Monday, April 25, 2011

Journey to Ironhood: Week 14


Week 14 (11-17 Apr):

This is an extremely late entry. It's been a whirlwind of a journey, the past many weeks of training and strategizing for the upcoming race in May. I'd love to say I'm well prepared for what's to come, but the truth be told, I'm not.

Am still working out my nutrition plan for the long bike leg. Realised that power gels alone do me no good. Am terrified of them already! Will have to have a combination of gels, sports drinks, biscuits, chewies, sweets, raisins, 100 Plus, Coke... basically anything with high sugar content.

Pushed myself on a 160km bike ride in Desaru last Sunday with a bunch of mostly newly acquainted cyclists. And this is the thrill of this sports - not just new friends, but fit ones! And for those looking for a healthy tan - look no further! Check this out! ;)

Now if I may just take another moment of reflecting on my journey (as I always do), it's remarkably heartening how things work in favor of those in pursuit of their dreams - somehow, generous and sincere people come along to help you get there. It's such a defining aspect of my journey that I find myself repeating my gratitude time and again.

Well, please bear with me, for here I go again: Thank you, to all of you great men and women, in your own ways, who has, and is continually helping me reach my dream.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Journey to Ironhood: Week 13

Week 13 (4-10 Apr):

I've been eating, sleeping, thinking, dreaming, planning, strategizing, talking, formulating, executing IronMan the past many weeks. Never before have I been so consumed by a single desire that totally takes over the course of my life. While I wouldn't say this is entirely advisable and sustainable; well, certainly not sustainable; I might have finally understood what it means to be 100% focused. And can I say, I love being in the zone, staying in the zone, building my Iron laboratory day by day, week by week.

On a lighter note, here's a list of food I totally dig these past couple of weeks:
  • Bananas, taken before each workout
  • Soya milk, a great recovery drink, especially after a strenuous workout
  • Oranges, a great thirst quencher, especially at night
  • Bread, my all-time favorite companion
  • Vege, in huge quantities
  • Rice, an essential I can't do without, in considerable quantity, or I'll not be able to sustain through the day
It may look like a pathetic list, but seriously, it isn't. I'm happy eating simply, but sufficiently, and keeping myself fueled through the day. It's incredibly gratifying to eat, sleep, train and work the way I do.

Oh, come now week 14!

Friday, April 08, 2011

Journey to Ironhood: Week 12

Week 12 (28 Mar - 3 Apr):

Push a little further, go a little farther. And that's basically what I do to get from swimming 1km to 4km; running 6km a day to 42km; biking 40km to 180km. Each sporting discipline is a progressive build up of endurance training day after day, week after week, month after month.

I may have just discovered a cure for my restlessness - push myself further!

And certainly it's been nothing short of pure joy and exhilaration than to keep pushing myself to the edge of progress, living on an absolute resolute that sheer focus, relentless discipline and utter faith make the impossible, possible.

Pushing on to week 13 and beyond!