Still alive (and kicking....)

Phew, this has been the longest silence since we started this blog. Yeah yeah, were all still alive just very very bizy....

I worked three weeks straight after IM. Last weekend we did a short triathlon in the camp. Phoowee, swim okay, but havent cycled for ages so the 45km ride was torture.... (skipped the run, too hot allready). Actually we spend alot of time talking, before the swim with Chan and Mr Ngae, before cycling with Salman, during cycling met Peter Lau in Putrajaya so talk some more.... Really need to start cycling more again, few months ago started to feel confident (many thanks to Dino for his coaching), but now I'm back at 22km per hr!!!

Been busy the last two weeks with swim training. Together with Danial we're brushing up our skills on free style and improving our stamina. Coached by Mr Peh and Alvin. I'm enjoying it even though it's not easy to manage work, kids, trafficjams and training. Time time time ......

Usually swimming above 3km per session, for the two of us who are not used to swimming free style it's quite exhausting but we're starting to feel the improvement. Especially Danial's stroke has really improved... (I'm a Slowbro as usual) Still feel more comfortable with breast stroke but slowly gettin better in free style...

This morning four of us took part in KLIM (=Kuala Lumpur International Marathon).
Danial and Dayan ran 7km. (I think Dayan suffered a bit but need to get tough with this kid as his waistline is still way to big).
Kalam ran the full marathon, a bit too early -just a month after IronMan. The first part was smooth but in the second half an old knee injury started to bug him. He finished just under 5 hours. Anyway he's irritating, can finish all these super events without much training while the rest of the human race has to suffer, train hard and then only might be able to finish -welcome to humanity honey!!!
As for me, I applied my tested and tried 'walk uphill, run downhill mode'. Except this route has not many hills mainly flat so.... ....powerwalk. Shortly after the first waterstation at 5km I realised I lost my timing chip! Losing the RM20 deposit is one thing but doing this whole bloody thing for nothing that's frustrating!!! Anyway someone told me I'd still get a medal and as I love my hardware collection, my mind was at peace and continued my sunday stroll. I met Patsy who I haven't seen since Womens Games Triathlon last year, we kept close to each other for most of the race. Lots of other friends before, during and after the race. Sometimes I wonder 'Am I doing these races for the sake of the races or because I love meeting this group of people'. Definitely both elements play a big part....
OP Bandit caught up with me after the first waterstation and we happily chitchatted all the way till Bkt Bintang. There he decided to wait for a friend while I wanted to complete the race within the cut-off time. I finished the race in 3.19hrs... yeah my first half marathon and I was still able to run the last bit (show-off , only run in front of the crowd). So another medal added to the collection....

Other happenings;
As for my work, the 3-sided coins has rolled and flipped over several times and finally come to rest- I'm stayin put in GIMC.

Janie gave birth to another 5 kittens. Kittens were under attack this afternoon by a male cat who crept into the house. Luckily Janie was there to defend her little ones.... Bad papa puzzy

IRONMAN 08 RACE REPORT

MAJOR 'K' STORY - 23 FEB 2008

PHOTOS BY MR TEY (TQ TQ TQ)

POWERED BY POWERBAR

THE JOURNEY

5 March 2008 - finally I have the time to sit infront of the PC to write this report. After almost 11 days, 1 course of antibiotic, 1 trip to Penang the weekend after IM08, voting (post ballot) this morning! Well, again its a mission accomplished! Two things which I hate to do - training and writing race report! All this while I took part in the race as training, just having fun but IM is totally different race. I can feel my nervous system activated, which I never felt before in any race. It was actually the swim that make me worry, thanks to Paul hahahaha!

Oh man.... even the race number doesnt look good according to my Chinese frens! Sap sap suey lor... Hehehe get second opinion. 4 plus 4 is 8! Yessss..... ada ong what! Turn -ve into +ve.

Well, if I look at my training and compare it to the rest of the mutants, I wouldnt dare to show up on 23 March 2008. But NEVER TURN BACK UNLESS THE BATTLE IS FOUGHT attitude, I just go for it and see what happen. No turning back, they already had my photo printed in the book, on top some more! Even sifu Ah Wong and Dr Fiona photos are below mine. Oh no...

