It's the 3rd day I'm off from running

A very happy birthday to those who celebrate their birthdays today. You're either very lucky for celebrating your birthday once every four years or you are very unlucky because other people have a birthday party once a year. Whatever you think about it, wishing you a very very happy birthday and enjoy the moment.

Anyway, today is the third day I'm off from my daily run and I should have been resting but I have been so busy instead. My last run was on Sunday which I did only 9.5KM. Sunday's afternoon I started doing some sort of "construction work". Yes it was and bloody tiring. Mum wanted me to build a garage in front of the house. The tiring part is, the garage size wasn't for a single car but for three cars. So they are quite big with the size of 36ft x 30ft and only three of us (sometimes four) work for it. Huh...it's the fourth day and today is just doing the last part and hopefully to finish it before three or four this evening so I can have a short run of 8KM. I wish I could do more than that but I don't think if I could because I am so tired.

I asked mum to give me a back massage last night but suddenly the electricity power went off so I decided not to continue it but went to bed instead. I was so tired and the strangest thing was I couldn't close my eyes although my body was exhausted. Mum should have massaged me this morning but when I woke up I had my breakfast I continued doing the work left from yesterday. It's almost one in the afternoon and now I am having a break and will take my lunch shortly after finished writing this post.

I should be running up Kinabalu Mountain according to my plan but I'm not sure if I could because my training didn't follow exactly what I've planned. My target is to get down to 61 or 62KG so I would feel lighter but I failed because my current weight is 64KG and I was 63.4KG a a couple of weeks ago. I gained almost a kilo because I was unwell and for I ate a lot. I've read an article somewhere on the internet said that when we are ill we should eat a lot to boost up our energy and metabolism level. I'm not sure how true this fact is but I did it and I recovered quickly just about 2 or 3 days.

Running up a kinabalu mountain with my current weight would be heavy. Yup 64KG is not an ideal weight to do the ascending 8.7KM uphill. I would say the best weight is under 60KG but I would consider myself if i were 61 or 62KG.

OK folks I need to take my lunch now....take care and I still need to lose some weight maybe four kilos.

Today's training managed to crawl slowly 15.6KM

I felt quite tired today because I pushed myself to run 15.6km in total in two different sessions. The first session I ran about 12 in the afternoon. When I was running the weather was changing from one minute to another. In fact when I was was climbing up the small hills that I always do I can feel the heat was blowing when the breeze came against me. It was bloody hot and I felt even hotter. Before I started the run the weather looked fine not too hot with a bit of breeze so I thought it was a perfect day to have a run. I completed the first session of 8.3KM in less 75 minutes (four small hills). Yeah it was so bloody slow to be honest but then it was very hot and still recovering from a bad flu of last week. The second session was in the evening I completed 7.3KM in 55 minutes. To be honest still slow actually but considering my current health at the moment it should be okay. The weather was much better and it felt cooler so I ran faster.

Anyway, I felt exhausted because I also did lots of house work today...
Got to go to bed now folks...just a quick update for tonight....

My Inspiration for Kinabalu Climbathon

Together with Killian Jornet the winner!!!

Together with the first and second runner up. The champion was from Sabah, Danny.

Marco - although he came second he is still the record holder for this toughest mountain race in the world

Killian Jornet of Spain won 2011's climbathon

My spirit and motivation shot up when I attended the 25th Kinabalu Climbathon last year. I saw the top fell runners from all over the world challenging them self for the toughest mountain race in the world. Yes it was very tough and I bet you none (or very few) of the fell runners would say they did enjoy the run. No..even Anna Frost a top world's fell runner who came second said she had no good feeling while she was running up and down the mountain. Spanish fell runner, Killian the champion for men open category said it was tougher than running 166KM on Mount Blanc.He added, it was the toughest mountain race he ever had.

I took a chance to take some pictures with the champion for the men open category and for the second and third place in women open. I just love those pictures above. Killian defeated Marco of Italy who is the current record holder for this climbathon. Those pictures are my inspiration to join this race. I wouldn't dream to be in the top 20 for my first participation but to be in the top 30 is more than enough. Or even to finish it within the cut off time would make me really happy.

My 2012 January Running report

I should have posted this on the 31st of Jan but I forgot to do it. Here is my official training report. From the 1st of Jan to the 31st of Jan 2012 I have ran almost 150KM (it shows in mile on my report) with more than 8000 feet elevation gained and more than 17 hours running. I could have run more but I had 4 days off because I had food poisoning. It was terrible because for 4 days I was on my bed and couldn't do anything. I was so weak and didn't have energy at all.

