Allergic Reaction

I woke up early today at 5.45am as the drops of rainfall startled me. Looked out the window and saw that it was drizzling. Part of me wants to go back and sleep but part of me says that I really need to get out there and build up my mileage. My plan today was to do a 24km run in a medium pace, targeting a 5:00-5:30 pace. It took a while before I made the decision to put on my shoes and head out.

Started feeling pretty tired but the cool weather plus drizzling rain helps. There were quite a few runners out there running despite there was an event over at Padang Merbok (Pacesetters 4 x 3km race). Dutamas Runners group were a 10-k run today.

As I reached Hartamas, I felt a sting above my chest as if an insect stung me. My normal reaction was brushed it off, and felt my finger killed an insect (felt like an ant). I didnt take a look at what was it and ran on. I started to feel the itch in my body after a while. As I look at my arms, there were rashes around it. Checked a couple places around my body and indeed I have developed rashes. At that time I was already at 12km, only halfway of my targeted distance. 1km on, I decided to head back home as I felt the rashes has spread across my body.

When I reached home, to my horror, my whole body showed some kind of allergic reaction. Took a shower as soon as my body dried, I took a quick shower and took some anti-itch pill and applied some tea tree oil I bought last time on the affected places. Luckily, it subside after my breakfast outside. Went back home and took a quick nap as I was sleepy due to the anti-itch pill.

I checked my upper chest again, and the swelling was still there.

Hopefully, it's nothing serious and will get better by tomorrow. Anyway, managed a 20km today in 1:49. Still need put in more runs for me to improve the timing!

Training Run - LSD 24km

I will be doing my longest run thus far for a very very long time. A 24km run. I hope my legs can survive it. Will not be pushing the pace, as I aim to finish this run strong, so will pace myself accordingly.

Those who are keen to follow, please meet up in front of Anggunpuri Condo / French International School at 6.25am. I won't be sure who will be joining but I will start at 6.30am sharp. (Note: I forgotten to put in the date of this run. It will be this Sunday - 19 Feb)

Some things to take note:

1. Please bring along your own hydration/money as there won't be any water station along the road, except if you want to stop at 9.5km mark to buy water @ Bestari, Solaris Dutamas. 
2. Please memorise the route well as there won't be any markers to tell you of the direction.
3. Do it at your own pace, fast or slow. I will be looking at running it at about 5.00 - 5.30/km pace.

Here is the map for your reference. Make sure you have Google Earth plugins for this one. If you can't view it, pls click on this link.

Salomon Sponsorship

I know there has been a delay of what my last post was all about. Well, it was still Chinese New Year & long holiday break! Of course, there's also work commitment.

I couldn't think of a better title for this post, so I'm just going to be straight forward here. YES! I've got sponsorship from Salomon. A big brand to those adventure racers or enthusiasts out there. More so the recent champion of the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, Kilian Jornet is sponsored by Salomon. Here's a short video of him running the Mount Kinabalu.



I know what is going through in a lot of people's mind is that how can a road runner be getting a sponsorship from world's leading manufacturer in trail running apparels & footwear? You may call it pure luck or maybe I wrote in at the right timing. Whatever it is, I am thankful for the sponsorship. It is not a multi-million dollar sponsorship but I am still proud of it.

Been injured for throughout the 2011 season, I thought I might need to change my training a little bit more this year and that is by adding in trail running into my schedule. It is hard to find soft grounds to run around my area, unless I travel out to FRIM, Gasing Hill or the nearest...mmh...could be Kiara Park. There are many groups out there organising trail running these days. It seems like it is gaining popularity not only to the usual "On On" by Hash Runners but also to the road runners seeking an alternative training route.

How I Got The Sponsorship
Since I decided I needed to get into trail running to mix up my training runs, I thought it's best that I get a trail running shoe for this purpose. After getting to know a friend of mine is working in Amer Sports Malaysia, which happens to be the distributor of Salomon products in Malaysia, I thought I give it a try to write in for sponsorship. I've sent in my running profile to my friend who then helped me forward my request to his counterpart in Salomon, Mori Hiroshi. It took a month or so of patience before Mori, Product Manager of Salomon contacted me, bringing me the good news that I will be getting sponsorship from Salomon. I was thrilled! I was quite surprised by the support Salomon has given to me, judging from my lack of competition last year due to injury. As for trail running, I've not done much of it in Malaysia but I am not new to it. When I was studying in New Zealand, trail running is already a popular sport and I've done a lot of runs in trails and also in cross country races around NZ.

Salomon History 
Salomon originated from Annecy, France in 1947. The company started by François Salomon together with his family. You may not know this, but in 1997 it actually became part of Adidas group. But in May 2005, Adidas-Salomon announced that it had agreed to sell the Salomon Group to Amer Sports, one of the leading sporting goods companies in the world, for €485 million. In the Annecy Design Center, it's the heart of their progressive movement, with 800 people working at the center. This is where the development, marketing & communication for footwear, apparel and equipement takes place.

