Le Sabuns Ultra’s Ramadan Night LSD

Last Saturday was a busy weekend, Inspirasi Wawasan an NGO that i am proud to be part of – organised a Charity drive to collect donations for “Rumah Kasih Nurul Hasanah”.

We decided to organised an Iftar with the kids at the house, followed by Tarawikh prayer. The event end with giving “duit raya” to each of the kids.

I felt all the kids needed was a hug and a little bit of love. If you have kids, hug your kids today.

Thank you to all donors, your contribution is highly appreciated.

 

Then i rushed back to Putrajaya for le Sabuns Ultra Ramadan Night LSD. We had about 50 plus runners that night, there were food and more food.

Thank you runners for bringing water, food and friendships to our event. I remembered we started with 10 runners back in February, le Sabuns Ultra is growing fast.

Le Sabuns Ultra organise night LSD every 3rd week of the month (Saturday). Join us if you want camaraderie and extend your social network within runners community. All are welcome.

Karen Loh, the MWM’s founder  arrived much later and she brought sahur.

Thanks Karen, your pasta was a great success. Please share the recipe :)

 

Our usual briefing starts around 10 pm, and our speaker for the night was Azlan Aiman. Thanks for sharing your tips on running.

In the past we had Alex Au Yong and Puzi Dolah as speakers, maybe i could try to convince our Sport Minister to join the event in near future.

Runners ran an LSD distance of 10km to 57km that night, Jeff Ooi and his posse Mun Ngai and Shine started earlier in the afternoon. Talking about commitment! Good luck Jeff, Mun Ngai, Zinov and others for Mt. Rinjani Ultra.

I completed 31km that night, which bring my weekly mileage to 113km. Thanks Karen for pacing me the last 10km, please remember our pledge to run Badwater when we turn 50  lol

Everyone was given a soap (sabun) each at the end of the LSD, thanks Zul Hassan for sponsoring the soaps.

Thank you for coming to our le Sabuns Ultra LSD and hope to see you next month.

Leadville update: Iftar at KBS

“Good Things Comes For Those Who Wait”

RaY at KBS (Ministry of Youth and Sports)

Last Tuesday i was officially invited by KBS to attend their Iftar ceremony with Minister of Youth and Sports, YB. Khairy Jamaluddin.

KSN (Chief Secretary to the Government), Tan Sri Dr. Ali Hamsa was also present at the ceremony.

I had the chance to spoke briefly about my Leadville 100 project to the YB. Minister and Tan Sri KSN.

Syukran they are fully behind me to succeed as the sole representative of Malaysia at this year edition of Leadville Trail 100. With their blessings, du’a and moral support, i hope to make history as the first Malaysian Finisher at the prestigious Leadville Trail 100 in Colorado, USA.

Thank you for your support Tan Sri KSN (taken from Dr. Ali Hamsa official Facebook page)

 

Thank you YB. Minister, hope to make Malaysia proud. T- 27

First Malaysian Finisher at Badwater Ultramarathon (BD135)

Congrats Seow Kong.

You made us proud sir, it’s majestic to see Jalur Gemilang at Badwater finish line in Lone Pine.

Finish time 42:51:40

Truly a living legend among us in Malaysian Ultra Runners Community as the first Malaysian Finisher at Badwater Ultramarathon,

I’m absorbing all the positives vibes from this race for my ultimate race next month.

MALAYSIA BOLEH!

Project Trans Nuang 1.0

(Photo: Zinov)

It was my final mountain training before Ramadan.

12 hours.

34 km.

3,800+ Elevation Gain

Pangsun – Nuang Summit – Janda Baik – Nuang Summit – Pangsun

 

We started around 6:00 am, Zinov, Shariff and I. Shariff only made it until Camp Pacat, he was sleepless the night before – saying too excited for “Project Trans Nuang”.

It was pitch dark when we started, and it was cold. I guess due to rainfall couple of days before. As it was a “hours on feet training” we decided to take it easy and slow. Zinov and i brought our head lamp that morning, i guess my Petzl Nao won him over – he’s looking for new headlamp for his Rinjani Trail Ultra after we left that day.

We fast hiked to Camp Lolo in 55 minutes, there we hikers camped around the area. We could see that some of them already waking up and made breakfast – still wrapped with blanket. It was a cold morning with constant wind around the area.

When we arrived at Camp Pacat, Shariff had to cut it short due to fatigue. Smart guy, always listen to your body.

Zinov with his new pet

It was then the two of us, Zinov and i continued the attack to Nuang summit. The trail was getting worst, due to corrosion and we could see the tree roots are all coming out; which makes it more difficult to ascent and descent.

First summit for the day

We’re the first guys reached the Nuang summit (1,493 meters)that morning, took us almost three hours. After comwhoring around the summit, we decided to proceed our descent towards the trail to Janda Baik.

The trail going down was steep, but it was much better than Pangsun – Nuang summit. It was said that it’s shorter distance from Janda Baik – Nuang Summit. We found later, it’s about 7km and it could be done in 2 hours in fast hike pace.

Going down to Janda Baik from Nuang Summit

We found the best waterfall around the trail of Janda Baik, it’s was a beauty. As we moved along the trail, after crossing the stream; we came across farmer’s vegetable garden.

Finally we arrived at the final stream’s crossing towards the car park at Janda Baik just before 12 pm. There was a small village shop there, only drinks and few type of kueh was on offer. We decided to stop for a while and rest – it’s time for Ice Cold Coca Cola. Blood sugar level needed to be top up before we proceed back towards Nuang Summit.

