Recollect 2008 - Some Thanksgiving!

2008 is an interesting year for me....if I would put it, its eventful, painful, shift of paradigm, changes of priority in life and of course a year that I am most grateful and thankful for to God.

Career wise, its be Topsy Turfy and to be honest, I have myself to be blamed as I have been stiff-necked with my decisions and of course my aggressive Type-A personality got the better of me an with ego as the fire starter, I totally blew it. Thank God He slowed me down and help me to recollect, humble my pride, change my perspective of thinking while I took a time off in Sabah, East Malaysia at my aunt's place.

What was interesting was that I was there when the US Economy hits the credit crunch and best of all I witness the fall of Insurance Giant, AIA. That all happen when I was in the midst of securing an overseas position based in China. But it did not worked out and so I have to look for alternative and I was not very happy about the whole situation because I was tired of working in Singapore and working for the same type of people.

Anyway, the very day before I flew back to Singapore, a close friend who drove me to the airport share with me about Contentment and it is really an eye opener for me as I was chasing after material gain relentlessly and that insecurity of not having that almost killed me spiritually. And before I flew back to Singapore, just at the airport, my aunt just shared with me that God has a reason and a plan to send me back to Singapore and I should just go back and be focus on settling back into Singapore. Which I did of course.

Race wise, let me see....hmmm....I had raced much lesser this year and in fact I only took part in one race and that is Sabah Adventure Challenge and worse still I DNF the race. But I was just happy to be able to have a feel of the race and understand the passion behind the race. Well, I know I will be back racing hard for the next few years probably in Triathlons and Ultramarathons. As such, this year is just a hiatus for me.



Thanksgiving

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

For all these years, the verse above seems to be just a knowledge based idea to me on how I should conduct myself but now as I look through this year I realised that in everything I do I would not count my glory and will not fit my pride for all the good things that had happen. I would rather Thank Him who is my creator and not be ashamed to say that Glory to Him for He makes all good things and bad things happens.

This year especially meaningful as I have discovered the importants of contentment in my life. He has show me the true importance of a complete life and now to me, my love ones means more than anything in my life and He has blessed me with that and given me a relationship with someone that I have longed for all these years and because He told me to be patient all these while, I have just do so and with the right time He has revealed to me. My aunt was right that something big is coming and this year...it's here and I found someone whom I can love her with my heart and soul.

I have found the heart of thanksgiving and praise and even in bad times, I have learned to praise Him.

With that, I would say that this year would be a year that is summed up with this song:



It Is Well

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

Casting Crown - If we are the Body.

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road

CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ

Chorus (2x)
If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus is the way

In the Bleak Midwinter

Most of us know Christmas as a time of gifts and a time of partying....but how many of us actually know the true meaning CHRISTmas? This is the true meaning.

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”- Luke 2:16-20

CHRISTmas is a time of remembering the birth of Christ Jesus and He is called Emmanuel. It is a season of sharing the Good News! And this song is one song that I love to sing during Christmas.

In The Bleak Midwinter

1. In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

2. Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

3. Enough for Him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.

4. Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air,
But only His mother¹
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.

5. What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

Marathon

Well, it is really interesting to be a bystander and an onlooker at the Marathon. What is most interesting is to wake up like a typical marathon ride your mountain bike down to race site and zip around the race route just to support your love ones.



Well, I did and to be honest its really an experience. I am loving it but of course what would be most fulfilling is to start and finish the race together with your love one. Well, that will be my next years goal.



For now, I would just like to say this. Chris, I am so proud of you. We will run the race together next year.

Trail Work!

Left over Signboard from
The North Face 100


It has been a while since someone actually talk about Mandai Track 15 and Zhenghua Park or should I say, I haven't hear anyone really talk about it. Well, I went for a Post - TNF100 ride in the area after about 1 month. Well, there are still some nice remembrance of the event. But most of all, I realised that I am the only solo guy that rode that area.


