Tuesday, July 31, 2007

UM Duathlon - Pics

As promised, the report was done yesterday and this are the pictures i managed to snap after the race.


Jun Shen, Budin, Kam


Vicky at finish line


Neeza - runners up for Women Varsity!


Jun Shen - 5th placing for Men Varsity! Sorry ah, backside shot


Nurina - 18th Women Open - power!


Vicky - 15th Women Open (correct?)


Julie - 3rd!!! not sure her placing....


Abu - 19th Men Open


The 13th placing medal


The 13th placing notification


The 13th placing RM50

After the race, i went back and broke the news to wifey. She thought i was joking. So, i spent her one Magnum ice cream to convince her (because i DON'T buy this expensive ice cream), i celebrated with one myself, drank 1.5liter of Coke, ate 2 roti canai for lunch and pigged out on rice and sotong masak kicap for dinner.

That's my one way for rewarding myself for a race well done.

It wouldn't had happened if stronger chaps like Steve, Zabil, Shazly, Bacin, Dickie and Azwar were to be in the race! It was just my very lucky day! Well done to all!!!



Monday, July 30, 2007

Sunday - UM Duathlon Race Report

The morning rain threaten to turn the duathlon into a triathlon. Torrential rain in Klang Valley area that started from 6am (yes, i can wake up early, only if there is race or ride).

The RV point for the race was the swimming pool/sports complex in University Malaya. The regulars were there as well. Over 200 plus plus people turned up for the race in 4 category. Men Varsity, Women Varsity, Men Open and Women Open.


Wet Wet Wet

Dino made a comeback in this race after his unfortunate accident between him on the bike with a Proton Satria about 6 months back. A few superheroes was there as well, namely Abu and his brother and cousin. Stephanie Chok, Neeza, Ishsal, Vicky, Ariff, Julie, Doc, Kam, Budin, Azmar was also racing, just to name a few. Mejar Kalam and his merry men from UPNM was also there, most notable, my junior Jun Shen will also be taking part. Mejar Kalam's wife and son will also take part in the race. There were a lot of other familiar faces in the race as well, sorry i can't name all of you.

The race format, as explained by MC-Extraordinaire Razlan, was that it will be a 5km loop up and down the hill in UM. So, you will run ONE round, then Cycle FOUR rounds and then end it with ONE round of running.

Everyone dreaded the hill in UM. I for one was impartial, it will be a good training race, since hills are involve and i intend to make hill my best friend.

At 7.45am, the race briefing was given and all participants were ushered behind the starting line.

Sharp at 8am, the horn went off and all athletes ran as fast as they possibly could. Well, apart from some of us behind which were taken by surprise when the horn was blasted!

The first 5km run.
UM Hill was my training ground some years back with Dr.Amir and Dr. Hisham. The hill, though short, is steep enough to punish the most confident runner. It actually looked daunting if you pass it from Kerinchi Link. No kidding.

I ran at my own 10km pace. slowly, i caught up with Mejar, Abu, Neeza and Julie. I tell you, it was great effort to actually catch them!


Mejar


Abu - notice i'm half dead catching Abu?


Neeza


Julie

After the hill, i started to run faster. Taking extra precaution as the road was wet and any overly confident stride might result in some butt aching and potentially spine crushing fall on the cold wet tarred road.

Pushing myself hard, i managed to complete the first 5km in 24:32.

A quick run into transition to change to the wet cycling shoes and i was away.

Bike 20KM
As i exit the transition, Dino came shooting past. He lapped me once on the bike already. I'm a good 10 minutes behind him, i reckon. Not too bad, got this close to someone strong like him.

The climb up UM Hill was a great workout. I drop to the 42 crank, after advices from Azwar to use the gears during race(uphills) and use the 52 for training. I managed to climb relatively faster than others, maintaining a good speed above 25km/h on the climb. Feeling strong, i pushed on.

Danger lurks on the downhill as the ground was still slippery and on those skinny700x23C tyres, it's not worth the risk to kiss the tarmac and end up leaving your skin (as what May Senn would say) all over the road...

I did not manage to use the Aerobar, as UM roads are riddled with bumps! some as high as a good 20cm!

The second climb was still ok, i still felt strong.

