Malakoff 12km - 21st Dec 2008

This was the closest 10km and above race I have ever been to, and what a better place to do it than Taman Rimba Kiara, greenery and all. The photographers all had a field day, including many photographers you don't see in a run event.

The route was changed last minute, as informed by organisers just days before the event. I was disappointed to not be able to run down the Kiara road and through to the Penchala Link. The last time I did that was the Tunnel Run, and that time we ran from Mont Kiara and I took part in the 5km race only.

Anyway, as it turns out, the organisers chose a safe "internal" route, parallel to KLGCC and the Kiara Hills - and it was so hilly!!! But it was a good race, it helped me to practice the hills and allowed me to practice also sprinting down the hills to fully push the entire body, legs, quads, whatever. As a result, I had a bit of side split at the end of 6km, and had a tougher recovery, quads still a bit sore, because I pushed running downhill (happily!) !!!

I stole a few photos from Tey and Jason Lee (via KC site). I am learning new things everyday despite three years running. My stance is one of a slightly heavy (and lazy) runner. See this shots (even Mr Tey runs with a nice bended leg). So simply said, the good runner has efficient pace and push from toes to run further and more efficiently. As such, the back leg is always bend in motion, not just bend slightly. The front leg is sometimes in almost approaching 90 degrees.

I got to learn to run again !!

Running dry ... on adrenaline ...

My colleague said today, I need to get some juice. I said, well, I need to get some too.

1. He was referring to laptop battery.
2. He thought I was referring to getting a cuppa (I am an acute coffee fan, not addicted, but acute).
3. Actually I was just running low on chi and adrenaline.

2008 is almost done. It is also a period of holidays and leaves, and it is pretty depressing to keep up the high spirits when I'm dipping on reserves.

As I waved goodbye walking away from the last race at Malakoff 12km, I said, this is my last race for 2008!!! I am actually suffering from race fatigue - yes, its actually still fun to run, but just tired, from early mornings, trying to squeeze time on weekend for training or the couple of kms around the house.

So, back to blogging styles of the tired soul - if you could survive on half your salary, and in exchange for a balanced lifestyle, would you trade the job for more time?

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon - 7 Dec 2008

(thanks tey for the 2nd photo)

Run your own race ... I did just that. What a thrilling weekend!

I came to Singapore from a start of the week which was bad at work, and to end the week in a semi-closure. It is difficult to explain to non-runners how much of a marathon requires both mental and also physical training. I have always been stronger mentally (exposed to all sorts of work stress and experiences), but I continue to admire the mental ability of an athlete - the next stage in sporting excellence - one I aspire to be. I would say I use whatever mental strength I have to overcome my lack of training!

It would be funny if I were to mention that I had race jitters a week before the race. It was my 2nd marathon (cannot claim maiden marathon anymore!), and I signed up for this more than 3 months before - and yet I could not have trained more? The funny thing about this was that I actually enjoyed the "anxiety" feelings ..... If one does not have "anxiety" feelings or rather any feelings at all about running a marathon [ie... "excited", "trepidation" (look in dictionary!), "worried", "nervous"]... I think one is not alive!

Getting There...
This was my first trip to Singapore on Air Asia- thanks to an accidental stumble on cheap tickets, mine came at only RM210 all in - this is just slightly higher than my bus tickets last time! So, indeed "everyone can fly" even to run a race!!! Thanks to Air Asia for making travel affordable, simple and no frills!

The accomodation which I booked with a friend was quite poor - it was at a Robertson Quay hotel, which was recommended by my friend's marathon friend who had run the Singapore Marathon before. Indeed it turned out to be a small room, but to my surprise, I got over that whithin a minute - when it comes to travel on my own, I seldom worried over the little things.

I was on "sponsorship" from my university - Monash University for this race. I was proud to call myself team monash - and getting "sponsored" had a feeling as though I am a pro. But more than ever, it was a good moment to be there in Singapore, running under Monash and together with one of my uni mates, although she ran in the 10km category. My only apologies to Team Monash was that in mind I was with you guys, but with the event vest, sorry I could not wear that, there was no size and the shirt was not exactly breathable...

Race Day...
Queueing for the race with 15000 people on the road in front of Fullerton Hotel - this had to be the most strange feeling - on the same road as the formula 1 cars!!!! Got to say, Standard Chartered and Singapore has great organisation skills - there were ample toilets, the entire camaraderie and race feeling was there, it started on time, and they had great DJs and support.

First 10 km ... frankly I do not know Singapore enough to know where I was running through, but I got to say, this race is pancake flat. The cool morning breeze was there whilst running through the first 10km, despite it was in the city. The amount of people stampeding through Singapore streets for a FULL marathon category, was indeed shocking. So for the first 10km, I was determined to run, without the music of the little ipod shuffle, and just enjoyed the atmosphere, it was a relaxed first 10km, even saw some of the 530 pacers in front somewhere within 50 m at one point...

