.... the jackal rides and run....

First and foremost. Right after today's 10km run....post recovery drink and some ~900ml of hydration. I will be back to ~80kg by the end of the day. It has been more than six months since I got back into running. I really re-started around August when I found the Eureka! moment with minimalist/barefoot approach to running but at the time I was not really that much into it as I was cycling my hearts out for Tour de Bintan in November. So really, my journey shot up (plus my weight dropped like a rock) since mid/end November onwards. Below is a plot generated using Endomondo ... Weight : from 86kg in mid Nov to slightly below 80kg now Mileage : increased tremendously from 80+km to 250+km per month (I expect this to go down to 150+ level after the marathon!) Heart Rate : average has been dropping, mostly also because I've been pulling in more sedate long runs for endurance and much less speedwork Average Pace : surprisingly, despite not doing much speedwork the past...

21km Run Monday's run was good and rather 'fulfilling' as its a PB and by over a minute so leaves me with a very positive vibe. Now the mind was elated and pumped and it deceived me on the bodily condition. Well, this deception came with a price as I tried to achieve another PB on Tuesday with the 21km. I even employed the help of Ryo to come in at km11 to supplement my pain with inspiration and correct pace. It was not to be. Started out quite promisingly for the first 2km but really that was it. Pace began to falter, HR refused to get pumped up. What started out at a "go for under 2hrs" went gradually to "go for 2hr 2mins" and then to "go for 2hr 4mins" and by the time I reached the meeting point where Ryo was waiting eagerly....it was "Ryo, can't make it....just try for my PB". He pushed at 5:40 pace for a while but it was killing me already and as we passed my underpass area at 16km, I really wanted to give up (I think...

Must be over 20 years ago back in JC when I was in this range. Finally I just crossed from the "Overweight" range into the "Normal Weight" category. I came close back in 2001/2002 from running as well but could never go below the 82kg line. I just hope I can keep improving this! Steadily below 80kg will be the target. right now its hovering at 80kg-81kg. Been getting sick (cough, sore-throat) pretty easily over the past month. Change of weather probably but I should also pay a bit of attention to the weight loss which is quite substantial.  I went from 87kg in end Nov TDB2011 time) to 80kg now....that's 7kg in 11 weeks. I've had to abandon all my work clothes and go down one and half size down at least. Waist from 36" to about 33"-34" now. Shirt size down from 17/16.5 to 16. I can wear slim fit shirts now but the tummy is still huge though! Nevertheless it's a good feeling to have. What I did consciously since then... - I ...

This month has been dismal in cycling. I only covered a mere 250km up this this point of the month. Normally I would have racked up about 500km by now. No, I've not been lazy......I've been running. 110km covered on my minimalist shoes this month....about 35km of trail too. I guess after months of cycling quite intensively (by my standards even!) preparing for various events, I need some refreshing so that I may return to cycling more charged up than ever. I needed a diversion. Running has been more than just a diversion. Its not a real competitor to cycling for sure. Why? because time for physical activities are scarce these days, for a married man with many kids. :) That and the fact that running is just about the most convenient, economical and effective physical activity one can do. Just about anyone can get good at it, given the proper dedication. For me, its been quite an adventure, especially working on the trail paths and then finally getting on the road to run them. ...