The Test: Bidor Half Marathon (26 April 2009)

Khairol Faisal taking a shower during run!


Me in action


Manchuria Team


Mancuria Team and "wana be" Machuria member on my right... : ))

Wow, it took me a long time before posting anything in this blog. During this hibernation period, so many things had happened, but mainly I've quit my job. Can't really explain why I quit, but mostly due to the fact am not getting any satisfaction from working in the bank. Then probably people will start asking, "What is it you want to do?" I'll leave it to that...as am not writing anything on that....this is more of article on sports...

Back to running. I've actually signed up for the Standard Chartered KL International Marathon...yeah, the full distance! I don't know why I did that, as I've been avoiding the distance since I last ran it in 2003. It is just so tough running it, what more to say training for it. I mean I could finish it but can I run fast? I've always want to go for a sub 3. I failed miserably in 2003 and could only clocked 3 hr 35 mins! Had to run and walk from only 28km into the race. Though I'm just not cut out for the distance. That's the reason I've been avoiding it. And also it's quite suffering running in one! So, June 28 will be the judgement day.

Well I've missed a lot of running for a few years, I mean, in a compettitive nature. I do run races a lot but am not competitive as I don't really train for the event....more of a "crash course" training runs. To get back into competitive level may take a while due to the "long break". Bidor Half was my first test after putting in some effort in training for 5 weeks. I'd always feel am still lagging in speed but Bidor offers me a chance to see where I stand right now.

Followed my team mates, Azri and Khairol up to Bidor, The Manchurian team (they are my ex-collegues from CIMB). Azri asked me if I wanted to run for his team (he came out with the name, never asked him why since he always use that name for team competitions), so I said am ok with it, as I thought I need some races to test myself before SCKLM. I will be avoiding races in a run up to SCKLM, except for Bidor and maybe the Klang Half Marathon in the first week of June. Thought that I need to put in more mileage than racing!

We reached Rumah Rehat Tapah where we will be staying. We rested before heading out to have our dinner. Reached one of the pasar (market) in Tapah. I've just realised I didn't take any photos of it. We bought a lof of food, chicken rice, fried rice, fish balls, corns, etc. we were just so hungry. Later that night, we asked the receptionist to change the Astro channel to ESPN to watch the Reds EPL game. They won comfortably so it was time to hit the sack.

The front entrance to Rumah Rehat Tapah

View of the cafe at night

We woke up around 5am, and drove to Bidor which is about 10km away. At the start, I slowly made my way to the front of the group but could not get near the top runners as they are just so...so..fast. I tried to stick to the back of Don, but for a 50 year old man, he is fast. I wasn't sure how my training has gotten me, so I held my speed. Just worried that I will run out of steam before the race is over. I was holding a pretty good pace till about 10km where I slowed down a little, trying to catch my breath. There's no one to chase in front as they were so far away to catch up (saw them during the last u-turn). But they were a lot of people behind me. At about 5-6km left, there's this young guy holding a small bag in one hand overtook me and I tried hard to stay with him. I almost gave up as he was pushing the pace so fast, but I was glad I didn't give up. I tried to leave him behind coming to a slight uphill but he just hung on to me, and overtook me again. This time I just stayed behind and with 1km to go, I moved beside him. Then I shift into another gear and push on. Lucky for me, he gave up. I finished in 14th place and with a time of 1h 29m 37s. It was a huge improvement from my last few years of half marathon races. I was satisfied with my performance but I know that I have much to work on as I am so far behind the rest of the field.

We made out way back to KL in mid day and had lunch near my condo. Guess it's back to training again and try to improve on things I find lacking.

Some results from Bidor Half Marathon:

1. Ahmad Lamchannak 1h 14m 28s
2. Lim Kien Mau 1h 14m 58s
3. Ruburn Kumar 1h 17m 16s
4. R. Subramaniam 1h 17m 26s
5. Jayakumar 1h 19m 54s
6. Casey Lim 1h 21m 02s
7. Richard Habeya 1h 22m 40s
8. Chow Yew Mei 1h 23m 14s
**1. Don Khor 1h 25m 11s (Veteran category)
9. Vigneswaran 1h 26m 08s
10. B. Rajasegaram 1h 26m 23s
11. Jasni Khairil 1h 26m 35s
12. Mohd Adry Bazmi 1h 27m 58s
13. Murali Nathan 1h 28m 13s
14. Khoo Yit Kiat 1h 29m 37s
18. Naresh Kumar 1h 33m 25s
19. Ronnie See 1h 33m 35s
22. Stanley Cheong 1h 35m 06s
66. Abdul Azri 1h 49m 00s
81. Khairol Faisal 1h 53m 13s
*40. Nik Raiha 2h 15m 54s

**Senior Veteran
* Women Veteran

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......

