KC & the Sunshine Runners

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

FRIM Trail Running

Invitation to FRIM Trail Running – This Sunday 10 April

I am pleased to inform that we shall have another trail running this Sunday at FRIM, Kepong.

The reason for choosing FRIM is that some of us in this Group shall be going for the Energizer Night Race (11km, 21km or 42km) on 16 April (Saturday).

FRIM would be a good choice for training. With the pre-race uphill acclimatization, sure that would help a little when you go for the actual race. As usual, we shall run through Rover Track, passing by Mountain Bike Track, going up Steroid Hill and reaching Salem High Country.

Filepix of previous trail running at FRIM

If the running route is the actual F1 track, then there are two quite keng chow slopes – meant to be for the powerful F1 cars – now for the human bodies and mind to challenge. One loop of the track is about 5.5km. If one is running in half marathon, you would loop the track four times and run uphill eight times … :-) Well, I salute those who take up the full marathon !!

Schedule:

Date: 10 April 2011, Sunday

Time: 7:00 to 7:15 a.m. (meet at Club House inside of FRIM)

Venue: FRIM.

Filepix of previous trail running at FRIM

Do let me know if you are coming for the trail running.

We shall adjourn for breakfast or teh tarik drinks after we had refreshed ourselves (at the Club House).

Do click here to view photos of previous trail running at FRIM.

Posted by KC

Sunday, April 03, 2011

Apek-Saga Hills Trail Running

The trail running at Apek-Saga Hills this morning (Sunday, 3 April) was successfully staged as planned. This is the all men’s group as two ladies could not make it. The weather was fine and the ground was dry. It was a fun and challenging attempt running around, going up and down the hill slopes without having to worry about slippery ground. The entire hill running took 3 hours.

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

KC Leong (left), ChooTS, Sam, PK Chan, Jason Lee, Dr Shara ... Chong YF takes this photos.

This time, we have two persons who are well-versed with the terrain of Apek-Saga Hills: Chong YF and Jason Lee. We arrived at many of the stations located between the two hills. Nevertheless, if the group could not find the way out, we just have to run a much longer distance exceeding the targeted accomplishment.

Passing by the sanctuary inside the Apek-Saga Hills. This is a great place to relax in a hot afternoon under the shady trees ... have an afternoon nap in the hammock; boil some water for brewing of tea too.

At one point while the group was walking, Sam asked Dr Shara this intriguing question: When a leech sucks blood from Trekker A and later from Trekker B, what if Trekker A has AIDS? Will the virus be transmitted to Trekker B. Wah, this is a good question to work the brain other than working the body and legs only in manoeuvring the trails.

I quipped that for those well-fed leech, that should not be a problem as it would take a few days to digest the intake, and the virus would have died then. The problem may arise when the leech was half fed and we pull it from its sucking operations and throw it away. It then bites another trekker ... :-)

The Station connecting to Saga Hill ... they even have two Malaysian flags there.

When we ran up certain stretches of the steep slope in fast action, a not-so-challenging Apek Hill suddenly becomes as difficult as Gunung Nuang albeit a much shorter distance to start exerting the muscle for the uphill climb. That could be tiring. It is akin to running a marathon by following the pace of fast runners at the start of the race.

Complete with water station which is free-of-charge for the supply

Yours truly (KL)

Having a cool and refreshing drinks at the stall located at the entrance of Apek Hill. According to the owner’s teenage daughter, the coconut comes in S, M, L size with different pricing.

After running around for a few loops, I begin to appreciate the wisdom of Lady Su who frequent Apek Hill, and said that Puchong Hill is not challenging compared to Apek Hill. Yes, I agree !! Besides, the trail is wider here in Apek Hill.

Posted by KC Leong

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Flowers Blooming

Moving around USJ Subang, one would see a number of Tabebuia Rosea trees in full bloom. If Japan has its sakura trees, USJ has the Tabebuia Rosea trees (though in much smaller scale).

Known locally as pokok kertas tisu, when in bloom, the trees would be fully covered with flowers with few or no leaves, and the fallen withered flowers turn the ground into a bright and colourful carpet.

