12 October 2007

Seeking forgiveness & wishing you well...

Dear all,

From the bottom of my heart...
Sorry for being so quiet...
Sorry for being away for too long...
Sorry for not being active lately...
Sorry for not joining you in the long runs & training..
Sorry for everything...
Sorry for all my wrongdoing..
For things I did wrong...
For words that might hurt...
For jokes you cannot take...
For advise you cannot accept...

I admit that for now...
I'm taking a long break...
To rest & to spring-clean...
To devote myself during this holy month of Ramadhan..
To prepare for a great celebration of a great festive..
And for all of the above....
I'm sincerely wishing all of you -
"SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI,


and MAAF ZAHIR & BATIN"
..


Let's celebrate this Hari Raya Aidilfitri in peace & harmony!!

20 September 2007

Moonwalk...

I read somewhere about a study of 8000 men that over a 12-year period, the study found that walking just two miles a day cut the risk of death almost in half. The walkers' risk of death was especially lower from cancer. Those who walked infrequently were about 2 1/2 times more likely to die of cancer than were the two-mile-a-day men. These were men age 60 and above who appeared in good enough health to be able to walk. Those who did walk were less likely to die in the 12 years that followed.


There's so much that have been said about the "Great Health Effects of Walking". Walking and other kinds of exercise probably protect the heart and circulatory system by raising HDL, the good cholesterol, and keeping weight down. Experts suspect it may help prevent cancer by beneficial effects on the immune system and hormone levels, among other things. Walking also contributes to "regularity" which in turn reduces the risk of colon cancer. Studies are in the works to see if walking helps prevent breast cancer.


Water and exercise prevent colorectal cancer: Drink up and get moving, a study in Taiwan found 83% less colorectal cancer in men who exercise as opposed to sedentary men. They found no effect in women, but that may be because women in Taiwan are rarely sedentary as they do plenty of hard housework. Moderate exercise benefits the heart: You don't have to feel the burn. Just 30 minutes a day of walking brings as much risk reduction for heart attack as a high-intensity exercise program


So that's what I'm doing right now in this holy month of Ramadan... just walking, no running, in the gym or in the park. Someone said, "Encourage the ones you love to get out and walk regularly so they will be around longer."


Cheers to walking ~ stay healthy and stay on the trail!!

: )

12 September 2007

Happy Fasting dear friends!!

To all my Muslim friends, wishing you all "Selamat Berpuasa".. hope you have a good one-month rest, before you go on with your next races...


SALAM RAMADAN AL-MUBARAK!!

10 September 2007

Away Awhile...

Sorry, been away for so long... as usual, busy like a bee... of course, the workload, till got no time to participate in any races...

Collection of pictures on what I did for the past 2 months...




Will be back shortly... hang on!!

30 July 2007

What's next??

That would be....

The Edge-Bursa Malaysia Rat Race ~ 7th August 2007


and just before the fasting month, another good race to go, then one-month rest from any run races...

Mizuno 10km Wave Run ~ 9th September 2007



Giddy-up...

:)

06 July 2007

The rocking Siemens Run..

Good Luck & have fun to all those running this Sunday...
Siemens Run will be a happening race over the weekends.. because everyone had their warm-ups during the Penang Bridge Marathon & Ipoh International Half-Marathon recently.


On your mark, get set, gooooooooooooooooooo......
:)

30 June 2007

My 5th marathon stories...

Finally..... my side of story on the Penang Bridge International Marathon 2007... Have been too busy with work & even too busy for the recovery run, but will do it over the weekends. Nothing great & nothing much to share. There were some points that make me happy, sad & angry during my stay in Penang. That's normal I supposed.

Day 1

The journey from KL to Penang took about 5 hours after few stops at the R&R area. Crossed the bridge & arrived at Queensbay Mall by 2.00pm & collected all the necessary running stuff. Of all, only met Ms Jewelz with Eric Teo & wife. Also 1st time met Ngae who did his Sahara Ultra Marathon recently. Later, left to check-in at my company's resort at Tg Bungah & had lunch at Subaidah Nasi Kandar. Plus-minus, by 10.00pm, back to the hotel, to get some rest, preparing for the next day's race.




