For work trips down the Kiasu-land last year, that almost made me to the Run organised by the same bank in Singapore, I was so disappointed over the annoucement of early closure of entry due to overwhelming response. And then, in about less than 6 months time, the same event has stepped into homeland, gosh... without second thoughts I signed up for the local chapter of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009.
For an unexperienced, novice runner like me, I can only afford the 10km run. Hardly any training done, well at least I tried completing ONE and only 10km run on a treadmill with zero inclination and 2 other 5km short sprints in the gym simply to mentally convinced myself that I CAN complete the run physically. I was pretty much happy with it already prior to the run.
Not when the day came rather unnoticeably early. With little preparations and zero outdoor running experiences, I can only hope for the best as I do understand running outdoor is entirely different from running on a mechanical treadmill that tend to push me to run without stopping from the revolving conveyor belt. My aim is to qualify and to be the finisher of the Run within 1.5 hours but I was surprised with myself with the record time for less than 1 hour 18 minutes on my first trial on the treadmill. However, still... feeling rather unprepared for it, seriously.
The race pack collection was told a total disaster but I was lucky to get there early before the rain hit and before the computer network system got short circuited and before the long queue and before those people cursing for non-advancing queues up to more than 2 hours just to collect the race bibs and t-shirts, and that's just only for one running category.
Howver, I have managed to change my t-shirt size after trying it out at home that found out my pre-ordered 'L' was little too large for me, hence got back and change for a smaller one on the next day. Contrary to the first collection day, the booths were so free, practically waiting for participants to come... Later then I heard of the massive complaints via Facebook of the nightmare of having to queue up for hours when one was collecting for a few that are in different categories... The first hiccup from the organiser.
And then it was the much anticipated day. The Run on the 28th June.
It was too early to get the engine started, slightly passed 4am and I was already on my way to Taman Jaya's LRT A&W to meet up with the babes, KK, EM, CL and her gang. Although I got myself a powerbar that was bought on the race pack collection day, I just can't help myself by getting a chicken burger set complete with the ever famous root beer. How can I not have root beer whenever I go A&W?
And then that was when everyone was laughing at me of burping and farting root beer that smells like chicken burger... along the Run. Yikes.
Thanks to CL for getting the tickets for the all-day long shuttle bus service and then we were on the way to the Daratan Merdeka, to meet up with the rest of the 12,500 runners from everywhere else. Sometimes I'm just amazed by how meticulous females are... especially when KK commeneted on the armpit hair showing guy standing right real close to her the bus.
The drop off at Padang Merbok made another walk for 15 minutes to Dataran Merdeka but CL was nowhere to be seen after that when everyone was busy looking for waterloo. EM, KK, SY and myself even got the time to cam-whore (special thanks to EM for the pics) at the starting line before the offical flag off of the 10km run. Time checked, 7am sharp.
The Run started with the gun after the bell from the clock tower and then... all nightmares begin... at the first 20m, inclination started with so many runner around that was so crowded and interuptive. I have to settle for slow jog and some walking in between, until the route got diverted to a bigger trunk road somewhere on Jalan Tun Razak. The first few moments of the run was surprisingly refreshing, not to mention the cool morning fresh air and the excitement and adrenaline rush to be able to run freely on a highway. I mean, how often so you run on a highway?
I was blasting my iPod with full uummpphh ahead, pretty much cutting many runners in which I was quite happy of my capability at that early stage of the run. Not until I mistakenly thought the first water station that I met was the first 5km mark of the run. I was like, "wow, that's fast, 5km achieved so easily... cheh...". Yes, too happy too early. That was the water station marked for the other running category I supposed, when later I found out the route was just merely the first 3km only WTF!!! Still a long way to go when the actual KM marker appeared.
Adding to such demoralising encounter, my iPod failed me! The right ear phone was not working; probably due to excessive sweat as I was carrying it in my back pocket with no cover. Gosh... I was worried further damaging the iPod and have to resort to have no song for the run by keeping it away.
