Run. Mix. Burn!

Thursday 30 December 2010

Report: Melaka Coastal Charity Fun Run

By Aiman Cheah

Date: 26 December 2010 | Sunday | 7:30am
Venue: Coastal Road, Taman Melaka Raya, Melaka
Category: Men Open (Age 50 & below)
Distance:6km
Result: 30:24

This is my second race in Malacca. The previous one was also a charity race somewhere in Klebang.

It was more of a holiday rather than a race. It turned out to be quite a nightmare. I have not been caught in a massive traffic jam for a long time and in such a long hour! The journey along the highway was good but when exiting Alor Gajah Toll, the nightmare began.

I reached there around 4.30 p.m. I was very happy because I had wanted to check in by 5.00p.m. 7km from the guest house (all the hotels I called were fully booked) in half an hour should not be a problem. How wrong I was! I reached the town centre at almost 7p.m. Traffic was almost standstill.

I decided to have dinner after finding that I had taken the wrong route. It would be another nightmare to try looking for the guesthouse in such traffic condition. While my wife and her cousin ordered the food, I walked around town to find the guesthouse with my son. Actually it was the other side of the road just about a kilometre away but I could not get there because it is one way street.

After dinner, we walked along the Melaka River. It was cool and the scenery was nice. We wanted to take the cruise but unfortunately the boats were packed and none stopped at the jetty. So we walked back. One the way back, we stopped at the 'fun fare'. Took the merry go round ride - RM5 for adult and RM3 for children.By the time I reached my van, it was almost half past eleven. Took two rounds to get to the guesthouse as I missed the first turning.

By the time I settled down, it was 12.30! Only 5 hours of sleep and I was pretty tired.

Checked out at a quarter past six. Decided not to go back to the guesthouse lest caught in the jam and I don't really know my way there! I parked near Mahkota Parade where other runners parked their cars. I thought it was still very early because it was not seven yet.

I did not know that the starting line was quite far. It took me about 20 minutes walk to reach there as I was walking with my family. I decided to leave them when I saw the starting point which was far away. I reached there about 5 minutes before flagged off.

Started at the back as I just wanted to have a slow run. I had not been doing serious workouts after the Penang Starwalk. Give my body a chance to rest. It was an enjoyable run especially going across the Melaka River as it was cool and windy.

The finishing medal was nice - the shape of A'Famosa Fort.

On the way back I stopped at Mini Malaysia. Many of the places were closed for renovation. Only adults were charged and children get free entry. We were just in time to watch the cultural show. My wife warned me not to leave too late. We left by 4 p.m.

It was another nightmare on the way home. Traffic was massive near Senawang Toll. When exiting Sungai Besi Toll, traffic came to a standstill. It could be due to football fans going to Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

It would be a memorable outing had I not been caught in the traffic!

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Monday 27 December 2010

Merentas Desa Terbuka

Date: 23 January 2011 | Sunday | 7:30am
Venue: Tapak A, Taman Tasik Perdana, KL
Distance: 8.2km and 6.2km

Detail and registration form available at Forms and Events section

..from Aiman Cheah

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Friday 24 December 2010

2nd USM Open Relay 2011

Date: 12 February 2010 | Saturday | 8:00am ~ 9:00pm
Venue: USM Athletics Stadium, Penang



More detail on registration and prizes available at Forms and Event section.

..from kh tan

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Tuesday 21 December 2010

Result: Penang Round The Island Relay 2010

Click to download in PD format
..too small? Click the image for PD format.

..from AlexOng

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Monday 20 December 2010

Larian Hijrah "1 Malaysia 1 Ummah"

Date: 02 January 2011 | Sunday | 6:30am
Venue: Kompleks Pusat Islam (Masjid Negara), KL
Distance: 5km
Website: www.jawi.gov.my

..from Aiman Cheah

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Thursday 16 December 2010

Update: Round-The-Island Relay 2010

This Sunday. 19 December 2010. They will conquer the island.