Day 2 ~ Race day...

1.30am, got up & get ready. Felt so tired & sleepy still, regretted for not sleeping earlier. By 2.00am, started the vehicle to go to the starting point & suddenly saw a big group of motorcyclists doing their remp-it & wikang styles ahead of me & I had to give way & slowed down. I knew if I overtook them or even give the horn signal, they'll go rampage & created havoc. From Tg Bungah till Sg Gelugor, I had to give-in & just bear with the situation. My patience was really getting thin at that time. I know I can't do anything but just to follow the traffic. Why on earth should they be around at that time, I said to myself, only later I realised that, it's a "Malam Minggu" & of course for all those who loves clubbing, it's an important fiesta night for them.

3.05am, I arrived at one junction where the police traffic told me, the race has just started & advised me to quickly park my vehicle & go to the starting line if I still wanted to race. Without hesitation, I just parked, put-off my sweater & ran as fast as I could to the starting line about 500m away, then gave my reporting slip to the marshall who told me that I'm late by 15 mins but they gave me a starting wristband & I just started running. My mood & spirit was really down that time & I thought I was the last runner, but when I started my 1st loop, I saw 2 Thailand guys have just arrived & they're late too. About 2km, the 2 runners than overtook me which also meant that I was the last runner. Lucky me, the marshall on the motorbike escorted me during the 1st loop of 6km before I headed to the bridge. I knew that I was behind by 3km away from the rest of the marathoners. I set my mind that I'll chase & try to catch up as many runners as I could. I ran faster than normal as I could till I got the chest pain.

Once entered the bridge, my head told me to stop & turn back when I realized that I didn't do a proper warm-up & stretching, didn't wear my watch, left my MP3, I didn't apply any Sloan & didn't even carry any Powergels. In fact, I didn't even had my proper PowerBar as I always did. But I just couldn't stop my legs from running & enjoying the strides on the bridge. So I just do it for the sake of doing it. I overtook one after another of the full marathon runners, glad that they didn't recognized me as I just kept silent all the way & not in my usual cheerful mood greeting everybody I knew.

Remembering Lai the Pacemakers's advice to start slow on the 1st 10km, I really went slow as I've ran at a very fast speed during the 1st loop of 6km. I didn't know exactly my 10km timing, but only realised that the half-marathon runners has started. After PM1 Ronnie & PM17 Ryan passed by, I ran a bit faster as I knew I need to catch up with time. I just ran & ran & ran & took one wristband after another from the marshalls & passed by PM22 Tey who was so busy taking pictures of the marathon celebrities. Glad that he didn't see me as I was also hoping that no pictures taken on my sour-face & bad-mood look. At certain points, I didn't even stopped for a drink. My legs felt good & I just ran & ran & ran.. till I realized that I've reached the finishing line.

Felt relieved that it has ended, passed all the multi-coloured wristband to the officials & grabbed my medal. I even forgot to check the timing & no one that I knew waited for me at the finishing line, not even any photographers around to take my finishing photo, but it's OK, I'm not the Champion or a marathon superstar that needs an attention. While walking towards the rest area behind the stage, I asked someone who wore a watch what time was it. Just can't believe my eyez, it was 8:15am. Said to myself, "Not bad lah. I was the last in but not the last out."

Saw Julie Ms Jewelz & her friends & we took some pictures together. I just rested myself near the Brooks Running Team & later went over to the medical tent to get some packed iced for my aching feet. While I was having the good treatment time, I saw some Red Crescent guys carrying a stretcher & to my surprise, it was Raihan!! Pity him, I dunno what happened to him as he seemed to be in pain. Before that, I saw Eric Teo being dripped due to heat stress. Eric finished his run by 4:30hrs if I'm not mistaken. He was taken to the Penang Hospital for further treatment, while I rested under the tent till they packed their things. My car was parked so far away & I was so lazy to walk to the car. I waited till the end of the lucky draw & no luck on my side, then only I went to the car & headed straight to the hotel to pack & checked out.

Before leaving Penang Island, went for nasi kandar again, then "lepak2" at Padang Kota for the good food. By 9.00pm, started the journey back to KL & stopped for rest & short nap at 3 R&Rs along the hi-way. Reached "home-sweet-home" safely in one piece by 3.00am.

