Karen the RPM Trainer Trainee

Yes i have done my RPM instructor course over the weekend. I must admit I was extremely nervous before the course simply because i am not the best RPMer around. There wasn't a time where i breezed through the class with ease. In fact there was once i walked out halfway simple because i just felt weak and unmotivated.

But the course was extremely fun. And Tracy Minnoch was amazing. Yea, i really really enjoyed her teaching. I felt really inspired and motivated during the 2 days. It was hardcore RPMing...like 3 classes back to back including an RPM challenge (longer and more demanding than regular classes) on day 2. And i was able to do it.Feedback was good. Main thing is I passed and am now a trainee trainer. if that makes sense. :) I can teach alongside another instructor until i am confident enough to video myself and send the video to Les Mills Asia Pacific. Only if i pass then will i get to be a full fledged instructor. :)
On other things, I had 7 scoops of ice cream at the Haagen Dazs buffet just now. The guys had 8. I almost exploded. Kids, don't try this at home. Seriously. hahah....

the bubble that i am in

i've been confining myself to a bubble most of my life. contrary to popular belief about my love for change and new things, i realized (just last night, actually) i am actually very comfortable and contented in my own comfort zone. i like being good at things that i've taken a while to be good at. i like knowing everyone around me that i've taken a while to know. and i like places where i am familiar with because i have taken a while to familiarize myself with them. i am most comfortable at my races, where every 1 out of 2 people i meet is a friend or a reader of my blog. i know exactly what to do form start to end; arrive early, park, warm up, talk to friends, gather at the start line, start my stopwatch at the gunfire, run easy, finish, grab isotonic drinks, meet more people. fingertips, really.

on the other hand, i don't like being at a place where every face is new to me. i don't like not knowing what to do next, and not knowing who to speak to next. take for example a chill out bar in Bangsar. I went to watch my friend sing open mic at the Attic last night. the place was nice and cozy. it was the sort of place i would like to hang out with friends at. But for some reason i couldn't make myself comfortable. the air condition was a little too cold. the people around me were a little too foreign and the drinks were a little too unfamiliar. everyone seemed to be dressed to the nines while i was sitting there feeling as if my RM11.50 top from FOS was glaringly similar to that of a peasant. I felt extremely self conscious, and would give anything to shrink to pint size so i could sit comfortably at a corner unnoticed.

it is an odd phenomenon. i sincerely hope to grow out of this security blanket of mine. i am but 22 and there is an entire lifetime of change and new faces and foreign places that i would be forced to encounter.

on other things, RPM instructor course is tomorrow. I'm feeling pretty good about it. :)

spin spin spin...spun

I've been attending RPM classes close to everyday in my desperate attempt to master the class in time for my instructor course. Quite honestly, i have never had such consistent training in my life. Not even when i ran my maiden marathon in March. Thus, needless to say i am feeling pretty well spent. Or "spun", if u may. But i have learned that i am...well...not too good at RPM as i thought i am. and i have learned that it actually takes people months of practice to achieve a level of fitness that allows them to breeze through RPM classes the way they do. and yes, i am actually referring to Aunties who are probably 10-20 years my senior. It is quite amazing watching their legs spin as fast as they do it, actually. Anyway, RM800+ have been debited from my dad's account. I'd have to pay him back soon for it. No turning back now.

am i confident? Not quite.
am i still game? Sure.
will i pass? Hell yeah. I better.

I suppose i'd be fine. I have a strong feeling the adrenaline rush would aid me through once i'm actually put in a spot, surrounded by people who are all pushing themselves as well.

That aside, i went kayaking with Keeran, Beatrice, and a whole bunch of extremely gung-ho, hardcore, fitness cum adventure fanatics. I felt as small and puny as a mouse, physically and emotionally speaking. But they're a hilarious bunch, so i thoroughly enjoyed myself. Training with Keeran was good. Putrajaya Club House was gorgeous. Had a ball. :)

Lacking training in swimming though. The last time i swam was the last triathlon. PD Tri was it? That was a year ago. Gotta start swimming soon. Even my running training have dwindled since RPM took over my life. I'm starting to think doing multisport events is extremely tough. Maybe i should stick to purely running. *shrug*

On other things, life as an unemployed, fresh graduate, professional bummer is awesome! That coupled with the fact that the boyfriend is just as free as i am...if that ain't bliss, i don't know what is. :) I can smell the green jealousy oozing out of everyone of you who's working right now. haha...well, put it this way, i've got freedom, you've got financial freedom. you're in a better position, trust me.

Anyway, Dennis and I hit the 6 month mark yesterday. May not be as long as some couples, but it's been great nonetheless. If i haven't been glowing with joy in the past 6 months, you must be blind. :) Here's to many many many more months!

Powerbar Stories

Ever had a reason why you are who you are today? How you're able to run that 10, 21 or 42 km race with such grace and ease? Or swim 1.5 or 6.5 km with several easy strokes? Tell them why.

Inspire someone today!

the game plan which failed

*edit* My RPM course got postponed to next weekend instead! whoopee...more time to practise!

The plan was to RPM once a day every single day till today. I started last Monday. Then Tuesday. Wednesday I missed a session because I went trail running with Keeran at Bt Gasing. And on Thursday, my diarrhea struck. and it didn't stop till Sunday.

Monday i recovered, but was so weak i figured i'd faint in class. So yesterday morning i went for Studio Cycling, which isn't quite RPM, but enough to get me sweating and back on track. I went for another session yesterday night as well. And this morning, i went for Olivia's. And by now, i'm so beaten up i decided to skip my supposedly final session tonight. Tomorrow i'm resting.

Pray I pass this training course, peeps!

happy birthday mummy :)

for all the nights you've waited up
for all the days you let me sleep in
for all the meals you cook for us
for all the pots and pans that you clean
for all the supper you paid for us
for all the calories you take in because of supper
for all the ideas you've given me
for all the ways you make things easier
for all the light that you've made me see
for all the times i've left you in darkness
for all the faith you've had in me
for all the times i was completely oblivious
for all my antics you put up with
for all your antics that i constantly laugh at
for all the arguments we've gone through
for all the times where we just sat down to chat
thank you, ma, for being so fabulous!
Happy birthday!