Powerman Malaysia 2010

This is a bit late. The race was on Sunday, 14 November 2010. So that was 2 weeks ago.

This year, I did the sprint race. I know, I know, I have done the full distance race for the past few years. But this year, I have a totally different target. Previously I did the race all for myself. I don't have any motivation other than proviing to myself that I can do it. It was always about myself and what I can do.

But this year, I was doing it for my dear Anis. I've trained her for a few months now. She has also agreed to buy a road bike to do the race. I was so proud of her determination and effort in completing the race. She was not really into sports all this while, so even the sprint distance race would've been quite hard for her. But as people say, there will always be the first time ;)

The day did not start quite well for us. It was drizzling when we left the hotel. Not really ideal condition, but at least hopefully it would help to cool things down a bit later in the afternoon. We had prepared our bikes the night before. Everything cleaned up, adjusted and tyres all pumped up. But while loading the bike into the car, Anis noticed her front tyre was flat! So a scramble ensued to change the tube. Lucky it was her tyre, if it was mine with the crappy Panaracer, it would take a lot more time and effort to fix it. But the tube was changed in about 5 minutes or so.
Then at the race venue, parked the car and start to unload our bikes. All ready, then another problem. Had an urgent need to use the toilet for big business! So a quick dash to the nearby Petronas station was needed. It was already very late. Transition closes at 7.15AM and it was already 7.10AM. But we managed to check in our bike into transition, just.

7:30AM was the race start for the full distance racers. Ajo and Aidil were doing the full distance race, but didn’t see them at the start line. Lost among the hundreds of participants. 10 minutes later the delay runners were released. We only started at 7:20AM, but not before the leaders in the full distance category to reach the stadium again to complete their first lap. Already? Damn.

At exactly 7:20AM, off we went! We took it easy and slow jog all the way to complete the first run of 5.5km. Aidil caught up with us at around 2 km mark, then somewhere near the stadium Ajo also managed to overtake us. He was determined to complete the first run under 66 minutes as I advised him.

After 45 minutes, we were into transition area. Quickly grabbed our bikes and most surprisingly, Anis did not forget anything in transition. She managed to remember all the things that I told her to bring for the bike leg. Off we went. Not really at a fast pace because our target was completing the race. A lot of other riders zoomed pass us, but we just did the cycling at our own pace. 1st U-turn Anis was getting tired a bit, but still going strongly. In fact on the way back we did had riders drafting behind us. So we were doing good.

After 90+ minutes on the bike we reached transition for the final run. Again, Anis remembered all the things she was supposed to do in transition. Something that even I myself sometimes forget. In fact, again, I brought the mini pump along in the rear pocket. Oh well... The course was getting a bit hot. And Anis was having some mild cramps in the calf. So we took it easy. We still had a lot of time to complete the race. So we just walked briskly along the course stopping by occasionally to enjoy the relief at the water station. BTW, why they had Revive isotonic drink at the station but only give out plain water?

After 3 hours race time, the finish line was getting closer. And as usual, Anis still had some energy left in her for a short charge to the finish line! So we finished the race alright! To my surprise we both were given nice finisher medals for our effort. I didn’t expected that. Thanks to the organizer.

So after that race Anis managed to fullfil her promise to do the duathlon race. We didn’t set good time for the race, but what's important, we finished the race comfortably. That was more than enough for the amount of training that we have put in.

Now it’s time for me to fulfil my promise to her, to obtain open water diving license hehehe

P/S: sorry no pics for this post. Obviously I was busy running & cycling

Welcome back!

It's been AGES since I last updated this. My apology for the few people who may been following and reading this blog of mine (if there's any in the first place). But just gotten myself a brand spanking new notebook, which means I can now do my computing almost anywhere, in relative comfort, so I should make an effort to update my blog as frequent as possible.

Quite a number of things had happened since the last update, so I'll just make a post to summarize all happenings.

1. I got promoted!

Finally I got the promotion to become Manager! Alhamdulillah, after my 3rd interview to become one. But better late than never. But my work is still more or less the same as the last few years, just that now I actually have staff to manage and do things for me. Along with that, moved to a bigger space at office.

From this:

To this:

2. Malakoff University Duathlon Series 2

The second in the series, in subsequent weekend. Was supposed to do this as well, but I woke up late! So only Anis did it. This time she did it witrh Aishah, another friend of her who also did the first run. The route was quite challenging and the run was actually off road, through a jungle. I changed role to become a photographer instead, which was quite interesting actually. Seeing the race from a different perspective

Anis at the finish line

Anis & Aishah

3. Malakoff University Duathlon Series 3

This time Anis did the whole race by herself! I was with her all the way. After the event she is now considered a certified duathlete! I was so happy & and proud of her. As usual, we did it slow and easy, but we did finish it

4. Camera upgrade

I sold off my Nikon D3000 and bought a pristine, used Nikon D300 (notice one less 0) and loving it to bits. It really gives me more flexibility and very, very quick. It also feels like a proper SLR camera!

