27 days to 17 hours

27 Feb 2010 is the day of 3.8km swim , 180km bike before the 42km marathon. It will be my 2nd Ironman and hopefully not the last but this time is unlike last year when I was in between jobs, meaning plenty of time to train. I had 6 months then but this time...2 months mediocre mileage.

Last year I used breaststroke in the entire 3.8km swim. My freestyle then was...not that free! 100m and you'll see me panting like fish out of water. It's gonna be different this time but I doubt the time is going to be shaved much. Freestyle is my style and hope I can minimise my zig zagging. If not I may end up in Sawadeekap land. Hah!

Being a maiden last year, there was more anxiety rather than enjoyment. Never knew how my swim was going to be, never knew how my ride would take me and never knew if my legs would let me run to the finish line.

Well, I did, Thank God I did!

2010, I want to cross that finish line again...

Love God?

When we ask God for our needs e.g. cure of an illnesses, etc. it is good to be clear on whether we love God or we love ourselves more. This “test” is necessary for those whose devotion and service to God weakens soon after their prayers are answered. Does this describe my faith?

New Balance Pacesetters Run 2010 Results

30KM
A Men Open
Bib: A0203 Time: 01:49:56 Name: Samuel Tarus Too
Bib: A0197 Time: 02:05:10 Name: Mark John Williams
Bib: A0201 Time: 02:05:23 Name: Richard Habeya
Bib: A0482 Time: 02:08:02 Name: Ning Wen Long
Bib: A0431 Time: 02:09:04 Name: Philip Kipruto Limo

B Men Veteran
Bib: B2012 Time: 02:04:22 Name: Ong Chin
Bib: B2148 Time: 02:06:23 Name: Manat Pakathong
Bib: B2266 Time: 02:08:08 Name: Frenz, Tobias
Bib: B2017 Time: 02:08:32 Name: Khor Ngee Leong
Bib: B2206 Time: 02:08:37 Name: Malachy McAllister

C Men Senior Veteran
Bib: C3070 Time: 02:22:31 Name: Mohamad Bin Omar
Bib: C3062 Time: 02:23:59 Name: Tan Wah Sing
Bib: C3178 Time: 02:25:20 Name: Md Yasan Rahmin
Bib: C3151 Time: 02:27:09 Name: Tang Chee Choon
Bib: C3138 Time: 02:29:03 Name: Woon Too Leng

D Women Open
Bib: D4113 Time: 02:12:09 Name: Chemweno Mary Yepchumba
Bib: D4020 Time: 02:18:49 Name: Peris Chepkech Poywo
Bib: D4131 Time: 02:22:07 Name: Amutha A/P Arumugam
Bib: D4016 Time: 02:23:35 Name: Julie Foreman
Bib: D4033 Time: 02:24:56 Name: Michele Tan Bee Kiang

E Women Veteran
Bib: E5012 Time: 02:18:58 Name: Hayley Holle
Bib: E5039 Time: 02:31:29 Name: Tan Lee Chin
Bib: E5032 Time: 02:34:24 Name: Julia Lim Lee Ching
Bib: E5070 Time: 02:34:28 Name: Yong Lai Chee
Bib: E5017 Time: 02:40:52 Name: Carmen Leong Ban Yeik

F Women Senior Veteran
Bib: F6028 Time: 02:34:50 Name: Juthamanee Prianunt
Bib: F6009 Time: 02:37:26 Name: Lian Bee Hoon
Bib: F6010 Time: 02:39:54 Name: Agnes Tee Yoke Loi
Bib: F6027 Time: 02:45:24 Name: Yasuko Hosotani
Bib: F6019 Time: 03:06:08 Name: Lucy Lim


20KM
G Men Open
Bib: G7488 Time: 01:07:10 Name: Charles Maina
Bib: G7530 Time: 01:07:11 Name: James Maregu
Bib: G7425 Time: 01:07:46 Name: Ruburn Kummar
Bib: G7092 Time: 01:15:00 Name: Mohd Azarizal b Aziz
Bib: G7315 Time: 01:20:27 Name: Lim Guo Hua, Alvin

H Women Open
Bib: H8195 Time: 01:35:06 Name: Naiyana Rakkhaphan
Bib: H8041 Time: 01:38:11 Name: Haslinda bt Dolah
Bib: H8128 Time: 01:43:45 Name: Seah Bee Lian
Bib: H8125 Time: 01:44:15 Name: Michelle Looi Mei Yan
Bib: H8037 Time: 01:46:01 Name: Sally Margaret Purser


10KM

J Men Open

1. Bib : J9316 Time : 42:43:86 Name : J Karthik

2. J9406 42:44:46 M Thanasekaran

3. J9183 43:58:74 Wong Jiunn Jye

K Women Open

1. Bib : K1232 Time : 55:22:36 Name : Cheah Meei Meei

2. K1150 57:54:15 Wong Sue Ling

3. K1168 1:00:31 Teo Chui Ping

Malakoff Interstate Fellowship Ride 2009

Source: The Star

Friday January 8, 2010

Fellowship and charity

By CHRISTINA CHIN

MORE than 700 riders from all over the country raced through the states of Penang, Perak and Kedah over two consecutive days — all in the name of charity.

