~Contributed by Michelle~
Mileage runners are growing- in numbers that is, definitely not horizontally. The cosmopolitan factor has also increased with members hailing from parts of the globe known for pork knuckles, the very strange La Tomatina Festival, Victoria Bitter beer and the homeland of the inventor of Rubik’s Cube.
As we were pumping our hearts out together at CCAB doing drills, exercises, sprints, Fartlek and intervals, a nostalgic part of me began to recollect my 1st few sessions with Mileage.
Some Recollections
I have not had any formal run coaching before Mileage hence terms like striding, knee lift, XX seconds per 100m were a new lingo to me. When I first heard of the drill “ankling”, I thought it simply meant lifting your ankle and rotating it.
I was very reluctant to do running drills round the field as I thought I looked very bo-seh (not stylish), out of place and felt utterly embarrassed. Coach tried to convince me that only serious runners do drills and if I do, it will make me look pro. I had to be convinced for weeks.
When I did my very 1st intervals of 10x500m at 26s pace, while waiting for Coach to arrive, I thought I’d better “test” the pace 1st. And test the pace I did. For 1km. Deadly (and dumb) mistake. I could still recall Coach’s bewildered expression when he found out what I did. As expected, I was literally on my knees on the verge of cardiac arrest by the 7th set.
For my 1st long run at Macritchie, I innocently thought that there will be drink stations throughout the trails. Yes, I did imagine there would be a vending machine plonked amidst the trails. So, instead of the 100+/H2O/Accelerade filled 1.5l bottles that we trudge along with to long run trainings now, I merely brought along my cutesy 300ml Nike bottle. And yes, I could also recall vividly Coach’s expression of disbelief then.
Classic Moments
Most of us who have been with Mileage for some time have our fair share of “classic” moments.
During Jan’s 1st session, she found 1 min invisible chair very challenging and insistently claimed that the rest of us do not have chairs at our office desks. I chuckled while trying to steady my shaking “chair”. Thereafter, I recall her saying that after her very 1st session of drills and exercises, she felt so sore that she couldn’t get out (or was it getting in?) of her car that night. Admire the fruit of her labor on her legs and arms now.
Another classic incident was by Raymond (the tall dark and handsome dude from Philippines). Coach has planned for him to do 20mins Fartlek. Raymond had no idea what Fartlek was. That afternoon, via Facebook messenger, he messaged me.
Raymond: “Hey, what’s Fartlek?”
Me: “Run fast for a period of time then walk and repeat”
R: “Oh, I thought must fart for 20mins. Wah, that’s tougher than any intervals”
I was convulsing with laughter in office.
For those of you who will be doing the 10km/10.5km/11km route at Macritchie, please be reminded that you are entitled to a drink break at the Ranger’s Station. Take as long as you like without incurring the wrath of Coach, and by that it usually means 30secs or less.
There is a reason behind this reminder.
We thought it was only natural and “common sense” to take a water-break at Ranger Station. Until one morning, we found out that dear Raymond does not stop at Ranger station because (according to his words) “Coach didn’t tell me that I can”. It was a moment of realization for us as to why Raymond always appear drained even only after 1 lap.
These are some of the amusing experiences I have with Mileage that would probably be stuck with me for a long time. There are of course disappointing ones (like when I fail to complete training) and upsetting ones (like when I “disagree vehemently” with coach. Read the 1st entry).
For the “older” members, I’m sure all of you have your own unforgettable moments with Mileage. For the newly joined members, welcome to Mileage. Your memorable journey has just begun…
Mileage runners are growing- in numbers that is, definitely not horizontally. The cosmopolitan factor has also increased with members hailing from parts of the globe known for pork knuckles, the very strange La Tomatina Festival, Victoria Bitter beer and the homeland of the inventor of Rubik’s Cube.
As we were pumping our hearts out together at CCAB doing drills, exercises, sprints, Fartlek and intervals, a nostalgic part of me began to recollect my 1st few sessions with Mileage.
Some Recollections
I have not had any formal run coaching before Mileage hence terms like striding, knee lift, XX seconds per 100m were a new lingo to me. When I first heard of the drill “ankling”, I thought it simply meant lifting your ankle and rotating it.
I was very reluctant to do running drills round the field as I thought I looked very bo-seh (not stylish), out of place and felt utterly embarrassed. Coach tried to convince me that only serious runners do drills and if I do, it will make me look pro. I had to be convinced for weeks.
When I did my very 1st intervals of 10x500m at 26s pace, while waiting for Coach to arrive, I thought I’d better “test” the pace 1st. And test the pace I did. For 1km. Deadly (and dumb) mistake. I could still recall Coach’s bewildered expression when he found out what I did. As expected, I was literally on my knees on the verge of cardiac arrest by the 7th set.
For my 1st long run at Macritchie, I innocently thought that there will be drink stations throughout the trails. Yes, I did imagine there would be a vending machine plonked amidst the trails. So, instead of the 100+/H2O/Accelerade filled 1.5l bottles that we trudge along with to long run trainings now, I merely brought along my cutesy 300ml Nike bottle. And yes, I could also recall vividly Coach’s expression of disbelief then.
Classic Moments
Most of us who have been with Mileage for some time have our fair share of “classic” moments.
During Jan’s 1st session, she found 1 min invisible chair very challenging and insistently claimed that the rest of us do not have chairs at our office desks. I chuckled while trying to steady my shaking “chair”. Thereafter, I recall her saying that after her very 1st session of drills and exercises, she felt so sore that she couldn’t get out (or was it getting in?) of her car that night. Admire the fruit of her labor on her legs and arms now.
Another classic incident was by Raymond (the tall dark and handsome dude from Philippines). Coach has planned for him to do 20mins Fartlek. Raymond had no idea what Fartlek was. That afternoon, via Facebook messenger, he messaged me.
Raymond: “Hey, what’s Fartlek?”
Me: “Run fast for a period of time then walk and repeat”
R: “Oh, I thought must fart for 20mins. Wah, that’s tougher than any intervals”
I was convulsing with laughter in office.
For those of you who will be doing the 10km/10.5km/11km route at Macritchie, please be reminded that you are entitled to a drink break at the Ranger’s Station. Take as long as you like without incurring the wrath of Coach, and by that it usually means 30secs or less.
There is a reason behind this reminder.
We thought it was only natural and “common sense” to take a water-break at Ranger Station. Until one morning, we found out that dear Raymond does not stop at Ranger station because (according to his words) “Coach didn’t tell me that I can”. It was a moment of realization for us as to why Raymond always appear drained even only after 1 lap.
These are some of the amusing experiences I have with Mileage that would probably be stuck with me for a long time. There are of course disappointing ones (like when I fail to complete training) and upsetting ones (like when I “disagree vehemently” with coach. Read the 1st entry).
For the “older” members, I’m sure all of you have your own unforgettable moments with Mileage. For the newly joined members, welcome to Mileage. Your memorable journey has just begun…
~By Michelle~
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