Second 10km ... we got onto the east coast area, after the half marathon turn off. I liked the East Coast area and route, it was a good running track, not on the busy city, and best of all, peaceful and more shadier with trees.

We saw the first of the race leaders on the opposite side of the road along here - I don't know if it was Luke Kibet (the eventual winner), but there was less of a pack than a few sparsely separated front runners. Whoever it was, I knew that guy had a good chance of winning - it was also quite cool when the people around clapped when they saw him - respect the distance, and respect the best runners!

Somewhere along here, I also saw Dhiren, one of my ex-colleagues, I don't know if he was running or was a spectator, but he was surprised to see me waving at him and onto the platform for a minute. It was a good distraction, suddenly seeing someone whom I did not expect brought a little more adrenaline...

Another somewhere along here, I heard Tey shout my name across the divide where the runners were coming back beyond 20km turn around, and he snapped a pic I think because I just waved instinctively - I am so surprised to even heard and more surprise he could see me, heheh, more adrenaline from quick photo...

Third 10 km... I had a continuous pace of running but on 20-30km, I slowed down a little with some walks in between during drinks - to rehydrate - hydration has always been why I did badly in KL half marathons in the past as the heat was too much and running and slowing down suddenly can drain you. Along here I also started the iPod again, and took lots of liquid, but the sudden desire to not push settled in here (as I felt I had to do the last 10km still) - and this was where I slowed down with a little regret, because it affected momentum-- especially when the sun really started to get onto me within the open spots without trees coverage.

Last 12 km... This was mostly back on the city route, completely exposed to the hot sun and really draining - it was like baking in late morning sun, in humid Singapore. It really does not help when most of the crowd is walking their way to the finishing line - kind of makes me lazy too and I was worried I would actually pass out in the heat if I pushed! So, slow jog and walk with some pauses as well as drinks hydration every station, all the way... and only towards 2km to finishing line, I jogged to the final turn, and wow, finished my 2nd marathon !!!

Post thoughts
1) I would do it again. And again. The best part of it is that I know I can do so much better, and the desire to achieve more and conquer this makes a great feeling. I have run in races proper for only 3 years, next year 2009, it is not about marathons, but variety, and better timing!!

2) Got to change the attire - the chaffing is killing me post race... but the shoes the NB 1224 - indeed the most stable shoes - held me through the race and my soles completely recovered in a few hours.

3) Respect the distance - I got what I put in, ie. not enough. I could only do 10kms 3-4 times a week for a month prior to the race. I did not even attempt 20km due to no time to do it. If I got to do this again, I got to be more committed.

4) Gel up - The gels helped to maintain the hydration and salt for the body, thanks very much to powergel for this. Surprisingly powergel was all SOLD OUT prior to the race... not surprising if I think about the 50,000 people and half of them who will get at least 1-2 gels each.

5) Always enjoy the race - And I did... together with the finishing t-shirt and the medal !!!

Really Funny

The amazing race asia show had one task which had the team record a joke told by the man on the street - this woman was REALLY funny - she was on a motorcycle, and she said this -

"Why did the one handed man cross the street?
To get to the second hand shop!!!"

:-) :-) That really cracked me up - worth this posting!

New shoes, new discovery

I have been sold!

Yesterday, I discovered my old pair of faithful Nike Air Span 4 (which fitted with a large front of the shoe) was almost "koyak" - the heel portion of the shoe had almost degraded at one part to a rubber portion, although the shoe remains largely intact and also still well preserved. I cannot remember when I bought this pair of shoes, it must have been almost more than 1.5 years ago. I can only remember I ran Penang half last year with this, and with all the races since then to now, I think it must've clocked its useful number of miles. That said, I was pretty comfortable with the shoe and how it fitted my large feet (!), and with some right socks, I had not have blisters for a while.

Whilst browsing around yesterday at the New Balance store in 1-Utama had a pair of interesting new release of the New Balance 1224 - I was even more ecstatic to discover that Pacesetters had 30% discount (whoopee - this discount paid more than enough for my whole year of membership!).

I also discovered one thing I suspected a long time before - I am really flat footed! And worse also I tend to lean on the heel balance backwards. This is why when I did the Sundown, my sole was so tingling painful for such a long while I could not even sleep right after the race!

I've never been on a new balance before, so this morning took it out for a run (very excitedly) and made 3km before it started to rain! Now, I can't wait to drive to the gym to continue the run, the sorely missed training because I've been too lazy to get up to do the Bukit Aman trail.