Category: Men Open
No.Name Of TeamBLACK
1BM LeopardA
2Penang Turf Club RunnersB
3Forward Sports Club AC
4Forward Sports Club BD
5Phor Tay (Kelvin)E
6Western Digital F
7Team Happy Run - FarlimG
8ForerunnerH
9adiNation Pacesetter Malaysia 1J
10adiNation Pacesetter Malaysia 2K
11Cari RunnersM

Category: Men Veteran Open
No.Name Of TeamGREEN
1Old & YoungN
2Forward Sports Club CP
3Old Two (O2) Hiking TeamQ
4Old Xaverians Association 92 AR
5Old Xaverians Association 92 BS
6PVAAT
7Taiping Road RunnersU
8i- Run Waterfall Warriors- WoodV
9i- Run Waterfall Warriors- TimberW

Category: MiXeD
No.Name Of TeamRED
1Rubber Burners1
2i- Run Waterfall Warriors- Water2
3i- Run Waterfall Warriors- Metal3
4i- Run Waterfall Warriors- Fire4
5i- Run Waterfall Warriors- Earth5
6Kuala Lumpur6


..from AlexOng - BM Leopard

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Wednesday 15 December 2010

Young Endurance Athletes

Date: 26 December 2010
Venue: Kolam Renang Awam, Precinct 6, Putrajaya



Salam sejahtera,

Dear friends. After a long pause, Young Endurance Athletes is coming back to town. This time it plan to stay in Putrajaya as a 'baby' to Triathlon Association of Putrajaya (TRIPUTRA) which has been established on 24 Jan 2010.

Your support and love for triathlon will be continued with this little effort from us whilst the main push factor behind this are all of you - the PROUD PARENTS who wants their children to live happy and healthy all their lives.

I hope you will continue to participate especially next year with more plans in the pipeline. Thank you.

Major Kalam Pie RMAF
President TRIPUTRA


Detail and registration form, here.

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Report: Penang Starwalk 2010

By Aiman Cheah

Date: 12 December 2010 | Sunday | 7.00am
Venue: Jalan Mahsuri (PISA), Penang
Category: 10km - Men Junior Veterans (35 - 44 years old)
Result: 1:00.55mins and 5th position

This event is the 'final' event of the year for me. I was in good shape after all the 'hard' training for the Asia Masters.

It was raining heavily when I wanted to go out of the hotel at 6.00 a.m. I waited until around 6.10 a.m. and was lucky because the rain had reduced to drizzling.

There were not too many people around the assembly areas like usual due to the rain. After reporting, I went to the mobile toilet. Luckily, I need not queue. It was still too early to warm up and I waited until 6.40 a.m.

Could not really do proper warm up because of the drizzle. Just do some brisk walking and stretching with the umbrella opened! I don't quite like it if the shoes get wet before the race.


Some 15,000 walkers brace the morning shower in Penang to accomplish a common mission - to complete a 10km exercise. have fun and possible walk home with trophies and fantastic prizes - courtesy of Star Online Metro North

I was a little unlucky because I queued at the wrong place. The barriers were not totally removed and it took me some time to get to the starting line. I was about 20metres from the starting line and it took about 15 seconds before I reached the line after the race was flagged off. It took another 2 minutes before I could make my move.

When I stepped up the pace, my left hamstring hurt. That was it. I might not complete the race this time, I thought. I slowed down and went with the flow of the crowds. I had to adjust to the speed not to worsen the pain.

I had planned to 'pit' at the water station and when I slowed down, my right hamstring felt hurt. I took my power gel and a cup of 100 Plus. There was no mineral water provided. I guessed I stopped closed to 30 seconds.

I had to go after those who had overtaken me, but I could not go fast as both my legs were in pain. I endured the pain and maintained my pace. It was a great relief after I successfully went over the 'hill'.

There were many D and E walkers ahead of me and I tried to match their pace, at the same time I was also worried if I had to abandon the race if my legs refused to move!

I went all out and overtook one walker just before the finishing line. Looking at my watch - 1hr 01mins 55sec, I was very happy as I should be at least in the 10-15 finishers.

I came to know that I was 10th and the person who talked to me told me that he was 9th and I was just behind him. I was happy with my performance considering the condition I was in.

I went back to the hotel to freshen up and then returned to PISA for the variety show.

I must thank Peter James Back of Singapore for motivating me towards the finishing. He even offered a few tips to help me improve. He is very passionate about race walking and certainly enjoys competition as I am still very very far away from his level.