Post-Ride Condition

So it has been a really nice feeling of non-restricted pace. The ride took me to the end of the Mandai Track 15 trail and then decided to make a U-Turn and head back to Bukit Panjang Zhenghua Park. Its a really interesting experience as I have not been doing solo ride for a while but the feeling is a good one. Sort of a nostalgia.

Contentment

How many times have we wondered what if I am a rich man/woman?

....What will I be?
.....What will I do differently?
......where will I go for my holidays?
.......What car will I be driving or be driven?
........How my day will be like?
.........The questions and list goes on and on......

But then, when I really sit down and think about it, I am just pretty happy that I do not have to worry about my finance, my livelihood, my bills, and most importantly the well-being of my family members. And that, sometimes equate to the Big Word called Contentment. I realized by not aggressively and relentlessly chasing a dream that is base on my own self-centeredness, and greed are just killing me emotionally, physically, mentally and most of all, spiritually.

Perhaps this is a way to escape responsibilities or its being mediocre but what all of us chase for in life is none other to be affirm, to be trusted, to be understood and most importantly to be loved. And by fulfilling that, that is what we all seek for....to be contended or CONTENTMENT.

Psicobloc???

Psicobloc??? What is that??? Well, it deep water solo for some of those who had done rock climbing.

Its been a long time that I have shelved my climbing harness and shoes. But this is one video that brings back some inspiration to maybe head back to my climbing root. Red Bull, the Notorious Austrian Sports Beverage has put up really nice video. Enjoy!

Ultimate Mountain Bike Downhill Expedtion

Everyone of us only know everest base camp is the mothership of all everest summit expedition. But do you know it is also the start of an ultimate mountain bike downhill adventure?

Descending from Everest Base Camp all the way to Kathmandu. Be prepare for the ultimate ride of your life.

Transalpine Run

This is one race that makes any summer race looks easy and of course if you think the Singapore Version of The North Face 100 is tough enough, think again.

An eight stage race of a total of 142miles. The total estimate ascent is 14,000m (45,930ft) and 13,300km (43,630ft) for descent.

The race is held yearly in September and format is in a team of 2. And you can expect to see the mountain scenery of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. This is the absolute beautiful but with extreme alpine condition. Extreme heat in Morrocco and this is the extreme cold of Transalpine-Run.


Stage 1 2008 series


Stage 2 2008 series


Stage 3 2008 series


Stage 4 2008 Series


Stage 5 2008 Series


Stage 6 2008 Series


Stage 7 2008 Series


Final Stage (8) 2008 Series

Of Course, for those who are ready for this, check out this website:

www.transalpine-run.com

The North Face 100

Told myself that I should do something about this part. Anyway, here is the thing. There is a new series of race brewing up this year called The North Face 100 and I must say its finally here! Why? Because previously if we race junkies wants to do an ultramarathon, we have to head out to places like Europe, Mongolia, and USA.

So its great to have this series available in Asia Pacific. Started in May at Blue Mountain Australia, The North Face 100 series, travels through The Philippines in July and Singapore in October and now heading to China for the grand finale in April. These are just some of the highlights from Australia and Singapore and I am sure the race will get more exciting and interesting next year.

Enjoy!



The North Face 100 Australia




The North Face 100 Singapore

Ironman (Remembrance of Hero) - Part 2

Love of the Father is the key word to this person who will do everything just to give his son the quality of life his son deserve. He is none other than Dick Hoyt and together with his son Rick, they are fondly known on the Queen K highway as Team Hoyt.

This video speaks louder than anything that I have mention. Be Inspired!

Ironman (Remembrance of Heroes) - Part 1

In the spirit of the Ironman, I decided to take us through some of the heroes who has raced the Ironman over the last few years that brought many of us to tears and inspire us to be strong the chase our dreams.



First stop is none other than Jon "Blazeman" Blais. The Warrior Poet that fought strongly with ALS. Though he was gone last year but his Will and his Spirit lives on and had spurred us on to keep fighting and to have action against ALS. The famous roll to the finish line still can be seen at all the Ironman race and Chrissie Wellington did just that during this years race.

