Meet My Ima

My heart has been captured again. Her name is Ima[e-ma]. When she arrived last Tuesday morning [15Sept], I opened her gently, fixing her front wheels and adjusting the seat with my allen key. Hmmmmm, indeed she has the looks. Instantly, she captured my heart. She makes my heart beat fast when I ride on her. As I picked up speed, bend my body lower and hold her tightly. I feel like we're one. Look at her, ain't she a beauty. =p

[To insert pictures of Ima and me here. It may look obscene, cuz you noe la. cycling shorts very tight wan.ha!]

I got my entry level bike last week and it cost me a RM2K. I have no idea whether its boleh guna or not. But its the cheapest and the most afforable I could find in the market. She's looks like real Scott road bike through the pics. [I bought it online] The next day after her arrival, I took her to a bicycle shop to get her fine tune. And the uncle told me that she's an imitation. My jaws drop down and I went blank for a moment. Thinking what have I done. Was it a mistake buying it online?*panics*

The next day after I took her back home with me. I hold her and told her, 'No matter what baby, I'll will still ride on you and bring you to places you've never been. Don't worry or feel bad. It doesn't matter you're ori or not. As long as you don't break down on me.' She agreed. We're both happy to have one another. That's why she is called Ima[e-ma] short form for imitation:

1. a result or product of imitating
2. the act of imitating
3. a counterfeit; copy
4. a literary composition that imitates the manner or subject of another author or work

This two boys taught me how to be real and genuine to others. Thanks yo. Ima, don't worry even if you're not genuine. I'll still keep you. Cheers!

[7.8K run 15K bike]

RPM #44

Raw Power in Motion (RPMTM) is a 50-minute indoor cycling class based on outdoor riding. You ride to inspirational music over the equivalent of 20-25 kilometers of varied terrain, controlling the intensity of your workout with a resistance dial and pedal speed.

The benefits [according to Les Mills website]

• Increase your cardiovascular fitness, burn fat and tone and shape your legs, hips, and butt

• Increase leg strength and muscular endurance without building bulk

• Burn up to 600 calories in a normal 50-minute structure (RPM™ has been proven to burn up to 800 calories in one hour)

• Release endorphins to give you that natural high and leave you feeling fantastic

I remember very clearly my first time in a RPMTM class [probably a year back with Sam]. I thought I was gonna die in that class. And that thought pop-ed into my head after the 2nd track only! The closest I can define the feeling of RPMTM is like doing 'killers' in state training but only worst.

'This is challenging.' I said to myself. Therefore I'm determine to overcome the pain and to keep up with the resistance by persevering. Till this very day, it's still challenging to me and I'm enjoying the pain. =) NICE! There are couple of times when I stopped pedaling and most of the time is because I assumed that the music is about to end. This is highly related to the mental. We assume.

Many of times we think/assume that 'xyz' level is our limits. Therefore we set limitations to ourselves, be it our goals, dreams or achievements. We limit ourselves from reaching the sky! What you believe yourself to be, you are. I wanna compete in my first IronMan Triathlon[3.86km swim.180.25KM bike.42.195KM run] by 2012 and I wanna build my I-empire [Innebandy Sports Complex] before I RIP. This is way beyond my limits if I would to think rationally about it. People may also say, 'HAHA!!this guy is nuts!That is so impossible. You better go open Mamak stall, since you like Maggi goreng so much.' lol.

My point is, never never never never ever limit yourself. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Feeling Fatigue

• LIVESTRONG means pedaling my heart out
• LIVESTRONG means having the courage to take a walk
• LIVESTRONG means uniting to make a difference

The line which touch me most is, LIVESTRONG means having the courage to take a walk. Many people who are 'sick' and 'weak' gives up even before they start doing anything. But if you could LIVESTRONG and conquer your fear within. You actually achieve something money can't buy. You have to beat yourself first [From the Inside Out]. When you fall hard, take the courage to walk first, then run. LIVESTRONG.

[5.5K and BP^]

Mission: Cari Road Bike

Road bikes are darn expensive. I did not know that until I step foot into a few bicycle shops around Penang. When I saw the price tag, my heart rate increase significantly. The cheapest that I've seen is about RM3.5K++. I always tell them I'm just a beginner and I'm not ready to dump in so much $$$ into a bicycle. My parents would kill me for sure. And I think with such big sum of money, I would rather sponsor their dream holiday to Australia.(Just the air ticket.haha.Air Asia.lol)

I talked to my mum about my intentions to have my own bike. With all the numbers involved, she looked nervous and worry. So her advice to me was, go e-mail Josiah Ng, our national cyclist and ask him whether he got any second bike he could sell/give to you. I was like, are you serious ar?!. Took me few days to decide whether I should or should not. In the end...I did.

To him

To me

We had a little chat through exchanging e-mails and my impression towards him sums up in two words. nice and humble. I admire athletes like him and he even offered to help me if I need any help regarding bicycles. I send him a few pics of my potential bike.

Between us

Can't wait for her arrival. =)

Do's and Don'ts

Been wanting to share this but keep forgetting. This are a few samples of what you can say if you're a supporter/spectator in a marathon. Watch out for the 'DON'Ts'. It made me LOL!!!

