Wat's happening, Life is more than................

Tribute to The Orang Asli

2011-10-17T18:39:00.000+08:00

Many thanks to all the people who donated generously and help to support and make it happened

Lets continue to support

THE ORANG ASLI

The North Face 2011 - Singapore

2011-03-21T19:20:00.000+08:00

Its here again.....

Race Date: 15 October 2011
Registration starts 16 May 2011!

Test run reviews

2011-03-20T18:09:00.002+08:00

Saucony's ProGrid Kinvara is the first minimalist running shoe that I have ever tried. Since I've often asked myself if I needed more support and stability and love my shoe to be lightweight. I was excited to take the Kinvara out are a 20k run on last Saturday along the usual BA-Hartamas-BA route. This route will give me chance to test out the Kinvara on different terrain - up hill and down hill, then follow by flat and fast cruising terrain.

I've found that it’s an excellent choice for your ‘first time minimalist’ because it provides a surprising level of cushioning for its feather-like weight and structure. Anyone who has read Born to Run and is working on becoming a “light and easy” style of running (a mantra I frequently find myself silently repeating to myself on tough runs) will find Kinvara as the shoe that you have been looking for. You can hardly feel the weight of the sneaker when it’s in your hand and it’s even more invisible on foot.

The shoe has a snug feel and ride was comfortable for the entire run. The feel is like running barefoot hitting the ground but with the right amount of cushioning and support. Thanks to the Progrid Lite that lined the entire shoe. So with the kind of feeling the Kinvara will be a good option for barefoot running or those that owns the VFFs but still want a minimalist that gives the same feeling. The Kinvara holds very well on uphill climb and down hill sprint. Even on a straight flat route, one get the right amount of cushioning and support while you up your pace tempo. Your feet will feel really spice up by the shoe when pushing hard, all aided by the diamond studs (Saucony trademark sole design) position at the sole (forefoot)

Ventilation of the shoe is good, as I dont feel any overheating during the run. More important it doesnt gets hotter when I put the shoe to test on high friction when I increase my pace along a flat straight route, plus by climbing the Tinjani stretch (hilly) in a much higher tempo pace. The shoe remains cool after this hard workout. Passed the ventilation test as its extremely important for a minimalist (bcos the sole is much thinner and the heat getting to the runner feet is much faster, compare to a normal travel where the sole is thicker)

At this moment I am putting away my hat as a supplier for Saucony and put on the hat as a runner/consumer. Overall I am very happy with what the Kinvara have to offer, and am sure it will have a big impact on the market. The trend in running shoes seems to be “minimalistic” “lightweight” “barefoot” “midfoot/forefoot strike”. The Kinvara arrives at the right moment with the right shoe.
I am amazed by the lightweight feeling (merely one ounce heavier than your average racing shoe) and great running feeling. The upper is seamless, snug and light; the sole feels fast and it is somehow supportive – probably given the pretty wide base.

Tested the shoe on wet concrete pavement and the sole holds firmly to the ground without any slightest slip during the lift off. Although the sole looks slippery, it actually holds very well on wet surface whether its on a climb or downhill.

And the sweetest part… the price at RM330.00 is an extremely competitive price for a shoe so well executed. I might have reserves on the shoes’ durability but again dont expect too much from any minimalist (the mileage done and the wear/tear will tell!) And for that kind of price I hope to see runners giving this shoe a try.

Next was the CompresSport R2 Calf Sleeve that I wore during the run.

As claimed by CompresSport, they approaches the actual science of compression a bit differently. Most compression gear features graduated compression, that is, compression is strongest at the toe or foot and decreases as you move up the leg or calf. This is great for hospital compression where the goal is to prevent blood pooling in the lower regions, but not ideal for exercise. CompresSport uses a different approach to compression. For the Race and Recovery Calf Sleeves, the compression is lighter around the top and bottom of the sleeve and is most strong at the calf. The Race and Recovery sleeve provides 12-14 mmHg of compression at the top and bottom and 30 mmHg at the middle of the calf. This means that you get the most compression where you need it.

The calf sleeves are very comfortable and provide a great deal of compression. Although the top and bottom bands don’t have the same gripping or tension features, the bands are wide, comfortable, and keep the sleeves in place. The fabric used by CompresSport is very lightweight and breathable. The fabric allows heat transfer and wicks moisture extremely well. The fabric doesn’t retain water, as can be seen after my 20k where the sleeves are still dry. So with such functoinality, you could easily wear these guards into the swim and not have to worry about putting them on when you’re wet. The Race and Recovery Sleeves aren’t damaged by Body Glide or other lubricants (as informed by CompresSport) The sleeves holds the calf muscle very well during the run, not allowing much movement but yet providing the right comfort and compression needed.

Overall I can conclude that the CompresSport Race and Recovery sleeves provide a good level of compression. You will be surprised by the level of support and compression these sleeves provide. It might take a day or two to get used to this increased level of compression (if you have used other brands of compression calf sleeves), but your body will thank you. In addition to providing a high level of compression, they are quite good looking and striking too. They don’t look dull or like hospital clothing. Though appearance isn’t the most important, it certainly helps that these are very attractive looking sleeves.

Super Moon

2011-03-20T00:06:00.000+08:00

Mark your calendar. On March 19th, a full Moon of rare size and beauty will rise in the east at sunset. It's a super "perigee moon"--the biggest in almost 20 years.
"The last full Moon so big and close to Earth occurred in March of 1993," says Geoff Chester of the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC. "I'd say it's worth a look."

To read more, click here

Testing out my new Race Kit

2011-03-18T14:44:00.000+08:00

Looking forward to tomorrow's 20k run from Bkt Aman - Hartamas - Bkt Aman (19 March 2011). Will be testing out my new race kit for ENR 2011, Sundown 2011 and SCKLM 2011.

First is the award winning Saucony Kinara, a minimalist shoe that got the Best Debut Award from Runner's World USA. Its a one piece sole technology and lets see how well it will hold for a 20k run. Obviously I am running with the Lime Green one and not the pink one, LOL.

Next is the CompresSport R2 Calf Guard. I have always been using a full length compression tight either from 2XU or CWX for my long run. Since I took up the product and is getting quite a good response in terms of sales, I wanna try it myself just to be sure that the product holds up to its reputation as the No 1 brand for compression calf guards during last year IronMan World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. This is the product that is overtaking most of the popular brands (in terms of sale and popularity) and getting alot of positive feedbacks not just only from the elites but more importantly from amatuer sportsman and sportswoman like you and me.

Will keep u updated on the test reviews on both products.

Bah Ren No Half Marathon

2011-03-13T22:54:00.007+08:00

Its not Baleno, but Bareno. What are they, u may asked. Well they are a company that specialised in wash basin, sinks, jacuzzi and anything about toilet wares. Anyway so much about them.

I think I cant recall when was the last time I ran a 21k race. It must be at least more than a year ago!!!! Even for this race I didnt register for it. It was a last minute thingy when I bought it from someone who is not running. And obviously running under a different name and Open category. 600 medals up for grab I was told.

Not much expectation out of this race, as I am still in he midst of recovering from a bad cough and flu. Medication had weaken my body for the past 2 weeks. And also still suffering a pull ligament on the back of my leg due to some MTB session. Even if I am fit, I doubt I can go under 2hrs. So target is to try and maintain a 6-1/2min pace and finish the run in 2h 15mins. And bcos I have not run a half marathon for so long, proper pacing of the race is important. Not to tekan too early, if not I may not be able to sustain the 2nd part of the race. Run too slow in the beginning and I may not be able to catch up for lost time. So in fact running a 1/2 marathon need lots of good pacing and endurance speed if one wants to do a sub2 race.

