.

Weather conditions: cooling and humid, slight breeze
Distance: 12k (2x 6k loop)
Pace: LSD for loop 1, slightly harder for loop 2

Notables: 4th - 6th is noticeably harder than 9th-12th, it was difficult trying to slow down to prevent burnout later.

Interesting happenings: 3km into the run, there was a shout of encouragement from a fellow runner! The same thing happened into the 10th km! That made my day, totally:))

22 weeks to the start-line. Things are progressing well:)

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Hows this for a short trip?!

The Vietnam trip is postponed indefinitely. Fion decided that we will go another time when she's richer, lol. While cracking my brains deciding if I should go with the Odac goons in traveling from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, at a cost of 600-700 bucks spanning 11 days, the expenditure that is to be incurred on my new bike keeps popping up in my head.

Just then... epiphany strikes! Why didn't I think of this earlier?!

http://www.mrpumpy.net/BSA-Mal.html

Right now, we already have 2 x riders, 1 x support personnel. 1 more support personnel and essentially we are good to go!!

Of course ideally, we would like to have 4 x support personnel, and about 4 riders too.
Would be good if the 4 riders/4 support can swap positions moving northwards/southwards, so all will get to enjoy the 700k ride.

But I guess it would be equally fun if we just have 2 x riders, 2 x support personnel (assuming they don't wana ride) We ride up, all 4 of us drive down:))


5 reasons you should join us:

1) Refreshing and interesting idea
2) Keep fit
3) Clock mileages for those half/full IM wannabes
4) CHEAP seafood, accoms, basically cheap everything
5) A GREAT sense of achievement and adventure

Tall, short, fat, skinny, ugly, chio(especially!!), pro, noob, fit, slob, guys, gals(especially!!), young, old welcomed

Date: mid- late Dec
Duration: Est 5 days
Dist: 700km (gauge: from my place to Fort Road and back is about 65-70km)
Trip cost: Est 100-150 SGD everything included (more people, cheaper)

For more information, you know my hp number. Alternatively, leave coments/tag!

So... How's this for a short year-end trip?
AFI... real big time:))))

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Lessons

Slight tweak on the left foot from the kerb,
Light sprain on the right ankle from a littered plastic bottle,
Near collision with a dumbass who rode his bike on the bloody pavement near downtown east,
Stiff neck, shoulders and hip flexors aches from the previous swim,
Not hydrated properly.

Target 12k, accomplished 6k

Lessons learnt:
There are days where you just don't have it in you.
Respect the conditions, respect your body.
Live to AFI for another day.

Things to take note:
Do not overtrain
Do not compensate
Time to get a new pair of shoes

1-100

I've pangseh-ed Mr Kia at the gym today.

Reason? 100 laps at the pool.

1-20 So simple, so easy..
20-40 Way to go dude!
40-60 Ok this is getting really boring..
60-70 WTF was I thinking?
70-80 This is pure mental torture!!!
80-90 Felt better, can see the end FINALLY!
90-99 Last few laps lo, woohoo!
99-100 SONGBOH?!!!


Have you AFI today?

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just some updates

Was in the pool doing some laps of Freestyle(*looks at yw) when first sounds of thunder clapped. Darn, was only in the pool for around 20mins or so before I decided that I din wana get wet. Such irony! Wasn't I already wet?! Anyway I decided to transit to the gym instead. While taking a breather at the gallery though, I chanced upon a hottie running laps at the track, woots! One thing that I had gotten to know about her? she's from hall8.. from that track jersey she's wearing, haha.. however at that moment the urge to AFI was higher than the testoterone levels, I have decided to head towards the gym instead. And besides, I am too humji to do otherwise anyway, hahaha!

Did abit of endurance stuff in the gym before calling it a day. It was raining buckets when Mr Kia and I were making our way to Canteen 2. We were grateful for the sheltered walkways alongside the road, but WHY THE HECK DIN THEY LINK ALL THE WAY?!! There were 3 gaps where there isn't any shelter, which doesn't make any sense.

Come to think of it, alot things in our beloved school don't make sense. SU option dateline 2weeks before exams? Parking gantry but no parking charges(not that I mind)? NUS advertising on 179? And now, covered walkways but not covered all the way? Great school huh? What a joke

Note: to all NTU profs who might chance upon this blog (I dunno how, but strange things do happen!) I don't dislike NTU. But I would absolutely adore it if you guys could give me a couple more A's in my transcript;)))

On an unrelated note, I just found out that Polygon bikes are made in Indonesia. Now thats a real downer. With 2-3k to spend, pardon me for not having a discerning eye for bargains, but I'd go with something I feel secured and guaranteed.

In addition, Mr Collin sent a followup mail, which was a pleasant surprise!
Now thats what I call quality customer service!

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Zhi wei
What did you get in the end?
C

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Good day Collin,

Sorry for the late reply, kinda pleasantly surprised that you sent a followup mail! I am more or less decided on the Felt F75 actually. The components on the F55 are a little too good/pricey for my level, and I reckon the F75 isn't too bad a choice either since the frame are similar, if not same? Not to mention that I have to leave some cash for new shoes and accessories?

But probably can only get it some time early Dec though.School's been really busy and I haven really gotten the time to go down to the shop and check it out. Pasir Ris is like friggin far from Bukit Timah!

Nevertheless, thanks for all your help in the queries!

Regards,
Zhiwei

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FELT is a reliable US brand, renowned for making performance not-so-entry level bikes. The forum is awash with good reviews about the brand/model. The price is reasonable and the boss at bikehaus is nice. It would be a folly to decide otherwise!

Polygon? Not bad looking lar, but unstable ley..
tsu tsu tsu tsu tsu...

