Boosting your run with Power Gel

Over the last weekend at the Race Expo, i intended to buy power gel to boost my run. As u will have known, my usually training will be around 6 – 7km in one seating. Never have i done a 21km in one seating. Of course, my speed will be kinda slow for the first 3km, especially where my momentum will come around the 1.5km – 3km. But running 21km without stopping??? No joke ok!

Anyway, i’ve got 2 packs of powergels as above. Now the thing is, when do i eat it?

With this in mind, i googled it. And this are my results:

1) According to Half Marathon Running, they recommended taking a powergel 15mins prior to the race, and then 30 – 45mins into the race. When u take the gel, take some water too.

2) I’ve read quite a bit off the forums about the gels and half-marathons, and what they usually say is one every 45 mins or every 8 – 10kms.

So, what i’m gonna do is, to eat one Powerbar (yes i bought them at the Race Expo) about 20 mins prior to the race, and then i’ll take one powergel at about 8km and maybe one more at 16km, depending on the performance.

Now what i’m missing is the Fuel Belt, which i’m gonna take a look at Running Lab tomorrow. I figured that i will invest in one, and i will probably do a lot more running like Half Marathons until i’m fit enough and ready for a Full Marathon (maybe in another 2 to 3 years?)

As for the remaining 3 days to my run, i’m gonna drink more water, eat more carbos, and rest more. And i’m really excited and i know that i wanna complete this! :)

For a Bigger Challenge in 2011

Every since running came invading into my life, i’ve been feeling quite happy. It’s the sweating it out after a shitty day, and the eudophins just come rushing in. Not forgetting the adrenaline rush and the joy of torturing oneself completion of how much u wanna run.

As of 20/11/2010, i’ve completed:
1) Singapore Passion Run – 10km
2) Nike City 10K Race – 10km

The upcoming Standchart Marathon is happening in another 15 days.

Being in the FIT CLUB in the cg, allows for fellow runners to support one another, share great running tips, and train together. And we are looking forward to more runs.

In fact, the run that is on my radar is Sundown Marathon 2011. Since early this month, i’ve been periodically checking out the website to see when will next year’s run be open.

Its run is set on 28/05/2011. According to the website, the registration will open only in December 2010.

After the Nike Run, i felt that i can run more. And believing for greater breakthroughs in the area of running is concerned for me. And i was seriously contemplating that ‘maybe’, i should try for Half-Marathon (21km). But of course, the registration wasn’t even open, and i didn’t think very much into it.

Until this faithful afternoon. I received an sms….. And i jumped…. in excitement. SUNDOWN IS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION!

And i know that in my heart, i’ve already decided that 21k is THE race for me.



This was what i posted some time earlier.

When u post something like this PUBLICLY…… it may/can/does look grandiose, but talk is cheap, until ACTION happens.

And i’m very happy to announce that



Half-Marathon, i’ll conquer you in
6 months, 1 week and 1 day’s time!   

So from now on, no more 5km mini-runs. I will run a minimum of 7km in 1 seating. And yes, i need to run more and more! I need to be much more disciplined than ever!! And yes, it takes a leap of faith for me. But i believe, that i can conquer this distance! =)

Phil 4:13
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!

Close to 1 year and loving it!

It has been about 1 year since i’ve embarked on my exercising regime.

Seriously, it hasn’t been easy, trying to motivate myself to go to the gym very regularly. Not forgetting the laziness and the food that will lure you away from the gym

Hasn’t it been Diana, who encourages me to start going out to the running track to run, i think i’ll still be stuck inside the gym, aimlessly. Now, i’m enjoying my runs. In fact, without running a minimum of 4km in 1 seating, i will feel Shiok-not!

What started out to exercise this year, has changed me from needing the air-con to exercise, to loving the running track. And to date, i’ve finished 2 x 10km runs, namely the PAssion Run and the Nike City 10k Race. And i am looking forward to Standchart Marathon in about 4 weeks.

Even though i do run a lot on the track, but most of the time, while running, i’ll lost track of how far i’ve run. And on the track, it’s not like in the gym where i can see how far and how fast i’ve ran.

