I took part in the 21km Half Marathon, and I am amazed at the amount of people there. Heard there was like 2800 people for the Half Marathon. That’s a crazy amount of people though. All these while been running the 10km races and now I felt that I have the necessary capabilities to run the 21km. Here was my training regime the past 1 month before this run. 1 day of running 3km and 1 circuit run of 22km at night (a month ago). So how did I do with this inadequate training, maybe I was overconfident, but I ain’t sure I am going to beat my former record of 2 hours 56 minutes during the Circuit Run 3 at Bukit Jalil Park.

I was amazed when I ran 13km non stop and finally I went out of steam after the running to Jaya Jusco Taman Maluri. I guessed there are loads of improvement I can do in the coming races. But all in all, I am glad I finished my race beyond the 3 hour mark.

Name:	DANIEL CHEW (MAS) - like I am representing Malaysia
Net Start:	06:13:01	Category:	Half Marathon 21km
Net Time:	02:37:33	Position:	1084
Finish Timing:	02:37:33.45

Hmm.. okay, position 1084 doesn’t seem a nice number.Well, at times just have to live with it. Though a timing of 2′37′33 is really something I shocked myself too. Looks like now I can set myself a new target, below 2′30′00 and hopefully by next year (if I do take part again), I can achieved way below 2 hours.

Sidenote : If you would like to know your result and if you’ve participated in this race, do visit the KL Marathon Site stated here.

Of course the most important thing for this race is to finish it, thus finish it I did. I must thank firewire for helping me take photos after the race.

Else I wouldn’t be able to pose like this.

Or even like this…

I’ve noticed though my legs are getting BIGGER. Don’t you think so? A sudden improvement of my old photos.

But after all this, I believe maybe it’s because I have something in common with Bruce Lee. Ya, I really mean it. Bruce Lee, don’t you believe it? Let me show you the photo.

See the shoes, we both wear them YELLOW. Ho ho ho… Ahhhh… in case you’re wondering who’s the girl behind there, that’s Hannah of FlairCandy. Those from Malaysia who wants to know her, too bad, she’s from the Philippines.

So what other races next? Here are my schedule.

Siemen Run - 15km 26/7/2009
Adidas King of The Road - 21km 2/8/2009
Penang Bridge Run - 21km 22/11/2009

So see you people there, if you’re taking part.

Guess where did I sleep? The upper bunk or the lower bunk?

But then how can I start a journey so troublesome without an energy drink? Hmmm.. think Tongkat Ali? Red Bull? Nahhhh, it’s Ginger Tea ‘O’. Those who are mamak kakis would know it’s Tea with sugar with ginger essence. But little did I know it’s a bit different here.

OMGoodness, it’s a ginger in the tea. Amazing. I’ve never tasted something so original such as this, I must say, do try it if you are there though. Well, other than the plain old Coffee and Tea, take something like this. Helps to clear the ‘wind’ in your stomach.

So then we finally reached to the base of the track. Rather we’re taking the Mesilau trail up, which is another extra 2km walk. There are a total of 10 of us. Well, some of us are bloggers while some are my ex-colleagues.

A big group photo and also another SS (’syiok sendiri‘) small group photo consist of 2 big 2 small.

From left : David, Aaron, Daniel & Mouse

Now do you get by what I say 2 Big 2 Small. Hahaha!! Pose in front of the Mesilau Nature Resort Site Plan Board. Armed with our walking sticks and DSLR, we are ready to face our challenge.

As most of you know, I’ve climbed the mountain last year and this time I am prepared, so I had Mouse followed me on the trail together. Well, so far he was the only one who can keep up with my speed. I was very tired and the rain came pouring for awhile.

That explains why I was wearing a sweater, or a sports sweater. Whatever you call it. Still got time to pose eh? Of course though, my friend Mouse would complain if he wasn’t given the chance to pose himself too. Well, what can we say, partner in SS crime of climbing this mountain at the 6km mark.

Just another 2 more km to reach the base camp at Laban Rata.

But isntead of just walking up the steps, why not show a little bit of the flaura and fauna life along the trek. At least something to feast your eyes upon if we even bothered to look. I mean, it’s a wonderful creation out there and best we don’t miss it.

A unique leaf

A wild pitcher plant or some call it the Monkey’s Cup

Yes, you can see these stuffs along the way, but if you look hard enough, you might see life walking/ slimying about.

Aside from the normal flora, there are fauna or rather animal/living being spotted.

Yes, a peculiar Weird Looking Slug.

Lesson Time : Slugs are just like snails without the shell.

Also the friendly neigborhood Kinabalu Mountain Squirrel.

Though I think we spoilt it as we’re feeding it Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

What did we do after that, it was time we reached Laban Rata and checked in into our designated rooms. The thing is that though, there aren’t anymore photos at Laban Rata due to the tiredness everyone of us felt. It’s time to get some rest before the next summit climb at 2am in the morning. Yes… 2am. More will be revealed and hopefully it will finally end all the delayed post.

It’s getting late over here and I guessed it’s time for me to hit the sack. So be prepared for a super fast update in the days to come. Till then, Adios.