So for this month (Feb) I try to run 200KM in total and hopefully will improve my stamina and my pace. Or maybe a bit less let say 180KM. I'm just a bit worry about my left heel at the moment because I can feel pain under it. It's not too bad compared to last month but I don't want to put so much stress on it. I need to look after my left heel because when it damaged I could be in trouble. The strangest thing is it occurs only under my left side and not under my right heel.

Day 8: Kinabalu Day trip challange training

All right first of all here is a good news. I just got back from the hospital and I weighed myself. I am 63.8KG wow!!!! This is a great news for me because of the effort I put throughout the week. Yesterday's runs were three different sessions. I modified my training with a little bit different because I am bored with the same routine running 10 or 12 KM in one session. To run this sort of distance (sometimes 15KM and 16KM) it does need a motivation and could be quite boring if you run on your own. So what I did yesterday was to run 4KM per session and after that I will have a rest for 15 minutes - 20 minutes then go for a run again. I repeated this three times which made me covered 12KM all together.

Yesterday was raining and almost the whole day it was so wet! I thought I would miss my training but luckily the rain stopped at 4PM and I quickly took my shoes and put my shirt and short on. It was great because yesterday's 2 hours made me managed to complete 12 KM cross country with going up and down a little hill.

The first session is to run based on your comfortable pace. Followed by trying to complete the second session in less than the first session's time. The third session would be the same by running as fast as you can. So yesterday was a cross country with going up a little hill and down then cross country again. So I completed the first 4KM in 28minutes 13seconds. I had 15 minutes rest after and I went for a run again another 4KM with the same route and completed the second session in 28minutes 40seconds. I was about 30 seconds slower I'm not sure why. I think because I was slower going up the hill. Anyway, the last run was better because i completed the session in 27minutes 46seconds. That was 30 seconds faster than the first one.

I like this sort of training because it gives my body to build up my endurance instead of running 12KM non stop which is harder and you just training on your breathing skills. OK..ok...I'm not an athlete and I'm not sure whether what I'm doing is the correct training or not. But I'm just reading some articles and tips from the internet and try to practice them.

Based on my training and the fact that I've lost a kilo this week, my target is still the same to reach the highest peak in south east asia in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. Today's training??? well it's raining again. I should have gone for a run this morning or afternoon but I was in town. Back at home now and it's raining like the heaven is open fuhhhh!!!

Day 7: Kinabalu Day trip challange training

I should have posted this yesterday but I was so busy in the Kitchen. I had to cook to entertain few of my mum's guests. I cooked a few different dishes for them. They were all simple but delicious. They enjoyed the dinner anyway. Some of them ate a lot which I enjoyed because it means they like my cooking. Anyway...after the dinner I was very tired because before cooking I went for a run 10.8KM in total. Just after the run I came home and mum asked me to cook something for her guests while they were chatting. It wasn't a big deal actually because for me cooking is something that i really like to do. In fact, almost every occasion held at parents' house I will do the cooking sometimes with my brother in law or sisters.

Yesterday's training was a bit shorter because I only ran 10.8KM because I had quite a distance of 15KM on Monday. So I thought yesterday was more likely a long distance jogging. I did enjoy it because jogging is usually easier compared with running. I did enjoy along the 10.8KM although I had to run up a hill for a few times. I started my training at 4.30PM yesterday with 10 minutes stretching. I brought my mp3 player this time and made sure it was full charged. I also saved a few more new songs in it so I can enjoy my run as well as the songs. I finished the 10.8KM just before 6PM.

Today I suppose to run a longer distance but it has been raining since 10AM. I'm not even sure if i have my training today. I hope the rain would stop later so i can run at least 10KM.

P/s: At the moment my target is still the same to reach the peak of kinabalu mountain in less than 2 hours 30 minutes.

Day 6: Kinabalu Day trip challange training

I hit both hilly tracks but today's runs were both disappointing. Guess why?
Because both of them I didn't do very well. I had my legs and my back massaged last night by mum. It felt so nice and i fallen asleep just like that. I had my two days rest on Saturday and Sunday. Everything was well planned. So i thought could break my personal best records for today's training. I timed myself the 9.52KM in 1 hour 1 minute 22 seconds.

My initial target was to do it within 56 minutes or the latest was 57 minutes. But I failed to do it. Grrrrrr…I was very upset after the run. But I still have tomorrow but maybe I will go for different tracks. Although I didn't break my best personal record but considering the hot weather I thought I could accept it. Huh!!! Yes it was bloody too hot for a run. I started at 10AM in the morning and was too hot to enjoy the run.

