Chasing after the Hitz Cruisers

I was on my way back on Mon when the Hitz.FM Curisers announced they were in one of the petrol station along Jalan Kuching. Pretty near to my place, so head on the petrol station and see what kind of prizes I can get for myself. First I got a bottle of Orange Juice, I can't remember the brand then there was a contest for a small prize. Well too bad no free tickets to watch Clash of The Titans! Anyway, I didn't win the contest, but end up with a piece of shirt, a pen and a lanyard from Sony. Better than nothing. Besides, I was just around the corner.

So, if you guys are near the location just head on down to grab some prizes. (usually you'll end up with something. Haha). Not only Hitz Cruisers, look out for Mix RoadRunners too (if you are a Mix FM fan).

GOOD LUCK!

Energizer Night Race 2010

It was a HARD race to run on Sat night, but it was well worth it when our team came in 2nd in the Marathon relay event. Thanks to my team mates John Chow, Ong Wei Xiang and also our captain, Ronnie See who gave me a real big lead over the 3rd team, that I have the chance to take some breather when I found out after 40 odd mins of run, I still have a long way to go (details later).

I was car pooling with Ronnie yesterday. I waited for him in front of Sri Putramas Condo. I had to run there (warm up) on a hot afternoon just to get there. It's about 10 mins run to the location. Well it wasn't the running that is making me tired but the sorching sun that's killing me.

We took the MEX Highway and had to take a few turns before finding our way to P1 (parking) next to Dell Cyberjaya. Even that we weren't sure if we were at the right place until we asked the people waiting there. We got the confirmation and so, we waited for the bus. I had a chat with a Englishman, David. He is doing the marathon event. he has done quite a lot of internation marathon. Im not too sure how he did last night. He was telling me that he's time has been going from one personal worst time to another due to the humid weather in this region. He loves trial running and he was looking foward to finishing it and head home to catch Spurs playing. Yeah, a Tottenham Hotspurs fan. he guessed I was either an Manchester United or a Liverpool fan. Haha...pretty obvious for Malaysian I think.

The bus came and it took us to the starting/finishing line site. We met up with the rest of our team mates, John and Wei Xiang. We took another bus to our respective stations. I brought with me a bottle of water and a choc bar to munch. Hey, I'm (and the rest of the last leg runners) gona have to wait for at least 2 hours before they arrive. I had the pleasure to meet one of the Kakithon runners, Wong. Found out he ran a sub-17 mins for his Towerthon a week ago. Wow, that's way faster than my PB time. He also did Putrajaya Half Marathon in 1h 31m. Oh no...I'm up against a young and fast runner. I just keep my fingers crossed that our team will be way ahead of their team by the time it reaches my turn to run.

We gave the support to the marathon runners who passed by, with Richard and Don were way in front from everybody else. Of course, relay runners passed by too. Wei Xiang was in good position when he passed but far from the leading runner, Casey, but way ahead of the 3rd team. Whew! I think Ronnie will be good enough to maintain that distance.

Naresh was came first and passed his chip to Murali. 4-5 mins later, Ronnie came. I quickly put my straps (timing chip) on and head off. It was kind of scary running in the dark at some places with no one leading the way. I wasn't so sure of the route and was a little worried that I went off course. Of course, there were signage at certain areas but there were junctions where there were no signs of marshalls nor signage. There was also a point where I had to cross a busy road (downhill somemore) to make a right turn at the traffic lights. There were police handling the traffic at the junction but I would feel safer if they can stop the car before the traffic lights!

After about 35 mins of run, I thought of pushing the pace a little bit since I was aiming for about 42-45 mins finishing time. But I don't see the finishing line on sight, kept asking some of the runners who were on the opposite side of the road doing their 21km, but no one seems to be able to give me an answer. Then I saw Raymond on the bike and he told me I still have 4km to go! What?!! I was a little worried about my stamina now and the thought of the 3rd team's runner overtaking me kept going through my mind.

It took a while before I could see the finishing line and the crowds lining up for the 10k start. Seeing the finishing line, I went faster as I don't want to get pipped near the end by someone and also in front of the crowds. Malulah : )) Kept checking my back for 'runners in pursuit" and realised there were none. But then again, it's so dark, so I didn't want to take the risk, so I maintained the pace till the finishing line. The truth is, I was feeling awful as I have not been training much and to run those extra miles than originally planned, it was tough going.

