Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

Running on the threadmill with my mp3 player.
To distract
To inspire
To motivate
To reflect
But mostly to reflect. It's all good. I CAN make it.


"You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight"

Finding the right balance

It's not easy trying to lose weight and adopting a healthier lifestyle. I didn't expect it to. Especially the second time around. Greatest challenge so far? Finding the time and changing my eating habits.

Important relationships, Different roles, Activities ...
Circumstances change and with a 5 months old baby and a precocious 3 years old, sports activities tends to go down on my list of priorities. So if it means putting in 50 minutes at the gym during my LUNCH hour, so be it! adapt and adjust. And although my eating habits still sabotaging my efforts, I AM learning and the changes has to be done slowly.

Spot#2 Kampong Bukit Bunga, Off Jalan Jerudong

"Those bumps are made for running"

Terrain: Road
Distance: 6-7km

I ran along Jerudong Park jogging path and then took the out-and-back road along Kampong Bukit Bunga. The literally up-and-down road would make for a perfect speed session if one is so inclined and athough visible process of decay has set in all around the area and the playground itself is usually deserted, this place is still awe-inspiring.

Pain is Temporary

You have to learn to accept your setbacks as gracefully as you accept your victories. But Lance is right. Suffering from cramps, muscles spasms and with darkness fast approaching, I quit on a race once. And I still think about it sometimes. Me quitting. But I can't change the past. I can only learned from it. And learned from it I did. I came back the next year, having trained better and with a better knowledge of my body and nutrition and completed the race. Tomorrow when I put on my running shoes, I will know though I can't change what I was in the past, I still have some control of how I want to live my life and what I want to become ...

Spot#1 Bukit Shahbandar, Jerudong, Muara-Tutong Highway

"We shared a moment that will last a long time"

Terrain: Trails, Hills

4 years ago, when I first started to try and get in shape and after weeks of running on the treadmill and on flat roads, my brother-in-law introduced me to Bukit Shahbandar. I was looking to push my physical limits then. I remember that first time was very difficult but I nevertheless fell in love with it, returned back for more and thus began my love affair with it.

Now everytime I came back to it, and especially after a long layoff, I always felt a sense of renewal of being. Of my belief, of my purpose and mission in life and of how incredibly lucky I am to have the love of my family.

The trails itself has seen some development with the addition of concrete steps and where before possibly only core trail runners frequents it, now the place is crowded by weekend warriors and people from all walks of life. Walk it or run through the many hills, the trails do require some effort and will leave you breathless, either or both with its views and built-in interval training routes.

Be aware of its otherworldly inhabitants though. The area has a way of drawing you into its depth so stay on the well marked paths. Leave by 6.30pm or as soon as it gets dark!

The Spirit of the Marathon

Faster Not Older

I'm out of shape and my hills trainings have been almost non-existent, but I've resolved not to come to the Bukit Shahbandar Challenge merely start, I came to finish! That was accomplished 41 mins later. And more importantly, I was still smiling as I reached the finish line. It's been a long time. Older, definitely. Faster? It's a challenge I shall relish in the coming months.

Event: 4th Bukit Shahbandar Challenge
When: 2nd Dec 2007
Position: 22nd out of the registered 58 participants in Category B (9 Hills)
Running Time: 41Mins