On Thursday, I registered for the 21 km KLIM race.
On Friday night Kenneth called me up but I was away from the phone. I called him back and we agreed to meet at 6.45 am at the first toll plaza on the Federal highway.
Saturday morning I had my usual breakfast mix of oatmeal, milo and oatmilk meal. Proceeded to the toilet to uhm, do things, then take a bath and later get dressed. The toll plaza was only 7 minutes away from the house - I reached it at 6.30 am. I SMSed to Kenneth my car reg number.
At 6.38 am, a car showed up behind and someone was the wheel - it looked like Kenneth. I drove off with Kenneth following from behind.
When we reached there, I put on my shoes and we did some stretching. Although it was still dark, we nevertheless started running. We ran the large loop around the lake. It was quiet with few people and we did the first lap in 26 minutes. Each lap is about 4 - 4.2 km.
We ran the second lap a lot faster at 23 minutes (5 min 45 seconds per km, 7.5 min for 1.3 km). I am not sure why we ran faster, maybe were were too comfortable with the first one.
The 2nd lap took a lot of out of us so I stopped by the car to have a drink of water. Kenneth was drinking his Excel isotonic water. Me ? I wish I had taken 100 Plus with me. At this I had to point I had urge to defecate so I had to visit the toilet. I told Kenneth to continue and I will run on the opposite direction.
After business was done, I continued to run . My legs were becoming a bit sore at the 10km mark. I met up with Kenneth after 10 minutes and then doubled back to run together.
The 4th lap and last lap was quite hard for both of us. Kenneth's legs were sore and he let go with a few expletives to keep him going. My legs became sorer but I just had to keep going without the expletives.
We finished up the carpark and stretched our sore legs. We left the park at 9.00 am.
Work out summary
Distance : 16-17 km
Time : 1 hr 35 minutes 40 seconds
Pace : 6 min per km.
Equivalent 21 km time : 2 hrs 9 minutes
Positive aspects : Managed to complete 16 km.
Problems : Sore legs after 10 km, toilet problem at 10 km (2nd time during LSD run)
My sore legs after 10 km point out the lack of LSD training. I plan to run 1 x 16 km and 1 x 20 km before Nilai half marathon.
The toilet stop at 10 km is a concern. Perhaps I need to have potty training as well.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Far Eastern Economic Review - Issue #2
I received the 2nd issue of the new Far Eastern Economic Review today. I will keep receiving it until the value of the old FEER subscription is used up.
In this issue, there were two letter praising the new FEER. There were no letters published critical of the new FEER. I don't know what to make of this - seems to be a rather unbalanced view of the new FEER. I suspect the new management decided not to publish the negative letters. In contrast, the old FEER did publish letters critical of the magazine contents. But I will give the new management, the benefit of the doubt, maybe they did not have sufficient space to publish these letters.
There are the usual articles of which half were written by ademics (professor xx and so) and some from think tanks. There are some analysis made on various economic and political issues. However the analysis were run of the mill type and contains nothing which could have otherwise be obtained from other sources like The Asian Wall Street Journal or the Economist.
If I can compare it with food ; it is like eating tomyam (spicy soup) without the fiery taste of chillies and lemongrass. In other word, the articles and analysis were somewhat insightful but bland and if I may say boring.
There are no controversial issues which can annoy goverments or make politicians squirm. I remember in the old FEER, reading about Thailand's drug campaign (2,500 alleged drug pushers killed in 2004) and the human rights and NGOs who critised Thaksin, Thailand's currrent premier.
Interestingly enough on the 2nd page, there is a list of employees for the new FEER. There are 9 employees, all with titles xxx director. Here xxx is the various job functions e.g. Managing, Finance etc. I guess that is why the FEER has so many academics contributors. What is really missing is the on the ground journalist (locally based) who has his ears and nose on happenings. The ones who can pick up potential stories from coffee shops and local people.
The 2nd issue also offered a subscription service : USD 100 per year (10 issues). Looking at the present state of the new FEER offering bland analysis and clearly steering away from potentially controversial issues. It now panders to the conservative set and appears to be inclined towards preservation of the status quo in society.
I will not be taking up the subscription offer. For the record, I was a FER subcriber for 16 years.
For other articles about the demise of the FEER, see the followig websites: Site 1 , Site 2 and Site 3.
In this issue, there were two letter praising the new FEER. There were no letters published critical of the new FEER. I don't know what to make of this - seems to be a rather unbalanced view of the new FEER. I suspect the new management decided not to publish the negative letters. In contrast, the old FEER did publish letters critical of the magazine contents. But I will give the new management, the benefit of the doubt, maybe they did not have sufficient space to publish these letters.
