Looking for Training Partner(s)
Are you interested in running, swimming and/or working out in the gym? Are you looking for or interested in having a training/activity partner? Are you comfortable being around a disabled (amputee)?
It can be a bit boring to train and workout alone, don't you think so? Hence, I'm looking for a running, swimming and gym male/female partner(s) not only because its boring, but also, to help push me to my limit and beyond, and to provide assistance with certain things.
During the long distance run, when you have no one to talk to or to spur you on, it can be very mundane, boring and even hard. For me who can't plug music into my ears by myself, there's nothing to accompany me during that long, gruelling and lonely run to distract my mind, and even if I do manage to get someone to help me with the music player and the earphones before/after my run, I will not be able to fiddle with the player or put-in back the earphones when it accidentally falls out during the run. I'm hoping to tackle the Ultra Marathons and this needs lots of long distance training (progressive runs). Anyone care to join me?
For the swim, I have to have someone to help me with my clothes, and even paying the entry fees (money will be provided by me...hahaha) to the swimming complex. I intend to incorporate swimming/aqua running as a part of my training/recovery programme. If things go well, I might even include biathlon in my 'competition calendar'. I'm able to swim even with my current condition as I had swam a few times at Sentosa after my accident by laying down on my back and just using my legs to propel me forward. But I have yet to swim for long distance besides the 2km coastal swim which I did back during my NS days as part of the Guards Officer Conversion Course. I hope to swim at least once a week.
As for the gym, my workouts are basically focused on the legs which I'm hoping to carry out twice a week. The main few exercises that I usually do are leg squats, leg press, leg extension, leg curls and calf raise. At the present moment, I do not have any gym memberships. It's impossible for me to workout in the gym without assistance as I need someone to help me with the adjustments of the weights and etc.
So if you are interested in joining me as a training/activity partner in one, combination or all of the activities mentioned above, contact me.
So if you are interested in joining me as a training/activity partner in one, combination or all of the activities mentioned above, contact me.
Swissôtel Vertical Marathon 2009
Swissôtel Vertical Marathon 2009
Date: 22 November 2009, SundayVenue: Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore
Time: 7.00amURL: http://www.swissotelverticalmarathon.com/
The muscle was still a bit sore and aching from yesterday's aviation run. But to me it was just a minor setback as my mind was totally focus on what lies ahead - to improve on my timing and position which I set for last year's Swissôtel Vertical Marathon which was 76th position and a time of 12mins 33secs.
Even though I did not have much time to prepare and train for this year's vertical marathon compared to last year as I have been busy training on the track (currently, I'm a national disabled athlete running in the 800m and 1,500m event), my desire to better what I did previously was just too great and it will definitely compensate on my lack of vertical training.
After the aviation run yesterday, I hit the sack at about 3pm; 2 hours after reaching home. I woke up at 11pm the same day and missing my Liverpool game against Manchester City as I was too exhausted. I then had my shower and again had some pasta for carbo-loading which my brother bought from Pastamania.
After the aviation run yesterday, I hit the sack at about 3pm; 2 hours after reaching home. I woke up at 11pm the same day and missing my Liverpool game against Manchester City as I was too exhausted. I then had my shower and again had some pasta for carbo-loading which my brother bought from Pastamania.
I tried to go back to sleep after the late dinner but was just too excited about the upcoming battle that I just kept turning and tossing arund the bed. In the end, I was awake till in the morning.
My brother and I left the house at around 7.15am and upon reaching the assembly area at raffles city shopping centre, the event was about to start. Without wasting time, we both went to an empty space just in front of the swissotel the stamford to do our stretching and warm-up while waiting for our category to flag-off.
When it was out turn to head to the the starting point, some participants shook my hands, gave me pat on the shoulders and even a few words of encouragement as a form of support. A few of them even recognise me as a participant who took part in yesterday's aviation run and/or last year's vertical marathon.
As we were flaged-off, my brother and I sprinted to the first flight of staircase and leaving the rest of the runners in our group behind. For the first few storeys, my brother kept pace with me by being just a few steps behind me. But after the 12th storeys, he just drifted back and he shouted at me to just keep pushing on; and so I did.