The Meeting 

I met up with Mori one fine day during lunch at World of Outdoors (which is under World of Sports Malaysia Group) @ The Gardens, which is the main distributor for Salomon products. This is where he presented me with all the sponsored products and also a walk-thru on Salomon products. There were a lot of new stuff I've learned about Salomon through Mori. 

So What Do I Get From This Sponsorship
When I met up with Mori, there were already two bags of products he was carrying to hand over to me. In it were plenty of apparels, jacket, headgears, tees & fuel/hydrapack bags. Best of all, I get the latest XR Crossmax Neutral CS. The XR Crossmax was voted the "Runner's World Top Debut Shoes" award. Click on this link to read more.

That's not all, I got to choose a second pair. I had all the ranges to choose from. Just check out the next few photos below. If it's not clear, well, just walk in to The World of Outdoors located at 3rd floor, The Gardens. You can also head on to their newly opened concept store e@Curve. Kilian was there to launch the event.

As you can see photo above, there are different ranges of shoes you can choose from. XA - Cross Adventure which caters more for hikers, the XT - Cross Terrain catering for runners for all terrains, while the XR - Cross Running, are the hybrid of shoes. It's basically a door to trail running shoe.

But since the thought of doing a trail race is in my plans, I got myself a pair of trail racer, the Salomon S-Lab 3 XT Wings. It's not the latest model, but it does serves it purpose, a lightweight trail racer.

Funny how the shoes I chose are all red....not that I'm a big fan of the colour RED. Ok with an exception, Liverpool is my favourite team.

Some of the other items I got:

Twin Belt - Do come in handy for my long runs!

Skin Pro 3 Set - This bag is amazing. Always wanted one and now I got one!

There are a lot more other apparels I received, but will do a product review soon. Salomon as a brand will be going more aggressively on customer centric activities & increasing consumer engagement with their World of Sports partners. I hope I can make my partnership with them work, to promote both the Salomon products & also trail running among my group of running friends as I continue to explore & learn about trail running myself!

Teaser...

This is what I've gotten today.....

What's inside? Will share my news when I unbox it.... coming soon....

Exciting Day Ahead

I'm looking forward to 17 Jan. You can call it a new beginning in my running chapter. Just as I was looking for boost in my running, this is probably it. Well, I wouldn't want to spoil the suspense but you will find out soon enough. For some, they may have known about it. Stay tune to find out....

Training has gone well so far except for the low mileage I've put it. I am definitely getting faster with each run I did. Much, much easier in clocking a sub-5/km pace now in a 7-9km run than before, but now I have to re-learn to hold the pace for 42.195km. Foot is feeling ok, so that is positive.

A lot of races coming up but I am not looking into entering any races in particular. All I want to do now is to crank up my mileage. 

Dutamas Runners weekly runs seem to be quiet, with the weekends filled with races. I will look into organising more training runs for te group. Some will be attempting their first half/full marathon this year, while some are looking into bettering their personal best timing. Most are requesting for an organised LSD. We'll see how to fit in the schedule, likely to be after Chinese New Year.

Dutamas Runners Handicap Race Series - Race 1

Dutamas Runners had their first organised (well a little unorganised) race in the morning of the New Year's Eve. Although fun by nature it was just as competitive. I brought in the concept of a handicap race as I've experience it first hand both in NZ & Australia. So how does this handicap race works?

Firstly, we compiled best current timing of each runner in certain distance, say a 10-k timing based on trust. From there, I'll work out their estimated finishing time for 8.6k (4 loops around Desa Park City). Then, I will decide on their handicap with the slowest runner to start first and the fastest, last. Basically everyone would ideally be on a level playing field if they had given me a "fair timing" for themselves. However, it can be difficult counting in the factors, i.e. their current training, on the day fitness, etc. It's hard to estimate an appropriate timing for everyone when you don't much database on each of the runners.

As I want it to be a regular race for the group, I will keep the records of each runs and hopefully come out with better rules & regulations to make this event fairer for everyone. I am starting to think that races in KL of late is charging a little to expensive. Gone were the days where you are charged RM10 and race. Therefore, organising a handicap race like this without the emphasis on medals nor running vest, can just be as competitive and fun.

I wish I was running myself on the day but someone had to be the official, photographer, water boy, so I volunteered myself to do it, so that everyone else can take part in it. I apologise to those runners who had to pour their own drinks at the water station. Hey, I only got two hands mar.....

Anyway, here are the results for the handicap race:

As you may be confused by the results table, the position ranking column is the actual finishing position of each runner. However, due to the handicap, the faster runner (as per timing ranking column) will not be the winner of the race. Fendy won the race by the smallest of margin when he managed to pipped Kenny about 100m from the finishing line. It was such a close race. Had Kenny knew Fendy was coming from behind, the race to the finish could have turned out to be an all out sprint! The faster runners were huffing & puffing trying to chase down the runners in front of them and of course those who started out earlier were really determined not to be overtaken. So well done to everyone who has taken part!

