It’s been a LONG time since I went out riding with my mates and it felt amazing going out on the road again this morning. Just felt nice to be able to do something for myself. Guess that’s what we all need from time to time with our busy schedules of work and other family commitments – just some time to nourish our souls…
I’ve just signed up for the Stanchart Marathon in Singapore on 2 Dec 2007 which is only about 113 days away. Anyone who has seen me running knows I need all the help I can get, especially on my running technique. Growing up as a competitive swimmer, I developed an upper body that was outsized relative to my legs, and I avoided running because it hurt my knees. And it’s all due to a lack of proper technique.
I’ve heard about Chi Running before and I think I may just try the program in preparation for the big race. Here’s a quick video on what it is briefly. Will let you know if it works!
Check out this ad from Cliff Bar. Anyone who has done a triathlon race can relate!
2 weeks ago I spoke to a group of youth at the Student Advisory Center under its Recharge Program. I didn’t know what to expect and I actually enjoyed interacting with the kids. All I had to do was tell the story of how I lead my younger years as a swimmer while at the same time keeping up and doing well in school. One of the key points I mentioned during the talk was that it’s much easier to win than to lose! And champions are those who win after losing and know how to deal with losing. A loser is one who lets defeat defeat him.
Along the same lines… “I will not lose” is a great campaign by Roca Wear that features personalities that have done well in their fields – this one by Jonathan Vilma who plays football for the Jets stuck a cord with me. Although he had the dream of playing professional football while at college, he still kept a respectable GPA of 3.5 just in case that dream didn’t work out. (Trevor – you can share this with the kids in the recharge program). Check it out here…
Have to try – from Deborah Madison’s vego cookbook. Serve as snack or together with other dishes for full meal.
Ingredients
1) Two 8-10 ounch packages tempeh or one 1-pound package chinese style firm tofu
2) 3 tablespoons mild honey
3) 1 tablespoon of molasses
4) 1 tablespoon of peanut oil
5) 1 teaspoon soy sauce
6) 3 1/2 tablespoons mustard
7) 2 teaspoons curry powder
8) salt and freshly milled pepper
Cooking
For tempeh, cut into 1/2 inch slabs and steam for 10 mins. If using tofu, cut into cubes and set on paper towels to drain while you mix the remaining ingredients for the marinade in a bowl. Place the tempeh or tofu in a pie plate and brush the marinade over it. Let stand for 20 mins or as long as overnight.
Preheat over to 400degree F. Bake until sizzling and hot, about 20 mins, basting midway through cooking. Serve with any extra marinade on side.
Hi crazy sports friends, don’t miss this rare interactive session with renowned coach, Brendon Downey.
Date: 16 July 2007, Monday
Time: 1 to 3pm
Venue: Athlete’s Circle, 27 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069623 (click for map)
To register, please email fionaphua@hivelocity.com.sg or adrianmok@hivelocity.com.sg for registration forms – and just mention Des sent you.
As this invitation is being extended to a select audience, kindly register your attendance by 14 July.
This is a free seminar organized by Athlete’s Circle.
Recently I ran into some swimmers at a friend’s birthday party and I ran into Mark Tan who had just broken my national record in the 200m Breastroke. Surprisingly my first reaction was one of delight! Because I always lament to close friends that I was sad to see that Singapore Swimming wasn’t exactly progressing as it used to. This record lasted for 15 years but it’s not the oldest… check out Ang Peng Siong’s 25 year old 50m freestyle national record and David Lim’s 19 year old 100m backstroke national record. Let’s hope we have a new generation of young ones to put some new marks on the wall soon.
Click below for the full story and click from the Team Singapore website.
I recently returned from a business trip to Shanghai and Beijing and had the opportunity to deal with several colleagues on different occassions. They were all rather intridged that I have been vegetarian since the beginning of this year and the dinner conversation surrounded my being vegetarian and the motivation for doing so.
The ultimate reason for me is a compassion for the animals who are living beings. My social circle outside of work made me increasingly aware of the suffering of these animals and the cruelty in the slaughtering of animals for food. One friend visited a bovine slaughter house and said that he could actually hear them crying…
Anyway, here are 13 reasons for you to consider. You don’t have to turn vegetarian – just start by eating a little less meat:)
Question: What is the one thing we know for sure when we’re born ?
Answer: It’s that death is certain. No one escapes death.
Life is rather strange. None of us know when we will arrive at that final destiny. Sorry if this seems morbid to you. But my point is that life is precious. It’s what we do now when we are alive that matter. So live and live life well.. live it happy.
Thaddeus was a determined young triathlete – a champion. It was unfortunate he was taken away at such a tender age but he left doing what he believed in and what he enjoyed. RIP. Love, your fellow triathletes…
Simply beautiful. Can’t wait to pick one up for the ride…. like to use this to get to the subway and into the office – a greener more eco way to get to work!