Every time I see flowers, this statement that was told to me by my supervisor would come to my mind: "Do spend some time to smell the flowers."

Locals believe that when the flowers start to fall, it marks the end of the dry season. With the heavy rains for the past few days, look like the phenomenon is quite true.

Aiya, like that going for trekking would expect more wet ground

. . A few years ago, the full bloom occurred sometime around 22 August. Looks like they bloom twice a year.

Photos taken by yours truly (KC) on Saturday, 19 March 2011.

It has been raining the few days before and after 19 March.

By 26 March 2011, all the flowers were gone.

Do click here to view more photos previously taken by yours truly (KC)... scroll down the pages as this posting is repeated in Archive

Posted by KC Leong

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Twilight Ultra Challenge 2011

After stepping through five internet web photo albums by courtesy of Tey Eng Tiong, I have extracted a few photos to share with you on this great event that was staged in Singapore on 26-27 March 2011.

Chee Hon with his happy smile

Very yow yeng running attire

A great view -- The running track passing by the beach

... passing by the park

... and the restaurants too. In those not-too-famous marathons being held in the local arena, it is good to bring along some $$ in case the water stations run out of water. Well, in this run, bring lots of $$$$. After all, it is going to be a long night.

Most runners here are seen very happy

I think the attraction is just great on the left; especially when the chef is cooking a sambal belacang dish.... hmmm ... yummy.

Ahh... it is also an excellent moment to show the runners of their prized pets, never mind blocking their path for a little while

If I am running in this event, sure you would see me sitting there savouring the food for supper. Since the format of running is in circuit, it would be excellent that we place order first and then continue with the run. With the repeatable process, one would know the exact timing. With military precision, we just return when the food is just 'ngam ngam' waiting for us without wasting valuable time ... :-)

Okay, I think he does not feel right having to put on watchful eyes on the bananas and watermelons ... :-)

Gosh... quite a lot of special brew

Salute! Salute! Salute! The runners almost run for 15 hours, 15 minutes, 15 seconds.

Special thanks to Tey Eng Tion for the untiring effort in taking these photos

. .

Happy Running

Posted by KC Leong

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Skytrex Challenge

The word extreme is intimidating. It is especially true to extreme sports or extreme challenge.

I know how some of the first-timers in this group feel ... gosh, first time participating in Skytrex and going for extreme challenge !!

I was told that a few of the participants are so excited that they have slight difficulty in getting into slumber sleep a few days before this event. Well, the Skytrex Extreme Challenge event was successfully staged yesterday morning (Saturday, 26 March 2011).

The tougher (or higher) the challenge, the greater (or higher) is the satisfaction. BRAVO !!

Please click here to view photos taken by yours truly (KC) using a compact camera. . .

A group photo with the Skytrex bus as background in Taman Pertanian, Shah Alam. Leng (at left) is the efficient coordinator. .

In full gear – Peck Yah, Patricia Yap, Leng, Wendy Liu and Monsy.

Our ‘yow yeng’ Lara Croft . . . Another group photo before the extreme challenge . . Pre-game demo – Okay, do inspect the pulley and carabiner (a metal loop with a screwed gate). It is so systematic that no one is turning to the other direction ... :-) . Well... that can double up as Lara Croft’s gun ... :-) . The first vertical climb – Patricia Yap ... cool and steady in climbing up the ladders to gain the necessary height for the game of Fying Fox. . Another view of the first climb – easily 30 meters high. .

The emergency exit or premature exit. Ayam = Chicken; Exit = Out .

Lai Fong Sang and Wendy Liu for a hands-free demonstration .

The game of Flying Fox ... most participants says that it is the most pleasant and easy game to play

Wendy Liu walks exuberantly with ease .

Part of the group on the way out of Skytrex venue .

Led by Leng, the group went to Klang for the famous BKT. Later, we went to a shop that sell pau. The pau there are selling like hot cakes (or hot pau).

Do click here to view previous postings on Skytrex challenge. This posting is repeated, do scroll down the pages.

Posted by KC Leong .