There are the usual articles of which half were written by ademics (professor xx and so) and some from think tanks. There are some analysis made on various economic and political issues. However the analysis were run of the mill type and contains nothing which could have otherwise be obtained from other sources like The Asian Wall Street Journal or the Economist.
If I can compare it with food ; it is like eating tomyam (spicy soup) without the fiery taste of chillies and lemongrass. In other word, the articles and analysis were somewhat insightful but bland and if I may say boring.
There are no controversial issues which can annoy goverments or make politicians squirm. I remember in the old FEER, reading about Thailand's drug campaign (2,500 alleged drug pushers killed in 2004) and the human rights and NGOs who critised Thaksin, Thailand's currrent premier.
Interestingly enough on the 2nd page, there is a list of employees for the new FEER. There are 9 employees, all with titles xxx director. Here xxx is the various job functions e.g. Managing, Finance etc. I guess that is why the FEER has so many academics contributors. What is really missing is the on the ground journalist (locally based) who has his ears and nose on happenings. The ones who can pick up potential stories from coffee shops and local people.
The 2nd issue also offered a subscription service : USD 100 per year (10 issues). Looking at the present state of the new FEER offering bland analysis and clearly steering away from potentially controversial issues. It now panders to the conservative set and appears to be inclined towards preservation of the status quo in society.
I will not be taking up the subscription offer. For the record, I was a FER subcriber for 16 years.
For other articles about the demise of the FEER, see the followig websites: Site 1 , Site 2 and Site 3.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Website by another Malaysian Runner
Out of nowhere, a new runner showed up in PM1's website last week. It is very rare to have female runners in Malaysia and I believe she is the first female runners to have a wesbite in Malaysia. Her website is here.
Logged in my blog site and unexpectedly found five user names; Joezack and others listed in the username field. I have never used those user names before and have never typed them in. Who are these people anyway. Were they trying to hack into my site?
My message to these unknown people is "Fak off".
My message to these unknown people is "Fak off".
Monday, January 24, 2005
iPod Download Update #2
Tonight I managed to download another 8 CDs into the iPod. I have another 70 CD's to finish the job.
I have no life !. My free time is spent downloading stuff into the iPod.
I have no life !. My free time is spent downloading stuff into the iPod.
Training Plan for KLIM Half Marathon
My injured left foot has improved a lot. There is still some swelling after I finish a run but it's not too bad. The deep blister at the foot arch I had been getting before is also not there anymore. So it's steadily imprving but I am a bit worried about the injury becoming a long term problem. Anyway the improvement is enough to allow me to train for the 21 km KLIM. Yipee!
With only 5 weeks to go, I have to focused my trainng for endurance rather speed. My aim is to be able to run non-stop for the full distance, hopefully without injury. The training program I will be following will short easy run on most days with a LSD run once a week. The whole thing looks like this:-
4th week Jan. : Easy runs 5.2 -6.5 km., 1 x 7.8 km , LSD 16 km. 2 rest days
1st week Feb. : Easy runs 5.2 -6.5 km., 1 x 7.8 km , LSD 16 km. 2 rest days
2nd week Feb : Easy runs 6.5. -7.8 km., 1 x 9.1 km , LSD 20 km. 2 rest days
3rd week Feb : Easy runs 6.5-7.8 km., 1 x 9.1 km , taper & Nilai run 21 km. 2 rest days
4th week Feb : Easy runs 5.2-6.5 km. , taper & KLIM 21 km.
With only 5 weeks to go, I have to focused my trainng for endurance rather speed. My aim is to be able to run non-stop for the full distance, hopefully without injury. The training program I will be following will short easy run on most days with a LSD run once a week. The whole thing looks like this:-
4th week Jan. : Easy runs 5.2 -6.5 km., 1 x 7.8 km , LSD 16 km. 2 rest days
1st week Feb. : Easy runs 5.2 -6.5 km., 1 x 7.8 km , LSD 16 km. 2 rest days
2nd week Feb : Easy runs 6.5. -7.8 km., 1 x 9.1 km , LSD 20 km. 2 rest days
3rd week Feb : Easy runs 6.5-7.8 km., 1 x 9.1 km , taper & Nilai run 21 km. 2 rest days
4th week Feb : Easy runs 5.2-6.5 km. , taper & KLIM 21 km.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
iPod Download Update
I've been busy since yesterday downloading my audio CDs collection into the the iPod. Progress to date :
- No. of tracks downloaded = 356
- No. of CDs downloaded = about 40
- Remaining CD's to be downloaded = about 80
I have only downloaded (30%) of my CD collection. It's going to take another 2 weekends to finish the job :-(
- No. of tracks downloaded = 356
- No. of CDs downloaded = about 40
- Remaining CD's to be downloaded = about 80
I have only downloaded (30%) of my CD collection. It's going to take another 2 weekends to finish the job :-(
Sunday : LSD Run around Tasik Shah Alam
This was to be my first LSD run for the KLIM half marathon. The night before I had considered going to Bukit Aman to join the 20 km run with the KL runners. It would have been fun but it would meant I had to wake up at 3.30 am. I settled for the doing the LSD run around Tasik Shah Alam.
