Unlike the Sundown which we were well prepared on the logistics of getting there and settling in, we were hardly prepared for this and had to rely on our (well, Nisa's) experience from last year. She knew it would be crowded and that parking would be a problem. The start was at Dataran Medeka but we went straight to the spot behind Tugu Negara to park our car. We parked at practically the same spot as last year and walked quite a distance to the start. A little late, we had to jog/walk there but no matter. For the marque race of the KL calender, it was very very crowded; even though our race had started, it took us some 7min to clear the start.
This is the "problem" with running in the marque race. It really is the highlight of our season since we regard ourselves as Malaysian runners and we would not miss it for anything; apparently, this was what all runners felt as well and our category (10k) was full of runners, more so because there were the recreational runners and those that wanted to take in the atmoshpere as well. Nisa and I was joustling with the crowd right up to (I think) 3.5k into the race and it was hard to settle into our race pace. All hopes of a PR disappeared and we were left to just take in the atmosphere. If there is anything we learnt, it was to squeeze our way to as far front as possible, just so we get a good start (and let people overtake us, rather than we, them). Like Spore races, there were people who choose to run together and did so in a line, effectively taking up the entire width of the route.
But I did miss this race last year. It was to be my inaugural KL marathon but I was not permitted to travel anywhere because of the bloody H1N1 scare. I did get the racing tee last year but this year's is miles better!
As I plodded along for the first 3.5k or so, I had to zig-zag my way through the crowds. Nearing the first timing checkpoint (you need to run over the sensor in order that your split may be captured - and also to verify that you ran the course and therefore deserved your medal), I almost ran into a traffic cone! The route was funnelling from 4 lanes into 2 and I did not see the cone as I tried to avoid the crowds. This was not to be the last time because the route kept encountering bottlenecks and everyone slowed down at those points.
No route around Dataran Medeka would be complete without making a loop into Lake Gardens. The hills there that I once dreaded are now slopes; I took them with a slightly slowed pace but I kept going. Coming out of Lake Gardens, back down Jln Parliament, loop around Sogo and its back to Dataran Medeka to the finish.
The race was almost perfect, except for the crowds. The weather was cloudy and there was enough water all round. In fact, I added another component to my pre-race routine - reading RW the night before for inspiration and mood!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Retirement
So this is what retirement feels like.
You retire when you're done and I am done with golf. All through the time when I gave it up, it has been on mind. I have always been thinking how I can hit the ball longer. I'm lucky in my being able to hit the ball all the time, just that distance has always, always, been lacking. I was watching the US Open and they had a slow mo on someone hitting - ok, if he won, he'll no longer be just a "someone". The latest thought on how to hit it longer was to treat the club like a whip; this is not although strange because many golf swing concepts are built around this. And watching this slow mo, I saw something that made sense, consistent with the whipping of the club. I had a few practice swings within the house, it felt right. I sneaked off to the range just now in the night, it is always empty on a Sunday night. Got some balls and started copying what I saw. First shot, bladed a wedge - that's fine because the last time I hit a ball was some 6 months ago. Second shot was also another top; third shot travelled the same distance as I normally hit with this wedge. Fourth shot, I remedied with the proper follow through and the ball went further than it did the last 7 years or so!!
Same thing with the 8i, 5i. 3w needed some work because it's a difficult club but it was ok. Driver ok!!
So this is what the regular folk feel like, getting onto par 4s in 2, and hitting wedge into a par 5.
I'm done. The next time, and ever after, is strictly recreational.
You retire when you're done and I am done with golf. All through the time when I gave it up, it has been on mind. I have always been thinking how I can hit the ball longer. I'm lucky in my being able to hit the ball all the time, just that distance has always, always, been lacking. I was watching the US Open and they had a slow mo on someone hitting - ok, if he won, he'll no longer be just a "someone". The latest thought on how to hit it longer was to treat the club like a whip; this is not although strange because many golf swing concepts are built around this. And watching this slow mo, I saw something that made sense, consistent with the whipping of the club. I had a few practice swings within the house, it felt right. I sneaked off to the range just now in the night, it is always empty on a Sunday night. Got some balls and started copying what I saw. First shot, bladed a wedge - that's fine because the last time I hit a ball was some 6 months ago. Second shot was also another top; third shot travelled the same distance as I normally hit with this wedge. Fourth shot, I remedied with the proper follow through and the ball went further than it did the last 7 years or so!!
