Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Seb & Sid's Indian Adventure (with Mummy)
Shilpa, Sid and Seb went to visit Shilpa's sister and bro-in-law, Meenu and Ranjan, for a little over a week. She lives in Rajastan about 5 hours drive from Jaipur. It sounds like they had a ball eating and drinking, playing, visiting and all in all being spoiled rotten by Ranjan's family. On the way back they also stopped for a couple of days in Delhi to visit Sujatha and Pawan. Here are some photos of the great adventure: -
The Week That Was - (IM - 5 weeks to go)
So last week was a bit of a let down with the chest cold getting a grip - AGAIN. Monday Skipped the swim due to cold but did manage 50k on the turbo.
Tuesday Again skipped the swim due to cold and also playing golf - Mmmm! played awful, lost money but still enjoyed myself (very unusual if I play badly, lose money but still enjoy myself). Went to the gym for a killer interval session on the treadmill (reluctantly I may add) in the evening. It was a holiday for Chinese New Year, drove all the way into town only to find the gym closed. Oh well - went home and ended up watching "Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End" - wished I hadn't when the alarm went off at 4:30am having managed 3 hours sleep.
Wednesday 80k ride before work, first 50 minutes very unpleasant, lots of green stuff coming out of my lungs. Got into it in the end but thought about turning around three times. Ended up a minute faster than my previous best. Followed it up with an easyish 12.5k run and then off to work.
Wednesday night Paying the price for training with a chest cold - home to bed - NO SWIM this evening.
Thursday Feeling like death warmed up - no training today.
Friday Nothing again today - I only went to work because I had to do the staff wages - not feeling well - may have to hit the antibiotics soon but I'm trying to avoid constantly falling back on them.
Saturday Up at 4:30a.m. and on the bike by 5:30. Met the group at MegaMall at 6:30 and then headed for Port Dickson and the scheduled 186k ride. Didn't feel great but thought I'd be OK. After half an hour with the group it was clear that something was drastically wrong with my lungs and an underlying "pneumonia feeling" welled up. I apologised to the group and headed for home - it was a huge struggle just to get back.
70k and 2hr10min was all that I logged today, it probably should have been nothing and things were really starting to look grim health-wise - not to mention a level of depression was settling in. A bit to eat and then spent the remainder of the morning sleeping - felt better after that.
Sunday 31k was scheduled and as I felt a little better after loads of sleep I decided to turn up but with the proviso that I'd bail and go home as soon as things took a turn for the worse - after about 5k I reckoned. Also Shilpa and the boys were back from India this morning so there was plenty of motivation to quit early and shoot home.
However, a miracle occurred, the pace set wasn't too tough and I managed the 11k to the turnaround point feeling pretty good. Coming back, although the usual tiredness and pain set in the legs and hips, my lungs were feeling good. I grabbed a drink and much to most people's amazement but mainly to my own I actually headed out for a loop of Double Hill (aptly named for the obvious reasons). Finished it all (32k) in a few minutes under 3 hours and most importantly felt great. STRANGE.
Once again I've dropped another Kg but I've really been off on my distance and hours training this week. I need two really solid 25+ hour training weeks now before a well deserved taper. Still a bit of a chest cold so I will focus on ensuring that clears up as the highest priority.
4 more weeks to go and 2 weeks of "full-on" misery before the taper starts.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Rash(er) Decision
(I blame Sam for this one)
There are two Mexicans who have been lost in the desert for weeks, & they're at death's door. As they stumble on, hoping for salvation in the form of an oasis or something similar, they suddenly spy, through the heat haze, a tree, off in the distance.
As they get closer, they can see that the tree is draped with rasher upon rasher of bacon. There's smoked bacon, crispy bacon, life-giving juicy nearly raw bacon, all sorts.
"Hey, Pepe" says the first bloke (Don Pedro). "ees a bacon tree!!! We're saved!!!"
"You're right, amigo!" says Pepe.
So Pepe goes on ahead and runs up to the tree salivating at the prospect of food. But as he gets to within five feet of the tree, there's the sound of machine gun fire, and he is shot down in a hail of bullets.
