Project Scott Speester S60

I’ve been consistently inviting few close friends to join me cycle for the past year, unfortunately there weren’t any positive response until recently. Jason has gotten a green light from his ‘CFO’ and so the hunt begun.

2.12.2012  

2.00pm - searched for affordable XS size road bike at www.bicyclebuysell.com

2.20pm – shortlisted about 8 roadies for my review and comment

2.21pm – Jason fell asleep

2.22pm – still asleep, so I am

2.30pm – zzz, laptop was on and running

2.40pm – woke up, shit late for training. I told him I would check it out tonight

9.00pm – got home, went through his shortlisted roadies

9.10pm – sent out mass SMS to all potential sellers

9.15pm – no reply

3.12.2012

10am – a handful replied, but mostly sold

4.12.2012

4.35pm – received a SMS stated, “Ada bang..”

4.50pm – negotiation begun via voice call

4.55pm – agreement reached between both parties

5.06pm – texted me his home address which was at Simpang Pulai, Ipoh

Scott and Mad Dog

 6.12.2012

3.00pm – Jason started his journey to Butterworth

4.45pm – Arrived at meeting point

5.10pm – Met him there and picked him up

6.49pm – Seller texted, “Bro dekat mana dah?”

7.30pm – Arrived at destination. Met the seller, chat a little, test the bike, pass him the cash and head back home

10.00pm – Back in Penang

Jason enjoying the view

As of today, we have ridden twice together totaling a humble distance of 100km. He has also shown significant improvement from his last ride. Was it worth it to travel 400km within 4hours to look for a bike? Yes it was because I finally have a cycling buddy who I’m close with. Cycling with the ‘semi-pros’ in Penang is really challenging and fun in its own ways, but cycling with close friends despite the slower cruising speed, makes the ride sweeter. Of course, to improve, I still have to practice independent culture. 

Jason and his Scott

Now we have eeleen, calvin, darien, benson, Jason, etc. Maybe we should form our own cycling club.

TYR Inseam Tri Shorts

My latest addition in my sports wardrobe is the TYR Inseam Tri Shorts. I got it off eBay for only USD25.03 + shipping fees of USD10.90 = Equivalent to RM109.01. That is a really good bargain for a high quality and comfortable tri shorts. This is my first tri shorts, the rest I have is a suit. And problem with a tri suit is you can't adjust your 'jewels' and peeing/pooing is quite a hassle. Thus, getting a tri shorts or a 2 piece suit will definitely give you more freedom if your 'jewels' tend to move a lot during rides or runs. =P If you know what I'm saying.

With a tri shorts, I can use it for swimming, cycling and running. 3 functions for the price of 1, RM109.01/3 = RM35.34 for each sport that I spent on. My hard earn money well spent. You might ask what about the quality. I've tested it for my 40k ride last night and it was really comfortable. The length is just nice, and even though the pad looks/feels thinner than my replica cycling shorts, it gave me more cushion and comfort compared to those. Don't be fooled by it's slimness.

The design is plain and simple, just like how I like it. What I like about this shorts is the small pocket behind where you can put your powergels or an Iphone while working out. No doubt this is my best purchase for 2013. With the price I'm paying, it's almost impossible to find a similar product with that kind of reputation in the local market or online store in Penang or Malaysia.

My advice is, before making any purchase, do visit eBay, the world's online marketplace that buys and sells practically anything.

It also comes together with a cool tag with simple quotes of motivation.

Click to purchase

"We're a company started by athletes and populated by athletes. The cultures and communities of competitive swimming and triathlons pervade our offices. We are dedicated to re-imagining technologies that help athletes attain peak performance. Like athletes, we work with an intense spirit of competition. We aim to create the fastest, most advanced technologies and products. Always."

New Court Shoe

Sports is an expensive hobby, well, not to all but to me. My last court shoe which was an Asics lasted almost 2 years, and now sudah koyak. But still can wear la. So it was time to hunt for a new pair of court shoe. I was thinking of getting another Asics because it is really comfortable and solid. But the design is a little less attractive. 

I now join my company's weekly futsal game and they advised me to change my shoe. I was a little surprise when I received a call from a colleague of mine, volunteering to fetch me to Al-Ikhsan to look for shoes.My company really have nice malay chaps. 

Lo and behold, this striking yellow Adidas Sala was calling out my name, I walked towards it, grabbed it, touched it, throw it up in the air and smelled it. Fuh... nice but it was really pricey! RM270 for that. Hell no! Next thing I know, I was out from the shop with the shoe in my hand and hole in my pocket. One of the main reason I bought this shoe was to match Innebandy!Co's next year jersey kit. I'm gonna be a bananaman.

