Pay to suffer..

I don't know what triggered me but I guess I wanted to do something outrageous again after a long hiatus.

Not really outrageous outrageous, but then again, it's something you will not do often.

So I registered myself for KL Towerthon....

I basically have zero training and zero stamina nowadays. Really wanted to build it up again but so hard to find time (excuses)...

It was really tough for me this time. I don't remember it was that bad previous three times. I stopped to rest more, a lot more. At one point, I can feel my heart beating so fast, it feels like it's going to jump out anytime. It took me twice the time I took the last time to reach the finishing point.

So, I guess it will be my last Towerthon.

And my dream of running a marathon is....further and further away...*sobs*

On a lighter note, really like The Oatmeal...

Post Towerthon

Results are out. I scored a 37.08 mins. Not bad eh? But not great either. At least I don't have muscle pain the next day.
This is my 2nd Towerthon and 3rd time scaling up KL Tower. The second time was the most memorable. It was unexpected as it was a challenge in one of the treasure hunt I joined. We were quite shocked when we're asked to climb the 2058 steps of the tower to get our clues.
Anyway, one thing I realized about Malaysia - we are so poor in crowd control. We waited soooooo looooooonggggg to come down after the race, even longer than actually going up the stairs. That aside, we were being pushed into the lifts. No queues, no authority to control the crowd, no civilization. Imagine hot, sweating bodies, pushing at each other, waiting for the supposedly 4 lifts (which 1 malfunctioned) for easily half an hour.
It was bad. We should have just taken the staircase (which was only open up after they realized that the crowd is out of control).
Sigh, so another Towerthon for me next year? After the bad experience, maybe not.

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009

How can it be?? Why?? How??
My timing seems to be slower and slower when I actually thought I did fairly good during the race. KNS...
Anyway, I always bear in mind that I set to do my best and Run My Own Race. That is why I never gave much thought on my timing after 2 years of running. Yes, two years. Adidas King of The Road this year will mark my 2nd year anniversary.
Someone I met on FB told me, that there is always that invisible wall at first. My timing will always average on the same level. One day, with a bit of determination and practice, I will be able to break through that invisible wall. :P
Today's run is not as satisfying though. I would say it really lacks the atmosphere compared to Singapore. Lacks big time. There is still a lot of room of improvements. From the online registration to the race bib collection to the water stations, the goodie bag, the starting and finishing points, well almost everything. In Singapore, even before starting the race you can actually feel the excitement and throughout the route, there are inspirational supporters. There are cheerleadings and bands to motivate the runners. Sigh, hope next year's event will be better.
Today, suddenly I have this inspiration to do a full marathon. I've done 15, I've done half but yet, I do not have the courage to do a full. I saw a lot of full marathoners finishing today. I guess to be able to run for more than 5 hours is a great achievement. Some came back full of spirit, some in pain due to leg cramps, some with expression that couldn't be described. I salute them because for me, I still find it amazing.
Imagine, 5 hours is the time travel from KL to Penang or Singapore, that will be half day of the normal working hours. Kudos to all marathoners.
Who knows, I might try it once...It's a must achieve task on my list of things to do now...
Well, maybe after KK climb next year...If I am still up to it.

Another resolution completed

21 km, 3 hours completion time, another resolution checked, satisfaction = priceless.

Reminiscence

It's been a year since I ran my first 10km...A year ago, in Sunway, I participated in Adidas King of the Road 2007 (KOTR 2007). I still remember the nervousness, butterflies-in-stomach feeling (and I still feel so everytime I am about to run in a marathon). And I told myself I wouldn't miss this year's run no matter what. So there I was, in Shah Alam this morning, for Adidas KOTR 2008. It was a good run. When I am about to cross the finishing line, I felt a gush of wind in my face. I can't believe that it has been a year. I admit my timing never really improved much but I run for one sole purpose, to enjoy it.

Hope my friends who are joining me for upcoming runs will feel the satisfaction of completing a run.
And SIM 2008 - here i come (i've registered for 21km-as part of my resolution this year to run a half marathon).
ps: foongling ar...i got a medal...just for you :) happy birthday....

You did it....

Just want to say a big congrats and proud of you girls who have taken the first step to join a run...You did it!! And most importantly, I hope you enjoyed it!!

Wave to me...

I will be waking up before 6 am tomorrow to participate in the 15km NB-Pacesetter Run. Not as a runner but as a road marshal. Important job (don't pray pray ar....) as we will be giving the check-point ribbon. :P

So any runners who is reading this blog, do wave to me when you pass by the Jalan Langgak Tunku checkpoint. I shall see you there!!