By the third climb, i was actually feeling tired, but i had to push on. It was also then when i saw Dino started running. I guess i'm a good 20 minutes behind him by now!

By the 4th climb, my mind was blank. I usually shout out my number when i see the race marshall, so they could be spared from looking at my butt for the numbers.

But this time, i actually forgot what my number was by the 4th climb! Yes, i was that tired!

Nevertheless, i managed a good 42:47 on the bike over a distance of 20km.

BY the time i started Running, Dino clocked the race at 1:08...damn fast, i'm a good 25 minutes behind by now, if i could keep the running pace like my first 5km run!

Final 5km run
I entered the transition and saw Abu's cousin. Good, now i got a running buddy to finish the race.

I was dead wrong. He ran so fast that after the hill climb, he went missing! I was overtaken by a few others as well, but i made mental note to keep the pace up and started to overtake everyone that overtook me one by one.

The feeling was estatic. I was still feeling strong on the run, the downhill scramble was reduced to lesser speed as i was physically tired. By the time i pass Dewan Tunku Chansellor in UM, i quicken my steps. ONLY 2 more KM to go, it's now or never!

So, i stepped on the accelarator, overtook a few more others that was infront of me in the race, ran for my life in the final 1km after the turn off and wrapped the final run in a flat 26:00 minutes.

I was estatic.

I came to do a sub 2 hours race (30 run - 1hour bike - 30 run) and i managed a total time of 1:33:59!!!

Jun Shen managed a good result of coing in 5th in the men Varsity, beating all his senior. Infact, most of the people i know won something. The organiser has prizes up to position 20 in each category.

And what was the best thing?

I ACTUALLY TURNED UP AS NUMBER 13TH IN MY CATEGORY WINNING RM50!!!

The picture below tells it all....


WooHOOO!!!


OKla, get off the stage you nicompoo!!!

The stats:


More pictures tomorrow, hang on to this entry!!!


Saturday - Genting Peres 70K

"Klawang is the point of no return, either you progress towards Broga, or take the route back via genting Peres, either way, you will reach home the same time", Bacin lamented.

My plan on Saturday was just to do Genting Peres. I received an SMS from Chief Kutu, asking me to join him for a ride to Genting Peres.

Lilttle did i know that this will involve 16 riders.

To name them, Chief Kutu Ahmad Fadzil, Dr. K, Faie, Jaja, Aini, Mac, Shazly, Bacin, Dickie, Laif, Alex, May Senn, Zabil, Shidi, Another babe Adeline Lee, another guyBernard and Me. Joo Ngan, the ex national cycling coach, was also there, but as usual, he smoked the rest of us as he climbed Peres way ahead of everyone else. Must be his staple morning ride, it seemed.

Half of us will be doing up to Peres only and the other half would be doing the Broga loop.

I was in half mind over which one. I promised wifey i would be back early that day, and i have stocks of women shoes in the car to be delivered to wifey's shop. So, i finally decided. Just do Genting Peres. Twice. That would had been a good workout with the 10km climb one way.

here is the ride stats:



Distance : +/- 70km
Time : 2:22:02
Ave HR: 130bpm
Max HR: 169bpm
Ave Speed: 29.6km/h
Max Speed: 60.1km/h
Kcal: 2477kcal

One way up Genting Peres is 10km. So, 2 trips would set be back 40km up and down.

Half the gang then went to Sungai Congkak, which is a good 5km from the batu 18 RV point over rolling hills for Nasi Lemak.

Here are some of the pics taken on Saturday


Faie


May Senn


Me, Zabil, Laif, Shazly, Dickie


May Senn, Adeline and Alex


Bacin and Laif


Shidi, Shazly, Zabil


Chief going downhill


Me going downhill with Mac behind


Coming up is fun, going down also fun!


Faie and Jaja


Aini's Sis, Aini and Mac

It was a good ride. Those that chosed this route ended up with at least 2 packs of Nasi lemak in their tummy after the ride.

I'm looking forward to Broga proper, in the near future. More long rides needed.


Friday - Run 10K and Classic Bike

"brader, when i say do 10km in 1 hour, i really meant within 59 minutes, not 54 minutes", i was telling Roland as we nears the ending point of our run.

