tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69402626538012062082024-03-05T08:56:55.811-08:00Life to the FullLife to the Full - The chronicles of a Christian Triathlete and a father of 2 wonderful boys in Singapore. Because Jesus said "... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-18344873831133114282009-03-23T21:04:00.000-07:002009-03-23T21:15:34.942-07:00Roadies' Guide to Triathletes<ol><li>We use aero bars even on road bikes simply because it is more efficient. Get over it.</li><li>We tend to ride up front and pull because we are trying to get used to riding against the wind - drafting is illegal in most Triathlons - not because we are showing off or trying to prove that the aero gadgets are working.</li><li>We tend to bring a few bottles to get used to re-fueling on the go, not because we tend to drink more.</li><li>Sometimes we wear Tri suits or shorts to group rides because we intend to go for a transition run after the ride, not because we are anti roadie fashion (is that term an oxy moron?).</li><li>Pt 2 & Pt 4 together is why we tend to pull up front for most of the ride, and then slow down and fall back at the end of the ride. We are trying to rest/stretch before going into the transition run.</li><li>Pt 4 is also the reason why we don't usually stay for the after ride chat/breakfast. We are actually pretty sociable people.</li><li>Pt 4 is also why we wear ankle socks (running socks) rather than the roadie (above ankle) socks.</li></ol>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-46412817417538036522008-12-31T23:07:00.000-08:002009-01-01T01:48:27.460-08:00It's 2009!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sC5MQze9qRQ1YnO4uq-LGv6vkuLZrdwd0PcVorVQFHNggm05QPl4GlGUU_i4_ZxqzqVoWRLK44cWMuG-wdgr_CSt4h76ckmou9A9LpAR0lf7sYuy-pcZjz0wsfbMWqqQa7QoEk4gqgg/s1600-h/I"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286233333617268642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sC5MQze9qRQ1YnO4uq-LGv6vkuLZrdwd0PcVorVQFHNggm05QPl4GlGUU_i4_ZxqzqVoWRLK44cWMuG-wdgr_CSt4h76ckmou9A9LpAR0lf7sYuy-pcZjz0wsfbMWqqQa7QoEk4gqgg/s400/I'll+Rather+Be.jpg" border="0" /></a> As I think about 2009 and what it will bring, I am beset by mixed feelings of anticipation and cautiousness.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>This year, I start to teach Sunday School. I have been helping with the Toddler's Ministry at church (for 3 year olds and below) for the last few years, but this year I jump into the deep-end to take on a class of Primary 6 kids (11 to 12 year olds). Pre-teens are a tough bunch to reach, especially when the world has so many distractions for them - e.g. exams, social pressures, X-box, PSP, Wii, Hannah Montana, iCarly, etc... I am praying that I may be relevant to them, and hopefully point them to the fullness of life that Christ came to give us.</div><br /><div></div><div>Besides Sunday School, I will be continuing to help out with the Kid's Soccer ministry on Saturdays, and also continuing to lead my Care Group "Life with Christ". Kid's Soccer is supposed to be a "soft evangelism" ministry, but we did not quite get there in 2008 as most of the kids were our own church kids, and it did not help that there was a long disruption at the end of the year when the soccer field was not available. 2009 brings a new venue for Kid's Soccer and hopefully we grow this into a outreach ministry for the kids. In terms of my Care Group, it has been a gnawing thought in my mind that I have not done enough as a CG leader. We do not seem to have a clear vision/objective, and as such it is hard to say if we made progress in 2008. I need to figure out a way to balance the group's social needs (we love to chat) and chalk up some tangible spiritual growth.</div><br /><div></div><div>Perhaps the most important requirement of serving (and my weak point) is a humble, willing and committed heart, especially when the pressures of life set in. Please pray for me, that I will follow through and serve with all of my mind, my heart and my strength in 2009.</div><br /><div></div><div>Work-wise, I think 2009 will bring new challenges with the anticipated economic slowdown. Some say that the real test of management occurs during hard times, and having managed a team through the Asian financial crisis some years back, I tend to agree. That was one of the most stressful work experiences I have ever had. It doesn't take a genius to cut cost and improve short-term profitability, but the real challenge is how to manage costs and yet still find new avenues of business growth/sustainability. There is already a lot of talk that 2009 will be tougher than the last Asian financial crisis, so things could get rather interesting/challenging.</div><br /><div></div><div>On the family front, R2 goes to "real" school in 2009 - Primary 1 (i.e. Elementary School) - no more kindergarden stuff. Sigh, my babies have grown up and we have to start getting serious about schoolwork and exams and such... Will R1 continue to do well in school? How will the baby of the house (R2) adapt to school life? What activities/clubs should we sign R1 up for? How do we maintain a healthy balance of academic achievement and just letting them have fun? I still can't believe R2 goes to Primary School tomorrow! With R1 and R2 both going to Primary School, the entire family will be up at 6am every weekday, which is probably a good way for me to get into the discipline of getting up early and getting some exercise in before work.</div><div></div><br /><div>Talking about exercise, 2009 brings me back to going slow and long after a 2-month hiatus. I am trying not to think about how much fitness/speed I have lost (not that I have ever been particularly fast, which only makes things worse), nor about the pain of getting back into training mode. I did manage to add some cool stuff to the bike, which I will write about next time.</div><div> </div><div>Yikes almost forgot to introduce my young bloggers in the family:</div><ul><li>R1: <a href="http://reuben-tan.blogspot.com/">http://reuben-tan.blogspot.com/</a></li><li>R2: <a href="http://ryan-is-cool.blogspot.com/">http://ryan-is-cool.blogspot.com/</a></li></ul><div></div><br /><div>Have a blessed 2009!</div>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-5980032840331320142008-08-17T04:13:00.000-07:002008-08-22T20:44:59.019-07:00Seeing RED...