AXN Runs Philippines 2011

Queueing for ages for the finisher's medal

This morning I participated in AXN Runs Philippines. I was very excited because this is my first, and might be the only, race I have in the Philippines. This is also my second 21K in the last three months.

Starting time for 21K was 5.30 in the morning. The race was quite well managed except for the finisher medal and t-shirt distribution. I have to say that the latest one is very terrible. I think I could have finished another 5K while queueing for the medal.

As expected, I didn't manage to improve my personal best. I just passed the fasting month of Ramadan and during that time I didn't run too much. Therefore, I wasn't in my good performance. I even got very sore legs that I don't think I can run for the next two days!

However, this is still a fantastic experience for me!

Keep on running!

Technical Details:
How did I get this?
Where? Pasig City, Philippines
When? September 18, 2011
How Much? PHP 750 (for late registration and without finisher t-shirt)

Halal Food in the Philippines

Finding a halal restaurant in a country like the Philippines is not an easy job. When you can get one, especially if it's just a walking distance from your place, then it would be like finding an oasis in a desert.

Halal Restaurant at Saint Francis Square, Pasig City

I was prepared only to buy fruits, vegetables, and fish from the supermarket and then do my own cooking at that time. That was until I ran into two ladies with head scarf at two different occasions when I walked to my project site.

The two ladies went into Saint Francis Square, a small and packed shopping complex in Pasig City just across SM Megamall, where they sell anything from cellphone, accessories, clothes, shoes, food, and so on. Intuitively, I went inside to do my survey.

My finding was a very good surprise! It didn't take me too long to finally see, in one corner at the back of the shopping complex, a very humble halal restaurant. I learned later that there are quite a number of local moslem workers in that building.

Technical Details:

How did I get this?

Where? Ground Floor, Saint Francis Square, Pasig City 1600, Metro Manila, Philippines
When? From July 2011 to May 2012 (hopefully)
How Much? Between PHP 90 to PHP 160 for a meal

Garmin Forerunner 610 + Premium Heart Rate Monitor

Runners love the statistics of their runs. They love to analyze and evaluate the results. This gadget makes it happen perfectly.

The complete result can be seen directly through this GPS sport watch. The more complete result can be seen after being uploaded to Garmin Connect or Nike+.

Initially I intended to buy Forerunner 410. However, knowing that 610 is only RM 55 higher than 410, I couldn't resist to buy this compact, relatively slim but full of features gadget. And it has touch screen some more!

Keep on running!

Technical Details:
How did I get this? 
Where? Garmin Malaysia at 43, Jalan Jejaka 2, Taman Maluri, Cheras, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
When? June 25, 2011
How Much? MYR 1,255

Big City, Empty Roads

Jalan Cihampelas

One day before Eid al-Fitr, Bandung has become an abandoned city. Many people left the city to go back to their hometowns (pulang kampung).

For me, this shows how lack of entrepreneurship and how centralized the economy of this country. Everyone has to go to big cities to become worker to make a living.

Imagine if we have inter dependent cities all across Indonesia with at least 20% of the inhabitants are entrepreneurs, I don't think we will have this "pulang kampung" phenomenon.



Jalan Cipaganti



Technical Details:

How did I get this?

Where? Jalan Cihampelas, Jalan Cipaganti in Bandung
When? August 29, 2011
How Much? Priceless

Runner's World Magazines

In this picture (from left to right): Runner's World UK Edition, US Edition, ANZ Edition, and the Philippines Edition.

Currently, there are only 14 Editions of Runner's World worldwide:

1. Australia & New Zealand
2. Brazil
3. France
4. Germany
5. Italy
6. Mexico
7. Netherlands
8. Philippines
9. Poland
10. South Africa
11. Spain
12. Sweden
13. United Kingdom
14. United States

Does it mean there are more runners in the Philippines than in Indonesia, Singapore, or Malaysia?

Does it mean there is still a business opportunity to publish the magazine in Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia?