PS: KRABI trip post up next....Stay tuned!!

April

This post is late again. Well, no one to blame but myself. Yesterday night, I was supposed to:
1) study for another exam next weekend
2) prepare materials for the assignment due end of the month
3) write this post
BUT all I did was : FINISHED A NOVEL (The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella)!
I was so engrossed with it that I practically sat and read till past 12 midnight and here I am, 7 am in the office. I finished the book in just 2 days. More on this book's review soon.
Back to this post, the fourth month of the year has passed. This month has been busy busy busy as well.
1) Exam and assignments early 2 weeks of the month.
2) Orange run (9km) - my first run of the year!

(try to spot me in the picture above)
3) Olympic Torch Relay Fun Run (5km).

(cool pic, right? but body of man or woman??)

4) Bidor Half Marathon 2008 (10km).

(the girls who ran in Bidor...:P)
5) Adding another 2 earring holes...(more to come).
6) Received a really bad announcement at work- nothing more I can do BUT I know everything will be fine. Need to start planning.
7) Completed a book by Sophie Kinsella- The Undomestic Goddess.

8) Fell deeply in love with David Cook.

(you are the best)

Bidor Half Marathon 2008

Hot hot hot!!! A hot weekend indeed. And we travelled to Bidor for a run. Well done to all my running friends ya....Well, I guess the blogs below would be sufficient for the run review...(melazytowritemore)
Poh Wai
Frank
Ben
Yen Erl
I had fun. From the food and the well-organised run and the nice hotel (The Grand Kampar Hotel). Thanks Bee Hong for the wonderful pictures.

Olympic Torch Relay Fun Run

It was a last minute decision to join this run...Thanks to Frank for informing me about this run. Was attracted to the nice shirt initially but today, it turned out to be a really fun run. It's weird as I have never taken any pictures of Dataran Merdeka or Sultan Abdul Samad Building my entire life in KL. At most is just passing by this place in the car. We had the opportunity to snap some pictures and see the torch from a near distance today.
As usual the run will not be complete without a hearty breakfast. That's our motivation to run! :P
Breakfast this time round is at the corner shop at Jalan Imbi, which is well-known for the pork porridge and noodle. Totally nice and we 'ta pau'-ed some fresh-hot-from-the-oven egg tart. Yummylicious....

Towerthon...

Woke up at 540 am...less than 6 hours of sleep....
All for:
2,058 steps up
288 metres above ground level

Initially, was getting cold feet as my category will only start 1 hour 15 minutes after the guys' (Andy and Terence) and it was raining...WTH, have to wait for so long. I was thinking of going home after they completed the race. But in the end, I waited and went for it anyway...And not regretted every single bit of it. Wet and tiring....but worth the experience.
And trust me...It was tough when going up the stairs....

Singapore International Marathon 2007

My third official run...

The highlight of the trip is of course, the run. Tens of thousands of people participated. It was really a big event. I've never experienced running with so many people. The tag line for the race - run your own race. I love this phrase.

My time is rather disappointing...Really need to build up more stamina. Who knows I might really run for 21km next year. :P

But anyhow, it was running for fun. Must enjoy without stressing myself too much.

We had some fun in Orchard road the night before the race. Bumped into Daniel Lee and I regretted not asking for a photo with him. We saw some really tall people....As in REALLLLY tall. Basketball players...They even have to duck their head to enter to McD. The lightings along Orchard road is really pretty. Wish it is as pretty here....

We stopped by in Seremban for dinner on our way back. Finally tasted my 'ketam bakar'. Not as nice as expected. I prefer other flavour like cheese baked or butter crab.

My position - click here

For some pictures - visit Andy's bloggie....

Am I ready?

It's going to be muddy, wet and most of all, FUN!!!!
My partner is none other than him...

:)

Could have finished faster ....

Terry Fox Run 2007

Got to know this meaningful run from Andy.

Dear friends, join this run. It will be a great outing for the whole family and we can do some charity.

More info : http://www.terryfoxrunkl.org/

My 2nd Run

Didn't get any medal this time....:(

But I have tried. My motivation of running? I have no idea. Maybe the feeling of satisfaction in the end after you have pushed yourself to keep on running and running....

My first run

My first run and I got a medal for it....**tears of joy**...though it's only 10km....:P