Life without track racing

While I was browsing through the internet, I found this interesting article:
31 insanely clever remodeling Ideas for your new home.
Not to say they were totally brilliant but they were well thought of.
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It's my 2nd year without track racing and the below will tell you how much I miss track racing:

1. Seriously, you are telling me that you pay 40-50MYR for a 10km run just to 'paktor', snapping pictures? And don't really care about obstructing other runners. *my worst 10k experience during Nike Run 2012*haven't run any 10k runs since then*

2. Young runners normally dominate 10k runs but Veterans (Uncle Oliver and Auntie Patsy if you have heard of them) show their zeal and passion with even distribution across 10k, 21k and 42k. *wait? Who's the Veteran?*

3. Basic manner of running: Simple things like keep to the left, no high elbows, no pushing and NO PEEING seem so hard for some people. *I yelled at a guy who just simply stopped and peed before me*I panicked and freaked out*

These are also some of the reasons why I move into unconventional distance and events. I would say I am daring enough to complete the Viper Challenge and Morib International Triathlon. Penang Urban Triathlon was meant for beginner.

A few friends advised me to go back to 10km but I don't really enjoy squeezing through the crowd.

Moving forward, I will train harder to improve my running time which has been dropping since 2013. Train harder for triathlon.

First Post of 2014

Finally, something not related to running, at least not more than 40%.

People would normally write their new year resolution at this time of the year. Why should I do something which is so mainstream?

Looking at my performance in 2013, I should deserve a "F".

Most of the time, "I'm busy" is the answer you get whenever you approach someone. Telling others that you are busy is indifferent from avoiding responsibility and procrastinating.
Read why busy isn't respectable anymore.
Gotta procrastinate less and become "BETTER", not "BUSIER" although sometimes, I am really busy.

But there should be some justification to my weight gain with my increase mileage--->I am being NOT PRODUCTIVE
RUN further & faster, SWIM & CYCLE by improving techniques.

2013 allowed me to settle down on most things, 2014 would be a good year for me to do MORE things, things I want to DO.
Gotta WORK diligently smart, SPEAK with eloquence. 

This post might not resemble what I think right now, I just want to stay awake...since 4.30am.
*yawn*

Transpire.Transform

It goes back to year 2009, the year I join Toastmasters.

If Toastmaster doesn't change a single thing about me, I must be in trouble. I never take pictures of myself when I go "clubbing". As I read through Victor Ong's post, he has more pictures of me than any other Toastmasters have. Trust me, he's the most diligent Toastmasters I've ever seen since I join TI. 

Something I found browsing through blogs 

(My very first speech, "The Ice Breaker" & Me, speaking at Bank Negara as the club mentor)
By just looking at the pictures, I see my growth.

Some argue that communication skills comes first, some says leadership is the utmost important.

Being a typical libra, I believe in becoming an all rounder. One that goes beyond both is charisma. I am still searching for my definition for the word 'charisma', I can't really describe it but intuitively I can tell if a person has it.

Still, it has been a long way for me and there's a long way ahead. I know one day my home club can no longer cater for my learning, I need to continue to absorb and give back to my home club. I hope they would eventually understand that I'm doing this to prepare them to face the real world.

And after almost 5 years, I am ready to reach out for more.

One of my most enjoyable experience as the General Evaluator at MIMKL, Dec 2013.

Eni Mini Myni Ton

There is always first time for everything. For a person who had raced more than 100 times, I was in a dilemma if I should continue running. More over after I fully retired from track racing, road race is seemed to be my only option.

Having to become a track racer for more than a decade, completing races are no longer trilling to me. I need something which is more exciting. I registered this mini triathlon since July and was looking forward to it everyday. It was a 800m swim-24km cycle-5km run eni mini myni ton.
I admit that I sacrificed my high weekly mileage to train on my swimming and cycling discipline which are still requiring A WHOLE LOT of improvement. It was fun (considering it was just 15% of a real Ironman event) but I need to work on my techniques and transitions.

Overall, I enjoyed myself. The drive from KL to Penang and Penang back to KL was even more exhausting than the race. Should reconsider if I were to travel this decent distance to do a triathlon. 2 days from now I will be doing my first open water swim. Kinda worry but I believe I can (as I always do!). After that I will "study" myself and improve and get ready for the real game.

But before that, I need a good tri-suit and a good bike-racer!!!

My "Grand Slam"

I made it.

I had officially raced every distance in the Olympic Games. 100m to 42.195km, track, road, mud, beach, gravel, stone, forest trail.

It was like earning the "grand slam".

It was 50% physical, 50% mental.

I mentally conquered it, there wasn't a single moment I felt like quitting, I knew I'll finish it anyway.

I need to work on my physique. I was just too unfit after missing 2 marathon opportunity and left with 3 weeks to prepare.

Way forward. Although it's my first marathon, it was my #106 registered race. I'm learning from every race and my experience has made me self-motivated. If I were to improve my time, I need to prescript a better training system.

Counting down to the finish line

It's finally here, isn't it?

The final start line to the final finish line that I started 13 years.

I could envisage that the journey will challenge me to the verge of break down.
It's time to raise your ability to a higher level.

The finish line will be the start line to another journey which is in my wish list since I was 12.

And it is time.

500 July

In February, I twisted my right ankle 90 degree inward and was forced to put away my running shoes for 3 weeks. It was one of the worst injury in recent years and I know that recovery is the key. I performed all the recovery strategy and the decision was right. I recovered faster than my estimation and the dilemma if I am able to run my first marathon in June was gone. My right ankle is good to go after 1 month. Unfortunately the marathon is postponed to September due to the haze.

Today, I went to hike my favourite forest trail as usual. As I was sitting on this rock, I have managed 499km since this year, something which I only managed to reach in October last year. Just one more kilometer back home to hit 500.

After each hike, I like to sit on the highest rock on the hill, feel the breeze, watch the sunset and recharge. I mean, who doesn't enjoy the scenery after a busy day.

Energized, recharged and keep running. Since the marathon is postponed to later, I can restructure my routine to finish stronger. I am a science person, even when it comes to sports. For me, sports are science, your technique is bio-mechanics and physics, your diet is chemistry, pain is bio-indicator. To be fit, you need to know the science of your body.

Yes, and I won't be the first to be caught by zombies.