In no time, the runners were usher to the start point and the race got start. Got smack at the back of the pack. Slowly work my way up to catch up for some lost time and then maintain a steady pace. The route took us from The Bukit Jalil Stadium carpark, out to the Sg Besi highway, then into OUG/Happy Garden, the Maju Expressway and then back towards the stadium via the Puchong-Shah Alam Expressway.

The route can be deem pretty challenging especially towards the last 5k where there are alot of steep and short climbs. Certain stretch of the route was pretty dark and can be dangerous if someone will to trip themselves. I was pushing myself abit in the beginning and test my fitness on how long I can sustain. Also to ensure the pull ligament doesnt act up. Taping the affected area with MUELLER Atheletic Tape was effective. Hardly felt any ligament pull and pain. Felt that my energy level is depleting at around the 13k/14k mark where Azam and Calvin started to open up the gap, as I was trailing trailing them closely from behind since the 9k mark.

Then I maintained a more comfortable pace to reserve some energy for the finishing. As the route approaches the last 5k, there are quite a number of short and steep climbs that can easily demoralise a tired runner. I keep pushing thru at a much slower pace rather than to walk.

Energy level is low now and the effect of medication is taking a toll on my body. Last 1k to go. Heck lets get it done and complete the race. As I approaches the entrance to the stadium carpark and crossed the finishing line, my watch showed 2h 12mins 15secs (slightly better than wat I targeted) Position 458 and I have got a medal for the race.

Looks like I have to do more 21k if I need to make some improvements in the timing. Running too many marathons will basically slowed down one performance in 1/2 marathons as the pacing and speed endurance are totally different. And so to those out there, if you are consistently doing sub2 1/2 marathon, u are doing a great job. There is nothing wrong in continuing to focus on just 1/2 marathons if you are doing well in this category.

Pictures courtesy of Weng, KK Yum and Gege Tey

Put some thots in your trophy design

2011-03-04T12:39:00.000+08:00

What a Golf trophy!!!!!

The next time when you have the opportunity to design a trophy especially its a Women event, please put some serious thots into it. Besides plannning how the trophy shud looks like, also put some thot process into what will the Women Champion do when she is receiving the trophy. The champion will be very happy winning the tournament or race, thinking where to spend her winnings. But she will fail to instantly know or react to what she is doing with the trophy at that instant moment of joy.

So be very careful in dealing with things like that or else you will end up with something like the picture above. Dont say I am dirty minded, but anyone of you see the pic above will have the same thots too :D

Stanchart HK Marathon 2011 - 20 Feb 2011

2011-02-28T12:58:00.002+08:00

Left for HK on 17 Feb 2011 (which is Chap Goh May) the 15th day of the 1st month of Year of The Rabbit. Flying CX instead of AA although its slightly more expensive, but you get the comfort plus the quality of in-flight food and drinks. Before leaving HK, weather over there was expected to be cold in the range of 13C to 15C with windy condition.

Arrived at KLIA and check-in, and was informed that the CX flight will be delayed for 50mins due to misty and foggy condition in HK. There you go, and those running the Sunday race will be expecting a cool to cold weather running condition, Shud be ideal for Malaysian runners.

Flight time was around 3.5hrs and landing was smooth even with a very foggy visibility. Bravo to the captain and crew handling the jetplane. It was indeed chilly when I got off from the plane, and a light jacket is needed, Put on my old faithful NorthFace jacket, cleared custom/immigration and pickup my baggage. Its almost 11pm when I am done with all these. Instead of taking the Airport Express over to Kowloon, I opted for the CityFlyers Airport bus that will take me directly to my destination ie Dragon Hostel in Mongkok. It just cost me HKD33 compare to Airport Express which is HKD90. Took me ard 40mins to reach Mongkok stop and another 5mins to look for Dragon Hostel. Its ard 12 midnite now, and Mongkok is still so vibrant, shops and roadside stalls were still operating. No wonder HK is a city that never stops. The pungent smell of the Fried SMELLY Tofu is all over the place!!!

Located inside the Sincere House, the reception was at the 7th floor of the building. Got myself check-in in no time. The person on the night shift by the name of Kelvin was really helpful. Brought me to a very little tiny room which I think is about 5ft by 7ft the most. Will be staying a nite in this tiny pigeon hole before moving out to a twin bed room when Azhar arrive from Macau tomorrow. Despite being very small and tiny, the room is very clean including the bedsheets, pillows and blankets....and thats what I wanted. Had a shower, and was already craving for a both of hot plain porridge and yau char koay. Hop down to the streets and in no time, found a stall that sells hot porridge which operate 24hrs!!!! Thats what I need in a 13C weather condition. Time to SLEEEEEP.

Had morning breakfast with Lawrence Leong and Yen Erl gang at a Dim Sum restaurant located on the 3rd floor of Grand Tower Plaza along Nathan Road. After breakfast all of us adjourned to the bib collection center at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay.

After that the day was more of a Free & Easy, strolling along the streets of HK, as well as some shopping malls. The following day was the same too. Both Lawrence, Carol Chan and myself opt for a walk from Mongkok to TST.

Along the way was telling them about the steamed milk with ginger juice. Will look for the stall and get them to try it when we are on the way back to our hostel at the later part of the day. On our way back managed to find the store and all of us had our first steamed milk for the day.

Had dinner with Azhar and Cynthia, and rest early for the nite in preparation for tomorrow race. Woke up at 4am, got my business done and have my regular oats with soy milk as my breakfast. Then its of to the starting point at TST. Took the MTR with Lawrence, and with 10mins we are there. Deposited our baggage and look for the rest for some pre-race photos before starting the race.

Weather was cold and chiller in the range of 12c to 13C. Some runners were seen with disposable raincoat over their body to keep warm. The first wave for marathon starts at 6.20am followed by the second wave which is 6.45am. Most of us were in the second wave and we walked towards the starting point when the time is almost there.

BANG.....and out we go. There was a slight drizzle when we started the race, although its bearable and the weather is just nice for a great run. After running for almost 40 mins, we reached the Stoncutter bridge.

I was running much slower to enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding and the bridges linking all the highways. It was breathtaking as this is the only way to experience it by running the marathon. On a normal day, u can only drive pass the bridge. And from the Stonecutter Bridge we crossed over to the famous Tsing Mah Bridge.

After enjoying myself and taking pix with all the running friends, I increase my pace to try and catch up for some lost time. From the 21k point onwards, I up my pace and start going faster. The running momentum was good and legs was feeling as fresh as I had just started. Couple with the great cooling weather, the body doesnt seems to feel tired. Just keep going and going, and manage to overtook some of my friends who were most of the time in front of me from the very beginning. The target was to finish with a sub5 time and I will be very happy with it.

My pace was getting faster and faster, and at one moment heard someone yelling at me...."Hei, u are running a 5.15min pace" Turn around and it was one of my running buddy that I am overtaking. I told him I am covering for lost time....hehehe. Seeya at the fnishing point, I yelled back and I go again.

These 2 Japanese running bunnies have always been in front of me from the very beginning of the race and eventually I caught up with them and overtook them at ard the 28k mark if I remembered correctly. Pix courtesy of Wendy Ming Huey.

