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Thursday, July 28, 2005

RMC -Champ U-16 and U-19 MSSKL

Royal Military College emerged champ for both the categories in a nail biting final at SMS Selangor.

The whole college, including OP Commandant and OP Officers were at the field, giving their morale and support to both the teams.

An estimated 40 OPs, all *cut their work short*, ie Tuang-ed just to go and see the boys play.

The U-16 has no problem whipping their opponents, despite being dominated by mainly form 2 Puteras.

The U-19 players, however, were made to sweat and shed tears of blood for their narrow 15-12 win.

All in all, it was a match well faught.

The pictures shows the grit, determination and all the excitement that were abound in SMS Selangor on the fine Tuesday Afternoon.

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RMC in red

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Run, Boy, RUN!

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KC Looking bored, With OP Noneng, after doing his knee operation. OP Rizman, Capt. on KC's left. Could be seen OP Future Doctor, Buff, behind Noneng.

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The match is almost heart stopping....

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But finally, the last whistle blown...and RMC, CHAMP!!!

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The winning U-19 team, with their coach and officers.

Pictures Courtesy from OP Che Aris, official OPA Photographer Extraordinaire.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

21

Thanks to Hairul Azwar for the pic...

Yeap, my first triathlon, and i'm proud to be able to finish it the way an average joes would.

Monday, July 25, 2005

Summary of Weekend's Activities...

Steve, a neutralised Canadian which were more local than the local locals, summed up last weekend's activities the best...herewith is his report, minus any pictures.

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by Steve Lee

Busy weekend 23-24 July

From Saturday a.m. To Sunday we had the longest weekend yet.Friday night we played badminton, from 11pm to past 1am Saturday. I got to sleep at 2:30am only, pretty knackered from the matches the 9 of us played. They had to turn off the lights at SRGC to make us go home.

First thing Saturday was rock climbing at Batu Caves. About 7:32 four cars rapidly swooped into the car park at the 7 Star Mamak near the BP at Batu Caves and we hopped out for breakfast. Doc, Steve, Azmar, followed by Bean and Bandit pedaling up on his MTB. Stupe came by and Adilah SMSed that she was already at the rock face.


We have 3 ropes to use today but had to swap harnesses to climb. We set up the ropes on 'The Vines', and The Bridge routes. I should say Doc and Adilah set up the ropes doing the lead climbing. First timer Azmar and Bean made it up, without climbing shoes either. We did the longer and harder route up and over the ledge on the left and the higher route to the right of Monsoon. Doc set up the rope on a route below the cave, which is short but difficult.


Today was the day Jusco was selling off bikes for RM49, and Man and Ainul and I went over. But there was already a queue of 100 in front of us. We inspected the bikes again and chatted with Wong Ah Thiam of LeRun. Stupe and Aileen also showed up, but after waiting 1 hour the biker were snapped up. We decided to go to ABC instead, as Ainul is ready to finally get a bike. She got a Montana with low-end (but upgradeable) and clone-real components. The guy is pretty flexible and upgraded it to a 34 tooth cassette. Now no excuse to not ride.

Sunday started out with the 10km PowerRun. Glad everyone claimed their numbers and got to the start line. I myself was running late, so no chance to do anything else, not even piss. The route was similar to the old Tuesday KL ride through Kenny Hills, Jalan Duta and Jalan Parliament.

The hills aren't so steep that any walking was required and the end line came around soon enough, below 1 hours for many of us. The front pack came in at 56-57 minutes and Azman got a medal for being 97th place. Doc, Bean, Zabil and I following past the 100th position. Stupe ran with Adilah, which not only can help for next weekend's team event, but also gave him a good reason for being slow this week. Bjorn then Azmar arrived, pony tail bouncing in tune. Karoline, then Ainul arrived at about 1:30, but also got a medal. Zabil jogged out eventually to bring in Azah. We skipped the lucky draw as usual and decided to reconvene at PutraJaya.


