Mishaps

I was hoping to have an enjoyable ride up to Fraser Gap from HOA with the rest, but things got unlucky.

Thanks to Vong3, Stupe, Jason who stopped to help. And Mac as well. The problem was...

I hit a very large hole while going aero. Luckily the wheelsets didnt break. But as I went on, the back wheel seemed to leak air (slow leak).

I stopped, then found out that the extender valve was broken. Changed the punctured tubular with another one, but that proved futile because the size was too big for the frame's back wheel. So I stopped again and put back the original tubular, thinking that the problem was with the valve.

After Mac came to the rescue, and after a few KMs, it's confirmed a slow leak. Since the gang already went on, I turned back after clocking 74km.

The only way to do that is to pump air every 5-6km. Amazingly it worked. But of course it's not enjoyable having to stop so often. I stopped by Bentong ABC for drinks and nasi lemak before going back sempah.

Then just before the bkt tinggi climb, my portable pump had lost the valve. Must have dropped it somewhere. So that's it. I can't move forward. So I walked with the bike. Tried to call Sean Chang but they were way far behind.

Managed to meet 3 riders, whom I borrowed the pump to go on. But then after some time, the tubular proved to be out for good. Air just went out.

Then Jason came and we flagged down a 4WD. The driver was a real help. I don't think I could have walked another few KM. I think I've already done 9km.

So there you have it. I learned a lot of lessons on tubulars. Just hope this kind of mishaps won't happen during IM.

---

Now, we've all seen violence on TV, the internet, the newspapers and sometimes you think it will never happen to you. Well, all that went off when I came upon 2 guys trying to open the front door.

Before I could even asked who they are, both of them were already hand locking my back arm, and flung me to the ground. One guy said "Don't move" in chinese...All I could think of ...SHIT.

They took the keys from my pocket, then dragged me into my own house. Then I noticed a third guy appearing (he was the outside scout). One guy was anxious getting me to lie flat on the bed. The whole room was filled with foul smelling ciggies smell, as the men ransacked my room.

Now I thought I could make a dash for the door. Nope..bad luck. Couldn't make it. Then got whacked on the head with my bike pump. And of course more punches, but I couldn't notice how painful was it.

As they kept on ransacking, I was just thinking what's next. Come to think about it, my life was in real danger. One guy tied my hands with the cords from the iron cloth. They had suggested to tie my legs as well...but I think they wanted fast exit and decided not to. It could have been worse.

Then they left. I was left there struggling to get the hands untied. It was hard. These guys must have been pros. Finally after dislodging my watch on my left wrist, did I finally get it out.

The room was a mess. And I was disoriented. Then I cycled to the nearby police station for the report.

The damage was having a bump on my head and a few scratches. Now the weird thing is after taking a beating, I don't feel much pain. I think after so many races, and ultra distances, the body just adapts to it. I felt more pain running 84km. And the funny thing is, they took my defunct laptop. The good one, they missed.

You don't have time to think. You just hope they won't kill you off as evidence. I just told them to take whatever they wanted.

Humans are born to choose the path. It's either right or wrong. These guys apparently were able bodied and choose to do crime.

Run?

Compared to my mileage last 2 years, my weekly mileage is embarrassingly low. I used to run almost every day with distances more than 10km. Somehow, after joining triathlon, and with a bike, the running part had went lower. Triathlon is about balancing all three disciplines well enough that you don't lack any one of it. So, typically I will have a run only day, then swim and cycle day, and alternate this daily, with the occasional long run/bike in the weekends.

Last sunday, with saturday's stomach full of rendang from attending kenduri kahwin, I got to make it up by doing 20km at bkt aman. Malaysia's food is sinfully deliciously swimming in lots of fats. And I got the feeling it's beginning to pile up.

What surprised me, was the speed I was pushing it for the first 5km. It's fast (by my standards). And I think the cycling intervals in Putrajaya had helped do that part. I am used to going 100 on the cadence, and sometimes 110, while alternating between cadence and strength on the bike. Oddly, i found myself running like a cyclist would cycle. Somehow, the cycling motion legs could mimic or morphed into running legs, and wham...I was shooting it.