Same thing with the 8i, 5i. 3w needed some work because it's a difficult club but it was ok. Driver ok!!
So this is what the regular folk feel like, getting onto par 4s in 2, and hitting wedge into a par 5.
I'm done. The next time, and ever after, is strictly recreational.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
I am such an idiot
I was looking forward to the recovery run today, and more so because I wanted to run in the opposite direction on the ECP. This time, instead of heading towards Changi, I would go down to Fort Rd and back.
I parked where the chalets are. Those who have live long in the East Coast would know them to be the holiday chalets, but they have now acquired quite a reputation for being past their prime and weathered. Anyway, parking is difficult to get and when I chanced upon a lot that was just right there, it was too good to be true.
It was only after I returned from the run that I noticed I had parked in a handicap lot - that was why it was there like a shiny pearl for the taking. I am such an idiot to have just reversed into the lot without seeing. Idiot! No wonder everyone who walked past looked at me in a funny way.
Here's the sign, partially hidden - but no excuse anyway
I parked where the chalets are. Those who have live long in the East Coast would know them to be the holiday chalets, but they have now acquired quite a reputation for being past their prime and weathered. Anyway, parking is difficult to get and when I chanced upon a lot that was just right there, it was too good to be true.
It was only after I returned from the run that I noticed I had parked in a handicap lot - that was why it was there like a shiny pearl for the taking. I am such an idiot to have just reversed into the lot without seeing. Idiot! No wonder everyone who walked past looked at me in a funny way.
Here's the sign, partially hidden - but no excuse anyway
Hijau!
I met my brother today and he told me something that I knew but the extent really surprised me.
The aircon shouldn't be used if there was absolutely no need. The energy consumption of the aircon can be up to 10 times that of our ceiling fan.
The storage water heater only needs to be turned on for 5min to heat up the entire tank. The water in the tank stays hot for hours thereafter, losing warmth only gradually. I think I've known the water to remain hot for up to 6-7hrs.
Leaving the ceiling fan on the whole day will not consume a significant amount of energy.
In exchange, I told him compression tights really worked, but I think that was lost on him.
The aircon shouldn't be used if there was absolutely no need. The energy consumption of the aircon can be up to 10 times that of our ceiling fan.
The storage water heater only needs to be turned on for 5min to heat up the entire tank. The water in the tank stays hot for hours thereafter, losing warmth only gradually. I think I've known the water to remain hot for up to 6-7hrs.
Leaving the ceiling fan on the whole day will not consume a significant amount of energy.
In exchange, I told him compression tights really worked, but I think that was lost on him.
Friday, June 18, 2010
The shortcut
No, this is not about running tangents. That's legitimate. This is a real shortcut.
The beauty of running is that this is probably the only sport that has a shortcut to success. No doubt the miles will have to be banked in gradully and consistently and I'll like to think I've been diligent in this area. However when time is short, or the mind rebels against a long run, there is a quick way around it all. I run hills.
I've never really liked them but there is a conveniently gradient at the housing estate behind where we live in Spore. I've developed a routine along a stretch that I use now and then. It's a little bit over 300m, gradual at the beginning and in the last 80m or so, it turns into a steep incline. Nothing dramatic or punishing like Kiara but enough. Time is never recorded and it does not matter. I run each interval to the point where I am panting heavily at the top. The first interval is always tough, as is the last. Those in the middle are effectively strides. All in, steep enough to be brutal, building fitness and strength, yet short enough to allow concentration on form.
I did those hills last night. I got home late and was short on time. As I was going up, I started thinking of the circuit that Nisa and I started off with in KL. I remembered them because it was in a housing estate setting that was exactly like what I run on now and it had 2 hills. It really doesn't qualify as a hill, more like a slope, but when we started out running, they felt like hills. We even gave them names because we always struggled up them.