Verdict on the shoes so far : Very stable, and good support for long races, but seems to be a bit heavy for short races. Good space on the front of the shoe, and fits well after 1 km, it was sunk in.

Still thinking of which shoe to wear for the singapore race.

Footnote 1: And... wishing all the rest of the guys, all the best in Penang. It was too rushed for me, as I had something on Saturday and had to go for another trip on Monday, so I decided to chill. I will try the 30km on that day at Bukit Aman (hopefully can wake up) to celebrate all of you guys running the Penang race.

Footnote 2: Pacesetters members, are you aware of NB discount of 30%? Its a good deal!!!

Wait a minute ...

Previous post photo - aren't those guys stepping on the mat? Does that mean it does not work already at the starting line?

Don't make me run faster...

"Don't make me angry, you won't like me when I'm angry" - Bruce Banner - the Incredible Hulk

"Don't make me run faster..." - yours truly - when reminded that I needed to catch a flight at 12 noon - wah, so tight... this is really the 2nd time in a year - the first was KLIM - 21km and then run to car to catch a flight. To be honest, I'm really too old for this run and fly routine, unlike some people who think its really cool...

Anyway, so that was Mizuno Wave Run, ok, not too much faster, but maybe around 4 mins faster than my first Mizuno Wave Run 2006... (err, I was slower in 2007).

So maybe "dont make me run faster" works better... this is after I had a bit of a anxiety looking for SCH who collected my bib and chip (rhymes eh), about 15 mins before the race starts. And the bib ripping off before I even get to 2 km down the road.

Photo credit to Tey again, and to be honest, it is quite difficult to take photos of people running- and more importantly to enjoy taking photos of so many people. It takes interest, dedication and passion - to be honest - of all the photos pros take, I find the most difficult is with people because people change.

RACE ID:13649-MAS-MVW-xxx

Three years ago, I started running, I would never have guessed I would do two marathons in a year three years later. still a bit scared...

The fear is always, what if i pass out in the heat - will anyone know? (my sundown marathon fears were worse - what if i pass out and fall into a drain in the dark - a valid scenario! - what more that the others were faster than me).

Then again, you would never have lived if you dont live to run the next marathon.

RACE ID:13649-MAS-MVW-xxx
RACE:Full Marathon 42.195 km (Race starts 5.30 am)
COMPANY:TeamMONASH
Thank you for registering for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2008!

Rainy days

They say, save it for a rainy day. But no one ever realises that sometimes, the rainy days bring the best of things. This was captured from office window from the Twin Towers today, when a huge cloud blew past, and the bright sun was shielded with a strange yellow apocalyspe type of light. The picture was taken with a mobile phone camera, so it is not so clear, but definitely it was spectacular to the naked eye for those who saw it.

Podium Finish

Funny, I could get a podium finish with such a poor timing in the AdventuRun 2008 charity event organised by the Taylors Business School in support of the National Cancer Society for Malaysia.

But, who cares, it is still a podium finish (3rd!). In fact, we team of oldies and "goodies" (we care for cancer!) from my fellow colleagues took top 3 positions in the ladies above 21 category, and also 3rd placing in the men's category.

I discovered a new thing about running - really, the young college kids don't run or don't know how to run, at all... and secondly they don't know how to smile... (?) - I was bored and said good morning to almost all the marshalls in the round 2 of the 2nd half of the race (2 loops of 5km) - and only one person said hello back at me!

Anyway, here it is - myth or truth (see second photo below) I could even run with my eye closed nowadays! (Either too early and still sleepy, small chinese eyes or showing off?).

Thanks, Tey for the first two photos.

Last photos, whats in the simple 3rd prize bag, lots of Vico!! And a little Alonso car :-)

Next week, Mizuno Run.

Hail Haile

Haile Gebrsellasie, the world record holder for the marathon has done it again. He broke the world record for the marathon in the Berlin marathon today, with a record time of 2:03:59. He was the holder of the previous world record of 2:04:26 both set at the Berlin Marathon.

I was surprised to catch this live on TV on ESPN sports on Astro this Sunday afternoon, one of the first few times I've actually watched a live telecast of a marathon. Watching races on TV can sometimes be boring (this is why we go run it ourselves!!!) - but this race was a surprise as I was at that very point in time reading the Pacesetters magazine, and for the last few editions has had Haile's picture in the PowerBar sponsor ad page with the huge "world record holder for the marathon" declaration!!

As it turns out, I did not managed to catch the entire race - this would mean watching a man run for 2hrs (!) - but about at least 2/3 of it - and the interesting thing was that they have pacers hired for the race (I think by the organiser?) - Haile was surrounded by 4 pacers - these guys paced him up to at least between 20-30km - they were fast! It was like running a race with body guards. There were pacers for nearly most of the top guys - and this was interesting - imagine running at world record pace up to 30kms - why would you not go for the full thing with a PB (Personal Best)? Well, then I realised that they get paid for pacing, and were *not* supposed to win the race.