About 10:15 I arrived at PutraJaya mosque circle. Zabil was there and immediately proposed we eat first instead of kayaking. A few phone calls later and Man and Doc and Amar and Karoline were all there ready to convoy to the BBQ site. This is the super secret VIP BBQ site, built by the government, then privatized to Shango Vic S/B to collect money for nothing. We figured we'd sneak in the back door, with only Doc paying for entry sand taking the boat across if needed. The same two cleaning ladies
were at the site, and polished the counter and used and air gun to blow away a couple of leaves on the ground. A so-called “BBQ Engineer” came by to start up the heat and Doc arrived with 5 tokens to cook, which Doc had to pay RM30 for. We ate sausages, chicken wings, bee hoon, choco cake, watermelon. Stupe & Aileen came with Potato Salad, and Amir showed up, but only have his smokes with him. Then the manager of Shango Vic came and informed us that they rent out the place on a 'packaged deal', meaning you pay for things you don't need, and the right to be there. It's RM100
he tells us, to hang out there for 3 hours, for 6 people. We got 11 people and we are ½-way done with the food, so have no choice but to pay the extortion. Evidently this BBQ spot is not for the rakyat, but probably for Pak Lah to make John Howard feel at home. By right we should be paying RM100 for 'the package', which doesn't include RM10 for cooking tokens, RM5/pax for the boat ride across, plus extra for 5 people or kids over 6. Maybe they charge for the parking at the boathouse too. So the BBQ was 'busted', but it was really nice and we'll try to repeat it, including sneaking in the extra chompers when PowerMan race happens.

Now on to the Kayaking, the 11 of use relocated to the Boathouse and waltzed into the store room, as though we are members. We picked out several kayaks, with Stupe & Aileen taking a double boat. Zabil and kid shared too, but the front kept raising out of the water as not balanced.

We paddled down to the Selangor Sultan house and then under the Jambatan Putra where the tourist jetty is. They directed us farther down the bridge. It was shady here and we dumped Karoline's boat, but the commotion awakened the tourist boat company to radio the lake club company to come retrieve these nuisance kayakers. So we paddled back to the lake club and under the Perdana Bridge to escape the sun. Also but Karoline were tired by now, but no one said anything.

Back at the Lake Club Boathouse Doc and Zabil thought about joining as members. Then the boat rental is ½ off, but we'd have to use it regularly to get the money back. Instead I slipped into the members-only swimming pool to cool off. Someone remembers that today is the Fruit Fest at Warisan Pertanian so we relocated to Section 16 next. Doc and Amir decided not to join in the buffet, just smoke from outside and enjoy the sight of us sitting on piles of durian skins. Entry was reduced to RM5, then RM4, as the fruit dwindled. Four us up entered and ate several
durians, duku, rambutan, pulasan, but didn't find any mangosteens or mangos or durian belanda to eat. We all got sleepy from the full day of fun and too much fruit and went home to sleep it off.

Power Run 10km/BBQ at Putrajaya - Sunday

It was a fun run, nevertheless, the average joes didn't even sweat it, though most of us would clasiffy this route, as per what we did in the KL Duathlon earlier this year, as tough and a worthy run.

There were like 14 of us in yesterday's run. Biggest number so far in any participation from the Light & Easy group.

Zabil & his wife Azah, Doc, Bean, Azman, Azmar, Bacin, Steve, me, Ainul & friend(?), Adilah, Karoline and Bjorn took part.

yeah, a very good mix and this is the race where all the Ladies runners outdid all the male runners (of the L&E group, i meant).

Azman came in first in about 56minutes, followed by Doc a good 5 seconds away, then Bean,then Zabil, then Steve, then bacin, then Bjorn, then me, Then Adilah, Then Karoline, then Ainul's Friend, then Azmar, then Ainul and then Azah at 1H 30 minutes.

All the babes get finisher medal. Only Man managed to get a medal to redeem the guy's pride. Finisher's medal was given to the first 100 finisher in each category.

I ran with Adilah, a good way to see if we could actually tolerate each ohter next week in the Gopeng race...i think we would and could. LOL. I had a hard time catching up with her in the final 2 km of the run...

anyway, enjoy the picture spread below.

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before the race...doing what we all do best, goofing around.

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Doc coming in...

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me and Adilah, she offered to share her medal with me...so sweet.

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Dilah, Steve, Me.

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Karoline running in at 1H10min

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ainul..ainul..ainul...