I woke up at 6.00 am and had a breakast mix of oatmeal, milo and oatmilk powder. Took a bath and did the essential business. By 6.30 am I started driving but a decided to detour to the Klang stadium car park. Even at the early hours of darkness, there were already about 20 parked cars. In the darkness, I saw shadows running inside the stadium. I saw Ah Keong's car, he must have started early. I could not see any Klang Pacer runners so decided to continue to Shah Alam.
I arrived at the car park at 6.50 am. It was still dark and I drank half a bottle of water and then did some stretching. I started running at 7.00 am at a slow pace passing a few walkers. Some stretches were quite dark and I had to be careful as the ground was uneven at some stretches.
After 15 minutes, I experienced an emergency situation - had to make a stop at the toilet to finish an unfinished bussiness. Groping in dark to remove my shorts and dripping with sweat, I finished the urgent task. Relief at last !.
I ran at a faster pace during the second lap. From just above the tree tops, the sky was vivid with orange and red colours. Sunrise. It was a beautiful sight and I was running well - this was running at it's best.
I kept going around the lake. More people were around but there only a handful of runners. There were two groups of women (mostly malay) practising Qi Gong. They were mostly of mak cik age with body proportions to match their mak cik status.
Near the Library end, I was running beside a Malay guy and started to chat with him. We ran together for another lap. His name was Azwan and he normally ran the smaller loop (6 minutes - 1 km?) normally for 45 minutes. This time he ran with me around the longer loop. He told me this run was a record of sort for him; it was the longest he had ever run ; 1 hour.
For the last 600 m, I ran almost flat out for a quick speed session. All in all a satisfying first LSD run in 2005.
Distance = approximately 12 km, time = 1 hr 15 minutes.
On the way back to home, I stopped at the Klang stadium. I saw about half a dozen Klang Pacer runners resting after their LSD run.
What compells us runners to go through such exertions and effort ? Is it a simply out of habit or obsession? Or is it more than these? That we are most alive when we run. Yeah, that must be it.
I woke up at 6.00 am and had a breakast mix of oatmeal, milo and oatmilk powder. Took a bath and did the essential business. By 6.30 am I started driving but a decided to detour to the Klang stadium car park. Even at the early hours of darkness, there were already about 20 parked cars. In the darkness, I saw shadows running inside the stadium. I saw Ah Keong's car, he must have started early. I could not see any Klang Pacer runners so decided to continue to Shah Alam.
I arrived at the car park at 6.50 am. It was still dark and I drank half a bottle of water and then did some stretching. I started running at 7.00 am at a slow pace passing a few walkers. Some stretches were quite dark and I had to be careful as the ground was uneven at some stretches.
After 15 minutes, I experienced an emergency situation - had to make a stop at the toilet to finish an unfinished bussiness. Groping in dark to remove my shorts and dripping with sweat, I finished the urgent task. Relief at last !.
I ran at a faster pace during the second lap. From just above the tree tops, the sky was vivid with orange and red colours. Sunrise. It was a beautiful sight and I was running well - this was running at it's best.
I kept going around the lake. More people were around but there only a handful of runners. There were two groups of women (mostly malay) practising Qi Gong. They were mostly of mak cik age with body proportions to match their mak cik status.
Near the Library end, I was running beside a Malay guy and started to chat with him. We ran together for another lap. His name was Azwan and he normally ran the smaller loop (6 minutes - 1 km?) normally for 45 minutes. This time he ran with me around the longer loop. He told me this run was a record of sort for him; it was the longest he had ever run ; 1 hour.
For the last 600 m, I ran almost flat out for a quick speed session. All in all a satisfying first LSD run in 2005.
