How fast can I run

Today I am running my second 20k LSD (Bkt Aman-Hartamas Petronas-Bkt Aman) within one week. Running buddies this morning are Fook - Miri Runner, Wong Sifu, Geraldine - The Hare, Pelle - Volvo for Life and Lynn.

As we started off at 10mins past six, my legs were a bit stiff after the 20k Thaipusam run on Thursday. Just take it slowly following behind the pack and was chatting all the way with Wong Sifu. After crossing Jalan Duta and onto the Govt offices, I was feeling good and decided to go for a faster pace and see whether I can reach Petronas station under 57mins. Step on the turbo and speed off after turning into Sri Hartamas. Fook was following closely behind and I think its good for both of us to do some speedwork in a LSD run. Push myself all the way and reaches Petronas in 56mins07secs.

I was happy with the timing. Fook came in, then followed by Geraldine, Pelle and WongSifu. Had our drink, a quick rest and saw Mr Pia reaches the station. Greeted him Good Morning and we went off for the return leg.

As usual started off very slowly at an easy pace, and again chatting with Wong Sifu. Pelle, Geraldine and Fook were the front pack. Still running at an easy pace until we crossed Jln Duta and into Kenny Hills. At Tejani's, the Elite pack of Pacemakers overtook us. First was Saiful, followed by Kenny, Ronnie and then Lai FS. I tried following them but their speed is way too fast for me. I increased my pace again after Tejani and again try to shoot for a negative split when reaching Bkt Aman carpark. Because of mostly downhill, my stride is bigger and faster. Soon I reaches Bank Rakyat junction and push myself up the last slope and reaches the carpark in 54mins34secs.

A negative split and both legs were ran under 60mins. Hopefully my pace over longer distance is improving. At the carpark showed off the Saucony 2007 Spring model to some runners around and also the Beginners Group managed by Jamie and Wan Yew Loong.

Build up to KLIM07 will continue.......

Wu Tai Shan 五台山

Stairway to Heaven, Pilgrims ascending sacred Mount Tai Shan.

Wu Tai Shan is the Buddhist scared mountain of the north. Located in a mountainous region of Shanxi province it actually consists of five sacred peaks in the center of which is the small monastic village of Taihuai. At one time Wu Tai Shan had over 300 temples and monasteries but today the number has been reduced to only about 30 or so with about half of them clustered about the village of Taihuai.















Wu Tai Shan will be my destination come April where I will be travelling with a group of pilgrims to visit this Buddhist holy places. Besides visiting all the temples found within the mountain, I will probably have the chance to do some mild trekking within the mountains. I will be looking forward to this pilgrimage and trekking trip.

Saucony Local Website

For more information on updates of new models for 2007 and technologies, you can now go to the local website that was just created.

Click Here to get the updates.

Thats the place I wanna be

Yes, that's the place I wanna be in my next vacation. I received this email yesterday from the Iceland Tourism Board, informing me that the new travel brochures is ready for ordering. And its FREE. Then I remembered I did register myself in their website last year while doing some research about ICELAND.

This place is beautiful and I cant wait to go there if I have the chance. Some FAQs that I found in the brochure that I downloaded.

How big is Iceland?
Its about the size of Kentucky (I dunno how big is Kentucky, but KFC yes lah). It has almost 300,000 people mostly live around the coastal areas.

Are daylight hours normal?
Well, for this part of the world, they are. In summer, you wont see much darkness. In mid-winter, expect of 4-5 hours a day of daylight. Spring and Fall daylight are very similar to North America.

So much about Iceland, and dream on. Well who knows one day I will be there....


An obviously, not to forget to lookout for a race if I am holidaying in Iceland.

Reykjavik Marathon
The Reykjavik Marathon is an annual event held on August 21, 2004. This international/annual event involves thousands of participants from Iceland and abroad. Marathon proper, half marathon, 6 miles (10 km) and fun run (4.3 miles). Contact: (+354) 568 - 5525, website www.toto.is/rmar e-mail rmar@toto.is.