Participants of the inaugural Malakoff Interstate Fellowship Ride 2009 arrived at the Penang Municipal Park on Jan 1 after cycling some 220km.

Cyclists rule: 700 cyclists have the right of way in a 220km ride through three states over two days to foster fellowship and raise RM20,000 for charity.

The event was co-organised by corporate giant Malakoff and a non-governmental organisation called the Knights of the Round Table (KOTRT) with the support of the Penang Sports Council.

Challenging ride: Cyclists arriving at the Penang Municipal Park after braving the 220km Malakoff Interstate Fellowship Ride 2009.

In his speech, Malakoff Corporation Berhad managing director and chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said the event integrated recreational sports with the community’s wellbeing.

Welcome gift: Dr Sim (left) receiving a mock cheque from Ahmad Jauhari (second right). With them are KOTRT president Mohd Azmi Mohd Zainuddin (second left) and Ong.

“This will be an annual event for us and is part of our corporate social responsibility programme. This year, 110 of our employees joined in the ride to raise RM20,000 for the National Autistic Society of Malaysia (Nasom) (Penang Chapter). Hopefully, next year we can get greater number of participants and have an exhilarating route,” he said.

Nasom advisor Dr Sim Joo Seng said the centre provides counselling and customised training to those affected by autism.

“We need continuous financial support and volunteers as there are many more on the waiting list who can benefit from the centre’s services,” he said, before thanking Malakoff for its assistance.

In her address, state Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi said the state government was aware of its growth potential in sports tourism and would encourage the public to be more active and participate in healthy community-based activities.

Last 42.195km for 2009

Yes, it's 2010 and I'm posting an old 2009 report... :P

At first I was trying to decide on which I should wear. Is it going to be Mizuno Wave Elixir3 or Nike Lunatrainer? Both were marathon proven. Oh shucks! Which pair should I wear? Then I realised I've not ran the 42km in my Nike Lunaglider. Longest distance was only 10km. Ok then, black stallion it will be!

This time in SG, we stayed at Lynette's home. It was hospitality at its best! On race day, we were served with ham & egg + bread + milo. Oh, we here means Debbie, Michelle & me.

Kelvin was supposed to be with us but a nasty immigration officer didn't let him leave Malaysia. Poor guy had to say goodbye to us as he headed home to Seremban. His race went up in smokes...just like that. No race kit either as those in charge in Expo collection centre were very strict in giving out race kits. No IC or passport, no race kit.

Collecting our race kits had its drama as well. I sort of brought them to "holland" when we ended up at Suntec Exhibition Centre insead of Expo centre in Tanah Merah! Blurr like tomato I was! Finally after a long and made winding road by yours truly, we reached Expo 5.

Met Tey, Mac, Arif, May Senn & Chan Weng Kai, collected our race kits at the centre which looked more like 'kandang kuda', toured exhibition hall before heading to Lynette's place in Pasir Ris.

Good rest, good dinner, good sleep, good breakfast...it's gonna be a good good run!

Ham + egg + bread + milo = yummylicious! Best pre-race breakfast!

Hey Charlie's angels, move aside and give way to the Running Angels!

Race Day - 6 Dec 2009

Reached the padang half an hour before gun off and as we walked to store our bags at Lynette's company booth, a group of Kenyans zoomed past us. Their warming up pace looked like our sprint to finish line in a 100m event! Fuyoh!

17,500 registered and even with 12,000 turning up at start enclosure, it's going to be crowded. Sure enough, we took at least 10min to enter the enclosure. Didn't expect to be able to meet any friends but luck was on our side and we met Lee, Yap, Bee, Mohan and Jezamine plus a few familiar KL runners.

Ready for 21,42

530am bang! Ran the first 3km with Mich before we bid each other all the best and "See you at the finish line". I increased to my own pace, reached the 20km mark at 1hr44min. So far so good, caught up with the 3.45 pacers. These guys are simply having fun, happily doing pacing for those who set their sub4 target. I was hoping to stay with them to the end but felt calves twitching at the 26km mark. Had to slow down a wee bit but at 30km, had to do some serious stretching. At this point, I've already had 2 Powergels but my damm cramping muscles need more sodium, potassium and whatever sium they can get....sigh...

The rest of the run resembled my many other events...walk...jog...cramps...kanina looking face...and the rest is history.

200m to go and I saw my watch 3:51...another sub4 is in the bag but nope, no PB this time round. Crossed finish line 3:53:32

Ok lah...not too bad considering lack of long runs in Nov.

Well, it's a good run. A good buildup to Langkawi Ironman in less than 3 months time.