21 Feb 08 - After a few hiccups with the management, the boys missed their flight etc etc we finally at the IM 08 venue. Jasme and family already checking in to our Istana Kondo. Then Salman, Chan and me arrived. Friday morning, the other 3 arrived by bus and 1st ferry. Missus arrived later in the afternoon. Fast forward...... Damn... did I miss anything?? Looks like all are here.....

THE SWIM - 3.8KM no kidding (target 2 hours)
23 Feb 08 - Cant sleep much that nite, but wake up fresh at 6 am! Take turn on the motorbike to go to Dataran Helang. Smile for Mr Tey and thanks a million! You are the BESTEST!

BEFORE 3.8km SWIM - smile and smile and smile

Ah May : My butt is softer than yours, you know! I use this cream tau tak...

Major K : Oooo I used wrong cream maaa... Thats y mine is hard! Aiyooo...

Saiful : Apa ni mejar?

Mejar K: Kalau kat kampung, orang tua2 buat makan sirih.... gambir namanya Pol. Makan lah....

Rahimi : (Mejar ni langsung tak nampak logo Powerbar kat badan, nak kena tarik sponsorship lah ni, tak macam si bulu lebat ni)

Ntah hapa-hapa.... woi Edwin tutup pulak!

Hey Edwin, my arm is bigger than yours hahaha!

AFTER 3.8km SWIM...hey smile, smile, smile (actual time 1:48:47)

Hehehe looks familiar? Hahahaha sakit ke bang..... pundeekkk....

Hey mister in red T shirt, apa gelak-gelak? Hehehe sorry bro OP rupanya.... takkan tengok je Erm... honey are you laughing too?? Next year your turn hehehehe....

Maintain macho tau....

THE CYCLING 180.2KM... peanut (PENAT)!!!!!! Target 8 hours.

Just came out of T1, show some machoness... even though almost last hahaha

This part wont be easy either but manageable, according to my standard. I took Elmar's (found out he is no 3 and Pro some more) advice by taking a lot of Powerbar Endurance during the bike, some bananas and Powerbar Performance. Feel good though....

Wave and smile boys... we are in Madagascar!

And here we are, Mej K is overtaking the Pro Belinda Granger! See the photo sequences...

Yeah... Mej K finally overtook the champ, she surrendered! She still got No 1... Cycling is well below target.... (actual time cycling 7:15:09)

THE RUN 42.2KM... more peanuts (target 6 hours)

Running doesnt feel much comfortable, back pain and neck pain due to long hours on the bike. Anyway I have so much time to spent, so take it easy. Confident to finish in 16 hrs.

Got one Belacak trying to run together hehehehe go ahead young man. I am veteran already.
Actual time - 6:17:24 ahahaha late

THE FINISHER - MAJOR K (target 16 hrs)

Time already altered to actual finishing time!

More 'present' after this from No 1 fan! Hehehehe still got energy, thats Ironman...

The boys who finished after Mej K! Tahun depan jangan ketinggalan lagi, paham!

After 15:34:35 of craziness.... only a piece of A4 paper and a pewter medal! Worth it? Next year..

Ironmen and women, recidivist and new

Ironman Langkawi 2008 finishers;
in random order
Mejar Kalam, Salman, Chan Jun Shen, Azwar, Shazly, May Senn, Ariff, Ihsal, Karoline, Steve, Jasmi, Stupe, OP Sofian, Bacin, Ridzwan, Amru, Saiful, Abu, Wong/Hafiz, Carmen, Iwata-san, Simon, Raymond Hee, Fiona Lim, Mr Ngae, Azwar/Pipot/Zebets, Azmar, Sanggup, Yuseri, Kohing, Jeffery Mujah, Saravana, Zabil, Randy Botak, Cecil, Frankie Ambrose, Puzi, Don Khor, Dicky and many many more
Oops, so many, nearly forgot, Paul and Edwin

Full report and pictures to follow later, just some highlights for now:

