Little bird

A little birdie whispers to my ear yesterday that a certain someone is going to Temasekland this coming weekend. All travel and lodging arrangement been confirm months before the start of this mother of all marathon in Southeast Asia, but the sad new is injury came to visit him at the eleventh hour.

Sadden and heart broken, he decided not to run the much anticipated race. He even offered to sell his HM bib, strangely enough till’ this day the bib is still with him although many suitors tried to buy it off from him – only HE knows the reason why.

Maybe HE is joining Kak June’s FMV army to help out and celebrates all the FMV running their first Marathon.

Maybe he wanted to do early shopping to celebrates his coming 3_th birthday this Saturday. Maybe a CWX compression tight would be a the ideal purchase in his Temasek shopping list.

The RBUs and running community are eagerly waiting for his announcement soon.

We wish all the best to runners participating in this race from afar, the birdie also told me that Ziff is missing from his regular LSD route, neither Bt Aman and Shah Alam route have seen him these past few days. He might did a secret LSD run with Zaki Otoromen at Bukit Subang 100k training ground, we wish Ziff a new PB with all his secret trainings, next time you’ll see Ziff he’s no longer a cengkerang pace runner.

The End of Kepochi News from KNN – Kepochi News Network

Colloqium On Nordic studies

Right after PBIM, attended this two days Colloquium on Nordic studies at prince Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Thankfully, i felt no sores and the PF is back to normal – no pains. What a quick recovery, i could walk normally without the usual “kangkang” effects.

The colloquium was joint organised by UKM’s IKON (Institute of Occidental Studies), Social Institute Malaysia (ISM) and Stockholm University.

On the first day of the colloquium, five papers was presented from distinguish researcher from UKM, Stockholm University and Aalborg University. Most of the papers interestingly talked about the welfare systems and women roles in Nordic countries.

Later that evening, we had official conference dinner with dinner talk by Dato’ Seri Shahrizat Jalil, Minister for Women, Family and Community Development.

On the second day, we had another five papers presented by speakers from UKM, Stockholm University and Helsinki University. Overall, the 1st Nordic studies colloquium was quite interesting. There was also talks and initiatives about student exchange programme collaboration between UKM and Nordic Universities. Anyone interested to learn Finnish?

With fellow seminar participant Lt. Kol ( R ) Abd Rahman Adam

With UKM’s great minds – Assoc. Prof Dr. Nidzam Sulaiman, Prof.Datuk.Dr.Shamsul Amri Baharuddin , Assoc. Prof Dr. Nor Azian & Ray (the student).

Back-to-back Penang Bridge International Marathon 2010

I took a ride with Yimster as we left PJ around 6.30 am on Saturday, thank you Sifu Yim for the ride. The plan was to meet up Kak June and Ijam at RnR Rawang, but ended up meeting in Tapah RnR as the fiery Kak June’s Red Ferrari don’t have brakes i guess. I took the opportunity driving with Yim learning his race secrets and tips, thanks Yim for the running advice, when i grow up i wanna be a strong runner like Yim..he he.

Arrived at Penang around 10.30 a.m. and straight away collected my race kit at collection center near the Queensbay Mall, no many peeps at the time. By the time we left the collection counter the queue was long, i guess the plan to arrived early pays off. This would be my 5th Half Marathon to date, as i had an extra bib for 10km and the flag-off time was 3 hours apart, i planned to do a back-to-back run 21km plus 10km.

Met fellow DMer – CK and Azhar

We had our carboloading lunch at Nasi Kandar NS situated nicely at the back of Eastin Hotel. Later Ijam, Zaki and Deo arrived joining us for lunch, plus Karen and family. After lunch Yim and the gang went to Eastin Hotel to rest while i accompany Deo to collect his race kit, unfortunately his kangaroo arrived too late with his original race kit.

