MIZUNO WAVE RUN, MALAYSIA

15th January 2012, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang. Completed yet another race in a striking yellow Vibram although the initial plan was to run in the brown leather Vibram. I had fixed the Running Chip on the leather Vibram but end up running in the Yellow Striking Vibram instead. As a result, my running time was not recorded but that was not my priority.

We underestimated the distance from our house to Serdang and waited for Subuh prayer before leaving at 6:15am for our first run in 2012 (err.. first run for me it was) and arrived 10 minutes before the flag-off time. We went and search for others from the Chief's Original Bootcamp (COBC) and found a bunch of COBC-Lady-Runners. There were Rienna Choo, Freda Liu, Maslina Ahmad Ismail, Viki Lim, Lilian Lee, Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Bahariah Bahadom and Rose Emini Pahamin.

A RUN TOO FUN AT DESA PARK CITY

Remember DV8, SAQs, Voodoo, Phase, Base 2, Boom Boom room during teens? Those were the days when we can just droppedby or hop on any clubs and whichever clubs that we stoppedby, there will be dozens of homeboys waiting without the need for a plan to meet. Similarly, although I have never heard of the Desa Park City Run but hopping on the race rejoiced a whole fleet of COBC bootcampers. At Dataran Merdeka, Staff Sarge Dann and other COBC instructors spotted another fleet of COBC bootcampers at the Nike run. Running is now a trend akin of those clubbing days. In a convoy of two cars, Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Rose Emini Pahamin, Nyna Mohsen arrived 15 minutes before the 7:10am flag-off at the Desa Park City which was less than 5km away from our house.

The tress and greens surrounding the modern township architecture was very impressive and prominent that I regretted leaving behing my G11 Cannon. Camwhoring with the scenic would have been orgasmic. Desa Park City Run 2011 was held at the International School Park City, Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur on 27 November 2011. The organizer capped the maximum number of runners per category with only 1,500 maximum runners for 10km category, another 1,500 for the 5km run, 500 runners for child below 13 years old for 2km run and another 500 runners for children above 9 years old for 500 meters run.

INSPIRING PEOPLE- RAGS TO RUNNERS

The recent COBC potluck gatherings for photo-shoot and to take measurements at HERE speak wonders on how people can change their weight, size and physical measurement in a shortest span of time. Many people did not just gain a better physical appearance but their confidence were also elevated with the training at COBC. With better physique, confidence and stamina, most recruit began participating in various running events and over the weekend, 20 people from COBC traveled more than 400km to Penang Island to run the annual Penang Bridge International Marathon 2011. In a few convoys, there were Staff Sarge (COBC) (P) Dann,  Sarge (COBC) (P) Chun, LC (COBC) (P) Ridz, LC (COBC) (P) Resh, LC (COBC) (P) Ody, James Fong, Chan Meng Yam, Lilian Lee, Shear Ling Toh, Joanitta Zaleha Yusoff, Noor A. Othman, Rienna Choo, Afik Kutcher, Amy Ho, Wong Siew Peng.

Barely a year ago, none of them were runners. Infact, they were so adamant against running that we had to convince and support them to run but now, most of COBC pioneer recruits aka Otai (Old Timers) have all became an avid runners and a great advocacy for running. They traveled all around Asia continent as well as around the world just to run!!

Some of, now the season runners at COBC that travelled around the globe were James Fong, Lilian Lee, Chan Meng Yam, Shear Ling Toh, John Chuah, Joanitta Zaleha Yusoff, Noor A. Othman whom traveled to Thailand, Cambodia and Singapore amongst other places to run. Rose Emini Pahamin, Nyna Mohsen, Ilyanna Aylin Ayob and Yum Kin Kok ran full marathon in Australia and Berlin. Viki Lim and Jeffery Wong went to Berlin for a full marathon. Yum Kin Kok and Ilyanna Aylin Ayob went to New York and Paris as well as other continent just to run. Last weekend, our Ampang recruit Nicholas Chew and Bandar Utama Bravo Damien Mac Cord completed the Powerman dualthon Challenge. Nicholas completed it with a PB (personal Best).

You can read about Ilyanna Aylin's New York running experience at HERE. Lets hear it what does these people have to say and enjoy the snapshots ciplak'ed from Facebook.

PJ HALF MARATHON 2011

PJ HALF MARATHON have lost its glory! I ran my first running event 8 years ago at the PJ Half Marathon for the 10km distance... shortly after conquering my first Mt Kinabalu Climb in 2003. We have not race the PJ Half marathon for about 5 years (?) but today we were back running the PJ Half marathon with about a dozen friends from the COBC but of course, I had only registered for 10km. A centimeter extra, my knees would have rebelled worst than Bersih 2.0.