"i love hills!", was his nonchantlant answer.

I tell you, running with Roland (Leng Lui 2 husband) is literally asking for it myself. I thought i was fit enough, well, enough would be more accurate. My Fit is still spelt as FAT.

It was a good run, really. I pushed myself to run at his pace, but he got longer legs and his strides wider and his cadence faster...so, technically, if i were to run a race with him, he would had reached the 5km mark a minute faster.

We managed to cover the 10km run in 55minutes.

Here's the stats



Distance : 10km
Time: 55:30
Ave HR : 153
Max HR: 169
Kcal : 1140kcal

The same day, i went with him to my usual bike shop and he purchased an old classic bike.

This is the one where the brake is fully mechanical (ie no cable) and it comes with a huge kickass carrier behind and a bangali stand (no, i'm not being racist, but that is how everyone refers these stands as).

Check the bike out.


Check the seat out...


The cockpit with the large bell


Double top tubing


Single speed with DID chain


CBU from China...with QC


Large luggage space

The bike comes with a 28 inch tyres and caliper brakes that stops the bike from the inner side of the rim, compared to the usual rim's sidewall. Cool as the stopping power might put some mechanical disc brake to shame.

This bikes has tonnes of people stopping by to check her out as they walk passed, who won't? This is about the same bike as how some of us grew up with. Previously, the brand like Royale, 7 Up would ring more bells than Giant and Santa Cruz.



Friday, July 27, 2007

Proton Gen.2 Sedan

I got this from the email that someone sent to me yesterday.

Gen.2 Sedan.

Now i wonder if the problematic QC would be amplified since there is more rooms for error (because now got backside what...)

Price unknown.

Enjoy the not so spy pics.


Backside view - wah...ah beng chrome


Side view - elongated version of Gen.2

Another disaster in the making???

Scam : MBPJ Parking Summons

I tell you. Would you be pissed if you suddenly get warning letter that you have outstanding summon from MBPJ but you never recaleld you got any?

What made it worse was you actually paid the parking and did make sure it wasn't expired when you are parked there.

How about if you did pay RM5/day, which entitles you to get the whole day parking and yet, you get letters from them telling you got outstanding summons?

Would it smell even fish-sier when all the summons happened to be ONCE a WEEK in the SAME MONTH?


3/5/07 - blind or what?


7/5/07 - WTF???!!!


9/5/07 - Getting to my nerves...


14/5/07 - That's it la!

Why? They got qoutas to meet ah?

Thank goodness that me and wifey keep out parking tickets or we would both be RM400 poorer by this SCAM.

What irritates us is that we waste productive time going to MBPJ to settle this issue.

if that is not bad (afterall, get to cancel summons and save RM400), the person behind the counter was downright RUDE.

WTF.

"Apa pasal tak datang kancel bila dapat saman?", the lady behind the counter shouted at wifey.

Wifey trying to be nice but can't hold it back "I WILL if there is a SUMMON ON THE SCREEN IN THE FIRST PLACE".

It seems that the person behind the counter can't understand english, or her command of english is bad, and when someone speaks to her in English, she gets all flustered and don't know what to do.

She just throw wifey some forms and ask her to fill it up.

The person behind the counter was lucky that i was in the car waiting and not there to see it. I would had give her a piece of my mind, in Malay.

So, pass this words around. Imagine if 100 person were given these faux summon, that is an easy RM10K into MBPJ coffer without doing anything wrong on your side! I'm sure the number of victims are much more than this!!!

If you did recieved any summon from MBPJ, question the summon, for all you know, they conviniently just book you for any offence you did not do, and then throw away the summon and in 2 months time, you get letter from them to ask you to settle the summons.

These little Napoleans must be eradicated.

To the MBPJ officers that are reading this, please don't forget we tax payers are the one PAYING your SALARIES!!!!

Update for Thursday : Cycled Morning with Shazly

Yes. When everyone was at work, and since i do not have much work to do nowadays while waiting for job offers to roll in and fall like the evening rain, i received a call from Shazly.

"Bang, jom,cycle", He says.

It was 9.15am in the morning and i atually agreed to him.