Blazeman, we salute you!

This is just one of the famous poem written by Jon Blais and it can be found on his website:

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your hearts longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams or for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your sorrow. If you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and close from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fit it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with the wildness and let the "Meatheadedness" fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you're telling is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself, if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. I want to know if you can be faithful and trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not there everyday, and if you can source your life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still shout stand on the edges of a lake, river or mountain and shout to the silver of the full moon. Yes! I'm a Meathead...

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for someone you love.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and truly like the company you keep in the empty moments of your life and still remember me...

Your friend, Blazeman - King of all "Meatheads" 2004.

Ironman World Championship 08 Race Day Report

The results of the Ironman World Championship is out. Just like every Ironman race, one person misfortune is another person blessing. And yes, Ironman has a new World Champion. Craig "Crowie" Alexander is the new World Champion for the Men's Pro Field. Eneko Llanos second and my favourite and mos respected athlete Rutger Beke is third.

Not to mention Andy Potts attempting his first ironman after many years of short course and ITU triathlon came in an impressive 7th. Chris McCormack has to settle for a DNF due to a snap cable that the official says that it will take about 20mins to repair. So, he decided to call it a day. Timo Bracht was stripped off his 5th placing due to a bike course infraction.

On the women's side, Chrissie Wellington, the defending champion fenced off all comments about her last year win with a solid 15mins ahead of Yvonne Van Vlerken of The Netherlands. To top this off, she has a 10min deficit due to a tyre puncture that she has problem inflating a spare tyre. 3 catridges of CO2 cannisters and nothing works. Rebecca Keat threw a forth catridge to save the day.

This is truely the mark of a true champion. Triathlete Magazine press clipping is attached below for those who wants more insight.

Alexander and Wellington run away with Ironman World Championship

Mechanical mishap takes Macca out of the race; Wellington rebounds from a 10-minute flat-tire stop to dominate the women's race

Story and Photos by Brad Culp & Courtney Johnson

Oct. 11, 2008 -- In only his second attempt at the Hawaii Ironman World Championship, Australia's Craig Alexander used a blistering run to win by three minutes over Spaniard Eneko Llanos. In a field full of strong cyclists, "Crowie", as Alexander is known, remained patient on the bike and took over the race on the run. Alexander was 13th out of the water, 11th off the bike and first at the finish after a 2:45:00 marathon.

In the women's race, undefeated Iron-woman Chrissie Wellington of Great Britain battled back from a 10-minute stop to fix a flat tire to go on to win by 14:57 over Yvonne Van Vlerken of the Netherlands. Wellington's run-split of 2:57:44 was a new course record. Sandra Wallenhorst of Germany also ran under three hours (2:58:35) to finish third.

How the men's race unfolded

Few were surprised to see American Andy Potts, Frenchman Benjamin Sanson and Aussie Pete Jacobs smoke the rest of the field on the swim. Potts was first to exit the water, with Sanson three seconds back and Jacobs another three seconds behind. The group had three minutes on the next pack, which included Kiwi Bryan Rhodes and Spaniard Eneko Llanos.

Twenty miles into the bike Sanson still led and Potts was on the side of the road serving a drafting penalty. Super-bikers Chris Lieto (USA) and Torbjorn Sindballe (DEN) were less than half a mile behind Sanson and making up ground—fast. Also playing catch-up were defending champion Chris McCormack (AUS) and two-time champ Normann Stadler (GER), who were both about two minutes behind.

Flash-forward to the bike turnaround at Hawi and the leaderboard had changed entirely. Lieto Sindballe set the pace, with 2005 champ Faris Al-Sultan (GER) one minute back and Llanos two minutes behind. Shortly after the top athletes made their turn for home, McCormack snapped his front derailieur cable and was in serious trouble. Macca was told by tech support that it would take up to 20 minutes to repair and he decided to drop out of the race.

