Running Vest Out of Stock

Ooops they did it again! What you hate to hear when you go collect your shirt is, "Sorry ah sir, we have only limited sizes for running vest". Then you go see the sizes that they have, XXL, XL and L! Adui! Alamak, when are they going to learn, it's always the same old story. Were they expecting majority of the runners in Malaysia are overweight?! This year's design is simple but it looks good. Too bad the size is too big for me! Sometimes "L" size is ok for me if it is Asian size, but don't know why this Reebok ones are really big. It's the same material as the one given in SCKLM. My baju tidur again...

Worse still, ladies, the only size left for you is XS!

Tomorrow must go buy 4D....4031. Or maybe 1031, A=1. Sports Toto, Magnum 4D and Da Ma Cai.....

Tour De France after Stage 18

After Stage 18, the outstanding performance by Alberto Contador has left everyone for dust. He was the best in climbs and even beating everyone on a 40.5km time trial last night. He was even ahead of Olympic time trial champion, Fabian Cancellara (Swi). Even, three-time tour winner, Greg LeMond questions Alberto's dominant performance on the final climb in Stage15 to Verbier. More of this at this site. Lance Armstrong on his comeback bid, finished 16th and was only ahead of Andy Schleck (Lux) by 15s, therefore still behind him in the GC by 1'14s.

It's highly unlikely for anyone to dethrone Contador from the yellow jersey with just 3 stages left, including tomorrow's big stage from Montelimar to Mount Ventoux. Armstrong won't be strong enough to challenge Contador in this final mountain stage. The Schleck brothers are also the better climbers with Frank winning Stage 17 on the mountain. I think the top 3 in the GC will remain as it is on the final day.

General classification after stage 18
(01) 73:15:39 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
(02) +0:04:11 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
(03) +0:05:25 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
(04) +0:05:36 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream
(05) +0:05:38 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana
(06) +0:05:59 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
(07) +0:07:15 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
(08) +0:10:08 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
(09) +0:12:38 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
(10) +0:12:41 Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française des Jeux

Shape and Mens Health Run 2009

Just 2 more days left before the race starts. I think this will only be the 2nd time that I race at night. Missed the event last year as I was doing the Seremban Half Marathon. I've never missed the Seremban event for 6 or 7 consecutive years. Too bad I missed it this year. Nothing great about Seremban run though. It's always congested, but that was first trip I had with Pacesetters Permaisuri members and most of them are my good friends now! Sentimental event lah....

Since this run starts at 8pm, I'm wondering now whether I should eat first or not. Usually I don't eat much or nothing at all, in the morning before a race. But 8pm my stomach would probably be crying out for food. I'll probably eat something light around 6-7pm. Hopefully won't get too hungry by 8pm.

Preparation for the race has been hampered by mere laziness after my marathon race in KL and also by haze. Managed to squeezed in a few runs during my trip back to Kuching and race last weekend, but don't think that will be enough since I rested for about 2 weeks after SCKLM. Well, can't do much about it now and just hope for the best.

See you all in the race!

Age Factor in Distance Running

In Jog for Hope, the guy who came in second place came and asked me, "How old are you?". I said I was 34 and I asked him his age. 17. 17?!! Makes me feel pretty old. I'm twice his age. Haha. Never underestimate a young and unknown runners! He gave me a really good fight till I wanted to give up in certain stage. Just happy that I hanged on to him that day.

It makes you wonder in general, who is better in long distance running, older or younger runners? Your pick.

You have Haile Gebrselassie, the world record holder for marathon (2:03:59) and also Paul Tergat (who once held the WR for the distance). Both are 36 and 40 respectively now. Both are still winning races. Of late, you have the younger ones coming up, including the 2008 Olympic champion and 2009 Flora London Marathon, Samuel Wanjiru. He is only 23 this year. He ran the fastest Olympic marathon of all time with his PB of 2:06:32 and in 2009 London Marathon his own PB with a time of 2:05:10. Closing in on Gebreselassie time.