With Celebrity runner Mohan Maniac – he was running his 111th Marathon

Zaki Otoromen and i decided to bunked at Deo’s Hotel room at Georgetown, man this place was far and congested with traffic, what do you expect if you booked near Burmah road. Luckily with my GPS E71 Nokia maps, we finally found the place after driving in circle for quite sometimes. Evaluating the traffic situation, we decided to leave early to send Zaki for his marathon start at 2 a.m. We rest a bit and tried to sleep, but it was futile action, only Zaki sleep like a baby otoromen all the way until 7 p.m. when we decided to have dinner at Pastamania in nearby Gurney Plaza. We tried to continue our sleep after dinner but to no avail as the telly was broadcasting London Derby live, Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspurs, i am a life long Spurs fan, yay we beat them 3-2 at their home stadium after 17 years wait.

By 11.00 a.m. we’re on our way to Eastin to meet up with Ijam, plus Zaki need to pass his secret water to Kak June to be collected later at FMV’s water station. In addition, i need to pass Rocktape sample to Zarin for his knees problem. We met Mohan Maniac while waiting at Eastin lobby and he voluntary shared few tips with us runners, thanks Mohan for the advice and tips.

Ijam arrived an hour before 2 a.m. I was RockTape ready, two strips of RockTape on each leg. We managed to drink a cup of coffee before sending Ijam and Zaki to their 42km starting line, while at the starting line we met many familiar runners; amongst them the famous Blade Runner, Dr Puisan, Yim and others. After the marathon’s runners flagged off, it’s our turn – The Men Half Marathon category followed by Women HM.

The Race – 21km Half Marathon (part 1)

The race started at 3 a.m. and i noticed that Deo was sleepy with red eyes while doing our warm up sessions. Just before the race, my PF was acting up and shoot up pains to my right feet. But the pains subsided after i done the warm ups and a bit of running. Deo and I was targeting to better our PB and try to do sub-2 hours, i’m not sure what to expect with the lack of training mileage plus the pains on my PF, i will run the pace through how my body response. It was a humid and warm night, no rains what so ever! darn coz i was hoping for rains for a cool run.

We started off on a slow pace and we did not even try to overtake other runners, maybe we strategically placed ourselves near at front of the pack. Then i noticed Deo gone missing among the thousand of yellow vest runners, i didn’t wore the yellow vest given coz it one size too big. Around 3 km, someone given me salam and ran passed me – it was KR running very fast, all i said was go KR seek that sub-2. Then i saw the Deo Cheetah, he was struggling and in pains but still running a good pace, decided to up the pace nearing entering the bridge, felt all my muscles burning and it was still a humid and warm race, took a sip of water once a while running, it helps to counter dehydration. Then i got my running mojo, i upped the pace and was running the best race of my life, i felt good and pace was better and achieving that sub-2 seems possible now. I saw zaki running with Choi the 6-hour pacer just before the turn-around for HM, i think it was around KM 8-9. Said hi to zaki and asked for his 100plus coz my water ran out, he asked me where’s the Cheetah. I said he was behind me few minutes ago, now gone! Zaki was quite surprised i managed to tame the Cheetah (add poyo here).

Then after the turn-around at the bridge all hell broke loose, the rains pouring cats and dog! It was quite painful when the rains hit your face, we are having tropical storm on the Penang Bridge. I loves the rains, but this is too much. I did my last LSD in the rains but this is something else. All humidity gone now replaced by cold thunderstorm, i realised then that my sub-2 race was gone, my feet felt heavy and so many runners now overtook me. I was cramping and didn’t realised it coz i kept on running very slowly. Deo the Cheetah then came running past me, his pace improved tremendously – must be the secret ketum water..he he. I saw the cheetah wasn’t smiling at all like his usually jovial cheetahself, must be fighting the pains in his legs. Somehow i heard he muttered “pains is temporary,……..is forever”, for exact phrase please ask the Cheetah.

I kept on running in the heavy rains and never once stopped till i saw someone sprayed runners legs at the side of the road, this is around 3 – 4 km before the finish line. Decided to stop and tried this spray. I got both of legs sprayed and moved on, i felt much better running after that and got my mojo and pace back, but it was much too late to do a PB, never mind i pushed on for my final HM for the year. I saw Deo at the finish line encouraging me to run faster, i completed my run with the time of 2:16:57 (net), placing 901/5331 (overall), 573/3465 (Men Open Category). It’s off 2 minutes from my PB in SCKLM, but overall i’m happy to completed my 5th Half Marathon.

