Bike Selection 4- Final settings 11th May 2013

The bike lugguage is finally solve. This is how it looks like. I feel satisfy and relieve and looking forward to the trip...

Complete bike with complete lugguage compartment

Bike complete with lugguage and accesorries

Conversation with Samuel Bernard-different insight to bike touring

I never thought of meeting up with Sam. I have no clue who he was. I was actually late for dinner appointment with friends due to heavy jam in Penang. Manage to arrive approx 15 min before closing. After quick dinner we decided to catch up further. Under the waiter's recommendation, we go down stairs for a cup of coffee (newly opened). I got curious when i saw the metal panel on top of the room (it kind of remind me capsule hotel in Japan) and the conversation started with lady owner. This is where I found out that the owner –Sam is also a cyclist (like this also can..., it seems like i kept on bumping into cyclist. Law of attraction? you better believe it). He had done numerous road touring trips and one of them is cycle from Singapore to Beijing using 6 months’ time.

The owner intended made it a backpackers lodge. Kind of remind me of capsule hotel in Japan. Really want to stay here to exsperience it.

With Sushi Kitchen Owner and a cyclist: Samuel Barnard

The conversation with him was a pleasant one. In fact i make another appointment arrangement to come back to learn from him.  He provided a lot of insights and tips for bike touring, which I think was very different from others. He gives me a feel of bring Zen into cycling. It is not just mere cycling or sport or transportation, it is about way of life. His concept is basically keep it simple and comfortable. You dont need any professional bike or cycling jerseys, just a normal bike and a simple jacket to cover your arms. He even ride with slipers. During his touring he normally stay at the wild. He usually brought a tent and a canvas hanging bed. When he is at the sea side, he will tie the hanging bed between the trees and sleep (imagine the blow of sea breeze, the sound of the ocean wave and the trees....etc. This is how life should be!). There are times where he tie tower between the trees to shade from the sun and make coffee beside highway. I personally thinks that it sounds fun. During his trip to Beijing, he spend only rm 10/day on food (Wow!). In the trip, you will learn to appreciate rice untill every last bit of it. He highly recommend me to take a touring trip to east coast as the view is something totally different from west. It is very scenic (Will try to arrange one, if this trip went well). One of the most important thing that i learn from chatting with him is 

If you find a nice scenic view, slow down, take photos and enjoy it.  Because this might be the best scenic view you ever see for today or even the whole trip.  

Looking forward to the soul searching trip

2nd meet up with Samuel. Thanks for the tea. He showed me a bit about value of man made tea pot. Sometimes something valuable doesn't necessary looks grand...

Breaking Through The Mental Barrier

How do would you celebrate your 31st birthday? Some decided to do some crazy stuff like bungee jump, some went out with friends for karaoke session, or a good meal, and others just prefer to go through it quietly. Me? This year I decided to it differently. No party, no special celebration, just something different. I choose to go for Malakoff Penang 26km run. I have never run on my birthday before. Up o that point of my life, I also have never run 26km before. On top of that, the run date is close enough to my birthday. Participating in this run seems to fit the criteria. So, I sign up the run on April 21st.

26km? To be honest with you, the longest distance that I have ever completed prior to that was 21.5km in January during the Pacesetter New Balance run. Even though I sign up half marathon for Energizer night run in March, I could only finish 15km running non stop. After the run, I have been trying to run 21.5km on weekly routine run, but was not able to make it due to mental barrier, distractions and a lot of excuses. The running history does not convince that I can finish running 26km nonstop. Furthermore, one of the running mate who is the fastest runner in the group hurt the ankle and slow down on running. As you can see, the overall morale was very very low. I still run, but 6-8km/ run on average. I just do not have that oomph to run long distance; even double hill seems to be difficult for me.

Luckily, with the help of the group, I manage to finish double hill on 15th of April (since energizer run). At that point of time, there is only 14th days left before the run. With the momentum going on, I manage to finish 21.5km (struggling) the following Saturday. I go for 2 more run of 4km and 5km on Sunday and Friday before the real run. The 4km run on Sun was very fun. That morning I forgot to bring my mp3 player, this is the first time I ever run without listening to music. I mentioned this to Koo and he suggested we sing. Therefore 2 crazy guys started to sing some Chinese oldies out loudly. I never knew that Koo can sing well. Whereas for me, I have no clue how many birds got killed listen to my voice. Joline at the front kept on looking back, wondering what these 2 guys were doing. I really enjoyed every bit of the moment. It was fun and this is what running suppose to be. That is pretty much my preparation for Malakoff. Frankly speaking, even up to that point, I still do not have any confidence in completing 26km at all.