His friend quickly drops down on the sand, and calls across to the dying Pepe.
"Pepe!! Pepe!! Que pasa hombre?" With his dying breath Pepe calls out....
"Ugh, run, amigo, run!! Ees not a Bacon Tree"
>
... scroll down, but I warn you it's painful!
>
... go on
>
"ees... a.... Ham bush"
There are two Mexicans who have been lost in the desert for weeks, & they're at death's door. As they stumble on, hoping for salvation in the form of an oasis or something similar, they suddenly spy, through the heat haze, a tree, off in the distance.
As they get closer, they can see that the tree is draped with rasher upon rasher of bacon. There's smoked bacon, crispy bacon, life-giving juicy nearly raw bacon, all sorts.
"Hey, Pepe" says the first bloke (Don Pedro). "ees a bacon tree!!! We're saved!!!"
"You're right, amigo!" says Pepe.
So Pepe goes on ahead and runs up to the tree salivating at the prospect of food. But as he gets to within five feet of the tree, there's the sound of machine gun fire, and he is shot down in a hail of bullets.
His friend quickly drops down on the sand, and calls across to the dying Pepe.
"Pepe!! Pepe!! Que pasa hombre?" With his dying breath Pepe calls out....
"Ugh, run, amigo, run!! Ees not a Bacon Tree"
>
... scroll down, but I warn you it's painful!
>
... go on
>
"ees... a.... Ham bush"
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Ceramic Bearings
Have you ever heard of Perpetual Motion? It's defined as :- "Motion that continues indefinitely without any external source of energy".
Supposedly impossible in practice because of friction. Well I have a new definition: - "Motion that continues indefinitely without any external source of energy or until you get bored of waiting for friction to halt the motion"
I'm sure that this physics bombshell will be heralded in the latest science journals, National Geographic and Discovery Channels and will be referred to as "The Law of Perpetual Motion, First Amendment" or just "Simon's Amendment" for short
This amazing discovery was made when I took my Hed 3 - trispoke to The Bike Boutique as the bearings were decidedly worn - in fact anyone ever having bought any Hed wheels will know that their hubs and bearings are shocking - it's actually a toss up as to which is worse between HED's customer/after-sales service (or lack of it) and their rough running hubs/bearings.
A far cry from The Bike Boutique having said that, whose customer care is outstanding.
Anyway back to my story, I decided to pay considerably more to have the regular bearings replaced with ceramic bearings - and Oh My Goodness! WOW! What a difference.
I span the wheel and waited...and waited...and waited. The thing just kept on going - it was like alien technology it was so smooth. In contrast I span the back wheel (also a HED 3) but with regular bearings and although this wheel has hardly been used there was a distinct "grinding" feeling coming from the bearings and the wheel slowly came to a stop.
So far I haven't had the patience to actually see how long the ceramic bearings will rotate for until they come to a stop - hence my amendment to the Law of Perpetual Motion.
Over the course of an Ironman it probably won't make more than 10 seconds difference but mentally it will make a heap load and additionally the bling factor is just so cool (provided anyway can be bothered to listen to me that is - Perhaps they should supply big stickers with all ceramic bearings stating - "Upgraded to Ceramic Bearings - BLING!").
Supposedly impossible in practice because of friction. Well I have a new definition: - "Motion that continues indefinitely without any external source of energy or until you get bored of waiting for friction to halt the motion"
I'm sure that this physics bombshell will be heralded in the latest science journals, National Geographic and Discovery Channels and will be referred to as "The Law of Perpetual Motion, First Amendment" or just "Simon's Amendment" for short
This amazing discovery was made when I took my Hed 3 - trispoke to The Bike Boutique as the bearings were decidedly worn - in fact anyone ever having bought any Hed wheels will know that their hubs and bearings are shocking - it's actually a toss up as to which is worse between HED's customer/after-sales service (or lack of it) and their rough running hubs/bearings.A far cry from The Bike Boutique having said that, whose customer care is outstanding.
