Brunei Oh Brunei...(updated)

Going to Brunei for HSBC Olympic Games, SouthEactAsia version. As usual, Im taking part in badminton.

Enjoyed very much (even losing) in my last 2 training sessions because, there's a very good player in my team now.

OK. All I know is, no selling alcohol in Brunei... Must be quite boring then... But, Im ready for any surprise...

Updated
It's a fun trip indeed. Fun to meet new fren like Dex, a local. Fun to meet back old frens from Msia. Most of all, fun to win & lose because every match was a tough match. I did a lot of jumping smash this time, mainly because I have finally put on contact lens. No more jumping-smash-then-adjust-spec routine. Try to nail each point, when the shuttle was lifted high. The point system now is very nervy as each point counts.

Dex had cordially brought me around Brunei on the 1st day. And, we finished round-the-country in 1hr. Some interesting facts abt Brunei:
- Petrol is $0.53.
- $50K can buy a Merc C Class.
- Only 30 taxi in Brunei, since everyone owns a car.
- Every buildings can't build higher than their mosque.
- Their Sultan portrait is everywhr. Absolutely everywhr.
- Underground beer can be bought at $5. Else, drive 2hr to Miri, 1 can costs you $1.
- Education is free.
- Civil servant can apply for very nice landed gov hse. Rental: $150 (!@#$%^)

Morning parade with a super tight track bottom.
Our loyal fans, soccer team and net ball team. I smashed harder for them ;-)
My partner & I. Learnt that he did jumping smash too. Later he told me it's because 'You jump, I jump'!
Acrobatic! Trust me. If you possess the correct & basic badminton skills, you will have a nice body line. It's my toughest sports.
My roommate cum star of my team.
My favorite pic. Jump Jump!
We got 2nd eventually. The best result we could get.

I was having a severe backache for the following 3 days. Too much jumping smash I think;-) Age does catching up.

Perhaps, the last 20KM before Adidas KOTR

I felt lucky when Ameba told me that she will run 20K on Saturday. I just need a companion in running. Darn. Went to bed only at 3am. SMS her that I can't make it in the next morning.

I felt more lucky when I found out that she also failed to wake up and suggested to run on Sunday morning. And, we met at Lake Garden car park at 6am sharp!

Maybe, subconciously, I know Ameba is in good shape (Prize RM300 here and RM100 there sure good form right?), we started in a fast pace. Quite kan cheong when running with her now. There's also a uncle who paced along us. We split at 6K when she wanted to try a new energy product (she prones to lausai with PowerGel).

Stopped at Petronas at 54min. Felt good with a speedy end. Waited for Ameba while poured myself with Gatorade. She's not far behind. Really impressive. Abt 5min rest, off we go again. Then, decided to breakaway from Ameba again coz tried to catch with a lady. She's fast.

On the way back, saw PM1 'walking' from the opposite direction! He just join any events with medals I think. Medal tally in his network is close.

Ended with total time ~1hr43min running time. The fastest ever non-competition time. A good badminton match last week really help I think. Anyway, great to have such a good work out. Else KOTR sure die.

CCG Games 2008

Captained the Mixed Team.

Good thing about being a captain is, you are the center of 'attraction'. Captains' group photo, captain armband presentation and get called by the control every time there's an issue. Even during gift exchange, there's a special gift for Captain.

It's cool to be the-Captain.
The team. We didn't do well. Knocked out at the group stage. But, I think the defeat is the perfect wake-up call for some who felt guilty. Hope we shine in our coming event - our very own HSBC Olympic Games, Brunei.

Badminton was the 1st sports that I picked up, along with my brothers. And, we started it RIGHT. A good volunteer coach passed on the basics but essential skills and foot work and it is very much relevant why I can still play good (not bad la) badminton once I pick it back.

No doubt, badminton had given me a strong fitness base me to excel in subsequent sports. When I was the fittest me, pumping & sit-up in 100 counts were sweatless. My light weight was a reason though.

Sadly, it's no more the passion that I felt once. It's now more like a social games, only when there's a tournament to play. Probably, it's due to difficulty in finding a bunch of players with the same standard. Perhaps, the really cause is I always want to try new things. But definately, I still enjoy any tough games in double though. With a good partner, and a good opponent, I always feel great even I lost.

Brunei, here we come! Pls serve us beer...

McD Olympic Run 2008

Short distance race really makes me puff harder. 5min high speed run makes me feel like 30min. The mind, heartbeat, abs (6 in 1 also kira la) muscles & leg muscles all were not synchronized. When mind wanted legs to run fast, legs were yet to warm up. When legs were ready, abs' turn to have a contraction (not enough speed train, O2 flow not efficient). Then slowed down to let everything subside. By the time legs & abs were ready, the mind got de-motivated when I looked at the timing watch (out of target time).

Don't care la (我不管）, just run afap and don't accept any excuse or regret afterwards.

