Something In Mind...

After the Putrajaya Night Marathon 2010, something kept me thinking and running in my mind. Why do I do all these, Long Distance Running, Cycling, Swimming & Multi-sports? What is the reason behind it? All I felt after any events are just pure pain & fatigue!! Nothing more!! Though that somethings like these kept popping in my mind, the negative ones, still there are great philosophies behind all of these pain and suffering.

By doing all these sports, I only manage to discover 1 philosophy in my life, that is I'm doing all of these for my own, & for no one else... Why would someone change their life long comfortable lifestyle & to take up sports that requires constant and discipline in it's weekly training & workout? Is it for someone else or for their own? I don't know about others, but to me, at first when I started take up sports, is to lose weight so that I can like myself more & "gals" will like me (Bleh). But then, as times goes by, I was being enlighten by my own thoughts during the long hours in training (Run, Bike & Swim - it is PAINFUL, and takes up Long Hours), I do not need to change for anyone else (gals), I do all of these is for my own benefits. As long as I like myself, show the confident & I'm all good for myself.

Moreover, after all these pain & suffering, recovery from the pain are getting much faster, as that my body is adapting to all impact, pounding & even endurance. Distance are getting long (bit by bit), building power in boost for slight advantage & etc etc etc... This really increase & boosting up self-esteem & confidence. If sports can make my feel like so, why won't other see this in me or in any other sports person?

Hmm...... Just my thoughts.....

P/S: Abu Sofian (Ironman Finisher), your accomplishments @ lowering 40kgs is the best inspiration of all time!! You The Man!!!

NB20km, PB?...

Yeah, It's done... 8 weeks without proper training, I still manage to complete the entire course, without stopping for a lazy walk (Well, only slowed down @ the water stations). Honestly, I'd not been getting in shape for the since Desaru 2009 & Powerman Sprint 2009. Really had been lazing off the pool, bike & running shoes, growing once more of the belly monster within me, again!!

However, NB20km run proves me wrong!! I thought that, "Oh Great, 20km of race, without even attempting to train well for it, I'm going to suffer, & suffer BIG TIME!!!". Yet it surprises me!! I was running quite comfortably, well for the 1st 10km of course. The next 10km (or less) was indeed the most painful time of the entire run!!...

It all started @ 445am, when I woke up, prep & drove to Lydia's Condo & then parked & waited for Bernard & his ride. 540am, Bernard's Red Car reached. Got on & sped off to Padang Merbok (Usual weekend running spot). Then took a slow walk to the starting line, find food (Powerbars) & water. Mingle around with Mich, Debbie, found Kevin & the race flagged off @ 630am sharp. As usual, I have heaps of energy @ the start of the race, making the MOST NOISE, annoying people, just practically being an arse during the race.

Paced Bernard for awhile, then Bernard Sped off, then @ 7th KM, Kev's turn to speed off, chasing down Bernard. I was pushing already at that point of time!! Gosh!! The hills are freaky, obviously freaky!! Its like merciless!! However, though that course IS hilly, yet I don't feel that much dyhyrdated as much as I used to be during trainings. Ran as I went, Pace as I went, Pacing myself, Pacing other runners, & of course pacing @ a pace to chase down other runners, may it be 30km, 20km or even 10km.

Running 20km without proper training is seriously not a good idea!! The pain started @ about 15th KM, knees were feeling the pain, hips were starting, Blisters too!! ARGH!!! This shows that my body had slowly forgotten about how the pain feels like. Sigh...

However, by the time 829am, there I was, crossing the finish line, greeted by Super Runner Ben, Singapore. A Nicely taken photo @ the finish line (FINALLY!!)...

Counted back, I believe that I did a PB for this run. 1hrs 59mins (I think, based on my watch's timing, not official though). After that, I'd indulge myself with Heaps of water, fruits, some can drink & of course, took a long & painful walk back to the car.

Then, had brunch with Bernard & Lydia @ O&S. The Yee Mee Soup & Chee Cheong Fun was indeed the best remedy after a long & painful run.

Reached Home @ 11am. Bathe & then Rest!!...

PB for 20km without proper training? Hmm... Sounds too good to be true. Lets wait till the official timing. :)

OMG!!! I'm finding it really really hard to get back on the tarmac once more!! Been laying everything off for too long & too lazing around... 2010 1st Brick was @ last Tuesday, 1st ever 10km @ Double Hills @ last Saturday.

Now it is already Monday, & 6 more days till NB20km run. Running Mileage, yet to exceed 20km since 2009 Oct... OMG!!!

What to do?.. ARGH!!! I do salute those other triathletes that till now had never slowed down or layed off their training, even for a little bit!! Gosh!! Where do they find their motivation??

Anyways, I'd been really laying back & growing fat (Yes, I put on weight again, ARGH!! But still controllable), I'd been reading once more the Famous Hong Kong Comic Book, Storm Warriors!!

Finally had the chance to read everything since Season 1.... Gosh, reminds me of my childhood, which is to GROW FAT!!! ERR!!!

Oh well, back to work.... :P

Christmas Humour?? Haha!!!

I just came a cross something interesting from a fellow friend of mine.

An alternate version of Jingle Bell (relate to cycling)....
(Only lyrics, so you have to sing yourself)

Here it goes:
Dashing through the road
On a broken pair of spoke
Screaming as I go
Ramming into poles (boom boom boom)
The snow's now soaking red
and I think I'm almost dead
Someone call red cross
'cause I need a hospital bed


hey jingle bell.. jingle hell...

HAHA!!! Great Laugh!!! :)

All I Want For Christmas From Santa Is......

