Interning and training part 2

Hi, yeah, the new semester has started for half a month, so this is just gonna be a quick go-through of two public tracks in selangor. Can't have a part 1 without at least a part 2 right? 

The track above is the kampung pandan track, it's 3-4 km from my internship company. As tracks go, it is actually one of the tracks i have been to with the most quirks. The track surface has a playdough-like softness to it, u can see the prints of football shoes all over the track, even doing push-ups will leave hand prints behind. The first time I came to this track, there was construction at the side of the road and 8 track lanes became 3. The second time I came, all 8 lanes were within the construction barricade, runners had to hop the drain over to the semicircular area when they encountered the barricade. Despite that, I really like this track, there's a really retro feel to it, from the blue painted wooden stands down to the rusted hurdles lining the wall beside the track. Another cool thing is that, unlike most other tracks, there's always somebody running intervals when I go there.

This track is the Subang Jaya Track, it's a very clean and simple track, and a hotspot for secondary schoolers. As you can see, the far side of the track is lined with fir trees which is a nice touch.

Interning and training part1

Blogger's guilt: The gnawing feeling that grows stronger over time for those who have been neglecting their blogs.

Hiya everyone, It's been an outrageously long time since the last post. I've been interning in KL and this is an update about the feasibility of training and working in KL. Been working at Chulan Tower which takes around 60mins to walk-LRT-walk from my place, my job starts at 8am and ends at 5:30pm after which I usually train at KLCC park. Many people have complained that KLCC park is far too crowded with runners and sightseers to do any quality running, but I find that the other park users usually do not hinder me due to my running on the grass... yes there's a perfectly good running track (albeit rather hard) but I've been super-paranoid about getting re-injured since my 4 month injury.

drinking fountains

 Along with grass-running, the other things I do that freak people out a little are 1) running clockwise instead of anticlockwise for half the workout 2) Doing Lim Chee Hiong's Kung-Fu-wannabe-dynamic-stretching (scorpion, donkey kicks etc) and 3) weaving back onto the running track when I encounter the bridge.

Overall, KLCC park is a great place, there are drinking fountains to be found in abundance, I have a secret place to stash my bag before I go running and most people are actually there to run. Besides, how many parks have a marked, 3000m track surrounding it's perimeter?

pacemakers 

Track markings

 However, I have a few personal issues with running at KLCC. Firstly, the park is veined with pavement which causes neither the track nor the grass to be continuous. Secondly, everybody must run on the bridge (unless u've mastered the shinobi art of running on water). The bridge is also the hotspot for photographers which forces me to run on the pavement for about 70 meters per loop and increases the chances of runners running full tilt into photographers backing up looking through their lenses trying to get the right angle. And lastly, the park is crawling with love birds, which makes me feel like a voyeur when I need a place to sit and stretch or do some push-ups!

Le bridge

 These issues brings us to the second running spot that I frequent for non-track stuff: Amcorp mall cricket field. This field is around 2 or 3 times the size of a football field and is great for fartleks and running in general. I have been gravitating to this place recently as it's right below one of the LRT stations that I pass through.

Contrary to all the stories that I have heard about the difficulties of training during internship, I haven't found it difficult or troublesome at all. This could be due to the fact that my job is an office job, my benign office hours and the abundance of potential running spots between my office and home. The only thing that has been forcing me to train inconsistently is my right calf's habit of flirting with injury. Due to that, I have not trained more than 4 days a week since I came home.

P.S Tareef bro, u asked what do i think about compression calf guards? I've never tried them before although many people have lauded their benefits. Maybe because I hate wearing lots of extra stuff when running.

Before training

panorama fail

After training

Pimping abt calves compression sleeves

As some of u no , I have been suffering from shin splints due to over training since last Masum. After that I became somehow malas and demotivated, I cut down the serious training and just cycle or swim whenever it is possible. I also tried the electric acupuncture, and I noticed how the pain suddenly subsided and I was so happy, but the happiness didn’t last long. It was only few hours until the lovely shin pain came bk. For that, some of my friends suggested tht I must under go a couple of sessions of this acupuncture in order to fully recover. But for some reasons I bailed out from this method.

