October 18, 2003

• Spinning on Wednesday was fun though scary.  I chickened off.  Running a HR of up to 181 on the first interval (I wasn't doing intervals, I was just doing a no-thought, no-fixed-programme spin) I still felt great.  Was holding above 161HR with no problems.  I went for a second round and just didn't bother thinking about recoveries, anything.  Hit another 181.  Backed it off... then went for a third interval.  I didn't really push it, but the heart just went from 160s to 170s slowly and then I push a bit harder and it went from 170s to 181.  I held 181 without feeling any discomfort at all.  It was scary.  Thoughts of me suddenly having a heart failure went through the mind all the time.  Thoughts of people dying from Ecstacy and not knowing their limits, dying from overdancing, popped through my mind.  I decided to cool it off, more from being scared than actually feeling it.

  
  

  Thursday Spinning was with Dylan, and though I had planned a low intensity ride, that was not to be the case as my competitive spirit overcame what I knew was supposed to be better for me.  So I rode a 145-155 endurance ride.  In the last five mins, I started upping the pace and once again hit the 181HR through a gradual increase.

  
  

  Thursday evening was on my way out to join cycling kakis at Mt Faber when I flatted over at Adams Rd.  Too far to reach Bike Haus to get a tube, I went home instead by cab.  Still can't find my spare tube.

  
  

  Friday morning was a rush as I woke up earlier to go to Joyce's place and get a tube and rush back home, only to find that the place where my tire punctured had a broken rim tape.  So I rode with ANZA with Joyce on my race wheels and (sob sob) race tires.  Came back and found the tires really a bit worn out.  These are not everyday training tires and they wear out very fast!

  
  

  Fri evening got to Joyce's place and picked up rim tape which she bought for me.  Changed into tubes Joyce gave me earlier in the morning and POOOM! exploded.  I don't know whether it was a pinch but I did manage to pump up to 120+psi already, had checked properly before that, and in fact had stopped pumping already.  Could be the tires didn't hold onto the wheels.  Found my spare tires!!!  Changed into that and made sure this time everything is ok, and it was.  This time I managed to get it up to pressure and hold it.

  
  

  Saturday morning was fun again as Esther and Refik joined up with us (Joyce and me) to go out at 5am, rode the usual Joyce/Marc loop.  As usual Esther went faster and faster even with me pulling in front of her, then slowing down (she will just cut through on the right and start pulling again).  I complained verbally.  She took the hint and stayed behind when I went in front.  We passed a few ANZA riders whom we met again at 7am Thomson OCBC.  Reached back at Joyce's place about 6.10am having covered more than 30km.  Passed cake, celebrated, then we were out again at 6.50am with the ANZA group.  The group breaks into two at the end of Upper Seletar Reservoir, left one heads to Changi, right one heads to LCK.  We follow the group going LCK.  Joyce and Refik already went ahead and while as usual, the rest of ANZA were formally speed-limited, except for the fact that Esther was going full steam ahead of group and pulling like nobody's business so we still went faster than usual; think it was about 35+kmh.  Finally caught up with Joyce but Refik had gone ahead on a one-man breakaway which was not caught until almost the end of Kranji Road.  We were together again through Lim Chu Kang Rd.  Finally rode through Boon Lay and reached Holland Village where we had coffee and breakfast at Coffee Beans.  Went home, but found out it was the wrong one as we were going for massage and had to bathe and change first.  Went home and slept on the bed, forgot I had hp on silent mode and missed a few of Joyce's call, bathed then got ready for massage at Thomson Rd which was really really good.  Then we went Bishan Junction 8 for Seabiscuit - very nice and touching movie - and shopping (can't believe how much groceries the two women can buy) then home (Joyce's) dinner and back home.

  
  

  Sunday morning woke up early and didn't really know whether was going riding or not.  In the end managed to chat with kit and yes, joining Thomson 8.30am ride.  I was going out early and glad I did because I found my front tires were FLAAAAT!!!  Arrgh.  Yesterday bought another spare tube but just one, from Cycleworx which was just next to the massage place, and just one because it was so expensive.  I tried to pump it up and surprisingly... it pumped!  Went up to almost 120psi, as I didn't want to push my luck, and lost some more air as the valve came out, but it held on.  Went out to meet the group, HM was not there but Pat and Kit were there.  Don't know what happened but seems like the group in front had disappeared.  Kept overtaking people but just couldn't find group.  I grew impatient, kept overtaking more people, but still no group.  Finally caught up with Wendy Chan slightly after coming Old Upper Thomson Rd and with Pat's group just turning into old Mandai Rd.  Pat climbs up the short hill past Upper Seletar Reservoir like a pro.  I get besides him.  There's another old guy ahead and we pull together to get to him.  Then realize Pat is dropped and it was just me and the old guy who seems to be going strong but slight weaving already told me he was up to limits.  I didn't wanna push and drop Pat and group further so didn't pull but I didn't wanna lose the old man either so I just let him pull as hard as he wanted to while sitting on his wheel.  We caught up with two riders and they join us from behind.  The old man is still pulling hard to reach another group further up front.  I decided to help.  Pulled him up to the group, thought we will sit in but no... the old man started pulling again after a short rest!  Had to get on his back again.

  
  

  After that stopped at traffic lights, saw Kim Hong (not difficult to notice - ponytail).  Then realize the whole Spinning group was there too - Christina and husband, think it was Adrian Mok also in front.  Stopped at the Shell station and waited for the group.

  
  

  (cont later)

  • 11:35 pm
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