Well, I must apologise for the obsession with racing in the last few blogs... (always the amateur sportsperson!)

Experiments of the heart

A few lbs (just a few) lighter, and after recovering from a nasty flu last week, I started running again this week and found myself running faster and feeling lighter as well. Was it due to the 2-3kms I tried to do after work outside and it was getting dark and I ran faster? Or the Dean Karnezas book which inspired me? I do not know but it was a strange release and a good feeling because I felt free and relaxed...

Today also marked another one of my boredom experiments, something I've always wanted to do but never tried - I tried to do the stationary bike at the gym for 30kms - am so proud to know that I made it easily !!! I have no benchmark to compare, but it was around 70 minutes, and I guess this is a bit slow, but the strange thing was that during the ride I was bored and tried to experiment with controlling my heart rate. It scared me because by a focussed calm, I managed to drop my hearrate from 110 to 95 within less than half a minute. It was a pretty weird "experiment" as I tried to recreate a type of calm to slow down my heart and I found it could work. At the end of the bike ride, I actually found a slower heart rate than when I started, whilst the two fellas working out next to me were panting and sweating profusely!

I cannot believe I am conducting lab tests on myself...

The Reading Runner and Climber

Running and Reading is so different. One is pure mental, the other pure physical. And yet, surprisingly, I enjoy these two past-times tremendously.

1. Dean Karnazes - 50 Marathons, 50 Days (extract and picture of book taken from a book store website)

2. Lincoln Hall - Dead Lucky

I wanted to relate two finds in Australia - the price of books being slightly more expensive, I seldom buy books overseas except for bargain offers. But these two were a great find.

Dean Karnazes 50 marathon in 50 days was a great find - it is about the race where he raced a marathon in a day in 50 days in 50 different states in US in 2006. He actually did 50 marathons in 50 days! He recreated some of the marathons by asking for the race directors to point out the route of the state's marathon, and ran 8 of the marathons "live", including the last race, the New York City Marathon in December 2006 - the same first race Lance Armstrong ran as his marathon debut. Although this guy is pretty much a marketing man (he has written the Ultramarathon Man book and essentially gotten North Face funding for this race) he definitely captivated the spirit of running. Good tips are all over the book - I am on Marathon number 11 now, and when I finish the book, I will pass it on other runners. I think it is absolutely inspirational - he writes about not only various tips but also the different learnings or runners who join him in some of his 50 runs. Drop a note if you want to borrow this from me.

Lincoln Hall's Dead Lucky is a slightly older book (2007), which was on a bargain corner, next to another book on climber's ethics - as also in the same year 2006, there were 11 or 12 people who died in the Everest, raising the highest death toll for the year and raising questions on how ethical it is to leave injured climbers and take care of yourself first. Lincoln Hall turns out to be an Australian experienced and famous climber who collapsed on his way down and he was left for dead, and then he turned out alive the next day, where he had spent a blistering night on the peak of everest. The book is written by him, so it would be interesting to find out how he managed to survive and what happened (I've not read it yet!).

I am looking for a nice curled up weekend on reading. And then out to train for my next marathon after that... or was it before that?

Footnote : I've always enjoyed book stores - and it was no different this time. When I walked into the book store even overseas, there was a sense of calm and serene about browsing around. Where I was sick or even tired from a long day, I swear I felt my heartbeat slow down to a slower more restful peace around the book store.

Long Way Home

Pic 1 - Family Day at Federation Square on Father's Day





Pic 2 - Seriously I was really at my niece concert on one of the nights. I spent 3 hrs at a 7 year old's grade 2 concert! Seriously, the Australian primary school kids did such an elaborate concert!
Pic 3 - The Melbourne Arts Center from the Eureka skydeck

Pic 4 - Seriously, I spent AUD 15 to stand on the Edge on the Eureka Skydeck... a cubic structure which slowly edges out of the building such that when they defrost the glass, you see you are standing on a piece of glass 88 stories fronm the ground.

September was a busy month for me, in a different sort of way. I was sick again for two weeks, making this a really "poor health" year for me.





Making a difference, I travelled to Australia for a recruitment drive for the firm. In a span of 11 days I was away, I did about 5 campus and off campus career fair, three and a half full days of interviews, talked to probably about 200-300 people about the firm, worked two full saturdays, went out on ALL days to catch up with my friends, and had a family day sunday with my brother, and my mum and dad, in Australia!

Phew.