The first was called "Aileen's slope"; because Aileen's parents lived along that slope. Everytime when I struggled up, I would always glanced at their home, wondering if Aileen was in and could see me ambling up the hill. The second was "Please don't take my flowers hill". It got it's name because an owner was trying to develope a little garden outside his house along this hill. This garden was on public land and there a sign imploring those who passed by not to take her flowers.
These are the places where we started our running. The curcuit was short, not more than 1.1k and I remembered I could only do 3 rounds, one of which would be walked. I've come quite a bit since then, shortcuts and all.
The beauty of running is that this is probably the only sport that has a shortcut to success. No doubt the miles will have to be banked in gradully and consistently and I'll like to think I've been diligent in this area. However when time is short, or the mind rebels against a long run, there is a quick way around it all. I run hills.
I've never really liked them but there is a conveniently gradient at the housing estate behind where we live in Spore. I've developed a routine along a stretch that I use now and then. It's a little bit over 300m, gradual at the beginning and in the last 80m or so, it turns into a steep incline. Nothing dramatic or punishing like Kiara but enough. Time is never recorded and it does not matter. I run each interval to the point where I am panting heavily at the top. The first interval is always tough, as is the last. Those in the middle are effectively strides. All in, steep enough to be brutal, building fitness and strength, yet short enough to allow concentration on form.
I did those hills last night. I got home late and was short on time. As I was going up, I started thinking of the circuit that Nisa and I started off with in KL. I remembered them because it was in a housing estate setting that was exactly like what I run on now and it had 2 hills. It really doesn't qualify as a hill, more like a slope, but when we started out running, they felt like hills. We even gave them names because we always struggled up them.
The first was called "Aileen's slope"; because Aileen's parents lived along that slope. Everytime when I struggled up, I would always glanced at their home, wondering if Aileen was in and could see me ambling up the hill. The second was "Please don't take my flowers hill". It got it's name because an owner was trying to develope a little garden outside his house along this hill. This garden was on public land and there a sign imploring those who passed by not to take her flowers.
These are the places where we started our running. The curcuit was short, not more than 1.1k and I remembered I could only do 3 rounds, one of which would be walked. I've come quite a bit since then, shortcuts and all.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Lost key
Most adventures these days start or involve running. Tonight's was no different.
I started off pretty promising - every recovery run starts and ends that way because the effort is minimal and all I need to do is .. well .. just run. I planned to run short as well and today's venue was bedok reservoir. A 4.3k jaunt, on gravel for a change. Parked the car, stuffed the spare key in the inside pocket and off I went. The pocket felt loose, no doubt because the shorts are old and weathered but I didn't care.
Some ways into the run, I felt for the key. It was almost instinctive, like a reflex, because I just want to be sure. Nisa will readily testify that I am anxious about these things; this is because I want to protect against carelessness, and things that are avoidable with a little extra diligence. The key was not there.
My thoughts immediately swung wildly; from where could the key have gone to, where along the trail it dropped, was it in the rough that I had to walk through, did I leave it on the door, to what if someone had found my key and drove my car away and used my house keys within to break into my house. I stopped running but my heart rate definitely increased notwithstanding. It was dark along the trail when I walked back to see if I could find it. I walked and went all the way back to the car and yet I could not find the key. The only bright spark was the car was still there.
A fellow runner let me used his phone and I called my parent's to ask them to come by. The runner even offerred to send me to my parent's but I declined, a small part due to shyness but a larger measure due to the fact that I was fretting inside and wanted some time to myself to collect my thoughts and plan next steps. And just after I made the call, I found my key in the silly-est place.
Total running distance - 1k (this was the point where I realised I had lost the key). But it must have felt like 10k going at my heart rate.
I started off pretty promising - every recovery run starts and ends that way because the effort is minimal and all I need to do is .. well .. just run. I planned to run short as well and today's venue was bedok reservoir. A 4.3k jaunt, on gravel for a change. Parked the car, stuffed the spare key in the inside pocket and off I went. The pocket felt loose, no doubt because the shorts are old and weathered but I didn't care.
