On Sunday I did the Klang Pacers NB 12K race, my second race in Klang this year, my 3rd race in 4 weeks as I gradually run into form. Why was the race a trip down memory lane ? See, I grew up in Klang, I spent 17 years growing up in Klang, my childhood & teenage years were spent in the royal town. Upon seeing the race route, I knew this race would be special. My wife & I left home earlier than usual, we had to travel almost 50km before getting to the starting point, Padang Sultan Sulaiman, formerly known as Stadium Kota Raja.
So much have changed in Klang, the roads have changed, the town has become more crowded than it was when I left it 15 years ago. But once I entered Jalan Tengku Kelana, or better known as Little India, the town became familiar again. Perhaps this is the part of Klang that changed very little. The stadium itself was very much similar to the place I once roamed with my bicycle. With a few improvements of course, but the basic structure is very much the same.
Once the gun went off, we went through Jalan Istana, then straight into Persiaran Tengku Ampuan Rahimah. Back in those days, I cycled to school, SM Methodist ACS, using that very road. Then we went into Taman Sri Andalas, where I once lived. My family still own the house there, where I spent 6 years of my childhood. In fact, I spent more time trying to reminisce those good old days, more so than focusing on the run itself. Maybe that was why I didn't really feel tired, although 12K is actually my farthest race distance for this year.
Back to the race, my pace was just slightly faster than Mizuno Wave Run, where I ran 1:08 for 11K. I was toying around, tried some accelerations, trying to put my interval training into practice. It worked, I must say.
Once I get back to the stadium 1 hr & 14 minutes later, my legs felt like I can still go on for another 5K. I guess I'll be able to run all day long, as long as it's in Klang.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
The comeback !!!
The day before
On Saturday I did my pre-race tune-up by going for an easy run in the morning. But I was quite disturbed by the fact that my Polar OwnZone was very low, at 97-127 bpm. On my normal training days this would be between 110-140 bpm. Polar OwnZone is a unique feature of the Polar HRMs, Ur HRM will help U determine Ur optimal training zone in the 1st 3-5 mins of Ur training. I think this is a very good feature. Ppl usually train in a designated & widely accepted training zones, ranging from 50-60% of Ur max, to 100% effort. But these numbers will be fixed, based on Ur max heart rate, unless U have the time to do the max heart rate test every month. OwnZone will be based on how Ur conditions on that particular session. So if U're tired or fatigued, U will have a lower training zone.
So off I went for a 4 km easy run that took me about 30 mins. I just wanna see if any of my injuries are still there, & I did some accelerations, controlled ones. I was satisfied that I managed to run pain-free again.
After the run, I went to UPM to collect my race pack. I had to accept an L-sized vest, although I'd put XL as my vest size when submitting the entrance form. Then I bought some PowerGels, I want to start training for half marathon early December, so that means I need some feeding while running. I've never taken (or needed) these before, so it'd be interesting to see the effect.
Once I'm done at UPM, I went to The Gardens, to the Mizuno store. I've decided to buy a track spike. I'ma run in the 10,000m event in the Pesta Sukan Kementerian Kewangan next week. In July I ran the 10,000 without spikes. But now that I guess I'ma take my running up a notch, I guess having a track spike won't hurt. I can use it for my intervals & speedwork. Meaning I will spend at least a day every week on the track.
I've had my eyes on Mizuno Tempo LD spikes for quite sometime now. It's designed for long distance track events up to 10,000m, which is the longest track event anyway. I had to take the biggest size that was available at the store, US11. It was really comfy, fits snugly, & has a very low profile. I can't wait to test the spikes on Tuesday.
Mizuno Wave Run 2009
On Sunday I went for my first race in 3 months. I dun have high hopes for this race, just want to finish it & if possible finish within the medals, which is for the top 500 runners. There were 4200 runners in this year's race, the biggest ever according to the organizer.
I'd prepare for this race the best way I can. I had some problems with my tibialis posterior for a couple of weeks before the race, fortunately it was gone. All in all, I had less than a month of solid prep for this race, I had less than 100km in my legs, so I was preparing for the worse. I met a couple of my batchmates, so that was good.
I knew the course would be hilly, rolling hills. & to make it back to the stadium U have to climb a long, steep hill. I was okay in the 1st 10-15 mins, I had some prob with my Polar, it gave me inconsistent pace readings. But after awhile it was okay. I couldn't really push, I didn't have the speed. So I tried to maintain a pace below 6min/km. When I got to the finish my time was 1:08, my worst time this year. & I was given a beige card, to collect the goodie bag. I knew I'd finished out of the medals, again my first this year. My average pace for the entire 11K was 6:10.
