COMING SOON! An Exclusive Invterview With A Top Athlete!

Coming in this week, there will be an exclusive interview with our top national athlete. You be in a for a big surprise. Keep on the lookout!

Here's a little teaser/clue:

Azri Is Middle-Distance King in Inter-Investment Bank Meet 2010

My friend and ex-colleague has managed to collect 2 gold medals in the just concluded Malaysian Investment Banking Association (MIBA) Athletics Meet. From a casual jogger to becoming a champion in just a matter of less than 3 years. He also had an operation to his knee in early 2009, and clocked a 3:57:47 (SCKLM 09) later in the year, in his first attempt in the  marathon distance. He went on to clock a better time at this year's SCKLM with a time of 3:47:50. I think this is his 4th attempt in marathon.  His determination is hard to match and that's how he got to where he is today. Congrats Azri!

1st day - 5000m
1. Abdul Azri (CMB) - 22:17
2. Vijay (CIMB)
3. Lee Kok Khee (Kenanga)

2nd day - 1500m
1. Abdul Azri (CIMB) - 05:20
2. Some dude (MIMB)
3. Khairol Faisal (CIMB)

BHPetrol Orange Run 2010

Reached The Curve early at around 5.45am, looking to do at least an hour run before joining the Orange Run, which starts at 7.15am. Thought I would looked stupid running with the bib before the race, I wore another vest to run. Ended running for about 56mins, which I think I've covered 11km. Wanted to do a longer about 15km but since the start time was at 7.15am, went to get change and head out to the starting line. However, this year, the women's race started first. Ended up having a 30mins break in between my first run and the race. Only had chance to jog near the starting line.

Started slowly and only started pushing a little when I reached Riana Green Condo near Tropicana. Not too sure of my position as there were no cards given since no medals are awarded in this race. Ran a time of 49m 34s. Slower than girl's winner! : ( Distance was measured at 10.77km by someone's GPS kok (clock).

Photo courtesy of Chan WK

Don't ask me why am I making that face!

With Siew Chee Meng, the creator of Malaysia Runners Network facebook page

Here I have the results from pm1 & penonton website:

Men Open 11km :
37.11 - Shaharuddin Hashim (1st)
37.xx - Arul Thevar (2nd)
38.04 - Murali Muniandy (3rd)
38.52 - Jayakumar (4th)
39.11 - M. Prabakharan (5th)
39.26 - M. Balu (6th)
39.54 - Casey Lim (7th)
40.18 - Lim Suhairi Md Ghazali (8th)
40.31 - C. Eswaran (9th)
40.38 - Ong Wei Xiang (10th)
41.27 - Wong Jiunn Jye (11th) - Amkan!
42.10 - J. Vigneswaran (12th)
42.16 - Lim Kar Sing (13th)
42.45 - Gavin Bong (14th)
43.04 - S. Mathialagan (15th)
45.00 - Lionel Lee, Pm52 (00th)
45.50 - Hamidon Mat Aris (00th)
47.11 - Naresh Kumar, Pm37 (00th)
47.11 - Ronnie See, Pm1 (00th)
47.58 - Kenny Tan, Pm27 (00th)
48.09 - Tang Wern Tien, Pm49 (00th)
48.50 - Chen Keat Hoong, Pm8 (00th)
49.34 - Khoo Yit Kiat, Pm28 (00th)
60.15 - Kevin Chow, Pm32 (00th)
60.16 - Ryan Teoh, Pm17 (00th)
64.54 - Jeff Ooi (00th)
68.08 - Malcalm Chew, Pm46 (00th)
70.56 - Mohd Halimi (00th)

Men Jr. Veteran 11km :
40.06 - S. Ganesan (1st)
40.53 - Ong Chin (2nd)
41.31 - Goh Chun Aun (3rd)
41.54 - Malayalam (4th)
42.22 - M. Karmukilan (5th)
43.13 - M. Thanasekaran (6th)
43.58 - Ridzwan Sulaiman (7th)
44.08 - Ng Say Heong (8th)
45.06 - Wong Weng Seng (9th)
45.06 - Vincent Wong, Pm10 (9th)
45.19 - Silahuddin Salim (10th)
45.26 - Moey Wooi San (11th) - Amkan!
46.29 - Tan Wah Sing (12th)
47.36 - Daniel Tan, Pm3 (13th)
47.44 - Loong Weng Onn (14th)
48.05 - Md. Yasan Rahim (15th)
58.44 - Calvin Chan, Pm63 (00th)
58.46 - Loke Shu Sun (00th)
59.28 - Kelvin Ng, Pm2 (00th)
60.17 - Fong Sai Siong (00th)

