First Malaysian to complete Badwater UltraMartathon

Congratulation to Ng Seow Kong for completing 246km the Toughest race on earth in 42:51:40 ! 

Badwater UltraMarathon - First Malaysian to participate

Mr Ng Seow Kong, the first Malaysian to participate in "the world's toughest foot race". 

Malaysia Ultrarunner, Ng Seow Kong at Badwater Ultramarathon 2013. First time, Malaysian participated this " the world's toughest foot race".
Photo Credit : AdventureCORPS

As the point of writing this entry, now 11:05pm, 16 July 2013, Malaysian time, Mr Ng Seow Kong have crossed 71 miles mark in 22 hours 7 minutes Pinamint Springs. Seow Kong have another 64 miles to go !!! 

All the best Mr Seow Kong! We are waiting you to see Malaysia flag waving at finishing point! 

Runner's World Quote - 15072013

I'm overwhelmed by the strength of my body and the power of my mind. For one moment, just one second, I feel immortal.  Diana Nyad

Polar RCX5 - 2013

Wrote 6th July 2013: 

Today, i have my Polar RCX5 battery changed at Athlete Circle. Another battery change after 6 months of intensive using my Polar RCX5 for RPM (with heart rate monior), running (with GPS sensor) and cycling (with Heart rate monitor and GPS sensor). 

My last change was back in January 12, 2013, if im not wrong. After that, i had recorded my H1 Hardcore 100 miles ultra marathons, TNF 100 Philippines and 3 days of inter-states cycling. 

January 13 & February 13 

On 22.2.13, 12:00am, we were flagged off at Kayapa, Philippines for my first maiden 100miles 

- Hardcore Hundred Miles Ultra Marathon

 

March'13 & April'14 

May'13 - Managed to achieve high mileage due to cycling focus since after my TNF 100 Philippines. 

Were on 3-days cycling tour 

June'13 - My off season period where i did my blood donation, KSK. Off from everything.  

20th April 2013 - I completed my first TNF Philippines at Baguio 100KM Ultra trail for 29 hours 45mins. Too bad, my Polar GPS sensor only managed to record 59.5km. 

From April into May, i have about 3 weeks to pickup my cycling fitness to enable me to joins UCI Ipoh 3 days cycling tour - Uptown - Raub - Gua Musang - Ipoh (via Cameron) 

June - where's i slowed down everything. Just doing indoor exercise namely body pump and RPM. 

So far so good. Since my purchase of Polar RCX5 in October 2011, another 3 months, it would be 2 years of usage. I only can blame my PC that constants giving me problem or rather slow processing that makes me frustrated to updates my blog. :( 

Till my next Polar RCX5 battery change. Bye. 

End. 

Final updates 14 July 2013.  

The Beaufort 60k: A Bridge Too Far @ 16 Dec 2012 161212

**Original entry was wrote on 22 Dec 2012.  Now updating 3rd July 2013, thanks to Deo The Running tagged me on FB photo reminds me of this entry! haha... ** 

Peninsular Malaysia Ultra runners! (Yay, i realized there's photo in my FB) 

The Beaufort 60k - A Bridge Too Far is the hottest ultra marathon in Malaysia as claimed by the race organizer. I was joining this event quite last minutes (about 2-3 months away) when there's Air Asia promotion. I'm together with few others ultra runners were doing the commando style for this run. 

In this run, i'm testing on my body. I'm wearing all black, black top SKINS compression, black short compression! But for sure, confirmed that i'm so regret having this idea when we were just started to run at 7:30am (Sabah sky are so bright at 6am). I'm only can cry deep inside my heart why i choose to wear all black for this ultra. 

Since no turning back, i'm strengthen my mental, KEEP CALM and KEEP RUNNING. 

This is a value super economic ultra run, what you paid, what you get. RM60 for 60km. Beside cool drinks along the water stations, there's no solid foods available, if there's were, also limited. As usual, i packed a lot of energy gels. Vi-Fuel are my main energy gels. its keep me going and stronger! 

Photo credit: Gary Bridger.

My mental hit bottleneck when im just passed 10km mark! imagine when im running behind the morning sun, my back were burning hot, my butt burning, my legs, my calf were burning hot feel. When im running toward the sun, my face, my chest, were burning hot! hot! hot! hot!

What i did was, swift my focus to something else. Lucky at that time, there's a senior runner (i got to know his name is Peter when he crossed finishing line) who ran consistent at slow and steady pace, i decided to target him.

Was running either front or back with Peter. It's a good self imagination buddy to keep me going although we never have any single words exchange. 

All black SKINS compression wear following behind PETER! 

When i felt good, i overtook Peter. When i felt at the lowest point where my speed slowed down, he overtook me and i force myself to follow behind Peter. At least i have something to keep me going. I'm sweating like hell and i wish the next water station come to me very soon! I need ice-cold water!

Forget where i lost Peter in my sight. 

I consumed average 1 hour 1 energy gel to keep me going. After 20km, i'm mentally breakdown. its where i'm start to pamper myself. I brought my first ice-cold soya can drink at the "kedai runcit" at roadside. i'm so glad the store have fridge and it's cost RM1.60 ! I felt recharged after had the ice cold soya drinks! Looking forward to next store along the road! Motivation is back!