Sailed thru the finish at 34min. Approx.


*afap = as FAST as possible.
*many thanks to Julie who picked up the hassle to register for me.
*as usual, thanks to Tey for the photos.
Bumped to an old gila-gila fren from UM. Never expect that she runs... Hope she will continue to do so.
"It's what I eat & what I do" from McD sponsored shirt. After race, cokes and wall's aiskrim were served too. Good to refill the lost calories. Ironic right?

Poor oh poor KKK... (2)

Deja vu. The current national coach vented his displeasure on his player again, publicly! What on earth is his intension?

Certainly, that's not the way to motivate a player.

Mountaineers - Storm-Over-Everest (end on 13Jun)

Storm-Over-Everest

You might think twice to try Everest. But, human being human, million of reasons for someone to make such attempt.

Me, I can't dream of it no more. I have commitments now. Maybe, just put my steps at the base camp will be enough... Maybe...

Thanks Ameba. I need such story.

Sundown Marathon wrap-up

It's a special run. A special night run of coz. Can't really tell the running course coz it's still dark. But I am aware that I did passed many many pavements, a reservoir, overhead bridges (according a source in PM1, 5 of them and I hate all 5 of them), HDB flats and East Coast Park (some lunatics offerred us beers there!).

So unexpected with the result. I clocked a PR for myself, 4hr27min.

Maybe some muscles sets were trained after Rinjani.
Maybe I ate lots of rice & bananas after my excessive badminton games on Thu.
Maybe the badminton games itself helps.
Maybe is my Phiten.
Maybe my dinner was Sakae Teppanyaki (Unagi Brown Rice with Shitake Mushroom).
Maybe I am nocturnal! Didn't yawn like I did Night 30K with Ching Tai & co.
Maybe it's the Supernova Cushion 7. Much lighter than AdiStar.

Definately, pressureless mentality helps. Not setting any target time at all.
Definately, a pacing with Ewe Cheong, a new Penang friend helps.
Definately, a pacing with a UNKNOWN lady at the distance between 3o-38KM helps. We kept exchanging lead.

The strong finish really revitalised my thought of aiming sub 4 in my next marathon. Anyway, I always hopeful but never stick to the training plan. What a shame but can't help much sometimes. . .

The island gang! Pre-run pose with Adizero apparel. Very body-fit.


The Adidas Response apparel. The finisher T.
This lady, is the one whom I started to pace from 30KM. Checked her result. 5min faster than me eventually. Courtesy from tekko & Tey who had directed me to his page. My nipples nice huh! The Adizero is too sexy for man. Thin and body tight.

我的名字叫‘青龙’

看了后，暗笑了很久。好一个比喻！也好，终于知道我隔壁那只老虎的颜色了。昨天的21公里，有如这星期Sundown Marathon的救命泉源。不然的话，我真的不敢想象42公里后的后果。

话说回头，那个‘蓝色的’也真得让我非常惊异！跟得紧紧地，我还以为是我太慢了。心里想着，这‘蓝色的’才刚刚爬完山的脚是否那么‘四倍够力’，还是那位叫‘林义杰’的男生在作怪？果然是。。。

跑完不久，那只‘白的’也到了。一见到我就一轮嘴的告诉我他被那只‘蓝色的’追得他很惨。果然，脸色已经是‘白白的’。迷恋一个人觅到能自我提升战斗力，应该没多少人吧？

Lombok - Mt Rinjani (12-15.05.2008)

No idea how on earth Captain KMeng came with the brilliant idea of volcano trekking 2 years ago. We did Mt Agung in Dec2005. That was a whole new experience of trekking. Subsequently, it had led the interest among other OXians. I can understand how they feel. It's like I've got the black belt in Taekwando and you are still in Pink! ;-) And, only I can blow a better water when comes to this topic. But today, the privilledge is levelled. We got a fair 4D3N package from lomboktrekking and start our journey.

Day 1:
We began from Rinjani Trek Centre, Senaru.
The checkpoints/campsites. Rain welcomed us during our lunch break at Pos II. It was suppose to be a dry month!

Our 1st night campsite, Pos III. It was the coldest night during the trip at only 2000m. 9C! Probably due to the rain. Freezing cool as my sleeping bag can only withstand 20C!


The guides and porters were preparing our dinner. We were apparently, served like Kings which, made us really paiseh.

Day 2:
Today, we would be able to witness the Rinjani Crater Rim from a small peak at 2600m. Then, we will descend back to 2000m, and camp at Anak Segara Lake.
Rinjani erupted 1 million ago, stood at 5000+m tall. Now, flora has grown around it. Until you see the crater, it looks just like the grassland in New Zealand.
It's a drastic change of terrain once you reach the crater rim. This confirms that you are on a volcano indeed. It erupted 1mil yr ago. From 5000M+, it stands now at 3723M. The baby volcano inside the rim erupted at 1994. The lake is Anak Segara Lake where we will camp aside.