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the guys are frowning because they didn't get any medal, noticed the girls are all smiling?

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Doc pondering over the medal he never and will not have this year....

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Our Hero and Pride saver...Azman Power Mazlam.

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The medal bearers...

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Azah running in for the last few medals!!!

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Me and bacin consoling each ohter...

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And what a happy family picture!

We then proceed to Putrajaya for a BBQ in the Super VIP area next to Pak Lah's Home.
It cost us RM100 to rent and use that place, of which, we thought we could get away with...we will not consider this place again, but nevertheless, we did have fun. Perhaps, give the quiet place another try when we do the Powerman in Spetember this year.

We then went kayaking in Putrajaya Lake, and was twice chased out by the river cruise patrol boat because we kayaked until Dataran Putrajaya...it was a fun hot day...filled with activities and loads of fun...

Here you go, more pictures.
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Hmmm..food!!

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Chef of the Day!!!

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munch..munch..munch...

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Apa Tengok-tnegok???

Climbing - Damai, Batu Caves

Went climbing with my mates in the Batu Caves area, also using that oppurtunity to take audition video for Explorace Season 3, which me and Bandit, hope to make it in.

This is my first time climbing outdoor, and i was told it will be relatively much easier compared to indoor climbing as there will be loads of hand holds and cracks where hands and limbs could be inserted for grip.

Anyway, i managed to do one beginner route, before disappearing into the Damai cave for filming with Bandit, Hakim and Azmar.

I then tried anohter route which Doc set up. I mut say, i'm really impressed with doc and his lead climbing skills. From a real geek/nerd, he has now turned into athelete extraordinaire...i was inspired by his ability to led and set this route, that i decided to climb up myself...

the pictures below shows how much adrenalin would rush, in common guy, like me. FYI, there is another 2 climber, doing a multi pitch climb...it's crazy, they got up to at least 50-70 meters from level ground...kudos to them!

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At last 2 meters to the ring.

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Viewed from the bottom...

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150cm more to the chain...

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i'm nothing comapred to teh greatness of nature, can you even see me?

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Coming down, Bandit belaying me, life is in his hand...

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On my way down...

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Almost there, noticed the almost vertical surface? yes, you had to find your way up from there, after that, it's relatively easier...

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safely down, Azmar checking to make sure i didn't pee in my pants.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Official Results - PD Triathlon

Official Results, Including the transition time taken between Swim-cycle and Cycle-run (roughly about 1-2 minutes).


13th 279 Mohd Azam Bin Abdul Hamid Malaysia 2:11:13 039
46th 338 Zabil Ihram Bin Zainol Malaysia 2:33:11 137
47th 320 Steve Lee Malaysia 2:33:21 139
62nd 12 Azman Mazlam Malaysia 2:45:41 205
65th 52 Lim Ee-Van Malaysia 2:46:41 211
102nd 227 Dr Hisyam Salleh Malaysia 3:11:52 317
104th 321 Syahrir Abdullah Malaysia 3:16:03 323

Updated: 22/7/05 Results Breakdown of each dicipline.

the final results is out:

Position Age Group/Race Number/Name/Country/Total time/Overall position

13th 279 Mohd Azam Bin Abdul Hamid Malaysia 2:11:13 039
Swim/Pos - 0:26:32 126
Bike/Pos - 1:01:37 9
Run/Pos - 0:43:04 53

46th 338 Zabil Ihram Bin Zainol Malaysia 2:33:11 137
Swim/Pos - 0:28:21 161
Bike/Pos - 1:09:40 91
Run/Pos - 0:55:10 229

47th 320 Steve Lee Malaysia 2:33:21 139
Swim/Pos - 0:29:06 179
Bike/Pos - 1:10:00 97
Run/Pos - 0:54:15 217

62nd 12 Azman Mazlam Malaysia 2:45:41 205
Swim/Pos - 0:33:23 271
Bike/Pos - 1:19:57 221
Run/Pos - 0:52:21 181

64th 52 Lim Ee-Van Malaysia 2:46:41 210 (i moved up one spot...;-))
Swim/Pos - 0:28:57 176
Bike/Pos - 1:26:27 284
Run/Pos - 0:51:17 168

102nd 227 Dr Hisyam Salleh Malaysia 3:11:52 317
Swim/Pos - 0:43:55 356
Bike/Pos - 1:32:13 315
Run/Pos - 0:55:44 237

104th 321 Syahrir Abdullah Malaysia 3:16:03 323
Swim/Pos - 0:38:48 336
Bike/Pos - 1:38:31 337
Run/Pos - 0:58:44 266


More results could be obtained here.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Tribute to My Bike...