But I tried to take things positively. When I had trouble cresting the 1st two climbs, I knew I had to take the race just as a prep for my track racing in the coming week. I knew that if I pushed myself too hard, I would take a longer time to recover & I'd have probs in the track next week. I hope I won't have too much prob in the track. & I can't wait to try my new Mizuno Tempo LD tomorrow. I'll have my review on the spikes by Wednesday, insya Allah.
Good luck, Livestrong.
On Saturday I did my pre-race tune-up by going for an easy run in the morning. But I was quite disturbed by the fact that my Polar OwnZone was very low, at 97-127 bpm. On my normal training days this would be between 110-140 bpm. Polar OwnZone is a unique feature of the Polar HRMs, Ur HRM will help U determine Ur optimal training zone in the 1st 3-5 mins of Ur training. I think this is a very good feature. Ppl usually train in a designated & widely accepted training zones, ranging from 50-60% of Ur max, to 100% effort. But these numbers will be fixed, based on Ur max heart rate, unless U have the time to do the max heart rate test every month. OwnZone will be based on how Ur conditions on that particular session. So if U're tired or fatigued, U will have a lower training zone.
So off I went for a 4 km easy run that took me about 30 mins. I just wanna see if any of my injuries are still there, & I did some accelerations, controlled ones. I was satisfied that I managed to run pain-free again.
After the run, I went to UPM to collect my race pack. I had to accept an L-sized vest, although I'd put XL as my vest size when submitting the entrance form. Then I bought some PowerGels, I want to start training for half marathon early December, so that means I need some feeding while running. I've never taken (or needed) these before, so it'd be interesting to see the effect.
Once I'm done at UPM, I went to The Gardens, to the Mizuno store. I've decided to buy a track spike. I'ma run in the 10,000m event in the Pesta Sukan Kementerian Kewangan next week. In July I ran the 10,000 without spikes. But now that I guess I'ma take my running up a notch, I guess having a track spike won't hurt. I can use it for my intervals & speedwork. Meaning I will spend at least a day every week on the track.
I've had my eyes on Mizuno Tempo LD spikes for quite sometime now. It's designed for long distance track events up to 10,000m, which is the longest track event anyway. I had to take the biggest size that was available at the store, US11. It was really comfy, fits snugly, & has a very low profile. I can't wait to test the spikes on Tuesday.
Mizuno Wave Run 2009
On Sunday I went for my first race in 3 months. I dun have high hopes for this race, just want to finish it & if possible finish within the medals, which is for the top 500 runners. There were 4200 runners in this year's race, the biggest ever according to the organizer.
I'd prepare for this race the best way I can. I had some problems with my tibialis posterior for a couple of weeks before the race, fortunately it was gone. All in all, I had less than a month of solid prep for this race, I had less than 100km in my legs, so I was preparing for the worse. I met a couple of my batchmates, so that was good.
I knew the course would be hilly, rolling hills. & to make it back to the stadium U have to climb a long, steep hill. I was okay in the 1st 10-15 mins, I had some prob with my Polar, it gave me inconsistent pace readings. But after awhile it was okay. I couldn't really push, I didn't have the speed. So I tried to maintain a pace below 6min/km. When I got to the finish my time was 1:08, my worst time this year. & I was given a beige card, to collect the goodie bag. I knew I'd finished out of the medals, again my first this year. My average pace for the entire 11K was 6:10.
But I tried to take things positively. When I had trouble cresting the 1st two climbs, I knew I had to take the race just as a prep for my track racing in the coming week. I knew that if I pushed myself too hard, I would take a longer time to recover & I'd have probs in the track next week. I hope I won't have too much prob in the track. & I can't wait to try my new Mizuno Tempo LD tomorrow. I'll have my review on the spikes by Wednesday, insya Allah.
Good luck, Livestrong.
Monday, October 19, 2009
The end of Syawal
Today actually is the last day of Syawal, or bulan raya in the Islamic calendar. & last weekend was the final weekend for anybody, including us, to have their raya open house. Well, U can actually have Ur open house any day, but then it won't be called raya open house la.
