Just Keep TRI-ing

Thank you ALLAH for yet another great year. 2012 has been awesome. I have been blessed with many happiness especially with the birth of our third child, Elias Arjuna. However, I cannot say that I have achieved of my 2012 targets. So I will take the same resolution into 2013 and carry on from there. With the 2012 drawing to an end let see how my 'Performance' against my 2012 resolutions: 1. A better Muslim InshaALLAH > I tried to be and Alhamdullilah ALLAH has made it easier for me to get closer to HIM. I am nowhere near 'good' yet but this is one aspect of my life that I hope to improve continuously InshaALLAH. I also hope to perform the Haj in 2013 Amin. 2. Cleared bad debts and enjoy financial freedom > Not 100% but cleared a big chunk of it. 3. Achieved pre-wedding weight and maintains a healthy lifestyle > Accomplished, current weight is 54kg and I have since taken up running seriously and completed my first marathon. I'm hoping to complete 3 full ma...

Still having Turin Marathon hangover. I just received the official certificate from the organiser. Sweet huh? You can read my race report HERE. The IAAF Road Race GOLD Label logo tu yang mahal tu. World Marathon Majors next.

My little girl has becoming obsessed with shoes lately. Future fashionista to ravel her mama I reckon Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.8

Aku memang sudah lama meminati sukan olahraga terutama acara larian semenjak dari kecil lagi. Permainan kegemaranku waktu kecil semuanya melibatkan larian seperti kejar-kejar, police sentry , baling selipar dsb.  Orang yang menjadi inspirasi aku ketika itu adalah bekas atlet kebangsaan acara 400m, Nordin Jadi . Beliau sekampung dengan aku dan keluarga kami agak rapat. Walaupun aku tidak mengenali beliau secara peribadi, tetapi aku merasa cukup mengenalinya melalui cerita Makcik dan Mak Langku. Dan aku juga berkawan baik dengan anak saudara beliau, Kak Kamariah dan Bahariah. Orang kampung mengenali beliau dengan nama Sahak. Aku selalu berangan ingin mewakili Malaysia ke Sukan SEA, Sukan Asia, dan Olimpik seperti Nordin. Nordin juga adalah bekas pelajar sekolah rendah dan sekolah menengah yang sama denganku, Sekolah Kebangsaan Paya Mas dan Sekolah Menengah Tun Mamat (SMTM) Tangkak. Aku percaya rekod-rekod catatan masa beliau masih lagi kekal sehingga ke hari ...

This is by no means to show off. I just want to share with you how I managed to shave 12kg in 10 months. I did not take any slimming pills, nor did I starve myself. I just run and run with additional strength training. The way to do it is by signing up for a race, and follow a training programme. It will keep you motivated. Like me, I lost most of my weight when I trained for Gold Coast Half Marathon. If I can you can too. Get out there and hit the road.

Elias Arjuna 3 Months 3 Weeks 

2016 8/01/2016  Ooredoo Marathon, Doha, Qatar 29/01/2016  Ironman70.3 Dubai, UAE 12/02/2016  RAK Half Marathon, UAE 5/03/2016  ITU WTS Abu Dhabi, UAE 10/04/2016  Ironman African Championship, South Africa 21/08/2016  Ironman Copenhagen, Denmark 12/2016  Ironman70.3 Middle East Championship, Bahrain  

At first I was not very keen on doing the Dubai Creek Striders Half Marathon as I was not supposed to race for at least a month after my marathon, plus I am still sick. But since almost everybody in my running club will be taking part, and it will be on my birthday, so I guess what the heck.   This will be my last race for 2012. The only problem was, I don’t have any more leave. So I can only leave for Dubai after work. By then it will be already late. We only arrived at the hotel 15 minutes to 11pm on the race night. Thanks Anna and Karl for collecting our race kits. It was very challenging for a couple travelling with 3 little kids (all under the age of 3) without a help. Luckily we went with our friend, Yasir and Munirah but they too have 3 kids in tow albeit older. It was 1 am by the time we get everybody settled down, and I was already tired and hungry. We only had instant noodle for supper. Interesting choice for carbo-loading you might say.   Yasir on the other hand wil...

