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.

Adidas KOTR 2012: It brings me 16.8KM far..

After frustrated by NIKE Run's registration disappointment, I go on with my next race. This time it is Nike's rival, Adidas who held the event, King Of The Road 2012. Not the first time I join the event, but the first time I ran 16.8KM category in Adidas KOTR. It happened in Sunway Pyramid on 9 September 2012 (yesterday). I heard that 15,000 runners were there participating. Even when I'm running, at some hilly area I could clearly see the sea of people on the NPE highway, which is fully and wholly closed on the day. Now I know why they didn't at least open it partially for the vehicles to use it. 

At the race pack collection, Sunway Pyramid

I went to take my race pack at 10 o'clock sharp in the morning of Saturday, a day before the race. I neglected the info that all the 16.8KM participants were entitled to receive one Adidas deodorant and a sachet Powerbar gel. No one at the counter reminds me also? Huhu. Nevermind. Let bygones, be bygones. The race pack still sumthing good to get, they are Adidas string bag, Adidas running vest, a race bib with timing device attached to that (no need to wake up in the morning thinking about attaching it to the shoe), a packet of Deep Heat samples, and supposedly, the things I missed above.

Me, running towards the finishing line

I personally think that the 16.8KM category has started a bit late at 6.45am. Why not this category started earlier? Even 21KM at Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2012 started at 6am. It juz 4.2KM different. Rite? Perhaps, 6.15am shud be better starting time, in order to avoid the sun heat.

After the race, I'm with some of my frens Fithri, Zafir, Shuhid, Andy, and my brother, Remy. They all ran 10KM. Only me alone ran in different category. No hype in goodies given. They are all snacks like banana, mineral water, Milo, Fitnesse etc. Finished eat & drink all that, we all went home with only 1 thing in hand, it is finishing medal. It is seldomly happen in other running event when we get lots of things at finish. Maybe bcoz we already got many things during race pack collection. 

Taking picture with a token of achievement

Held in Sunway Pyramid I think is the best idea. Lots of runners, after the race, hang out at the beautiful areas around the Pyramid, including the restaurants there. Besides, this is the only day that there is no single car on the NPE, due to road closure until 10am. I did not miss the chance to take picture of me sleeping on the road oso. Hehe.

I bought the Adidas Response Cushion 20 during Adidas KOTR 2011 with RM50 discount. Even now in some Adidas stores, I see the price remains the same ever since 1 year ago. This could possibly be the last time I use this shoe in the race. Many reasons, as I told in my previous post, make me buy a new shoe. After this, I plan to use this shoe as my trainer only I think. Thanks for all your contribution to my legs for almost 1 year. Hehe. Farewell.

Farewell: Thanks & Goodbye

You love running..but you turned crazy when she is also there with you!

I started to run my first long-distance when I ran my school's cross country tournament. My first external event was at UMNO's Merdeka Run when I was 17 years old. Since then, after I entered university, I had not actively participated in major events, eventhough I still running everyday when I got time to do so. Other reasons being were I'd involved in other sports. While actively joined football & futsal tournaments almost every semester during my uni time, I also played squash, tennis, silat, bla bla bla.. thus, I do a lot of sports easy to say. 

I started to back on long distance running field when I was at my first year in Ernst & Young. Crazy long working hours (which is typical in every big audit firm), has limited my time for sports. Recommended by my friend, Ikhwan, I joined Adidas KOTR 2011, and then actively participate in running, again. 

Why running? 

 1. It's easy for me bcoz they (running events) are alwiz on weekend - Saturday/Sunday.

 2. Low cost of equipment - you juz need a pair of shoe..u can even run naked if u want.

3. Big result (fitness) with less contact with others..plus less risk of injury due to its stable movement.

4. Running events offer lots of goodies and token of appreciation. 

5. Timing chip allows you to evaluate your performance.

After several running events I've entered, there is always one thing I wanna do - to run with my beloved one!

