On the PBIM 2014

OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY!!!!!

Should I finally attempt that 42km?! Hmmmmmmmmmm......

On the Special Calendar - Poo-ed Your Pants

Work has taken a new toll on me.
And I couldn't have been happier.

I fly away to distant lands nearby for holidays.
Getting to know new friend who I've bonded pretty quickly.

18/5/2013
Sundown Marathon, Singapore

A whole new milestone and experience.
Of which you will never know until you experienced it.

And I finally understood when someone said "I poo-ed my pants."

Imagine the tummy churning and crampy.
And you have no toilet nearby.
And the nearest you know is back in the hotel.
Which is about 15 minutes walk away.

And your anal sphincter just gave way.

And and...

You walk with a smelly diaper all the way back to the toilet.

Experience unforgettable.

On the Nike We Run KL 2012

Not sure if the general public would have heard about it. But I suppose the college students who made up more than half of the total runners for the event would know it was a mudbath at the end.

I have not much complains actually. It's just that I thought it was not right for the flag off to be at 5.40 pm when we were told it would be at 5.30pm sharp, later causing much unhappiness amongst our Muslim runners. And I thought it was just not appropriate for the "new" runners to walk hand in hand, causing much hassle to those who really wanna run to zigzag-ed on the road, thank God not twisting their ankles. Let's just not go back to why there were so many college students and university students in the start. But I know yes, true, we can't blame the fact that it was raining and the finishing line placed at Padang Merbok would be wet and soggy, but yes I do think there's something they could do about, perhaps placing cardboard or something. And puh-leaze, let's not get into how unpleasant it was at the finishing line when all the runners had to squeeze through all the muddy fields to get to the designated lane to collect the finishing tee. Oh oh! And a friend was actually complaining how inappropriate of the organizer to start distributing mineral water at the finishing line where all the runners are having human-jam for security reasons, although I begged to differ. But yea, I think there were some security reasons along the route, some part of the route in front of Sheraton was just too narrow to run! And to have water station there?! It was like 8 lanes of cars jamming into one lane during the police road block. But thank goodness I was running light I didn't have to stand in the mudpit waiting for my numbers to be called to collect my baggage for 3 whole hours after completing the run.

So yeah. I wasn't complaining really.

I thought we were just a bunch of people who loves to make hoo-ha and not look at how great a job the organizer did. Which, other than the ample water stations, albeit not all are needed, are maybe the dancers and cheerleaders along the route.

Oh oh! And the runners! Gosh. 15,000 runners. The first time I saw 3 runners fainting in any running event. 

Who they are you may ask?

College/university students.

But good job Nike!

The entertainment at the end was not bad really! Although I was somewhere in Yuen stuffing on shrimps and gulping down cholesterol. LMAO!

On the Adidas King of the Road

So I've heard some aunties complaining later that the whole NPE was jammed up and causing major traffic jam and what nots. But hey, it's a run, expect it.

I was glad that I wasn't scheduled for work that weekend alright. So I was happy that I was able to run again. Not that I run a lot, I thought I haven't been running for a year or so. And well, let's put it this way, I didn't really train for a 10km run. Not at all.

So I was basically crawling halfway through. Somewhat. But I was stubborn, so I crawled upright on both legs.

And guess what was the consequences?

Hmm...

My buttcheeks hurt the following day.



And my thigh burns the whole of the following week!

I can't even walk properly!!!!

Now now... the next run. Nike We Run KL! Ooops I think many didn't get to register at all. MUAHAHAHAHA.

On the Jurong Lake Run

Remember that I actually registered to run for this?

Guess what, 2 weeks after I collected the running kit, come the Sunday when the run is supposed to take place...

I was here...

Snoring away.

LMAO.

That vest cost me 40 dollars! And what's that, 100RM???

Sleepyhead me. But with work and all and business and well, sleep seems to be the better one of the choices available on a Sunday morning when I don't need to work. LOLOLOL.

On the Sundown Marathon

Wooohooooo!!!!!

My first ever international marathon! Well... Outside Malaysia that is. Signed up for Bangkok International Half Marathon last year which was postponed due to flood, but whether or not it would be held this year is still an uncertainty. Then again, I managed to get myself a medal from this one.