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Bought this Bike in 1992, after my old Raleigh Road Bike was stolen, and my BMX was also bike-napped the same evening.

It cost me RM450 back then, bought from this bicyle shop in Jalan Pahang, using money i saved up from 2 chinese new year.

It was a Le Run Vesuvius, named after one of the volcano in Italy.

It has full Shimano Altus Group set. Back then, to me, it was like the best money could buy. That also meant that i upgraded from Shimano Tourney that was on my old metal road bike.

V-brake were unheard of back then, mine has full Shimano M-System cantilever brakes complete with Shimano Rubber. Front and Back hubs of the same groupset.

With Rapidfire shifters and indicator, it was the ride of the town(to me).

It doesn't have front suspension fork fitted, it was stiff fork. The bike weight about 35kg when i got it.

I use it for my weekend ride into Kemensah, back when PCC were unheard off, and it is just a bunch of teens in their bikes riding into the jungle of Ulu Kelang. Deore was like a dream to have, XTR was out of reach for many of us. It was only about 4 years later than Rockshox came into the market, and i am still in my stiff fork, unable to upgrade.

Apart from riding offroad with it, i used it for my twice monthly ride, from the Old Gombak road at Batu 6, passing Mimaland, through to the UM's Forest cabin and out at the foothill of Genting. Nowadays, it is known as the Genting Sempah road to bikers. To me, it was a ritual 4 hours ride, to and fro from my home in Ulu Kelang, passing By Gombak through the old Bentong trunk road to the foothill of Genting. My mother used to call me *siao*. I couldn't agree with her more.

I had the bike upgraded about a year ago. Because i could afford it. I had the cantilever brake changed to V-brake (no brand, Made in Taiwan) and had a RST basic shock fitted as well. I decided not to change the rapidfire shifter that comes intergrated with the brake lever, and it was a mistake as the v-brake couldn't be used to to stop the bike in offroad condition, let alone work sometimes.

I had slick tires from Thailand fitted. it was a 1.4inch tyre, too broad to be considered to be slick by any other standard.

The bike now weight close to 40kg. A heavyweight after all the pouch (which is already more than 10 years old) and water bottle put in together.

I ride it in Putrajaya, having a hard time catching up with other MTB even, as the front chainring is only 42 teeth. This bike is now so ancient, i think any bike in Tesco/Carrefour/Giant could whip it's arse when it comes to feature.

Dig this, it's only 21 Speed. Back then, anything more than 18 speed are a luxury.

In the triathlon that just passed, a man came to me and asked me how fast my bike could go with those puny chainring...i guessed he answered his own question when he saw me as he crossed the finishing line, waiting for Doc and Bean to come in.

Infact, one man even commented that my bike should belongs to the state's museum when i was doing my Lumut Duathlon.

Whatever it is, I'm proud of the bike, more so after i've used it since, as my dedicated road bike for races this year, so far.

Just like it's namesake, there is already tonnes of *casualties* that my bike inflict on those carbon/kevlar/Durace/aerobar fitted bikes...

Peace Y'll.

PD International Triathlon 2005 - Report

We reached PD at about 3pm. Went straight to the Marina and register ourselves. RM80 per participant, not exactly cheap to begin with, furthermore, we felt that we should be paid to take part, as we are suffering, for the general public/sponsors/media to see.

After collecting the race kit, which consist of swimming cap in bright yellow colour(just in case some of us drown, it will be easier to locate our body at the bottom of the marina. PD water is murky...as we all know it), sticker for your bike, one notebook, one Negeri Sembilan Tourism CD and tonnes of brochures which were meant more for tourist, than local like us. Steve got a book on Malaysia, published in Chinese, how is that for making some Mat Salleh confuse? Oh ya, also, the T-shirt. Part of the thrill in entering races like this is to be able to collect those t-shirt, we know we won't win anything, so, those Tees are like prized possesion to some. Imagine our agony, when we noticed that the grammar was wrong.(refer to previous posting for the pic).