My Fiancee

Frankly speaking, my fiancee is not really into this sport. Therefore, to persuade her, I need to search for the best and interesting event. The first I had in my list was NTV7 Feel Good Run 2012. It seems like an outstanding and hype event for all joined participants. It seems like an event for some leisure runners. Besides, it was organised by the big, popular local TV station, with many goodies. Rate: Excellent choice. 

However, before we ran it on 8 July (as per scheduled), Team Malaysia came out with their running event, Team Malaysia Fan Run 2012, which is in support of the national Olympians to the London Olympic 2012. It happened 3 weeks earlier than NTV7 Feel Good Run 2012, although we only registered after the NTV7 run.

So, 3KM Team Malaysia Fan Run was the first event which me and my fiancee ran together. It is a good feeling, buddy. For the first time in my life, I experienced a heavy rain during the running event. You can see in the picture above, everyone there basah! Lucky dat they wrapped the cert in a plastic bag. 

My fiancee again joined me for running! This time it is 5KM MCS Fun Run. She, who didn't join at first, suddenly registered when she teman me to collect race pack. Thanks to the organiser, KDU, which still open the registration for enthusiast. 

Finally, it's the trademark event for us. The first event we registered together. It's a massive and exciting event. We ran with several NTV7 celebrities on that day for 3KM. We took picture with Rashidi Ishak, Vanida Imran & Aidid Marcelo. I had a good time running with her that day. 

I will run again with her after this. It's for 5KM Pink Charity Run. I also plan to run with her in 5KM Parkcity Run 2012 and Nike We Run KL 10K 2012, but due to pre-wedding activities, we must forget them, at least for this year.

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My Mum

Other than my fiancee, I still can't find an opportunity to run with my mum yet, even I have plan to. Penang Delta Eco Night Run 2012 held only after I went back to KL already. However, I did bring her to Larian Hijau MPSP 2012, but juz to teman me. Hehe.

My Dad

In addition, I will run together with my dad in our Penang Bridge International Marathon 2012. Right now, as you can see the picture below, my dad has started his training by the Penang beach. He is 62 years old now. He was a former coach and manager of Penang MSSM Football team for many years. He is still active and fit. I can't wait to run with him this coming November.

Can you imagine how sports means in my life? Then, can you imagine how's the feeling of doing them together with the one you love. Hehe. I alwiz wanna do something special in my life, and this is one of them. Chaiyok!

Liverpool pinjam Nuri Sahin dari Real Madrid...dan Luka Modric ke Real Madrid

Nuri Sahin, pemain kebangsaan Turki kelahiran Jerman, bergambar dengan jersi baru bernombor 4 yang ditinggalkan legenda, Sami Hyypia. 

Nuri Kazim Sahin telah melengkapkan perpindahan ke kelab Inggeris Liverpool melalui pinjaman dari kelab gergasi Sepanyol, Real Madrid, setelah Arsenal menamatkan minat mereka terhadap pemain itu. Antara sebab pembatalan hasrat Arsenal adalah kerana tiada persetujuan antara pihak Arsenal dan Real Madrid mengenai yuran "option-to-buy" pada akhir musim berjumlah 14mil pound sterling. Selain itu, Liverpool juga menawarkan bahagian bayaran lebih kepada gaji mingguan Sahin yang berjumlah 115 ribu pound sterling.

Nuri Sahin juga menegaskan bahawa pemain tengah Real Madrid yang juga merupakan bekas wira Liverpool, Xabi Alonso, merupakan individu penting yang mempengaruhi keputusan menyertai kelab gergasi Eropah, Liverpool. Sahin juga menceritakan bahawa beliau adalah seorang yang berada di dalam Stadium Ataturk ketika Liverpool membenam AC Milan seterusnya menjuarai Liga Juara-juara Eropah pada tahun 2005.

Jose Mourinho, bos Real Madrid, juga antara individu yang merealisasikan perpindahan pinjaman ini. Beliau memberikan lampu hijau kepada Sahin untuk bekerja di bawah pimpinan Brendan Rodgers. Jose Mourinho yang pernah bekerja bersama-sama Brendan Rodgers ketika di Chelsea menyifatkan Brendan Rodgers sebagai pengurus yang akan membawa kejayaan kepada Liverpool, dan Nuri Sahin mampu bersinar di bawah pimpinannya. 