So, here comes the D-day. As usual during the start, I have to suppress the thought of speeding and keep on reminding myself to reduce the speed so that I do not used up all the energy half way of the race. The goal is to finish the race running 26km nonstop. The route is challenging on the first 10km as it covers a very hilly route which passes by Chinese and Malay cemetery. After passing Maybank turning to Jalan Tanjung Bungah, the route is pretty much flat. The route covers Chinese, Malay and Christian cemetery (cannot remember whether did we passed by Indian cemetery.). On top of that, we also pass by Mosque, Church, Hindu and Chinese temple and some historical monument. Therefore, I like to call this a 1 Malaysia running route. As I was running, I was calculating in my mind if my pace was 7min/km, I will definitely not be able to finish within the qualifying time (3 hours). I start to worry that this might be the first time I could not finish before the qualifying time. The worry faded away after having a few interesting conversations with other runners along the run. During the run, I notice that every people run differently. It is interesting to find out this small fact and it helps me to divert my focus from giving up.

There is an old Chinese proverb saying “Early bird gets the worms”. I strongly agree on this run. When I reach Gurney drive, the sun is just in the mist of rising making the view of Gurney drive coastal line a superbly beautiful scene. The scenery itself is worth the effort of waking up in at 4:00 am in the morning. As I was running on Gurney drive, I came across a group consist of 4 uncles sitting on the bench quietly looking at the runners passing by. As we establish eye contact, I raised a good sign to them. Suddenly they burst into claps and cheers, encouraging me to move on. I do not know how to describe the situation that time, but it feel funny that we all burst into laughter together almost instantly. It sure was a great fun running experience. Towards the last drinking water station, I was exhausted and the foot was pain. My focus turns to my running steps and self talk. The background scenery and people just faded away. I suddenly realized that if I quit, whatever distance I have run up to that point of time will go into waste. Every step forward is one feet gain and one foot closer to the finishing line no matter how small the step is. Every step makes a difference. The next race is too far away. Whatever I do at that moment affects the end results, this is what it counts. 3km….. 2km…. as I turn into the Youth Park main gate, I knew deep down in my heart for sure that I will definitely complete the race. As I approach the finishing line, I raise my hand for the photographer to take the photo and finally I cross the finishing line. I have just finished my first ever 26km run nonstop with the time of 2:56:54. I beat the qualifying time by 3:06 minutes. My vest and shorts are fully wet as if I just been through a heavy rain. I felt relief. This is indeed a memorable moment for my birthday.

I am satisfied and pleased about the time and results and of course finishing 26km. But most important of all, manage to break through the self mental barrier. I found a way to communicate with myself. I think this is the biggest gain I get from the race. As early as the race, as soon as I sense a negative self doubt thought about not able to complete the run, I immediately replace the thought with 10 positive line statement stating :“I finished running 26km today.” I kept on repeating to myself along the run. I start from quite self talk inside heart. As it goes on I got more and more excited and started to speak out. The speaking eventually turns to shouting loud. The excitement and the momentum kept on building up then I started to tell myself I can finish 26km because I am a winner! A lot of runner and pedestrian looked at me as if I am crazy. Am I crazy? Maybe, but I don’t care, because I knew that my goal was to finish running 26km nonstop in that race. Every time as soon as I finish the self talk, I immediately accelerate. It still applies even when at the near end of the run, where I was very very tired and even the leg was very soar and pain. It is like putting the chemical booster into the car and it immediately picks up the speed. I have been hearing a lot about self talk for a long time, but this is the first time I ever see such big impact. I am so thrilled about this finding and am so eager to apply this to the next run and other part of my life! Yeah! SCKL I am ready! Finishing 26km is an accomplishment and milestone for me. I am very happy and proud of myself for finishing it. Nothing can be more satisfying than this! It feels awesome!

I would like to give thanks to the organizer Malakoff and Pacesetters club and other sponsors for organizing this event. I know that it takes a lot of effort to put all this together. I would also like to thank the volunteers and the police, medical officers for efforts put in making the event a success such as directing the traffic, taking care of injured runners, race kits collections, preparation of foods and drinks……. and etc. Thank you. I would like to also thank my friend Jia Cheang (even though I know he will not be reading this) for letting me stayed overnight at his place at Batu Ferringgi on Saturday. I really enjoyed the stay and of course the motivation from the running group Ng, Koo, Joline and Uncle Jerry.