HAHAHA

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Things to settle

Covered 6 8 6 10 last week.
After a 2 day hiatus, its a swim 1.5 followed by a run 10 tomorrow morning.
10 6 8 6 12 are the target mileages this week.

some points to note:
1. I feel good
2. I think I can feel better
3. I WANT MY BIKE!!!

071208 is less than 2 months away but I CANT wait!!!
No thanks to the 2 months waiting time, now I have a dilemma again..

Polygon Helios 600 at 2.6k? Full Ultegra SL components, Fizik saddle, SPDs SL and a DARN CHIO gloss white-gold paintwork!! Not to mention that the shop is in upper east coast only!

http://www.rodalink.com/sg/

Felt F55 as previously at 2.9k? Or the New F75 '09 model? No news of F55 '09.. Have not check out the price though, but its definitely gonna be significantly cheaper. Anyway F55 and F75 uses the same frame, just different components. Check these out first before commenting though..

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/feltF75.shtml
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/feltF75-2009.shtml

On an unrelated but more important note, its the time of the year again. When project deadlines and assignments again become a proverbial pain in the arse, this year though, something different is added to the mix. Its called a JOBsearch..

Hence, things to settle, in no order of importance:

1) Tidy up resume, CV, confirm list of perspective employers, send out applications
2) Start preparing for exams
3) Go into high gear for the dreaded CFA
4) AFI
5) Day-dream about bikes, century rides, open water swim, freestyle or froggie, 70.3 ...

A significant workload to be had huh?
For now though, I shall start with option 5 ;)


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Midnight Warrior

The supposed AFI session today didn't go according to plan. I was dead beat after the Negotiations Quiz and had to pangseh Mr Kia this afternoon. Apologies! Went home and crashed for 3 straight hours.

Just when I got up to get the run in, it started rumbling and the skies poured. Well what the heck, the heavens seemed bent on keeping me in today. Being the slacker that I obviously am, I promptly rolled over and went back snoring.

By the time I was up, it was dinner time. What hit me after was an unusually large inertia to touch the books, instead I sought solace in Heroes S03E04 and Chuck S02E01 S02E02. Ah, the wonders of broadband and mininova.

It was 11plus when I finally finished. Oh great, another wasted day. All along though, I had been struggling with the concept of getting a blardi run in.

What the heck, I shall be a midnight warrior today.
6 click, 30 odd minutes later, I was smiling to myself like an idiot.

Have you AFI today?

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Fallen For Felt F55

I have more or less decided on the F55 actually. And Mr Zhang, no zipp 404 at the moment, no point having the fastest wheels and lightest bike but cui fitness. Not to mention that those wheels costs a couple thousands. Haha one step at a time lar ah!

Anyway, here's the update:)

-----------------------

Hi Zhi Wei,
Our F55 is from Felt full factory warrantied. Ours are not grey imports which usually mean a rejected frameset that has been repaired or re-moulded to look ok.

The F55 is specced with Dura Ace Rd, Ultegra the rest, with Mavic wheelset and the Aluminum frameset with carbon stays and carbon forks and carbon post, this specced of bike should usually set you back around $3.8k for brands like Trek and Specialised. We are selling it for $2.9k. Let me know if you are interested.
Thanks
colin

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Darn value for money for a not-so-entry level bike!
Only drawback? bikehaus is in blardi Bukit Timah..

But still..
NICE RIGHT??!!!

071208, cant farking wait:))

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AFI

What happens when..

2 reports and a prep table are due on Wednesday,
and there's a in-class quiz on that same day?

But you are looking forward to an 8K run followed by a 2K swim tomorrow instead, plan for another brick and gym in school on Wednesday after the quiz,

and feel that it is ok to take that few hours to AFI but almost diabolical to use that same few hours to mug?

hmmm


Have you AFI today?

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071208

Ms Giant has live a short but wonderful life with me. She is now getting ready to move on to provide hours of riding fun to a new roadie bro:)

6months, 80% retail price, only idiot then don't sell!

So right now, I am 'single' and available again! HAHA here are my perspective candidates..

FELT F55 2008 (Alu carbon compo)

Fusion XCM-C2 (full carbon composite)

Amongst on my considerations, would be a alu frame or carbon frame. A tri specific frame or a road frame. 105 or Ultegra parts. and some others.

Decision deadline would be on the 7th Dec. When I will complete the CFA exams, register for 70.3 (early bird discount ends at 2359hrs), and hopefully get my hands on the new ride!!!

Cant wait for 071208!!!

On an unrelated note, something great happened today! at 0920am to be specific!! Shall keep it to those in the know for now, until at least it had gone full circle and we see some returns.
Stay tuned!

Life's getting from good to great;)

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Don't Quit

Life's Journey

The news came that another NSF passed away after some exercise session. He hadn't had the chance to really experience life, ideals and dreams left unfulfilled, before he left us for another realm. I guess the way-higher-ups have a different plan for him. Hope he is in a better place now.

For now though,
I am happy that I am given the chance to chase my dreams.
Grateful to have met the many of you guys/gals that made my journey thus far pleasant.
Satisfied that I have experienced the many facets of life, and excited about the hopefully-plentiful encounters to come.

To the way-higher-ups,
though I am still not sure of your identity,
if you are jewish, indian, arabic, greek, egyptian,
or if you just take the form of 2 electrons..

From the bottom of my heart,
I thank you.

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Back to the roots

Been in a little 华乐 craze since last Sunday's concert with Fion:)
Gotten to know some details of the 27thDec concert.

Songs on the 4 Chinese Classics!!

The 红楼梦 album has been looping on my itunes since.
I still haven gotten sick of it.. yet.

uhoh.. the 'yi yi orh orh' feeling is back
hahaha siao liao...

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