Wednesday, October 31, 2007

JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge NYC - 06.10.2007

The weather:
The weather was just nice on the running day. Cloudy and not too cold. It's a significant sign of global warming wherever I go.


The Goal:
One realistic goal - not to finish LAST! Not having any timing in mind to achieve as I did not run for months and I was very much in vacation mood. Worse, I was sick.


The Run:
I jogged through the 3.5miles but really not enjoy watching other runners overtook me like Ferraris. My 1st ever running experience with dry air and low humidity. It hurt my nasal system quite badly. My throat was uncomfortable with mild pain after the run.

The Result:
Most of them are serious runners. Just look at their timing. And, we got 34 out of 35 in our Mixed Team category ;-)



The Gallery:
1) The representatives from Singapore. HSBC, Singapore Army - SAFSA (ladies in RED) & SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE - Gurkha (gentlemen in BLUE). Backdrop is the Grand Central in NY. Equivalent to KL Sentral Msia.


2) The aftermath: Half dead face. Puffed hard even I just jogged through it. Start to feel the chill too.3)My teamates. We reached a consensus - the best part of this trip is the shopping experience!

Monday, October 08, 2007

New York Trip - 03.10.2007-12.10.2007

After a terrible experience with US embassy in sg, the horror continued at the US Custom. Me and my Indonesian colleague were held for an hr, being 'interrogated' at JFK airport. We were already tired with the jet-lag effect, so it really made me felt upset on how they treat on certain nationality. Halo, if not due to the invitation, I won't thk of going yo your country too!

Other than that, I really feel the courtesy of the organizer and the people in NYC. Yeah, courtesy. Say, when you ask for direction or you drop something, you can expect someone to give you a helping hand volunteerly. Everyone seems friendly. But, when day turns into night, it was my instinct to stay alert from any kind of crime. I don't feel safe at night.

Have to overcome the jet-lag on the 1st day. But, my team mates were already talking abt shopping. Words like 'Coach bag', 'True Religion', 'Ed Hardy', 'Abercombie & Fitch' kept being reiterated. Eventually, we went to shop at Woodbury warehouse. Absolutely fantastic shopping experience! And, Macy's deparment store too (The world's largest!) Tonnes of cheap branded stuff. 5-star recommendation!


Time Square at night: It is a MUST that every retail store to parade their brand in such vibrant ads. This area never sleep!

UN: This land area is owned by all the members in UN. Given by the US gov. No wonder US not shy to use their veto.


Underground Steaming System: It keeps the NYC warm. Reaching every neighbourhood.

Grand Central: Equivalent to KL Sentral but much better managed of course. The very beautiful Chrysler Building, once, the tallest building in the world before overtaken by the Empire State Building.

NYC Subway: The most sophisticated subway routes in the world. Cover almost every corner in NYC. But, the train & the statis looks rather out-fashion and a bit stuffy and smelly. Heck, as long as it brings the convinience.


Nobel Medal in UN: Special dedicated to TBK. Make sure you fulfill your promise ok!
Rockefeller Center: Equivalent to Suntec Singapore conceptually but far more larger in terms of vision and the size of development. Rich with history & vision. Can only feel it when you know more abt it.


NY Financial Center: View from Brooklyn side. The JP Morgan dinner was held in 1 of the tower in picture.


NYC Night View: From Empire State Building. Misty night.


Intercontinential Hotel: Nice. Sponsored by JP Morgan.
Statue of Liberty: Finally, I got to know why is it so special. History it is.


Empire State Building: Made famous by King Kong. In fact, that film rescured the building owner by making it a fame via the film. Full occupany after that.


Sky scrapers: Matchless in any other cities. Hardly feel the sunlight unless you are at the crossroad.
Parade of Sky scraper: Basically, that's the height of each building at each block in NYC.

Church in NYC: Each church is uniquely built by each nation along 5th Ave. Italy, Norway...


Time Square at dawn: Their never turn off the light.


Former Venue of World Trade Center: Paying tribute to this landmark... World Peace everyone! Imagining the magnitude of the destruction. All the buildings around it still undergoing repair.


It's an eye-opening trip indeed. A city rich with history. History of American entrepreneurship, American Dream, bold vision to develop the city, city of opportunity for all the post war immigrants. I have to admire how those people built this mega city.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

New York? New York??