I got an IPOD Touch, where the Nike + Application has been there for the longest time. I’ve been quite an apple-idiot, thinking that with the app, i’ll be able to track my run. I am only half correct.

Without a sensor, this application is rendered useless.

And i know that Nike does sell the shoes where u can put in the sensor. And i didn’t even know that i can get a clip holder for the sensor to use the app, until after the Nike Run. Really Slow sia!!!

Anyway, it’s a good thing that i’ve learnt, and so i’ve gotten my sensor from Nike Shop (it’s retailing at SGD29.90). And the Clip Holder, i’ve bought from Challenger (retailing at SGD16) or RunningLab.

With this sensor and my very clever IPOD Touch, i can catch my run.



It’s quite in me to track my runs. And so far it’s great. I’m just hoping i won’t drop my sensor somewhere…. (i have 998 times to go before i need to change it!) 

My 1st attempt at making steamed cake

As i step into another decade, the things that i wanna do, are not things that i would wanna do, a decade ago. NOW, the things that i wanna do, add value to not just myself, and ppl around me.

Without an Oven, i can’t bake cakes.

But a steamer is easily available, so i shall steam cakes.

Firstly i declared on FB very publicly that i wanna do steamed cakes. That was Monday. So, 熟女一言，驷马难追. So i am gonna make it happen!

So i started by buying measuring cups and measuring spoons on Monday.

And then, i started to search for recipes online. And there are SO MANY!!! And i started to watch Youtube videos on how people bake cakes.

And finally, Sunday arrived.

I started with buying the necessities and making sure that what i need, i have or get them.



So i got Cake Flour, Caster Sugar (never use the normal sugar, because caster suger is the fine one, ideal for baking), chocolate rice, and aluminium cups (i didn’t wanna get cup mold, and beautiful paper cups are for a moment, so aluminium may not be as pretty, but they are sturdy)

And yes, if the basket looked familiar, it’s from my favorite neighborhood big big supermarket, Sheng Siong!! I know, i sound very ‘auntie’ right here.



So i got home and placed them on my dining table.



I got the Flour Sieve and Whisk the night before, and the weighing scale and Baking soda is courtesy of Ei Chien. :D

Before doing the steamed cake with Grace, we wayang-ed.


My mother insisted i posed this way, just like the picture on the apron….

We did the whisking of the salt, sugar and eggs…… add in the Milk, Cake Flour and baking soda….. (it’s about 20 mins of arm power) and we are ready to heat up the steamer and pour the stuff into the aluminium cups.



We added A LOT of chocolate rice. Looks good and ready for the ‘sauna’ awaiting them.

**after toothpick test at 15th min….. 19th min toothpick test**



Wow! What a vast difference!! =) And it looked really amazing.



There, it’s a nicer presentation.

The chocolate rice literally ‘exploded’ on the surface. And the color of the cake is kinda dark due to the much chocolate rice in it.

It has a nice eggy taste which seems quite good with the huge amount of chocolate in there. And the best part is, it’s not too sweet. My dad liked it. So does my mom. Gave some to my cousins for some reviews and feedbacks.

We did a 2nd batch, where there was some helpful intervention of Eichien and her bf. They helped with some whisking, and some suggestion about the chocolate rice. And we continued to steam like the first batch, with chocolate rice only at the top, which we added in the 5th min of ‘sauna’.



The chocolate rice was unevenly spread out, cos of the steam. Every steam cake looks different. And the chocolate rice melted very nicely and is still kinda ‘wet’ after a few hours.

Eichien and bf gave great suggestions which i’m gonna incorporate in my next attempt:
- Using of vanilla essence
- Use 1 egg instead of 2, to reduce the egginess.
- Use more milk

Met with Mich who suggested that the cake is a bit too thick. Am thinking that i could reduce the amount of cake flour in my next attempt.

Thanks to Grace who steamed the cakes with me today. If not, my first attempt might not be a successful one.


And yes, baking cakes is never easy.  

So remember, when u are complaining why this cake and that cake is so expensive, do know that it takes HARD WORK and EFFORT to make it happen!!

More cake steaming coming up!! =)

A week of morning prayer

Just last week, we had given of our pledge to build God a great house, during our Arise and Build Weekend.