There used to be 30,000 runners running the PJ Half marathon in the past but today, I think they were barely 3,000 but I enjoyed the race today. The 10km route with 2 water stations was good but there were various grouses from from the 21km runners. For one, traffic police allowed vehicles to cross path with runners. Runners were choked with exhaust fume from passing vehicles. It is imperative to get experienced race marshals at site because I do not think traffic police has the experience being a marshal at running events. Life can be at stake. We did not see ambulance on standby too in case of emergency and there were no distance markers (for 21km).

The people from the chief's circle that race today includes Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Nyna Mohsen, Faizul Zainol, Farhan Zainol, Damien Mac Cord, Ryan Wong, Viki Lim, Jeffery Wong, Rienna Choo, Amy Ho, Joanitta Zaleha Yusoff, Lick Hau Loo, Farah Fazu .... (err did I miss anyone?) Running only 10km, I was the first to finished and had the time to prepare the camera to camwhore others!!

STANDARD CHARTERED KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL MARATHON 2011

Kuala Lumpur, 26 June 2011. Today was Standard Chartered's third year as the main sponsor for the Kuala Lumpur International Marathon, Malaysia's biggest marathons and in just a short span of 3 years, I have to give this year's Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur International Marathon a two thumbs and 2 toes up!!! I have ran more than 60 races in the past 8 years and this was the best organised race that I have participated. Everything from registration, race-number, vest & goodie bag collection to the last point of medal and left-luggage collection was so well organised.

Baggage left-area.

The event organiser was Golazo Sdn Bhd and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). It is sanctioned and supported by the relevant international and local sporting authorities – the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), Malaysia Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU), Federal Territory Amateur Athletic Association (FTAAA), International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), and National Fitness Council (NFC). The race is also fully supported by the title sponsor, Standard Chartered Bank (Malaysia) Berhad.

The organiser prepared sufficient toilets throughout the race route, many water stations, a lot of free-flow both water and isotonic drinks at water stations, bananas enough to feed the whole Zoo, very cheerful and energetic supporters, pretty and sexy cheer leaders (which had slowed me down substantially), first aid people were scattered everywhere, many ambulances, marshals were seen at every corner, perfect distance markers and good signage.... to top up the good weather!!

BOMBA RUN 2011, LARIAN BERSAMA BOMBA 2011

LARIAN BERSAMA BOMBA 2011 or RUN WITH FIRE FIGHTERS 2011 was held at the Dataran Merdeka yesterday 8 May 2011 and was flagged off at 7:30am sharp. This year marked the 9th Bomba run and we never missed these 10km runs except for last year when a bunch of us typically Rose Emini Pahamin, Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Ili Liyana Baharon, Nyna Mohsen & Faizal Ariff Abdullah registered and went for the run but did a 'Raju' instead!!! (click RAJU for that bomba'licious run).

This year there were almost 40 runners from the CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP, Malaysia and there is no way we could do another Raju!! We had 3 first time Virgin runner!!!! .....namely Shaz Sabri (aka Shazu), Raja Affandi Raja Jamaluddin and Rafikah Malek. The not a Virgin-runners were Corporal (COBC) Chun Chia Kai, LC (COBC) Wan Hazriq, LC (COBC) Letch, Joannita Zaleha Yusoff, Noor A. Othman, Farhanah Bamadhaj, Joe Liew, Lilian Lee, Shaz, Norliza Mohd Khaled, Debbie Burgess, Lizza Abdul Rahim, Viki Lim, Daing Daniel Fitri, Ody Nurfuadi Ruzalli, Siti Balqis Mohd Saldi, Ilyanna Aylin Ayob, Malek Aziz, Syed Mahadzir Syed Manshor, Bahariah Bahadom, Fareem, Ryan Wong, Suriana Saiful Yazan, Afiza Abdul Halin, Amir Hisyam, John Chuah, Jun King, Pooi Ching Khiew, Farah Fazu, Lizi Lim, Atie, Firah and Jorge.

Rose Emini Pahamin, Irwan Anuar, Nyna Mohsen, Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Chun Chia Kai

RUNNING CALENDER FOR 2011

 RUN RUN RUN AWAY...........

There are various benefits of having siblings... I mean have you ever listed down the benefits of having siblings?? ....despite the fact that we are blood related and the fact that we are stuck for life because of that (oh god) but there are various benefits of having many siblings especially when the sister share the same interest!!! With many siblings, sometimes I get food & DESSERTS delivered to my office freshly cook  from home (and sometime freshly 'tapau' from kopitiam).. sometimes I have someone to drive me around and sometimes siblings can do the shopping on-behalf. But one of the many 'best' part of having a sister of the same interest is to have various research done-by-default and almost an 'automatic' registration for various unheard event or activities and of course being 'siblings' it is an 'automatic-cannot-say-no-by-choice'.

