50th Birthday Do

We did a simple 50th Birthday Do at my Apartment Pool on the Saturday. Quite a number of people did not turn up. Luckily my core friends did.

Those present:

Joo Ngan, Nancy & Jackie. Andrew Wong. Freddie Loong. Ah Tuck. Ngae. Jason Thiang. John Tan and Wai Mun. CK and Jaja. Nizar and wife. Swede Nicklas, wife and 23 day old Sebastian. Don Khor, Jenny Lim, husband Lee and two children.

The organising committee (thank you to all of them) comprised my wife, her parents (came all the way from Thailand), Emily (neighbour), my wife's Thai Cempaka friend & daughter, Sally (from Miri now living at Cempaka). Also thanks to the Building Mgt (Elaine), the cleaners and Security Guards.

Colin Moorhouse

I did my "A" Levels at a small town called Stamford, Lincolnshire, England from 1975 to 1977. There were 5 Malaysians and we became good friends with Colin Moorhouse. Colin had lived in "Malaya" as he calls it, lived nearby and we did things that all young people do.

He was in town on 19 Aug. Colin's childhood was spent overseas in Eden (South Yemen), Petaling Jaya and Singapore. A very happy childhood he says (his dad was in the Air Force).

Somehow, we kept in touch (I'm not sure how). I have lost contact with my Malaysian housemates but not with Colin. Colin was on his way to a United World College reunion in Singapore. One of his college mates is the CEO of Canadian Air and provided free air tickets for everyone for the reunion in Spore. I did meet Colin some years back when he came here with his second wife.

Colin is a London "Bobby", just completed his Masters and will probably do his Phd soon. Obviously Colin is a nice person who values friendship, is comfortable with any race. Actually he is a great person.

We spent the afternoon with my wife at KLCC and Putrajaya. I thoroughly enjoyed his company. I was telling him personal things, the screw ups in my life that I have not told anyone. I felt we had not changed at all and we were totally comfortable with each other just like more than 30 years ago.

We will meet again, in Perth I hope, its warmer than London.

50

I am fifty years old today

A Sikh and a Muslim in Britain

How's that for harmony

UPDATES

HEALING

I haven't done any cycling or running since 27 Jul 2008.

I think everyone knows I have problem feet. My very flat feet are very susceptible to foot injuries. I've had heel pain since 2002. The fasciia at the bottom of my feet is "gone", which means I don't have spring in my steps amongst other things.

Both my feet were swollen after the Miri Tri. After PD, I couldn't even stand for a good few hours. The weekend after PD (27 Jul), both my feet were swollen after a simple bike ride. Thats when I decided to do "whatever it takes" to sort out my feet.

My employers provide very good health benefits, so on 3 Aug I decided to visit Damansara Specialist Hospital which is frequented by so many Triathletes. The Doc I was referred to is a nice friendly chap, great Ferrari fan and supports the "enemy".

The x-rays clearly confirm I don't have heel spurs. Surgery is thus unnecessary and is even not suggested as it would weaken the fasciia.
"I will give you the best steroids in the country" is what he said. So I got jabs in both heels. He said do absolutely nothing for two weeks. I was actually mentally ready for much worse.

I have missed two weekends of cycling and my feet feel much much better. I am not depressed, quite contrary, I am enjoying my new found rest. Last Sunday, I spent the whole day watching the Olympics with only a 90 mins break for a lunch time swim in my apartment pool. Funnily I have no problem swimming in the sun, but its a different matter when it comes to cycling. Even though it is only a small apartment pool, it has provided me much pleasure. Even just staring at it is thereupatic.

My office is near the PADE Shah Alam Pool and the pool is in "excellent knick" nowadays. So I go swimming there almost everyday , about 3km each time. Its thus not quite the end of the world.

The initial plan was to start using the trainer in Sep and only hit the road in October (two months to prepare for Ironman WA). Perhaps I should only start on the trainer in mid Sep so as not to rush things. One run two weeks before the Ironman should be enough, I think to finish in 17 hours.