Bad enough that Streamyx was down half of Wednesday and still down as yesterday morning, i decided to just go and cycle with him.

Met him at Manulife building as i drove there, thinking i might be late to see him at 10am.

Then, the bugger came out with a spanking new bike.

A Colnago Dream. It's the replica that Team Mapei used to use in one of the TdF.

It came with full Campag Centour 10 speed groupset. Basically this bike is as Italian as you can get la, only thing missing was the pink Shimano Pedal, which i supposed was to match the previous owner's jersey. (Team Mapei race in Pink).

We did an easy 22.44km ride around Bukit Damansara to Pencala Link. Attacking hills like we were in Tignes France. Don't ask, maybe the blood doping scandal in this year's TdF sort of make us feel that we, without any doping, could very well match what they can do, if we train as hard.

Bukit Damansara is unforgiving. It takes every single bit of juice in your legs and every breath in your lung to cycle and pedal it. More so if you make it a point not to let the speed drop below 20km/h.

Sweetest moment was when i overtook a 3 tonner lorry going up the hill at Security Commission. I surprised myself and even the lorry driver. I swore the ciggie on his lips almost drop as i blast passed him on the climb.

As all of you know, i am training with only the 52 crank. Never dropped to the 42 crank since i begin cycling with the monkeys to Broga. Now i'm in two minds if i should change the Tracer Crank (42-52) to the Ultegra (39-52) which Geoff gave me a while ago. Maybe i will, in preparation for IronMan. I don't think i would enjoy climbing the Langkawi route using only the 52 crank since it's a good 180km bike distance.

It was good that i did the cycling in the morning. Evening was pouring cats and dogs. Had to run to the car, which was a good 500meters away in the heavy downpour and went home shivering the whole night through.

Can't afford to fall sick, or be sick. Desaru is 2 weeks plus away.

Today, would be running in the menu. Not sure how far, I might have Roland joining me in the afternoon for the run. I believed i've given enough rest to the running legs and Jaja already saying i'm missing out on my SBR (as in Swim Bike Run) training.


Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Speed Work

Apologies for not updating since Wednesday. Streamyx Broadband became Narrowband, then subsequently, NOband. This entry are meant for Wednesday 25th July

Was supposed to do a 15km recovery run yesterday but was too engrossed with writing the PD report.

The weather wasn't looking very favourable as well and then i decided to completely skip the plan to run 15km, as people are already starting to call me a mutant when i'm not even half their mutating stage.

So, i went to the gym yesterday. Determined to at least do a HITT or a easy 10km.

Somehow, when i went onto the treadmill, the legs started to ask for more punishing workout.

I started the run at 9km/h, then i upped it to 11km/h as i initially wanted to do HIIT.

Then, as i completed the second KM, i upped the treadmill to 12km/h. Then to 13km/h by the 4th km and hitting 15km/h at 4.5km and running at 16km/h on the final 400meters.

Stats:
Distance: 5km
Time: 25:44
Ave Hr: 155bpm
Max Hr: 176bpm
Recovery :
1st Min : 176-140
2nd Min : 140-121
3rd Min : 121-110
4th Min : 110-102
5th Min : 102-101


It felt magical to be able to run at 14km/h for 1 whole km...seriously.

Meanwhile, wifey posted he best 4km run which she completed in 30minutes. I guess she is bitten by the running bug.

I just spoke to Kannan a moment ago at his usual hang out place in between his appointments. Loads of info i gathered when it comes to preparation for IronMan.

"the actual race starts at KM120", he says.

That means minus the 3.8km of swim, that is 116.2km of biking...

I only thought the race will start at KM183.8, which the final 42km marathon would be more numbing that the long 180km of cycling.

He advised me to get used to the heat, as that is where everyone succumb to every year.

Good thing i am training under the hot sun, whenever i can.

Today's menu : Cycle 30K. And hope it doesn't rain.



Finish These Sentence Dude

Tagged by Wegra. Nevermind if the fact that money would be donated to a charity should i do this tag is true or not true (highly likely, not true la...), i'm doing this for fun.

(My sentence is in BOLD)

1) A person is only as good as their cycling legs.

2) Friendship is only as good if you keep in touch.

3) To love is to err...love?