Anyway, evening's run was just slightly better. Although it was just 6.32KM in 39 minutes 10 seconds still not my worst record. Maybe the 4th best because last week I did 37 minutes 58 seconds which was my fastest on that hilly track. I started my second run at 4.30PM and I thought it was okay but i was too bloody hot to enjoy the run. I should have started about 5-ish in the evening next time. Or it would be very very hot to enjoy the run.

Anyway, I finished both of my runs with carrot juice. Mmmm I just love carrot juice!!

P/S: Today was very busy apart of my two running sessions. I am very tired. Night night all..

For those of you who have just arrived on my page in my previous post I have mentioned that I am currently on my training for Kinabalu Day Climb Challenge. This is not an event organised by any company but this is a challenge for me as a part of my Training for next year's Kinabalu Climbathon. This is for me and my two brothers in law. Three of us will go for it by the end of Feb. Well we have tried the trial challenge up to the 4th kilometer and it took me 1 hour 10 minutes to complete the track. I have another 1 hour 20 minutes with another 4.7KM left ahead and looking at the distance it's almost impossible to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. My brother in law took 1 hour 16 minutes which is 6 minutes behind me. So at the moment our initial target is to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. Considering our current fitness, most probably it would take 3 hours for us to reach the summit. Or even more! Usual climbers would take 2 days 1 night to climb Kinabalu mountain. Kinabalu Climbathon is the toughest mountain race in the world. Are you tough enough to join the race?

Day 5: Kinabalu Day trip challange training

Fuhhhh it was a long day for me today. I got up about 8.30 am from my bed. I was a bit lazy at he beginning to do anything. I went to the upstairs kitchen (we usually use downstairs kitchen) which is next to my bedroom and made a cup of milky coffee to myself. Mum and Dad was downstairs but I went down just for a few minutes to let them know that I'm awake. Mmmm...I took the creamy biscuits and ate them while checking my email and facebook this morning. Nothing interesting at all. Just the same old story.

I then started to tidy up my bedroom and swept the upstairs' floor. Half and hour later I finished it and went downstairs chatting with mum. My sister was busy putting make up on her face getting ready to school. Mmmmm...she then off a few minutes later. I saw the floor was a bit messy. I can see a few marks on it. I then swept the floor and cleaned it up. Moped it with some detergent. After finished I tidied up the kitchen and cooked something for lunch. I didn't realise the time because by the time I finished everything it was about 2.30PM. I then, realised I've missed my afternoon's training. But never mind because it's friday and I should just have something easier compared to what I did yesterday. I took a rest for a couple of hours then off for my run. Initially I just wanted to do just about 4KM run but I was enjoying the new songs I saved on my Mp3 player till I realised was reaching 6KM. Well, I then just continue my running to the 10th KM. Fuhhhhhhh...it was a slow and easy run actually but I did enjoy it very much. If my mp3's player had enough power i would probably run 13KM. I am happy with the distance I did 10.2KM cross country!!!

Well, tomorrow is Saturday and it's my time to get some rest.

For those of you who have just arrived on my page in my previous post I have mentioned that I am currently on my training for Kinabalu Day Climb Challenge. This is not an event organised by any company but this is a challenge for me as a part of my Training for next year's Kinabalu Climbathon. This is for me and my two brothers in law. Three of us will go for it by the end of Feb. Well we have tried the trial challenge up to the 4th kilometer and it took me 1 hour 10 minutes to complete the track. I have another 1 hour 20 minutes with another 4.7KM left ahead and looking at the distance it's almost impossible to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. My brother in law took 1 hour 16 minutes which is 6 minutes behind me. So at the moment our initial target is to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. Considering our current fitness, most probably it would take 3 hours for us to reach the summit. Or even more! Usual climbers would take 2 days 1 night to climb Kinabalu mountain. Kinabalu Climbathon is the toughest mountain race in the world. Are you tough enough to join the race?

Day 4: Kinabalu Day trip challange training

Hi folks, today is my fourth day training for Day climb kinabalu challenge. It has been quite interesting week for me. Today I covered almost 15KM in total in two different trainings. The first one was red hill with a longer and a bit different route which is 5.5KM. This was a bit slow because it was on the afternoon and the weather was really hot that time. Before I started my run it was already hot but half way of my run the weather was getting mad. I finished the first training 49 minutes 19 seconds. Considering the distance I should have done in less than 45 minutes. It was okay and it didn't matter because I knew I will hit another track which is longer. I finished my run about 12.40PM (you see it was in the afternoon).