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IfJt9bXye1s4ZCU-FSqiSQj2qYl9YSGWxiDqTVCS2KmXRoO8Nj2PwUHzXUMPIICCRnlgmzIznTmoMcYgyWMHTRAMXu6R87nSKS9IkLyD7Z8gh3ly1P2WTRNK-4djTdZWDNW2rfnireY/s1600-h/iP_TriSuit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235443599025289378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IfJt9bXye1s4ZCU-FSqiSQj2qYl9YSGWxiDqTVCS2KmXRoO8Nj2PwUHzXUMPIICCRnlgmzIznTmoMcYgyWMHTRAMXu6R87nSKS9IkLyD7Z8gh3ly1P2WTRNK-4djTdZWDNW2rfnireY/s320/iP_TriSuit.jpg" border="0" /></a>Bought this Japanese made Pearl Izumi Tri suit for the bargain basement price of SGD$99 (USD$70, <strong>60%</strong> off retail price)! Ok, so it is an older model and probably not the best looking suit, but the quality is excellent and the chamois is just about perfect for me - I don't much like those towel thin "terry cloth" type of Tri suit padding so common nowadays. </div><br /><div>I was actually checking out another Pearl Izumi suit marked down 40% to SGD$156 (USD$111), which has black/white/grey, and a much better match to my bike. Just before paying, I saw the one above on a rack, which is an even older model with the "unfashionable" <strong>red</strong> side panels. I had to smile to myself, because less than 2 months ago, I ended up buying a more expensive <a href="http://life-2-d-full.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-helmet-uvex-boss-race.html">grey helmet</a> instead of just using the replacement <strong>red</strong> helmet, just because of vanity - I wanted it to match my bike. This despite my buddy and Mrs Nitrox both preferring the <strong>red </strong>helmet, and despite the still small voice in my head telling me to stop being so vain. Oh well, another lesson in life, I guess.</div><br /><br /><div>On the training front, after a break of more than a month, I am finally easing back into training. Easing being the primary word here. Been a busy stretch at work, been travelling 3 of the last 4 weeks and will be travelling again next week, this time to Sydney & Melbourne. </div>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-45746890060875110102008-08-11T09:57:00.000-07:002008-08-11T10:14:26.677-07:0020/20 Vision<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRtK_hkb8jI2nJUUOQXTd1M8uakf87Zu_x75Ztn371r_hMGzzl4azog1xFBpcmdDXkOuoMu0JNtYYtQ9jXralrBugHeo5CCj4NjRrt3DYve30V-2eysQRgodGxAefpkjvwAMRWywSpmc/s1600-h/Boyz-TKD.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233309339694493282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRtK_hkb8jI2nJUUOQXTd1M8uakf87Zu_x75Ztn371r_hMGzzl4azog1xFBpcmdDXkOuoMu0JNtYYtQ9jXralrBugHeo5CCj4NjRrt3DYve30V-2eysQRgodGxAefpkjvwAMRWywSpmc/s200/Boyz-TKD.jpg" border="0" /></a>I am writing this, sitting in my hotel room in Malaysia, missing my family and feeling heavy in my heart because it seems R1 may need glasses (he is coming to 8). It has always been my hope that my children will grow up with 20/20 vision, even though nowadays most Singaporean kids develop Miyopia at a very early stage.<br /><br />Incidentally, my <a href="http://www.bibleinayear.org/">daily scripture reading</a> today brings me to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezekiel%2020:20&version=50">Ezekiel 20:20</a>, which says that God, in His perfect vision, has given us the Sabbath as a means to remember that He is the LORD our God. I have always wondered what's the fuss with the Sabbath, and why God put so much emphasis on it in the Old Testament, and is it still relevant to us today? This verse reminds me that God gave us Sunday to keep us real. He gave us Sabbath so that in coming to church and in worshipping/serving Him, we will be reminded that He is our God, and not be distracted/misled/discouraged by the world. Amen!Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-72220681189901249592008-08-01T20:24:00.000-07:002008-08-01T20:47:14.144-07:00My Country, My Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_cqBitOKbaHb60SLke6hIERqMM_6klColsR35xDGrKTJvk8W_D5YgmctTgzAHulEcLtd19gjmO-ZVF2-C4Osca0spK0FzJQjNvdX8cFsrfsQdD4F9xY__j0zEqwhyiHeP4rf_yG5qE4/s1600-h/NationalDay.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229756297630026386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_cqBitOKbaHb60SLke6hIERqMM_6klColsR35xDGrKTJvk8W_D5YgmctTgzAHulEcLtd19gjmO-ZVF2-C4Osca0spK0FzJQjNvdX8cFsrfsQdD4F9xY__j0zEqwhyiHeP4rf_yG5qE4/s400/NationalDay.JPG" border="0" /></a>Singapore's National Day is just around the corner, and this year marks the 1st year where we proudly fly the flag at our apartment. My father has been loyally flying his national flag at this house every August for as long as I can remember, but this is the 1st time we're doing it. Maybe I am getting sentimental with age.<br /><br />On the bible reading front, would you believe that since <a href="http://life-2-d-full.blogspot.com/2008/06/lord-establish-my-thoughts.html">my last post on this in June</a>, I have caught up with my "reading deficit" of 40 days and is now right on schedule again? Yup, I have been making use of the extra time during taper and the rest weeks after <a href="http://life-2-d-full.blogspot.com/2008/07/i-did-it-osim-triathlon-race-report.html">OSIM Tri</a> to do some mugging. =) Now that I have finally caught up with the daily readings, I am running out of excuses to be still resting...Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-19653413586081087762008-07-26T02:35:00.000-07:002008-07-26T02:44:27.686-07:00"Little Brother" By Mildred MeadAnother semester, another show and tell... <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eLYAMHGUbW0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eLYAMHGUbW0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-85152098991009359772008-07-24T06:05:00.001-07:002008-07-24T06:10:14.808-07:00OSIM Triathlon Pictures<div>Hi all, my OSIM Triathlon pictures are out and I have put them up on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=50800&l=56b24&id=740298687">here</a> on FaceBook. I must be gettin vain because this time I am tempted to buy a softcopy of one of them, so while you are there, please do 2 things:</div><br /><div>1. If you have a facebook account, add me. :-)</div><br /><div>2. Help me choose which photo I should buy. I think my current favourite is this one.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyZ8nWCXndruPkbPgmcUKeMk8M-7lg6CH5R_KryFdPUJvvIHuECJa7DjVs4ZoxPEPhR5CgKGD7-nm653JQZO16DU165P9dscqpWmVN5IJf_i_Rcb89YdNzvI2A7g06nIrhB86HI0sh0o/s1600-h/Bike6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226567002025280738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyZ8nWCXndruPkbPgmcUKeMk8M-7lg6CH5R_KryFdPUJvvIHuECJa7DjVs4ZoxPEPhR5CgKGD7-nm653JQZO16DU165P9dscqpWmVN5IJf_i_Rcb89YdNzvI2A7g06nIrhB86HI0sh0o/s400/Bike6.jpg" border="0" /></a>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-1761386663586071742008-07-20T05:48:00.000-07:002008-07-20T06:26:48.950-07:0010min Video on How to Fix a Flat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGh_JpX6PJs10dckNxKlzw2L211YBUBgDXPm4WDle_Qk7dZN5L6lARgebykqZLtwsCxkIUax8Hm1_MXWS4CvNv91a7iO7lxT5u7czouc-za7dHQlHYcQxpXWSUgiC1guPHiG_pcTbcdoY/s1600-h/Tyre-20c.