Indeed, it has been a long way home for me, and somehow, away from my home in Malaysia, I tend to be slack on blogging, busy or not. And coming back home last week, I was really out for two days - down with the flu, and my defences were broken finally!



Well, this is indeed a personal blog, so no photos of work, and these were the only time I managed to squeeze out to spend doing other things.

I studied in Melbourne for my undergraduate degree, and since then have only been back to melbourne a few times. There was a great sense of deja vu, but also a sense that I was a visitor passing by this time. I never felt a strong kinship with Melbourne, although I still have a lot of good friends and my brother and his family is still there.

Nevertheless, I am glad to be home.

Olympics @ Damai Laut 08.08.08

I am catching up on posts of activities in the last few weeks in August. How time flies!

On Aug 08. 2008, the 2008 Olympics was officiated in Beijing. It was also the weekend where we went away for the Business Unit Meeting for my office. This was a 3 day event where we will have a day of team building, a day of community updates and some rests on the remaining time away from work. This year it was held at Damai Laut, Lumut.

The theme this year? Olympics of course! And we went for it, from all the "themed" sports with a twist to having screens to watch the opening ceremony to Olympic themed new hires performances. All in, fun and really in the spirit of sports, I had a great time doing not much, and enjoyed the best organised event ever, and watched a great team run this event as smooth as the militaristic Beijing did!

And, I won the Hookers Cup (our annual golf tournament) again this year for ladies champion...! (At the expense of a sore arm for a week due to over-golfing practice last minute).

A great weekend away.


Pic 1 - Beautiful resort attracts UFO photography?

Pic 2 - Beautiful sunset... better than discussing work in a meeting room...

Pic 3 - Rings of the Olympics - this was a team building game where the competitors had to get their "balls" through the rings of the Olympics

Pic 4 - A portion of the Photography SIG taking the privilege for a group shot (my camera was used!)

Pic 5 - Getting the takraw through the rings of the Olympics...

Pic 6 - Redefining the relay 4x50m

Pic 7 - Egg Putt (a short putt using your own designed shot put with an egg in it, held together with straws and toothpicks)... apparently a harvard orientation game?

Pic 8 - Land synchronised swimming!

Pic 9 - At the most scenic hole, golfing @ Hookers Cup during the 3 day weekend

Pic 10 - The Hookers Cup

Welding @ Happy Merdeka Day Celebration - The Curve 31st Aug 2008

Warning 2: More amateur photography ahead...

After an overdose of fireworks at MIFC within the week, I thought I would chill on trying to go to another crowded site in KLCC, although my wish had been to photograph fireworks at KLCC from Ascott swimming pool (which is on a higher floor). I have seen photos of this angle, and it is spectacular.

Anyway, onto Merdeka Day eve, and decided to check out the party at the Curve, which was blocked out since 7pm+. Last year, the fireworks had been near Cineleisure, and this was where the cop I chatted to told me as well. Unfortunately a tall building in construction had appeared in front of it, and also the view from across the road at the corner of the BU4/11 slip road presented the big ugly building and three spotlights spoiling the shot.

So, I decided to get closer, took out two of the street spotlights, and felt I was quite safe, hmm why no one near me... the crowd was on the street between Ikea and Curve, and about 50 m ahead. And then I heard the countdown, 3,2,1 and .... off goes the fireworks, but where was it?

It turned out to be at the angle directly between the building and cineleisure, and not within my view. I jogged with my tripod to be closer, and well, it turned out all my shots looked like a welder in a construction site...

Nothing beats MIFC, skills or no skills. This was over in less than 5 mins to my disappointment. And I did not know how I could've avoided the building and also then I understood why no one in the crowd was doing a DSLR. Apparently the pros always know where not to go to... but the lazy photographers like me take the priority to the walking distance from house.

Photo 1 - the first shot I took after jogging another 20m to "see" the fireworks. See the ugly building? Cineleisure is on the right. I am on the exit road from Ikano/Ikea.

Photo 2 - This over-exposed shot really looks like a giant construction welding iron! Sigh...

Smoked Out @ Putrajaya MIFC Finale!

Warning - don't be offended by unprocessed lousy photography!

If you have not been to the MIFC fireworks competition (this is the 2nd year it is held), I have to say, it is a truly breathtaking experience, with or without the camera. This year, the Malaysian International Fireworks Competition was held at around the same time last year, and at the same location - at Putrajaya. All the word last year on traffic was unfounded, and together with some budding photographers from my founded Photography SIG in my company, we set to this event to "learn" how to take fireworks.

The first night on 24th Aug (last post) turned out to be a rained washed night, with the rain coming in before the fireworks and in the middle of the fireworks, causing some of us to frantically pull the camera to safety in the middle of the event, whilst I actually took the umbrella out in the middle, and still had a few spots on the camera view.

