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)

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.