Run, run...  my body getting use with the sun, the hotness. i'm feeling much better then initial. I can have some speed back!

There's Petrol station signage ! Guess what, it's show another 10km to go! Zzz.. very huge big turn down on me! My plan, my thought when i saw the petrol station sign, i'm buying foods, buying ice cold coca-cola !!! This keep me going strong! hehe... Some water stations have bananas, but other than that, nothing else. Anyway, lucky never expect anything else. Just keep going.

Reached Petronas station, first thing i grab is COKE !!! then bread. 1 COKE not enough, then second COKE! After Petronas, crossing a bridge, It's a very beautiful view. Too bad, i forget where i saved my photos and reason why i never update this entry because of problematic PC.

i dont know how long im been running under hot sun, and even when i passed 42km mark, nothing special as i have another 18km to go!

There's some part it's a straight road until i cant see the end. It's really mental challenging in hot weather. What else i can do? Counting electric post. 1,2,3,4,5, until lost count and count again. Lucky there's another store where i brought soya drink and COKE! it's where and when COKE is the best drink in the world. Somehow i managed to pick up my speed after i had my COKE!

There's 1 part, running parallel with the beach! Awesome! enjoying the sea view. Passby the villages, bridge, a very simple life village, i can feel the peace.

The senior runner, Peter i mentions in the beginning, he was way far in front of me, when i decided to take my own sweet time to run and battle with myself after i cant keep up with him. In the last 10km, at one of the water station, i saw him resting (Later i found out his body overheated, that's why resting). Surprisingly i can catch up him! Another motivation boost. Now i'm so near to the finishing line and yet body are craving for solid foods!

At one watermelon store, i planned to buy watermelon to recharge, and whose the seller said not need money! (later found out the watermelon was paid for by volunteer / someone) Another joy! yummy! I wish i can find back my photos to share it here.

After 50km, after 6-7 hours of running in extreme hot weather, foot is giving out signal. Blister are forming. Nothing i can do but just be extra careful when im landing. Every small steps are big steps heading to finishing line !

Greeted by Race Director Azman. 

Somehow its work, and i managed to complete it. Yay.

Ultra-man crossing finishing line. In one of the event where i'm faster than him. Nyek. Nyek. Nyek. 

**Self praising***Muka tembok*** 

Official Results Beaufort 60k 2012 from The Beaufort 60k: A Bridge Too Far Facebook.
1st-Stuary McLay 5 hours 58 minutes
2nd- Herddy Sidik-6 hours 29 minutes*joint 2nd
2nd-Joseph Lau-6 hours 29 minutes*joint 2nd
4th-Jifree Pulok-6 hours 34 minutes
5th-Teh Yee Chuan-6 hours 45 minutes
6th-Adele Owen Rubin-7 hours 59 minutes
7th-Ron Davis Francis-8 hours 13 minutes
8th-Judy Liew-8 hours 14 minutes
9th-Mohd Erwan Kassim-8 hours 17 minutes
10th-Tan Chin Ann-8 hours 27 minutes
11th-Peter Ong-8 hours 36 minutes
12th-Liaw Yun Haw-8 hours 40 minutes
13th-Yim Heng Fatt-8 hours 45 minutes
14th-Eco Joharmizie-8 hours 47 minutes
15th-Azrulhisyam Hussin-8 hours 48 minutes
16th-Aliakbar Haji Gapor-8 hours 50 minutes
17th-Azman Sulaiman-8 hours 52 minutes
18th-Alan "the wolf" Tai-8 hours 53 minutes
19th-Imaldy Jakim-8 hours 56 minutes
20th-Boyd Gimbang-9 hours 06 minutes
21st-Anthony Wee-9 hours 10 minutes
22nd-Cornelius Koh-9 hours 24 minutes
23rd-Robert Tseu-9 hours 39 minutes
24th-Ian Edwards-9 hours 53 minutes
25th-Fendy Madi-9 hours 55 minutes*joint 24th
25th-Zulhaskly Zulkifly-9 hours 55 minutes*joint 24th
27th-Koh Cheng Hsiung-9 hours 56 minutes
28th-Jude Juanis-10 hours
29th-Satimin Liun-10 hours 55 seconds
30th-Hana Harun-10 hours 4 minutes
31st-Md Sukairi Bin Hj Abd Rahman-10 hours 11 minutes
32nd-Francisco Zilli-10 hours 39 minutes
33rd-Rudy "You can do it" Boyou-10 hours 58 minutes 09 seconds

Along the 60km, most of the time, 99% i'm running alone. Talking to myself, keeping myself to run, it's a good mental challenge. 

Go likes The Beaufort 60K face: A Bridge Too Far

2013 edition will be held on 15 Dec 2013.

End.

Updates ended 11:37pm, 3rd July 2013
Updates insert FB photos ended 11:50pm, 3rd July 2013.

Kechara Soup Kitchen

On 1st June 2013, Saturday, my friends and i joins Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK).

