A Spiritual Journey :)

Hello everyone,

I will be away from today onwards until the first week of May...

Will be performing my very first Umrah with my parents, lookalike brother and cousin :)

InsyaAllah it will be a smooth and blessed one for all of us when we're there...

Taken from here

I think it's about time for me to be a tad closer to Him :)

Take care, happy running/working out, and may God bless all of you...

Don't miss me too much ;P

xx

Partners in Pain

This week's column by Captain G on News Straits Times :)

A sweet one... My fave so far :P 

Can't wait to train with you again, feel the pain (:P) and share the Chicago dream partner!!!

xx

RUNNING CITY GIRL: Partners in pain

ONE chilly afternoon in November, three Malaysian women sat side by side on a pavement just outside Central Park in New York City.

The writer (centre) with her friends Ilyanna Aylin Ayob (left) and Selina Abdul Aziz after completing the New York City Marathon last year

They had medals around their necks, engraved with the words “The New York City Marathon 2011”.

Although too tired to show any emotion, each was delighted to have accomplished their goals and grateful to have each other’s company. I know this for certain, because I was one of them.

For several months prior to that day, I trained and organised my trip with the other two women, Nana and Selly.

As we ran together, we shared our New York dreams and worries with each other. If I were to list one thing that I was most thankful for from the experience, it would probably be the continuous support I received from both of them.

Our journey, right from Day One, was a great testament to friendship and the spirit of running.

Before my New York chapter, I used to train on my own. With the exception of the occasional weekend group run, I did most of my weekday runs in solitude. I thought running solo suited me best as I did not have to adjust my schedule to accommodate others.

However, when Nana asked me if I wanted to train together for the marathon, I told myself to give it a go. Looking back, I’m glad I made the decision.

TRAINING TOGETHER

As our four-month training began in the month of Ramadan, we had no choice but to run in the evenings. Right from the start, I saw the advantage in training with others.

Having friends to run with increased my personal safety. I couldn’t have gone out to run unaccompanied after dusk. If it were not for them, I probably would have opted for the treadmill for the entire fasting month. That would not have been enjoyable.

Training together also became an excellent means of motivation for me, particularly during our long runs. Having friends to chat with removed the negative voices in my head, the ones that suggested that I shouldn’t go any further or push myself harder. With great company, time seemed to pass by so quickly. Before we knew it, we had covered 16km to 32km together.

There were days when it was tough for me to put my running shoes on and get out there. If I was alone, I would have made 101 justifications to skip my runs when I wasn’t really in the mood. However, knowing that my running partners were depending on me, eliminated these excuses. Thanks to them, the accountability and persistency of training together kept me on track, every day.

Also, I had a tendency to kick my speed up a notch when running with others. My friends seemed to share the same sentiment. I suppose it’s in our nature to instinctively compete with the person next to us. By running together, we kept our pace up and pushed ourselves further than we would if we were running alone. To me, that was a good thing.

Having said all this, I still made a point to run solo every once in a while. There were days when I wanted to have my personal space and to entertain my own thoughts.

When I had issues that I wanted to deal with, I would sweat it out alone. Besides, running long distances all by myself, with no conversation to distract me from pain or from the distance, would build my mental toughness.

I would say that the most valuable lesson I learnt from my New York experience was that training with partners was more than just about security, accountability or a way to prompt myself to run. It was about camaraderie. I considered myself fortunate to have partners who not only shared the same fitness level, goals and training ethics, but also knew how to get the best out of me, and vice versa.

CHICAGO DREAMS

In October, Nana and I will be fulfilling our dream to complete yet another marathon major, the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

In a few months, it will be time to start training seriously for the event. Without doubt, I won’t be having second thoughts about training with Nana once again, for there is nothing sweeter than chasing and realising a dream with someone close to you.

Read more: RUNNING CITY GIRL: Partners in pain - Health - New Straits Timeshttp://www.nst.com.my/life-times/health/running-city-girl-partners-in-pain-1.74579#ixzz1sGpERlKZ

3 Ms and 1 UM

I thought of 'slowing down' this year and concentrate on achieving my ultimate finishing time for a full marathon at my next awesome destination ;)

But I guess I am only slowing down in terms of travelling around to run this year... Haha! :P

So, here's what will be in store for me for this year (besides the usual races that I'll be signing up for back at home):

1. Sundown Marathon, Singapore - 26 May
Yeap, it's a month away and the only reason why I signed up for this race is because I wanted to complete my collection of medals from this race since I've done 10km and 21km previously... Kiasu of me I know... But I think it's just another excuse of me to just leave KL for a weekend :P

When I did my last race there 2 years ago, it was badly organised... Apparently, they've changed the route and it will be a totally new one for the year... ANDDDDD the marathon will start at 10pm instead... Hopefully it will be a good race... Night runs for training, how I've missed you :P

2. Standard Chartered KL Marathon, Malaysia - 24 June
Before a lot of my running friends tease me for not running a marathon back here in KL, I've decided to do it this year after running 2 halfies previously... Had fun being a runaway schoolgirl last year too! ;)

And since all of my Gs will be running at this race, we're definitely going to be 'unique' again and have tons of fun at this year's race ;) Can't wait for this race! :)

So, double hills and hot sun, here I come!!! :P

3. Bank of America Chicago Marathon, USA - 7 October 
Last year, I ran my birthday marathon in Paris with my running partner in crime, Shanaz... While thinking about our next running adventure for this year, we decided to check the dates for this year's marathon majors' races...