Up to this moment, I still feel skeptic if I am going to make it to the New York flight or not. Thanks to the US embassy here. Due to 'unforeseen' reasons, they were yet to approve my visa until my sports club superior & team captain showed the quality of leadership to ask help directly from JP Morgan people to contact the embassy. Being told would get back my passport with visa tomorrow.

Keep the finger crossed.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

New York! New York!

[phone ring]
me: Hello IT.
eunice: Hi chongwah, are you free during 6/7oct?
me: Who's this?
eunice: Eunice ah. Running 1. So are you free?
me: [sounded cagey] yeah, should be ok. Y? Any running event that you need my service?
eunice: Are you interested to go to New York? For the JPMorgan run. Accom & flight all 'bao'.
... ... ...

We got 5th, and we are eligible to go? Yes in our case because all 4 teams in front of us have won in other category. So, after filtering... it's HSBC ;-)

What a late birthday gift! New York!? I never dream to go US for 1 reason -> expense in USD & yet to cover the whole SouthEastAsia. Furthermore, the date is just nice after my project release, and, before the OX mountaineering trip. Wonderful! New York New York! I'm coming!


JPMorgan Chase Singapore - 03.05.2007

The official result from JPMorgan Chase on 3 May.


The lesson is, if I really want a good timing in a short run event, I must position myself at the front pack to avoid the 'cavalry surge' at the start. It was a massive jam!



But didn't feel I got a strong legs that day. Not having a luxury time. Damn... I keep running, but just can't run away from work! Work always catch up.



Time of 23m43s; ~4.23min/km.




My SGD30 bib. Self funded.



Thursday, August 23, 2007

PJ Half – 11.08.2007

Pick up Grace and reached Stadium at 545am. Found a carpark easily. At the starting line, somehow, I was lucky to meet up with wan lin. He was actually holding a bib. Photo Tey is very kind to pass PM Saiful bib to him (as he can’t make it), and then to me. Else, I will run illegally again.



I know what lie ahead at the last 5km since I have not been running more than 15km this year. So, to mitigate the torture of cramp, I try to run slower. At least, the pain strikes me at last 3km. Cramp almost came to me too. Wanlin overtook me at last 1km. Thanks for the shouting encouragement buddy, but I was in pain la. Do not want to aggravate until it turns to a real injury.



1hr58min.



For quite some time, I never have such a hard time in running. Chest pain, knee pain, Achilles pain and heart beat harder. My body was steaming, I can feel my blood streaming thru my nerves so quick which is a good feeling too. Oxygen was a luxury. But, the finishing made me felt so great. To get over an ordeal, always make you have the extra reason to celebrate more.



Ok, my 1st 21km of the year… have to sustain the mileage though. Else, it would be meaningless to run today. Cant wait to release my project in mid Sep…




Many thanks again to Photo Tey.

Corporate Community Games 28.07.2007 - 29.07.2007

Thanks to Khong Lean for the write-up.


"We were blessed with a nice breezy weather on games day which was a welcome relief to the high humidity resulting from the afternoon showers from the previous days. A sweeping glance revealed that the runners from the various corporates were as diverse as you could imagine. From muscle-toned quadriceps to lean veteran running machines, the participants were all geared up to do their best. The race was a relay style where a team of 4 runners was each required to cover a distance of 2.5km around the Botanic Gardens. HSBC was the proud winner of the mixed-team category last year and we were determined to maintain that record. Our first runner, Simon Lu (CIB), was quick off the mark and came in 1st for his leg, passing the next leg to Eunice Yeo (HTV). Eunice did incredibly well to match the pace of other male runners and maintained our advantage. Our 3rd and 4th runner, Chong Wah (TSV) and Alen Sim (HTSG), gathered more steam and stormed ahead, eventually running out winners with a combined timing of 38:47 min. Once again, we managed to retain our championship position. The icing on the cake was that we managed to better the timing of the winners of the All Mens team".


*I clocked 9:27; 3.71min/km. It is a very nice star-fish like medal.




The route







The Team: (from left) xxx, Emmannuel, Khong Lean, fast-man Allen, ME, iron-man Simon (clocked under 9min!) and wonderwoman Eunice.