Raya Open House
This year we could only invite our closest family to our house for makan-makan. Nevertheless, once everything's been prepared, the food I mean, we realized that we had more than enuff food for at least 4-5 more families. But then, rice have become porridge, so my wife's siblings had a lot to take home. We had simple, East Coast dishes like nasi dagang & kuzi as our main dish, then we had nasi himpit, kuah kacang & rendang. My wife also baked something she's getting really good at, the chocolate moist cake. It's so good ppl dun believe we didn't get it from some bakery. I'm really proud of that.
By 4 pm all my in-laws (that lives in KL) is in our house already, except for my brother-in-law. By 9.30 everybody went home & we did the cleaning up. My wife was so tired, pity her & I did everything I could to help of course.
Missing training...
I've been having trouble with my legs for the the past couple of weeks already. Last week I had 3 straight training sessions, the final one was the hill workout on the treadmill (coz I'd forgot to bring my contact lenses). Even when running on the treadmill's suspended platform, I was feeling a bit of pain in my legs. This makes me feel really worried & uneasy. I have my comeback race this weekend & the Pesta Sukan MOF the week after that. I've been treating it with ice, like twice a day. I dunno if I could've done anything more. Maybe take a rest. I'd plan to take Saturday off, & do a long run on Sunday morning.
But the heavens opened up early on Sunday, around 4.30 am & it didn't go away. So I took another day off. Now I've to change my whole schedule for this week. I'ma run every other day, to prepare for Sunday, & then I'ma see how I feel.
Even with all the food & no training in the weekend, I'm quite pleased that I managed to bring down my weight to low 83s.
Pesta Sukan MOF
I found out from Hisham (the manager for athletics) that last year's winner for 10K ran a 37 min race. The 3rd place was running 45 min. With my best time is barely breaking the hour, I'm in for a tough time next week. Nevertheless, it's more to how my legs would feel, coz if I'm injured, then all the chances of running faster, regardless of my fitness condition currently is gone. But then again, I'm up for the challenge. Maybe I can better my time from last July's 59 mins.
Raya Open House
This year we could only invite our closest family to our house for makan-makan. Nevertheless, once everything's been prepared, the food I mean, we realized that we had more than enuff food for at least 4-5 more families. But then, rice have become porridge, so my wife's siblings had a lot to take home. We had simple, East Coast dishes like nasi dagang & kuzi as our main dish, then we had nasi himpit, kuah kacang & rendang. My wife also baked something she's getting really good at, the chocolate moist cake. It's so good ppl dun believe we didn't get it from some bakery. I'm really proud of that.
By 4 pm all my in-laws (that lives in KL) is in our house already, except for my brother-in-law. By 9.30 everybody went home & we did the cleaning up. My wife was so tired, pity her & I did everything I could to help of course.
Missing training...
I've been having trouble with my legs for the the past couple of weeks already. Last week I had 3 straight training sessions, the final one was the hill workout on the treadmill (coz I'd forgot to bring my contact lenses). Even when running on the treadmill's suspended platform, I was feeling a bit of pain in my legs. This makes me feel really worried & uneasy. I have my comeback race this weekend & the Pesta Sukan MOF the week after that. I've been treating it with ice, like twice a day. I dunno if I could've done anything more. Maybe take a rest. I'd plan to take Saturday off, & do a long run on Sunday morning.
But the heavens opened up early on Sunday, around 4.30 am & it didn't go away. So I took another day off. Now I've to change my whole schedule for this week. I'ma run every other day, to prepare for Sunday, & then I'ma see how I feel.
Even with all the food & no training in the weekend, I'm quite pleased that I managed to bring down my weight to low 83s.
Pesta Sukan MOF
I found out from Hisham (the manager for athletics) that last year's winner for 10K ran a 37 min race. The 3rd place was running 45 min. With my best time is barely breaking the hour, I'm in for a tough time next week. Nevertheless, it's more to how my legs would feel, coz if I'm injured, then all the chances of running faster, regardless of my fitness condition currently is gone. But then again, I'm up for the challenge. Maybe I can better my time from last July's 59 mins.
Monday, October 12, 2009
My new toy !!!
Last Friday, I've acquired a new toy to replace my old one. The fact that I went through very heavy rain on my bike just to meet the seller speaks volume about my enthusiasm.
