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Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 - 22:10 SGT
Posted By: Gilbert

Four Letters


Also: I-P-P-T


The story began on the 8th of January, with my first IPPT attempt in about one and a half years resulting in:


Attempt #1:

StationScorePoints
Sit-ups333
Broad Jump212cm2
Chin-ups94
Shuttle Run10.5s3
2.4km Run13:410 (AHHH)


Strategy that day: Chin-ups first, cranked out nine, then sit-ups, where I took my time in adjusting the straps to tighten around my ankles, and used my legs to pull my torso up, following Internet advice. I once thought sit-ups were supposed to be a measure of pure core (abdominal) strength. I was mistaken.

With those two out of the way, I proceeded on to the standing broad jump, and got... 207cm. Uh-oh. I thought I used to go past 220cm without too much trouble? Tried again, 207cm again. Hmm.

Went over to do the shuttle run in a not-very-good 10.5s, with my glasses flying off on my first turn (they have been kind of problematic in most sporting activities for awhile now). Returned to the broad jump station, and hit 212cm on my final try.

Got pwned by the 2.4km run after that, and suffered some pretty severe delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in my quadriceps the next evening. Booked another go at the IPPT on the 22nd.

Training in the fortnight between the tries consisted of: Walking abit more quickly than usual, one 3km(?) run at Chinese Garden with alvin and colin, and one set of ten 400m run/walks along the Jurong Canal, where I learnt that my sense of pace was pretty bad. Playing Puerto Rico at triceo's place, watching The Fighter at Jurong Point and witnessing how to jumpstart a car battery at 2 a.m. probably all don't count.


Attempt #2:

IPPT day arrived again all too soon, and this time, I decided to try this thing called "warming-up". Felt surprisingly energetic during chin-ups, but stopped at nine good ones despite probably having a couple left in me. I had other problems awaiting me.

What's that, 36 sit-ups for 4 points? Is that even real?

Took on the broad jump with some trepidation, since this is perhaps the one station where one can't do much about the results. Achieved 216cm on the first leap, which was quite enough for my purposes, and decided to forego the second.

Clocked a disappointing 10.6s for the shuttle run (while thinking of my spectacles all the while), which however did mean that I would obtain a Pass+S$100 Incentive simply by completing the 2.4km in 12:40, or fail (and return for many training sessions) otherwise. Squeaky bum time.

First lap in 1:42. Bad pace. Managed just under four minutes for two laps, six for three, eight for four, and then ten for five, though, exactly according to plan. Controlled my breathing, chased a target a few times, and went for it in the last lap.


Okay, as expected



Recapping the "progression":

StationJan 2008May 2009Jan 8, 2011Jan 22, 2011
Sit-ups3231 (was 24 [!] in Jan 2009)3336
Broad Jump221cm216cm212cm216cm
Chin-ups3599
Shuttle Run10.2s10.1s10.5s10.6s
2.4km RunN/A12:1713:4112:00


[N.B. Data updated after realising that full records are available on ns.sg]

Conclusions: Not that much of a difference other than the chin-ups (and sit-up technique), with arguably slightly decreased explosiveness/agility (or what passes for that) - didn't feel quite "right" when jumping, as though the (insufficient) leg power wasn't being applied quickly, smoothly, or evenly enough. Something to work on.

Oh, and middle-distance running is largely a matter of training and mental strength - but we all know that already, don't we?

Objectives for next year:
  • Three more sit-ups (not alot, right?)
  • 23 more cm in the broad jump (also not alot lah. okay, that's actually quite alot)
  • Two more chin-ups (actually eleven on a good day is doable even now)
  • Cut 0.4s off the shuttle run (large variance anyway)
  • Cut two minutes off the 2.4km run

Wait - isn't that a 25-pointer Gold (and S$400)? Doesn't appear that far off, when put this way...

Pretend punting at P$1067/P$1550. Dearie me.

P$100 on Blackpool to beat Sunderland (at 2.48)



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