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225081117881515298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGh_JpX6PJs10dckNxKlzw2L211YBUBgDXPm4WDle_Qk7dZN5L6lARgebykqZLtwsCxkIUax8Hm1_MXWS4CvNv91a7iO7lxT5u7czouc-za7dHQlHYcQxpXWSUgiC1guPHiG_pcTbcdoY/s400/Tyre-20c.jpg" border="0" /></a>Got a special deal on this tyre (Panaracer Stradius Elite Z 700X20C) at my LBS simply because it was the last one they have left. So I have done the radical - run 20C tyres at the front and 23C tyres at the rear. It works for rear wheel drive sports cars, so I guess it will work for my bike too. =)<br /><br />Since I have to switch my current front tyre to the rear, and install this new tyre on the front, I offered to show a friend how to change a flat. Unfortunately, he got busy during the weekend and I fly off to India on Monday, so this video is for you, Philip. :-) What I forgot to say on the video is that if you've got a flat while out riding, it is IMPORTANT to thoroughly check the tyre after it is removed. Feel the entire length on the inside of the tyre and remove foreign objects if any. And of course, if the tyre is damaged, get your LBS to check if it needs to be replaced.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jWCcnWNqNKg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jWCcnWNqNKg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-38925475713050450612008-07-19T00:14:00.001-07:002008-07-19T00:34:10.311-07:00Rest and RepairI guess it's time for rest and repair these 2 weeks before I re-start training again.<br /><br />The same goes for my gear. First up new running shoes - these just arrived at the store and I got myself a pair. The sales guy told me I have the second pair to be sold in Singapore (someone else bought the 1st pair in the morning). Have not gone for a test run yet, but with so much techno mumbo jumbo, it's gotta be good! (The 30% discount I got for my TAS membership also helped.) :-D<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DNXB9QVovjg&hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" fs="1" allowfullscreen="true"></embed><br /><br />Secondly, I managed to nick my rear tyre side wall somehow. Noticed a "bulge" which upon closer inspection revealed the fibres of the side wall construction (see below). Guess I better get a new rear tyre. I must say that I have not been impressed with the wet weather peformance of the Continental GP4000, so I think I may try another tyre.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3DLFB3N8nMaSTt2v9Huo2hbD_foYiiANGG6Q-Tvn4MFFCL3BdEThFnrAXIYGVM3uxD1gnJ7z6egmNqu0xCFTKz78LAbGeqRXBtrv4NUFK0F95XrsppmE2bug1loR5jN4pp3DP9nBjUA/s1600-h/Tyre_Nicked.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224623558147602306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3DLFB3N8nMaSTt2v9Huo2hbD_foYiiANGG6Q-Tvn4MFFCL3BdEThFnrAXIYGVM3uxD1gnJ7z6egmNqu0xCFTKz78LAbGeqRXBtrv4NUFK0F95XrsppmE2bug1loR5jN4pp3DP9nBjUA/s400/Tyre_Nicked.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just realised that my spare inner tube work not work with <a href="http://life-2-d-full.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-carbon-wheels.html">my new wheels</a> without a valve extender, so I think I will save myself the hassle and get a spare inner tube with a longer valve stem. Good thing I have a buddy who just got his first road bike, so the my current spare inner tube is not wasted. :-)Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-89809394671634969072008-07-17T18:33:00.000-07:002008-07-17T18:54:28.275-07:00Doom & Gloom FridayOn the way to work, the calendar in my phone reminded me that in 586 B.C. today, Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. (Yes, I have a calendar entry for that.)<br /><br />Then when I got to the office, the TV in the pantry said that Saunier Duval-Scott withdrew from the Tour de France thanks to Riccardo Ricco's cheating antics. My Finnish colleague (who cycles) said "Are these cyclists stupid or what?". I quite agree. The saddest part is that the general public does not even react to news about doping in cycling anymore. Perhaps the only good thing in all this is that <strong>Cadel Evans</strong> (Australian rider for the Silence-Lotto team) is in the overall lead by one second over Frank Schleck of CSC Saxo Bank. Which means there's a good chance that either the Austalian underdog will win this, or a <strong>Cervélo</strong> - Canadian triathlon bike builder- (also an underdog amongst the big road bike brands) will. I like it when underdogs win, so maybe I will keep following the news. :-)Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-54073270708531449322008-07-14T05:41:00.000-07:002008-07-14T05:48:49.505-07:00Official Race Timing - OSIM TriathlonSwim: 00:53:37<br />Bike: 01:23:10 (includes T1)<br />Run: 01:08:26 (includes T2)<br />Total: 03:25:13<br />Position: 75/118 - Age Group Olympic Distance Male (40 - 44 YEARS)Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-31725722022830837742008-07-13T02:14:00.000-07:002008-07-14T05:41:22.705-07:00I DID IT! (OSIM Triathlon Race Report)Praise God, I have finally completed my first Olympic Distance Triathlon! You ironmen/iron ladies out there will laugh at this, but it was much tougher than I thought it would be.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Pre-Race</span><br />I slept rather well last night, none of the usual nervous energy that keeps me awake before races - I think not having any expectations except to try to finish works well for me. The nice thing about my wave starting at 10:40am is that I can wake up late and have a leisurely breakfast - coffee and 4 pieces of toast with peanut butter and honey. I even managed to take a quick self protrait before setting off (sorry for the poor aim, there's not much hair left up there anyway). :-)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7Hw0FX_dQzSnZFV8Y2sMB61TSPqZo-lf8HY_Kur8lRqqbzpffcsOG8xS2ZSn9UQEqx67fZv6Muk2696r8sPIya1zfIM5gl8IOX0Wzl6SYXkBXEHh_Tm2WFXUJoaEHLd6nroY8DSK0nw/s1600-h/OSIM2008_Ready2Go.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222428334888474226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7Hw0FX_dQzSnZFV8Y2sMB61TSPqZo-lf8HY_Kur8lRqqbzpffcsOG8xS2ZSn9UQEqx67fZv6Muk2696r8sPIya1zfIM5gl8IOX0Wzl6SYXkBXEHh_Tm2WFXUJoaEHLd6nroY8DSK0nw/s400/OSIM2008_Ready2Go.jpg" border="0" /></a>I arrived more than an hour before my wave starts, which gave me loads of time to fuss over my transition area. I even had time to watch some of the elite triathletes flying by the transition area - man, they are fast!