Problem with my old toy
What did I get myself ? It was a new heart rate monitor, or running computer. Actually, I've been using Timex's Fitness HRM since January, & at that time, I felt like all the information I get from the device was adequate to what I wanted to do. But as I did more & more races & I got more serious in my training, I found myself wanting for more. It was made worse when I replaced the battery on the Timex transmitter (the device U strap on Ur chest to get heart rate reading) it started to give erratic readings. It was fine at first, but after 2-3 weeks it started malfunctioning. Heart rate readings takes a good 10 mins to appear on the wrist unit, heart rate readings jump from 70+ to 100+ in one go. The problem was that, if the heart rate readings is not accurate, the calorie consumption reading will also become inaccurate. So, after a while, I got fed up & decided to purchase the Polar RS300x SD.
Polar RS300x SD
I'm no stranger to Polar products, having used the Polar Edge in 1994 for my cycling training rides. Polar Edge was a very basic HRM (Heart rate monitor), it can give U heart rate reading, U can set upper & lower limits, it can give U visual & audible alarms if U exceed Ur limits, time spent within the specified limits & that's all. In 1994 it cost me RM450. Back then, the more advanced model was Polar Accurex II, & Vantage XL. The thing was that, back then, sports science in Malaysia was still in its infancy. Members of the Commonwealth Games 1998 squad were each supplied with Polar Accurex II, but none of them used the HRM for more than displaying current heart rate.
My Polar RS300x SD can do much more than that. With the supplied S1 Footpod, it can give U distance readings, plus speed & pace. The wrist unit itself is much more streamlined than my Timex. & the amount of data I can collect from a single training is just overwhelming. With my Timex U can set all 5 training zones by entering Ur max heart rate & it can calculate time spent in the particular training zone U've set for Ur workout. With the RS300x, it has this feature called Polar's OwnZone, which calculates Ur aerobic training zone, within the 1st 3 mins of Ur workout. It makes sense actually, becoz on that particular day, U might be feeling a bit tired & unable to train in Ur normal aerobic zone. & it can still set Ur 5 training zones, called Polar's Sports Zone. & it can calculate time spent below, within & above Ur OwnZone and each of Ur SportsZone. U can get calorie consumption reading, distance, speed, pace, U can set the device to capture auto split time based on distance or time. Man, I can go on & on all day.
There's not much to dislike with this device. One of them is the stopwatch is only up to 1/10th of a second, which is quite amusing considering most sportswatch nowadays can read up to 1/100th of a second. & some of the features I missed from my Timex is the countdown timer & recovery timer.
Hmm... I gotta go. Will continue later.
Problem with my old toy
What did I get myself ? It was a new heart rate monitor, or running computer. Actually, I've been using Timex's Fitness HRM since January, & at that time, I felt like all the information I get from the device was adequate to what I wanted to do. But as I did more & more races & I got more serious in my training, I found myself wanting for more. It was made worse when I replaced the battery on the Timex transmitter (the device U strap on Ur chest to get heart rate reading) it started to give erratic readings. It was fine at first, but after 2-3 weeks it started malfunctioning. Heart rate readings takes a good 10 mins to appear on the wrist unit, heart rate readings jump from 70+ to 100+ in one go. The problem was that, if the heart rate readings is not accurate, the calorie consumption reading will also become inaccurate. So, after a while, I got fed up & decided to purchase the Polar RS300x SD.
Polar RS300x SD
I'm no stranger to Polar products, having used the Polar Edge in 1994 for my cycling training rides. Polar Edge was a very basic HRM (Heart rate monitor), it can give U heart rate reading, U can set upper & lower limits, it can give U visual & audible alarms if U exceed Ur limits, time spent within the specified limits & that's all. In 1994 it cost me RM450. Back then, the more advanced model was Polar Accurex II, & Vantage XL. The thing was that, back then, sports science in Malaysia was still in its infancy. Members of the Commonwealth Games 1998 squad were each supplied with Polar Accurex II, but none of them used the HRM for more than displaying current heart rate.
My Polar RS300x SD can do much more than that. With the supplied S1 Footpod, it can give U distance readings, plus speed & pace. The wrist unit itself is much more streamlined than my Timex. & the amount of data I can collect from a single training is just overwhelming. With my Timex U can set all 5 training zones by entering Ur max heart rate & it can calculate time spent in the particular training zone U've set for Ur workout. With the RS300x, it has this feature called Polar's OwnZone, which calculates Ur aerobic training zone, within the 1st 3 mins of Ur workout. It makes sense actually, becoz on that particular day, U might be feeling a bit tired & unable to train in Ur normal aerobic zone. & it can still set Ur 5 training zones, called Polar's Sports Zone. & it can calculate time spent below, within & above Ur OwnZone and each of Ur SportsZone. U can get calorie consumption reading, distance, speed, pace, U can set the device to capture auto split time based on distance or time. Man, I can go on & on all day.
