I got a swimming coach...

As you all know, I have been struggling with my swim. Just a few laps and I get very tired. I have been downloading, loading videos and reading countless PDFs on swim and I still fail to improve.

Then as I was browsing my MSN list, a light bulb appear at the top of my head. Ahhhhhh, this guy was a life guard and he conducts swimming lessons as well. So without hesitation I double click his name *click click*.

And he agreed! yes yes!! =)

After only 1 lesson, I have improved 50% from 2 laps to 4 laps. He is very good in analyzing the rights and wrongs and gives good/clear instructions on how to improve. He is also very particular with the small details. Last night, he caught me cheating my way through my strokes. Dang! 'Pull to the end. Don't half way half way come up.'Ed commented. I'm sure I will improve. Those interested to learn swimming or to be more competitive, click here.

One thing I learned about learning is that it is not hard to learn more but what is hard is to unlearn when I discover myself wrong. Habit makes is hard but its not impossible if you're determine .i.e swimming techniques, slap shots, holding the stick with two hands, looking up when you're having the ball, burping, smoking, cursing, etc. If you have a bad habit, its time to break it. And also, never be too proud to ask questions/advices/help.

My first swimming lesson was more than 15 years ago. I remembered mum used to send likealostghost and I for swimming classes and he obviously doesn't enjoy it. Always grumble and don't pay attention to our coach's instructions. I don't think he graduated from that swim school. hahaha! But that doesn't make him less of who he is today. =) Always proud of him.

Learning is like rowing upstream: not to advance is to drop back.
Chinese Proverb

[swim]

One Crazy Night

Last night I did a another loop around my usual route. I felt much stronger with my legs and I thought to myself that I could improve on my time, maybe its because of the cool wheather. While I was riding through Jelutong Expressway, there was a really nasty accident at the other side of the road. A lot of by 'kaypo' people surrounding the area.

Went on smooth, strong and fast until....................... a motorbike came and knocked my front wheels! Walaueh!! The first thing that came to my mind was, 'Gai liao la!! Ima sure gone d.' He just apologized and sped away, claiming that he didn't see me. He was dreaming la! Come on!!! But really thank God that the wheel was still okay and I just got a little scratch on my hand. There goes my personal best (PB) time.

[a pretty deep scratch at my front wheel]

[a small cut, fortunately I was holding the lower handle bar]

[a deep damage at my grip, if my hands were there, gone case]

[fork also not smooth anymore =/]

[broken rear red light and I lost 2 AAA size batteries]

After my accident, I quickly race home because the clouds were turning black and the wind was getting stronger. When I was almost home, there was another rider following me from behind. So I tried to be friendly, turned and say hie. He gave me some pointers, advices and even invited me to his 'geng'. He thinks I'm fast and my stamina is good. Hahaha!

I told him my main sport is Floorball le. Floorball is the foundation for all my physical fitness. So we exchange numbers and he even help me fix my new toy, a cycle computer. Yes!!! My Cateye Strada Wireless. Wohoo! When I fix it on my own, the computer can't seem to connect to the receiver but he saved me. Thanks Sani.

One think I've learned is that we should be friendly if we are good at something. Don't be stuck up and hidung tinggi. Not good for you and people around you. Just cycle and make friends. Even though being friendly is not my strength but I still try. I am shy guy. Ha!ha!

Now I can track my speed and distance more accurately. Don't have to use Google earth anymore. And it was an interesting night.

[40K bike and two lost AAA batteries]

Chiak Chiu

I've been taking a lot of bananas lately and it has become part of my daily diet. Don't really know how much it helps but one thing I'm pretty sure is, mentally I am stronger with this fruit. It gives me the extra boost. haha!

I did a lil' research on bananas; the riper a banana the better it is for you. In fact sugar content in a banana is at its peak when the skin has turned completely black. This is the point at which all the starches in a banana have been converted to sugars.

It also contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

And I did not not that bananas can also help prevent or overcome depression, PMS, hangover, anemia, ulcers, stress, stroke and many more.

[eat me!eat me!i am so affordable]

[3K medium intensity]

X3M Weekend

Non stop action since Thursday till Sunday. Suppose to go for easy walk/jog on Friday with my 'client' but her car's tire 'puncit', but since I'm there already, ala...just go run a few rounds le. That time my muscles already starting to feel it.

Then Sat morning, went for easy swim and I still think my swim suck to the maximum. At night, cannot sleep. Don't know why, maybe because too hungry. Set my alarm at 6am. Woke up a few times to check the time.

Cooo-cu-ko-koooooo. The time has come for the awaited Charity Run for Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital. Woke up, brush teeth, do/feel the usual morning stuff and all set to go.

Reached there about 7.15am and took our yellow hand bands. Waited with the rest at the starting line for the gun to go off. It wasn't as crowded as compared to other runs that I've been but the starting point is really cramp and narrow, causing a mass bottleneck jam. That itself cost me almost 1minute or so.

[Sam - the hand model]

[Starting point]

As usual my objective for the run is to keep my pace and not get 'cut' by others. Started off by trying to get out from the crowd, so have to run the 'rempit' style. Left, right, in, out, sudden break, no signal, sudden acceleration, etc.

