IMWA 2010: Post race

Lunch the day after. It was brilliant, we managed to get all the "Malaysians" over (except for Denis Oakley whom we couldn't locate). Thank you to Claris and Tip for this sumptuous meal.

Miro, Nicole (wife) and Mathew (7 months old) managed to join us to add to the happiness. We acknowledge our brilliant supporters, Claris and Tip.

Malaysia boleh man. We all finished.

Rebekah Keat (2nd Pro Female) couldn't resist taking a picture with Kevin and me.


This is the start of a Charity Mile run the day after. Contestants have to down a can of beer, run to the swim start (about 200m away) and back... repeat four times. They were panting and tipsy all at the same time. The dark chap in the middle is Gi Singh. He does Triathlons everywhere wearing that pink underwear.

After the Mile run Gi Singh (12 hrs 58 mins) had his hair, locks, moustache, beard etc. cut off for a friend who was having cancer. Gi is 28 years old and has never shaved in his life. His last haircut was many years ago.

Everything gone now, for charity

The awards dinner. We did it.

Finally we met Denis Oakley at the Awards Dinner. Denis was full of laugh and cheer in spite of his camper van having serious problems that it couldn't even move.

Tuesday we went sightseeing. First stop was the horse riding school for Melissa and Tip

"You sure the horse won't move. I have never been on one before"

Tip with the Stable Boy. Melissa is in the background.

Tip has a knack for getting along with all humans. Even the horse (named Katie) liked Tip

A natural

Yallingup Beach view point

Its breathtaking

All the pretty ladies (Melissa, Claris, May Senn and Tip) at Canal Rocks. Hold the skirt down ladies, its windy.

Still at Canal Rocks (May Senn and Ariff)

Canal Rocks

Canal Rocks

We then went to Voyager Estate that was recommended by Kevin. Nice one Kevin, the place is beautiful.

It was our utmost pleasure to bump into Mickie Shapiro and Al Tarkington from San Diego. They are both super bubbly people, it was just wonderful talking to them. Mickie is 74 years old and has qualified for Kona thirteen times. Al is 71 years old and came in 2nd in his age group at IMWA (15 hrs 6 mins).

Chatting in the cold under the huge Aussie flag (Richard, Al, Mickie, myself and Stephanie Tarkington)

On the drive back to Perth. Final goodbye to the cycling route.

IMWA 2010: Pre-race

Kevin took us to Subiaco Market when we arrived. You can see that Richard eats right, that's why he did 11hr 3 mins.

Unpacking

Unpacking done. Richard & Melissa Gaudart

Goofing with Nik Ariff. The 12 meters no drafting zone is a long distance.

Race registration

Timing chip's alright


It was brilliant. We were always eating home cooked food. L to R : Kevin, Richard Tang, Claris (Richard's wife), Tip and Melissa (who did most of the dishes this meal - Saturday lunch)

Bike and Run Bags checked in

Sight seeing at the Busselton Jetty.

Richard devouring the Athlete's Guide. He is very meticulous in everything. Thus gets his due reward (11 hr 3 mins).

Saturday dinner. Proper home cooked food, thus we all did well. Thank you to our lovely ladies (Melissa, Tip and Claris)

trikidz by Azwar

Old Putera 1973 Reunion

I joined the Royal Military College in 1973 aged 14 years 4 months (Form 4) and left in Aug 1975. The Military camaradarie was intense. I considered Old Puteras and especially my Batch of 1973 as my closest brothers ever. In Form 4 we underwent one full year of solid Military Hell. We were ready "to die" for each other, very willingly enduring Military punishments for each other without batting an eyelid.

I for very personal reasons, did not keep in touch with my band of brothers. Then, after 35 years I got a phone call from the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy no less. "Please come, we want to see you". I was immediately sold.

They distributed a list of where my buddies were. I called a few names. When I heard the voice of my closest friend then, I broke into tears.

So on 3 Oct, all of us met at the Tajine Restaurant, KL. 88 Old Puteras turned up and many brought their wives. One OP (Dr Nordin) paid for everyone (again). About 10% of us, unfortunately have died. Most are now big wigs (who cares). One person came in a huge red Porche with personalised number plates, another was a taxi driver.

No tears were shed, I am going to make sure I turn up for every reunion from now.

Seng Kai Hoy was the Prop of our revered College Rugby Team. He was bigger then but could pull off 400m in 60 secs.

Nasir (Chet). We were buddies in the UK too. He was at Bristol

Prof Aziz and Salehudin Ariffin ( A Coy - my Company)

A Company

Zazili Jaafar (Tarzan). The rock in defence of our esteemed College Rugby, Hockey and Football teams. We were in the UK together too. He went to Manchester and of course supports Manchester United

KAL. The star of our College Football Team. He is a freaking Dato' now man.

