Category: Running

The runner’s appetite in me often seeks to run on new routes and different terrains. YOLO run KL was held last Sunday, 6 August at Oasis Square, Ara Damansara. I immediately embraced this opportunity to run for YOLO run KL 2017.

I always believe that not all runs/events are meant to be raced. While you select a few that you want to race, others are meant purely for the enjoyment factor. I decided to relax, have fun and take this one easy.

Hubby and I were in good time to collect the bibs, meet the organisers and chat with some runner buddies. I learnt that this event was one of  its kind because YOLO RUN series will also be held in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. The start area was amazing as I could feel so many different emotions. Before the 10 km flagged off, there was a warm up Zumba session led by two incredible and energetic ladies- which I enjoyed very much! At 7am, the announcer told us to proceed to the start line and at 7.15am, we were flagged off. It was a smooth flag off with plenty of room for manoeuvre.

Being still pitch dark, it was gratifying to see volunteers on bicycles and walking and assisting participants and runners. I could hear the birds chirping and darkness soon gave way to light as the sun’s first rays crept in. Basking in the beauty of the surroundings, I soon felt into a trance little realizing that it was a nice flat route.

Volunteers and photographers stood on the side- lines cheering and clicking our strides away, I gave hi fives to some of my runner friends, quite enjoying every moment of the run.

The water stations were well-managed. Eager volunteers were always ready with cups in their hands, waiting for runners to grab the drinks from them. There were two water stations at the 3 km and 8 km that looked well supplied; although runners became a bit pushy around them which is never nice. I got a few unwanted elbows in my sides but nothing serious,thankfully.

For the 10 km runners, the first U-turn point was located after the 5km mark. After the U-turn, there was a ‘check-point'(some runners without “runner’s etiquette”, opted to take a short cut and not go through the U-turn and went straight  for the ‘check point’. Anyway, after the ‘check point’, we were running in the direction facing the sun, but thankfully it didn’t get too hot. It was a breezy morning;the temperature remained low.

The final 2 km was quiet and tranquil. Runners were few and far between. Most runners, imcluding me, alternated between running and walking. At the finish line, we were given finisher’s entitlements, which included a medal ( loved the bling-unique and cool design) and mineral water etc. At the race village, there were plenty of booths, food trucks, restaurants and lots of activities such as fit challenges, Yoga and many more.

RACE OVERVIEW:

1. The race was well-organised. Despite a crowd of 3000 runners, there wasn’t any bottleneck or congestion.
2. Road marshals and volunteers did a great job supporting runners along the race.
3. Distance markers, direction signs and traffic cones were clear and well-placed.
4. Hydration stations were well-managed by volunteers
5. Toilets- lots of porta-potties around the start area and race village with no lines.
6. Route- A very flat course, however, roads were partially closed, runners were running with traffic along the route- which was quite unsafe.
7. Baggage drop- They had a good system for storage and there were no queues for pick up and drop off.
8. The other thing I want to mention is that I really enjoyed the roving MC- Linora Low from MixFM

I will break it down in words of R-E-S-P-E-C-T for YOLO RUN KL 2017:-

R: Relax, it it race day!

E: Expect anything! (Plan properly- Have plan A, B and even C)

S: Slow and steady all the way

P: Persevere ( Persevere and keep moving)

E: Enjoy (remember, YOLO- YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE)

C: Commitment ( Stay committed to your race plan)To finish as you are “ULTRAORDINARY!”

T:  “Terima Kasih”- YOLO run KL 2017 rocks! Thank you for an awesome run!

OVERALL: This was such a great race and event and one that will stand out in my memory forever. YOLO Run KL has earned a place in my heart for sure.

 

 

 

It is something of a cliche’ “among runners”, how the activity never fails to clear your head. Does some creative block have you feeling stuck? Go for a run!

Are you between one of two potential life-altering decisions? Go for a run! Are you feeling mildly mad, sad or even just vaguely ‘meh’? Go for a run! Go for a run! Go for a run……

A good run can sometimes make you feel like a brand-new person. And, in a way, that feeling may be literally true. We are all much stronger than we think! We need to take that leap of faith and trust our own abilities! If you are preparing for your first 5 Km run or a 10 km run or your first ever 21 km half marathon or maybe your first ever 42 km full marathon……YOU CAN DO IT!

