Oh Noz! 2 weeks till the Women’s GE Run! Been running a bit here and there, but I’m no where near my desired fitness level. Doesn’t help that I’ve been down with the flu and been feeling kinda chubs!
*bloat*
Wow has it been one year since my first 10km run. Dang!
Anybody has tips for a 2 week training regime! Help!
posted in Exercise | 15 Comments
After a VERY long hiatus, Janice dusted off the goat and joined us for a ride at Bukit Timah Nature reserve last weekend. Albeit a short ride, it was sufficient to get her used to riding off-road again.
Circa May, 2006
September, 2008
I had my biking buddy back again.
It was fun riding with the girls, for once we weren’t outnumbered. It’s such a male dominated sport its hard to find ladies to bike with.
Jan, Waynetta, Cheryl pushing up the gnarly section near the barrier
Cheryl crankin it, and made it.
Carrying our bikes up 3 flight of steps near the end of the trail.
Jan, I’m putting this on record.
Janice has hereby promised that she will be riding off-road at least once a month starting from this month onwards.
Here’s to many more OFF-ROAD rides, this is us Doing the Angela Gray “DTAG”.
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Sky has been spitting rain all morning! Mountain Biking plans have been canned. Damn you rain! We were so looking forward to today’s ride! Hmph!
This happens every single time, the night before a big race, I start to regret not training enough for it. I just wish i started ‘regretting’ weeks earlier. Now I’m all nerves for tomorrow’s Krankin @ Kent Ridge. I wish I would for once, feel READY for a race. But then again, it’s like an exam, no matter how much you study, you’re ‘never ready!’.
I went for a practice run this morning, and i couldn’t clear all the climbs…. and I was completely out of breath after one round… shit, I’m screwed.
Oh wells, just finish the damn thing Angela. For the love of the sport and to support my good friends at DirTraction.
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Click HERE for details
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A weekend ago, we all went over to the Tampines trail for a couple of rounds, a trail which we’ve all gone round plenty of times. But not too long ago, PLing had a pretty bad spill on a gnarly section near the bridge.
So on the first round, Rebecca, thinking she should go slow and easy, still had a pretty bad spill down the rocks and got her shin pretty badly chewed up.
On the second round, it was my turn. I was going too slow too and the bike was taking me down the left into the water. But luckily I managed to throw the bike away from me and grabbed on to the bridge. But the fall didn’t come without injuries.
As my nephew would say it, I got an Ouwweee! The bruise was there for a week! Which meant no skirt or dresses for a week! That part now is almost un-ridable due to the weeks rain and erosion.
Here’s adidas Wayne, i say that because he actually took time this morning to match his shirt with his shorts with his socks with his shoes!
posted in Exercise | 13 Comments
Preparation started on Friday night, Wayne and I had so much things to pack, its almost ridiculous the amount of things we brought down to Tampines! But i think everyone appreciated the effort, because we were totally prepared for everything.
We had first aid kits, deep heat, cold drinks, food, ice, TF2, tools, bike stands, tables, chairs, ground sheets… EVERYTHING!
Line of bikes before race start.
Post race report
The race went alright, Wayne signed me up for the Women’s solo category, which meant 10 laps of 10km non stop around the Tampines trails. There were other categories such as duo, mixed duo and quads, but I guess I wanted to see how far I could push myself.
The race started with a 200min sprint to your bikes, which meant a slow jog for me. After the scuffle to get your bikes, it’s an uphill battle to overtake people on the crowded switchbacks. Oh i must add, it was a super mud fest that day. urgh.
My biggest fan and support.
The day started off sunny, but on my 5th lap, the sky suddenly turned to a dark blue grey. When i was going through the pits, it was announced that the race has to be stopped due to bad weather. The sky opened up and lightening streaked across the skies. (WoooHoooo!) In all honesty, I don’t think i could have finished the 100km!!! My legs were already screaming on the climbs by the fifth lap.
With Leon in the rain.
I must thank the support crew, they were wonderful. I don’t think anyone can do such a race without any help. Thanks y’all! Really really appreciate it.
I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the bikes, unpacking, and took a short hour nap before getting ready for dinner. We picked up Benny boy, Ian and Jason and headed to Dempsey for the post race gathering.
Post race dinner at Fabricca Dempsey Road
I had a good time laughing and chatting over beer and hot dogs. These bunch of people are just so carefree and fun to be around with, it must be something in the mud.