The day I saw STARS

Two days before the GE 30k on 21 Jan 2007, Jantzen Tey (PM22) was asking me whether I will go all out for this race. My simple answer to him was "Tey, I have never run a 30k race before, the only 30k run for me are those LSD training for a marathon, so I dont know what to expect. But I will definitely run to my full capabilites on the day"


Nite before
The nite before race day, it was raining thoroughout and it shud benefits us runners the next morning. The temperature will definitely be lower and much cooler. I hit the bed almost at midnite, eventhough I need to wake at by either 4am or 4.30am the next morning. I am a morning person and normally do not required 8-9 hrs of sleep.

Race day
Woke up at around 4am, clean up and just drank a glass of water. I dont normally eat anything before a run or a race. Just drink a glass of water and thats it. No powerbar, cereal, bread or what so ever. Send a morning call to my race pacer LIFEMOU to make sure he is awake. Then drove my car out and in about 20mins I reached the Bukit Aman carpark at 5.15am. By that time the place was already half filled with cars and you start to see runners putting on their running vest, and some doing some light strecthing and warming up. Activities are inching up.

Next to my car, I greeted a guy (forgot his name) good morning. He was doing his first 30k and was asking me how many PowerGels he needed to bring along with him, while in his hands he was showing me the 8 packets that he have. I told him he shud consume one before the race and the organiser will give out one PowerGel at the 20k mark. At this moment, Wong sifu appeared. He had made it to the race (having a heel injury) and we chatted for a while before making our way to the starting point. Along the way bumped in Karen who was doing her warmup along the route. Chatted for a while and continue towards the starting point.

Start of the race
Registered myself and was at the starting area. Then out of a sudden my pacer of the race showed up. Saw Lee, and was asking him whether he see DK, my other pacer who was going after a sub 3 finishing. DK was not in sight and at 6.00am sharp the race was started.

The group of runners squeeze thru the narrow path going uphill and I was following my pacer behind. As some runners tried to cut into your line left, right and centre, I eventually lost my pacer as we ran out of Lake Gardens and onto Jalan Parlimen heading towards Bank Negara. And now I am just running alone without a pacer again!!!!!

I am pretty familiar with the 30k route, and so I know what to expect. I know the hills will eventually take the toll on me and saps out every bit of my energy and make my muscles work extra hard for the day. I ran at a pace which I am quite comfortable but definitely faster than the pace when I do my weekly 20k run with the group.

10K
Completed in probably slightly over an hour after reaching Tugu Negara, and we are back along Jalan Parlimen to start the next 20k to Sri Hartamas and back to Lake Gardens. By now the crowd of runners are kind of separately from each other where most were running in small groups of single file within a distance. I wasnt pushing myself too hard cos its still a long way to go with many hills to tackle.

20k
By now I think my so call pacer shud be way ahead of me and no way to be seen. I just continued to run at my own pace, just being very kiasu that if I push too hard I may suffer muscle cramp very early (like in SG Marathon). Reached the intersection of Jalan Duta and all the runners are diverted further up to the traffic lights to cross over to Sri Hartamas. And this is where the hills began. At this stage I saw the leading pack of the 30k race on their way back. Cut thru the path where the KL Mosque intersection is and all the way towards the Petronas Station of Sri Hartamas (where we normally have our water stop during our 20k LSD) Reached the 20k water station and wallop one packet of PowerGel for energy refuel. Then the turn back to Lake Gardens began and 10k more to go.