• Tickets to Kona for SWAT and Carmen Leong
• Dr. Fiona was struggling with injury on the run
• Stupe managed to gain 3kg!!!
• Mr. Ngae took a unplanned side-excursion during the swim (distracted by Langkawi mermaid, hehe) which earned him a 2hr+ swim time
• May Senn has to change the name of her blog
• Bacin is gonna spend saturdays and sundays watching tv from now on (any bets on how long till he's back on the bike?)
• Recovery-ride to Broga coming saturday likely to be cancelled due to lack of participants
• Azwar settled his score in Langkawi
• Chan Jun Shen is the youngest Malaysian to finish IM Langkawi at the age of 18yrs 1 mth and 26 days
• The weighing scale was not yet packed when May Senn arrived
• Shaving does not make you faster as proven by Al-Faris. New thesis -more hair means better aerodynamics
• Pls help, Sanggup wants the number of the pretty girl at the roadside halfway the run-track
• No matter how many times Iwata faints he'll continue at full speed shortly after
• Mr. Ngae and Chan Jun Shen finished the race together and crossed the finish line holding hands
• OP Hisham has a big heart for 'poor' triathletes, the cheaper the bike the harder he will cheer!!!
• Due to excessive amounts of suffering a few bikes can be expected to be for sale soon (no names)
• SWAT Junior expected in June/July
• Wearing those pressure-stockings make you look kinda gay

UPNM highlights

• All seven team members completed IM-Langkawi
• Jasmi finished second Malaysian behind Wong Ah Tiam
• Youngest IM-finisher Chan Jun Shen with a time of 13hr50min
• UPNM-record has been broken for the fourth consecutive year, Salman Alias finished in 12hr 09min
• UPNM-team:

1. Jasmi Sarael 10.57
2. Salman Alias 12.09
3. Chan Jun Shen 13.50
4. Ridzwan 14.29
5. Kalam bin Pie 15.35
6. Amru Muhammad 15.51
7. Mohd Saiful 15.51

A great atmosphere at the finish-line while waiting till the last of our friends safely finished with an IM-medal around their necks.

Lastly, a big thanks to the four OP's, doc Hisham, Kam, Bandit and Budin for letting me tag along with you guys, you're true gentlemen and friends!!! Thanks also to The Navy seals Shaiful and Robika, fellow cheerleaders....

The stones are cast

Not many UPNM kadets can swim at this level

Watch and learn Outdoor bike sale

Getting ready for the ride to Putrajaya










Water boys during the run

Waterfamily with Mr. Ngae and Chan


Suka sangat buat gambar, same fam. with Johan

Marathon des Sables finisher Mr. Ngae

Chan JS, aiming to become UPNM's youngest Ironman on the 23rd

Redzuan, another Sabahan

Johan 'Are we finished allready?'

Last training before Ironman. We used UPNM's facilities to have a OD triathlon training session.
A bigger crowd then we expected turned up, all familiar tri-bandits. Azwar, Stupe, Adzim, Abu, Saiful, Erwin, OP Sofian, Bacin, Dicky, Adrian, Ariff, Mr. Ngae, etc...

Swim in UPNM's pool, some 20 of us were swimming, looked nice all these swimmers smoothly pulling lanes. One of the UPNM's coaches was on duty as a life-guard. Think he was quite surprised to see this whole group swimming, only a few kadets can match these levels...hehehe

We were busy gettin water from the canteen so started a bit late. I did only half OD distance.

Continued cycling, out of SG Besi town unto Besraya towards Putrajaya. Promised to cycle REALLY SLOW. Yeah yeah, their interpretation of slow!!!

Never mind, I know very well that I'm not up to that level (not yet, one day I'll show them - anybody scared yet??). Cycled with Johan and Kalam, another group got slightly lost but Chan managed to get them back before they ended up in JB.

A few people left after cycling, other continued unto the run. Only the bravest of the brave got to the top of Ironhill (Mr Ngae, Chan and Redzuan). The majority turned back at the bottom of the hill.

As it was a very hot day, we put the water in the car and I roped In Danial and Dayan to form a mobile waterstation.
Nice training, worth repeating.....

Only a few days left before Ironman Langkawi. Kalam is leaving on thursday.

The stones are cast now: not enough training, too much training, wrong training, just hope it all works out on the 23rd.

WHY THE HELL AM I GETTIN NERVOUS
I'm not even taking part, guess because I know how much hard training has been put in, how much hope, how many doubts.....

Good luck to all, you are all winners for daring to dream big................