All my anger & sadness of the Penang Bridge Marathon has gone away by that time.... Phewwwww...

:)

21 June 2007

HAPPY FEET!!


To all fellow runners, wishing you HAPPY RUNNING!!!


Make sure you run on the correct route accordingly, or else you'll find yourself on top of Bukit Bendera!!! :)



See you there!!!

Yours truly,
~NEZZ~

11 June 2007

My training days...

Went to my favourite training playground @ Kepong Metropolitan Park on Saturday 2nd June and did 2 laps x 3.65km = 7.3km

Went again on Saturday 9th June & saw the Pacemakers Team and decided to join them in their fellowship run.

Paid RM5 to Mrs PM1 & the guys have started their run at 7.20am. Later I followed them on their 2nd lap onwards and managed to complete 4 laps. Thank you to DK for recording my running time. The running track was quite tough & I did a real slow & steady pace. My timing was :-
1'50:42 (20:41 / 25:32 / 29:51 / 34:38) - 14.6km




Penang Bridge Marathon is just around the corner. I think I'm ready to run a marathon again and it's gonna be my 5th marathon.

God bless!

28 May 2007

For once in a year...

Penang Bridge International Marathon is just round the corner. I just wanna make the best of my Penang Bridge Marathon this year. Last year, I ran while I was still in my sadness & mourning mood over my father's death. I even cried in between the run & luckily no one noticed. But I realised later, the sadness turned out to be my strength to finish up the 42.195km run. So, this time, I'll still be remembering that moment a year ago, crying on the Penang Bridge. Finished by 5:20:00 hrs at the 19th position of Women Open Category, behind Reita K, the Fear Factor Season 1 Champion, I said to myself last year, "This may not be my fastest marathon, but it will be my most special."

Finally, for once in a year, the Penang Bridge will be closed for 7 hours on 24th June 2007. The race is back this year & I wanted to make the most of the race day. I'm browsing thru my marathon "checklist" again for my own updates & reminder.

# Keep on training & to be ready to adjust my pace on race day.
# Best advice & to keep reminding myself - "Start easy - don't push the pace,"
# To practice running easy up & down a hill to strengthen the quads
# To decide on the running shoe - Saucony Phoenix Grid 2 or Mizuno Racer
# Running attire - DONE!

Some pictures from last year's Penang Bridge Marathon...



21 May 2007

Double route via Double Hill

New Balance Pacesetters 15km Run
Sunday, 20th May 2007
Padang Merbok, KL


Put on my Saucony Phoenix Grid 2 for the 15km run. Felt good & the softness supported my ankle throughout the run. The Double Hill route was not that bad. I love running uphill actually. At first, I aimed to finish by 1:15hrs but later changed my mind to finish within 1:30 - 1:45hrs. Finally, plus-minus, did it by 1:43++ I think so, will check the online results at the Pacesetters website soon. Met Julita, Haza, Zailan, PM1 & frenz, the SG runners & all the familiar runners. A very well organized running event.




While walking to the car to go home, dropped by at the Pacesetters tent & saw Ms Jenny sorting out the GE-Pacesetters 30km Run Certificates (with photo) which was held in January 2007. She told me that I could search for my own certificate, so I did. A nice certificate. Call up the Pacesetters's office if you want to have yours.

07 May 2007

It's green all over...

Saturday, 5 May 2007 @ 7.00am
Stadium Darul Aman, Alor Setar, Kedah.
Larian Bendang 21km
Route : 8km on the main road, 10km on the road in the padi field, 3km on the road to the finishing line.


Pictures taken by Rachel PM21 & Raihan, SG Team. Thank you guys!!




The green surrounding especially the padi field was so beautiful & awesome. I was speechless!!

Finished the run with good feelings & most of all won RM100 plus nice medal.
Thank you to YSB.

23 April 2007

Power Rootz...

Sunday, 22 April, Dataran Merdeka...