The starstruck boys and Tinker Juarez. Oh… he’s just a * 4 Time US 24 Hour Solo Champion * 3 Time NORBA XC Champion * 2 Time Olympian * Gold Medallist, Pan Am Games * ABA BMX Hall of Fame * Mountain Bike Hall of Fame * Three top 10 finishes in World MTB Championships, that’s all. No big deal right?
I forgot to bring my camera along, so I’ll have to depend on other people for photos.
This one courtesy of Colin, thanks mate!
And this one by Noel Chian.
Oh yes, I also met one of my blog readers, Llyod and his friends at the race. A big hello to the Pinoy mountain bikers I met that day!
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Weekend post coming up… here’s a teaser.
Pictured is Wayne’s last jump of the day…and his last jump for the next 1 1/2 months too.
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It’s been 2 1/2 years since I started cycling, and have been very fortunate that I haven’t had a serious fall before. Especially with off road riding, it’s not exactly like a ride at East Coast Park.
I started riding with Wayne’s old Marin bike, and with a purple Trek helmet that didn’t fit. I’d wear tights with no padding and 5 year old running shoes. We started off gradual with rides at East Coast Park, from Fort road to Safra.
But it got a bit boring for me, so Wayne brought me for my first off-road ride, to Bukit Timah MTB trail. (What a trail to start me off with! Geez start me off at Tampines or something, I nearly scared myself to death that day)
Soon after that I bought my first bike, the “Orangela” as Wayne liked to call it.
After the Orangela, came the “Pinky”.
Now, together with “Pinky” I have the motolite.
I do fall, but they are usually bruises, scratches, and aches. But nothing like this.
On Sunday, I decided to attempt the 5ft drop at Gangsa. I felt good…I was on top of my game, had bags of confidence, and as Wayne said before, if you have that feeling, don’t let it pass and just do it.
I also got a new set of knee guards two weeks ago (we were sharing one previously).
I went for the drop, landed it on both wheels, but realised I was too far back on my seat, and that’s when I lost it and skidded sideways on the ground and hit my head. Thank goodnesss I was wearing a full-face helmet, I can’t imagine what would have happened if it didn’t!
So for the next 6-7 days I was nursing a headache caused by the concussion. No, I didn’t lose consciousness, and yes I went to see the doctors when the headaches didn’t go away a day after. You know what it feels like? It feels like a rubber band around your head 24/7, it’s a really shitty feeling.
Anyway, I’m back to my old self, and back at Gangsa on the weekends. But I think i’ll lay off the 5ft drop for awhile.
posted in Exercise | 15 Comments
Turner RFX
The Turner RFX was meant to be a do it all mountain bike which could take me on the long haul rides as well as take on big hits with its long travel. After riding it for the better half of 6 months I can finally give a proper review of the bike after being through varying types of terrain. I have riding this bike on everything from XC trails, to all mountain single tracks, to technical drops as well as a full on downhill courses local and overseas.
Read more…
posted in Exercise, Geek | 8 Comments
Tuesday and Thursday was my third and fouth Muay Thai lesson, and it’s getting tougher every session. We’re slowly getting the hang of skipping, but Wayne still looks like a school girl doing it. At least he’s got the push ups nailed, I can’t even do it right!
This is the Basic set up:
- Hand wraps
- Ankle guard
- Gloves
- Shin pads
- Shorts
- Adidas tank to match
On Tuesday we were taught two more offensives: Elbow Chop, Straight knee strike, and a few defensive moves: the shin block and redirection on jabs.
Was a bit stunned when my instructor Amy went for a jab, and I failed to block it. It wasn’t hard AT ALL, more like a tap, but I was still quite stunned. I’ve just never been hit before, so it’s all a bit weird for me.
Last night we were fine tuning our moves, and I think I pulled my left ab muscle, just above my hip bone while doing a knee block. Tried wiki-ing it, but I can’t confirm which muscle is that. Anyone care to enlighten me?
At the end of the day, girls, I think Muay thai is great if you want to get fit, lose weight, and learn some self defence moves.
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Had our first two Muay Thai lessons last week, and my body is screaming in pain. Wayne wanted incorporate some sports during the week, so we decided to try something new! It must have been that tv show ‘Contender’ which got him thinking about Muay Thai. I’m cool with anything, so we signed up for 10 private lessons before joining the main class.