Before my watch showed 5.30PM, I was a bit busy in the kitchen cooking for lunch, washing and I needed to buy something and had to go to town. With all those things i've done I had probably a couple of hours rest. It wasn't too bad actually. Exactly 5.30PM I put my short and shoes on. I drove the car to Tenghilan Old road which is about 5 minutes away from my sister's house. I parked the car next to the bus stop and started my stretching. It was about 10 minutes or maybe a bit less. I was excited because I wanted to finish the whole route which is about 9.4KM. My personal best record was 59 minutes 58 seconds about 2 weeks ago. It was just my target to finish it in less than an hour. Two weeks ago after the run I was exhausted. Fuh!!!!

I started my second training in an easy pace. I usually will finish at the 1.4th in 7 minutes 30 seconds but today's record was 8 minutes 10 seconds. But I actually planned to run slower at the beginning. At the 3.4th KM my best record is 17 minutes 30 seconds but today's record 18minutes. After I finished half way I started to increase my pace again and again by watching my heart rate. another 4.7KM to go and I had to make sure my heart rate won't exceed 180bpm. By watching my heart rate I was successful to keep my pace and I sprint at the last 1.4KM. I managed to finish the whole route in 57 minutes 58 seconds! This was great compared to my personal best record.

I enjoyed my training today!!!

For those of you who have just arrived on my page in my previous post I have mentioned that I am currently on my training for Kinabalu Day Climb Challenge. This is not an event organised by any company but this is a challenge for me as a part of my Training for next year's Kinabalu Climbathon. This is for me and my two brothers in law. Three of us will go for it by the end of Feb. Well we have tried the trial challenge up to the 4th kilometer and it took me 1 hour 10 minutes to complete the track. I have another 1 hour 20 minutes with another 4.7KM left ahead and looking at the distance it's almost impossible to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. My brother in law took 1 hour 16 minutes which is 6 minutes behind me. So at the moment our initial target is to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. Considering our current fitness, most probably it would take 3 hours for us to reach the summit. Or even more! Usual climbers would take 2 days 1 night to climb Kinabalu mountain. Kinabalu Climbathon is the toughest mountain race in the world. Are you tough enough to join the race?

Day 3: Kinabalu Day trip challange training

Today is my third day on training to get fitter than my current fitness. As I mentioned in my previous post, the target is to reach Mount Kinabalu in less than 2 hours and 30 minutes. Would I be able to do that? Well I don't know and considering my current fitness the answer would be "NO!! I can't do that". Most probably I would take up to 3 hours or even more to reach the highest peak in South East Asia. If your age is above 40 and able to reach the top less than 3 hours and 30 minutes then you would be considered fit enough for the toughest mountain race in the world. Otherwise you have to do it in less than 2 hours 30 minutes.

After my master's dissertation last summer in 2011 I was so determined to lose weight so that I can participate for Kinabalu mountain race. Last summer in June 2011 probably the heaviest I ever been, 76KG for 171CM. I started my short run at the beginning then gradually increase it to 24KM so far. When I got back to Sabah in July until October I stopped my training because I lost the motivation to run. But luckily, after I saw the 26th Kinabalu Climbathon the spirit started to flame again. So here I am doing it until now. So basically I only been training for 3 months now and I have improved a lot compared to my last year's fitness. My current weight is 65KG, 171CM. My target is to lose another 5KG (this would make me look thin but actually still ideal)

Anyway, I should be talking about today's training. I ran up to red hill which I've done before. But today I made it even longer to make it up in total for 6.4KM up and down. It was great although I was a bit exhausted when i started running up the hill but I managed to reach it within my target. I completed the route in 54minutes 8 seconds.

My second training was in the evening. The first one was in the afternoon. It was okay because the whether wasn't too hot so I thought I give it a go. About 5.30PM I started the four wheel blue car. I then drove the car about 10 minutes. I wanted to run the hilly track of Tenghilan Old road. I did it few times before but this time was different because I wanted to make a new personal best record. I failed!!! Because my best personal record for this 6.4KM hilly track was 37 minutes 38 seconds but I did this evening in 38 minutes 8 seconds. Never mind, it wasn't too bad actually. I knew this would happen because I finished at the 1.4KM in 8 minutes. I usually finish it within 7 minutes 30 seconds. So i was 30 seconds slower.

So today's training I covered 12.8KM in total. This is a great improvement. I still have another two days before Saturday and I'm going to have a rest on this day.

