Thank you smokers....

BAT (British American Tobacco) earnerd higher pre tax profit for the first 9 months this year RM 865 million on top of 3.13 billion revenue.

Now who said the economy is in recession? If purely judging from cigarettes sales, it could mean economy is going pretty well.

BAT ought to publish a full colored page on major papers, thanking their customers:

"Keep on smoking....and you can redeem the following gifts:"

1. cancer of the bladder, esophagus, larynx, lung, mouth, throat
2. chronic lung disease
3. chronic heart and cardiovascular disease
4. die 13 to 14 years before nonsmokers.

Reference:
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/24/business/2363753&sec=business

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5077308/

Shiny days are here...

I took this picture last friday evening. The incessant rain, which battered KL daily had finally stopped. It was so rare to see a sunset the past 2 weeks because it was always raining. And that meant less training, less cycling and less everything. So I stood momentarily for awhile, trying to appreciate those fleeting moments. Sunsets can be beautiful and enchanting, but just for a while.

On another note, I've finally able to run properly and out of the pain I've had for the exact 2 weeks. Had a run with Shih Ming and San at Bukit Gasing, because we're heading for Genting Trailblazer mixed team. The terrain is quite suitable for running, and less demanding than Nuang. But there's one section to the top with gradient around 30-40 percent which is quite tough. I tried to sprint a few times to see if I still have the flow of trail running, and it was pure fun. Running trails is a bit dangerous, but definitely not boring.

I decided to put the ultra run to another date, because of injury and also because of Trailblazer. It won't be so fair to Shih Ming if I were to bust my legs out before a race.

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Putrajaya Powerman Simulation

With the route hotter than Powerman, we're supposed to do 10km run, 60km cycle, then 10km run. There's was quite a bunch of people, some new faces as well.

The first 10km, I was pushing the pace and managed to clock 44 plus minutes. But as usual for the cycling, I decided to just cycle moderately for completion, and the rest of the gang went pass. The last 10km run...translated to a lesser 7km run due to the 12pm sun. But some made it full distance (raymond ng, San and michelle looi).

That done, I am not actually going for Powerman this year.

Some thoughts: Putrajaya would be good for heat simulation for ironman.

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nutrition: I knew nutrition is important, but it didn't occur to me that I need more protein. I realized I was losing muscle mass when I kept training at the same intensity. After a few research on the net, for active people like us, we've got to have protein intake x 2 body weight. That means around 100g protein per day. So guys, try to do a rough calculation for your protein intake. It'll definitely help in recovery.

David Goggins ran 150 miles

150 miles = 241 km...in 33 hours 36 minutes, a new course record (McNaughton Park Trail run )

Watch this video...to understand the sports of ultras.

New Pair of Shoes: Saucony Grid Fastwitch 3

Woohoo, I just got a new pair of shoe from Choi.

It's the Saucony Grid Fastwitch 3...My current adidas trainer is probably 1000km + mileage and is totally worn off the soles.

But the new pair of shoe must be cursing the hell out of me. For its' virgin run, ehem...I went hiking up the muddy slopes of bukit segar. My feet was still in pain, and I suspect that this injury might take longer than I thought. Walking was all I could do.

The end result was mud all over. Ok...now the shoes are pissed... I promise not to use it for hiking the next time.

Best waterfall in Malaysia: Berkelah, Gambang

I was pretty sick during the first few days of Syawal, but managed to hit this tropical paradise nearby Gambang, Pahang. It's Air Terjun Berkelah.

It's remote, not much people, and beautiful. You got to walk 1 km deep inside to reach the really nice spot.

But because I was recovering and half sick, I couldn't even swim properly in the deep end. My brother told me big fishes can be found there, ... but I didn't brought any googles, so I was left wondering what we might find.

However, as usual, I would like to condemn those local tourist, it had to be local, who keep on piling rubbish after rubbish like it's their own backyard. In fact they won't do this at their own backyard. Polystyrene cups, plates, plastics...what the hell...I am not reserving any vulgarities against these eco unfriendly people. How could you enjoy visiting a place, then leave the rubbish there?

Let's put it this way. Malaysian Tourist mentality = Rubbish mentality. And I am not sorry for stating it, because I've seen enough to be sad and angry about it.


There's a deep end at the falls...just becareful not to get drown...

hike up...and you get to see more beauty...





I jump...you jump...

I would rather swim

Last evening, I went for a swim. It's just another ordinary swim, but I've feeling restless past 2 days due to injuries on both feet. You see, I've got pain on top of both feet. It's bad enough to prevent me from running or cycling. In fact, walking to the office radiates pain.

I tried to swim consistently for 3km. And immediately I felt better. I know, my swim stroke is terrible, my strength gone done the drain, and am feeling ironman so far fetched an idea. How I felt? More like orang kurang upaya (OKU) [disabled folks]. But it felt better because I was pushing myself again. Oddly, I can't sit still. I just got to do swim, or bike, or run.

But I kept on going, like someone chasing a fledgling hope of getting faster, but just in vain.

Then it rained. And it rained more. And thunders started to streak across the sunset sky. Soon, I was the only person left swimming in the olympics size pool. When things started to get worse, I knew I had to bailed out my plan on the 3km swim. So I ended after 2.55km.

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Last week cycling was really in the dumps. After almost 2 months of no cycling after Desaru, I felt reluctant to cycle. Maybe it was due to the bad experience of stuck gears during the race. I don't know. I just know my cycling is probably the weakest link in this tri sports.

Yet, I opt with some of my cycling buddies to cycle to Titi. First, I have to climb the Ampang hill, then climb up to Genting Peres, and up and down after Peres. I was so famished, or near bonk, so I stopped just before the 12km mark to kelawang to dine in with the rest.

And going back is suffering in slow motion. Had to climb back to Peres, then another climb back Ampang hill. Back pain, butt pain, hand pain, and getting roasted in the sun,...I was kept wondering what's so fun of cycling. I would rather run 8 hours than sitting on the bike for that long. I know, I would need to pump in the mileage for cycling if I wanted to be good at it. But at the moment, cycling is something the least I would choose compared to swim and run. Basically, no love in cycling.

Nevermind, it'll definitely take time, but time is soon fleeting away as the clock ticks closer to ironman langkawi...

Sick and Out

I've fallen ill for the past few days. I think it was due to work stress more than running stress. It was just a few days, but when I started running again, every feeling in the legs says I am done for. The joints feels like an old man, and I was wondering if this is the end of my running career. Or is it running Genting Highlands 3 times disturb that old man's peace, and that's why I got sick.

I am putting of the 200km to 25th so I've got enough time to get back on track. Now everything seems like a train wreck.