Nearly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c

I nearly cried when I saw this at the conference

(don't know why I can't see the video preview, never mind click the link)

PD Race Weekend

It was the biggest Triathlon event ever in Malaysia. A kiddies race, age group sprint and the Elite Olympic race just on saturday. On Sunday, it was the age group OD race.

We watched the OD Elite race. In the evening it was the carbo loading dinner. We missed the briefing.

Long lost friends I met included Davy Koh (Hawaii 1994) and Ronny Ng (Hawaii 19995). Lewin Lim, Lee Chee Wee Hoe (who both helped organise the first PD Tri in 1989 that changed my life). Hassan ex Commando (my long lost veteran rival). Jason Thiang returning to triathlon and duly beating me flat. Don Khor. Ironman Ong who did the Gold Coast marathon. Ironman Freddie who I drafted for a short while. Prof Khairuddin, Ironman Yee, Ironman Chan Chee Seng, Jamil Mat Isa, Ralph Dixon. Aren't these events just wonderful. That is why we must never knock the organisers.

The room was fantastic, only RM185, overlooking the transition area, plasma tv etc. Race day breakfast was nice too. The transition area was nicely carpeted.
Race start was in waves. The under 30, 5 mins later the 30 - 39, 40 -49, 50+ with the girls, then the relay.
The race had its normal whacking but no where near as bad as A Famosa. Water was quite flat, easy to sight, it was a beautiful swim into the Marina. In my haste I went straight into the earlier age group. I think it was Upiq, sorry Junior brother. Out the water in 28 mins, I've been swimming more lately and I know for PD, the swim is paramount.

The bike course was a perfect 40 km, which I did in 1 hr 20 min. The bike route was beautiful going to the original PD race route. Road was nice and quite clear. Unfortunately a there were a few crashes due to the large race packs tearing along. One group went straight into the marshall who decided to not move from the middle of the road.
My cycling was its usual useless self. I couldn't hang on to any train. So eventually I just cycled on my own. There were some really huge packs that just came and went. Emma a female was pulling a really long train. The people that I saw a lot during the bike included Ralph Dixon, Freddie, Meta, Hassan and so on.

I don't do any running due to my problematic feet. I only run on race day. That strategy worked quite well for A Famosa but not for Miri when I came in 2nd last. For the first time I used "elastic races" which my shoes very tight.
As I started the run I regretted not doing practice runs. My running was not smooth. When my favourite big girl overtook me I was devastated. It felt like it was burning hot. I think it was cloudy for only five minutes. I wanted to do another Miri (walk). But to my credit I didn't walk at all, though I may have been only plodding. In the last km I overtook my big girl. I called to her but absolutely no response. She ended up in the medical tent. Hardly anyone walked even though it was burning. I thought I sprinted down the finsh chute, but looking at the photo, I looked like I was just walking.

I dropped my bicycle strap lock. But credit to my wife, she went searching for that small item and actually found it.

I just sat in the finish tent right till the end of prize giving. My feet was in absolute pain. I couldn't even stand up. i'm ok now (9 p.m.)

See everyone again.

My Race Pics

With Ronnie

after the swim (left sandles at the beach)
tummy first
bike return
finishing straight
I was so so happy to not walk (3 hrs 9 min)

The Elite Race on Saturday Pics

The Elite Swim Start (long run in)

Razani starting the bike
Kim
KimDino (2nd Msian)
Razani (3rd Malaysian)

The Elite Race (Olympic Distance) started at 4 pm on Saturday. Its only for National representatives. Msia was quite well represented by (in order of how they finished) Sharom, Dino, Razani, Eugene, Ah Thiam and Zafrul. I am not sure if this event had a bearing on the Olympic games qualifications.

Since it was 4 pm, it was low tide and a long run in for the participants. We the spectators had a good view of almost the whole swim. Sharom and Ah Thiam was last. Kim was only middle of the pack. Behind Kim was Eugene (alone), Razani, Zafrul then the others. Apparently the first swimmer did it in 16 mins.