A bright & sunny Sunday. The race for 10km categories started 7.30am on the dot, and 15 minutes later for the 7km categories. I started slow & maintain my speed at my ease. Finished the 10.93km by 69mins 35secs. OK lah. The ankle pain didn't come at all, so kind of 'her'. At the finishing line, the organizer gave me a numbered card, but I forgot what's the number, anyway I managed to get the medal. That's good enough. Later, as usual, the photo sessions... Thanking PM22Tey for his wonderful photos..

The start...


The finishing...


The group photo...


Julie & me with the Top 4 winners.. :)
(the guy in orange colour t-shirt won 1st @ Jogathon Warisan at Kwong Tong Cemetery on the same day & time)



Glad to meet & get to know all the cheerful runners for the day... that's why it's called Power Run..
:)

20 April 2007

SPACE RACE

The Malaysia International Aerospace Adventure 2007 (MIA 2007) will be held in Kuala Lumpur from 5th June to 7th August 2007.


THE MIA 2007 SPACE RACE
21 & 22 April 2007 * Berjaya Times Square

1st Prize: RM1500 cash
2nd Prize: RM1000 cash
3rd Prize: RM500 cash

So, if you wanna check out on The Race, just be there and Jojo Struys will be there too!!
:)

15 April 2007

Orange Juice...


Didn't really look forward to run but registered myself at Kelana Jaya Stadium. Turned out that I was the 1st to register in my category. Arrived half-an-hour earlier at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara & did some stretching & warm-up. The starting was a bit 'kelam-kabut' as the SAAA (Selangor AAA) didn't have enough manpower and the starting point was 'berterabur'. Saw some ladies being hit&run by other runners. Couldn't help as everybody were rushing & saw the Red Crescent people came over. The route written in the form was 9km but it turned out to be 10.4km. I just ran on my safe-pace as my ankle was still not in good condition. Managed to finish the 10.4km race by 1:10:25hrs within the top 20. The goodie bag was GOOD!!

Me, running with bib NO. 1...


With Pacemakers members... all showing off the prizes of BHP petrol voucher & petrol items & the marvellous goodie bag..


Hope that BHP will organize the run again next year with more goodies!!

09 April 2007

The thunder race...


Mirror mirror on the wall... who's the fastest of them all!!!


WORLD champion Fernando Alonso ended a 20-race victory drought for McLaren with an easy win in the Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang F1 Circuit on Sunday 8 April.


Briton Lewis Hamilton provided more cheers for the Mercedes-powered outfit when he took second place ahead of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, making him the first rookie in 43 years to clinch two consecutive podium finishes.

Alonso overtook Ferrari pole-sitter Felipe Massa as both cars headed into the first corner and had already built up a healthy lead of more than six seconds after the first 10 laps.


By the time the Spaniard steered his car to the pit wall as he approached the finish line to greet the cheering McLaren crew members, he had wrapped up the race by a margin of 17.557 seconds.

Alonso is the first McLaren winner in the Malaysian GP after Raikkonen in 2003. He is also the first McLaren race-winner since October 2005 when Raikkonen won the Japanese GP.


Hamilton also made things easier for Alonso when he passed both Ferrari cars after coming out of the first corner to move up from fourth on the starting grid to second.


However, Lewis Hamilton took the fastest race lap of the Malaysian Grand Prix on his way to second position behind McLaren-Mercedes team-mate Fernando Alonso. The first ten laps of the Grand Prix saw the rookie driver dropping roughly a second to his team-mate each lap, but with the Ferrari team tripping up, Hamilton was able to use his second set of medium Bridgestone tyres to make full use of the MP4-22 package and recorded his fastest lap of the race immediately after his first stop. That would later ensure that he had the gap to retain the second position.

Out front, lap times were not so important to Alonso who built up a solid cushion early on. The defending champion was able to control the race from the front, but was still the second fastest man in race conditions.

Felipe Massa had a race to forget after a number of errors, as he set the third fastest lap on his way to a disappointing fifth position while Kimi Raikkonen was fourth fastest on his way to third. While Hamilton proved fast after a short fuel at the first stop, Alonso, Massa and Raikkonen all set their fastest laps following the second stop – effectively after the race positions had been fundamentally decided.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but has Raikkonen opted to take the softer ‘medium’ compound mid-race when he was held up by Fisichella, perhaps his late race charge would have been enough to overhaul Hamilton.

