It's been more than a month since I left for Miri. A few have happened since if not much ut some caught my attention.
I want to congratulate National U-23 team for winning Pestabola Merdeka. It has been long since Malaysian football win anything. Just like old times, they were seen as the saviour or messiah for mess that we were in. I pity the team for the hope that they have to carry now. Malaysian love instant gratifications but very laid back when it comes to working hard, that's why I believe cepat-kaya scheme is so popular. Let's get back to football. To improve, we have to invest in continous development of the youth and manage the business professionally.
Save my opinion but let's look at how Malaysian think. "Revert to Semi-pro football, because after we turn fully pro everything went wrong - Utusan headline post Asia Cup embarrassment" Can anyone believe anyone wants to play full time without money?
"I will stay until I put back Malaysian football in better state - SAS" If you can fix the problem, what have you been doing for the last 13 years?
The only way is to demolish state run league. Only club should be allowed to compete. Eventually, a professional body will demand the value for the money they have put, subsequently put an independant and professional management to manage an organization. The state system also hit the grass root level. Imagine a 3 weeks interschool competition, 1 week inter district competittion and 3 weeks of compact interstate MSSM competion. This is the only amount of time, if a player plays up to state level, play competitively. Then we demand a world class player created from this system??
Back to Miri, I am very happy to see Proton Persona to be accepted very well by the critics. I would love to answer some critics here. One say, "so what, it's just an extended butt, Proton designers running out of idea to design a new car?". Totally ignorant comment when all car manufacturers including Toyota introduce variants from the same platform. Take a look at Civic and Jazz. Ever wonder why 'kedai potong' never keeps a lot of stock on Toyota when you have so many of different parts for each model of Honda? It's because it's commonized you fool.
Although some car characteristics are subjective, but don't put up a statement that shows your ignorance. I have a fren who claimed to have tuned his Gen2 suspension better after installed an adjustable absorber. So I asked, what's difference btw the standard and the new absorber? It's adjustable, he told. So I asked again, do u put the absorber damping to harder or softer compared to standard? It's adjustable what?? So it adjust accordingly, he answered. Let me ask you again, how do you tell a friend when his biggest upgrade for a car was nothing that he should paid for. How do you expect someone to tell the difference in handling and when he/she can't even tell the difference effect when tweaking with what? Thank god I was thought about critical thinking and not to let any Ali, Abu or Ah Seng to comment on what they didn't know.
A new adventure is seen not far from horizon,but somehow I still miss my automotive days when I have to correct a lot of fallacies and myths. till then, I'll wait for the MPV in 2009.
September 10, 2007
July 31, 2007
The End is The Beginning is The End
I'm moving to Miri. I decided to take up an offer by a local giant GLC. To others, I took it because of the money. I don't blame them. The money is slightly better but I need some isolation. This is the biggest step in my career, to join new industry, still doing technical stuff at a very late age. I believe I still got the fire to move things around but wiser.
Some asked, is it the beginning of the death of my Ironman 09 dream? To be frank, I don't know either. The dream survived during the switch earlier this year, but next year new parameter will change, I won't be single anymore. Some else say, I couldn't have been nearer to nature. Oh yeah, when dive sites are just 15 minutes boat ride, great mountain and caves are just a few hours drive, I don't think there is one sided attraction. It does make me smile somehow.
My last great adventure was at PD on July 22nd. My unofficial time was 3:13:01'. I arrived late. I didn't managed to arrange my transition area, just unpack, grabbed my goggles and swim cap, and just waited for my category start which was the 2nd after the elite groups. The elite group was postpone from the earlier day due to bad weather. 33 minutes shore to shore swim was beyond my target. Perhaps the shallow water run that caused lactic accumulation at the beginning of the swim helped to reduced the time. During the swim, I experienced weird phenomenon where the water temperature was warm at certain spot and cold at the other. My theory is due to the marina water didn't flow into the open sea but somehow everyone complained about it. I'm not sure whether does that affect my swim but it really gave me a spooky feeling.
