What happened in 2009?

Oh wow..It has been a while since I wrote something here. What happen? Well, a lot I guess. Been busy with things... here and there.

This is what I did in terms of running:

28.06.2009 : Standard Chartered KL Intl Marathon 4:39:00
02.08.2009 : Adidas Shah Alam King Of The Road 22.3km 2:06:00
04.10.2009 : Cologne Marathon 4:06:22
25.10.2009 : Mizuno Wave Run 11.6km 0:58:28
22.11.2009 : Penang Bridge Marathon 4:25:14
06.12.2009 : Standard Chartered Spore Intl Marathon 4:19:43

Not bad. 4 marathons in a year (with 1 almost hitting sub-4) !

Add this to my previous 3 marathons, I have now 7 marathons in hand. I am pretty sure Year 2010 will be much better.

This is what I did in terms of places that I have visited this year:

Germany - Trier, Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich

UK - London, Manchester

Luxembourg

Holland - Amsterdam

Belgium - Brussels, Antwerp, Brugge

Italy - Rome, Venice, Milan

France - Paris, Nancy, Metz, Strasbourg, Colmar

Poland - Lodz

Austria - Vienna

wow..looking back, 2009 has been an enriching year for me. An unforgetable one indeed..

Happy New Year !! See you in 2010 !!

Marathon Hunt

Is it me or the marathon fever seems to be haunting me in April especially after I registered to run in the KL Intl Marathon happening on 28th June. In the few cities I visited (Luxembourg, Paris, London, Antwerp), I saw many advertisement and posters promoting their runs. This sent a chilly feeling into my blood vein. Am I ready for a 42km run in 60days' time? Thats the time needed to prepare for a 10km run to achieve a reasonable timing, not a marathon ! One consolation was that I knew running the KL Marathon was for fun as I wanted to be part of the crazy runners out there to participate in the 1st ever marathon organised by the banking group. My training have been pretty "lame" lately, just like my blog page. Both are not as active as I would like it to be. its time to get the engine running.

In London during Easter week

Avenue des Champs-Élysées : Start point of Paris Marathon on 5th April

ING Antwerp Marathon was on the same as day London Flora Marathon-26th April

After reaching the hotel, with the fine temperature of 19degree, sunset at 9pm and armed with my Ipod Shuffle, I was off to River Mosel and managed to spend 1hour 15mins running along the river bank. It was a wonderful feeling...Trees are in green, famous historical bridges along the river to appreciate, water flows peacefully, cool air etc. At this temperature, you don't sweat as much as in KL and therefore not feeling tired and tend to continue running. At the river bank, there were enough local runners (and cyclist too) to keep me company. Some are not there to run but indulged themselves in reading and sun bathing ! I met one colleague from Canary Island and he too used to be active in running half marathon.

With this, I hope to keep the momentum running high and shall be back to the river bank not just to run but for people watching .....

Note: ING Luxembourg Marathon is on 23rd May 6pm but I am due to return to KL on 22nd May.

Just Do It !

Yes, Just Do It !

Don't think too much. Do it and you will find ways. Thats what I did. With just a few clicks, I have registered myself for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 on 28 June 2009. And when was the last time I ran a competition?? It was May 2008. And in late Dec 2008, I started running to get the momentum going but alas...it was interrupted by my involvement in company project that required me to based in Trier, Germany since Jan 2009.

With Imperial Baths as background

So, after paying (only) RM50 (early bird rate) as registration fee, I put on my running gear and went for a leisure jog along River Mosel. At this moment, I just need to have my feet getting used to running. It was not that simple though coz I have not been running on regular basis. The weather in Trier at 7degree was slightly better than 1degree when I first arrived. In fact, I bought the cold season running gear in January because I wanted to experience running under cold condition. Lack of oxygen and avoiding running nose was the most difficult task.

Getting ready to run along River Mosel

Speaking of task, its not going to be an easy task to train for a marathon in 3 months time. The attraction of running in the first ever home marathon organised by the banking group was too good to resist. Memories of SCB Singapore Marathon 2007 is still in me. Besides, RM50 paid is nothing compare to the rate for Berlin, Paris or Rotterdam Marathon. I will take it easy. In a way, I am glad I signed up. This is the only way to get my foot into my Mizuno shoes and hit the road once again...