We had to wait till 11pm for the prize presentation. I saw a lot of new faces getting into the podium and I'm sure they are delighted with their wins. In between the waiting time, I got to meet a couple of my old friends. Jasmine who was my ex-colleague in MBF, came with her husband who ran the 10k. She was supposed to run too, but wasn't feeling well. From what I've learned from her, she has been doing quite a few runs already. I remembered taking her to one of Pacesetters breakfast run in FRIM many, many years ago. Then I saw Debbie, who is my unimate in Otago. Met her once or twice in runs, but haven't seen her since. Well, I am glad that both are into running now!

I think our prize was only presented sometime around 11.30pm. Everybody was happy eventhough the long wait until......................

From left : Wei Xiang, John Chow, Ronnie See & Me

Until they found out what's in their bag................................

Our prize... 1-mth Celebrity Fitness pass, shavers, supplements, batteries, torch lights??!

I think a lot of winners felt cheated as in the registration form, the winners are supposed to receive Cash Vouchers "AND" Products. Casey was complaining after the presentation but I didnt know what he was talking about, as I haven't looked into my bag. Only when I reached home that I opened up my bag, but even then, I was like, ok, that was it. The next morning when I logged into facebook, then I knew about the prizes as Ronnie did the registration for me. I don't think I will be as disappointed as the marathon runners. I'm sure 10k / half marathon runners will feel disappointed too, but to prepare for a longer distances, the effort that has been put into training and race and to receive a reward like this, unimaginable! I know some of you may say that not everyone runs for a podium finish. Yes, that is true, but you have to understand the training for those who wants to get to the podium, they are probably training twice as hard. Well, I heard Bee Hoon, one of the womens veteran winner called Energizer but was given an answer of "what you see in your bag, is what you get!" (Well that wasn't the real statement, but something similiar lah).

Well not going to comment too much as it has already been circulating in Energizer Night Race Facebook fan page.

Overall, the run was quite ok except for certain things which I think they need to improve on:

• 
  
  There were certain junctions which were confusing - I didn't know whether to turn or not at certain junctions. There were signage, but I don't think it's enough or clear enough. There was a point nearing a traffic light where I had to make a right turn over a downhill stretch. Police were only standing at the traffic light and runners will only be visible to them when there are really near the traffic lights.

• 
  
  No distance markers - I guess I missed this one as I was told there were, but I didnt see it it at all and that is not only coming from me. So, I guess they need to put a proper signage which is visibily clear to everyone! (Even to motorist!)

• 
  
  No cones along the roads - this could have avoid certain people going the wrong way and also for the safety of the runners.

Anyway, there are others, e.g. the wrong t-shirt sizing, the long queue for the goodie bags, the marshalls and the registration (gathering) of the relay runners - as we need to hop on a bus to ferry us to our station. I am sure there are hiccups in every events but some of it has been going on in other events which I thought by now, they should know what to do. Hope they can improve on it.

For full results, pls click here. I wonder who has the photo of me and my teamates posing with Mr. Energizer after the presentation??! I sure like to have one of the copy.

Energizer Night Marathon - Hot, Humid, Thunderstorm, Rain??!

Tonight, yet another major running event will be held at night. So far 2 races were held at night in Putrajaya and tonight will be at its neighbour, Cyberjaya. Msot runners will complain of hot and humid weather during the night run (most people expecting coller weather at night but that's not the case).

However, tonight's weather will be a little of a lottery since it has been raining heavily in the evening with thunderstorms. I wonder if the organiser will decide to postponed the starting time if there's thunderstorm, I hope they do. If it's just rain, then so be it. But since Im going to run the last leg of the 4 x 10.5km relay, I hope I won't be soaked wet when it rains and waiting for my team mate to arrive.

Just checked the Malaysian Meteorological Department, it is forecasted to be cloudy tonight, but then again who is going to rely on the forecast.

Saturday, 27/03/2010

Morning : No rain
Afternoon : Rain
Night : Cloudy
Minimum : 24 °C
Maximum : 34 °C






Rain Afternoon

Whatever the case may be, GOOD LUCK to all participants tonight!!

