The most hiong race I ever done in my whole life and most probably the longest distance I ever going to run. The North Face 100 is not a race for the faint hearted. This is an almost 100% trail (A little bit of tarmac road at areas like Rifle Range/Zheng Hua Park etc.) ultra marathon that require teams of 2 runners to run 50km through areas like Macritchie, Rifle Range, Bukit Timah and Bukit Panjang etc with minimum support. (Runners have to bring min 2L of hydration in the form of hydration bladder or belt and the only official water point is at BKE below Bukit Panjang exit-23KM/30KM/36.5KM. ) The terrain is very uneven, slippery (thanks to the rain. I twisted my ankle a few times. If you know what I genak before, you will know that an ankle twist is disastrous for me. But my shoes gave me excellent protection.) and challenging. To make things worse, a climb up Bukit Timah hill summit after running close to 20KM (Play RPM’s toughest Mountain Climb track here…) and a 8 hours cut off time makes it harder. This is a race that I walk more than I run. I did this race with my Secondary School pal Amin and it is one hell of a race for him as well as he is not in his best condition.

Started the race at 8am at Zig-Zag Bridge. (Deja vu…Cross Country Start Point. Last time there was like 8 years ago.) Started the race well. Comfortable. Went up Lornie Road->Lornie Trail->Start Point. (4.1KM-25min) Then went to Northern Trail->Rifle Range->Durian Trail->Bukit Timah Hill Summit. (18KM) Although there is no water point at Bukit Timah Hill, the visitor centre is an unofficial 1. So I went there for a pit stop before I CLIMB up the stairs to the summit. Hit the summit at around 10:30am. Well within my game plan.

Then I ran to Belukar Track->Chestnut trail->BKE Bukit Panjang Exit. (CHECKPOINT! 100PLUS!!!!!!) After filling up water, it was a run to Jalan Kok Meng and Zheng Hua Park before hitting the same Checkpoint again. (Fill water…Drink water.) The Zheng Hua Park is a love-hate for me. Love it as I met a lot of angels there. (Not because I was dying there.) I felt so blessed. I was suffering from cramps and my kaki John offered me heat rub. I was hungry and a marshaller offered me banana. What else can I ask for? Zheng Hua Park was also a tarmac road terrain so that was good…A break from the unforgiving trail. But the ups and downs made it damn tough. It seems like never ending.

Then it was going through the same loop again to the same checkpoint. (Fill water…Drink water.) Along this stretch, I really walk a hell lot. Tried to run a bit. But see upslope sian liao. So walk really a lot with some friends. But then, a heavy downpour forces me to run faster cause I dun wanna fall sick.

From then on, it was a run back to Chestnut trail->Belukar Track->Rifle Range->Finish at Macritchie. This stretch was also tough as I run out of water with 5KM to go. So just bear with it and take it home. Finish under the cut off time of 8 hours and my time is 7:30:40. When I reach the finishing line, I was freaking tired. But finishing this race gives me great satisfaction. Cause my game plan worked and I achieved my objectives.

1st, the shoes that I choose worked for me. The TNF Hedgehog XCR worked really well. It protected my legs from the unforgiving terrain and gave me absolute trail confidence. (Thanks to the Vibram sole.) My boss and colleagues doubt my choice saying that the shoe is very hard and inflexible. Gore tex very hot etc… But I prove them so wrong. I seek protection here and I’m glad that I made the right choice. 2nd, I met my target-Finishing under the cut off timing of 8 hours and hitting every checkpoint well before their cut off time. (If I were to follow the cut off time planned by the organizer, confirm cannot finish under 8 hours.) Initially I was thinking of a sub 6/7 finish. But along the way, it seems impossible. So no choice lah. Take it easier. Come back in 1 piece under 8 can liao. =) So managed to do it. 3rd, Beat Farhan! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA. We went head to head in 4 races this year and so far I have beaten him in every single races. But nonetheless, well done bro. It is not easy for you to finish this race. 4th, Helping Amin to run better at every races. As a partner, we encouraged one another and helped each other on track and off track. I helped him with his gears and stuffs and I am happy that they worked for him. Well bro, more races to go yah!

Here’s the map:

This is another race that I will not forget… A 10KM race that is so tough to me. Broke my PB here. 48:37. This means a lot to me. Cause hitting a sub 50 min timing for 10KM (That is a benchmark for serious runners!) is always what I wanted to do and it is not easy to hit it in this race but I did it anyway. Why it is not easy? Few reasons. 1. Poor start point management. They say want to give people under 50 min a red tag so that they can be at the front of the start area. I tell them that and they give me a Blue tag. Damn! (The frustrating thing is they never ask some people and straight away give them red tag. Did they write the name elite on their forehead? I dun think so.) Cannot get into the red area and can only be in Blue area which is behind a bit. So too bad. Whoever block my way genak elbow by me and I have to cheong harder to breakaway. That cause me to overexert too much too soon. 2. The drizzle along the way make the run tough at areas like Clarke Quay. The terrain at Clarke Quay is not rain friendly. The tile flooring and rain made it a super slippery ground. Downslopes made it worse. So many people slipped and fall and I have to exercise caution and stride control to prevent that. 3. Some part of the course was narrow and can be very crowded. But thank goodness that I broke away early and there was lot more room in front. Here’s a picture showing my speed graph through the 10KM.