Some ways into the run, I felt for the key. It was almost instinctive, like a reflex, because I just want to be sure. Nisa will readily testify that I am anxious about these things; this is because I want to protect against carelessness, and things that are avoidable with a little extra diligence. The key was not there.
My thoughts immediately swung wildly; from where could the key have gone to, where along the trail it dropped, was it in the rough that I had to walk through, did I leave it on the door, to what if someone had found my key and drove my car away and used my house keys within to break into my house. I stopped running but my heart rate definitely increased notwithstanding. It was dark along the trail when I walked back to see if I could find it. I walked and went all the way back to the car and yet I could not find the key. The only bright spark was the car was still there.
A fellow runner let me used his phone and I called my parent's to ask them to come by. The runner even offerred to send me to my parent's but I declined, a small part due to shyness but a larger measure due to the fact that I was fretting inside and wanted some time to myself to collect my thoughts and plan next steps. And just after I made the call, I found my key in the silly-est place.
Total running distance - 1k (this was the point where I realised I had lost the key). But it must have felt like 10k going at my heart rate.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The fireflies at Kuala Selangor
We kicked off Nisa and jamie's 2-week holiday in the KL home with a family trip out to faraway Kuala Selangor to see the famour fireflies. I had never seen fireflies in my life and neither has Jamie - but somehow neither of us seemed excited about the event, Jamie because he probably did not know what they were and I because I have long given up the childhood belief that you could keep them in a jar and they will glow one whole night.
At the firefly park, we queued to get onto the boat!! We had to board a sampan, whom will then row us up and down the Selangor river, on the bank of which are the tree on which the fireflies feed on. A person behind us in line told us the wait and the sail would be well worth it, and that it would be like Christmas trees, only in real life. It was 4 persons to a sampan and all of us had to don lifejackets; Jamie had a baby one that was just right for him. He got into the sampan and when the sampan approached the fireflies, he pointed them out in wonderment. My sis-inlaw caught one in her palm and showed it to Jamie, it was literally like a pin of light in her hand.
To be frank, the drive to and back from the firefly park was more exciting than the fireflies. We were warned that the trip would take some 90 minutes and this was true because we were stuck in traffic on the way out. Outside of KL itself (and this is just maybe 20km out of the city), you actually see urbanisation receding awaying and it is back to Malaysia in the 70s. Roads are narrow-ish and there is dusty traffic. Not that I am complaining, as its good to be reminded of life once in a while, least I take the amenities for granted. The exciting bit came when we cleared the traffic and finally got on our way. The road was winding and fast; my tires and suspension held up to the mark and driving along these roads was fun.
We got back into KL late in the night, and went to bed even later.
At the firefly park, we queued to get onto the boat!! We had to board a sampan, whom will then row us up and down the Selangor river, on the bank of which are the tree on which the fireflies feed on. A person behind us in line told us the wait and the sail would be well worth it, and that it would be like Christmas trees, only in real life. It was 4 persons to a sampan and all of us had to don lifejackets; Jamie had a baby one that was just right for him. He got into the sampan and when the sampan approached the fireflies, he pointed them out in wonderment. My sis-inlaw caught one in her palm and showed it to Jamie, it was literally like a pin of light in her hand.
To be frank, the drive to and back from the firefly park was more exciting than the fireflies. We were warned that the trip would take some 90 minutes and this was true because we were stuck in traffic on the way out. Outside of KL itself (and this is just maybe 20km out of the city), you actually see urbanisation receding awaying and it is back to Malaysia in the 70s. Roads are narrow-ish and there is dusty traffic. Not that I am complaining, as its good to be reminded of life once in a while, least I take the amenities for granted. The exciting bit came when we cleared the traffic and finally got on our way. The road was winding and fast; my tires and suspension held up to the mark and driving along these roads was fun.
We got back into KL late in the night, and went to bed even later.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Do you know what runners want?