Continue another event on the next day and won the 3rd in badminton. The Team: (from left) xxx, Lazarus (my partner), PeiFun, beer-beater Pramodh, Captain Diana, Care Taker Calvin, single player Alphonsus and ME.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Looking back on what I had missed

The site starts accumulating spider webs...

Looking at the growing missing events, I can only sigh...
-Seremban Half Marathon
-Siemens 10k run
-Ipoh International Run
-Penang Bridge International Run
-NB15K

and counting...

Can't really do much as I am having a marathon of work myself. Towards the end now. Must make sure it ends successfully!


Thursday, May 31, 2007

Captain rings the bell... OX Annual Mountaineering Trip 2007

OX Annual Mountaineering Trip 2007 - Announcement

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Dear all,
Kindly to remain you that our annual mountaineering trip will fall on 12.Oct.07 to 15.Oct.07 (4 day 3 night). Our destiniation will be G.Yong Yap & Gunung Bubu(Mt Table & Chair) via Pos Brooke. If you wise to join us, pls apply your leaveor make yourself FIT enough for the trip.Yeap I know is still early, hope you can prepare for it and I will update youon ealy of september 07. see you there and we share our glory and enjoy ourfriendship at summit of G.Yong Yap.

" There is no same mistake what we did last year. More info pls log on to here "

Year 2000 : Gunung Korbu & Gayong (G.Gayong Mission Fail)
Year 2001 : Gunung Yong Yap via Kuala Mu (Perak)
Year 2002 : Gunung Ulu Sepat
Year 2003 : Trans Banjaran Titiwangsa via Cameron (Mission Fail end up we around G.Yong Belar)
Year 2004 : G. Chamah (Only 4 member attempt summit, Tan Boon Keat, Oah Ai Ling, Ng Geok Wah & Chua Rho Wen)
Year 2005 : Initial target Gunung Chamah Mission Fail end up with Gunung Batu Putih!
Year 2006 : Trans Banjaran Titiwangsa via Tanjung Rambutan => Mission FAILED!!!
Year 2007 : GUNUNG YONG YAP GUNUNG BUBU VIA POS BROOKE (LOJING HIGHLAND / KELANTAN )


Best rgds,
Chai Kam Meng
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+


I heard your summon Captain. My ass will be there!

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Nike Air Pegasus

The award winning shoes NIKE AIR PEGASUS! Bought it at SGD104. Retail price in Malaysia is RM350.

Verdict: Put it on today and ran along Esplanade for about 9KM. Feel that sole is too high and my feet went numb and sore after 6KM. Perhaps it's still new. Perhaps, my feet never fit Nike shoes. Perhaps, it needs time to understand my feet and vice versa.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

OX AGM cum Cameron Steamboat Trip - 07.04.2007

<唯我独尊>
On the way to Gunung Cantik, the tree stands still in the middle of the tea farm. It was a misty morning.


百花争艳
Flowers with vibrant color are here and there. The best match up with the greenish Cameron.

百菜争桌
The steamboat ingredients. All fresh!

夜里,宿舍外的朦胧美。。。
A misty night. Yet, the temperature was cosy.


日光下的宿舍四周
Sunny day around the MNS chalet.

A relax excursion I would say. My 3rd time to have stay in the same chalet. Cosy and wonderful surrounding. It happened to be OXians AGM too.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Power Run 2007 @Dataran Merdeka - 23.04.2007

Did not rest well. Drank some wines and liquor at my brother’s hse warming party. Sleep late with a horrible dream too. I pray hard for good...

Promised Grace to pick her up at 6. I woke up at 5:55! Jerk Up!!


Reach Lake Garden at 6:45. Hey, I saw what I want to see. The Nike+ van was there to let the runners try out their latest gadgets. I requested to try during the Power Run and they had graciously lent me everything from iPod (RM600+), a Triax+ 10 shoes(RM399) and the sensor(RM138). Suddenly, my body worths more than a thousand. Cool right? Grace looked at me with a envious face. Haha. Then, Grace and I did small jog to Dataran Merdeka. We were late!

So paiseh to make Tey waiting. My bib is with him. And, I forget to bring $ for PM1 too. Double paiseh. Photo photo... snap!

Race starts! Started my iPod recording too. But I had a problem to increase the volume somehow… can't hear the songs. what the heck, as long as it records my run. Did not feel as strong as in Orange. But still a good work out run.