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Doc and Steve sizing up their competition...

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...While i goof around...

Zabil and family showed up soon after we registered. He has his triathlon Bikini and is out to make sure his route to the Iron Man race next year will be easier. I salute his passion, i for one, is actually still hesitant if i should even enter the race tomorrow.

We decided to hang around to watch the sprint event. This event was made to introduce this sport to beginners. It is a 800m swim, 10km bike and 3km run. Enough to pump up some sweat for hardcore triathlete that will compete in the full event, and hard enough for first timer, to get a feel of what to expect should they graduate to the full distance in the next race.

We were surprised to see a few familiar faces. El, for one, entered the sprint event. There were 4 RMC boys, all 4th formers, accompanied by their teacher that entered the age group sprint. Well done to them. They all finished the race in respectable time, and it was a bit funny to see kids, as young as 10 beating competitors double, or thrice their age. Some of these kids has bicycle that might very well be three times my paycheck. I'm not kidding (ok, it helps saying that because i'm earning peanuts).

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One of the RMC boys

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Starting them young

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No problem for El...

We checked into the PD Golf and Country Club just 400 meters away from the Marina. Thtough some connection that we got from Mat Gan, we managed to secure a 2 room apartment for RM139. Not too bad, as most of the accomodation in PD that weekend was full, due to some reasons which we do not know why.

Once in the room, Azman and Doc begin to tweak their aerobars. Some aide that will help them cruise the road at obscene speed, i was told. Meanwhile, i stick the number 52 sticker to my bike and lube them, while Steve does the same. Doc Hisyam managed to fix his aerobar in record time and sat on it to adjust the tilting angle. Azman was also done by then. I was told that Bean will compete as well, and he was on his way with Azam, the other MAS Pilot Athelete Extraordinaire.

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If i tilt the aerobars a few more degree lower, i might achieve a coefficient of drag less than 0.4Cd...

By 7pm, we cleaned up and got our asses to the Marina again for the Carbo Loading dinner. yeah, there should be tonnes of rice, spagetti, potatos and such for these hungry atheletes to eat. I think to carbo load a day before is too late, carbo loading should be done in stage like 4 days before any races. But then again, where food is concerned, Malaysian, or pseudo-Malaysian like Steve wouldn't complain and we all would just gobble down whatever there is on the table.

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From Left to Right: Sleepy, Hungry and Confused.

Dinner was served buffet style and most of us managed to take in at least 2000 calories each. Rice, fish, spagetti, mashed potatos, salad, more rice, fish, spagetti, mashed potatos and salad.

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"Doc, your sure eat a lot", Steve said, looking surprised.

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"But not as much as Stupe!!!", Doc defended...

By 8.30, the organiser has asked everyone to be in the briefing room, which the few idle us, choosed to forgo and visit the pasar malam to hunt for durians. We ended up foraging through the Petrol Station for Ribena and bread for breakfast the next morning. Pasar malam was not really what we thought it was, and durian was put off the menu for fear that we might produce enough hydrogen sulfide in the room to create another bomb scare.

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you didn't see us...

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neither did you see us...but want to join us and skip the race briefing?

We were in bed by 10.30pm.

As if.

I can't sleep, while Doc, next to me, begin to snore. I'm not sure how Man and Steve fare though, as they were in the next room, on their own bed. I was sharing a bed with doc.

I was still apprehensive about the race. My swimming sucks, i know that. My Le Run bicyle should belong to the state museum, the largest chainring is the size of any mountainbike middle chainring. Compared to Any Road Bike's chain ring, mine might be mistaken for some gear that will be used to climb steep incline. The day before, i noticed my New Balance shoe's heel was badly worn off. In short, my confident was shaken. Add in the fact that i hate new latex swimming cap, because my skin does not react favourably towards the material used to ensure the cap don't stick together, i had it washed with soap, and the residue still give my nose the itch.

