Hardship and Good Lesson

Fuh, i had completed 116 Desaru International Triathlon 2011 for the very first time..it means ive done two full course triathlon in a year without any sprint exposure..what i can say is that i was totally finished..with zero experience for long distance course, i never knew what to expect, the grueling condition and the hardship to complete it..its all about the mental and physical test..

The event is held at Lotus Desaru Resort on 24th September 2011..i just finished my Budgeting System training for the Ministry at Malacca the day before..so i had to travelled from Malacca to Johor Bahru coz i decided to stay a night at my friend's (Kicuk) house somewhere in Taman Nusa Idaman....Kepet and Panglima arrived later since they departed from Kuala Lumpur..we had our dinner at his house and prepare for tomorrow journey..we started the journey to Desaru at 6am in the morning and estimated to arrive around 7.30am..We took the new Ulu Tiram-Desaru expressway and reached there on time..after light breakfast we headed to Lotus Desaru Resort to start the race at 8.30am. 

During the race kit collection session on Friday, we asked Yahya to pick the kits for us but then my name was not in the starting list..maybe its due to my uncleared payment during the registration..thank God one of our team member - Suhaib could not join the race since he had other commitment..so i decided to take his number and race as it was mine..hehehe..

This year's competition are done by two loops for every course..the race started with 2km swimming course along the Desaru beach..the current was quite strong and its hard to swim against it..upon the completion of swimming course, i headed for 92km returned cycling course along the hilly route from Lotus to Kg Punggai..more energy needed to complete the cycling course since it was noon and the hill quite steep..during the last loop back from Kg Punggai, i could feel my both tights were starting to cramp and my empty stomach needed something to be filled up but my mouth could not accept anything except for water..so i just tried to finished the cycle and began the 22km running course..

arghhh, i could not run at all!!my legs felt numb and painful every time i tried to move them..so i walked along the way to 5 km U-turn point..after stopping at few water stations then the pain became lesser..i tried to run slowly and alternated with walking..the heat and arid sunlight had burned my skin and the pain was all over the body..finally i've done the two loops of running course and reached the resort entrance..its almost there and could hear the host voice calling for the athletes..i ran slowly and the world became brighter when i saw the finishing line..hahaha yes, i completed the race!!!..in a very hard way and experience..but sadly my timing was not good - 8:40:43..huh, it was a great day of my life completing one of the most fearsome event..long distance and big expectation against no proper training.. 

Thanx to all the Macam Pro team mates and other triathletes for the support in realizing my dream..your spirits and everlasting friendship are awesome!!looking forward for next year event and i promising to myself that i wont take this event for granted and prepare well for it!!need to improve my personal time..

Sayur!!

totally finished!!

The long distance triathlon virgins
(from left: Abe, Kidin, Yahya, Me)

Macam Pro Team
(from left: Kicuk, Kepet, Nik, Ipin, Me, Panglima)

We are family!!

Now Everything is Impossible??

Desaru Tri is just around the corner..no proper training, 1 week workshop in Malacca, tight schedule...arghh how am i gonna prepare for this..?or else just pray n bare with it..hope that i can finish no matter how hard it is..i do not want to think what's gonna happen during the race which is actually already expected..hahaha..please pray for me that i can complete the day in one piece..clock is ticking but im not doing anything yet!!!

Vuelta a Espana 2011

Finally Vuelta a Espana has closed it curtain for 2011 with the win by homegrown rider - Juan Jose Cobo  (Geox-TMC) after 21 grueling days after a total 3295km of racing. Team Sky riders Chris Froome and hot favourite, Bradley Wiggins finished behind by 0:13 and 1:43 respectively. It was a big win for the Spaniard since this is his first Grand Tour win and even sweeter was spectated by his fellow countrymen. Last year winner, Vicenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) fails to retain his title and finished 7th for this year Vuelta's  final general classification by 4:31 margin. The final stage took place from Circuito del Jarama to Madrid, 94km won by Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Cobo successfully secured his narrow lead by 0:13 to Chris Froome till the finishing line. Well done to every riders for a great performance which no major incident happened along the race. Hope to see for a new challenge and form from all pro riders for next year Grand Tours. Cheers!!

A moment of reflection on the GC podium as the Spanish national anthem is played for race winner Juan Jose Cobo (Geox-TMC) flanked by Sky's Bradley Wiggins 3rd + 1:41 and 2nd Chris Froome 2nd + 0:13

Juan Jose Cobo (Geox-TMC) with the best prize of all... being on the top step of the podium with your kid on the final day

Salomon X-trail Run 2011

Yeah, today i was successfully done Salomon X-trail Run at UPM, Serdang. It was my 1st post raya run and i was breathtaking seeing everybody challenging themselves again..after a month of recession due to Ramadhan, we took part in this competition with so many expectation..since i dont have the opportunity to train well yet having so much oily and fatty food during Raya i had to beat myself along the course..have to cross a hilly route passing through cow's and horse's field while dodging cow's dungs was a bit challenging..it getting tougher when i had to climb hilly and slippery road at a few sections and almost hit the wall..the weather are perfect and i enjoyed the sweating feeling..the medals were given to the 1st 100 runners for each category and i was none of them..hehe timing was ok around 1:10:34..just assumed as my training session since i have a bigger challenge waiting in Desaru..overall, i enjoyed the event and wish to go for the medal next year..perfect weather, perfect atmosphere and perfect memory..glad to be sweated again...hahahaha

from left: Kak Khairul, Kepet, Ipin n Me (Team Mcm Pro)
picture by Malaysia Runners Network

Beware...

