Have already registered for Singapore Triathlon 2006

This morning, I have just registered for the Osim Olympic Triathlon. Last year, I have participated in it and it is time for me to get real serious in the training for Triathlon in 2 months' time. I feel kinda motivated and focussed as I have my goals in place properly. I think it is important to know what you exactly are looking for and then start working towards these goals. Of course, one of my resolutions that I have made last year is to participate in triathlon every year. It does not matter whether I win or not. It is a matter of preparing myself for the race, beating the previous timing that really matters more. Rather than spending quite a sum of money just to participate in this race for a mere fun. If we ask ourselves that we just participate in this race for a mere fun, i think this novelty of participating in this race will wear off in few years' time as there is no real motivation behind it. If we think about it of how we can ace through this triathlon, saying that hey, i must improve my timing for all these 3 main components, say improving timing by XXX secs/mins, a small room for improvement is already considered as a significant improvement. I once read a book "Ultra Marathon Man - Confessions Of An All-Night Runner by Dean Karnazes" which details his personal victory of pushing himself to his limit to participate in the world's toughest and most punishing marathon. Of course, Dean Karnazes is definitely my ardent idol to blaze an example to show that no matter how tough journey it is, we gotta stick to our guns and go for it. No complaint, No excuses, No laments and most important NO REGRET! DO IT NOW! As you can see these statements with are evoked with thoughtless impulse, it is actually a victorious statement that YOU have to inculcate in yourself.

"Ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes claims "There is magic in misery." While it would be easy to write off his habit of running for 100 miles at a time—or longer—as mere masochism, it's impossible to not admire his tenacity in pushing his body to reach one extreme goal after another. Sure, it's gory to read about how he lost one of his big toenails from shoe friction during the Western States Endurance Run. But what registers more is that here's a guy competing in an event that includes 38,000 feet of elevation change--the equivalent of scaling the Empire State Building 30 times.

Despite his considerable athleticism, "Karno" argues that the first half of any race is run with one's body, and the second half with the mind. Without delving into excessively touchy-feely territory, he explores "the possibilities of self" as he completes an ultra-marathon in 120-degree heat in Death Valley, and later the first-ever marathon at the South Pole. It's an odd combination: a California surfer dude contemplating how, as Socrates said, "Suffering leads to wisdom." But Karnazes's self-motivation is utterly intriguing, and it's impossible to read this memoir without wanting to go out and run a marathon yourself.--Erica Jorgensen "


Another book "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong" is also well-recommended for those people who are fitness fanatics but this book is not just on the visible victory over all those races but also it includes personal victory over his own cancer without compromising his best performance for these Tour de France races.


"People around the world have found inspiration in the story of Lance Armstrong--a world-class athlete nearly struck down by cancer, only to recover and win the Tour de France, the multiday bicycle race famous for its grueling intensity. Armstrong is a thoroughgoing Texan jock, and the changes brought to his life by his illness are startling and powerful, but he's just not interested in wearing a hero suit. While his vocabulary is a bit on the he-man side (highest compliment to his wife: "she's a stud"), his actions will melt the most hard-bitten souls: a cancer foundation and benefit bike ride, his astonishing commitment to training that got him past countless hurdles, loyalty to the people and corporations that never gave up on him. There's serious medical detail here, which may not be for the faint of heart; from chemo to surgical procedures to his wife's in vitro fertilization, you won't be spared a single x-ray, IV drip, or unfortunate side effect. Athletes and coaches everywhere will benefit from the same extraordinary detail provided about his training sessions--every aching tendon, every rainy afternoon, and every small triumph during his long recovery is here in living color. It's Not About the Bike is the perfect title for this book about life, death, illness, family, setbacks, and triumphs, but not especially about the bike. --Jill Lightner"