Running is a sport, it is not something I would like to force anyone to take up, but unlike excessively playing video games and sleeping and wasting time on the couch too much, running should be one of the easiest sport to pick up. All one need is a jogging shoe and one can start running.

Well, so says me. Of course anyone can beg to differ but when was the last time you thought of running and when was the last time you thought you were fit? Years back during school days? Is one too old to pick this sport up? Giving excuses because you think you are busy doing other things?

Okay, back to my report. This is finally my third time in the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2011 and running the half marathon on the 26th June 2011. It was worth it but with a bad timing compared to my previous records. Here are the timing and updates.

Judging from the above time, it is definitely worse than my previous timing of 2:48:43. What seems to be the problem?

Of course if it is based upon the Cardiotrainer application, I ran about 2:54:10 but let us see the current one that is recorded on the KL Marathon website. It is 2:50:31, roughly about 2 minutes slower than my run a year back.

What more can I say? This is due to lack of practice and sleep. Sleep plays an important part.

Here is how the medal looks like.

Of course, after that, I took my next course of action, which is to practice a little for the BHP Orange Run 2011 held on the 24th July 2011.

BHP Orange Run 2011

It was different this year with more food for the people. Of course, here is my report on what happened to me during that day. I woke up at 7:30am and left straight to the starting point at The Curve. To our bewilderment (yes.. it’s me, Mouse and Oon once again) the race has already begun like 10 minutes ago. We were there 10 minutes late which was 7:10am. So off we go to chase the pack (or rather part of the slow ones). Since we were running to chase up, I have pretty much used up a lot of energy in this run.

Why? Previous day, I had a team building event for the department in the company I am working with.

Of course, not wanting to skipped the whole running and to use this as an excuse, I went ahead with it. Lo and behold, maybe I have too much confidence in myself which has caused my downfall in the Orange Run this year.

I ran like nearly 20 minutes slower than usual. A run which typically I could aim to get around 1 hour has become a run which ended at about 1 hour 20 minutes give and take.

Nevertheless, the Weird One had fun, and it was mistakingly a good one. Along the run, I had like lots of rest by walking compared to the previous runs and cheering other runners and competing with some kid going ahead and he going ahead of me. Of course seeing my friends running ahead of me has somehow slowly demotivated me as it looked like they have beaten me in a run where I used to excel.

Off the record, after the run, it was time for some memories of the run.

It was worth it. So what were my split times based on the application?

My Split Time 6:12 | 6:27 | 6:05 | 6:58 | 7:13 | 8:24 | 7:26 | 7:37 | 8:00 | 7:30

What can be deduced? I grew complacent towards the end. It looks like my stamina has dropped and it is good to keep track of your split times to know which area to improve. More training for me for my next upcoming run which is Shape and Men’s Health Run 2011.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Oh hello everyone!

 

I was going through my usual routine of my facebook checking when I suddenly remembered the brief chat I had with Mr Chew himself the other day. Failed to realise that him “going away next week” was actually this entire week itself! Sorry Daniel. And OH HEY, SAVE ME SOME COCONUTS, MR CHEW! The Malaysian weather is so hot I’m melting in KL!!! 

 

Can I not tell everyone where Daniel actually is now? I mean, try guessing with the available pictures? And come back again to check whether your answer was correct as well as enjoying his awesome photography and wonder where on earth he actually is climbing trees getting coconuts and all. OK? DEAL? OK.

 

Anyway, yes, it’s the summer/ winter holidays!!!- depending on which part of the globe you are actually. Them Aussies are escaping the cold whilst the UK people are well, spending their summer time in where else but the very awesome sunny Malaysia! =) July is a busy month. Friends from Australia and UK are all back and it’s been party time for the past few weeks! It’s insane- and that’s because I stayed out till latest 1am. I KNOW RIGHT, I’M SO HARDCORE I STAY OUT AFTER BED TIME. Kidding. Haha.