BHP Orange Run weekend

It's been a while since I last wrote in this blog. I don't know how some people could do it, but I just can't find the time to write. I guess I'm pretty bad at time management.

Sat morning
Well I started my Sat at the wee hour in the morning. Wish that I could get more sleep. I was heading out to Kpg Batu 18,Hulu Langat to join Ray ("Tomatoman"), John Tan and some other riders for a weekend ride. Haven't been riding much. Boy, did I suffer a lot during the ride. Couldn't even keep up with the girls, Siok Bee and Emma. Was trying to follow as close I could. Mind you, when my mileage for the dat wasat 30-40km, theirs were already at 75km. Not that I want to follow their backs and looking at their bums bums, but I just can't lead out in front, each time I do that, I seem to slow to them and they keep increasing their pace. When wewere heading back ,John, Kenny and Ray were already out in front, so I stick with the ladies. Chatted with Emma fro while, she's more into doing triathlon this year. When Siok Bee took over the lead from Emma, man that's when the fast and furious pace starts kicking in. We were going an average speed of 33km-35km/hr. OK ok, it's not fast for some, but that's top speed for me. Then we caught Ray. When I passed him, Siok Bee just increase the pace to about 40km/hr. I think she was just pissed off (Haha...a joke) that Ray keep saying he beat the IronLady. Ray went with them, I gave up and had a slow ride back. The ladies rode back to Mt Kiara if I'm not mistaken or was it Lembah Kiara??! Crazy!!

Sat night

That night we had a gathering at Tony Roma's restaurant in Pavillion. Tomatoman, Dr. Rum, Speakerboxx, my gf, Zandi, Siok Bee, Irene and Ray's brother were there. Had a nice but expensive western dinner.

What is Ray doing? Meditating before dinner? Jeff doesn't seem to care.

Look at that big pile of S#$@ coing out of Kelvin's nose!

Siok Bee and Ray enjoying their time!

Sun Morning
Woke up at 5.45am on Sun morning and saw that it was drizzling. Azizul even sms me "Hujan lebat lah kat Subang, ada run keh?" Haha, he must be waiting fo me to say, "run cancel lah". But told him the rain sure stop one lah. And while I was on the way to pick up Mien Yee and Zandi, it started pouring again. Anyway, when we reach The Curve, the rain just stopped. Guess run is on. Stood there in front of Cineleisure to pass the bibs of Houn and Gary to Irene and then Daphne came later to pick up hers. Well, she was amazed with herself that she is actually waking up in the wee hour of Sun morning to do this run. And I thought she was going to FFK me.

Since it was a fun run, I just treated this like my training run. Started from the back and slowly made my way to the front (but not the lead lah....just the middle pack I guess). I thought it was an easy run, but I was breathing hard, most probably lack of sleep and the ride the day before. Managed to catch up with Raymond when we reached Shell. Tried to push to make it a strong finish. My legs just didn't seem to respond to well, but I did push a little seeing some of my friends were in front. As soon as I finished, just took a few cups of 100plus to quench my thirst as I didn't stop at the water station. Went for a quick change of clothes and went back to the finishing line to shoot some photos.

Some of the runners from Pacesetters club

KP Tan and gang & Raymond looking orange for the run!

Mr Adidas, Mazli & Mien Yee finishing her run.

Eh...you supposed to RUN lah.....that's Daphne, my colleague.

Zandi looking strong at the finish.

Wah lau...look at Ray's after race meal!
In the end, it was a good run, except for the lousy goodie bags they gave out this year. What's in the "shopping bag" this year? A cert and a bottle of 600ml mineral water. That's bad compared to last year where they gave out a good quality backpack. Oh...not only that, the organiser should have put more effort in making the run more fun and could have done it with a better MC and music. Like what I've experienced in Singapore Marathon each year. Officials just pack their bags and go, even there were so many runners yet to finish. Well, what can you say, this is the attitude of M'sian officials. Lack of food for those who finished later.

The Virgin Marathon

I have been procastinating in writing this report for a long time, thought I might just finished it before the new year (Chinese New Year) Let me start this post by not talking about me but my friend, Aaron Lau.

So what so interesting about this guy? For the fact that he is a "drug-dealer" (he has a pharmacy business)? Nolah, not that. Looking at the pic on the left, you must have thought he's like a "Tai Ko' in one of the KL triads, ya?