2nd Asian Hydration & Sports Nutrition Seminar Plus Tri-Challenge

I had the previlege to attend the 2nd Asian Hydration & Sports Nutrition Seminar. Although there were times I don't know what the hell they were talking about, no thanks to my "non-science" background when I was in school. Well, it's only parts where the technical terms came out. The rest were actually quite informative. There were 3 speakers for the day:

1. Professor Clyde Williams

   Emeritus Professor of Sports Sciences, Sir John Beckwith Centre for Sport, Loughborough University

Topics:-

a. Hydration and performance in hot-humid environments: Strategies for successful performance

Mainly talking about our sweat rates and the importance of maintaining/delaying our body temperature from rising to a critical condition. In order to do that, a well-formulated carbohydrate-electrolyte solution during exercise if highly encouraged. Even rinsing a carbohydrate solution has a positive effect in performance.

b. Nutritional strategies for optimum performace

Here he talks about the importance of carbohydrates, adopting a nutrional strategies using commonly available foods and not "performance-enhancing supplements" and also the recommendation of increased of protein intake is unnessary for most athletes. He also talks about the importance of recovery in training.

2. Dr. Jason Lee Kai Wei

Defence Scientist, Defense Science Organisation National Laboratories

Topic:-

Exercise Associated Hyponatremia (EAH) - Do we know how much to drink?

A large percentage will see that athletes do lose their body mass weight after events which is normal. Normally, when a person collapsed or those seek medical attention at medical tent after an endurance race, most doctors/medical staff at the tent will usually associate it with dehydration being an endurance event. However, recent studies have shown that there are athletes who instead of losing body mass weight, has gained weight! Symptoms of hyponatremia are almost identical to dehydration, so it is hard to determine the athlete condition unless accurate measurements are in placed at the tent.

Now, the topic is confusing me even more in working out my drinking strategy in my next marathon! But it is encouraged that we monitor our body weight before and after exercise/event. Bottom line, you shouldn't be gaining weight after a run!

Note: Speaker is not discouraging people from drinking during event!

3. Dr. Ahmad Munir Che Muhamed

Senior Lecturer, Excercise Science Unit, Sports Centre, Universiti Malaya

Topic:-

The influence of Ramadan on physiological functions and sporting performance

Interesting topic since the London Olympics in 2012 will be held in the month of Ramadan but speaker was a litte vague in the information given as I think there are a lot more to it to study the effects. To me, I am sure it will affect a lot of athletes especially in the endurance race, e.g. marathon event. Imagine yourself running without water for 42.2km. The speaker did mentioned that it is hard for humans to learn to adapt without water for certain period of time unless you are a camel. Earlier, Professor Clyde also mentioned the effects of rinsing mouth with water which has a positive effect on your performance. But that also depends on how a Muslim interpret fasting. Does rinsing/gargling break the code of fasting?

At the end of the guest speakers sessions, there's a Panel Discussion (consisting the 3 speakers, Associate Professor Dr. Kallaya Kijboonchoo, Head of Nutrition Physiology, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Thailand and moderated by Professor Dr. Rabindarjeet Singh, Head of Helthy Lifestyle Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia) to answer queries from participants.

Fitness Concept & The Heart Foundation of Malaysia Donation Drive

After the seminar, I rushed towards 1 Utama (Old Wing) to support the Tri-Challenge held by Fitness Concept. My friend, Elaine Wong is working there. She has sent out invites to all her facebook friends to support the event. It's basically a charity event where for each kilometer done, Fitness Concept will donate RM5 to The Heart Foundation of Malaysia. The event will run from 23-27 March. Here are some details of the event:

Indoor Tri will feature the Reebok V7 treadmill, Upright Bike & Crosstrainer. Each participants will have 30 mins for one session where they will spend 10 mins on each machine. The accumulated distances will be recorded and the longest distances wins.

Indoor Triathlon Times:
23thTues, 24thWed, 26thFri, 27thSat - 3-4pm, 7.30-8.30pm
Launching 25thThurs - 5-6pm, 7.30-8.30pm
Grand Final 28thSun - 3-4pm

Attractive Consolation Prizes for Indoor Triathlon Challenge:
Suunto laptop Bag x 10 units
Horleys Supplement Rm50 Gift pack x 10 units
FC Micro Fiber Towel worth Rm 32.90 x 72 units

Attractive Grand prize for Indoor Triathlon Challenge:
Suunto T1c HRM x 1unit worth RM589
Horleys Supplement RM250 Gift Pack
Holiday Voucher worth RM1500 x 1 unit

Pls kindly contact Elaine for further details. 03-8026-2370 or lovelykaryan@yahoo.com

Do drop by 1 Utama, Old Wing, to support the event by taking up the challenge.