It is not easy to make these choices and changes, or even know what these changes that you want to make. All we can do is try and be the best version of ourselves!

When Prakash, my running ‘partner in crime’ gave me the opportunity to run and write for YOLO Run 2017, I was thrilled, excited and overjoyed! I love the theme! And what makes it special and close to my heart is YOLO- You Only Live Once- Running gave me the belief that I was stronger than I was! It gave me the courage and strength that I could do anything!

We all have challenges in life and we need to be brave enough to ask for help. When we do, we can be surprised by the reaction and the nurturing that follows. It takes guts to stand out! To stand up and join in! Just go for a run……

Life throws us opportunities, some big and some small, and it is how we react to these opportunities and whether we decide to take action or not, that governs the outcome of our destiny. Remember, YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE- YOLO!

 

As a runner, your greatest asset- or sometimes enemy, is your brain! What you think and feel on and off the road has a tremendous influence over how you perform once you lace them up on race day!

Men’s health and women’s health AIA Night Run 2017, Hubby and I decided to signed up for the 21km half marathon, since it was scheduled to be held in Putrajaya (Nice route, flat and not too much of hills). However, we were informed by the organisers that due to unforeseen circumstances, the venue was held at MAEPS, Mardi- Serdang instead.

We arrived very very early, so we managed to get to a good and safe parking spot, quite near the starting point. Alright, let’s begin with a quick rundowns of the PROS and CONS.

PROS:

1. It was a “Night Run”. It had a totally different feel than a morning race would have, which I enjoyed.
2. It was a nice feeling to be running “in a farm”- closed to nature (Old Macdonald had a farm tune was in my head 24/7, while running this 21km route (LOL)
3. I might be acting a little picky with this one, but I thought that the crowd was overwhelming, thousands and thousands of runners!
4. Water stations were plenty (but it was badly manned and was disorganised)
5. Porta-porties were sufficient

THE UGLY:

1. The warm up session by Fitness First was demotivating.
2. The flagged off was 10 minutes late, we could see the elite/veteran runners pushing their way to the front. At 8.10pm, the emcee did a countdown and off the 21km runners went.
3. As far as logistics go, it was probably a disorganised race. To my opinion, there were too many runners. When the 21km runners were flagged off, runners were pushing, shoving into one another to be ahead/ in front. From the 1st km to the 5 km, runners were running in a bottle neck position.
4. Certain parts of the route were pitch dark and there were lots of pothholes.
5. To make matters even worst, the 21 km half marathon runners had to share the same route with the 12 km runners, and round and round and round we went….Lap one……..Lap two…….and all the runners were so confused that the 12 km and 21km runners were just running and slamming and crossing into each other. we were like a herd of cows running in and out of the “Kandang” to find our way home……OMG! It wasn’t a flat route, but on hills! It was like stairway to hell. At one point, this was pure mental torture for the 21 km half marathon runners!
6. I could hear many runners grumbling and complaining that the route was dull, boring and unsafe. No proper lightings and roads were uneven and lots of pothholes.
7. There were no proper signages and markers. Marshalls were busy on their mobiles, sitting in the corners, vaping and smoking and some were busy yelling and shouting “to the left…to the left..!” and “runners….21km to the right! to the right!” At this point, many runners were so confused and most of the 21km runners DNF!

Bad runs happens to every runner. Yes, me too! But when a bad run is happening to you, it is horrible! But when the wheels start falling off, you can either focus on the pain or you can use it as a learning experience.

I was just happy and relief to complete the race and managed to grab my finisher medal!

Be realistic…was it really such a bad race? You are racing no one but yourself! So this time yourself lost, next time your other self may win…….See what I mean, take the good runs with the bad, remember the highs and don’t dwell on the lows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father’s day, as it is known, is celebrated to pay tribute to all the fathers of the world. In short, it is dedicated to fatherhood, the second most wonderful relationship after motherhood. While fathers do anything and everything for the betterment of their children, this day allows me to pay my sincere admiration and respect towards my daddy and all the daddies out there!