This is yet another Sundown story, one of no doubt many already out on the web. It's a rant against the organizers but this is not like all of the others. For me, it goes into the heart of what runners want.
I ran on CCY's bib. No doubt that's not within the race rules and yet this is very commonly done. I'm not going to win any prizes and I'm absolutely willing to give up anything I may win. So there I went into the Sundown half and had a great time. Preparation is everything and I was fortunate enough not to have experienced the problems many others faced on that night. I had a great time. CCY only gave me his bib and he wanted to keep the racing singlet. I got to keep the finisher's medal.
Just last Friday, I called the organizers and asked if I could buy the racing singlet. They had extras and said I could have it for free! Could I come by and pick it up now? Of course! I arrived in 20min and I could see boxes on boxes of singlets. Of all sizes. I though the "M" looked a little small and settled on the "L". I was really pleased with the singlet, and myself.
I came home and tried on the singlet. It is quite common to get the size wrong, with newbies like me and it's happen more often than not - the singlet is too big. And guess what, when I called the organisers to ask if I could change my singlet for something smaller, they said "Yes". They have "M" as well. To be balanced, this is unheard off in the local racing scene - once you've made your choice, you're absolutely not allowed to change your tee.
So pleased was I when I went down to the organisers to change my singlet. When I got there, the person who attended to me asked if I wanted an "S"; she could not find the box where the M were kept and so she quickly said they were all out. Her search took all of 1 min because I could see her rummaging through the boxes before her; and after that, she was prepared to brush me away, blow me off. I asked that she checked again and after consulting her colleague, she found the "M" box - right under her nose, underneath the bloody "L"s.
Do you really know what runners want?
We run at races only for the bloody medal and the bragging rights that come with the tee. Nothing more. We're a bunch long used to sufferring and all we ask for are these 2 things. There is no point bragging to those that do not know and so only the small number of runners would recognise the tee for what its worth. To use "bragging" is really too big a word - every time we see another runner with a tee from an event, its more a recognition of the achievement of having participated in the race than a boast of performance. This is why the tee is so meaningful. To crown it all, the person who looked for my tee was a fellow runner herself (she was wearing her marathon finisher's tee).
So please do not be flippant and brush me off about my tee because it does mean something to me.
I ran on CCY's bib. No doubt that's not within the race rules and yet this is very commonly done. I'm not going to win any prizes and I'm absolutely willing to give up anything I may win. So there I went into the Sundown half and had a great time. Preparation is everything and I was fortunate enough not to have experienced the problems many others faced on that night. I had a great time. CCY only gave me his bib and he wanted to keep the racing singlet. I got to keep the finisher's medal.
Just last Friday, I called the organizers and asked if I could buy the racing singlet. They had extras and said I could have it for free! Could I come by and pick it up now? Of course! I arrived in 20min and I could see boxes on boxes of singlets. Of all sizes. I though the "M" looked a little small and settled on the "L". I was really pleased with the singlet, and myself.
I came home and tried on the singlet. It is quite common to get the size wrong, with newbies like me and it's happen more often than not - the singlet is too big. And guess what, when I called the organisers to ask if I could change my singlet for something smaller, they said "Yes". They have "M" as well. To be balanced, this is unheard off in the local racing scene - once you've made your choice, you're absolutely not allowed to change your tee.
So pleased was I when I went down to the organisers to change my singlet. When I got there, the person who attended to me asked if I wanted an "S"; she could not find the box where the M were kept and so she quickly said they were all out. Her search took all of 1 min because I could see her rummaging through the boxes before her; and after that, she was prepared to brush me away, blow me off. I asked that she checked again and after consulting her colleague, she found the "M" box - right under her nose, underneath the bloody "L"s.
Do you really know what runners want?
We run at races only for the bloody medal and the bragging rights that come with the tee. Nothing more. We're a bunch long used to sufferring and all we ask for are these 2 things. There is no point bragging to those that do not know and so only the small number of runners would recognise the tee for what its worth. To use "bragging" is really too big a word - every time we see another runner with a tee from an event, its more a recognition of the achievement of having participated in the race than a boast of performance. This is why the tee is so meaningful. To crown it all, the person who looked for my tee was a fellow runner herself (she was wearing her marathon finisher's tee).