DO SAY:

• Malaysia Boleh!
• Go! Go! Runners!
• Keep going!
• Come on! You can do it!
• You're doing great! Keep it up!
• All the way!
• Gambatte! (Japanese for Good luck)
• Jia You! (Mandarin for Encouragement)
• You inspire me!
• Just keep running...Just keep running! (in Finding Nemo's "Dory" style)

DON'T SAY

• Hang in there! Only 20 more kilometers to go...!
• Good job! Just 3 more hours to the end...
• Are you having fun? (when the runner is clearly struggling)
• You're almost there! (when it's too early in the race)

=)

[Adapted from the KL marathon runner's guide book]

Desaru Sprint Tri 2009

My trip to Desaru was hardcore, it was a mental torture and physical as well. This is how I got to Desaru and back.

Penang (Sg.Nibong) - KL (Pudu) - Walked to LRT (Masjid Jamek) - Took train to Ampang Park (To meet Soong's) - Meet Ann & bf - drove to Desaru - after the race - same thing back to Penang.

Total hours in the bus/train/car = 11hours x 2 = 22hours
Total time to complete the race = 1:01:25
Total travelling/accomodation/race registration cost = RM260+
Worth the time and money? OF COURSE LA!!!!hahaha

When we got there, the long distance category was going on. The crowd there was not as big as marathon races but they have 'quality' supporters. If you know what I mean. nyek nyek nyek. One thing I realise about triathletes is they're don't use Ipod/Mp3/etc. I guess they don't wanna waste so much time in the transition. Eveyone there looked professional.

Participant doing the 90K bike course

Me posing on a racer

My valet after I pose =p

Didn't do much they whole day, it was like a kampung there. Went back to our hotel room. Took a nap, went for dinner (drove 45minutes from our hotel), came back, watch some TV, did some warm up, pangsai, bathe, read a lil and sleep. Didn't have any trouble sleeping.

When we got to the race destination the next day, we were LATE!!!! We were the only participants at the transition point. The emcee asked Soong's sarcastically if he is going to swim with this shirt and pants on? I was laughing like crazy. Then we quickly stripped ourselves and ran to the beach. Too rush till I forgot to eat my PowerBar. Hohoho!

Lady boss.Soong's.Lil Soong's.Ann.Me

Guns off!Here we go!Soong's look like Mr.Incredibles.Ha!ha!

The sea was choppy

The kicking and slapping in the water begins

I did bad in the swim. I haven't been swimming for ages and going into an open sea+wave+current. Suicide! I got panicked when I got into the water, was not use to swimming in a crowded environment. Couldn't swim at all. Head was up all the way. To improved!

Getting out from the sea

Running towards the transition point

I read from somewhere saying that, its not about how fast you transit but how effective you do it. Since I have no experience in this area, I can only imagine what I'm gonna do before the race day. And it works. Picturing yourself doing it actually helps on the real occasion.

The road to physical torture begins

The cycle wasn't that bad. Did pretty okay. Legs felt strong. The only cycling training I had was RPM classes in my gym. Haha! Thank you Mr.Yee for lending me his bike. The only problem I have is down there. My shorts wasn't padded and it hurts! After the race, I have bruises down there. =( Need a tri suit or bike pants.

Finishing my run

L[me.soong's.chee haur.ann.joo tsong.mr yee]R

Soong's and I(again)

Overall it was a great experience for me, looking forward to do another triathlon soon. It really made me realise how much more I can push myself, be it the mental or the physical. They say signing up for a race is winning half of it. I say training hard for it is winning half of it.

me@transition

[3K and RPM]

The End of Chapter PFL'09

My shout out goes to the committee of Penang Floorball Association, secretariats, officials, referees, coaches, managers, players and supporters for making PFL Div I a success! *BIG APPLAUSE* Everything went smoothly from the first match till the final one and it has been entertaining, heart pumping and adrenaline rising.

The only problem I faced is the time slot of the league, which was smack right in the midst of my peak period. And in this period I hardly train, run or do any physical training. All I did was tax comp.tax comp.and more tax comp. Its a torture, furthermore driving up to Balik Pulau through the jam adds up more frustration in me. *arrgggggg*

On the night of prize giving ceremony, I was annouced as the Center for the All Star Team. I am thankful for the recognition but I know I really underperformed in the league. But thanks again for picking me. Congratz to Byran of Contact Fireants, Termin and Germs of Ztec 8cers and our very own LinKen and Sam.

All Star Team 2009
L [Byran.Me.TerMin.Jeremy.LinKen.Sam] R

As I've mentioned that Innebandy!Co is the champions. Thank you parents, sister, supporters and players for making this a successful campaign for IC. See you on court! And get excited for our camp. =)

2nd Runner-up PFL2009

Team Innebandy!Co

Don't Wait To Think

Completing my first sprint triathlon in Desaru was a great experience for me. It made me think and re-position myself in the world of athletes. People may look up to me as an 'oxygen tank' but to think about it now, I'm just a small 'kacang' with a small 'oxygen tank'.

In the pursuit of becoming a better athlete or world class athlete (if God permits), I've drawn many lessons from elite athletes through reading their blogs/web/interview/etc. One thing I learned about the mental is, you gotta practice using it consistently, just like any form of physical training. The balance between both will distinct us from our competitors.

“One of the major errors athletes make is using mental skills, such as mental imagery and self-talk, only immediately before and during competition,” says Nicole Kulikov, PhD, a 2:45 marathoner and fitness professor at Holyoke Community College who specializes in sports psychology. “Like any form of physical training, it needs to start in practice sessions.”

[Click here for further reading]

This really speaks of me, I tend to talk to myself (self motivation not coo coo case) more during race day than my training sessions. Time to change.

[BP 3/08/09]

Training Vs Exercising

When you exercise you are doing it for the joy and benefit of the exercise. When you train, you want to accomplish a goal hence involves a lot of pain, endurance, sacrifice, determination, dedication and discipline.

Are you training or exercising?