There is a unique bond of love, faith and understanding between a father and a child. My dad- my super hero! He plays an essential role in my life. Many things I have learned and many things that he has taught me. Some of the most meaningful moments in my life is the time spent with him. Father’s day is time when a daughter can thank her father for making her life a bed of roses.

My daddy is a person who is loving and kind, and often he knows what I have on my mind. He is someone who listens, suggests and defends and he is one of my best friend!

My daddy is always proud of our triumphs but when things go wrong, he is patient and helpful and strong!

In all the we do, my daddy’s love plays a part, there’s always a place for him deep in our hearts.

And each year that passes, we are even more grateful and proud just to call him our dad!

Thank you, daddy for listening and caring, for giving and sharing, but especially, for just being you!

Fathers are wonderful people, Too little understood and we do not sing their praises as often as we should.

For, somehow, Father seems to be the man who pays the bills, while Mother binds up little hurts and nurses all our ills.

And Father struggles daily to live up to “HIS IMAGE” as protector and provider and the “hero or the scrimmage”

And perhaps that is the reason we sometimes get the notion, that fathers are not subject to the thing we call emotion.

But if you look inside Dad’s heart, where no one else can see, You’ll find he’s sentimental and as “soft” as he can be…..

But he’s so busy every day in the grueling race of life, he leaves the sentimental stuff to his partner and his wife….

But Fathers are just WONDERFUL in a million different ways, and they merit loving compliments and accolade of praise.

For the only reason Dad aspires to fortune and success is to make the family proud of him and to bring them happiness.

Daddy, you are my guardian and a guide, someone that I can count on to be always by myside.

Dear all, especially all the dads out there…join and be part of the SUPER DAD virtual race! Take up the challenge and rediscover your lighter, sporty side! It will be a great time for bonding………….For more information please log in to www.marathonmy.com

Happy Father’s Day !  A sturdy, steady hand to hold to, in time of strife and stress. A true friend we can turn to when times are good or bad, one of our greatest gifts and blessings…….THE MAN THAT WE CALL DAD!

Happy Father’s Day to all the coolest dad out there!

1. The starting line is incredibly anti climatic- Uhhhh…shouldn’t we be running and not ambling forward like cows out to pastures?? LOL
   

   

   
2. There are a lot more psychopaths who want to run 21 km than you’d think!
   
3. Every sign makes you laugh or cry.
   

   
4. Drinking from a cup while running is way harder than it looks.
   

   
5. But crushing an empty cup in your fist and tossing it on the ground makes you feel like a BOSS!
6. Seeing how many non-runners come out to watch the race humbles the heck out of you.
   

   

   

   
7. The ‘runner’s high’ is a completely real thing.
   

   
   
    
8. But unfortunately, so is ‘hitting the wall’.
   
9. As tired as you feel after 21 km, the last 100 metres will give you new life.
   

   

   

   

   
10. Wearing a medal sounds cheesy, but it’s actually the coolest feeling in the world!
    

    

    

    

    Shamrock Run 2017, Cyberjaya

    

    

Embrace this reflective month of Ramadhan @ Thistle Port Dickson. Staying traditional with a heritage theme “Citarasa Kampung”- it featured a wide array of mouth-watering ‘Malaysian Favourites’ that one would associate with the holy month of Ramadhan. Set to entice your senses, the Ramadhan buffet was held at Fresh Restaurant in a backdrop replicating a kampung ambience.

Thistle Port Dickson in conjunction with the holy month of Ramadhan played host to 50 children and caregivers of “Yayasan Anak-Anak Yatim”, Daerah Port Dickson and also to their loyal contibutors and supporters from the Corporate and Government sectors which was held on the 29th May 2017.