I spent close to 2 minutes at T1. Again my top is hard to put on. Cycling shoes were on the floor rather than my original plan to ready it on the pedal. My legs feel great as I swam totally front crawl compared to 70% breaststroke in Kenyir. I cycled and paced carefully not 'reach the wall' at the first half of the cycle. I avoided drafting for fear of gasping for air too early until after the u-turn. There was a 2-man train lead by a guy in Loius Garneau aero helmet. I jumped and drafted them. When they paced down, I offered to take the lead but they felt a bit behind only tochase me a few minutes later. So I believe they liked me to be on the train. I followed them only up to the only roundabout where I lighted my gear to pedal higher cadence and ready for the run. 1:26:46' bike time.
Remounting my bike was a problem due to the ATMA guy next to me really invade my rack. Anyway, I really need to catch my breath at T2. I was surprised to see my 2 bottles on the bike still not empty. I just grabbed the ORS and Powergel sachet and start moving my ass. I told myself, it's a long way, just take the time to let the lactic from cycling to dissolve. After about 2nd km, my stride extended and I felt a little lighter. When I reached the 5km U-turn, I checked my watch, 28 minutes!! It can't be seriously 5km. I got excited and elongate my stride but soon I started to feel my legs resisting. I gasped my spare Powergel in hope for some NOS or Warp speed but to my disappointment it never came. Once the muscle spasm almost catching me, I stopped for a stretch about 3km before the finish line. I took a deep breath then and take myself to finish line in my best time in 2nd attempt to do Olympic Distance triathlon.
Long after the race during dinner time I received the news of the death of a fellow triathlete, a PCC cyclist, former RMC Old Putra, 55 years old in his first triathlon attempt due to drowning. Some triathlete might not agree with me to finger point, but what I can't accept is why it took until end of the race when he did not claimed his bike only we realized he had drowned? Why our attendance whether or not we started the race at the swim was taken, just like normal run race? Where were the rescuer on jetski like last year? I don't like the bad limelight on the sport that I love either but I have to say the situation was not acceptable. No one can make death wait for him/her but how the death was treated is a big question to the people that still survived.
The race was won by a Hongkie in mens' elite and our star Kimberly Yap in women. However, the success wasn't followed by fellow Malaysian footballer. We fell short to be the most disgraced host nationed. We blamed everyone but us for the shame. What have we done to improve our level of football. We kept our kids at home with PlayStation rather than boots or gloves, we begged politician to lead football association rather than someone with football vision, we fed ourselves and our children with junk food rather than nutritious food where shorties japanese grow up, we just grew obese. Where were we when the our players were humiliated on the field? We were never with them but we demanded so much from them.
Some asked, is it the beginning of the death of my Ironman 09 dream? To be frank, I don't know either. The dream survived during the switch earlier this year, but next year new parameter will change, I won't be single anymore. Some else say, I couldn't have been nearer to nature. Oh yeah, when dive sites are just 15 minutes boat ride, great mountain and caves are just a few hours drive, I don't think there is one sided attraction. It does make me smile somehow.
My last great adventure was at PD on July 22nd. My unofficial time was 3:13:01'. I arrived late. I didn't managed to arrange my transition area, just unpack, grabbed my goggles and swim cap, and just waited for my category start which was the 2nd after the elite groups. The elite group was postpone from the earlier day due to bad weather. 33 minutes shore to shore swim was beyond my target. Perhaps the shallow water run that caused lactic accumulation at the beginning of the swim helped to reduced the time. During the swim, I experienced weird phenomenon where the water temperature was warm at certain spot and cold at the other. My theory is due to the marina water didn't flow into the open sea but somehow everyone complained about it. I'm not sure whether does that affect my swim but it really gave me a spooky feeling.
I spent close to 2 minutes at T1. Again my top is hard to put on. Cycling shoes were on the floor rather than my original plan to ready it on the pedal. My legs feel great as I swam totally front crawl compared to 70% breaststroke in Kenyir. I cycled and paced carefully not 'reach the wall' at the first half of the cycle. I avoided drafting for fear of gasping for air too early until after the u-turn. There was a 2-man train lead by a guy in Loius Garneau aero helmet. I jumped and drafted them. When they paced down, I offered to take the lead but they felt a bit behind only tochase me a few minutes later. So I believe they liked me to be on the train. I followed them only up to the only roundabout where I lighted my gear to pedal higher cadence and ready for the run. 1:26:46' bike time.
