Tiger & Bunny

Dear bloggie,

An awesome anime I been watching...



Think heroes rojak with reality tv. The city of Sternbild City is protected by NEXT (Superpower Mutant la) called "Hero" which compete against each other in a reality TV called "Hero TV". "Hero" will earn points based on their deeds during their air time in the TV.

The story resolves around Kotetsu Kaburagi, whom is the veteran (or perhaps past his prime) Hero called "Wild Tiger" which has the ability to increase his strength by 100 times for 5 minutes. Kotetsu finds himself forced to pair up with the newest newbie hotshot Hero to Hero TV, Barnaby Brooks Jr (Nicknamed Bunny by Kotetsu) whom happens to have the same power as him.

Story wise, I find the reality TV element of the story quite creative. I mean with the amount of reality TV sh*t we are feed nowdays, it's a rather funny mockery that even "fighting crime" is "reality tved". Also, each hero is "sponsored", hence they need to wear some costume with the company banner in them to advertise during their TV time. While the Kotetsu and Barnaby partnership story is rather expected, two stubborn people with different personality that clash head at the start then start to warm up and trust each other. The 1st half of the series is more light hearted, and focuses more on the partnership between Kotetsu and Barnaby. The 2nd half however start to raises some darker elements of "Hero" and "Hero TV". While the ending is left quite alot of loose end (Possibility for a sequel?), it's a really enjoyable anime overall...

A action + comedy anime, a well recommended watch for anime lovers...

Reset

Dear bloggie,

It's time to stir the pot a bit. I initially wanted to build muscle till my weight hits 70kg, but I decided to change my goal from a muscular body to an athletic body instead.

Training wise, will probably have a more balance schedule for weights, cardio and Pilates/Yoga. I aim to reduce my weight from my current 66kg to 65kg... Meaning shedding more fat and maybe gain a bit of muscle if possible. This means, I need to start bucking up my eating habits.

I will move my focus in weight training to mainly 3 body weights exercises: pushup, chinup and squat (fitball). Then add more core focused compound exercises. Need to discipline myself to at least do cardio 3 times a week. No changes to my regular pilates and yoga sessions.

Why I decided to change my goal. Mainly cause I think I sort of loss myself during my quest to up my physical for my running hobby. I think it's better to have a all round body rather then the incredible hulk body. I also have concern on my healthy due to my rather high cholesterol level. I wan to be healthy, not just look healthy... And my intuition says the best way to get there is via the "Middle Path"...

State of divinity

Dear bloggie,

Company dinner last nite... First time puke in car. Just 7 glasses of beer. Car now a mess >_<. Just a couple minutes from home suddenly the stomach just decided to reject the toxic inside there. Reach home de... my father saw my state of divinity... Dunno wtf happen next... Think got sleep in toilet for awhile... Having hangover now and body sore from gym... Awesome feeling

Yoga@Company

Dear bloggie,

Attended my 1st yoga class at my company... Ugh... The onli male attending tis class today... :(

Around 8 people plus instructor. Got the unconformable vibe since I the onli one with releasing male pheromone. Got 2-3 quite ok chick la. I hope I dun develop a reputation of being a sex fiend in addition to my anti-social reputation...

But yoga poses, tak rasa lah. I expecting something more especially when it's supposed to be "Power" Yoga. All poses are gentle one...

Disappointed...

Sakai

Dear bloggie,

Yea, nothing but a bit of compliment to make one feel happy noes...

Cut the story short, I got complimented by my Pilates instructor today... for doing a exercise, which I supposed I did nicely... Most of u probably think I sakai but considering I been doing Pilates for so long, and no instructor ever complimented me before... I sakai, sakai la...

Anyway, next monday I'll be attending my company's power yoga class for the 1st time... I hope got some chicks to oogle n drool on... Till then...

PNM 2011

Dear bloggie,

I experienced the longest 1K in my entire running career... Mcjesus...

Overall, a well organized event with one major complain/mistake... The organizer screwed up as they distribute 42K finisher tshirt to non 42K runners. I got one also despite running 21K onli. I expect alot of 42 finisher to be b*cthin soon in facebook coz most likely not enuff t-shirt for them. I'm not sure if it's the organizer fault, coz I think the people distributing it are volunteers tat aren't from the organizer side. Other complains or constructive criticism is perhaps

1. The lack of a proper goodie bag.
2. Rather far distance marker in the route, each water station is 3K from each other. Rather hard for ppl like me tat dun have cool iphone gps to calculate pacing.
3. No pain spray at water stations. I think quite alot people will cramp at around the last 2 water station, so I think make sense to have tis.
4. Paper bib. Well, lucky today no rain... else I dun think the bib will endure it.