As the leaders stormed back toward Kailua-Kona, Sindballe dropped the hammer and began to pull away from everyone. Shortly after mile 70, we clocked Torbjorn at 28 mph, pedaling at 70 rpm. Needless to say, he was really grinding.

Sindballe hit T2 with a lead of almost five minutes (after a 4:27 bike-split) over Lieto and six minutes over Stadler. Next off the bike were Eneko Llanos and Al-Sultan, two of the strongest runners in the field.

Sindballe looked strong as he charged out of transition and onto Alii Drive, but Llanos and Stadler looked even better. The Great Dane’s lead quickly diminished and the pair of Llanos and Stadler made quick work of the two leaders (Lieto and Sindballe). At the 10-mile mark, Stadler was in the lead with Llanos only a few seconds behind. Lieto and Sindballe dropped well off the pace and Aussie Craig Alexander surged into third position, 2:30 behind the leaders.

Alexander took over the lead around the 17-mile mark, after running 6:20 per mile to that point. He opened up a small gap on Llanos and easily grew his lead with each passing stride. Shortly after Crowie moved into first, Brown passed Stadler to assume third position.

At the 22-mile mark the race was all but over. Alexander’s lead was at three minutes and growing fast, as Llanos battled to hang onto second over a surging Rutger Beke (BEL).

Alexander crossed the line in 8:17:45 after running a 2:45:00 marathon. Three minutes later, Llanos finished second, barely hold off Beke, who was only 33 seconds back of the runner-up. Two of the biggest surprises of the day came from the fourth and fifth place finishers. Ronnie Schildknecht (SUI), who won Ironman Switzerland earlier this year, finished in fourth today, only 23 seconds behind Beke. Fifth place was German Timo Bracht, who may be disqualified pending review of a bike-course infraction. The second, third and fourth place finishers (Llanos, Beke and Schildknecht) were separated by only 56 seconds.

In his first-ever Ironman Potts finished as the top American, in eighth place, after an 8:33:50 effort. Michael Lovato was the next American to finish – 57 seconds behind Potts – in tenth.

How the women's race unfolded

Team TBB athlete Hillary Biscay was out of the water first for the women in 54:35, followed closely by a pack of Gina Ferguson, Gina Kehr and Nina Kraft ten seconds back.

Onto the bike, Kraft made an early move in town and through the ten-mile mark had three seconds on Dede Grisebauer and Kehr, with Chrissie Wellington in fourth at only forty seconds back.

Shortly after fifteen miles Wellington took the lead, pushing a big gear and within thirty miles already was 1:10 up on second-place Leanda Cave and almost two minutes up on a third-place Grisebauer.

Similar to the changing winds blowing the field all over the place, the women’s standings on the bike were all over as Granger moved into second at forty miles, 2:40 back of Wellington. Cave and Grisebauer were only a few seconds back of Granger.

At 55 miles, Wellington flatted and had trouble inflating her spare tube. After going through three cartridges, Rebekah Keat threw another to her and rode off. The Britt, who typically takes the first bike of the bike easy, found herself having to play catch up. Wellington had a lead of five minutes when she flatted and afterward was six minutes behind the new leaders of Cave, Grisebauer and Granger.

Taking no time, Wellington started working through the field of women who passed her while she was stuck on the side of the road. At 59 miles she was only 5:20 back of Granger and at 75 miles she was only 1:17 behind Granger and already ahead of Cave and Grisebauer. Soon after 85 miles, she passed Granger and quickly started gaining time on her.

Into T2, Wellington had over seven minutes on Granger and eight on Yvonne Van Vlerken, who quickly plowed through the field coming back from Hawi.

At a speed as blazing as the heat out on the course, Wellington continued to gain more time on the run, and had 9:34 on Van Vlerken at mile four. Granger was now sitting in third at 11:36 back.

On pace to beat the run record set by Lori Bowden in 1999, Wellington ran 6:30 per mile through the first 8 miles, faster then every male except Craig Alexander, who was happy to know she was running 10-20 seconds per mile slower than him.

