Sweating it out

Training summary :

Sat - 5km + tennis (2 hrs)

Sun - Cycling + tennis

Mon - 25 mins run(treadmill)+weights(upper body)+10 mins cycling(stationary bike)

Tues - 25 mins run((treadmill) + weights (lower body)+10 mins cycling(stationary bike)

Wed - 30mins run(treadmill)+15 mins cycling(stationary bike)+seafood dinner

Thurs - Rest

I felt a slight knee and muscle pain, maybe the body didnt have enough time to recover after 5 consecutive days of training. Thus, listening to the screaming body, i decided to have a full day of solid rest and it did a whole world of good. I went to bed early to get extra resting time and the body was awake at 430am, Friday morning.

It's been five days now that i'm in miri and i haven't hit the tarmac yet. I prefer training outdoors as it keeps me going with the surroundings and i normally end up doing more than i what i'd planned. Anyway, tossing and turning in bed, my mind was toying with the idea of going for a quick morning run and catch the sunrise from the top of a hill nearby the hotel which i'm staying. I sat at the edge of the bed and took my resting bp (after sleep) and to my surprise it read, 57bpm on three counts. Just the kind of motivation which i needed to kick me out of the bed.

After completing my solat subuh, i lazed on the bed and updated the blog but i still couldn't get the endorphin rush settled down. The next minute i knew, i socked up, put on my gear, downed a glass of protein drink and i'm out of the hotel.

The bell boy greeted "Good morning" coupled with a weird smirk on the his face. Haha... he must be thinking what the hell am i doing.

Started running before around 545am and heading towards the top of the hill. It was still dark and felt lonely as i look up to see my intended destination. There were not many cars on the road except a few school buses zooming around. As i passed a few kids waiting for their buses, as usual, they gave me this funny look, a look which i have got accustomed to since i took up this regime. I didnt bother anymore. I might looked like a humongous looney running in the dark but at least im doing something for my own good. I dont expect anyone to understand and i too, more than anyone else, had the difficulty in understanding what am i doing when i first started it.

I reached the top of the hill before 6am and the sun was just about to surface. As my heart beat was slowing down, i decided to proceed with my run and bid a quiet good morning to the whole of Miri.

My quick morning run soon became longer and longer. 1km, 2km, 3km, 4km, 5 km and soon enough, i reached Miri town. The town was already buzzing with activities and yes, Miri people start their day early as the sunrise is 1 hour earlier than Peninsular. More funny stares i got from people at the bus stop, in the school buses, in the cars at a red traffic light, motorbike honking at me etc etc.

At 5km mark, i noticed that my knee was holding up, the body was still strong and the heart rate was hovering around 80% throughout the run, thus, immediately the thought of having breakfast in town soon disappeared. I continued running back to the hotel at a slower pace, avoiding pushing it harder and risk hurting my knee again. Saw a few runners going the opposite way which made me to think that im not that looney anyway.

Towards the end of the run, i wanted to know whether i still have that lil extra calories to burn and increased the pace touching 90% heart rate for a few minutes. I can feel the adrenalin rush imagining a finish line tape in front with people cheering me on. Haha... perasan. Rocky's music was gettting louder in my mind as i got nearer to the end. I reached the finish point with my hands up in the air signalling pure satisfaction.

I took my bp reading and recovered to below 120bpm in less than 3 minutes. Not bad at all.

Stats,

Route : Parkcity Hotel - Tanjung - Miri main road - Miri Town - RTM station - Parkcity Hotel

Distance : 7.2km (went round the route with company's car later)

Timing : 57:32mins

Calories burned : 2257kcal

After a short breakfast (eggs and horlick 'O'), went back to hotel and reached there around 7am. Went straight to gym and did a 20mins of weights for upper body. Later, took shower, prepped up and off to work. I was in the office at 830am, feeling good. Damn good.

TGIF... i wanna go home... yes, tomoro....