I didn't sleep until about 2am.

We were awake by 6am. After taking shower and having breakfast which were mainly bread and coffee and Milo, we cycled to the Marina.

Slowly, people started trickling in, most with their expensive bike that could be equal to any small african country's GDP. Yes, i think i suffer from gear-phobic. gear wise, i lose out to 75% of the racers, Mountain Bikers included.

We went on to have our body marked with our race number. I'm 52, Doc is 227, Steve 320, bean 321, Man, 12 and i forgot what's Zabil's number was. Our shin and delts were marked with our number. Doc has one written on his belly, just in case, he said.

VIP came at about 8am. She sent the relay swimmer off first. 5 minutes later, the olympic distance racers were in the murky green algae laden water mixed with diesel/petrol residue from the VIP's motorised boat. The horn blasted and it was hilarious to see all the atheletes scurry for position. Some had their face kicked by the swimmer up front, some were slapped from the swimmer beside them, some were even seen crawling over some other slower swimmer. That must be how it is like when the fishermen haul up their fishing net with all the fishes inside. I decided to stay loose from the main crowd and just maintained my rhythm. Water were murky (must be, i lost count how many time i wrote this) and i decided to just aim to swim towards the bouys. I alternated freestyle with breaststroke. Freestyled when i know the coast is clear and i'm sure where i'm heading, and breaststroked when i felt that human presences are near, nothing keep those pesky swimmer away better than those frog style kick and face slapping hand movement.

It was about 10 minutes later than i felt tonnes of swimmers around me, the senior and women category was set off 5 minutes after us men. Some of the women are such good swimmer, they overtook half the men participant by the 700m mark. OK, maybe i'm slow.

I didn't have my watch with me, and i have no idea how long i was in the water. All i knew was that i need to get out of the water soon enough, my goggle are half full with seawater(leaky gears, what else) and i'm starting to get tired from those freestyling. I know i'm not one of the last swimmer, as i could still see tonnes of them behind me as i emerge from the water to the jetty.

Ran through the shower, removed my swimming cap and my goggle, take out my ear plugs, ran to the bike.

As i was running to my bike, i can't help but to notice that no. 320, 321, and 227 is still there. Meaning, i'm out of the water faster than them! I sat down at my bike, dried my feet the best i could, wore my socks and shoes, my helmet and my pink gloves. Managed to take 2 bananas and stick it down my running thighs and grabbed two piece of chocolate for the instant energy much required.

That was then i noticed Steve running with his bike out of the transition. He must be as surprised as me to see each other. Wasting no time, i ran towards the end of the transition and notice No. 12 is still there!!!

The 40km cycle was relatively easy, with easy climb all around and it favoured the road bike better. I could maintain an average speed of 29.8km/h, which let me finish my 40km journey in about 1H22Min. I bet those roadbike, which overtook me at speed in excess of 48km/h. My only advantage is at one of the steep climb, where i easily overtook a few regular triathelete, well, not the same could be applied when going downhill as i find myself running out of cadence as i touched a max of 52.9km/h. I managed to cycle with this Old Putera which is now in ATMA, second year. He took part in the relay race and i found out he was 10 years younger than me. cool.

I saw Zabil in one of the pelothon group. He was cycling fast, perhaps at 50km/h on that stretch. I'm about 10km behind. I then saw Steve, cycling happily and taunting the roadie next to him to cycle faster. he should be about 8km infront.

I reached the U-turn, soon after, i saw Man, which were surprised to see me infront of him. He was 4 km behind me. I caught up with Carmen, the woman that i used as a Pacer in SJ10km run. Oh ya, before that, i did said thank you to her for allowing me to follow her pace at that race. She's a sport, we said hi and i overtook her, for 200 meters, as after that, she blazed the road, leaving me to suck up on her tyre dust.

As i approached the 30km mark, i saw Bean, cycling happily on his Dual Suspension bike. Not far behind, doc was aerobar-ing at good speed. Right before the junction to PD highway, Azman overtook me, sticking out his tongue to cheer me on. Sigh, the wonder of having a better bike...

I crossed the transition line and proceed to remove my helmet and glove. Man was just about 10 meters infront of me.

