Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Bukit Kiara Trail Running

It was a very satisfying trail running at Bukit Kiara (or Kiara Hill at Taman Tun Dr Ismail) as planned on Monday, 28 Nov 2011 which is a national holiday. Led by Kenny Kwan who is dubbed as ‘the Trails Recognition Master of Kiara Hill’ (as he could remember the trails very well), we ran through many trails at the inner part of Kiara Hill.

We ran through the Mountain Bikes route, Horseback Trail, in and out of the tarred road; crossing stream, to View Point, and return to car park via Flintstone trail for a good 2-hour trail runs. It was really challenging indeed. The icing on the cake is that the air was fresh and cool, and the ground was soft with the daily continuous rain in the preceding evenings. Yeah! No leeches here!

Do click here to view photos taken by yours truly (KC).

Happy and Good Feeling ... Group photo at Bukit Kiara Playground.
Back (left): KC Leong, Jeff Ooi, Simon Goh, Choo TS, SC Yong, Kenny Kwan (Team Lead), ChooTS, David Spence, Mak CK, Yim Heng Fatt, Jason Loh;
Front: Wendy Liu, Peck Yah, Eileen, Debbie, Jezamine Lo, Karen Loh, Chooi Wai, Lady Su.
On the far right is Jason Loh, a gifted and young road-racing runner that can run very fast.

Another smaller group who were trekking was led by Kah Kheng who is also familiar with the various trails in Kiara Hill. This group consisted of Eileen, Wendy Liu, Peck Yah and Chooi Wan (who is first time joining us in the trail event).


 Debbie comes with her mountain-trained cute little doggie

Prelude – When CK Mak said he is the sweeper for the slower group, I was worried. The inner part of Kiara Hill is full of split trails. I have been there only once following Karen Loh and Group, and I could only remember vaguely the direction inside the hills. Nevertheless, I joked to CK Mak that since the entire Kiara Hill is surrounded by massive housing development, one would certainly emerged from the jungle after many hours.
 
Then to compound on to my anxiety, the initiator of this trail running event, ChinWMon, sustained injury at the recent Penang Bridge Marathon clocking 3 hr 15 min for the full marathon. Bravo and Respect!! But he could not come.
 
So on the morning of 28 Nov 2011, I was getting ready with the red ribbon markers to run into Kiara Hill to test how well I could still remember the trails.

  The ray of light in the morning shining through the woods that bestows good health on the trail runners below, and the doggie also ...

At around 7:15 a.m., more and more trail runners arrived while I constantly on the lookout for those Kiara Hill trail runners that know the way. Then the light of the headlamps at the edge of the hill caught my attention: I saw Jeff Ooi, Yim Heng Fatt, Karen Loh and Jason Loh emerged from the trail. They actually started the run into the jungle at 6:30 a.m. (still in darkness) and returned to lead the way. Later, Kenny Kwan also came. Wow! I was delighted! At least you won’t see news such as ‘trail runners missing in Kiara Hill’ appearing in the newspaper.

  Emitting Steam – Notice the misty effect of this photo. There is nothing wrong with the camera lens, it is the steam emitting from the bodies amidst the cool weather.
SC Yong’s spectacles are covered with vapour. Notice also the cute little doggie that has been running the same distance as the adults, across muddy grounds and streams.
Left is Kenny Kwan – Team Lead for this trail running.

 With the famous runners: Jason Loh (on the left of photo frame) and Jeff Ooi (right)

 Nice artwork - Karen Loh and Yim HF

 At the View Point area ... background is the housing development

 Return via Flintstone Trail ... ChooTS, Mak CK, Lady Su, Edwin Goh, Chong YF. Background is the dirt trail for mountain bikes challenges.

 Debbie attending to her cute little doggie which seems to enjoy the tender care

Delicious nasi lemak courtesy of Aleximon Lee’s mother. Ah... I missed as I have to leave early. Aleximon (3rd from right, in red T-shirt) brought the food all the way from Klang. BRAVO !!
This is how it works: while we were gathering at Bukit Kiara playground at 7:30 a.m., Karen Loh took a photo using her iPhone; posted into Facebook where Aleximon picked up the message (and assess the number of participants) and asked his mother to prepare – excellent camaraderie and good team work !!! (this photo courtesy of Eileen Gan)

Do click here for previous trail running at Bukit Kiara with Karen Loh and Group.

Posted by KC Leong

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Post-Climbathon Dinner & Karaoke

An evening of good camaraderie, splendid food and the fun of singing karaoke to celebrate the post-Mount Kinabalu Climbathon (that was held on 23 Oct 2011) together. The gathering was staged at Imperial Gardens at Petaling Jaya on Saturday, 26 November 2011.