In a nutshell, I concluded, cycling does helps in running.

But after the 5km mark, an old persistent hip pain resurfaced (from cycling actually), and I was trodding around on my usual pace. On the way to Petronas, bumped into Tey who asked if I was doing 84km sundown this year. I said no. Sundown is perhaps the most mentally challenged run I had ever done. With cramps and sleepiness mixed into the torture, I hardly think it's enjoyable. I think running 84km to klawang and back is more fun...More things to see like trees, cows, farms....

On the way back, I was trailed by a pair of runners. And they were gaining. Hell..i was getting slower. Insticntively, I put on the turbo mode and speed off all the way back to bkt aman. I don't, or used to have these tendencies. But I think cycling has helped tuned the racer mentality.

Now..what should I do tomorrow?

Are our politicians in good health?

Now, we already had 2 MPs who died because of heart problems. The latest victim is just only 50 years old from Bukit Gantang. The previous MP Razali (59) also succumbed to heart failure. Heart disease does not choose which side of party you are from. It sometimes shows symptoms, but it could also come suddenly.

If we have MPs with health problems, it'll be harder for them to tackle rakyat's issues. In fact, with all the energy spent on bickering on the latest frog jumping issues, won't they rather be doing more exercise? (no...walking is not exercise, and that includes senam robik).

Anyway, being malaysians as we are, we are quite comfortable with middle age man with bellies. In fact, it probably shows how well you are doing in life. And we are also 'ok' with them smoking and drinking excessively. In fact, all this unhealthy habits will just equate in dangerous and risky health problems, if not tackled seriously.

Besides, Changkat Jering assemblyman Mohd Osman, can't turn up at the court for his trial because of suspected heart ailment. And the other guy from Behrang is unwell as well.

Here's what I suggest as a requirement to keep our politicians fit:

To get Datuk-ship, you've got to complete at least an olympic tri distance. (swim 1.5, cycle 40, run 10km)

To get Datuk Seri-ship, you've got to complete half ironmnan distance. (swim 2, cycle 90, run 21km)

To get Tun-ship, you've got to complete ironman distance. (swim 3.8, cycle 180, run 42km)

Won't that be darn great, seeing our politicians fighting it out at the course?

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/2/10/nation/3232232&sec=nation

Shiny days are here...

I took this picture last friday evening. The incessant rain, which battered KL daily had finally stopped. It was so rare to see a sunset the past 2 weeks because it was always raining. And that meant less training, less cycling and less everything. So I stood momentarily for awhile, trying to appreciate those fleeting moments. Sunsets can be beautiful and enchanting, but just for a while.

On another note, I've finally able to run properly and out of the pain I've had for the exact 2 weeks. Had a run with Shih Ming and San at Bukit Gasing, because we're heading for Genting Trailblazer mixed team. The terrain is quite suitable for running, and less demanding than Nuang. But there's one section to the top with gradient around 30-40 percent which is quite tough. I tried to sprint a few times to see if I still have the flow of trail running, and it was pure fun. Running trails is a bit dangerous, but definitely not boring.

I decided to put the ultra run to another date, because of injury and also because of Trailblazer. It won't be so fair to Shih Ming if I were to bust my legs out before a race.

---

Putrajaya Powerman Simulation

With the route hotter than Powerman, we're supposed to do 10km run, 60km cycle, then 10km run. There's was quite a bunch of people, some new faces as well.

The first 10km, I was pushing the pace and managed to clock 44 plus minutes. But as usual for the cycling, I decided to just cycle moderately for completion, and the rest of the gang went pass. The last 10km run...translated to a lesser 7km run due to the 12pm sun. But some made it full distance (raymond ng, San and michelle looi).

That done, I am not actually going for Powerman this year.

Some thoughts: Putrajaya would be good for heat simulation for ironman.

---
nutrition: I knew nutrition is important, but it didn't occur to me that I need more protein. I realized I was losing muscle mass when I kept training at the same intensity. After a few research on the net, for active people like us, we've got to have protein intake x 2 body weight. That means around 100g protein per day. So guys, try to do a rough calculation for your protein intake. It'll definitely help in recovery.