Prizes were in wide range from toilet detergent to Tesco vouchers. There were even lucky draw prizes given out, courtesy from Ray aka Tomatoman & me as well. Nothing much to the lucky draw, as some items were sponsored item from previous runs, nevertheless there were meant to be given out for fun in nature.

Thanks to Yvonne for her contribution in one of the best medals ever (and you don't have to pay RM60 for it!). Also, thanks to Yin who came out not just to support her mum running but being the 'official' event photographer....

Before flag-off for the first runner...

Setting up DVD stall....I meant drinking station...hehe....

The first runner flagging off....Kenny (he looks like he's going for a bull fight!)

The four musketeers starting together....

3 sepuluh ringgit....

The eventual winner Fendy getting ready for his start...

The two fastest runners Melvin & Wong getting their final countdown....

Kenny giving a big thumbs up for the event...

Runners quenching their thirst....

Oh...they need to mark their own cups!

This is how you should finish your race....in style....

The top 5 prizes and medals....wait...are those cookies? It is both...cookie medals!

SH with all smiles...motivation for all...

Andrew getting his medal...

Azam just happy to be out running...

Now you see it....

Wong receiving his medal from Datuk Bin...

Chae Yin proud of her effort.....

Oh....how sweet....Datuk Bin presenting the medal to his wifey...sob sob...

This guy cannot tahan to eat his medal liaw...even plastic also want to eat!

The Top 5...

Melvin giving a tutorial...This is how you wash the toilet bowl...

Yloon....Nescafe kopi kaseh kau sikit...

This is going to smell good in my room....

Kenny....Milo Ais Satu....

The winner....Fendy Ahmad...RM50 Tesco Voucher..don't forget us when you go shopping!

The lucky draw prizes....

And someone thought that this was the top lucky draw prize...Honda cub....

Looking forward to the next Handicap Series!

Training Progress for Boston Marathon

Training is still progressing slowly. Although I'm feeling fitter than 2-3 weeks ago, I am still no where near the peak. Running a 5:00m/km pace is much easier now than before. My foot has been kind to me so far during my runs, although feeling the pain when I wake up in the mornings is still there, it is much more bearable than couple months ago. I am still trying to increase my mileage gradually, but sometimes work commitments and of course a little lack of motivation after a long lay off is expected. 

After this weekend Malakoff Run, will try to wake up in the morning for runs, so that by the end of the day, I won't have to rush back home to go out for a run. It's easier said than done since waking up early has always been an issue for me! More of a evening runs person.

I am planning a race for the Dutamas Runners group on 31 Dec. It's a handicap race where the slower runners will get to start first followed by the faster runners based on their best/current 10-k timing. Thought this would be a fun race to do as I got this idea form the time of my study in NZ. Handicap races are quite popular there. I am sure they will get a kick in chasing down the runners in front of them. Geoff will the first runner to start off and the last runner, Melvin, will be giving Geoff about 28 min headstart in a 8.6km race (Actual distance will be announced soon). This will hopefully be Dutamas Runners monthly race series and will keep this as part of a tracking to see the improvement of each runner. Chin Ann even requested me to make this like the Champions League format! Here is the listing of those taking part (there will quite a few runners who have decided to give this event a miss, but I intend to list them down for future tracking purposes).

Good luck those running the Malakoff Run this weekend and also to Yvonne & Bin, who will be doing their first official marathon race this Sun in Taipei running the Fubon Taipei Marathon. AS for me, I got to pick up steam in my training!

Road To Boston

Getting back to training is a lot tougher than I would have thought. 10-11 months out is a long time for a "break", but I think I am getting back into the groove. I've done 3 runs this week alone including the PJ Half Marathon last week."Season Best" time as Adam puts it. 1:49. Plus two other short 7km run around my area. Hope to continue on this to build up what I've lost. I've put on almost 10kg since I did Berlin Marathon, not that anyone notices it. Some did though.

Looking forward to races in the coming months, not too much about doing exceptionally well but just to gain some racing mentality back. Next few races left in my schedule:

1. Mou Man Tai Run, TTDI (Nov 13) - 5km (Ok ok, I shouldn't call this a race at all!)

2. Allianz Penang Bridge International Marathon (Nov 20) - 21.1km

3. Park City Run, Desa Park City (Nov 27) - 10km

4. Malakoff Run (18 Dec), Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort - 12km

I was reading the Runner's World Magazine today (Dec 2011) and came across this article on "Ben Davis: A Huge Transformation" and it led me to this You Tube story he made on about himself, really inspiring and you guys should watch this. Now, I'm more inspired than ever to get back in shape!

He left us with a quote, "....if you want to do it, all you have to do is do it!" Enjoy the video.