This is how the story began....

One day, when we were eating at a coffeeshop in Pandan Perdana, I told this guy that he should join the Singapore Marathon. Told him how amazing this run is, not just because it was well organised, but for the ladies that are taking part in this run, thousands of them. Unlike the local races here, the ladies there really "dress up" for the run. That got him interested. One thing lead to another, he told me in the next few days that his friend in Singapore had registered for him for a 42.195km run...a FULL (FOOL) marathon! I said "WHAT?!! Lu siau meh? (Are you crazy?)". Well, you see Mr. Aaron here has never done a run before let alone running a race. Ok..he has done some jogs before, you probably could count by your fingers in the number of runs he has done in a year. Told him, "You better start training for it". Seriously, this guy had not even wore a short since primary school! (That's what he told me. Well, you can actually tell when you see him in shorts....very fair one!!)

His friends laughed about it & even his parents (and even me). One of his good friend in S'pore, who happens to be my ex-classmate even said this when I told him Aaron is runing the full marathon, "What?! You must be joking! I tell you ah, after 5km, he will give up!" Told that to Aaron and his usual response, "Ka Ni Ma Sai!".

"You all better watch out, I'm going to run pass all of you!"

Fast foward to racing day...we had a good laugh in the morning of the race, everyone looked relax going into the run. I helped Tomatoman and Shine to bring their bags to the baggage area as the queue was a long one. They had to rush for the start of the marathon race. However, I was in time to witness the start of the race. Didn't see them though, except for Vincent. Mind you, about 14,000 runners in the full marathon category. Their race starts at 5.30am, mine (21km) doesn't start till 6.15am. A long wait.

I didn't feel too well just before the start of the race. At 6.15am, my race started, I had a good start as I was standing right in front of the starting line. Felt good at the start but was cautious not to go any faster as I have not been running much. Was looking for a 1:45 finish. But at half way mark, my body just started failing me, also no thanks to the zig zagging pass the marathon runners. Tough thing to do....the organiser don't seem to be able to find another route to separate our category all these years. Anyway, I tried looking for other known runners in the marathon since I'm passing them or they are on the other side of the road. Only saw the double "R" Raymond & Raymond (a.k.a. Tomatoman & Dr. Rum). Vincent & Aaron were nowhere to be seen. Didn't see Shine either.

I had a hard time finishing my race, body just jammed up after the halfway mark, got worst turning into the city centre passing the starting point. Anyway, I just thought I was going to get the same medal and my placing wasn't really that good anyway, I just gave up running. So I had to jog back t a turtle pace. Thought that I wouldn't meet my target time but in the end I managed to clock in at 1:43. Felt exhausted. (Caught a fever the next day after the run). Anyway, I went to change to my dry shirt and waited for the rest to come back. First I saw Vincent coming back, man, he broke my own PB by 5 mins (I'll get that back one day!), then saw Ray @ Tomatoman coming in, and few of the Pacesetters or Pacemakers gangs coming in. Shine came back a little later, so I head for the tent to find them. Only saw Vincent at the tent. So, we waited for Aaron to come back before heading back to our apartment. 5hrs, nowhere to be seen, 5:30, 6hrs, 6:30 went pass, still no sign of him. We were worried he took an ambulance back or something like that. Where could he be?

7 hrs passed by, finnaly I saw a known figure, walking slowly back. There he was. I told him to speed up as he was near the finishing line and he did.

Well he did managed to finished in style.....

This was his final results:

NAME: LAU AIN FOOK
EVENT: Full Marathon
DATE: Sunday, December 2nd, 2007
BIB/DIV: 9698 / M3034
TIME: 7h:3m:16s (gun) / 6h:57m:4s (net)

Usually some people will say they will never run a marathon again, especially ones who have not done much runs before. As for him, he was already looking foward to the next one.....Gold Coast Marathon in July. Even suggested I be the treasurer in collecting savings for the run. But with his and my work commitment, I doubt we will be able to make the trip! As of this point, I have collected RM0.00 savings!! Haha!

Well that afternoon all of them was sleeping like a pig........ brokeback mountain??! Don't sue me guys!

Some people even need to adjust their alignment after the run! And what was Aaron doing on the far right?!

This is how you walk down the stairs after running the marathon!

But in the end, everyone had fun and we just chilled thru the night. So a Big Congratulations to my friend Aaron aka Mr Ka Ni Ma Sai, in finishing his virgin marathon! Lucky he didn't bleed in the first try!!

Looking foward to going back Kuching!

Happy Chinese New Year to you all!