Buffet connoisseurs would definitely make a beeline for the unique and special Malay dishes from different states. Dishes includes kari kepala ikan, Salai Masak Lemak Ikan Keli and the extensive spread of authentic Malay Cuisine that includes the ever popular Malay Ulam such as Kacang Botol, Ulam Raja complemented by local dressings such as Sambal Belacan, Cincaluk, Budu and Tempoyak. There are also other types of local favourites such as Nasi Dagang, Satay, Ikan Bakar, Roti Paratha, Murtabak, Nasi Ayam and many more.

To satisty the colorful taste buds of fellow Malaysian food enthusiasts, there are also a selection of International dishes such as grilled lamb, chicken and many more.

Guest are invited to experience yet another beautiful Malaysian custom with family and friends. A buka puasa dinner adventure only @ Thistle Port Dickson. Don’t miss this selection of lip-smacking traditional delicacies from all over Malaysia. This versatile function space will be donning a nostalgic kampung setting that will take diners on a trip down memort lane.

The Grilled lamb- It’s bursting with flavour and will leave you feeling satisfied. The best grilled lamb I have ever had the pleasure to eat! The cooking sauce was perfect with the blackened surfaced of the chops and the inside was moist and very tender.

Chicken Rice- The chicken rice is definitely a hidden gem as it is unusually delicious.Succulent chicken meat served with a plate of that fragrant chicken rice, which has been cooked with chicken stock and oil, form a wonderful combination that resulted in this dish being named as one of our national treasures.

Kari Kepala Ikan- To be honest, this was my first time trying out the Kari Kepala Ikan and it’s not disappointing at all! Served piping hot and trust me, once you scoop those fragrant smelling curry on top of your white rice, you will not be able to stop eating!

Murtabak- Sinful yet irresistable ultimate murtabak!

Roti Paratha- It’s absolutely delicious! It arrived piping hot and is cripsy on the outside, while fluffy on the inside. Plus, it was not oily at all, they certainly managed the heat well. Dipping it into the curry will make it taste even more heavenly.

Nasi Briyani- is a wholesome rice-based dish prepared with spices, rice (eg basmati) and meat. The popularity of this exotic dish is attributed to its aromatic flavors and distinctively rich taste.

Daging Rendang-well marinated and chunky, the beef meet itself explodes with flavour with every bite. You will probably not see chicken rendang in the same light anymore after a taste of this.

Satay-the chefs could hardly keep these coming out fast enough, since people were taking at least two handful sticks every round. It took me  three tries to get some satay. The satay kampung in particular deserves a special mention because of how tender and juicy each stick was, whilst not containing too much fats! The ratio was perfect and the sweet glistening char on each stick was most enjoyable.

Fruit/mixed Rojak and Keropok- was also an offer, two items I would ordinarily make a beeline for, but we were just too stuffed after all the curries and rice, unfortunately.

Quench your thirst as an assorted array of truly- Malaysian drinks like Teh Tarik, Air Bandung, Sirap and much much more. No meal is complete without a sweet ending and surely the desserts selection will not disappoint. Indulge in a host of local sweet such as Seri muka, Kuih lapis, ABC, Cendol and many more.

At an affordable price of RM68.00 nett for an Adult and RM38.00 nett for children ages 7 to 12 years old, the Team at Thistle Port Dickson has cooked up a gastronomic storm of mouth-watering traditional and International favourites. With more than 80 dishes available, the talented Chef Azlin and Chef Helmy promised and showcased a wide selection of dishes that emphasized on a variety of flavours and scent that had excited my palate after a long day of fasting.

Break fast with an authentic spread prepared by Thistle’s talented Chefs before you this Ramadhan with live band and music that will serenade you with traditional yet comptemporary music. You will find yourself making several trips to the buffet line because it is impossible to savour every dish in one seating.

For more information and enquiries, please contact Thistle Port Dickson at +606-648 2828 or email irene.wong@thistle.com.my

Ushering in the holy month of Ramadhan, Klana Resort Seremban rolls out their Ramadhan buffet which brings diners an array of “masakan kampung”- the kind mothers used to prepare on special occasions. The theme for the buffet is “Nostalgia Ramadhan” and many favourites can be found along the buffet line, including an impressive roast lamb (kambing golek) roasted sweet potatoes, bubur lambuk, ‘gulai kawah’, gearbox soup, lemang, satay and many more aiming to please even the most discerning tastebud.