Knocked down by bike

Doing the karen cheng pose...injured

While running this morning, I was knocked down by a bike. Partly my fault, because I didn't scanned the rear view before going into a 90 degrees turn. I don't usually do it, because seldom traffic goes straight, which leads into a housing area with security.

The guy on the bike, was the security guard at that place.

It happened so fast, the next second, I was on the road. After the impact, he was almost off balance, but manage to get things under control. Immediately seeing my injuries, I am pretty sure PD is gone. I sat for awhile grimacing in pain.

My right thigh got a direct hit, and my left wrist have hairline fracture, and swollen. My left knee was also bleeding from scrapping the tarmac. I knew I got hit hard, because I was having fainting feeling going on.

I asked the guy for a lift, and amazingly his answer was that he can't, because the bike belong to the company. I've no mood to protest. So he dropped me by his friend who was gracious to send me back home.

At home, i realize my left wrist was swollen. Not good, so I asked a friend to HUKM. I had 2 x rays, and lucikly no major bone fracture at the femur or wrist. Another2nd opinion with a chinese doc, said I have hairline fracture at the left wrist.

At the moment, I am typing using one hand. I will need some good recovery.

Ride a bike, or walk

With petrol price now raising towards real market price, a bunch load of malaysians are complaining. RM 2.70 is deemed to expensive. While we can fault the government for all are woes, we ought to realize oil is a finite resource.

It's oil that has been powering our economy for the past 150 years. Oil equals cheap energy. It's oil that has been oiling our transportation, electricity, manufacturing, and food production. When oil price goes up, the baseline cost for economic activity goes up as well.

Daily maximum oil production is hovering at 87 million barrels per day. Not any more. Even if the world demands more of it. There has not been major oil discoveries over the years. And if you look at what Petronas is saying, we'll become a net importer of oil and gas soon.

To make the future worse, the supply of oil, which has reached the peak, will eventually go down drastically. Imagine a bell curve, and now, we are at the top. The future is the curve going down.

If we don't learn to adapt to changes, and searching for alternative energy source, we'll be ill prepared for this.

Lets start by driving less, and getting around by walking or riding the bike. If you don't have a bike, get a cheap one. Malaysians somehow just love to get around in cars, even to nearby places.
It's time to change that. Walk or cycle. You'll pollute less that way, and save on fuel.

Please take a look at Amsterdam. I wished Malaysia is more like this:
Amsterdam Bicycles

There's a reason why we have legs.

Respecting the distance?

This, is always the mantra for runners. Either a 10km, half marathon, or full, it's chanted and embodied in the soul of every runner. But, have anyone thought of not respecting it?

You can go further, if you just thought otherwise.

"Do not respect the distance"

This ought to be the mantra for those doing the ultra marathon 84km this coming saturday.

A marathon is indeed hard. Lance Armstrong mentioned that his first marathon was the hardest. And I personally think, if you can run a marathon, you are at your fittest physically.

Make that double, and most will be wondering "no way in hell" they'll do it. Or opt to do it. I could speak from experience how it felt to run that distance. You'll hit the wall a few times. There will be also times you want to quit. Pain will be your closest friend. Sometimes you feel like you are making great progress, sometimes you are in the valley of hopelessness. You'll have to run, even if everything in your body wants to stop.

And that is why, respecting the distance, which translates to respecting the limitations of your body, cannot be applied here. In mathematical equivalence, it's like searching for the explanation of infinities, that most mathematicians do not dare to explore. It's looking into the unknown reservoir of your earthly body, and trying to find if you have anything else to spare.

It's hard. But I bet most will make it. Not because of physically overcoming the challenges, but with sheer unbreakable determination.

NEP creeping into running?

----
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/bm/news_sports.php?id=329284

27 April, 2008 15:40 PM

Kebanjiran Pelari Kenya Gugat Atlet Tempatan

Oleh Zulhilmi Supaat dan Ahmad Muliady Ab Majid

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 April (Bernama) -- Warga Kenya sekali lagi terus mendominasi kemenangan dalam pertandingan maraton di negara ini sekaligus mengundang pelbagai persoalan.