Remounting my bike was a problem due to the ATMA guy next to me really invade my rack. Anyway, I really need to catch my breath at T2. I was surprised to see my 2 bottles on the bike still not empty. I just grabbed the ORS and Powergel sachet and start moving my ass. I told myself, it's a long way, just take the time to let the lactic from cycling to dissolve. After about 2nd km, my stride extended and I felt a little lighter. When I reached the 5km U-turn, I checked my watch, 28 minutes!! It can't be seriously 5km. I got excited and elongate my stride but soon I started to feel my legs resisting. I gasped my spare Powergel in hope for some NOS or Warp speed but to my disappointment it never came. Once the muscle spasm almost catching me, I stopped for a stretch about 3km before the finish line. I took a deep breath then and take myself to finish line in my best time in 2nd attempt to do Olympic Distance triathlon.
Long after the race during dinner time I received the news of the death of a fellow triathlete, a PCC cyclist, former RMC Old Putra, 55 years old in his first triathlon attempt due to drowning. Some triathlete might not agree with me to finger point, but what I can't accept is why it took until end of the race when he did not claimed his bike only we realized he had drowned? Why our attendance whether or not we started the race at the swim was taken, just like normal run race? Where were the rescuer on jetski like last year? I don't like the bad limelight on the sport that I love either but I have to say the situation was not acceptable. No one can make death wait for him/her but how the death was treated is a big question to the people that still survived.
The race was won by a Hongkie in mens' elite and our star Kimberly Yap in women. However, the success wasn't followed by fellow Malaysian footballer. We fell short to be the most disgraced host nationed. We blamed everyone but us for the shame. What have we done to improve our level of football. We kept our kids at home with PlayStation rather than boots or gloves, we begged politician to lead football association rather than someone with football vision, we fed ourselves and our children with junk food rather than nutritious food where shorties japanese grow up, we just grew obese. Where were we when the our players were humiliated on the field? We were never with them but we demanded so much from them.
June 24, 2007
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Several years ago, I’ve tried to read a book with above title written by Stephen Covey but couldn’t stomach the content. Sensing my curiosity, one day while sending my father for a business trip at KLIA, he bought me a book by Stephen’s son, Sean, 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens. I read the book till the end and inspired to practice all 7 habits from my college student’s paradigm. For the past 3 days, I’ve been attending a seminar by an associate trainer on the subject. This training, have reminded me back with some principles explained further.
A principle is changeless, self proven, the response is predictable and accepted by all faith. Values are something that we hold on to as our moral guide when a situation becomes tough. Values are not necessarily principles unless it is aligned. Maturity is a process of evolution from totally dependant as a baby towards independent and finally moving ahead towards accepting the concept of interdependent.
Habit 1: Be Proactive
In between a response of a human being to a stimulus, there lies freedom and the power to choose. In other words, we have the freedom to choose the response towards anything that is subjected to us. Being reactive is letting the surrounding or the action of other people controlling the way we behave.
Circle of Concerns consists of parameters that might affect things in our life but we have no control on it. Within Circle of Concerns lies another circle called Circle of Influence which consists on parameters that we have direct control upon. As a proactive person, we’ll try to expand our circle of influence to gain more control on our life.
Habit 2 : Begins with the Ends
Mental creations precede physical creations. Before a masterpiece is completed, a clear vision on the final results is important to serve as the guide during the process. This habit is where we decide on our center of life based on our paradigm. The best is to set your life based on principles. Alternatively people have different center of life, some have spouse, family, work, money, enemy, self or pleasure to name a few.
Then to clarify our purpose in life, we set our own Personal Mission Statement.
