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)

AUD $27.99

A downside of racing overseas is the lack of photographs. When in Malaysia Tey alone provided 7,000 pics for IM Langkawi. The recent PD Tri, I didn't bother going through all the photos because they were just too many.

In Perth, Mohan the Great and Pui-San raced with a digital camera. They posted many nice photos on Facebook.

I am embarassed to say I paid AUD 27.99 for these few measly photos, ha ha.

Running through Kings Park (20km to 30km)

The first half of the race by Swan River (flat)
We had good company

Last 10 km was hilly

Last push to the finish banner

Done

ROCKTAPE's kind offer

Through a comment on my previous post, the brilliant people at ROCKTAPE have offered samples to anyone that needs them. Just e-mail scott@rocktape.com.

I did slash my marathon time by 39 minutes. What I can really confirm is that the ROCKTAPE Team at the Perth Marathon were very nice to us. They are also very honest too. Steve (see picture) very kindly pointed out to me that I had accidentally dropped AUD20 as I flipped out my handphone.

With Steve of ROCKTAPE

Perth Race Report

Obviously I have nothing better to do.

SKINS

SKINS is an Australian Company that makes compression wear for sports. I already use 2XU and Compressport for my calves and thighs, so I thought I would give SKINS (official sponsor) a try at the EXPO.

Compression wear improves blood circulation (oxygen flow) which in turns improves endurance and recovery, reduces fatigue and injury. I think the real benefit is for recovery. If you sleep wearing compression wear, you will wake up very much ready to go.

There was a discount and the EXPO people really knew their product. With compression wear, its important to get a proper fit.

The good thing about SKINS, is the quality of the material. It keeps you totally dry. It feels extremely comfortable and doesn't restrict movement in the slightest. It is a top notch product. It also has anti bacterial properties which I hope means I can wear it without scratching. It also has a 50 SPF sun rating.

The only downside I am aware off is that, it is not suitable for swimming in the pool, as chlorine spoils the material.

Well I did slash my KL Marathon time by 39 minutes.

ROCK TAPE

Again the ROCKTAPE people at the EXPO were brilliant. Even Tip got her feet taped.

We all have a point in our bodies that will fatigue first or a niggling injury somewhere. So what you do is you tape that part of the body and let the Tape take the weight of the exertion. There is a way to putting on the tape (not that difficult to understand).

Cadel Evans used it during the recent Tour De France right down his elbow. So because the Tape is taking the weight, injury is reduced and of course your performance will improve. Looking at their brochure, some people seem to wrap their whole body with the Tape. I only placed it on my problematic feet.

Something was working, I slashed my time by 39 minutes over a hilly route.

RACE DAY

The Marathon started at 6.30 a.m. It was cold but not freezing cold. Some people wrapped themselves in dust bin bags, some only had their running singlets. The race start was very near to our Motel. So no problems.

The first 21 km was pancake flat. I decided to go as fast as I could without killing myself. The run was beautiful, mostly around the Swan River for the first 21 km. Aid stations were good but no distance markers. 2 hours 1 min someone by the road said. A fellow runner told me that was the half way point.

It suddenly became hilly. I wasn't that bothered and actually hammered through King's Park. It was bust or nothing for me.

After King's Park (about 32 km), we joined the 35,000 or so 12KM runners. I started to hit the wall. It was chaotic, all of them were overtaking me. I was going slower and slower but did not walk. The Half Marathon people also started to zoom by. Children and all kinds of people started to over take me.

The City to Surf Run is actually not a serious Marathon run. Its a fancy dress charity run. The biggest surprise of the whole trip was when Kevin Siah's darling (Li-Ann) called my name. "Malaysia Boleh" she screamed as she stormed by. Gosh how did she spot me, I didn't know she could run so fast.

I struggled the last 8 km or so. The thighs were burning. I wanted to pee. The first distance marker I saw was at 41 km!!!!!! Gosh what good was that. The fancy dress people in an ambulance overtook me. I had to get them back. As I saw the finish banner, tears almost came to me. So relieved I was the pain was ending.

Heck there were throngs of people beside me. The Marathon runners were not special at all.

As soon as I got someone to take my picture, I smsed everyone back home my 4 hours 18 minutes.

I waited for Tip sitting on a chair beside the medical tent. In Malaysia, I would have been told off for taking up space. But In Australia, no one scolded me, in fact they asked how I was. The society here has evolved to such a high level. It was fun to watch the thousands of 12km participants finishing.

I didn't see the sea, don't know why it called "City to Surf". Its a beautiful race.

Perth 4 hours 18 mins

Our Motel, it was brilliant

We had to hang outside before check in
It was freezing for us brown folks

Went sightseeing at King's Park the next day

Marathon runners have to run up King's Park twice

Trying to impress the missus on race morning (it didn't work). SKINS baby (purchased at the EXPO)

ROCK TAPED the feet

Finally met Mohan the Great. He finished his 102nd Marathon in 5 hours flat and is going to China the following weekend. (Before the race start, 6.30 a.m.)

