Me, sweating out under the hot sun during the Fellowship Run at Kepong .

Thanks to the volunteers who made the event a success and furthermore we can drink after every loop .

I arrived just on time for the Fellowship Run at Kepong and didn't even stretch . That's me on the left on the grass , in blue .

(9/6/07-Saturday-Longest run in 2 and 1/2 months)

Joined Ronnie and a group of runners in an organised run around the Taman Metropolitan at Kepong . Each loop is 3.65 km . I went for 5 loops equivalent to 18.25 km ,being my longest in 2 and the half months .

It was a very hilly run and after the 2nd round my legs were just getting tired .

Anyway I went on and went at a consistent pace of between 5 min 45 sec and 6 min pace .

Completed the last 2 loops with Kelvin Ng pacing me . He was not feeling good too but he went on for another extra 2 to 3 loops .

It was a good but hot run and good to evaluate my fitness which at the moment is so so .

(6-7/6/07-Wed and Thurs)

Wednesday : Ran/jog for 1 hr 4 min + at Seputeh area .

Thurs : Only 36 min this time , after that something got into eye , had eye irritation and tears and couldn't concentrate on the exercise . Now eye is OK already.

(3/6/07-Sunday-Supposedly15km NB volunteer run)

6.10 am :Alarm rang ,I slept back , wasn't sure why it rang .I though
t ,am I suppose to fetch a friend to airport , answer "NO" . Am I suppose to go tho church , answer "No" coz went yesterday . So suddenly woke up at 6.25 am , I remembered why, coz of the volunteer run and though I wasn't a volunteer , I wanted to join them .

As I was about to go out , couldn't find the car key .In the end , found it in the compartment of the other car .By then ,my watch shows 648 am , whereas run starts sharp 7 am . Rushed to Padang Merbuk and by the time I arrived , people were just beginning to run . Had a 20 sec stretch and then slowly caught up with the main group after 10 min .

After ending at the Double hill route ,we were not sure where to go and had to wait for awhile for people who knew the direction .

After that , someone directed us up to go back to Tugu road , in my my mind I felt this was incorrect , thus I chased after the front guy and I told him if we complete this , it would had just been 11 km . He said its OK , there wasn't any road signs and we werent't sure of the road anyway .

So in the end , I was also glad to run just 11 km coz my leg was a bit aching already as this was my longest run after 2 months .

Overall timing approximately 1 hr 10 min coz in my haste at the starting just now ,I didn't press my start time for at least 5 mins.

Total mileage thus is 11 km .

(2/6/07-Saturday-10 am morning run)

Suppose to go earlier but last minute had to fetch some friends to Hentian Putra , where they take the bus back from there . I just discovered that this is where you can find tickets if you are heading to Terengganu and Kelantan . All the counters sells tickets mainly to this 2 destination .

After that headed to Bukit Aman and started the slow jog for a total 8 km approximately .

Total time taken approx 49 min 10 sec .

Before starting , I saw Lai's car going of and I guessed he , Ronnie and gang must have just completed their work out .

(30/5/07-Wednesday-I have no more appendix ! )

I went for another check up at the U H today . This time I saw the doc who operated on me , a prof . Earlier last month , my 1st follow up check up wasn't with the doc who operated on me .

This time I found out 5 things from the doc which I didn't know :

1. My appendix has also been operated during the operation , even though I didn't have appedicitis.

2. There is no synthetic mesh covering any hole in the stomach lining , which I initially thought there is , coz the doc who didn't operated on me told me so during my follow up check up .

3. The hole in the stomach lining which I had since young actually been widen to easily facilitate the bowels and intestine to easily go thru it and easily come out of it at anytime .

4. I don't have a hernia , which initially I thought I have , I just have twisted intestines .

5. My internal organs which has been operated on now have adhesions or in other words , permanent internal scars , therefore , whatever part that was used to be smooth , some of it is now not so smooth anymore .

Interesting discoveries which now only I discover .



Jogging


Sun :54 min and approx 8 km

Tues : 50 min and approx 7 km

(24/5/07-Thursday-Ran 6 km)

Ran , that's the word . I looked at myself and I believe it is a bit faster then jogging . Not too fast or too slow . Calculated at almost 7 min pace .

Still , won't be pushing myself yet . Slow and steady .

(23/5/07-Mon to Wedesday)

Monday to Tues

In the morning had a short jog . Afternoon went to Genting . Room 38.88 and breakfast included . Had Pizza Hut then watched Spider Man 3 .

Tues , morning breakfast then afternoon Mc D's .

Looks like fast food day this 2 days .

Wednesday

Lunch , Ipoh Kopitiam and then evening , another slow jog of about 5 km .

no more leg ache at the moment .

Can't go fast yet .

(16/5/07-Wednesday-Little ache)

After jogging with Yaziz on Tues , I had a little ache in the late afternoon . I suppose the leg wasn't used to jogging 8km after a long time . In fact my mileage increase was very gradual and minimal .

It is back to normal today ( Thursday , 17/5/07) already .

Some non-hilly jog today .

(15/5/07-Tuesday-Longest jog in 1 and a half months)

As I was going to begin my jog from the Lake Garden playground , suddenly i saw Yaziz coming . I joined him at his jogging pace . We chatted but it wasn't easy to chat and jog like last time because I have less fitness now . Last time I can easily run and chat at the same time . This time I was panting and talking .We went thru that 5.7 km loop that we usually go , the one which passes the mosque on the right .