Do click here to view photos taken by yours truly (KC). Click Slideshow or Full Screen icon for larger displays.
 A warm welcome extending to the arrival of Patricia Yap

 Yeah, agree ... Patricia Yap, Sharon Tan, Lai Kuan, Carol, Fiona Goh, Lady Su, Monsy. The banner is a finisher souvenir from Sabah Adventure Trail Running Challenge; that event was called ‘The Most Beautiful Thing’ (TMBT) – what a name ... :-)

 Dinner is served ... the first dish

 Cheers to all the outdoor activities together; cheers to good health; cheers to friendship

 Anti-climax -- the karaoke system is out-of-order that is hurriedly being repaired by the restaurant staff

 Trade Secret - satisfactorily look from Patricia Yap after successfully mixed the potent cocktail of 'orange juice'

 Testing time with the power (or powerful) drinks. The problem is that the karaoke system is not working and there is no means of 'letting go' after drinking the power drinks ... :-)

  In the pink of health -- Back (Left): ChooTS, Edwin Goh, AB Tan, Ken, Dr Shara, ChongYF, CK Mak, SC Yong, Tee EK, KC Leong ...Front: Lady Su, Sharon Tan, Lai Kuan, Patricia Yap, Monsy, Carol, Fiona Goh

Creative -- Each finger of Patricia Yap is labelled as C-L-I-M-B   A-T-H-O-N
Look at Lady Su's huge bling bling -- Patriacia testing out the force of attraction

 Our resourceful MacGyver, Chong YF, finally get the karaoke system working at 10:30 p.m... Hip, Hip ... Hooray!!

 Full of expression ... Patricia Yap and CK Mak

 Yours truly (KC), CK Mak, Lai Kuan and Edwin Goh

It's My Life (Bon Jovi) ... the moment the karaoke system is fired-up, the fun and the excitment of singing is back in the air ... this is the final number before we exit at 12 mid-night. (Left) Monsy, TeeEK, Dr Shara, ChooTS, Edwin Goh, Lai Kuan, Patricia Yap, ChongYF, Lady Su.



Do click here to view previous occasions of dinner and karaoke. (this posting is repeated; do scroll down the pages).

Do click here to view previous postings on Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 22 Oct 2011

Posted by KC Leong

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Office’s Sports Unity Games

I am pleased to be nominated as the Main Coordinator in my office's Sports Unity Games that was held on Saturday, 19 November 2011. Preceding the event, there was much work in the coordination between the Main Organizer and the respective Team Captains.
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Other than identifying the Team Captains and players, one challenging task is to select the right-themed T-shirts for the contingent and sourcing for sponsored funds in the purchase of unified T-shirts necessary during the march-past for the unique team identification.
 The contingent from my Office; on the left is the Chef de Mission.
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A total of 12 office divisions (many departments form a division) were competing in this Sports Unity Games. Every division is being assigned a colour scheme. My office division has been assigned the dark blue. Yeah, we are the true blue kaki - the unwaveringly or staunchly loyal people ... :-)


The weather for the Sports Unity Games was perfect – a bright sunny day though it could be hot when the outdoor games continued at 2:00 p.m.
Used to the publicly staged running events, this is an internal office outing where the participants are colleagues within the same organization.
 Yours truly (KC) and Mahadir, Team Captain of Volleyball

The Petronas Sports Centre at Bangi has the following well-maintained facilities:
1. 4 badminton courts
2. 4 volleyball courts
3. 2 netball courts
4. 1 football field
5. tennis and squash courts.
Immediately after the march-past, respective team players swiftly assembled at their courts. The games in contest were football, volleyball, netball, badminton, telematch and Idol singing events.


 
Start of the march-past ... walking in unison, waving flags and smiling faces

Since it is not easy to stage the games on different days, all matches were played and completed within a day that stretched from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A total of 12 divisions (or contingents) were keenly contest for top standings. 
Playing in the indoor court (as in badminton) was much easier with the harmonious lighting environment throughout the day. It takes much more challenge playing football or volleyball, say, at 2:00 p.m. under the hot sun; most players would be 'roasted'. In volleyball, depending on the direction, when a player looked up into the sky for the ball, one would have to overcome the disturbance of another fireball – the blazing sun!

 
Shake your bodies ... aerobic exercise for the warming up.
 

 
The badminton team where yours truly (KC) is participating (Left 2). Left most is Mr. Lee, Chef de Mission of the office contingent. On my left is Rudy, Badminton Team Captain. My partner in Men's Double is LeeMS (R2).

I am still holding my white sabre though I have changed strings a few times ... click here for more

Indoor badminton courts of Permata -- I played 4 matches against four other teams/office divisions. A total of 12 divisions (or contingents) were played. I was glad that we got 2nd Runner-up placing though a few of the star players were not able to play on that morning due to commitment in office work.
 
