Back To Training....

I have finally signed up for the Penang Bridge Run that will be held on Nov-16. This had always been something that I had wanted to do ever since i relocated here. Well, at long last I've made a firm commitment to it only in my 7th year here. {Has it really been that long????}

Anyway, since the organizers operated a registration counter right in QueensBay Mall, it was pretty convenient. Sign up to race while you shop. :)

I had a chat with the man operating the counter, and apparently the response has not been very good. So far, only about 4000 folks have signed up. The organizers are targeting to get 10,000 participants. So for those who have not signed up yet, please hurry up. For those who have, pls pass the word around.

Yesterday evening, I had sort of a 'trial' run of what my fitness level is now. Especially since i have not been very active in the past 2 months. Well, lets just say that i have lots and lots of training to go to get my fitness level up many many times over to tackle the 25km run.

I've never been a runner, and has never been keen on it. I'm more into a 'slow and steady, endurance' kind of sports like hiking, swimming (leisurely) and walking. Yesterday, I managed to walk briskly 5 times round the field near my place with not much effort. But after running just one round, my heart was already pounding. Lot of training to do....

Too bad they don't have a Penang Bridge Walkathon or something like that.

Five minutes too late...

This morning, I joined the Penang Hill Climb competition organized by Kwong Wah Yit Poh. The climb starts from Youth Park and ends at the top of the hill.

The number of participants was astounding... much more than the Hikathon which I participated a few months ago. But a very large percentage of the participants were school kids, so it reminded me of my school time cross-country events. :)

YB Lim Guan Eng made the special trip to the Youth Park to flag off the competition. I guess his popularity is still very high among Penangites as there were thunderous claps when everyone saw him. A few even tracked back to snap photos with him.

We took the tar road all the way so the climb was a bit mundane, but it was challenging as there were many steep sections. The first part was (up to 56) was particularly challenging, which left many of us (myself including) gasping for breath as we took a rest. After an arduous climb, with numerous rest stops in between... I did make the whole climb up to the top. In 125mins... 5 mins later than the 120mins limit set by the organizers for certification. What a bummer!!!

{I did get a cert, actually... maybe I looked so pathetic that the officials took pity, or maybe the officials just gave out all the certs that they have already printed to everyone who completed the climb. I strongly suspect it is the latter).

But looking back, I only have myself to hold responsible for being 5 minutes too late. I managed to push myself to complete the task, but apart from the sore thighs from the steep sections, I also had to battle a lot of negativity can cropped up in my mind. At one point, I was already planning to give up when i reached 84. I even thought of a title for the entry in my blog... "Tackled 56, Defeated at 84". Sounds catchy, right?

But anyway, the point I wanted to make was that I have the willpower to attain what I have aimed. But not a strong enough mind to banish the negative thoughts that arose in the process of achieving what I have set out.

In retrospect, I achieved my goal of reaching the top. With or without the negative thoughts of giving up. Wouldn't it have been a better achievement had I maintained the confidence of reaching my goals throughout the process? 5 minutes is not a long duration. I could have easily shaved it. I wouldn't have taken so many rest stops or the rest stops could have been shorter had I not had to battle the devils in my mind.

And I would have returned being more proud of my cert.

Hikathon

I'll be taking part in a Hikathon next Sunday.
It is supposed to be a 3hr hike starting from Youth Park.

As I have been leading quite a sedentary lifestyle for the past few months I am now on a tight schedule to get back in shape. So far I managed to swim 10 laps at Pisa last Tuesday.
Tomorrow will be to hike up Penang Hill (till 84). Sunday will be swimming again, this time at Pearl Garden Condo.

Will try to squeeze in one Hiking session up Bukit Jambul and a few more laps at PISA before the Hikathon challenge starts.

Wish me luck!!!