Thank you to Sista Rose Emini Pahamin, whom had compiled the following RUNNING CALENDER for 2011 which I am sure, I have been 'automatically' registered for all the runs..... so lets run!!!!!!!!

DEER, RABBIT & DOG!!!

There is nothing better than to start the day with Running... but the picture on the right was 'acting' and eksyen-picture only....

But actually I did go running because I ate too much the night before. We had dinner with H.E. Ponlork Ho. Excellency Ho ordered and brought two freshly slaughtered Deer, 10 Rabbits and seafood to entertained us and Vietnam Colonel Tang Van Chuc, the Deputy Chief of Ministry of Defense, Chairman of Member Assembly as well as the General Director of Lung Lo One Member Construction Ltd Company, Head Quarters Army Engineer.

THE APOSTLES FOR FUN, FOOD & FRIENDSHIP (TRAFFF)

When the bootcampers run..... they really run!! The TRAFFF'ians (The Apostles for Fun, Food & Friendship) or the COBC'ers turned runners became more obsessed with running and ran almost twice a day to train for the upcoming running event. They are as obsessed in running as how my obsession is in Durian!! Eeek...

On 10 April 2011, there is the 2XU run in Singapore and there will be many virgin runners from COBC.. One Virgin that is to look for is Mek Yam Chan Siu Cheh..... Chan Meng Yam!!

The COBC squad attempting the 2XU run in two weeks are
1) Lilian Lee,
2) Nor A. Othman,
3) Joannita Zaleha Yusoff,
4) Joe Liew,
5) Ody Nurfuadi Ruzalli,
6) James Fong,
7) Norliza Abd Khaled,
8) Cham Meng Yam,
9) Freda Liu,
10) Armin Baniaz Pahamin, and
11) Nawal Aini Zulkifli.
Err... did I miss anyone?

As such, they train... train and train at various locations, typically the Desa Park City route, Bukit Aman, Taman Tun Dr Ismail etc etc..... When some of us train together gether.. JOHN CHUAH run with Max, his dog.

Some of the 61 TRAFFF'ians members...

Training mates.. from left: Norliza Abdul Khaled, Raja Affandi, Lilian Lee, Letch Sina, John Chuah, Joannita Zaleha Yusoff, Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Nor A. Othnman, Chun Chia Kai

EXERCISE WHILE TRAVELING..

I KNOW..... I know.... consistency is a necessity especially to maintain a good workout momentum and fitness stamina. Although I have missed a few bootcamp sessions and many run-training having had to travel oversea for work but I tried to workout on my own which requires more discipline and commitment. This is harder when the travel companion whom only know Food & Sleep Inferno!!

Waking up in the morning was easy without the need for any alarm or wake-up call. I was awake as early as 5am and was ready for exercise by 5:30am!!! Sarge Dann had prepared some own-workout program for me but traveling is taxing on the energy & mojo that I had to modify the program to suit the 'environment'. For a start, I went for a slow jog cum running until I found a playground for kids which gave me this wicked idea of a good workout program.

RUN FOR CHARITY

Everybody run for a reason... Some people run for money, some people run because their friends run, some people run because they want to burn calories to eat more (like me) and some people run because they want to stay slim and thin (like me too), some people run away from problem (not me) but rarely do we run for a cause to raise fun for charity and that is exactly what Jeffery Wong, Alvin Lim and David Mc Kinney plans to do on 25 June 2011!!! ....to run the 100km Singapore Sundown Ultramarathon within a cut-off time of 16 hours. To know more about this three kind-hearted runners, click here.

Jeffery Wong, Alvin Lim and David Mc Kinney plans to raise funds for Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation,  All Women Action Society of Malaysia (AWAM) and National Cancer Society Malaysia. To pledge a donation for Jeffery Wong, Click HERE. I pledged RM100 for 100km (or RM1 for every 1km run) to start the ball rolling.... To Pledge for others, click HERE.

MALAKOFF 12KM RACE...

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Recruits at the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ BU/USJ1 had become an adrenaline addict and could not stop running running races!!! Those that ran the MALAKOFF 12km race on 19 December 2010  were John Chuah, Joe Liew, Chun Chia Kai, Joannita Zaleha Yusof and Wong Siew Peng, Freda Liu and Jun King. Others did not participate as most of them came for Aaraf's 8th Bootcamp Birthday party.

