Old Plans

Posted on April 30, 2013 by joannesclimb

As I have said, I have old plans. Old plans because I am revisiting Mt Rinjani (June), and Mt Elbrus (July), and Island Peak (Oct). To stick to my old plans, I need to TRAIN doubly hard! And Yes, I have started the old training plans (hahaha). Run, stair climb, trail walk. Boring, but effective!

(L – R) Joanne, Keng, Boon, Ramenster. Our first training for a mountain.

We did 6 x 30 storey of stair climb.

My backpack load: about 8kg

Pacing: avg 9min per 30 storey

Aim: avg 8min per 30 storey

Frankly, I felt my legs turned jelly when I was into the last set. By now, I also feel a little soreness on my calf. It won’t be easy for me to get in shape so soon, but surely with some pain and hard work, I will get there.

New shoes Old plans

Posted on April 24, 2013 by joannesclimb

I spent a weekend at Queensway Shopping Centre to hunt for a new pair of running shoes, and trail shoes. Queensway Shopping Centre is still one of the favorite shopping malls by many. I am impressed, many shops had new branding and offer more choices than before.

After shortlisted a few pairs of shoes, I made up my mind to stick to Asics. Asics is still my favorite brand of choice. Now, I have no reason not to run.

Tranquil MacRitchie on CNY day

Posted on February 3, 2011 by joannesclimb

MacRitchie was pretty quiet this morning, I saw some visitors but mostly were those who do not celebrate Chinese new year (based on assumption as they are non-chinese) . I went for a 10km jog. Pretty usual on a weekday morning, but the kayaking area was extremely quiet. I spotted a lady lying on the platform reading a book, having a good time by herself. Then it strike me to think that MacRitchie Reservoir used to be so serene and tranquil. Now with the bustling kayaking training participated by schools, that area seems very messy and noisy at times. However, MacRitchie reservoir is indeed an ideal place for kayaking training, for we do not have many choices. Got to give and take.

I ran passed families, groups of friends strolling in the trail, and a couple of others who went there to run/jog. I overheard a lady, she didn’t sound like she is a local, who was amazed that the reservoir forms part of our drinking water. She plainly pointed out to her friend and said ” this is the drinking water? so dirty!?” haha, I laughed to myself. Should I walk to her to explain to her about the water treatment system we have here?

Midnight Ramble

Posted on January 9, 2011 by joannesclimb

With less than 4 weeks to my departure to Aconcagua, the highest in South America, I am pushing my training harder. Two days ago, I organised a night walk with the team. Often than not, the summit attempt happens after midnight; anxiety caused by stress and fear would prevent us from having a good rest, not to mention sleep. The objective of the night walk was to prepare ourselves for sleep deprivation climb.

After a days work, the team met at MacRitchie Reservoir Park at 9.30pm, with a loaded pack each. We all loaded our packs with unusually heavy loads, among us, our packs weigh between 16kg and 25kg. We needed to practice load carrying as we will be ferrying our personal and team gear from camp to camp.

Klaus diligently weighs each of our packs’ load

I have always encouraged everyone to take note of the load that we train with. Knowing exactly how much we each can carry is important. It is also a crucial skill for mountaineers to be able to estimate personal backpack load so as to be able to moderate the load as the expedition goes.

I am extremely impressed with the 3 petite ladies who are able to lug a backpack load of 16-18kg for 7hrs. They have started with a humble load of 10kg when we first started our team training in August 2010.Obviously, the training had paid off.

Most of us carried water with us, simply because if need to, can easily be off-loaded. Other than that, we have books, t-shirts, food etc. I have a mahjong set and two 50m condemn climbing ropes in my pack. My pack weighs about 20kg.

We called this madness midnight ramble.

A madness pose before the start of the walk

We started at 10pm. We covered a total distance of 21km, about 60% on trail, with some short breaks between distances of 3km and 4km.

One of the best pit stops we had was at an Esso patrol kiosk along Dunearn Road. It was already 4am by then. We bought sugared drinks, some of us had ice cream. I had a Magnum! one of my favourites where I indulge myself with only if I had train hard, train well.

Vinnie threw herself next to the ice cooler to enjoy her paddle pop in isolation

Carmen (L) and Seow Thong parked themselves next to the pump station

At 5am (still pretty much alive), we were happy to see this overhead bridge as that would mean that MacRitchie Reservoir Park is near

Our target was to return to MacRitchie before 6am. We walked along Adam Road, passed the PIE entrances/exits, our mood was high, we were looking forward to a hearty breakfast. We arrived at MacRitchie Reservoir Park at 5.25am. Happy with the walk, we adjourned for breakfast at Upper Thomson Road.

