Breakthrough To World Class

Note by KC: Okay, this posting in not about running or trekking; it is about public speaking. I am pleased to introduce my sifu in toastmasters, DTM (Distinguished Toastmasters), K. Loghandran, who will be conducting a special workshop. He came back competing in the World Championship in Canada recently and he was the 1st Runners up in the contest.

Many years ago, I attended his Humorous Workshop conducted by Institute Bank-Bank Malaysia Toastmasters Club (now calls Speaker's Dream Toastmasters Club). After attended his workshop, I was inspired to take up the challenge in public speaking. And most importantly, the way to speak and write humorously.

Click here to read more ...

Date : 15 Dec 2008 (Monday)
Time : 7.15 pm to 9.30 pm
Venue: Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA), Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur

Those with World class mentality talk about ideas. They are always looking for ways to grow, increase, become better, build, influence more, impact more, do more, be more. They associate with positive, excited people and avoid negative, limiting people.

Spend an evening with us to take your Profession or vocation to world class
Achieve your targets………….and Attain best performance by using Public speaking

Learn the tips from our World Award Winning Speaker

Learn to trail blaze in areas never attempted before.

Analyse world class behaviour and match them.

Special techniques to energise your thoughts

Conducted by :- Loghan@Loghandran,

World Taped Speech Champion 1993

1st Runners up World Championship of Public Speaking-2008

International Training consultant, Keynote Speaker, Coach in Public Speaking, sales, project management, teambuilding and customer service .

A Producer, Director, Actor and Playwright in English Comedy Theatre

Your Investment: RM20 per pax OR RM50 for a group of 3 pax
(inclusive of refreshments and workshop materials)

Who must attend this workshop :-
Contestants for Speech Contests and Debate
Individuals who wants to make an impact in their presentations
Sales teams, Project Leaders & Managers

For reservations and enquiries, please call or sms :-
Sew Chen: 012- 311 3026 / Mun Yuen: 016 – 218 7876
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Organised by Speaker's Dream Toastmasters Club

Posted by KC
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Penang Bridge Marathon 2008 - Part 5 - The Journey

(press Shift key and) click here for part 4, part 3, part 2, part 1

click here for part 6
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Click here to view 63 photos taken by yours truly (KC); group photos by courtesy of Michelle Looi.

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click here to return to main page of KC & the Sunshine Runners.
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There was so much excitement in the air when we discussed about the food and the journey to Penang to run in the Penang Bridge Marathon. The group was considering when was the best time to start the journey; the choice of food and where to take breakfast. On the other hand, we have to be cautious to avoid crossing Penang Bridge from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in order not to be caught in the traffic jam, which we have had enough already in Kuala Lumpur.

Accommodation in Penang

When Tony Q first told me that the Group of 18 (yeah, a prosperous number) are going to stay in a double-story house, that sounded like Hotel California to me... [OK, imagining the song is playing in the background... Welcome to the Pearl of the Orient (replace with Hotel California), such a lovely place, such a lovely face ...]

According to the owner, the 5-room D/S house provides comfortable living for 11 people. I was amused that the condition would sound like Bangladesh workers cramping in a rented house for temporary shelter.

After sizing up the situation, I actually brought along my sleeping bag with extra Yoga mat (that I bought at Carrefour the day before) for additional cushioning. One runner said we were like going for a camping trip albeit in a house with toilet facilities.

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Kelvin and Joanne who travel in my car

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Yours truly (KC) posing in front of Queens ...

The Runners

Most runners in the group were participating in the half marathon. Only Siok Bee, Raymond Ng, Fai and Meng were competing in the full marathon.

Girls:
Siok Bee, Michelle, Christine, Yap, Chooi Wan, Doris, Meisee, Shih Ming, San, Siok Leng, Joanne.

Guys:
KC, TonyQ, Lee, Raymond Ng, Fai, Meng, Kelvin Lee.

The Ride

Three vehicles started at 6 am and have Dim Sum at Ipoh while Tony and I (in separate vehicles) started the journey at 8:30 a.m. At around 11 a.m., we stopped at Ipoh Old Town for the famous Ipoh Hor Fun and Old Town white coffee. We were all having good appetite to eat and Kelvin (a small size runner) even ate two bowls of noodles.

At around 12:30 p.m., we arrived at Nibon Tebal for lunch. It is situated in Seberang Perai on the mainland side of Penang. According to Tony, this shop served delicious seafood. Crab Porridge is the specialty of the restaurant. Hmm... that was really a yummy lunch. We arrived at the toll booths of Penang Bridge at 3:30 p.m. Even at that time, there was still massive traffic jam: the vehicles were then slowly squeezed from 12 lanes into 2 lanes.
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Lots of happening in front of Queensbal Mall graced by the gorgeous models



Pretty models (flank by macho guy?)