 

When I arrived, Jacky Ng, Juliana and Elaine were there. Frank and Jenn came a little later to join in the fun as well. I won myself a consolation price, nothing fancy but it's just pure fun.

Scary Bear or Bear Is Scared?! Timid Bear...

This has got to be one of the funniest video I've seen. But pity the bear though, poor thing!

My FOOT!!

I've been having a nagging foot pain, near the arch. Not sure what's causing it, but got it when I was going out for a run after Chinese New Year break using my Brooks ST3 racer. I think the inside sole has worn out a little plus I think planting my foot wrongly when I hit the ground causes it. Anyway, it's been weeks now. It's not really that bad when I run but it does bother me a little bit. Especially when I wake up, I do get some pain in my ankle as well. But after walking off a bit, it's not that painful anymore.

My FOOT...excuse the koyok ya!

Anyone got solution? Not too sure whether it's plantar fasciitis injury. It's nearer to the arch of my foot. About time for me to get a new pair of shoe I think. As I've been wearing my Brooks ST3 racer since Aug for races (plus one marathon) and training. Usually my shoe can last for about 2 years, but that was either a trainer or cushion shoe. This is the 2nd time I had this and both times it was after using a racer for training after a layoff.

P Diddy Buying Crystal Palace Football Club??!!

Interesting to see that rap star & hip hop mogul, Sean John Combs a.k.a. P Diddy is putting up a bid to buy over struggling Crystal Palace FC (The Sun).

I can imagine if the bid were successful, every football players in the club will be wearing Sean John clothing line and each player will certainly wear a HUGE *Blink* *Blink* around their neck, walking out from the dressing room! 

And the way they walked out from the dressing room will also be the hip hop style, wearing a big sunglasses (photo below).

We'll just have to wait and see.....

Races Anyone?

Lots of races coming up in the next few weeks/months :

1. Jogathon Warisan (Larian Kubur)
    Distance : 8km & 11km
    Date : 25 April 2010

2. New Balance Pacesetters 15km

Distance : 4km (Charity Run) & 15km

Details : Click here

Online Registration : Click here

3. Centro Klang Run 2010
Distance : 6km & 12km
Details : Click here

Standard Chartered KL Marathon In The News..

Marathon: Organisers promise smoother event
2010/03/17
Devinder Singh
devinder@nst.com.my

THE Standard Chartered KL Marathon organisers have vowed to deliver a smoother event on June 27 while targeting 18,000 runners this year.

Last year's race, the first run under the Standard Chartered banner, descended into chaos with problems plaguing the event from start to finish.

Water points lacked water, runners were led astray, inadequate route markers and timing malfunctions were just some of the weaknesses observed last year.

Even the organisers could not be sure who won the local category for men with the wrong winner initially declared.

Datuk Seri Ibrahim Saad, representing organisers Golazo, assured that lessons have been learnt and will be taken on board in the handling of this year's event.

"Based on last year's experiences, there will be many changes in the organisation structure, in the route and in the co-operation between the various bodies.

"DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) will be a more active participant this time and I'm sure this would make this year's race better," said Ibrahim during the official launch of the marathon in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

Golazo, a Belgian-based sports event promoter, takes over the running of the KL Marathon from Octagon Asia, which has closed its Malaysian office.

"Octagon has shut down its event management section but the same people from Octagon have set up Golazo's Malaysian office to run the marathon," said Ibrahim.

City Hall Director of Culture, Arts, Tourism and Sports Muhammad Sidek Khalid said last year's shortcomings will be discussed at length when the working committee meets.

"We will hold a meeting as soon as possible to look into the setbacks in the last marathon. We will look into ways in avoiding long queues when collecting bibs, among other things," he said.
                                                                          & NST, 17 March 2010

************************************************************************************
Comment : Aiyo...still the same people organising. Hopefully no repeats from last year!

Standard Chartered KL Marathon Registration Is Open!

The word is out, 2010 Standard Chartered Kl Marathon registration is now open. You can now visit their official website to register for the run. Last year's organiser, Octagon, after earning a bad reputation in staging last year's event, has been replaced by GOLAZO. Hopefully, there will be huge improvement in the organising front for this year's race.

For those interested in signing up for the event, please visit their official website. Race day will be on 27 June.