Does it mean....?

...

Keep on running!

Technical Details:
How did I get this?
Where? Kuala Lumpur and Manila
When? In 2011
How Much? MYR 18.90 (US Edition), MYR 23.50 (UK Edition), MYR 28.00 (ANZ Edition), PHP 120 (PH Edition)

Life Begins at Forty

This is my reflection after going through most of the 40th year of my life. In the end, I couldn't agree more with the above statement.

When I was forty:

• I lost 22 kg (in 22 consecutive weeks only!).
• I started living a healthy life (with nutritious food and regular exercise)
• I restarted running regularly after more than 15 years break and became an avid runner!
• I ran my first half marathon, which I had never imagined before, even until 3 months prior to the race!
• I had my best shape for the last 15 years of my life.
• I felt good, enlightened, and most of all, I felt reborn!
• I would, hopefully, spend the last 10 days of Ramadan with my wife & kids (for the first time in my life!).

Now, in 10 days I'm gonna turn 41. I've made up my mind that the next year onward I should get happier, fitter, more mature, and that my goals in life will continue to get bigger... instead of my belly... :-)

Have a good day!

Technical Details:

How did I go through this?

Where? Kuala Lumpur, Bandung, and Manila
When? Between September 2010 and September 2011
How Much? Not sure about it but, in overall, it's priceless

My Running Shoes

This is New Balance 1080. I like it very much that I bought two pairs of them. I got 20% off for the second pair. The discount voucher was given to me on the day of 2011 SCKLM running pack collection on the fourth week of June 2011.

I bought the first pair just about two weeks prior to 2011 SCKLM and the second pair just about two weeks before the expiry date of my discount voucher, which is on August 31, 2011.

Why do I like it? To be honest, I'm not a running shoes expert hence I can't explain in detail. What I can tell you is, since I have been using MR1080 RW4E, I can significantly reduce my blisters. I'm not sure why but I think this might be due to its extra wide size.

I plan to try other models from other brands as well. I'm eyeing Adidas Supernova Glider 3, Asics Nimbus, Asics Kinsei, and Newton right now, and might want to buy any of them latest by early 2012.

Keep on running!

Technical Details:

How did I get this?

My first pair:
Where? New Balance at T-221, 3rd Floor, The Gardens, Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
When? June 13, 2011
How Much? MYR 459

My second pair:
Where? New Balance at T-221, 3rd Floor, The Gardens, Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
When? August 16, 2011
How Much? MYR 367.20

My Blackish-Red and Bruised Nail

You're not a real runner until you lose a toenail, that's what they say. It's like a badge of honor for runners. The one in the picture is mine. So, should I be happy about it?

Well, I don't know. I like running but I don't want to lose my toenail to be honest.

As I read from Runner's World magazine, the most likely cause is long runs in ill-fitting shoes. How to avoid that? There should be 1 cm between the end of the shoe and the longest toe, with the toes neither crowded nor slipping around.

Alternatively, you can also use onion. Get one, slice it, and then rub a slice or two to your toes just before your long run. I haven't found the scientific explanation for this. It has been traditionally practiced by Indonesians though and it might do the trick!

Keep on running!

Technical Details:

How did I get this?
Where? Along Pantai Panorama and Pantai Hill Park, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
When? After my first long run for 2011 SCKLM preparation
How Much? Priceless

How to Balance Your Life

Be grateful and be patient. I was reminded of those two complementary attitudes on the night of August 22, 2011. I suddenly became so into it and was determined that this has to be part of my way of life.

Be grateful of whatever you have, especially for the joy and hapiness, no matter how small it is. On the other hand, be patient of whatever is not going as you expected.

Do not complain, do not curse, do not blame anyone (including yourself). You can't make everything runs as per what you want. And, most of all, you can't guarantee what you want is the best for everyone!

Have a good day!

Technical Details:
How did I get this?
Where? Attaqwa, Bandung, Indonesia
When? August 22, 2011
How much? Priceless