Notice that all the guys are looking up (at the models) and not down (at the vintage cars)
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Collecting Bibs

The sign leading to Queensbay Mall was a little unclear. While we were in a flyover (just next to the Mall) leading us away from the mall, then only we realized that the correct one was just the next road. So we were directed to a roundabout (where B-Suite Hotel is located). It took us almost another 25 minutes (after going further away) to finally arrive at the Mall.

The moment we arrived the Mall, we knew that was the happening spot of Penang and the staring point of the Penang Bridge Marathon with canopy tents were still been erected.
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Joanne at the bibs collectin centre

The entrance of the Mall was full of people – the display of vintage sports cars graced by the fair-skinned and beautiful models. Everyone was busy looking at the models. Needless to say, the photographers were zero-in on the models too. I was curious as to how many would actually admire the cars.

We finally arrived at the bibs and T-shirts collection centre which was located at the first floor of the Mall. There were not many runners at that time and the collection was swift and hassle free.
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The great expedition ...
.We just have to walk from the housing estate and cross the road ...
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Short-cut to Queensbay Mall
.Kelvin, Joanne's uncle and Joanne - analysing the map to the next destination

Overcoming Road Closure

My next duty was to send Joanne, one of the members in my car, to her grandmother’s house, which was located opposite the Mall across the highway. We must be lucky. Joanne’s uncle was most kind to teach us where to park our car and showed us the short-cut to the Mall.

When that was done, it was time to look for the Hotel California located in Jalan Permai. So with our experienced navigator, we have no problem at all arriving at the double-story house. The 24-feet wide D/S house located at the end lot has four air-con rooms upstairs, one downstairs and with a spacious living hall. There were ample car parking space surrounding the house. So my initial thought was wrong.

Dinner

The moment we sent Joanne and her uncle home, the Group was calling us to meet for dinner. It was decided to eat at the food-court next to the B-Suite Hotel. To my surprise, we met at least 30 of the Pacesetters runner friends there: AB Tan, Michael Lim, Kelvin with his three daughters, Jimmy Thong, Tammy Lim, Teresa Goh and many others. Most of them were staying in the B-Suite Hotel. According to AB Tan, who would be running in the full marathon, the room and hall in B-Suits Hotel were huge and value for money.

The hawkers’ food there was about 50 cents to RM1 cheaper compared to the price in Kuala Lumpur. The icing on the cake was that the food was tasty and delicious.
.Meng, San, Christine, Yit Ting, Khoo, Siok Ling, Siok Bee, Michelle, Shih Ming (photo courtesy of Michelle)

Post-Race Gastronomical Delights

After the run, the group checked out of the accommodation and proceeded to the famous ice cendol off Penang Road. The moment I drove into the lane, I was surprised to see that there were many people standing next to a narrow lane, just enough space for a car to squeeze through. Later, I realized that they were standing there enjoying their bowls of ice cendol. I could attest that it tastes better than any of the ice cendol in Kuala Lumpur. Well, after finished the first bowl, I ordered another bowl of the delicious drink.

Later, we went to buy the famous Penang tau sar piar. The most famous one closed on Sunday and another famous one (Ghee Heang Biscuit) ran out of stock. We passed by the controversial tennis court (for the King of Tennis matches) which was in the process of dismantling.

Many thanks to Heng and Vin Yeoh for their hospitality to lead us the way to the various places in Penang.
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Back Row (L-R): Yit Ting, Ai Ling (of Singapore), San, Shih Ming, Khoo, Raymond Ng, yours truly (KC, in acid green T-shirt), Heng.
Front: Siok Ling, Vin Yeoh, Siok Bee, Christine, Michelle, Meng, Kelvin (photo courtesy of Michelle)
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Runner-cum-Bond Girls: Jenny, San, Shih Ming, Vin Yeoh, Cherry, Christine, Siok Bee, Michelle (photo courtesy of Michelle)

Homeward Bound

We started the journey home at 3:30 p.m. Crossing the Penang Bridge again, it was much comfortable driving in an air-con car. This time, there were no footsteps of runners, no leg pain, and no water stations.

The journey took 4.5 hours traveling at 110km/hr. Much like running a marathon, we only stopped for toilet breaks. Distance (both ways): about 800 km.