Soon I was entering the Western Harbour Tunnel, and this stretch is one of the hardest as the evelvation is like a V shape, ie -30m under sea level and then up again to 50m. Not only that, we will have to connect to the highway ramp along Shuen Tak Building towards the city in HK Island. By now the road became narrow and also coupled with the 2nd wave of half marathon runners. The road waas practical packed with runners and I have to zig zag my way to move faster and avoiding the crowd to slow me down.

As I inched closer to Causeway Bay, saw the 41k mark at Marsh Road, and I know its the final stretch to finishing my 52nd marathon and my 1st for Year 2011.

Ran and ran and ran, will the crowd and supporters yelling Jaiyou, Jiayou, Jiayou. This makes you want to run faster and then suddenly I saw Maybel (Sifu Terence wife) running slowly alone. She must be feeling tired and I urged her to join me to finish the race. Both of us up the tempo abit and start to take a much faster strides towards the end.

Took the corner into Victoria Park and stride towards the finishing point. With hands raised up, I complete my first marathon for the year in a time of 4hr 41mins. Nothing to shout about the timing but I am totally satisfied with the run and the joy of able to run and complete another marathon.

Withe the confidence of the great organisation of the race plus the great support along the marathon route, I guess the organiser themselves had done a great job to ensure the particpants are enjoying the every moment of the event. I believed they will continue to strive harder and have another great race next year in 2012. Till then and I will see you in Stanchart HK Marathon 2012.

Post race pictures with running friends at The Arena Of Stars.

Pictures courtesy from Sifu Terence, Wendy Ming Huey, Scientist Runner, Dannie Choong, Khairul, Long Run HK Running Group

Does this sounds familiar to u?

2011-02-13T22:41:00.002+08:00

Now....who copied who??

You better RUN

2011-01-13T15:59:00.000+08:00

The 2011 running season had kind of started. And for some of us as early as 23rd Jan 2011 for Khon Kaen International Marathon. All the best heading up north to the Land with the Golden Smile. For me it wont be until Feb 20 in Hong Kong for the Stanchart HK Marathon. This will be the 2nd time in a row that I will be taking part and there will be a large Malaysian contingent flying to the island.

To the rest, may I wish you all the best throughout the year.

Run Well, Run Safe, Run Free, Run with no injury.........and you better RUN!!!

Let me dedicate this song to all runners, and this will be my theme song for the 2011 running season

Hood To Coast

2011-01-05T12:17:00.000+08:00

Are we bringing this movie to Malaysia. I know it will only be release in USA on 11 Jan 2011. After that I would like to get hold of a copy of the DVD if it does not come into Malaysia (which I doubt it will)

The synopsis....

HOOD TO COAST follows four unlikely teams on their epic journey to conquer the world's largest relay race. The film captures the love, dedication, and insanity of the every day runner as well as the excitement, pain, and humor of the unprepared first timer. Their stories are reminders that no matter who you are, you can push yourself beyond where you thought your limits were.

Each year 1,000 teams (12,000 runners) in 2,000 vans cover 197 grueling miles as a relay, putting themselves through an arduous physical journey that as an individual would be impossible.

Some run to test their personal limits, some to overcome personal obstacles, and others leap in blindly looking for a way to shake up a complacent life. As we follow four teams from their preparations through the big day, we realize that winning isn't everything in a film that takes a celebratory look at personal motivation and attempting the extraordinary.

New experience and New beginning

2011-01-04T12:03:00.000+08:00

Today marked a day that it will not be forgotten in life for me and my daughter. WHY?....because today is the day that as a father, I took the responsibility of sending her (as an 18 year old girl) to attend the National Service Program (Program Latihan Khidmat Negara) for 2011 - Year 8/Batch 1.

I have to drive her to the Reporting/Gathering location in Putrajaya (Park N Ride, Precint 1) Arrived there with a buffer of one hour. Anyway its better to be early than late, more so I am not very sure about the location. For those who doesnt know wats Park N Ride is for in Putrajaya. Its actually a very huge parking lot to accommodate driving visitors. They can park their cars there and hop on to those shuttle buses that ply around Putrajaya. The concept is pretty good but not sure about the punctuality of bus service. may give it a try next time. Ok lets not divert. Back to the topic.

Got my daughter registered with an PLKN officer, which is very friendly. Explain to me and my daughter of the camp she was assigned, and also provide me a map to that location when I want to pay her a visit during the weekends. Since we were early, it was fortunate that my daughter was assigned to the first bus which will leave earlier for the camp.

While waiting for the bus to depart, the crowd start to multiply. You can see all girls and boys from all walks of life. The rich, the medium class, and the poor. The parents were no different. Some just let their kids be independent and checked their luggage into the bus. Some spoon fed them like a King, carrying the kids luggage and even accompanied them onto the bus. You can see alot of Mummy boys and Daddy girls, mostly looking with a shock and scary facial expression, nerdy looks, showing very uncomfortable body language, etc, etc. I guessed these are the ones who are so pampered at home (with maids serving them) that they do nothing but eat, sleep, Internet and having their PSP with them all the time!! Wish them all the best in the camp and I know they will suffer kau kau lat with all the trainings and outdoor programs. Now they have to learn and fend for themselves and learn some survival skills. Daddy and Mummy is not around anymore, dude. (You cant called Kakak Yati to get you a glass of water!!)

Although my daughter look abit uncomfortable (because as an 18 yr old teenager, this is definitely out of their comfort zone) but I am quite sure she will blend in well along the way. During this time, I also befriended a retired army personnel by the name of Bahar. He was a PLKN instructor for year 2008 at KKB camp. He did gave some advise to my daughter in how to cope with the training. According to him its not total hardship but also an enjoyable one. This gave her some confidence and get her into the routine of expecting some good things out of the program. His advise is just follow the instructor training program, adapt well, communicate with your new friends and that will be fine. According to him, the program had improved significantly since Day 1 (that was 8 years ago)

Soon the first bus is ready to depart for camp and I waved goodbye to my daughter and gave her a thumbs up. All the best I shouted....hopefully she can hear me from inside the new air-cond PLKN bus. I bid goodbye to Bahar and hopefully we can meet again at the camp during the weekends when visiting the kids. As I walked towards the carpark, I saw some mothers weeping away. They are so sad that their sons and daughters were leaving them, going away for 3 months. Come on Mummy, dont pampered your kids, let them be independent (I said in my heart) They shud take this opportunity and learn to be independent, master some survival skills and come back stronger. You gotta come out of this shielded world and fight for yourself. Stand up and be counted.

As I drove out of the carpark, I saw many more mothers weeping away. Aiyoh Ah Sow.....dont be so sad lah. You can go visit them mah!!

She is not train to sell

2010-10-26T21:50:00.001+08:00

About 3 weeks ago I received a phone call from one of the fitness centre in town codename TF. A gal by the name of Sue (not the real name) introduced herself. Very polite, good command of English and jovial, she introduced herself and without any hesitation told me I have won a 7 days free usage to the Gym.