Ok, I b*tched the bad, now the good...

1. Water station every 3K, Awesome
2. Cheering team, Having people cheer u one is a very motivating
3. Water, 100 Plus, Watermelon, Banana. I have to say the kudos at the variety of refreshment they prepared at the water stations.
4. Spiderman, The Hulk, Batman, Superman. These superhero were perhaps a surprise along the route. Cheering and giving high 5 to the runner.
5. Small hifi placed at certain quite quiet part of the route, char khan loud songs gives u perhaps a temporary distraction from the pain.
6. Water sprinkler. A dude dressed in a clown outfit was firing water at the runners to cool em down using what looks like to me like a odd looking water gun.
7. One of the organizer boss, Anand aka Orange Man standing in the middle of the route at around 500m from the finish line giving high 5 and encouraging the runner, says a lot on the organizer of this event.
8. Running with the majestic views of the buildings in Putrajaya is perhaps a experience I won't forget.

Moving on to my personal running experience, the 21K route reminds me of my nightmare KOTOR 2008 run. Damn a lot of hilly route. For this run, my plan was to experiment a few things like 7 min perK pacing, carbo loading, pre run hydration, and running strategy. My plan was to run the first 10K at a 7 min perK pace non stop before taking a 5 minute break, then continue the 7-8 K at the same pace before taking another 5 minute break before dashing the last remaining K. I sadly f*cked up big time... I managed onli a 9K non stop at a hour timing. Like in the sunway run a few weeks ago, I ran outta gas at the 15K mark. I had to dig hard to tank the remaining 6K. My forefoot was hurting for every step I take after the 15K. I had to change my running style to my old one which have a longer stride. The 3K to the last water station seem to take forever. After the 18K mark, I had to again change my running plan as my forefoot was really hurting. I had to do quick dashes for 4-5 minutes before taking a 1 minute walking break. Repeat and rinse. I think I cut quite a lot of people at the final 3K as a lot of people also habis minyak de and was walking. When I saw the 1K left sign, I was like "Thank god!". But as I dig out every remaining glycogen left in my body to finish the 1K, the finish line was no where in sight. I was thinking, WTF? Why does running tis last 1K feel longer than running the 3K at the start? Then when the route make a sharp right turn, I finally saw the finish line... OMG!? It tat really 500-600m? I saw Anand and he gave me a high five. I could taste the finish line... Then I felt it... My left calf cramped up. F*CK! Lucky for me, I still could run, but just couldn't open my stride long. Had to take small steps again. Every step, send a sensation to my forefoot. It felt like everything was running on slow motion... One step at a time, I neared the finish line. When I crossed the line, I was really worn out... Didn't even energy to raise my hand in triumph for the cameras. Probably will have 1/2 death pix of me... :(

Carbo loading and hydration strategy was okay but I need to tweak my eating schedule couple of hour pre marathon, as I fell hungry during the run. I recon a full marathon
which will last longer will make me feel even hungrier. Probably need take a small snack to eat before the run to curb this problem.

My time? 2 hour 24 minutes... 9 minute out of my goal time of 2 hour 15 minute. But a 6 minute improvement from my last 1/2 marathon run. Am I happy on my time? Frankly speaking, a bit happy coz I think the route is more tough compared to Penang Marathon which is less hilly. Things however dun look very encouraging for my 42K tat I will be doing in 1 month + time. I need to go back to the drawing board and figure out a more suitable pacing + running strategy for my full marathon...

Blood Test

Dear bloggie,

Just taken my blood test results... A huge sigh of relief. Doctor say test show ok results with some concerns. My iron and bad cholesterol level is above the borderline. Doctor asked me to eat less egg yolk... WTF!? I personally dun like tis doctor, prefer the female one but she not it... Diu...

So, the mystery of my high blood pressure is probably due to tis cholesterol... Can't believe I'm still consider "fat" with all the exercise I'm doing... Guess my eating habits needs abit of refactoring...