The cycling and run was not spectator friendly. The Malaysian men all finished together overtaking Kim along the way. Kim finished with other girls.

Mok (SEA Games Gold medal) from Spore finished a close second. We are out of the medals but Sharom was first Msian, Dino, old man Razani then Eugene.

PD Non Race Pics on 19 Jul 08

It was a really nice room

With Jason Thiang and long lost Davy Koh Long Lost Ronnie Ng (Hawaii 95). Davy came by bike from Spore

My own century ride

I couldn't do the Ipoh Century ride due to family commitments. Anyway I did my own century (about 164km) from the house, Broga "classic" loop and finishing at Pekan Batu 14 (where I called my wife to pick me up).

Reached Pekan Batu 14 from the house around 7.25 am. Joo Ngan has a new group, they are all friendly.Cycled with them up to the Perez T junction, then I was on my own. Essentially I had a very good ride all the way to Kuala Kelawang, no sun , faster then my previous ride. The part between Broga and Pekan Ulu Beranang (which seems like an eternity) is just mud and sharp pebbles. Its going to get much worse (but I still do this loop).

Had quite a heavy lunch at KK, the sun came out in all its glory. That's my honeymoon over. Proceeded to the bottom of Perez reverse slowly in the heat. I always wilt in the heat (because during the rest of the week, we are in an air con environment perpetually).

I absolutely struggled up Perez reverse, absolutely struggled no kidding. Didn't put the foot down though. Near the top, it started to rain, but I still felt very bad. Only about 130km on the meter. Stopped at the first shop, hard cold 100plus and gel, then felt great, its now raining all the way.

Had close shaves with fast cars in the rain and decided to call Rescue 911 (the wife) at Pekan Batu 14. Ended at 3.55 pm.

PD TRIATHLON

I am really looking forward to this. 1000 triathletes I think, its going to be a great reunion. I hope Davy Koh from Singapore comes, we did Hawaii together in 1994 and I have not seen him since.

Have a nice day.

Miscellaneous Updates

Bali Triathlon
The results are out. Well done to Cecil, Iwata and Yusran. I told anyone that asked that the route was flat. However, it turned out that the swim was very choppy and it was a new hilly bike route (significantly increasing the splits). The guy that came second for the Miri Sprint also came second overall at Bali.

Bukit Jalil
Tmw is the start of the new opening hours. Triathletes going for lessons there need not follow the published opening hours. The lessons cost RM180 per month and are held four times a week (Monday, Wed, Thu and Sat). No need to pay the entrance fee if going for lesson.

Small world
The personal swim coach for Aini is Lewin Lim's son (Linvern). Well Aini has a top notch coach. Lewin Lim is part of Port Dickson's Team Mermaid that organised the PD Triathlon in 1989 that changed my life. We wish Lewin the best.

YO YO World
On Sunday my wife had to come and fetch me in the car from Orang Asli. So I am not going to Kenyir. Take a rest.

MIRI Triathlon Results
The results are now out.

Bukit Jalil Pool Hours

wef 1 July 2008, the pool will have additional opening hours.
The evening sessions (Monday to Thursday) will be from 5 pm to 7.30 pm, then 8 pm to 10.30 pm.
I prefer the current hours.

MIRI Pictures

Finishing the OD with Scalo (hidden)

My No. 1 Fan (friend's daughter)
OD shower
Sprint shower - very gingerly (problem feet)
Sprint finish
OD run with Scalo

Wife assembled the bike
With Joyo before the Sprint
With HAJI SUFFIAN before the sprint (he did very well)

Race Announcement
Next year's Miri Race is confirmed for the weekend of 28 and 29 Nov 2009. The prize money has also been confirmed as more.

MIRI - 2nd Last

Yes I came second last overall in the Olympic distance race on Sunday with a time of 3 hr 20 mins.

Friday

Left on Air Asia at 0725 hrs, so you can just imagine what time we woke up. Also on the same flight was Mr Chan, Eugene, Ah Meng etc., the Navy Triathlon Team, Major Kalam, Ruslan (MC), Sharom Awea, Cecil, Emma, Pro Elmar etc, so it was actually quite a crowd.

