the SHAPE experience

So I went for 4 classes yesterday - Pilates, StretchFit, Yoga and Yogasana with one intention in mind, which is to stretch out all my muscles in preparation for the SHAPE run. After class, Ariel and I had our dinner at Lerk Thai and we went shopping at Causeway Point :) I managed to find a pair of shades that's similar to the one I saw in River Island! *beams* I really enjoyed our time together, it's not often you find a friend that you feel comfortable hanging out with :)

So I got home around 9ish, and I just slacked till around 10ish-11 where panic started setting in. With the help of my sister, I managed to lay out my clothes, filled up the vital information on the back of my number tag, packed my bag with all essential items and read up on the route. YES, I only knew of the route and all last night! Now you should understand why I panicked hahaha.
=P

I ended up sleeping at around 12ish, clocking in slightly less than 5 hours of sleep but I felt pretty much awake. I guess the adrenaline already started pumping in my body hahaha! I took my shower, prepared my peanut butter sandwich (peanut butter is my latest addiction!) and just stuck my feet into the uSqueez to massage my feet and legs. Soon it was 6am, and I made my way out.

As I walked to the bus-stop, I enjoyed how quiet my neighbourhood was in the early morning and how cool the air was. I felt alone beacause I wasn't meeting Joyce/ Geraldine/ Jiewei, but I saw a lady who was also taking part in the SHAPE run walked towards the bus-stop. We both smiled at each other and suddenly I didn't feel so alone after all :)

It was quite an interesting sight on the train. At every stop, a couple of ladies will board the train to make the journey down to City Hall. In the words of our TVproduction 'gay' script, we were "bloody everywhere"!! =P I can't help but feel 'united' in a way despite running is pretty much an individual sport.

Upon reaching City Hall, it was already 7ish. Quickly deposited my bag at the baggage counter and made my way to the start line. I needed the toilet and the queue was damn long!! I also spotted Jiewei and Ziwei at the 5km starting area and I joined them. =D

Well well... I enjoyed the run, alot. I enjoyed the scenery of the CBD area... So much better than the 1st year in my opinion. :) I'm glad that I managed to jog all the way without stopping to walk unlike the previous year. I think having a good playlist helped in providing the motivation (other than perseverance and willpower) as I am quite dependent on music. *I achieved my personal best to date, and I can't wait for the personal certificate to be mailed!* After finishing the run, I grabbed the cup of water and H2o and immediately headed for the sports massage and we didn't have to wait too long. The lady really released the tension from my left hamstring and I felt normal for once. :) But the queue for the goody bag was a killer. I don't know why year after year, the collection of the goody bag is still such a headache. There's no clear indication of where the queue started and people get confused and form their own lines. *sighs*

After this run, I realised how much I enjoyed running and yoga. :) These two activities complement each other to a T. I like how running brings people together. I was making my way out of the sports massage tent when this lady started talking to me about running and asked about my run and asked if I'll be joining 10km next year. :) hehehe I'm thinking of attempting the nike 10k run, I wonder if I'm making a suicidal move since my plantar arch is aching like crazy now and if I would really finish the run without being carried out... and 10, 000 people running together... it's gonna get quite crowded =\ decisions... decisions..

Countdown: 2 days!

It was almost months back when I signed up for the SHAPE run online. And just in another couple of days, I'll be at the Padang, early in the morning to do my run. This year, I'm on my own, with no cheerleader on the sideline waiting for me to cross the line. But I'm okay, I'm good, I'll prolly finish the run, collect my goody bag and make my way back to Jurong for Thai class anyway before heading out again to meet the kettle for some roller-blading action :)

I've stepped up on my training routine and the last time I did 5km on Wednesday, my timing was a 30m 26s. I just hope and pray that I can perform just as well as outdoors... *cross fingers* I've given myself a break since then because my achilles tendon and plantar arch is showing signs of fatigue, and all I can do is to rest, rest, rest and elevate my hardworking feet.

Tomorrow, I'll do nothing more intensive than pilates and yoga. No running, no over-exertion allowed!

Guardian angels, please bless me with cool, breezy weather during the run and keep the red sea away till Monday. Please grant me the resolution to keep going and never doubt in my capabilities to finish my run.

Notes to self:
- Charge iPod nano and put earbuds on earphones.
- Continue to keep legs elevated when sleeping.
- Stretch, stretch and stretch!

Back to running! :) It's been a while since I ran because I got a terrible blister from wearing TW heels and my skin came off, and I have an open wound that doesnt seem to heal fast enough. -.-"

Remind me never to buy cheap shoes just because they are on sale. A good (comfortable) pair of heels are worth investing in.

Anyway, it felt good to finish 4km. Previously, I've only tried 2km, 3.2km the very most. I felt so accomplished when I finished 4km. *beams*

Distance: 4km
Timing: 24m 07s

I can't wait to pick up my newly adopted girls tomorrow! :)

I have an awesome sister, she went to get an eye-operation for her doll and got me this box of rement toys! :) I'm so very blessed.

Yay! Kate's swimsuit + float came in the mail! :)

I went to the gym during lunchtime just now. Did my run, weights and stretching as usual and I hit the showers. When I came out, I went to my locker to retrieve my stuff and this girl came up to me and said, "You have a body to die for"

That comment totally made my day! :) It's not very common that someone would walk up to a total stranger and pay a compliment in our society, is it? Then we made small talk about exercise, food intake and even skincare! Hahaha... Now I have another familiar face to say hi to when I work out in the gym! :)

Dist: 3km
Timing: 16:46

I've been under the weather for almost the whole week, needless to say I haven't been to the gym and I had been giving myself all kinds of excuses to take a break and 'recuperate'. So today, I decided that enough was enough and it's high time to hit the treadmill.

Had a good workout that left me feeling accomplished and my face was all flushed! :) Managed to clock 18m23s for 3km, looks like finishing 5km in 35 minutes isn't too much of a stretch... totally awesome!

I'm in the midst of updating my iJog tunes playlist on my iPod... if you have any songs that have pumping beats that spread to your feet and makes it hard for you to stop running once you start, I want it!

Now now... I need to make use of the 20% discount I get to get running stuff from Nike Women... :)

I love hardcore Pilates classes. Donald used to teach Pilates on Saturday mornings, but now he's replaced by Jenni. I like her "slow controlled torture" style alright, but because she's so nice, I tend to slack off on mornings where I feel a little less motivated =x But with Donald, there's no chance of doing so because I attended his class ever since I started my membership with Amore. He keeps pushing me to my limits, and everytime I walk out of the studio satisfied, knowing that I had truly worked out. So last Tuesday when I went for my occasional dose of Pilates at ParkMall (where Jenni was the instructor), I was in for a (good) surprise.

Jenni is no longer the permanent instructor there!! Carmela took over her classes. =D
I like Carmela's style, similar to Donald's. We worked with dumbbells and gymsticks. Jenni conducts the class in an "own time, own target" format, but it's not the case for Carmela. We worked as a class together, and I like it this way better :) I guess I'll be popping into Amore on Tuesdays more often now hehehe.

I like StretchFit because it's a combination of Yoga and Pilates, which means it's a great workout for flexibility and abs conditioning. After class yesterday, Cheryl asked me to attempt an advanced posture (shown below) because she thinks I've got enough strength in my arms to support myself.

Madness!! 0.o

I didn't manage to do it, so taxing on my arms! Just like how I used to have goals when I was cheerleading, this is my motivation to go for Power Yoga classes (if schedule permits) =D