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Swim (2 X 750m)</span><br />While waiting for the swim, I overhead the announcers making multiple warnings of a rough swim due to strong winds - seems the fastest swim by the "elites" has dropped from 16min (last year) to 21min. That's a whopping 30% increase! I tried not to think about it too much, and got in a quick warm-up swim, and sure enough, it was choppy. I even managed to drink some yucky sea water in the warm-up swim thanks to the chop. Not good.<br />Nervous minutes ticked by and it was my wave start. Perhaps having the mental expectation of a tough swim helped, and I did not struggle too much. I tried to relax and just bob along with the waves, so the swim did not turn out as uncomfortable as the <a href="http://life-2-d-full.blogspot.com/2008/02/race-report-nus-biathlon.html">NUS Biathlon</a>. Still, there was lots of physical contact pretty much throughout the swim because the current was causing us to bunch up into groups. I even got kicked in the face twice by guys swimming breast stroke - which is exactly why I use a swim mask instead of those tiny goggles. Swim Time: >50mins.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Bike (4 X 10km)</span><br />The good thing about being a slow swimmer is that there is loads of room at the transition to put on my socks and cycling shoes. :-) I have always liked cycling, so was happy to be able to pick up the pace from the start and catch quite a few people early on. I don't like to fuss with HRM/speed/cadence meters in races. I like to just feel the wind in my face, and hear the buzz from the drive train. I had decided to put a bottle of Gatorade on the bike (which I would finish during the bike leg) and also a gel for "spare". The 1st 3 laps went by in a blur, and I was having fun. Lap 4 is when I started to tire, and I just could not keep up the pace and stay on the aero bars consistently. The sun was bearing down and I could feel the uncomfortable feeling that my entire back is dry and hot - mental note: maybe bring a bottle of water instead next time so I can splash some on my head and back. I decided to take the gel and wash it down with Gatorade - yummy! Decided to slow down and leave some strength for the run. Bike time: 1:20?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Run (2 X 5km)</span><br />The run was a totally different matter - I just never got up to pace on the run. It felt like I was just "surviving" and trying to make the distance. Somehow the 5km loop felt like it was going on forever - Mental note: maybe I gotta check the run distance sensor on my Polar, perhaps I am running short during training. Turning back for the 2nd 5km loop was a real morale buster - it was all I could do to keep running and not give up. Out of the blue, it started raining - a sudden tropical downpour. I didn't exactly pray for rain, but I did tell R1 & R2 that if it rained, it might be a good thing because the noon sun can be pretty terrible in this part of the world. I was thankful for the rain, it brought cool relief, but the downpour soon soaked my shoes and made them heavy and uncomfortable. I gotta be careful what I wish for, I guess. :-) Somewhere along the 2nd loop, I gave up my target time of 60mins and re-set the target to just being able to complete without walking. I was telling myself, "God brought the rain, you better not give up." :-) Run time: 1:10 (?)<br /><br />So all in, a tough event for me. I did wear my trusty Timex, but I managed to mess up the lap times, so you will have to wait for the official results to see how I did. I did not put in quite as much training as I would have liked, so I am very thankful to be able to finally complete my first Olympic Distance Triathlon. There's actually a Night Olympic Triathlon in Oct, but that's the LAST thing I wanna think about right now. :o)Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-42489694720748999992008-07-11T23:26:00.001-07:002008-07-14T05:40:54.143-07:00All Packed and Ready to Go<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXr_SHsy0uxDi_oGUXqOzTXbdJ40jjNPOTniAYR3XFjEAI60D59ZWdF-57xvhQba-Y0hwhXtUfpOfl0OMIuplyvHgmtlSFIWW00kyyUPSvXfFr6nCaUWf_rSxDOrcLE6Yhte3fbxXIl4/s1600-h/OSIM2008_Packed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222011660321123490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXr_SHsy0uxDi_oGUXqOzTXbdJ40jjNPOTniAYR3XFjEAI60D59ZWdF-57xvhQba-Y0hwhXtUfpOfl0OMIuplyvHgmtlSFIWW00kyyUPSvXfFr6nCaUWf_rSxDOrcLE6Yhte3fbxXIl4/s400/OSIM2008_Packed.jpg" border="0" /></a>I have rather mixed feelings as I packed for tomorrow. I am thankful to be able to train and participate, but would have liked to put in more training. Then again, I guess I will always like to have put in more training. :-)<br /><br />This will be my 1st real attempt at a Olympic Distance Triathlon - <a href="http://kewlnitrox.blogspot.com/2007/07/my-inaugral-olympic-distance-triathlon.html">the same event got rained out last year</a> and it so discouraged me that I actually stopped blogging for quite a while. When I look back, I may have been just as physically ready then as I am now, but mentally perhaps I just wasn't ready for it last year. A lot of thoughts are going thru my mind right now: With a late start (my wave starts at 1040am), would it get too hot? I did most of my training in the coolness of the morning or evening, will I be able to cope with the weather? Is my fueling plan correct? I will be biking/running through lunch-time, will I get hungry? Will it rain, and would my GP4000 tyres grip well in the wet? Is it gonna be strong currents like the <a href="http://life-2-d-full.blogspot.com/2008/02/race-report-nus-biathlon.html">NUS Biathlon</a>? I usually get stitches in my sides in races, will they come back to haunt me again tomorrow? I had planned to do some light training during taper week, but I had to go to Manila and just could not squeeze in any training - have I lost form during taper week?<br /><br />Then again, I think back 3-4 years ago when I could hardly swim 100m, bike 20km or run 5km, and was 16kg heavier than I am now, I guess I have come a long way. It has been frustrating many a time for me to note just how GRADUAL the improvements in speed and distance are coming along, but I cannot deny that I have gotten faster and fitter over the years. Am I going to complete the race tomorrow? I can't be 100% sure. But I am reminded that it is this uncertainty that draws me to Triathlons - the uncertainty that forces me to be humble and to just depend on Him.