Joe Liew completed his 12km run in 1 hour 4 minutes..

Joe Liew whom was a runner-virgin began running after joining the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ BU/USJ1... Joe Liew is also a Virgin BLOGGER.. Click HERE for his blog.

The Malakoff race was Joe Liew's 6 races this year.

RUNNING 12.12 ROADRUNNERS CLUB AT TANJUNG RAMBUTAN

Seven of us from the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama went up north to Ipoh to run on the memorable date 12.12 or 12 December. There were Lilian Lee, Joe Liew, Rose Emini Pahamin, Nyna Mohsen, Nawal Aini Zulkifli and me.... and Aaraf Armin.

Lilian Lee & Joe Liew went first and arrived in Ipoh at 3pm. Rose Emini Pahamin & Nyna Mohsen left abit later and arrived just-in-time to buy the famous popiah basah!! That famous popiah basah is open only from 5 to 7pm and is located near the Hotel that we stayed. Actually, that was why we stayed at that hotel. The journey to Bukit Kinding Resort where the race is held is a 30 minutes drive from the hotel. Trust Rose Emini Pahamin with FOOD!!

When we arrived in Ipoh, Rose Emini Pahamin & others were already ready in the car for... FOOD again!! We did not even check-in yet... I called Abdul Sidik Hamid for some good food recommendation and we were directed to..... NASI VANGGEY!!!!!

PENANG BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL MARATHON 2010

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It was an anti-climax to actually re-checked and saw my BIB REGISTRATION for Penang Bridge International Marathon was for 10km run instead of the planned 21km half marathon. Some miscommunication or misunderstanding in registration but I was all excited again when Lilian Lee said she has extra 21km men's bib from her friend whom FFK'ed the last minute.

We left KL and drove to Penang in a convoy of 2 cars after the Saturday trial session at ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ USJ1. OBC @ USJ1 was launched on 18 November 2010 with the same energy and hyper-active trainers and recruits from OBC-BU. Both OBC-USJ1 & BU is open for online registration at www.hooyah.com.my. All registration must be submitted online.

There were 24 of us from OBC @ BU & OBC @ USJ1 that ran the PENANG BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL MARATHON 2010. There were Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Rose Emini Pahamin, Selly Selina, Ilyanna Aylin Ayob, Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Chun Chia Kai, Daing Daniel Fitri @Sarge Dann, Ody Nurfuadi Ruzalli,  Rienna Choo, Syed Mahadzir Syed Manshor, Ryan Wong, Lilian Lee, Nyna Mohsen, Farhanah Bamadhaj, lizza Abdul Rahim,  Suriana Saiful, Amy Ho, Joe Liew, Yvonne Chen Ling Sze, Azlan Ramli, Norliza Affandi, Baharian Bahadom and Freda Liu. LIzza Abdul Rahim did not plan to run but she could not resist the temptation when Natassya Lee gave Lizza her 10km bib. Natassya Lee.. somehow... FFK'ed too. My 10km bib was given to Azlan Ramli when I took Lilian Lee friend's 21km bib.


The 2 car convoy that left with me comprised of Rose Emini Pahamin, Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Syed Mahadzir Syed Manshor and Aaraf Eid Pahamin in my car and Azlan Ramli, Lizza Abdul Rahim, Farhanah Bamadhaj, Suriana Saiful Yazan, Chun Chia Kai in Azlan Ramli's Alphard.

TERRY FOX RUN

The ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP MALAYSIA @ Bandar Utama was one of the contributors for the Terry Fox Run that was held today at the Taman Tasik Titiwangsa. Last month on 20 October 2010, we had approached our fellow bootcampers at Bandar Utama to run and raised fund for cancer research under "Team Bootcamp Bandar Utama". Click HERE for details.

The run was only for 5km and there were many recruits that ran their first race including Aaraf Eid Pahamin & Kasih Iris Leona. We left our house at 8am after bidding farewell to Sista Dr Teratai Edithy Pahamin, Shazrul Asari and Shazrai whom left back for London after 2 weeks of holiday in Malaysia. The race was scheduled to start at 9am but Team BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama had all scheduled to meet at the field for a photos-shoot... obviously! we are a bunch of camwhores.

After illegally parking our car near the Istana Budaya, we walked to the starting position and arrived at the meeting-point to see dozens of others from OBC-BU that had already arrived.

HAPPY 2,500th BIRTHDAY MARATHON

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31 OCTOBER 2010 yesterday marked the 2,500th year of marathon or a long distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometers (or 26 miles and 385 yards). The event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon (the namesake of the race) to Athens. For more details read Here.