Distance = approximately 12 km, time = 1 hr 15 minutes.
On the way back to home, I stopped at the Klang stadium. I saw about half a dozen Klang Pacer runners resting after their LSD run.
What compells us runners to go through such exertions and effort ? Is it a simply out of habit or obsession? Or is it more than these? That we are most alive when we run. Yeah, that must be it.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
iPoD and Long Run
Today I went to Low Yat Plaza to but an iPod. I was there (10.20 am) even before the IT shops were opened. There were a number of mat sallehs around - Low Yat must be famous around the world!
After wandering around the IT shops, I managed to resist the temptation to buy other stuff like a scanner and a DVD writer. I was there to buy an iPoD. Actually I have another MP3 hard disk player. I used it about a dozen times and gave up. It's a bit too big for my taste and the ergonomics is not very good. Anyway, there was only 1 shop selling iPods but they had run out of the 20GB model. So I had to make my way to the shops on the ground floor.
I bought the 20GB model (Rm 1,499) and two accessories; a cover and a FM tranmitter. The FM transmitter can transmit iPod music to an FM receiver. Quite useful in the car which was the main reason I bought it. The price was RM 249. When I opened the box, there was a cylinder about 2.5 inches long. RM 249 %$#% !. This small thing must have cost less than RM 50 to produce.
Called Jamie at the Klang PETRONAS station. He told me there was a 20 and 30k practice run at Bukit Aman. Registration starts at 5.00 am. That means I have to wake up at 3.30 am on a Sunday. Still thinking about this business of waking up at 3.30 am. I was planning to run 16 km around tasik Perdana in Shah Alam . It's only 10 minutes there and I usually start at 6.45 am. So I only need to wake up at 5.45 am, 2 hrs later. I also have not at this place for about 6 months. Still undecided as of now.
iPod and long run? Well they are not compatible with each other. The iPod is just too heavy and fragile for a long run. For this purpose, I have an MP3 player except I don't really use it when I run outdoor. I only use it when running on a treadmill.
After wandering around the IT shops, I managed to resist the temptation to buy other stuff like a scanner and a DVD writer. I was there to buy an iPoD. Actually I have another MP3 hard disk player. I used it about a dozen times and gave up. It's a bit too big for my taste and the ergonomics is not very good. Anyway, there was only 1 shop selling iPods but they had run out of the 20GB model. So I had to make my way to the shops on the ground floor.
I bought the 20GB model (Rm 1,499) and two accessories; a cover and a FM tranmitter. The FM transmitter can transmit iPod music to an FM receiver. Quite useful in the car which was the main reason I bought it. The price was RM 249. When I opened the box, there was a cylinder about 2.5 inches long. RM 249 %$#% !. This small thing must have cost less than RM 50 to produce.
Called Jamie at the Klang PETRONAS station. He told me there was a 20 and 30k practice run at Bukit Aman. Registration starts at 5.00 am. That means I have to wake up at 3.30 am on a Sunday. Still thinking about this business of waking up at 3.30 am. I was planning to run 16 km around tasik Perdana in Shah Alam . It's only 10 minutes there and I usually start at 6.45 am. So I only need to wake up at 5.45 am, 2 hrs later. I also have not at this place for about 6 months. Still undecided as of now.
iPod and long run? Well they are not compatible with each other. The iPod is just too heavy and fragile for a long run. For this purpose, I have an MP3 player except I don't really use it when I run outdoor. I only use it when running on a treadmill.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Moving to Tower 2
I hate packing and moving but the entire department is moving from Tower 1 to Tower 2, Petronas Twin Towers at 4.00 pm. The only consolation is the furniture in the new office is better than Tower 1. That and the view to KLCC park is nearer from Tower 2. Hope I will be sitting at a spot where I can see the park.
Monday, January 17, 2005
The No.1 Reason to be a Runner
My colleague and friend died on Saturday of kidney failure. He's had a weight problem for long time and was not in the best of health. It is well known that being overweight and obese is a big risk factor for various types of diseases. Some say it's OK to be fat as long one is fit. In fact, this is not true. The message is being fat and fit is not enough ; you have to be slim and be fit at the same time.
I am not specifically recommending running but regular physical exercise is a must for everyone. If you don't feel compelled or motivated for yourself , then do it for your loved ones. You do want to see your kids grow up, do you?
I am not specifically recommending running but regular physical exercise is a must for everyone. If you don't feel compelled or motivated for yourself , then do it for your loved ones. You do want to see your kids grow up, do you?
