Who's coming for Christmas... Santa or Jesus?

Santa lives at the North Pole... JESUS is everywhere

Santa rides in a sleigh...JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year...JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies...JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa...JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap...JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO...JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"...JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.

Santa's little helpers make toys...JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but...JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree...JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in Christmas.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas 2008

And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year!

God bless you!

My early Christmas gift

Looks can be deceiving!

Somehow Nike Lunartrainer looks a bit different from all the other running shoes we are used to. The top is plain white and the sole only appears in 1 colour, fluorescent greenish yellow, and it is a single piece that runs from toe to heel. Paint it dark green, wind back time by 25 years and it resembles shoes that we wear in school. Hahaha!

Normally we are used to having running shoes with the sole separated by a small arch but this is different. There's no arch. The sole is flat. Also, it is wider. At certain angles, it does look a bit funny but it feels good when you run in it.

So far I've done 2 slow & short recovery runs using this Lunartrainer, after the Powerman duathlon in Sri Manjung. If I can only use one word to describe Lunartrainer, then the word will be…comfortable. This Lunartrainer fits very well apart from being ultralight. Yes, looks can be deceiving! It doesn't have the fast & furious look but at least my feet didn't complain. I didn't feel the usual impact when our feet hit the tarmac, so that's a plus. Lunarlite foam has done its trick!
It is amazing to know that Lunarlite technology came from NASA. Lunarlite Foam Core is 30% lighter than typical EVA used in running shoes. Not only it was much lighter, Lunarlite provided an impact free feeling.

Upon lacing up, the ankle felt a secure grip without the usual thick padding at the sides which we're used to. Toes have a sense of freedom, didn't feel as if encased firmly. That explained the funny wide look. It was designed that way for a reason.

Looking at the sole, I noticed durable carbon rubber was located only at high-wear zones, to provide traction without increasing weight.

Overall, Lunartrainer is a very comfortable running shoe. Material used and the 'new' shape let the feet 'breathe' while running in comfort. Your feet won't feel 'beat up' as if just went through a boxing match. Something very important for long runs.

Powerman 2008 report

This year’s Powerman was packed with action, pain, adrenalin, cramps, disappointment, surprise, satisfaction, achievement, laughter and not forgetting yummylicious food!

A picture paints a thousand words…check out my posting on the pix earlier.

My target this year was 4hr flat but the flat I got was a tyre!. It happened in the first 10km of the 64km bike ride. Before that unfortunate incident, I started rather well with 49min in the 11km run. With a 4hr target in mind, I pedaled into a sustainable 32-33km/h pace but before long, my rear wheel felt wobbly as I approached the 2nd traffic light junction. My ride was already not that fast and very very furious I became with a punctured tyre! “Shit!” I yelled. Surely some riders were eyeing the tarmac expecting cow dung to avoid. As I replaced the tube, one by one zoomed pass. Oh bummer! I was stationary for 10 minutes but all in all, about 15 minutes were lost. All my effort in the first run vanished. There goes my target…kapoof !!

Anyhow, it’s not the end as I could still better my time from last year’s 4hr36min debut.
Back on my Merida, it started to feel good “sayur-ing” riders especially those using Cervelos. The best was overtaking a stylo mylo Cervelo rider with a rear disc wheel and teardrop helmet. Imagine a Proton zooming past a BMW in Sepang racetrack. Hehehe!
But on the other hand, I kinda envy them being so stylo mylo. I will always remember a friend’s priceless statement…’If you can’t win, then lose in style!’

After 2 loops of 32km, 2 Powergels and nearly 2min in transition, a grueling 10km run awaits. I downed another Powergel before my legs hit the road. Cramps were what I feared most and as expected, they paid their regular quad visit till I had to squat down easing the pain. The first 3km was the worst as I walked more than I ran. Slowly I paced myself and slowly the cramps left. The 2nd 5km loop was much better although I could only do a slow pace. The 10km took me 1hr7min.

Finishing Powerman at 4hr17min was 19min better than last year but it could have been satisfying without the puncture. Oh well, next year will come and a different flat I look for…

Fikir-fikirkanlah... (Think about it...)

Do we gain self respect and build our dignity through our social status and material wealth?
We are all merely finite human beings who will die one day . And when we die, we can't take material wealth with us.
Unless, we live in faith, hope and love for God, our status and dignity are just hollow....very hollow....

Powerman 2008 pix

Carbo loading at Kuala Selangor

This year’s Powerman was packed with action, pain, adrenalin, cramps, disappointment, surprise, satisfaction, achievement, laughter and not forgetting yummylicious food!
A picture paints a thousand words…
My target this year was 4hr flat but the flat I got was a tyre!. It happened in the first 10km of the 64km bike ride. Before that unfortunate incident, I started rather well with 49min in the 11km run. With a 4hr target in mind, I pedaled into a sustainable 32-33km/h pace but before long, my rear wheel felt wobbly as I approached the 2nd traffic light junction. My ride was already not that fast and very very furious I became with a punctured tyre! “Shit!” I yelled. Surely some riders were eyeing the tarmac expecting cow dung to avoid. As I replaced the tube, one by one zoomed pass. Oh bummer! I was stationary for 10 minutes but all in all, about 15 minutes were lost. All my effort in the first run vanished. There goes my target…kapoof !!
Anyhow, it’s not the end as I could still better my time from last year’s 4hr36min debut.
Back on my Merida, it started to feel good “sayur-ing” riders especially those using Cervelos. The best was overtaking a stylo mylo Cervelo rider with a rear disc wheel and teardrop helmet. Imagine a Proton zooming past a BMW in Sepang racetrack. Hehehe!
But on the other hand, I kinda envy them being so stylo mylo. I will always remember a friend’s priceless statement…’If you can’t win, then lose in style!’
After 2 loops of 32km, 2 Powergels and nearly 2min in transition, a grueling 10km run awaits. I downed another Powergel before my legs hit the road. Cramps were what I feared most and as expected, they paid their regular quad visit till I had to squat down easing the pain. The first 3km was the worst as I walked more than I ran. Slowly I paced myself and slowly the cramps left. The 2nd 5km loop was much better although I could only do a slow pace. The 10km took me 1hr7min.
Finishing Powerman at 4hr17min was 19min better than last year but it could have been satisfying without the puncture. Oh well, next year will come and a different flat I look for…

Helmet also 'senget' one side....

Pix courtesy of Tey & Mich.