Women Open (11km) :
43.49 - Noor Amelia Bt Musa (1st) - Awesome time!
49.27 - Yuan Yufang (2nd) Why official result put Julie Wong, but photo is Yuan Yufang?
51.33 - Amutha Arumugam (3rd)

Women Veteran (11km) :
50.47 - Tan Lee Chin (1st)
52.02 - Julia Lim (2nd)
52.15 - Agnes Tee (3rd)

Boys (11km) :
40.27 - Radzam Bin Pittli (1st)
41.04 - C. Bairavan (2nd)
41.27 - S. Novinkumar (3rd)

Girls (11km) :
48.33 - Nor Walienya (1st)
50.04 - Nor Kamieylla (2nd)
53.23 - N. Nantini (3rd)

Women's Shoe For Sale

Helping a friend to sell her shoes. Owner is in Singapore so if you are keen, let me know and will bring the shoe over as soon as possible. First come, first served. Meanwhile, you may try out the size in a local retail shop. Hehe.

Here are two women shoes (Size US 7.5) for sale:-

1. Asics Gel-Nimbus 10 (USED) - RM200

This shoe has been used only a few times (low mileage). Still in good condition. Not too sure if it is sold here in Malaysia.

Please click on this link for more info on Gel-Nimbus 10.

2. New Balance 1064 (BRAND NEW!) - RM290 (35% discount!)

Owner has two pairs of this shoe. So trying to sell this new one. This shoe retails at RM449.00 at local NB Concept Stores.

Please click on this link for more info on the NB1064.

Please email if you are interested in the shoe - khooyk@yahoo.com or you could just call/text me at 012-3093909.

Photos From Siemens Run 2010

Look for your photos at this site:

1. Run2Chuah's Site

2. Malaysia Runners Network (Facebook)

3. Tey's 3rd Site

4. CP's Site

There are probably more sites, but for now these are the 4 sites that have lots of photos.......higher chances of finding your own photo! All 4 sites require registration and log in.

Siemens Run 2010

I was contemplating on whether I should run the Siemens Run (which I've registered) or go and defend The Jog for Hope title I won last year which is held just near where I stayed. In the end, I just went for Siemens Run since I already paid for it.

I was hoping to car pool with a friend of mine but he woke up late, so I had to rush to Dataran Merdeka myself. Had some time to warm up a little bit but by the time I got in the barracade, quite a lot of people had filled up the front row. I tried to get as near as possible to the front till I can't any further. Started the same row with Ray, Moey & Tan Wah Sing.

In the barracade before the start

As the gun went off, the fast runners were quick to get to the front while I was stuck behind some slower runners. By the time I got out from the crowds, I was already more than 200m-300m behind the lead.

This guy had a blardy good start. I am nowhere to be seen.

Got stuck in the traffic....

Had to work hard in getting out from the crowds

Slowly passed runners once we entered the infamous slopes in Jalan Tunku. After 2km, a Kenyan runner ran passed me with ease, but he started so far back I doubt he could catch the leaders. (During the prize giving ceremony, the guy who won is actually a Kenyan and I wonder if it's the same guy. If it is, that is amazing as he finished with a time of 34m48s). Also, saw a familiar figure about 200m in front of me and it looks like veteran runner friend of mine (Bee Voon) from Kuching. He has a unique running style which I recognised. I never got close to him at any point and it stayed that way till the end.

Bee Voon (Kuching)

The Kenyan - Winner of Men Open

I held on my pace well throughout the race and felt that my form is getting better after putting in more effort in training in the last few weeks. Managed to overtake a couple more runners nearing the end.

Nearing the end

Overtook another runner of same category, 150m from finish but once I passed him, he just let off a big loud breathe and step on his accelerator and overtook me back (photo below - A642). I wanted to stay with him but was already out of breathe.

Couldn't keep up with this guy!

Half naked men & the veterans

Quite happy with the result today as I think my form is slowly inching its way back. Next up will be BHPetrol Orange Run, but that will be my long run day. Anyone keen to join me for a run (maybe 10-15k) before the actual run next Sun?  