I was having a good rhythm and pace for the first half of the course, and I even managed to catch-up with some of the runners that were flaged-off earlier. But after the 40-plus storeys, things just got tougher. The legs just got heavier, and each steps of the staircase seems to be higher and further. My pace drastically reduced after the 50-plus storey but I just kept pushing on even though my body told me to stop.
Upon reaching the 70th storey, I told myself that this is the final push. So I stopped for a few seconds, got a good breather and sprinted up the last 3 storeys. Once I reached the top and crossed the finishing line, I was congratulated by many runners, volunteers and staff for completing the course. I even obliged to take a few photos with a few of them even though I was still panting and my legs were still wobbly.
After resting and enjoying the view at the top for 30mins, my brother and I head down to see the result. I was ecstatic when I saw that I came in the 17th position with a time of 11mins 18secs. Though I was very far away from the world record time of 6mins 46secs which was set by Mr. Thomas Dold from Germany, I'm still very pleased with my achievement.
I hope I can improve on my timing/position further for the next year's race. Anyway, in this year's event, I've got to meet few old friends and made some new ones.
When it was out turn to head to the the starting point, some participants shook my hands, gave me pat on the shoulders and even a few words of encouragement as a form of support. A few of them even recognise me as a participant who took part in yesterday's aviation run and/or last year's vertical marathon.
As we were flaged-off, my brother and I sprinted to the first flight of staircase and leaving the rest of the runners in our group behind. For the first few storeys, my brother kept pace with me by being just a few steps behind me. But after the 12th storeys, he just drifted back and he shouted at me to just keep pushing on; and so I did.
I was having a good rhythm and pace for the first half of the course, and I even managed to catch-up with some of the runners that were flaged-off earlier. But after the 40-plus storeys, things just got tougher. The legs just got heavier, and each steps of the staircase seems to be higher and further. My pace drastically reduced after the 50-plus storey but I just kept pushing on even though my body told me to stop.
Upon reaching the 70th storey, I told myself that this is the final push. So I stopped for a few seconds, got a good breather and sprinted up the last 3 storeys. Once I reached the top and crossed the finishing line, I was congratulated by many runners, volunteers and staff for completing the course. I even obliged to take a few photos with a few of them even though I was still panting and my legs were still wobbly.
After resting and enjoying the view at the top for 30mins, my brother and I head down to see the result. I was ecstatic when I saw that I came in the 17th position with a time of 11mins 18secs. Though I was very far away from the world record time of 6mins 46secs which was set by Mr. Thomas Dold from Germany, I'm still very pleased with my achievement.
I hope I can improve on my timing/position further for the next year's race. Anyway, in this year's event, I've got to meet few old friends and made some new ones.
1-Arm-Runner with, from left, Mr. Ahimad Lamchannak from Morocco came in the 7th position, Mr. Thomas Kiprotich from Kenya came in the 9th position, Mr. Pedro Nuno Moura Pinto Ribeiro from Portugal - former Champion - came in the 2nd position and Mr. Thomas Dold from Germany - current champion.
1-Arm-Runner with Ms. Suzanne Elizabeth Walsham, Women's Champion for 4 years consecutively.
One of my 'old' friends, Ms. Melissa Choo from Swissôtel the Stamford.
One of my new acquaintances, could not really recall her name at 'press release'. Anyway she's a promoter with Redbull. If anyone knows her name or how to contact her, do let me know.
Aviation Run 2009
Aviation Run 2009
Venue: Changi Exhibition Centre, Changi Aviation Road
Flag-Off: 8.30am (10km) and 8.35am (5km)
After completing the race - (Photo courtesy of Mr. Ng Kwan Wah)
Slept at 11pm the day before and had lots of pasta (carbo-loading) during dinner. Woke-up at 4.30am on the day of the event, raring to go. Had my shower and a few slices of bread with peanut butter, and black coffee as breakfast. I'm not really a coffee person unless its latte, espresso, cuppacino or etc. But I just swallowed it in as it is believe that drinking coffee before exercise helps one to exercise (in my case - run) longer and harder. One who drink coffee before exercise could feel more focused due to the effects of caffeine; and there’s some evidence that caffeine can reduce fatigue allowing a person to exercise longer.