Now presenting to you the finalists of the Runway 101 at HELP University College but……… at the backstage while waiting their call to come out for the next session. Also waiting for the results.

As expected some were anxious, some look pretty good, some outstanding, it all depends on the eyes of individuals.

The girls, some having their first time on a simple runway did pretty well, but mostly nervous. They should learn how to pose for the cameras, which in my opinion is a plus point to get them publicize if they’re aiming to be a participant in coming future events. Who knows? But that’s just my point of view.

Maybe enough talk, why not let the pictures do their own talking instead. So I shall call my next few photos, the back photos.

Look at those cameras go. Look at the crowd.

Looking stunning in red, but wonder why the guy on the right has a somewhat special kind of expression.

And here is the guy with that same expression. One of the best frontal photo I have though.

Though that’s not all I guessed, there are other participants, but I could only get some of the best ones in front. So here they are.

To get the full size, click on this image. I got the shots while they are answering and so called waiting for the questions to arrive. Now who are the final 3 that got thru the elimination round?

Yes, the winner is Jessica, the one in white. The 3 finalist of the Runway 101. Along with the guest judge senior lecturer and Juanita of MDG. Though I personally see this competition as a popular vote kind of competition.

In a way, it tells us as to how Malaysians think, at times you wonder why do some people easily won Malaysian Idol and at times in other reality show in Malaysia. It says a lot of talent. People vote because they wanted to.

ps : This will be my last post about Runway 101. Till next time

So where do I go next? Well, let’s say it’s a free trade zone.

To all readers and visitors, see you back after 4 days and I’ll prmise I update more frequently.

Little did I know, many things await me. The tiredness and of course for not exercising or training for 1 whole month, I must be crazy to even participate in this. But always the never say cannot finish and cannot fail that type, I decided to just go with the flow. I ran non-stop during the first loop and it was fun, I guessed. Though, once I reached the water station, I think I made a mistake by stopping too long. I felt tiredness taken over me and in the 2nd loop I was like someone who has lost all his energy. Though my legs can carry on, I felt I don’t have the power to push myself.

That’s when many people would see me walking instead of jogging and I must say, I am like a disgrace. Darn… well, who ask me to put up to such event without training. When I saw Ronnie passed by me completing one loop, I was like… “If only I could keep my pace with him”. Well, no matter, I actually wanted to stop running after the 2nd loop. Well, one loop is about 3++km.

Some truth though, everytime I see a camera in the distance, I would pick up speed and jog like I don’t feel pain. Maybe that’s my motivation for this run. LOL, I wouldn’t want to be seen as someone who is walking. Shhhh.. don’t tell anyone.

Now thanks to the photographers around, I got one shot here showing me running. Oh yeah, a near freak accident happened while I ran the first loop. Right after 10 seconds ahead of a few runners, I heard a cracking sound above me, after 5 seconds I heard a loud crack and a loud thump and found out that a tree trunk has fallen onto the track. Luckily no one was hurt. Crazy~~~ If I was a bit slower, that could have been me.

Pictures courtesy of runwitme.blogspot.com

After the whole run, I then felt that running not only gives you the passion to exercise, it also helps you to get to know new faces and meet new people. Yes, on that day I met up with 5 to 6 random people and it was a good experience to mingle around. Now the results, what did I get?

Here’s the result courtesy from Ronnie’s blog.

Men Open 22.4km :
01) 1′35′08 - Jasni Khairil
02) 1′36′11 - Rozmi bin Yunus
03) 1′42′03 - Zamanhuri bin Otin
04) 1′43′00 - Alam Shah
05) 1′43′37 - Daniel Tan
06) 1′44′02 - Ronnie See, Pm1
07) 1′44′03 - Lee Kok Leong (Bryan)
08) 1′45′08 - Meyyappa Manickam, Pm58
09) 1′45′47 - Kenny Tan, Pm27
10) 1′45′45 - Lui Yuan Long

11) 1′48′20 - Vincent Wong, Pm10
12) 1′48′30 - Stanley Cheong, Pm53
13) 1′49′07 - Rizwan Sulaiman
14) 1′50′50 - Tang Wern Tien
15) 1′51′03 - Lee Weng Khong, Pm35
16) 1′53′28 - Azhar bin Johari
17) 1′55′38 - Suresh, Pm47
18) 1′57′47 - Tee Ee Kia
19) 1′58′00 - Yuan Khai Heng
20) 1′58′11 - Balan Acey

21) 1′59′17 - Chan Yew Wah
22) 2′01′33 - Azlan B. Norul Anhar
23) 2′02′27 - Tee Kuan Meng
24) 2′02′47 - Soo Yew Kuang
25) 2′03′18 - Lim Kian Huat
26) 2′03′19 - Lee Yee Sum
27) 2′03′20 - Chew Wee Shea
28) 2′03′35 - Cheang Choon Wah
29) 2′03′54 - Chanthiran Sivaperuman
30) 2′04′04 - Wong Soon Pin