Guys, please dont simply fall for any good-to-be-true promotion..especially girls..sometimes u are promised with good quality of items and free gifts..some are using lucky draw as the component..those are typical tactics used by the certain companies to sell their products..please remind your parents to be extra careful with any persuasion and sweet words from the promoters..even the promotion is real, but with large amount of money for uncertified items/services it could be a disastrous deal..make good decisions and assessment before participating in any dodgy promotions which finally we realize that the items/services are not worth with what we have paid.. 

Pity to those aunties and mothers (especially) who were being trapped by this kind of tactics..somehow they actually dont even need the items but without good judgement/advice they will fall for it too..dont waste our hard-earned money to any scams out there..I INSIST!! 

Value of the Day

Conducting/managing people is tough..there is a situation where everybody is in stress and things need to be completed immediately..the art of organizing people lies by showing the good value of the leader..its inappropriate to just directing here and there but playing a role in leading the team to reach goals..its either related to your job or not, helping each other can be fun..no one could ever question about their role because we share the hardship and tiredness..its even better if rewards given for every the accomplished task..for the leaders, please make an initiative and have a sense..i learned that big things never done without  teamwork..even all the members are women, its better than thousand full-of-excuses men..believe me u will  enjoy the moment and everybody is happy..teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success..

it takes a long time to nurture teamwork culture and sense of belonging in an organization..but it worth taking much time working on it..love blooms and respect earned..

happiness only real when shared

Clash of the Nations

This year, the world is focussing to Auckland - which being chosen as the host of 2011 Rugby World Cup edition..20 best teams from around the globe will be competing to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. Last edition winner, South Africa Springboks will be there to defend their title and the majestic trophy..the opening ceremony and the first match will kick off on 9th September 2011 between the host, New Zealand and Tonga. 

Through the observation, New Zealand All Blacks has greater chance to win the title based on venue and recent performance..but it wont be an easy task..Australia Wallabies and England will be the biggest rivals in taking the trophy away from their grasp..the final is scheduled to be played in Auckland on 24th October 2011. Let's the war begin!!

Moving In

After 4 days of hard work of packing, we have settled at our new building..unfortunately, the cafeteria dont open yet and we need to find own alternative to have our breakfast and lunch..the nearest cafe is at AGC (Attorney General Council) which is located beside our building..somehow the food are below par and very limited since a few ministries also moving in..another place is at KBS (Ministry of Youth and Sports ) but it is 1km away..It will be a waste if we spend more time traveling and the food is not good..

I got my room at 14th floor which is designed for Finance Department..for lower grade officers (41/44), we are placed in a room for two..its not a big deal since the room are build based on our kelayakan..by the way, sharing room means sharing ideas and knowledge..but i dont like the concept  because interaction with supporting staff is limited since all the activities are done in room and far from each other..the sense of togetherness and task accomplishment are not there..hmm, just be grateful and try to do the job as perfect as u can..

I cant cycle yet to new office since unpacking session not done..and yet i have to find the suitable place for my bike..its not proper to place the bicycle inside the room and a space that i can see her all the time..huh, so demanding!!may be it takes a week to adapt with the new environment and still, the work have to be done without excuses..

crime scene

first day at work (pot pet pot pet)

Time is Running Out

Oh gosh, the 116 Desaru International Triathlon 2011 is just 16 days away...it consists of 2km swim - 92km cycle - 22km run..no proper training yet..is this the sign of DNF? (Do Not Finish)..yeah, its possible..but definitely i wont let that happen coz it like a curse if any of our team member has been shown the exit way during the race..and also have to beat each other's timing since any of us with latest timing will be announced as "SAYUR"...it's a nightmare, dude!!

First Alpine Attempt

Successfully conquering the Syue Mountain at 3886m above sea level..it was a great attempt since it was done during winter..Thanx to the team for making it real to me..it is about passion and hardship..everybody pushed themselves to the limit and survived along the craziest journey..what's next??

the six stupid Malaysians

p/s: will try to post full report if have time..anyone interested?

Together we stand

Team Hoyt - Such an inspiration...

We Learn....

p/s: weapon kena POWER!!

New Born HERO

Thank God, our best loving couple - Syafiq and Herdi has been blessed with a new born baby boy on 29th September 2011. Long awaited moment is paid on the last day of Ramadhan and the boy was safely delivered at 5.15am..We are proud of having a new member and name given is Muhammad Sayf Ahadith bin Mohd Syafiq. U are most welcome!!

New sweetheart in da house

We need style, bro!!

the Mother (left) and Aunty Comot

Pindah randah

Starting from tomorrow, im gonna work in our own brand new 32 floors building in Precint 4G8..my station will be at 14th floor and got a scenic view facing the lake..almost done with packing session while others are busy shredding their unused documents and packing own stuff..looking forward working in a new environment and atmosphere..i will have a new cycling route which estimated around 10km away from home..it means i need to ride earlier than before..a fresh start!!

Dirty job

Need to find new space for her

Greetings....

Finally, dh berjaya produced a blog yang memang dh lama nk buat...This blog mostly prepared to share my interests and opinions..just wanna give a try in sharing information and knowledge..improvement is expected during the publication of the blog..please feel free to drop comments and share your knowledge about anything related to my post if u have any...happy reading mates..