Athen is a beautiful city and I can only imagine what it would feel like to run a race surrounded by stupendous view (pic from left was ciplak'ed from Chun's photo album).

To commemorate the historic date, the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama pioneer instructor Corporal (OBC) Chun or his real name Chun Chia Kai and OBC-BU Delta-recruit Vivien Luyen Ow went to Athen on 23 October 2010 to acclimatize and ran the historic 2,500 years old 42.195km marathon.

The Athen marathon was Vivien Luyen Ow's first maiden 42.195km marathon. She picked the best date to break her marathon virgin at the marathon's birth place itself on its 2,500th year anniversary.

KLANG NEW BALANCE 12KM RUN 4 IT 2010 RACE

31 October 2010. The Klang pacesetter club organised the New Balance 12km race that start at Padang Sultan Sulaiman , was flagged off at 6:50 for men category A, B & C and Women category D, E and F a few minutes later.

In a convoy of 2 cars, Daing Daniel Fitri, Rose Emini Pahamin, Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Ilyanna Aylin Ayob, Nyna Mohsen and Ody Nurfuadi Razalli arrived just-in time for the flag off. The weather was runners-friendly but there were less participants this year compared to previous years. We have been a regular at the Klang New Balance Race.

TERRY FOX RUN

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30 years ago, Terry Fox at the age of 18 was diagnosed with bone cancer and was told that he had to amputate his right leg above the knee. During his ordeal, he saw the intense pain and despair of many other cancer patient as well as the need for cancer research. To help others suffering from cancer, Terry Fox decided to run across Canada in an effort to raise funds.This became the marathon of hope and although Terry Fox died before his crusade, the legacy continued and every year since then, those that supported and donated for the cancer research would run the Terry Fox race around the world.

Having survived Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, survived cancer and believed in Terry Fox Cure-For Cancer Research fund raising campaign, I am running the Terry Fox run with more than 40 others from the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama, in Kuala Lumpur on 7 November 2010. Join us and run for charity.. you dont need a reason to support. Runners from TEAM OBC-BU are Daing Daniel Fitri, Suriana Saiful, Jun King, Lilian Lee, Rienna Choo, Dr Malek Aziz, Adibah Mohamad, Farhanah Bamadhaj, John Chuah, Bahariah Bahadom, Nyna Mohsen, Ili Liyana baharon, Adibah Syazni Jaafar, Liza Abdul Rahim, Freda Liu, Yvonne Chen, LC, Farisya Syukor, Pooi Ching Khiew, Raja Affandi Jamaludin, James Fong, Yam Chan Siu Cheh, Shear Ling Toh, Tyng Yng, Norliza Affandi, Hani Hussin Azmir, Afiza Abdul Halin, Nurfuadi Ody, Ilyanna Aylin Ayob, Syed Mahadzir Syed Manshor, Danial Ismail, John Ong, Tricia Frederick, Joe Liew, Yum Kin Kok, Aaraf Eid Pahamin, Nawal AIni Zulkifli, Rose Emini Pahamin and Armin Baniaz Pahamin.

There is no registration required to run the Terry Fox. Just turn up at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa on 7 November 2010 before 8:45am. To contribute to Terry Fox Cure-For-Cancer fund raising campaign, order a T'shirt for only RM25 or RM30 with team ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama printed on the sleeve. For information, call 0173795988.

Terry Fox Run KL 2010 Brochure

RUNNING FOR LIFE

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It is a catastrophe for the runners fraternity with so many deaths in various running event in Malaysia as well as other part of the world. On 28 July 2010, a 10km runner Lim Ji Wei 25 years old died at the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur International Marathon, the Malay Mail has the story HERE. Last weekend on 17 October 2010, another runner died attempting the Mizuno 10km wave run, Harian Metro has the story HERE. Abroad, on the same date 17 October 2010, a 47 year old Oregon man died during a cross-country race at the Elijah Brostow State park, in Dexter. Washington post has the story HERE. Remus Fuentes died at the 34th MILO race in Manila on 4 July 2010.

ST GEORGE MELBOURNE MARATHON 2010

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Its 10.10.10.... 10 October 2010. To celebrate the historic date as well as 2,500 years of marathon anniversary, LC (OBC) Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Rose Emini Pahamin, Ilyanna Aylin Ayob, Corporal (OBC) Sandy Roberts, Yum Kin Kok and me from the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP @ Bandar Utama departed and arrived in Melbourne on 7 October 2010 to run the St George Melbourne 42.2km Marathon.

nawal Aini Zulkifli, Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Ilyanna Aylin Ayob, 

Rose Emini Pahamin, Yum Kin Kok