In this new week, the best thing to do is to continue to trust God, and be more steadfast in Prayer. And how apt it is, for Church to hold the morning prayer meetings again.

The other 2 times when the prayer meetings were held, i didn't indicate that i would go at all. Frankly, i'm not a very morning person. I usually wake up feeling crappy and grouchy. Especially when i sleep late, which is not a very good habit of mine.

But when the announcement of the morning prayer meetings are taking place this week, i decided to try and go and took a step of faith, and indicate that i would go for Wednesday and Thursday, at Chinatown, this Kreta Ayer People's Theatre (Church of Singapore, Harvest).




On Monday, i was talking to Di early in the morning. She had just gone for the prayer meeting and was very early for work (Good testimony =) ). So she was telling me about how the hunger of the people at Singapore Post and the presence of God was awesome. And i was totally stirred in my spirit, and in my heart, and there, i made a decision to go to Singapore Post (Heart of God church) the next day. In the whole of Monday, the only thing on my mind is the prayer meeting.



Well, why didn't i go to Kreta Ayer? Well, i didn't remember if there will be anyone there, and besides, i wanna go Singapore Post because many of the members are there.

And what touches me greatly is how our cg members encourage one another to go for prayer meeting. Grace Choo gave me wake up call at 5am (though i woke up at 4.45am because i was too excited over attending the prayer meeting), and met up with Sky and myself to take the Mrt to Paya Lebar. Fyi, all of us met up; leave the house by 5.45am, take the 1st or 2nd bus, and take the 3rd or 4th Pasir Ris-bound train.

The presence of God was very strong the moment we stepped into the auditorium on the 12th floor. From 6.45am - 7.45am it was Personal prayer time. It was time for all of us to build our own altars before God.

It is a challenge to stay awake, i must say. But when i remember why i am here at 6.45am, a time where i'm usually still on the bed, at a place where it's at least 30km away from my bed, and knowing the reason of why i am here, is to seek the face of the Lord, i know that there is no way i'm gonna fall asleep. I will do nothing except to pray and to seek the face of the Lord.

On Tuesday and Wednesday (today), i was at Kreta Ayer. Our members continue to encourage one another to come together, giving wake up calls at 5am and meeting up, buying breakfast or drinks for one another while waiting .... It has been so encouraging to pray with one another, even though we were praying individually.

I'm really excited about tomorrow's prayer meeting, and i'm gonna go to Singapore Post (Hahaha.. that place is the beginning and the end of this week's prayer meeting for me) together with the rest and gonna spend time in the presence of God there. Man! I can't have enough of morning prayer meetings! I think i'm starting to await for the next round of Morning prayer meetings in 4 weeks time (2nd week of Dec 2008).

Despite waking up at 5am and being readied by 5.30am...


My alarm clock is showing 5.30am... just ready to get out of the house

Despite looking like a million bucks.... Make it a billion bucks - in the negative sense...
*Ugly photos coming up*


Crappy hair, eye bags and make up that looks non-existent


i look bloated in the morning - Somebody photoshop away my double chin!! =S

Despite having to sacrifice my sleep, and looking ugly and all, it is 110% worth it!! To wake up early to go for prayer meeting, seeking and committing my day onto the Lord, it is something that i've thought that i could never be able to do it. But, i did. And..... i'm looking forward to the next time we have the week of Morning prayers!

So if u haven't attend any morning prayer yet, just come tomorrow. I guarantee you, No regrets!! [Quote from Diana]


****
added on 7th November @ 9.21am:

I woke up at 4.40am after hearing my alarm clocks ringing.

"still early, can snooze a bit ah" [And i dozed off to bed]

Vaguely heard my alarm clock ringing, and my phone was ringing and then it stopped.

I stared at the clock. It read 6.05am.

HUH!!!!! 6.05am!! And i saw that Sky called me. And i called back.

Sky: Hey where are u ah?

me: CAN U BELIEVE IT?! I'M ON MY BED *sigh*

Sky: ....

After i put down the phone, i was laying there, and feeling very very frustrated with myself - Darn, why did i snooze?! And there, i decided to sit up and chiong all the way to Kreta Ayer.