Injury Improving Steadily
Ever since I stopped wearing size 8.5 US shoes ands switched to size 9.0, my injured left foot has been steadily improving. Just imagine, I could have been wearing wrong sized shoes for the past five years!.
Today I am registering for the Nilai half marathon to held on 27 Feb. 2005. I still have doubts if the organisers will be able to hold a well organised race. On many ocassions, races are held for the sake of doing things without much thought of what is needed to organise and run a good race.
Since my injury have been improving rapidly, I will be targetting to run 5.2 to 6.5 km per day this week.
Today I am registering for the Nilai half marathon to held on 27 Feb. 2005. I still have doubts if the organisers will be able to hold a well organised race. On many ocassions, races are held for the sake of doing things without much thought of what is needed to organise and run a good race.
Since my injury have been improving rapidly, I will be targetting to run 5.2 to 6.5 km per day this week.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Ronnie's Pre-wedding Dinner -1 4 Jan. 2005
Ronnie's and Siew Mooi's pre-weedding dinner was held at Taman Wahyu on Friday. This is somewhere in Kepong which is not easily accessible by public transport. So instead of taking public transport, I drove to work.
At 5.50 pm, I left KLCC to drive to Kepong. The traffic jam was just awful. It took me 15 minutes just to move 200 m from the car park to the traffic lights at Jln Ampang-Yap Kwan Seng. While sitting in the car watching the beautiful weather, I could not help but wished I was running at KLCC park. To pass the time away. I spent my time ogling at the girls who were walking. I also found out why the traffic jam was so bad, the traffic light stays green for 20 seconds whereas for red, it was 3 minutes. Whoever sets the traffic light timing at this junction is an idiot ! I SMSed Jamie and he said he and Newton was running at KLCC.
At 6.25 pm, I managed to get pass this traffic and got stuck in another jam. Fortunately I was not bored as I saw this girl wearing tight black trousers walking on the left roadside. I sat in the car mesmerized as her hips swung fro side to side as she walked briskly to Jln. Sultan Ismail.
Another 50 minutes of driving I heavy traffic, I finally arrrived at Ronnie's flat. I walked up the 2nd flr looking for the flat. I passed by a flat which had a red colour cloth on top of the door frame. I was unsure whether this was the right place and walked by. I heard a voice at the back, it was Ronnie's wife. Another girl wearing a black dress escorted to the ground floor where the dinner was held.
The time spent during dinner was basically with the other runners talking about what else running. I think we runners could sometimes bore non-runners while blabbing about our beloved sports. We just can't help ourselves!. In fact I didn't even meet the non-runners at the dinner. I must be have been afflicted with the "We (runners) versus them (non-runners)" disease.
I left at about 9.45 pm while the rest were still talking about more running topics.
At 5.50 pm, I left KLCC to drive to Kepong. The traffic jam was just awful. It took me 15 minutes just to move 200 m from the car park to the traffic lights at Jln Ampang-Yap Kwan Seng. While sitting in the car watching the beautiful weather, I could not help but wished I was running at KLCC park. To pass the time away. I spent my time ogling at the girls who were walking. I also found out why the traffic jam was so bad, the traffic light stays green for 20 seconds whereas for red, it was 3 minutes. Whoever sets the traffic light timing at this junction is an idiot ! I SMSed Jamie and he said he and Newton was running at KLCC.
At 6.25 pm, I managed to get pass this traffic and got stuck in another jam. Fortunately I was not bored as I saw this girl wearing tight black trousers walking on the left roadside. I sat in the car mesmerized as her hips swung fro side to side as she walked briskly to Jln. Sultan Ismail.
Another 50 minutes of driving I heavy traffic, I finally arrrived at Ronnie's flat. I walked up the 2nd flr looking for the flat. I passed by a flat which had a red colour cloth on top of the door frame. I was unsure whether this was the right place and walked by. I heard a voice at the back, it was Ronnie's wife. Another girl wearing a black dress escorted to the ground floor where the dinner was held.
The time spent during dinner was basically with the other runners talking about what else running. I think we runners could sometimes bore non-runners while blabbing about our beloved sports. We just can't help ourselves!. In fact I didn't even meet the non-runners at the dinner. I must be have been afflicted with the "We (runners) versus them (non-runners)" disease.
I left at about 9.45 pm while the rest were still talking about more running topics.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
KLIM - 10 or 21 km ?
I am in a dilemma for the KLIM.
The first question is to run in KLIM or not. My injured foot has been steadily improving since last week. I am now wearing size 9.0 shoes instead 8.5. The larger sized shoes helps a lot. Have I been wearing the wrong size shoes for the past 5 years?
