Golden Gate Marathon

Here is the report from CK Mak who went to San Francisco to run in this marathon on 2 April 2011.

A day before the run, I drove and checked out the venue and passed by the Golden Gate (which was not golden in color). Later, I learned that the the real "Golden Gate" is the strait that the bridge spans. It was first named "Chrysopylae," meaning "golden gate," by Captain John C. Fremont in 1846.

The most exciting encounter of the Golden gate marathon, beside completing the hill marathon which is only my 2nd marathon, is to make friend with Werner Berger.  At the age of 69 in 2007, he became the oldest North American to have climbed the Seven Summits, the highest mountain on each of the world’s seven continents.  He told me that he plans to be the oldest human reaches the highest summit on earth which is the Mt. Everest in 2013 at the age of 75.  I hope to join him to base camp, at least.....  

The venue of the Golden Gate marathon is at the Rodeo Beach in the Fort Cronkhite Golden Gate national Recreation Area.

Due to the fact that certain part of the trail is narrow and a lot of corners, no head phones is allowed as  there may be runners run from the opposite direction which may cause accident. 

The lucky number - SM stand for small size for T shirt ..... I lost 5 kg to win the biggest slimmer challenge in Jan this year and hence small size is just nice for me ......hehe

Registration counter with the marathon route (much worse than the double hill or wall at Bukit Tunku) behind it.

Starting point at the Rodeo beach which is good for......

.............. surfing ......if you dont want to run.....

fast car driver does not mind running slowly up the hill......another way to enjoy the spectacular view of Golden Gate from afar

After 20 minutes trail run from the starting point ....the houses and cars are very small from afar.....

Run is not an option for most of us in view of the slope ...... an uphill task.....

Another beautiful view from the hill ....  despite cooling weather and don't see the sun, I was tanned....  

It is a community run and no RELA there....hence the workaround.....

Near one of the water stations ....comtemplating if I should ask for a ride.....

...or rather ride on a yatch from top of the hill....

A view of the beautiful Golden Gate that could only be appreciated by trekkers ......

The last mile to the finishing line at the far end..... need to run about 500 meters on “golden” sand by the beach ....

not anything easier than the uphill run as every single step into the soft sand needs a pull out from the sand before the next step....

Finally, the 2^nd round reaching the finishing line after qualifying for the first loop.....first loop took me 2 hours 15 minutes but the 2^nd loop added another hour for a total time of about 5 hours and 30 minutes due to knee injury after the first loop. 

My “Golden” gate finisher medal and T shirt....I was wearing a pair of Transition glasses and it will turn darker according to the degree of UV.....can see it is as dark as a sun glasses.... very harmful to the body and eyes.....

Went to fisherman wharf in San Francisco and guess what ......lots of people running there from noon till we left in the evening .....maybe we should consider going for the golden gate run and stay around this place for practice and aslo enjoy the famous calm weather whenever we feel like .....of course lots of beverage to make you warm if needed ....

Love from Union Square, San Francisco.....stay tuned for the 2^nd part....

Posted by KC Leong

Energizer Night Race 2011

Chaos reigned in the Energizer Night Race that was marred by poor crowd control and lack of clear signage and instructions. Otherwise, it was a good and inaugural event that was staged at the Sepang F1 Circuit on a cool and fine evening of 16 April 2011, Saturday after a wet, wet, wet morning with continuous drizzles that lasted for six hours.

Big turn-outs for the inaugural run at Sepang F1 Circuit ... Photo courtesy of Malaysia Runners Network
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The feeling was good for me being able to run on the Sepang F1 racing tracks since it was built in 1999 that are meant for the fast and furious mean machines travelling at blistering speed with deafening roar. This time, it was just quiet other than the thousands of runners running on the track with the red or white light emitting from the headlamps given out by the organizer.

Having been to the Sepang F1 Circuit for more than 10 times supporting the various racing events, this time, I get to see from the racing tracks and be part of the participation that move on the racing tracks. The difference: while the fast machines take only 1 or 2 minutes to complete the 5.543km circuit, it took me about 25 minutes to going through the mild uphill and downslope.

Other than the various acuteness of cornering – the longer-radius corners and some quick-looking bend – the terrain of the F1 racing tracks come with varying degree of uphill slopes, inward or outward spin meant to test the machines and the drivers’ skill in negotiating corners.

A cheerful start fully energized
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Collection of medals and goody bags:
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When I was completing the second and final loop for the Half marathon, I saw a long line of runners standing near to the Tower end (the sharp cornering end). My initial thought was that they came to support the runners who were still running. With a closer look, they were part of the long queue that lined for almost 300 meters in length!

Later, I realised that they were collecting their medals and goody bags.  At the collection area, chaos erupted forcing the organizer to close the metal sliding door prohibiting further distribution leaving more runners anxiously waiting for their reward. After much discussion on strategy between the officials, the Rela Men and the Police, a young lady person-in-charge emerged trying in vain to ask the irate runners to move back 5 feet that earned her receiving boos and 4-letter words. I was amused watching the commotion.

While abandoning the idea to collect my medal, I heard over the PA system that a lady announcer gave her personal handphone number to the thousands of runners for further contacts trying to rectify the situation.

I think going for trail running is better with the peace and tranquillity of nature; besides, it is free ... ha ha ha

I Like:

Being able to run on the Sepang F1 racing circuit.

ckMak posing at the starting grid for his full marathon ... photo courtesy of ckMAk

I Don’t Like:

Crowd is too huge

Poor crowd control

Lack of signage and instruction

Car parking is RM 10 per entry, which is more expansive than the MotoGP, Japan GT.

Huge crowd going through the narrow underpass to arrive at the starting grid

Finishing medals were not dished out immediately upon crossing the finishing line. Instead, it is part of the collection with goody bag. I gave up in collecting them.

Collection of headlamps was located at an unintelligent location not properly lighted and blocking the exit of the narrow underpass.

Runners throw discard cans, paper cups, mineral bottles all over on the racing track after the water station.

Do click here to view photos of Formula 1 races ... click here; Japan GT ... click here; MotoGP ... click here.

Written by KC Leong 

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FRIM Trail Running

I am pleased to append here a few of the photos taken this morning at the trail running at FRIM (Sunday, 10 April 2011).

According to Dr Shara’s iPhone4 RunKeeper application, the total distance registered is 13km. This application enables GPS tracking, distance, speed monitoring that includes running, cycling, hiking, skiing and swimming. ChongYF suggested that we shall extend to the Sungei Buloh Trail later when we assemble the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon runners.

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

 

The potent formula - ChongYF is preparing the special brew

 ChongYF (left), Dr Shara, Rothman Fong, KC, Wendy Liu; (front) Monsy and Li-Ann. Not in the photo: Lee WK and Chae Yin.

We just ask a mountain biker who passes by, ask him to help in taking photos, and borrow his bike for the photo shoot – it always works !!

 New kid on the block – Li Ann who is active in outdoor activities: run, trek, swim.

 We are honoured to meet Law Lai Huat (Left 3), who is the Area Team Lead of FRIM for Pacesetters Running Club.

He spends considerable amount of time in mountain biking so as in running also.

At the junction between Rover Track and Mountain Bike Track

Posted by KC Leong

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

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

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

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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

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Happy Running

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Posted by KC Leong

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