* * * The End * * *

Written by KC

Penang Bridge Marathon – The Assessment (Part 4)

Beautiful view of Penang Bridge... extracted from the official website... click here


The Good Points

Participation – The Penang Bridge Marathon was a huge success in term of number of runners participating in this event. I saw in the official website that the total numbers exceeded 16,000 runners. That could surpass the participation record in Kuala Lumpur International Marathon (KLIM). Penang Boleh !!

Start swiftly – With the roar of the lion dance, within the next few minutes, the race was flagged off. There were no unnecessary reminders; no "don’t do this or that". It was better than KLIM where runners get a lot of lectures from a middle-aged matron (women) announcer while waiting for the race to start.

Start in front of a shopping mall – Yes, definitely a great idea. The runners could shop around before or after the run, thus boosting the economic activities of Penang. However, I believe the runners would not shop till they drop dead as they still have to run (before the event) or legs could be in pain (after the event).
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Room for Improvement

Water Station – The management of water station required a lot of improvement: unreliable and unpredictable. I think most Malaysian runners (not including foreign runners from Thailand and Kenya… if only we could understand their language) would have something to say. According to AB Tan who ran in the full marathon, he said there was no water left for the full marathon runners at 17.5km, 20km, 22.5km, 27.5km, 32.5km, 37.5km, 40km and very limited at 30km.

The organizer should avoid using big buckets to store drinking water. The runners were not convinced that the source of water was reliable. I presume that was not of international standards.

Method of drinking – That was the most amusing part. I saw there was one big bottle of chilled 100-Plus which was already opened. So each runner held up the bottle and gulped down a few mouthfuls and passed it to the next runner, much like those bruders (brothers) in triads. On a lighter note, we can save a lot of paper cups, which is good for the environment.

Okay, this one was even more hilarious: at certain stations, I saw the runners were helping themselves drinking water directly from those 5-litre plastic bottles. It was not easy to drink with the 5-litre bottle as it was heavy and the mouth of the bottle was big. After running for many kilometers, one would actually sway when holding the huge bottles and drink. And that action looked like those Chinese kung fu drunken master in action.
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Baggage Station – There was no baggage station. My runner friends were shock to see that the bags that they brought along have no where to be deposited. So with a quick thinking, he put his bag in one corner of the Medical Station. But for those runners that brought along good backpack, they have no choice but to carry and run the whole course, or risk being stolen.

Distance Marker – The distance markers that I saw (for half marathon) were for the full marathon category. So it was quite confusing that after running a few kilometers, the sign post said that I have done much, much more.

Cheerleading Team – There wasn’t any cheerleading team at all save other than two small Indian boys (I think less than five years old) at the far end (mainland) of the water station. And they gave me a high-five each and said, “Yes! You can do it!” Gosh! I do not know how long these underage boys could continue considering there were a few thousands runners. So for the 1,000 or less full marathon runners, they must be very lonely running alone most of the time, possibly counting the number of streetlights.

Barricading the runners away from the starting line – That must be a unique way of registering the runners and having them performed aerobic exercise in a crowded and limited space. And the most horrifying sight was to see runners jumping out of the fencing of the barricades. Luckily, there wasn’t any incident of casualty caused by stampede!!
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Overall Assessment

Overall, it was a great event for the Penang Bridge Marathon. With the fine-tuning of those areas that need improvement, I am sure the standards of the next Penang Bridge Marathon would be much higher.

Congratulations to the organizer and kudos to all the volunteers whom I am sure would have spent countless hours in making the event a huge success. See you in the next Penang Bridge Marathon. BRAVO !!

Dory informed me that the Penang Bridge Marathon next year may be scheduled on Sunday 20 September 2009, and that date looks and sounds good - 20092009.
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To be continued ... click here
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Written by KC
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Penang Bridge Marathon - Part 3

The main tent is full of runners after the run. Avoiding the sun, the runners were seated further into the tent.
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click here to read other parts ...
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Looking Around for Friends

It was indeed a difficult task to look for our runner friends in the sea of runners. While I was stationed at the finishing point taking photos, the other runner friends (that came with me in the same car) were looking for me. Meeting friends is by luck – we just bumped into one another.
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Going back to our cars - Tony, Michelle, San, Christine and Shih Ming... crossing the highway

When walking with Tony, Siok Bee, Michelle, Christine, Shih Ming and San back to the car (crossing the highways; luckily, no cars then due to closure of roads), I realized that a few other members where still at the happening place. Since I was the Transport Officer, I have to walk back to the finishing area again. After a few futile attempts walking around the whole area, suddenly, Kelvin (a member of carpool) was right in front of me.
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Good location - The finishing point is just next to the beach
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Sarjit and Brother

While walking around, I met Sarjit and Dave (both are Pacesetters Runners) chatting under the main tent. Sarjit told me that that they were adventurous this time: they took a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang and then took a taxi to Queensbay Mall. They camped next to the main tent by the sea and they have dinner in the shopping complex. The next morning, they just changed and get ready for the run. Well, that was really an excellent idea; no need to worry much about accommodation; how to go to the starting point without having been caught when the roads are closed for the event at 2:00 a.m.
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Presentation of awards to the Champions. The numbers of lucky draws were displayed on the big screen, clearly visible from far.