 

For one, everyone seems to be celebrating their 21st extravagantly whilst everyone’s around. Mine’s soon! Yes, now you can roughly DEFINITELY know my age. Haha. =)

 

The first 21st party was at Ecoba. Pretty awesome place for drinking, I guess? I have no idea, I don’t drink but the girls seem to love it a lot. The ambiance was fair. Good food, definitely. Haha, it’s funny you know, most of the parties are basically with most guys ended up being the designated drivers. And those people are just mad, making the birthday girls taking shots and making them wasted/ tipsy! The theme was Naughty or Nice and I went as a nice school girl… because that’s what I am!

 

Second 21st party was just so great… falling on the exact date whenthe BERSIH RALLY was going on. Anyone went for the rally? I was banned from going out thus I missed it. MY FRIEND’S PARTY I MEAN. ;P What a shame though. My parents was just worried there’d be such havoc in KL that everywhere’s affected thus the ban on ME. -_-

 

The theme was Oscar’s night and I had prepared to go as Daisy from The Dukes of Hazzard. *sigh

 

Apparently I won an award despite my absence. Hahahahah.

 

The 3rd 21st party was pretty awesome as well. Bedazzled 21! Everyone’s supposed to have a bedazzled item on them. Poor guys cracking their head trying to come up with any shiny and sparkly accessories! The entire affair was held in somewhere in the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club. It felt somewhat like an engagement party of some sort, only because the place was mostly decorated in white and there are tables occupied by people beyond family and the close circle of secondary school friends.

 

Oh the strings of 21st celebrations and the best part of it all, getting the RIGHT presents for the birthday girls! =) I mean, how often do you get smses saying “THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENT, IT’S PERFECT!!!” right? I’m usually bad with getting people presents but I’m glad I got some right this time. After all, they’re for my friends of 6 or 7 years celebrating the first fresh step into adulthood. And yes, they’re all for girls. I’m seriously at loss as to what to get for guys, any suggestions?

 

Now, considering most of you are around Daniel’s age, you humbugs must be thinking ‘ah, been through, done that’… but hey, isn’t it nice to relive how you celebrated your 21st? All those crazy moments spent celebrating with the most awesome people in your life… Toasting to adulthood and all the challenges it attracts. Ahhh, I’m considering mine to be a quiet one for most friends would have flown back to their respective studying place and well, family’s not that gung ho over celebrations. We don’t celebrate birthdays at home. =)

 

How about you? How was your 21st/ are you planning to celebrate your 21st?

Popularity: 1% [?]

Alright, I am on my way to pluck coconuts. Ahemz… it’s not those other “coconuts” you were thinking but authentic coconuts that grew right from the garden. How is this possible?

It is possible because I was using a ladder and my perfect balance skills. Alright the tree was only about 3 or 4 meters tall. So how do I pluck the coconuts, you do the twist and turn method. Coconuts? They are Pandan coconuts and during the time when everyone was so buzz up with the Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur main town on Saturday, the Weird One was at home doing house chores and this was one of them.

Of course, plucking coconuts also has it’s own danger. As flowers bloom on top the tree, you will occasionally see wasps and bees around and they were very close. Well, not that I bother about it anyway.

Using my Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens, I decided to get upclose and personal with the flying buggers and wasted a few shots on them. This was the only clear shot with both of them around each other.

Of course, do not try this at home, or you may be stung by them. All one need is to have patience, while balancing their foothold on the ladder near the top of the coconut tree. Somehow I relish those times when I was a young boy climbing up trees.

Why the sudden update on me being the coconut man? Well, first and foremost, I am finally updating. Also there would be a revamp on what this site would be called in the future. You will see the great revamp after I am back from a trip. You will know where I go, all you need is to follow my twitter at http://twitter.com/danielctw or wait for an upcoming post by my guest blogger. Until then, got to go.

Popularity: 1% [?]