RESULTS
Distance : 10.2km from YSLee's / 10.14km from WKM's
Cash : Top 20

Men Open 10km :
34.48 - Hilary Kimutai (1st)
35.37 - M Arul Thevar (2nd)
35.39 - Murali Muniandy (3rd)
36.10 - Mark Williams (4th)
36.27 - Jayakumar Ramasamy (5th)
37.40 - Casey Lim (7th)
38.49 - Murali Nathan (9th)
40.21 - Wong Jiunn Jye (11th)
40.48 - Amalan Saad Sabtu (12th)
40.52 - Khoo Yit Kiat, Pm28 (13th)
44.23 - Raymond Ng, Pm48 (30th)
45.00 - Chau Kok Yik (32nd)
45.50 - Chen Keat Hoong, Pm8 (42nd)
46.21 - Meyyappan Manickam, Pm58 (49th)
46.20 - Lee Weng Khong, Pm35 (52nd)
48.28 - Hong Zi Shen, Pm60 (62nd)
48.43 - Suresh, Pm47 (65th)
48.44 - Thurai Sarasaidy (66th)
48.46 - Wong Kei Ming, Pm55 (70th)
48.58 - Abdul Azri (71st)
54.26 - Khairol Faisal Husin (177th)
56.32 - Kelvin Ng, Pm2 (242nd)
60.03 - Malcalm Chew, Pm46 (34xth)
95.32 - Azizul Rahman

Men Junior Veteran 10km :
38.30 - Ong Chin (1st)
39.07 - Goh Choon Aun (3rd)
40.23 - Long Bee Voon (7th)
40.43 - Cheong Chee Leong (9th)
42.44 - Alam Shah (12th)
44.20 - Daniel Tan, Pm3 (14th)
44.38 - Loong Weng Onn (15th)
45.40 - Moey Wooi San (17th)
46.25 - Tay Poh Chye (19th)
47.11 - Fong Sai Siong (00th)
50.54 - Yum Kin Kok (45th)
51.08 - Loke Shu Sun (48th)
51.21 - Adam Loh, Pm27 (52nd)
51.52 - Lee Yee Sum, Pm12 (56th)
61.00 - Tony Quay

Men Senior Veteran 10km :
38.41 - M. Ramakrishnan (1st)
40.31 - Ridzwan Sulaiman (2nd)
42.08 - C. Krishnansamy (3rd)
42.39 - Vincent Wong, Pm10 (4th)
44.39 - Tan Wah Sing (7th)

Women Open 10km :
43.29 - Michele Tan (1st)
44.20 - Colleen Measday (2nd)
46.26 - Amutha Arumugan (3rd)
48.30 - Cheah Meei Meei (4th)
49.00 - Appleyh (5th)
50.48 - Michelle Looi (8th)
66.27 - Kong Yen Erl, Pm41 (76th)

Women Veteran 10km :
46.40 - Susan Khoo (1st)
49.50 - Sopa Japorn Sawat (2nd)
50.20 - Agnes Tee (3rd)
50.38 - Theresa Leong (4th)
50.54 - Lian Bee Hoon (5th)
59.41 - Karen Loh (24th)
60.54 - Nik Raiha (35th)
62.04 - Yong Su-Mei (39th)


brought 2u by WKM/KYK/Moey
-----------------------------------------
Results elsewhere:-

Ipoh International Run
When : 18th July 2010
Where : Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh, Perak
Distance : 20.13km (according to James Wong's GPS kok)
Medal : Finisher for all

Men Open 21km :
1'23.14 - Richard Habeya, Pm26 (18th)
1'38.16 - Mohd Azali Abdullah (40th)
1'44.39 - James Wong, Pm20 (49th) - PB!
1'54.35 - Yim Heng Fatt (73rd)
2'25.00 - Dannie Choong, Pm62 (112nd)

Men Sr. Veteran 21km :
2'06.25 - Yap Chee Ching (97th)

Women Open 21km :
2'13.29 - Au Yong Pui San (35th)
2'25.00 - Carrie Teong, Pm61 (43rd) - PB!

Women Open 10km :
57.33 - Fiona Lee (29th)

updated by pm1
----------------------------------------
99 Jogathon (SJK) Tai Thung
When : 18th July 2010
Where : Stadium National Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
Distance : 9.61km (according to CKK's GPS kok)
Medal : Finisher Medal
Trophy : Top Ten

Men Open 10km :
40.33 - Naresh Kumar, Pm37 (2nd)
40.50 - Gunaselan Rajagopal, Pm39 (3rd)
41.22 - Jack Toh (5th)
43.12 - Ronnie See, Pm1 (8th)
43.34 - Stanley Cheong, Pm53 (9th)
46.00 - Kevin Chow, Pm32 (12th)
56.32 - Yap Chee Kuang, Pm57
65.45 - Lee Yin Fook, Pm40

updated by pm1
----------------------------------------
Jog For Hope 2010
When : 18th July 2010
Where : Taylor's College, Sri Hartamas Campus
Distance : 9km (for Open Category)
Prize : 1st & 2nd - Cash (RM150 & RM125 respectively)
           3rd-5th (Medal & Hamper)

Women Open :
48.xx - Carol Low (5th)

I Wonder Why Malaysian Elite Runners Are Not Improving?

