Sunday, June 27, 2010

No longer a marathon virgin.

I've finally achieved my long term goal - to complete a 42.195km full marathon.

From the good old track events to full marathon, it has been a journey. If you are not aware, I usually compete at most, 10km races. Only early this year I did 21km at Putrajaya Marathon 2010 to gear me up for Standard Chartered's defining 42km full marathon.

Finishing a marathon is an accomplishment that less than 1% of all the people in the world can say they have achieved. Glad to be included in that 1% :). Unlike many activities, training for a marathon is a serious business. Failure to train properly could jeopardize completion of the race and also risk serious injury. I've been training constantly but last week Wednesday, I was infected by a type of viral infection in my nerves resulting in extreme pain and many small blisters called shingles. In Chinese, we address this condition as 'sang seh' or 'snake growth'. I had injection and additional traditional Chinese way of curing the condition. Some of the procedure of the traditional method somehow creates doubt, but anyhow, I did recover. I had funny stuffs applied on the affected area and the pungent sulphur powder is one of them. Anyone who has shingles are advised to seek medical attention immediately because this condition could be fatal.

The crucial week before marathon was supposed to be packed with training but my condition has forced me to rest at home :(.

Grateful I recovered on time.

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My equipments for the race :).

Firstly, I've to say well done to Standard Chartered for organizing this major marathon! It is well organized and it has been a delightful experience all morning long :).
It was rather hilarious to see so many runners pissing at bushes along the running route, if you weren't aware, they have mobile toilets located at certain distances. Probably they can't hold on :p.
Sadly, I heard a very very tragic news. Someone actually passed away running in this morning. He is addressed as Lim and only in his 20s but passed away after having seizure. Deepest condolence to Lim. Read further.
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To those who intend to complete full marathon in times to come, it's a grueling task but it's achievable. With proper training, good nutrition and pre-race rest, you'll be good to go. Take my words, it's a whole lot of mental strength and endurance.

It inspires me seeing people running fueled by the people they love, they people they dearly missed (from passing away). It definitely gives that extra boost. So what fuels you? :)

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Woke up at 3am and drove over to Dataran Merdeka.

The flag off of the race is 5am. Minutes before the flag off, it started pouring. We were all wet even before starting to run :(.

This is me, before fighting through all the fatigue and running the longest distance I've ever ran :).

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The tips given by Fabio and Kok Yik for the race is hydrate sufficiently and run slow, no rush :). Indeed, I find the tips useful.
42km is bloody far. (click to enlarge)


The last final dash to the finishing line.

Coincidently saw Kevin at the finishing line! He competed in 21km Half Marathon :).

Ah, the extrinsic satisfaction from completing the marathon :).

Now, I dare say that I'm finally, a marathon runner. 5hours 16mins was my time, off my initial target of below 5 hours :\.

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Last but not least, much special thanks to Ms. Standard Chartered employee/vampire porn fan/detailed analyst for making a memorable day, more memorable :).

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Lum's Cameron Trip '10

Time passes real fast, I'm already in the 3rd week of my Year 2 Semester 2 studies in UTAR. Soon, I'll have to deal with my thesis, graduate, get a job, get a girlfriend, make her pregnant, get married :).

In condition if I really do found someone ;).

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Recently, it's the school holidays, so my family had a trip up to Cameron Highlands again. Yes I know, we been to Cameron sometime in the middle of last year.

The trip this time round wasn't that enjoyable mainly because it was raining most of the time! At Cameron, most activities to do are directly under the sun, so raining is definitely not welcoming.

At Cameron, we can find plenty of jams there - strawberry jams, blueberry jams, rose petal jams, but WORST of all, TRAFFIC JAM :(. Cameron roads are so confined and by having bad traffic would be awful.

This is Wai and Foong preparing steamboat dinner at our Equatorial apartment :).

While waiting for the soup to boil.
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My uncle was there as well, which mean the most featured cuties in my blog (my sister is out because she's no longer cute) are there too, Chin Chin and Ern Ern :).

Awww just wana hug these cuties! Except the middle one haha :).

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Night time, Pasar Malam @ Brinchang

Buying some fried delicacies. Cameron's Sweet Potato Balls are just scrumptious, a must try!
Foong promoting Cameron's Jambu-Apple, a hybrid fruit. RM5 for 1 of these fruits :O. Actually it taste more like Jambu than Apple.

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Morning @ Market near Kea's Farm (walking distance from Equatorial Hotel)

Checking out Cameron goodies :).

Yummy steamed hot sweet potatoes! I personally like the ones with orange flesh better.

Pearl Sweet corns!


Thumbs up for their marketing strategy. :P


Foong found a riped red strawberry :).

This hibiscus is huge! The flowers at Cameron are really pretty, if I want to, I can have one album solely on beautiful flowers!

Mummy and Papa with heart-shaped flowers :).

Taking a shot with some big ass strawberry :P

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Sg. Palas' Boh Tea Centre is a must visit at Cameron!

Beautiful scenic view of the tea-valley :).

Waa macam gayaa. Haha even my dad looks macho with the umbrellas x).

Who else would be a better model for this shot ?:)

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Visiting the factory which are tourists-bound and we get to observe the different phases of processing tea leaves - with a distinct tea leaves smell.
The machine is 'rolling' the tea leaves - liberating and exposing the tea leaves' juices for fermentation.

So much in a simple cup of tea. :)

Foong and Wai among the tea bushes :).


All of us overlooking a part of the tea valley - minus Pui Cheng who's occupied with her LEO Forum.

Lastly, never forget to sink your sweet tooth into their delicious cakes and have a sip of their fresh tea at the tea house!

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13 days to my full marathon! 42.195km is quite a distance :|.