In addition to that, I've upgraded my Floorball stick and my stick bag. I've spent at least RM800 just for Floorball. Other sports le? Also got new sports wear and equipment, but let's save it for another post. Too much negative sign here. 

Adidas Top Sala

Banana Shoe

On a brighter note, as long as you're happy with your purchase, it's worth it. =)

Finally...

I've achieved my weekly target based on my STAR training program. It took me 4weeks to finally achieve it and the satisfaction is just yummy yummy yummy. I've learned a few things from it.

1. It's not easy to achieve those targeted heart rate for x time. Because we wouldn't know which zone we're training at and that makes it difficult.
2. You may be training hard but you may not be training effectively. Something to ponder on.
3. It is not that easy to improve your fitness level without a guide/coach.
4. I have to go through that kinda 'shit' every week if I really want to improve.
5. Your weights training/body pump does not contribute more than 5% of the THR because it's a different kind of training.
6. I need to train at least 4 times a week.
7. You can't cheat. =(

But I do not know how effective this STAR training program is and I'm gonna be the white mice experimenting it. You may ask how would I know whether my fitness level is improving? Well, there is this fitness test function that comes together with my Polar FT80.

The result of the Polar Fitness Test is called OwnIndex. It is a score that is comparable to VO2max (ml x min-1 x kg-1 ), a commonly used descriptor of aerobic/cardiovascular fitness. Your OwnIndex value rises as you get fitter. To follow your fitness progress, start by measuring your OwnIndex a couple of times during the first two weeks to get a baseline value. Thereafter, repeat the test approximately once a month. When I just started my VO2max is 62.

my result and the chart

So I will check my VO2max in a few weeks time. Fingers cross. So what do I get when I achieve my weekly target. This is really fun and encouraging. You get a trophy and it appears on your watch. This week's message was EXCELLENT. Haven't heard this for a very long time. Dang! It feels good and motivating.

=)

my watch before achieving target. just date and time

after reaching weekly target. date, time and a trophy

And you can't hide and take that trophy away from your display. So if people ask me for time, I can proudly show them my trophy on my wrist. Wah...damn champion. Hahaha. damn lansi me. Work until gila d. wohooooooooooooooooooooo.

My overall result from my polarpersonaltrainer. Never regret buying such a gadget, Viva Polar FT80. If you wanna improve, you gotta do something. That's what I call independent culture. I will be missing 3 weeks for Floorball training with Innebandy!Co's team elite. I guess this is the little I can do to prepare myself for the long awaited PFL division 1.

First Workout With FT80

I think I need a name for my watch. I have Ima, I have Kim, I have Oprah, now what? Polar? Sounds boring...if you have any suggestions please let me know. The function is pretty cool...you can upload all your result through this data transmitter thingy via usb. very canggih....just put my watch on it, and the data will transfer by itself.

As you can see below...my result of last night's ride up to Balik Pulau. I burned 1042 calories and you can see the 3 different zones. I was in Zone 3 when I started climbing the hills. One thing I noticed is my heart rate drops really fast when the workout is not intense. So, don't rest too much or else your workouts will be in vain.

This is my first ride to BP after my knee surgery. My time is definitely slowly than my usual but when I reach the BP town, my heart was really filled with joy. I can't thank Him enough for this moment I never thought I could achieve again. On top of that, I received a round of applause from the state development guys and girls who were there. I really felt motivated and strong. Now it's time to pick up my stamina and strength again.

[ima fell sick on the way up there. need to send her to the doctor]

$hopping!

I have been aiming for this 'hot babe' for almost a year d. Think.Eat.Sleep about it all day long. I first saw it on Men's Health magazine on the cover page. She is no typical cover girl because she appeared at the last page. I was furious! How come a sexy thing like that appears on the last page. =( Nonetheless...I search her high and low, in and out through the internet. Walaueh....damn chun! Read bout her, did my research and checked her out.

Two days ago I couldn't tahan any longer! The more I see it, the more I'm tempted to get her. At first I was just walking pass it, but she made her move. Maybe not her, but her 'owner'. I fell into the trap and walk straight into the unknown future. The 'owner' strip whatever's of her and pass it to me. Walau!!fainted, heart beat fast fast. nose bleed, face turned red. I LOST SELF CONTROL and I...bought her. =)

my lovely FT80

It really burned a big hole in my pocket but all its functions and features are really what I want. Will share about my training experience with it soon.

I've Check Her Out

Finally I'm back in the pool! New environment and my gf says..she's a gf with benefits =p She's talking about her condo's swimming pool, not anything else. =p Her pool is slightly bigger than mine and the best thing about her pool is, the water is warm in there. Can't explain how is that possible but yea...it's warm. Oh yayaya., she said my swimming speed was slow. hahaha.

