Run. Mix. Burn!

Tuesday 29 July 2008

Report: TESCO walk for life

By Aiman Cheah Tiong Chap

Date: 27 July 2008
Venue: Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Tapak A
Time: 8.00 a.m.
Distance: 4.3km

This is a charity walk - proceeds from the entry fee/donation will go to MAKNA. It is not a competition walk hence the tagline - get healthy, get active, get involved!

I was still not feeling fresh when I was awoke at a quarter to 6. Quickly prepared 'breakfast' as I have to rush back and go to National Union Teaching Profession office in Jalan Ipoh at 10 am. I got ready by quarter past 7. By the time I reached Tasik Titiwangsa, the entrance was already blocked! What to do? Had to do illegal parking on the pavement in front of a school opposite the entrance to Tasik Titiwangsa. Reached the reporting 'station' at a quarter to eight. The enclosure was already full with participants and I was far, far away from the starting line. Probably more than 50 rows behind!

Shahlin Zulkifli was at the starting line, but I could not see her face. Too far away! It was announced that the first 10 participants to arrive would get a special gift but it was not a competition. Well, whether competition or not, I would go all out. It would be a good exercise. Need not worry about others because it has been stated in the newspaper that participants could walk, jog or run. Still, I chose to walk.

The flag off was at 8 am. It took a while for me to be able to move. By the time, I could walk as in a competition, I guessed I was aready more than half a kilometre behind the leaders.

I saw Harun Tee was among the leaders but soon he gave up half way because he said many people were running. It was okay for them to run because it had been stated that participants can run!

I overtook Mr Lee, who finished ahead of me in Grace Community Funwalk yesterday. I went quite fast as I no longer felt the discomfor on my right leg. Hamstrings also felt fine. Completed the walk in 25mins 05secs. That was still a sub 6 mins per km if the distance was correct.

Quickly collected my goodie bag after the race. There were 2 cans of Malta Quench, a can of Tesco Isoplus, a can of Justea, a packet (400gm) of Tesco ChocoMalt and a packet (80gm) of Tesco Potato Chips. Again, I find I gained more than what I had donated - RM10. Also get a t-shirt for the walk and a certificate of participation.

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Monday 28 July 2008

Report: Grace Community Funwalk 2008

By Aiman Cheah Tiong Chap

Venue: Taman Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 26th July 2008
Time: 7.30 am

Grace Community Services (GCS) is a charitable non-profit and non-governmental organization that offers various community services that include underprivileged children homes, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, homes for the homeless and destitute women, and unwed mothers, a HIV hospice, and home for the juvenile delinquents. At present, there are more than 2,000 people from various walks of lives that are benefiting from its services through numerous shelters, counseling sessions, and free medical consultation and treatment.

Got to know this event through PACM calender but it was also advertised in Starmetro. There are two distances to choose from - 6km or 9km. I chose the latter. Woke up half an hour later than I had planned to - 6 am. I was a little tired because of prolonged lack of sleep. I only slept for about 4 hours on Wednesday night because I was awakened by my son at 3.30am and stayed awake the whole morning! On Thursday he slept at 8 pm and woke up at 11pm and stayed awake till around 2. I had a good sleep on Friday morning after returning from UMMC because I felt nauseating!

Woke up at half past twelve when my handphone alarm was set for 11 am! My mother was rather unlucky to have a trainee doctor to draw her blood. After seeing her poking on the vein for a few times, I could no longer stand it. I began to feel dizzy and vommiting. I requested for the sister who was on duty to supervise the trainees. She was excellent! Found the vein and drew three tubes of bloods in less than a minute!

I met Mr Yap Kok Sun, a council member of the Malaysian Nature Society. He could not remember me because I had not joined their activities after the arrival of my daughter. He was taking photographs for the event.

Later I met Mr Lee (didn't know his full name), from Puchong. He is a regular walker in walking events. Last week he finished 15 in the MII Walk. I could only beat him if I were fit.

Mr Lee had wanted to join the 6km walk but I persuaded him to take the 9km walk. It was just for a work out. He agreed. Since participants can walk, jog or run, we chose the former. Anyway, the three rounds round the lake was very much under distance. We completed the walk in about 43 minutes. I believe that our pace was between 6 mins 30 secs and 7 minutes. I would not want to go faster than that as I am still recovering. In fact after the MII walk, I rested for two days. Only swam on Wednesday and Thursday at snail's pace.