31) 2′04′10 - Mohamad Saiful bin Razawan
32) 2′04′21 - Eddy Choo
33) 2′04′30 - Mohd Fadzli bin Mohd Yusoff
34) 2′04′20 - Ghejanthran
35) 2′05′15 - Mohd Zaini bin Mansor
36) 2′05′30 - Nurul Azmir Yeop Mat Nor
37) 2′06′11 - Shafarudin bin Awang Kasa
38) 2′07′20 - Suhaimi Ismail
39) 2′07′19 - Mak Chin Kow
40) 2′09′02 - Edmund Yeoh Tay Beng

41) 2′09′38 - Wong Kei Ming, Pm55
42) 2′11′15 - Chuah Seih Seng
43) 2′11′38 - Hoffen Teh Yih Ben
44) 2′14′52 - Tong Woon Sheng
45) 2′15′02 - Lim Kim Keong
46) 2′15′46 - Koo Wai Hoong
47) 2′16′43 - Chong Tuck Huei
48) 2′18′42 - Chu Wai Keong
49) 2′19′54 - Ng Heok Kheng
50) 2′19′32 - Chan Sai Chun

51) 2′19′35 - Goh Shu Wei
52) 2′21′00 - Khairul Amran bin Abd Aziz
53) 0′00′00 - Soo Sheau Luen
54) 2′21′59 - Loh Kian Kok
55) 2′21′59 - Law Lee Kuon (Lawrence)
56) 2′23′46 - Tan Boon Keat
57) 2′24′24 - Zabba bin Otin
58) 2′24′59 - Phooi Rong Vei
59) 2′25′22 - Chai Fook Khae
60) 2′25′26 - Yap Chee Kuang, Pm57

61) 2′26′01 - Yap Siak Koon
62) 2′26′03 - Mohd Hafiz bin Mohamad Nawi
63) 2′26′10 - Wan Hanafi bin Wan Khamaruddin
64) 2′26′38 - Leonard Tan Chyi An
65) 2′26′45 - Tan Wah Sing
66) 0′00′00 - Tan Khee Meng, Sub Pm2
67) 2′27′11 - Patmanathan a/l Vengu
68) 2′28′05 - Yap Chee Ching
69) 2′30′22 - Kang Hok Beng
70) 2′30′44 - Sharafi Abdullah Fauzi

71) 2′30′48 - Mohd Nazri Afandi
72) 2′32′43 - Wong Cheon Keong
73) 2′32′44 - Anuar Sanusi bin Ahmad
74) 2′33′11 - Wong Kian Heong
75) 2′35′01 - Hazman bin Hassan
76) 2′37′14 - Ian Yap Vern-Choong
77) 2′37′35 - Oh Choor Guan
78) 2′38′44 - Kunasegaran a/l Maniveloo
79) 2′40′52 - James Fong San Feng
80) 2′41′29 - Zulkifli Deraman

81) 2′42′04 - Mohd Rashidi Yusof
82) 2′43′04 - Lai Siew Kiw
83) 2′46′17 - Aplaidoo s/o Rama
84) 2′37′34 - Asmadi Abdullah
85) 2′48′14 - Mohammad Rohaimy Abdul Rahim
86) 2′49′52 - Fuzahir Nayan
87) 2′50′13 - Khoo Kong Wah
88) 2′52′26 - Toh Kok Lim
89) 2′56′00 - Daniel Chew Tze Wenn
90) 2′57′44 - Chew Kien Lee

91) 2′57′57 - Tan Choon Seang
92) 2′59′18 - Cheang Meng Wai, Pm6
93) 3′01′57 - Ahmad Yusran bin Khalid
94) 3′02′02 - Mohamed Jaafar bin Mohd Abd. Hamid
95) 0′00′00 - Mohd Khairul Anuar
96) 3′03′23 - Chong Tuck Kang
97) 3′04′20 - Gary Chin
98) 3′17′06 - Mohd Pauzi Husin
99) 3′27′09 - Michael Lim
100) 0′00′00 - Hamidon Mat Aris

101) 0′00′00 - Nazrul bin Mat Zizi
102) DNF - Kamaruzaman bin Shariman
103) DNF - Steven Khoo

Women Open 22.4km :
01) 1′43′47 - Michele Tan Bee Kiang
02) 2′20′35 - Than Wai Sum
03) 2′36′33 - Kong Yen Erl
04) 2′39′43 - Amelia Ang
05) 2′41′51 - Tan Puay Gaik
06) 2′54′14 - Wong Wai Yee
07) 3′05′45 - Nikki Chee Manye
08) 3′05′55 - Lee Siew Teng
09) 3′05′55 - Tan Yew Ting
10) 3′09′48 - Amridzah Amrahi
11) 3′54′57 - Yap Pay Sy
12) DNF - Veronica Schokman

My position is the one with Bold and Blue. Though I was practically aiming for a time below 3 hours and I guessed I made it for this time. Now to get it below 2 hours 45 minutes. Most of all, at least now I got something to show that I’ve ran the 22km course and got something to show.

So who’s going to join me in the next race?

For those who missed out the videos and want to experience what we’ve gone through, here are some videos for your viewing pleasure.