Can you spot me? 

http://www.kechara.com/soup-kitchen/get-involved/volunteer/

On that evening, my friend and i were assigned to Bangkok bank area. I know Bangkok bank area, but i never visited during late evening around 11pm until 1am. It's really something different at night. We have about 80 plus portions to gives out to clients (we refer to homeless people as client as respect to them) 

First stop was at the Bangkok Bank. To our surprised, there's another group already giving out foods to clients with camera recording the situation. The leader told us we proceed to another place first and after that only come back, as we cannot skip it, as there's clients expecting our arrival even though there's another group doing the same. 

We proceeded to next stop at xxx (aiyah, cant recall the second stop) its nearby the Museum Telekom there. To my surprised, that area, was my ACCA tuition venue, i went there every weekend for past 1 year to attend the ACCA classes and never thought at night it's another kind of situation. For the first time, i'm distribute foods together with others to clients. They were sleeping at "kaki lima" of the building. 

Third stop, we parked a bit further opposite the Petaling street main entrance. There's 1 client resting there, and we cross the road to Petaling street entrance side to give to another two clients. 

Four stop, we back to Bangkok bank area. There's a lot of clients waiting us, expecting our arrival. While on another side of Bankok Bank there's a female pregnant client sleeps alone. Leader asking and giving her maps and tells her that she can go to KSK during weekdays, where there's have free lunch and free laundry. Bangkok bank to Imbi, its might be near to me, to some, but to homeless people its far for them. They never take public transport. Something keep me thinking about it. (Updates on last last weekend 15th June, where i joint for second time **heard the pregnant lady safely gave birth when other client alerted KSK person in charge, they managed to get ambulance to fetch her to hospital** hope what i heard was refer to her) 

Fifth stop, we stopped at Legal bar council nearby. There's a newly built square with a lot of chairs. It's been a while since my last time visit to there nor passby. Apparently there's few clients around. 

Sixth stop, Daya Bumi bus stop. 

Last stop, Masjid Negara. Giving foods to clients and managed to distribute all and the time were  around 1:00am. 

Mission completed. We return to KSK place where we parked our cars there. It's early Sunday, where i did something meaningful apart from runing / cycling, I can sleep in on Sunday without feeling weird. 

To my surprised, I still can remember what's happened on my first trip on KSK. It's really eye, heart and mind opening to me! ( For your info: first timer required to attend briefing, and encourage to buy the KSK red T-shirt where clients are recognise it) 

Subsequent after another 2 weeks (15th June 2013), my friends and i joint again. My friend contribute 100 packs of rice with 2 veggies and 1 meat if im not wrong. 

This round, we were assigned to Chow Kit and Honda. Second time coming to KSK. It's seem everything simplified and looks easy. We count and distribute foods according to quantity assigned to each areas. 

Second time in KSK, first time to Chow Kit and Honda. 

First stop - Jln Tar Honda showroom there. Now i know why it's called "honda". Ah, Chow Kit, my previous working place was just nearby where i used to walk past this Honda showroom to have my lunch Kin Kin Pan Mee, and sometimes the opposite famous Nasi Kandar. Im return to a familiar place yet feel strange. Here, a lot of clients waiting. 

Second stop - From Jln Tar, we drove to Jln Raja Laut and stop at Jln Ipoh, opposite Shell. 

Third stop - Along Jln TAR, stop on and off to gives food to clients. Then U-turn into Jln Raja Laut again. 

Fourth Stop - Lorong Tiong Nam. One of the lorong. It's near the morning market there, there's a "datuk kong" temple, a women come by and our leader ask whether we can stand at temple side or not, but the women shout loudly saying can not! The voice so fierce, i'm was shock, but i'm mentally prepared as this kind of situation was warn to us during briefing. We start to distribute foods opposite road of temple. The women keep shouting, and cursing us on why we distribute foods to clients. Leader assured to us, nothing to worry, just keep calm and distribute foods. Apparently the women is drunk, and start talking non-sense and shouting to us, threaten us saying she will report to Bukit Aman etc etc many more! Soonest we finished distribute, we left. The women keep shouting, she will write down the car plates number and report while we were packing and leaving. Interesting scenario we faced. 

Fifth stop - we heading ahead, and it's where behind my old working place and a college. We stopped there. argh. So many things changed since i moved office on Sept / Oct 2012. Here's have many clients too where i never seem any of them during my day time working here in past 3 years! Argh... 

Last stop - Jln Raja Laut before the KFC traffic light junction. 

Completed our task around 1:00am, went back to KSK Imbi, we had some supper before going off. Another wonderful outing. 

P/s: Oh yeah, i never mentions what's happens during briefing. It's where the leader prepare your mental for the activities and sharing true stories that he en-countered which it's really opens up your mind and heart where previously you would never bother to take note or you would laugh at it. 

Goodnight.

SN250 - South to North by FrontRunner

Imagine running 250km single stage in 48 hours time limits.... It's really happening @ Philippines, a ultra ultra marathon organized by FrontRunner Magazine!

Details of SN250: 

http://frontrunnermagph.wordpress.com/2013/04/10/south-to-north-sn250/

Can you spot the Malaysian who have nut to join SN250 ??? 

hehe...