Thursday, April 19, 2007

SMARTER Five Hills Challenge

Date: Sunday, April 15th 2007
Time: 7am
Starting Venue: Tasek Lama
Other destinations include: Subok, Marakucing and Mentiri before heading to Bukit Shahbandar by either 1pm or 2pm
Purpose: To promote awareness about the issue and to raise funds.
Webpage: http://smarterbrunei.multiply.com/


If getting to know intimately 5 different hills, in different part of Brunei/Muara district, in just a few short hours, sounds like a true masochist dream, then it probably is. But as the organiser was keen to point out, this is not a race. Participants can choose how they complete the physically demanding course (and on a beautifully hot sunny day).

But walk them or run them, the 5 hills promise to offer all mere mortals a real challenge.

Tasek Lama: My first time here. The organiser took their time to flag us off. After a few days of relative inactivity, I was almost desperate to give my body a good pounding. The first challenge was pleasantly tougher than I thought. But I like its relatively safe jungle trails. I came out of it feeling fully refreshed and ready to take on the other 4 hills.

Subok: Probably the easiest (but with the most beautiful view) of the 5 hills. An excellent workout nevertheless.

Marakucing: The trails were straightfoward enough and a real delight to run through. This is probably my first choice to go for some bit of fun hill running.

Mentiri: Whoever manage this portion of the challenge did their jobs superbly. This was my first time here. The trails were clearly labelled and participants can choose 3 routes of different distance. And because of the tall trees and lush vegetation, it feels like you're running in a cocoon.

Shahbandar: The mid afternoon 1pm climb means this is easily the toughest hill to conquer. I did the 9 hills in slower than my usual time, and having to almost crawl up the last hill. I said almost ..

Having chosen to take on the challenge with a "run hard or go home" attitude, it feels good to push the limit of my body. I'm stronger and fitter, physically and mentally because of it. I've also gained a whole lot more understanding of the SMARTER organisation and the disorder autism. You guys have my respect.

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Tanjung Nangka to Damuan

Even at 4pm, it would be an acceptable running weather except Brunei seems to be experiencing a heat wave and I'm running through some of the more environmentally exposed part of Jalan Tutong. The visible absence of trees that would cool the surrounding air means instead the sun seems to be hovering a couple of inches above my head.

The family has earlier decided to bring the kids to Persiaran Damuan about 5pm. On a whim, I decided to make the journey on foot and starting earlier at 4pm. I had expected the weather to be hot, but was not fully prepared for the intense heat I feel around Bunut. Damuan with its many shady trees was a welcome relief and when I passed through its main gate, my watch indicated a running time of 1hr and 5 minutes. Despite the heat, it was a good run of sorts.

Route: Tanjung Nangka to Persiaran Damuan
Distance: 11km? (wishlist: Garmin Forerunner 305!)
Time: 1hr 5mins
Weather: Unforgivingly Hot! (4pm)

Friday, March 30, 2007

Company Fun Run, 5.144km, 29th Mar 07

A yearly Company Fun Run that began 3 years ago. I haven't missed one yet. In fact, one of my very first 'race'. So definitely an event that will always have a special place in my heart.

Each year, participants number has steadily grown from 500+ in 2005, then 700+ and approx 1000 this year. Participants has also began to truly embraced the fun spirit of the event as evident from the increasing number of people wearing customes during the run. I saw several clowns, Mr and Mrs Superman, and the eventual winner, a Red Indian complete with head gear and battle axe.

The fastest runner on the day clocked in at approx 17 or 18mins. I clocked in at 26.59mins. I'm only beginning to like the idea of trying to run faster and 5km could be a distance I can grow to like instead of my usual longer distance. I look forward to more speedwork sessions and hope to do better next year.

Event: Company Fun Run
Distance: 5.144km
Time: 26.59min.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Cabaran Larian Pantai PMS, 18Mar 2007

I woke up around 4.30am today.
It's been a while since I had to get out of bed this early.
But its race day. The 15km Larian Pantai in Tutong to be exact, organised by the lovely folks of Persatuan Melayu Sengkarai.

For some carbs, I ate some IndoMie and hydrate myself with 100Plus before making the 25 minutes drive to Pantai Seri Kenangan. I've not been fully prepared for this race, having only run maybe twice 10km since Brunei Marathon. But I'm here primarily just to give my legs some reminder of what a long run feels like, and hopefully make this event a catalyst for a much better workout the rest of the year.

The fields of participants seems to be made up of 80% army hardcore runners and 20% other uniform personnel. Not good for my other goal. Which is *ahem* not to finisih last.

We were sent off around 7.15am. The first 6km on tarmac seems to be the hardest. I was soon feeling some pain on my lower left leg. But as we approached the turn into Tutong beach, I felt lighter and was soon able to pass some runners. I enjoyed the 6km or so beach run. The beach was not all level so my knees were feeling the impact but otherwise, it was such a good feeling running along the beach with the cool morning winds on my face. This was my first time in Tutong beach and I'm impressed by its cleanliness and overall beauty. I might bring the family here during the holiday. As I left the beach and back into the tarmac road, I could feel my legs actually getting stronger and was soon able to pass some runners. I picked up more speed as I head into the home stretch and was able to pass the finish line at 1hr 28mins.