Here's a story of what happened today to my friend Jean Pierre Lautredoux. He won the 21km Junior Veteran category in the Seremban Half Marathon. I just found out this from his status in facebook.

"This morning i won Seremban 21k overall...this was followed by the usual complain from Thana who wants only his runners run & win the races. The race was open to Malaysians, PR & expats with working permit. The organizer called me with the mic to show a proof of PR or WP. I showed him my WP & he was satisfied.

But this Thana still continued to ... See morepush the organizer & federation to disqualify me. Thana came with his athlete Ganesan (2nd in my cat), wanted to see my WP. I told him, he was nothing to me, i didn't hv to show them a proof, only to the organizer. They were very aggressive, threatening, even asking my wife if she was Malaysian (hahaha...bodoh lah), asking her IC !!! Who does he think he is? Police? Immigration? Some more Ganesan telling me he was a competitor !!! I told him he was not a competitor as rather than use his legs to win, he tried to disqualify me to get the 1st spot. This ending by "you will see..." from them.

I was interviewed by a Star reporter. When i told her the story, she stopped to write & said: "TQ, bye". If medias support these ppl !!!

My French friends, on holiday in Malaysia, told me "If you do that in France, all the racism associations will sue you". I remembered, one time, the organizer didn't want to give the 1st prize to a Moroccan. The association sue the organizer. The guy got his prize, some indemnities & the race organizer cannot organize anymore race.

Later, I made a police report for harassment & threatening to protect myself & my family. I don't want things that happened in PD half marathon 2 years ago happen to me in one of the races. Two Kenyans were beaten by some indian guys (who waited for them in a quiet area) during the race.

I ran for more than 30 yrs & i never got this type of argument. I ran in many countries, ppl were all the time happy to see me run & here few guys make the mess for us foreigners. This is racism & anti-sportive.

I come there to run, have fun, meet friends & make new friends. Really a bad day."
 

I'm quite ashamed that this is still happening in the running scene in Malaysia. I even heard rumours that many Malaysian road races are considering banning foreigners (except PRs and those with work permits) from competing. Question today was to why the organiser still accepted his entry if they are thinking of disqualifying him only after the run? And organisers only look into the matter when "certain" party complaint, especially those who finished behind the best today.

This only makes us Malaysians, look really bad as in our attitude to compete against the best. I was quite happy to see when Noor Amelia, our very own home grown athlete, finished 3rd in the Half Marathon Women Open at SCKLM with a very respectable timing. She managed to beat a few Kenyans and also foreign runners.

Even our neighbouring country across the strait, a Singaporean student, Mok Ying Ren, finished 3rd in the Half Marathon Men Open (SCKLM). He also beat a few Kenyans and many top foreign runners.

These 2 young runners are example on how good competition can help improve their timings.

I know Peter as a very friendly runner, married to a Malaysian and has lived in Malaysia for quite number of years. He is seen in many local road races and won many of them. Instead of complaining, these "people" should find more about/embrace him and not resort to disqualifying him just because they can't beat him. Peter is more than willing to help runners, even me, to improve and it will be sad not to have strong runners like him to help improve the standard of running in the country.

Seremban Half Marathon 2010 Results

Official results for Seremban Half Marathon held today. Seems like all the Indian top runners were there at Seremban Half Marathon. You need to run at least a 1:25 to get into the Top 10!

Other results:

Men Open (21km)

1:2x.xx - Barry Lee (11th)

1:31.08 - Me (13th)

1:41.08 - Ray Ng (xx)

0:00.00 - Gary Chan (xx)

Men Junior Veteran (21km)

1:50.00 - Low Kim Houn

2:03.06 - Kelvin Ng (64th)

Men Open (10km)

40.14 - Zulazlan Shah (7th) - Cash!

40.35 - Wong Kei Ming (9th) - Cash!

41.20 - Chen Keat Hoong (12th)

Me, Kelvin, Peter and his son

Check Out This Hot Video!

Shakira certainly has hots for Spanish tennis players.

Check out this music video of her single "Gypsy"....in this video, Rafal Nadal

What about hanging out with Fernando Verdasco?

