Day 2- Tao Yuan - Tai Chung
The Family has not experienced a "long" train trip and this nearly two hours ride provide a good experience. The seating space is big and the ride is smooth, not to mention the travelling cost is really affordable.
Tai Chung- First stop: 宮原眼科 (Ice Cream)
Year 2023 year end Family Vacation Destination- Taiwan.
The initial thought of impressing family by going somewhere slightly further than the previous two, namely Phuket and KK, and with colder weather didn't materialize. The weather in TaiChung is much warmer than expected and we packed a lot to prepare for the chill. Out of the 9 days, only 1 day is consider cold, two other days chilling, balance are almost as warm as Malaysia. The kids also did not appreciate the program, although all agreed that the street food is excellent.
Day 1 - Tao Yuan
We arrived in the evening and all we can do is to visit a nearby small Night Market.
2023 Christmas Wish List
(Below RM 100)
- Weight lifting dumb-bell kit
- Runner ID Tag on Watch
- Water Bottle
- Blanket
Amazing!
Despite having a basketball competition the day before. Despite having less than 5 hours sleep for 4 days in a row. Despite messing up the time, by waking up early and arriving the venue early, thinking the race will start at 5:30am instead of 6:45am. Despite not feeling 100% at the start of the race. In spite of all the above, I end up achieving a Personal Best. And I beat the previous record by quite a bit too.
Final result is 54min 24seconds over distance of 10.15km, or an average of 5'22/km. This is amazing for my standard. Perhaps its the help from the new shoes- Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2.
After not playing basketball for a long period of time, and in even longer environment of Competition, I enter the 3x3 basketball competition organised by TC Sports Club, as a token of support for our beloved club.
Knowing our limited ceiling, our progress will be entirely depend on the strength of the competition. We end up be in a very difficult situation. Our first match is versus Klang, who sent a group of 4 22 years old State players. We got crushed although they didn't try hard. I do score a baseline jump shot in the game.
Second game versus He-Po is very close. We end up losing by one point in overtime. I score two points including a drive and a free throw. However, I am absolutely out of breathe half way through the game.
Nonetheless, it is a good experience to be able to compete in this game at the age of 48.
Next Race- Puma Night Run - 10km. This would be my first night race.
Got this entry for free :)
Target Race Time / Pace = 55'00 (5:30/km)
Personal Best Time / Pace (in race) = 55'18 (5:32/km)
Personal Best Time / Pace (in VR) = 55'58 (5:37/km)
I have two attempts for the target as I have another race (Asic Time Trial in two weeks time).
Achievement board is
Gold: Time / Pace = 55'00 (5:30/km)
Silver: Faster than 55'18 or 5:32/km
Bronze: Faster than 55'58 or 5:37/km
KLSCM Full Marathon 2023 is finally over.
Didn't do well as both my legs take turn to cramp. Small cramp start around 30km mark and major cramp in the final 1km, which I have to stop twice and walk/jog back to the finishing line.
Final result is 4 hours 46 minutes 36 seconds. (Achieved Bronze Target). It is still a PB.
Rank = 2317 of 12,318
Rank = 2079 of 10395 men
Rank = 854 of Malaysian Veteran men
Day before the "Big Exam".
One of the least prepared exam, however. The last seven weeks are focus in recovering from Score Marathon instead of preparation for the next. There has been almost no running this week amid busy week schedule.
Nonetheless, this is the biggest event of the year. I did poorly in the 10km KL Std Charter last year. Hopefully this year will have a much better result.
Initial target but no longer possible goal= 4 hour 30 minutes
Gold= Main Objective= 4 hours 40 minutes
Silver= 4 hours 45 minutes
Bronze= 4 hours 48 minutes 25 seconds or anything faster than Score Marathon.
First ever Marathon after 3 years plus of training.
I may be fully 'prepared' for its difficulty, particularly after 30km, however, the real experience is completely different. It is way harder than I anticipated.
My initial plan is 6.24/km for first 30km and 7.22/km for final 12km.
I managed to keep in pace for the first 25km, then drop to around 6.50/km for the next 5km. After 30km is quite disaster. I run/walk most of the way.
Final result is 4hour 48min vs initial target of 4hour 43min.
Now I am not sure if 4 hour 30min is achievable in Std Chart. Perhaps I should change to 4hour 43min.
Experience with photo:-
