Happy New Year

Wishing everyone that we know a Happy Blessed New Year! May everything goes well in 2008.

From:

Bernard, Sharmaine, Jayden and Maygane

Ultra Pain

Total 64.28km. Time taken (including breaks) is 9:33 hrs. This is the total distance i have covered in my first cross country ultramarathon. Could have gone for the 7 loops but decided to give my sore ankles a rest. Anyway, i am not able to go the top 10 with the 7 loop effort. At least 8 loop to guarantee with top 5. 

Man, this is the longest distance i have ever run. As the title suggests, my legs are ultra-sore now. It is a good experience and i am humbled by it. I thought i was able to do certain things but i knew things were not always planned it would  be. I have learnt a few things for this events. 

Congrats to all those who completed 5 loops and above. You guys and gals persevered and did well. If anyone thinks gals can't run, you are super dead wrong! I am totally impressed by the females who went for this event. Keep it up ladies! 

Jayden Loves Swimming

For the last two days, Jayden has been asking me to bring him swimming. He is enjoying it. That is a good sign and i hope that that will build his self confidence towards water. I strongly believe we, the parents are the catalyst in their development. Hence, i wish that i can spend as many time with him as possible, be it swimming or bonding.

Silverman

Silverman??? The sound of it looks like another comic character from some superheros movies. Or could it be associated to the Silver Surfer from the Fantastatic 4? Answer is No.

This is the world's toughest full distance triathlon in North America. Some facts include 10,000 feet climbing on the 112-mile bike course, 25% (although I’ve read accounts saying it was a higher percentage) of the participants who started the race failed to reach the finish line and total climbing was 1,560 feet over the 26.2 miles run.

So what am i thinking, trying to finish this race? Firstly, this event does not come under the Ironman brand. A lot of positive and excellent reviews are given to this Silverman. Thirdly, the fact that it is one of the world's toughest (that's the whole idea of doing of an endurance event, if it is not tough, why bother?) and lastly, it is in LAS VEGAS!

I am in the planning phase for this event. SK is interested in the Half Dist, although it does not really matter to him (the Casino does..). It is set to start on 9 Nov.

For now, have to get approval from MHA first.

MR25 Ultramarathon - Here i come

Another 2 more days to the last event of the year. The MR25 Ultramarathon, 12 hours of non-stop trail running event. Set to start at 7am and ends officially at 7pm. Runners are expected to run min 5 loops to receive finisher tees and certificates. So the challenge is really YOURSELF to do as many loops as you can. Last year's champion, Tobias did 9 loops and what a pity that he is not able to join us this Sun. I believe the record still stands at 11 loops (this is madness under mortal's definition)

I hope to do 8 loops. Anything more is a bonus and God's grace. I am going to pace myself moderately and taking no chance for nutrition and electrolyte intake. It is going to be a long day out there. I have to be conservative in my running. It will be also a great chance to catch up with many friends who will be joining this event for the fun or thrill of it. It makes the running a lot more fun and easier.

Gadgets that i am bringing or testing out:

1. Garmin Forerunner 305
2. Nike+ Ipod Kit (as back up and MP3)
3. Nathan Water Bottle

See you all there. Run safe.

Images for 2007

Reflections

Sorry if i have not been posting much. We have been settling well in our new place and it has been great staying here. Closer to "civilisation" and of course, our parents. It is really God's grace that we get this place (haha..i am repeating again. We are excited that we are inviting my family over for Xmas Eve Dinner. It will be the first family dinner in our new place and hopefully the kids will have fun in the pool.
Another reason that we are glad to be here, is that we like to rejoin our Cell Group more regularly. Yes, this is something Sharm and myself are looking forward in 2008. At the moment, we are joining the Xmas Get Togther Party at YS's place on 23rd Dec.
It is a sad news that i am not able to obtain leave on Xmas day itself, so I HAVE TO WORK! Really not wanting to miss the Church Dinner, hence Yohannes, pls come early on that day... (just received an sms that he is coming in early..Yeah...)
Looking back for the entire year 2007, I must say that it has been extremely fulfilling and at the same time opening our eyes to many things around us. The first is the birth of our baby gal, Maygane.Til today, both of us are so captivated by her. She bring so much joy and amusement to ppl. The thought of her would melt my heart..The second one is the closeness bet Sharm and myself. After what happened, we would share with each other more and communicate better. Though at times, we still show signs of stubborness. We tend to be more forgiving quicker. Well, we are still learning, aren't we? I guessed for the "bad part", it has to be the selling of the house, dealing with irresponsible agents and renovation issues. We are glad that the saga are over and we hope to put it behind us. On the sports front, it also has been fulfilling that i managed to complete 02 Ironmans this year (IM Langkawi and IM Swiss). I also managed to do my PB (3:47)in the KL marathon (winning SK's bet that i can't do a sub 4 after Langkawi..haha). Coming in 6th in my first Vertical Marathon was also a good achievement for me. (Boy, dun let anyone tell u that stair climbing is easy..Ask them to do it!)To end off with a 3:51 time in Std Chart marathon was a sweet closing to this year's main race event.
Well, it's time to move on. Here comes 2008, it is also time to plan ahead (though it has been pretty fixed).

Wishing all of you a Merry Xmas.

Bernard