My Virgin FULL Marathon

Me, at a Toastmasters Area Contest, a day just before the marathon.

Can still smile! X)

I'm no sports enthusiast but I do love exercise as it helps my mood and stress levels; other than the fact that it allows me to not be on a restricted diet! XD Oooh Yeah!

So, with that in mind, how do I keep myself motivated to continue exercising?

Well, I favour jogging so I DO marathons! This year, I've ran 3 marathons.

My latest run is actually, TO-DAY! It's the Women's Day Marathon centered at i-City which is approximately 5 - 10 mins. from my mum's office; a reason not to miss and it's held on the weekend my semesters break starts; another reason not to miss.

Then, here comes my point of view of the marathon as I ran the race!

Well, I listened to my senior's advice and ate lots of carbohydrates on Thursday since my run's on Sunday. Thank God I did, I wondered what would have happened to me if I had not listened to her! XD

On the day itself, I woke up at 0300 hours since my race starts at 0430 hours (42+ km **was it planned? XD), got my milo, (since I ate a heavy dinner) and reached there approximately at 0330 - 0345 hours, did a short aerobics session ( to warm up) and moved on to the starting line (just like any other normal marathons). Surprisingly, nobody was crowding the starting line (maybe cause it's bloody long). Then I ran.

I was basically at the front line of the marathon. That being said, after 2-3 km, I started to slow down (probably no pacer/ motivator) and walk(hehe). Then, runners from behind me would motivate me, "Run sister run! You can do it!" Then, somehow out of nowhere, my legs could move further and faster; alas it was short lived. That said, the guy (pacing for his girlfriend/ wife/ daughter) moved on while I lagged behind again. Then, out of nowhere, a girl in black shirt and short pants touched me. That small touch made all the difference. I paced with her pacer and her up to the 20^th km mark (with another small touch – hehe). Then, all hell broek loose as my legs failed me and I just lagged behind after that. Believe me, it was awful. I was basically limping as the balls of my feet ached, the heel of my feet ached, the sides of my feet ached, my leg muscles ached, and my butt felt like it’s going to shit anytime soon (there were many movable toilets but I didn’t want to use it since I doubt the cleanliness). What made me terribly irritated was that I still had the stamina to go further but the physical incapacity to complete the race AND it reminded me of Marcuz cousin's experience, "Limping through the marathon". HUHU... It had to happen to me too? TOO??

So I limped around the Mosque (part of the race route), did stretches on my feet now and then and continued limping until I thought there were too many people cutting me. Then I asked the runners, “What length are you running?” The reply was, “21 km, we still have 2 more kilometres to go, let’s do it!” Listening to her enthusiasm, I almost took the easy way out; after all, I still had 19 more km to run. So, I walked and jogged with her near her turning until I heard the call for 42 km runners to take the U-turn. THEN, instead of taking the left turn back to my house, I took the U-turn. I TOOK THE U-TURN! I’m shocked at my own stubbornness and relentless desire to finish the race but when I did the U-turn, I knew there was no turning back anymore. After all, I had devoted MYR 100.00 to this race, like it or not, I’M GOING TO FINISH THIS! DAMN MY LEGS AND GIVE ME MY PRIDE TO FINISH THIS RACE!

So, I basically limped and walked and jogged. I realized I was walking cum limping quite slowly (because people who were walking rather slowly were cutting me), damn my competitive streak; I can’t run anymore and I’m not going to call for an ambulance to save me from the excruciating pain. So, I reached the end with pride even if it’s a turtle’s pace, 6 hours 30 mins. to 7 hours. Pathetic but possible since I limped and walked more or less 5 hours of the race.

However, I do realize me completing the race wouldn’t have been possible if not for the motivators (the guys, aunties, young adults and performers; including the running nurse). Thanks! A LOT! Now I can proudly say I ran 42 + km thanks to  you!

There were other freebies, but this was in the Finisher's bag with 2 bananas and 3 apples. 