AIR ASIA

Air Asia charged me RM215 for the bicycle. RM35 is for sports equipment (apparently even a tennis racquet is a "sports equipment"). Then add 12kg (27kg - 15 kg) X RM15. I wasn't allowed to combine with my wife. Apparently Yusran, Cecil and other Triathletes got caught the same way for Langkawi. Luckily no other triathlete paid more than RM35 as they packed their bikes in light cardboard boxes.

For the return flight, Air Asia charged me only RM80 as this time I could combine my allowance with my wife's (15kg each). So be careful of Air Asia.

The Military triathletes get a special 40 kg allowance each and they also get priority boarding, well lucky them.

FRIDAY MIRI

The Sarawak Tri people and the army cyclists were waiting at the airport. We were taken to the hotel which is only 25 mins away. So a very pleasant start.

The hotel rate was RM150 per night with breakfast. Its good value for money, nice view, gym, pool, good breakfast and they are very used to Triathletes.

We had a simple lunch at some shops nearby nearby a swank Chinese School.

Miri is flat, has nice roads, being beside the sea can be very windy, cloudy, clean, modern town and is getting more effluent.

My wife went visiting her friend so I went to the gym and pool. Its not a good idea to use the gym before a race, but I have not been to one for at least one year, so I was just itching.

Kimberly was in the gym. Miri is her home town. She is a lovely person. She was smiling, bubbly, polite and talking to everyone throughout the race weekend.

Kimberly of course won the Sprint and Olympic Distance races (Open and Swak Closed). In her, Miri have a double SEA Games Gold medallist they are proud of. She has lost some weight, every triathlete wishes her all the very best in her triathlon career.

Dinner was at my wife's friend house. They were very very nice to us. The husband is a British/ Canadian Pilot, the wife is Thai. Their daughter (Jasmine) took a strong liking to me (because I threw the balloon at her).

SATURDAY

By the time we went for breakfast, Razani and his group had already arrived. As usual he is very obliging and did a magnificient job on my bicycle. He has a cartridge thing that u use to inflate a punctured tubeless tyre. It patches small holes automatically (i.e. you don't need to remove the tyre in a puncture).

Race registration was between 10 am and 12pm. So reunion time, simply marvellous. One long lost friend was having treatment at the National Heart Institute, so count your blessings.

Race briefing was at 12 pm. Mr Chan gave his usual humorous briefing. A mom had to take her crying baby out.

No lunch as Sprint Race start was at 3 pm.

SPRINT RACE

The race start is about 1 km from the hotel. The run finish is at the hotel. So everyone had to walk back to get their bicycles (not really a problem).

The swim is in an enclosed boat Marina. The water is perfectly calm but absolutely filthy. There is no outlet for the sea water to escape I think. I developed body rashes and was actually sick for the Olympic distance race. Everybody else was OK though. Perhaps its because I wrapped myself around a rusty pier pile whilst adjusting my goggles.

Its a nice swim, much more buoyant than A Famosa. On the bike everyone just blew by me. I finally could manage to draft a huge girl who was going at 33km/hr. The bike route is flat except for one hill which has to be done both ways.

For the run I did my damnest to keep in touch with the huge girl. I finished one place behind her in 1 hr 28 mins. She also has a lovely bubbly personality. I actually had a good race, came in 8th in my category and won a whopping RM100.

DINNER

We went to a nearby place beside the beach. There was Razani, Dino, Wong Ah Thiam, Awea, Stephanie, Zafrul, Neeza and my wife. The food was bad and expensive. It was my pleasure to pay the bill bearing in mind the illustrious company I was with.

Sunday Olmypic Distance

Start time was 7.40 am I think. I had body rashes and was feeling disoriented. No way I came all the way and not race. The swim was OK, I came out with Carmen. Everyone else has a fast transition except me.

Emma, Lea and everyone else blew by me on the bike. One big girl also blew by me, I thought I had missed my train. Luckily a smaller girl with running shoes was going at 33km/hr. But she was so thin and it was a struggle to draft her. My big girl from the previous day only arrived at the end of the bike.