Drinks Station

The usual sports drink stations such as Milo and 100-Plus were busy serving drinks to runners. There was so much to go round that the 100-Plus station was still serving cold drinks even at 12 noon. Old Town coffee was there serving hot coffee, distributing apples and bananas too. There were many other booths that would keep the runners busy looking around.
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Digi Mobile Phone Station

Credit goes to Digi station and the DJ who kept the whole area entertained with the lively music and announcement. The DJ was playing the catchy tune of ‘I will follow you” most of the time. However, the strange situation happened: when Mr. Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Penang was giving a keynote address of the event (about 50 meters away), the music at the Digi station continued blaring.
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The Crowd Puller

The runners were very supportive of the event and continue to wait after coming back from the run. The main secret: the grand prize of the lucky draw was a Proton Saga car while the second prize was a motorbike. Everyone was waiting patiently for that moment of truth.
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Mr. Lim Guan Eng is giving a keynote address

Just before the presentation of awards to the champions (of each category), Mr. Lim Guan Eng was invited to give a speech. And part of his speech, he mentioned about the famous Penang food, which is one of the good ingredients of pulling tourists to Penang.

Next was the presentation of trophies and medals to the Champions. When the fifth placing was announced for Women’s half marathon, Shih Ming, who is from our group, was still not around yet. She went back with the other group members to refresh and to bring her identity card for receiving the prize money. She emerged at the podium just when the photo session was over.

The runners waited, and waited and waited. Finally, the draws for the top five prizes were announced. It was quite an exciting moment listening to the announcer calling out part of the number. For every partial number being called, many would be disappointed while others were excited until the last number was confirmed. Each of the top five prizes was called more than once as the lucky (or unlucky) runners have gone home. So other than the finishing line, we can see the moment of hope and despair here too.

Next Penang Bridge Run – it was announced that it would be staged on 29 November 2009. I think it is too close to Singapore International Marathon.

Mr. Lim is seated second from left
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Joanne - a very 'yow yeng' pose after successfully completed her maiden 25km run.

One for the photo: Joanne, Doris, Kelvin, Chooi Wan and Meicee.
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Dory... It was a coincidence that we met at the main tent. She is an engineer working near Bayan Lepas. Click here to read the story from her blogsite.
. The Penang Bride - We were running there hours before.

To be continued ...

Posted by KC

Penang Bridge Marathon

Runners running to the finishing line in front of Queensbay Mall for Penang Bridge Marathon
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The finishing line for 10km Fun Run.

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I Made It! An elated Joanne in completing her first half marathon. And the Penang Bridge Run is 4km longer than half marathon.
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Sea of runners in orange
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Crystal (from Kuantan Area Group of Pacesetters Club) is being directed to the correct side of the finishing line. Many of the runners were in similar situation.
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How do they pass the overhead bridge? A short Chingay procession that spice up the occasion, only possible in Penang.
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Runners running towards the finishing line
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Sea of runners that can rival the particpation in Kuala Lumpur International Marathon
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The Report:

The feeling of running at the Penang Bridge Marathon was fantastic. You have to be there to experience it. At dawn on Sunday 16 November 2008, there was no roar of vehicle on the Penang Bridge, no traffic jam and no exhaust fume – only the footsteps of runners. Just like the thousands of runners who shared a simple objective, I was focus in putting each foot forward mechanically.

A Dramatic Start

At 3:45 a.m., a designated area located at the huge open space opposite Queensbay Mall shopping complex was barricaded for the starting of men’s half marathon. There were thousands of runners inside. We were told by the officials to enter the barricade area, which was about 30 meters from the starting line. No one knew exactly where to start the race. I asked a few runner friends and a few runners also asked me the same questions.

Moment later, the aerobic session was conducted in the barricade area with runners full to the brim and almost touching one another. That was the most unusual performance in a crowded space. Within minutes, it died off. In the barricade area, we could see many women runners, which were supposed to start at 5 a.m., half an hour after the mens’ half marathon was flagged off.