After that I went to check out the used Giant TCR bike. I kinda like it a first sight, but its a really old model, a 2003 model with aloy frame. The one I googled was a carbon frame which is the TCR Once bike. This is different from that, however the owner really took good care of it, and it looks brand new. It looked cleaner than Ima. =x Btw, I just bathe Ima today. She's white as snow now. =)

I did test ride on it, slighty lighter than Ima and the wheelset is pretty slim. I bet I can go faster with this. This means I'm gonna get a bike which is almost the same as Ima. Hmmmmm...He is willing to let it go for 1.7K (after nego) and the intial price after upgrade and everything was about 4K. Not too sure whether I should get it. =x

Gonna face Frontliners Spartan later this afternoon. Excited!!!!!!!!

[fw + swim]

Save The Planet Please =/

I can feel the temperature rising! I do think earth hour shouldn't be the only event that encourages people to turn of their electrical appliances. Everyone should do their part. Better do it now before its too late.

As I was doing my usual ride to TB and back, I was drenched/flooded with sweat half way through my journey. My hands were soaking wet, my helmet...fuh!! the sponge in it was absorbing all the sweat till it started to drip because it's over flowing. I could taste salt around my lips, it made me more thirsty. I've never sweat so much before, further more it was an early morning ride. =x What's happening to planet earth?

I'm thinking of getting a new bike;

[Giant TCR Once]

or

[Giant TCR Advance]

Ima is still doing well, she's good but I need an ori bike. Money money money? How can I get more of you?

[FW + 42 k bike + prevent global warming please]

My Phone Died of Hypothermia

On my way to PISA for state physical training, I was caught in a heavy rain half along Jelutong Expressway. Can't do much but just hope that my phone and my cyclemeter survives. I kept checking on the screen just to make sure it still works.

When I got there, most of the guys and girls were already there. LinKen came to me and told me that I inspired him to run from his house to PISA. Ha!ha! Its a mental thing I tell you. Good job bro!

Our Coach came and brief us on the rules and punishment (100 push ups for every offence) if we don't comply with the 'law'. So be begin...before heading there, I was inspired by a running article on a blog, ' How to Think Like the Pros'. So I thought to myself, why not trying those mental exercise. And it really works!

We did 5loops around PISA which was about 5.3 km and I clocked 18m 20s. Average speed of 11.2 km/h. It was more like an interval training with lots of sprints in between. It was tiring. Fuuuuuuuuh. My last 500 m was torturing, I had to follow my coach's pace on his bike and I could feel me running without oxygen in my lungs. He was pushing me to my limits which I enjoyed. =)

Then it was time to head home, clouds were looking really dark and heavy. Sam offered me and Ima a ride home but I thought the rain would delay for me. Haha! I was wrong about it and I gotta pay a heavy price. I continued cycling under the downpour till it got super super heavy that's when I decided to stop and turn into a coffee house along Jelutong Expressway. All eyes are on me. I don't know why.

Its too heavy to continue on, so its pitstop for me. I was feeling cold and hungry. I overheard a drunk uncle talking to come chinese high school girls about me.

uncle: aneh kuan a boyfren luan ai bo? ho liau ar e. (this type of bf you want or not? very good)
girls: mai la...dam dam aneh chao bi. (don't want la. wet wet. damn smelly)

I really stink that time. As I was wiping my phone, it just died. Can't on it even I got home. Its gone. Maybe its true, I can't live without you, maybe two is better than one. Why leave me at a time like this? =(

Some people say I run faster and longer than the rest because I'm a triathlete but that's not true. I believe everyone running last night can beat me easily. Its how much you want to improve and how strong your head is. Its all about Independent Culture.

[BP + 30K bike + 5.3K run]

Online Shopping

I have never trusted buying things online but now, I'm a frequent online shopper. Its addictive because its so easy and convenient. It also feels like a game, transactions can be done with a few mouse clicks.

My latest purchase is a cycling jersey set, its a Cervelo but of course it ain't original. An original set would cost about RM500++ For now, I just need an extra set so I could use it when the other one is being washed. Budget budget.

[the package]

[top]

[bottom]

[top+bottom]

I'm planning to ride up Balik Pulau this coming Wednesday to support the Penang Girl's State team againts Unihawks of USM. Hopefully I can reach there before the game starts. As I was driving back from State training last Tues, I'm imagining the route I'll be pedalling. Its gonna be pure torture! If you see me, do give me some words of encouragement. =)

[upper body + come support the girl's team.14oct09.balik pulau sports complex]

Leave Me Method

This technique works for one who are not too motivated when it comes to running/training. If you struggle to hold you pace or continue running, don't worry. Still got hope. Last Friday, I followed my 'client's' car to Botanic Gardens and did a couple of laps around there.