Sue: My name is Sue and I am from TF. Mr Choi, you have won a 7 days free usage to our gym.
Me: How do you get my phone number?
Sue: It was from our balloting box and your name/contact was taken from there
Me: How come? I have never been to a gym and not associate to any of them, so how do you get my number?
Sue: Errrr....maybe from your friend who gave it to us
Me: Errrr, OK. Anyway I am not interested in it
Sue: Why, its free and also we will throw in a PT to help you out.
Me: I dont like to do my running in an enclose environment
Sue: How about working out your muscles, and we also have body pump and yoga session
Me: I am not into body building, dont really like to have a huge upper body with slim legs
Sue: But then you can join our yoga session
Me: My body not so flexible so yoga not so suitable for me
Sue: Errrrr, maybe you can try it out and if you dont like it then you can just stop
Me: Brit, its OK. I wont take it, and thank you so much for offering it to me.
Sue: Mr Choi, maybe just give it a try. I will arrange a PT who is also a runner for you, so that he can help you out too.
Me: Thank you for offering, but I am just not interested. Better not waste your time.
Sue: Ok, you think about it and if you change your mind, you at give me a call at 12345678.
Me: Sure, will do. Thank you.

The conversation stops here. Not sure if she is train to sell what facilities does TF have. But I am really sad that she was put into a position where she is not selling anything unique about the gym (unless there is really nothing much TF have to offer) Everything she said is so standard where I believe all the gym in town offer. Nothing spectacular that can create an interest for me to change my mind. Sue can probably sells better if she is equip with better training and what to sell with a competitive edge over other gyms.

The Benefits of Compression Apparels

2010-10-01T22:31:00.001+08:00

What Are the Benefits of Compression Tights?

By SarahM, eHow Contributor

updated: August 23, 2010

Compression tights have been scientifically proven to increase athletic performance in runners.
Now being endorsed by Olympic medalists, compression tights no longer carry the stigma of being "old lady wear". Although medically prescribed for the treatment of varicose veins, lymphedema, venous insufficiency and thrombosis prevention, compression tights may also be purchased from athletic performance gear companies. Various levels of compression are available to suit differing needs.
Circulation Therapy
Prescribed primarily for patients who have had surgery and cannot walk, compression tights increase blood circulation in the legs and prevent deep vein thrombosis. In addition to post surgical patients, compression tights are also worn by people suffering from lower extremity swelling (lymphedemea) and/or chronic venous insufficiency.
Fatigue Reduction
Athletes such as runners, cyclists, weight lifters and even basketball players benefit from wearing compression tights. Bands on the tights provide levels of graduated compression that promote blood flow and aid in muscle contraction during exercise. These bands also help lactate stay in the muscle instead of releasing into the bloodstream for increased energy. Compression tights also prevent muscle injury by reducing muscle vibration for faster recovery from extreme sport activities.
Body Temperature Maintenance
Compression tights are made from materials that wick perspiration away from the skin. The evaporation of sweat is the human body's primary cooling system and compression tights assist with this action, making them ideal for wear in hot and humid conditions. Once sweat is deposited into the fabric of compression tights, it can evaporate faster.

Effectiveness of Compression Tights

By Anni Murray, eHow Contributor

updated: May 13, 2010

Compression tights are intended to improve athletic performance by reducing muscle fatigue, oxygen consumption and recovery time. Performance tests and research support these claims. Typically worn by sprinters to boost speed, compression tights are increasingly being worn by long-distance runners and other athletes.

Improved Circulation

According to Running Planet, compression tights improve blood circulation in the muscles. Muscle fatigue is due, in large part, to a build-up of lactic acid, a by-product of the metabolic process of converting glucose to energy. Increased blood-flow clears lactic acid from the muscles, reducing pain and fatigue.

Muscle Contraction

Compression tights reduce the rate of oscillation, the constant vibration of working muscles. The fewer vibrations the muscle experiences, the less energy is used. According to a study of the effects of compression garments on the leg muscles of volleyball players in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, muscle strength and endurance improved after repeated jumping, due to reduced muscle contraction.

Coordination

Proprioception, the sense of the relative position of parts of the body, has been shown to be improved by compression tights. Improved proprioception results in improved coordination, according to a study in The American Journal of Sports Medicine. It is unclear whether it is the compression resulting in the improvement, or the tactile interaction between the tights and the skin's surface.

Muscle Recovery

According to a 2010 study in the Journal of Applied Physiology, compression garments improved muscle recovery following exercise-induced damage. The muscle-damage indices included: soreness, creatine kinase activity, knee extensor concentric strength and vertical jump performance.

Additional Research

In 2006, researchers in France published a study in the International Journal of Sports Medicine comparing compression tights to standard running shorts. The researchers monitored six highly-trained athletes for their rate of perceived exertion and oxygen consumption. They found that the compression tights resulted in a 36 percent reduction in oxygen consumption as compared to the standard shorts and a significant subjective decrease in perceived exertion by the runners.

References

The passing of a skillful seamstress from Ipoh

2010-09-29T13:13:00.001+08:00

September 22 or The Mooncake Festival (The 15th day of the Eighth month on the Chinese calender) will always be remembered and in my heart. Thats the day my mum passed away at 8.30pm on the nite when we are about to celebrate the Mooncake Festival.

She passed away peaceful holding her last breath with the watchful and teary eyes of my family (me, my wife and 2 children) besides her. No struggling for breath what so ever and with a peaceful posture bid farewell to the world she was born 84 years ago.

Mum learn sewing when she was very young and eventually became a very skillful dressmaker specialising in female dresses. Her customers ranges from young teenagers, housewifes and cabaret gogo gals. I must said that her skill was to the perfection, where she will do the measurement herself, cut the material to the right measurement and sew the clothing up, all by herself. She even sew the hemlines herself but during the Chinese New Year period when there are more customers, my cousin and myself offered our help to do it. We were paid some money for helping up and this goes as my pocket money to spend during Chinese New Year.

A great article about her can be found here.

Her last trip with us in Cameron Highlands

Mum had a fall 3 months ago and had a hairline fracture/displacement on her right arm at my brother's house in Singapore. I brought her back to my home in KL to nurse her and also it will be easier for those relatives who wants to visit her during this period.

Over the 3 months, her condition was good and bad. One day she can be looking very alert talking to everyone and another day she will look very drowsy and tired sleeping throughout the day. Her appetite to eat deteriorate day by day, from semi solid food to 100% liquid food. Under such condition, her health also slowly becoming worst. We can notice that she is getting thinner and thinner day by day, and eventually showing sign that she had difficulties in swallowing, Thats the signal of the throat is shrinking and will eventually leads to organs shutting down,

We were mentally prepare for the worst but will give her the utmost care to make here as comfortable as possible. Eventually the heart and other organs of her body start shutting down and on the nite of Sept 22, 2010 she was called to Nirwana by Amitabha Buddha. The moment she passed away with me confirming that there is no breathing at all, my buddhist friends came over to my house to do a 12hr prayers for her before we do any necessary things like arranging for the police to certify her death and moving her body to the funeral parlour.

After the 12 hours prayer, I then started to get in touch with the funeral parlour to get all logistics done up and informed my relatives of the passing away of my mum. It was difficult times for my family and we were fortunate that our buddhist friends were all around to support, help and assist in getting things moving.

And finally by late afternoon around 4pm, I got everything sorted out from getting the police certifying my mum's death to moving her body to the funeral parlour. It will be a Buddhist service for 2 nites conducted by some monks and also prayers offerings from the nuns and buddhist friends from the temple where my family go for the Sunday services and Dharma talk.

Our family and relatives paying their last respect

Mum's funeral was on 25 Sept, and she was cremated at the DBKL crematorium and her ashes was placed at the Chee Wan San Temple at Jalan Sg Besi, Salak South area. I hoped she will Rest In Peace and be lead and protected by Amitabha in Nirwana.

