Why Run?

I had countless number of people approaching me asking ;

"Why do you like running so much?"

You shall find the answer in this post.

Reason #1. I love the thrill of moving in fast pace and being ahead.

Moving in fast pace? Doesn't running long distance means jogging in slow pace you wondering? In fact, to choose over short distance, middle distance or long distance, I would pick middle distance. Not too far, not too near, just the way I like it ;). I secretly hate long distance ;).

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Reason #2. The hard work you put into practices, turns into reward you get from the race.

In fact, this implies to only sports but even other stuffs like, work and studies! In running, training is the key to good runs. No shortcuts. The reward you get from races? The recognition, pride, medals.

Did I mention I have a fetish for medals? (Unable to display all my medals due to space constraint)

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Reason #3. Running is one of the best solutions to a clear mind.

Last time, when I feel down or empty, I go for runs. Running is a great way to release stress, and in fact, healthy too! Unlike other de-stress options like smoking, drinking and drug abuse :). A resolved mind, a healthy body. It doesn't get any better from here.

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Reason #4. Running is a great way to stay in shape, fit and healthy.

If you have intention of losing weight, I suggest running or even swimming would be a great way to lose the kilos. Taking up this sport would improve your cardiovascular health, improving your heart capacity. Those who run regularly are less likely to experience bone and muscle deterioration as they age at the same pace as those who do not run regularly at all. Among the psychological benefits according to researches are runners typically report being happier and feeling less stressed than their counterparts who do not run or exercise regularly.

Did you also know running regularly is also a way to have a nice, firm ass?

It's true.

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Reason #5. Simply increases the chances of you running away from trouble :).
Running away from robbers? Running away from mad dogs trying to bite you? Running from abusive wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend/mother-in-law? It all involved running. Train yourself to run and save yourself from these crisis :P.

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What are you waiting for?
Put on your running shoes and run :)!

I shall end my post with a quote.

"The adrenalin when you start, and the feeling when you cross that finish line, and know that you are a winner no matter what place you got." - Courtney Parsons

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Siemens Run 2010

As usual, I travel back from Kampar to KL to participate in runs. 18th July was one of the weekends I did so for Siemens Run.

I drove Teck Chai, Adrian and Kelvin to Dataran Merdeka early in the morning. I have to comment on the running vest. It.is.ugly. It's like an old man's singlet with mismatched colours. This is what you get when you pay only RM20 :\.

Right after the flag off. Didn't enter the barricaded area so that means I started wayyyy behind the crowd. (spot me in red and Teck Chai in yellow behind me)

Comparatively to other running events or marathons organized at Dataran Merdeka, I find this Siemens only fairly enjoyable. Nothing 'wow' or epic in this.

The most 'wow' part of the run has to be this.

The sight of Dynamitez cheering runners up for the last 750m stretch! Hello girls :). Hahaha.

This is me approaching Dataran Merdeka. I've got to say, this run for me is very disappointing as I clocked 49 minutes 46 seconds for 10.25km, way slower than my regular 46 minutes. Me running in such slow pace resulted me clinching 90th place in the Men's Open category.

You know what that means? More and more training! :)

The last picture of the day, myself, Teck Chai, Kelvin and Adrian at the finishing line.

I know this post came in quite late, excuse me being in the midst of midterms and assignments!

12km Centro Klang Run 2010

Greetings :D!

It's 11-7-2010, and I would like to wish my parents Happy 22nd year Wedding Anniversary :)!

This year, I joined Centro Run again after enjoying myself in the previous run last year. Last year was only 6km but they extend the distance to 12km instead this year hehe.

Drove to Klang at 6am in the morning, with Khai Sim, Hazel and my brother tagging along. Apparently, all 3 of them are somewhat unprepared (lack of training haha) for the run, but all of us managed to get a medal each. For a non-seasoned runner, 12km is actually quite a distance. Khai Sim and Hazel did very well in their Women Open category, getting 29th and 36th? placing respectively. Khai Sim timed 82 minutes and Hazel was only a couple of minutes behind. Not bad, impressive! My brother who spent most of his time sitting facing books and notes, came out of the shell and joined the run. He got 340th placing, at least get a medal la(top 400 eligible for medal). All had a good morning exercise eh:)?

For myself, I clocked 57 minutes 38 seconds for 12km. & got 61th placing. 3 minutes below my expected timing of 55 minutes :(.

Ze Medal and Certificate :).

LOL this is a very exhausted brother of mine running towards the finishing line which he almost missed HAHAHA.

We all looked like Red Rangers (Power Rangers) except Hazel haha.
*unglamour picture of Hazel which looked like she peed in her pants xD

Re-hydrating with 7-Up Revive :).

Potential 7-up Revive ambassadors :)

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Lum brothers at the finishing line yo!

Hazel, you impress me la - good 12km run despite not training and joining in such short notice :D!

Satisfied 12km finishers :)

Lining up for GNC free protein drinks

While lining up for the protein drink, we were like excited jakuns. Wait, it seems like I'm the only one excited here. :(

Starbucks' Chocolate Cream Chip Frapucinno while waiting for our Bak Kut Teh brunch :). Jolynn said I'm like a gay magnet here and Choon Lim said I look I'm giving blowjob. Life sucks. :(

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Off we go Taman Eng Ann for Bak Kut Teh, special thanks to Zhen Yang who brought us there :).
Bak Kut Teh with lean meat and Yau Char Kuei behind.
Did I just catch you drooling? :) I prefer Bak Kut Teh with the 'spare parts' like intestines, stomach etc.

Dry Bak Kut Teh - spicy and flavourful! Definitely gaining the calories lost from the 12km run haha.

Zhen Yang doing the tea pouring procedure :).

This is Hazel and Khai Sim ready to satisfy their appetite. But, if you know Hazel well, you would know she's one who doesn't eat animals that can make noises (for example chicken, duck, pork, dog, cat, monkey, humans) but only opt for meats of animals that can't make noises like fish =_=. But at least she did try 1 chunk of pork meat at the end :).

My brother is having leg cramps now and walking like a pregnant lady ahaha

Last picture of the day, Meng Wai, me and Zhen Yang.
What can I say, morning well spent! :D

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 :).

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 :|.