D'Starz group from let's Dance Studio grooving to the beat - courtesy of Star Online Metro North


Samba dancers heating up the stage during the variety show - courtesy of Star Online Metro North

I think it is high time for the organizer to acknowledge the boys' and the veterans' effort in the event. I think the senior veterans and diamond veterans deserved a higer prize money and an increased in the finisher medals.

It will be quite frustrating when we do better than the others but do not get the reward that others get.


Boys result

Click here for all men category result in pdf - courtesy of Yu Song

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Monday 13 December 2010

Report: Tibi Run

By Aiman Cheah

Date: 11 December 2010 | Saturday | 7.30am
Venue: Padang Merbok
Category: Men Open (18 - 44 years old)
Distance:7km
Result: Time: 42:45


At the start of the race - courtesy to Mr Tey Eng Tiong

I was confident to finish the race with a medal since 200 medals were offered for the finishers. There was no pressure of missing a finish medal because I used to be among the 95-110 for men open and 40-60 for men junior veteran finishers in other runs.

The race course was not something that I like. Hilly, where my weakest point is. However, I was glad that I managed to complete the race without stopping except at the water station.

I was happy to meet my two former form 3 students from SMK Taman Desa. Then, they were not interested in runs. One has graduated from a flying course and will be attached to FireFly while the other is still studying.

My student's friend who is a fourth former from SMK Taman Desa finished 9th in the under 18 category.

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Friday 10 December 2010

Asia Masters Road Race 2010

Date: 12 December 2010 | Sunday
Venue: Dataran Merdeka.
Distance: 10 km & 7km.
Contact: 03-27152843
Entry Fees: RM 20 for Adults while RM 10 for Children.
Registration: FTAAA office, 2nd Floor, Wisma OCM, Jalan Hang Jebat, Kuala Lumpur.

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Singapore Sprint Series



Aquathlon: 27 February 2011
Duathlon: 03 April 2011
Triathlon: 01 May 2011
Website: www.singaporesprintseries.com

Suited to the triathlon newbies through to Singapore's best athletes, the Tribob Singapore Sprint Series is Singapore's premier multi-sport series.

Various race distances available for all shapes, ages and fitness levels. 3 races to choose from or the option to go for all 3 and step up everytime to a new challenge!


Category
SPRINTFor the Fittest
MINIFor the Newbies
YOUTHFor the 12 to 15 years old
KIDSFor the 8 to 11 years old

Check the website for detail.

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Report: 16th Asia Masters Athletics Championships

By Aiman Cheah

Date: 9 December 2010 | Thursday | 3.00pm
Event: 5 000m Race Walking Men40-44

Results:

#NameCountryTime
1 Thiru Kumaran Mas23:12.01
2A.J. WeerasuriyaSri26:27.27
3Ghorbanali Fanine Z.Ira27:12.95
4Peter James BackSin28.23.33
5Suresh C.R.Ind28:45.95
6C. Vishwas ShripatiInd28:47.21
7Aiman Cheah Tiong ChapMas29:27.89
8Jayapal KuppusamyMas30.37:82
9Rasal Rajendra HinduraoInd31:23.86
10P. NamindakaSri35:07.53

It was cloudy. Nothing more to ask for. Quite comfortable to race. Water was also provided before the start of the 200m run line.

I was quite relaxed, hoping to do my best in the race. I had done badly in training for almost two weeks. I only hope to complete the race in a decent time without passing out!

I wonder where I got the energy to keep up with the leaders, albeit momentarily. 1 minute for the first 200 metres was too good for me. The second lap of 2:11 was also good and I did not feel out of breadth. The third lap was completed in 2:15. I knew I would not last that pace.

I had been struggling even to maintain a 2:40 pace during my training session. I pitted for a gulp of drink. I just followed Vishwas. Unfortunately, during the last five laps I could not keep up with him. He was just consistent and left me further and further.

Ability to change pace midway deserted me and I was worried of not being able to last the distance because I had already been doing better than I did in training.

I got two warnings for knee bending. The first was on the straight to the finishing line and the second was when I collected the drinks. On both occasions it was not intentional.