The moment I started the run I knew I was in big trouble. The thighs, legs and feet felt absolutely tight from the gym and Sprint race. The big girl was quickly out of sight. So it was mostly walking (yep) and plodding along. the last 2 km I did with Scalo (Albert Chong from Sibu). Only one person was behind me (no names). The Miri race only attracts the serious crowd.

Results that i know

Elmar was overall winner for the Sprint (by only one minute) and the OD. Kimberly was the overall female winner for both races too.

Second overall for the Sprint was a very young Swede first time racing in Msia.

Lea was the sprint champ in her gategory I think.

Carmen, Fiona, Dino, Awea didn't do the Sprint.

Fiona won her category in the OD beating Carmen, Lea and Emma. She must be very pleased. The other strong girls were Stephanie, a Navy woman (Puan Geoffrey)

Sam won his group. Jap Sam came in third in the 50+ age group and won RM1,000.

Eugene is the first Msian male in the OD. Razani won the veteran's Sprint and OD. Some very strong triathletes from Macau were also placed well.

On the flight back (Monday morning) I got to know the Navy boys quite well. The joys of doing Traithlon.

Overall its a good race. Be prepared to fork out about RM1,000.

Sunday's ride

Sunday "group". Photo courtesy of "Jim Manan" vide UPIQ. Thank you

Didn't really have a good ride today. Started from home around 6.50 am, up Ampang Hill, passed Batu 14, 18, T junction, up Perez. Was surprised to see such a huge group at the top. I sort of have a new fan in UPIQ, ha ha.

The bicycle was in very good condition after the servicing by Edwin. I didn't use the new wheels as the gear/chain was making some noise. I hope Razani can fix it in Miri. Joo Ngan's group also came up, Dr K who I did the KL Marathon with in nineteen eighty something.

Went to Tekala rest place, then I started to feel lethargic and skipped going up Perez for round two (bad boy). The sun was coming out, had a puncture going up Ampang Hill. Conveniently Albert and Freddie were driving by, so they helped me with the puncture (the gas cannisters were not working). Thank you Freddie and Albert.

RIDE STATS

110 KM. Average 21.6 km/hr. Almost 5hrs.

The bike has been packed into the new hard bike case. It took me and my wife a good few hours to gingerly pack the bike. I hope its usable in Miri.

In the STAR!

I was browsing celebrity OP UPIQ's blog and came across a link to the STAR's report on the A Famosa race which has a pic of fat yours truly at the back.

The STAR's article

New Racing Rims and Saddle

Hmmm. I seem to be getting more serious or just plain stupid.

About one week ago I bought new cycling shoes based on unsolicited recommendation of the bike mechanic. My previous Shimanos were a constant pain to my feet. I thought it was because of my heel pain. Anyway the new Pearl Izumis were properly fixed using some equipment that the shop has. I really like the new shoes, though I seem to be cycling slower.

I have been watching a recording of Faris Al Sultan doing the recent Langkawi race umpteen times and notice that he sits right at the tip of the saddle. I tried doing it the past two rides and found the position very painful on the crotch. I told Edwin Ng and he thought I was a wimp. Then my wife said "Look honey this saddle is soft". So I bought the soft saddle (a Physique Tri 2 model). I tried the new saddle on the trainer two hours ago and it felt much better than my previous saddle.

I know the place to save time on the bike is the wheels. I nonchalantly told my wife at the shop, she told Edwin and before I knew it, Edwin brought these "Fullspeedahead" wheel sets. I have not even heard of the brand. Mr Cheah (P2K fame and the President of TRIAM) knew about the wheels and said they were very good value for money. I was initially very reluctant with all the money flowing out recently for Busselton. But the wife was OK with them, so I bought the wheels too. The wheels are to used only for racing.

To finance all this I will sell two or three lots of my company's shares (don't know why I am writing all this).

What I need to get now is a Large or X-Large wet suit. I had trouble just getting my ankles into my medium sized wet suit that I have since 1992.