Habit 3 : First Things First
Again, Time Matrix plays important role in our time management. Appropriate time spending on QII (Planning and Preparation) will reduce the time and stress from working in other quadrant. By identifying our role and goals in Habit 2, it’s easier to spend more time in QII. By arranging the big rocks first only then we can fit in the smaller pebbles for better effectiveness.
By effectively applying all the above 3 habits, it will lead us to Private Victory thus towards Independent level.
A principle is changeless, self proven, the response is predictable and accepted by all faith. Values are something that we hold on to as our moral guide when a situation becomes tough. Values are not necessarily principles unless it is aligned. Maturity is a process of evolution from totally dependant as a baby towards independent and finally moving ahead towards accepting the concept of interdependent.
Habit 1: Be Proactive
In between a response of a human being to a stimulus, there lies freedom and the power to choose. In other words, we have the freedom to choose the response towards anything that is subjected to us. Being reactive is letting the surrounding or the action of other people controlling the way we behave.
Circle of Concerns consists of parameters that might affect things in our life but we have no control on it. Within Circle of Concerns lies another circle called Circle of Influence which consists on parameters that we have direct control upon. As a proactive person, we’ll try to expand our circle of influence to gain more control on our life.
Habit 2 : Begins with the Ends
Mental creations precede physical creations. Before a masterpiece is completed, a clear vision on the final results is important to serve as the guide during the process. This habit is where we decide on our center of life based on our paradigm. The best is to set your life based on principles. Alternatively people have different center of life, some have spouse, family, work, money, enemy, self or pleasure to name a few.
Then to clarify our purpose in life, we set our own Personal Mission Statement.
Habit 3 : First Things First
Again, Time Matrix plays important role in our time management. Appropriate time spending on QII (Planning and Preparation) will reduce the time and stress from working in other quadrant. By identifying our role and goals in Habit 2, it’s easier to spend more time in QII. By arranging the big rocks first only then we can fit in the smaller pebbles for better effectiveness.
By effectively applying all the above 3 habits, it will lead us to Private Victory thus towards Independent level.
June 17, 2007
Fiddling with Self, Contemplating on Life
Sunday June 17th 2007
Triathlon Clinic - Admiral Marina, PD
PD International Triathlon is a must in every Malaysian based triathlete's calendar. It is held normally during the weekend after Yang Dipertuan Besar's birthday where the weekend before is the Seremban Half Marathon. It is loved for the nice openwater, moderate to very little current and almost flat terrain which is the best condition for everyone to improve their Personal's Best record and not so painful for first timers or beginners.
The clinic this time is to introduce to participants slight changes in the race route and training simulation for Klang Valley based triathletes that are going to race in next week's Miri triathlon. According to Mr. Chan, this is going to be the biggest ever with at least 700 has registered and mostly are oversea based. 1000 is approximately to compete in various categories.
I reached the Marina on the dot of 8am. I was surprised by the attendance with 4 bike racks all full with tri, road and mountain bikes. Luckily the buoy wasn't ready, so I lazily set up my bike with helmet on. I even left my cycling and running shoes in the car. The clinic even have coverage by Media Prima group in particular NTV7 Breakfast Show. As in Kenyir, I swam in my cycling bibs which creates resistance from the low cleavage opening right up to my not so squarish boxy tummy. This year, swimming discipline will have beach start which I don't favor much due to construction works nearby the jetty.
Mr. Chan whistled to signal the start of the swim. The water was quite choppy for PD standard which reminds me of my post dive surfacing right in a storm at Pemanggil Island. I just swim front crawl like my normal training. Just like Charlie's description (my swimming instructor when I started learn to swim a couple of years ago), if I synchronize my arm pedalling with the wave, navigation is very easy because the wave just bring you on top and you can see the buoy clearly. One thing he didn't told me last time was to straighthen the back. Getting to the first buoy was tough because the swim was against the current but once I got into the Marina's water, it was as calm as pond water. This time, I swam 97.5% front crawl where I did BS/float only for correcting goggles and real check of the last buoy. Once the shore insight, it seems like forever to get back on foot. The swim feels great, and compared to Kenyir, my feet was still fresh for next discipline.
