Tuesday, August 30, 2011

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

Monday, August 29, 2011

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)

Saturday, August 27, 2011

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

Friday, August 26, 2011

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

Thursday, August 25, 2011

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