For the run, I wore t-shirt that was provided to the participants by the organiser - a white, round neck, short sleeved, dri-fit t-shirt with a few logos dye-sublimated on it. But to advertise about my new blog site, I got the url printed on the front and back of the t-shirt using heat transfer. For the bottom, I wore an FBT tights (as I'm running more than 5km, I decided to wear tights even though I'm a shorts guy to prevent abrasion at the groin area). As for the footwear, I wore AdiZero shoes with Zensah socks.
Anyway, I was joined by my elder brother for the run. We both started at the very back of the crowd. After the event was flaged-off, I got separated from my brother as I zig-zag myself through the crowd. After trying hard to negotiate the human maze, I finally took the decision to run outside the barrier/demarkation for almost half of the race. The day started of fine, clear sky and cool breeze with planes taking-off and landing - beautiful scenery. But as the day go on, it just got hotter. The last 2-3km was the hardest as the feet was heated-up by the ground which was pounded hard by the sun. And the eyes was not spared too, as every drop of sweat that rolled into the eyes feel like burning acid with the sun glaring directly to the face.
However, I managed to complete the 10km course at a time of 46~47mins (my best official rocorded time for 10km was achieved during my Guards Officer Conversion Course at a time of 36mins) with a constant running rhythm and a short sprint of about 300m to the finishing line. My elder brother came in about half an hour later. The champion for the event was a foreigner, Mr. Thomas Kiprotich from Kenya who clocked at an amazing time of 31mins.
I was congratulated by a lot of runners after completing the course and some even requested to take a few photos with me. Though it was not a medal-winning performance from me, I was extremely satisfied with my timing as it was my first time running competitively for a 10km event after a long-lay off due to my accident. But you can bet that I will try my hardest to achieve a time of sub-40mins.
In all, the event was organised pretty well. Congrats to CAAS for a wonderful event. I'll definitely be participating in the next aviation run.
Photo courtesy of Mr. Ng Kwan Wah
Article from The Straits Times
Nov 17, 2008
Against the odds
Man who lost arm in accident finishes Vertical Marathon
By Melissa Sim
1-Arm-Runner running up the 73-storey Swissotel The Stamford yesterday. He was inspired by actor Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa. -- ST PHOTOS: ALAN LIM
IN A motorcycle accident four years ago, the 1-Arm-Runner, lost his right arm. His other arm is paralysed from the elbow down.
But his achievement yesterday - running up the 73-storey Swissotel The Stamford in 12 min 34 sec - was all about leg power.
Emerging 76th in a field of 297 men in the category for those aged 20 to 29, he became the first person with his kind of disability to complete the Vertical Marathon.
The race, in its 22nd year, also attracted eight deaf competitors.
An energetic 1-Arm-Runner, posing for cameras and jumping for joy over his performance, said: 'Everyone was cheering me - even when I passed them!'
1-Arm-Runner finishing 76th out of 297 men in the category for those aged 20 to 29.
He dedicated his run to his colleagues at marine company Man Diesel, his army mates in the Guards, and the staff of Singapore General Hospital, all of whom pooled money to help pay for his first operation after the accident.
To train for the run up 226m of staircases, he spent the last month running up his 14-storey HDB block in Yishun five times nearly every day.
Once, he said, he tripped while training and hurt his back. As he does not have the use of his arms to break the fall, his instinct when taking a spill is to turn around to land on his back.
The polytechnic graduate in marine engineering said he built up his stamina by running around a park near his home with a backpack stuffed with objects like his old army boots.
The training was not just for the Vertical Marathon. It was aimed at strengthening his leg muscles, so doctors can harvest some of it to construct a bicep for his paralysed left arm.
He is saving money for the operation, which may bring back the use of his left hand.
He is now a part-time editor of reports at Man Diesel, and does freelance graphic, Web and product design and sales in t-shirt printing and corporate gifts the rest of the time.
