When Singaporeans turn 30*, they have to replace their identity cards. Normally, we get issued ICs around the age of 12, if I am not mistaken. This means that there are many young Singaporeans who have IC photos which are probably not representative.
I was issued a huge paper IC when I was in primary school. Thankfully, this was replaced by the plastic one – that’s the 1994 photo – when I was in Junior College. So, at least I’ve not been going around with a pre-pubescent photo on my IC.
But my soon-to-be middle-aged body has strange ideas about age. Last night, it decided to go all senior citizen on me.
I was taking IPPT during my yearly Remedial Training. (Yes, it has become a yearly thing because I have no hope of passing chin-ups – 0 repetitions – and the 2.4 km run – more than15 minutes.)
For the first time ever, I couldn’t get the full five points from sit-ups.
Shocking.
That’s my banker station. My guaranteed full five points. Fail IPPT, yes. But I can always count on sit-ups for something decent on my scoresheet.
My lower back acted up 15 sit ups into the test. I just couldn’t ignore the pain, so I went slowly, barely managing more than 30 in a minute.
As if that wasn’t enough, I had my usual shin splints during the 2.4 run. But it went beyond usual this time.
I walked the middle third of the run because the pain was just excruciating. After getting back to a slow jog in the final third, I felt a sharp twinge, like my left shin was going to snap.
I immediately stopped jogging.
It really hurts.
xueyu
/ Friday, 7 March 2008The kids nowadays get their IC at age 15, no longer at age of 12.
uncle sha
/ Friday, 7 March 2008haiz part & parcel of growing old
my 30th is this coming dec
Kevin
/ Friday, 7 March 2008I feel your pain bro :(
Anand
/ Saturday, 8 March 2008Yeah, inevitable man. Usually 30-35′s when it starts to happen for all us non-competitive sportsmen :(
Keep working out though, in between RTs as well, & go for strengthening work on your back & limbs. You should still be able to complete the stations & the run without too much pain for many years yet
Patricea Chow-Capodieci
/ Monday, 10 March 2008I remember that whole changing IC exercise in Junior College! I was quite happy that my IC was replaced cos the photograph on the paper one was too juvenile for me. Like you, I still have the paper IC, tucked in a tin box, stored on a shelf in my bedroom at mom’s place in Yishun.
The trick to staying fit is consistency. Exercise at the same time on the same day each week. Supplement cardio workouts (running, swimming, aerobics etc) with resistance training (weights, stretches, exercise stations, ballet… ). You probably have to work out at least three times a week for an hour to really see results in stamina and build muscle strength and mass. Oh, and watch the diet of course. :P
Just speaking from experience from almost two years of intensive dance training!
profkingsfield2004
/ Tuesday, 11 March 2008Dont worry, I also kena RT back in the 1980s. We were confined for 1 week solid, everyday lifting logs, smoking allowed 3 times a day, lights out at 2200 hours, 5BX at 0500 hours. Remarkable progress I made despiete the fatc I went down with fever on the third day of RT. Still managed to top the 2.4km run at 11 mins 40 secs.
Next year IPPT I flung. Just after 6 months from RT.
What does this tell you?
Simple! When work for a living and exercise once a week, you must as well give up. It is not possible to do both raise a family answer biological/psychological needs and still run like Jessie Owens. Even the Israeli Self-Defense Force found that out, the hard way, during the recent Hizabollah Crisis. The Israeli reservists could only walk (with pot bellies) and not run even in the artillery units. Maybe MINDEF should re-look at some acceptable standards for reservists.
acroamatic
/ Thursday, 13 March 2008@ xueyu Thanks for clarifying!
@ the rest Thank you for the support, empathy and advice, especially Patricea!
@ profkingsfield You know, I actually wouldn’t mind being called back for a week or two of intensive training with no distractions and no food in the fridge (or anywhere else) to raid.
The day MINDEF re-looks IPPT standards…
Lam Chun See
/ Thursday, 13 March 2008I think I have to disagree with Profkings. That kind of advice is going to discourage our friend!
OK, Let’s compare Profsking and myself. In school he was probably much fitter that I was being a rugby player. In active NS, I mostly struggled along and just passed narrowly my running tests. But in reservist, I was able to pass all my IPPTs without too much struggle – I said pass, not score and he kena RT. Why? It means our IPPT is not that tough actually; already moderated to working civilian standard.
I think it’s mainly the lifestyle. He is businessman, travels a lot so difficult to exercise regularly. Plus probably entertain a lot.
Kenneth should better benchmark with me. We are both employees. Plus nowadays, modern employers much more supportive of healthy lifestly.
So Kenneth. Don’t get discouraged. Just maintain a healthy lifestyle – not too much unhealthy foods, exercise regularly and during IPPT time, put in a bit extra.
For exercise, it is important to get some kaki’s to push each other. When I was around your age, I used to go with my colleagues once a week (Wed) to run the MacRitchie track. Either that or the nearby Toa Payoh stadium. Saturday mornings we go for squash. You can see it was not a very rigorous routine. With that type of routine, plus weight control, plus a bit extra before IPPT, should be able to pass.
So chins up man! And conquer the chin ups.
Ivan Chew
/ Saturday, 15 March 2008Come to think of it, why haven’t the authorities contacted me to update my NRIC photo? I remember how I was stopped at Singapore customs when my passport showed a photo of me 20 years earlier. And then London customs gave me problems too. I immediately went to have my photo updated when I arrived home.
acroamatic
/ Tuesday, 18 March 2008@ Lam Chun See I agree that IPPT isn’t that tough, in the sense that you hardly need to exert any effort to do it, except for the 2.4 run. It still requires very concerted effort to pass though.
My RT ends this week. Will start hitting the gym again once it’s over.
@ Ivan Chew Hmmm… perhaps ‘cos you did yours recently? I think passport photos need to be updated more often because it’s seen by officials from other countries. Less likely to be lenient. Whereas our ICs are for internal use only.