However, the fireworks was indeed breathtaking, and despite saying "I will not stand another 3 hrs again", a couple of days later, I actually considered doing it again, as I was a bit disappointed in my shots.

Come 29th August, being a Friday, the timing sounded good. However, it was almost not a night to be for me, as firstly I left my tripod at home when I left in the morning to work (intending to go directly after work). Then it followed that I left my house keys behind in a rush, and had to get a spare key. By the time I got to PICC, it was almost close to 830pm, after almost 2.5 hours of travelling from office, to home, to get the tripod, and then finally to Putrajaya. Nevertheless, we had planned to do this second trip and sourced out another location, the cafeteria of PICC, where for RM 12 coupons for food, we could get the verandah and be shielded from rain and best of all, eat and have a seat waiting!

As it turned out, the photos turned out, disastrous and worse as the smoke blew to our direction! The fireworks display was also not as spectacular or formation like as the ones we saw the sunday 24th August (who in fact turned out to be the winner to our surprise). So, here are the smoked out photos (unprocessed).

Pic 1 : The first shot, not smoked out but we were obviously at one corner of the cafeteria (as indicated by my cutting out the last ball of fire)

Pic 2 : This shot was less than 1 min into the fireworks, and already smoked out!

Pic 3 : I found the water layer on the outside of the verandah an interesting reflection, almost a strange cut of the fireworks, but because it was too far away, the reflection was not complete, but it was an interesting idea. (Again, holy smokes!)

Pic 4 : Holy smokes, flowers on fire, in a portrait shot!

Pic 5 : Putrajaya at night, after all the buzz

Footnote : I buzzed KC when I was there (and he was there indeed), and he responded, "wind blow your way" - I was wondering what the heck does that mean... well, that was so clear during the fireworks.

Anyway, I will not miss this event next year, after seeing MIFC, no other fireworks can equate this.

Great Show!

Olympics Aftermath...

I miss the olympics already. I forget sometimes that I have transformed to become a great armchair sports-person... so here are my few comments and memories of the greatest show on earth (and they have been influenced by later events...) .

1. Diving - what an awesome dive from Mitcham of Australia to overtake the chinese diver for Gold, with an impossible near perfect executed dive, on the last dive. Even the armchair sportsman was impressed. A true champion... but... did you know he was gay? On google I discovered this - rather I would think, what is the big deal? But it seems that these groups highly publicise his win - lets just say they are proud of him! (Picture Credit to the site).

2. Swimming - I probably got tired of Michael Phelps after his 3rd gold. No doubt, he is one of the best olympian in history, if not the best. But what really impressed me was the emergence of the lesser nations - ie. The Korean who won the breaststroke - he broke the China-Australia-America domination!
Picture Credits to Korea Times

3. Athletics - Usain Bolt, need I say more? And the biggest screw up for US for both their mens and womens 4x100.

4. Athletics - Yelena Isinbayeva - awesome focus and mental strength. She said - "The world is my runway and I am here to perform" and perform she did, at 5.05m

5. Badminton - Lin Dan - sorry to ignore Lee Chong Wei here, but Super Dan played an awesome match in the final. I would never say Chong Wei did not perform, but Lin Dan performed exceptionally well!

6. Tennis - Rafael Nadal - congratulations to the newly crowned world number one - best match was with Novak Djokovic - this was really more the gold medal match than the other one with Fernando Gomez.

7. Weightlifting - you would not believe I would watch this, but not only myself, but countless other armchair TV addicts during the olympic season loved weightlifting. My favourite lift? The chinese lady who said she can, and shattered the world record. I cannot remember her name

8. Soccer - playing under the 42C temperature for the final - congraulations to both Nigeria and Argentina!

9. Cycling - Road racing all the way to the great wall of china. Fantastic route and challenge.

10. Marathon - And... the finale, one up for the marathon woman - Constantina Tomescu (38 years old!!!!)
Congratulations and I did watch both the men's and women's marathon. What impressed me was despite the contrast of the two events (womens was in the rain, mens was quite hot), I was humbled by these representatives who really battled themselves to the finishing line - it was inspirational to see the TV broadcast showing numbers up to 60-70 and up to the end position, despite the winner has probably already gotten tired of running their victory lap. It signifies the effort and the triumph of the marathon, and the human spirit.

With this, I hope to have the same inspiration 4 years later from London 2012.

Great show, Beijing.

Fired up over fireworks... MIFC - Spain!

To the nicely choreographed soothing music and numb knees, three precious hours of standing and the nasty rain cutting into the routine, fireworks has never been so beautiful against the Putrajaya sky.

The photographer, however, needs to improve her amateur status ...

The KL Rat Race - Master Stroke!