4) Money makes me think that all evils comes from it

5) I miss getting paid.

6) My way of saying I care is by running the next 42km with them.

7) I try to spread love and happiness by encouraging people around me to swim bike and run.

8) Pick the flowers when ..err..SKIP!

9) To love someone is divine.

10) Beauty is when you overtakes a few expensive bike on your cheaper bike in races.

11) When I was thirteen, what i remembered most was that i was still fat.

12) When i was twenty one, what I remember the most was the watch my dad gave me, which is still in service until today.

13) I am most happy when I’m with family and friends

14) Nothing makes me happier when i outdid myself in races.

15) If I can change one thing, I will change and be a doctor instead.

16) If smiles were to make you happy, then I will smile more.

17) Wouldn't it be nice if i get sponsored by Powerbar?

18) If you want to French me, I will FRY you?

19) Money is not everything , are you kidding me?

20) The most touching moments I have experienced is when I see Ryan for the first time!

21) I smile when I overtake people on the bike and run!

22) When I am happy, I start to be corny.

23) If only I don't have to work to keep looking for better job oppurtunities!

24) The best thing I did yesterday was writing the PD Tri Report in memory of Zoob.

25) If I ever write a book, I will give it this title “Incoherent Ramblings” - isn't it supposed to be that obvious???


26) One thing I must do before I die is to do all the things i wanted.

27) Doing the meme, I feel like I’ve wasted 30minutes.

Not tagging anymore, don't want others to waste 30minutes or more.
:P



Royal Military College - Songs

Got this from Bandit's Batch's blog.



BERKHIDMAT MEMIMPIN
Berkhidmat Memimpin cogan yang mulia
Maktab Tentera DiRaja yang ternama
Putera dan Kadet sentiasa bersama
Menjunjung harapan nusa dan bangsa
Menuntut ilmu
Tekun usaha
Bersukan ukir daya sejahtera
Berdikari amalan yang teruja
Memupuk semangat wira waja

ALPHA COMPANY
Khidmat Jujur Pimpin Tegas cogankata
Warna biru lambang gagah dan perkasa
Tinggi di awan kita jajahi
Dengan semangat yang berani
Berkobar rasa di hati kami
Jerit nama A Kompeni

Sukan dan pelajaran
Dapat dikerjakan
Dengan semangat keyakinan
Berdisiplin tinggi
Berazam akan genggam nama A Kompeni

BRAVO COMPANY
Kami sedia berkhidmat
Untuk Bravo Kompeni
Mulia Perkasa Jaya
Bendera kuning
Itulah lambang kami
Kompeni yang ternama
Mulia lagi perkasa
Sukan dan pelajaran
Sentiasa di depan
Kami Putera B Kompeni
Harapan ibu pertiwi
Yang bersemangat tinggi
Berani mati
Itulah sumpah kami

CHARLIE COMPANY
Cekal Cergas Kejayaan
Itulah motto kita
Harapan agar warna bersinar
Terbaik terpuji dan tercinta
Sepadu usaha giat cekal
Dalam pelajaran serta sukan
Semangat dalam semua lapangan
Sehingga terpupuk perhubungan
Putera dari berbilang bangsa
Ketua hormati setia
Ugama Islam tidak dilupa
C Kompeni lambang berjaya
Usaha itu teras berjaya
Kebersihan dalam apa jua
Semangat ada tidakkan hampa
Biarkan terus kita berjaya

DELTA COMPANY
Berdisiplin dan Dedikasi
Itulah cogan Kompeni kami
Bersatu jujur dan berani
Menjadi teras kompeni kami
Sentiasa maju dalam semua bidang
Sukan dan pelajaran di hadapan
Semangat berjaya sentiasa ada
Menjadi komandan kompeni

EAGLE COMPANY
E Kompeni nama diberi
Lambang kemegahan semua ahli
Sanggup berbakti dan berdikari
Itulah ahli E Kompeni

Warna hitam tanda usaha
Kuning lambang DiRaja
Eagle melambang kuasa kami
Cengkaman maut pantas sekali
Ilmu dan sukan
Hasrat di hati
Maju jayalah E Kompeni