Preparation prior to the race:
6 Dec - 6.3km run 43:11 (walk 1/4 of the distance because out of breadth)
7 Dec - 10.5km walk 1:05:05
8 Dec - 700m swim (forgot to bring goggles - had to stop due to rain)

After all the blunders in training. I was glad that I got it right on race day albeit I wish I could have been better. The time was better than the 23rd Malaysian Open Masters Athletics Championships in Ipoh on the 7 November 2009. I would certainly give it another try if the event is held in Malaysia again in future.

Below is how I did in each lap:
LapTimeTotal
11:0001:00
22:1103:11
32:1505:26
42:1907:45
52:1910:04
62:2112:25
72:2114:46
82:2617:12
92:2519:37
102:2822:05
112:3024:35
122:2927:04
132:2429:28

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Wednesday 8 December 2010

Report: Time Trial

By Aiman Cheah

Date: 05 Disember 2010 | Sunday | 3.30p.m.
Venue: MSN Track
Distance: 5 000m
Result: 32:47

I could have peaked earlier. I just could not find the pace and my body is not in the best condition. I was never close to the half hour mark for the whole week. I just hope I won't be doing any worse in the next few days. I am sort of mentally prepared for the worst and to be lapped many times by those international walkers.

I left my watch at home. Luckily the hp could record up to 50 lap times. I missed the time on the 8th lap probably because the phone was ringing, pressing it meant to take the call and not to record the time!

Training at 3p.m. is something that I am never used to. Too bad that my body could not adjust to the time. It was very torturous in the afternoon heat. I was lucky that Suresh turned up to train at MSN Track on 1st Dec. At least I was more disciplined and managed to complete 10km albeit the time was poor. Without him, it turned worse. I was never disciplined enough to complete the 10 000m I had wished to do

I may just take a break for a day or two from walking. A 'hard' training with Suresh left me with sore muscles for almost two days. Training in the 3.00p.m. heat is certainly no joke.

LapTimeTotal
11:0301:03
22:2903:32
32:3306:05
42:3508:40
52:3711:17
62:3813:55
72:3716:32
8.
95:2121:53
102:4524:38
112:4227:20
122:4330:03
132:4432:47
142:3935:26 (5 400m)

Training prior to the time trial
29 Nov - 10.5km walk - hr 04mins 55secs
30 Nov - 5 400m walk - 36mins 29secs
01 Dec - 10 000m walk - 1hr 05mins 59secs
02 Dec - 5 200m walk - 33mins 19secs
03 Dec - 10.5km run - 1hr 12mins 23secs

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Friday 3 December 2010

Bareno Run 2011

Date: 13th March 2010 | 5:30am | Sunday
Venue: National Stadium Bukit Jalil
Distance: 21km, 10km and 5km

PM1 got detail.

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Wednesday 1 December 2010

Report: CICM Responsible Care Run 2010

By Aiman Cheah

Date: 28 November 2010 | Sunday | 7:40am
Venue: Bukit Jalil Nasional Stadium
Category: Men Veteran (40 - 49 years old)
Distance:10km
Result: Time: 53:36
Position: 35

I was hoping to do well to boost my confidence. Unfortunately, I did not have a good run. Ran out of steam after 5km. However, I think I had a better race in the first 5km compared to the Green Fun Run a day earlier.

Fortunately, I manged to kick my habit of stopping during races. I went really slowly instead of walking. The second 5km of the race was really killing - going uphill was something that I dreaded most. I endured the race and thanks to K.T Wong. He was so steady.

I guessed I must have left him for quite a distance before I hit the 5km mark and he steadily reduce the gap and finally overtook with 3km to go. I tried to match his pace throughout the race. I did not have the power the increase the pace towards the end of the race as I usually do. Glad that I did have the energy in me to sprint home on the straight towards the finishing line.

One consolation is I finished ahead of Mr Lee Yee Sum (PM12). Actually he could have been faster than I was. He lost the few seconds because he had to 'put out the fire in the bushes'.

Preparation for the race:
22/11 - 10.5km walk 1hr 01mins 24secs
25/11 - 2 500m swim 1hr 15mins
26/11 - 10.5km run 56mins 59secs
27/11 - Green Forest Run 45mins 14secs

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