There were not many people who joined the event. We had a pleasant surprise when we finished 3rd and 4th. I got a prize - a Panasonic cordless phone for the 4th placing. Suppose to be a charity walk, but I had gained more than what I had given - RM30 for the entry fee and the cordless phone is worth RM109!

The Milo van was waiting for us when we finished our walk. After the prize presentation and lucky draw numbers were announced, we were given breakfast inclusive of fruits - the king and queen of the fruits and rambutans! The rambutans were fresh and sweet. I only took two pulps of the durian as I had to rush home, hoping that my two children would still be asleep by the time I reached home.

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Thursday 24 July 2008

Lang Indah Charity Run

5km Charity Run on Aug 17
TheStar 24July - Metro (north edition)

GET your sneakers ready as the first Lang Indah Charity Run is set to be flagged off at Desa Lang Indah, Ipoh, at 7.30am on Aug 17.

The event, organised by housing developer Gunung Lang Development Sdn Bhd, will see participants covering a distance of 5km around the housing scheme.

Company director Shin Kok Yee said participants would be running through the scenic limestone hills, the Gunung Lang recreation park, housing estates and the newly built jogging track.

"After the run, we will be presenting donation to the Salvation Army Children’s Home and the Persatuan Untuk Insan Bermasalah Intelek," said Shin.

He said there would be six categories – Men’s Open (aged 40 and below), Men’s Veteran (40 to 49), Men’s Senior Veteran (50 and above), Women (18 and above), Boys Fun Run and Girls Fun Run (eight to 12).

"Cash prizes totalling RM4,000 and trophies will be awarded to the top five finishers for the men and women categories."

"There will also be a lucky draw and breakfast after the run," he added.

A registration fee of RM15 is required for those participating in the men and women categories, he said, adding that the fee would include a goodies bag and T-shirt.

There is no entry fee for the boys and girls categories.

Entry forms can be obtained at the company office at Lot 44747, Desa Lang Indah, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman (formerly Jalan Kuala Kangsar).

Closing date is Aug 7. For details, contact 05-5061148 or visit www.ipohroadrunners.org.

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Report MII Insurance and Takaful Walk

By Aiman Cheah Tiong Chap

Date : 20 July 2008
Venue: Dataran Merdeka

It is an event that I was not sure to compete after returning from Kangar. While the journey to Kangar was only 8 hours, it took more than 9 hours to return to KL from Kangar by Transnasional. I had a good sleep in the bus despite the pain in my right leg.

I had decided to see the masseur after dinner. Coincidently, my son was having slight fever when I returned from Kangar. So, that would save me time from going to the clinic too! I was lucky because I need not wait long for my turn. My son got his treatment first. His warm body cool down immediately after the massage and he looked more comfortable. Then, it was my turn. It was not as painful as the first encounter and I was crossing my fingers that I would be fit for the race in the next 7 hours!

My son woke me up at 5 a.m. for his milk. My daughter also woke up early.
She had slept at around 6p.m. that night! She was excited because of the colouring contest.

I did the normal chores before waking up my wife. We all got ready by 6.45a.m. That is the good point of being a competitor. If I were to officiate the event, I would have to report by 6.15 a.m. I was not very confident of doing well, just hoping to be among the top 30 – at least a medal for the effort.

I was lucky to be on the fifth row at the starting point. Starting would be very poor if it was any further. I was near Mr Jagjeet Singh and his charges. Mr Tan Khee Meng was also next to me. I had a good start and I trailed Mr. Tan Khee Meng. He had a good pace and I found it very difficult to get past him.

Every time I passed him, he responded by overtaking me in seconds! However, I had the better of him when it was going uphill. I was quite lucky because my right leg did not bother me so much. Perhaps, after the punishing pace in Kangar, the body had adjusted itself to the pain. I was also trailing Mr Raiei. I took the opportunity to overtake him about 1 km from the finish. It was not long for me to be in front of him until I started to bite the dust again. He proved to be better when going downhill.

This time he finished ahead of me in about 50 metres. I only finished in 13th place with the time of 36 mins 22 secs in the 5km men veteran category. Quite a disappointment to finish outside top 10. It was below par performance because there were so many ladies who walked past me and I could not even catch up with them. Need a lot more training to go a level up. Perhaps, I will have a better luck next year?

One good thing about this event is that no one accuses me of running! Why should I want to run in a walking event when there are so many running events all year round?

My daughter was a bit disappointed because there was no colouring contest as advertised in the form. I did call the number given earlier and was told that registration can be done on site. Perhaps it was a last minute cancellation.