The searing temperatures in the Energy Lab didn’t slow the thirty one year old’s pace as she ran a 6:37 mile into the turnaround. Back on the Queen K and through twenty miles, Van Vlerken was over 13 minutes behind and Wallenhorst holding onto third another three minutes.

Onto Alii Drive, Wellington's lead continued as Wallenhorst gained time on Van Vlerken, making a close race for second.

Racing in honor of her grandmother who died of breast cancer six weeks ago and coming across the line doing the “Blazeman Roll”, Wellington won her second Ironman World Championship in 9:06:23, setting a new run course record by almost two minutes. In second in 9:21:20 was Quelle Challenge Roth winner Van Vlerken and in third was Ironman Austria winner Sandra Wallenhorst at 9:22:52.

Ford Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii
October 11, 2008
2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run

Men
1. Craig Alexander (AUS) 8:17:45
2. Eneko Llanos (ESP) 8:20:50
3. Rutger Beke (BEL) 8:21:23
4. Ronnie Schildknecht (SUI) 8:21:46
5. Timo Bracht (GER) 8:23:04*
*pending disqualification ruling
6. Cameron Brown (NZL) 8:26:17

Women
1. Chrissie Wellington (GBR) 9:06:23
2. Yvonne Van Vlerken (NED) 9:21:20
3. Sandra Wallenhorst (GER) 9:22:52
4. Erika Csomor (HUN) 9:24:49
5. Linsey Corbin (USA) 9:28:51

Pro Athlete Interview for Kona 2008

This is the updates of some of the interview of the pro athletes for Kona.

Women's Pro

Interview with Chrissie Wellington


Interview with Yvonne Van Vlerken


Interview with Kate Major


Interview with Joanna Lawn


Interview with Natasha Badmann

Men's Pro

Interview with Chris McCormack


Interview with Faris Al-Sultan


Interview with Andy Potts


Interview with Luke Bell


Interview with Normann Stadler


Interview with Torbjorn Sinballe


Interview with Craig Alexander

Ironman World Championship

This is it. All the training and racing for the last one year and it will boil down to this weekend. Welcome to Ironman World Championship 2008. This is the 30th Anniversary for the M-Dot and as usual the race will start at the bay of Kailua Kona, Hawaii exactly at 7.00am on this coming saturday 11 Ocotber 2008.

30 years of Ironman

I am personally excited as I count down to the next 28 plus hours. Well, this years race you will see the showdown of the Elite Men Athlete like, the defending champion Chris McCormack (aka Macca), last year first runner-up Craig Alexander (aka Crowie) and Norminator - Norman Stadler and of course the Giant SUV, Torbjorn Sinaballe who say on yesterday's press conference that he is ready to stick on to the Norminator in the bike leg.



Macca talking to the press

On the Women's, Chrissie is set and poise to defend her title but with all humility and grace, she was telling the press that she is strong and trained well, but there are many girls out there that can still put a equally good race. Watch out for Rebecca Keat, Rebecca Preston, and Natasha Badmann and of course, Miss Consistency, Kate Major.



Chrissie, as always showing her sunshine laughter

Sabah Adventure Challenge 2008 Part 2

Team Photo Taken at the Hotel

Well, This is the Second Installment of Sabah Adventure Challenge 2008. Of course you know what happen on Day 1. Now, this is the rest of the silly race story.

Getting ready for the start

Morning view of the Starting Line

PS With Mr. Adrian Mok (Polar Electro Singapore)

On day 2, we woke up really early in the morning to get ready to head out to the starting line. Got a few photo shots at the Hotel of the race. Then headed out to the starting line by the coach buses arranged by the organiser. Well, that's pretty much a incremental cost for them. According to them, that is not planned for in the initial race plan but due to the extreme rainy weather over the weeks, the start line been altered and changed and these plan have to put in place.

Tyrolean Traverse over the Inanam Waterfall

Endless Slops and Hills forces many to push their bikes

Including Myself & PS

I don't why but the nervousness sure got me jittery and went to the toilet a couple of time. Mr. Adrian Mok, our friend from Singapore and the General Manager of Polar Electro Singapore was there to flag off the race. Usually, he will be one of those competitors on the start line but today he is the Guest of Honor to flag off the race.