The run was then diverted to Jalan Mahameru where the runners are now more scattered but still pretty crowded. 10km runner are all strong yo... but this was when my shoulders and neck started giving me problems. Left shoulder was aching, feel'in extermely stiff and muscle tensioning. It was the pain that made me start walking eventhough I still have much stamina to continue running. So, I started walking, half way there.
As the pain ease away, I started running again. Then found a blister on my second left toe. Right sole was hurting very very badly. Wrong running shoes or perhaps improper running posture I guess? Nike has been my closest companion in workouts, but now I changed my mind... It sucked! After running more than half way, the right sole was getting worse and towards the last 2km of the course, the right shoe sole came off, and I was practically flapping it all the way to the finish line.
Having all the kahoonas, I decided to only power walk at the up hills and sprint my way down hill, making full use of the acceleration of gravity. The final leg was at Jalan Parlimen where Dataran Merdeka was just at sight, drawing closer and closer to the finish, to many runners dismay it was a huge left turn to Jalan Raja Laut where I saw another long run ahead before hitting a U-turn back into Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Fuck... I believed many was cursing like me already... but this is it, almost there, I started sprinting for the last distant and giving my all.
I have got no watch, no timer for the run so do not know of the timing but I managed to pass the gantry sensor, not hearing any beeping sound though, with the unofficial clock time of 1 hour 19 minutes and 32 seconds. My impression immedietly after the run was like: "That's all? I still have more to give la..."
Well, for a untimed run, I think that I did pretty well and I have achieved my goal as the 10km finisher. The queue for the medal was horrifically long but I managed to caught up with the very tanned Emily and then again... cutting queue (not that I did it on purpose, the vacant counters was calling me out loud...) to get my medal even the isotonic drinks, for me, it was a breeze... huhuhu. And also several huge bananas for recovery...
Then met up with the babes and had some cam-whoring session again and we waited for Runaholic for more than 2 hours at the finishing gantry with camera on standby mode but still no shadow to be seen. This was when we all started to get a little worried, thinking all the possibilities along the full marathon that might happened, or maybe the crazy Runaholic already came back without our notice?
The wait at the gantry allowed me to witness so many people with all shape and sizes finishing the Run, especially those in full marathon, 42km, seriously no joke. Of course, saw several fellow instructors from the gym as well but one that caught everyone's attention was this young chinese lady who went crying out loud, seriously crying in pain or of joy (not sure which one... but I think more like in pain) at the same time crossing the finishing line that looked so so familiar from the gym community. Anyway, I'm moved by their sheer determination, their fight against the pain to endure the entire marathon.
Sitting near the gantry sensor, I noticed that full marathon runners are mostly NOT in shape. They can be fat and flabby (I'm just honest, no offense), some are like pear shaped housewives, and some men are even very veteran uncles up to 60 over years old. What's more intriguing was, these seasoned runner finsished the run with ease and even managed to pull up the huge smile for camera and pose the peace sign, unlike some relatively younger ones who just went breaking down in tears and cramps right after they finished. However, full marathon runners, you got my full salutation for completing it.
Overall, it was a great experience to be running again after so long. I was never a runner and hated running since small. The obvious run that I last did was the merentas desa back in the secondary school. But I thought 10km was rather easy to accomplish. It was more mental than physical in terms of finishing the run with a good time. I thought I can do much better than this, if only I could have a watch with that time.
I suddenly find running can be very addictive. I just got to improve on my running speed and timing with better running technique. Like what Polar's Running Clinic said, control of breathing and heart rate is important to last longer and to fully utilise the energy in the body. Perhaps if I ever join a full marathon in future (yes, I'm dreaming, so slap me if you can), I might consider getting myself a Polar watch.
I'm looking forward to the next run, hopefully able to complete a half marathon 21km very soon.
Yup, the next one... Adidas's King Of The Road 2009 Shah Alam, here I come.
By Leon Jackson, winning song of X-Factor, cover version of Mariah and Whitney's.
I have never realised how beautifully written it is, until now.
Dedicated to myself.
I need the motivation.
I need the encouragement.
I need to - Believe.
Kites.