So please do not be flippant and brush me off about my tee because it does mean something to me.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Julian's birthday party
We are not really into the kiddie party routine over here in Spore, and for that matter, over in KL as well. Weekends are already so filled with what-have-you but Julian's party just now was really good.
As far as I can remember, F (Julian's mom, ie my cousin in-law) always comes up with the best parties and goodie bag. This time, we had Ramli burgers for the brunch part of the party, and for tea, we had crepes. Yup - there are 2 parts to the party!!
The balloon-ist, in seeking adventure, asked Jamie what he wanted. He was pretty good with his work and had just completed an Elmo balloon for someone else.
Jamie : I want a dragon
Balloon-ist : Gulp..err, I try my best.
After labouring for 15min or so, this is what Jamie got:
You can't really tell its a dragon but in the flesh, it was - and it was really good!!
As far as I can remember, F (Julian's mom, ie my cousin in-law) always comes up with the best parties and goodie bag. This time, we had Ramli burgers for the brunch part of the party, and for tea, we had crepes. Yup - there are 2 parts to the party!!
The balloon-ist, in seeking adventure, asked Jamie what he wanted. He was pretty good with his work and had just completed an Elmo balloon for someone else.
Jamie : I want a dragon
Balloon-ist : Gulp..err, I try my best.
After labouring for 15min or so, this is what Jamie got:
You can't really tell its a dragon but in the flesh, it was - and it was really good!!
Least I forget
It's not (never) a show and tell ever. The reason why I am writing all of this down is so I can remember what I have experienced. Maybe when Jamie reads this, he'll know what I am going and feeling.
So least I forget,
1. Today's run was really poor, probably the worst I've ever done. I gave up after 5k and walked the rest of the distance home. The target was 15k so the disappointment was double. I thought the lunch I had some 2hrs ago would have been digested but it was not. When I met my cousin, B, this evening, I explained I had an indigestion problem; this is a fancy way of saying I had a bad case of "angin"!! How bad? It was like a round ball in my stomach and my diaphragm could not move and I could not breathe. I think beef rendang and sambal goreng will be removed from my diet until I get better. And I happen to like them a lot..
2. My other cousin, A's, wife is really funny!! She's "A" as well and more importantly, she a DIY specialist outside her day job. She was telling us funny stories on how she had to DIY all of her stuff around her clinic. All this in response to my moaning about me having to DIY it around our home. I even got ideas on where I can buy a ladder, and which too.
3. Jamie's into colouring now. In order to express himself and communicate how and what he needs to colour, he is forced to expand his vocabulary, which I see as the aim. He's also diligently learning the alphabet, writing everything down all through our visit to IKEA this afternoon.
4. Jamie just saw a flying cockroach and the roach killer has just despatched the insect to it's end.
So least I forget,
1. Today's run was really poor, probably the worst I've ever done. I gave up after 5k and walked the rest of the distance home. The target was 15k so the disappointment was double. I thought the lunch I had some 2hrs ago would have been digested but it was not. When I met my cousin, B, this evening, I explained I had an indigestion problem; this is a fancy way of saying I had a bad case of "angin"!! How bad? It was like a round ball in my stomach and my diaphragm could not move and I could not breathe. I think beef rendang and sambal goreng will be removed from my diet until I get better. And I happen to like them a lot..
2. My other cousin, A's, wife is really funny!! She's "A" as well and more importantly, she a DIY specialist outside her day job. She was telling us funny stories on how she had to DIY all of her stuff around her clinic. All this in response to my moaning about me having to DIY it around our home. I even got ideas on where I can buy a ladder, and which too.
3. Jamie's into colouring now. In order to express himself and communicate how and what he needs to colour, he is forced to expand his vocabulary, which I see as the aim. He's also diligently learning the alphabet, writing everything down all through our visit to IKEA this afternoon.
4. Jamie just saw a flying cockroach and the roach killer has just despatched the insect to it's end.
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