~~Reviving English Persona~~

I Ran For The Cause: Fight Breast Cancer

The last time we ran together was at the NTV7 Feel Good Run back in July 8. Exactly 3 months after that, on Oct 7, I ran with her again. This time we ran for the clear cause, to create awareness on & to fight the breast cancer. Organised by Pantai Hospital Klang, the event held with the aim of educate Malaysian on early detection and prevention of breast cancer. This is the second instalment of the run, after the success of the last year edition. Other than to give support indirectly to the breast cancer awareness program, the proceeds from the event were channelled to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association of Malaysia. 

Another good thing about this event is the present of the ambassador of Pink Charity Run 2012, the Malaysian popular celebrity, Sarimah Ibrahim. She did gave a talk on the stage. Two distance categories offered in this run - 10KM and 5KM. Me and my fiancee?? Of cos, 5KM. Haha. 

This is the second time my fiancee joined the 5KM categories. She didn't even know it is going to be 5KM until the race day itself. Huahuahua. But, you know what, she ran (with me) for 5KM in 51 mins. Bravo to her! I love her so much...ooops...teriklan plak...

Below are our pictures ran together...enjoy!!!

Cik adik lari ke jalan?? Haha..

Endomondo tracked us ran 5KM in 51 mins...hooray

Sarimah Ibrahim giving a speech

Me with my finisher medal

We sit on the floor while waiting for the lucky draw..we're not lucky enuff dat day

Redeemable with voucher which received upon finishing the race 

All the goodies from the beloved sponsors..

After months of research, finally I chose Brooks Pure Cadence!

Month after month, I did research kaw2 punya..

given...

1. my running gait, 

2. my foot landing (toe/mid/heel), 

3. my foot width, 

4. my height, 

5. my pronation, 

6. my budget/savings,

7. my current PBs, 

8. shoe's weight, 

9. my shoe preference (traditional/minimal/barefoot)

10. material of the shoe, 

11. cushioning, 

12. heel-to-toe drop, 

13. insole, midsole, outsole,  

14. shoe lace, 

15. shoe design and color, 

and the most importantly is ... 

16. comparison to the other rivals such as Saucony Kinvara 3, Newton Sir Isaac, Skechers Go Run, Adidas Adizero Feather.....

Finally, my choice is....

Brooks Pure Cadence

A sleeping beauty

Ready to run???

This is gonna be my racer. My previous Adidas Response 20 will remain as trainer shoe, as well as this shoe.

This is not a shoe review. Therefore there is nothing I am going to say in detail about all factors given above. But, about test drive, tomorrow is my PINK CHARITY RUN, I will tell you the story after that. Hikhik. 

Thanks for reading.

Disclaimer: The point no. 16 as above is not intentionally to condemn the other shoes (rivals, i said), but using the principle of "There is no one shoe fit everybody", therefore the rivals stated above may not be my fit, but may be yours. Do your own research, buddy!

Now I love trail so much..

Last Sunday (30 Sep), I spent that morning, woke up early at 4.30pm, took a shower, grabbed a yellow T, with the word SALOMON on it. Later, I pinned, on that T, a piece of paper called bib, printed there, A 0058, with the nicknamed F.A.D. Suarez below that.

Before I wear the T, I felt some kind of discomfort at my tummy. I, again, went to the bathroom and did my thing. 

Finish that, now I am ready. I went out of my 'mansion' at 5.30, only to notice that the nearest gate not yet open, it is as usual on my race day (cuz it only open at 6). I walked to the front gate, which took me around 5-8 minutes to arrive to my car location. I drove to the UPM with Nazeem (Pok Yek) accompanied. 

At UPM, searching for Surau. No sign. I detected a guy, walking, seems like he had just finished his prayer (25 years of living, of coz you know already how it looks like), and then poke Pok Yek to go n ask him. Surau located a bit far from the starting line. 

Finished my prayer, I felt something moving in my tummy again. Perhaps, nervous, dunno. I went to the toilet again. OMG!!! I feel like vomiting. Absolutely disgusting smells. Shit! Damn! The worst in my life, in my running experience too. Aah, dammit..all I could think is, as long as I can throw it away, I want to go out a.s.a.p. to the starting line. 

At the starting line, I see Pok Yek with his friends, Zafir with his friends, other than that, I didn't see anyone I recognise. Most of the people are so relax, leisure and eager to enjoy their trail activity.  

Me & Pok Yek

Me & Zafir

 From far I can see a bunch of cheerleaders in their suit ready to perform. I wonder, the event which scheduled to start at 7a.m., but the runners were not flagged off yet. Ooooowh, cheerleaders performed then. Haha.