Number 50 out of 79 runners.
Not bad for my first long run of the year.
Nothing to boast about and I still have some more speed work to do.
But I have no complaints.
At least I didn't finish last and
I'm enjoying my run again.

I'll probably remember this event as the first race I didn't wear my trusted camelback
and for winning a prize from the lucky draw.
And more importantly, also for confirming that taking ORS during the run helps to prevent my usual cramping. An overall satisfying Sunday run.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Pit Stop


What more could you ask for? A working desk with a beautiful view, plenty of good food to keep one satisfied (in fact the Nooodles restaurant serves a fine Hong Kong Wantan mee) and the lounge has lots and lots of space that you don't feel crowded by other people. I could spend a long time here ... or until my flite anyway and that's still 5 hours away!) . I love Malaysian Airlines Golden Lounge. They seems to get this one right.

Let's see the shower and gym later ...

Of Pirated Software, DVDs, CDs

I walked around Imbi Plaza earlier and lo and behold, the Malaysian authorities seems to have cleaned up the place. It's still dirty, but what I meant was the pirated software, the PS2 CD, DVDs, and what have you have all been banished! I've also heard they've arrested some traders.

First they cleaned up the porns (Petaling Street is JUST not the same anymore and I do love the cat and mouse games the traders and authorities plays some evenings), now this? Hehe. What next? But the fake T-Shirts, Handbags and Watches are still being sold openly. Brunei may yet become the last outpost for pirated goods in this region. Now that's a scary thought.

Ignore me, I'm just killing time while waiting for my flight.

Chinese New Year 2007 in Kuala Lumpur

I spent 2 years of my early life here in Kuala Lumpur. Staying mostly in TTDI and also around Sentral. So KL does not offer much surprises for me, although I love how it progresses everytime I come back here. But, always, always, its food, its Indian curries and its roadside nasi lemak remind me that the old Kuala Lumpur is alive and kicking. When I passed through customs yesterday (I love its premier lane!), I really didn't have any plan apart from getting a new business shoes, relax at a coffee shop somewhere and do some people watching. But being the nite before Chinese New Year's eve, I decided to soak some of the celebratory atmosphere and walk around all the major shopping malls in Bukit Bintang.

Red lanterns lined some of the streets around Bukit Bintang and it does genuinely feels more livelier. KL Plaza has cherry blossoms placed on mock tress outside its entrance and at its main hall. Sungei Wang Plaza has a magical garden theme going-on in its concourse level, and Berjaya Time Square has a big Cherry Blossom wishing tree and Gazaebo at its entrance.

But unlike in Hong Kong, decorative figures depicting the pig, or rather the boar, seems conspicously absent. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough. Anyway, I would think most people would already have started their journey to join their family earlier in the day so the shopping malls themselves were not really crowded but there are still some people doing their last minute shopping for CNY. The CNY sale seems to offer plenty of good bargains after all. I joined in the mood and bought some shirt and trousers.

To all, enjoy a bountiful and prosperous new year. Gong Xi Fa chai.

Kuala Lumpur, 16-17Feb 2007
En route to Osaka, Japan
KLIA express to KL Sentral: RM35
Taxi to Bukit Bintang: RM20 (Should perhaps take the normal city taxi on the 2st or ground floor)
Taxi from Bukit Bintang to Sentral: RM10
Shops closed around 9.30pm. Shops close on New Year itself.
B$1 = RM2.265
I changed my money KL Sentral.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Jade Goody at the London Marathon

A reminder that marathoning is not for everyone and it does take lots of commitment and training before one should attempt a marathon.

BUT .... on the other hand, you do have to give her credit, to have the courage to be at the starting line of the London marathon and to have done 18 miles without proper training or nutrition.

Excerpt from entertainmentwise.com

Big Brother’s Jade Goody has been criticised for not training properly for the London marathon.

Goody was forced to quit the 26.2mile run after completing 21 miles due to exhaustion, she later revealed that she only took part in four training sessions and had been binging on curries and booze before the race.

Race director, David Bedford has said of the reality TV star: "We, of course, recommend that everyone that takes part in the marathon trains, and to start by thinking I'm just going to walk round and not even be able to walk a marathon clearly shows she's done nothing and is not in good shape,"

"I don't know whether the marathon money that she was raising will be lost because she dropped out. That, of course, would be a great shame and would in some ways show that she should have taken the event more seriously."

The one where I went to Hong Kong

Hong Kong - 28th Jan 2007 to 4th Feb 2007.

Forgive me if I got some of the name wrong as I'm basically writing from I remembered in my head. But I've decided. I love Hong Kong. The shopping (Shops selling branded and designer goods aplenty!), the places we visited, the food (the Dim Sum and the desserts were awesome!) and especially the weather. Hong Kong was hit by cold snap the first nite we were there but temperature range from 18 to 22 Deg C throughout our stay. There was no rain and the weather certainly made our stay there much more memorable.