<br /><br />God Willing, I will finish my 1st Olympic Distance Triathlon tomorrow. See you at the finish line.Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-47981564397250067302008-07-06T06:35:00.000-07:002008-07-14T05:40:24.286-07:00One Last S-T-R-E-T-C-HYesterday was my last STRETCH workout before the Olympic Distance Triathlon next Sunday:<br /><ul><li>Swam: 550m front crawl, 440m kicking (with buoy), 440m pulling (with buoy), 550m front crawl - total distance swam 1980m</li><li>Biked: 67km</li><li>Ran: 7.5km</li></ul>Think I am ready? Somewhere between now and next Sunday is when I start asking myself questions like: Can I really do this? What was I thinking when I signed up? Wouldn't it be really embarassing if I got fished out of the sea during the swim? I wonder how many people in mountain bikes are gonna pass me in my carbon tricked-out speed machine? I just gotta take my own medicine and remember to <a href="http://life-2-d-full.blogspot.com/2008/06/lord-establish-my-thoughts.html">commit my works to the LORD</a>. HE will see me thru, AMEN!Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-2301086284559414422008-06-30T18:29:00.000-07:002008-06-30T18:52:01.562-07:00LORD, Establish My Thoughts!<p>According to my inbox, I am now 167 days into into my <a href="http://www.bibleinayear.org/">http://www.bibleinayear.org/</a> reading plan, and 37 days behind schedule, so I slowly but steadily making progress to catch up. :-)</p><p>I have finished reading the book of Proverbs, and am going thru 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. A particular verse really spoke to me:</p><p>"<em>Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established</em>." (Proverbs 16:3, NKJV) </p><p>I have been rather unsettled lately, there just seems so much to think about in just about every aspect of my life - my job, family, even training. This verse reminds me that everything that I do, I am to commit to the Lord. Meaning, whatever I do, I do unto the Lord and to the best of my abilities/resources, and then I leave the <strong>OUTCOME</strong> to God. Only then, will my thoughts be truly established - i.e. only then, will I have true peace.</p><p>So at work, there may be uncertainties around changing job scope, but I just do what I can for the good of the company and the people I work with, and leave the rest to God. If my job scope increases, I praise God for enlarging my tent and use my increased influence to do more for Him. If my job scope reduces, I praise God that He is in charge and gives me the work that He wants me to do. </p><p>In training, even though I have lost 4 weeks of training and my 1st Olympic Distance Triathlon is less than 2 weeks away, I just enjoy the training I can still put in, and leave the outcome to God. If I complete the triathlon, I praise God that He gave me the strength and fitness to do so. If I have to pull out halfway, I praise God that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and for the priviledge of being able to swim, bike and run.</p><p>In my family, I accept that it is a journey with God, and trust Him to provide for us, protect us and lead us, come what may. I hold onto the truth that His will is to prosper us and not to harm us, and that Jesus has already come to destroy the works of the devil, and He has left us the Holy Spirit to continue to do so and establish His kingdom here on earth.</p><p>It's funny how the most powerful truths in God's kingdom are also the really simple ones. Truly our God is an awesome and wise God. Amen!</p>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-27209360794292059312008-06-30T05:22:00.000-07:002008-06-30T18:14:09.691-07:00New Helmet - Uvex Boss Race<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo5_ADAVQXBIqvxeCszNkv4ylp2mtNMqnqP_RvKFeuYJymKpkT3Gbs3Ybk7fa7VGKDg6Zt7jr8AV_CNUqT0Lp4huy8GlZqM4Zx2yMALdWyRSW5uyUPzWS79d3y_XX1DcUkav7Pg13h5s/s1600-h/MET-cracked.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217651376959181122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo5_ADAVQXBIqvxeCszNkv4ylp2mtNMqnqP_RvKFeuYJymKpkT3Gbs3Ybk7fa7VGKDg6Zt7jr8AV_CNUqT0Lp4huy8GlZqM4Zx2yMALdWyRSW5uyUPzWS79d3y_XX1DcUkav7Pg13h5s/s200/MET-cracked.jpg" border="0" /></a>Sorry the picture turned out quite small, but if you look VERY carefully, you will see that I managed to crack my helmet - a MET Sfero (only 2+ years old). Don't worry, I didn't fall or anything. Not entirely sure why it developed a hair-line crack. I get to buy a replacement helmet (same model) for half price, which I will sell to buy this beauty - the Uvex Boss race helmet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenU6cOkHNYw3mu35OYRIWMVMZcOu4rOjdyk8m88L3-oLpJ0wqyehcOzmzKHiQw_ug9LZOLDxF5iRplaCKRZVhYhoM0-xPF0FQvJOIDI0JZPAozJwvCkzRrKzqmRpKBxrmqbMbGeX96MQ/s1600-h/UVEX_boss_race.jpg"><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217651715052242690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenU6cOkHNYw3mu35OYRIWMVMZcOu4rOjdyk8m88L3-oLpJ0wqyehcOzmzKHiQw_ug9LZOLDxF5iRplaCKRZVhYhoM0-xPF0FQvJOIDI0JZPAozJwvCkzRrKzqmRpKBxrmqbMbGeX96MQ/s400/UVEX_boss_race.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br />Why didn't I just use the replacement helmet? Well, because the replacement helmet did not meet the most important requirement for bicycle helmets. It did not match the colour of my bicycle. :-) Yes a poor reason for spending twice my budget for a helmet, but middle aged men are vain that way. In fact the helmet cost so much that I am also selling my Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels and <a href="http://kewlnitrox.blogspot.com/2007/05/rubbers-gels.html">Vredestein Fortezza Tricomps</a> racing clinchers. Had intended to keep them as training wheels, but <a href="http://life-2-d-full.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-carbon-wheels.html">my new carbon aero wheels</a> are so sturdy that I will just use them as both training and race wheels.<br /><br />So PLEASE tell me that my new helmet matches my bike perfectly... :-D<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_fjpgy7Bq-HIqAM-F3W0I8igJyLFA_efpdIOzhol90epjzKg3c1z5fDHcijMCbEHEXBiKIXkewHK4GfiIiEOV2iKQatbqRsKWMkQ1dlDRJJ2b0-vnFHRK7YU3KnKjCIdVwNBYhGBk_o/s1600-h/Bike-Helmet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217652691659686210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_fjpgy7Bq-HIqAM-F3W0I8igJyLFA_efpdIOzhol90epjzKg3c1z5fDHcijMCbEHEXBiKIXkewHK4GfiIiEOV2iKQatbqRsKWMkQ1dlDRJJ2b0-vnFHRK7YU3KnKjCIdVwNBYhGBk_o/s400/Bike-Helmet.