Looking at the price money offered and also the categories, it doesn't look too appealing except for the top 6 prizes in the Marathon Open category. The half only offers cash prizes up to 5th placing. And only one veteran category which is for 40 and above.

Bareno 15km Run & Matta Fair

I was looking foward to the 15km run as it'll be my first race since Tiger Run (well that was just a short race). I went to Bukit Jalil on Sat to pick up my bib. Friend of mine passed me the bib and I didnt realise at that time, I was going to run the 10km (details later).

Race day

After a short warm up, I was ready to go into the "cage" only to find out from a friend that my bib is actually for 10km!! Instead of running as an illegal runner, I thought I'll just do the 10km as I needed some pace workout too. Besides maybe I get less "pro" runners in that category.

The start - Me on far left behind the guy on white

It started ok for me, till Jasni heat up the pace after about 400m into the race. 5 runners took off with him including Murali. I stayed a distance 6th place for the 1st half of the race, until I was overtaken firstly by a younger runner and then Lionel passed me not long after. I had no response to Lionel's pace as I was already slowing down quite a lot. Looking back at my log, I only had 7 runs since Tiger Run so I can't expect myself to do well. But I was still hoping I can be competitive. Guess I was wrong.

I still got a lot of work to do to be race fit. Got 2 more weeks before taking on the 4 x 10km relays. Hopefully I can do well in that as I'll be a disappointment to my teamates if I'm slow. I won't be as fast as I want to but I should be performing a lot better if I can get in a few more runs these two weeks.

I won a lucky draw today, a medium size bike for kids. There were a few bib numbers left for me by Carol as she had to leave early. Well, one of her numbers won it. Since I got no use of the bike, called her and check if she wanted it as I wasn't sure whose number was it. As she told me her friend has children, I drove the bike to her place after the run. Too bad I didnt get to win the jacuzzi tub sponsored by Bareno. Rumoured to cost around RM7k! Where am I going to put it? Mmh...maybe take away my sofa and put it in my living room if I had won. Haha.

Is this the bike that will take me to an Ironman finish line?

(Just kidding! I won't be dreaming of finishing one! LOL!)

Pushing the bike to my car

Men Open 10km

37.37 - Jasni Khairil (1st)
37.50 - Murali Nathan (2nd)
41.11 - Lionel Lee, Pm52 (7th)
42.28 - Khoo Yit Kiat, Pm28 (8th)
43.42 - Fauzan Ismail, Pm24 (10th)
 
Men Open 15km
0'52.30 - Lim Kien Mau, Singapore (1st)
0'5x.xx - Ahmad Lamchannak (2nd)
0'57.55 - Casey Lim (6th)
1'04.39 - Gunaselan Rajagopal, Pm39 (10th)
1'05.23 - Kenny Tan, Pm27 (11th)
1'05.25 - Barry Lee (12th)
1'05.34 - Ronnie See, Pm1 (13th)
1'09.16 - Zulazlan Shah, Pm43 (17th)
1'09.37 - Naresh Kumar, Pm37 (19th)
1'11.12 - Stanley Cheong, Pm53 (24th)
1'13.45 - Suresh, Pm47 (39th)
1'15.08 - Byran Lee (42nd)
1'16.58 - Mohd Rujhan (54th)
1'29.05 - Jamie Pang, Pm5 (85th)
1'00.00 - Ryan Teoh, Pm17 (00th)
1'00.00 - Lee Yin Fook, Pm40 (00th)


Men Junior Veteran
Goh Choon Aun (1st)
Ong Chin (2nd)
1'05.05 - Alam Shah (5th)
1'09.50 - Moey Wooi San (6th)
1'16.15 - Fong Sai Siong (22nd)
1'17.30 - Lee Yee Sum, Pm12 (24th)

* Don finished first 59min+ in the category but was disqualified as someone complained because he can't beat a 51-year old guy. Don was gracious to accept it as he says it was his mistake of not checking the category properly earlier as entry form says Junior Veteran (age 40-49). Someone registered for him for this run. Too bad for him. But he'll get his chance again in Towerthon.

Men Sr. Veteran 15km
1'05.41 - Vincent Wong, Pm10 (3rd)
1'48.23 - Yap Chee Ching (90th)

Women Open 15km
1'48.23 - Fiona Lee (43rd)
1'00.00 - Kong Yen Erl, Pm41 (00th)
1'00.00 - Carrie Teong, Pm61 (00th)

Women Veteran 15km
1'22.00 - Geraldine Low (4th)

Men Open 5km
24.11 - Meyappan Manickam, Pm58 (4th)
24.32 - Lee Weng Khong, Pm35 (5th)
25.44 - Wong Kei Ming, Pm55 (6th) Amkan!
 