Since I'm still fresh so I decided to proceed with cycling event as I've never cycled the route before. Put on my cycling jersey and shoes together with helmet and sunglass. I then gobbled a Powerbar as my breakfast were only 2 slices of bread. After everyone was out of the water, we gather for a rolling start up to the traffic light going to SbnPD Highway where we turn right towards Linggi. This is where the bumpy terrain started and my left knee didn't complaint much as I put it to effort but my hams and quads were quite shocked after more than 3 weeks on vacation. I was totally ripped apart in this section with all the conditions and the 20km marks U-turn was a relief. On the way back, it started to rain with strong winds from everywhere except the tail side. I couldn't see anyone in front but occasionally a guy in yellow suit (I'm still figuring his name, he finished right after me at Kenyir) stayed closed to me and let me drafted him. I was concerned the rain might caused my thigh to cramp but thankfully to God, it didn't happen. The wind was kinder once I returned to the highway and finally back to transition at the Marina. I returned my bike to the rack and switched my cycling shoes with running shoes.
No cramps and no jelly like feet so I took the liberty to start running. I'm amazed that my feet still feels like 70% ready but this time not my left knee. It felt uncomfortable as each impact is easily felt at the back of my patella (kneecap). I run for up to 400m and decided to turn back. Today is not the day to give my all yet but it's good to know that my body system didn't really deserted the swim bike run routine. I waited for all runners to returned because Mr. Chan annouced there's an Oakley Radar sunglass in a lucky draw at the end but it wasn't meant to end up with me.
Reality check, SJ10k run looks a distant option. Even if I don't feel much pain by end of this month, there's no way for me to improve my 10k PB which I achieved at this event last year. Next come Seremban Half Marathon. Gone were my running benchmark partner, Farrah and the person who insists me to take on this event, Mr. KL Tang. Even my brother Azam might not be available to run with me if I chose to go for 10k instead. The event stands as my only Half Marathon and my time last was awful with a sore right knee instead. Next inline of course the event I've waited whole year, PDIT. Should I go for OD or just limit the risks with Sprint? I'm not sure I'll return next year.
Will retire next year?? I'm praying hard for god to let me complete at least one Ironman. However, there's a big offer coming from a big corporation with a slightly bigger grades and bigger leadership roles but with a catch, the post is in Miri. I like (maybe almost love) what I'm doing now, developing what a lot of other men craze for, creating something for the future, with customers' satisfction in mind at a deep rooted place but with a meagre salary at a financially sick company. I'm utilizing most of my talents, business acumen, planning, winning coalitions and foreign language application in addition to technical abilities but my leadership skill is yet to be proven. Will I still able to swim bike run at Miri? How much races can I join later? Whichever wayI'm going, great adventure awaits.
Triathlon Clinic - Admiral Marina, PD
PD International Triathlon is a must in every Malaysian based triathlete's calendar. It is held normally during the weekend after Yang Dipertuan Besar's birthday where the weekend before is the Seremban Half Marathon. It is loved for the nice openwater, moderate to very little current and almost flat terrain which is the best condition for everyone to improve their Personal's Best record and not so painful for first timers or beginners.
The clinic this time is to introduce to participants slight changes in the race route and training simulation for Klang Valley based triathletes that are going to race in next week's Miri triathlon. According to Mr. Chan, this is going to be the biggest ever with at least 700 has registered and mostly are oversea based. 1000 is approximately to compete in various categories.
I reached the Marina on the dot of 8am. I was surprised by the attendance with 4 bike racks all full with tri, road and mountain bikes. Luckily the buoy wasn't ready, so I lazily set up my bike with helmet on. I even left my cycling and running shoes in the car. The clinic even have coverage by Media Prima group in particular NTV7 Breakfast Show. As in Kenyir, I swam in my cycling bibs which creates resistance from the low cleavage opening right up to my not so squarish boxy tummy. This year, swimming discipline will have beach start which I don't favor much due to construction works nearby the jetty.