Within tht time, i was doing so much google-ing about ‘’how to recover fast from shin splints’’ and I noticed tht majority of forums/blogs did emphasize and recommended to follow the famous treatment method which is called ‘’R.I.C.E” and stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.  So for the past few weeks, I was trying to follow this method by taking good a rest (run one day for around 25 mins and rest the next day)  , ice my legs after each run, elevating my legs while watching tv , and doing some light exercises for the shins using the resistance rope in order to strengthen them . Been doing like tht almost for the past 3 weeks, but still I can feel some shin pain radiating from my shin from time to time. Not tht strong, but I still feel tht the still exist. Am not sure if am being more sissy nowadays or just being over cautious in order not to develop my injury.

But last week, I met a runner girl from New Zealand (wat a coincidence if u no wat I mean :p ) whom her last 10 km race in abu dhabi was  in 37 mins despite the unbearable heat and humidity . So I told her about my case and she suggested tht I try the calf compression sleeves or the compression socks. So when I went back home I did quick research and I found tht In short, the compression ‘theoretical’ concept is when u compress ur leg > more blood will pass > thus more oxygen and other stuff will come to ur muscles > thus faster recovery.  and from what I can conclude is tht the majority of the  researches which have been made on  this topic noticed tht compression have an effect on the recovery but not on the performance while running . for more info about this topic, check this awesome articles which is well informative 

http://runningtimes.com/Print.aspx?articleID=21359

http://rundhitrirun.wordpress.com/category/elite-runners/ 

It was only matter of day until I was able to get my hand on one. I had to buy it from over the counter in the pharmacy, since a medical compression sleeves for the calves is cheaper than the sport one. it costed me around 50 RM where the sport one is around 150 RM, but it was diffenetley worth it . the problem is tht there was no clear info about when or for how long u should wear it, so when I bought them I just put them on for around 2 days ( post and pre run but not on the run since their quality isn’t made to be worn while exercising) , and I can tell tht the sudden pain of the shin while doing normal day activities is gone , and even while running there was almost no pain. at least better than b4 and am hoping tht soon I will able to get  back to training seriously .

Finally I got the chance to say this sentence which always used to piss me off ‘’ what works for me..might not work for u and vise versa’’ .. wahaha :p

MUDS UPNM 2012

The starting of the race

The ending for MUDS 2012

 

The last leg of MUDS 2012 is in UPNM, a place that we can’t simply just go in and visit, hehe. After Kl Towerthon & MUDS UPM, the race in UPNM will be my last as an undergraduate student. Really hope to end it on a high note, somehow, I started to felt differently during training. Extremely struggling during interval run session, can felt that my knee bones were rubbing (friction) each other after a hard bike ride. 

            Luckily, compare to two previous serious, this time we all got more rest and quality sleep before the race. Plus we also got ‘Buntut Therapy’ when stopping at an R&R, hehe. Our team only got 5 participants. Black and Bahtiar continue to play their role as pacer and supporter for Jiha and Afiedah. All of us were hoping to do our best for the team. Lim and Afiedah’s friend were there to snap photos and give encouragement. Without them, the whole bus will be carrying only 5 peoples (quite a waste le). Hope more junior will join in next year. 

            Starting of the first run, I already can’t keep up with the front pack like I usually did, was panting heavily. I have decided to go all out that day regardless of the outcome, but the gap with the front pack was widening and the pursuers were getting nearer. Such a great learning experience and I knew that I must double up my training and focus more on the bike in order to improve on my weaknesses.

Selected results;

 

 

 

 

We all went to Time Square after the race. Overall, sincere thanks to Malakoff for all the financial support and Black for organising the outing. Plus, great work to Chau for the fantastic banner, hehe. Great job to all Kakithon team members who work their heart out for these 3 weeks (MUDS & KL Towerthon). Hopefully, next year the team will become stronger, hehe