30k
At the midpoint before reaching Plaza Damas, I saw my pacer. Woh, I was surprise to see him behind me, no clue when I had overtaken him and where???? We greeted each other and I asked him to speed up. At a later stage , I saw both Karen and Nezz on the oppposite and greeted them. Crossed over back into Bukit Tungu area, and I know there will be two hilly slopes coming after me. Slowed down my pace a bit to conserve energy for hills and finishing. Took on the first slope which was pretty short and then the next one at Tijani's. This is the longer stretch and instead of running (which my leg is a bit tired now) I tried the speed walking style up the hill. In fact I was overtaking some runners which are running almost at walking pace. This pattern suits me well, and I felt to have reserve more energy after that and my down hill was pretty fast until reaching the JKR building for the last 1.5km. I know there will be another uphill from Bank Rakyat's traffic junction all the way to the entrance of Lake Gardens. As I reaches that stage, I adopted the same style, speed walking till the middle and engage back to running all the way towards the finishing point. Crossed the finishing line in 2:53.09

And I could not believe myself that I had ran a 30k race in sub 3 timing, and I know I always perform better with no time pressure. Just perform to my full capabilities, and this will be my tagline for all my 2007 races.

After collecting my goodies bag, I saw STARs and almost to a point of blackout. Couldnt stand on my two feet steadily and decide to sit down and rest. My body started to feel numb and mild cramps are getting to both my feet. Good thing my pacer was with me and he was kind enuf to get some drinks for me while I am resting. Later Karen was sighted and we had a chat, and rested together on the pavement. It took me more than 30mins to recover to my normal self. By that time Ben and Karen had left. I took the opportunity to mingle around, wallop three cups of Nestle flakes+milk (cos I am feeling so hungry) and bumped into Cheong and wife. Had a photo seesion with him, and the PM group before making my way back to the carpark.

Home-made brews passing off as premium liquor

As I was reading The Star today, there was an article that mentioned about home-made brew liquor which are sold as premium brand at your favourite club or pub. There are duping patrons into thinking they are famous brand.

How can it happened? Season drinkers will be able to differentiate a real whisky and a fake one. Unless the club itself is selling you these fake ones when you are so high after a few bottles that your senses are all gone. Could be true and if you are one of them, then you are just consuming home-brewed concoction of mineral water + caremel + some kind of low quality liquor (we called it the Moonshine Drink).

So beware the next time when you are at your favourite joint......and if you suddenly feel that you are knocking off after consuming very little, there is something wrong with your drink.

Happy drinking and dont get overboard!!!!

Charm

Today I was exchanging some messages over MSN with Lifemou and we suddenly went in the topic of CHARM. So we were challenging each other how charming we are, and my buddy was bragging that he is always charming enuf to attract chics to be with him in all his party popping hangouts.

So my question here is that "Is everybody charming?" Do we have an in-born charm to attract everyone to like us. Or people only find you charming after interacting with you for a longer period especially when they get to know you better. Do people find another person charming at first site? Is charm the 6th sense or the 7th sense of human. Or is charm all about hoodoo, black magic, etc

This is something that I wont be able to answer. Ask yourself the next time you see someone and you felt that this person is charming. Then ask yourself what makes you think this person is charming and what attracted you most to make you said that the person is charming.

Interesting or just a waste of time???

My wife asked me.....

My wife asked me......why do I select the Cicak as my business logo???










My answer: Erhhhhh......

Mix FM's Massive Appeal for the Johor Flood Relief

Mix FM is asking you to join us in our Massive Appeal. We are looking to support the Johor Flood victims and would like you to join us in our efforts. So, let's get together and lend a helping hand. The Johor Flood victims are in need of the following items:

1) Canned and dried food
2) Mineral Water
3) Toiletries
4) Infant Formula
5) Diapers
6) Blankets
7) Pillows
8) Foldable mattresses
9) Bed sheets
10) Towels

If you would like to donate any of the above items, please send them to Antarabudaya's Collection Office.

40A, Jalan SS22/21,
Damansara Jaya,
47400 Petaling Jaya,
Tel:03-77224866/03-77221105
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8am to 7pm
Saturday (20/1) & Sunday (21/1), 12pm to 4pm

Then on Monday (22 January 2006), Mix FM and Rena See of Interway Transport Sdn Bhd will collect all the donated items and send them directly to Johor @ Kluang Government Rest House, 943, Jalan Pejabat Kerajaan, 86000 Kluang, Johor.

NiaMah!!!!!!

Check that out.