I mean, okay I know it's like, boring. And a lot of the Singaporeans or veteran runners alike were getting bored of the running events in Singapore; like, seriously, where else could the running even take place right? But for newbie like me, it's thrilling.

Rest assured, it's like... super expensive. Like... Very... crazily expensive.

Remind me again why did I stupidly signed up for a race that requires traveling and conversion? LOL

It was a good run alright. Traveling to the race venue was a breeze with the MRT.

And it was only then that I know there were near to 12,000 runners running 12km.

Yes I chickened this time, and do the shortest distance of all. Mainly coz I need to work and I haven't really been training and I haven't been running for a gazillion years.

So off we went, running for 10km. Managed to complete in 1 hr 7 min or something.

Then spent about an hour sitting near the race village in my smelly vest cooling down. There was actually some movie showing. But I didn't stay on till the next movie, X-men if I wasn't mistaken.

Perhaps... just perhaps... I might attempt another half marathon anytime this year round. Ooops, half of the year gone already.

On the Itch to Run

So of course, I was down South to collect the Sundown Marathon Running kit. And like any other running events, there were promotions of more running events at the collection kit centers. Apparently, Sundown Marathon is such a huge event that the race kit collection weekend, there was a RunBikeSwim expo; whereby running gels, running apparels were all sold at pretty reasonable, if not cheap, prices. But of course, I was there just to get my running vest...

And...

Well...

Perhaps something more...

Registered for the Jurong Lake Run.

LOL!

Cuz it runs through the Jurong Lake Garden. Something about the Chinese garden and what nots. And bloody these Singaporean salesperson were pretty sweet talkers.

So yeah. I spent about 50 dollars in this one.

And there was the Newton Run as well..

Which I didn't register for.

Mainly because my wallet was empty.

LOLOLOLOL!

Then again, as to whether or not I will be really running I'm not quite sure! I was scheduled to work in the previous run that I registered for. So stay tuned to whatever happened to my inaugral Sundown Marathon experience!

On the Inspirational Running Videos

I suppose I should've at least improved my running time by now if I were ever taking running seriously. But I guess I ran for... well, I don'treally know. 1.5 years into running and I've yet really hit 10km in less than 1 hour. -,-" Bleh. But never mind... After this I shall really train for it. I hope I would get to that...

But anyways, I came across a few inspirational videos on youtube about some major marathon events in the US.

The New York Marathon,

Boston Marathon and

Chicago Marathon.

They're touching. Really. I was full of emotions when I was watching them, especially the one of Chicago Marathon. I suppose it's that form of achievement when you cross the finishing line. That that that... eruption of joy and relieve and... and... well... it's like you've push to your limit and you finally made it. That victory and that joy, it's beyond what words can describe.

But damn, those Americans sure know how to run. 3.5 hours for 42km. I'd be happy if I could finish that distance. LOL.

And I was wondering why is our local marathon events not as dramatic as those......

New year resolution. To complete a full marathon of 42km. *gulps*

On the 2011 Round-up

2011 was heck of a year! Turn and turmoil. Trips and Travel. Joy and depression. But alas. I made it to the 31st of December 2011! YAY! Hopefully I'll be waking up tomorrow healthy and well.

I'd summarized everything 2011 in 2 main graphs. That of the stress level. And that of the emotional level.

Many of you who follow this blog would've known that I sorta fell into major depression (albeit not a clinical depression) and live in highly-stressed state in preparation for the Final Exams. And yeah, the graphs sort of go beyond the paper because, well... they're beyond what words and figures could describe. LOL!

So if you could actually see the two of them together, you could actually deduce that well... I'm finally liberated from medical school (at least for the time being) and "jobless" towards the end of the year. I was able to slowly crawl out of sadness and mourning after a month or so, but still remain pretty low for the following 5 months.


And that brings in another table, which is also one of my life-long passion (though I'm not so sure I could actually experience it anymore in the near future). Travel and trips. Due to the unfit to travel in June, I had to postpone a lot of my traveling overseas towards the end of the year. I do know that many wouldn't consider Singapore as "overseas". But as long as passport is required, it's overseas to me. And so you could see, December was my big break! Wee!

Otherwise, numerous trips and road trips were made throughout the whole year for multiple purposes, i.e. running events.


And that brings me to another chart: My Addiction.