It's been 5 days late, Sigh.... Been awfully busy with work since that everyone in the office is on their year end leave.... But still Christmas is for 12days... I think that I can still wish for something, right?.... :P

Well, it is that time of the year once more. Each year, I'd always try to get me something, may it be small or meaningless. Just to get the festive season started on... (Silly huh?)


However, for this year, I'm getting & feeling very very greedy!! I don't have the sufficient $$ to get myself things like these. But all of them are already in my Wishlist!!! I sure hope that Santa can bring my gifts:

A New Racing Bike, A Black Carbon Bike, with a set of Black High profile Carbon Wheels, Ultegra SL Black Group Set, Carbon Pedals & New pair of Black Roadie Cycling Shoes, & a New Black Roadie Helmet.

New Cycling Jerseys & Pants

New Tri-suit, Tri Top.

New pair of Shades.

New Mobile Phone.

Additional Lens for my Camera (18 -105mm, 50mm, & maybe 70-300mm), Speedlite, a Pro Adapted for the camera body.

Finally, to hope that everything that has happened at home will all be sorted out. Everything is just not in place.

Oh well, all I can do is hope for...

Come on, even a guy can wish for something right?...

Geez......

Equipments & Gears

Come to think of it, its already been 1 year since my very 1st Triathlon event back in 2008 @ Desaru. Boy, that memory still lives deep & refreshing each & everytime it think about it. :)

Since that today is yet another unproductive day for myself in office (just before I forced myself into my office working mode) I'd decide to post this post about the equipments & gears that I'd been using for both my training & racing for the past 1 year. I was quite surprises that without "Chun" Bike, Stylo Cycling Gears, Stylo Tri Gears, Stylo Running Appearls & Stylo Swim Gears, I think that I'd really come quite a long way till today.

1st Lets introduce the Swim Wear & Gears:

TYR Goggles

TYR Swimming Trunk

2nd would be the Cycling Gears:

Giant OCR 3 2006 Model Sports Bike, 661 Cycling Off-road Cycling Shoes, Venzo Helmet, sleeveless Cycling Jersey (not my actual 1 but almost same color) & 2 pairs of Black cycling Tights.

3rd would be my Running Gears:




Timex Watch, Nike & Adidas Sleeveless Dri-Fit, Mizuno Running Tights, AdiZero, Ascis Gel, Saucony C2 Grid Roadster.

4th would be my Triathlon Race Gears:


Sugoi Tri Turbo Pants, Race Belt & Adidas Eyewear (how sad, I don't even have a proper Tri-Top for any of my races. The Blue Sleeveless Cycling Jersey does everything & Alse the White Nike Dri-Fit Top)

Well, all the above are the gears that I have for both Training & Racing. Seems nothing to be brag about, as that I'm not as stylo as most my triathlon friends, Cycling friends, Running friends. Oh well, any newer gears will only be in my wishlist for times to come.

New Bike, Proper Tri-Suit & Tri Top, Proper Roadie Shoes & Pedals, Much more Stylo Cycling Helmet, New Eyewear, & etc etc etc..........

Yeah, The list Grows!! haha!!

Well, I'll settle for these for the moment....

Donations anyone?..
Haha!!!

Attempt or Do-Able?

Something came up in my mind, & I'd actually drafted out the plan, & now in the verge of packing stuff for the task that I have in mind.

Sat will be the deciding day. Just that Do I need support? I've not been doing anything SBR for the past 3 months!! An early morning 4km run also nearly took the life out from me!!!

So it is just an attempt or it is do-able?...

Hmm....

Cause of Pain!!

I'd decided to post this 1st before I manage to my will to post all about my trips during my long holiday about a weeks back. Just when I got back from my long holiday from work, I was loitering in office as per normal, no biggie & no big issue. However, due to a playful colleague of mine, decides to me an arse & went playing with the glass door in office, & my right foot was caught in between!

Immediately, I felt the weirdness in my right foot & for that moment, I told myself. Oh shoot! Here comes that freaky pain again. The next day, that stitching pain was back to haunt me!! Though the pain was back, but I can still manage to walk as per normal, still also manage to bent my toes up & down (unlike last time where my entire foot was swallowen!!). Applied some oilmen (Chinese medication stuff) & let it rest for a day. Thus, it got slightly worst the day after!! Well, it started to freak me out once more, & I decide to see some Chinese doctor to get some acupuncture, again... But I was out of luck!! It was a public holiday for Selangor & the clinic was CLOSED for 2 days!!

Then, I can say is, ARGH!! 2 miserable days of PAIN!!! But thank God I was with my brother & he had experiences like so, he recommended me to see another doctor (which was much much nearer to home that the 1st one). Lucky me, IT WAS OPEN!! Woohoo!! Went up the stairs, met up with the Chinese doctor, & immediately, she said (Yes, the doctor was a She), that there's blood clogged in your foot!! I was like "Huh??", before I could ask for any cure about it, she took out some weird device, & a rather large needle. Before I could react, she stuck the needles (Literally) 3 time on my foot!! I felt the pain for a bit & then she use that weird device & start sucking out the blood from the bottom my foot.

I could not see how it actually works, but what I heard from the doctor & my brother, the blood that got sucked out was much darker than the normal bleeding!! Proven, blood clog @ the ball of the foot, happens!!! It took only 5mins to get stucked with a needle & blood sucked out from the ball of the right foot, another 5mins to get some bandage with Chinese herbs on the right foot for the night & 6 Chinese medicine, it cost me RM65.00 for the whole commotion!! RM65!! DANG!!!

Oh well, immediately I felt that everything was relieved!! Gosh!! It really helps & works!! Guess that RM65 was worth spending after all :)

So leasson learnt, never leave injuries, especially werid ones unattended, as that it would really bite back hard!!

Runners beware, small pebbles & high impact to the ground may cause this!!
I'd experiences about it, NOT FUN AT ALL!!!