Below is the qualifying time for Boston Marathon. For 2014 race, the qualifying window is open from 22 September 2012 till the registration date (TBD), around September 2013. Looks like my chance to qualify for 2014 race are slim to nil. I am nowhere near the 3:10:00 mark yet. It may take me another year or so to get there (with luck). So realistically I would try to qualify for the 2015 or 2016 editions. In the mean time I would like to wish all the Malaysian runners who made it to the Boston Marathon 2013 the best of luck. Malaysia Boleh Malaysian Contingent 2013  

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Turin, Italy 18 November 2012. It was a cold 2 degree Celsius morning in the Piedmont capital, Turin. I was armed with ear muff, full body compression, a jacket, gloves and my club jersey. I have never ran in that much clothing before, but I can still feel the chill up to my spine even with that much garment. Some people say I looked like Robocop with all these gear. I am supposed to be hydrated before the race, but my problem was, my bladder cannot seem to be able contain any fluid intake in this kind of temperature. I was lucky that my hotel was very close to the start and finish lines, so I can afford to leave 30 minutes before the start. It was a beautiful morning. I joined some serious looking elite runners doing warm up laps. I myself felt like an elite when the official photographers kept asking me to pose for their cameras (well it was their job to sell the pics anyway). I don't know if it was down to nervousness or my bladder ne...

My wife sent me a bouquet of flower to my office. It was such a surprise. Thanks Ayang. Love you always Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.8

Cuci Cuci Sdn Bhd now in Doha. Can you spot Hans Isaac, Awie and Afdlin There? Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.8

This is how I progressed from a couch potato to a marathon runner. I can't even run a kilometer without panting and taking walk breaks when I first started, but now I can proudly say I can run 42 of them. The hardest thing to do is not the race itself but to believe you can do it. The next step is taking your first stride in training, from then on everything else will be 'easy'. My Running Progress: 5 KM Date              Time     Pace         Note 01/07/2011   47:02     9:24/km    Training, Al Wadi Compound 22/12/2011   37:56     7:35/km    Training, Al Wadi Compound 05/01/2012   37:22     7:28/km    Training, Al-Kharatiyat street 15/01/2012   29:55     5:59/km    Tr...

I would like to share a happy (or nerve wrecking) news that my wife has safely delivered our third (probably the last) child on 27 August 2012 at 10.21PM. The baby was unexpectedly born prematurely at 33 weeks (7 weeks ahead of schedule). While all effort has been taken to have him delivered normally, It cannot be done as the baby was too small (1.8kg) and did not presenting at a correct position (breech position). He was finally delivered through an emergency caesarean (this also means, that we are not allowed to have another baby for at least FIVE years). Alhamdullillah both the mother and the baby are well and the baby has shown a great progress. We named him Elias Arjuna Day 1: Elias was placed at NICU with oxygen tube Day 2: Elias was able to breath unassisted. Tube removed, however full oxygen was supplied in the incubator Day 3: He was moved from Intensive care to Intermediate care section of NICU. The oxygen supply has been reduced to only 25% We finally took him home on 8 Sep...

I was still smiling ear to ear and was feeling accomplished with my result at Asics Half Marathon in Gold Coast Australia 2 weeks ago. I started to wonder whether I should still be running in this race. Well the reason I signed up for this race was to make it as 'fail safe' plan should I fail to achieve my target of breaking the sub 2 hour barrier in Gold Coast. I know I cannot possibly record a new PB in Seremban with the 3H (Heat, Hills, Humidity) and certainly not as I still nursing my knee injury from the Gold Coast race. I still feel uncomfortable and slight pain on my knees when I went out running couple of days before the race. I was contemplating of pulling out of the race with a fear of aggravating my knee injury. I cannot afford to get injured when my 100 day training for New York is due to start in a week. But in the end I succumbed and go since everything was booked and paid for. I did not have any race plan. I just want to run a steady sub 5:27...