Klana Resort Seremban will feature more than 100 of the most popular and classic Malay dishes, customarily served during Ramadhan. Diners are welcome to join the Buka Puasa buffet with the atmosphere be transformed into a Ramadhan bazaar, replicating a kampung ambience.

Aside from appreciating the spectacular set up and displays to reminisce the nostalgia of breaking fast in a traditional village setting, get your stomach ready for the main highlight of the evening- scrumptious buffet menu.

Save some room for desserts. A good selection of local kuih and western cakes, pastries and fruits to end your meal with a sweet note.

Klana Resort Seremban

Adult RM75 nett  

Senior Citizen/ Child RM38 nett

For reservations/bookings please contact:

Tel:06-766 7888 (ext 3222/3181)

Website: http://www.klana-resort.com.my

Whether you’re after a casual grazing experience or a thoroughly decadent outing, this is the place for you that can cater for your every gastronomical whim.

Walk through the buffet consisting of western salad and traditional Malaysian salad with selection of colorful kerabu, ulam-ulam and other wholesome concoctions to start off your meal on the right note. Patrons will be spoilt for choice with the variety of kerabu such as Kerabu Mangga, pucuk pegaga etc. Besides that, satay, ketupat and lemang with serunding ayam are also available.

With numerous choices available, range from Japanese to Indian, Western to Mediterranean food, taste and tradition are their ideal inspiration to reflect Tarbus Themed Buffet Dinner.

One of the highlight is the effervescent Ostrich meat. Lamb’s always a point of contention for my tastebuds. I love the rich, unique flavor and wondrous and delicious lamb, further solidifying my notion that the grill station makes just about everything better. So whether you’re a lamb lover, hater or somewhere in between, it’s worth trying it! Over at the grill station, we will be able to see chefs at work whipping up grilled prawns, fish and chicken too!

Japanese Goodies

Sushi-raw fish and seafood packed together with rice and vegetables into beautiful pieces. Each little piece is almost like an art!

Prawn tempura- Tempura is chunks of seafood and vegetables dipped in a light batter and cooked in canola and sesame oil. The end result is far less stodgy than other deep-fried food that we have in the west. Tempura is normally eaten together with a bowl of rice.

Road to India

Biryani is a well known rice dish from the Indian sub continent. It is a magnificent dish redolent of myriad spices, saffron and caramelized onions and is probably the most aromatic rice ever cooked.

Dalcha is a stew made with lentil and tamarind. Vegetables like brinjal, carrot, potato are used in cooking this dish. I would say the dalcha is almost a complete meal by itself. It’s thick consistnecy and curry leaves are well blended and authentic.

From the Chinese Wok

Among the highlights were sweet and sour crab, it was tasty and easy to chew. One piece was not enough as a few guest at my table took extra helpings. The sauce was wonderful too and the thoughts of having some warm rice to mop up the sauce did come to my mind.

Have a sweet finish to your meal with irresistable temptations found at the dessert counter. Cendol- there were some red beans, corns, cendol (the green jelly), pulut (glutinous rice) and rich coconut milk. Together, it’s a dessert from heaven. It’s not that sweet but rich in taste and textures. It’s one cold dessert, perfect during hot sunny days.

Guest can also look forward to Chef’s live action stations, where local favourite such as Char Kuey Teow, sizzling grill delights and the carvery station. Bask in the sights and sounds of an upscale market place with a traditonal Ghazal band playing harmoniously throughout the evening. Lookout for signature dishes from various states in Malaysia and countries such as Tulang rusuk, sotong sambal, chicken murtabak and many more. In addition to an authentic Malay fare, patrons can also choose from a selection of Indian, Western, Chinese and Fusion cuisines, so there is something for everyone.

Tarbus Themes Buffet Dinner @ d’Tempat Country Club

From 30 May until 22 June 2017

Selling price Adult @ RM65.00nett and child @ RM33.00nett for more information please contact 06-7922 688 or log on to http://www.dtempat.com