Mum, may you rest in peace. AMITABHA.

Mooncake Festival aka Mid Autumn Festival

2010-09-22T12:10:00.000+08:00

Jong Chou Jit Fai Lok. Today is the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calender (Year Of Tiger). On this very day the Chinese communities across the world celebrate what is termed as the Mid Autumn Festival (in China, HK and Taiwan) and this part of the world, we called it Mooncake Festival.

Over here we celebrate by lighting up all sorts of lanterns around our house. This is generally done by the children and the adults will be sitting outdoor enjoying the full moon on the 15th day of the month. Followed by eating mooncakes, groundnuts, cakes and sipping their best grade Chinese tea to digest all the oily food.

There is also a story very well written by my cousin on Mid Autumn Festival and you can read the 2 parts here

Part 1
Part 2

With this I would like to dedicate the 2 songs below to all readers of my blog. Have a joyful day ahead.

Disgraceful

2010-09-21T11:37:00.001+08:00

I purposely make this picture big big so that everyone can see, especially the number plate. Dont know wat car is this but the registration number is WPK 1716.

You know what.....while sending my wife to work this morning from Ampang to KL via AKLEH, I was following this car when we were Q-ing up to exit at Jln Sultan Ismail junction. All of a sudden the passenger of this car started to throw bunch of plastic bags, crumbled papers (looks like receipts and parking tix) and small pieces of torn papers out from the car. The passenger was trying to throw it across the concrete divider hoping that it will land on the other side where no one will notice it. But unfortunately because all these rubbish are very light, it doesnt reach the other side of the concrete wall but end up along the road. By looking from the back of the car, the driver is a lady and the passenger is more like a man.

WTF, what kind of manners does this fellar have. Why cant he keep it inside the car and dispose it later at a proper place like a rubbish bin. I flashed my headlamp at them just to try and insult them. Not too sure if they notice it. As we inched our way out to Jln Sultan Ismail, I am just too curious to find out who these 2 ppl are and overtook them. Gave them a stern stare and driver was actually a lady, a very well groomed, pretty looking and well dressed lady. The passenger was a man, also very well dressed in smart office attire.

I told myself, what king of ppl are these. Drive a nice sporty car, very well dressed and probably a professional in certain industries, but their manners SUCKS BIG TIME!!!!!

And if anyone who read this know both of them, please tell them to have some manners. Dont throw rubbish out from the car thinking that the road is a dumpsite. Why dont they eat it?

Be Inspire and Do It

2010-09-20T21:04:00.002+08:00

Not everyone is born to run a marathon or be an IronMan eventually. But if we put together our guts and will, aspire to achieve something, you can definitely do it.

Watch this video and be inspired by this 120 pounder dude who wanna change his life.

Running Skirt Promotion

2010-09-14T11:23:00.000+08:00

RunningSkirts sales, get your running skirt here! Offering the all Orange Skirt at a bargain. And now you can own one of the most popular running skirt for just RM100.00

Hurry Hurry and dont be disappointed when it ran out of sizes or sold out.

Sizing
Size 0 = 22' to 24"
Size 1 = 25" to 26"
Size 2 = 27" to 28"
Size 3 = 29" to 30"
Size 4 = 31" to 33"

Contact Choi at 0193289083 or cchoi_2020@yahoo.com

Blog Followers

2010-09-13T14:05:00.000+08:00

To those who frequent my blog all this while, TQ for your support. And may I asked a favor from all of you. Appreciate if you can check in as my blog follower so that at least I know who my followers are.

For Good Health 请耐心看有关于癌细胞在什么

2010-09-13T10:40:00.000+08:00

I received this article via email and it does make alot of sense debating why our body shud be more akaline and not acidic. The Chinese narration was the original and its being translated into English for banana people like me, Although not done in very good grammar but its there for us to understand it.

Translated into English by Vincent Yeo-Koh

The reason why u are so tired - acidic blood Under weakly alkaline condition, cancerous cells will not be able to grow, or even to survive.
在弱鹼性體質的狀態下，癌細胞是無法生長、甚至是無法生存的。
Actual case studies, very important, please read patiently and pass this on.
實案例，很重要，請耐心看完，請轉寄哦！！
Even if you have read this before, you should reread this, especially the list of acidic and alkaline foodstuff , best to read several times and remember.
即使看過了還是要再看，尤其下面的酸鹼性食物最好多看幾次，就可以記住了
Please read this article in full patiently, it will be helpful to your health.
請耐心看完這篇文章，對自身健康很有幫助
More than 30 years ago, a Mr Zhang who worked in the public sales department of a Taipei Brewery, participated in the brewery overseas study selection examination, and passed with flying colours..
三十多年前有一位服務於公賣局台北啤酒廠的張先生，參加該啤酒場選派技術人員到國外深造的考試，以優異的成績及格。
Before going overseas during the physical examination at a public hospital, it was discovered that he had a tumour growth in his lung the size of a child's fist, and therefore was not able to go overseas to study.
在出國前經某公立醫院體檢發現，罹患有像小孩拳頭大小的肺部腫瘤，因而不能出國。
The greatly disappointed Mr Zhang had always been suspicious that the diagnosis was wrong. So he went to another hospital for a check-up, the result confirm that previous diagnosis was not in error.
張先生非常失望之餘，一直懷疑診斷有誤；於是再到另一家醫院檢查，結果還是證實原來的診斷並無錯誤。
For the youthful and healthy Mr Zhang to be stricken down with such terminal illness, in his despair, he rang his old classmate who at the time was Taidong County Government, Huangsun County Mayor's secretary, Mr Wei.
當時年輕力壯的張先生得到這樣的絕症，在人生絕望之餘，多次打電話給當時任職台東縣政府黃順興縣長機要秘書的魏姓同學。
Mr Wei rushed to Taipei during his rest day on a Sunday to see Mr Zhang.
魏姓同學便利用星期日趕到台北和張先生見面，
Mr Zhang discussed with Mr Wei in detail his despair and pessimism, and entrusted his friend regarding his affairs after his death. Coincidentally, Mr Wei was a good friend of Dr Lu Geling, who was in charge of the Maijie Hospital, 1945-55, and specialised in the clinical research into cancer cases.
張先生向魏同學詳述相關絕望的詳情和悲觀感受，並請位同學協助其後事，恰逢魏同學與前任馬偕醫院院長1949－55年專精於癌症臨床研究的呂革令博士係知交好友。
He immediately suggested that Mr Zhang go to see Dr Lu for treatment. At first, Mr Zhang said he preferred not to see anymore doctors, so as not to add further to his misery.
當即建議前往訪求呂博士醫治，起初張先生說不願再看醫生，以免徒增傷悲；
But Mr Wei told him that he had telephoned Dr Lu before to seek his advice and arranged an appointment. Mr Zhang felt obligated and went with Mr Wei to meet Dr Lu
但魏同學說先前已以電話請教過呂博士並安排好時間，張先生只好偕同前往呂博士住處造訪。
When Dr Lu met with Mr Zhang, Dr Lu said: ' Mr Wei is a friend and introduced you and I to get to know each other. This is destiny. Thank you. Let me ask you do you know why is cancer referred to as terminal illness?'
呂博士和張先生見面就說：「魏先生是我的好友，介紹你和我認識是我們緣份，感謝。我請教你：『癌為什麼叫絕症，你可知道嗎？』」
Both Mr Zhang and Mr Wei did not know how to answer.
張先生和魏先生都不知道如何作答。