Team Shots

Of we went when the race honked sounded. We started the race with a 1plus kilometer road run, I was panting firstly due to the nervousness and of course I am more of a biker than a runner but still I cannot give that as an excuse. I am just typically out of shape! Sigh! "Okay, Gotta move, Gotta move, need to move my sorry arse along!" In the mean time, Rocketman and Chief Navigator KC was moving along well and getting into the groove on his run. PS was behind but as you know, she is a runner and I was expecting her to be pick it up as the race progresses.

Ok, we are CP1 and pick up our bike and then with the series of checks on the maps, we move off to the trail with a bunch of Frenchmen and locals on our mountain bike. I went ahead as usual. I am a mountain biker, so it is natural that I was faster and more comfortable on the bike. A couple of kilometers later and a couple of bunny hops later, we hit the road and then....SHIT!...we missed a turn! Ok, after some checks by KC, we managed to find our way back on course, phew!

Anyway, In total for Day 1 we kinda missed a few key location and got a little lost here and there but not as bad as Ling's and Rebecca's Team. We were making progress slow and easy.

Of course, one thing I hated the most is the endless slops on the bike course. But well, it gets you fitter so no complains.


At the CP where Doctor will be checking on PS injury

Doctor Getting ready to stitch up PS Cuts

As the race progress, dramas started to unfold. PS got a bad crash while we were on a not so technical downhill. She had a bad fall on landed kinda sideway or face plunge, of course she was not really sure about that. "Ouch!" That was all we heard. KC was saying, it can't be serious because she stood up. I was like, "I don't think so." True enough PS raises her hands and we quickly ran towards her to check it out. What we saw was a really deep cut under her chin and a puncture wound near to it.


Pre-stitch condition (Check out the bloodstain on the patch)

Anyway, we quickly takes out the first aid kit to patch her up and preparing to evacuate her as we she no point for her to carry on for day 1. After much fumbling and clean ups, we were on our way again and we manage to check in to the nect checkpoint and told the official that we need medical attention. So PS is stay put at the checkpoint and waiting for the race doctor to access and patch her chin up. We took the chance to eat and drink and pass some of the extra equipment to her since we will not be using them.

Not for those who have a problem with Blood

Finishing Touch

Well, more drama will unfold for the rest of day 1 as we continue....stay tuned folks!

Glamor shot with the marshals

The Amazing Buff!

This is not a marketing attempt and NO, I am not sponsored by Buff. I am just an ardent fan for buff for the last 1 year. Ever since someone recommended Buff to me. I have pretty much fall in love with this piece of wonder garment that is multifunctional. And I must say that everyone who do serious sports or outdoor adventure sports should have one. Its amazing, I Buff will get rid of all the overpacking of different headwear and neck protection. Have fun exploring.


STANDARD BUFF DEMO


VISOR BUFF DEMO


MY FAVOURITE (POLAR BUFF DEMO)

Something Old School.

After a really hectic and busy day, sometime all you need is just something that brings good memories of school days. Rick Astley, Erasure, or OMD in the Eighties. Maybe Stone Temple Pilot, Pearl jam or even Firehouse. But what I really love is the easy going songs by Crowded House. These are just some of their MTV that I manage to pick it out from Youtube.




Something So Strong



Weather With You



Don't Dream It's Over



Better Be Home Soon

Sabah My Second Home!

Its official. Sabah, Borneo, East Malaysia is my second home. There so much more thing about Sabah than in Singapore I can rave about. Its the place where I seek refuge and a place to slow myself down so that I can think properly and of course a place where it never fail to renew my Faith in God and the future. A place that God speaks to me the most clear.

What can I say. Perhaps this song by another youtube guy will tell you. This is the same feeling I have.

Sabah Tea Garden! A place where you go back to basic!