From this:

To this:

5. Trip to Bangkok

It was not a holiday trip, but I was chosen to represent Bank Negara Malaysia in squash for the Inter Central Bank Games! Actually I was asked to replaced a few others who was not able to make it to the event. But I was more than happy to provide my service! The squash team won the games rather easily against the other teams from Monetary Authority Singapore, Bank of Thailand and Bank Indonesia. From then, I was also asked to play again for the recent Inter Bank Squash tournament. I guess I achieved my target to be one of the top 6 squash player in BNM then!

Before the matches

We won!

6. Genting Trailblazer

This was quite recent, just last weekend. But I was not participating, Anis did. It was a team event, consisting of two per team. She did it with Sarah, who later I found out is Dino’s a.k.a. Heidilee fiancée. So this time, again I was there as a photographer. Well it was a good opportunity for me to test the speed of the D300 anyway. Some photos from the event below

Anis, Farra & her partner, Dan

Anis, after the race and dirtier

7. Newton run

Did this with Anis and Amal. It was a 12km run. Did close to 2 hours, but I got a medal for it! Anis & Amal however did not, for some reason

8. Trip to Jerangkang Waterfall

What a nice place. Needed an hour 4WD ride to go in, but it was worth it. Also tried canyoning i.e. abseiling in the waterfall, for the first time

Malakoff Universitiy Duathlon Series 1

Done. Last Saturday. Anis was participating for the first time, albeit in the team relay, but still not bad for someone's very new to running & cycling. She teamed up with Amal, who did the first run.

It was a rather short event, 3.9km run - 13km bike - 3.9km run. Done this race two years ago, so mroe or less knew what to expect. So it went rather uneventful. Just took it easy all the way. Was not really in a great form at the moment anyway.

We were lucky that the sun was rather kind to us. During bike and 2nd run, just ride and run along side Anis to give her support to go all the way. We finished the event in about 1 hour 45 minutes. And we were not last! There were two other participants behind us hehehe

Big thanks to the organisers, it was an excellently organised event and kudos to the spectators from UPNM. I know you guys were asked to spectate, but all of you were a great sport! Sorry for letting you guys stand in the sun for so long.

Some photos from the event

Amal & Anis, before the start, explains the cheerful face

Anis & Me, also before the start

Amal, Anis & Ajo, after the race ended. All smiles!

Amal & Anis, so happy to finish the race!

Parting shot before we left UPNM. One down, two to go!

PC DOS

I'm sure not many people even know DOS. It has been long forgotten already. But recently, when I was doing spring cleaning at my office, found this. An unopened, box of original IBM PC DOS! Have no idea how old this is. Amazing that I still have this tucked somewhere even though there's no way I am gonna use this anymore!!

IBM PC DOS 6.1

The back of the package

A 'whopping' 0.5MB of memory & equally 'huge' 3MB of disk required. Hahaha

Cling wrap still unopened, practically brand new!

Activities... phewwww

My previous few and next coming weekends activities:

27 June: KL International Marathon - done. Timing not so great, but enjoyed it

3 & 4 July: office's team building @ Berjaya Hills a.k.a. Bukit Tinggi - Last weekend. Really enjoyeable outing. Especially when it's on the company's expense

11 July: Sepang open track day

18 July: Siemens run

24 July: Malakoff University Duathlon Series 1 @ UPNM

31 July: Malakoff University Duathlon Series 2 @ UM

7 August: Malakoff University Duathlon Series 3 @ UPM

Phewww...

Random shots

Some random shots from my camera. Really need to take a whole lot more photos to train my eyes & brush up my skill!

KLCC, Center Course

Stalls in line, KLCC

Twin Tower, a different perspective

Yummy!

Screaming statue, Nike exhibition MidValley

My car, miniaturized!

World Cup fever!

Oh my, this blog has been neglected for so long. My last post was in May and that was the only one for the whole of May! So I have to post something.

I guess now everybody has caught the same fever, the World Cup fever. Almost everywhere you go, people will be talking about World Cup, be it girls or boys. The boys discuss about the games, the girls discuss about how the games ruined their dates with their boyfriend hehehe

I am not really a big football fan, although I occasionally watch club level football. But when it comes to WC, I will make an effort to watch! I am a German supporter, since I first watch WC back in year 1992.

It's something about the Germans that I love. Their systematic but effective style of play, really amazes me. Back then Klinsmann was the hero, supported by the likes of Lothar Mattheus, Thomas Hassler, Matthias Sammer and Jurgen Kohler.

And early this morning, again I was mesmerized by the same display of systematic & efffectiveness when they totally obliterated the Australian team. I hope they'll win this year!

Go German, go!