Long Annual Leave - Block Leave!!

Finally after a long waited since November 2009, it is the time!! Block Leave!! A whole 12days of HOLIDAY!! (Including weekends though :S)

But still 12 Days, where & what should I be doing? Had some plans in mind.
Head Down South, to visit some friends, & then back Home. Then Up North? Maybe?

Hmm...

Well, let's just see what's going on then :)

P/S: I just want to SKIP Trainings :P

Weird Injury??

14/11/2009, was the day that I decided to start training once more, preparing for any possible races to come on the Tarmac & for next year's Triathloan. Despite I'd decided to start training, yet I'm still having that small issue of getting up @ the most desired time @ 630am, yet I still got up @ 7am!! Dang, I'd once more FFK Kevin on the morning's run @ Bukit Aman's Double Hills.

Anyways, I still get my lazy butt up from the bed, clean up, change & drove to Lake Gardens (the usual parking spot) for a slow session of Double Hills. Upon reaching, I saw the CCS Tri Team members preparing for their bike session @ Double Hills!! Chit-chat with them for a while & off I went for @ 745am. Ran alone, quite interesting as that I can really pace myself & try to do some intervals. But the thing is that I'm losing the will to push myself. I'm quite sad to say that I did a 12km @ a 6min 30sec to 7 min pace. I was just trying to get me engine started for training.

However, along the Jalan Tunku (I think), there were a short stretch that pebbles were around the tarmac, I'd tried my best to dodge them, however 1 of them eludes me, & ended @ the bottom of my sole (shoe) & "hammered" the ball of my right foot. It hurt for abit, however then the pain just subsided. I was able to walk & run like normal for the whole Saturday.

But then, when Sunday Morning comes @ 7am, the pain was unbearable. It turned out to be i'm unable to bend my Big Toe properly, & then as the time goes by, the pain got worst!! By end's day, my right foot was swollen, & the pain, ARGH!!! Tried out with all the chinese medication, prescribe medication by pharmacy & even friends, still the pain does not subside.

Monday morning, the pain got WORST!! Can't really walk properly, need to limp around using walking stick, like some cripple. FOR ME IT IS VERY VERY SAD!!! Have to see doctors, & still unable to get everything right!! Endured the pain for Monday.

Tuesday Morning, only i'd decided to see a Chinese Doctor for acupuncture treatment on the right foot. Waited for 1hr 30mins before my turn, needles on the leg, pulse electric shock, & 20mins later, got out of the medical room, but the pain was even worst!!! Nearly cried out!!! Then went home, & got ankle wraps & bandages to warp the leg nicely & then went to work,
with walking stick of course. But 3 hrs later, the pain went slightly aways & the pain started to ease!! Wow!! It would seems that something done right for a change.

However, the pain is still AROUND!! How can I start my trainings once more?...
ARGH!!! STRESSFUL!!!

Powerman 2009 Sprint - New PB??

Powerman 2009, finally it is here. I'd been looking forward to do the Full Distance, however, due to me slacking for the past 5 weeks (with no sufficient mileage on the Bike & the Run), I'd decided to change to Sprint at the very last min. How I manage to do it & without losing any $$, is that I haven't pay during the initial registration. That's how I change from Full to Sprint. Sprint is half the distance & the max time needed to complete is @ 2 hrs 30mins.

Well, Sprint it is!! For this race, I'd already told my parents about it, & my dad replied me in a very interesting way, do you have a room for yourself? If so, bring me & mom along, support for abit & also take a look at how Lumut, Sitiawan looks like. The 1st thing that comes to my mind is, Hotel Room. I haven't book any rooms yet!! Dang!! Rushed Online & Started Calling every hotels in Seri Manjung, & finally manage to settle with Crystal Hotel @ Sitiawan. 5.78km away from Race course.

Reached the Stadium @ 645am, prep for the race, & then nature calls once more, rushed to the loo, tension released & the warm up session just before the race. I'd manage to see all of my training friends & buddies, photo taking session aka cam whoring, & for my personal favorite, both my parents came along with me for my Powerman Race. They are my loyal camera man & lady, & 2 cameras all for me & my frens!! Woohoo!! I was having such a great time with my friends & my family. But then time flies, & the next time I know would be RACE TIME!!

Start Off & The Run:
Time was 730am, flagged off for the Elites & the Age Groupers. 10 mins later @ 740am, Flagged off for the Relay Teams. Another 10 mins later, @ 750am, flagged off for the Sprint events (which was my category). All started well, while pacing with Ghani, tried level best to matach his speed, but he was indeed fast (after completing a 220km bike ride the day before). Almost nearing the half way mark for the 5.5km run, I started to push myself almost passing the redline, then Ghani told me to pace myself & take it easy, don't keep on trying to overtake as that there're 32km & 5km to go. I started to slow down the pace for a little, then Ghani dashed ahead, perhaps that I was too slow of a pacer for him, haha!!

Despite of that, I still manages to finish a 5.5km @ 28mins (Oh Yeah, I heard my mom & dad cheering hard for me when they saw me coming back from my run, inspiring indeed)

The Bike:
After the 1st 5.5km run, then back I was @ the transition area, breathing hard & suffering while preparing for my Sprint bike league @ 32km, & less that 1min40sec, I was off for my bike, however, just before mounting, I saw Ghani was like a couple of sec ahead of me, had to struggle for abit then took a banana, 2 cups of istonic drink, Saddle Up & off I went!! Not to forget to post abit bit for my dad with the camera as that he is the one running here & there, as for mom, she be the silent killer (reason being is that mom's having issues with her knees, recovering).