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Penang Bridge International Marathon 2008

From TheStar 23July - Metro (north edition)

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Tuesday 22 July 2008

Larian Rimbathon

Date: 3 August 2008 / 7:30am
Venue: Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong, Selangor
Distance: 3.5km, 5.5km, 7km and 10km
Category: 12

Detail and Form available Forms and Events Section.

..download from KP & Gang.

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Mizuno Wave Run 2008

Date: 19 October 2008 / 7:30am
Venue: Padang Merbuk, Kuala Lumpur
Organizer: Pacesetters

Detail and Form available Forms and Events Section.

..download from Pacesetters

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Larian Merdeka 2008

Date: 24 August 2008 (Sunday)
Time: 7:30am
Venue: Jalan Lebuh Pantai, Penang
Fee: RM 7 student and RM 12 for adult
Distance: 10±km

Offer 7 categories and free tee.

Another (kind of) city run in Penang busy road on weekday. Start near to Padang Kota Lama/Fort Cornwallis, run thru happening road - Penang Road. Passing Jalan Burma, Jalan Kelawai then a seaside road - Persiaran Gurney.

Enjoy angin2 sepoi along the coast then speed up and catch-up or potong sayur your running mate on the straight/sehala road Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Lebuh Farquhar, Lebuh Light and press your turbo boost button at Jalan Syed Sheikh Barakbah (name of my former school).

After kornar you’ll see a clock tower and finish line only hundreds meter – Congratulation!

..yeah! I already write a running report. Racun enough?

Many thanks to our friend Tan Kwang Boon from Penang who very baik-hati to scan/send/share this info.

Detail and forms available at Forms and Events section.

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Monday 21 July 2008

Report 22nd Malaysian Open Masters Athletic Championships

By Aiman Cheah Tiong Chap

Date: 19 & 20 July 2008
Venue: Stadium Utama Kangar, Perlis

This is my third Masters appearance. The first being the 21st Malaysian Open Masters Athletic Championships and the second being the 7th Johore Masters Open Athletic Championships recently.

I had a considerable good preparation for this event and was hoping to do well. Unfortunately, I picked up an injury on my right leg a week before the event. I did my best time on 13th July at the Subang Jaya Town Council Stadium, clocking 25mins 20 secs for the 5km event. I guessed that was the cause for the injury.

Since 30th June, I had been able to do a sub 6 mins per km consistently over 8.4km. On 16th July, I did my normal training for 8.4km and the pain seemed bearable.

However, when I went for swimming on the following day, I found it too painful to do the kicking in breast stroke. With only two days left and after all the hard training for the past three weeks, naturally I felt very frustrated. I decided to see the masseur (or rather physiotherapist).

It was a painful experience and he had a good laugh because he said the pain was already a few days old which he was right. I didn’t feel the pain immediately after the Subang Jaya time trial.

I took Transnasional bus because of the convenience of buying a return ticket. The journey to Kangar was quite comfortable. It took 8 hours to reach Kangar and my college classmate and her husband took me to the Perlis MSN to pick up the bib and later to Federal Hotel.

On competition day, I walked to the stadium. It was just about a 15-minute walk. The women 3km walk had already started when I reached the stadium. I was not too confident of doing well as I could feel the pain when I did my warming up.

After reporting for the event, I only saw 3 other competitors in my category although there were 6 who registered for the event. I was a little disappointed because the 5km event was held outside the stadium.

It was two laps around the stadium and I didn’t know the actual distance. The race started slightly earlier than the scheduled time of 8.30 a.m. I had a good start, trailing my FTAAA technical official friend, Mr Raiei.

He had a slow and steady pace. I was consistently less than 5 metres behind him. I paced with him because I found there was a similarity in our pace during the recent Johore Masters. But at that time, I was left a good 200 meters in the 3km walk because my stamina let me down.

I ran out of steam after about 5 minutes, allowing a few competitors to overtake me. I quickly regain my pace after about 10 seconds and followed them. After a few minutes later, I ran out of steam again, allowing more competitors to overtake me. When I saw competitor 4009, Corporal K. Jayapal overtook me, I thought that was the end of the race for me as I would be the last in the category.

I quickly regained my pace and overtook two competitors. To my shocked, a competitor from India was telling me “run, run, run”. I ignored him and just went on. He was trailing me very closely but I kept going ahead of him. Then I had the third setback. The hamstrings on my right leg began to tighten. I had to give a few slaps on my hamstrings while slowing down again. The Indian competitor was close to me then but still could not overtake me.