I was just at Sabah Tea Garden last Wednesday and this is just a video I found on youtube.com but I have person inventory of pictures and I must tell you that this is a fun place to be. 6000 plus acres of land to play with, this is where the Rainforest meets the tea bushes the organic way. See, Sabah Tea does not use pesticides or any artificial chemical to grow the tea bushes. It is all run by mother nature. Relying on nature predators in the insect food chain, the tea florish.




The taste of the tea is well balance and no artificial coloring. The site, its beautiful, great place to train for mountain biking, ultramarathon trail running, hiking and of course bird watching.



Well, here is a series of photos.

Sabah to Date! (Pictures)

As promised, this is the photos!

Some Tradition Local Food

Sunset Pictures at Karabunai Beach @ Nexus Resort

In Sabah to Date!

Yes! You hear me. I am in Sabah again. Decided on the very last minute to come to Sabah to rejuvenate myself and kick in some good bike training. Weather is still very much predictable with 2 days of sunshine and 1 day of rain kind of interval.

Manage a couple of rides on the first week which I was really happy, though I almost got into an accident by some typical Sabah "Jaywalker" who simply cross the road and obliviously came right in my path and I really have to brake hard. Thanks to the new KCNC brakes which have a better braking power or else I will definitely do some crazy flying stuns.

Anyway, since it is a training and relaxation trip, I decided to give myself a treat by heading to Pulau Manukan and Pulau Sapi to chill and do some swim and snorkeling. Lovely place! Yup, Stay Tune for more action as I update you guys with more pictures and my exploration at Sabah Tea plantation tomorrow.

Ride On!

Trail Running, Anyone?

Get Inspired! This is a video from The North Face. Nicely made with no pretentious motive but just to inspire people to get to the trail and run. Really love this video as it is so candid and so simple. Just gets me motivated to head out to the trail and run which I must confess that I have not done that in ages. Well, I will hit the trail this week in Sabah. Bukit Padang, here I come!

July Escapade Part 3

Enroute to Aviemore, Cairngorms in View (Shang, Our Chief)

Cattle right outside the house in Aviemore - Time was 9.30pm

So much for the credit card saga even though it never resolve until I came back to Singapore. Got on the ever fun and interesting Ryan Air from Frankfurt Hahn to Edinburgh. I was sleeping through the flight due to the whole night of sleeplessness from Salzburg to Frankfurt.

Little Isaac was Camera Shy! Enroute to Aviemore

Our Team Machine (Trustworthy Vauxhall Astra)

After touch down, I was greeted with a Immigration officer who is friendly and nice to welcome me to Edinburgh. Waited for my friend, Shang and his family. we got on the rented car with the outside temperature of 14degree. By this time, I am totally used to the cold and the summer chill. Well, 2nd week in Europe and 2nd trip to Europe, what do you expect right? I was appointed the road navigator from Edinburgh to the highland. AVIEMORE is the place we are heading.

Correy House (our home for the next 5 days) - Picture taken at 9.30pm
The Neighborhood

After fumbling with the map, I finally got the direction right. Scotland is beautiful. The lush greenery, the historical structures with rich stories of the Lords and Kings in ancient times. And of course, Scotch Whiskey Distilleries, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Dewars, and many more. By this time, we have hit midway and decided to find a place to stop, have a typical scottish breakfast, and find a washroom to ease ourselves. 2hrs to 3hrs later, we finally reach Aviemore. Visited the administration office and visited some outdoor shops. I love this place, I love outdoor gears and products and I am totally fascinated by the fact that there are at least 5 stores along the span of 1 kilometer.

Kitchen of Correy House
The backyard garden - Taken at 9.30pm

I was introduced to the local grocery place. Singapore has NTUC, Giant, and Cold Storage, USA got Costco and Wal-Mart, Scotland??? TESCO of course. They have virtually everything. From Marinated meat to all kinds of teas, Beers, Ales, Ciders and more. Bought the grocery and hit the house. So much for day 1. For the rest of the trip, stay tuned!

The Interior