While on the bike, I knew that I could fly, which I did!! chased Ghani down for abit, but then stitching pain on the carfts, a clear sign of Cramping, the it came to me that I'd under prepared once more, by not bring an extra bottle of ORS mixture with Green Tea!! Freak!! I know that I'm going to suffer on the bike.

Just before everything comes to place, I witness a bike crash!! A malay participant (I believe that he was on Big Cranks & trying to gain his momentum, lost control of his bike & then crashed), even so, we are all glad that he did not sustain too much injury, scratches, bumps & bruises, but no broken bones (Thank God).

After sighting that incident, Ghani Crusied ahead of me as that I was starting to feel some cramps on the legs & he went ahead (It is a clear sign to me that I'm seriously under prepared for this event & I was glad that I changed to Sprint). However, something weird happened during the bike, I'm getting used to the pain from the Cramps, & I'm starting to increase my pace on the bike bit by bit, & the next thing I know is that I was pacing myself on flats @ 33kmph to 35kmph flat out!! I was spining comfortable & if i need to sprint ahead, I can still do so!!
Man, It Felt GREAT ON THE BIKE!!! (30% only to the 32km). Started to overtake back fast runners, on the 1st league, trying to determine how far away myself from the elites, which that I i was almost 1 lap behind them!!!

Finally reached the U-turn, & was excited to get myself a bottle of water (Cold Water), then there's this cyclist in front of my slowing down his pace & not sure what is he trying to do, nearly caused me to fell from my bike!! FREAK!! But I still manage to pull it off, & still get my bottle of water :). Then I told myself 16km more to go!! Held on hard & Bike On!!! Finally @ km 18 I caught up with Ghani, I was pacing him for abit, & then I dashed ahead, & the all the way ahead i went. On the Bike, it was indeed Fun!! @ about 1hrs 04mins, I was back @ transition area. Just before dismounting, I had a bad cramp, however, thank Goodness that everything went away just before I started my 2nd & final league of the race.

The Run (Last 5km):
Just before the run, I drank my ORS mixture, & off I went, yet again, just before I start my run, I had to drink 2 cups of isotonic drink & 2 cups of water just before I start my long & torturing 5km run. I could not open up my runing strike posture, as that I was in pain & very near in suffering from cramps once more. I have to almost power walk my 5km. But still I was a very comfortable pace, but the heat was indeed very very torturing!! Then again, that's what multi-sport is all about :)

Along the way, there are heaps of other Sprinters, which are suffering on the 2nd run, there are some suffered cramps & in need of medical attention, some really could not take the abuse & started walking, some really dead FAST!! After the 5.5km & 32 km, they can still RUN!!
Oh well, difference with proper training & under trained.

33mins later I was @ the finish line!! Man, the Pain & suffering was over!!

Total Clocked time @ 2hrs 12mins, compared to last year's 2hrs 32mins.
I believe a hold 15 to 20mins faster!! I guess that this would be my PB for Powermsn Sprint??

Next year, Sprint once more, but this time, PLACING!!
WoohoO!!!

Thankz Mom, Thankz Dad for being the supporter in this race :)

Rainy & Slacking Season!!!

Boy, Oh Boy. I'd really been slacking. I'd yet to update any of my blogs since God knows when ago. I'd yet to be aggressively training since Desaru. Supposingly signed up for a Full Distance for Powerman 2009, & ended-up changing my categories to Sprint instead, due to no proper training on Bike (especially) & run (slacking).

Both of these discipline is not my strong events, swimiming I'm still ok with it, but I also think that I'm losing it as well. I hate the feeling of being lazy & slacking & unproductive! Tried to get back in line with the trainings but DANG!! Motivation has somehow eludes me since Desaru!!

Perhaps that I should join in with some Strong & Aggresive Triathlete's training regime, for me to gain back the motivation & the momentum.

Hmm... What shall I do then?...
I need some sign & something to point me in the right way....

Slow Weekend.

I'd officially let myself to be in a position of not productive in trainings. Reason being is that I'd to accompany a fellow friend of mine to check out the night life scenes in KL, since that he'd just being transferred to work here in KL from Johor. Mt friend is a true night life bugger, as that he can really drink, party & play till really late, which somehow did effect me very much with the usual weekend trainings & regime.

Friday Night, went to KL with my friend, had 3 beers each, & went home @ 330am. Resulted, unable to wake up for Saturday's Brick or Long Bike Ride. Totally knocked out from the outing @ Friday!!!

Saturday Night, did not manage to go anywhere, however, still feeling the effects from Friday, being restless & having a hard time sleeping. Ended up waking up 30mins later than I suppose to wake up, reached Bukit Aman @ 7am, & only manage to run a 10km double hill.

Monday morning, hard time waking up, & ended up calling in for EL of a Monday. Tried to find some company for loitering around, but failed miserably. Ended up watching "Gamer" alone (Movie not as what I expected, quite normal). Then, went Internet Cafe to re-visit my gaming part of life, went home @ 7pm, dinner. Showered, went out to DVD shop to buy some movies, 11pm went home suppose to rest, but ended up watching B13-Ultimatum.

DANG!!! Unproductive & slow weekend... ...

Rainy Day...

During a rainy day, what do normal people do during such a cooling temperature? They sleep, obviously. As for me (& other triathletes), choose to be very much different. Woke up 530am on a Saturday Morning, just to get prepared a tentative 3-digit cycling scene from Fed Highway - Mex - Putrajaya - Dengkil - Sepang Central - KLIA (Optional) & back home, an estimation of more than 130km bike.

I'm not really fascinated about this ride, as that it seems something is off the grid. But still I saddled up @ 610am, from home & rode all the way to Fed Highway (in front of Kerinchi LRT Station). I waited for about 20mins, then the cycling train came along & away we went. Just as the cycling train reached the highway towards Cheras & turn off to MEX, it started to rain. Not just drizzling rain, but a heavy 1. Started to get really heavy & it got in to my mind that I'll need to turn back @ the Putrajaya Toll (won't want to get sick during my long holiday). Really uncomfortable as that everything is just wet!!