And there it was on the website, the Chicago Marathon's scheduled to be happening on Captain G's birthday! Of course, we decided to register immediately for this marathon when it opened! And since we both are planning to beat our PBs here, we're definitely going to train again, just like for NYC before :)

This will be my first time to the Windy City and a second marathon major :) Can't wait for this trip (and holiday!) insyaAllah! Time to start saving up again!

Training during puasa month, here we come again! ;P

4. The North Face 100, Singapore - October
Fell in love with the MacRitchie Resevoir Park last year when I did the 50km duo challenge with my Idola G and the post-race food too :P My big toe nails are still healing from the race as they're not as uglier as before... Hehe...

This year, I thought of joining the 100km duo challenge instead (FRIM will be my best friend soon :P) and complete my first ultramarathon this year insyaAllah :) Still looking around for a partner for this... Anyone interested? Let me know ok ;)

So there you have it... (What have I gotten myself into again and again and again?!!! :P) InsyaAllah, my legs will be able to run happy at all of these marathons (and one ultramarathon) :)

I should SERIOUSLY find a sponsor for my running adventures... Anyone? :P

Caine's Arcade

This 9-year old kid and the videomaker was featured a few days ago on E! News...

This is a story about realising your dream and passion... A story about hope... No matter how old or young you are...

And it's not about gadgets all the time :)

I was moved to tears after watching the video... 

Oh, and he's such a genius! Enjoy it :)

Just Run It

Happy Friday the 13th everyone!

Nike did it again with their running campaigns!

The first ad that I'll be showing was taken from the last year's launch of LunarGlide+ 3...

The concept behind this TVC is that when your shoes are way too comfortable, all you want to do is, well to keep on running ;)

I like the part where the grandparents drove by and said hi... Hehe... 

This TVC below was released last week in conjunction with the launch of their new Nike Free Run+ range and it's about a long distance couple that decided to run across the country to be with each other...

Of course, the girlfriend was the stronger runner than her guy ;)

How cute is this ad?!!

Love makes the world go round... And faster if you lovebirds are runners ;) 

Have a good weekend everyone! :) 

A Celebration Week

Alhamdulillah for an awesome birthday week :)

6 cakes and no workout since Sunday! :P

Thank you everyone for the kind and well wishes :D

One happy (and cakey girl) I am! Hehe... 

Coming Soon :)

For the ladies here in Malaysia and Singapore :)

Something exciting is coming your way from the three of us! :D

In June insyaAllah :)

Stay tuned!

A Photo A Day - Cold and Where I Ate My Breakfast

10. Cold

My ice cream stock at home ;) 

11. Where I Ate My Breakfast

At the usual table in my kitchen with my usual toast+nutella :) 

A Photo A Day - Younger Me

Managed to find one of my baby photos ;)

Can't believe that I'm turning 29 in less than 6 hours!!!

A Photo A Day - Tiny, Lunch, Shadow and Inside My Wallet

Happy Monday everyone! :)

Didn't have time to post the past four days' pictures... So, here they are :)

5. Tiny

Cili padi - can't live without them although my tummy can't really take them :P

6. Lunch

A family ritual to have yummy home-cooked lunch every Friday :)

7. Shadow

Taken at one of my fave joints, Chili's

8. Inside my wallet

Cards, receipts and a total of 10 ringgit... So broke! Haha

Seven Weeks

So my first marathon of the year will be happening next month in Singapore and it will be none other than the Sundown Marathon event...

The reason why I signed up for this race this year was because:

a. I did my first ever race there in 2008 :)

b. I've collected both 10km and 21km finisher medals

c. Naturally, I had to have the full marathon one (Kiasu!) :P

(Fine, more than one reason :P)

I was 'sleeping' in January and February, by only clocking in 35km and 43km respectively in terms of mileage... What a number right? Hahaha :P But I didn't regret it, for I did other things than running, such as yoga, rock-climbing and futsal :) 

My legs finally 'woke up' last month and thanks to the weekly gym sessions (Yes I've joined the gym again!) and runs that I have been doing with the recruits from Chief's Original Bootcamp (COBC), I can safely say that the training for Sundown has begun :P Though I am not aiming to beat my PB at this event, I have to make sure that my legs will be okay throughout the entire marathon right ;)

So, it's time to step up again this month (and next month too!) *Phew* ;)

In the meantime, I can't wait to watch one of my favourite bands tonight here in KL :)

Definitely the BEST song from them in my books! And a good one to listen to while running ;)

Have a good Wednesday peeps! :)

A Photo A Day - Someone Who Makes You Happy

I have been a happy child for the past 28 years of my life... 

And because of her, I will always be forever grateful and thankful for having an amazing woman in my life... 

Of course, I had to feature her in today's pic ;)

And the fact that today's her birthday too :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ROCK, MUMSIE!!!

Keep making me happy okay? Haha! :P 

A Photo A Day - Mail

Got a parcel indeed ;)

I'm so excited about this parcel! Shall share it with all of you soon :) 

A Photo A Day - Colour

My favourite colour (and jeans) at the moment :)

A Photo A Day - Reflection

My favourite month of the year is here!!! (I wonder why :P)

And to celebrate it, I will be sharing a photo a day based on below:

Completely forgot about yesterdays' picture, so here's a belated one ;)


Doing the G pose ;)