Fakta menarik: Sahin adalah penjaring termuda Turki pada ketika ini, dan jaringan itu dilakukan ketika Turki menentang negara kelahirannya, Jerman.

Nuri Sahin, 23, bermain dengan cemerlang ketika di Dortmund sebagai pemain tengah dan juga kadang kala sebagai pemain penyerang tengah (attacking midfielder). Dalam pasukan senior Dortmund, beliau beraksi sebanyak 135 perlawanan di mana beliau juga menjaringkan 13 gol dari bahagian tengah. Sebelum berhijrah ke Real Madrid, beliau juga pernah dipinjamkan kepada kelab Belanda, Feyenoord selama sepenggal di mana dia menjaringkan 6 gol dari 29 perlawanan. 

Sahin dikatakan memiliki kemahiran menyerang dan mengawal barisan tengah dengan cemerlang, dan mampu membantu pasukan yang disertainya untuk beraksi cemerlang. Brendan Rodgers dan penyokong Liverpool semestinya mengharapkan sesuatu dihasilkan oleh pemain ini dalam musim 2012-2013 kali ini. 
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Perpindahan Luka Modric ke Real Madrid

Sementara itu, Real Madrid meneruskan usaha mendapatkan tambahan pemain tengah dengan pembelian Luka Modric. Perpindahan ini melibatkan jumlah wang yang tinggi iaitu 33mil pound sterling. Adakah kemungkinan Nuri Sahin akan terus menyarung jersi Liverpool pada tahun depan, memandangkan lambakan pemain tengah berpengaruh di Real Madrid? 

Larian Hijau MPSP 2012

Hehe. After several day of training, I put a minor challenge on me by running a 3KM Larian Hijau MPSP 2012. As you can see in the logo above, that's the event I am talking about right now. MPSP is stands for Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai.

I reached MPSP Tower at 6.20am. The event started at 7am sharp in front of the tower. Sorry dat I dun wear the running vest they gave, but at least I wear the Green (Hijau) running shoe in order to support the cause. Hikhik.

MPSP Tower

Arrived at 21KM (half-marathon) starting line 

Only half marathoners, which flagged-off early at 5am, were seen at the finishing line around 7.10am

Can you spot me in this picture??

3KM category flagged-off

On-the-go

I am reaching the finishing line

It's juz 3KM anyway..

I've conquered MPSP Tower for 3KM

One of the beautiful scenery of the big MPSP Tower

At the podium

Picture with the beautiful mum

Picture with the awesome sister

Our beloved sponsor, H-TWO-O..

Penang Beach Trail Running Session

On the 6th day of Raya, I've spent my morning on the beach, in my sportsuit. As for the previous few days, I did my running training on the hard surface - bitumen/tarred road - so, it's now time for me to experience softer, sandy beach track, as part of my cross training session, ahead of my 16.8KM Adidas KOTR 2012 in another 2 weeks.

Without thinking of I've been over-trained myself, actually I've suffered shin splint for almost a month ago. Therefore, I am desperately want to avoid tarred road training.

My training session took place at my hometown beach in Penang. This picture shows part of the 1.4km loop there.

4-5 families are seen to have their own best moment at the beach.

I tell you guys, it is the special experience to run by the beach. With the sound of splashing wave, looking at the people swimming and playing around, the feel of sea breeze hitting the 'rhu' tree, a fresh look of the sunrise, after a heavy rain the night before...aaahhhhh!!!! Hehe.. No wonder my PB of 32mins for 5KM, became 43mins doing on the beach. Haha. At least, I have my 'leisure', out of normal training. 

Me, as I've completed my 5KM beach trail joging

This is the second time I used my New Balance Trail 411. I love it. Tough, lightweight and comfort.

After an awesome action, my NB 411 took a break...

I found this cutest animal species in the world, joging around too ;)

You better have yours one! Tell me if you want to join me, but first, do visit me in Penang y'all! Hehe..