Anyway back to my story, I decided to pay considerably more to have the regular bearings replaced with ceramic bearings - and Oh My Goodness! WOW! What a difference.I span the wheel and waited...and waited...and waited. The thing just kept on going - it was like alien technology it was so smooth. In contrast I span the back wheel (also a HED 3) but with regular bearings and although this wheel has hardly been used there was a distinct "grinding" feeling coming from the bearings and the wheel slowly came to a stop.
So far I haven't had the patience to actually see how long the ceramic bearings will rotate for until they come to a stop - hence my amendment to the Law of Perpetual Motion.
Over the course of an Ironman it probably won't make more than 10 seconds difference but mentally it will make a heap load and additionally the bling factor is just so cool (provided anyway can be bothered to listen to me that is - Perhaps they should supply big stickers with all ceramic bearings stating - "Upgraded to Ceramic Bearings - BLING!").
The Week That Was - (IM - 6 weeks to go)
Again another mega week planned but a chest cold comes to thwart things a little. I seem to have survived and gotten away with a fast 30k last Sunday so fingers crossed all is on track. I have lost another KG so that's still going to plan.Monday I managed a decent 3k swim in the morning and my usual 50k on the turbo - Monday Night Laughs on the TV so that helps get through it.
Tuesday Swim was a reluctant one, not as high quality as last week but 3.5k and a couple of minutes quicker (probably just less faffing around). At lunchtime I missed my usual spin class, core work and stretching as Shilpa had an exam and I had to collect the boys from school - sorry to have missed the class but picking the boys up is a rare luxury and had me beaming with pride all the way there and back. As I've broken Shilpa's treadmill (see last week) and it hasn't been repaired yet I'm reverting to the treadmill in the gym. All went well, in fact I was hitting a runners high and chuckling to myself about last years foot injury went a shot of excruciating pain went through my left foot - that'll teach me - I backed off a bit and still finished the session with over half a K extra in the same time as last week.
Wednesday 80k ride before work, not as sprightly as last week, hardly slept as Sid and Seb in bed with us, Sid cracked his head badly on the edge of the door and Seb had a terrible cough all night. Even so only a minute and a half slower than last week. Run was tougher and less energized too but still managed 12.5k and only 5 seconds slower than last week - bizarre, I must be getting fitter and lighter.
Wednesday night was the tri swim squad coached session at Bukit Jalil Stadium - I'm coming down with a sore throat and cold - also exhausted - I'm going home to bed instead.
Thursday decided to bail on morning swim too, real feeling run down. Will try to get back into it tonight for the run. (Later - nah it didn't happen).
Friday Ditto, nothing today - looks like the long ride tomorrow will see me back on track or in bed for a week.
Saturday 197k Broga loop was planned, it turned out to be a shortened 148k boiling hot, faffing ride, loads of punctures (I got three), waiting around etc... but wholly enjoyable. Still feeling rough so cutting it short was also sensible - didn't run afterwards either - boiling hot, dehydrated, raging headache and chest cold still rampant. Some would say smart but I still feel a bit like an excuse merchant.
Sunday Sam needed to start early as he was heading to PD for CNY. 6am kick off. Legs felt heavy, speed not great but still reasonable, survived there and back 21k.
I've dropped another Kg. Calf/Achilles is still niggling but getting better. This week did turn out to be low on volume i.e. easy week but periodisation training plan says that's what I should be doing. Need to pick it up a notch again next week although cold still a major worry.
5 more weeks to go and 3 weeks of misery before the taper starts.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Gong Xi Fa Cai
Have a fantastic Year of the Ox.Can it get worse than last year?
If you ask me it depends how you measure it - I reckon year on year life gets better and better.
HOW? - Just measure the good stuff - try to fix/improve the things that didn't got quite so well and there you have it - EVERY YEAR GETS BETTER.
Gong Xi Fa Cai - even to the bankers, including the Icelandic ones - they all deserve a break, I guess!