To make things worst, my cycling computer just fails on me (again) as that it is not reading any speed & distance, & all it can do is display time. Upon reaching the Putrajaya Toll, I estimate that I'd completed about 25 plus km & I decided to turn back. I tell myself, rather I force it all the way to KLIA, mind as well that I save it for Monday's Powerman Simulation.

I turned back @ that point. Cycled alone for the remaining 25 plus km back home. Rain was not sub-siding, it just kept on raining & raining. The scary part is that Pot-holes, slippery road conditions, & worst of all, I can't see properly on the tarmac ahead of me.

However, thank God that I'd manage to reach home in 1 piece.

Cleaned up, had breakfast & rest.

Although that it is a short 50plus km ride, it is still a great workout session.

Prioritizing? Work, Training & Revenue Generation...

Prioritizing, had always been the issue for my part. I'd learn to manage my training schedule to be fairly effective for my part, however, it is not getting me in improving anyhow faster, as that Prioritizing is the word which is missing in my part of life. Prioritizing in my sense is also meant by planning & executing...

Ever since I'd started Triathlon back in October 2008 @ Desaru, I'd never looked back in terms of losing weight, getting myself to look better in clothes that I wear, ego boost, changes in physical, health, weight management & even mental endurance for the goals & obstacle ahead in life. I had felt it myself that I had change very much. Like a friend of my says: "You are now changing habits which had been following your since you were born, these habits had been with you for the past 2 decades. Do you think it is an easy task for you to change immediately?"...

Come to think about it, I totally agree with what this friend of mine said. I'd not really gave it a deep thought about it until today. Today, something came up & I now had a smacked in the head about the things that I should have been doing since my younger days, & now I'll be able to reap all the rewards from it. However, I'd never "Prioritize", "Plan" & "Execute" on all the things that I have in mind.

What had happened today I'll need to let it be by gone, & move ahead. However, I'd not manage to resolve it yet. I need some assistance from my brothers in this matter, as that they will need mine as well. I sure hope that they'd be able to assist me in this manner.

I'd told myself to start something new & change on who am I since the day I'd realize that I need a change in life, but "change" is also another issue here, as that currently I'm too comfortable in the state of life I am at.

I'm changing now officially, as that I have 1 whole year for me to change & to get all of the unnecessary things sorted. Time to Prioritize, Plan & Execute. The 1st thing that I'm going to prioritize would be work & training. Plan for it in the most effective & efficient schedule that suit me, & then execute it. Have to also learn the best way to get rid of my Lazy Bug Syndrome...

I seriously need help in this matter. As much help as I can get to help me to overcome this syndrome...

At the same time, I'll be starting something new for myself & also others, both old & new friends....... Stay Tuned... :)

Road to Powerman 2009

I'd already started to train for Powerman 2009, as that I need to concerntrate more on both the bike & run. I'm finally getting the hang of cycling once more. New regime to workout on the bike is really helping on both cycling & running.

This time really amp'ing up on the mileage, endurance & mental training. I won't want the say thing to happen back in Desaru, as to suffer badly for the completion. To be worst off, Powerman 2009 has a time limit @ 5hrs cut off time. This time, I'd really need to train better & more effective. Also need to manage my schedule as well.

Oh well, after today's 110km ride, from Home - Fed highway - Mex - Putrajaya - Sepang Central & back @ 110km. Really bonk'ed out. However, I still finish fresh. Tired now, count not sleep, & restless. Really "hantam" hard on the bike :)

Tomorrow morning 630am @ 10 / 15 / 20km run. Run, run & run...

There's a movie saying which really fit my description @ Run Fat Boy, Run!!! Insipiring movie. :)

Slacking off in Training, since Desaru

Oh Dear Lord. I'd been slacking off with training since the completion of Desaru 2009. I'd only manage to do 2 session (1 bike & 1 run) on a weekly basis. Working is starting to get really really unreasonable with the working hours, as that it is taking more of the after w0rking hours. Pressure's building here & there. I can still cope with the fact that work is building up & I am doing my level best to catch up, since that there'll be no races till end of October 2009 & Beginning of Nov 2009.

I'd also manage to check with some of the triathletes aka training groups, as that they too had been slacking since Desaru, some of them said that it is really been the off season for Triathletes & Multi-sports man/woman. No running races, no biathalon races, no cycling races, no swimathon, no duoathlon & etc etc etc. Even the long awaited Perhentian Island Challenge 2009 does not seems to be updating in the registration & also the possible starting of the event.

Hmm. Guess that the onlu race to be looking forward now would be the Mizuno Wave Run 2009. Better start giving myself an excuse to train for this 10km run. I won't want to finish this race @ a miserable time & also got "arse-kicked" by new runners.

Oh well, Time to hit the tracks & also LSD. Swimming & Cycling too will have to come in place. Busy Busy Busy......

Desaru Longest Triathlon 2009, Completed....

Once more, I'd upgraded my self-proclaimed status from Triathlete to Half Ironman Triathlete, as that Desaru Longest Triathlon 2009 @ 2km swim, 90km bike & 21km run, I'd officially completed the race with an unsuccessful time & unofficial time @ 7hrs 30mins.

But like all of them says, what it matters is completing, & that's what is all matters.

Once I felt my body was no in order, I already told myself to stop pushing & maintain. But Still I bonked out!!

It is a tiring weekend, now I'll need to continue to rest before I post about my experience pre, during & post race for Desaru Longest Triathlon 2009. Photos will be up soon as that I need to get photos from Lydia Tan as well, & once again, my finishing photos is with her. :S

For this race Thanks to Bernard for being the most loyal supporter for this race & also for his sharing of his experiences. I think that Bernard done a much better job than me during his Ironman 2009.