For those of you who have just arrived on my page in my previous post I have mentioned that I am currently on my training for Kinabalu Day Climb Challenge. This is not an event organised by any company but this is a challenge for me as a part of my Training for next year's Kinabalu Climbathon. This is for me and my two brothers in law. Three of us will go for it by the end of Feb. Well we have tried the trial challange up to the 4th kilometer and it took me 1 hour 10 minutes to complete the track. I have another 1 hour 20 minutes with another 4.7KM left ahead and looking at the distance it's almost impossible to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. My brother in law took 1 hour 16 minutes which is 6 minutes behind me. So at the moment our initial target is to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. Considering our current fitness, most probably it would take 3 hours for us to reach the summit. Or even more! Usual climbers would take 2 days 1 night to climb Kinabalu mountain. Kinabalu Climbathon is the toughest mountain race in the world. Are you tough enough to join the race?

Day 2: Kinabalu day trip challange Training

Today is my second day training. I don't know why I was so sleepy and tired today. My watch showed 4.30 PM and in an hour time I should be running but instead of running I was fallen asleep with my laptop. It was my first time fallen asleep in the evening since i was on holiday back in June last year. Luckily, I had my half training in the afternoon about 1PM. The sky was cloudy, dark and it looked like it was going to rain. Then, I quickly picked up my Dunlop shoes and started my stratching. Cloudy weather is the best temperature to run because it's not too hot. About 10 minutes later I started the first 2.7KM with a quick sprint and managed to finished it in 13minutes 17seconds. Not too bad but slower than my personal best record which is 12minutes 50seconds about c couple of months ago. I knew I didn't do well because my start wasn't fast enough.

Anyway, after the first 2.7KM I had a rest for about 15 minutes and later I started again with a slower pace. I managed to finish the second 2.7KM in 16minutes 14minutes. I finished the training with a recover run of slow jog. I did enjoy the runs except the rain caught me a few minutes before I managed to finish my second run.

For those of you who have just arrived on my page in my previous post I have mentioned that I am currently on my training for Kinabalu Day Climb Challange. This is not an event organised by any company but this is a challange for me as a part of my Training for next year's Kinabalu Climbathon. This is for me and my two brothers in law. Three of us will go for it by the end of Feb. Well we have tried the trial challange up to the 4th kilometer and it took me 1 hour 10 minutes to complete the track. I have another 1 hour 20 minutes with another 4.7KM left ahead and looking at the distance it's almost impossible to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. My brother in law took 1 hour 16 minutes which is 6 minutes behind me. So at the moment our initial target is to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. Considering our current fitness, most probably it would take 3 hours for us to reach the summit. Or even more! Usual climbers would take 2 days 1 night to climb Kinabalu mountain. Kinabalu Climbathon is the toughest mountain race in the world. Are you tough enough to join the race?

Day 1: Kinabalu Day Climb Challange

Here is my first day training:

I chose Likas lake which is about 30 minutes away from where I live at the moment. I've just recovered from food poisining for 4 days. Today is a good start for me although i knew i might feel a bit exhausted because i've been resting for days. So I decided to run on a flat ground which is easier with a faster pace. At the beginning I felt good and faster until the 4th KM I started to feel pain in my chest. At the 5th KM I stopped my run and decided to have a slow jog until to the 10th KM. So overall I've covered about 10KM in my first day training. Up to the 5.07 KM I took 26min 30secs although the target is to do it under 25 minutes. Anyway, It doesn't matter because this is my first day training for the challange.

The rest of the KM I decided to have a slow jog! The target is to run for the whole KM. But well, I my chest was uncomfortable and had to stop running. Well, that was okay overall just a little bit dissapointed because of the pain. Otherwise I could have run the whole KM.

For those of you who have just arrived on my page in my previous post I have mentioned that I am currently on my training for Kinabalu Day Climb Challange. This is not an event organised by any company but this is a challange for me as a part of my Training for next year's Kinabalu Climbathon. This is for me and my two brothers in law. Three of us will go for it by the end of Feb. Well we have tried the trial challange up to the 4th kilometer and it took me 1 hour 10 minutes to complete the track. I have another 1 hour 20 minutes with another 4.7KM left ahead and looking at the distance it's almost impossible to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. My brother in law took 1 hour 16 minutes which is 6 minutes behind me. So at the moment our initial target is to reach the top in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. Considering our current fitness, most probably it would take 3 hours for us to reach the summit. Or even more! Usual climbers would take 2 days 1 night to climb Kinabalu mountain. Kinabalu Climbathon is the toughest mountain race in the world. Are you tough enough to join the race?