(Click on the Thumbnails)
The most advanced motorized scooter available on the planet!
The 2000X is a quantum leap in scooter design, technology, and performance, and promises to revolutionize urban travel.
The 2000X is not a toy. We don’t even like to call it a “scooter”. We call it a Motorboard. It is a serious transportation device with a top speed of 15mph, giving it the power and endurance necessary to get around in any urban environment. What’s even more incredible, is that the 2000X can be easily folded up, and weighing only 19.5lbs (8.8kg), it is light enough to be carried on the subway, train, bus, or into work.
The 2000X can be fully charged in under 120 minutes. And, unlike most other electric scooters out there, the 2000X can be kick-scooted due to our patent-pending free-wheeling technology, so even if your battery does die you won’t be stranded.
Gotta get one of these awesome Paul Frank Cruisers for the Mrs!
p.s. I am secretly hoping then she’ll come cruising with me in the weekends!
It’s been quite a long day. Starting with a 45mins ride on my bike trainer in the backyard, followed by a family lunch, movie, 2 hours at the meditation center which just ended with a 3 generation “Shojin Ryori” dinner at my parents home. What a lovely Father’s Day it was!
Reflecting on a conversation I had with Leslie P just this previous Friday. Leslie is a follow banker friend who used to swim competitively but when I asked if he was keeping fit and healthy, he said that “he was simply too busy at work, watching the markets after work, managing the kids etc…”
Upon reflecting on my day, I thought to myself how wonderful it was that my dad was healthy enough to enjoy Father’s Day with me and my kids. And I certainly hope to do likewise for my kids and grand children. What’s wealth without health? What’s the good in having all that money in the bank when you’re not enough healthy enough to enjoy it?
So my dear friends, for the sake of your loved ones, your family, start living a healthier life. “Leslie buddy, start swimming again do your evening walk around your neightbourhood. Think about it, your kids will love you for it, and for many more healthy years to come!”
p.s. Thanks to Danny and Graham from Enso Kitchen for our wonderful Father’s Day Dinner. Yummy.
I just had the most wonderful meeting in Taipei with Terrance who is the Taiwan CEO of an international asset management. It was wonderful not because we closed a major deal but because I was delighted to hear from him that several months ago he made a life altering decision to become fit and healthy.
Terrance contributed generously to one of my regular charitable fund-raising races (which was the New Zealand Ironman last year). This also reminds me that it’s about time I did another one of these efforts this year – keep an eye out and please support my next effort. Anyway, I was particularly touched when he mentioned that he was inspired by me to become healthier and fitter!
The results are really noticeable. In 6 months, Terrance has lost 15 kilograms! The real benefit though is what we cannot see – imagine how much more elastic his heart and lung muscles are now compared to previously when he wasn’t exercising. His internal organs have woken up! Well done Terrance. I am so happy for you.
Importantly though, he now works out regularly in the gym first thing in the morning at 530am and makes a conscious effort to eat more healthy. And he admitted himself that it’s all linked – once he made a commitment, it all fell into place – regular exercise, eating healthy, feeling healthy and strong.
So enough with the excuses – make that commitment to yourself and your loved ones. Start living. Start living HEALTHY!
p.s. Even CEOs can make time to do it.
Nice article here on Indoor Cycling. I get most of exercise on my personal bike trainer because it’s convenient. I can just roll out of bed in the morning onto the bike or whenever I have some time at home.
Most people don’t exercise because it’s just too inconvenient to travel to the gym or drive to the beach or park for a run. Which is quite true – it takes effort.
So my strategy has always been to eliminate much of that altogether. Some tips:
- Create routes to run around your home
- Get a stationary bike or bike trainer
- Work out when on business trips – pool and gym is in your hotel!
So try not to give the excuses and focus on the solution.
It’s a small world indeed. I ran into one of my friends Mark W. at the airport lounge earlier today and coincidentally we ended up sitting next to each other on the plane! Mark’s just moved to a new investment bank (congrats again on the new job mate!) doing almost exactly what I do, but I was more delighted to discover a fellow fitness enthusiastic banker who actually packs his training kit when he travels! (Click here for my essential travel training gear).
I realized that it’s really a lifestyle decision how important health and fitness is to each of us as individuals. Personally I am determined to be a healthy grandfather who is able to play ball and run around with my grand kids – now that’s truly priceless. And in addition to the normal health benefits for exercising regularly and of course not feeling guilty about that additional serving at dinner, it’s actually my form of meditation, stress relief and centering. As a real life example of today – after a day’s work, followed by a flight and dealing with traffic into town after the flight, it was already past 8pm by the time I checked into my hotel. I was tired and could feel the tension around my neck and shoulders. And I knew exactly what I needed.