No sound No picture

The nite before our normal Saturday run, I received a sms from Lifemou, my running buddy asking me whether I am running on Saturday. Replied him YES and he responded saying he will be joining me. After that it was almost midnite and I adjourned to bed since I've gotta wake up at 5am the next morning.

It was a cool Saturday morning (since it was raining on Friday nite) and I reached LG at the Bukit Aman carpark at about 0545. I was probably the only early bird on the day, with no one to be seen. Later in about 5-10mins time, DK and Pelle arrived, followed by Kenneth and his fren Meng. We greeted each other good morning and did some stretching and warmup while waiting for Anne (Jamie's fren) which was supposed to join us.

As the clock ticks, Lifemou is no where to be seen, not even a call or a sms from him. Soon Anne showed up and we introduced ourselves to her, and by that time it was already 0610. Rather than waiting I told everyone that we have to start and not wait for the latecomers. The pack of 6 runners started off slowly and having conversation among ourselves. No Geraldine (our hare and pacer), Lynn, Grace, Fook, Eugene and Wong sifu bcos there seems to have their own reason for not turning up on this Saturday.

There goes another run without Lifemou. Probably he was toxifying himself last nite that he cant wake up. Maybe we can do a detour and check him out somewhere at the water joints around Desa Hartamas. Another FFK incident again. Well seeya in the GE30k run and hopefully you are prepared for it, else jialat. But I shall never underestimate this fella, bcos he can be putting on the mileage in the gym and spring a surprise. Anyway lets see how it goes next Sunday, 21 Jan during the GE 30k race.

The birth of Ccube Sports HUB

The will be the logo that I will be using for all my future business transactions (with regards to the marketing activities of selling running shoes, attires and apparels) I have also set up the Ccube Sports HUB blog for new updates pertaining to sales promotion and offers, new updates on shoes and technologies. At this moment SAUCONY is the brand I am representing (from running shoes and running jersey, socks, Tee-shirts, vest and shorts) I hope to get some support from my running frens and communities that I know to give SAUCONY a try.

A blazing start

What a start for our 1st LSD 20k (the normal Lake Garden-Hartamas route) for the new year. As usual the gang was on time for yesterday run. As I reaches the Bukit Aman carpark, I saw a Volvo station wagon pulling into the parking lot. This must be our MIA fren ~ Ben and true enuf he step out of the car. Geraldine, Pelle, Fook and Grace was all ready to go. We wished each other a Happy New Year, and Geraldine commented that it must be almost 6 months ago that he ran with Ben. That shows how long he has been missing in action. DK was supposed to join us but due to his work (till midnite on Friday and some technical hitches on Saturday morning as he prepared he come) he couldnt make it for the run. Wong Sifu sms'ed saying that he is having a fever coupled with his slight injury on his foot (due to a change in his running style) Maybe he is trying to see whether he can run on water!!!! Eugene is monitoring his house renovation and wouldnt be showing up too.

At about 6.10am, we decided he hit the tarmac and start our very first 20k LSD for the year. And as usual we have Geraldine as the hare leading the pack. Grace was with her setting the pace. One very funny thing about this group is that we have very good ladies pacer for the men to follow. I was following at the back, exchanging conversation with Pelle, Fook and Ben.

As we turned into the hills of Bukit Tunku, I was telling Pelle and Ben that we are running a faster pace this morning as compare to all our previous runs. Geraldine and Grace continued to press on, and the mens are tailgating behind with me at the end of the pack. We reaches the Jalan Duta flyover to cross over to the Government office complex, and when I look at my watch it is showing 35mins and change (our normal timing is about 38-40mins, that means we are about 3mins faster) We stayed closer as a group as we approaches the mosque and towards the Hartamas housing area.

Once we hit the Hartamas bungalow area, I increased my pace (overtook everyone) and give it a shot to do between 53-55mins when I reaches the Petronas station. Ben followed pushing very hard from the back and I can hear his breathing get closer and closer to me. This is definite a good push for both of us as we tackled the two hills of Hartamas. On the down hill, Ben overtook me and was ahead by 1 body length. We continued to push till we reaches Petronas station. My watch showed 55mins 46secs, and that was at least 5-8mins faster than our normal pace. I told Ben that was an incredible first half of the run. In about less than a minute later, we have Geraldine, Grace and Pelle reaching, with Fook taking it very easily.