His work at the computer is done with a chopstick in his mouth and a mouse underfoot.
He is looking forward to next year's run.
Recalling the scene in the film Rocky Balboa where actor Sylvester Stallone runs up a flight of stairs as part of his training, the 1-Arm-Runner said: 'I want the glory - just like Rocky!'
simlinoi@sph.com.sg
Top-of-the-world feeling for the 1-Arm-Runner, who is saving money for an arm operation.
Excerpt from Singapore Disability Sports Council's Website
Liverpool FC fan, dancer, graphic/web designer. These are just some of the many names that the 1-Arm-Runner has been known as. Perhaps the one name that is firmly in his sights now is that of “National Athlete”.
While his first sporting love was undoubtedly the Beautiful Game, it was through football that he discovered his talent in running. His iron lungs enabled him to outpace and outlast his team-mates and opponents on the football pitch. There was no looking back for him as he started his foray into athletics by taking part in school competitions.
However, fate soon dealt the athletic former SAF Guardsmen Officer a cruel hand. In 2003, he was involved in a road accident that took away his right arm and most of the mobility of his left arm as well. The years that followed saw him went through rehabilitation and getting used to his physical condition.
The turning point in his life came 5 years later in 2008 when he was encouraged by his family to take part in the Swissotel Vertical Marathon. He finished in an amazing 76th position out of 297 participants in his age category. His performance showed that although the accident has taken away most of his arms but it diminished none of his athletics prowess and mental strength. In the process of this sporting feat, he created history by becoming the first person with disability to compete in the vertical marathon.
History-making is something that he is keen on focusing on after being talent scouted by the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) in December 2008 to train in their athletics program. He has been making steady progress in training and made his international debut at the recently concluded Arafura Games 2009 held in Darwin, Australia. It was a medal-winning start for him as he returned with a Gold in the Men’s 1500m and a Silver in the Men’s 800m.
The avid runner, who derives support and strength from his old mates from his Guards unit and Singapore General Hospital where he recuperated, has more international glory set firmly in his sights. He hopes to send a message to others like him who has physical disabilities that they are still able to achieve greatness in spite of the obstacles. His spirit is perhaps reflected by his personal mantra, “What you want to do, and what you can do, is limited only by what you can dream.” His ideals give people around him the hope to dream, as the 1-Arm-Runner relishes in his own Beautiful Game.
While his first sporting love was undoubtedly the Beautiful Game, it was through football that he discovered his talent in running. His iron lungs enabled him to outpace and outlast his team-mates and opponents on the football pitch. There was no looking back for him as he started his foray into athletics by taking part in school competitions.
However, fate soon dealt the athletic former SAF Guardsmen Officer a cruel hand. In 2003, he was involved in a road accident that took away his right arm and most of the mobility of his left arm as well. The years that followed saw him went through rehabilitation and getting used to his physical condition.
The turning point in his life came 5 years later in 2008 when he was encouraged by his family to take part in the Swissotel Vertical Marathon. He finished in an amazing 76th position out of 297 participants in his age category. His performance showed that although the accident has taken away most of his arms but it diminished none of his athletics prowess and mental strength. In the process of this sporting feat, he created history by becoming the first person with disability to compete in the vertical marathon.
History-making is something that he is keen on focusing on after being talent scouted by the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) in December 2008 to train in their athletics program. He has been making steady progress in training and made his international debut at the recently concluded Arafura Games 2009 held in Darwin, Australia. It was a medal-winning start for him as he returned with a Gold in the Men’s 1500m and a Silver in the Men’s 800m.
The avid runner, who derives support and strength from his old mates from his Guards unit and Singapore General Hospital where he recuperated, has more international glory set firmly in his sights. He hopes to send a message to others like him who has physical disabilities that they are still able to achieve greatness in spite of the obstacles. His spirit is perhaps reflected by his personal mantra, “What you want to do, and what you can do, is limited only by what you can dream.” His ideals give people around him the hope to dream, as the 1-Arm-Runner relishes in his own Beautiful Game.
1-Arm-Runner (red track top) Standing Tall in Darwin (Photo: Theresa Goh)