Di manakah pelari jarak sederhana dan jauh tempatan, apakah hadiah wang tunai yang ditawarkan menjadi punca kebanjiran atlet Kenya ataupun mereka sememangnya bagus dan bukan saingan kepada pelari tempatan?.

Pada Kejohanan Power Run edisi kesembilan sejauh 10 kilometer yang berlangsung di Dataran Merdeka, di sini hari Ahad, kedudukan lima tempat teratas bagi kejohanan terbuka lelaki dimonopoli oleh peserta dari Kenya sementara tiga tempat teratas bagi kategori wanita juga dikuasai peserta dari negara Afrika itu.

Tempat pertama bagi acara lelaki terbuka disandang oleh Alius Krputobungle dengan catatan masa 33 minit 12 saat, tempat kedua Wilson Songek (33:14s) dan tempat ketiga Daniel Muenia (33:16s).

Bagi tempat pertama acara wanita terbuka pula disandang oleh Margerat Wangui Njuguna (40:24s),Esther Kabuva Ngungi (40:48s) dan Luay Kurgat (41:17s).

Sebagai rekod, enam pelari Kenya menduduki tiga tempat teratas dalam Kejohanan maraton Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur ke-17 pada Mac lepas yang menawarkan hadiah wang tunai keseluruhan RM204,100.

Tiga memonopoli kategori Lelaki Terbuka dan tiga lagi menguasai Wanita Terbuka dengan jumlah keseluruhan yang dimenangi mereka ialah RM90,000.

Pada Kejohanan Separuh-Maraton Port Dickson April tahun lepas, tiga pelari Kenya mengungguli tiga tempat teratas kategori lelaki yang memberi ganjaran RM40,000.

Larian Jambatan Pulau Pinang sejauh 21 km pada Julai 2007 dan menawarkan hadiah keseluruhan RM120,000 menyaksikan penguasaan pelari Kenya menguasai tiga tempat teratas.

Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) Datuk Zolkples Embong yang hadir di Kejohanan Power Run juga mengeluh dan mengemukakan soalan, "Di mana pelari tempatan. Pelari Kenya bagus kerana beri saingan tetapi nampaknya atlet tempatan pula tenggelam."

Naib Presiden Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM) Karim Ibrahim ketika dihubungi Bernama mengakui Malaysia sememangnya kekurangan pelari jarak sederhana dan jarak jauh.

"Pelari muda negara nampaknya kurang berminat mewakili negara tetapi lebih memberi perhatian kepada kejohanan yang menawarkan ganjaran wang tunai.

"Tetapi tanpa bantuan kejurulatihan dari KOAM, mereka sukar untuk menandingi kepantasan pelari luar terutama dari Kenya yang sememangnya terkenal sebagai pelari jarak sederhana dan jauh dunia," katanya yang juga pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kejurulatihan badan induk olahraga negara.

Sementara itu, Setiausaha Kehormat Persatuan Olahraga Amatur Wilayah Persekutuan (FTAAA), S.Vegiyathuman ketika dihubungi tidak menafikan terdapat sindiket yang membawa masuk pelari-pelari Kenya untuk mengambil bahagian dalam kejohanan yang menawarkan hadiah wang tunai.

Apa yang menjadi persoalan, katanya, pelari dari negara itu cuma mengambil bahagian dalam kejohanan yang menawarkan ganjaran wang tunai sahaja dan aktiviti tersebut berlaku bukan sahaja di negara ini tetapi di seluruh dunia.

"Pelari Kenya sememangnya bagus dalam acara jarak sederhana dan maraton penuh dan tanpa pelari jarak jauh yang bagus di rantau ini memudahkan mereka menguasai sebarang kejohanan," katanya yang berpengalaman luas dalam aspek teknikal acara maraton.

Vegiyathuman berkata, kebanjiran pelari Kenya itu pada asalnya amat dialu-alukan dengan tujuan memberi peluang pelari tempatan bersaing dengan atlet yang lebih bagus.