After collecting the medal, i met Deo and DMer gang (Azhar, Fiki, Marlin) at the stairs of coffee beans. The PF was acting up and i was in pains but manageable pains, it was about 5:20 a.m. and i have about 55 minutes before the 10km race start. I dried my socks and put my shoes back on for the second part of the race. Deo was super kepochi telling the DMer about my back-to-back attempt, i could see that Azhar was so surprised by this.

The Race – 10km race (part 2)

At 5:45 a.m. I bid adieu to the gangs and made my way to the 10km starting line. I was told the 10km runners was numbered about 10,000 and that was a huge number. At 6:15 a.m. 10km runners were flagged off, i was thinking if could not run, i will walk the 10km. Surprisingly, i managed to run all the way in a slow pace / 7.00, i considered this 10km as my recovery run.

The 10k runners was running the whole two streets and one could see a variety of running shoes and running styles. But the thing is, no one was around to handle the route that collided between 10km and the Marathon runners coming back. It was a havoc, coz when i ran HM much earlier there was someone manning the route to separate HM and FM runners, now nobody controlling the route and all hell broke loose when the Marathon runners had to zig zag evading the oncoming 10km runners. At around KM3 just before the turn towards the bridge, i was saw miss julie with pacer balloon tied to her, shouting to the 10km running to give way. This is bad, organizer take note please!

I continued my run and now the rains has stopped, at turnaround coming to the finish line around 3km someone tapped my shoulder. What a surprise it was Zarin! I could see he was happy to see a familiar face, and i thought i slowed down and run with Zarin to the finish line. He told me he wanna try to do PB under 5:30 and he was doing a good pace. Then, all of the sudden he stopped for a walk break? It’s only 3km to the finish line and you wanna walk Zarin?

I had to dragged him literally and  asked him to stop being a baby and continue running. He stopped for a walk many times and kept on asking where’s the Eastin, and i kept saying it just around the corner. He was talking jibberish at the time; such as – i’m not gonna run marathon again, i regrets to tapped you etc.

But we made it to the roundabout and run/walk nearer to the finish line, we could see it’s now fully pack with spectators unlike the HM earlier. They even have a pom pom girls now at each side other road, but something is missing as they’re not cheering. So i had to do something, i shouted to them “This is Zarin, he’s running the marathon, please cheer him!”. Immediately they responded and cheers on Zarin! Go Zarin go they said. Refuelled by the cheering, Zarin started running towards the finish line and we raised our hands together as we completed the run. I saw the timing at the finish line, it’s under 5:30. Congrats Zarin on your new PB!

I completed the 10km with the timing of 1:15:01. Not to shabby for a 31 km back-to-back run. At PBIM i managed to bring home two medals, last time i had two medals was during my track & field days. Now i’m done with Half Marathon, next challenge please! The Full Marathon in Putrajaya next year will be my biggest challenge, peeps and RBUs please give your full support to me for my maiden Marathon run.

Congrats to all runners on completing the tough edition of PBIM, especially those who PBed – Ijam, Yimpoo and not forgetting the FMVs. We rawk Penang yo.

 

After the race with 21km and 10km medal

Note:
I was busy with 2 days seminar right after PBIM, amazingly i could walk properly and the PF pains was gone. No sores whatever, felt normal and seems like i never ran at all. Syukran, the recovery run and dynamic warms down really helps.

Photo-log

Sorry sir, your name is not in Half Marathon list. We can give you upgrade to Full Marathon.
Deo: Can i do it instalment for ten days?

Deo: Please upgrade my friend Zaki Otoromen to 84 km, apa barang 42 km..he he

Deo receiving text from his little birdie while Zaki was munching on his 100th Subway.