Friday, January 23, 2009
End of an Era
Simon Says: - "I went to my good buddy Aswar's site today and was shocked and rather sad to read the farewell message below - Just for clarity, he's not dead just his blog 'Pipot.com' but I also assume that he is bowing out of competing in triathlons too from these and previous comments.
I first met Aswar when we were training on the track with Mr. Chan. A few years ago, since then Aswar got fitter and fitter and leaner, he got faster and faster and not only at running. He started kicking my butt in the pool. At Ironman he almost had me beat two years in a row - the fact that he was somewhere in front of me kept me going. Had he kept Ironman racing up he would have mauled me for sure.
Aswar seems now to be focusing on http://www.trikidzmalaysia.blogspot.com/ which is a fantastic commitment to make and from what I see he's loving it (more than competing it seems).
We all know he'll be back but the question is when? Don Khor took a ten year break only to come back and instantly started terrorizing us middle aged baby boomers.
It's a sad day to see Pipot.com pass away but it is replaced by something even more enduring and alluring in trikidzmalaysia (especially for us parents) as for Aswar he will be reincarnated and will be appearing at a tri somewhere near you at some point in the future - look out you 40 year olds - he'll be back!".
The farewell page from 'Pipot.com': -
Pipot is gone for good. Azwar has made a hijrah to hopefully a better place.
I thank all my readers or anyone that had passed thru here. I cherish ur support N frenship.
I thank my sponsor PowerBar for giving me the opportunity to be the best I can be. I urge everyone to buy PowerBar simply becoz they are great people N the fact that they really care about the sport. Without PowerBar i dont think triathlon in Malaysia will survive (being an organizer, I know). Its a win-win situation. Eat sleep dream PowerBar.
I apologize to those I hurt. Forgive me.
Farewell frens!! I'm definitely not coming back.
Pipot R.I.P (2003-2009)
-Azwar-
I first met Aswar when we were training on the track with Mr. Chan. A few years ago, since then Aswar got fitter and fitter and leaner, he got faster and faster and not only at running. He started kicking my butt in the pool. At Ironman he almost had me beat two years in a row - the fact that he was somewhere in front of me kept me going. Had he kept Ironman racing up he would have mauled me for sure.
Aswar seems now to be focusing on http://www.trikidzmalaysia.blogspot.com/ which is a fantastic commitment to make and from what I see he's loving it (more than competing it seems).
We all know he'll be back but the question is when? Don Khor took a ten year break only to come back and instantly started terrorizing us middle aged baby boomers.
It's a sad day to see Pipot.com pass away but it is replaced by something even more enduring and alluring in trikidzmalaysia (especially for us parents) as for Aswar he will be reincarnated and will be appearing at a tri somewhere near you at some point in the future - look out you 40 year olds - he'll be back!".
The farewell page from 'Pipot.com': -
Pipot is gone for good. Azwar has made a hijrah to hopefully a better place.
I thank all my readers or anyone that had passed thru here. I cherish ur support N frenship.
I thank my sponsor PowerBar for giving me the opportunity to be the best I can be. I urge everyone to buy PowerBar simply becoz they are great people N the fact that they really care about the sport. Without PowerBar i dont think triathlon in Malaysia will survive (being an organizer, I know). Its a win-win situation. Eat sleep dream PowerBar.
I apologize to those I hurt. Forgive me.
Farewell frens!! I'm definitely not coming back.
Pipot R.I.P (2003-2009)
-Azwar-
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Seb & Sid - School Birthday Celebration
As Seb and Sid's birthday is on the 31st December we had to allocate a school day for their birthday celebration. Today was the day. Shilpa and I went to their school with a Bob the Builder and Wendy cake (which was yummy I can reliable confirm) and some little gifts Seb and Sid's class mates.
We sang "Happy Birthday" and "If You're Happy and You Know It..." and another one about a scarecrow or something but I wasn't cool enough to know the words to that one.
Great fun... check out the photos
We sang "Happy Birthday" and "If You're Happy and You Know It..." and another one about a scarecrow or something but I wasn't cool enough to know the words to that one.
Great fun... check out the photos
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