Dr Lu explained: 'There are only two approaches taken by humans to treat cancer to-date. The first is to destroy the source of the disease. The second is to increase the capability to fight the disease.
呂博士又說：「人類醫治癌症到目前為止只有兩條路，第一條路是消滅病源，第二條路是增加抵抗力。
But the strange thing is that, whether we use Cobalt 60 or other drugs to destroy the cancer cells, before the cancer cells are killed, the good cells are destroyed first.
但很奇怪的是，癌無論用鈷60或其他藥物去消滅癌細胞，可是癌細胞還沒被消滅，好的細胞卻先被殺死。
On the other hand, no matter what nutrients or supplements we use, before the good cells have a chance to absorb them, the cancer cells have taken them up and it simply speeds up the growth of cancer.
另無論用什麼營養、補藥，好的細胞還未吸收，癌細胞卻先吸收、讓癌長得更快；
Therefore both approaches are doomed to failure, that is why cancer is terminal.'
因此可說上述兩條路都行不通、所以叫絕症。」
Dr Lu continues: 'Human beings are most clever, they have successfully landed on the moon. But why is it no one ever questioned the above two approaches for treating cancer which are nothing but self defeating dead-ends, and try to seek a third avenue?
呂博士又說：「人類的聰明連登陸月球也都已經成功，但為什麼沒有人去懷疑上述兩條治癌的路是在鑽牛角尖，另外找第三條路？
When I was conducting clinical research in Majie Hospital , I had many opportunities to work with and being helped by many colleagues in the Hospital. I discovered that the blood tests of 100% of the cancer patients showed that the blood samples are acidic.
我以往在馬偕醫院做癌症临床實驗，並得院內各部同仁協助的機會，我發現癌症病人血液檢查的結果百分之百都是酸性反應。
Those Buddhist monks and nuns who are long term vegetarians and live very close to Nature, their blood are prevalently weakly alkaline and amongst them, there has yet to discover any cancer cases.
長期素食、且生活接近自然的佛寺僧尼，由於體質都偏屬優質弱鹼性，所以尚沒有發現罹患癌症的病例。
Therefore, I boldly concluded that under weakly alkaline condition, cancer cells are not able to grow, or even to survive.
因此我大膽的斷定在弱鹼性體質的狀態下，癌細胞是無法生長、甚至是無法生存的。
Mr Zhang, I would suggest that starting from now you reduce your intake of the acidic meaty dishes.
張先生我建議你從現在起少吃酸性的葷食類，
Take more of the alkaline food. In addition you can take green algae and soup made from water chestnuts with skin,
多吃鹼性食物，另外可吃綠藻和帶殼菱角湯，
modify your physical condition, and try seriously to have a regular life style which is close to Nature;
改變你的體質，並勵行接近自然的良好生活規律；

If you can manage to stay alive for five years, you should have no further problem. I wish you the best of luck.'
如果五年內不死、你就沒問題了，祝福你。」
Mr Zhang followed Dr Lu's suggestion and seriously altered his eating habits.
張先生依照呂博士的建議，認真改變吃的習慣，
Every day, he ate green algae, drank chestnut soup, be optimistic and did an appropriate amount of exercise, and went back to the same public hospital for a check up. It was discovered that not only that the tumour did not increase in size, on the contrary it showed signs of shrinking, and surprised the hospital staff conducting the check-up as a miracle. Five years later, the tumour had shrunk to such a state as to almost disappear.
每天又吃綠藻、喝菱角湯，樂觀加上每天適當的運動，一年後再到同一公立醫院檢查結果，發現腫瘤不但沒有長大、反而已呈現萎縮狀態，遂令醫院檢查人員驚為奇蹟，五年後竟完全處於萎縮、至近於消失狀態。
After almost 40 years, presently Mr Zhang's health is totally normal, and living a very pleasant life.
經過了將近四十年歲月，現在張先生的健康情況完全正常，生活起居甚為愉快。
Following Mr Zhang, a Mr Chen Tianshou, who was previously Head of the General Administration of the Taidong Provincial Hospital , was similarly diagnosed with lung cancer.
繼張先生之後，有位前台東省立醫院總務課長陳添壽先生，同樣得到肺癌；
When Mr Wei heard of this, he told Mr Chen of the experience of Mr Zhang, and Mr Chen started to follow the instructions of Dr Lu to change his physical condition. The outcome was that he was able to recover fully from the cancer, just like Mr Zhang.
魏先生得知後將張先生的經過轉告陳添壽先生，陳先生乃依照呂博士的建議進行改變體質，結果與張先生同樣癒癌症。
At that time, Mr Lu and his family have emigrated to the United States . After the two cases, he returned to Taiwan and met up with Mr Wei.
那時呂博士全家已移民美國，事後呂博士回來台灣再與魏先生見面時，
Mr Wei told Dr Lu about the experiences of Mr Zhang and Mr Chen, and suggested that let the two of them detailed their experiences to Dr Lu in person, so that Dr Lu could publish a report on his self cure body conditioning method.
魏先生將張先生和陳先生的經過告訴呂博士，並提議由他們倆位親自向呂博士陳述，請呂博士發表其改變體質之自療成果報告。
Dr Lu very humbly replied:
呂博士謙虛地回答說：
'I am too old, besides, I do not have any clinical records of the outcomes. I would ask that you tell your
friends and relatives, if they are agreeable, then please continue this experience and spread the words ⋯ ⋯
我年事已大，且沒有臨床紀錄不能做為成果。請魏先生轉告親友，如果友人認同的話，請他們繼續做體驗並廣為宣導..........。」

〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜
One should take care of oneself but should also be caring about others, 85% of cancer patients have acidic in their physical condition.
關心自己也要關心別人，85﹪癌症病患屬於酸性體質
*** Blood of healthy persons is weakly alkaline in nature, with a pH of about 7.35 to 7.45

* 健康人的血液是成弱鹼性的，約是pH7.35〜7.45左右
*** Babies' blood is also weakly acidic
＊嬰兒也是屬於弱鹼性的體質
*** As adults mature their blood becomes more acidic in nature
＊成長期的成人有體質酸化的現象
According to a study of 600 cancer patients, of their bodily fluid, 85% of the patients are acidic .
根據一項六百位癌症病人體液分佈的研究，顯示85﹪癌症病患屬於酸性體質。
Therefore, how to maintain the weakly acidic nature of our body is the first step for moving far away from diseases.
因此，如何使體質維持在弱鹼性就是遠離疾病的第一步。

〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜 Acidic physical conditions manifest itself in:
酸性體質的生理表徵
1. Skin without lustre

1.皮膚無光澤。
2. Athlete's foot

2.香港腳。
3. Feeling tire even with very little exercise, and feeling sleepy the moment one gets on to public buses
3.稍做運動即感疲勞，一上公車便想睡覺。
4. Easily out of breath going up and down stairs

4.上下樓梯容易氣喘。
5. Fat and with lower stomach protruding,

5.肥胖、下腹突出。
6. Move slowly and movement lethargic

6.步伐緩慢、動作遲緩。

〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜
Why does the body physical condition turn acidic? 為什麼會形成酸性體質？
1. Excessive intake of dairy acidic food

1.過度攝取乳酸性食品

a) meat, dairy products, eggs, beef, ham, etc are acidic food

a）肉類、乳酪製品與蛋、牛肉、火腿等皆屬於酸性食品。
b) taking too much acidic food will cause the blood to become acidic and viscous, difficult to flow to the end of blood vessels, leading to cold feet or knee, stiff shoulders and insomnia.