The first lesson was just an introduction to the sport; we were taught Muay Thai etiquettes such as fight manners and greeting your teachers. Then came the warm up. Skipping. OMG. The only skipping I know is the school girl skip! I felt so SILLY. Then I looked across to Wayne, and I didn’t feel so bad! HAHAHahhaha
Next were the basics. Footwork, Strait punch, Hook, body punch, roundhouse kick.
Let me give you my honest opinion: It’s not as easy as you think! There’s so much coordination, weight shift, stamina and technique involved, and I’ve got a bruised right foot to prove it.
But if you’re looking to up your endurance, strength, reflexes and arm yourself with basic self defence, give Muay Thai a go. It’s not always about sparring. Just like dancing, you don’t necessarily need a partner to dance.
I’ve never punched anyone in my life, so I was totally out of my element and felt damn “cartoon”! Let’s see how this week’s lessons go.
posted in Exercise | 23 Comments
So just last month I was 1ft closer to my New Years Resolution. After this weekend’s ride, I’m 3ft closer to my new years resolution. 
In all honesty,when I first started doing the drops, from the time my wheels left the plank till the landing, my mind was in a complete blank! It’s funny how your body just automatically takes over! After a couple of times, you’re mentally more in control and make the adjustment to make your landing a tiny bit more comfortable.
But when you move to the next level, you’re back to square one again. I had that moment of blankness again, now it’s a matter of getting in control again.
3 ft really didn’t seem that intimidating! But still, it took me a good 20mins of procrastinating before I attempted it. I must admit, I felt alot more confident with Wayne, William and Ian cheering me on from the landing area. Thanks boys, you’re the best!
Wayne forced me to use my full face helmet too, after much persuasion I gave in (Didn’t want to look like a poser). He made a good point though, THIS should be the time I wear the helmet, because it’s NOW in the beginning where I’ll make the most mistakes!
It was a cheap one we bought from cyclogy in camo grey. I thought it looked funny, because the mouth guard was so long it looked like a BEAK!!! Can’t complain, as long as it does the job.
Now to check on my new years resolution:
1.
Attempt the 1 ft drop at Gangsa(COMPLETED)
2.Attempt the 3 ft drop at Gangsa(COMPLETED)
3. Attempt the 5 ft drop at Gangsa
4. Blog more often (I currently have 20 posts in drafts which i just haven’t got round to clearing. 20 posts!?!)
5. Spend more time with the family
6. Go to the driving range more often
7. Run more often
8. Charity engagement
9. Time managementand oh yeah how can any girl forget
10. Lose weight
posted in Exercise | 6 Comments
I made quite a few resolutions just before the turn of the new year, and one of them was to do a 5 ft drop at Gangsa. It sounds pretty ridiculous now, but if I don’t set the bar high, I won’t push myself.
Today, I’m proud to be one step closer to achieving that. I am clearing the 1 foot drop with ease. Now, to go a little faster, and I’ll move on to the 3 ft drop.
Raaaaaaaaaaa……
posted in Exercise | 19 Comments
Today’s ride was a fitness check for me. It’s been months since we cycled the Bukit Timah trail, but it’s a good test on my fitness. Conclusion? I’m even more unfit than I thought?! Climbs that I used to be able to clear, were just too much work today!
But as usual, I still had a great time! Good workout, Good Friends, Good ride, Good food.
Our Penang-ian friend Benny Boy is also in town, so we got him out bright and early to get a taste of the Singapore trails. Although I would have liked to take him to Poobin (Pulau Ubin), but that will have to wait till next time.
We did though check out Gangsa and their new 5ft drop. Fwaarrrr….
posted in Exercise, Friends | 3 Comments
Last last Sunday was the ToGoParts 11 hour enduro race, which i just realised was also held on the 11/11/07. It’s a 11 hour round the clock endurance race looping the Tampines Mountain Bike trail with a 4 person team. Here’s the race format from the site:
Teams: 4 members. Female participants get a bonus! For every lap completed by a female participant, it is counted as 1.25 laps. So…strategise away!
Relay: The race is conducted as a relay with only one rider on the course at any one time. The rider may do as many laps as desired. However every team member must complete a minimum of 4 laps each during the 11 hours. After the 4 laps ridden by each team member (in any order and need not be consecutive), team members are free to strategize which member will go for the rounds with the remaining time.