"Kami berharap atlet tempatan dapat menimba pengalaman pelari Kenya tetapi masalahnya pelari Afrika itu hanya muncul bila ada kejohanan yang menawarkan hadiah wang tunai," katanya.

Beliau berkata FTAAA kini sedang meneliti perkara tersebut dan merancang untuk menghadkan penyertaan dari Kenya. "Mungkin tidak adil kepada peserta luar (rancangan menghadkan penyertaan) kerana ramai peserta luar lain seperti dari Singapura dan Thailand.

"Cuma peserta Kenya lebih menonjol. Tetapi jika pelari tempatan lebih bagus, tentu isu ini tidak berbangkit," katanya.

-- BERNAMA

Here's another article:
Atlet maraton lega


While having dinner, and watching the sports news section, I almost choked watching KOAM is putting efforts to
refrain international runners from participating in Malaysia running events.

First, how could Malaysian athelets aspire to fight internationally, while we try to create a lesser environment to compete locally. In fact, we should be lucky if the kenyans came here. We could learn a thing or two from them. If the purpose is to deny them the prize money, then does it makes our runners go faster if they win it with zero overseas runners participation?

Although some may argue that genetics might have played a role for them to run superfast, but one still needs to train real hard to achieve success. And they had obviously did that, and whatever wins they achieve, it's rightfully theirs.

During the last A famosa triathlon, we have a singapore SEA gold medallist competing with local guys, as well as Austria's professional triathlete Elmar Schuberth. It won't be good sportsmanship to kick these fellows out just because they are not malaysian.

The issue was in hot waters among malaysian runners with a french man winning retracted during orange run 2008, just because he's a foreigner.

http://pm1.blogspot.com/2008/04/cinya-sad-but-its-true.html#comments

If you can't run as fast as them, stop whinning to KOAM, and go run faster!

Like Simon Cross mentioned in his blog: GET FASTER OR GET OVER IT!
http://tritwins.blogspot.com/2008/04/klim-2008.html

Guaranteed Slimming Program, and it's not Marie France

I've always wondered, is it necessary to join a slimming program? Open the papers and you see slimming ads all over the place. Women, are the target market, but men don't escape their radar either.

These slimming programs can go up to thousands. And you wonder, who pays to get slim? But if you think again, whether there's a market for slimming programs, there definitely is. If not, these business wouldn't have last long.

Now, personally, I think they are a waste of money. Why pay someone else to help you with personal weight problems?
The solution is pretty simple. Eat healthy, and do consistent exercise. Better still, go run. I personally guarantee that if you run 50km weekly, you'll lose weight.

Since I am into running, I'll tell my side of story. After graduating, and working for 2 years in a local company, I've added up some weight. My constant eat, work in front of PC, go home, and sleep, contributed to this malice.

Anyway at that time, I was a runner, although not into distance longer than a few km. Heck, I didn't even measure the distance I ran. It's just a weekly jog at the park. And I think I was doing OK. 10km was too far. I don't even know how far a marathon is.

Apparently, this isn't enough. And soon, I found my waistline abit bulging. It was weird, because, I used to eat the same amount of food, and do the same exercise, and didn't get this fat. I was suspecting, with age catching up, there's a change in the bio mechanics of the body. Somehow, along with the catching up of age, some men do get a bit fat, if they just eat, and did less exercise. I confirmed this with a friend, who got a brother who just bulged after marriage. However, there's some men, who will maintained a thin frame for the rest of their lives. This leads us to genetics. I do believe, if I kept a sedentary lifestyle, I'll be fat ( just like my dad ). So, somehow my genes are like this. But for those lucky ones whose genes makes sure they are thin regardless of anything, well, lucky them.

Before I started running, I have been swimming a lot. I would log a few kms in the pool weekly. It's good exercise, but if you are banking on getting thin swimming, I'll suggest not. You can't really get thin swimmming.

So after I picked up running, I have now got a smaller waistline. Even my pants started to drop off. If you go to any running events, majority are in the thin group. They have almost no fat on their bodies. Only strong hard bodies.

