Jaguh overseas ... PB in Condura Run 2009

I'm pretty good at this by now... I actually run better and faster overseas!

Condura Run 2009 - Philippines ... was my first run this year, I am serious! Well, it must be good to trigger a bit more blogging back from me?

2.41 for 21km - I am pretty happy - this is one of my better times - this is better than all my KLIM attempts. I think the first attempt I did in 2006 21km I was around that time? I am not sure, but for the moment, I will claim this to be my 21km personal best.

This run was really fun... Personally I found nothing so fantastic about running on the famous "Skyway" which is like a huge NPE. The only difference for the locals was probably that they never get a chance to run on the highway. The other pretty cool thing was that it was good race with the route pretty flat, and despite the sun here rises ahead 1 hr than Malaysia = baked by 7am (1.5 hours), the usual race euphoria is just such a great feeling!

The fun thing about running overseas - especially in Philippines is that I almost felt the urge to race up to most people who looked like they could chat, and said "this is my first race in philippines".

Next week 10km - men's health run.

Oh year, I love the sign up process. Bibs on the spot. Results out within 2 days!!! Check out www.condura.com

21km Condura Run (Philippines) - the skyway or my way....?

Yup, I confirm the fire is still in me to run.  I am currently on work assignment in Philippines, and just did my first run in the philippines - the Condura 21km race.  I have just joined the running scene !!!

Let me just go through some thoughts I had pre-run and later I will write about the run itself.

1. Sports gel - Power Bar, you guys must do a better job at getting your gels into the Philippines.  Last week, I went looking for gels and they stared at me like I was speaking some foreign tongue - the locals and pharmacies have hardly heard of gels!  Then I surfed and found out the gels were in Fitness First, and I ran to Fitness First to look for them, but they were out for the month!!!  That is so shocking.... I am sure there must be a better supply chain for gels.  I am wondering how runners here survive without gels... 

2. The Fort - this has got to be the coolest running practice zone - can you imagine running 1km+ round and round this huge shopping mall - apparently this is such a good running zone that the locals train here every night.  We took the opportunity to try this out last Sunday and boy, was it hip - it felt like a people watching scene.  One mistake was to start too late to train - because the sun here is almost 1hr ahead, as such starting at 745am meant almost 845am equivalent = very hot.  But two 6km sessions here was all I had for training for my 21km...

3. Running distances and speed - My other runner colleague and I realised that runners here are pretty casual, the distances on races are mostly 3km, 5km, 10km at most.  In fact 21km races are rare, and marathons even more rare.  I suppose this is the same as in KL, but in KL, most of the starting distances are 10km or single distances - so it can be pretty unforgiving.  Generally I also found most people ran slower here - part of the reason could also be that there are not that many places to run or train.

4. Signing up for a race - this is pretty cool - the bib is given on the spot on payment, and there is typically distribution via Nike outlets or alternatives.  In general, this is better than taking a trip to collect the bib a day before the race.  The bib is also given in an envelope, and has a barcode for recording when you finish the race.  Cost of signing up for the race is slightly more expensive than KL - it cost approx RM 40 equivalent for the 21km Condura Race, for a t-shirt and the race itself.

5. Running portals - this is also pretty cool - most of the running portals are quite established, and teams prefer to run in their own group.  Some of the portals includes : 

www.takbo.ph

www.bullrunner.com

and a few more....

Well, I survived condura.... dare I to submit the registration form for KL Marathon now?  More on the race details in next blog... have been too busy to blog even... 

Return of the prodigal daughter

My hands are sweating as I am typing this.  Not because I am nervous or anxious but because I am typing this on my new macbook.  Never a fan of notebooks as a gadget - despite my craze towards gadgets, this has to be an exception.

There is a legion of devoted fans to the mac out there, and these guys worship the mac truly.  As for me, it is the return of the prodigal daughter, as my first PC (or rather the one I used - dad's purchase) was an Apple.  During those days it was Apple IIe - I might still have the shell somewhere in the house.  It was some really tight basic programming, and the green screen games.

Today, the Mac is a sexy piece of a gem, and just watching the demo of OS is enough to convince me this is definitely a phenomenon in human computer interaction.  

Steve Jobs, you are definitely one crazy and talented guy.

Nadal

Rafael Nadal, Australian Open 2009 Champion.

Nadal has never been my hero, but he inspired me for the last few days of the Australian Open tennis series.