In the local running scenes, there are plenty of top veteran runners who are more than capable of beating the younger dudes. Jean Pierre Lautredoux, M Ramakrishnan and Don Khor just to name a few. Maybe this is due to the lack of younger generation nowadays who are keen in distance running, which can be considered by many, a BORING sport. Most of them traded spikes and racing flats for PSP, PS3, Xbox and Wii. Young adults would probably be more keen in signing up thousands of RM to join a fitness centre, which is more "glamour". Maybe once in a while, you will see them participating in races such as Orange Run or Shape & Mens Health Run. Other than that, hardly see them. In Singapore Marathon, you can see quite a lot of young participants in Half or the Full marathons. Why is there a big difference here in Malaysia?

I've stumbled upon this blog. This guy happens to be a politician in Sarawak. Well, it's more on Sarawak, but in general, I won't be disagreeing with him completely. I think this is happening around Malaysia and not Sarawak alone. Politicians and old hats are still running some of the sports associations and they should be given the boot if they are not performing. And it's funny when you read it especially the "sleeping" part.

http://yippeego.com/ypwordpress/?p=945

It's true that Sarawak produces a lot of volleyball, track & field and swimming in the past, but now, it is in a sorry state. I would have been chosen to run in some of the MSSM, Sukma meet if not because of their reasoning of "my time wasn't good enough". (In the past finishing first wasn't the ticket to these meets). I think most of the "old hats" are still in there in the SAAA. To tell you the truth, I'm still feeling the pain when you see your close friends in training get chosen and not you.

Now come to think of it, I should have gotten the contact of that young man who came in 2nd that day and ask whether he wants to train with me. Maybe he has his own coach, but he is good to let his talent go to waste.

Results on 19 July 2009

There were quite a few races held over the same day as Jog For Hope. Here are some of them:

Siemens Run
(Source: www.pm1.blogspot.com)
Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
Distance : 10.25km according Choi GPS

Men Open
30'04 - Kennedy Kiproo (1st) - KEN
30'17 - Johnson Kipkosga (2nd) - KEN
30'27 - Hilary Kencho (3rd) - KEN
31'08 - Robert Kilagat (4th) - KEN
31'49 - Samuel Tarus (5th) - KEN
38'36 - Richard Habeya, Pm26 (10th)
41'47 - Rozmi Bin Yunus (17th)
43'10 - Meyyappan Manickam, PM58 (24th)
43'15 - Ronnie See, PM1 (25th)
44'00 - Hamidon Mat Aris (27th)
44'57 - Stanley Cheong, Pm53 (30th)
46'57 - Suresh, Pm47 (56th)
46'58 - Chen Keat Hoong, Pm8 (57th)
47'03 - Mohd Azali, Pm46 (58th)
47'35 - Azzurrie (66th)
49'47 - Kevin Chow, Pm32 (101st)
49'52 - Khairol (102nd)
49'48 - Hasrul Sham Saidi, Pm34
57'24 - Dinesh Kumaren, Pm4
59'47 - Lee Yin Fook, Pm40
60'02 - Tan Ooi Keat

Women Open
36'15 - Katherine (1st) - KEN
37'04 - Lydia Jerotich (2nd) - KEN
39'08 - Cecilia Warutumu (3rd) - KEN
39'43 - Susan Jemutai (4th) - KEN
41'27 - Georgina Beech (5th) - AUS
59'00 - Yong Su-Mei (37th)

Men Junior Veteran
32'24 - Jean Pierre Lautredoux (1st)
37'30 - Iwata Takatoshi (2nd)
37'56 - Supermaniam (3rd)
38'10 - Ong Chin (4th)
40'02 - Khir Bin Salleh (5th)
44'12 - Vincent Wong, Pm10 (17th)
47'40 - Choi Chik Choy, Pm42 (33rd)
49'26 - Loke Shu Sun (48th)
51'04 - Adam Loh, Pm29 (60th)
00'00 - Mohd Yaziz, Pm7 (75th)
54'44 - Kelvin Ng, Pm2 (No more medal)

Women Veteran (7.5km)
31'17 - Tan Lee Chin (1st)
32'24 - Lan Bee Hoon (2nd)
32'28 - Susan Khoo (3rd)
36'23 - Lim Lee Ping (4th)
36'56 - Eng Siok Jiun (5th)
00'00 - Nik Raiha - medal

Looking at the results above for Women Open, don't think I'll be able to break into the Top 5. Haha. They are strong! The Australian girl is just a teenager. Amazing.