This Sunday I am going to try out all this new stuff at Ulu Langat. The following week its the Miri race.

Another Weekly Roundup

Monday
Nothing

Tuesday
21 X 100 m at Shah Alam (forgot the vaseline)

Wednesday
Nothing

Thursday
11 x 100m

Friday
Nothing
(So far a very pathetic week)

SATURDAY ("RIDE WITH YUSRAN")
Left the house around 7 am, up Ampang Hill, called Yusran at Batu 18. Yusran only slept around 2 am and told me to go first. Yusran will catch up.

Met four other cyclists on the way to the Nirvana Coffee Shop. Nice chat. Lots of road works betwen Broga and Lenggeng. The roadworks have worsen. It is going to get worse before it gets better. It will definitely take a good few months (six?) before this stretch is completed.

Stopped at Lenggeng, had half boiled eggs which upsetted my tummy. The weather was very very kind throughout. Up Lenggeng Hill, didn't feel as smooth as the previous time, but never mind. Up Bukit Tangga, just took my time. At the top it rained, heavily all the way to Kuala Kelawang.
Thank you RAIN, it keeps us cool.

Lunch at KK, tried to call Yusran but his phone was off. Good lunch, tummy OK. The locals now are no longer amazed by us. I think about a month ago, about two hundred cyclists came by. They wondered why I was alone. RM7 for a simple rice and mineral water. Inflation has arrived even to the Kampongs. Told them a friend will be coming later. I left at 12.50 pm. Yusran came just after 2 pm, he started very late.

It was still raining, good. So I made it comfortably, passed Titi, up Perez, passed Batu 18, Batu 14, up Ampang Hill and reached home about 4.30pm I think.

Yusran started at 10.20 am from Batu 18 and actually did his loop a good 1.5 hrs faster than me.

RIDE STATS
178KM
8 HRS 45MIN
Ave, 20.x km/hr
Slept from 7pm to 7 am after.

4,000,000 baht prize?

The Trat-Chanthaburi Long Distance Triathlon was held over the weekend. Its web-site claimed 4,000,000 Baht (RM400,000) was on offer.

Our Dr Fiona Lim and Razani came in second overall supposedly winning 200,000 Baht each. No prize winner has received their money yet.

Fiona has recorded the trip very well. Our Shahrom and Zafrul dnf.

Weekly Training Roundup

new cycling shoes (my feet don't hurt anymore)

Monday and Tuesday

Nothing



Wednesday

2.9km swim at Bukit Jalil (crowded)



Thursday

Nothing (I don't train much on weekdays as a I'm always tired from work)



Friday

100M x 28 at Shah Alam Indoor Pool. A lane to yourself, perfectly clean - I will come here more often.



Saturday

30 mins jog/light exercise organised by the Company for all staff.

(Whilst everyone else was doing the Pondan Broga ride, Cameron Highlands etc)



SUNDAY

Joo Ngan has a respectable sized group now with Nicklas - Swede, Andrew Wong, Freddie Loong (comes all the way from Seremban), Queen Dimples too?, a very tall white lady (new), a white man and a few others actually. They started at 7.30 am at Batu 14.



Anyway, I didn't join them as I wanted to "make every training second". I had to be home by 1 pm to attend a Company wedding.



Left home around 6.40 am, Ampang Hill, waved to Joo Ngan's group at Batu 14, waved to Andrew at Batu 18, up Perez (slow 37 mins even though pushing), passed the Dam, waved to Joo Ngan's Group down the steep hill and stopped at the Tekala rest area. 2 hrs 48 mins (slow I don't know why).



Back exactly the same way I came. Surprisingly saw Joo Ngan's group (minus Joo Ngan and the girls) whilst going up Perez for the second time(36 mins, faster a bit). I supppose everyone is motivated by the Giro.



Reached home just before 1 PM. I was so exhausted and just slept on the floor for 30 mins (so much for rushing to a wedding).



STATS

122 km

21.4 km/hr average

5 hrs 41 min on meter ( a bit slow even for me)



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