KLSCM- Afterthought

What I have learn in this full marathon is that the strategy of Full and Half Marathon are totally different. Half Marathon is simple. You run as fast as you can while not hitting heart rate at critical rate and ensuring you have sufficient energy to complete the race at even pace. Refuel at one or two station. On top of it, take a salt tablet or two. 

Full Marathon, on the other hand, is completely different. First of all, its about how you can delay hitting the wall. To me, all my four previous experiences happened around the 24-25km. My first challenge is when will the 4:30 pacer surpass me, and it is always around the same area. For the latest experience, the pacer surpass me around the 24km mark, which is the earliest and therefore I actually ran the slowest at the first part of the race in the four marathon. 

In my opinion, the second part of the race commence at the 24/25km mark, which is the starting of 'real marathon'. Instead of managing your 'heart-rate' and 'energy', the full marathon is about managing 'muscle' and 'energy'. A muscle cramp would totally ruin the race therefore pushing as far back as possible or even totally eliminate it. It is wiser to run 'relax', and therefore slower, than to run stronger, risking a cramp that lead to slower time in the later stage and suffering and pain and bad experience. 

Fuel intake and salt intake need to be plan prior to the race and followed to the dot. Drinking of water should be adequate but not too much. Banana is essential to avoid 'empty stomach'. Most important thing is relax and keep your mind busy by thinking of 'something else, something that require lengthy time for deep thinking or argument'. Time will go by faster than imagine. Most importantly, enjoy the race, relax and smile. Finish the race as if it is just another walk in the park. 

Official and AI photos

Official photos from KLSCM 2025 are much better than other amateur photographer.

The watermark is unfortunately destroy the photo. We therefore employ AI watermark removed technology to beautify the photo.

Attached photos of original and "AI removed watermark photo".

      

And lastly, my favourite photo of them all- the runner that appears to be just walking around the park after a Full Marathon. 

Marathon Photos

Despite tens of photographer and hundreds of photo taken in KLSCM event, there are hardly any good photo taken. This is due to huge number of runners, my timing (which is among the biggest crowd), limited good photo shot location (which is limitation of KL City) and really the skills of the photographer.

Here are some of the "not so good" photo, but still shortlisted due to really poor selection pool. In comparison, there are some good photo taken in KLSCM 2024 but there are even lesser and worse photos in KLSCM 2023. 

KLSCM Full Marathon 2025

It is finally here. Full Marathon of the year. I do not have sufficient training for this race and therefore has no expectation / target for the race. My broad target is anything below 5 hour mark. The main difference in this race is that I did not look at the watch, since there is no 'target' time. As a result, I can truly enjoy the race. 

I started the race at reasonable pace, as I have a target to run ahead of the 4'30 pacer at the 25km mark, the place where they overtook me in last few FM races. This year the 4'30 pacer overtook me at around 24km mark, therefore I am approximately 1-2 minute slower than the previous few races at 25km mark.

From 25-42km, its all about managing cramp. I slow down significantly when I 'feel' cramp is coming, and accelerate as the cramp feeling disappear. As a result, I complete the race without cramp, therefore no major slow/down time at any point in the race. This is the first time I ran the FM without a real cramp (although i have near cramp near finishing) and I am reasonably aware of the entire races from start to end. It is therefore most enjoyable as I do not feel significant pain until the last few km. 

The final result is unexpected as I achieve a Personal Best in Full Marathon. Truly 'slowly but surely'. 

Overall Time = 4'44 (6:30 min/km), this is Personal Best plus achieved a "High Distinction" from my goal set a month ago.

Overall Ranking = 2876 (of 12147)

Overall Men =  2491 (of 9998)

Coming Soon- KLSCM 2025

Oh no! Full Marathon is just around the corner and I am not ready for it. I am constantly fatigue over the last few months and the training volume is light and low. I would be surprise if I can even finish the race in less than 5 hours. I am almost definitely certain that I will encounter major cramp and pain during the race. 

I can blame it on many factors- the Kraby trip (that disrupt a week's training), badminton training and competition (that affect a week to two's training), the low mileage (of 35km per week over the last 16 weeks, which is low for training period), the inadequate LSD and most importantly the missing of Tempo/Interval Run in the mid-week with running group like Asic, which I have plenty in the last two years. The age and general fitness is probably the biggest factor as the 'fatigue' is coming from nowhere and does not go away even with sufficient rest. 