There's not much to dislike with this device. One of them is the stopwatch is only up to 1/10th of a second, which is quite amusing considering most sportswatch nowadays can read up to 1/100th of a second. & some of the features I missed from my Timex is the countdown timer & recovery timer.
Hmm... I gotta go. Will continue later.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Eventful weekend...
1st week at work
My first week at work was pretty much uneventful. There was nothing much to do, & I'm trying to get back to my working mode. With my usual MPTP still more than a month away, I won't have anything to rush for this month. Well, there's the Mesyuarat Penyelarasan Sabah & Sarawak that's gonna be on the 15th. But we're going on the 13th & will come back via Labuan on the 16th, becoz we had to go with our Seksyen Kewangan colleagues for some site visits. I've never been to Labuan, so this shud be interesting. Plus, this is gonna be my first outstation meeting without Dea around, so I've to do most things that she's been doing all this while. Maybe becoz now that I've got a boss, so my big boss decided that she dun have to come along for this one.
I've said to myself all along that this is gonna be my final year in PSM. I've been here for a little over 3 years & I felt like I've overstayed my welcome. I've done pretty much everything I could at my very best & I felt like I've dedicated this whole 3 years to my work in PSM. Of course some things happened, I've had my ups & downs, my moments of weakness. & I really think it's time to move on. But I'd like to stay in MOF, at least for another couple of years. so the only available option is to move to other departments. I've had this one dept in my radar for quite sometime now, & I believe I can ask to be transferred there as early as mid next year. I've made a deal with one of my batch mates, so I hope the deal's still on. It's a big risk, but I need to move on next year. I need to move outta PSM before 2011.
Saturday's training run
I've decided to do my long training run on Saturday, becoz on Sunday we're gonna go to Melaka with my family. I've done a pretty good 5K run on Friday, good in the sense of how I felt, my leg was very cooperative, so I felt good.
But the run on Saturday morning was disastrous. I decided to do the short 4K flat section 1st & on my way back, my tibialis posterior was hurting so much I had to walk home. I had to cut my run short & I was really in pain in both legs. I wondered if I haven't really recovered from Friday's run. But maybe it was the shoes. I had a different shoe for my runs in the office, at home I'll use my race shoe. But I reckon that my race shoe (Mizuno Wave Aero) had better cushioning than my other shoe (Mizuno Crusader 2). I dunno. I iced my legs immediately & continued with some weight training. I hope it won't take too long to heal. I'd reckon that I'm a little heavier now, at 85-86 kg, so that will contribute some to my injury.
Open house
I went to a couple of open house with my wife on Saturday. Apparently, so did a couple of million other ppl, as there were traffic jam everywhere we went. One of the open house, our last stop in fact, was at my old friend/neighbor's house, Along. We haven't met for quite sometime, despite the fact that we used to be neighbors for 6 years & we used to be a material during our schooldays. It was my first time to his house, & his parents was also there. It was great. We talked about old times, & Along's dad, I call him Pak Haji, told everybody at the house that he's always saw me as one of his own. Well, he used to send me to school, & of course I'm good friends with all his 3 sons. Along is pretty successful nowadays, living in the posh USJ20 neighborhood. We used to go to tuition for SRP together back in 1991. & one day, both of our bike, locked together, was stolen. We used to ride together to school, to tuition... & finally I went serious in the sport of cycling, while Along wasn't interested.
We went a long way.. One of the reasons I got distanced from him was when he broke his engagement with his long time girlfriend, Mas, my best friend. Along went for another girl, currently his wife. Well, that's pretty much water under the bridge. I dunno if Along & Mas is still in contact, but I've stayed in contact with both of them, although I haven't seen Mas in a looooong time, ever since she got married.
How I wished I could return to those days...
Melaka trip
We went to Melaka on Sunday, to visit one of my aunt, Cik Ana. She was the one who took care of me when I was very little. But then she got married against the wishes of my Embah & so she was pretty much isolated in Melaka. But that was then. I've always visited her & now that she's become very sick with Parkinson's, I've visited her more often. Her conditions are very bad & she was very happy that we came. My mom couldn't stop crying. Her conditions are so bad that the chair she was sitting down on, shook along with her. I just dunno what to do other than offer words of comfort & encouragement. Of course, I helped her in whatever ways I can. & I'd go visit her whenever I'm in the vicinity.
