Fed up with Samsung

I am fed up with the way they run their service centre....

Polar watch giving problems again

I was preparing my stuff for a run yesterday morning when I noticed that the watch had no display. I thought it shut down by itself but I could not start it. Decided to send it back for a check. Went to the svc ctr by MRT and I really like the stress-free way of just taking public transport and not having to worry about ERP charges, parking charges and also trying to find a parkng lot in the CBD area.

The people at the service centre were quite taken aback by me appearing again within a short period. I insisted that they do a fine-tooth comb check and it need be, replace the whole unit with a new one.

This morning after a short run, they called. It turned out that there was an exceptionally high power consumption and they replaced the whole mother board. Hopefully, it will be ok until the next service is due.

I seriously need to get below 2h10m for my SBR.

Hello....I can hear u....

Of Polar battery and air-conditioners

It was a case of a weak battery. Sent my Polar watch and heart rate monitor to the Boon Tat St svc ctr and decided to leave both components there for them to check. At about 2 this afternoon they called to say that both items were ready for collection. Took the MRT to town this morning because I did not want to have to incur the parkng charges plus the fact that it is very hard to get a lot in town. It sure feels great to go the public route occasionally and leave the car at home. Saves $$$ and i do not need to worry about parking availability and charges. Furthermore, I can take the opportunity to do some brisk walking from the MRT station to the svc centre.

Managed to service my air con units earlier today. In fact, it was my neighbour who called us asking if we wanted to get it serviced since she was getting hers checked. Saw that they changed their old units which was beyond economical repair due to age. It was then I realised that the air con unit in my home has been in service about 13 years ago when the preivous owner 1st moved in. Had a chat with the air con techicians and based on his expertise, my unit was under utilised because the average life span for home units is about 7 years. Asked him what is the damage if I need to replace the entire unit once this current one packs up and he quoted me a little below 3k. It sounds reasonable but I am hoping that it will last for another year or so before it finally retires due to obvious financial constraints.

I really respect this technician for his professionalism and long-term commitment. Since I have 4 units at home, he took a look at all of them and said only 2 need to be serviced. Since the other 2 were still ok, he told me to save that extra money. This is very respectable as he could have simply earned and extra 60 bucks yet he chose to go on a long-term relationship by only doing what is necessary. So when the air con at home finally decides to let go, I know who to call.

My Polar watch

1st it was the footpod. Now the watch. I wanted to use it for a run yesterday and imagine the shock I got when I realised that the battery in the watch had gone flat. There was totally no display. Seems like there is a faulty battery just like the footpod. Probably I will send it to the service centre on Monday and I might also ask them to check the heart rate monitor battery as well.

The weather these days has been quite warm. This makes it a perfect chance to get a nice tan. I have been going to the CSC opposite for a nice tan and cooling off in the pool. Perhaps I might take a trip to Sentosa one of these days to get a tan by the beach?

Aiming to resume running sometime this week

It has been more than a week since the SD and what a bad timing to fall ill immediately after that overnight marathon. I guess it was due to fatigue and also because Esther was already ill then. Coupled with the bad weather lately it all contributed to my falling sick. This time round, my throat infection was the worst that I have ever had. It lasted for more than a week and the pain was exceedingly unbearable. Even swallowing any fluids was painful. The 1st round of antibiotics was ineffective so I had to be given another dosage with steriods to control the discomfort. Usually, after 48 hrs of administering antibiotics, I should feel the effectiveness or otherwise. After the 2nd medication, I can feel that it is working. Hopefully once I finish the course on wednesday, I can aim to start running on friday?

There is just about 3 months to the SBR and I am determined to do a PB (personal best) this year. Hope to break below the 2h10m mark which will be a great morale booster to perhaps aim for a sub 5h45m for the SCSM in Dec. For now, my long term aim (in the next year or 2) is to get below 5h15m for a 42.195km so that I am confident enough to try for the Stanchart HK Marathon. I guess going for the 2010 one is quite difficult so let's work at the 2011 Stanchart HK Marathon. I have ever said that I will probably try the 84 km ultramarathon just for the feel of it. Perhaps in 3 years?

Turkish GP Qualifying

That English Man failed to make the cut once again. Yet his fellow countryman continued to get into the front row though not in pole position. I still think that at this time it is still premature to write off That English Man from retaining his world driver's title. HOpefully this will be a humbling experience for him for his arrogance and stuck-up attitude.

Sundown Marathon 09

This is my 3rd full marathon and the second time which I ran through the night. Route wise it was virtually identical to that of last years except for small changes especially at the end point which many felt a little cheated. Perhaps it was due to the narrow bridge which would hamper the finishers to be obstructed by non-runners or those who have finished earlier and were leaving the venue.

My footpod showed a low battery warning red light even before the race began. I was wonderign how can a 2 mth old device fail so quickly. Perhaps it is the battery that is a victim of not complying with the 'first-in-first-out' principle.

The humid weather made it so stuffy especially at water points. But I am so thankful that it did not rain. I recall last year when I actually stopped at a bus shelter to avoid the heavy thunderstorm.

Throughout the race, there were times when i really wanted to make this my last night marathon. Especially when running through the heartlands and hearing the aircondioners running and hardly any bedroom lights on sure made me feel like throwing in the towel and heading back to my bed. But i pressed on and finished it.

Getting hold of that finishers medal and t-shirt made all the cramps, sweat and other not-so-good aspects seem insignificant.

What now? Time to relax and stretch those muscles before going for recovery runs. Now to focus on the SBR 21k, NB Real Run, Swissotel Vertical Marathon and the pinnacle of all running events: Stanchart Sg Marathon.