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p>2 weeks from my 1st Olympic Distance Triathlon which means 6 more training days before my 1 week taper. Thankfully I did not seem to have lost much fitness in the 4 weeks of on-again/off-again training, God Willing, I will complete it.</p>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-8304098568767265162008-06-24T04:52:00.000-07:002008-06-24T05:13:49.986-07:00World's 1st Night Triathlon in Singapore!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa4EsTqTDgrSjxwAiqjXppWy_k6THGXAv8Da7bxxJwqft1qV4xH7qe7qmmr-ZULd3KtQ_QG2tSTs8QwdW2RHcsNrAUommvUDYDGHF3EK3XTJH2YYAuwEoB7pZzyQWLcv2hj9QfhATdzA/s1600-h/singapore-nite-tri.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215419183583227154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa4EsTqTDgrSjxwAiqjXppWy_k6THGXAv8Da7bxxJwqft1qV4xH7qe7qmmr-ZULd3KtQ_QG2tSTs8QwdW2RHcsNrAUommvUDYDGHF3EK3XTJH2YYAuwEoB7pZzyQWLcv2hj9QfhATdzA/s400/singapore-nite-tri.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Just when I was mulling over how to be ready for the OSIM International Triathlon on 13th July, this popped up in the local newspaper - <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_250073.html">World's 1st Night Triathlon in Singapore</a> (18th Oct). Not sure if there is an element of over-enthusiastic news reporting with regards to the "World's 1st" part, but a night triathlon sure sounds interesting when day time temperatures hovers from 30 to 33 C (85 to 90 F).<br /></div><br /><div>I am very tempted to sign up for this one, especially since my training plan for the coming OSIM International Triathlon got de-railed by business travels, vacation and illness. The article above says that it will be a time trial swim start, which will be a welcome break from the usual "kick ya goggles off" mass start. It also says that "the swim course will ... follow the coastline, instead of the out-and-back swim courses seen in regular triathlons". That would also be another interesting change. The bike and run route will be right in the city/CBD (<a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Singapore/Central_Business_District">Central Business District</a>) area, which should be quite fun - usually these roads are chock-a-block with vehicular traffic and probably not ideal for a ride or run.<br /></div><br /><div>Early bird registration ends on 15th July, and I am guessing that it is not an accident that this is 2 days after the OSIM International Triathlon. I think like many others, I will make up my mind after OSIM. :-)</div>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-33939845416150988682008-06-20T23:53:00.000-07:002008-06-21T00:21:44.254-07:00Intimacy<div>I am now 153 days into into my <a href="http://www.bibleinayear.org/">http://www.bibleinayear.org/</a> reading plan, and a 40 days behind schedule, so I have caught up a little. </div><br /><br /><div>Today I my readings bring me to the Song of Songs, and it feels like things have come full circle. Back in Dec 2006, at our bi-annual church camp, this was where the speaker pointed me to. He told to look into the Song of Songs to find <strong>intimacy</strong> with God. He also said that when I have intimacy with God, others will see the presence of God in my life. I must confess that I don't think I have reached a deeper level of intimacy with God. I try to read His Word regularly, and I try to pray regularly, but I don't think I have grown significantly more <strong>intimate </strong>with God. I still feel as though I am too pre-occupied with this world - my job, family, training, etc... Please continue to pray for a break though for me in this area.</div><br /><br /><div>Talking about training, I am getting anxious. I am finally getting better (sore throat is gone and I have stopped snortin'/hackin' out greenish stuff), but I have lost 4 weeks of training to business travels, vacation/church camp and this virus attack. The OSIM Triathlon (my 1st Oly Tri ever - last year's race got rained out) is 4 weeks away, which means I have the next 3 weeks to pile on the training before tapering on the 4th week. I don't even know what I should be doing anymore - will the training I put in these 3 weeks even make any difference to my race form on Jul 13th, or is it just a mental/confidence exercise? I really do not want to pull out from the race, so I will probably just take it easy and if I can't finish it, tough.</div><br /><br /><div>The positive side of not being to train is more time with the family, which is always a welcome thing. This week is the last week of June school holidays so it was good to be able to spend some time at the beach...</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sehDhXgeE2ZxI_jKizSeu5psTr-tJplLiR5vKiz9DmbZKjwFxnTg_gUs06W5P1BJKAHY9EONTJ3zCPYzXop3xsR4NYLabuK8NyQ5oE495bnEWe_9i5YxlI3Dk1LFLOp6zT7wI6f4E_A/s1600-h/Beach14.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214231190630504562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sehDhXgeE2ZxI_jKizSeu5psTr-tJplLiR5vKiz9DmbZKjwFxnTg_gUs06W5P1BJKAHY9EONTJ3zCPYzXop3xsR4NYLabuK8NyQ5oE495bnEWe_9i5YxlI3Dk1LFLOp6zT7wI6f4E_A/s400/Beach14.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-74601600897296179632008-06-16T20:45:00.000-07:002008-06-16T21:05:07.422-07:00God-Who-ForgivesAccording to my mailbox, I am 146 days into my <a href="http://www.bibleinayear.org/">http://www.bibleinayear.org/</a> reading plan, and a whopping 43 days behind schedule!<br /><br />Just came across this verse that speaks so much about our God's nature:<br />"... You were to them God-Who-Forgives,<br />Though You took vengeance on their deeds." Psalm 99:8<br /><br />Truly He forgives the sinner yet punishes the sin. Praise God!<br /><br />I am less than a month away from <a href="http://life-2-d-full.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-1st-olympic-distance-triathlon-again.html">my 1st Olympic Distance Triathlon (again)</a>, and it is not looking good. Training has come to pretty much a stand-still in the last few weeks due to business travels, vacation in Malaysia and I have gone from sore throat to snortin' out green stuff in the morning. Maybe I will call it an extended taper. ;-)Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-74079559458486624812008-06-13T03:40:00.000-07:002008-06-16T21:02:58.585-07:00Beware the Comfort Zone!Comfort zone: That comfortable place in our lives where we can finally sit back, rest and coast a little (my definition). I now believe it also fertile ground for the devil to interfere with God's plan to prosper and bless us, so I am burdened in my heart to share this (rather long) message with you.