At Permata, Petronas Sports Centre, Bangi
The football players are still playing energetically at 3:00 p.m. under the hot sun


Posted by KC Leong

Monday, November 14, 2011

Skyrunning at Mt Gede

Note by KC: I am pleased to introduce Rashel who is inspired to join the
1-LANG Team to go trekking in Langtang Nepal, October 2012.

Written by Rashel

The trail running at Mount Gede in Bogor, West Java on 5 November 2011 was special. I am glad to have the company of my good pal, Jules Picato who came and experienced it with me. It was an impromptu event; just sheer excitement to run with Jules. Many thanks to our mountain guide/host, Toto who ensure our safety during the overnight trip.

Mt. Gede, with the highest point at 2,958m, is only 10 meters lower than the famous Mount Merapi (2,968m) – the most active volcano in Java and also in Indonesia.

The run from the base to the summit of Mt Gede is about 3 hr 20 min one way. For trekkers, according to our mountain guide/host and porter, they would normally trek it for 5-6 hours.

The camping in this trip was necessary for the porters and the mountain guide/host for they have to carry the heavy load. The initial plan was to traverse Mt. Gede – Pangrango, but the mountain guide/host said that it is not possible within such a short time.

Do click here for selected photos courtesy of Rashel.

Looking Good - Rashel taking part in the recently concluded Mount Kinabalu Climbathon on 22 October 2011 with Low's Peak at the background. Two weeks later, the journey continues with Rashel at Mt Gede ...


 Alun-alun with a field of Edelweiss - Jules and Rashel

 Running towards the clouds ...

 Taking a breather - More of the Edelweiss bushes at Alun-alun ... they are so soft to touch

 Laughter in the rain - then the thunder and the lightning came; the two red riding hoods ran for dear life!

 Jules and Rashel at the summit of Mt. Gede around 6:00 a.m. the next morning

 Rashel skyrunning at the edge of the crater of Mt. Gede

 With a view of Mt. Pangrango

 Careful now...slippery in this part of the hot-spring waterfalls

Nice waterfall (this is better than the one at Apek Hill, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur) ... :-)


On the same day (5 Nov 2011), yours truly (KC) was initiating the first team meet of 1-LANG Team for Langtang Nepal at Apek Hill, Cheras. Do click here for photos and compare the scenery.

Do click here for itinerary (and minimum fitness requirement) of Langtang Trekking in October 2012. Interested to join the Team? Do contact me (KC).
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Posted by KC Leong

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Terry Fox Run KL 2011

The participants were delighted hearing the announcement at 9:00 a.m. They have been standing or sitting for quite some time eagerly waiting for some actions. While I walked slowly to the center of Padang Merbuk with the rest, the announcer said, “Many years ago, a Canadian was diagnosed with leg cancer and eventually has to amputate his right leg. In this fight against cancer, he started to run marathons – with only the good leg – to raise funds for the cancer research in hope of better tomorrow for other unfortunates. In one of the marathons, before the completion of the run, he collapsed and died: the cancer has spread to other parts of his body. He was only 22 years old then. He is the legendary Terry Fox!”

Do click here to view photos taken by yours truly (KC).

 Padang Merbuk, Kuala Lumpur on a sunny Sunday morning, 13 Nov 2011 for Terry Fox Run - Kuala Lumpur

Today, his dream lives on with good support from the public.
According to the announcement on that sunny Sunday morning, 13 Nov 2011, twelve thousands (12, 000) T-shirts are being sold in support of the Terry Fox Run. The funds would channel to the local cancer research centre.
We wish that with the additional funds (whatever the amount is) and moral support, more cancer patients would benefit from it.

One runner that I know and that has contributed much is CK Mak. He actively promoted the sales of Terry Fox T-shirts – for awareness and a direct contribution of funds of the project. He made special trips to Bukit Aman car park on Sunday mornings knowing that many of the Pacesetters runners would be there to support the event. He even went to other shopping complexes to promote the sales of the T-shirts. Hats off to CK MAK!

 A pre-run aerobic exercise performed by cancer patients (who have recovered)

 Wendy ... looking in vain for CK Mak for the T-shirt that she has bought. This is no easy task considering that there are thousands of participants.

 The ballon arch is the starting/ending point. Since this run is non-competition in nature... all runners just walk pass the starting line in an harmonious manner

 Very good turn-outs -- it is just not possible to run with so many participants.

 At Persiaran Salahuddin somewhere near Istana Selangor ... a favourite route of Pacesetters Club runners

 At the Monument area

Along Jalan Parliament before returning to Padang Merbuk, Kuala Lumpur



Posted by KC Leong