I grabbed hold of the snicker bar that i brought along for the race and ran. Beside me was Mariana, the winner in both Lumut and Dataran Duathlon for the women's category. I, again, asked her permission to pace with her, which she allowed me to do so. The sky was darkening up by the time we passed by Bayu Beach resort. The slight uphill was a chore to run up. Indian women in the temple by the road side cheered us on. Mariana picked up her pace. Azman was 20meters infront of me.

I saw Zabil again at my 4km mark, meaning i'm about 2 km behind him. I then saw Steve, we high fived and cheered each other on. I told him Zabil was just infront. At the 5km mark at Avilion, we were given coloured ribbon as a way to signify that we passed the check point. Man was just 5 meters infront of me, i'm closing the gap on him.

Mariana picked up more speed as she leave me behind. Man started to drift further away as i felt my inner thigh muscle tightening up. Must be the cycling. It's only 10km, i told myself, the very same distance i ace in SJ10km run. I tried maintaining my pace, without a pacer, it was a lil hard to judge how fast i'm going. I decided to look for target to pace with. Most of the people were unfriendly, perhaps it was because they were tired. At my 7km mark, i saw Doc, ahead of Bean. Both asked me the same question "how far more?" i told them 2km to the U turn, which, i actually ain't too sure even. Man was still in sight, this time, a good 100meters away.

I tried to shut the pain out and pick up my pace. I reached the last junction to the Marina and that was when i saw Steve.

"One more minute dude, run for it!!!" he said.

Dude, i ran for it for sure, i overtook 4 person, of which one of them, which i alter found out was one of the ATMA boys, decided to race with me to the finish. The announcer didn't have a chance to read my name out, but rahter just said something like the two of us racing to the finish.

For a moment, i felt like a fool, then i knew i couldn't lose to this chap (sorry, a bit singapore here) and i managed to edge him at the finish. Adrenalin still pumping, i went over and congrats that chap for making my hear rate touch perhaps it's 90% capacity. Not many things can get me that excited except a good race to the finish.

I was given a bottle of water, a can of 100Plus Power, a big towel and a finisher medal. I'm not sure of the time i finish the race. But the ATMA boy with his stop watch said it was 2hours 45 minutes. Official results to be out tomorrow, i was told.

I saw Azwar at the finish line, perhaps, finished his lunch as i cross the line. He did it in 2h11min perhaps. That's fast. The winner did it in 2H1min. He snapped a pic of me and him. His ever supportive wife was there, as usual.

About 28 minutes later, doc came in, followed by bean, 2 minutes behind. it was a good outing for me. My first triathlon, which i just wanted to finish in 3 hours and i again, outdid my own expectation. It will be a hard record to maintain, unless i keep up my average joes' training.

Final results to be known later, but as per record, Zabil did it in 2H33min, Steve a fraction of seconds behind. This is followed by Man at 2H40min, with me, perhaps a good 5 minutes back, then Doc at 3H12min and bean at 3h15min.

Doc had an asthma attack after swimming, which explained his less than average finishing this time around...but perhaps, it was the aerobar putting on extra weight on his bike...who knows?

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I know, with those numbers, we did looked like some beached tuna at the port...


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Man LiveStrong, EatStrong and SleepStrong.

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yeah, i know, we all look a bit sad here, can't help it as Doc was leading us using the trunk road back to KL from Seremban...

Monday, July 18, 2005

PD International Triathlon 2005

My first attempt and i am happy and satisfied to be able to complete it in below 3 hours.

The official timing is not out yet and i'm sure i've beaten half the racers with more fancy-smoochy bikes on my old junk.

So, before i comes out with the full report, as usual, do feast your eyes on these average joes, that went and whipped some sorry ass of those regular guys.

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And the organisers did a great job organising it, not much hitches, except for this t-shirt, which i had to do some grammar correction with blanko.

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spot the mistake, and the correction!

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Dinner

Wifey cooked dinner yesterday as wel decided to spend sometime alone with each other.

Chicken breast in black pepper sauce.
Hard boil egg
garlic sausages
french beans
sauteed onions
fried potatoes

it was really filling, and the company? first class!



dinner
Stop drooling...