Fishing at the lake is a common activity by the locals, for living or merely hobby. Some of them camp there for a week and have to endure a cold night.

Muksin the cook! Curry paku pakis freshly picked from the jungle. We had finished the dinner in the fastest manner ever! Within 10Min, all wiped out by our hunger and the chilly night.
Segara Anak Lake is my favorite camp site ever, so far. The ever changing climate, the fog and cloud forming, sunlight penetration into the rim never stop orchestrating the nature's beauty. Everything happens around the lake is very much lively. It's like in a fairy land.






Day 3:
We ascended to a height of 2600M, and spent a night there before attacking the peak. 4hr to reach. Piece of cake.
At campsite, Captain KMeng had the summit already in his mind?
The rim view from another angle, at our final campsite.
Loose rock. Now, that looks more volcano than New Zealand grassland.



It's a campsite with no median, only extreme. When you hide yourself under a tree shed, it's freezing cool. When you try to have warmth under the sunlight, it's burning hot. Ameba told me the temperature in her camp was 54C as per her analog thermometer. I'm still skeptical on the accuracy. Everyone was having the effect of the 2 extremes and tried hard to adapt it.

Dark comes as early as 6pm in Lombok. After the dinner, we slept with some 'brem', a tasteful Lombok rice wine. It chased the chill away from our body.

KMeng, Leong, Kenny & I have had the unfogetable tough experience on Mt. Agung. Now, the rest finally can have a hands-on on loose rocks trail. 1 step up, half a step slides down. More, it usually bundled with strong cum chilly wind at the barren top. It cut thru my windbreaker and almost swung away my walking stick. Almost.

Just nice for sunrise. TBK, Ailing & MC made it to the top! Kenny as the usual Kenny. Snapping pic like pro.
The iron ladies made it after fought the chills and winds.
How cold it was? Click the pic, and look what I have got for you. 'It' is between my mouth and my nose ;-)
That's the summit at 3726M! Like Mt. Agung and many other volcanos, it's a sacred place for the local. We shall always respect with hope that, in return, we are blessed with a safe journey back.
Loose rock ROCKS! From the pic from far, you will doubt if the trail is wide enough to walk pass.

We glided down the loose rock like skiing. It took us merely 2hr to get back to our camp. There's a technic! Step with your heel! But, watch out. Don't be too fast that you glide to aside. It would be a goodbye, forever.
We were back to camp at 9am. Then, the descend all the way from 2600M to 1000M to stay over night at Plawangan Sembalun village. The sun was too kind for us. A shaddy day all the way. Or else, we would be baked like the famous suckling pigs.

Arriving the village.

Summit view outside our stay.

Singapore Sundown Preparation

It's so important to have companion in a long run. Back to hibernation after the KLIM.

Thanks to Rwen's invitation, we did a 20KM at East Coast Park (ECP) 2 weeks ago. Slow and easy. But fly kite Rwen on next week.

Fortunately, I was back to Msia to settle something. Bumped up with Tey via MSN and he led me to Ching Tai. They were organizing a midnite run of their own in preparation for the coming sundown in Spore.

So, 4May, 1145pm, I arrived to meet up them. Not knowing anyone, not even Ching Tai himself, I introduced myself. Asking around who is going to run 30K but with no reply. Everyone was going for 60K! Jaw drop... But then, what da heck, planned to follow them the 1st 25K, then, 5K back on my own. Jz hope that wont bump to any robbers.

Slowly, warming with a chat with Ching Tai and gang. We started with 11ppl. Most of them are Ironman & lady. Soon, left 8 who has the same pace. The rest flew off. In the group, a guy from Spore, Mohan, who pratically comes to Msia to run with his friends here every week.

After crossed over to Hartamas area, at every subsequent 5K, ChingTai had earlier dropped off a pack of drinks and foods for us to replenish ourselves. I was damn hungry. There's even icy fruits! Runners, you should be able to imagine how refreshing it is.

The pace was just nice for me. Thank god that they were aiming to run 60K. Or else, I am sure they would go faster. Met up Fook with his girlFRIENDS too. 1 man, accompanied by 3 ladies. Sigh, for me, that's history though. Haha.

At 20K, Hartamas Petronas, 3 runners wanted for just 30K. Great, I got companions. The last 5K was killing me. I puffed so hard, trying to keep pace with lady M. I was so sleepy and hungry I guess. But then, the harder you push, the faster you get over it, and you feel the stronger you are.

I can't remember why I stopped at the last 500m. Really bad memory nowadays. But I did and could only recall that I waited for lady M along. Safety in Msia, never take for granted. The other 2 went on for extra miles as their GPS showed they are 1K short of 30K.

Yawned and yawned. Drove back safely and plunged to bed immediately after bath. Satisfied.

Too bad that I would go trekking the week next. Else, I will join them again. And, I should contribute the foods and drinks too. Nice to know some new friends, who made of IRON.