Lessons learned from the race

1.     Be armed with power pack (chocolate liquid stuff) **experienced the difference when given at one of the water stations – it allowed me to run just a tiny bit of  a distance with those aching legs, and most of the runners do have it with them

2.     Wear better shoes – so the shock my legs receive is less

3.     Wear good socks – same as the above

4.     Stay hydrated – with isotonic and water at the stations, and get sprayed by water when possible.

5.     Eat bananas – keeps you sane if you’re a monkey (LOL- no, for the energy)

6.     Train  your legs to not incapacitate you (at least regular trainings of 30km)

7.     Tablets (if you’re really serious to prevent cramps and et cetera)

Personal thoughts on the race

1.     I hated the scenery, it was dull, ugly and repetitive (the mosque and lots of other areas – did a few U-turns).

2.     The parking cost me MYR 10.00.

3.     They did not publicize how to get the discount at MYR 10.00 and had me limping to and fro the ticket counter and the marathon counter.

4.     There was good guiding (bicycles, ambulances, police, supporters, and volunteers).

5.     Frequent water booths.

6.     Good timing devices (not too big and scary)

7.     Very positive and supportive atmosphere.

Temporary Battle Scar

My Results!

Muse: Sadness

Sometimes, when I reflect over a day's work, I'd ask...
WHAT HAVE I DONE?

Have I done enough? Have I done what I could have done? Should I be feeling this way? How much more should I hold back my feelings?

I feel upset that some people just aren't able to move on. Aren't able to accept who they are. Aren't able to change. But I'd adapt.

Definitely, I don't expect miracles. I don't expect God to drop me things from heaven. I don't expect everyone laughing like the Mad Hatter but I expect everyone to live a life. If time is the answer, hey... I'm granting it to you.

I've surrendered. I've raised the white flag. I'm no longer interested in claiming my eldest sister family anymore.

Once, I gave her respect; 

Then she stepped on it by claiming her rights as an elder over me;

Later erasing her rights by doing things an eldest must never do.

Great power comes great responsibility. Great respect comes from great work. Both goes hand in hand. With neither work, nor responsibility, never claim such otherwise the respect you earn is Z-E-R-O.

Oh well, I believe it's pathetic that a young adult who just hit her 20s needs to inform/warn a person in their late 20s again and again. I believe it is pathetic that I am accidentally excluded from a family dinner because I'm not family. I believe it is pathetic that I am denied entry to take my clothes from my room. I believe it is pathetic that I am not welcome in the house. I believe it is pathetic that an ex-family member does not believe that I love my own mother. Last but not least, I believe it is pathetic that 'family' members try not to solve 'family problems' but try their VERY BEST to solve their friend's problems.

That being said, it is pointless of me to complain further. 

After all, 

maybe I am just a naive snort. 

Maybe I'm just a stupid child. 

Maybe I am just a baby. 

But, maybe after this,

My heart wouldn't be so broken anymore.

Muse: Speed limit

I know it's been so long since I last posted but yeah... I guess it is about time I posted something after my short break from school. So ... it'll be about the...

I know it's kind of lame to discuss this issue but really, it's been on my mind so much that I believe it just wouldn't leave my head until I blogged about it. 

Act 333, Road Transport Act 1987 with amendments up to 1 July 2006

Section 40 Exceeding Speed limit

(1) If any person drives a motor vehicle at a speed exceeding any speed limit imposed for such motor vehicle under the powers conferred by this Act he shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit.

Section 69 Speed limits

(1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, prescribe a national speed limit for all roads in Malaysia.

(1A) Any person who fails to observe the national speed limit prescribe under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.

Federal Government Gazette, National Speed Limit (Temporary Cessation) Order 2013,c.i.f. 3 - 17 February 2013

Section 2 Temporary Cessation

*The speed limit is 90 km/h for all roads in Malaysia

Federal Government Gazette, Local Speed Limit (Federal Roads) (Specified Time Prohibition) Order 2013, c.i.f. 3 - 17 February 2013

Section 2 Prohibition

*Prohibits motor vehicles from exceeding the speed limit of 80 km/h over all Federal roads in Malaysia.

Motor Vehicles (Speed Limit) Rules, 1989 c.i.f. 1st February 1989, Schedule Rule 3

1. having a seating capacity not exceeding twelves persons, including he driver, and used for hire or reward has a maximum speed limit of 110 km/h for roads described in Schedule to National Speed Limit Order 1989 while other roads have it at 90 km/h.

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Therefore, since I'm really dumb and don't know the difference between the roads cause I didn't download the Act, XD, shall assume (from personal experience of using the road) that most highways have a speed limit which has dropped from 110 km/h to only 90 km/h while local (small highways) has a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h from 90 km/h. 