Ran the race with many folks of Runfanatics. Got a lot of photos as well. Post them later…HAPPY!

Another year, another AHM. This time the route is a bit different. Run up the Marina Barrage. Shiok. But the goyak tarmac road before the Marina Barrage was bad…..Suddenly soft, suddenly hard… and it is a long stretch. Tough terrain. Sianz. Good that this year they choose to end the race at Padang again. Finish the race at PB of 1:53:57 (Shave 3 sec off…hahaha!!!)

1. Creative Zen 16GB with AC Adapter, 3 x Silicon Skins and 3 x Screen Protector (Bought! Damage: $368!)
   P/S: Damn it.....I buy liao they come out with Zen X-FI....Now this bundle $311.90 can get liao. Lugi. New player got X-Fi...Should I buy?
2. Creative X-Fi Surround 5.1 USB Soundcard (Bought! Damage: $99!)
   P/S: Damn it again. I buy liao they drop price by $10!
3. Saucony Hurricane X (Bought! Damage: $125.40!)
4. Zoot Tights (Ultra/Compression. Potential Damage: $53.40/pcs!)
5. Powergel (1 box of 24-8 Double Latte, 8 Green Apple and 8 Raspberry Cream! Potential Damage: $55!)
6. Optic Nerve Banshee Carbon Shades (Bought! Damage: $39.60!)
7. Wrightsocks Socks (Bought! Damage: $18.60!)

Who wanna be my early santa? Or who haben buy me birthday present...wanna buy as belated birthday present.....I dun mind.....

最近蛮喜欢这首歌。

送我一个家（广东版）

晴朗天 榕树荫

月半弯 图画想得多漂亮

前景敢不敢跟你　去开发

在市区 望向理想的优雅

谈着储蓄的计划　

我却不信城内会没有吵架

如楼下 太喧哗

楼上娃娃哭了吗

连累小小的我不禁害怕

难道爱亦会变得颓垣败瓦

回家 屋邨几多伙人家

然后发现哪伙还会愉快

能令我极眷恋的家 有吗

蓝吊灯 桃木桌

白绢纱 寻找装修的抉择

研讨家私的摆设　与风格

在市区 望向美好的高塔

谈尽美好的说话　

我却想到城外我遇过的家

如楼下 太喧哗

楼上娃娃哭了吗

连累小小的我不禁害怕

难道爱亦会变得颓垣败瓦

回家 屋邨几多伙人家

然后发现哪伙还会愉快

能令我愿每天一起回家

你未必需要给我密码

或者请送我一个家

要是你能为我情愿付最大代价

期望你亦能令我遗 忘爱会慢慢平淡

如楼下 种鲜花

楼上轻轻敲结他

谁在家中跟我仿似渡假

炫耀爱没有变得颓垣败瓦

回家 屋邨几多伙人家

然后抱着你可微笑睡觉

而合照亦要靠一起 去挂

送我一个家（国语版）

每一天等着他

送鲜花送我回的不是家

我的未来该如何去规划

看着他表情显得有点傻

面对面一言不发

突然想贴这个面颊说情话

等一下静一下时钟敲过十二下

你说要我许下生日愿望

我的心里重复着那一句话

好吗谁能送我一个家

然后一起用心去呵护它

以后无论天有多黑不怕

我喜欢粉沙发

白窗纱床边洁白的书架

纯洁的无暇不必太奢华

回到家忘记工作的纷杂

甩开一身的疲乏

让我在他怀里睡得像娃娃

等一下静一下时钟敲过十二下

你说要我许下生日愿望

我的心里有句话等你回答

好吗谁能送我一个家

我不想一个人守着电话

只想和你每天一起回家

熟悉的孩子你会懂吗

宠她就把未来给她

这感情会开花会发芽慢慢长大

我只愿意和你分享我们最后的年华

宠一下吻一下心跳超过一百下

我已默默许下一个愿望

我会对你请说出那一句话

好吗能否送我一个家

这女孩的梦想不算伟大

在你怀里就能拥有神话

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Adobe Contribute CS3

Aiyo.....
Crazy Crazy and Crazy wor!!!!!!!
1st....Got my results for last sem. Can make it lah.....Not as beautiful as Poly last time. But Stats can get B+....hahaha!!!! Happy like seow.

Had a New Year Countdown party at friend's place a few days back. Crazy......Drink like mad.....Thanks to someone........(If you saw this....thanks ah!....hehehehe)

Then it was work work and work as the shop is crazily short handed.

Then today when my $$$ comes, I shop like mad. 1st got a new pair of Optic nerve shades from my workplace using my staff benefit. Cause I have work at my current work place for like > 6 months and my hours are high, I get $100 voucher. So the shades cost $109.....So I pay just $9 for this!

Nice boh? Got 4 pair of interchangeable lenses!!!!