Masa untuk My Lovely Adidas Response 20 nak mandi

Aku punya 16.8KM ADIDAS King Of The Road 2012 tak sampai lagi 3 minggu. Time2 raya ni, tambah pulak baru abis bulan puasa, boleh kata lama jugak la aku tak training betul2. Sebelum ni, larian jarak jauh aku yg paling hampir sama jarak mcm Adidas KOTR ni cuma Malakoff Penang Run 17KM. Waktu tu timing aku cuma 2:08j. Teruk jgk la. Tp tu first time. Kali ni, berdasarkan latest timing aku, aku harap aku boleh buat at least 1:50j, utk kali kedua aku lari jarak ni.

Aku actually start lari jarak jauh kat event secara serius adalah pada waktu aku sekolah. Tp kalo big2 event, aku rasa..mm..it's Adidas KOTR edisi thn 2011. Waktu tu first time aku secara serius beli kasut running, n aku beli dgn kupon diskaun Adidas KOTR. Utk setiap pembelian ke atas RM250, aku boleh dpt RM50 diskaun. 

Waktu nak beli tu aku pergi cari kat Adidas outlet kat Pavillion. Aku check aku punye foot type is Neutral-to-Mild Flat (but more to neutral lah). Brader kt situ tanye aku nak lari brape kello? Aku ckp kt die 10KM, so die recommend Adidas Response Cushion 20. Waktu tu harga die RM330, n after diskaun, aku dpt lah dlm RM280. 

So, Adidas KOTR 2011 will be my first time ever aku pakai kasut ni, n kt Adidas KOTR 2012 plak, aku plan nak jadikan kali terakhir die beraksi. Haha. Sbb lepas ni....KASUT BARU!!!! hehehe

Persediaan ke ADIDAS KOTR 2012

Pagi raya ke-Empat (arini), aku ke Tasek Mengkuang utk training hilly track, selepas sebelum ni aku lari 2jam without stopping on the 2nd day of raya. Sbb aku dah lama xlari, nak kena kasi badan read balik activity lari ni. Mcm biase, tempat ni tak pernah sunyi, ramai org walaupun arini org dah start keje rata2nye. Arini aku pakai, Powerman M'sia 2011 shirt, Liverpool white swearter, Long track bottom &....Adidas Response tu lah, pe lg..

 Balik je dr situ, aku mandikan die. Aku syg kasut ni. Tp aku kena tukar sbb beberapa perkara: -

1. Kasut ni dah setahun, dan aku dah belasah pakai die secara anggarannya dah lebih 300KM, so sesuai masanya utk aku cari rotation partner die..hik hik..

2. Aku nak cari kasut with more cushion at midfoot/forefoot, walaupun aku tau kasut ni boleh thn jgk cushion die kt area tu, tp die more suitable for heel strikers..

3. Aku perasan saiz die (8.5US) rupanya kecik dgn aku. Aku actually 9US/9.5US, tp time aku beli tu, aku xminat tgk kasut yg besar sgt. So skg, aku kena sedar skg yg kaki aku mmg besar. Hik hik..

4. Kasut ni actually dah ringan, tp kalo boleh nak try rasa minimalist plak..utk serius longer distance running lak pasni..

Walau apapun sbb aku nak beli kasut baru, aku syg kasut ni n aku mandikan die arini..hua hua hua..

Sebelum pape, aku nak rendam dulu mcm sotong rendam, nnt senang nak cuci..kalo ditgkkan pada tapak haus ni, sah aku underpronators & midfoot/forefoot strikers..

Selesai rendaman, sedia utk dibogelkan..

Sedang dibogelkan..

Kaw2 punye aku kasi bantai kasut ni utk lari, skg baru nak tukar baru..ish3x

MI Coach supporting device yg aku tak penah guna pun..

Dah basuh, dah rendam, dah bilas...sedia utk dijemur...

Sekali kat Penang ujan lebat xhengat laaa...sidai bwh bumbung je lah nampaknyeee...

Kering before Adidas KOTR tau! Kite pecah rekod baru kali ni sesama..