Team AdiDiction 1: Ming, Ling, Angela, Eric
Team AdiDiction 2: Laitthutt, Yew Weng, Collin, Yu Seung
Thank you to Adidas for being our technical wear sponsor for the event. It made it so much easier identifying approaching team mates at the transition area.
My online gallery got a bit messed, so for the time being, you can only see the photos from my Facebook site.
Here is Ming’s take on the Togoparts11 from his blog. You should also read the recent Boar incident an Pulau Ubin.
An 11 hour enduro race….. it sounded like a good idea for us to get together for an all-day race at an easy peasy pace….
It was tough recuiting victims, but we finally got together a Team of Old Cocks (Eric & Ming) and Spring Chickens (Ling and Angela).
Team Mingloid-Merciless-Birdman-Sotong. Spasticism of epic proportions for an epic race. It was going to be fun.
All our plans for an easy race became toast when Dirtraction and Adidas stepped in with sponsorship and support. So that’s how team Team M.M.B.S. became Team DirtAdidtion “A” (which Togogopaparts had tremendous difficulty pronouncing).
DirtAdidtion “B” comprised of riders from the international siongalingam MTB circuit :
Lai Thutt (Himachal Pradesh Mountain Marathon),
Yew Weng (New Zealand Enduro),
Collins (China to Tibet Epic),
Yu Seung (Malaysia Jungle champion).
Oops… even before the race starts… news of the first Cock-up!
Cock up #0 - Angela forgot her shoes!! Yikes!! Her darling Wayne rushed to get them and made it back before her turn!
The race started with a 400m run to the bikes. Easy for us adventure racers… let’s rush to the front of the pack and stay there for the 1st lap!
Cock-up #1 - Our plan to blitz the first lap was shattered when we found out that mountain bikers can run. Fast! We ended up way down the field.
The mud in the forested area was simply amazing… varying in consistency from Mushroom Soup to Clam Chowder to Rice Pudding. It was as unappetizing as wet cement.
Did I say MUDDY?
Lucky Break #1 - The fantastic support crew who kept the gears shifting, hydration pre-mixed and the energy food on the table. The only thing Wayne, HM, Jason and Ken didn’t do was to peel the bananas for us.
Team A’s average lap times was 30 mins. Team B consistently nailed sub 30 lap times, with some sub-25’s, thanks to YS and Collins.
Lucky Break #2 - Team B was doing better lap times, but Team A had girl power (think 1 1/4 laps for every girl-lap).
Cock-up #2 - Ling had chain suck! Twice! Luckily she un-sucked herself and turned in a respectable lap time.
12 noon, time to start our 7th lap and also the games! Teams were divided into 3 groups, and we raced against each other, threading the entire group through a 26″ tyre.
Lucky Break #3 - Team B got a 2 lap credit and Team A got 1 from the game!
1.15pm, time for the 2nd game. Sudoku! Yikes! Thanks to helping hands and Team KNN, we managed to hand in the Puzzle after 20 Brain damaging minutes. Kudos to Angela who still could think after just emerging from that mud!
Lucky Break #4 - One lap credit each for Sudoku! Yee ha!!
3pm, 6 1/2 hours into the race and 13 laps done. Time for the last game, and we sent Eric.
Lucky Break #5 - Last man standing! Eric nails if for the Trackstand competition. 1 more Lap credit!
6.30pm… Ming leaves for his lap. Ling to ride next, and she has to make it back before the 7.30pm cut-off, so that Angela can go for a last lap.
Chances were slim, considering our lap average was 30mins, and darkness was falling. Ming was considering taking his time, but Yu Seung pushes him hard (till cramping point!).
Lucky Break #6 - Ling rides the last lap at lightning speed in the dark and makes it back at 7.28pm! She rode like she saw a ghost! She even looks like one!
Angela get’s the chance to finish off the race! Go Angela!! Go!!!
Its tough enough riding the 1 foot wide trail in the day. Seriously, I don’t know how Angela did it in the darkness (and overtake other guys too!). Brave effort, Angela!
DirtAdidtion took 2nd place, behind the invincible Team Hammer. Hehehe.. not a bad outcome for a bunch of wacky weekend warriors. That’s us holding on to the loot!
posted in Exercise | 9 Comments
I’ve never run 10km in my life! I’ve done the 2.5km, 5km, 8.5km and more recently a 9km.