FOXTROT COMPANY
Dari timur sampai ke barat
Berkumandang di udara
Namamu harum maruahmu tinggi
Itulah F Kompeni
Padamu daku berjanji
Rela menabur bakti
Sentiasa Usaha untuk Kompeni
Itulah cogan kami

GOLF COMPANY
Kami wira G Kompeni
Bersumpah dan berjanji
Berjuang dan berbakti
Demi untuk ibu pertiwi

Gagah dan berani
Itulah cogan kata kami
Berjuang hingga mati
Berjuang hingga mati

Harimau lambang kami
Kemegahan G Kompeni
Sentiasa di hadapan
Dalam apa jua bidang

Pantang menyerah kalah
Itulah sifat kami
Berjuang hingga mati
Berjuang hingga mati

HOTEL COMPANY
Terbang tinggi bersama sang helang
Di angkasa raya
Maju sambil menyerang lawan
Menyapu hingga berjaya

Kami Putera-putera H Kompeni
Yang gagah dan berani
Sanggup berjuang untuk kompeni kami
Dari angkara semua kompeni
Inilah hasrat murni kami
Pasti maju takkan berhenti
Bersatu Asas Kejayaan
Itulah cogan kami
Bersatu teguh bercerai roboh
Pasti akan kami rempuh
Inilah barisan anak muda
Yang gagah dan perkasa

RSM SONG
Kamilah putera Maktab Tentera
Yang taat dan setia
Sedia berkorban walau apa saja
Untuk nusa dan bangsa
Putera benteng pertahanan negara
Putera gagah perkasa
Biar putih tulang, jangan putih mata
Pantang undur, tetap mara
Darat laut dan juga udara
Sentiasa terpelihara
Membujur lalu, melintang patah
Angkara musuh dimusnah
Maktab Tentera DiRaja
Memimpin Kadet dan Putera
BERKHIDMAT MEMIMPIN cogankata
Maju mara kita kan berjaya

KOMANDO SONG
Tiada gunung terlalu tinggi
Buat kami daki di tengah panas
Tiada jurang terlalu dalam
Buat kami turun di malam gelap
Malam gelap
Hutan rimba padang lalang
Dusun sunyi jalanan jauh
Panas terik hujan berangin
Majulah- ayuh maju
Ayuh Maju!!!

Takkan patah hati kami
Kerana terlatihnya
Pasukan Putera RMC
Menyapu lawan semua
Yah Yah Yah !!!

Payung indah mengembang
Di angkasa raya
Desiran ombak ku kayuh
Cuaca buruk ku tempuh
Itulah Putera RMC!!!

I GOT THE PUTERA SPIRIT
I've got the Putera Spirit,
Up in my head- WHERE?
Up in my head- WHERE
Up in my head, I've got the Putera Spirit..
Deep in my heart-WHERE?
Deep in my heart- WHERE?
Deep in my heart,I've got the putera Spirit
Down on my knees- WHERE?
Down on my knees- WHERE?
Down on my knees, I've got the Putera Spirit
Up in my head- WHERE?
Deep in my heart- WHERE?
Down on my knees, I've got the Putera Spirit
All over me, All over me.. today..

KU AMBIL RUMPUT DI PADANG
Ku ambil rumput di padang
Ku jadikan penyamaran
Rupa cantik bertukar menjadi syaitan
Agar sukar dikesan

Bergerak bertempur
RMC pantang undur
Walaupun peluru datang bertabur
Cukup dengan batang cangkul


Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Port Dickson International Triathlon 2007 : Report

*In memory of the late Mohd Zubir aka Zoob*

I know that if Zoob is still around, he would had surf right in here and hope to find a race report. So, here it is, for you, Sir.

PD International Triathlon this year was a wet wet wet affair. The sprint was done in heavy rain the day before and the Asian Cup was called off on Saturday as the rain showed no sign of stopping. It was rescheduled to the next day morning.


Reporting back home

That night, there were the customary carbo loading dinner which everyone enjoyed. I brought along all the power-bread i made to be shared amongst the people that asked for it.

I baked 3 breads. One with Powerbar Peanut Butter Chocolate. One with Powerbar Protien Plus double chocolate and one more with 2 bananas!


The ingredients




Bread 27, 28 and 29...