Matta Fair - Saturday

I bought my return bus ticket to Singapore Sundown Marathon. Only RM63. It's not one of those full of services bus, kind of no frill bus. To Singapore only cost me RM15 and coming back ticket is RM48. Coach service offer from Transtar. I'll be using the Classic Coach. I was quite tempted to use the Solitaire to Singapore as they were offering it at only RM48.

At the Matta Fair it was packed with holiday makers. Talked about economic downturn. Guess what? I bought my ticket to Germany. I will be heading there on 14 Sept and come back Thru London on 14 Oct. The ticket was a lot cheaper than those I searched online, so I thought it was a good deal. Plus I'm flying back from another country. Mien Yee will be joining me on 30 Sept.

Berlin Marathon here I come!

A Revisit To Old Training Ground And Another Run With A Veteran!

!On Tue, I had a great training run with Don Khor. I was feeling a little lazy to run on the way back home, but decided to stop by Taman Tasik Permaisuri. This place brings back a lot of good memories as it was here that I met a lot of wonderful people who are still close friends of mine. And this is where I joined the Permaisuri Pacesetters area group. You can always ask Kelvin Ng on how I ended up in Pacesetters or in Permaisuri Pacesetters and he can still repeat the story over and over again to everyone!! It was also my first training ground after coming back from a long layoff since I moved to KL. Below is a map showing the location of Taman Tasik Permaisuri if anybody is interested in going there (Geographical Coordinates are 3° 5' 54" North, 101° 43' 11" East).

View Larger Map

Some of the photos taken at Taman Tasik Permaisuri (Photos courtesy from Alden)
-Alden, sorry I didn't ask for your permission ho...don't sue me ya?

There a few young runners who were training with Don (pic below). Since he was there, thought it would be a good idea to run with him since I need someone to pace with. As always, I like to tell him to take it slow. He said he was tired and he wants to take it slow, but most people who knows him, the word "SLOW" probably has a different definition in his dictionary from everyone else's. Yes, we did start slow, but somehow the pace went up a notch (I wasn't surprise). Me being a "younger" runner here, well, I kept quiet and never asked him to slow down. Hey, how do you feel when you are asking a 51-year old runner to slow down? (Everyone has a little bit of ego lah). Well, we finished the first lap and I thought he was done when he stopped. But my watch was only showing 25mins of run, so I went off by myself. Two laps around the lake, then near the end, I heard footsteps nearing me at a fast pace. I didn't look back as I thought it was a friend of mine whom I've just passed trying to have a little fun trying to pass me. I stopped to end my run, and there he was, Uncle Don. Haha. He "scolded" me, saying, "Why you went off yourself? I was chasing you like mad. I was only stopping for a drink!" Oops, guess I didnt hear it. We stopped for a drink and I was getting ready to do some strectching, when he asked me, "Let's do another big lap big lap around the park". Me, "Gulp...!". So off we went. Again, he wasn't slowing down when I told him to take it slow before we started. Maybe it was his new pair of "Newton" shoe that is making him fast. (I'm just trying to find some excuses on why he is running faster than me lah). Anyway, it was a great training run with him which I needed. Glad that I didn't give up like I used to.

Anyway, he is usually there on Mon, Tue and Thu. So if anyone is keen to train with him, be there at 5.30pm at the carpark in between the football stadium and swimming pool. Then you will know what's it like to run with a "PRO" veteran. I'm not sure I can still be at his fitness level when I'm at his age.

His quote of the day (when I questioned him whether he has injuries to his knees):

"If you are having injury to your knees, that means your running style is wrong" - he was referring to how most runners run these days. He says, we should run like we are running barefooted, as we mostly likely to use mid/forefoot landing rather than heel strike.

Well, there are still a lot of debates on midfoot vs heelstrike running styles. Some articles provide interesting findings & comments.

http://www.sportsscientists.com/2008/04/running-technique-footstrike.html

http://www.sportsscientists.com/2007/12/running-economy-part-iii.html

http://hastenministries.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/the-great-midfoot-heelstrike-debate/

Will let you readers decide which is right......