Deo: See my new sport-bra?
Zaki: Aisey i left mine at home lah

 

 

 

My 1st Singapore Marathon

All roads lead to Sundown, i missed this event earlier this year and watched with envy all the RBUs running their respective events in Singapore; even Ziff managed to buy a bib running the Sundown Marathon. From then on, i decided to become kiasu - click first and think later!

I registered and committed my 1st ever 42.2 km Sundown Marathon early this morning, i couldn’t sleep properly last nite thinking not to miss this event again.

Coming May 2011, this would be my 1st overseas Marathon and my inaugural Singapore marathon. My FMV run would be at Putrajaya Night Marathon as promised to Deo and Che, this year for me it’s all about short races and Half Marathons.

 

The organizer of Sundown Marathon decided to upgrade the Ultra run from 84km to 100km next year, yeah it’s about time we have three digit Marathon around this region.

I was thinking, who would be crazy enough to enter and run this 100km insanity race? KA Botakromen declared his intention in Facebook today and Zaki Otoromen follow suit declaring through his blog. I salute these crazy runners for having the biggest balls to register for the Ultra 100km, still can’t fathom running the Marathon distance..100km is mind blowing.

As promised to Zaki earlier this year, i would obliged in his pursuit and the LSD training towards his Ultra goal. This guy can hide his true feeling without giving away any hints, bravo dude! But Deo and I beg to differ and bet he’s gonna do the Ultra, it’s in his blood.

Running LSD at Bukit Subang confirmed my suspicion, Zaki may run slow but his pace is steady and i believe he got the drive to pull this off by June 2011. Reading Haza’s entry about Jack wannabe Ultra runner add another interesting fact to our earlier suspicions, even King Avatar himself said that Zaki was fascinated with Haza’s 84km finisher tee, the most beautiful tee he laid eyes upon. Run Zaki Run! Worry not, you’ll have the RBUs support throughout the race. Kak June any chance of setting up another Sundry Shop at Sundown?

Team Super Clown @ Genting Trailblazer 2010

This entry was supposed to be updated a week ago, but i was floored by fever-thon and thankfully i felt much better now.

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Team Superclown conquered GT

Pre Race

5.00 am

The meeting point for RBUs was chosen at Mc Donalds/Petronas Tmn Melati. My HP’s battery was out that morning as i forgot to charge it the nite before, i guess age is playing catch-up with us mortal.

Upon arriving, i saw Ziff and Zaki Otoromen just about get out of Ziff’s racing car. Park besides them and offered them to carpool with my car to Awana, which they said yes.

After exchanging pleasantries, the three of us made our way to McD for our early morning breakfast. Diket and Dett was already there at the counter waiting for their orders.

Ijam and Shuk arrived few moments later, followed by Shaz Bananaz and Syed. Nik and Syah plus Jaja and Mas soon arrived to add to the lambongs and the chaos. After breakfast and subuh prayer we start our cars and made our way towards the hills and to the race venue. We parked our vehicles at the cable car parking lot.

7.30 am

We arrived at the football field which supposed to be the start/finish line and made a bee line towards the registration counter. Ijam pickup our team bib’s number and started to put the bib onto our race jersey. We decided to go for Superman theme, Ijam was responsible on finding the clothes and name stitching.

Met Yim and not-so-mystrious partner Che at the field, Ian later arranged a warm sessions for us RBUs. All of us join in except for Che which stayed at the main field following the organizer aerobic dance. After a good warm-up, the open men category made their way to the starting line up just before the flag-off.

The Race

8.30 am

The race was started on time, i estimated about 200 plus teams for this open men category event. Front runners team rushed towards the tarmac leading to the Golf course, and i was caught in the frenzy.

I felt odd and thinking i might started this race much too fast and when looked besides me, it was a scary sight! I saw Corporate Athlete's runners Ian and Syah was running besides me, yikes i have bottled the race and my partner Ijam was nowhere in sight! Aik it’s much too early to cuci mata and amoi-hunting Ijam!