Pre PNM 2011

Dear bloggie,

In less than 12 hours, I'll be running my 2nd 1/2 marathon... 21K of pure suffering estasy. My goal time is 2:15, try to shave of 15 minutes of my 2:30 benchmark time from PBIM 2010 last year... Maybe a bit too ambitious but have to take into account last year heavy rain may cause me some time and my recent encouraging 16.8K run time...

The PNM vest is perhaps too simple (or rather dun have any) design?



Looks abit too tight on me, feel like wearing a singlet... I ditched my usual "L" size here goin for "M" coz so far tis year, keep getting oversize vests mana tau... :(

Tolasana

Dear bloggie,

My latest favourite yoga pose when it comes to working out the hand and core strength... WTF is a Tolasana btw ur askin? I also dunno wat Tolasana means in sanskrit...

Anyway, I can give a long winding b*tchin about Tolasana but being the lazy f*ck I'm... Here's a pix of me doing it to summarize it...



Ur legs is position in a full lotus position then u try to compact the lotus as small as possible. Me above, have tight thighs so u can see my lotus is as big as the moon. Then placing ur hands on the floor just beside ur hips, u lift urself off the ground using ur hands. U then need to suck ur belly button (Pls dun suck ur...) into the spine to activate ur core and walah... "OMG WTF, I can do a Tolasana!!!"

Improvement

Dear bloggie,

They say "Old dog can't learn new trick"... I dunno about how true that statement is la... but tis old geezer managed to improve himself in Pilates.

Yea, managed to regain my core to the level I think it was 1/2 year ago after I think around 10 sessions de. Last wed class, my pilates instructor gave me a pat in the head stating I'm very diligent (watever tat means), says she can really see I'm giving it my all when doing the exercises. Today, while by the end of the class my core was still "crying", I find myself able to cope with the class (till 1/2 way) without the need for my core to go into overdrive mode. The instructor even make a comment to a guy beside me tat was doing the criss cross exercise improperly to copy how I do it (Yea, I'm proud of my criss cross since I dumped crunches for this a long time ago).

Sometimes things happen for a reason... I was quite unhappy when my normal pilates class got cancelled 1/2 year ago... But having lost my regular dosage of pilates, I come to appreciate it more. I'm just grateful tat I have the chance to do pilates...

#Note: There is actually a research done that proven Criss cross (aka Bicycle Crunches) have higher muscle activation compared to the regular crunches. Besides that, the criss cross also works out the obliques... So why waste time on regular crunches when u can work out ur rectus (6 pack abs muscle) and obliques at one go?

Suncity Klang

Dear bloggie,

I'm always LOVE meat... Chicken, Beef, Fish... Yum yum...

But today, I will be promoting a vege restaurant that I think is really gud. I understand it's a rather famous vegan outlet that moved just nearby my house.

Chap fan style, but also got menu I understand. The curry and char siew is very tasty, others also not lacking in taste despite "No MSG". Price wise, 3 vege + rice around RM4.

I highly recommend tis vegan outlet... "Sun City"

Hanumanasana

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Finally

Dear bloggie,

Yes... FINALLY... A pix of me running tat got "gaya orang berlari"...



Dun have 1/2 dead look like my other pixs... Can u see the sparkle in the eyes... The look of determination... Truth is when tis pix was taken, I saw a chick in front and was chasing her butt...

Nin Peh NPE Highway Eh Ong 2011

Dear bloggie,

Just survived KOTR 2011 16.8K run. Clocked a 1 hour 40 minute... Meet my goal to run a average 6 min perkm pace.

I remember 2 years back when I ran my first KOTR in Shah Alam. Till today, that run is without a doubt the worst run I ever ran. Clocking a 1 hour 30 mins + for a 10K... Really char... Last year I was looking forward to buried this bad run but mana tau cancel tim the ran. So KOTR continued to be a bad spot in my running history. When I heard tat KOTR was being revived tis year, I was so glad I finally had the chance to take revenge.