Joined 17 running events with 5 half marathons and the rest 10kms or 12kms; ran a total of 219km, which was a major feat compared to last year. But failed to run in the 1st Bangkok International Half Marathon due to the postponement of the even when the flooding didn't allow the run to continue; as well as the Malakoff 12km Run and MMU 10km Run due to my traveling. But then again, I'm happy enough and I sure do hope next year would be great.


Otherwise...

Family had been in good shape throughout the year.

Maintained, if not getting closer to some friends; but isolated myself from quite a handful as well.

Financial wasn't in the picture just as yet, with Daddy still sponsoring; but Lillian Too predicted a poor financial status for the year 2012 for me. Boohoo.

Health wise, I'm glad I didn't got admitted to a hospital just as yet. Though there were numerous colds and fevers throughout the year.

So yeah. That's pretty much about my C.O.L.O.U.R.F.U.L year in 2011. How about yours?



Before I forget...

Happy New Year 2012!

On the Running Medals

Sis complained that me scattering the medals collected from all the runs I joined since last year made it hard to clean the shelf. And I've been wondering how should I actually get it all displayed. I didn't think there was any thing like a stamp book or a coin book that could actually hold all these medals...

So in the end, I recycled the boxes from the container I've purchased.

Cut some holes on the cardboard and did some 'sewing' and made sure it fit the shelves exactly without toppling over.

Mum would be so pleased! LOL!

On the Nike "We Run KL 2011" Run

Managed to get myself registered for one +one for this one months back on the 3rd day it was available for registration online. Boy was I glad I managed to get it. I know someone who didn't, and was pretty furious that the whole run was full and registered participants reached 10,000 in just 4 days. A bit ridiculous if you ask me. But oh well...

So I was actually contemplating whether or not to go for this one nearing the weekend as TZ kept saying he was having soreness which didn't get any better after his run on Penang Bridge. There was after all, another run in Kepong Desa Park City which offered a finisher medal. But of course, I didn't registered for that (and I could always get it online the night before if I wanted to).

But anyhow, we proceeded to Nike's "We Run KL 2011" in the end. Arrived in Padang Merbok and parked our car some secluded place far far away from the starting line. Boo. But at least it was a warm up walking towards the starting line.

The amount that turned up was huge. Easily 10,000 runners I thought. Heard over JJ emcee-ing that all the quotas were snapped within 72 hours. But I wouldn't doubt that there are at least one who registered for the run at RM40 for him/herself and a friend just to get two Nike Tee, which, let's not forget, comes bearing a huge brand and quite a nice design. I know, because I had the idea. LOLOLOLOLOL! But hey, I ran!

But anyways, we flagged off amidst the thousands of runners off from the road. Ran ran ran.

There were so many runners that you would never be alone. In fact, at some part, you were actually walking. Because everybody was walking and you had no space to run. LOL!

So I ran. And walked. And ran a bit more. And walked a lot more.

And slowed down to a halt by the side to take photos some more...

And finally crossed the finishing line after 1 hour 12 minutes. Boo. No improvement. LOL! The sight was something to behold. People mountain people sea, in red.

ps: I had no idea there was a guy taking off his jersey at that time!

But who cares. I did thought that the gun time would be much longer as it took me almost 10 minutes to reach the starting line before we flagged off. But anyhoos, like what they call it, just run for fun. It's our city after all. Came out from the carnival area to the last stretch of road before the finishing line to cool down. Saw some celebrities in the running community i.e. Yimster and Karen Loh (who started the Running for Orang Asli)... though I never really approached them. HAHAHA!

It was a great run despite all the little glitches here and there. I thought the event was well organized. Safety was really taken care off. Just that, well... some runners didn't actually read the guidebook, they still slow down suddenly to walk in the middle of the route, which could actually pose as a danger to other runners who might accidentally knock into them. I nearly did.

But overall, it was fun!

This run didn't come with a finisher medal. But we had some finisher momento, which is equally as nice. It was a cute little Nike Shoe thumb-drive.

On the Allianz Penang Bridge International (Half) Marathon 2011

Penang, 20 November 2011. Like it or not, I'm going to blog about it today, and you'll want to read this. LOL!