I could barely sleep the night before the race. Too much anxiety. I kept visualising running the event according to my race plan and achieved my goal of completing the half marathon in sub 2 hours for the first time ever. My current PB is 2:03:27 which I did last month during training. The alarm finally went off at 4.15 am. I left the apartment at 4.45am with my mate Zuki after having a slice of peanut butter sandwich. Zuki is an avid marathoner and will be running his 9th full marathon. It was a cold morning, luckily I did not have to wait long for the race to start as I only arrived at the start village 30 minutes before the flag off. I straight away checked my bag and did some warm up runs with Zuki. I felt the urge to empty my bowel 10 minutes to flag off, and went searching for the toilet. There was a long winding line at the toilets. This is ridiculous I said, so I went looking if there is another toilets nearby, but was nowhere to be seen. I knew I should...

I had an opportunity to participate in a 5km race in conjunction with the 237th US Army Birthday at As-Sayliyah Camp here this morning. I must be one of the lucky few to get this opportunity, because this was a closed event and there was only 10 spots available for Doha Bay Running Club. We met at the giant shopping cart at Hyatt Plaza for a 3.45AM pick up.You must be thinking that I was crazy waking up that early to run. But I must tell you that, it was not hard to wake up in that wee hour to do the thing you love. We were invited to join this race through Nick and Richard who are also members of DBRC. DBRC Contingent. From Left: David Thompson, Paul Smith, Me, Nicholas Soroka, Richard, Tee Morgan, Mark Brandone, Hisham and Wendy Fitzmaurice. Picture courtesy of Tee Morgan It took forever to get to the start area as we had to go through a series of security check points. But everything went smoothly. We finally arrived at the start area 15 minutes before flag ...

I really like motorbike. 2 days ago bought me a Ducati bike. Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

It is sad that Malaysia will not be represented in the coming 2012 London Olympics. The 'A' qualifying time is 2:15:00 and the 'B' qualifying time is 2:18:00. Whereas the best performance of a Malaysian runner in 2011 is 2:28:46 by Woo Chan Yew which he set in Duluth, USA. Woo is also the current national record holder with 2:28:36 (Montreal, Canada 2010). Malaysia also failed to win a medal in the last South East Asian Games in Indonesia. Gold- Yahuza INA 2:27:45 Silver-Eric Panique PHI 2:28:26 Bronze- Eduardo Banajera Buenavista PHI 2:29:09 The following are sub 3:00:00 performance by Malaysian runners (6 runners) in 2011   2:28:46 Woo Chan Yew KUL - Duluth USA 18.06.11 2:35:20 Woo Chan Yew KUL - Indianapolis USA 05.11.11 2:37:44 Shaharudin Hashim KUL - Hong Kong 20.02.11 2:38:28 Woo Chan Yew KUL - Houston USA 30.01.11 2:42:37 Shaharudin Hashim KUL - Kuala Lumpur 26.06.11 2:50:58 Ramadoss Muniandy KED - Taiping 25.09.11 2:51:11 Kuppusamy Ba...

My little angels. Zachary Andika and Cinta Amani. Can't wait for another one due in October Insyaallah. Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

I just started my training programme for my first marathon, yet I am already addicted to running. I am already planning to run four Marathons in 2013. However, I will not have the luxury of 7 months to train for each race. Here how it looks. 4 Nov 2012 - New York City (11 weeks apart) 25 Jan 2013 - Dubai (12 weeks apart) 21 Apr 2013 - London  (10 weeks apart) 7 Jul 2013 - Rio De Janeiro (21 weeks apart) 8 Dec 2013 - Lisbon I have been following a 28 weeks training plan for beginners from Nike+ to prepare for my 1st Marathon in New York. I totally satisfied with the programme and believe me, I can already feel the improvement at week 6. However, the space between New York and my next race in Dubai will only be 11 weeks apart and I am planning to run in London 12 weeks after Dubai. Next on the agenda is Rio which will come 10 weeks after London. To finish it off, I am hoping to run my personal best on my birthday in Lisbon in December...