Can you see cheerleaders performing??

This challenge required the participants to go through all muds, dirty, shitty, trail, road (short distance), running track (in stadium at start & finish) etc. 

Things in my mind:
1. No timing chip
2. First time I trail
3. I know dat this is trail running
4. I came here for trail running/run the trail

All the things above make me feel like, "I shud juz be DIRTY", babeh!!!!

Traffic jam. People avoiding mud. They didn't come here to 'trail' themselves i guess. 

I took a chance to snap a pic while I'm trailing...

I am so proud that I could maintain the slow & steady speed, at the same enjoying the trail scenery. I clocked 1 hr 12 mins for my first 10km trail running. Be the first 1,000 finishers who earn a Salomon Trail cap. Is it really first 1,000 finishers got it? I'm not sure...

I love this race. I would really love to run it again next year. You can just take this change to relax and having fun, without stress of breaking PB or sumthing. My aim next year is, join this run again and buy Salomon goodies at 50%, which I didn't grab this time.

My Pre-Wedding Photography Session: The post is coming soon...

For those who have heard about my pre-wedding photography session before this and want to see the compilations, please stay tuned to my blog in these few days. I will reveal some photos selected and edited. 

I shared here one. 

I will write the story about our day, and of course lots of photos. 

Thank you for reading.

My Warrior's Convocation: Congratz Dad!

On 22 September 2012, it has been a very, very special day for me and all my family. My dad, Mokhtar Othman P.J.K., at the age of 62, being graduated on his USM convocation. He pursued his studies in the Degree of Political Science, USM Penang. After 3 years of hard work, he finally made it. We, all his sons and daughters, back to our homeland of Penang to celebrate this moment. 

Two persons were allowed to be in the hall, where me & brother took that chance. All my sisters, nephew, mum, grandma, uncle & auntie, stand-by at the outside of the Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra, and be together with my dad when he's out. We share all his joy, happiness, work hard, pain, stress and everything that he has gone through.

The blogger (left), with father (middle) and brother (right)

R: How do you feel about your dad's graduation?

M: I am so proud of my dad. He finally joins his children graduated. At the age of 62, I know it's not easy to do this. However he did it well and in addition, he never fail any of his subject during his study.

R: What is your impression when you first time heard about his desire to continue study. 

M: I am doubt, honestly. My mum told me. However, I know my father. He is a social person, and after his retirement, I know that he always need something to do. He is someone who is so active. He was a teacher, therefore I know why he chose to study, that is also why my mother suggest that he should take this course. After 1-2 semester, I know that my father can do everything he is passionate of.

R: What do you think about the course he took (social/political science)?

M: Excellent choice. I know him well. That's absolutely the best fit for him. He is so active in minor politic movement in my area, he is a good example for many people, he just need some additional written recognition on what he has already did, and did it well. 

My warrior's smile, backgrounded by Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra.

 R: What is the most challenging moment do you think your father faced during his study?
M: I can say that in term of friendship and communication, he has no problem at all to deal with youngsters or even veterans. But, the biggest challenge for him I know should be, to adapt with the world of information technology (I.T.). The people of his age, lived during the time people using paper-based documentation. When now people are using IT (paperless) all the time e.g. online registration, online access, website, e-mail, facebook etc., people just don't understand how he needs some help. This is so emotional to talk about, but now that my father has did it, I'm so proud and ready to forget the past. 

R: What is your wish to your beloved dad?
M: My dad, my hero, Well Done and Congratulations on your convocation! You've done a great, great job which not many people out there are capable of doing it. I hope you enjoy your happy time now and do whatever you have passionate with. I love you, and please know that we, your children, are all so proud of you! Also, not to forget, thanks Mum for being the most supportive person in my dad's success, I love you too.

My dad's and his Queen of Life!

K U D O S    D A D D Y   ! ! !

Hiking Bukit Gasing

Last 2 weeks, me and my friends - Andy & Zafir - and my brother, went to the Bukit Gasing Recreational Forest. It is just another leisure activity on the extra holiday, Malaysia Day. Besides, it is also provided me with the preparation towards my Salomon X-Trail 2012, which is on this coming 30th September. 

It's raining on that morning, forced us to postponed the hiking. We started at 9 o'clock, however it is still a good experience we had together that day. Smileys ;))

For more details review and more pictures, you may also log on to my adventure team's blog, EYKL Fun Runners.

We found a creek in the middle of the forest. I didn't want to miss a change to snap a pic there.

At the suspension bridge, one of the a-must-go place here.