So Bernard, go sign up for IM 2010 & I'll support you to the MAX!!!! WOOHOO!!!

Shape & Men's Health Run 2009

After PD OD Tri 09, this is indeed was my 1st tarmac run race since then. Laid off the bike, run & swim for the past week, & the Shape & Men's Health Run 2009 was the 1st ever training that I started just 1 week before Desaru Longest Triathlon 2009.

The run was an easy 11.5km run. Started @ 8pm & ended around 11pm (The Event). All started with the nice goodie bags that the organizers gave out that tempted me to sign up. :P With only RM30, all participants gets a goodie bag worth RM300 (as the organizer claims). The list of the Goodie Bag:
• A Men's Health bag
• A Runner’s Tee** from Reebok worth RM79
• 2 pouches of Nature Valley® Crunchy Granola Bars
• 1901 Soakin’ Ted (great size)
• A Fitness Concept Microfibre Towel worth RM26
• Clear Men 85ml Shampoo
• Clear Anti-Dandruff 85ml Shampoo
• Shokubutsu Body Shower Foam Active Sports 180ml
• Fresh & White Fresh Blast Toothpaste 30g
• Bion 3 Probiotic Multivitamins Minerals worth RM45
• Naturale Choice Veggie Snack
• Care Condom 3-piece pack
• Kenko 30mins Fish Spa Voucher worth RM38
• 7-UP Revive 325ml • Bleu Mineral Water 600ml
• TruDtox Tea Bag • Nuvafemme 10’s
• Cartilamine Glucosamine Sulphate Tablets 10’s
• Clark Hatch 1-Week Free Trial Pass

Check out the list of the goodies that registered Participants will get. :D That's what tempted me to sign up for this run. It is not a race, but more like a leisure session for runners. I know my speed, I'm the 60min or longer finisher & I'll always finish the race with the majority of participants. No stress & no expectations. Just run, pace myself & not stopping in between & most of all, annoy others, cheer for others & also to HAVE RUN!!!...

Supposing to car pool with Tomatoman, but his car is full & I'd let Bernard & Lydia know about the race & Tomatoman is driving & he is able to give up a lift but ended up his car is already with 4 peeps including himself, excluding me. If I ride with them, Bernard & Lydia will have to go on their own. Hmm. I was thinking, since that I'd told them about it, mind as well I roll with them in 1 car to Putrajaya instead. Decided, told Tomatoman, & notified Lydia & Bernard, changed, brought clean clothes, & shower items & off I went to meet up Bernard & Lydia. Me & Bernard plotted & "conned" Lydia to drive her Convertible Volkswagon Golf GTI (the older version) out to Putrajaya. Convertible man, why not. :D

Left from Gasing to Putrajaya @ 6pm, sped all the way to Putrajaya (Lydia demostrating & showing us how fast she can drive on that 1.8cc small car on Highway). Reached there in about 40mins, it was kind of fast & cool (without the roof down, 6pm, BLOODY HOT). Parked, prep'ed & went looking for Coach for my bibs. Once had it, I ate my own Granola Bar & waited for the run to start. The worst part of any races or events is always the waiting part. Waited for almost a whole full 2hrs before the Race Started!!!

During the waiting period, I was loitering around, meeting up with friends, chilling out with team THG, newly met friends met @ MUDS, Uniten. Crap for bit, see how Michelle Looi did her hulla-hoops from a-far, & watch Bernard demo his version of hulla-hoop, Macho Style, HAHA!!!
Then the announcers voiced out "REPORTING FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS, GROUP A, B & C TO THE STARTING LINE!!" Then I'd told myself, FINALLY!!! RUNNING TIME!! Upon reporting, it is so bad that the organizers forbits participants with only 1 bibs from entering the starting line. Bernard & Lydia was one of those smart runner that brought only pinned 1 bib instead of 2, Bernard nearly got into a big fight with the marshals & with his usual "Serious" face, he & Lydia went back all the way to the car to grab their other bib, while I was waited alone in the starting line for the run to start.

During the wait for the flag off for the run, I saw Pathma, Lee, Yan, Kam, Hoo Yeen, & some other frens, played for abit, took some photos, annoy as much people as possible, & then the way we go, the start of the long, hot & DANG Loads of SYT run. HAHA!!!

Started off with a slow & seemingly warm-up like run, casually ran for about 1km, then decided to start over-taking, Pathma, Yan & Myself, started to over-take runners, after 3km down the run, the course seems to be more easier to run @ as heaps of 1st timer are falling back. Happily we went, 1st comes the bridge facing PICC, the the PICC Hills, & then the bridge facing PICC again, I'd messed up my pace on the PICC hills, as was playing with Bernard on the uphill (Wrong Move!!) & then started to run at a slower pace, with Yan as my pacer for the the rest of the way (about 6 - 7km). Saw Selon after the the return journey from the PICC Bridge, with Lydia & Bernard just 5 runners distance ahead of me & Yan. We took it slowly & paced each other, & as we ran & paced one & other, we also started to over taking other runners, & as we ran, the pace was getting much & much comfortable & also gradually, we can TALK!! Woohoo!!!