So... why the drop in the speed limit? Is it stupid? Useless? Troublesome? 

There is a reason there is a speed limit and there is a reason why it is reduced during the festive season.

First and foremost, I'd address the issue of the speed limit. 

It is vital for all road users to understand and be clear that not all cars could drive safely past 110 km/h (personal experience from driving a Perodua MyVi). Past a certain speed, your car would become unstable, wobbly and be more suspect-able to be uncontrollable behind a wheel. Therefore, since the government assumes the general public are all not able to drive BMW, Volkswagen or Benz which have a heavier body and stronger engines, the set speed is set so, so that smaller cars would not feel intimidated by the big heavier cars even when they zoom past them. Since, according to Bernoulli's principle, the car may be flung due to high speed causing lower pressure of air caused by the faster cars zooming on the right lane against the slower cars; higher pressure moving on the centre/ left lane. So a standard speed limit is set so that all cars travel at approximately the same speed.

**My car shakes if a car zooms past me so it's true, Bernoulli's smart! So... F*** OFF, cars that zoom unnaturally fast, what if I lost control of my car thanks to you? Just cause you can go fast doesn't mean that you can potentially kill me by disrupting my car's stability and control.

Then... why do they drop it during the festive season?

1. There are more road users. Hence, just like people moving in a crowd, you'd really have to slow down, cause there's just too many people who just want to go back home at the same time. After all, we're a multiracial country, Malay/ Chinese/ Indian celebrate, Malaysia celebrates with you. Hence, do remember, even if you think it is your right to celebrate the festival, it is also every Malaysian's right to celebrate as well. What better way but to go back home with you! Then, since you're not the only one paying taxes and tolls, they'd jam into the road as well when you go back home, causing the slow traffic.
2. Sudden slow downs in case of slower traffic in front. It is inevitable when you drive long distance that you become tired and cranky, hence desiring to be fast and furious on the road. However, would everybody be able to brake in time (to exit/ sudden slow cars in front) if they suddenly nod off at such a speed? Absolutely... NOT! Hence, it is purely for safety reasons that the speed is dropped due to people travelling unnaturally long distance to go back home.
3. They want to ensure you can enjoy your festival safe and sound. Who doesn't? 

That being said, a speed limit is not a travelling speed; which it is often mistaken for. It is the MAXIMUM. Oh well, what's the point? Only good drivers like me (a-hem), adhere to it. Selfish drivers.... BLEK. I <3 my life as much as you <3 yours!

Muse : New Year 2013

It's been so long since I've posted, I thought I should at least post one more post to compensate for my incompetence. XD

News Years Day?

How was your News Years Eve spent?

Well, there was a Political Celebration at Pandamaran Field which caused my entire neighbourhood to suffer an electricity shortage for a few hours... TT.TT... The person with the mole on his mouth... what's his name... URGH...Ronnie Liu.. made such a commotion, proof... security surrounding the area 2-3 hours before the event even started.  BIG SHOT. Probably test test electricity until Kampung Raja Uda no electricity. Huhu.

Oh well, at least I could experience how my ancestors showered in the night with a candle in their toilet. 

LOL. Other than that, more personal time for me to deliberate and set up my New Year Resolutions.

1. Eat well.
2. Sleep well.
3. Exercise well.
1. Be able to swim to Pulau Tioman. (Focus on Strength and Resistance training)
2. Be able to complete one full Marathon this year. (Focus on Cardio)
3. Be able to complete Brooks Marathon with a better time.
4. Study well.

Muse : Meeting up with friends

Sometimes, I question myself, why do I go so far, the extra mile just to meet my friends and my teachers?
Not that I think that I am wrong, but it was a question that my mum asked me...

Why are you wasting time to meet with your friends and teachers?

Dear blog,
Even if you've left school a long long time ago, it does not just mean you've finished a phase of your life.
Instead, it means you've grown mentally, emotionally, physically and intellectually (after all, we studied, right?) XD. However, all this are not learned from objects, we've learned them from people, humans that may or may not have the same growth in life with us. Hence, do we disregard these people when they've been the very foundation of our growth in life? They too have been emotionally and mentally linked to our past.