b）攝取過量的酸性食品血液會傾向酸性而變黏稠，不易流到細血管的末稍，而易造成手腳或膝蓋的冷寒症，以及肩膀僵硬和失眠等。
c) When one is young and strong, taking suitable quantity of meat is appropriate, but older people it more suitable to have a diet which are primarily vegetables or small fish.

c）年輕力壯時吃適量的肉類是對的，但老年人則以蔬菜或小魚為宜。
2. Irregularity in the pace of life will cause the body physical condition to become acidic

2.生活步調失常會造成酸性體質
a) Irregular pace in life will lead to mental and physical stress

a）生活步調失常會造成精神與肉體的壓力。
b) According to statistics, people who sleep late are more likely to have cancer than normal persons, by as much as 5 times.

b）據統計，晚睡者罹患癌症的機率比正常人高出五倍。
c) Human beings originally lead a life with regular tempo in this world, it is not possible to store up sleep or food and not possible to change the order of living by mixing up days and nights.

c）人類本來就活在節奏的世界裡，無法事先儲備睡眠或飲食，也不能日夜顛倒。
d) Human organs are controlled by the autonomic nerves, and during day time it is mainly sympathetic nerves activities, and at night it is mainly the parasympathetic nerves which are functioning, If this order is disturbed and reversed, then diseases will result.

d）人體內臟受自律神經控制，白天主要是交感神經活動，晚上則由副交感神經工作，若使其錯亂及倒置，就亦百病滋生。
3. Emotion over tensed

3.情緒過於緊張
a) Civilised society brings stresses a）文明社會會造成的壓力。
b) Job related or mental stresses

b）工作上或精神上的壓力。
c) A person suffers mental stress, when the stress is removed and the person relaxes, sometimes this may lead to death, referred to as the syndrome of imperfect adrenal cortex function.

c）當一個人承受精神壓力後，一旦緊張鬆弛，時會造成猝死，稱為潛在性副腎皮質機能不全症。
4. Physical Stress

4.肉體的緊張
a) Before any operation it would be necessary to check to see if the renal cortex does function normally. If the adrenal cortex is lacking, or if the stress imposed by the operation exceeded the ability of adrenal cortex to cope, it could lead to death or other undesirable impacts.

a）動手術之前應先檢查腎上腺皮質機能是否正常。如果副腎皮質機能較差，或手術壓力遠超過副腎調整功能，則可能造成病人死亡或其他不良影響。
b) If it noted that patient's face is puffy, it would be necessary to inquire in detail the patient's medical history and medication status, for patients taking adrenal cortical hormone, extra care should be exercise when administering acupuncture.

b）若發現病患臉部浮腫，需詳加詢問病史及服藥狀況，為長期服用腎上腺皮質賀爾蒙者，施以針灸要特別注意反應。
c) Stress due to physical labour or exercise in excess, whole night card games, driving etc should be avoided as much as possible

c）勞動或運動過度，通宵打牌、開車等壓力都應盡量避免。

〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜
Appendix: Acidity/alkalinity of Common food stuff
附錄：常見食物的酸鹼性
1. Strongly acidic food: egg yolk, cheese, cake make with white sugar or persimmon, mullet fish roe, dried cod.

1強酸性食品：蛋黃、乳酪、白糖做的西點或柿子、烏魚子、柴魚等。
2. Mildly acidic food: ham, bacon, chicken meat, squid, pork, eel, beef, bread, wheat, butter, horse meat etc
2.中酸性食品：火腿、培根、雞肉、鮪魚、豬肉、鰻魚、牛肉、麵包、小麥、奶油、馬肉等。
3. Weakly acidic food: white rice, peanut, beer, alcohol, oil fried tofu, sea weed, clam, octopus, catfish

3.弱酸性食品：白米、落花生、啤酒、酒、油炸豆腐、海苔、文蛤、章魚、泥鰍。
4. Weakly alkaline food: red bean, radish, apple, cabbage, onion, tofu etc.

4.弱鹼性食品：紅豆、蘿蔔、蘋果、甘藍菜、洋蔥、豆腐等。
5. Mildly alkaline food: dried radish, soya bean, carrot, tomato, banana, orange, pumpkin strawberry, egg white, dried plum, lemon, spinach, etc.

5.中鹼性食品：蘿蔔乾、大豆、紅蘿蔔、蕃茄、香蕉、橘子、南瓜、草莓、蛋白、梅乾、檸檬、菠菜等。
6. Strongly alkaline food: grape, tea leave, grape wine, kelp sprout, kelp, etc. Especially natural green algae which contain rich quantity of chlorophyll are very good alkaline health food, but tea should not be drunk in excess, and best to drink in the morning.

6.. 強鹼性食品：葡萄、茶葉、葡萄酒、海帶芽、海帶等。尤其是天然綠藻富含葉綠素，是不錯的鹼性健康食品，而茶類不宜過量，最佳飲用時間為早上。
Passing this on is also a Blessing!
轉寄亦是一種福報

Girls Generation

2010-09-11T14:53:00.001+08:00

Was introduced to this group by my son and daughter. A followup to the success of Wonder Girls, this group consists of 9 girls tat seems to be another big hit. At this moment the YouTube hit for their video is at 22,358,500 views. That is a fantastic number and given their debut mini album GEE, I think they can go far. Lets watch out for them besides the Wonder Girls.

The show must go on

2010-09-10T23:46:00.002+08:00

This morning run was one of the very first time I step foot to BA after almost 2 months of absence. 0515 is the start our morning run and the distance will be 30k which Loke SS, Lawrence Leong and Andrew Chan will be doing. I am opting for a 25k and if I can get it done comfortably its oledi a bonus.

Reached BA and only a few cars at the carpark. Recognised Jeff Ooi and Jamie cars which were there and these gungho runners are going for the supreme 50k. Salute, Salute. We started with the Bird Park loop before hitting the usual BA-Hartamas-BA route.

As we complete the 2nd loop, the sky started to open up and a thunderstorm with strong wind hit us. We have no choice but to take shelter at the public toilet area and waited for at least 15mins hoping for the rain will stop. It didnt but by now its not as heavy. And so rather than calling off our run, we decided the show must go on. Under a heavy drizzle and very cold chilly condition, the 4 of us hit the road towards Hartamas.

The rain continues to hit our body and its rather cold with strong breeze making the condition rather chilly. We continued and I felt rather hungry when I reached the Petronas station. Although I didnt buy any food, but Lawrence cannot tahan and got himself 2 buns. So its not only me that felt hungry bcos of the cold weather.

After a short hydration break, we made our way back to BA. By this time, the rain had oledi stopped but the cool weather still makes the body very cold to run and take a while to get warm up. Slowly but surely, Km after Km we make our way back and reaches the BA carpark.

Andrew and Loke opted for another loop around the Bird Park, while Lawrence and myself just called it a day after completing abt 24k for the day. So it was a good run under a very chilly condition and we was debating how can we endure a race that is run under sub5 Celcius condition, That must be areal challenge.