Then I bought some BODYPUMP tops from my friends....Like them a lot. Then I got myself a haircut. Now this is how I look....


That's me in the shades with clear lenses.

Then before heading home after my RPM class, I went to NTUC buy tidbits, Ham, bread and some junk food......SHIOK!!!!!!!!

Well.....That was how my day went today!!!

Well, many people also ask me what I hope to achieve this year.......Here's my new year resolution:
1. Improve all my running timings. (Hopefully 10KM under 45min, 15KM under 1:10, 21km under 1:45, 42.195KM at around 4 hour flat.)
2. Start teaching BODYPUMP!!!!! I dun wanna nuah anymore liao.....ENUFF!
3. Do well in school (Get can make it grades, get into a good co. for PA etc)
4. Get CCA activities up and nicely done!

What's urs?
That's all from me for now!

Hey hey....
Got a new gadget to add to my collection. The Nokia E65!

(Photos taken with my Sony Ericsson K618I)

Got this phone for free from Singtel by signing up for the $99.86 Mio Plan. Well, why Mio plan? I'm currently on Singnet Broadband 10Mbps and my residential line is under my name as well. Both of these add up to around close to $75+ per month. (Sometimes close to $90+ as they charge the fixed line rental quarterly.) So now I get a free mobile phone and an additional mobile line with just a little bit extra cost. Quite a good deal IMHO. Hehehe.

Anyway, back to the phone itself. I bought the Mocha/Silver version and I like it a lot. Here's a quick review from me.

Appearance
As a business centric phone, it got the looks. It is slim. (Unless compared to Samsung.) It feels nice on my hand and it is not so heavy. The best thing I like about the phone in this department is the battery cover. It got a leathery texture/feel to it which makes it really looks like a business phone. Slider is solid as well.

Connectivity
Well, I got nothing to complaint here. Other than 3G, it got WIFI, Bluetooth and IR onboard. (You may say 3G is out as there is 3.5G now. But seriously, I'm not confident of our 3.5G infrastructure in Singapore now. Give 3.5G a few more years.) The WIFI allows me to be connected to any public hotspot easily. It can scan and detect wireless network and I can get myself connected quickly. At home, I got it connected to my secure Wireless Network without much glitches and I use it to make free calls using Pfingo which is quite clear. When I am outside, I connect to Wireless@SG and it also work well. I also use it to get online to Windows Live Messenger and use Mail for Exchange to synchronize with my school exchange server. The built in web browser is also ok. I use the Bluetooth to link to my macbook that runs Windows Vista. (HEHE!)

Display
The display is quite clear and nice. I got a screen protector on it since I got it.

UI
This is the first time I own a Symbian OS device (Played with my friends' phone before) and as a techkie, I get used to it pretty fast. UI is quite intuitive and I can get things done on it pretty fast.

Multimedia
The camera is just a plain jane 2MP camera. I'm okie with it as a camera is not the most important function I look for on a phone. The speakers are quite ok. MP3 ringtones sound ok to me. It's nice that they added in a 256MB MicroSD card in the package and the card is MADE IN JAPAN!!!! (YIPPIE!!!)

Work Stuff
This phone got the PIM functions as well and it syncs with Outlook/Exchange server. So I'm now using it as a supplement/replacement of my trusty Sony Clie that has been serving me for a long time.

Battery Life
Quite okie so far. Given my high usage of WIFI/Bluetooth.

That's all for now.

Phew...So long never update blog........Recently a lot of things have happened.
1st, results for exam is out. I got A-, B-, C for 3 modules. Another 2 modules I never sit for exam as my dad passed away that time......The consolation is that I finally got my 1st A grade in Uni.......So phew.....

2nd, recently I took up BODYPUMP Instructor training. Seriously, I dunno why I wanna take this up initially. Maybe because BODYPUMP is the 1st Les Mills program that I have done since I have joined FitnessFirst......So when I know that there is a BODYPUMP Instructor Course, I checked with Faye and I signed up for it without much thought. But soon after I sign up, I started to think more about it. Especially after I did the launch of BODYPUMP 62 led by the great Kylie Gates, Andrew and Maverick. This release is going into the record books as one of the toughest release man! After doing the launch class, I start to ask myself question like what kind of "shit" have I got myself into......my goodness.

So as I was thinking, the course date approaches. So I just throw all worries behind me and go into the course with a learning attitude.

The course was conducted over 3 days at Fitness First The Cathay. (8th-10th June) The trainer of the course is Wes Carter. He's a nice chap and he have a good sense of humor. hehe.... I also saw a few familiar faces at the course as well.....People like Jun Wei, Joanna, KS, Fernie, Alan etc...During the 3 days, we have a lot of fun and hard work. (BODYPUMP Survivor, BODYPUMP Challenge, Jokes, Presentations, Theory lessons, mad runs and many many more.....) During the course, many people also came and support us. People like Faye, Andrew, Xavier and Eve all came down to support us. It's nice to see them around and their support keep us going. So after the 3 days training, I passed the training......I felt that I was lucky (Maybe I'm blessed.......I got the tracks that I'm more confident in.=D) So next up, audition. Hope I can get pass it!