Back to the slimming ads. In a sense, what I could deduce is, somehow some of us has forgotten how is it to use our own bodies, to the point that, we need others to tell us how to use them. Look all around us. We've got most of our housework, transportation, and food easily provided by machines and systems.

Walking is now not commmon, but driving is. Hand washing is now considered hard on your hands. Sweeping the floor is easier using vacuum. And shaking off your tummy is now even easier using some belt. And getting thin is advertised as easy as popping some pills. Worst still, there's the KFC ad showing a modern mum, bringing home fast food, and that makes their children happy.

Lets put is this way, if we compare how humans live a few decades back compared to now, the old generation will laugh at how stupidly dependable we are. People at those times, used to walk for miles just to reach some place. And their houses lack washing machines, maids, and cars. But they still live comfortably with less.

Those slimming ads will always be there, for those who believe that paying someone or something, to do the job, will help them, rather than sweating out.

Recollecting thoughts on ultras

Haza commented:
I only have two questions:
(1) How do you do it? For me 42km is long enough, I cant imagine going a step further. What makes you keep at it until three-digit km? What were you thinking of all those hours? What occupied your mind?
(2) A silly one. Weren't you scared running alone on deserted roads in the early morning hours and midnight? Hantu is one thing, what about thugs?

I know there are female ultra runners in this country. I wonder how and where and when they train. I mean, safety issue and all.

(I wrote this as a post, because it made me reflect deeply rather than ignore what I have went through. Thanks Haza. It's kind of long anyway.)

hi haza,

I'll tell you something regarding myself. I love to do very very hard things. I don't like simple challenges. My philosophy in life would be, do the hardest stuff you can do. Solve the hardest problem. I guess, this is what motivates men to climb Everest and swim across seas.

But I think I am not so crazy like some other crazier fellows. I am just ordinary guy running long distance. If you think you are crazy, there's other doing more crazier stuff. There's Hardrock 100 miles with a total elevation 10,000 metres climb (note higher than everest from sea level). And there's badwater 135 miles as well.

What were I thinking? Depends on the mood of the hour. Sometimes, is this worth it? Why would I be running like this, if i could just sit at home and do some hacking. I am a programmer by profession, so i like hacking and writing codes. Sometimes, I think, could I do 200km? 260km? I try to visualize how far it would take. If you can conceptualize the distance and the path to be taken, you might be more confident in tackling it. But usually, I throw out any thoughts that says this is stupid. Or go back and rest. In my mind, its just "make the distance". Don't think this is crazy. Whatever distance, be it 100km or 140km, it's just a darn distance. You want to think it's normal. Although, in reality you are doing something, you know it's either the stupidest thing, or the most fulfilling challenge.

The other thing I always think is food. If only i got a support crew where I could get some nice nourishment instead of powerbars. Or hot coffee instead of cold water from streams. Not to mention no electrolytes. This is my mistake. I'll bring some salt next time.

On the scary part, yes, it's pretty scary. I am not joking. Running in the dark is one thing. Running in the dark, in the jungle, midnight is a whole lot of difference. In total, I ran 3 ultras cutting through Hills of Genting Peres covering the 84km back to back. Imagine this, after running up to Genting Peres, it's 1am. Not a soul is around this place. Totally dark. The only light you have is your small LED torchlight. Right and left, are tall thick bushes and trees. It's cold, and damp. But your legs needs rest, and there's a cement drain 200 metres further where you can sit down and rest awhile. You run a bit downhill, and soon you find it. But sitting down and rest, makes you think, is anyone watching me from the back? What if I encountered some paranormal sightings. And shit, you are all alone. Tired, and have another 40km to run. But you got no choice. After resting 10 minutes, you stand up again on your stiff legs. And started running again. Mechanical at first, because at this point, you have ran 100km. Your legs are pretty much worn off. Soon, your run turn out into a slow jog, and you feel relieved because you can run, although it's darn slow. It's sometimes so embarrassingly slow that you think walking is the same speed as running. But you run nevertheless, in hope that some miracle will make you run faster a bit.

