A Humbling Holiday Experience - Powerman2007

The day started reasonably well, though i didn't have much sleep though - anxiety attack maybe. Went into the transition area and could find my rack number, seem that the rain had washed away the number markings, not a good start to the day, i thought.

We made ourselves onto the start line, the elites and the OD started off first at 7:30am . Our sprint section is to start at 7:50am, as some of us were waiting there bubbly like the Powerpuff girls. We were let off at 7:50 sharp and I made my usual 7-8km per hour pace following PK and Margaret (my Gym Buddy). We reached the transition for bike after about 40 minutes. We then pushed off for the 32km bike section. This was covered in about 1 hour 5 mins. Then the screw up happen, I cramped at T2 while trying to put my road shoe on, and I was rolling on the grass in agony and had to calm myself down for about 3-4 minutes.
After that, i just couldn't run anymore, but not wanting to let myself down this way, took stride to the drinking station and had a banana and drinks as I hobbled to the next drink station. I had no choice but to ask the medics to give me a anti cramp spray as I had to walk another 3km before the finished line. I finished eventually in about 2 hour 45 minutes (according to my watch). Will have to wait for official timing to see the final results. It was a good first outing though for me, nonetherless.
I cannot blame some of the participant though, this is how I also felt after finishing the race.

Addendum (Official results out)
First Leg Run (5.5km) - 36.22 s
T1 - 3.18 s
Bike Stage (32km) - 1 hr 04:50
T2 - 3.06 s (including all the guling and cramps)
Second Leg Run (5km) - 53.21 s
Total : 2 hours 40m 59s

10km Run - a dedication to torture

Having never ever run outdoor beyond 4 km, i was beginning to regret my decision to ATTEMPT to run 10km pacesetter route. My regret later was subdued having to see so many familiar faces like Phoebe, Ashley and Kimberly. Having also support from dear friends such as Joanne, Andy, Adeline, Bernard and Wong was very heartwarming. Bernard and May Senn had gatecrashed. Met Jaja and chief Kutu as well.

However, i would like to dedicate this run and finishing medal to May Senn, who was my race bunny, race coach and such a dear friend who stuck by me coaxing, cajoling and motivating me to run and not walk even on the hills. Although I had tried to sneak in under the 1 hour 30 minutes that Bernard had set, I just managed 5 minutes beyond that cut off time.

Having not known what to expect, I set a pace of between 6km to 7km per hour in the first 5km. I reached the first 5km mark at about 40 minutes and was hoping to duck in under the mark. Unfortunately, by the 8km, my legs became wobbly and felt as if it would not support me anymore. May Senn step up and coaxed me to set small targets, like "let chase that guys in red shorts, if we can pass the girl in the blue 69 T-Shirt...".

Reaching the finished line, Adeline, Wong, May Senn and Bernard was kind enough to run together with me to the finish line as a mark of support. Thank you dear friends, I don't know how to repay your kindness.

Actually, I was kinda surprised to be able to finished the run without cramping out earlier. My original target was to see what kilometer mileage I will cramp out so that I can decide whether to do the Powerman Sprint or full distance.

Up Hill Time trial - 1st FAK UP (for me that is)

I think i call it the race of truth. Its where u find out whether u can climb this hill or not and relative to the other person. I also think that many people just didn't want to enter becoz of the fear that you may really find out where u stand and it may bother your ego. Well, i for one did it for no other reason but in the spirit of community assistance. Originally, I went there to help out with the race, but upon seeing that the race organizers have enough assistance and not to project the image that there are more race organizers then participant, I enrolled for the race.

Its roughly an 8 km climb with an elevation of merely 250m (in the last 3 km) .

The results are as posted in the Fakawi Website and I did horrendously. Knowing the results as I was climbing up, I decided to end the day by going for a spin ride to Batu 18 with Boon Foo. Met a few way2ride riders and the Malaysian squad training as they were climbing the reverse side.

Went back at 11 am after a 30km spin ride. What a Father's day celebration!!! Got a few dadly wishes from some close frens, thanks guys n gals.

Fakawi Up Hill - MTB Race

Was helping out Melody and Edele of Quick Release with the Fakawi (FAK UP) Mountain Bike Race. The race is up from Cross Road in Kiara to TWin Peak. The race distance is slightly more then 1 km and the elevation is 100m from Cross Roads.

12 contender was brave enough to go through the motion of climbing the hill inclusive of one brave German in a recumbent. The eventual winners were Lim Yew Meng (pic) from Bike Pro with an astonishing time of 4 min 15 seconds. Second was Pat Brundson and third was Adli Dahlan.

Trailing the Time

PCC organized a Time Trial this recent weekend. You can check out the details here.

Yours truly actually went there to volunteer service and have a casual ride with a friend. Being lethargic and just recovering from a bout of Flu, i didn't expect to ride. Upon arrival and seeing all the excitement, managed to get my friend and myself registered in the last two available places.

With very little warm up, we went through the course in a leisurely time not really intending to compete. Interestingly, my friend managed a neat time , having come in 3rd in her category and me 8th in my age group finishing the 15km course in a slow 33 minutes. Hope to publish some pictures of the event though.

Addendum

Here are some photos of the event uploaded to Flickr courtesy of Adrian and the PCC Team. Thanks Adrian ;-)





Adrian at the registration Counter








Fren winning a Tour De Langkawi Cycling Jersey






Cycling and getting good time with Knobby Tires on MTB