I fly kites.
I love kites.
It was donkey years back when I last flew a kite, easily 10 years ago I think, not even after I bought kite all the way from Shanghai (don't ask me why...) would drove my ass to the nearby field... until my lil' sister quietly stole my brand 'new' kite without asking me one fine weekend ago...
And it all started there, the next moment I knew I was with her and Fk on the very big padang of Bukit Tinggi, chasing for wind that wasn't really happening in the evening. The very first attempt was great but not so great; the air was almost at stagnant, lesson learnt since small, never fly kite after rain... no wind.
Having said not flying kites for so long, a roll of 50m string was pathetically short as the kite seemed rather near to the ground. But I got myself with a 500m fisherman string and off it goes...
And then there was Fk's new Batman kite with self-made bangles. Upclose was rather cute, but when it's flying high, the tails and the mustache were no where to be seen.
The field was packed with kids and parents and some couples at early evening as the clear blue sky slowly got filled with various colours and shapes of kites. It was an amazing sight compared to my own handmade newspapar with lidi stick kites. Nowadays we use kites with plastic fabrics. Another evolution in time.
I hated it when someone come into my territory. More than 50 kites, not to mentioned some idoits who ran back and forth for not knowing how to fly a kite... the strings crossed.
I'm ruthless when come into these.
You crossed my line, I'll cut you.
And I 'murdered' 2 kites with my brown fisherman strings.
Watching the dismissal of a falling kite makes me relief, for getting rid of nuisances, of course... I've got the technique to murder. LOL.
Though evil, but I simply love it.
I still remember how my dad made my kites when I was really small. I used to jumped up and down and around my dad whenever he tried to fix a kite for me. I have leanred the art of flying kites and the serenity of being able to control an object flying so high... of few hundred meters off the ground with passion and control. Yes, I have inherited the masterclass from my dad.
Life is like flying kites.
There is always ups and downs, and perhaps some overturn in between.
I control the kite.
I control my life, just like how I control my kite.
Efforts are needed to lift the kite higher.
That's why I'm so strongly against superstitions and predictions that were rather baseless. I just can't believe how some even paid for it.
To fly high, the kite will need to catch the right direction of wind to reach another milestone in the sky.
Whoever come in the way, either we let it tangle, else it must be cut in order to soar higher. I think the same thing in life too.
This is not my first time got to know of the event but I managed made it to the annually organised event this year, for whatever reasons I missed last year's event, I can't recall a single thing...
The Relay For Life 2009 was held at the MSN Training Stadium in Bukit Jalil from the 30th May starting from 6pm onwards and all the way throughout the night till the next day morning where the event ends at 10am on the 31st May. Being part of the event for the first time after it's third yer running so far, I definitely feeling blessed to be part of this annual fund raising charity event organised by the National Cancer Society Malaysia that is overall in somewhat grand and with style.
I totally forgot about the date until Aunt Lynn reminded me on the afternoon itself when I have already engaged with Angels & Demons with the babes and Hamyu. I was so near in giving up from having to travel through busy streets of the town after movie what more when I was feeling sicko that the mucus was fast filling up my nostrils and occasionally burst into my throat every now and then, after being caged in the cinema cubicle with full blast of air conditioned for more than 2 hours... by the way, the movie was pretty good... for better digestion compared to The Da Vinci Code.
Luckily the traffic was pretty smooth using the Maju Expressway from down town to Bukit Jalil and I managed to reach the stadium at about a quarter passed 10pm. To my surprised, the car park was not fully occupaied but I was immensely surprised by the supportive crowd in the arena and grand stand area, all hyped up and running, of course some with mere walk abouts only.
Relay For Life, as it's name said, is a no-sleeping, non-stop trekking on course within the long hours, signifies the fight to cancer as cancer never sleep and never stop.
It was the backward lap that everyone was walking backward around the course, forming a rather cute scene, watching participants from all walks of life from different ethnic background, age and some even in their tudungs were on the course. But no, I didn't went down to the course as I don't know what to do for being just arrived. I think I missed out some really cool meet & great sessions by some local celebrities such Alan Yuen, Ashraf Sinclair and Jacqueline Victor singing and running session... but I managed to witness our first Malaysian Idol on sports gear running on track with her family. How sweet...