After running through botanical gardens, the traffic was much better. More space = More fresh air = Less body odour = more energy. All I did was mark a target with good pace, follow him until I overtake him. Works for me. There were small slopes other than that all flat ground.

Results from my w580i after finishing the race.

Distance
5.8km
Time
30.26
Average speed
11.4km/h
Maximum speed
15.5km/h

Average of 5.1+ minutes per km. Again if I compare my results with the treadmill's result. There's a moderate significant difference. Further detailed analysis is needed.

There were some programes after the run and of course free Vico beverages. Who doesn't want free stuff? And yes of course, the awaited lucky draw which includes a motor bike, I-phone and many more. It started with...

[Body combat]

[Belly dancing/fitness]

and

[a very happy man]

This guy is really sporting and I mean a happy man in a good way. He's supportive and he's the only one who at least tried to follow their moves. All of us were invited to try out the belly fitness. But pai seh la.

[chinese drummer boys]

[my not-so-lucky number]

After some talks from the VIPs, it was drawing time. I really hope I would get something. Numbers after numbers were called. My 3958 wasn't mentioned throughout the draw. Haih.

[a runner winning tonnes of black source]

They gave out about 5 packs of black/soy source. And when this guy walked pass me, I heard someone from behind saying, 'Wahh...eh sai char bee hoon liao.' hahaha.

At the end of the day, we won a medal, a certificate of participation, a hard bread and a bottle of mineral water. I had fun with my buddy Sam, first run together with him and btw he is only minutes behind me. Good job!

[happy Sam with his medal+cert]

[a miracle miler product]


[the harvest are plentiful but the workers are few]

It was 2, then 1

I'm getting excited!! Two runs coming up back to back. Can I handle it? Only time will tell. Since I'll be carpooling with Joshua Hooi of Miracle Mile, I should send him a text to confirm the time and place to meet rite?. Check him out below. Handsome rite? Sumore fit. But I think he's not available d. But I am. *COUGHS*

[Joshua Hooi and Andrew]

[Our SMS conversation]

Me: yo...tomorrow still on?
Josh Miracle Mile: Ah?2moro got what?
Me: i thought we going for the jamboree thingy.
Josh Miracle Mile: Oh!Sori sori!4got2tell u.Only3ppl wanna go.But d organizing's very bad,so we called it off.Not worth it.Sori ar,paiseh..R u primed up4d Lembah Bujang thingy?
Me: kinda looking forward for it.but nevermind le.sunday i got another run.no problem.

Uh wa wa wa!!! Actually ar...he not that handsome nia. =p But I'm still proud to be a Miracle Miler. Interested to know what the logo means? Click 'i'. Miracle Mile.

[Our logo.Me running]

I ran on the treadmill last night and Sam was there as well. It's good/easier when you're running with somebody you know. Kinda push you to go faster and further. Results for last night's run;

Total time – 1hour
Total distance – 12.6km
Average pace – 4.7619 minutes/km

Managed to cut down almost a minute of my average time per km. So.... does that mean my phone's odometer is not accurate? or I run slower outdoor? Need more experiments.

[12.6K run]

Please Let Me Win

For many months and weeks Ps Esther has been preaching on a series of 'Living In the realms of the Miraculous'. Sundays after Sundays, her testimonies keep blowing me off my seat.

On a particular Sunday morning before our service, again, she shared to me, 'My car has been taken care of. =) ' I'm so encourage by her attitude and sharing. Unfortunately she will be leaving to East Timor for mission works. Another farewell. *sigh*

[Ps Esther & her 'sword' on her brother's tanker]

So I thought to myself, if God can do it for her, I'm sure He can do it for me as well. Faith is all I need. Come on!!! Pleeeeeaaaaaaseeeeeeeee...

Its been a while since I win anything big from a lucky draw. I came across this sweep contest which rewards a really good triathlon bike. I need that. hahaha! Ima needs company, she's bored alone at home. Can this happen to me? We shall find out on 31.10.2009.

[Cannondale, come to me, I am waiting for you]

Musician vs Athlete

Went for another bike ride today. It's kinda addictive!!! Yesterday I met one(1) cyclist, today I meet three(3). Went through my new route again, managed to minus off 5minutes from my previous time, making it 55:11. Average speed of 33.7 km/h. Felt stronger during my climb and less traffic light to stop. Today's ride was a little different cause its my first time riding Ima under the sun and the wind was blowing hard against me and her. Fuh!

As I enjoy my last day of my long holidays watching John Mayer's 'Where The Light Is' Live in LA. A thought came to me, 'What if I concentrated and practiced hard on my guitar and be a superb guitarist like him?' I don't have to sweat and suffer all the pain. I just need to work my fingers and use my foot to step on the guitar effects. I could be famous. And 'training' would all be in an air-conditioned room. Wahhh...no hot sun. no weights. no smelly sweat. no cramps. no muscle aches. no breathlessness. no struggles. so...after thinking

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------

----------------------------
-----------------------
-----------------

-------------
---------

----
--
-

Nah...I'll stick with being a dirty, smelly athlete. =p But this concert is really really good!! Please go check it out. It makes you feel like being in the music world. I miss my guitar. =/

Oh...I volunteered to me a helper for IronMonMalaysia2010. I think it would be a good exposure to be there with/around/watching/feeling them. Hope they will get back to me regarding my application.


[31K bike]