Dutamas Runners

I've seen a lot of runners who run alone or in pairs at different times around the area I am staying. For that reason, I am thinking of starting a group in this area called Dutamas Runners. At least there will be a group run from this area since a lot of condos are clustered together in this area. So I am pretty sure they are a lot of other runners who do their own workouts just like me. It will be great to meet and greet these runners.

So if anyone is keen, I've created a facebook page for Dutamas Runners. Please click on the link and accept it. Will update the facebook page for any runs organised around the Jalan Dutamas Raya area. Even anyone who is a beginner are most welcome.

Tentatively, suggested start area for future runs will be in front of the French International School. Please look at the map below for location.

First Run:

Date: 17 July 2010 (Saturday)

Time: 6.30am

Location: Car Park in front of French International School
Distance: 7.2km

Pace: Slow and Easy

For any information, you can also email me at: khooyk@yahoo.com

First Long Run

Had a nice run today. Although, it's the longest run I did for a long time. I thought it was going to be a boring run since I started alone, but saw Kenny (not Kenny Tan), along the route and ran with him most of the way. Kenny just did a PB for his marathon in KL last week, clocking 3h38m. He also did the ultramarathon (84km) in Sundown Marathon. I guess he had abundance of stamina after finishing his ultra. I was even having trouble keeping up with him at certain period of time.

Met Don, Julie, Hayley, Simon, John, Lee at Petronas station in Sri Hartamas. Tey was also there in his bike. I just took it easy on my run from there onwards. Took me about 2hrs 20mins for me to complete the 24km, with 2 water stops.  (Avg HR: 138bpm). Foot still hurts a little in the run and post run.

The route I took today:

Went to watch Legendary of Ip Man today. Turns out to be a good movie for me. Light and easy.

What else happened today:-

1. Nadal beat Berdych (6-3, 6-5, 6-4) to take his 2nd Wimbledon title and 2nd Grand Slam this year. It will be hard for anyone to beat him if he is injury-free. More info here.

2. Plenty of crashes near the end of the race, in the first road stage of Tour De France.

3. Gold Coast Marathon was held this morning. And the results are already out and it is a very detailed results with splits every 5km! Tells you your overall position, also by gender, by category, 1st and 2nd half splits. Winner came in 2:13:53 (James Kariuki Mbugua)

Pls click here to check any of your friends' results.

Pacesetters Post Marathon Breakfast

A message from Pacesetters Malaysia :-

POST MARATHON BREAKFAST

Hello members,

This is an exciting week for members who are involved in the coming KL Std Chartered International Marathon as a participant or part of the crew of the event. GOOD LUCK to all and most importanly ENJOY it!!

After this weekend run, we can enjoy a more relaxed run the following Sunday, 4th July 2010. To celebrate the accomplishment of members, the Club would like to provide a light and simple breakfast to all from 8.30am onwards at Bukit Aman carpark, our usual meeting point. Members can then share their stories while having breakfast together.

By the way, you are welcomed to bring some food for sharing with all your friends.

Once again all the BEST to all runners and have a Good Run.

Best Regards,

Sook Ying

LG LCD Fixed! I hope.....!

Been having problem with my LG LCD for quite sometime with the instability in its power. It turns on and off by itself. Really fustrating when you are watching a World Cup match and the LCD just turned off!

Called LG hotline for the 2nd time just 1 and a half weeks ago. Called them couple months back when I first had this problem. Technician came the first time and find there's no problem after they did the factory setting, but not long after that it went besserk again.

The techinician came a day after my call (pretty fast) and this time told me that it could be my powerboard failure. So he says it might take them a week or two before they can get the part in. Within 2 weeks (today), got a call from the LG sub-con technician and they came and within minutes, got the new board installed.

They told me that LG (KL) do not have the powerboard for my particular model, so they had to order it from LG (S'pore). Well, I'm pretty impressed that their respond is fast, so that makes up for the disappointment I had of LG for the LCD to fail me only after a year plus of use. Luckily, warranty is for 2 years.

Well after they had left 30 mins ago, so far so good. Fingers crossed!

Funny....

Got a call from a bank sales person:

Girl: Hi, Im xxxx, calling from Sxxxxxx Bank. I'm calling you today to offer you a personal loan....
Me: Eer, actually I am not interested lah. I am not working at the moment.
Girl: Actually you can still apply if you are not working.
Me: (I was like WHAT?!) Never mind, I am not interested.
Girl: Ok. Anyway, I will sms you my details and if you are interested in future, please call  Me: Sure. (Can't deny she is quite persistent)

Well this is how agressive banks are nowadays.