DiGi-Pacesetters Kuantan TC 10km Run
(Source: www.pm1.blogspot.com)
Teluk Chempedak Beach, Kuantan
Distance : 9.66km according to YS Lee GPS

Men Open
35'38 - Murali Nathan (2nd)
40'12 - Naresh Kumar, Pm37 (7th)
42'36 - Kenny Tan, Pm27 (12th)
00'00 - Gunaselan (27th)
49'09 - Wong Kei Ming, Pm55 (33rd)

Men Junior Veteran
46'41 - Tay Poh Chye (16th)
49'35 - Lee Yee Sum (27th)

KRI'S Century Ride
(Source: TomatoMan)
Bukit Kinding Resort, Tanjong Rambutan, Perak
Distance: 160km

Unofficial Results
4h 14m - Lead Group
4h 43m - Lim Keat Seong
4h 47m - Yip aka UltraMan
4h 59m - Ong Siok Bee
5h 00m - Raymond Ng aka TomatoMan
5h 45m - Michelle Looi
6h ++m - Tan Shih Ming
6h 56m - Vincent Tiong
7h ++m - Wong Yit Thing

Jog For Hope @ Taylor's College Sri Hartamas (19 July 2009)

I was contemplating whether I should run Siemens Run or the Jog for Hope in which I registered myself for both events. I just got back from Kuching last night and also since I've paid a hefty sum (RM30) for Jog For Hope as entrance fee, I thought I should go for that and it's nearer to where I stay. Besides, in Siemens Run, I probably won't be well placed. I was actually keen to take part in the Century Ride in Ipoh which is on the same day as this run, but am missing it again this year.

"GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE RUN
The Tree Huggers Club of Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas are known for their tireless efforts in organizing event after event that have helped bring environmental awareness to a whole new level amongst students. Contrary to their name that suggests environmental issues are their only concern, the “Jog for Hope” charity run organized by them proves otherwise. This charity run is in aid of the Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor and Federal Territory in order to improve the centre’s facilities which in turn would ensure a better environment for the children." (source: http://jogforhope.wordpress.com/)

The morning of the race, I had to make two toilet visits. It could be due to the Daun Pisang with Curry Mutton I had for dinner. Then, it was Belacan Bee Hoon I brought from Kuching. Had to eat it that night as it would have been spoilt the next day. It was probably the mixture of that. But, it wasn't a bad one though.

Since the race is starting at 8am, I had plenty of time to get there. I needed some mileage, so I decided to run to the starting line which is about 4-5km from my home. On the way, met some runners from Pacestters doing their routine run towards Hartamas and saw the drink stations set up with volunteers waiting for the race to start. I reached Taylor's College at around 7.15am and saw some familiar faces there. Carol Low, Michael Gan, Ngae, his daughter and Jenny to name a few. Carol, like me, also skipped Siemens Run since this run is much nearer to her house.

There was a warm up session conducted by trainers from the Gym in front of the Hartamas Shopping Centre (HSC- Starting Line). The run started at around 8.10am. I made a slow start since the field wasn't strong, a teen just blast off in front of us and left everyone behind. 2 police motorcycles escorted the runners. I managed to overtake the leader before reaching Duta Tropika. I was thinking of easing my pace, but another teen just ran to my side and we were almost together the whole way.

I was waiting for him to give up, but he was strong. He kept pushing the pace. By the time we reached the hill up to HSC, I was fading away and thought this could be the end of my pursuit to finish 1st. He was about 30m-40m ahead of me. Going up the hill to HSC, I managed to close down the gap. At the turn of a junction, the teenager missed the turn and I took the opportunity to try and break away from him, but within few secs, he was beside me again. Darn! From that point, I just told myself to hang on to him as long as I could and he was just never going to give up his lead. (Teenagers just have bundle of energy to release!!) However, before the turn to Petronas, I saw the first sign of him tiring. He looked behind and then held up his hand to his waist and waving it, either asking me to slow down or saying he was giving up. I wasn't sure about it but I don't think he meant the first. (If he is, he's got to be joking!) Anyway, a sign is a sign, and I quicken my strides and truly enough he was slowing down and did not respond to my increased pace. I just pushed on as hard as I could till my legs were starting to tire going up the final hill at HSC. I was just worried he'll catch up again as I was slowing down. I looked behind and he wasn't there. Coming down from the hill of HSC, I pushed my pace again just to make sure I stayed in front thru to the finishing line, in front of the college's entrance. This is my first win I had in KL!! My time of 34m 55s was a respectable time for a 9km (but I need to measure the route again to get the exact distance one day...may be it was slightly short)