Timing was stopped during the water stop.

We have our water stop and when everyone is ready, we begin our way back to Lake Garden. Geraldine was again the hare leading the pack. This time she have Pelle running with her. I was again at the end of the pack, recovering from the fast pace set earlier. The rest like Ben, Grace and Fook are running together. This continues when we reaches the Jalan Duta flyover and crossed over back into Bukit Tunku. We continue to run within a distance with Geraldine and Pelle probably about 50m in front. After taking on the hills on the way back, I decided to increase my pace again because it is all the way downhill now. Overtook Grace, Fook and Ben, and keeping a distance within sight of Geraldine and Pelle.

Continued to push hard as I turned into the route towards the old PM office and Bank Negara. The sight of the leading pack is getting closer and as I took on the last slope before reaching the Bukit Aman carpark, Geraldine and Pelle was just about 10m in front of me. Both of them reaches the carpark slightly ahead of me, and when I touches the entrace of the carpark my watch showed 57mins 05secs for the return lap ~ and therefore the total time taken for this run was 1:52.51 Well it was a real good run with a pace that we never attempt to do before.

Pelle comment was he need this kind of pacing and push to make him more competitive in future races. I believe if the group continue to train and run at such pace (maybe even faster as we condition ourselves) doing a sub2 in a 21k is not a big problem at all. Geraldine was taken by a bit of surpirse that everyone was pushing so hard today ~ eventhough it was just the first run of the year. Well to me, this is the beginning of my speed work ~ pushing my body harder to condition myself for better timing in future races. And let the speedworks begin......

Note: DK, I hope ur around to PIA with us yesterday.

Two Double Zero Seven

No, this is not another James Bond movie, but 2007 had arrived to start the new year. Saying goodbye to 2006, cherished what I have done, thinking back of happy and sad moments, listing down all the new frens that I had made for the year and continue to aspire what I wanted to do which I didnt manage to do it last year.

I started my year end vacation pretty early, like 12 Dec till the end of the year. This was a solid 3 weeks that I have together with my family. No work, no business phone calls, nothing but just travelling together in our vacation in Vietnam and ChiangMai. Spending solid and valuable time with the family is my utmost priority although work is important too. But work will always be there ~ day in, day out, week in, week out, month in, month out and year in, year out. So it will always be there unless you QUIT work and retire!!!!! Luv to do that asap.

So coming to new year resolution ~ well I dont really have any but just ensure that I stay healthy, have quality time with my family and dont procastinate and get the job done!!!! As for my running mission in 2007, I also will not have any resolution but just get out there and enjoy the runs I sign up for. Runners Malaysia and Pacesetters site have the listing of this year running calender, but I have yet to list down those run that I will sign up. The only races that I am committed to right now is GE Pacesetters 30k on 21 Jan 2007 and KLIM 2007 42k on 18 March 2007. No timing pressure for me, so I will just run every races to my fullest ability.

And yes, I will try to broaden my scope in my part time business ~ selling more Saucony running shoes to my circle of frens within the running community. And with ASICS added into my stable, I should be able to offer a better variety of choices now. Wish me luck and hope to get ths support from all my running frens.

LannaThai

LannaThai was an ancient name for the 2nd biggest city in Thailand. Now it is known as Chiangmai, the famous town in the northern part of Thailand. Another 4 hours on road towards the north will take you to the border of Laos and Myanmar (previously known as Burma). And once you are there you can set foot at the Golden Triangle where the 3 countries met and the Mekong Delta flows through.

Chiangmai was the place where I spend my 1 week vacation after Christmas from 26-30 Dec 2006. (with my brother and sisters in laws). The climate was cooling and is ideal as a holiday spot. We touch down on 26 Dec, just about 12 days after a 5.1 earthquake hits the town and surrounding area. EarthQuake ~ yes, there was an earthquake that hit the area!!!!!

