To give everyone a nice little update on the upcoming trip to Malaysia, I’m EXCITED!
I haven’t left the country since Maldives last year. Does anyone know how long it’s been?! Although I’ve now left a very forgettable neighborhood, the “fun and hobbies” portion of the wheel of life has taken a massive hit. I now have a lot of free time to focus on my projects, but I’m still missing out on a key piece of my happiness.
TRAVELING!
Well, I’m back! Malindo Airlines (praying everything goes well because I’ve heard horror stories), a gorgeous hotel (PARKROYAL) in KLCC, and an easy way to get to the race. This trip should go perfectly.
This trip also marks the breaking of the chains and shackles I’ve had for so long. So grateful for everything, but it’s time for the new life to begin. Officially on a tourist visa and really not sure what’s going to happen or what to expect next.
Nevermind all that though. This is about the Spartan Race, an appetizer leading up to the main dish in May (Spartan Super). It’s really funny because I’m between a rock and a hard place at the moment. I’m trying to figure out who to go with. I promised a friend last year I would go with him, but after he brought along one of his friends who failed to run more than 1km, I really don’t want to “walk.” If I want to walk, I’ll walk at home or on a treadmill. All the training and everything leading up to the Spartan was based on cardio. If someone failed to prepare cardio, the most important aspect of the race, disaster will happen (and did at that point).
If I go with some others, there will be a group of 20. I know within the group of 20….at least half of them won’t be doing cardio. Therefore, I’ll have to walk for 13-15km, which would take AGES! So this is the big problem with doing the Spartan Super. I can hurry up and find a friend (somehow) to go with who’s a beast, but it’s difficult.
Nonetheless, this Malaysia Spartan is going to be a battle for me, just because I’m going to try and finish it as fast as possible (record time) and see if I can compete in the competitive or elite next time.
Training
I’ve been busting ass (not that way) in the gym. Over the last couple of weeks (including Friday – a day I ran 10km and did a one-hour class later in the evening), I’ve gotten my body back! This is what I LOVE! Looking like a damn Greek God! More importantly, I ran 10km (felt very odd at the end) without any issues. I went to the gym to buy a protein shake, up to the Skytrain, and felt perfectly fine (unlike my earlier years where I felt like hell). I’m doing a series of different movements, body weight exercises, and developing strength in my legs.
With Spartan, cardio and upper-body are the most important parts. The first Spartan I did last year sucked. My upper-body was…….weak. However, the second Spartan I did, I couldn’t believe how much my strength increased. Cardio in KL (last July) was amazing, but overall upper-body was sub-average. Second Spartan I did….completely crushed it. Now with having the experience….here’s my workout regimen on a weekly basis.
Monday – Class: Lab Leaner + Kettlebell Strength
Tuesday – Cardio (bike and treadmill) in the morning
Wednesday (City Run – 10km)
Thursday (upper-body on my own)
Friday – Class: Lab Stronger
Saturday and Sunday – Rest days or core work.
This is just for the 7km race. After April 15th, my workouts will get much more difficult leading up to the Super after my birthday in May.
Stay tuned for more!
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