Ok, my run start at 6.45am, but the road to Sunway Piramid was all closed starting from 5am. Since I dun wanna go there and wait 1 hour + doing nothing, I decided close mah close loh... I park opposite sunway piramid at the shop lots there. Anyway, I had problem sleeping (Yeah, having same problem from recent runs also)... But lucky I sleep afternoon from 2pm to 6pm de since I exhausted from gym, so atleast got in a few hours of nap. I drag myself from my house to sunway piramid but found the route from Subang Parade to Piramid tutup. So I had to use the hanging bridge route instead. Lucky, the shop lot area alot of parking... Park my car and bla to the start point. Then I felt a urge to "piss"... Tiu lor I thought, too late to go find toilet de coz gonna start de. Somemore is 16.8K (maybe a 2 hour run), can't hold piss that long one. Decided to gamble on the route got portable toilet or petrol station toilet.

So normal "3, 2, 1... Peeettt"!!! Start race lor. Alot of chicks (All sweaty n wet... Ok, I know I overuse tis joke de), even the 16.8K category... Nice field day for eye... 1st K was pretty slow due to heavy traffic, normal la coz all people at start raging to go fast... After 2nd K, managed to a slightly higher 6 min perKm pace, slowly make up for my slow 1st K. Have a water station every 3K mark (DAMN GOOD!!! KUDOS). Every station somemore got portable toilet, but I decided not to go coz all full so risk "paip bocor" for some time. A very vibrant group of people running tis run tis time around. Got someone run wearing pajamas (damn fast he run), got other wear leopard... LOL.

I ran a consistent run, stopping and walking onli at water station till the 12K mark... I saw portable toilet empty, make pitstop... 2-3 minute pitstop, wanna broom out of toilet but when hit to paip to wash hand... CB... No water... Had to run with "dirty" hand... Lucky not far, the water station, use the drinking water from cup to wash hand instead... LOL

My stamina finally hit the wall at the 13K mark. Decided to take my walking break which I originally plan at the 10K mark but managed to drag my body another 3K. I was ahead my planned pace by 6 minutes... So decided to cash in this time advantage to recover my leg, lungs n heart. RNR by walking for 5 minutes. Alot people potong me here... *Sigh* Time out time out de, continue running. My shin starting to sore, and dunno why my shoe feel damn hot at the sole area... Overheat due to stepping too much? Ran slower due to no gas, but somehow my time still 2 minute ahead my planned pace time. At final water station, drank ALOT of water... dehydrated de coz feel thirsty (Next run need plan water consumption better to avoid tis)... The final 1.8K feel like the longest 2K I ever ran... I keep asking, why I still dun see the piramid one, onli 1.8K left shd can see de mah, kanne... I breath a sigh of relief when I FINNALY saw the tunnel (infront of the piramid one). Crossing the tunnel gave me a headache due to the dark and glaring yellow light... dunno why, feel giddy... Lucky I tanked through it and just 200m from the finish line I saw the big timer was "1 hour 38 minute xx seconds"... OMG!!! I thought, I muster the last of whatever I had left and push ahead to cross the line before the 40 minute mark. I managed to cross the line with 30 secs to spare... WOOT!!!

The best part of the run however is probably when I was running on the NPE highway. The highway kena tutup for tis run, so ur running ontop of the highway on the elevated road and pass the highway toll on the car lane. The feeling is damn song... Feels like "Nin peh NPE Highway Eh Ong"... Wakakaka... Really feel like my father own the NPE one coz all NPE is closed for me to run on it.

Finish run de, go collect medal. Grab a few bananas (x4) to replenish lost carbs... Later regret eat so much banana coz at back got Nestle Finesse Cornflakes to eat. Overall a very organized run, every 1K got put board so runner know. One water station per 3K, I very like... Post run medal distribution, flow very well. Sponsor food and drink are placed further behind from finish line so no traffic after finish line. Pre run, bib and vest collection in Sunway Piramid also very organized.

If I had to b*tch will probably b*tch bout the vest onli. I fail to understand why got size limit on vest size during registration. I mean u asking size so u can produce tis much rite? So why must there be like a limit to "M" size? As if the vest is already produced and now is who fast who get...?

Another complain I heard (not me), is the color of vest. This year, got 3 different color design for both male n female. The color you get is based on first come, first get basic. Means, they will first release color 1... When finish color 1 size "M", will onli release color 2 size "M". Quite a lot of people not happy with this coz, they can't really get the color they want unless they come at the time when the color they want is available. I didn't get the color n size tat I wanted for my vest. Color I dun so kisah la, but size matter coz it will affect ur running.

Overall... A great run, my hats of the organizer and all runners for tis KOTR... Till next year KOTR...

Run Forrest, run...