Mr. Chan whistled to signal the start of the swim. The water was quite choppy for PD standard which reminds me of my post dive surfacing right in a storm at Pemanggil Island. I just swim front crawl like my normal training. Just like Charlie's description (my swimming instructor when I started learn to swim a couple of years ago), if I synchronize my arm pedalling with the wave, navigation is very easy because the wave just bring you on top and you can see the buoy clearly. One thing he didn't told me last time was to straighthen the back. Getting to the first buoy was tough because the swim was against the current but once I got into the Marina's water, it was as calm as pond water. This time, I swam 97.5% front crawl where I did BS/float only for correcting goggles and real check of the last buoy. Once the shore insight, it seems like forever to get back on foot. The swim feels great, and compared to Kenyir, my feet was still fresh for next discipline.
Since I'm still fresh so I decided to proceed with cycling event as I've never cycled the route before. Put on my cycling jersey and shoes together with helmet and sunglass. I then gobbled a Powerbar as my breakfast were only 2 slices of bread. After everyone was out of the water, we gather for a rolling start up to the traffic light going to SbnPD Highway where we turn right towards Linggi. This is where the bumpy terrain started and my left knee didn't complaint much as I put it to effort but my hams and quads were quite shocked after more than 3 weeks on vacation. I was totally ripped apart in this section with all the conditions and the 20km marks U-turn was a relief. On the way back, it started to rain with strong winds from everywhere except the tail side. I couldn't see anyone in front but occasionally a guy in yellow suit (I'm still figuring his name, he finished right after me at Kenyir) stayed closed to me and let me drafted him. I was concerned the rain might caused my thigh to cramp but thankfully to God, it didn't happen. The wind was kinder once I returned to the highway and finally back to transition at the Marina. I returned my bike to the rack and switched my cycling shoes with running shoes.
No cramps and no jelly like feet so I took the liberty to start running. I'm amazed that my feet still feels like 70% ready but this time not my left knee. It felt uncomfortable as each impact is easily felt at the back of my patella (kneecap). I run for up to 400m and decided to turn back. Today is not the day to give my all yet but it's good to know that my body system didn't really deserted the swim bike run routine. I waited for all runners to returned because Mr. Chan annouced there's an Oakley Radar sunglass in a lucky draw at the end but it wasn't meant to end up with me.
Reality check, SJ10k run looks a distant option. Even if I don't feel much pain by end of this month, there's no way for me to improve my 10k PB which I achieved at this event last year. Next come Seremban Half Marathon. Gone were my running benchmark partner, Farrah and the person who insists me to take on this event, Mr. KL Tang. Even my brother Azam might not be available to run with me if I chose to go for 10k instead. The event stands as my only Half Marathon and my time last was awful with a sore right knee instead. Next inline of course the event I've waited whole year, PDIT. Should I go for OD or just limit the risks with Sprint? I'm not sure I'll return next year.
Will retire next year?? I'm praying hard for god to let me complete at least one Ironman. However, there's a big offer coming from a big corporation with a slightly bigger grades and bigger leadership roles but with a catch, the post is in Miri. I like (maybe almost love) what I'm doing now, developing what a lot of other men craze for, creating something for the future, with customers' satisfction in mind at a deep rooted place but with a meagre salary at a financially sick company. I'm utilizing most of my talents, business acumen, planning, winning coalitions and foreign language application in addition to technical abilities but my leadership skill is yet to be proven. Will I still able to swim bike run at Miri? How much races can I join later? Whichever wayI'm going, great adventure awaits.
June 10, 2007
Let's Help Little Qistina
Dear friends...A friend of mine has a daughter ofaround 7 months and she has livercancer. She needs to undergo 8 cyclesof chemo and a surgery, costing atotal of RM100k. If anyone is willingto help, please do so.
More information on Qistina can be found at http://qistina.org
Thank you...
More information on Qistina can be found at http://qistina.org
Thank you...
Wings, Fins or Neither...
I was thankful to god for allowing me to complete my first OD tri at Kenyir and my knees survived the torture. It was hardly painful but I can't left my legs hanging for too long or being in sllightly colder ambient. A week passed by and the pain returns until I can't bear it no more.
