Langkawi is on

The Race Director very kindly promptly replied to my Facebook enquiry:

Chandrakumanan Arumugam 25 November at 00:12 Report


HI Sofian the race is on, and will go on as scheduled on 27 February 2010

Thank you Chandra

Training Diary - 2 weeks to IMWA

Saturday: 20 km run. 2 hr 17 mins (1 hr 5 mins + 5 mins stop + 1 hr 7 mins back). 60 mins swim.

Sunday: With everyone going all over the place to their respective races the next few weeks, it was "say goodbye" day (sob sob). Actually it was a very nice chat and we were not at all sad, I think.

Poor Peter Chan had trouble standing straight with a flu that has already bugged him for 3 weeks.

.

Same 20 km run. 2 hr 8 min, a PB by 4 mins (1 hr 1 min + 5 min + 1 hr 2 min). The expatriate group storming from behind was great incentive to keep at it. I couldn't even return their conversation, so out of breath I was.

.

Anyway the run is improving which I attribute to going on the bike trainer all the time and not cycling outdoors. I consider training to be done, its just keep things ticking over now.

.

Monday: 57 mins trainer

Tuesday: Nothing, I'm feeling cold.

Wednesday: 82 mins trainer. 40 mins trainer after work.

Lost the wallet but got it back.

All the big boys were back at the car park this morning. Whilst there was no sarong entertainment, I did manage to loose my wallet (panic) but got it back.

In my haste to block out negative thoughts after the 20km run, I even managed to block out thoughts of my wallet after I paid for the drinks. I left it on a table. As I was enjoying my second run in the beautiful weather, I suddenly realised my wallet was missing. Panic, panic, panic.

Ran back to the first nasi lemak stall at the car park. It wasn't on the table, but the lady stall owner had it. She profusely refused any reward. Nevertheless I gave a token amount.

.

When growing up, these nice people who help others for no reward were a dime a dozen in Malaysia's rural areas. But with development, I've not really came across these type of people. Well its good, they are still around and I will do my little bit to help others for no return in my little way.

.

I don't think I have seen so many Triathletes at the car park/running this morning:

Simon, Emma and a large group of fleet footed expatriates.

The people going to Busso in three weeks (KK Lee - very cheerful, Gane, Li Sar Oon - she trains very hard, Randy - flying away).

The people going to Busso next year (Ariff and May Senn).

Mac and Ade Lim. Kay Hassan. Raymond Tomato man, Mitch Looi, Ultra Yip. Power Abu (very long run) and group. Mr Chan and his group, Kevin Chan. Kona Carmen. Sam Pritchard in his sling. Lee, John Tan, Adam, Ngae.

.

No wonder we all love going to the Lake Gardens car park on Sunday mornings....

Training diary - 3 weeks to IMWA

Saturday: 40 mins on trainer. 30 mins company's aerobics. Slept in the afternoon.

Sunday: Complicated run due to loosing the wallet. 1 hr 5 mins to Petronas. 5 min stop. 1 hr 5 min back to Lake Gardens. At this stage my 20 km run totalled 2 hr 15 min. 2 mins water stop (lost the wallet). 26 mins run. 5 mins to reward the "lady mak cik". Resumed running which turned into 16 mins of plodding and a 28 mins walk back to car park. Very nice weather.

2 hrs cycling time on indoor trainer.

Monday: 45 mins trainer

Tuesday: 72 mins trainer

Wednesday: 72 mins trainer. 3.1km swim - 61m 35sec.

Thursday: 70 mins trainer

Friday: 105 mins trainer

Training Diary - 4 weeks to IMWA

We trust everyone had a good time at the Powerman? KL was empty.
.

We are modifying our training a little bit. Actually since Putrajaya 70.3 (4 Oct 09), we have only cycled on the road once (on 25 Oct, the actual race day). Well we did test the bike for 7km on 24 Oct. We have instead been cycling on the indoor trainer just about everyday, including the weekends.

.

So is this the way to go?

.

Actually I don't know. If the target race is say IM Langkawi, one definitely needs to be training out in the heat the whole day. But what if the target event is say at Perth or Busselton?

Cycling exclusively on the trainer probably does not slow one's cycling time, we have actually proved it when the distance is 80 km. But 180km? We will know on 5 Dec.

.

There seems to be two real benefits:

1. The perpetual pain in the thighs seems to be totally gone. Thus we can run faster. Reducing our run time for 20 km by more than 40 mins is worth analysing. Leg turnover is faster and smoother. The pain in our feet also seems to be all gone.

.

2. Weight reduction. People are wondering "who is this new slim person?". Does it mean all this while, my tummy has been just water?

.

The down side though, for the past two Sundays, we have bonked on the run. Today (4 Nov) was quite bad.

So we shall see on 5 Dec, what happens.

.

Saturday: 6 hours actual cycling time on the indoor trainer done from 8 am to around 5.40 pm.

Sunday: Bonked very big time. Only the little 8k loop. 1 hr 12 mins.

Monday: Nothing

Tuesday: 70 mins trainer

Wednesday: 80 mins trainer. Swim 2.5km, 50 mins.

Thursday: 60 mins trainer

Friday: 75 mins trainer. Swim 3km, 59 mins

Happy Birthday Sweetheart

Today (6th November) is my wife's birthday. Happy Birthday sweetheart. Her name is Tip.
.

You know, she dropped everything to be my wife. Changed her faith, her country of residence, her circle of friends and is now far away from her own beloved family.

.

She has always, always stood by my side through thick and thin. If something was troubling me, she would take my side without question.

.

Her sole reason for the day seems to be my every happiness. You know, every night, right to this day, she would put me to sleep first no matter how tired she was. She would put the pillows and blanket at the right places, then only she would take care of herself.

.

She loves cooking (thats why I am fat - is my favourite excuse). She has provided her desserts just about for everyone. Once she attended some classes at the British Council, and everyday she brought desserts for everyone in the class.

Her desserts have helped me no end in my relationships with triathletes, neighbours, the bike shop etc. Even the security pepople where I live are well fed by her. Perhaps most importantly, all my work colleagues and big bosses have tasted her desserts.

.

At the races, she is such a sight for sore eyes. I am sorry I take so long sweetheart and make you wait for 17 hours by the road. I wouldn't have made it to the airports so soon after the race without your help.

Yet when I cross the finish line, you are just as happy as me.

.

I havn't given you your birthday present. Probably I won't. But I do hope we will have many many more Birthdays together. Sweetheart, I love you very very much.

Very Sorry

Very sorry, the pictures are all of me by the official photographers. I understand they will also be on duty at the Spore Marathon and Ironman Western Australia.