<br /><br />But before that... We have been at church camp, where we were much blessed by an anointed speaker - <a href="http://www.cnl.tv/watch_us/programs.php?programID=23&language=en">Pastor Henry Madava</a>. Pastor Madava is a Zimbabwean who heads a church in Kiev, Ukraine, which in itself is a interesting testamony of the work of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Henry has the gift of teaching (he makes complex things simple) and the gift of healing. You can read some of the amazing healing testamonies from our church camp <a href="http://www.cmc.org.sg/testimonies.html">here</a>. Truly He that is in us is greater than he that is in this world, and the Holy Spirit never rests from working against the works of the devil. Praise God!<br /><br />As is often the case with anointed speakers, many things Henry spoke about jumped out at me. In particular, his preaching on Joseph and how to be a champion for God continued to play in my mind for many days after the camp. The Scripture says to test everything that we are taught (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=59&chapter=5&verse=21&version=31&context=verse">1 Thessalonians 5:21</a>), and upon prayerful reflection on his sermon on Joseph, my current readings on David, and the ups and downs in my walk with God, I am convinced that the comfort zone is a dangerous place to be. In fact, being stretched and tested seems to be a pre-requisite for growth in the Lord.<br /><br />When I look at great men that God used - like Moses, Joseph, David, etc - He never did allow them to get into any sort of comfort zone. At no point were they able to sit back and "coast" for a while. For a few years now, I have been asking God to make me more and more like Joseph and David. Joseph was blessed with success in whatever he put his hands to, and because of the Lord's favour upon him, he was a blessing to his family, boss, king and even to the nations around him. David was arguably the greatest king the Israelites ever had, and he had such initmacy with God that he was called a man after God's own heart (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=51&chapter=13&verse=22&version=50&context=verse">Acts 13:22</a>).<br /><br />But sometimes I forget that David (and Joseph) did not have it easy in life. David started fighting and killing lions and bears (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2017:34-36;&version=50;">1 Samuel 17:34-36</a>) when most of us were struggling to get to school on time! Even after his famous victory over Goliath, he had the privilege to be appointed the royal harp player to a king who would occasionally try to kill him with a spear when David was playing for him (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2018:10-11;&version=50;">1 Samuel 18:10-11</a>). After being anointed as king by God (thru Samuel), he still had to spend many years escaping/hiding from King Saul who was bent on killing him despite his repeated demonstrations of allegiance.<br /><br />Even after King Saul died, and David was finally crowned as the new king, he never really did rule in peace. The bible tells that David had to contend with the shifting alliances and personal agendas that we now call politics. For instance, David had to appoint Joab as his army commander, a man of unsavoury character who committed pre-medidated murder. Joab was a man who stooped so low as to abuse God's law to lure Abner to the gates of Hebron - one of the cities of refuge God gave to the Levites to show mercy to innocent men who accidentally kills another - and kill him there. Joab lured Abner to Hebron (despite the fact that David has reconciled with Abner and made a covenant with him) and murdered him right at the gate (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%203:20-27;&version=50;">2 Samuel 3:20-27</a>), so that he could have cold blooded revenge without facing the consequences. In fact, Joab was also the one who finally killed David's son, Absalom, despite strict instruction from David to his army not to harm him. Imagine being David and having to live with one such as this leading all your army - it truly gives me pause when I start to complain about "problematic" staff that I have to manage at work!<br /><br />And when did David finally fall, and kill one of his most loyal and dilligent soldiers to steal his wife Bathsheba? It was "at the time when kings go out to battle", but David sent Joab and stayed behind in the <strong>comfort</strong> of Jerusalem (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Sam%2011:1;&version=50;">2 Samuel 11:1</a>). Perhaps that was when David finally got into a comfort zone, when his armies was at war, but he felt that he need not go with them anymore. Instead, he was in his house in Jerusalem, when he arose from his bed, walked on the roof of his house, and saw Bathsheba, which then led to a whole string of sin, deception and finally murder. Compare that to Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, who refused to go into the comfort of his own house despite being called back to Jerusalem by King David, because his loyalty to his commander and his fellow troops would not allow him to do so, when they were all still out there in the battlefield (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Sam%2011:6-13;&version=50;">2 Samuel 11:6-13</a>). For his sin, David paid a heavy price and lost a son.<br /><br />Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to explain why I feel there is cause for us to beware the comfort zone - just like in Tri training, if we are not stretching, we are probably not growing stronger. But the message is not all doom and gloom, because even though tests in life come to tempt us to give up on God, He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2010:13;&version=50;">1 Corinthians 10:13</a>), and we know that what does not destroy us, only makes us stronger. Amen!Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-14130992022933527952008-06-12T22:09:00.000-07:002008-06-16T21:03:22.185-07:00Proudly Brought to You by the Youth of CMCFound this quite by accident on YouTube. Written and performed by the youths in our church - <a href="http://www.cmc.org.sg/">Christ Methodist Church</a>. I am SO proud of our youths. Sometimes looking at them, it is easy to think that they are just another noisy, rebellious bunch. But it is very inspiring and humbling to see that despite the many distractions/snares out there, our youths are walking and rocking with Jesus. Praise God, truly He that is in us is greater than he that is in this world. Amen!