Bib Collection For SCKLM And A New Shoe

Got to Stadium Titiwangsa at around 3.30pm and thought I could get the collection of the bibs done in a short time. Queue wasn't long at that point of time and true enough I got the bibs picked up in no time. However, there was a glitch. The guy at the counter told me that Ray's registration was incomplete and I had to go to the Information Counter to get it checked. While they were putting together the racing pack, I looked back to the info counter and the queue was a long one. Once I got the racing packs, I joined in the queue. It was a very very long wait. Got the chance to chat with some runner while waiting. Found out from 2 runners that they have been doing a lot of 10k race and one of them is thinking of moving up to a longer distance next year, Another one will try to lose more weight. As he mentioned he already lost about 20+kg. Another guy has done a few marathon races. As we neared the counter (after an hour of waiting), one of the official there called out for half marathoners waiting on the queue. He then mentioned that they can't solve the problem they are facing today and we may have to come back again to collect it. One of the guy I talked too, he was pretty pissed off when he was told that they ran out of running bib no for full marathoner and requested him to come back. I think he just walked off. Not sure he'll be running. Guess this is not a good start for the new organising committee. Lots of pissed off participants! And  heard the queue was even bigger earlier in the day as a lot of runners turned up to collect it today.

By the time I was informed of the bad news, it's already passed 5pm and getting out of KL at this hour, will be a tough thing to do. So I had a drink at the cafeteria next to the stadium. Then saw Mr Wan coming out for a drink and he said, " When I go back tonight, I won't be checking my Facebook!" Haha.

Since Titiwangsa was near KLCC, I decided to head to the adidas store there. I ended adding a new line to my running shoe collection. More of a stability cushioned shoe, Adidas Supernova Sequence 2. Of course, I don't have the money to buy it. It was the gift vouchers I got from our team's 2nd placing for Energizer Marathon Relay. I was aiming to get a racing flat but all they had of the adizero models were Boston and Tempo. In KLCC, they don't even have the Boston model. Not sure where they are keeping all the racing flats? Anyway, since I need to take care of my injured foot and now has spread to my upper calf, getting a more cushioned shoe seems to be better off if I were to increase my mileage soon. Well, I actually wanted to buy the other model, Adidas Supernova Glilde because of the colour (orange) but this one seems more comfortable.

Adidas Supernova Sequence 2

Adidas Supernova Glide

Somehow I feel Adidas Malaysia is actually bringing new updated colours each year rather than increasing the model lines. Not sure, maybe I am wrong.

Fedex Services Delayed!!

No! This is not about Fedex, the delivery company. It's about Roger Federer. He was on the brink of defeat and close becoming the 1st major upset of Wimbledon. Yes, Wimbledon has started, so it's not all about World Cup fever!

World No. 60, Alejandro Falla took the first 2 sets 7-5, 6-4 and was on 3 break points when Federer was serving at 4-4. He didn't capatalise it and lost his next service game and the set 6-4. Falla broke early and was serving for the match at 5-4, but again he squandered his chances. Federer's fan, like me, couldn't bare to watch much of the match. But from time and time again, Federer just weaved out his magic wand and strikes back. He went on to win the 4th set, 7-6 and didnt lose a game from then on. 6-0 in the 5th! Phew, that was close. However, Federer not playing like the player he used to be. More and more players believe that they can beat him now. Hoping for a Federer vs Nadal final!

And this was what he has to say about the match after....

The No.1 seed paid tribute to his opponent as he came off court, saying: "I've lost many matches this season I should have won and today I won a match I should have lost. He played incredible."

For more news and results from Wimbledon, please click on their official website link.
 

© AELTC  / M. Hangst - Alejandro Falla

© EPA / F. Trueba - Roger Federer

First Training Run Since Sundown Marathon

Been injured before Sundown half marathon and got sick after the race. I went over to Taman Tasik Permaisuri for my run and felt ok with a good 55mins easy run, although struglling in pace. Since I have not done any build up mileage since Chinese New Year, it's going to be tough for me to break my PB in Berlin.

Uncle Chan was there too giving his free coaching clinic, giving advice and tips on what to do on the last week leading up to Standard Chartered KL Marathon. The runners in Permaisuri were having their weekly Adination Run, so the turnout for the talk was good. They also set up booth to sell sports apparels, e.g. Newton shoes, Lock Laces, etc.

Now that I am so unfit, got to turn most of my races into training runs to get my mileage in. Hopefully I will stay healthy to train and race in Berlin.

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2010 Route

For maps for all categories, please click on this link

More information available on their website. Please click on this link

Up Close And Personal With Star Rugby Players!

I had the opportunity last week to work for an event company who hosts The Spirit of Rugby Challenge, in which some well-known players from around the world are playing in this friendly match. The featured match was the Classic All Blacks vs World XV. The other match sees Hong Kong vs NS Wanderers.

These All Blacks are still active players. As they are applying their trade outside New Zealand, they are no longer eligible to represent the All Blacks. Most of these players including the World XV are playing with some top competitive clubs around the world.