For me, I think I am a midfoot, but when I get tired, I think I'm a heelstrike runner. I don't know, never really did taped myself running. From photos, I can see that I'm a heelstriker, but I don't have a lot of photos of me in action or to see how my foot is landing.

Coach, Training Partners and Friends!

I can't say I'm the fastest distance runner but I think I'm just above the average. I don't really have much talent in running. It's purely from training. Without training, I'm going to do badly, just like everyone else but I can still do a little better than the average. I think it's mainly due to the training I had when I was in schooldays and also because it's hard for me to put on weight, it's easier for me to get back into some kind of fitness (not full fitness) with a just a few training runs.

Back in the schooldays, I was training with the then no. 1 Sarawak distance runner, Kaliani. I've already started running since Form 2 but without much success. It's only when I entered Form 6 that I started training with him and improved. 

My friend cum rival from another school, Kok Jin (pic) decided to start training with Kaliani. Since then, me and Kok Jin basically dominated the school scene, both in Kuching and Sarawak. Well, unfortunately, I'd always come up short by ending up with a lot of silver medals around my neck (A choker maybe!). Kok Jin has since left the sport after high school and is now climbing the corporate ladder (or the specifically the engineering field) in the US. He is one determined friend I have both in and out of the athletics field. In state level school competition, although finishing second in 1500m & 3000m SC and also winning the 5000m event, which he did not compete, I didn't get to compete in MSSM and SUKMA. Kind of missed the mark (target time). Until now, i still don't agree with the way Sarawak Amateur Atheltics Association chooses who to compete in the national school level meet (Sore loser!). Kok Jin went on to compete in both MSSM and Sukma games and did well. Although not winning any medals in both meets, he lowered his 1500m PB to 4:13 (I think). I'd barely broke 4:20 (4:19) for 1500m just after I left school. Nothing concrete on the timing, cos I heard it only over the PA system when they were announcing the results. I may have heard it wrongly and also I was too out of breath to even look at my stopwatch while running!

Anyways, Kaliani was here for a holiday trip with his family. Have not seen his family for years and only got to know that his eldest daughter has already finished Form 5. Usually when I go back Kuching for a trip, I will only see him at our usual training ground in Resevoir Park and sometimes I join him in training. He is still training hard as he was when I trained with him about 16 years ago and he's fit as ever at age 48 (I think). Time really flies!

Me and Kaliani

Kaliani and family

When we were training with him, he was on his way to break a few state records, i.e. 5000m (16m20s++), 3000m SC (9:54) and 10000m (34m++). I think the records have already fallen to the hands of Mohd Jironi Riduan who is the current national 800m runner. I think only the 10000m record, still stands. I may be wrong. Problem is that all these records are not accessible though the internet, so can't really confirm. I've always told him that I will be the one breaking his 3000m steeplechase record being my pet event, but I never gotten near that.

My training now are a lot less intensive when I was training with him. Altough my mileage has gone up but speed is no longer there. Getting old! Haha! Can still remember the days that we were grinding out on the track almost daily with some days reserved for road running. I never even hit a mileage of more than 15km in a single run when I was in school. That explains why I had to take the ambulance back when I did my first marathon in 1995 (or 96). I had phobia running the full ever since and only made my second appearance in full marathon in 2003. My 3rd and 4th appearance was at last year's KL Marathon (June) and Melbourne Marathon (October).

Anyway, training with Kaliani has given me such a strong base in running that I can still run well today. Fairly well. Ok, maybe my skinny figure helps too but I don't really follow how he trains before as I dont think I can last. Sometimes I do wonder how I can run those times when I was in school without a strong mileage. Guess we did the speedworkouts in such a high intensity and volume, that it substitutes the long runs I lacked. Now I've got a higher mileage but have slowed down a lot. That's why I think I need to go back to basic and brush up my speedwork in addition to increasing mileage. Got to balance it, right?

I took him out for a run on Sunday to the usual Hartamas and Bukit Tunku route. He enjoyed the run. Also took him and his family to Batu Caves and also Putrajaya. I always like to take friends from outstation to Putrajaya, not only for its beauty but also to let them know, "Hey, this is where your tax payments go to!" LoL!

As of now, still can't find the motivation to train. Been resting far too long since Pacesetters NB 20km run.

Next race(s): I've got 2 races coming up this month, Bareno 15km and Energizer Night Run 4 x 10km.