The week started off with a 10km timed run that is a requirement to complete the CSB package. The timing to meet was 65 minutes. Sounds reasonable. But for someone who hasn’t trained since AHM ended, it was an uphill task. It’s only after completing the run that I realized how much my stamina had dipped. In fact, even before finishing the initial 5 clicks, I could already feel fatigue setting in.

In the end, although I finished the run with a less-than-respectable timing of 53 mins, it’s a clear sign that I should start training before I sink even deeper. For the following two days, I was bugged by a pair of aching legs which made even the simplest task of getting out of bed tiresome. Fortunately, they recovered just in time for NAVEX on Thursday.

It wasn’t that bad this time because we were navigating in an open terrain where we were allowed and advised to walk on the tracks. However, what made the experience harrowing was that the checkpoints were planted in such a way that we had to trek up and down the same tracks over and over again. We would probably have covered a distance of about 20km that day.

We didn’t had much problems in the day except for a “surprise” checkpoint at the end point which sent us trekking an additional 8km. That would have seriously demoralized even the strongest of minds. But the real trouble started occurring once night falls. To be honest, the checkpoints weren’t that hard to find and that they were situated along the way back made it even a whole lot easier.

Nevertheless, the simpler the task, the easier it is for us to screw it up. On the way back to the finishing point, we messed up our navigation and became disorientated. We hadn’t had the slightest idea of where we were but we knew we were close to completion. After around an hour of aimless walking and backtracking, we finally dragged ourselves to the end point with a little help from the MGR of one of the checkpoints which enabled us to determine our location on the map.

We’ll be doing NAVEX in a closed terrain at Mandai next week but due to guard duty commitments, a few others and I wouldn’t be involved. For those who are participating, remember – do it once, do it good. It’s going to be a short week. Good luck! 🙂