My first week at work was pretty much uneventful. There was nothing much to do, & I'm trying to get back to my working mode. With my usual MPTP still more than a month away, I won't have anything to rush for this month. Well, there's the Mesyuarat Penyelarasan Sabah & Sarawak that's gonna be on the 15th. But we're going on the 13th & will come back via Labuan on the 16th, becoz we had to go with our Seksyen Kewangan colleagues for some site visits. I've never been to Labuan, so this shud be interesting. Plus, this is gonna be my first outstation meeting without Dea around, so I've to do most things that she's been doing all this while. Maybe becoz now that I've got a boss, so my big boss decided that she dun have to come along for this one.
I've said to myself all along that this is gonna be my final year in PSM. I've been here for a little over 3 years & I felt like I've overstayed my welcome. I've done pretty much everything I could at my very best & I felt like I've dedicated this whole 3 years to my work in PSM. Of course some things happened, I've had my ups & downs, my moments of weakness. & I really think it's time to move on. But I'd like to stay in MOF, at least for another couple of years. so the only available option is to move to other departments. I've had this one dept in my radar for quite sometime now, & I believe I can ask to be transferred there as early as mid next year. I've made a deal with one of my batch mates, so I hope the deal's still on. It's a big risk, but I need to move on next year. I need to move outta PSM before 2011.
Saturday's training run
I've decided to do my long training run on Saturday, becoz on Sunday we're gonna go to Melaka with my family. I've done a pretty good 5K run on Friday, good in the sense of how I felt, my leg was very cooperative, so I felt good.
But the run on Saturday morning was disastrous. I decided to do the short 4K flat section 1st & on my way back, my tibialis posterior was hurting so much I had to walk home. I had to cut my run short & I was really in pain in both legs. I wondered if I haven't really recovered from Friday's run. But maybe it was the shoes. I had a different shoe for my runs in the office, at home I'll use my race shoe. But I reckon that my race shoe (Mizuno Wave Aero) had better cushioning than my other shoe (Mizuno Crusader 2). I dunno. I iced my legs immediately & continued with some weight training. I hope it won't take too long to heal. I'd reckon that I'm a little heavier now, at 85-86 kg, so that will contribute some to my injury.
Open house
I went to a couple of open house with my wife on Saturday. Apparently, so did a couple of million other ppl, as there were traffic jam everywhere we went. One of the open house, our last stop in fact, was at my old friend/neighbor's house, Along. We haven't met for quite sometime, despite the fact that we used to be neighbors for 6 years & we used to be a material during our schooldays. It was my first time to his house, & his parents was also there. It was great. We talked about old times, & Along's dad, I call him Pak Haji, told everybody at the house that he's always saw me as one of his own. Well, he used to send me to school, & of course I'm good friends with all his 3 sons. Along is pretty successful nowadays, living in the posh USJ20 neighborhood. We used to go to tuition for SRP together back in 1991. & one day, both of our bike, locked together, was stolen. We used to ride together to school, to tuition... & finally I went serious in the sport of cycling, while Along wasn't interested.
We went a long way.. One of the reasons I got distanced from him was when he broke his engagement with his long time girlfriend, Mas, my best friend. Along went for another girl, currently his wife. Well, that's pretty much water under the bridge. I dunno if Along & Mas is still in contact, but I've stayed in contact with both of them, although I haven't seen Mas in a looooong time, ever since she got married.
How I wished I could return to those days...
Melaka trip
We went to Melaka on Sunday, to visit one of my aunt, Cik Ana. She was the one who took care of me when I was very little. But then she got married against the wishes of my Embah & so she was pretty much isolated in Melaka. But that was then. I've always visited her & now that she's become very sick with Parkinson's, I've visited her more often. Her conditions are very bad & she was very happy that we came. My mom couldn't stop crying. Her conditions are so bad that the chair she was sitting down on, shook along with her. I just dunno what to do other than offer words of comfort & encouragement. Of course, I helped her in whatever ways I can. & I'd go visit her whenever I'm in the vicinity.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Back To Work !!!
The ride
Today's my first day riding to work after more than 2 months. I was quite nervous, but then again, I've been thru this situation before, but this one was more serious. I've already decided to take the motorbike lane becoz riding in the lane is the perfect way to regain my riding skills & confidence. The long, sweeping, fast corners are the perfect setup for my.. err.. training ride.
