A gymbunny, I will be

I am shy.

Or rather, it takes me awhile to warm up. I hover in the background, go for classes that I'd be able to be least noticed at, stand at the back. This morning, I went into an AM Muay Thai class after a long break – vacation,illness, excuse, excuse etc. All males – lithe, toned, muscular even. And me, dwaddling in. Sigh. I paced myself this time and did not want to faint once. That said, it was definitely less than 100% but, I rather that than faint unglamourously, not that there's a glamourous way to do it.

The AM class is perfect for me. Truth be told, it's a pricey membership to own so I better be there more often. I can barely tell my left and right jabs from each other. Need to get better. Last weekend was the 2nd tennis lesson and I can feel myself getting better. Next week is the third and, we get an extra hour to practice after. Awesome.

This week looks really good, activity wise. AMs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday – Muay Thai. AM Saturday, I signed up for cycling with the cycling group I wanted to try. I need more road confidence, PM Saturday, 2 hours of tennis.

A word for the wise from the foolish – Do NOT dream when you cycle, even if you are cycling on pavement. I swerved out of the pavement for a brief moment and hit the side of the curb to the road. Two words – FACE PLANT.

I literally FLEW and landed on my tummy, I have never been so thankful of my paunch. Seriously. What a wuss move, and I was about 2mins from our first mini stop – Changi Village. My insides feel slightly tender.

The pain is bearable, the humiliating and healing of my left elbow might be more torture really.

MEDICCCCCCCCCcccccc!

Oh, that and my cyclometer doesn't work. I'll have to suck it up and ask a boy to check it out for me. Damn it. Unofficial time: 32mins for 10k including a mother of a brutal climb for a newbie up towards Loyang Ave.

Absolutely the question of the afternoon during my virgin Via Ferrata experience. My dearest gym friend, K and I have been back and forth about all things adventure that we want to venture into and dragged the girls with us for a bout of climbing.

A spot of trivia – In 1914, the Italian troops built Via Ferrata routes throughout Northern Italty as supply lines to haul gear and artillery, and enable allied soldiers to ascend the steep mountain surface. Via Ferrata is known as Kletterstieg in German which translates to climbing stairs and, is a great explanation of what it involves. It is made up of a route of iron rungs, rails and cables.

We decided on BorderX located in Orchard Central, literally downtown right in the heart of shopping heaven. Having not been there before, K went for a site recee and gleefully informed me that it wasn’t in a spot where there would be many spectators. She totally lied to me. If you take the escalator from the side, it leads you STRAIGHT up to the wall. There are a couple of eating joints so, there will be people watching which is moot point when you are up there because, all you care about is where to put your damn foot/hand!

Placed in the safe hands of BorderX staffer, Yu Sueng, my climbing buddy, A and I were off to our starts. 5 rungs in, I felt like I wasn’t going to be able to complete it, a couple rungs later we got to the platform for our first break. It was not until the last 3 rungs had I TRULY considered giving up but, EJ would never forgive me if I gave up. With determination and torn skin, I reached for that last rung and, I was done. All the curses, all the sweat, all the uncertainty was worth it.

For most, completing a Via Ferrata course is perhaps a more active day. For a girl who has lost 30lbs in the last 8 months, this is a goal accomplished. A confirmation that she is stronger than she believes on most days. Gotta love that list!

Find me! Find me! No, really.

A victory sign never felt so apt.

Pictures courtesy of Ms K

Took a drive west and made it to Singapore’s only Nike Factory Outlet 

While it is not sprawling in comparison to the other Nike factory outlets I have been to (California, Perth etc), it is a substantial space for this city.

An awesome range of Nike products from clothes to footwear at truly outlet prices. During a sale, an average Nike dri fit sports bra will cost $35 (RP: $50) but, at the outlet, it goes for $28. There was a couple of items that are still in the regular sports stores that are available at the outlet for a great discount so, definitely stop by if you are in the area. 

 I left with a single item seeing how my HK trip is looming close and I need to keep my eye on my purse strings.

Nike Factory Outlet (Singapore)

West Coast Plaza

#01-63/66

Opening Hours: 11am -9pm

Tel: 6514 3125