I submitted my registration card, received the starting ribbon and instead of going into the barricade area, I went out and watched runners from outside.

At 4:15 a.m., we could hear the upbeat sound of lion dance. And moments later, runners started to jump out the barricade area! One Indian official was heard shouting and asking the runners to go back into the barricade area. It was like all hell broke loose. No one believed him and no one followed the instruction: the wisdom of the runners (knows where to start) against the administrative procedure of the organizer. Well, what a dramatic start.

At 4:25 a.m. – five minutes ahead of schedule – the race for men’s half marathon was hurriedly flagged off amid load sound of lion dance and a few officials waving hands at the runners.

Leading to the Bridge

The first 500 meters was running pass the commercial area with shop houses on both side of the road. The drains there smelled like some of those filthy drains found in my major cities. I was still waiting for the moment where “the fresh air smells like fish”. Later, we ran past a few high-rise and new condominiums where the road leaded the runners to the Penang Bride. One unusual station that caught my attention was the PowerBar station distributing packets of PowerBar and PowerGel to the runners. Temper was flying as I heard that the workers were saying loudly to the runners “take one only”.

Running on the Bridge

Finally, the moment which I have been waiting for – I was running on the bridge! That morning, it was breezy and cooling; the breeze blew from my left. However, there was no fresh air, and the air did not smell like fish – just ordinary air in the morning.

The view on my right was blocked by the raised dividers so the only view was in front and left. The sea was still and I could not hear any sound of the waves breaking on the shore. Running under the street lights, I could see there was massive construction work on the bridge to expand from 2 to 3 lanes each side. Looking out into the sea, dotted of lights lined the distant horizon.

I ran, and ran and ran. Finally, I arrived at the mid-span of the bridge after going up a gradual uphill, much easier than the Double-hill on Sunday morning training from Bukit Aman car park. Looking at the construction equipment, it was like running on the ground at some of the construction sites.

From far, I could hear many runners were shouting. I first thought that it was a strange location to position the cheerleading team there. Later, I saw a teenage runner was fainted lying in the road. He was attended to by a few runners and a few others were frantically climbing up the divider to attract the attention of the passing vehicle on the opposite side of the road. There isn’t any official (on motorbike) plying on this side of the road.

Towards the mainland side, I could see a film of mist. The air smelled like salted fish instead. Ok, that was closed to ‘fish’.

The journey continued. I finally reached the other end of the bridge. After making a loop on solid ground, I emerged on the other side of the bridge and I was on my way running towards Penang. From far, I could see the dotted of lights on the distant shore. The feeling was great as I would be running from the mainland to Penang Island. Though the norm is to travel in vehicle to cross the bridge, we only got this opportunity once a year – running on foot.

After crossing the mid-span of the bridge, a slight discomfort developed at my left foot akin to running 33km in my previous full marathon challenge. Oh No! Trouble was brewing. I was a little concern as that was a sheer sign of insufficient long distant training. After a while, the discomfort turned into slight pain. So I have to alternate my running with walking.

After crossing the bridge, I could see thousands and thousands of runners in orange T-shirts on the opposite of the road. Most were walking and talking cheerfully with their friends, and I was walking too at times albeit with a different kind of mood. Needless to say, those were the 10km Fun Run category.

Finally, the familiar sight of condominiums and the shop houses and the Queensbal mall were in sight. At 7:06 a.m., I crossed the finishing line clocking a timing of 2:42. Gosh, that was really slow! Nevertheless, that was a good start considering that I could finish the 25km run after recovering from my foot injury.

As a small boy, going to Penang for holidays and taking the ferry ride was something a grand decision by my parents and something which I was very excited about. My hometown is in Beruas, a small town near to Taiping. And Penang is very close to my heart. With the passage of time, the iconic ferry was later changed to Penang Bridge. On 16 November 2008, I finally ran the whole course of the Penang Bridge. When I ran, my fond memories of yesteryear surfaced. I think I like the idea of running on the Penang Bridge. I shall be back next year.

To be continued ... click here

Written by KC Leong

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Sikkim Goechala Trek - part5

(press Shift and click) Please click here to view a whopping of 500 photos by courtesy of Jayne Aw. Not only that she writes very well, she is good in taking photos too.
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click here for part 4, part 3, part 2, part 1.

. Spectacular sunset view. Jayne is at the foreground

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Serenely beautiful

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In jubilation - It takes a lot of effort to reach thus far
..Group photo - 9 trekkers, 15 support crew
. Extended visit in India - the famous Taj Mahal in Agra
. Beautiful sunset
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Posted by KC Leong

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