Euphoria could not describe my young team's first ever "medal" win of the KL Rat Race.... And how better more to do the master stroke at the crown jewel event of the corporate world!

The Rat Race this year was a lot more subdued probably due to the issues at Bursa earlier of the month for the system failure, the poor performance of the local share market, and the low sentiment of the economic impact from the US sub prime issues.

The usual suspects in the CEO race was not there, and the large RHB team in the past was eclipsed in all areas, including the podium finishes, when the CIMB team upstaged the competition this year. Even Digi, who sent in the largest contingent this year, with 10 teams were subdued in moderate white polo tees with yellow lining, and the two yellowmen and the mobile toilet Celcom PowerTools folks did not seem to really push the atmosphere.

Or maybe, in my 6 year to support the Rat Race (Ran 4 of them, and supported 2 of them, this year with the honor of "choosing" the team and being a back seat driver!), I felt a satisfaction of bringing a team and driving them to achieve a 2nd place finish, and also I finally felt a different sensation - one of a great team at work, charged, and delivering in high performance, and I no longer need to be in the active driver seat.

Congratulations to the team, if you work for it, if you dream it, you can achieve it. The "secret" is that there is no "secret" but to do the best and enjoy the journey.

Don't be surprise the competitive blood is in me that I would like to "qualify" for the Rat Race next year, as we will dream of yet another way to win. What spirit!

Photo - Candid on one of the CEO reps - This looks like a Usain Bolt action, looking behind on the last bend to see if any competitors coming

Amateur Photographer

Can you imagine, after two years and still an amateur photographer?

Dusted my camera recently over the spate of activities, and had taken it out to three separate outings as an amateur photographer, the first was company outing at Lumut which I was the lead organiser, the second the company badminton tournament and the third, the KL Rat Race.

Read on for later posts of these events.

Photo : Since I am in the photo with my camera, obviously I did not take this photo! My comment was that all "semi-pros" and "pros" photographers have a blog or facebook photo with their face partially covered by the camera. The logic was that the camera was an important identity, but most photographers shy away from the camera themselves. That started my attempt during the weekend company trip away where there were MANY DSLRs to take the opportunity for SOMEONE to take that "semi-pro" shot... so... nice or not? Now to take some good photos to post together with my "author" shot...

My parents read my blog!

I would like to welcome my mum to cyberspace, officially! She read my blog! I will need time to recover from this shock ...

Well, seriously, this short entry is specially dedicated to my parents - for which raising me to who I am now, and I feel humble and honored at the same time to be trying to be now in return teaching you about the things such as internet which the opportunity was never available to both of you back then.

With the internet, satellite TV, CNN, online newsfeeds, SMS alerts, we are in a world of information and opportunities aplenty to use or enjoy the knowledge brought about by these sources. Let us hope that we continue to use this information wisely and enable the next generation to prosper further from knowledge.

Ancora Imparo* - I am still learning ...

*latin motto of Monash University, my alma mater

Let the Games begin ... 08 08 08

Photo - from Business Week


Only China can stage the Olympics opening ceremony in the way they did on historic 08 08 08 at 8 08 pm...

Suffice to say that I am so incredibly impressed, and upset as well that I could not get to see the repeat - I was at Lumut for an offsite meeting and community office event - and sneaked off the post dinner activities to snuggle in the karaoke room on and off, and waited for the opening ceremony lighting of the Olympic torch.

And it was well worth the wait.

Li Ning, 4 times gold medalist for China, and a balding 40+ year old entrepreneur now, was hoisted up via suspension ropes to the stadium walls, after being passed the olympic flame, and proceeded to simulate a run through the stadium walls - a sight to behold - no runner could contain the delight of seeing the amazing choreography which showed the impression of Li Ning running magnificently against a spotlight on the stadium walls (when he was just being swung around and swaying his legs simulating a run) whilst a scroll unfolds, depicting the history and culture of China. And finally to the torch, which had been erected minutes before, and lighting a fireworks path which traversed to the torch and lit to flames...

Let the Games begin...

Note - I am indeed a pure sports fan surprising to some people - I was so impressed with the road race cycling (yup, I aim to own a bike by end of year), enthralled by the weightlifting (eh, how come they are so muscular and still so light in weight...), waiting always to see our badminton boys, pinpoint impressed by archery, even watched rowing skulls... (no time to blog!)

The mountain, my inspiration, my bogeyman

My second trip up Mt Kinabalu last week is by far most memorable, and with a slight tinge of regret of not conquering my bogeyman again, the summit trail. The story behind the decision I made whilst sitting in the dark on a long table at Gunting Lagadan a un-heated cabin, staring at two empty bottles, cold, damp socks, not finding a basin to throw up and having that silly altitude headache and everyone asleep ... well, that is a long story. Suffice to say, I had my laziness strike at the wrong moment, and that sitting in the dark and in the cold slows my willpower and makes me wonder why I wanted to try the summit another time in suffering ...