Freeman Ooi

First draft 9th June 2010 12:40 am

2nd Draft 19th June 2010 9:30 pm

3rd Draft 21st June 2010 11:29 pm

The article is posted in Runners Malaysia website, Thanks to Mr. Wan and Jaime,

http://www.runnersmalaysia.com.my/resource/articles/thebeginning.htm

Also published in Footloose September 2010

Running-The Beginning

Beginning 
I have been running on and off since I was in college. That time I was an occasional runner. I used to run with my housemate in Subang Lake, however the maximum distance I could run was 1 round plus (1.3km if I still remember correctly) without stopping. My friend runs 5 laps every time. I used to admire that. Later we shifted to SS14. There is when I stopped running. Started picking up running again by late 2008 early 2009 when my friend working for Standard Charted informed me about the Standard Charted Run 2009. This is the first time I ever start focusing on preparing a race. I slowed down almost immediately after the race. I still run in gym, but sort of running aimlessly. I start running consistently with focus when I join routine Saturday 7:30am at lakeside run organized by Wan at the end of Sept 09. Prior to Standard Charted run 09, I saw Wan’s sat run on the Malaysia runner website, but somehow distraction came and I totally forget about it until late September (sometimes I wonder, if somehow I totally forget about the website, will my path being change and missed out all the fun? Well, thank goodness it is the other way round). I still remember I couldn’t even finish the whole 6 km route the first time. I got stuck half way, out of breath. The other day when we rerun 6km route, it was just like warming up, the body cell was jumping wanting to go for more. I think I finish the route in less than 35min. Anyway, from the group I make a few friends and started running with Joline, Uncle Jerry, Ng and Koo on double hill consistently after Mizuno wave run. 

Why running? I like the feeling of running fastest possible in the open feeling the sense of speed. It gives me sense of freedom and release. No problem, no stress, as if the whole world is just down to me and myself and no other things. Running is a sport that basically requires very less things. Any time any place, as long as you have your sport shoe with you, you can run. You don’t have to wait for people. But as I start running recently, I start to see running from different point of view. I start to realize that life in some way is like running a New York Marathon. There is always limited space. When you are in the game, you better appreciate it as you only have one chance to get it right. There is no turning back. Along the way you make new friends. Some run with you for a longer period of time, some just a bit less. No matter whether you like it or not, you will have to finish the race yourself. No one else will be able to complete the journey for you, not even your father. What you do along the way and how you finish it, is entirely up to you. Some might run faster than you, some run slower than you. It doesn’t really matter, because the whole idea is to overcome our self. I have learned that my focus should be shortening the race time and not jealous or envy about other’s success. This is because everyone comes from different background and level of effort put in is different. Life is also the same thing. Sometimes we tend to be jealous with people’s success but forget about how much effort have they invested and how many failure have they face before arriving at that moment of glory. Success occurred at that moment, but hard work behind the scene is permanent. 

Running give me an opportunity to get closer to myself, especially, when face with challenge. This is the time where major communications between you and yourself occur most heavily. Running in someway has changed my life style, I tend to sleep a bit earlier and wake up early because routine run/ competition normally happen on 6am in the morning. My night activity has reduced. Before this I tend to slept at 2-4am. It used to be big challenge for me to wake up 7am, but now, I am already used to it. One of the biggest challenges I think in running is about keeping/continuing your pace/ strategy without being influence by other runners. The influence is especially strong when you are in the race. That’s why people tend to finished the race faster then their trail (group influence). The downside of this is that if you run too fast during start (my opinion, one time runner- (non routine runner) tend to do this often, and you will see a lot of this people in running competition, then half way they will give up) , you might loose your energy half way especially for long distance run. That’s why it is very important to know your objective before you run. The whole idea is finishing the race consistently not seeking temporary victory at some point along the run. On and off I still have to remind myself to slow down during the starting of the run, even though I have so much energy. So you see, running is not just merely about sport, it is about life. Even now when I run, I still learn new stuff. 

My first run 
The first run that I have ever participated with preparation is Standard Charted Charity Run 2009. It was 5km. Training was all done in gym. Even though it was a short one, this was the first time that I ran full 5km without stopping. Before this I could not even finish running 2km. This run really inspired me a lot because I meet up a group of people from Hong Kong Blind Sport Association. Most of them are vision impaired (cannot see well), but they can run better than anyone else who is perfectly healthy. After this I also participated in New Balance Klang Pacers 6km Run (in which I saw an elderly guy running faster than me, barefoot, this really get me motivated), Mizuno Wave Run, and Malakoff 12km run. 