I offered the bread to Rahimi and his Powerbar crews as well. Maybe i should apply to get into the Elite team by virtue of bribing them with bread made from Powerbars???

That night, i've also spoken to Hin Tong and Lizzie and got a few good advice from him since i'm attempting my first IronMan in less than 213 days from now.

Later, we went back and i prepped my bike, went to look for Heckler (the guy that sold me the current bike i'm using) and went back to sleep. It will be race day in less than 8 hours!

Race Day

The elites, as they are known, were to be flagged off at 8am and then followed by the age group's participants.


With the monkeys

Going for any triathlon race is like having a mini reunion of some sort. Friends get together, laugh and share a note or two on their current race training.

I wasn't spared, because as of now, Shazly labelled me as a mutant, but he is just saying that as he is also one. Sort of like "welcoming" me into his club.

The Swim


The race morning was threatened with possible rain fall, having rained the whole afternoon on Saturday. With low tide, we expect to run the first 50meters before the water is deep enough to swim. The Elites were gunned off earlier and all were looking at how they attacked the water by doing semi dive ala butterfly stroke. Everyone was awe strucked, so this is how it's done.


The Light and Easy Monkeys

Then, came the age category turn. Comparatively, the age group aka non-elite were more sentimental in their approach, everyone took it slow and easy on the first 50meters...some were caught trying to run like Baywatch into the water.

The day before, Bacin helped me with some stroke correction for my freestyle. Steve too, gave some insight to what i could had improved, stroke wise. For the very first time in my whole life swimming, i suddenly felt like i'm actually enjoying freestyle. I learnt how to swim when i was drowning when i was small, it was more of a survival thing that made me able to coordinate my hands and legs to stay afloat.

"make sure tangan lurus", Bacin says.

"Kangkang tangan tuh stupe!", he spoke like his coach, Cai Lin.

I felt like someone that walk with their legs spread open.

I did the first 750m freestyle all the way, taking my time and relaxing with the stroke, only shifting between freestyle and breast stroke when the crowd around me gets too packed.

The final 750m was done in a mix of breast stroke and freestyle. I was dead tired by then. I know i wasn't progressing with freestyle when i notice with every 6 stroke, the person that was next to me is well almost 5 meters ahead!

I got out of the water and looked at my HRM. Horror of horror, i forgot to make sure it was switched on!!! I took it for granted that i did press it without checking! So, now, there is no way for me to know what was my swim time. I only know i came out between Shazly and Bacin.

The swim was good. I just realised why people does freestyle and not breaststroke; it's the energy used when doing breaststroke. I felt my legs still as fresh as before the race! I vowed that i will practice more freestyle!

As i enters the transition area, i saw Azhar JB. Got one pics taken by him there!

Runing into transition, the bikes on my left and right are still there, so was the bikes infront and back, visibly missing was Steve, Zabil and Shazly and even Heckler! Time to crank it up!

The Bike


I quickly wore my shoes, put on the helmet and clipped the race belt and raced towards the end of the bike's transition area. Adrenalin pumping as everyone seems to be faster than me in the transition. It's almost like i'm moving in ultra slow motion and everyone was in a frenzied rush.

I jumped on the bike, clipped on and pedalled away. I got into aero position almost immediately after the right turn out of the Marina's road. Tucking in and cranking away, 33km/h seems to be slow when everyone else seems to be going way faster than you are.

As i entered the highway, i noticed one relay cyclist with camelbak overtook me. He should be in his early 50's but he was strong on the bike. No. 952, if i'm not mistaken. I tried to follow him the first 5km but was sorely left out. As we entered the backroad towards Linggi, the road turned from a flat to rolling hills.

I was determined not to let my speed fall below 28km/h if i can.

There was one or two that was drafting behind me, then they drop away, maybe because they couldn't catch up.

And By the time i cycled almost 10km, the first placed Elite athlete was visible right infront of me, coming from the opposite direction.

Not too bad, i told myself. I'm actually just about 20km away from them! Usually, by the time i reached that area, i would had seen other racers, but this time, i get to see the police escort and the trains of elites on bikes going back to T2! What a feeling.

That would had meant i'm also about 20-30 minutes behind them only!