Second do I run in 10 or 21 km? For 10 km, there is only 100 medals available. It is unlikely I will be able to finish in the top 100. For 21km, as long as I finished within 2.5 hrs, the medal is mine. But for 21km, I have to increase my daily training distance from 4 to 8 or 10 km. Then there are long runs of 16 km.
My plan is to run 5.2 km and 6.5 km once a week in the next 2 weeks. Daily training will still be limited to about 4.0 km to avoid aggravation of injury. Then see how it goes. If my foot keeps improving in the next 2 weeks, I will start training in Feb. for 21 km. If not, I may not run in KLIM. I don't plan to run 10 km - it's the same route as the previous 10k races and I have virtually no chance of a medal.
The first question is to run in KLIM or not. My injured foot has been steadily improving since last week. I am now wearing size 9.0 shoes instead 8.5. The larger sized shoes helps a lot. Have I been wearing the wrong size shoes for the past 5 years?
Second do I run in 10 or 21 km? For 10 km, there is only 100 medals available. It is unlikely I will be able to finish in the top 100. For 21km, as long as I finished within 2.5 hrs, the medal is mine. But for 21km, I have to increase my daily training distance from 4 to 8 or 10 km. Then there are long runs of 16 km.
My plan is to run 5.2 km and 6.5 km once a week in the next 2 weeks. Daily training will still be limited to about 4.0 km to avoid aggravation of injury. Then see how it goes. If my foot keeps improving in the next 2 weeks, I will start training in Feb. for 21 km. If not, I may not run in KLIM. I don't plan to run 10 km - it's the same route as the previous 10k races and I have virtually no chance of a medal.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
KLIM - Hotels Near Dataran Merdeka
Some e-mails have been flying around today from our Singaporean runner friends asking about hotels to stay at during the KLIM. Here are some of the hotels near Dataran Merdeka (DM) where the race will start. (Hotels where I have visited the room are marked with *)
5-10 minutes walk to DM (China town or around Jln Petaling)
The best and good value for money places (about RM 100) are:-
1) Hotel Malaya - * large, clean and comfortable rooms with mini bar
2) Mandarin Pacific - * similar standard to Hotel Malaya, renovated in 2003. (>Rm 100??) Tel No: 03-20720336
3) Furama hotel
4) Swiss-Inn - smack in the middle of China town. Price (> RM 100???)
Cheaper places (RM 60-80)
1) Hotel China Town Inn - Passed by this hotel several times, no opinion.
2) Skylight Inn - Chinese style hotel, above restaurant. noisy. Tel no: TBA
15 minutes walk to DM (Jalan Masjid India)
The best and good value for money places (about RM 100) are:-
1) Palace hotel - * small rooms but clean.
2) Champagne hotel - next to Palace hotel. Similar standard. Tel no: 03-2698 6333.
Other hotel listing
5-10 minutes walk to DM (China town or around Jln Petaling)
The best and good value for money places (about RM 100) are:-
1) Hotel Malaya - * large, clean and comfortable rooms with mini bar
2) Mandarin Pacific - * similar standard to Hotel Malaya, renovated in 2003. (>Rm 100??) Tel No: 03-20720336
3) Furama hotel
4) Swiss-Inn - smack in the middle of China town. Price (> RM 100???)
Cheaper places (RM 60-80)
1) Hotel China Town Inn - Passed by this hotel several times, no opinion.
2) Skylight Inn - Chinese style hotel, above restaurant. noisy. Tel no: TBA
15 minutes walk to DM (Jalan Masjid India)
The best and good value for money places (about RM 100) are:-
1) Palace hotel - * small rooms but clean.
2) Champagne hotel - next to Palace hotel. Similar standard. Tel no: 03-2698 6333.
Other hotel listing
Hot Women/Girls in Sports
Some days there are are handful of women exercising worth ogling but on most days, there are none. On those lean days, I concentrate on running and chatting with the other male runners. Today at Azwar's site there was a long chat about hot looking women in sports, music and films. Here my opinion on the most gorgeous women/girls in sports:-
Long Distance running
1) Suzy Favor Hamilton
2) I can't think of anyone else, sob-sob but not the runners fron Africa- they are so thin.
Tennis
1) Maria Sharapova
2) Anna Kournikova
3) Justine Hardine something.
Soccer
Well I don't follow soccer - the women playing soccer seems to be "macho" looking.