There's a Traffic police who actually told the runner their position while we ran passed him. During my turn, he pointed to me and said with a smiley face ‘You Nombor 62, Tutup mulut… Lari’. Hey, pakcik traffic, I was puffing ler. Anyway, it’s a nice gesture of a Malaysian that we all hope for isn't it?

[My mouth really did open wide. Bib too tercabut. ]


This time, I told myself to end the run with a strong finish. I sprinted at the end and grabbed the 46th medal in my category. Means, got 16 old people beat me! Still not bad la.


From the iPod:

[Timing 49:47]
[Calories burnt 667]
[Average speed 4.36 min/km]
[Distance: 10.82KM]

Saturday, April 21, 2007

The Orange Run @The Curve - 15.05.2007

[Clockwise]: Posing with PMs; Stretching with WanLin. His chest is now B cup!; Grace got herself some prizes again. Great effort!
So far, the best run event with loads of freebies and foods. It’s indeed a BHP carnival. Free registration too. Thumbs up!

It was a 9km outing (some said it's actually 10.4km). That’s the approx distance that I have been running during my week day run along the Esplanade Drive.

I somehow felt bit tired. Over speed on the treadmill for the Nike bottle perhaps. Looking for a steady pacer who has roughly a same speed of mine. Found it! A bare foot uncle. He’s so good. I was tailing him and until half way, overtook him. Then, he surged back, but I still could maintain the speed and rhythm. We kept exchanging lead until 1km before the finishing line, he just cruised over me. I just didn't feel like want to push all out at the end. I think I actually prefer a longer FINISHING feel. Great feeling!



When I crossed the line, PM1 was already standing there, counting his members' position. I overheard that I was at 30th?! I am not sure but I sure happy with my time of 45min 46s.

Tey kept shooting at us from start till end. Million thanks.

Nike+ Experience - 14.04.2007

The day before The Orange Run, I went to the Fitness First to try out the Nike+ thingy. Actually, I dont think would fancy Nike shoes again as they didn’t give me a good experience. Nike Air burst! Crap!

Coincidently, there’s a <4min-in-1km> challenge. The reward, a baby Nike bottle.

My last treadmill experience caused me a backache. Heck, only 1KM this time. Inserted the iPod transmitter to the Nike Air Structure Triax+ 10 shoes, and plug the other receiver to the iPod Nano, off we go. It’s cool! The iPod gives you a reading on km/min, distance build up, time and of course, the music.


Started slow to warm up. And, when I was ready, time started to elaspse. Behind the timing initially. Then, my finger kept pressing the + button to increase the speed, 3.5Min/Km shown on iPod! Such ready excited me a lot as you would want to go faster. Maintained the speed until end of 1KM. The bottle is mine. Wahaha. Big drop of sweat though...

Then, the Nike girl plugged the receiver into into laptop, and it shows my running pattern and speed spread in graph. Never doubt Nike is miles away in design and creativity though. With iPod, this product is really really really cool! But, the price and shoes quality always turned me away.


Shopping lists:
- Nike+ iPod Sport Kit (RM138. SGD43 in Spore)
- Nike+ Ready Shoes (Pricey. RM300-500)
- iPod Nano (No info. Cause I already got one ;-)

Sigh, cool gadget needs cool $... Cruel world.

Friday, March 30, 2007

Team Hoyt & A Medal

Feel disappointed with life? Watch this clip to buck yourself up! Team Hoyt, you have too, built me an intention. I CAN. I want to do it. I will do it.

Team Hoyt - Inspirational & Aspirational (Video Clip)
I Can Only Imagine (Lyric)

Bro, you CAN too! Build a steel conviction. Keep your eyes on below medals! Dream about it.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Be my guest! Watch 'Rocky Balboa', the Movie

Definately, one of the most inspirational & aspirational movies I have seen recently. Dedicating this 'movie' to my bro. Keep fighting man. Be persistence with positive attitude to fight against the current resistance. 坚持 is the key to bring back the pride and glory. Pick yourself up and be a leader in your partnership. The youngs often look up for the elders for clue to step up together.