I had my hope high and pedalled faster, never changed the crank from 52 and never exceed the rear cog to more than 19. Essentially, i was charged up.

Right before the U turn, i saw Steve, Zabil, then Shazly. Then i saw Hin Tong. Oh my god, i'm that close to them!

The No.952 that was really fast by then was just right behind me, somehow, i managed to overtook him and he is now offering to draft with me.

"Count to 100 and we change place", he shouted.

I was more than happy.

And so, for the remaining 20km, both of us just keep to our words and keep changing position. I was gunning down at 45km/h by then and still be able to conserve energy for the final 10km run.

Orgasmic.

Then, along came this army dude. Not sure his name, but he sort of don't understand the whole drafting thingy, erractically he keep switching sides and going back and forth between me and 952. 952 was visibly irritated as he keep asking him to stay the line.

Along the way, i saw Bacin, Azmar, Abu, Mejar Kalam, Faie, Jaja, May Senn, Kam, Fadzil.

I finished the 40km bike in 1:06. And proudly, that was my best 40km time ever! I also completed the bike ahead of some guys which i thought would be blazing down the road.

As i entered the Transition area, i saw Shazly.

The Run


"Right behind you bro!", i shouted to 430 Shazly.

Somehow, i took longer in the T2 this time, it was about to rain and i've no idea why i even took the trouble to STOP and pack my cycling shoes into the plastic bag! I only started running 4 minutes later.

By then, my watch says it's 1:10. I lost a good 4mins in T2.

I pushed ahead of the run. Then, i was overtaken by Hin Tong right before the exit of the Marina.

"bugger, you bike damn fast", he said as he pat my rear end

"Bugger, you are running freaking fast!", i shouted back.

Rain then started to fall after the first water station at KM2.

By then, the first elite athlete is gunning down his final 2km of run. That means i'm not very very far away from them. With almost 6km to go, i'm at a maximum of 30 minutes from them, provided if i maintain my pace.

Then the rain got heavier.

Then the wind got heavier and it starts to get cold. I skipped the water station at KM2 and only took a drink at the U turn.

Before the U turn, i high-five Zabil and Steve. They obviously have a great race.

At the U turn, i saw Shazly.

"push stupe, push", I told myself.

The final 5km i literally let my heart shot passed my 90% capacity. I pushed really hard. But i make it a point to say hi to all i know, hiding the tired face in the process.

With 1km to go, i pressed my NOS button. All the training i ever put in must be put to good use NOW. I ran faster and sprinted to the finish.

I cross the finish line in 2:00:26, Bike+T2+Run. It was a good 50 minutes of run over 10km distance. I crossed the line, punching my hand in the sky like i've beaten the pros.

Steve and Zabil and Dicky was there already.

I guess i cross the line in sub 2:40. My best time ever with zero swim training.

And it could only get better.


The monkeys

Some race stats:





Swim time: unknown -perhaps circa 35-40 minutes.
Bike+T2+Run : 2:00:26
Ave Hr: 155bpm
Max Hr: 176bpm
Kcal: 2494kcal

Total time : Circa 2:35-2:40


It rained really heavily at 11pm and everyone was drenched. It was cold and wet to say the least, and i do not have any finishing photo. No proof to say that i've crossed the line. I don't think i would need one, since i've managed to beat myself, and that was satisfaction enough.


I looked fat.

Next race to look forward to, and the last one for the year before Ironman 2008 will be Desaru Long Distance Triathlon.

All rooms are fully booked at the official hotel. I managed to secure some rooms and all the rooms were taken up on the first breath when i announced it to the monkeys. Expect anohter great race in store.

Pm 22 Tey suggested that as a sign of respect for the Late OP Zoob, that whoever that wants to pay a tribute to him, to observe a minute silence after the race horn goes off. The mechanic of the tribute is as follow:

1. gather at the back of swimmers at race start
2. when the gun goes off remain on shore in a minute silence while others start the race
3. we start our race in tribute to Zubir after 1 min
4. (optional) when we cross the line we can say in our hearts/own way.. "this one's for you Zubir"


Well Zoob sir, This BLOG ENTRY is for YOU, the way you would want it to be! Rest In Peace!