Ngae and his daugther



The Finish Line

At the prize presentation stage, I saw there were a lot of trophies and hampers and thought that's not too bad for Top 5 prizes in charity run. We had few speeches from the presenter thru to the VIPS, but due to the small speaker it was hard to hear what they were saying. Besides, everyone was talking and you could feel the fustration of some participants who were more considerate for the speakers. They were trying hard to quiet down the crowds but it only lasted for a few secs before everyone starts talking. When it was my turn to go up the stage, I was handed an envelope, certificate and a trophy for my win. To my surprise, there were RM300 cash in there with RM200 Gift Voucher from Square Room (seriously I have no idea what Square Room sells or where the shop is!!) It was a big surprise as charity runs normally do not give out cash prizes. At most are cash vouchers from Sponsors. Well, I'll just take it as a good day's work! (And also luck in coming across this run when I was at Hartamas Shopping Centre)


Some of the medals, trophies and hampers



Presentation of mock cheque to President of SCASFT, Datuk Lam Peng Chong



Receiving my prize....



Me, Carol, Unknown, Bruce, Ngae and Michael (who told me he had never finished in the podium before. Congrats Michael)



My prize: Trophy, Certificate, Voucher and Cash (hehe!!)

A Tennis Star and Mr Bean

Saw this in HC Foo Blog. Hilarious, but they do really look a like when you put the photos side by side! Don't you agree?


Juan Martin Del Potro (left) Rowan Atkinson a.k.a Mr Bean (right)

Roger Gets His 15th Slam! An Epic Match!

After two weeks of wonderful tennis, it finally came to an end last night. And boy, what a thrilling finale. A titanic tussle between two wonderful players. Both players displayed wonderful and powerful serving games. Andy with his booming serve and Roger (although not as powerful) but amazingly accurate serves. An amazing statistic from the match was Roger was able to outserve Andy in terms of aces. Half century of it. His personal record.

Andy played exceptionally great, displaying more maturity in the way he played. He came out of the blocks firing aces and winners mercilessly. For a moment it appeared Andy was going to go into a 2 sets to love lead, with a 6-2 lead in the 2nd set tiebreak. All he needs is just one big unreturnable serve to take the set and could have changed the outcome of the match. I was, for one, thought that was it for Federer. It didn't turn out to Andy's way as Federer took the next six points to win the tiebreak 8-6. In the 3rd set, Federer was in control and took the set in another tiebreak 7-5. From there, most people would think it will be over in 4 sets but Andy fought back and broke Federer early in the set and held his own service games and took the set in 6-3.

Into the 5th set. Mano a Mano. I felt that this could turn into Andy's favour as up until the 4th set, Roger has failed to break Andy's serves. Andy had already broken Roger's service twice, once in 1st set and the other in the 4th. Both players slug it out in the 5th set with amazing service displays. 7-7, 8-8.....14-14, is this going to end? Roger hangs tough by holding his serve to lead 15-14. Everyone thought Andy would hold out this game, but a few errors later, it was Game, Set and Match. Grand Slam No. 15 for Roger Federer! No tears were seeing this time through Roger's eyes. The jump for joy in the end, suggests he must be glad to have won yet another tight match after coming the losing end at last year's final to Rafa Nadal.

The match was attended by tennis legends. Among them, Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg and even Pete Sampras himself. Also seeing were some celebrities, Ben Stiller, Gavin Rosdale (Mr. Gwen Stefani), Rusell Crowe, Woddy Allen and Sir Alex Ferguson.



Photo taking before match started


Roger - The jump for joy. Grand Slam No. 15!


The Big Hug - A match which does not deserve a loser!


The Dejected Man - Roddick could not hide his disappointment (similiar photo of Roger in last year's final)



Wimbledon Title No. 6



Federer surges ahead in all time list of the most Grand Slam titles won - 15


Federer posing with tennis greats - Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras and Rod Laver


Stylish Federer - New jacket attire unveiled for this year's Wimbledon