Sign boards was really annoying, as it started to count down from 5km to go till 1km to go. DANG!! However, as we ran, there was this Bib number B2031, she was running ahead of us, & then she walked & ran, walked & ran for quite a few times. To be honest, Yan & I was totally bring attracted by her, from back, she looked very nice indeed. When we overtook her, & we looked back, GOOD GRACIOUS GOD!! She was a cutie!! Man, Yan & I told ourselves, Our Run had officially being made!! B2031 Really Made our run such & all the meaningful 1 :D

However, regardless how cute she was, good things rarely lasted. As our pace was constant & her's was not, for only 1.5km on the course we manage to check her out from back to front & from front to back, finally, we had to overtake her & continued our pace. DANG!! Just that I did not lose out totally, I'd cheered her for a bit & motivated her for bit just before Yan & I paced away from her. :( Come to think of it I should have ask her to run with us @ our pace!! FREAK!! :(

Oh well, let by gones be by gones... Moving ahead, after about 30 odd mins, we'd finally reached the Finish Line. I told Yan that I wanted to take it easy, once see the Finish Line, we'd decided to dash for abit, just an easy 1, crossed the finish line... 11.5km done, an easy 65mins finishing (Estimating Time).

Still, sigh, No photographer Friends around, no finishing Photos, yet again. FREAK!!!

Oh well, after the run, I tooked my shower, get on to Lydia's Ride & home we went. Got lost for abit in Putrajaya, because trying to figure out the way to MEX Highway, after 30mins of speeding around Putrajaya & don't know how we somehow ended @ Salak Tinggi, finally we manage to find our way to MEX. Paid RM2.50 & another 30min or so, & we'd reached Gasing. Had a Late Late Dinner cum supper @ Pandi's, Banana Leaf Dinner worth RM8.80, 12:15 am got back to my car, & home I went.

Loiterred in front my laptop for abit, & "Pengsan" terus!!

Then this morning, IT'D RAIN!!! I'd then decided to continue my sleep rather that Putrajaya Mini Tri. Rest is also essential. HAHA!!!

Boy, Oh Boy... Lazy me...
HAHA!!

Despite of my winding about the completion of Desaru, I'm LAZY TO TRAIN!!..
DANG!! If I'd suffer big time in Desaru, "Padan Muka" Bobby!!!

:S

History Made?... ...

Finally, I'd decided to do up this report, as that I think that I owe myself for that much. Hope that the Lazy Bugs won't get to me before I finish up here...

Here it goes...

12/7/2009 - Port Dickson International Triathlon 2009, it was my 1st ever Triathlon race. I was very nervous about it. I'd already started to feel the excited since 2 weeks back & counting down to the date where I make my own history (Bobby's History) to remember by. The excitement & also the anxiety feelings are all mixed up, I'm happy & excited, & at the same time worried about can I complete the race? For some reasons that worries me... Hmm... ... ...

11/7/2009 - Travel day.
Woke up 8am (Slept 1230 the night before, after a movie & also some "tong shui"@ SS2 with Lydia, Bernard & Jacqueline) & only took me 15mins to pack all my clothes, racing gears, water, money & even my bike in my car. Drove out of home @ 9am sharp & cruise to Lydia's house to pick up Jacqueline.

After picking Jacqueline up, without Lydia, we cruise off to PD @ exactly 930am. Drove an easy 1hrs 30mins to PD, while stopping for petrol, candies & toilet breaks, by almost 11am, PD, destination reached. Admiral Cove was the race venue, collected bibs, goofed around with the Organizers, Quick-sports & TYR. & then off me & jac went for a quick lunch & checked-in to the hotel Lydia booked. For RM80 per night for a 1 room apartment, IT IS A GREAT DEAL!!!

Get settled down & the rushed off to Admiral Cove @ 3pm for Jacqueline's Sprint Triathlon, 750m swim, 20km bike & 5km run. It start @ the worst time ever, 4pm in the evening. After almost 2 hrs of wait, Jac finally manage to complete her 1st even sprint. (Oh, forgot about Lydia, she reached PD before the Sprint race starts & join Patrick on a Kayak to "disturb"the Sprint Triathletes). After Jac completed her race, we went for dinner @ Admiral Cove, supplied by the organizers (Heck, we pay for it), Carbo Loading Dinner. Food was okay & then come Briefing. 1st time listening to Uncle Chan's briefing for the OD. Weird feeling but I get what he means, & the off we went back to hotel & rest.

12/7/2009 - Race Day.
Unfortunately, for me when the clock hits midnight, my phone rang. I was telling myself in my blurry sleep, "CRAP!! Someone Called!!"(honestly I was cursing left & right about it). I ignored it for about 6 times, then it stopped ringing & I finally get to sleep @ God knows what time. But the next thing I know, my phone alarm went off. 545am. Time to wake up. But I tell myself, heck 15mins more, & then I'll get up. Wash-up & also get myself clear with the usual morning business & also not to forget to wake up the Jac & Lydia. Then prep with all the gears & off we went to the race course.

However, in this wonderful day, the sky decides to rain & make my warm-up cycling session from hotel to race course quite insanely wet & freezing cold, especially when the cross wind blowing hard & I'm riding head on. Yet it was a great 2km bike ride or some spins & warm-ups. less than 5 mins, there, I see the race course & also my transition area & the number tag that is being allocated to me. Had some breakfast courtesy frm Powerbar, get body marked & also decided to go in of the sea with only my tri-pants, swimming goggles & the events' swimming cap.

The Swim...

The swim does not concerns me much, just that I'm worried about Jellyfish rather that get kicked on the face for the swim. But the waves are really hard & tough to attack, as that the condition was really rough, some of them said that it was Desaru's Swim x3, as waves are really the killer!! 1st time ever 1.5km swim was all so ever long lasting, it swim was like endless, as that I do not have anything in front or beside me to tell me how long I'd swam & how long more to go.

After 37mins, I'm are the shore!! I'd survived, & thank God that after my 1st ever open water swim,I'd completed the swim, with only dirty sea water in my stomach (No Jellyfish). But the weirdest part is that I'd cramps on both of my hamstring after the bloody ROUGH open sea swim @ 1.5km, just before I get out of the sea. But it was not a serious one, manage to flex it off & got out of the sea & ran all the way to the transition area & prep for the 2nd league, the Bike. But the cramping part was really the werid part. Hmm...