As I am writing, I have just participated in Kelab Penembak Bandar Diraja Klang 15KM Run 2010 (very exciting course, should have checked before I participate). During the race, every time when you overcome one hill, there seems to be another one which is higher waiting for you down the road. This continues and it gives you a feeling that the hill seems to be endless. On top of that, the morning fog covers the height of the hill, gives you an impression that the path is leading you to the sky. The sense of frustration and depression is very strong especially while you are running. My body and mental is asking me to stop and join the crowd who has already given up. I still continue running. One step at a time, follow by left leg, follow by right, as if the body does not belongs to me. When I come to the near end of the last major hill, I realized that it is not as difficult as it seems. I have covered more than twice of distance compare to my trail run. I was feeling light that time. This run make me realized that sometimes challenges are like a huge lion from far, it roar like thunder. it look fierce and ready to tear u into pieces and gobble u up anytime as soon as u go near, but when u continue proceed near, you will find out that it is just a cute little kitten waiting for you to pat on its head, wanting to lick you and want you to play with it. Sometimes challenges can be very deceiving, overcoming it might not be as hard as you think! I finished at 1:48:30. I could not finish running the full course. But, my time had improved. My trail run was more than 2 hours and I could not even finish running half of the track, end up walk the rest of it. Now, at least I manage finish running 13km out of 15.7km. Up to this point I might have not won any medal yet (finisher medal is different story), but I can see significant improvement in terms of time and endurance (6km in October 09 to 12km in Dec 09) as I move on. I am excited about it. 

We are currently running double hill 10.8 km constantly (before the year end holidays). Do looking forward to start running 17km next week. I can still remember clearly on one Sunday run, while running beside me, Mr. Wan told (in a tone as if he is standing still talking to me) me that people my age should complete double hill in less than 50 min. I was out of breath and could hardly even reply him. I pretty much have to shout. Well, I guess that is what I will be working on also. My next goal is to run half marathon in Standard Charted Run in June 10. I will be most likely be participating on a full marathon by June 2011. Then I will start cycling and eventually triathlon before age 35. At the moment I am taking it slowly. I would like enjoy process. Besides that, there is only limited time I can commit for running as I still have few other commitments to take care of. I have a dream that eventually one day I will be able to run in foreign cities (Mongol 100km run seems to be very interesting) anytime I want and tour the city before or after the run. Of course, New York ING Marathon and Boston marathon is definitely in the list. My advice to new runner is take your time, enjoy the process, don’t expect overnight success and of course most important of all – have fun! Just try to push the limit bit by bit every time you run. If you continue and not quit and improve along the way, achieving your goal is 

Well, that is my little running story. Hope to hear yours. Happy Running.

Special Thanks
I would like to thank Mr. Wan for the inspiration and motivation and the contribution of the article in Footloose. He encourages us to share our story. That is the main reason why I am writing this article, hoping to give some back after taking so much from you guys. Also, I would like to thank people who has contributed article to Footloose, and providing advice and inspiration along the way. Thank you. I would like to give special thanks to following people, uncle Jerry for the motivation, even though he had angioplasty in late 2008, but anytime he can still outrun a lot of us. Thanks Ng for taking the initiative and suggesting we write our running testimonials, if not I believe until next year, I still have not started yet (too much excuse). He gives me a target to go for, as he is the fastest in the routine run. Joline for proof reading the article and breakfast after Mizuno run. She has a very good attitude, despite so many challenges on running, she just do not know when to quit. Koo for pulling the whole group together to consistently run on Saturday or Friday( when holiday). He might look “tidak apa” at the front, but he trained very hard besides the routine run. Thanks Tee for doing so much background preparation work (one of it, is that he stick his camera out of the car window one hand holding camera, the other on steering wheel and record the whole route while driving) for recent race and the 100 Plus. All your commitment inspired me. Finally, I would like to thank family and friends support and myself for the consistency and commitment on running. 
 

Freeman Ooi
First draft 10th Jan 2010
2nd draft 12th Jan 2010
3rd draft 15th Jan 2010
Final draft 18th Jan 2010

The article is posted in Runners Malaysia website, Thanks to Mr. Wan and Jaime,
http://www.runnersmalaysia.com.my/resource/articles/thebeginning.htm
The article is also posted in Footloose March 10
For more tips about running please refer to the following website,
http://www.pacesetters.com.my/

Also, thanks Chia Lee for encouraging me to put it in FB
Thanks Su Mei for last min entry on New Balance Pacesetters 30K 2010

Bike Selection Exploration 3- Talk with Faizal 25th April 2013

I have decided to get Ortlieb Ultimate to be mount on handle bar of my bike. Dave Ern recommend me to get it from Faizal as he is quite reasonable. I am not sure that whether is my bike handle bar aluminium or carbon fibre (if over tighten, it will the carbon, that's why people does not recommend to mount anything on carbon fiber frame).So, i brought my bike to show it to Faizal to make sure it is suitable. Thank god, it is ok. Then, i got it (try to get yellow color, but no stock.)

Interior

with open cover

However, purchasing of tangle frame is not very smooth. I had problem buying from amazon.com. I have to find other baggage solutions because Ortlieb itself is not enough to carry everything. Faizal suggested me to wrap the tyre and inner tube around the bike stand and cover it with plastic. With the tyre storage issue solve, if by the travel date i still could not get the frame bag, i will carry my hydrapak.

Finally, the bike selection and carriage option is temporary set.