Visited the temples, Elephant Santuary (where elephants are breed and train), city tour, ChiangRai, The Golden Triangle, Mae Sai (Border to Myanmar) and Loas.

Some photos taken during the trip.


















Doi Suthep temple, Chiangmai















Hilltribe children at the Golden Triangle
















The Golden Triangle site














The Golden Triangle border point between Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand. View from the Wat Prathat Phu Kao Hill to the casino in Myanmar (left side Myanmar, right side Laos and straight on to the furthest point is China)
















Casino in Myanmar along the Mekong Delta
















Thailand-Myanmar border Immigration checkpoint

Made In Vietnam

My recent vacation to Vietnam ~ Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh aka Saigon city, was a great eye opener for myself and my family.

Vietnam is a country in South East Asia within the Indo-China regime, which borders the People's Republic of China to the north, Loas to the northwest and Cambodia to the southwest. The country's east lies towards the South China Sea. With a population of almost 83 million, it is one of the most densely populated nation in SEA. Coupled with approximately 20 million motorcycles within the country.

Give Vietnam 5 to 10 years and they are a force to reckon with from the perspectives of doing business globally, industrial activitivities and sports powerhouse.



















One of the stores along the streets in Old Quarters, Hanoi




















Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi



















Boats anchored at Halong Bay



















The streets of Vietnam



















The Old Post Office of Saigon



















A common site of ladies dressed very sexily (showing off their top assets) to attract male customers in Ben Thanh market, Saigon


A more detail report is on the way.

Hit the Streets & Beat It

Thats the tagline for next year KL International Marathon 2007.

I am for it and will be signing up for another 42k race. My confidence level had progresses well after 2 marathons this year although my timing had nothing to shout about. Hopefully 2007 will push me further in improving my timing in all races that I run. Actually I have given myself 1 year to get acclimatize with the long distance running condition, and my target is to be more competitive in terms of timing for 2007.

Have a good week ahead and Happy Holidays.

Good Morning, Vietnam

I will be heading of to Vietnam today for my family vacation and will only be back on 21st Dec. And this trip reminds me of the 1987 movie by Robin Williams that talk about the Americans battling out the Vietnam war. I will be visiting Hanoi which will be cooling (in terms of climate) during this time of the year, and will then fly down south to HCM city aka Saigon which will be hot, humid and sticky.

But today Vietnam is a fast and upcoming developing country, where they are very prosperous and maybe to a certain extent ~ advanced in certain things that they are doing. Vietnam will be the next country that we should watch out for within this region. It will be another Asian Tiger that will come out from the cave. This trip will definitely be an eye-opener for myself and my family.

Take care everyone......

Once in a life time

Eugene Lee was my travelling mate to the StanChart Singapore Marathon 2006. He said this will be his maiden and swansong full marathon. According to him, "You only live one life, and once in a life time you have to run a marathon"

He ran the first 21k in 2h20mins, and walk the rest of the 21k in 4h10mins. His determination and mental strength pull him thru crossing the finishing line in 6h30mins. My salute and hats of to you. After the race, I asked him whether he will run another marathon. His immediate answer was "My answer will be very biased if you asked me now, and it's a NO, but I reserved the right to change my mind later"

Eugene "I will see you again at the starting line of the next full marathon"

Cheers!!!!!!

StanChart Singapore Marathon 2006 report

1 to 2 Dec, 2006

Its started on Dec 1 when Eugene and myself took a midnite bus from KL-Singapore. Was a very smooth ride since we are on an executive coach, very spacious and comfortable (you get what you pay). It took us only slightly more that 4.5hrs to reach Tuas checkpoint, and by the time we cleared the immigration of both countries, the bus reaches its destination at Copthorne Orchid Hotel at around 5.30am.

Have a quick washup and decided to wait till 6am (no midnite charge) to board a taxi to Peninsula Hotel where we are putting up a nite. After reaching Peninsula Hotel, went to the reception and try to check-in (which I think is too early but just trying our luck). Bumped into KC and his group who also boarded a bus from KL that leaves at midnite to Singapore. Told us we can only check-into our room earliest by 11am of the day. Being kiasu a bit, I went ahead to the reception just to make sure my name is on the booking list.