Definitely, it is undeniable that you may have the support of your family but you also cannot deny that you had schoolmates and teachers to support you through your early stages in life. After all, if it were not for your family,  friends and teachers who gave us those tribulations and challenges, we would not have fall and learned to step back up and if not for them, we would not become the people we are today. After all, we are the product of the past and the mold for the future. Next to that, it is because I miss them just as much as my family for I've spent equal amount of time with them and with my family.

Cameron 2123 on a personal level

So... why was I in Cameron when it's not even semester break? Why o why?
Yes... it's sweet potatoes!!! LOL... Well... that's part reason but there's also another real reason why I'm in Cameron, cause it's a trip organized by my church!

So, we visited a few saint's house in Cameron, enjoyed gospel songs with them while receiving updates from them regarding the move in Cameron.

TV gained center space in this house with everybody watching Tom & Jerry while the other house was busy reading the newspaper. LOL

Then... group picture with those that followed through with the engagement to where the shirt!

So... what have I gained from this Church camp? Hrm...

The power of pray reading. As you've seen above, we were walking round and round in the morning... round a school field just reciting bible verses (after a church message). Was there a difference? Definitely, reciting from your heart and reading a verse, I believe the answer is clear, =).

The winner will emerge.

Which reminds me, Cameron Highland is famous for it's steamboat thanks to the cool temperature. So many restaurants offering steamboat would be around that corner; and on one lovely evening after all the church meetings (cramped into one day), there was a steamboat planned. After that meal, while taking a walk round the market, someone managed to spot the cake vendor opening shop. Then, we; surrounding the shop with oohs-aahs, droves of people gathered round to see the ruckus we caused (free marketing) and enhanced the vendor's business. LOL... He really was selling his desserts like hot cakes on that day.

That being said, Cameron Highlands really is a shoppers produce haven. So much so that even this Brother here could hold his head up high while carrying bags of produce.

Cameron Highlands 21-23092012

It's been so long since anybody has heard from me, no?
Well... Hopefully, this will be the missing link from where I've stopped!

Basically, on the 21st of September, I went up to Cameron Highlands and ate lots and lots of sweet potatoes and corn!! XD my mouth looked like D cause I was stuffing so many mushrooms... potatoes and corn into my mouth...=) So here's the gist of it.

I went to two tea plantations...
Cameron Valley and Boh Tea Plantation
So... what's the difference?
Cameron Valley is a smaller tea plantation, has a shorter hike, no jam and o-k food. While at Boh Tea Plantation, their refreshments are horrible.

NEVER go to Boh Tea Plantation to eat their cakes. It taste as if it's not cooked AND their hot chocolate is watery, that being said, if it's cheap; I'll forgive BUT it's charged at premium prices, so watch your pockets when you're here.

SO... which is really worth it?
There are basically two sides of a coin on this matter.

This picture is of me at the highest peak you can climb at Cameron Valley Tea Plantation. The most you'd get is this view, which is rather refreshing but the climb up there is rather dangerous. So, if you're having weak legs (unable to climb steep slopes), have someone that's rather stable to support you.

The above is me at Boh Tea Plantation. In terms of view, my bet would be Boh Tea Plantation. Besides that,  the steps to climb are safer (from the car park) and you'll reach the peak where they've put their tourist rest spot // refreshment area.

The view at Boh Tea is great but do consider how you intend to get there. If you're not so well versed with your car, PLEASE do not be a super-hero and think you'd be able to drive there because there are many blind spots (sharp turnings on a hill to get there) and the bus drivers there really test the boundaries that the small road can hold them before falling off the cliff. So, proceed to Boh Tea Plantation with caution if you're planning to bring your car. Ensure your driving skills are on a sufficient level.

So... were Tea Plantations the only places I gone to while at Cameron?... Definitely... NOT... LOL... I also went to the  Ee Feng Gu Honey Bee Farm (near the Kea Farm area) for the first time (even though I'm Malaysian). XD

You get to be super close to the bees... Mwahhahahah... and it's free... of course... considering the risk you'd be in when you disturb them! LOL, anyway... back to the point, there's lots of flowers there for the bees to feed on. Various flowers, and I strongly encourage you to only buy your honey from the bee farm cause it's really genuine local honey for just MYR 45.00 for a litre. I wish I bought some but ... I don't drink honey... so yeah... I didn't buy any. TT.TT

Oh well... this is just the short highlights of my trip, but there'll be more details later!