Even Starbucks's team was there too!!! I believe the caterpillar lap has already over, but Starbucks crew of almost 20 pax all in their barista uniform complete with aprons were real eye-catchy and striking when they marched on the course. It was a real 'sayang' for not having my camera with me to capture some of the best moments but special thanks to Aunt Mimi for borrowing me her camera phone for the pictures and video for this simple blog entry here.
I was surprised by the activities lined up for the long night, to keep everyone awake and energised. There were mini concert by the local all female band, the Soul Sisters, taekwondo shows and the very interesting Beauty Pageant show featuring some of the most awful looking yet hilarious pondans and some really bootylicious transvestites, I mean they are real trans-genders. Matching qualities to those found in Thailand. Good stuff. The show definitely marked the highlight of the night. Not sure if this is suitable for public viewing, but I'm pretty sure from the massive response from the deafening screams and wolf-howlings from the crowd drew enough energy to keep everybody awake for a while. Some hardcore supporters even put up overnight camps there too... and also very very surprised to meet Yvonne, the hottest mum from the gym with her hubby.
I think I missed some of the very meaningful event earlier such as the Chicken Dance and the very touching moment of the Luminaria, the very personalised dedication session by fellow family members or cancer survivors in commemorate of those departed love ones, who were cancer victims, by litting small candles in a self-decorated paper bags. Must be very touching... looking at these Luminarias placed around the running course. Simple little things like this carried the weight of undescribeable love. Nice...
There was also this very cute game organised at almost 12 midnight, the Pillow Fight where participants (mostly youngsters) gather in a small group, about 50 of them, each hand held a small size pillow and when the whistle blew, they will just start whacking anyone and everyone that was around them. Yes, practically hit and whacking. Watching them from the grand stand was fun enough, I just can't stop laughing already. The flying pillows that was quite 'kencang' I called it was pretty cool and awesome.
And then there was this aerobic session, at 12am++!!! Gosh, this was my first time ever midnight workout session that was similiar to the movement of Body Attack but of 20% impact, even with that some not so elderly already complaining that their knee can't take it. Off the topic, I think the instructors were definitely not Les Mills trained, as their instructions was basically counting reps all way from beginning to the end of the exercise. Bonus... I was jumping and lunging (but no push ups) and sweating in my t-shirt, jeans and sandals... drenched.
Lets us give support for this all night event as cancer never sleeps! By being there is already supporting.
Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back!!!
These were the tagline that were found at The Relay For Life 2009.
Although I did not spent much time at the arena... but not only I was surprised by this meanigful event, also leaving the event with a thankful mind and open heart of how lucky I am of having a healthy life (touchwood) and feeling blessed of having a great family. Relay For Life showed humanitarian values, undivided love and superior support from all the kind souls, be it with or without relation to cancers, that we, Malaysians, still have the heart to love, and to care.
Yes, I will be back for 2010 Relay For Life!!!
Finally, the season has come to an end. As much as I expected Kris Allen to make it to the finals as Danny Gokey is getting kinda boring toward the end of the race; no doubt that the finale will be the showdown between the hard rocker 'nail-polish' Adam Lambert and the highly likeable acoustic guitarist Kris Allen.
I'm surprised to know they were both roommates since the Top 13 episode all the way to the finale. Interesting commentary from the reporters though...
Watching the both of them singing in the finals, it is clear that Adam did a notch better than Kris, especially with the new Idol's winning song, "No Boundaries" actually did not suit either one of them. It is actually meant for Danny Gokey... Hands down Danny Gokey wins if he ever make it to the final and sing that song, perhaps the show expected Gokey to be in the finals that did not materialised. It is true Adam is better but realistically Kris would be my favourite since the beginning of the season. Adam is just purely overrated.
But then, season 8 of the Idols has got the most remarkable result show in the history of the American Idols. Legendary stars appeared and fantastic (well not all..) pairing of the idols with the stars makes it so unbelievably interesting.