Stayed in Hotel Royal Penang, and took the free shuttle from the hotel to the starting line at 10.45pm of 19th November even though the flag off for 21km is not until 3am of the 2oth November! So imagine my bore. But thankfully, I bumped into Ivan, another fanatic whom I knew for long but never get together with. LOL. We were joking on how people would actually call us crazy to spend so much just to run. I mean with hotel stay and traveling cost and all.

We came out from the buss right at the starting line of Allianz Penang Bridge International Marathon. There were tents being set up at the parking lots with numerous running shoes and excited runners up and about already.

By 1.30am, we heard Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng arrived at the starting line to support the see the flag off of the full marathon category. I was amazed really. Of all the runs that I joined, I have never seen any politicians present before the start of the run; let alone at 2am in the morning. *Salute* There were performances before the flag off...

At 2am sharp, the full marathoners were let go. These runners ran faster than sprinters really! I was actually wondering why I hadn't got the guts to actually register for a full 42km. LOL. It would've been a huge achievement to complete it for sure. If... I'd ever complete it.

Before I knew it, it was already time for the flag off of the 21km category. Got into the starting line and started getting myself calmed down. It was my 6th half marathon in my "running career", but I was still pretty restless on the starting line.

And so off we go. 30 minutes later, I hit the 4km mark, and was on the way up the bridge. Sky was clear. No cloud. No rain. And freaking cold! The sea breeze was sending chills down my whole body. But I'd say it was an easy run for the front half. I skipped a few drink station, didn't want to disrupt my consistency. Reached 9km point of the u-turn point of the bridge at slightly over 1 hour. Happy happy! I was pretty determined to have a personal best this time.

Went up the ramp on the bridge again. But finally all the work had taken toll. I slowed down to catch my breath on a few occasion. There was once where I was pretty sure if I hadn't continue running I'd have a cramp. My calves were already screaming, not exactly in pain, but more of soreness, especially on the sole.

I continued to run off the bridge, checking my time once a while. I didn't have my watch on. And I actually forgot my 'heart'. I had to listen to the same song on my phone using an earphone I borrowed from TZ. It was my favourite song then, still is now. XD Must've re-played for more than 3 to 4 dozens times. LOL.

As I made my u-turn at the 17th km point on the highway, I was entering my 2nd hour. Perhaps I was too ambitious to aim for a sub-2hour. LOL!

The last 2.5km was when I really pushed myself. Was pacing with another runner. Overtook him a few times, and he overtook me another few times. But at last I think I reached the finishing line sooner. As I crossed the finishing line to get my medal, I was half hoping it was a full marathon. Grrr the crew at the finishing line was hugging the pile of finishing shirt so tightly as she saw me coming, as though I was going to grab it from her or something. -.-"

But guess what, I've told you to read this post. Because it was a huge achievement for me. I finally improved my time. YAY!!!! My personal best thus far for a 21km finally achieved in Allianz Penang Bridge International Marathon 2011. A great improvement from my previous timing in Taiping. 5 minutes is still a huge deal okay! LOL

And I was darn proud of myself. LOL!

So after completing the run, I waited for TZ. And the free shuttle back to the hotel. Slept by the road-side (for the first time!) while waiting. Never thought I would just lie on the pavement and sleep. *Another new experience!* I was too tired I suppose. Didn't sleep the nigh before, having need to leave for the race venue at 11pm. LOL.

So all in all, it was a successful event for me. A pretty good closure for my running addiction in the year of 2011.

And if you noticed, there were a lot of "LOL"s in this post. I was proud and happy! HAHA!

On Nike "We Run KL 2011" Running Kit Collection

Toldja I'm gonna go on a running events blogging spree because they're all postponed since 2 weeks back. LOL!

Headed to Mid Valley on the 11.11.11 (Woah! So that was what I did on that memorable date! LOL) to collect the running kit for this run even though the run itself was held 2 weeks later.

Usually the running kits were only released on the weekend one week before the running event, therefore I was glad that I came across the updates about the running kit collection online. Else I'd have totally forgotten about it!

I honestly haven't been to Mid Valley for ages. Never liked any malls with lousy traffic flow and limited parking space. But since the running kit collection is there, I had no choice.

Not many people were there that day. Either it was a Friday, or that everyone was asking other people to help collect their running kit.

10km in KL, pretty much the same route like that of Standard Chartered Marathon 2010 I thought.

Will be running with TZ for this one. But of course, I'm sure a whole lot of other bloggers were running this one too. LOL.