Our runs, stairs and Bukit Timah trail climb training is on-going till the week that we will depart. I guess we are pretty much prepared except for the packing and some last minute shopping for additional gear. How I wish I could shop for “Luck”, priceless. Cheer us on, please.

Training No Enuf

Posted on October 12, 2010 by joannesclimb

I was panting really hard on my last set of stairs last evening. Carmen had to push me a little by a little, as if coaxing a young kid who were at the verge of giving up. I was lagging behind her at the mid level. I refused to lift my head to look at the floor number. “Come on, this is the last set” … I picked up my pace, breath harder and step by step went up the stairs … “10 more floors to go” … ouch! You mean we are only at the 20th floor? I talked to myself, and still, I refused to lift my head to confirm that. I now quite understood what is like to breath from a straw. I felt constricted all over my chest, I cannot extend my diaphragm unless I lift my head and lean back. I went on as if like having an asthma attack on the next few floors (if that’s indeed how asthmatic patient felt when suffering from an asthma attack*). I cannot recall how many turns I had done as I refused to count (self denial). Then I felt a breeze entering from the window … it was only then that I was sure I was near the top. I eventually lifted my head, more air gush through the airway that raised my chest, and I spotted a number 28, two more floors to go. What a relieve. The final push was tough, my legs felt jellied. The last set was only the 6th! Darn, I better buck up.

30 storey / Number of sets: 6
Load: 15kg (last set probably 14kg cos I almost finished my 1.5ltrs of water)
Time taken for each set:
Set 1: 7min 40sec
Set 2: 8min 08sec
Set 3: 8min 35sec
Set 4: 9min 15sec
Set 5: 9min 52sec
Set 6: 8min 25sec
Average: 8min 45sec

Mood: I thought I can be stronger since I just came back from climbing Mt Rinjani carrying 13kg load on average during the trek. But I was wrong, obviously! So TIRED!

After completing my 6 sets, and Carmen completed 8 sets

*Note: Asthma attack is typically narrowing of airways that makes it difficult for air to be exhaled (breathed out) from the lungs. When someone is suffering from an asthma attack, allow the patient to lean forward (sort of like a sit-up position with the chest near [but not touching] to the knees) to prevent further resistance to exhaling.

Stairway to Acon!

Posted on September 28, 2010 by joannesclimb

The stairway

Training resume! At last, I am back to climbing stairs at Blk 21 of Tiong Bahru estates 🙂 Too far from home, but I still find this block a better place for me.

We had our first stairs training (the Aconcagua team), but not all members made their first appearance. One has gone overseas, another is busy at work.

Among us, we are making short overseas climb to prepare for the grueling climb next year. Thiam Huat and I will be heading to Mt Rinjani this weekend. Seow Thong and Klaus are taking 3weeks off to climb Kilimanjaro. Carmen and Erdina are left here to train on their own.

Being our first stair climbing training (especially for Seow Thong and Thiam Huat), I set a very realistic target for everyone. 3 sets of 30storey stairs with a 10kg load. Our aim is to progressively increase the number of sets from 3 to 10 and the load of our pack from 10kg to 18kg (or more).

As we progressed to our 3rd set, I gave a quick hint to Seow Thong and Thiam Huat to push for another set, and left them with no room for negotiation. Oops! haha, the duo gladly went for another set. Kudos, they have completed 4sets of 30storey. That’s great isn’t? clap clap clap 🙂

Front (L-R) Seow Thong, Carmen / Back (L-R) Thiam Huat, Phei Sunn

Phei Sunn will be climbing Aconcagua this December, while the rest of us will make our attempt in Feb 2011. It is indeed bored to stair climb alone, glad we can be in each others company.

Mountaineering is such a sport that requires individual’s commitment and discipline to prepare the body for a grueling climb, while still very much a team sport as support from fellow climbing mates have effects to a successful journey.

Carmen (centre), Phei Sunn and I got into this familiar space, where we used to train together for Mera Peak (Nepal) and Siguniang Shan (Four Sisters mountain, Sichuan, China)

This ever familiar scene, climbers with loaded backpack plodding the void deck

Have a look at Phei Sunn’s slim and well toned legs (I am so envy of her)

This hyper bunny carries about 15kg or more and still smiling

Phei Sunn did 10sets, Carmen and I did 6sets (pale in comparison)


Our trekking boots: La Sportiva (Red – Joanne’s), Trezeta (Brown – Carmen’s), Lafuma (Purple – Phei Sunn’s) I love my La Sportiva boots – much thanks to Campers’ Corner

What a cold looking corridor (spooky?) 😀

30storeys/ 6sets: average 9mins (very leisure pace)
Load: 10kg
Mood: Happy go lucky as this was our first team training on stairs

Mountain Biking

Posted on September 5, 2010 by joannesclimb

I went for a ride on Friday morning. Ok, not a deliberate effort for a ride ride, but rather to recce part of the race route that I am planning (ace adventure challenge). Oh my, I am so rusty with my biking skills. I find getting over narrow paths a big challenge, I just cannot keep my handle bar still. Worst, I kept focusing so near to the front wheel that I was not able to fully scan what’s really ahead. I was not able to anticipate the obstacles so I kept falling or having to stop. So myopic! Metaphorically speaking, it is the like of the ability to see a bigger picture in life than to focus on small gain and to cry over spilled milk.


