MIBA Athletics Meet 2008 19~20 July

It's been a long time since I last race in a competitive track meet. Well, the Pacesetters Track Meet did not count as there were only limited events that one can take part and the longest distance was only 400m, wich is more of a sprinting event. When I saw that CIMB is conducting trials for MIBA and InterBank this year, I just had to take part. Got all the goodies when you are representing the bank, free tracksuit, shoe (this year we got a Mizuno shoe), few CIMB Group t-shirts and running vest/short.

I wanted to prove myself that I could run track again, but my preparations were awful. I am still sticking on a once or twice a week training and 2 weeks leading towards the event, I did not train much. I do fear the worst but still feel confident of getting a medal based on last year's podium timing.

Race day, 5000m was the last race for the 1st day. This was one of my favourite distance during schooldays. I do have a best time of 16m56s when I clocked it in an Inter Bank Sarawak division Meet in 95. Well that was more than a decade ago, so that didn't count anymore. I had 3 other collegues who took part, Vijay, Khairol and Azri. Vijay is a season veteran runner but he says he will pulling out after a few laps to get some points for CIMB. AmInvestment Banking staff started strongly with three of them in the leading pack including me. After a few laps, only left me and 2 others. Well, I hesitated to take the lead as I saw one of the spikes in one runner came off, and the other had his shoe lace came off. I thought if I could just hang on to the leading pack I may have a chance in the sprint to the finish as the pace wasn't fast. But with just barely 4 laps to go, I think the other guy with the spikes coming off gave signal to the young indian chap to make his move. I couldn't understand Tamil but it seems both are communicating throughout the race. He just sped off, tried to follow him but just had no strength. I finished in a time of 20m47s in 2nd place. Didn't know running a 4 mins/km pace was that difficult for a 5km. I guess my fitneess just isn't there.

2nd day, the 1500m event was the 2nd event of the day. My best time of 4m19s was also clocked in the same year in 95 I think. Or 96....Anyway, both the 5000M runners from AmInvestment were at the starting line. I guess I had no chance against the young chap. The gun went off, and I sped off to the front. Seeing the chap did not make a surge, I just slow down my pace a little. I was in the lead but told myself to wait for the chap's move. Boy, was that a big mistake! With two laps remaining, the young chap took off again....and left me behind again, I was about 100m behind when he crosses the finishing line. I finished 2nd in 5m11s. Another silver! that was the end of my event.

I told En Ramli later (our Team Manager) that if they needed me for the 4x400m I will be available. When it came close to the event, I thought they had enough runners but in a last min call up, I had to stand in for one of the runners. I made a quick warming up and strecthing. Decided to run in the final leg. Our 1st runner came off really fast and was leading before handing over to our 2nd runner. He did not fair that well but hang on barely to the 2nd place. 3rd runner wasn't bad, he held off a challenge from the 3rd team and when the baton was passed to me, I sped off quickly and worryingly that the 3rd place runner is going to catch up. After the 200m mark, I saw AmIvestment runner was too far ahead, I decided to check behind me. I did not see anyone behind, so I thought I must have left him behind, so I slowed my pace a little as the lactic acid is begining to build up on my legs and it starting to wobble. I just stride to the finishing line and yet another SILVER. Man, for most people, they would have been happy but I have a sense of disatisfaction. Ah well, can't ask for more when you didn't put in the effort to train. I have myself to blame.

In the end, it was pretty good experience to participate in this event. Inter Bank is on Aug 10 but not too sure I will be selected to run. InterBank may be a whole lot different ball game with more accomplished runners. After that will be the Bursa Malaysia The Edge Rat Race on the Auug 19. Am looking foward to that one.........

Me, Vijay & Azri

5000m start

2 AmInvestment runners with me

Vijay and Tony side by side in the 1st leg of the 4x400m veteran category. Look at Tony's pia kau kau lat's face! His team won in the end.

Me in the final leg of the 4x400m Men Open.

My 3 SILVER medals!!

Next race......see how first...tiredlah!! My legs and hamstrings are in pain now!

The Best Wimbledon Final Ever!

Today was a sad day as I've stayed up all night just to watch one of my favourite player lost in the final of the Wimbledon championship. Yes, his name was Roger Federer. The loss was a bitter pill to swallow seeing him coming from the dead after losing the first 2 sets and was even 2 match points down in the 4th set tie break. I've always told myself, ok that's it. But alas, the match was never over. The match seems never ending, not just the rain delay but a titanic tussle between the the two greatest players of all time. The match finally ended was well over 4am (Malaysian time). The score was 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7.

I always thought Roger could have won if he wasn't too stubborn in continuously driving his topspin backhand which was always his main weakness against Nadal. He has one of the best one handed backhand which I admire, but it is just ineffective against Nadal. He could have used his slice, which he was good at. He just lost too many easy points but I felt that it was Rafa who has gotten into his head after losing tamely in the French Open final. Rafa just ran after every single ball, some even seem impossible to retrieve. Roger also had the chance in the 2nd set after taking an early break but his serve was broken twice in that set which is pretty unusual for Roger. He managed to save 2 match point in the 4th set. One match point was save with a sublime backhand down the line. I thought that was the turn of the match, but he was always struggling to hold serve when it came into the 5th set and finally he lost serve at 7-7. Nadal held on his own serve and won the match when Roger send his forehand into the net.

Roger & Rafa before the start of Wimbeldon final












The killer forehand that did the damage










An estatic Rafa ends Roger's 5 year reign to the Wimbledon crown










A dejected Roger












Roger & Rafa at the trophy presentation










Rafa bitting the Wimbeldon trophy





Well, I came into office feeling shitty the whole day, one was due to the lack of sleep for staying up late (or was it early) and also Federer's loss. Well, if you are a sportsman/woman, you will know how it felt when you lose in a race or match when you are so close of winning it.

I do hope Roger can accept the loss and move on. It's so hard to see what is in Roger's head right now after 2 heart stabbing losses to Rafa, who will also challenge his reign as the world number one. Is this the passing of guard from Federer to Nadal. Only time will tell......