The finish was a let down. The few Marathon runners finished with the masses of other runners. No throngs of photographers like we have in KL. 4 hrs 18 minutes baby

Tip went straight to the Medical tent after her 12 km. She only started at 10 a.m., it was so hot. The medical people, indeed all of Australia were very nice.

Tip wore her thermals (still groggy after the race)

40,000 participants

Steve, the brilliant chap from ROCK TAPE. They were very nice to us.

My buddy of more than 20 years. GUY TAYLOR. He did the 12 km

Husband and wife safely completed their respective events

52 years old today

Today (18 August), I am 52 years old.

One month ago

Exactly one year ago (Desaru)

Dr Tan doing the Taklamakan Desert run on Friday

My long time comrade in arms, Dr Tan Tah Ming will be doing the Taklamakan Desert Ultramarathon this Friday, 20 Aug 2010. He is doing it with a neighbour. They both havn't trained.
Its a 100km desert run that has to be completed within 48 hours. hee hee

RESULTS:

Completed 42 hrs 8 mins wooo hoooooo

Flights for IM China done

Today, I did my flights for IM China which is nine months away. Going on Friday and returning on Monday. I might not even be able to go due to work. I am nuts.

The total fare (return) was a bit below RM500, which is less than for IM China at Hainan. Registration for the race is still not open. Jocelyn Wong is very serious about doing this race.

UPDATE 1:

Four others have also done their flights:

1. Hoo Ching Cheong (IM China regular)
2. Ong Boon Hin (IM China regular)
3. Jason Thiang (my friend since the 1980s)
4. Allan Lee (from Klang)

They are leaving on the Friday and coming back on Wednesday.

BTW the Great Wall Marathon (nearby) is on 21st May 2011.

UPDATE 2:

The following will also most probably be going:

1. Emma Bishop
2. Siok Bee
3. Chris Khrang
4. Simon Cross
5. Sam Pritchard
6. Carmen
7. Jap Sam
8. K. K. Lee

A very happy birthday Juliana Ali

IM Nor Juliana Ali hosted her birthday lunch at Hadramawt Restaurant, Chulan Square on Sunday, 8 Aug. Her real birthday was on 3 Aug.

As I have gotten to know her more and more, I have found her to be a truly wonderful person. She is genuinely happy to make friends with anyone, caring, sensitive etc. She encourages the fast ones, comforts the beginners, coaches the young ones, gives back to the sport ... a truly wonderful person. Her post on the Siemens Run will show that she is happy with all, whatever shape, age, colour. The best quality of her that I like is that she makes friends with all races.

The food at Hadramawt was excellent. The food was over ordered. I think it was double what was actually needed. So all of us took lots of food home.

The company was of course my kind of crowd. IM and our supporters. We stayed there a good 3.5 hours eating and talking about our sport.

She presented a couple of slide shows which just evidences that she likes everyone. One slide show was on Ngae's funeral. You could hear a pin drop.

Nizar, IM OP Chan (Universities Top Male Duathlete), OP CK, IM Yip, IM Ezer, IM AJ etc. Mary (we have not seen her since 2006), Jaja and her baby (Alia) CK

Julie doing the slide show next to the military University students (whom Julie very kindly sent back)
Hi Alia

A very happy birthday Julie and THANK YOU for the lunch treat. Congrats on winning the Top Duathlete Female Award.

SUNDAY'S RUN

Well it was a PB for the 28 km by 6mins. 3 hrs 8 mins total. Weather was again perfect. I was quite a few minutes down after 20 km (without John Tan) but I was inspired by Simon's very very kinds words to my previous post... so I knew a PB for the 28km was very much in me.

I ran alone mostly as John Tan did the Hat Yai run where he finished top ten in his age group and got interviewed by the Thai media, yay...

Tip did her double hill walk. Sold her granola bars. Nowadays people will very quickly ask about my weight. So I tell them I am eating my wife's granola bars. "She sells them at the car park you know", thats all the marketing I know.

Had breakfast, did a 30 mins swim and went for the birthday lunch.

Sunday 1 Aug 2010

Tip was smiling (which is what its all about) with the sales of her Granola Bars. Paul Lee increased his usual order whilst TSB (I like the look of his blog. Al-Fatihah for your Papa. I am so sorry, its only now I heard about it) and Mac became first time customers. The Granola Bars are good stuff, thank you gentlemen. I guess I am the advertisement for them.

The weather was perfect, not that many people at the car park but most of our usual friends were there. I ran with John Tan.

We recorded a total time of 2 hrs 6 mins to Petronas Loop and back (1 hr 4 min + 4.5 mins rest + 58 min). This is my second fastest time ever for this route.

Then on my own I did (after 4.5 mins water stop) the 8km route in 1 hr 3 mins. So a total time of 3 hrs 14 min (including stops) for the 28 km. My PB.

I think I sort of know what to do, to not get the customary pain in my thighs. The run did not happen for me at PD, but I hope it will at the Perth Marathon.

Tip walked the double hill which is quite an effort for her. At Perth she will do the 12 km walk.

Breakfast (curry - oops) was paid for by Tip. The first time she has ever treated me using money she earned herself. I am so proud of her.