At that moment, Eugene received a call from his colleague saying that he will pick us up for breakfast and then drive us around the full marathon route. While waiting for him to show up, I have a chat with KC and group. We talk about the past years race in Singapore and then about one more person that was supposed to join their group. Last minute this person could not find her passport and don’t even remember where she placed it. Eventually time ran out on her and they left without her coming along.

Gerry (Eugene’s colleague) arrived and we went for breakfast. After that we reckee the marathon route to give a good perspective of how it looks like. Then we are back to hotel and walked to Marina Mandarin to collect our bibs and goodies bad. After that, walk around the area, and its time to check-in. Managed to check-in and got ourselves clean up. Took a nap and its time for our lunch. The rest of the day was just to ensure we have enuf rest. Lights off at 10:30pm.

3 Dec, 2006

Morning call came in at 4am sharp and we are getting up to ROCK Singapore marathon. Took a shower, do the morning business, dress up and I am ready to go. Fook was suppose to come by and put his barang-barang, so that he can take his bath after the race at our hotel room. Went down to the lobby at 5:10am, and Fook is already waiting there. While we was about to leave for the starting point, Fook heard Grace voice, and actually she is staying with her group of frens next to our room.

We (Eugene, Fook and Grace) then adjourned to the start point. At the hotel lobby, Fook bumped into a group of his frens which he introduced them to me. If I remembered correctly they are Chong Wah and Wan Lin.

As we reached the staring chute, there are seas of people waiting for the start of the race. We went to the area that were allocated for marathoners clocking within 5hrs and waited there. The atmosphere was great and with so many people standing shoulder to shoulder, waiting for the race to be gun off. The MC was pumping out all the encouragements that he can think of thru the loudspeakers, and eventually he did a countdown.

Its 6am sharp and off we go, and due the number of people, I actually took 2.5mins before reaching the starting point to begin the race. Heck, no big deal ~ I am here to enjoy the race, my timing is secondary although my aim is to clock a slow sub5. Fook and Grace was running together with me. The starting of the route took us into the CBD area of Singapore where we ran thru the business district. Sometimes we have to run in zigzag formation to avoid knocking onto those slower runners that blocking our way and while overtaking. This continues a good 15k and at this moment we saw the elite runners forming the front runner pack coming back the opposite side. The pack consists of all Africans, and the only Caucasian that was following closely was at least 50m-80m away. We are required to run a loop in this Marina Garden area and by the time we get out it’s the 20k mark. Water and 100Plus were widely available with no shortage of supply. I just keep drinking in smaller quantity at almost every station to avoid dehydration.

At the 21k mark, we are required to run into East Coast Park where the jogging/running trail are. At this stage I have lost track of Fook and Grace. This route will take us from 22k all the way to the 35k mark. We are required to run this loop and we also can get to see the faster runners on their way out (on the opposite side) after the completion of the loop. To me this is the most boring stretch where you keep on running along the beach to/fro. I heard a callout of my name out of a sudden, and it was Pelle ~ Swedish guy whom I met during the Putrajaya race. (We were supposed to start together but he got my SMS late) He told me his fitness is not too good and will not be able to do a sub5 today. And at this stage at the 26k mark I start to encounter a slight muscle pull/cramp on my thigh. Oh no, I told myself ~ so early in the race and I am getting this. I know it will hit me badly eventually, so therefore I slow down a bit and take it easily. Along this route, I helped up a runner that fell flat of the trail suffering severe cramp on both his legs. A few other runners join in to give aid (and I must said, runners are a bunch of helpful human beings), and in a short period he is back on his feet and asked us to go ahead.