Target for the race:

High Distinction:< 4'46'36 or < 6:46min/km

Distinction: <4'50'00 or < 6:52min/km

Credit: <4'55'00 or 7:00min/km

Pass: Satisfactory: <5'00'00 or 7:06min/km

Stategy:

Follow the 4'30 min pacer for the first 25km, then try to finish the balance 17km as close to 7min/km as possible. 

XiaoMi Pop Run 2025 Half Marathon

Final result is 2 hours 2 minutes 28 seconds, in an under distance race of 20.5km, therefore average pace is 5 min 58 seconds per km.

This is my 11th Half Marathon Race. The final result is 7th (out of 11) in terms of pace but 5th (out of 11) in terms of total time due to under distance. 

The below average performance is mainly due to lack of training and stamina as a result. I am able to run sub 5'50 in the first 8km, but drop to around 6'00 mark from 9-12km. Pace is slow at 6'05-6'35 from 13-19km and back to sub 6'00 in the final 1.5km. 

Always happy after a race irrespective of results. YY's pace drop off in the final 5km therefore finished 2'04. Lee is as good as ever, finished at around 1'54. Wei Bin did a 10km run instead. 

China Wine

Wines from China have improved a great deal. The winemakers are now Chinese and some of the wines are really of high standard. The most significant variety is "Marselan", which is a French grape blend of Cabinet Sauvignon and Garnacha. China Xinjiang / Ningxia region can produce the best Marselan around the world. 

There are also tea fermented wines that are very different. 

2025 Badminton Friendly Match with Chan Assoc

The much anticipated friendly match versus Chan Association is finally here. The competition is not as hard as the match vs GuangDong as the average opponent age is about 40. In the meantime, our representatives are also better compared to previous match. Final result is 14-4. A good comeback win. Many players are hoping for a next match following this victory.

Our double match results are 2-1, with the first one lost in 3 sets. It's a match that we should have won and it is really due to fatigue and high heart rates (up to 180bpm) that led to the defeat. I would need to improve on the badminton stamina if we wish to have further success in future. 

TC Team (Missing Jvn Li)

(Pre-Match Photo)

(After Match Photo)

Teo Chew Kung Fu Tea

Attended a Teo Chew Kung Fu Chinese Tea session. The more you learn about tea, the more you learn to appreciate. It's interesting to know that how little we know about appreciating tea after drinking tea for fifty years. Tea, like wine, is an art as well as a beverage. The preparation required some hand on experiences to master. In terms of consuming, one must know how to hold the cup, how to properly drink the tea, the fragrance/nose is equally important just like wine. 

The 21 style to prepare and appreciate Tea, although most of us barely perform half of them. 

Now it is time to prepare some Teo Chew Kung Fu Tea at home. Gear is ready. 

Best Steak Update Jun-2025

Following the blog last October, its time to update the best steak I have tried this year and steakhouse to try in near future. 

My personal Favourite: 

1. Chamber's Grill @ KL Hilton (Rating 4.7)

2. Maria's Steakhouse @ Sunway (Rating 4.6)

3. Senja @ Saujana (Rating 4.5)

4. Butcher Carrey @ Sri Hartamas (Rating 4.3)

5.Meat Point @ TTDI (Rating 4.9)

Steakhouse to try in near future. 

1. Prime @ Le Meridien (Rating 4.5)

2. Vantador @ Sri Hartamas (Rating 4.5)

3. The Beato Steakhouse @ Publika (Rating 4.5)

4. Jake's Charbroil @ Medan Damansara (Rating 4.3)

5. Kay's Steak and Lobster @ Putra Heights (Rating 4.6)

6. Grub by Ahong @ Section 17 (Rating 4.6)

7. Stoked Seafood & Bar @ Medan Damansara (Rating 4.0)

8. Tamaruya Meat Master (Rating 4.5)

9. Ynot Garden Cafe (Rating 4.6)

10. Bunny Wok & Grill @ Sri Petaling (Rating 3.8)

Xian Jing Run 2025

It is an individual running competition, yet it is also kind of a team event as different association is competing against each other.  

For the team, TC Sports Club finished 2nd, 4th, 11th & 12th (although podium finish is only for top 10) whilst Hokkien has 4 in the podium including 3rd & 5th. Therefore its a slight improvement for us.

In terms of personal performances, I finished between 13th-15th, which is at least 3 minutes out of the podium time. However, the 51 minutes finishing time is already 3 minutes faster than the 54 minutes last year. As a matter, I recorded a PB for 5km during the run (probably in the first 5km). Overall 10km results is not my best, however, the route is very hilly and probably one of the toughest race.