He beat the guy who tried harder than him - Fernando Verdasco in a 5hr 14min semi-final. The Nadal Verdasco match was so tiring to watch because it reminded me of running a marathon - if I were to be able to do it in 5hr 14 mins, it would have been a great achievement - and these guys were slugging balls for 5hrs + !!! Ferdasco tried harder than Nadal - the match statistics showed he had twice the winners 90+ winners but also twice the unforced error of Nadal. What does that tell you? Trying harder once is never good enough, talent is never good enough. Perseverence, and above all being stronger and being never to lose mentally is the key...

He brought Federer to tears. When you have tried so hard, and the opponent such as Nadal refuses to die -- what more can you do? When your opponent gives you a hug and says you are a great champion but I am sorry.... I would have given way to tears just like Federer would.

If you were a non tennis fan, I hope you saw the match and was converted.

But most of all, I was inspired by his "never say die" and "chase every ball" working attitude... (it reminds me of someone... - me - except I have not reach number one!!!)

Belated Goodbye to 2008, and Lets upgrade ... for 2009

For my first facebook status for 2009, I said - "lets upgrade".

Lets upgrade for 2009. There are many reasons why, but I will start with my one of my favorite blog topics for the year - running - this passion which has held steadfast for the year.

Leaving 2008 - with two marathons in the belt ...
2008 was a really eventful year of trying with less effort, and enjoying a "stretched" target. As those in sales knows, there is always the target and the stretched target. I did not have a real target for the year for 2008, but I had wanted to do my first marathon. Sometime in Feb or something, I signed up for Sundown. My rationale was so "logical" and so me - that to conquer the 42.195 km, my only option was to run at night, as I had been burned and dehydrated before in even half marathons, and moreover, I am really a night person.

And so the KLIM whizzed past, I remember doing it with the remaining of a flu, could not breathe through the nose, and rushed to Sydney in a plane a couple of hours after that. The overseas travel usually knocks off momentum, and after that I was sick, and before I knew it, Sundown Marathon 31st May approached and I was not entirely ready. With a few usual goading from some friends and fellow bloggers, I decided to "go for it" - moreover a few of my colleagues were going for it, with a couple of us in our maiden marathon. The strategy I had was correct - I did what I could to compensate for my lack of practice, but made the race, terrible time.... and that got me hooked!!! After all, I had joined the marathon's club!

I am not a born runner. Nor a fast runner. Or had I ever raced for many years.

2008 was year two of the running club I formed with some colleagues in the company. I am so proud of the group - this is purely passion fueled, and to do KLIM with about 50 people - wow... and to see so many who started (you guys know who you are), and raised their level, this is amazing to me.

After a few more races, I got the itch again, and went for Singapore Marathon in December. What a close of the year for me, where again I travelled to Singapore with trepidation, regretted to not train enough for it, and finished the race, in the sun - another first for me!

To me, this year, 2009, is all about upgrade - I would encourage all those who are thinking of joining the running community to see what this drug is about, please do not hesitate to join - every year, somehow, I manage to know a few "converts" and when they race past me, I feel that urge to continue to run and run...

Arriving to 2009- and reminder to take care of myself...
I started the year terribly - my first weekend run for the new year last Sunday at double hills track in Bukit Tunku the Pacesetters regular track was really fun. The way my body reacted after the run told me I was in terrible shape, both from lack of sleep of overwork and also from working through the entire longest end of year holidays, uncountable amount of multi-tasking, and much less exercise. Suffice to say that after I got home fine and rested, I developed a "heat wave" - body was heating up from dehydration, and I had headache, vomitting, diaorhea, and was sweating in an air-cond room. And as the week starts for the people returning to work from a long break, my fatigue is really settling in and I still have no time to run, and my sole is aching for no reason. The forces of nature has issued me a reminder, the body is like a machine, it breaks down from over extended use.... press ctrl-alt-delete....

For 2009, my upgrade is not to do an ultramarathon - I have no qualifications for that yet, but a few simple thoughts of what I'd like to upgrade to - to do a few new things, and do better in a few events and not overkill myself physically -
- a 12/24 hr walk - I liked the thought of endurance event at low pace (and its at night heheh)
- two marathons, with target of 6hrs, 5.5hrs - sensible 30 mins increments!
- a dualthon - biking and running
- qualify and run for the rat race for the 4.5km
- do a personal best for the 10km and the 21km
- 10 persons from the company running club for the KLIM, and sponsored shirts from Nike (this one is for my selling skills, not my running skills)

Simple. Lets upgrade....

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