kl marathon 2009

Alhamdulillah, this is my first ever half marathon run, which marks an upgrade in my running distance. As usual, I didn't train properly for the run. It's quite hard to balance time between work, family and training - where training usually loses out... because I'm quite lazy as well. :p

Anyway, what's important for me was to finish the run - and that was just what I did. Timing was somewhat what I expected but was having hopes to finish in less than 3 hours but it was thwarted by the cramps that crept in from the 15km mark onwards.

I was a better prepared in this run in terms of energy to last the distance, I had more to give (thanks to the dates and raisins that I ate after 10km mark) but my cramping legs wouldn't let me continue running - the lactic acid was doing its job really well!

Well, I am a satisfied man. :) Next year, it will be half marathon again - but with better time, Insya Allah.

Pictures, courtesy of the website printed across the pictures... (the pictures are sooo expensive! try making it cheaper and I'm sure many people will buy).

Here are my stats:
Average HR = 180bpm
MaxHR = 193bpm
Energy = 3612kcal
Average Speed = 7.2km/h
Max Speed = 15.1km/h

xterra 2009

There we have it, the first Xterra event in Malaysia and SEA.... and I was one of the participants. Wohooo! Thanks to Dr. Kamal and Dr. Mafeitz for inviting me to be part of the relay team. The event was cool, complete with the competition atmosphere and international participants too. It was a moment not to be missed by adreline and outdoor junkies. :)

But good things usually have its bad as well - albeit just a minor one but irritated me a lot, which was the briefing session conducted by none other than Jeff/Geoff/whatever his name was. He was so bloody late (more than an hour) for the briefing, and when he finally got to it, he was bloody rude and worst still, he did a crappy briefing job because he wasn't prepared. We could've enjoyed the beach rather than wait for him which in the end got us nothing and then we got stuck in the traffic jam going back to the hotel - it was a useless briefing.

Okay enough, complaining. Anyway, apart from the above, the event was very good. Hip-hip hooray to the organizing team, especially those that I know - Shazly, Stupe, Juliana, et al. Congrats and keep it coming for the future years!

Our relay team Voltron (guess who came out with the name?) consist of me swimming 1.5km, Kamal did the mountain biking for 30km and Telal did the 10km trail run.

I didn't do so well with the swimming because I obviously didn't train enough. I hope that I didn't let my team mates down.




Team Voltron.


Met my ol' classmate, Epol (the cameraman in the sea).


Coming out after 750m swim.


Running and then back into the sea for another 750m swim.


After 1.5km swim.


On my way to the transition area to give the timing chip to Kamal. Shower?


Yes, shower.


Kamal waiting patiently for me to finish my swim. He's very patient, you know.


Kamal - speeding ahead to the transition area.


Just handed over the timing chip to Dr. M.


Posing kotor kejap. ;)


Dr M, running on air. Cool, eh?


Dr. M, hand in air. Also cool, eh?



Our team time : 4 hours 36 minutes. Not so cool. Maybe better next year.



Team Voltron, assembled again.



And again.


And this was what we got after that.


Nice.


And again-again - this time with matching t-shirts.


No comment... :p (Btw, it was Telal's idea that we ape around. hmm... )

hr away day 2009

Due to the TML austerity drive, this year the HR team decided to go on a low cost away day. Our rule, the cost must be low (we spent about RM2500 only - everything included; transportation, uniform, food, etc), there should not be any cost incurred for accomodation and flight.

So, guess what turned out? We narrowed down to Sungai Chilling and Sepang Gold Coast - both about the same distance and travel time from TML office. However, due to the hot and dry weather, we decided to forgo the Sepang Gold Coast and opted for Sungai Chilling.

The Sungai Chilling away day was a day hike to the beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike. It took us 1 hour 45 minutes going in but only 1 hour to get out.

This was a team-building at its best where the HR team displayed high spirits of camadarie and teamwork. Giving help, caring and concerning for each other, bonding and having fun.


At the start of the trip.

Hiking

River crossing and a display of teamwork - if one falls, all would fall too... hehehe.

Wave to the camera!

At the waterfall.

The man... with the women.

Well done everyone! I believe you all had fun while teambuilding during this year's away day. And I hope this would be a memorable one. :)

Lets climb a mountain in our next away day?

cute girls

Assalamualaikum Lyana and Aneesa,

Abah just want to show you how cute you were wearing tudung. :)

Love always,

Abah