Volleyball
I love the small shorts ! Nice bodies especially the Cuban girls.
Table Tennis
Yawn - no outstanding looking women in this sports. But they are fast with them hands!
Long Distance running
1) Suzy Favor Hamilton
2) I can't think of anyone else, sob-sob but not the runners fron Africa- they are so thin.
Tennis
1) Maria Sharapova
2) Anna Kournikova
3) Justine Hardine something.
Soccer
Well I don't follow soccer - the women playing soccer seems to be "macho" looking.
Volleyball
I love the small shorts ! Nice bodies especially the Cuban girls.
Table Tennis
Yawn - no outstanding looking women in this sports. But they are fast with them hands!
Sunday, January 09, 2005
New Shoes - Brooks
Today the weather is fantastic and I will be wearing a new shoe. Yesterday I bought two new pairs of shoes at the Brooks distributor warehouse. They were a bargain at 50% less than the retail price. The shoe models I bought were: Axiom 4 and Radius.
I am reading a book "The Evolution of Desire- Strategies of Human Mating". There is one funny story ilustrating the difference between men and women. Men are usually aroused by many the sight of many women whereas for women, it is the opposite. The books refers this as the Coolidge effect.
President Calvin Coolidge and his wife visited a government farm one day and were taken around on separate tours. Mrs. Coolidge, passing the chicken pens, inquired of a supervisor whether the roosters copulated more than once a day.
I am reading a book "The Evolution of Desire- Strategies of Human Mating". There is one funny story ilustrating the difference between men and women. Men are usually aroused by many the sight of many women whereas for women, it is the opposite. The books refers this as the Coolidge effect.
President Calvin Coolidge and his wife visited a government farm one day and were taken around on separate tours. Mrs. Coolidge, passing the chicken pens, inquired of a supervisor whether the roosters copulated more than once a day.
"Yes," the man said. "Dozens of times." "Tell that," Mrs. Coolidge replied, "to the president!"
Some time later the president, passing the same pens, was told about the roosters - and about his wife's remark. "Same hen every time?" he asked. "Oh, no, a different one each time," the supervisor replied. "Tell that," Coolidge said with a sly nod, "to Mrs. Coolidge."Thursday, January 06, 2005
The Good Old Days
Yesterday the weather was perfect for running, at least after 5.30 pm. (Before 5.30 pm, it was very hot) Slightly cloudy with a slight cooling breeze.
I was stretching at KLCC park when I saw the PM gang; Jamie, Kenneth and Newton running past. What else could I do but to join them?. Soon Yong joined us as well. The pace was 8:20 second per 1.3 km lap. While running, we chatted about what else ; running. There were many welcomed distractions in the form of Leng Luis. It seems to be a trend that Leng Luis always wear tight fitting track bottoms at KLCC. The track bottom follows every contour - sometimes I can even see the "crack". Well I am not complaining about it.
It seems everyone was there to run; Ronnie, Justin and even Karim showed up. The Kg Pandan training group also showed up - they are the faster runners.
I started running consistently five years ago. In the beginning , I ran alone. After some time, I met and came to know the other regular runners at KLCC. They were Yong. Jamie and Yani. Later the others with whom I ran yesterday showed up.
On many ocassions, the runners running together get carried away. We run greater distance than what was planned for the day , for example 8 laps (10.4 km) instead of 6 (7.8 km). Or we may run faster for a short period during surges. I often did just this, often cruising along at a comfortable pace, lap after lap.
Not anymore. Those were the Good Old Days. Nowadays I have to reconsider. When I am about to get into the rythm and cruise mode, I have to stop after only 3 laps (3.9 km). All because of the persistent left foot injury. It is improving but not enough to allow me to run more than 4-5 km.
I don't derive the same Feed Good feeling of running for 4-5 km . The feeling is like being of the verge of ejaculation but then not being able to complete the process. An unfinished business.
Hopefully, I will continue to recover and be able to run farther next month, to experience the rythm and complete the full experience of a run.
I was stretching at KLCC park when I saw the PM gang; Jamie, Kenneth and Newton running past. What else could I do but to join them?. Soon Yong joined us as well. The pace was 8:20 second per 1.3 km lap. While running, we chatted about what else ; running. There were many welcomed distractions in the form of Leng Luis. It seems to be a trend that Leng Luis always wear tight fitting track bottoms at KLCC. The track bottom follows every contour - sometimes I can even see the "crack". Well I am not complaining about it.
It seems everyone was there to run; Ronnie, Justin and even Karim showed up. The Kg Pandan training group also showed up - they are the faster runners.