It all went well, but just before I reached my crash site, just before the toll plaza, a dog suddenly jumped into the bike lane. I was going at proly 100 km/h & of course I was surprised to see a dog in my way. The dog itself looked confused & looked like it didn't want to move over. But then, I kept on going, honked a bit & the dog jumped outta the way. To get into that kinda situation, just a couple hundred meters from the site of my worse crash to date, on my 1st day back to work.... hahah... Of course, I dun believe in those kinda things.
I reached the USJ bridge at 7:30, pretty early. So I decided to just cruise in at about 100 km/h & I got to the office at about 7:50 am. Syukur alhamdulillah.
1st day at work
When I first got into my room, I didn't know what to do. I mean, I had my routine, of course, but it's been 2 months & everybody was pretty much still in Raya mood. So I had to take some time to quietly settle back into my routine. After that I went around the office, just to meet everybody. & I also went to meet Pn Hazanah of course. It's like my 1st day reporting in.
Resuming training
I'd started running about 3 weeks ago, during the fasting month. I didn't have much problem. But when I ran the 1st time after puasa, in Kampung Amir (wifey's hometown), my old injury return, the pain in the area just above the ankle. I had this injury wayyyy back when I 1st started running. But then it disappeared. It was not that painful, but it did affect my running. So much that I had to cut short my long training run yesterday. I practically had to tip-toe pretty much the whole 6 km. I wanted to run again in the afternoon, to make up for the short run in the morning, but then I thought rest would be a better choice. Nevertheless, I'ma go back to the gym today, to do whatever I can to fix that leg. My next race will be on the 25/10, Mizuno Wave Run.
Today's my first day riding to work after more than 2 months. I was quite nervous, but then again, I've been thru this situation before, but this one was more serious. I've already decided to take the motorbike lane becoz riding in the lane is the perfect way to regain my riding skills & confidence. The long, sweeping, fast corners are the perfect setup for my.. err.. training ride.
It all went well, but just before I reached my crash site, just before the toll plaza, a dog suddenly jumped into the bike lane. I was going at proly 100 km/h & of course I was surprised to see a dog in my way. The dog itself looked confused & looked like it didn't want to move over. But then, I kept on going, honked a bit & the dog jumped outta the way. To get into that kinda situation, just a couple hundred meters from the site of my worse crash to date, on my 1st day back to work.... hahah... Of course, I dun believe in those kinda things.
I reached the USJ bridge at 7:30, pretty early. So I decided to just cruise in at about 100 km/h & I got to the office at about 7:50 am. Syukur alhamdulillah.
1st day at work
When I first got into my room, I didn't know what to do. I mean, I had my routine, of course, but it's been 2 months & everybody was pretty much still in Raya mood. So I had to take some time to quietly settle back into my routine. After that I went around the office, just to meet everybody. & I also went to meet Pn Hazanah of course. It's like my 1st day reporting in.
Resuming training
I'd started running about 3 weeks ago, during the fasting month. I didn't have much problem. But when I ran the 1st time after puasa, in Kampung Amir (wifey's hometown), my old injury return, the pain in the area just above the ankle. I had this injury wayyyy back when I 1st started running. But then it disappeared. It was not that painful, but it did affect my running. So much that I had to cut short my long training run yesterday. I practically had to tip-toe pretty much the whole 6 km. I wanted to run again in the afternoon, to make up for the short run in the morning, but then I thought rest would be a better choice. Nevertheless, I'ma go back to the gym today, to do whatever I can to fix that leg. My next race will be on the 25/10, Mizuno Wave Run.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Why I run...
This morning...
This morning I went for a light jog. I'd planned to do 6-8 laps, but ended up going home after 4 laps. Why ? I had to chase the garbage truck. I'd missed the truck on Saturday, & yesterday my in-laws came over for buka puasa, so we had a whole bunch of trash. The garbage truck will only come again on Thursday. So I had to go home & take out the trash.
Why I run ?
I watched my first Olympics in 1984. I was in Standard 2 tht year & it was Los Angeles' turn to host the Olympics. Can U imagine that ? I was eight years old & I watched the Olympics. I wonder how many kids that age nowadays who would stay up to watch the Olympics. It was the year Carl Lewis attempted to win 4 gold medals in athletics, to honor the great Jesse Owens. He succeeded & won gold in the 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m & long jump. I became his biggest fan instantly.