Happy 2nd birthday Zachary. I am blessed to have a son like you. Papa and Mama love you very much with all our hearts. You do not need to be jealous with your adik Cinta (plus you will have another adik this October InsyaALLAH). Sorry we did not throw you a lavish party like your first birthday, but we will make it up to you with a trip to Sydney and Gold Coast, Australia next month. It will be more fun than having a birthday party. I know you love apipim (aeroplane), so we will fly a lot of aeroplanes soon. Alhough only on low cost carriers and the budget Sri Lankan, but you cant tell the difference, can you? We will take you to the Sydney Aquarium, and Sea World in Gold Coast because you love fish, penguins and dolphins. Plus we will take you to Movie World, because you like cartoons don't you. So all you need to do now is be a good boy, stop bullying your sister, eat your meals and drink your milk. We love you more each day, AVELU. xoxo papa  P...

A great day (Picture courtesy of Tee Morgan) 51 days to Gold Coast Half Marathon 177 days to ING New York City Marathon I am running my long runs every Friday and I have to run 16 km today according to my training programme. I determined to RUN the whole distance and redeem myself from a terrible 14km run last week. I remember what Tee said to me at the water stop last week, she said  "you have to run the whole distance, or you will never be ready for your Marathon. There is no way that you get up and in the morning and ready. Like me I am never ready"  she said. I was only managed to run 5 km last Friday and completed the remaining 9km hobbling, walking and some other weird movements. Old men with walking frame could walk faster than me. I felt terrible pain on both of my legs from the knees up to my hip. Each step was a torture. I can literally feel the impact of my step on my bones. I was almost crying. I kept shouting "New York New York",...

We invited some friends for lunch and Cik Minah served Laksa Johor. I had way too much than I should've. 3 plates, translated to 30 kilometer run tomorrow. Oh Lord. Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

My daughter has ear and throat infections. Its has been 5 days now. But she is getting better Alhamdullilah Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

My cheeky son is so unpredictable. He can be happy angry sad excited all at the same time. Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

New York City placed at the very top of my "Must Go" places. I have been planning to visit the Big Apple since 2006. The plan has been postponed and scraped many times. Now that I am started running, I have set a dream to run in the ING New York City Marathon one day.  I have set that dream on 29 June 2011, the day when I decided to buy myself a pair of running shoe. I also stated my intention in my blog 'Aku Nak Lari Marathon' . But why New York City Marathon? I don't know the exact answer to that question. Maybe the fact that INYC Marathon is the world's largest marathon . It is also one of the World Marathon Majors which a total novice like me can enter. I first heard about it back in November 2008, on a shuttle bus from work site to Ras Gas canteen when I heard someone behind my seat, who has just came back from INYC Marathon proudly sharing his experience with his mates. I was eavesdropping....

I have been having pain on my left knee, lower back and thighs. The pain started after I did an interval training for the first time about a month ago. I tried to have as enough rest as possible and not to over train, but the pain seems found itself a permanent residency in my body. I tried Deep Tissue massage, and it works, but the pain came back when I resume training. I cannot afford to miss my training programme for Gold Coast , so I went to see a doctor today. The Doctor instructed me to undergo a Vitamin D test and prescribed me with a pain killer, a medicine for arthritis and a supplement to support healthy joint function. Wait a minute.. arthritis? Joint problem? Excuse me, I'm 35, and not even reach 40 (which is the new 30) yet. Clinically I am only 20 something. I need to start a cell therapy programme now, perhaps Celergen can help. Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.4

I went running with my Vietnamese neighbour, Jane Last Friday. We became quite close this last month or so as we both love running and I invited her to join my running club. She even invited me and my family for dinner at her place. She has two beautiful daughters and a super friendly husband. We chatted casually on our way home, initially about our plan to run in the next Dubai Marathon, and then the conversation turned more and more personal. I was stunned with her blatant remarks about me. I know we are close but I did not realised that we were that close. Here are some of the excerpts of our conversations: Jane: You know you are so lucky to have such a beautiful wife. Me: Thank you, but she is also lucky to have handsome husband like me hehe Jane: I don’t know what she looks at, but you are definitely not handsome. You are cute and talented. Maybe she likes you because how you care for her and how you treat and talk to a woman. I don’t know you only she knows. Me: Do you really thi...