I started running consistently five years ago. In the beginning , I ran alone. After some time, I met and came to know the other regular runners at KLCC. They were Yong. Jamie and Yani. Later the others with whom I ran yesterday showed up.
On many ocassions, the runners running together get carried away. We run greater distance than what was planned for the day , for example 8 laps (10.4 km) instead of 6 (7.8 km). Or we may run faster for a short period during surges. I often did just this, often cruising along at a comfortable pace, lap after lap.
Not anymore. Those were the Good Old Days. Nowadays I have to reconsider. When I am about to get into the rythm and cruise mode, I have to stop after only 3 laps (3.9 km). All because of the persistent left foot injury. It is improving but not enough to allow me to run more than 4-5 km.
I don't derive the same Feed Good feeling of running for 4-5 km . The feeling is like being of the verge of ejaculation but then not being able to complete the process. An unfinished business.
Hopefully, I will continue to recover and be able to run farther next month, to experience the rythm and complete the full experience of a run.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Escape from the Tsunami - 26 Dec. 2004
It was about 2.00 pm and I was driving to Tanjung Dawai in Kedah. I had planned to take a boat across Tg Dawai crossing the river mouth to Pantai Merdeka. It was a hot and sunny day. From the car, I could see the palm trees parallel to the road. The sea lay just beyond the palm trees.
Suddenly, people in cars in in the opposite lane started to shout and made hand signals. The signals appeared to be asking me to turn around. There was further commotion along the road. Dozens of villagers were standing about. I first thought there was an accident and the road ahead was blocked. A car passed by with a Chinese guy in his 50's. I wound down the windscreen and asked him what was going on. He answered in intelligible Malay. I did not understand what he said .Was it "Gelombang Besar" (Big wave) ?. I continued driving for about 100 m and but had to stop.
I saw severals cars reversing and moving in the opposite lane. Villagers were running out of their houses. Some got on motocycles. Then I saw it on my right... a wave of water about 1 foot high running underneath and in between the houses. It was 100 m away moving fast towards the road. Further up on the road, the wave had reached the road.
A sick feeling came over me. This was no ordinary event; the sea does not come ashore this far. I quickly reversed and drove away. Villagers went pass me in their motocycles and cars. The thought of a tsunami did not cross my mind. I thought it was a freak high tide combined with strong waves. The sort of event which has caused floods in Klang.
Later, I came across road blocks and asked some people what had happened.They said high sea waves bringing mud chest high had swept the area.
Later at 5.00 pm resting in a hotel at Sungei Petani Hotel, I swiched on the TV and found out a tsunami had hit several countries. I pondered my good fortune;
Had I been 5 minutes earlier (3 km from the beach), I could have boarded the boat and be swept away. Or had been a few minutes late, I would have been hit with the wave while driving. Either way, the window between safety and disaster was 5 minutes. Fortunately I was at the right place and right time. I escape unharmed but many others did not.
Suddenly, people in cars in in the opposite lane started to shout and made hand signals. The signals appeared to be asking me to turn around. There was further commotion along the road. Dozens of villagers were standing about. I first thought there was an accident and the road ahead was blocked. A car passed by with a Chinese guy in his 50's. I wound down the windscreen and asked him what was going on. He answered in intelligible Malay. I did not understand what he said .Was it "Gelombang Besar" (Big wave) ?. I continued driving for about 100 m and but had to stop.
I saw severals cars reversing and moving in the opposite lane. Villagers were running out of their houses. Some got on motocycles. Then I saw it on my right... a wave of water about 1 foot high running underneath and in between the houses. It was 100 m away moving fast towards the road. Further up on the road, the wave had reached the road.
A sick feeling came over me. This was no ordinary event; the sea does not come ashore this far. I quickly reversed and drove away. Villagers went pass me in their motocycles and cars. The thought of a tsunami did not cross my mind. I thought it was a freak high tide combined with strong waves. The sort of event which has caused floods in Klang.
Later, I came across road blocks and asked some people what had happened.They said high sea waves bringing mud chest high had swept the area.
Later at 5.00 pm resting in a hotel at Sungei Petani Hotel, I swiched on the TV and found out a tsunami had hit several countries. I pondered my good fortune;
Had I been 5 minutes earlier (3 km from the beach), I could have boarded the boat and be swept away. Or had been a few minutes late, I would have been hit with the wave while driving. Either way, the window between safety and disaster was 5 minutes. Fortunately I was at the right place and right time. I escape unharmed but many others did not.
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