So I decided to visit a panel clinic at TTDI Jaya but I hardly think the doctor understand athletic injuries. Her prescription, glusamine twice a day and no running or cycling for two weeks!!! Excuse me??? I got SJ10k on July 1st, Seremban Half and PD Tri in July. Only swimming is allowed. So I decided not to run and almost a week has passed but no improvement seen. Since I will be left for swimming for a long time, I opted to buy seasonal pass for no limit entry for 3 months at Matsushita pool.
Currently, I'm reading the famous book titled "The Power of Your Subconcious Mind" by Dr. Joseph Murphy and revised by Ian McMahan. I'm still reading the mental healing part nervously. Subconcious mind can either makes you stronger or to absolute level, kills you. However, not to be miss is about the power of effective prayer. So, here I hope you all pray with me so that I can return back to swim, bike and run. What I'm going to loose anyway, just give it a shot.
So I decided to visit a panel clinic at TTDI Jaya but I hardly think the doctor understand athletic injuries. Her prescription, glusamine twice a day and no running or cycling for two weeks!!! Excuse me??? I got SJ10k on July 1st, Seremban Half and PD Tri in July. Only swimming is allowed. So I decided not to run and almost a week has passed but no improvement seen. Since I will be left for swimming for a long time, I opted to buy seasonal pass for no limit entry for 3 months at Matsushita pool.
Currently, I'm reading the famous book titled "The Power of Your Subconcious Mind" by Dr. Joseph Murphy and revised by Ian McMahan. I'm still reading the mental healing part nervously. Subconcious mind can either makes you stronger or to absolute level, kills you. However, not to be miss is about the power of effective prayer. So, here I hope you all pray with me so that I can return back to swim, bike and run. What I'm going to loose anyway, just give it a shot.
June 2, 2007
Kenyir Lake Triathlon 27 May 2007
The Prelude
After missing A Famosa Tri in April, I planned for Olympic distance triathlon debut in PD later in July. Somehow, I noticed a post in pipot for a simulation training at UNITEN late in April and I found myself doing not so bad. A week later, photos posted on Bukit Merah triathlon inspired my to sign up for this race. One Friday night, I decided to go for a futsal game to catch up with old frens which I picked up serious knock on my knee. I treated it just like previous knocks, leave it, it'll heal by itself. A week later, I can't put on weight on my left knee, I can't climb stairs to my office and I can't stand sitting on a chair that left my leg hanging but again my bad habit of procrastinating finally can't stand until the day I'm going to board the bus to Kenyir. I went to PADE to seek for consultation with the physio there only to find the Friday lunch break from 11.45 to 2.45 (amazingly long Friday's lecture) only to return later to be told the physio was on leave.
The trip
Thanks to Garmin Que map on my new O2 Stealth, I managed to find Pasar Rakyat. By the time I arrived there after skipping dinner to pack, I was surprised to find, finding a halal food stall was tough. somehow I still managed to find a Mamak's restaurant for a simple meal. The bus departed at about 12.30am where I sit next to Sam Pritchard, a British retiree with 9 Ironmans including Langkawi (5), Nice and Arizona. The conversation wasn't long as each of us had a long day before.
The room
I mistakenly took Peter Lau as Mr. Chan and that's the beginning of how I ended up staying in the chalet with P2K relay racers. They just accepted and welcomed me with open arms. Most of them were runners, Richard ( an African student based here, I saw his cert in prev race, a 35' 10km run!!), Krishna, Guna, Super, ex Ikan Bilis swimmer Jacky, cyclist Khidir and several more. The view from the chalet facing the lake was magnificient. The room was big and we managed to get 5 racers slept comfortably.
The dinner
Last year's race here was famous for the food poisining meals that left expensive bikes left on the road harhahr. I joined a table with a relay team from Fire & Rescue Perak, later joined by Awea, Kichok & family, Ah Wong and Ayu. Most of Uniten's frens, Bacin, Abu, Dicky, Azmar n Jaja (cameragirl this time) were there minus noticably Azwar. Jeffrey n gangz, Daniel, Dr. Raymond with Vincent (not competing due to broken arm) I met when I bumped in their apartment post Sprint race in PD were there also. I joined them for breakfast and lunch previously.