In 1986 I took part in my first ever Pesta Sukan Sekolah. I was in Standard 4, & I was in a new school, Sekolah Rendah Methodist ACS Klang. Even after 2 years, the memories of the 1984 Olympics was still fresh in my mind. So I was out to mimic my idol's performance. But tht was easier said than done of course. I made it to the 100m finals, where I finished last, didn't make the 200m finals, finished out of the medals in long jump. My only consolation was in the 4 x 100m, I was the 1st runner & we won the bronze.
Come to think of it, despite all my involvement in other sports, football, cycling, basketball, etc.. athletics is the one tht really challenges me, physically. U see, I dun have any real talent in athletics, so I really had to fight for it. But I've never failed to land at least a consolation prize in any long distance event (jogathon, etc) at school.
I guess it's just tht. The drive is there, but the talent, the physique, ain't. Running has been the fastest way for me to get rid those extra bulk. After going to 4 races this year, I'm hooked. There's no other sport that can attract thousands of ppl, young & old, to slug it out in a 10km run. When I was in Standard Chartered KL Marathon this year, 5100 ppl ran in the 10K category, the biggest in any event. The atmosphere was just superb. & U can see all this veterans, 40-50 year-olds, still going strong, even beating us the younger ones. During the Setia Alam half marathon, the winner was a 42 year-old, & his time was faster that the open category (below 35) winner by a couple of minutes. I dun think U can get that in any other endurance sport. It's a real eye-opener & the ultimate motivator.
I wanna run the half-marathon next year, & at least once in my lifetime, I wanna do the marathon. My wife asked me the other day, if we had a child, what sport do I want our child to take up ? I said, easy: running. Relatively easy, cheap sport, & if U can do really well, there's money in it too. I guess I'm here to stay. This is the sport I'ma get involved the longest.
This morning I went for a light jog. I'd planned to do 6-8 laps, but ended up going home after 4 laps. Why ? I had to chase the garbage truck. I'd missed the truck on Saturday, & yesterday my in-laws came over for buka puasa, so we had a whole bunch of trash. The garbage truck will only come again on Thursday. So I had to go home & take out the trash.
Why I run ?
I watched my first Olympics in 1984. I was in Standard 2 tht year & it was Los Angeles' turn to host the Olympics. Can U imagine that ? I was eight years old & I watched the Olympics. I wonder how many kids that age nowadays who would stay up to watch the Olympics. It was the year Carl Lewis attempted to win 4 gold medals in athletics, to honor the great Jesse Owens. He succeeded & won gold in the 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m & long jump. I became his biggest fan instantly.
In 1986 I took part in my first ever Pesta Sukan Sekolah. I was in Standard 4, & I was in a new school, Sekolah Rendah Methodist ACS Klang. Even after 2 years, the memories of the 1984 Olympics was still fresh in my mind. So I was out to mimic my idol's performance. But tht was easier said than done of course. I made it to the 100m finals, where I finished last, didn't make the 200m finals, finished out of the medals in long jump. My only consolation was in the 4 x 100m, I was the 1st runner & we won the bronze.
Come to think of it, despite all my involvement in other sports, football, cycling, basketball, etc.. athletics is the one tht really challenges me, physically. U see, I dun have any real talent in athletics, so I really had to fight for it. But I've never failed to land at least a consolation prize in any long distance event (jogathon, etc) at school.
I guess it's just tht. The drive is there, but the talent, the physique, ain't. Running has been the fastest way for me to get rid those extra bulk. After going to 4 races this year, I'm hooked. There's no other sport that can attract thousands of ppl, young & old, to slug it out in a 10km run. When I was in Standard Chartered KL Marathon this year, 5100 ppl ran in the 10K category, the biggest in any event. The atmosphere was just superb. & U can see all this veterans, 40-50 year-olds, still going strong, even beating us the younger ones. During the Setia Alam half marathon, the winner was a 42 year-old, & his time was faster that the open category (below 35) winner by a couple of minutes. I dun think U can get that in any other endurance sport. It's a real eye-opener & the ultimate motivator.
I wanna run the half-marathon next year, & at least once in my lifetime, I wanna do the marathon. My wife asked me the other day, if we had a child, what sport do I want our child to take up ? I said, easy: running. Relatively easy, cheap sport, & if U can do really well, there's money in it too. I guess I'm here to stay. This is the sport I'ma get involved the longest.
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