I pressed on, the tireness and fatigue starts to come in. I have started to apply Deep Heat that was provided at certain sections of the route to ease of the pain and cramp on my right leg. I reached the end of the route which requires all runners to do the loop back and get out of the park. Here I saw Grace in front of me, and I asked her how she is feeling. She said she is suffering from a slight muscle pull/cramp but is OK to run ahead. I was trailing her for a while and we are about 5m apart. She stops once or twice to ease of the pain from the pull but eventually she race ahead and no way to be seen. At this point my cramp was getting worst, I have to keep applying Deep Heat in big quantity on both my legs now to numb the pain and massage the affected area to loosen up the muscle.

As I get out of the park, this stage was the 35k mark and 7km to finishing. The strain on the muscle pull on both my legs is slowing me down miserably and I just have to control my speed without aggravating it and making it worse. Slowly I ran, telling myself to focus on the distance, and telling myself 7km is just running 3 loops in my housing area where I live that I run every morning. Kilometer by kilometer passed and I tell you time passes so slowly here. It took ages to complete 1km from this point onwards. 36k, then 37k, then 38k, and I need to run under a tunnel up the slope to reach the 39k mark (I walk up the slope and so are a lot of runners at that point) Both my legs are feeling better from 36k to 39k. At this juncture I caught up with this guy who was motivating himself to continue running and crossing the finishing line. He was whispering loudly repeating to himself with words like “COME ON, YOU CAN DO IT” ; “DON’T GIVE OUT”, “ITS 2KM AWAY”; “I CAN DO A SUB5”……. I joined in to motivate myself too since I am also fighting for time to cross the line with a sub5 timing. At the 40k mark, the last 2km requires the runners to detour from the main road and run on a path facing the sea. The scenery around this area was beautiful but this is not the time to admire it. The most important thing on my mind now is to complete the race under 5 hours. I looked at my watch I know I can make it with the PIA SPIRIT. No stopping from now on but keep running. I surged ahead leaving that guy behind and the crowd was supporting the runners along this path saying its 600m away from finishing.

I passed thru the tunnel, this is the area where I did my warm up in the morning. Runners are required to run under it, pass the tunnel and out on the road. Had a slight left turn and straight on I saw the finishing arch. The official clock shows 4:57:47 from a far distance as I approaches the straight road. The MC was announcing that this group of runners coming in will make the sub5 mark and dashes thru I did, pumping my right fist up on the air 3 times, acknowledging to myself that I make it under 5 hours. As I crossed the finishing line, the official clock shows 4h58min28sec.

Took a rest at the runners finishing area and then went on to return the champion chip, collect my medal and finisher Tee. Have some refreshment before heading back to the hotel. At this moment it was drizzling and I am feeling a bit cold. Reached my room and I saw Pelle sitting in front of his room. Apparently his access card had some problem and his wife went down to the reception to change the card. We have a quick conversation asking each other how we did. He clocked 5h09min which is not too bad taken into consideration the little training that he had. Then I quickily get into my room and had a hot shower.

Later Grace called upon us at the room. At this time Fook is already back having his shower. Fook had cramps starting from the 18k mark onwards and he was badly affected by it. Grace happily told us that she did 4h49min, it was a good run for her and I am happy that she is able to pull it through although she did suffer cramps at one stage of the race. A lady runner to watch out for in the future. Fook finished the race in 5h35min, and I personally felt that both did very well in their maiden marathon and the experience both gained in running a marathon. I am very sure, they will be more prepared and able to clock a better time in their next marathon. All the best to both of you.

Eugene came back much later, and he clocked 6h30min, something that I must salute him for his mental strength in completing the race. Running the first 20k in 2h20min and walking for the rest of 21k in 4h10min.

I was satisfied on the timing although I was aiming for a faster time like 4h40min. I know the muscle pull that hits me from 26k onwards was too early in the race and slowed me down tremendously. Anyway I have completed my second marathon this year after running for the past 1 year (in a 15 years absence).

Now I am back in KL, waiting to go for my vacation in Vietnam. Hurray, Hurray it’s a Holi Holi Day !!!!!

Split timing (hh:min:sec)

10k - 1:04
20k - 2:08
30k - 3:22
40k - 4:44
42.195k – 4:58:28