<br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0tG1_AIDV30&hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-8341121872249344642008-06-09T21:07:00.000-07:002008-06-16T21:03:44.167-07:00Mr RobotoKewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-80510668981870703272008-05-31T02:58:00.000-07:002008-05-31T03:08:39.665-07:00My 1st Olympic Distance Triathlon (Again)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixikvwahcFnn7F_IHxqeVvG_XezPf9mzTrtfOVMtydVgzhN5EvQFiiB0dtGAO0TDt29SaHmO_pbGq8TQ9uzITutfXkuKsBsU1b8f-g8PNhDSYUUdjONRUoqo1ERB3CjTXBmNNUbNHiD2g/s1600-h/OSIM.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206479470868865746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixikvwahcFnn7F_IHxqeVvG_XezPf9mzTrtfOVMtydVgzhN5EvQFiiB0dtGAO0TDt29SaHmO_pbGq8TQ9uzITutfXkuKsBsU1b8f-g8PNhDSYUUdjONRUoqo1ERB3CjTXBmNNUbNHiD2g/s400/OSIM.jpg" border="0" /></a>I'm off to church camp for a week, and when I am back, I will be a month away from my 1st Olympic Distance Triathlon (again) - <a href="http://kewlnitrox.blogspot.com/2007/07/my-inaugral-olympic-distance-triathlon.html">got rained out last year</a>. I'm not quite as prepared as I would like to be (and learning that I will probably never be quite as prepared as I would like to be), so I will aim to complete and not compete in my 1st O. D. Tri.<br /><br />Given that training opportunities at church camp will be limited, I am pretty much counting on current fitness levels to pull me thru. I am now running 17km long slow runs (in 2 hours), 2.2km pool swims (in a little less than 55 mins), and 60km bike rides (followed by 5km transition run). Let's hope that enough. :-)Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-40508480326247578442008-05-24T01:41:00.000-07:002008-05-24T01:46:29.782-07:00R1 & R2 Up the Ante!What is it about human nature that makes us want to keep doing things faster and better. To swim smoother, bike faster, run longer, and to go from 1 Hula Hoop to 2? ;-)<br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_jKhnpIqDj8&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_jKhnpIqDj8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hi4_jzwyGgM&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hi4_jzwyGgM&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940262653801206208.post-76241158073905420252008-05-15T19:06:00.000-07:002008-06-16T21:04:43.367-07:00Wonderfully Apt1 Chronicles 1-10, 2 Samuel 1-4, Psalm 17, 121-125, 128-130, 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21, 43-45, 49, 84, 85, 87, 73, 77, 78, 81, 88, 92 ,93, 102-104 (13 days from <a href="http://www.bibleinayear.org/">http://www.bibleinayear.org/</a>). In short, I am making SLOW progress catching up.<br /><br />I believe one of the manifestations of the miracle of God's living word is how it is so wonderfully apt even today despite the huge change in historical/geographical/cultural context. This time, Psalms 73 really spoke to me, and I can find no better words to express how I have been feeling than these:<br /><br /><strong>Psalms 73 (New King James)</strong><br /><br /><em>1 Truly God is good to Israel,</em><br /><em>To such as are pure in heart. </em><br /><em>2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;</em><br /><em>My steps had nearly slipped. </em><br /><em>3 For I was envious of the boastful,</em><br /><em>When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>4 For there are no pangs in their death,</em><br /><em>But their strength is firm. </em><br /><em>5 They are not in trouble as other men,</em><br /><em>Nor are they plagued like other men. </em><br /><em>6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace;</em><br /><em>Violence covers them like a garment. </em><br /><em>7 Their eyes bulge[a] with abundance;</em><br /><em>They have more than heart could wish. </em><br /><em>8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;</em><br /><em>They speak loftily. </em><br /><em>9 They set their mouth against the heavens,</em><br /><em>And their tongue walks through the earth. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>10 Therefore his people return here,</em><br /><em>And waters of a full cup are drained by them. </em><br /><em>11 And they say, “How does God know?</em><br /><em>And is there knowledge in the Most High?” </em><br /><em>12 Behold, these are the ungodly,</em><br /><em>Who are always at ease;</em><br /><em>They increase in riches. </em><br /><em>13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,</em><br /><em>And washed my hands in innocence.</em><br /><em>14 For all day long I have been plagued,</em><br /><em>And chastened every morning.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”</em><br /><em>Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children. </em><br /><em>16 When I thought how to understand this,</em><br /><em>It was too painful for me— </em><br /><em>17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;</em><br /><em>Then I understood their end. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>18 Surely You set them in slippery places;</em><br /><em>You cast them down to destruction. </em><br /><em>19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!</em><br /><em>They are utterly consumed with terrors. </em><br /><em>20 As a dream when one awakes,</em><br /><em>So, Lord, when You awake,</em><br /><em>You shall despise their image.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>21 Thus my heart was grieved,</em><br /><em>And I was vexed in my mind. </em><br /><em>22 I was so foolish and ignorant;</em><br /><em>I was like a beast before You. </em><br /><em>23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;</em><br /><em>You hold me by my right hand. </em><br /><em>24 You will guide me with Your counsel,</em><br /><em>And afterward receive me to glory.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>25 Whom have I in heaven but You?</em><br /><em>And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. </em><br /><em>26 My flesh and my heart fail;</em><br /><em>But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;</em><br /><em>You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. </em><br /><em>28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;</em><br /><em>I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,</em><br /><em>That I may declare all Your works.</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong>Amen!</strong>Kewl Nitroxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01517712376525962375noreply@blogger.com4