Rocky Balboa: Yo, don't I got some rights?
Boxing Commissioner: What rights do you think you're referring to?
Rocky Balboa: Rights, like in that official piece of paper they wrote down the street there?
Boxing Commissioner: That's the Bill of Rights.
Rocky Balboa: Yeah, yeah. Bill of Rights. Don't it say something about going after what makes you happy?
Boxing Commissioner: No, that's the pursuit of happiness. But what's your point
Rocky Balboa: My point is I'm pursuing something and nobody looks too happy about it. Boxing Commissioner: But... we're just looking out for your interests.
Rocky Balboa: I appreciate that, but maybe you're looking out for your interests just a little bit more. I mean you shouldn't be asking people to come down here and pay the freight on something they paid, it still ain't good enough, I mean you think that's right? I mean maybe you're doing your job but why you gotta stop me from doing mine? Cause if you're willing to go through all the battling you got to go through to get where you want to get, who's got the right to stop you? I mean maybe some of you guys got something you never finished, something you really want to do, something you never said to someone, something... and you're told no, even after you paid your dues? Who's got the right to tell you that, who? Nobody! It's your right to listen to your gut, it ain't nobody's right to say no after you earned the right to be where you want to be and do what you want to do!... You know, the older I get the more things I gotta leave behind, that's life. The only thing I'm asking you guys to leave on the table... is what's right.
+

Rocky Balboa: Hey yo, champ. Aren't you a little scared?
Mason 'The Line' Dixon: I don't get scared. [walks away] Rocky Balboa: [turns and walks away with his son] You know, I think you try harder when you're scared... That's when it's worked best for me.
+

Duke: To beat this guy, you need speed. You don't have it. And you've got calcium deposits on most of your joints, so sparring is out.
Paulie: I had that problem.
Duke: So what we'll be calling on is blunt force trauma. Let's start building some hurtin' bombs
+

Marie: It doesn't matter how this looks to other people. If this is something you gotta do, then you do it. Fighters fight.
+

[My favorite lines]
Rocky Balboa: Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!
+

Martin: You got everything money can buy, except what it can't. Its Pride. Pride is what got your ass out here, and losing is what brought ya back. But people like you, they need to be tested. They need a challenge.
Mason 'The Line' Dixon: But you know that ain't never gunna happen, there ain't anybody out there Martin.
Martin: Theres always somebody out there. Always. And when that time comes and you find something standing if front of you, something that ain't running and ain't backin up and is hittin on you and your too damn tired to breathe. You find that situation on you, that good, Cuz thats baptizim under fire! Oh you get thru that and you find the only kind of respect that matters in this world, Self respect.
+

Rocky Jr.: [talking to Rocky as he is getting ready for Round Three] Hey, stay on him! Everybody thought this was a joke, including me! Now, nobody's laughing! Stay on him!
+

Monday, March 26, 2007

Remembering Gunung Agung

<--Click to enlarge-->
Image description (from Wikipedia):
This perspective view shows the major volcanic group of Bali, one 13,000 islands comprising the nation of Indonesia. The conical mountain to the left is Gunung Agung, at 3,148 meters (10,308 feet) the highest point on Bali and an object of great significance in Balinese religion and culture. Agung underwent a major eruption in 1963 after more than 100 years of dormancy, resulting in the loss of over 1,000 lives.
In the center is the complex structure of Batur volcano, showing a caldera (volcanic crater) left over from a massive catastrophic eruption about 30,000 years ago. Judging from the total volume of the outer crater and the volcano, that once lay above it, approximately 140 cubic kilometers(33.4 cubic miles) of material must have been produced by this eruption, making it one of the largest known volcanic events on Earth. Batur is still active and has erupted at least 22 times since the 1800's.


Thrilled to have find such image! The Black Rectangular is Nusa Dua. Imagine when we reached the summit of Agung (Red Circle at Left), this perspective view is exactly what we saw. A 360 Bali View!

The Red Circle at Right, is where we stayed overnight, a small town call Toyah Bungkah. Badur/Batur is at our back. You may aware the Badur/Batur is a volcano that 'grow' within another huge crater! Badur/Batur itself has 3 craters! The Blue Circle is actually another volcano called Gunung Abang but rarely being mentioned for known.

Maybe sometimes next year or next next year, I do wish to revisit Agung and try to go Badur/Batur + Rinjani as well. Kam Meng, let's talk at Cameron ok? ;-)

Monday, January 29, 2007

Sipadan Luxury Diving Trip 18-23.01.2007

Spent about 3K and stayed in the luxury SWV resort, Mabul. Bit NG SEH TAK... but no choice la since I am joining the Shell Group. Customer service is up to the pay though.