Players checking in Prince Hotel

Greeting players at KLIA

Players training at Royal Selangor Club

The featured match : Classic All Blacks vs World XV

Classic All Blacks

The World XV

It was a poor turnout of crowds as the match was not promoted well before the match. Only the 2 sides of the grandstands were filled. Very little information about the game in local newspapers until few days before the match. Besides, it could also be due to the small number of rugby fans in KL. Im sure things could have been better if it was well promoted. 

Most of the crowds know Jonah Lomu and they were here expecting Jonah to put on a show for the crowds. However, Classic All Blacks lost 26-36 in this match.

Being involved with these "celebrities" is a good experience. Some of these guys are TALL, LEAN & HUGE! such as Jonah, Jamie and also Troy Falvell. Some are just HUGE, some are just LEAN. Of course, you will never find some rugby like me!!

Simon Maling, Jamie Cudmore and Ben Blair

Randall Kamea, Jamie Cudmore and Campbell Johnstone

 Jean Bouilhou, Davit Zirakashvili, Loïc Jacquet

Dinner at Hakka Restaurant

Some of the other former All Blacks players I had the chance to meet:

Reuben Thorne (former captain of All Blacks)

Greg Sommerville

Andrew Mehrtens

Jonah Lomu 

The players left afterr the tournament, flying out to their base. some in Europe, some in Japan, some in the Southern Hemisphere.

And this is what I like about All Blacks rugby - The Haka Dance

Adidas Cash Vouchers Have Landed!

Finally got hold to the adidas cash vouchers from the Energizer Night Race. And it's RM450 per person!

Thanks to all the winners who petitioned for better prize than the ones we got earlier in our winners goodie bags (pic below).

And thanks to Joshua Leong of Energizer Malaysia for listening to us. Time to shop for a new pair of adidas racer and maybe a short too.

Sundown Marathon

Took part in the Sundown Marathon at the 21km distance for the first time. I wanted to take part in their inaugural race but they had only the Marathon and 84km category. This is their first year in organising the 21km race.

Didn't expect much from this race yet again as preparation for this wasn't perfect. I was targeting for a 1:35 - 1:40 timing based on my current fitness. Not too sure how many runners took part in the Half Marathon category, but the queue seems really long. I had to jump over the barricade just to get nearer to the starting line but in the ned had to settle for about 30-40 meters from the start. Once the race started, I had to zig zag my way to get to the leaders, took me a long while before coming close to the Top 15 (I think. Well it was about 150m-200m behind if you consider that close). I then had to hit the brakes as I don't want to burn myself out. There were a lot of caucasians out in front, a few other runners overtook me and I tried to hang on, but couldn't. I knew my every 5km splits will differ a lot as I felt my pace was pretty erratic. As I found out in the end (based on my watch timing), it was true. Here are my splits (this is based on gun time) & my HR:

12:54 - 03km - 0:12:54 (156bpm)

21:35 - 05km - 0:21:35 (156bpm) - 8:41 (2km)

23:28 - 10km - 0:45:04 (151bpm)

21:41 - 15km - 1:06:45 (155bpm) - Probably where I saw Zul!

25:14 - 20km - 1:31:59 (157bpm) - Don't ask me what happened here!

04:31 - 21km - 1:36:31 (159bpm) - Ranked 27 overall

Winners in Mens Half Marathon came in with a time in between 1:20 - 1:22.

My race bib

Some friends who took part in the race:

Ooi Keat, Chin Ann, Veron (Virgin Marathon) and Su getting ready for their 11:59pm start in the Marathon

Azri (Marathon) and Zas/Zul (came close in beating me)

My friend Charlene (Spore) who did a PB of 1:57:40

Keat Seong, Jenn, Poh Seng & friends at the Marathon start line

Winners of the Men & Women Half Marathon category (with the exception of 1st place women - don't know where she went)

Joining the Ultra Marathoners for a teh tarik session. Lawrence (Marathon), Victor & Choi (Ultra) - All still looking fresh although just got back from venue after finishing.

Jenn, Keat Seong, Choi, Lawrence, Ultraman Yip (sub-10 hours!), Frank, Poh Seng & me

For results, pls click on this link

For photo gallery, pls click on this link

The medal :

Marathon

I took part in Sundown Marathon for the first time. Of course, I can't call it a Marathon since I was just doing the Half. Like a lot of people who asked me, "Hey, what distance are you running? 42, 84?" Then when I say, "21km", their response would be, "Huh? You came all the way here to run the 21km?!" Anyways, I am not the type who will do too many full marathon or ultra distance (very unlikely at all) as I feel you probably need a lot of time in training and for any race distance from full marathon and above, it all depends on race day too. So if you are not feeling you are up for it, you probably suffer throughout the run. And your effort in training will just go to watse. This is different for shorter distances where you still can get away with dragging yourself to the finishing line even you don't feel too well on the day. So this is the way I feel about the distance. I've only done 4 full marathon races so far, 1-DNF (1994 or 1995), 2003 (KL), 2009 (KL & Melbourne). So you can see the "no marathon" years in between those races.

I've signed up for Berlin Marathon this year, so this will be my 4th (5th if u count in the DNF race). Havent really put in the mileage yet but will get to it...... : )