Dumped my bags, kitted up and headed to the hotel gym for a short 40min gym workout – 20mins on the bicycle and 20mins on the stair master. (Didn’t push myself hard as I am actually down with a bit of a flu – point being do whatever you feel is right but be truthful to yourself though).
That’s all it took. A bit of effort, perspiration, my form of meditation and VOILA! No more stress, no more tension, energized, happy and high (who cares whether its from a dose of endorphins or phenylethylamine?! It feels great – and I think I am addicted to this feeling). And you know what the best part is – IT’S FREE:) And particularly convenient having the gym in the hotel while on business trips!
Try it. Get “high”. You may get addicted.
I am confident Mark will testify to it. Right Mark?
If Singapore truly intends to be “green and eco-friendly” as it says it would, then we should really have more space and perhaps bicycle lanes. I would definitely be doing a lot more training on the roads (versus being on my stationary trainer at home) and would even cycle a couple kilometers to the MRT stations to catch a train to work! I know Kenneth from years back when we used to compete at International Competitions together (he cycled while I swam!) but I take my hat off to him – he doesn’t own a car and his mode of transport has always been his faithful 2 wheelers!
Time we all got together and did a bit more lobbying with Ministry of The Environment and Water Resources as well as Ministry of Transport? When is “Green Transport Week” this year? Will give a call to a friend at the Singapore Environmental Council and revert soon!
happy feet002
Originally uploaded by sportinc.
Last Year New Zealander Mark Inglis became the first man to conquer Mount Everest on two artificial limbs. “When people see me, they see a double amputee. But when I see myself, I see a person who who will never get frostbite on my legs again,” he jokes.
Mark lost his legs 24 years old while climbing New Zealand’s Mount Cook. His story is shown weekly on Discover Channel every tuesday Singapore time 10pm starting 22 May.
If this doesn’t inspire you to challenge yourself, I don’t know what will!
Ask Ryan Lipscomb, 26, who lived to tell his story – a truck ran over his head! Thanks to his faithful helmet. So think about your loved ones and keep those helmets on.
Mala noodles
Originally uploaded by sportinc.
Always on the lookout for good vegetarian food these days, N and I were delighted to try this little place in Chinatown on recommendation by our friend Benny. And we were so glad we did. I had to stop to take this picture of the noodles of the day, called “Mala Noodles” and share this new discovery of ours. The uncle of the restaurant said that rice and noodle sets changed daily. We’ll be back!
Ci Yan Organic Vegetarian Health Food.
8 Smith Street, Singapore 058971
Tel: +65 62259026
p.s. The curry puffs were yummy!
I received an email from a friend last week encouraging me to do more research on managing my vegetarian diet and keeping at my endurance activities. In fact, he brought you something extremely motivating for me – that Dave Scott, 6 time Ironman Champion, is a vegetarian! I did a quick google and the following is an extract of an interesting newsletter I found. There are even vegetarian world class bodybuilders!
“Physical Performance
There is growing evidence that the consumption of a vegetarian diet can enhance athletic performance. This enhancement seems particularly significant in areas of physical endurance. In one study published in the Yale Medical Journal by Fisher et al, the role of meat eating vs. vegetarian eating in relation to strength and stamina was investigated. They found of the three groups compared…flesh eaters showed far less endurance than the abstainers, even when the latter were leading a sedentary life. …the difference in endurance between the flesh eaters and the abstainers (was due) entirely to the difference in their diet…There is strong evidence that a non-flesh…diet is conducive to endurance.
In a related study, Danish investigators studied the effects of diet on levels of endurance. In this study, a group of men was put on three different diets on three separate occasions. On the first trial, the men were fed a mixed diet of animal products and plant products. The test utilized a stationary bicycle to measure endurance. Time to muscle failure was recorded for each participant. In this first trial condition, the average time to muscle failure was 114 minutes. In the second trial condition these same men were fed a diet high in animal products. The time to muscle failure on the stationary bicycle this time was an average of 57 minutes. In the third condition, the men ate a pure vegetarian diet of vegetables, grains, and fruit. It was in this final condition that the men performed the best. The average time to muscle failure was 167 minutes.
The individual examples of world-class athletes who consume vegetarian diets lend credibility to these findings. Dave Scott, six time winner of the IronMan Triathlon is undisputedly one of today’s greatest triathletes. He is vegetarian. Edwin Moses, an Olympic Gold Medalist, went eight years without ever being defeated in the 400 meter hurdles. He is also vegetarian. Even in bodybuilding, there are world-class vegetarians. Bill Pearl and Andreas Cahling have placed among the top in national and international competition.”
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