Nick Heidfeld was fifth fastest on his way to fourth position while the notables include Giancarlo Fisichella who was just ninth fastest on his way to sixth in the race. Mark Webber struggled for race pace and it is therefore not too surprising he made no progress in the Grand Prix. Against the grain, Red Bull Renault opted for hard tyres at the start and medium tyres at the end allowing the Australian to close, but not pass rival Alex Wurz.

Top 10 fastest lap done...
1 . L. Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 - 1:36.701(+0.000) Lap 22
2 . F. Alonso - McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 - 1:36.861(+0.160) Lap 42
3 . F. Massa - Ferrari F2007 - 1:37.199(+0.498) Lap 42
4 . K. Raikkonen - Ferrari F2007 - 1:37.228(+0.527) Lap 40
5 . N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber F1.07 - 1:37.417(+0.716) Lap 55
6 . N. Rosberg - Williams Toyota FW29 - 1:37.704(+1.003) Lap 18
7 . H. Kovalainen - Renault R27 - 1:37.810(+1.109 ) Lap 41
8 . A. Wurz - Williams Toyota FW29 - 1:37.864(+1.163) Lap 19
9 . G. Fisichella - Renault R27 - 1:37.879(+1.178) Lap 44
10 . J. Trulli - Toyota TF107 - 1:38.016(+1.315) Lap 40


Actually, I'm not really a Formula One fan, but this race was really AWESOME!!!

Sepang International Circuit.... you're standing in the eyez of the world!!

06 April 2007

3-in-1... happenings in KL

Check them out....

MMU E-Charity Run @ Multimedia University, Cyberjaya on Saturday, 7th April 2007.

Larian Mesra PDRM...

Prepare for thunder @ Sepang Formula One Circuit which was designed to thrill!!

Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix...

You won't be seeing me @ MMU E-Run or Larian Mesra PDRM but I might be @ Sepang F1 Grand Prix if the weather permits.

Have fun over the weekends everyone!!

05 April 2007

A'Famosa Triathlon

Wishing all of you the best of luck in your A'Famosa Triathlon & have fun at A'Famosa Resort.


I'll have to bypass this time, might be doing it at Bukit Merah or Port Dickson.

So, do your triathlon wholeheartedly ok!!

Cheers... :)

03 April 2007

PD International Half Marathon 2007

"Concentration is the secret of strength." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

That's what I did during the Port Dickson International Half Marathon last Sunday, 1st April. I really struggled to finish up the 21.2km run as it was raining heavily from the start till the end.


I almost gave up & felt like stopping before the first 5km because it was so windy and I was wet from top to toe. I was running against the wind for almost 15km and with no proper running attire that suits the cold weather running and at the same time I've got to be alert of the dangerous possibility that a car may skid or slide. Till now, I still can't believe that I completed the run. It was amazing!! Just can't describe the feelings. It's totally different when I ran under the real hot & humid sun at Putrajaya Marathon last September. Yet for both, replenishing fluids was just as important. During the half-marathon, I stopped twice to get a gulp at the water station & collected the cold sponge to refresh. The traffic police also did a great job for taking control of the morning traffic. The roads were almost flooded. I carried extra weight, water in my shoes & a pair of wet socks. Lucky thing, I wore my running cap, or else my vision surely went blurr. Anyway, I enjoyed that Sunday run and throughout the difficulties, I managed to complete my 21.2km run @ 2:15:37hrs. I forgot to check my position but I saw on the notice board, it was written the no. 10th position was timed @ 1:52:45. Maybe I was the no. 11th or 12th. But that's OK. No big deal. The beautiful medal was a proof for the sweet struggle towards victory!!


MORAL OF THE STORY : Running in the rain is OK once in a while, however, running in the rain and dark every day is not pleasing to the spirit. Runners know no obstacles, especially when it comes down to the weather factor and runners too should get used to run in the sun, in the rain, lucky enough there's no snow here in Malaysia. To me, runners should also get used with extreme heat, extreme humidity or extreme cold, like it or not. Defeating the adversity of the elements makes the runners feel unstoppable, invincible. It adds to the challenge.