After our 'PT' session she left home without me. That was intentional le of course. Which girl would wanna dump me behind? Hahaha! Kidding kidding. It happened before. Anyway, back to our topic. So this leave me no choice but the run back home. Cool huh? As you're feeling hungry and thirsty, you got no choice but to speed all the way back home. Also bring some cash in case you really need drink desperately.

While I was running back, I realized Nike Pro's air ventilation ain't too good. I had to roll my shirt up leaving my abs/belly unclothe to cool my hot body off. Hot as in panas, not................ ala you get my point. =)

Results from my w580i;

Distance
6.5km
Time
35.17
Average speed
11.0km/h
Maximum speed
21.4km/h

Distance from Google Earth

7.5km

So where did another 1km went to?

4.6min/km or 5.4min/km

Mum was downstairs when I got back home and she think I'm crazy. 'Wah...you know how far or not?! Don't push yourself so much. This kinda sport need a strong heart wan.' She said. I replied, 'It's really not that far and I have a strong heart. My heart is stronger than what you think. Please support me at IMMY 2012.haha'

The mental will is a muscle that needs training like the other muscles of the body.

I found out this weekend how very true that was. My mind was tired from work, meetings and all. It took some willpower to continue training despite all that. This can be applied in other aspects in life as well, not only in sports. It may be your studies, work, relationship with people and God. Everything begins from your mind.

[7K run & swim]

Inner Sho(cir)-cle

A player’s potential is determined by those closest to him. Inner Circle. My mum, dad, grandma and cousin always complaint that my shoes are taking a lot place on the stairs(that's where I put my shoes). They always ask why do I need so many pairs of shoe, in contrast to likealostghost who only live with his one and only converse. And my reply is always, 'likealostghost don't do sports ma.ha!ha!'

[welcome to my Inner Circle]

[likealostghost's only shoe]

Before realizing the importance of different shoes and its function, I use to believe I only need 1 shoe for all sports, whether its running, floorball-ing or others. As I grow and mature through my years in the sports world, I came to a realization that no one shoe can do all things that another can do better. Like us humans, we can't be good in everything. That's why we need people with different strengths to compliment our weaknesses.

[cycle.run.floorball]

Let's have a look at my Inner Sho(cir)-cle:-

[Run.Jog.Gym]

My Adidas Attune is a CLIMACOOL® product which contain ventilation channels, wicking, and flow mapping which keeps me cool by actively expelling heat. When your body is cool, you perform better, furthermore it's light. I use this a lot for running and gym purposes. We've completed KL marathon - 10K and the Desaru's sprint triathlon together. Many more to come.
Cost - RM299.90 - RM50 discount voucher = RM249.90

This is my another Adidas Litestrike, I got this as my birthday present. This was my replacement for my another gym shoe cause I left it at the gym and it got stolen. I was so so upset. I got this for about RM120++ if I'm not mistaken. There's a lot of cushioning in it which makes it comfortable. After just using it for a few months, it started to open its 'mouth'. That's why you can see the mark of stitches. We've completed the Komtar tower run together. Cost - FOC + RM30 for sewing the sole = RM30.

[Court shoe. Floorball.cum Cycle]

This is my first Puma shoe I got for myself. I bought this shoe cuz my Floorball coach kinda 'ban' those Nike futsal shoe. We've been through a lot of Floorball tournaments together. Its a lil heavy in comparison to the Nike futsal shoe but the stability and comfort is there. The only setback is I keep falling down in court. Not sure whether its the shoe or me. haha!
Cost - RM200++

I have a collection of this kinda shoe. It is my favourite type of court shoe because the price is reasonable, it has the looks and its light. I buy it every year. The only setback is that it can only last for a year and it has no cushioning. I remember buying this shoe with the Salibandy!Co guys a night before our tournament (We got Champions for that tournament). It was so last minute that I had to bang on the shop to get the shoe out of there. It has now turned into my cycling shoe because its light and it is aerodynamic.
Cost - RM129.90

[Casual]

[My second Puma. I guess Usain Bolt con me into getting another Puma. Ha!ha!]

[Ever faithful shoe that has served me for more than 5years. So durable and long lasting]

If you notice, all my shoes are white in colour except one. It just so me. =p Together they serve and work together with me, so we could achieve greater heights and expand our boundaries. Thank you shoes. I wouldn't be where I am today without y'all. Have a productive year ahead yo' and great job!