies oredi stopped to walk. I had to be patient and manoeuvre my way thru. Most of them were plugged to their earphones & hence could not hear my excuse-mes. No offences but this observation suddenly pops into my mind, "We never see the elite runners listening to their MP3s during race hor?" Hmmm...thot for this Sunday.

Before i hit the U-turn point, i spotted the top runners. The 2nd runner (and the 1st runner-up later) was the lady i always see at MR with her hydration pack and ex-NIE track. It's a joy to see her run...very swift, light & focused. She always made it seemed amazingly "effortless". Next was Swee Kheng who came in 5th later...the 1st Chinese i tink. The Thai(?) lady whom i saw at WHR & Bidor Half Marathon this yr came in top 5...impressive too. Oh ya, how can i not mention that Hwee Hoon clinched the 10th position, having clocked 46min+. How wonderous is the speed of these "small" ladies! God is fair afterall :)

It always puzzles me that so many thots go thru inside my head for a run, be it 10km, or a full. An hour and 4 min in a normal routine may not spark off as much tots as when i am running. For today's run, tots going thru my head were, "I'm very tired."(for most parts of the course), "Focus on ur breathing.", "I'm not gonna do 10km competitively again once i hit sub1hr.".

My 5km timing was alright at 29min. Perhaps that demoralized me i/o lifting my spirits up cos i know i need to run at that pace or faster if i wanna hit my target (i'm so negative rite? tsk tsk tsk). When i turned out from PE Rd., the time read 45min. I reckon there was 2-3km to go. There was this question ringing in my head, "U can choose to push at 5:30 for JUST another 2.5km(?) & get it over and done with. But r u willing to push it?".

I am disappointed cos my (lousy) mind wasn't willing and hence the flesh became weak. The fact that i could still sprint (but then became dizzy after crossing the finish line lah) for the final 10m showed that i didn't pushed hard enough for the entire course.

And yes, there will be another 10km race...as long as i dun hit my target. The next time, I just have to be "strong" *wink*

El Hombre Sabio

Saw this quote at the end of my evil twin sister's email to my colleague. Found it to be what i hope to be doing.

By El Hombre Sabio

Every day is a gift, and as long as I can open my eyes, I will focus on the new day, and all the happy memories that I have built up during my life.

I hit the Net and found the continuation to the quote.

Old age is like a bank account: You withdraw in later life what you have deposited along the way. So, my advice to you is to deposit all the happiness you can in your bank account of memories.

Remember these simple guidelines for happiness
1. Free your heart from hate.
2. Free your mind from worry.
3. Live simple.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

Another Personality Test

I just love to do personality tests! I do know myself well but from time to time, i need some "reassurance" that i haven't lost my original flavour *lol*

Anyway, here are my results. Added my own comments.

You are an EXPLORER (major) / negotiator (minor)

You are a highly spontaneous person who always likes to try new things. Novel and unpredictable situations don't bother you; instead you find them challenging and exciting.

You tend to be focused and resourceful and you are able to juggle a lot of projects at the same time; as a result you are sometimes a whirlwind of activity.
Ivy corrects: That's what friends always tot..."Ivy is always busy" but seriously, I am quite eng & can still spare time for more activities.

You have a firm grip on reality and enjoy living in the present tense. But you have a keen imagination that enables you to lift off from time and space to be remarkably creative.
Ivy feels: Ya, i do have a keen imagination cos i daydream alot.

You are humorous. You are able to laugh at yourself, and you like entertaining others.
Ivy thinks: Ya right...seems like other pple laugh at me more than i laugh at myself.

You have a deep sense of compassion. You can show genuine insight into the needs of others; you are good at listening and talking; and you express a genuine desire to be helpful.

Yet you are easy-going. Your tolerance for others and their beliefs, your lack of prejudice, your ability to compromise and your occasional antics make you popular with others and a great companion.
Ivy remarks: I wldn't dare to say i am popular but i tink i make a reasonably good GOSSIP companion lah :P