Basically, Mabul-Kapalai-Sipadan are nearby yo each other. Sipadan is well-known for the hammer shark, whale shark, manta/devil ray etc... all the big if not gigantic sea creature. Too bad, we didnt spot any of them and the visibility somehow was really bad. Purely no luck.

While Mabul-Kapalai are rich with its macro. Countless species of nudibranch and all kind of fish, crabs and shrimps if comparing to the east coast of Malaysia.

Invested an underwater casing with no regrets. Some videos to share:

1. Flamboyant Cutter Fish The ever 'changing-color' creature is abt 5cm in length. Active only at dawn time. So happy to spot it after we failed to find it in the previous day.
2. Hungry Lionfish It seems that Lionfish hunt during night time. No mercy to the smaller fish. A costly night dive for me though. My underwater torch leaked and that caused me to be stung by sea urchin for the 1st time. 9 pokes!
3. Close shot with White Tipped The shark was actually an arm length close to me during the final seconds of this clip. I was stunned when it swam towards me that close. For that seconds too, I felt fear.
4. Banded Sea Snake Extremely venomeous banded sea snake. A resident at SWV Mabul, Paradise 2. Once bitten, you got an hour to save yourself.
5. Swam with turtle They all appear in a table size. Huge. At sipadan, they are just everywhere! Eating, sleeping, wandering... One of them almost ram me over! Swam like the Malaysian drivers.

For photos, please visit Eric (professional shot) and Sanya. It's not from me but more or less, that was what we saw. Die die must take a picture with turtle with mask off!

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Le Tour TO Langkawi 30.12.2006 - 02.01.2007

The Geng on board to Penang... CM, MC, RW, HW, Juli & CC. That's the way it is, camera man hardly in the picture ;-( Give and take la. That's the spirit.
The girls lepak aside the road. All butt pain.

Never know how does the rice look like? 谁知盘中餐,粒粒皆辛苦。 Appreciate what you have on each meal. Don't waste food!
Perhaps, 30-35 degree? So embarassing... I had to push my bike at half way. Lost the momentum while changing gear.
Yup. I had been carrying this bag, 55+10L along the journey. Y? The mistery revealed when I 'smuggled' out 2 Cordon Bleu & 1 Chivas Regal 18yr out from Langkawi ;-)

30Dec2006 - The start
Long awaited trip. My 1st cycling trip since PCC2005. Met up RW at JB. Started our 9hrs driving, 900KM journey from south to north. Stopped by at melaka to load CC's tour bike and it was 110km/h to PJ. MC's RM2.7K new hubby were also put on the bike rack. Met up HW & CM and off we go to the north.

Stayed overnight at Juli's cosy hse. Sure do as I really 'make myself at home'. Glad to see Liverpool won over Spurs!

31Dec2006 - The Route
Penang – Butterworth (12km) – Kepala Batas (11km) – Sungai Petani (20km) – Bedong (13km) – Merbok (13km) – Yan (14km) – Sg. Limau (12km) – Junction of Simpang Empat (13km) – Kuala Kedah (12km) = Total of 120km

Famous words of the day:
[Big Foot] - Juli's bf's giant heavy with thick tyre Scott bike
[Coconut] - the men's fruits that had suffered under the mechanical friction between the thighs and saddle. Nearly became sabut.
[Butt Pain] - when we parked our butt on the saddle for loooooong period. 6hr 12min in our case. Speechless pain.

We were surrounded by paddy fields, beach and Gunung Jerai (the highest mountain in Kedah) along the way. And, some rude cars and motors too. Perhaps they just wanted to greet us but it is NOT a polite way from my point of view.

Just nice to have reach the jetty at Kuala Kedah before 5pm. Else, the next boat will be at 7pm. 2hr to arrive Langkawi. Met up CC's ex-colleague, Sandra, and settled into the Hotel Baron at Kuah, a cosy dormitory cost RM20/pax. Highly recommended for budget touring!

A seafood cum vegetarian new year eve dinner. Then, the girls enjoyed their cards games, and I bought 10 cans of calsberg at RM17. I had 4, HW had 3.5, CM 0.5, CC 1, MC 1.

Happy New Year 2007!