Fortunately, there was already a gap with other competitors and none overtook me. I was thankful that there were no cramps. I managed to complete the first lap in 14mins 36secs. My pace had become steadier on the second lap, I had found my rhythm and tried to keep up with Mr. Raiei.

Being a veteran walker, he had a very strong finish. He stepped up his pace as for as 300 metres from the finishing line while I only made my move over some 200 metres hoping to catch up with Corporal K. Jayapal. It was a very close finish but unfortunately for me, Corporal K. Jayapal managed to step up his pace in the last 50 meteres. I was about 3 strides behind him. The second lap was completed in 14 mins 38 secs.

After the race, the Indian walker was still very sore with me. He came up to me and said that I ran. I ignored him. To me, as long as one leg is always on contact with the ground, there will be no running.

Likewise, if one always land with the heel first, knee-bending will hardly occur.

I guessed he must be mad with me because I did not give any response and the fact that he was not able to overtake me. Why should I? Leave it to the judge for they should know their job. However, I was called by the walk judge who was standing near me as I had finished taking photographs for Mr. Raiei.

He told me he is an International walk judge in order to have an air of superiority. Huh, I have been judged by internal walk judges before – a Canadian during the 24-hour walk in Genting Highlands and walking events in Kuala Lumpur.

So, no big deal. I demonstrated my walk and he told me that was perfect but it may not be the same when I was on the road. (Then, I knew he was truly an international walk judge because the report he received was not done by international walk
Judge..)

I told him, if I were to run, the last 200 meters where I went all out was the perfect time to disqualify me for running. He quickly pointed out that he did not say I ran. He only said my style of walking was doubtful at times. He told me he was just sharing the information with me and surely, I thanked him for that.

While waiting for the result, Mr Yu Song came to me and told me that he was disqualified and so was I. At fourth placing, the disqualification made no difference but I could not accept the accusation that I had run in the walking event!

I had a pleasant surprise when the results were announced. I was third. It was my second podium finishing in 3 masters events. A time of 29mins 14 secs and about 20 seconds behind Mr Raiei was not bad considering the condition I was in during the race.

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Quote of the Day

There are clubs you can't belong to, neighborhoods you can't live in, schools you can't get into, but the roads are always open.

- Nike

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Friday 11 July 2008

Larian Kemanusiaan Nargis-Sichuan


Photo from runningmom-haza.blogspot.com

Date: 13 July 2008 (Sunday)
Venue: Taman Rakyat, Taman Sri Andalas, Klang.
Time: 7.30 am
Distance: 3 km
Fee: Min RM10 (Can register before the run)

..copy from Haza - the running mom.

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Quote of the Day

A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.

- Steve Prefontaine

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Wednesday 9 July 2008

Peace Run 2008

Update: 10 July 2008
Mr. Shaun Yap email me the Peace Run 2008 registration form in pdf format. You can download it at Form and Event section. Kindly drop a thanks to him. - V Peace!

Date: 3 August 2008
Time: 730am
Distance: 6km
Venue: Start/Finish at Youth Park, Penang
Closing Date: 26th July 2008



Detail and form can be download at http://mymountainadventures.blogspot.com

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Did i miss?



..email from Tey

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Tuesday 8 July 2008

1st. Putrajaya International 12 Hour Walk 2008

Date: 13-14 December 2008
Time: 8pm - 8am
Venue: Bualavard PutraJaya
Distance lap: 2000m
Category: 4 categories. Men/women open and men/women 50km.

Maybe my previous reports 2005, 2006 and result 2006, 2007 in Penang could rise your interest.

Form available to download at Forms and Events section.

..many thanks to Aiman

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Monday 7 July 2008

Quote of the Day

I have met my hero, and he is me.

- Dr. George Sheehan

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Friday 4 July 2008

Shape and Men's Health Run 2008

Date: 24 August 2008
Time: 7:30 (flag off)
Venue: Tapak A, Lake Garden, Kuala Lumpur
Distance: 7km, 10km and 5km fun run
Website: http://www.shape.com.my/

Offered 75 finishers' medal, certificates in each category. Plus.. cash prize for top10 and.. fuh! thou$and$ of product value for top finishers.

Detail and form available to download at Forms and Events section

..feel free to say thanks to hazman @ visuabas.multiply.com

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Wednesday 2 July 2008

Seremban Half Marathon 2008



Date: 24 August 2008
Time: 6:45am
Venue: Padang Seremban, N9
Distance: 9km, 11km and 21km
Website: http://www.serembanhalfmarathon.com

Detail and form available at website above.

..from pm1

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