Let there be Light

2010-09-07T22:40:00.002+08:00

Its Sept, and very soon we will be heading towards the last quarter of 2010. Time really flies. But for me I have been hibernating in terms of blogging. The blog count as of to-date is only 10 for the past 8 months. My average blog posting since 2005 is 120 blogs a year. Those following my blog must be wandering wats happening

Yes, thats my blog titled "Wat's happening, Life is more than....." For the past 8 months life is more than just blogging and facebooking. I have spent more time on Facebook as updating instant happenings is a lot faster and take less time. But never did I realised that blogging will give one a wider scope to express themselves in a more passionate manner. Moreover, it will also allow one to chart down the happenings and become an article for future readings to rekindle the good, bad, happy and sad memories.

Also during these time, I really have no initiative to blog due to laziness and no inspirasi to think of anything to write. Hence I took a short break and wants to come back stronger. Just like running, one cannot keep training day in day out, go for races week in week out. There must be a time when we must give our body a rest, recover well and come back even stronger!! One must know how to re-generate our own interest when we get bored otherwise we may end up in a depression mode. Then everything seems to be so boring and unattractive.

Never, never have yourself end up in such a situation. Else you become a DEAD FROG. I told myself I will never be a dead frog. I am just taking a break. A short break....To rekindle, rejuvenate, refresh, renew............ And I know I will bounce back, just a matter of time. Strong as ever.

It will be a long straight road ahead from now on, fill with inspiration and determination Looking back at the past 8 months, I just have to move forward and work hard to finish 2010 with a BANG. There will definitely be hurdles and challenges even within the next 3 months. Just have to paddle hard and keep moving. A quote gotten from Ling King Keong Facebook comment ~ "The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it"

And lastly let me wish all my Muslim frenz a joyful Selamat Hari Raya Aidilitri.

Stanchart KL Marathon 2010 Race Report

2010-09-06T15:59:00.001+08:00

This is a race that i hv no intention to run and therefore I didnt register for it. Why....because its just barely one month after my ultra race in Sundown Sg. But one thing in mind prompted me to give it a shot when i was actively participating in the Full Marathon Virgins (FMVs) Facebook page. I was kind of obligated to pace a group of newbies running their virgin race. I thot it will be good to give back to the running communities and doing a sub6 hour pace for the run will not be too much of a burden.

So in search of a bib goes underway. Whether to buy it at a cheaper price or hoping to have a kind samaritan to give away their bib FOC and I run with it. Not on a panic mode though as I know there will always be last minute dropouts. I posted my rquest on FB, blogs and running forums to see if I am lucky. As the race date gets nearer, I got a SMS from Joyce Wong saying that she had a FOC bib and the runner will give it to me. He will collect the bib and will keep the race vest, whilst I can have the number and if I complete the race within qualifying time, I can keep the medal and Finisher T. Thats a good deal. And now I am all set.

So come 27 June 2010, I headed out to the race site at Dataran Merdeka. Met up with Loke SS at the basement carpark and we proceed to the meeting point of the Full Marathon Virgins (FMV) group that assembled themselves at the fountain opposite the church. Get to meet the FMVs in person after all the chatting via Facebook. Informed them that I will be running a sub6 hr pace and if anyone interested to follow, just tailgate me. But I also told them not to let me slow them down if they think they can run at a faster pace and finish within the 5 hours mark.

Photo session with the group and soon its time to masuk kandang. By the time Loke SS and myself were inside, there were alot of running kakis there liao. 5 mins to gun off, the sky decides to open up. It started off with light drizzle and then it became heavier. By the time the race was abt to start, most of us are already drenched. It will be a wet run at least from the beginning and doesnt know how long the rain will last.

I started off very slowly and this will be a slow slow run for me. Anyway SLOW IS BEAUTIFUL. Let me have the chance to enjoy my run without much pressure of achieving certain time. And since Eric Poh is trying to run a sub6 race, I have offered to pace him as long as he can follow me. So we set foot together and so bumped into Steve from Seremban. He is also run at an easy pace and target was also a sub6 marathon.

Eventually we have a threesome followed by a few FMVs which I dont remember their names at that very moment, paiseh paiseh!!!! We just stick in a 7min pace which is very easy and at times I actually ran a tad faster, and left both Eric and Steve behind. Then I hv to slow down and wait for them to catch up. We got the chance to run around KL City and this continues. Nothing dramatic until the 24k or 25k when Steve started to drop back around Jalan Yap Kwan Seng before we head towards Jalan Tun Razak.

I looked back and he waved to us to carry on. So from a threesome, it became a twosome now and even some of the fMVs had dropped off even at the earlier stages. Eric and myself continue our journey (running into Jalan Ipoh) and still managing a 7min pace which he is able to sustain. Very good fo him. I told him that he probably had to watch out at the 30k mark, as thats when a marathon starts. If any, unthinkable problems will start to surface at this point and can cause all sorts of problem from fatigue and tiredness to severe cramps out fo a sudden. So I told him to take it easy and if he need to slow down by all means just to conserve energy.

Eric started to take my advise and slow down somewhere ard the 28k mark. He doesnt seems to be suffering from anything but he looks a bit tired. Hence slowing down will be good for him and can have some reserve to finsih the last 12k to 14k. From the 30k mark I ran solo on my own as most of those following me have kind of slowed down. Well thats the best I can do, getting them to at least the 3/4 mark of the race. The route along Jalan Ipoh was long and hot/humid coupled with heavy traffic with all the carbon monoxide from the vehicles.

No choice but to carry on and approached into Jalan Kuching. Not too far after running I bumped in Cheong, my Bukit Indah neighborhood running kaki. Ran with him for while and chit chat, then I moved on. Then from afar I saw Terence Poon pacing Lee Yong which is trying to achieve a sub6 timing. Lee Yong was struggling abit due to the intense heat by that time but Terence is pushing yet encouraging her to push on slowly. We ran together for awhile before Terence asked me to go ahead and not let them slow me down. Run ahead I went and caught up with the 6hr Official pace for the event. Chat with Malcalm and continued running.

The Segambut roundabout was approaching and I knew before long I will run into Jalan Bukit Tunku where the 36k mark will be, and also the support station of FMVs. I so reach there as saw Wendy from Ipoh. She looks tired but I got her to run with me as far as she can since its only 6k to the finishing line.

And soon from afar I saw the FMVs sign and the support crew were in sight. Kash and husband and Jue were there to greet me. Kash gave me a bottle of Gatorade and pour a bottle of ice cold water over my head. That was refreshing. I stop awhile to thank them and move on. By this time Wendy had movbeed ahead but eventually caught up with her at the Tijani junction, and then overtook her as she was already slowing down.

Worked my way thru the hilly terrain before going downhill at the "S" slope and nearing the JKR building. We gotta make a slight detour and go uphill before making a U-turn to make up the 42.195k. As I was approaching down hill towards Bank Negara junction. Wendy had caught up and on the other side. I waved and get her to speed up, and then further down the road at the Bank Negara junction I met up with Tony Q. And tha was the 40k mark and 2k to go. He was complaining his shoe was giving way which slows him down and also both the legs were real tired.

We make our way together towards Jalan Raja Laut, and eventually Wendy caught. Three of us ran together and did teh U-Turn at Pertama Complex and going for the final stretch of around 600m to 700m towards the finishing. We ran together side by side and got cheers from those supporters along the street that we knew. These 2 are well know athlete in the Tri and cycling communities and definitely u will get alots of applause as we ran.

And finally we crossed the finishing line in 5h 41mins. Wendy did her maiden marathon under sub6 hrs and I am satisfied for finsihing another one eventhough I have only ran an ultra barely one month ago.

Note: Pictures courtesy from Kho, RunWitMe and Lydia