Hong Kong remind me of a lot of London or Manchester. Which makes sense I guess as they are a former British colony. They have duble-decker red buses, the buildings are quite compact, the similar looking road signs, the eer cheesy British adult magazine and the weather, mercilessly windy and cold.

Our hotel was in Causeway Bay which turned out to be the most ideal place to stay in during our 1 week visit to Hong Kong. The Peak is nearby as are the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre. I love some of the little shops (especially around Sogo) and the market (selling cheap souvenir t-shirts). Lots of fresh flowers on sale too and the oranges we bought was gratefuly juicy and sweet.

Across the bay in Kowloon, we shopped in Harbour City and Ocean Terminal. My most notable purchase would be New Balance triathlon short (Ocean Terminal), New Balance running shoe M1222 (Times Square), Adidas pants and running T (Giga Sports), Hi-Tec Trail Running Shoe (OT). A nice haul of sporting goods! The prices were not exactly cheap but I like the variety of mechandise the shops keep and they carry bigger sizes for the shoes.

Exchange rate approx BND 1 = HKD 4.92
Taxi from the Airport to Hong Kong Island - Not more than HKD400
Train to the city - HKD90 / HKD100
Taxi generally expensive.
If you plan to use the bus or train to travel around, get the Octopus Card. HKD150 which include HKD50 deposit. You can also use the card at McD, 7-11 shops or certain supermarket. Quite handy!
Halal food - Some around Causeway Bay. In Kowloon, head to ChungKing Mansion along Nathan Road. I bought Nasi Beriyani from one of the shops there for HKD15.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Live Free and Ride Hard

2.5hours
Mountain biking
McFarm -> (Hill track) -> Asma hotel -> Empire roundabout -> (Bush track) -> McFarm

2 good reasons why you should NOT do it;
i. if you just want to trim off excessive weight, there are certainly far easier way
ii. if you place a place a high value on your bones.

2 good reasons why you SHOULD do it;
i. The route offers a demanding, punishing but satisfying uphill ride
ii. The often long downhill run is both exhilarating and dangerous.

To hell with reasons. A let it ripped weekend! What better way for my first ride of 2007.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

The Will to Prepare

To achieve my dream, I need to focus on baby steps and small tangible goals.

That means I first have to gain a decent level of proficiency in my weakest sport of the three: swimming.

For the first half of this year, I will learn to swim, from a coach if I can find one or by myself if need be. For the latter, I need to ensure I don't pick up any bad swimming habits. Hopefully by Q3 or Q4 of 2007, I will enter my first triathlon, a sprint or olympic triathlon.

And if I shall fail, I will still gain experience .. and evolve. I don't lose either way. I like that.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Easy Does It

I seemed to have picked up a slight injury after the Brunei marathon. I couldn't run more than 5km without feeling discomfort behind my left knee. My battered body way of telling me to take it easy for a while.

So I haven't done any long runs lately. To compensate, I've taken to trail-running in Bukit Shahbandar. The 9 hills run may be short (and sweet!), but the incredible feeling as I finished yet another sweaty run is very satisfying ... and addictive.

Yesterday I set out to try and do a long run. After 7km, I felt stronger and realised my injury seemed to have healed. What a relief!

Pain is temporary ... but the memory of completing my second Brunei Marathon, and at a new personal best, will stay with me forever.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Triathlon Primer

Note to self ...

In contemporary usage, a triathlon is an athletic event made up of three contests;- swimming, cycling and running. These events are placed back-to-back in immediate sequence and a competitor's official time includes the time required to "transition" between the individual legs of the race, including any time necessary for changing clothes and shoes.

There are a number of standard triathlon race distances, including;-

* Sprint Distance Triathlon: 750 meter swim / 20 km bike / 5 km run.
* Olympic Distance Triathlon: 1.5 km (0.9 mi) swim / 40 km (24.9 mi) bike / 10 km (6.2 mi) run.
* Half-Ironman Triathlon: 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim / 90 km (56 mi) bike / 21 km (13.1 mi) run. Also called a "70.3".
* Ironman, Iron Distance and Long Distance Triathlon: 3.8 km (2.4 mile) swim / 180 km (112 mile) bike / 42 km (26.2 mile) run, i.e. a marathon.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

The Dream

Challenge: Finishing an Ironman triathlon
Reward: Completing a Dream ...


The IRONMAN course are generally closed 17 hours after the start of the race. In the 2006 Ironman Korea, the oldest finisher, 79-year-old Korean Hong-Gyu Kim crossed the finish line just before midnight. He started the race around 8am.

Imagine 17 hours of committed suffering.

I did ...

Now I haven't quite figured out why I want to do it yet. I have no prior swimming or biking experience and I've only been running for 3 years, but triathlon seemed an exciting challenge, and the Ironman triathlon a dream.

A dream I'm determined to chase ...