Across the stream is Janda Baik

We arrived back at Nuang summit in less than three hours – we were the last guy on the summit that day. It was about 3:15 pm when descent towards Pangsun. It was beginning to rain, thankfully we brought along rain jacket and head lamp – the trail was getting dark at the time.

It was fun running downhill and sliding after Camp Pacat, i felt stronger and better with each Nuang mountain training. BTW this was my fourth Nuang trip within 5 weeks time and i’m loving it every time.

After Camp Lolo, we decided to walk fast all the way to the base. The trail was wet and slippery by then, no point in risking injuries by running it.

Second summit for the day

We arrived back at Pangsun carpark around 6 pm, body felt nice after 12 hours not too tired; i felt i could go on running more.

Things to consider for Trans Nuang.

1. Bring headlamp and extra batteries

2. Rain jacket

3. Good trail shoes with deep lug. My Salomon Sense Ultra was not adequate for some of the slippery part of the trail, especially the trail from Camp Pacat towards the summit. Shoes like Salomon Speedcross is the best for Trans Nuang.

4. Hydration bag with at least 2 liters. I brought my Salomon 10 + 3 bag with two extra bottles in front, we top up our front bottles with water from water fall at Janda Baik. It’s never enough water, especially for 12 hours project like this.

5. Bring all the gels you can carry, i brought about 6 gels, a bag of raisins, mars bars and Banana Powerbar, You needed all the food in the jungle – just precautions, in case of getting lost in the jungle.

6. Mobile phone – always let your friend knows your location around the mountain. It could save your life.

Thank Zinov for the company, this guy is bloody strong. Watch out Rinjani, Zinov is coming!

Till then, join us for Project Trans Nuang 2.0 after Hari Raya (Eid Fitr).

Leadville Trail 100–The Race Across The Sky

Yes, it’s official.

I’m going to the States this summer to run the legendary Leadville 100 trail race.

I will be the only representative from Malaysia, among 1,047 Ultra runners around the world that signed up for this gruelling race.

If you read “Born To Run” by Christopher McDougal, you know what i’m talking about. The epic race between Ann Trason with Tarahumara runners happened here and i’m gonna have the privilege to run on the famous trail this August.

I am also excited to found that Scott Jurek (7th time Western States 100 Endurance Run Champion) will also race Leadville, after one year break in promoting his book “Eat and Run – My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness”.

Although, Anton Krupicka will not officially run this year edition of Leadville due to injury, he will be around to support and promoting his sponsor “New Balance”.

Let see if i could get these two legends to sign my book or shoes or hat etc.

I’m also running Leadville for a cause – for “Relentless”. Anti-Human trafficking movement founded by my friend, which also a champion Ultra Marathoner  - Dr. Katherine Welch.

Please support my cause by going to http://gorelentless.wordpress.com for more information about this NGO and it’s activities.

SCKLM Fellowship Run

Runners assembled at Dataran Merdeka at 6:00 am (Photo: KK Yum)

This year edition of SCKLM was postponed from 30th June to 39th September due to the haze issues. Personally i think it’s the best decision and a brave one, runners health and safety should be number one priority.

Most of foreign runners were arriving in KL when they announce the postponement, hotels booked, flight booked but there’s no Marathon to run. We as Malaysian we did the next best thing – organised a 21km LSD for our foreign runners friends.

Thanks to TPRC, Pacesetters and SCKLM for organizing this run, completed with Marshalls and water stations. The route was from Dataran Merdeka to Petronas Hartamas, u-turn back and end at Padang Merbok.

Zinov, Ray, Fred, Khairi &Kam at the summit of Gunung Nuang (1493 meters) – Highest mountain in Selangor. (Photo: Fred Tai)

A day earlier, i was at Gunung Nuang with few friends. Fred Tai, a Malaysian working in Singapore was in town for SCKLM and decided to join us run up to Gunung Nuang. Although, Fred said that he worked in KL before it’s his first time to scale up the 4th highest mountain in Malaysia.

6 hours and 2,000 + elevation gain later, we completed our mountain training. Fred was happy, he couldn’t get enough of Gunung Nuang. Beats doing loops around Bukit Timah in Singapore (elevation 163 meters) he said.

On Sunday, i started the LSD or Fellowship run with Azri, we’re 6 minutes late. All the runners assembled at Dataran Merdeka had already left.

Oh boy, i haven’t run this nostalgic course since i move away from Kelana Jaya. I trained for Craze Ultra and Berlin Marathon here last year. At my training peak’s i did back to back Marathon distance LSD on consecutive Saturday and Sunday. Sweet memories i must say.

It’s still dark when started running, upon reaching the water station near IKIM i met with Syah, Nik and Shahnaz. We ran together until reaching the 10km marks, the Hartamas’ Petronas Station.

Group photo at Petronas Hartamas Station (Photo: Tristupe)

More familiar runners arrived soon after, it’s kinda nice to get reacquainted with these runner friends. It’s estimated about 300 runners were there that Sunday morning – making it one of the biggest LSD in the Malaysia.

With Billiejoe and Asree from Freedom Freaks SG.

I end up the run by pacing Syah till Padang Merbok, i still couldn’t match his Avatar speed after all this years. I need to grow longer legs :p

Till we met again in September, keep on training smart for SCKLM. Run safe and run far.

Photo: Irwan

Lunch with the Freaks at CM. (Photo: Sam E)