Did a time check: 6.10am. I thought to myself, "Ok, 15 mins to ready myself, and get out of the hosue at 6.25am". 2nd thought drifted "wha, must run to ATM, i dont' think i have money to take cab now..."

Thankfully i left my house on the dot at 6.25am, and was walking to the lift, and thinking about going where to withdraw money. Instinctively, i took out my wallet, and Lo and Behold, i saw a red $10 note sitting in my note compartment. Woohoo!! Praise God.

And i reached Kreta Ayer at 6.45am. Praise the Lord!!!

A week of madness

TGIF= Thank God It's Friday!!!

Man! This is one week that i really looked forward to Fridays.

This whole week at work was kinda fast-paced. But it means more challenges, and more hurdles to cross over. Most of it includes happenings in the office.

Co's gonna set up a new Account with **** in Malaysia. And the documents took like eons to come to Singapore. I mean, we are already so urgent with this thingy, and yet **** took the task graciously, but sending it via normal mail (and it's really snail mail....). Guess what, they sent out last friday, and it only reached Singapore on Thursday. Infurating right?! Yes!

So i kinda called **** to diao them and make sure that they send a copy via courier. That was wednesday. The courier came on Thursday. Then the original mail came later than the courier. Angry leh!!

Anyway, to put that aside, filling up the forms is an issue in itself. Yours truly failed Business Law in Dip level, and managed a mere pass at re-take. This kind of forms can really hamtam me and i can really peng-san under these forms. Well, i kinda tu because i stared...... STARED at the form lah. I mean, how to fill them in without mistake? Staring at the forms once every few minutes won't help me fill it up right? Yah...

Well, ETA sat down with me today, giving me instructions on what i need to do, though he has told me before. Seriously, i was really trying to understand what needs to be done. But somehow, it can't connect to my mind (just like the stupid O2 can't sync again.....real pissed. Must change phone soon!!!! ). Thankfully he was very understanding, though i can feel that he's a bit LL-ed... He explained explain explain... then he decided to write out for me.... Being a writing person, i can understand that better.

It was OVERWHELMING............ u know, information overload. Yah, that was what i was. I was kinda closed to tears already because i simply got frustrated as to WHY i can't understand. I'm frustrated at myself lah.

Anyway, he smiled and he said that he understood that it's real overwhelming, but with this experience, it'll be easier for me next time.

me: Next time?! (I blurted) We are going to open another account?

(ETA smiling)

ETA: Yes.... gonna set up another account just in case.....

****

This week, i have been liaising lotsa with our M'sians outsource a lot. Calling M'sia frequency is more than when i call a Singapore number. Been sending out couriers to different places in Malaysia. Coordinating with contractors for our new office....... Getting the keys... Blah blah blah.

And, just got word regarding to our office..... it's not good news, but we are believing for a better office to come by - soon. Looking forward to the next prayer meeting in the office.

There was an ad-hoc meeting that ETA and execs called for today. It kinda touched on some issues and the challenges we are facing. It's kinda nice to know that we can be upfront and personal with what the company is going through. Rather than give us a ppt presentation, and 'commands' on what to do, but it's an imformal way of sharing information and getting feedback. At the end of it, ETA got all of the colleagues to stand in a circle. For a moment, i thought that he's gonna say (or get Laks/Jo/me) to say a prayer or something....But it's for us to get upfront and closer to one another. But it's really gave me a very nice feeling, that though challenges come, but come what may, unity and having the same vision.... we can do all things! Nothing is impossible!

It's been an intense week. But it's a challenging week. So challenging that migraines start to set in again...... But TGIF!!!!

Next week will be of greater challenges.

Coming up in next entry
Since Art doesn't want to consider blogging about the beer on E9, since he has to blog on Content stuff, i shall put that into my blog. Yes, though i'm no boozer with a beer-belly, but i'm going to take a look at it from a marketing perspective. Yes, another entry from a marketing-trained HR practioneer :) I already know what i want to put in.... it's going to be exciting.

Events running in
- Carolling?
- Christmas weekend (23rd - 24th December)
- Thanksgiving cg (30th December 2006)