Kamal Md Nor. My classmate

Nordin. He paid for everything (again). He is the best Rugby player I have ever seen and was an outstanding boxer too. At College he came to my dormitory to bash up someone who was giving me a hard time.

The freaking Chief of Navy people. The nicest chap on the planet.

Nantha Kumar. The smartest chap in our Batch

Rosli (gymnast and rugby prop), Fuad hurdler, Tarmizi Apache, Halim Mat chief ragger and Ghani Sulaiman, another chap who will die for you.

Our wives

The boys (88 of us)

A Company, my Company

Alwi. The best friend I ever had in my life. I just cried when I heard his voice on the phone.

the wives

Hasnor Yahya and Hadi (A Coy)

The next reunion is on the last Tuesday of October at the same location at 8.30 p.m. I will be there.

Newton 25 km

The nicest part of the run, bonding with OP Chan Jun Shen for the last 10 km. The comments on FB from other OPs and even from his parents after the run were very nice. (Thanks OP Stupe for the pic.). Heck I am older than his Dad.

Thanks OP Chan. 2 hr 31 m. 16th out of 90 in my category

Doc ran more than 40 km that morning

Cecil Cheong (1 hr 49 min). Has only done one long run he said, is that true?

When I grow up, I want a waist just like that


Uphills were OK. Its the downhills that stresses the quads

Bunny Kar Yan (2 hr 20 m). Richard Tang (2 hr 12 m). We are going to share the same Villa at IMWA

Keat Seong (2 hr 25 m), Tomatoman (2 hr 6 m), Mich Looi (3rd 12 km run) and Ralph Dixon ( 2 hr 19 m)

Chris (2 hr 25 m)

Well done to:

1. My regular running partner John Tan (2 hr 6 m PHEW) and his wife, Wai Mun who won the 12 km
2. Mrs Stupe, her longest ever event. 3 hr 55 m
3. Simon, his non stop jokes, triathlon wisdom and lavish praise of others
4. Kevin Siah's dad.
5. Miro (2 hr 6 m)
6. Nik aikay, Juliana Ali, TSB, Doc Pui San, Emma, Cynthia, OP Stupe, Sonny, Don Khor, Zul Hassan, Adeline, Ezer, OP CK, Zairin, Ong Boon Hin, Hoo Ching Tai, Lee Woon Khow for your cheers.

Another outstanding race by Mr Chan. Results super fast, best goody bag, good aid stations etc.

Sunday, 19 Sep 10

Oops - on Raya Day

19 Sep. My most favourite Raya Open House. The Malakoff Raya Open House

A.J. (our most gracious host), Adele (with baby), Randy & Ivie Ong, Awea, Bandit, Ariff & May Senn, Nadzim Manan etc.

Runners after their morning run, crowding around Mac.

Many runners this Sunday because the Newton race collection for next week was also held at the car park.

My "run group" was A.J. and Hoo Ching Cheong.

The run was fun with the many other runners on the road. We got to Petronas and the loop in a quick time. Took drinks and got back to the car park in 2 hrs 0 mins which is 1 min slower than my PB done on Thursday. I noticed it was pure concentration from Hoo C C this Sunday unlike on Thursday. I loved the run. A.J. had to stop at the car park as he was getting cramps. After our drinks etc. , Hoo and myself set off for another 8km. Hoo was pure concentration and maintained a brilliant consistent pace. I just hung on.

We got back in 2 hrs 54 min knocking off my previous PB on Thursday by 4 mins.

Msia Day SKINS Test

Not quite sure whats happening to my running nowadays. There was quite a large crowd of the regular runners on the road. The Triathlon crowd was not there though, all preparing in earnest for Desaru.

I decided to give the SKINS suit I bought in Perth a test in Malaysian weather. My running group consisted of John Tan, IM Hoo Ching Cheong, IM Hoo Ching Tai, Lee Woon Khow (all regular Marathon runners) and myself.

My PB for the regular 20 km route was 2 hr 2 min (which I thought could never be broken). Today it was 1 hr 59 min (including stops). After a longish 7 min wait, Hoo C C and myself proceeded to do my customary additional 8 km (I don't do an extra 10 km or 20 km OK, just 8 km).

My PB for the 28 km (with stops) was 3 hr 8 min. This time I did 2 hr 58 min. At IM China, Hoo CC outran me by a good 2.5 hours. Now we are about the same.

As Simon says, the key is to reduce one's weight to improve performance. I suppose the SKINS suit has passed its test with flying colours. Don't tell anyone I mistakenly wore it inside out.

Selamat Hari Raya

Selamat Hari Raya everyone from Tip and me. Thanks for the well wishes. Maaf Dzahir dan Batin (please forgive my mistakes).

Pictures taken by Brother Tey (thanks again and again) this morning (12 Sep 2010)