The last time I did the Mt KK trip, about 3 years ago, on Merdeka weekend, I did the peak, and for a good 1 year, I never wished to step near any mountain again! Instead I discovered a world of peak fitness, spurred by the KK trip, and my encounter with KC and his group, and subsequently Rat Race, and my rediscovery of the passion of running. I never looked back.... and what a great 3 years it has been. There were many ups and downs, but for health, my passion in sports, my running career, has taken me from Rat Race to 10k to 21k, multiple 21ks, and finally the Marathon this year. And I decided on a spur of the moment to take on KK again.

I related to my team, who made the trip worth it, that the sunrise was overrated, the Timpohon trail was easier, but no one listened, instead, I am quite proud of those who conquered the odds, braved the elements, and enjoyed the real test of endurance KK brought.

I encountered by bogeyman again, travelling to the summit, and not shy to say I did not make it because on the spur of the moment, I did not want to push myself. Instead I discovered something more real and valuable about the trip - that it was fun to travel at ease, with great company, simple pleasures and when doing the same thing again, makes a difference with the company.

My souvenir for the trip, a deep gash in my elbow, still healing, and my knee is still recovering, although not in pain, but getting up is not as easy as it used to be.

As age catches up, I have that sudden thought, would I dare to venture Everest base camp next year?

And the next question quickly comes to mind, what is stopping you?

40% Effort, 40% Willpower, 10% Science, 10% Technology ... and a heart for glory

This was quite an interesting conversation. It was about our upcoming trip to Mt Kinabalu, done on a one month preparation. I would rank my fitness level and readiness about middle of the pack despite I have run races for a while. Climbing is certainly a different set of muscles... However in terms of Effort, Willpower, Science and Technology, I think I would rank top 3!. Effort because I do believe in training, Willpower because I am an endurance runner first before a climber, Science - I've discovered Phiten (http://www.phitenmy.com/), and Technology - the walking stick I have from China and my trail shoes....!!!

Three years ago, I had not participated in any races, and I climbed Mt Kinabalu, with about 3-5 months of training on and off. This time, I believe I have more of willpower, effort, science and technology to counteract the lesser time for training.

Above all, I believe I have the "heart for glory"....

Anyway, another story here - I saw a malay lady, she was panting up the stairs at Batu Caves last saturday. I was on my 4th round, but almost starting to feel the pain at the calves. She stopped, and I decided to strike a conversation with her to lepak a little. She asked whether I was going to KK, and I replied, yes, next week. I asked her when she is going, she said, in October. Then she told me, she is 54 years old (she looks like mid 40s only) and she was loaded with a backpack and adequately dressed for training. She asked me how old I was, and whether I thought she can make it to the top. I said - "I think you can". She had the "heart for glory" and I knew I inspired her when I said that without hesitation! (She even took a photo with me...). The next thing I knew, she was on round 2 and 3, even though she said she will only do 1 round.

See you at the top!

Siemens 10km Run - what are you running for?

The theme of this year's Siemen's Run is quite cool - What are you running for? I thought about it before the race when I read the info of the run and I guess I did not have a real answer, the closest I would have would be ... I am running for "life".

Running has always been pure fun, and for someone with a non-athletic background or family or physique like myself, this has been my personal achievement, and puts a whole meaning of being alive and healthy.

I had not run for a proper race since the Sundown Marathon, this means almost 1month+. How time flies... the only running I've done is in the gym, and from 2-6km only. However, this 10km was not competitive to me, but still I felt an urge to "do well" because it was ... only 10km... heheh, kiasu. Caveat was that I did Batu Caves stairmaster training yesterday, and my calves was a bit painful...

It was good to meet a few good friends on the race this time, some of my colleagues (about 6-8 of them!) who did not run often, or first timers, came by, Wai Fun and Lee San came with their friend Liew (who was a familiar running face), and I saw KC, Tey, Boon and some of their friends.

This was a well organised race, high turnout, good atmosphere, water stations every 2 km+, a band to send you off, and a lot of cheerleaders on display the last 500m. I ran a pretty slow but comfortable race, and did think that I had a personal best, unfortunately was told it was under-distanced. But, for charity, and all the fun, and for a comeback race for me to running - loads of fun!

Next race? Maybe Penang Marathon if CM Lim Guan Eng can get the funding act together...

My calves still hurts ... this is so strange ... I used to have sore thigh muscles after any race, but from the sundown marathon onwards, I've lost that, is it my running stance? Now my calves hurt doubly due to the race and yesterday's training... hmmm