Once in awhile some bats will swoop right in front, and my whole body would just stand up. Sort of like jerking, because of shock of not knowing what the heck went by. But after some pretty slow computation, I deciphered it's just a mammalian bat. And kept on running afterwards.

Running here is so lonely, that in one hour, there's only 1 or 2 cars passing by. Oddly, I try to think the cars passing by, as sort of encouragement and attachment, to counter the loneliness feeling. In other words, I need cars to feel not lonely.

And there's so many times running in the wee hours of morning, I thought I see shadows of objects, that turned out not what it was actually. I had thought there's a car below the street lamp, but when i came nearer, it's just some bushes. So, I guess, no point trying to figure out what I am seeing. As long as I could see the road in front and keep on moving, that's fine.

You know what is the most relieving part of this journey. Getting out of the forest after Genting Peres, and reaching the foothills. It's amazing to think, I had reached this area yesterday at 10 am, and here I am 3am the next day. And still running.

Thugs? I haven't encountered yet. Hopefully not...I don't think that even thugs would come into this part of the path.

Training for ultras is pretty simple. Just up your mileage. Run lots of hills. Do lots of long distance run. B e self sufficient if you run alone. You'll get used to it. But for female runners, it's a safety issue. So, the best thing is to run in an organized ultra event. Like MR 25 12 hours run.

What I wrote can't be substituted for the real experience. If anyone dares, try running 84km back to back from Gabai to Kuala Klawang. Then, you'll fully know what it feels like.

I came, I saw, I ran

I went to Singapore for a business convention with a colleague. It was my second time on the island. We stayed at NSS hotel, which is a budget hotel nearby Raffles Hospital. The hotel was quite old, and it even had a manual lift. A person is needed to pull the lever, sort of like an on and off handle to operate it.

On the day of the event, which was at The Legends, Fort Canning, we took a walk rather than using the MRT. It was a way to savour the life and sights of Singapore. But my colleague swear he won't walk again next time, because by the time he got to the hotel, he was drenched in sweat.

The next day, I took a run around the city. Singapore is trying to make the whole city as a garden concept, and they really did made it such. Though there's concrete everywhere, sidewalks are well planted with trees, and shrubs.

There's a few other runners too, who I suppose are training hard for Singapore Marathon 2007.
I didn't actually planned where to run. So I followed a shirtless dude with HRM for awhile.

Another thing is, you can get shoes quite cheaply here. I got a pair of Adidas (not the adizero of course...), for only SGD 39.90. There's also New Balance shoes selling for 19 SGD...dirt cheap.

Good luck for those running this week in SG marathon...It'll be fun.


Start of the run..


At Pearl Park




I am still following this guy...




Merlion park...

Running along the river





The trouble of running is stopping for traffic lights....


Running down Esplanade Drive...almost no cars on a saturday morning..





The Durian...


Quite a small park...

Back to Fullerton hotel again...


Self pic War memorial park.


Adidas ad of 2 singaporean runners...

No more KFC, MacDonalds

I've just came back from having a decent snack plate size KFC. I went with anticipation of a nice finger licking meal, but found myself hating every bit of it.

It's very seldom that I went for fast food. I think a decent meal cooked at a stall is much more nutritious and healthy.

Think of fat, think of all the calories you are swallowing, and not using them. Rather than taste nice, somehow my brain has been rewired to expunge the taste. And not to mention the mayonnaise on top of salad. Besides, the 2 pieces of fatty clinging skin, is deep fried. Think of it. Deep fried, and while you are eating, you can still taste skin fat, with fried oil.

And then we have pepsi as a drink. Whatever happen to plain water? Notice that your set meal does not come with a choice? If you want, you'll need to get a separate bottled water at an extra cost.

It's something about fast food that makes them so mechanical, colorful, tasteful and attractive, but lacking the home made taste that we are so used to. That something is the mechanical systematic process of food production and hyped out marketing of millions.

I am not going to eat KFC, ever.

And I'm going for a 3km swim just to burn it off.