01Jan2007 - The Excursion in Langkawi
Sandra, from what I observed, a bike maniac led us around the island. I was reluctant to cycle more than 10KM actually. My butt just can't take it anymore. Somehow, we ended up with a 40km round the island. At once, RW, HW & I were like releasing all the fast spins by racing out each other until we overshot a junction, which we were suppose to head to Makam Mahsuri. The race made me feel good. It could be a fascinating view if the paddy were green along the way.

Left Langkawi at 5pm. Reached Swettenham Port at 8.30 pm. Cycled to New Lane for nice foods. Reached Juli's hse at 1030pm with a cold sweat. The cars on the penang road never give way. Felt so vulnerable when cycling on the penang road. HW is right! Very few road bike cyclist in penang if compare to off road. Coz it is either they all already got killed on the road or just got scared off!

Glad to see Liverpool won over Bolton!

02Jan2007 - The end of trip
Tiring loooooong hour drive back to spore. Bravo RW!

Brand new experience for such cycling tour. Surely asking for more in future. Two-minded wether to upgrade my bike or to buy a new one... Hmmm... Brought along my new Ixus 60. Shooting pictures and movies on the bike is fun, especially when playback the recording.

CM, already a proven good organizer!
MC & Juli, thanks for the penangites' hospitality and had us experienced the 'deadly ride' on the penang road.
CC, our invisible camera man. Surely love to see the clips.
HW, thanks for helping me finished the beers. haha.

RW, still the same old tough woman. Appreaciate your tireless driving back home.
Sandra, foresee you will be showing up for each and every cycling trip ;-)

It is a success touring with everyone back in 1 piece. I'm loving it.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Singapore International Marathon 2006 - 03.12.2006

Reason No: 3973
I was so confident that I would clock inside 4:15 and if there's a luck, sub4. I wanted to dedicate the run to my dad. But, to end with 4:36 was such a failure to myself. Nonetheless, I know this failure is important to forge a stronger me in the future run. It brings me down to earth firmly once again that I require a scientifically yet systematically training for marathon

HEAD vs EMOTION
Pacing steadily with Wanlin from the start. I speed up at 20KM because I had dad in my mind. I wanted to do the best for him. It was 2hr55m at 30KM. De javu! Broke down with cramp at 33KM mark. Then, my mind flashed me back to the scene when my family tried to motivate my dad not to give up easily. At that point, I realised that as a patient, it is not easy to be optimistic as we thought it could be. I was like feeling the fear as my dad did. That had demotivated me greatly. Devastated... Then, the Team Hoyt video did push me forward for a while. Cramp bugged me unitl I crossed the finishing line. Issh... the outcome to run with emotion.

The Science
I will need a systematic training and must learn how to tune my body to be peak! Since my last run a week ago, I had been feeling the fatigue on my legs but I don’t understand why it took longer time to recover the muscle freshness. The curse becomes reality too. Each fast step at the beginning will slow you down greater at the end. I do think that Wanlin and I are having a more or less a same running profile, but it makes the big different when I started to speed at 20KM (Of course, for those who are ready, they can). I should put more patient and trust on science. I think it is a good case study of me and Wanlin. Speed kills ;-) It is a good failure and I want to bounce back greater. Must trim down my little tummy too! I wont forget the insults!!! ;-)


CHAN CHONG WAH---- HAU WAN LIN
7.6K - 00:45:30--------- 00:45:29
21K - 02:04:28 --------- 02:04:48
27K - 02:41:32 --------- 02:45:25
42K - 04:36:10 --------- 04:22:33


Pain is Pleasure
I recall ameba is the 1st person who buys this phrase. Now, I've got sheau hui too ;-) Like most of the 1st time marathon runners (including Lance Armstrong), they complain and swear that the run is going to be their last! Somehow, running is quite addictive. Why pain is pleasure? Perhaps, it's the joy that we taste after overcoming the bloody cramp!

New Kids on the Block
Mchin & Julita had completed the course inside 6hr without much training! In good word, never say die attitude. In bad word, stubborn! ;-) Sheau Hui got ‘psycho’ed by Wanlin that she could be the 1st to cross the line among our group. A lovely timing for her as a freshie. She said she still having cramp phobia. Nah, it's the symptom of addiction. I bet she will ask for more!

Congratulations to all the runners! We will meet again.

Calling all for photos!!!