At the starting line up

I was thinking that i’m glad that i didn’t ran too fast till i met Ahmed Lamchanak, but i spoke to soon – his clone, Diket Menchanak blew passed me followed by Nik the pirate king, right there while i’m slowing down for Ijam. Thankfully i had a good breakfast, else i might be swept aside by his trailing air wave.

Leading the way – what was i thinking? (See all the legends behind me)

Finally Ijam arrived and looks like he been pacing Team Remaja Purba, as we made our way out of the tarmac into the trails, the team Yim and Che arrived and we paced together for few moments running the trails before i had to stopped as my shoe laces come undone. Darn it! Gotta find quick laces. Ijam and Team CheYim passed me as i struggled to tie my laces. As i started to run i had a nasty cramps on my thighs, i had to walk/run like a crab for quite some time before the pains dissipate, by then Ijam was no where in sight.

The trail was exciting and the same time challenging, not forgetting the elements of dangers. This is my virgin trail race, so i wasn’t so sure on how to properly run a trails. But i knew that i wanted to completed this maiden race injury free and i decided not push or run run too fast on challenging route especially when going downhill, there was a lot of rocks, bamboo and other things that could injured you if you fell down.

Thankfully i brought along the gloves, it helps me tremendously in climbing for dear life on the ropes. There was 3 killers hills along this race, and the hills is never-ending climbs, you need a strong upper body muscles to carry you through this comfortably, unfortunately i been neglecting core body exercise for sometimes and i paid dearly for it. The hills was too damn tough, i barely made it through the first hill, my heartbeat soared to a record high and i could even hear it pounding as made my way climbing those nasty hills.

On the second hill i found that Team Remaja Purba and Pondok Tandok was also having a difficult time climbing the hills, mind you Remaja Purba is one hell of fast runner in term of road racing, but the trails is a different beast, you need different strategy to tames them. On top of the second hill, i stopped and sit down for a breather. My fuel is gone after tackling the second hill, thankfully i brought along a power gel for this race and quickly gulped down for much needed energy.

Going downhill i met Stupe who was busy taking runners photos, said hi and went off on my way. I was walking/running in zombie state after this, i passed again team Remaja Purba/Pondok Tandok after the little streams before the final hills and killers stairs. There were forest ranger located a strategic point throughout the routes and hills, and there was also paramedic, but please don’t even think about passing out here in the forest – it’s not gonna be a beautiful experience if you do that.

The water station for this race is located at the Long House, which is nearer to the end of the race. So you need to bring your own hydration for this race, which i noticed a lot of runners didn’t take into their consideration, the organizer did however placed a 5 litres of mineral water with some of the rangers/guide which i didn’t hesitated to ask from them.

I finally met Ijam after the killers stairs near the Long House’s water station, from then on we ran a bit before arriving at the obstacle course. The jumped over the first hole, then as i was dead tired i just jumped into the muddy waters feet first, there was a lot of peeps enjoying our show – enjoying watching us bathing the muddy waters. We’re doing fine, until the last commando crawl, my bottle belt got stuck into the net, thankfully Ijam was there to lend a hand and about three teams passed us while i was stuck like a lame duck.

Finally we completed the race in 2 hours time and placing at number 50 out of 200+ teams, i was glad and i was happy. Next year i better train hard as to avoid this year suffering. Upon completing the race we’re given iced cold Red Bull and the crappy wooden medal.

Overall, this is no FUN RUN race. You need stamina, you need to train especially those core muscle groups for upper body strength. For me this is definitely the most challenging race yet, organization for the race was superb except for the crappy wooden medal. I will back with Ijam next year for this, unless he decided to ditch me and team up the RUB GIRLS..he he

Post Race

The RBUs cheering squad, lead by Anak Mami arrived minutes later to cheer for the rest of us. Thank you for the support, next year all of you need to experience this amazing trails run.

After the race, we celebrated Pirate King and Diket Menchanak birthday which was organised by the Ziff Cengkerang and Queen FMV. Happy birthday boys, may all your dreams comes true!

Note:
Photos credit – Nik, Ijam, Diket, Yim, Tey, Zarin, K.Weng