Mud filled legs are common, but somehow, I am dirtier than others (clumsy!)

And because I am clumsy, I tend to return with bruises and cuts. I guess I am better with carrying the bike than to ride on it. Anyway, I do enjoy riding, just that I am so out of touch with it now, it will take a while before I get back my confidence (which was already lacking).

The bruise I inflict on my own, actually, there are more on the inner thigh. Ouch!

I depended on riding to stay fit when I was preparing for the Cho Oyu climb back in 2007. Then, I was also busying preparing a race, and had not much time to hit the stairs for training. Lots of trail recce on bike and that helped me to maintain my cardiovascular fitness.

If you enjoy mountain climbing, and have no motivation to do stair climbing, you can try picking up mountain biking. It is not a full replacement of stair climbing, but mountain biking can compensate the lack of it.

Playground for a good purpose

Posted on August 22, 2010 by joannesclimb

I haven’t got a clue when have all the fitness facilities around my estates gone to. We used to have a fitness corner with benches for sit-ups, chin-up bars, and stumps for leg raise etc. That corner was my usual hang-out place after a run. I would cool down with some stretches on my legs then make a point to do 30 sit-ups before I slowly crawl home. Now, the facilities we have are for the young children and for the senior citizens. After an evening run, I was looking for a suitable place to do crunches and sit-ups, so I settle for this nicely done up playground, and I found a nice spot for myself 😀

Nicely done up playground for the young children

The rungs here look suitable for me 🙂

So, here I go, a nice spot for sit-ups and the ground was just right (well cushioned) …

I caught a glimpse of dusk falling upon my flat … pretty nice actually!

Ugly Toe Nail

Posted on August 17, 2010 by joannesclimb

Sorry, I know this is disgustingly ugly!

Ouch …

Do all climbers have ugly toe nails like MINE?

I wished that the half a piece of the nail would get off my toe quickly. I am so worried that it will get ripped off each time I wear my jeans or slip my feet into the sneaker (not wearing toe revealing shoes lah), cos I hate the pain!

Did my usual stair climb earlier. My sets and timing on a 40-storey:

Set 1: 9:19 mins
Set 2: 10:12 mins
Set 3: 9:50 mins
Set 4: 11:29mins

Training mood: I am pushing myself a little better than my last session

I still have a long way to go to get into shape.

saw trash along the stairs. yaks!

Back to mundane stairs

Posted on August 4, 2010 by joannesclimb

I know I have to start training some how. I am getting unfit and worst of all, I have put on much weight. Training has to start from ground zero as I have been slacking for quite sometime. Good fitness requires diligence to maintain. I admit, I have not done much to keep fit, other than my weekly sport climbing on easy routes :p .

I chose to start stair climbing, because it has lesser impact on my joints (so long I do not carry too heavy pack too soon). I pick a 40storey HDB block (because that’s the nearest block near to where I live where I am familiar with), Tiong Bahru blocks (my fav. actually) are too far for me. I carried a day pack that weighs about 7kg, I have completed each set at an average of 10.5 minutes per set. I managed 3 sets. I plan to start slow. I will increase the weight of my pack and the speed of ascend gradually.

My day pack: loaded a laptop, 4L of water, a book and some misc stuff

Somehow, I didn’t really enjoy climbing a 40 storey stairs, even when I was training for Mt. Everest. I always find it harder, and less motivating compared to a 30 storey stairs. Actually, there are 30-storey blocks just opposite my flat, I find it kind of weird to train around my own estates (haha, so difficult to please!). Oh well, got to bear with it, because I do not want to put in extra time to travel to further estates like Tiong Bahru. Will need to push myself a little more for now. Adaptability is key.

I was happy to complete my 2nd set on a 40 storey stairs

Since I laid off from training for a while, I was expecting some kind of muscle aches the following day. Surprisingly, all’s well! I have not really push hard enough., I guess 😦

My training schedule will be such:
Tue evening: Stair climb with load
Wed: Sport climb
Thu: Morning or late afternoon run at MacRitchie
Sat or Sun: Bukit Timah trail with load (this will call for a higher discipline and commitment :P)

Spotted a tire, so tempted to pull it off … (for AAC race :p)

Joanne's climb

Tales of a Mountain Tortoise

Category Archives: Training