Sabah Adventure Challenge Ultra Trail Solo 2014 (Pre - Event)

Here I am again, "with great clicking comes great responsibilities". I've moved to Kuala Lumpur almost up to 9 months now. Faster pace of life, not very nice smelling atmosphere and yes of course, TRAFFIC JAMS

Doing the race this year again. Its on the Good Friday Long Weekend (18-19-20th April 2014). After last year's shock of suddenly emerging as 1st runner up in the SAC 2013 Ultra Trail Run, would have been at the top position if not for ordering the fried rice which never appeared after waiting for almost an hour at the restaurant just outside of Kinabalu Park. So I had no regrets without expectations. I love SAC particularly when they give you maps and you've got to use your brains at least with the compass (This is because I use the compass a lot and do a lot of mapping work - Thank you DHI(DanishHydraulicInstitute)Water and Environment!!!!). I prefer races with brains and brawn, which then you can see a difference in time later on when navigation comes into practice.

Best thing you could ever had is to meet not only your buddies whom you have met over the years doing ultra trail running, but also new fellow friends from around the world, as well as transitioners (road runners converting into trail runners- well done!!!!)

I don't personally love road running, but sometimes it seems like the only place left to train on, I try to do off road as much as possible. Look at the figure below, isn't it way way better on a single track to freedom and fresh air than on a man made road? Trails gives you less injuries if you build yourself up the proper way with it. BITUMEN IS BORING!!!

I don't do races for the money or cash prize. I do it for the passion and the camaraderie. True trail running tribes truly makes you feel so much more happier.

Source: http://pacerfilms.tv/tag/trail-running/

Its SAC's 15th anniversary this year since its inception. Hence, the outdoor camping style this time around. This I can't wait. So....preparation. As usual:

1. Register and Payment
2. Visa (I'm Malaysian, but I get 90 days from when I enter East Malaysia, weird huh?)
3. Check your flights
4. Transport and Accommodation
5. Race Rules and Regulations
6. Mandatory List
7. Equipments
8. FOOD, Nutrition for the race 

Anyway, looking forward to the race. Total female participants updated in the website is 24/112 participants (including me, not updated in the list for now). I have no expectations to win but definitely itching to run the new trails designed by Claus this year, as well as the ever dedicated team who goes out there to fight till the end to make sure the course is safe for us.

See you there!!!!

Cycling to Change Diabetes 2013

An upcoming event called World Diabetes Day Cycling to Change Diabetes 2013 will take place along the scenic routes of Putrajaya. Organised by Putrajaya Hospital, in Collaboration with Perbadanan Putrajaya and Novo Nordisk which will be held in conjunction with the World Diabetes Day 2013. 

Promoting cycling as an awareness and a healthy lifestyle to the public is an important aspect to reduce the involvement of the human race into the statistics of a well known disease Diabetes. According to the New Straits Times from an article in April, 2012, Malaysia has one of the world's highest number of diabetes cases among its population with 2.6 million registered patients. A study held by the Ministry of Health revealed that one out of five people above the age of 30 suffers from diabetes. As the number of diabetic sufferers doubled since the last decade, half of it was not reported.

Do take hold of your life, take a health screening and learn about the risk factors, complications, signs and symptoms, prevention and facts during this event as there will be health screenings as well as exhibitions prepared by the organizers. DIABETES: PROTECT OUT FUTURE!!!

Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Check out their website for the online registration details, do read the rules and regulation carefully as this is a cycling event. No matter what distance you are pursuing, you should at least know the most simple etiquette which is to "WEAR YOUR CRASH HELMET"!!!

Details are as follows:

Date: November 9th, Saturday 2013

Estimated Duration: 7:00am to 12:00pm

Location: Ministry of Health (Government Office Complex, Parcel E, Precinct 1, Putrajaya

Categories and Distances available:

A: 6 years & below - 500m

B: 7 - 12 years & below - 1km

C: 13 - 17 years - 10km

D: 18 years & above - 10km

E: 18 years & above - 40km

See you there!!!!

Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2013 - In General

When Jeri Chua from (http://fatbirdgoesultra.blogspot.com/) set a teaser photo and tagged 65 running friends from around the globe saying as below...., I went "Hey, why not go for an ultra running holiday??", I tuned in and waited for the registration site to be set up and voila!!! the credit card went on a shopping spree of flight tickets and registration for the event. 

Snapshot from FB timeline: Jeri's teaser post

The event was on October 5th, 2013, an ultimate solution to free, quick and easy running holiday with food craze moments is to travel on Oct, 2nd 2013 to Oct, 7th 2013. I therefore got the flight tickets settled (as we had three choices):

a. Air Asia (being low cost and expensive nowadays)
b. Malaysian Airlines (superb Malaysian Hospitality but expensive for international flights, unless your company is sponsoring you or you have excess cash for yourself) and finally,
c. Vietnam Airlines (feeling smart) was the CHEAPEST (RM424 return)

***Be wise in planning for ultimate money budget management

and not to forget the package price for the event including:

a. Overnight train tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai and back to Hanoi. (Sleeping style 4 bed bunks in a room)

b. Meals (buffet style) while we were at Topas Ecolodge including a BBQ dinner

c. Accommodation for Oct 4th and 5th, 2013 at Topas Ecolodge

d. Run fees (similiar fees for 21km, 42km or 70km ultra) 

e. Charity donation to the beating heart of the SAPA O'CHAU center in Vietnam 

Pre-Event Planning 

Of course you can either let things go by its own flow and have Zen all the time. Or you can opt to do, RESEARCH:

a) On where you will be staying when you land before we catch the overnight train (In this case, our good friend Agnes Yew managed to bookings at Hanoi Guesthouse, in Hanoi)

b) Since its a running holiday, what local attraction or food or cultural events you can discover in the area, our meet up group later on in Hanoi was 5 people and gave ourselves enough buffer to know the Old Quarters of Hanoi " Totally Amazing".

c)Think about how much expenses you would need there in terms of currency differences and what type of spender you are. You can either opt to be a traveler or a tourist.

During Event

Topas Ecolodge is managed by Asger Køppen and his wife Pernille Hoffmann with a team of extraordinary personnel who are very friendly which will do their best to make you feel comfortable. Below is a picture on the top of the hill overlooking the main hall where we have our meals, chill and hang out.

The main hall of Topas Ecolodge from the hilltop camping area

The Sapa O'Chau meaning "thank you Sapa" in the H'mong language was founded by the brilliant and extraordinary lady Shu Tan. Ultimately with her focus in building a stronger future and opportunities for the H'mong people and a better life. They take in volunteers as well, so if you're keen, don't hesitate to contact them or maybe pay a visit while you're there. Congratulations to Vietnam Mountain Marathon together with its sponsors in raising a total of 60 000 000 VND to the organization.

Miss Shu Tan (left) with the Sapa O'Chau children performing at the closing of VMM Winner's Awards ceremony: Picture Credits: Pg Rosli Tajuddin from Brunei

Donation amount achieved 60000000 VND = 2850 USD for the organisation
Photo Credit: Pg Rosli Tajuddin from Brunei

Novo Nordisk together with the Danish Embassy in Vietnam were the main sponsors in the event with awareness of course to bringing a change to one of the world's biggest dilemma DIABETES. 
Being working for a Danish company based in Malaysia, I'm proud to see everybody playing a great role in this!!!!! and

Post Event
We were touched by the buzzing city of Hanoi, where Parisian heritage is at large. With people, landscape and culture. Feeling impressed with organizations that has helped the local minorities with education, financial help and other needs are also embedded into our hearts.

We hope to be back again for the inaugural Vietnam Mountain Marathon in 2014!!! Registration for next year's event starts on December, 1st 2013. 12:00am. Happy trail training everyone!!!!

Tam Biet!!!