YES, ooooppppssss I DID IT again!!!
:)

01 April 2007

Larian F1

I was in the "Formula One"... :)




There were no official form, not even any advertisement or big publicities, but the "Larian F1" run-race was still on. If you are a frequent viewer of Scoreboard TV3 program on Monday & Tuesday @ 12.30am, then you'll get the chance to know about the announcement.

Therefore, I was there on last Saturday, 31st March @ 7.30am, to participate in the "Larian F1" organized by MOFAZ Group & Masjid Sg. Penchala which was also part of the "Maulidur Rasul" celebration program. It was a simple yet happening event, with the MOFAZ millionaire, Mr Fauzy & his Team Spyker-F1 driver son, Fairuz Fauzy.

The 4km running route was just around the housing area at Kg Sg Penchala. I ran on my lite & easy pace, considered it as my KLIM recovery run. Completed the run by sub-20 minutes, no ankle pain and grabbed the Top 3 position. No cash prizes, but the big gift hamper and the amplifier + speaker prize were good enough for me.

Overall, Larian F1 was great!!! Me likes... :)

28 March 2007

Q & A...

Tibialis Posterior Syndrome

The tibialis posterior muscle comes from behind the shin bone (tibia) and runs into a tendon that passes behind the bony bit on the inside of the ankle (medial malleolus). Inflammation can occur around the medial malleolus and further down under the foot where the tendon attaches. If you over pronate you are more likely to suffer from this injury.


Athletes that are involved in sports where the foot rolls in a lot such as speed skating or running on tight bends are also more prone to this injury.

Symptoms of tibialis posterior syndrome

Pain over the attachment of the tendon to the navicular bone in the foot.
Pain when the tendon slides in the sheath during exercise.
Swelling around the medial malleolus (bony bit on the inside of the ankle). (in my case)

Treatment of tibialis posterior syndrome

Rest the foot for a couple of weeks.
Apply ice for the first 3 days.
After this apply heat and use a heat retainer or support.
See a sports injury specialist for advice on rehabilitation and orthotic devices if necessary.

What can a sports injury specialist or doctor do?

Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication e.g. ibuprofen.
Apply a plaster cast for 3 weeks if it is bad enough.
Give a steroid injection into the tendon sheath but never into the tendon. Then rest.
Operate - especially if the tendon is completely ruptured as it is a very important tendon for supporting the arch of the foot.

So, the main question is, "SHOULD I RUN THE 21KM @ PD HALF MARATHON THIS SUNDAY???"

Answer : My spirit says "YES" but my shin bone & ankle say "NO". But I have to consider the above too!!

Mind over matter again???
:)

27 March 2007

Real runners....

Reading this article...
35th IAAF World Cross Country Championships @ Mombasa, Kenya.
and looking at these pictures...









all I could say is just.....
"They're really born to be runners (& winners too!!)".
wow...

20 March 2007

It's Time, Race & Tendernezz...

The greatest moments in life are not measured by milestones, but by moments where you can find yourself again...

And I found myself again, running a marathon race, at KLIM'07, last Sunday, 18th March. I still haven't achieved my goal to do sub-3:30hrs in a marathon yet, still I'm glad that I finished the 42.195km run by 5:48:38hrs (according to the ChampionChip time) without any major injury or terrible cramps. Last year, I completed by 5:18:30hrs but with major cramps, yet I still managed to drag my legs all way thru.

This time, I'm happy too that I only walked a little, that's during every stop at the water & sponging stations. I just regretted that I don't take care very seriously on the old injury of ankle pain I had since the Putrajaya Marathon last September, which came back gradually after the 25km. I just had to bear with it by running slowly till the end & not putting too much pressure.

Anyway, throughout the run, I really wanna thanked all the guys who were kind enough to pace with me for a few distance i.e. Padzli, Hasnee & Fook.


Every marathon has a different story, so does this KLIM'07. My wish is just to run another marathon, my 5th marathon, if possible, in 3 months' time, maybe Penang Bridge Marathon in June 2007. And this time, I promised myself, I'll heal my ankle pain at the best I could & to race with zero-injury. That's my wish.

Where once in a lifetime moments don't just happen, once in a lifetime...


Cheers!!