I thought the last group song of "So What" was a lousy song choice. They MURDERED the song!!! Cannot... they can't bring it. Not without Pink. But then I thought David Cook's "Permanent" was just alright in commemorate of his late brother. Sounded emotional but the singing and song was just so-so.
And then I thought the duet of Lil' Rounds & Queen Latifah was a complete wreck. Can't really listen to the words and definitely Queen Latifah sounded like eating up Lil' Rounds. Bad, bad pairing...
The appearance of Jason Mraz was a huge surprise!!! How nice... but not so much when the group idols spoiled the harmonies at the second half the song. But nevertheless it was great to have the Grammy nominated song on stage. And NO... Anoop shouldn't have sang the song opening. Complete utterly weak.
Another surprise caught up right after when Keith Urban teamed up with Kris Allen on the acoustic and electric guitar. Great harmonies of an almost country music and I wonder why Kris can't stop shrugging the shoulders? I bet the chicks love it.
The girls singing "Glamorous" by bringing out Fergie and latter the Black Eyes Peas was so cool. Will.I.Am reminded me of the teleporter, John Wraith in the X-Men Origins and I have to emphasize this...
Fergie, the best legs around. Oh my...
The bikini girl vs Kara Dioguardi. Ryan has got the best line of the season by asking Katrina, "I was about to ask you what's new, but I think I know now", very wickedly done. It was the show-down of singing Mariah's Vision of Love. Kara can actually sing and she flashes in bikinis too for the God-sake 3 seconds. Kara KICKED ASS!!! Love it. The scene was taken off from the 8pm show, but I found it here!!! Bestest highlight of the night!!! Or is it planned before hand? Kara looked a lil' lost probably tearing her dress to vigorously that she can't put it back together it seemed, looked really awkward.
The duet between Allison Iraheta with the all-time favourite Cyndi Lauper and Danny Gokey with Lionel Richie appeared to be somewhat cold after a hot and steamy bikini showdown. Anyway they were both good, but not great. Why does Cyndi never grow old?
Then it was the band Kiss and Adam bringing the house down. Noise, noise, noise, but with very impressive stage designs. Carlos Santana with Top 13 singing "Smooth" was kinda not so smooth to say the least and the new song by Steve Martin that was presented by Megan Joy and Michael Sarver was alright. Sarver sounded great but then again, Megan spoiled it completely. "Pretty Flowers" is so lovely that I'm not surprised if it becomes a hit after this...
By having Rod Stewart (Gosh can anyone tell me why is he still alive...?) as the closing of the finale was quite legitimate and ended up with Queen on the "We Are The Champions" pushed the night to a high note, not forgetting the ever dramatic Tatiana del Toro pre-arranged run-on-stage-hard-selling-singing tricks. Now this one confirmed pre-arranged...
But it was all GOOD. Kris Allen won along side by creating the record breaking votes in the history. Even though the new song sucked, singing it the secong time sounded so much better than the night before. As much as being dubbed the dark horse has out-ran the race or some claimed the biggest upset of the Idol's history, I seriously think Adam Lambert can become equally big in the coming near future, finding the piece of music that he belong that is definitely different from anyone else in this season of American Idols.
Yes to Kris Allen, No to 'Nail Polish'...
Indeed, great Moms grow great kids.
I'm blessed of who I am today.
My Mom is one hell of a great Mom.
As I was watching the latest season of the Survivor series, even it is via Youtube, the scenes of family reunion almost drive me in tears. The power of family love, is just so impeccable.
"Now when I go home, like there is somebody that I don't have to explain these to, and to have somebody here that you can just tell everything to and you would know he/she wouldn't use anything against you... somebody who loves you no matter what... somebody who worries about you... somebody who concerns about you... is really a great thing... or here (at the Survivor game) you kinda, forget what that feels like, it's... it's really nice."
Erinn, Top 6 Finalist of Survivor Tocantins, Season 18.
Happy Mother's Day.
I love you Mom.