The morning
I woke up 6.22am and jumping. None of the relay racers followed by the next half an hour. My breakfast this time is Powerbar Peanut butter, Pwerbar Triple Treat and Power Root Tongkat Ali. Luckily I checked my gears over and over the day before, so I grabbed the gear bag and checked out of the room at 7.15am. Since I travelled to transition area by bike, I took a longer way for warm up and later jog slowly to simulate the T2 condition. Next to my T spot was Sangup Richard, from Sg. Udang camp. We met at Powerman dinner last year. After arranging my stuffs, I put on swim cap,grabbed my goggles and walked with heavy heart to the jetty. There's no turning back now!! I swam a bit nearby only to find the water is okay for a freshwater race, definitely no smell.
The race
I stood on the jetty very much to the back, by the time the whistle signals the beach start of the race I hopped slowly into the water. The start was not as packed as float start at PD but no less intense, surrounded I tried to keep up with swimmer around but can't ease my breathing resulted to switching to breaststroke. I never trained to swim BS damn it! The swim section was a 2 laps around 250m isotriangle thus making it 1.5km. My legs were too low and not closed together but somehow I did the first lap in 20'. I switched to frontcrawl in 2nd lap and tried not to lift my head too often but somehow the BS swimmer next to me became less and less visible although my navigation seems to be OK each time I checked. New lesson, just because the other swimmer swim BS, it doesn't necessarily means his nav is OK!! Then I decided to go on my own nav and stroke and dropped the group. I gained pace and my legs started to feel more relaxed and ready for bike section. After the last buoy, I kicked and throwed my arms frantically towards the jetty. I was surprised to come out of the water in 38'44". My T1 time was smooth. My bike shoes already on pedal, I just have to put on my top, sunglass and finally the helmet before removing the bike off the rack.
I pushed my bike out of transition area, hopped on to it and pedal slowly to put on my feets into the cycling shoes. I tried to build momentum and pace the steep climb just out of T1. My thigh felt jelly like from the unplanned breaststroke swim and this slope is asking too much from me too early. I saw a lady pushed her bike up while another guy slowly pedalling up, so I decided to follow suit the lady hahar. I calmed down once reaching the slope peak, rehop onto my bike and off I flew again. It was a tough cycling route with big, slow climb with fast and long climbs. I have to admit I struggled badly in this section. My speed was much slower than I expected and slowly I was dropped one by one where my good works in swim section eroded. I passed the half way U-turn but conditioned still not improving. It was until the last 6 or 7km, one racer offered me to draft him, thanks bro #122, together we pushed towards T2. Suddenly I got the drive to move on and reach the last climb back to transition area. By the time for my T2, Ah Wong and Sangup already finished the race. I returned my bike to the rack, changed to my running shoe iand grabbed my last powergel. Sangup even helped me to remove my helmet, thanks bro, and I set for the last discipline, 10km run.
The run consists of 2 laps of 5km loop marked by ribbon awards at the top point of the loop. For the first lap, the triathlete will be given a blue ribbon and yellow on the next lap. Running around the Pengkalan Gawi is after 10.30am is challenging. The sun was shining at it's max intensity and the terrain was less merciful. My energy level has dropped to a lower level than I expected. My run was reduced to slightly faster than walking until I was awarded the 1st ribbon. The ribbon gave me a slight motivation as I increased my pace and refrain from drinking at each 1km water station to every 2km. Finally I was awarded the yellow ribbon and I told myself, this will definitely over soon. I checked my watch and I was already 3 and a half hours in the race. Going downhill I saw Patsy Yap, a granny in her 60s was struggling to climb the next hill. I was full of admiration but I'm not in the mood to finish after her. Soon, I was in competitive mood back although my time was already not so. I dropped her going downhill in the next slope and as I'm closing to the finish line I could hear the "We Will Rock You" song blaring. I paced my steps to the song, took the final corner and hold my emotion until the finish line and I DID IT!!!!!
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