When I was preparing myself for the bike, I can still feel the strain from the cramp & also the spiked up heart rate (the dash after the swim to the transition area) I think that I'm over confident on my swim & I'd fail to train properly in my swimming discipline. (ROGER YEE KICKED MY ARSE ON THE SWIM WITH BREAST-STROKE!!!) I was kind of disappointed on my swim & I strongly believe that I can do much much better in the swim, regardless the condition. Back to the drawing board for my swim!! Drills, Speed & Power trainings & even long distances. 3 times a week should be sufficient, I hope...

The Bike...

Once prep'ed for the bike, I'm still struggling to get my heart rate down for abit, as that it is still pounding & giving me a hard time. I was able to sprint for about 2km flat out, then I'm done!! CRAP!!! Struggling to maintain my bike speed for flats & at least 35kmph & climb at least @ 28kmph. It is just plain MURDER TO ME!! I started with the bike with like such a small amount of people, roughly about 50 participants ahead of me, but because that I could not maintain my pace, I GOT OVERTAKEN!!! AT LEAST MORE THAN 60++ PARTICIPANTS IN TOTAL!!! Most of them are on the my age group 20-29 & 30-39!! I'm so pissed of myself & the trainings, by not having a balance with in my bike & run.

To make things worse, MY SPEEDOMETER DROPPED!! I have to stop to get it!! Even though it is faulty, it still has its sentimental values & at least when it is not faulty, I know what speed & pace that I at least tried to maintain. Boy, Oh Boy... this 40km is really something for me to really reflect on in terms of my cycling. I was pushing myself to complete it within 1hrs 30mins!!

To makes things even worst, I HAD A CRAMP ON MY LEFT CRAFT, WHILE UP-SADDLING & UP HILL!! I nearly fell from my bike & that's it for my race. I stayed calm, tried to flex my crafts while I'm on the bike, try not to lose it, & it fact, I'd manage to flex my muscles, & again, immediately I got back in maintaining my pace once more. After 20km, only I'm feeling the kick to bike much harder as that I'm back in the game!! I was maintaining 40kmph most of the way, back to the transition area!! Whoa!! 40kmph riding ALONE!!! Really freaked my out. Yet I still got dropped as that I still sucked on climbs. Sigh, really need to train for climb till I puke. Then comes Freddie, just 4km before reaching the transition, I tagged his train, & I was cycling at Max Capacity of gears tailing back to the transition area. Speedometer was out, but I know that I'm whacking around 48kmph for the last 4km the bike league!! Along the way back I saw Irene Tan wit my camera!! But sigh, only 2 shots of me in my bike league. How sad :(...

That's it, The bike is completed, by trying out the dismount that all triathletes uses, leaving the shoes on the bike & run to back to your transition area & prep for the run. I tried that, I WORKED!! Dang Stylo lo.. But no photos ARGH!!!.....

The Run...
After when I'd prep parked my bike properly, changed to my old trainers (The Old Ascis, then off I went) I'd started my final league of the race, 10km of run. It started great when I saw all the supporters cheering along the transition area & also the the 1st 300m of the race course, I was runnning @ a very comfortable pace, & keeping a smiling face, until the point when I'd reached the corner when I don't see the any supporters, I'd decided to slow down my pace, as that I know that 10 more km to go. I'd started my run by remembering what Uncle Chan said on the briefing, every 1.2km will be a water station, & that's how i decided to keep count of my distance & how I could budget my energy throughout the remaining of the 10km run.

The 1st water station was always the best, as that it was the 1st place that I can get some ice cole drinks & 100plus. :) But as the mileage come on, I'd started to feel the pain on my legs, especially on the quatz, in the run, the 1st 3.6km was indeed relaxing as that I still have energy & was not feeling any pain, but when comes the 4th water-station @ 4.8km, that's where I'd started to feel the pain. Despite the pain, I'm seeing so many friends along the entire 10km run. High-Five'ing & cheering for each other for the run, was indeed fun. Then comes the 5th water station (just reversing counting the water-stations :P), & 6th & 7th & 8th... The heat started to take to toll in me, the pain on my quatz are really hurting, my heart is telling to stop running, but my mind is telling me to go on, just a few more hundred meters & you'll see the finishing line.

As I was having a fight between my heart & mind, then I saw a few people that really brings my mind away from the "fight", & I pull out the remaining might that I had, & held on & kept on running. As more of my friends & the other supporters, I'd look back checking out whether is there anyone behind me to steal my lime-light at the finish-line...

The Finish-Line...
When I saw Yap, (Mr. Lee's wife), I know that the finish-line is about less that 150m away, I'd look back once more to confirm that there's no 1 behind me to steal my lime-light from me at the Finishing-Line. It's sorted & settled! No 1 behind me, Boo-Yah!! As I was pulling out as much & the remaining energy in me to run faster & much in style, I was thinking on how I should cross the finishing-line. But before I'd manage to think straight, The Crowd was cheering, The Amcee was announcing my arrival at the finishing-line, camera flashes was flashing all over the place, I know that I'm reaching my 1st ever milestone in my sportsman aka triathlete life, COMPLETION OF THE OD TRIATHLON!!

That finishing-line, that ice-cold towel, that 100plus & that ice cold bottle of mineral water was indeed something worth working hard & training hard to achieve for...

Oh My God!! I'd completed my 1st ever Olympic Distance Triathlon!!!

It's already been like 9 days after since my completion of it, I'm still feeling the excitement of it!!!

Next Target to complete, DESARU!!!

I sure hope that I can complete it...