So considering i didn’t exactly train for this, I’m pretty happy with the timing. I reckon it’s a good benchmark for the next 10km run i take part in.
I was a bad girl for not preping myself the day before this run. I hardly drank water, i spent the whole of Saturday running errands, had dinner with the girlies at P.S. cafe + wine, Butterfactory for a birthday party + Asahi beer, and by the time i got home to bed was about 2am!
What was i thinking! I was about to wake up in 4 hours to get ready for this run!!
My goal was 1:30, Wayne’s goal for me was 1:20. And my chip timing turned out to be 1:07:19!!
Thanks to the triple A folks for making me feel comfortable, I definitely felt like a fish out of water. And a high5 and thanks to running partner Melody, she’s such a sweetheart. Turned out we had a similar pace, so it was great running with someone. The running outfit wasn’t planned, i swear!
I had a great time! (ok I lie) it wasn’t easy. Running is not my forte, give me two wheels and I would be happy to cycle for hours. But most importantly, I’m glad I committed to this run.
There is always apprehension and a fear of failing when you undertake a challenge for the first time. Your first bike ride, your first race, your first downhill slope, your first gym lesson. But once you make that first step, momentum carries you on to bigger things.
No I’m not going to do a marathon next, for me it’s BABY steps!
posted in Exercise | 10 Comments
My previous post on the the Pulau Ubin site recce in june had photos and videos of the new MTB trail. I had to take those down because the trail wasn’t exactly ready yet, and we didn’t want people sneaking in to ruin it during development stage.
Today, i’ve been given the go ahead to put up the material. There will be a public trail day on the 21st of October, so do look out for the details on the DirTraction website when it’s up. Here we go..the new Pulau Ubin MTB trail!
posted in Clips, Exercise | 9 Comments
I’m not a triathlete, so what can a mountain biker do during an Ironman?
Ans: Clear the way and escort the top 3 runners in the Elite category.
Wayne, Ming and i cycled from Siglap to Marina Bay, while Ling, Max, Sue and HM cycled from Holland. After we congregated, we did a recce ride at 3:30am in the morning to get ourselves familiar with the loop.
The worse thing that could happen is us leading the top men and women triathlete down the wrong route!!
After the recce we had some time to burn, and with just 45mins that night, i seriously needed the shut eye.
The race was flagged off at 7am, and not very long after, we saw little men cycling on the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. The silhouette looked quite cute, so i tried my best to take a steady shot.
Basically the sequence of the Ironman is swim-bike-run.
So by the time we saw them on the bridge, it was our cue to get geared up and ready for the first biker to come into the transition area at Marina Bay. We were all in our blue Adidas tops, so we could identify one in other in the sea of yellow-shirt volunteers.
Our job was to pace the 1st, 2nd and third runner from the Men’s and Women’s Elite category, who were basically professional and world champion triathletes. First three that came in were the boys…. and all at once mind you, the DirT boys had their work cut out for them. Ming followed runner 1, Wayne runner 2, and Max runner 3.
I paced ladies runner 1, Sue runner 2, Ling/HM runner 3. But luckily for us girls, the gap between them were pretty big, so there weren’t any confusion on placing.
My runner was this lady called Belinda Granger (highlighted in the photo above), and she’s one hell of an athlete. She held a constant pace and steady breathing throughout the 21km. As I led her through the route, everyone on the sidelines including runners she lapped, were cheering her on.
I know i would never take part in a triathlon (because i hate the swiming) but this lady has definately inspired me to run more. Hmmm… going to take a look at which runs i can take part in.
Note to all triathletes: Please don’t wear white spandex! It ain’t exactly opaque! urgh…
posted in Exercise | 20 Comments
Spent my Saturday and Sunday morning at Bukit Timah Mountain Bike trail with Wayne. It wasn’t an ambitious ride, just as well because i forgot to bring my speedometer. Mr Butterfly seems to like SixSixOnes.
I tried out Wayne’s Turner RFX on both days, and i was truly surprised! That beast of a thing is actually pretty fun and easy to ride.
Anyway, my sister keeps complaining i’m writting too many biking related stories.
For you jie jie, some fluffy ones coming right up! 
posted in Exercise | 3 Comments