China Tour 2024- Day 3: Da Li

 We have a busy schedule today, however, it is is also the most relaxing day of the trip.

We started the trip by going Er Hai for cycling along the lake. This is an excellent decision vs Cruise hopping. It is cooling and fun despite being under strong sun. Everyone got a big hat. Sceneries are beautiful and plenty of nice cafe for us to chill out in between the ride. 

After the ride, we went to the famous Pagoda and Temple (where 天龙八部 is based on). We are kind of late but managed to squeeze into the last session. After the end of the busy day, we have one of the best meal of the trip- BBQ at the Old Town.

China Tour 2024- Day 2: Kun Ming -> Da Li

Day 2 of the trip. We took a train from Kun Ming to Da Li. The ride takes longer than expected due to crowd and waiting time and we arrived Da Li hotel later than expected. The hotel is pretty decent although the location is in the middle of nowhere. 

Today's itenary is visiting the Da Li Old Town. The castle door and the view on top of castle are amazing. The night view is stunning. 

The town is not as crowded as I thought therefore more comfortable. There are also plenty of souvenirs and street food too. We could have spent a few more hours here if we are here earlier as we have probably only cover about 50% of this old town. 

(Hotel Roof-Top)

(The amazing castle door night view)

(The Red Dragon Well)

China Tour 2024- Day 1: Kun Ming

We are back to Kun Ming! The last trip was 2017. We only have 1 day in Kun Ming in this trip, however. The focus of this trip is (1) old town, which Sacha bought some 'jade' thingy and we bought some other small souvenirs and (2) city area, which Hong Yi bought a jacket, which is essential for the trip. We also have plenty of delicious street foods & drinks along the way. The weather is acceptable cold in the morning but start to warm up in the afternoon. It is kind of hot under the sun too. 

Medals & Trophies

 All the medals won this year.

Mine: 8 Completion Medal

(2- Great, 3 satisfactory, 3 disappointment)

Hong Yi: 6 winning medal 3 completion medal

Hong Xin: 6 winning medal 2 Completion medal

Confused Terms

 

Many are confused over the "terms" seen in the Sydney Marathon application page. What is Non-Binary? Gender Fluid? Gender non-conforming or Gender Queer?

Here are many simple explaination in Chinese:

Non Binary = 不男不女

Gender Fluid = 又男又女

Gender non-conforming  = 半男半女

Gender Queer = 不知是男还是女

Either that or one simple Chinese Word = 妖

China Malaysia Run 2024

Good run. This is the best 10km run this year and just few seconds short of personal best. Final result of 55mins 53seconds over 10.37km, average pace of 5.23/km (short of personal best of 5.22/km but ahead of 2024 best of 5.26/km). What amazes me is that I am able to run faster than a few faster/stronger runner in this rather uphill route. I guess the advantage for me is that I have been running the exact same route (almost the same) for seven times in the last three months. Practice makes perfect right?

Pacemaker- Pre-race photo

First km

Last KM

About 2km mark

Pre-race

Final Result

Tower Run 2024

Tower Run 2024 at Wisma Teo Chew. This is a "trial" event as we plan to organise a major open to public event next year. We did a two run, each run 20 floors. My final time is 8mins 21seconds (or 5.3 floors per min) according to Garmin. Finished 3rd (HY finished 2nd) in this trial run. It is quite tiring and I'm really just walking big steps after the 7th floor. Total participants in this event is much lesser than expected, however, there are no major issues or red light for next year major event.

Badminton- Team Competition

Badminton Teach Competition between Teo Chew Association and Guang Dong Association was held over the weekend. The results may not be what we are asking for as we are obviously outmatched amid skill level and age. Nonetheless, the event is still relatively successful and its still consider a good experience. Target to organise another more evenly matched competition by Q1 next year.

Best Steakhouse in Town

I once had a wish of trying some of the best restaurant with Michelin Stars but soon notice that many of them are French & Japanese food and serve 'cold' food therefore I most likely wouldn't enjoy it or find it value for money or good experience. I therefore should tweak the wish a little bit by changing it to best steakhouse. I should probably start with Malaysia instead of worldwide as there are really plenty of great steakhouse in the country. 

Here are some of the best steakhouse I have tried so far.

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

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

3. Butcher Carrey @ Sri Hartamas (Rating 4.3)

Here are some of the steakhouse I really keen to try in future:

1. Prime @ Le Meridien (Rating 4.5)

2. Meat Point @ TTDI (Rating 4.9)

3. Vantador @ Sri Hartamas (Rating 4.5)

Second Tier of Steakhouse that I am keen to try:

1. The Beato Steakhouse @ Publika (Rating 4.5)

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

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

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

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

KLSCM 2024

Very tough race. I was doing ok up until 33th km and then I suffer cramp at six different places- left upper tight, lower left leg, lower right leg, right shoulder, left and right sartorius (ie between tight and private part). On top of it, the race is also over distance by 500meters. 

Final result of 4:49:20 (or pace of 6:46/km), is 3rd among the three marathon in terms of total time, and 2nd in terms of pace.

Overall ranking = 2671 (of 12,425 participants) 

Overall men = 2342 (of 10,320 participants)

 

KLSCM 2024 Coming Up

First Marathon in 2024 and third in my life. I am definitely under prepared for this, both in terms of behind my training schedule and as compared to a year before. 

Last year's KLSCM, I just came off 4 successful half marathon, including three sub-two half marathon and a trial-full marathon. This year, on the other hand, I started the first half of the year with plenty of sickness (almost monthly), although I do have a satisfactory 10km run in July and 30km run in September. Hopefully I can finish the race without any major disaster, knowing that results better than prior year is near impossible.

Ultimate Goal:- Anything better than last year.