After that , he went another round while i completed another round at the lake .

At the finish line at the playground , Ronnie and Adam was there and I chatted with them .




Distance :8 km
Duration of work out : Approx 1 hour
Location :Lake Garden
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing OK

(13/5/07-World Asthma Day run and wife's 1st jogathon)

Me and my wife in her first jogathon .





Me , Alden and Adam enjoying a slow jog .

I entered my first race 1 and a half month after my operation . Its not much of a race . Its more of a jogathon since its called the World Asthma Day Jogathon . Its just 5 km and I have jogged 5 km before . In fact there were a few good reasons to join this jogathon (Thanks to Ron who entered my name ) :

Entrace fee , FREE !

T-Shirt , FREE !

Food , FREE !

Being an asthma patient , I have supported this race for the past 2 years.

My wife , first time join jogathon !

There was no competitiveness or pia spirit in me when the race started . In fact I started from the back with Ah Loong . After 5 minutes running with him , he went faster while I continued my constant jogging pace . After awhile I saw Adam and Alden and chatted awhile with them .

I was at first worried that I will get last but then , the worries disappeared when I noticed there were a number of people who were just walking or just jogging and walking whereas I maintained my constant pace .

In the end ,I didn’t get last and happy to complete the run in the middle pack .

My wife got 6^th place ! –Temporary

My wife being a first timer , submitted the receipt at the same counter as me (A counter ) when I submitted mine to collect our bibs and T-shirt . In fact the official accepted it until I notified that she is supposed to submit at B counter . The official then realised that she should do that and gave her back her receipt to submit at B counter .

She then went with Rachel further in the middle pack at the starting line . After completing the lake part of the race for about 1.5 km , she then saw the hill leading to the deer park and bird park . Suddenly she felt hungry as she saw some officials and other people already having their food at the starting /finish line , thinking that this is also like a water/food station , she asked someone where to get the food and drinks and they told her to go to the finishing line . As she approaced the finishing line , the official gave her a card , and asked her to write her name on the sheet of paper . She promptly did that and went to get her food . She then was too lazy to continue the next 3.5 km and didn’t continue .

When I came back , she told me she has eaten her food and was given a card with the wording C6 and she asked me what was that card for . I told her that it meant she got 6^th position !!

She was surprised and promptly went to inform the official that she did not complete the run at all and shouldn’t be in 6^th position . The official shooked her hand and said to her , “ I haven’t never seen anyone so honest in my life before ! “

So , that was the story of my wife who in her 1^st run got a 6^th position , temporary !!

Distance :5 km
Duration of work out : 33 min 33 sec
Location :Lake garden# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing normal .

(Thursday-10/5/07-Jogging distance get further and further)

I have increased the jogging distance . First it was about 800 m the other day . Yesterday , at Lake Garden it was 2.3 km . In fact I started with Ronnie , Lai and Justin , just like the good old days . The good old days just lasted for 10 seconds because after that they went at normal speed and I at turtle speed .

Today at the park near my house , jogged without stopping for 4.5 km approx . It was good to go further and further .

(8/5/07-Tuesday-Walk and jog)

I exercised at the park near my house today morning. Each round is about 450 m . When I walked fast , it will take about 5 min 45 sec to complete each round . What I did today was to walk 1 round and alternate to jog 1 round . Jogging each round took me about 5 min .

Altogether totalled 10 rounds . The last 2 rounds was just jogging .

Have achieved some sort of come back in terms of jogging a longer time , approximate 10 min compared to just 40 m the other day !!

(5/5/07-Saturday-Walk a bit , jog just 40 m)

I tried to jog half way during my walk .Manage to put in about 40 m . There is a tight feeling at stomach area as I jog .I won't want to aggravate it so I'll just be walking at the moment .

(3/5/07-Thursday-A longer walk then usual)

My intention today was just to walk starting from the playground at Lake Garden , up Carcosa and back to the playground via the lake and for 2 rounds . This would had totaled around 5 km .

As I finished the 1st round , suddenly i saw Yaziz coming . He then joined me . He was going at a slow jog pace while I went at a brisk walk pace . He was going thru that 5.7 km loop that we usually go , the one which passes the mosque on the right .

I followed him and that resulted in me walking more than usual . Anyhow , it was a good workout for me .



Distance :Approx 8 km
Duration of work out : 1 hour 24 min 13 sec
Location :Lake Garden
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing OK

Ability to sleep on the side

After 1 month plus of sleeping on the back , it was a relieve to finally be able to easily sleep on my sides .

It seems before this ,it was not very easy to sleep on the side coz each time I try to sleep on the side , there was some sort of discomfort .

I'm very happy that now I can easily shift positions when I sleep . It's back to normal comfortable sleep .

(30/4/07-Monday-Sudden walk at Bukit Jalil)

I had just fetched a friend to the airport this morning .Was wearing just slippers and shorts . At 9 am , was coming back and was going to pass the Bukit Jalil Park . Suddenly , I felt the urge to walk at least 1 round at the park .

So , I parked the car and got off , walking at a brisk pace with my slippers . Tried to jog a bit but wasn't possible yet , there was some sort of discomfort when I tried to jog .So continued with the walking under the hot sun .

This reminded me of my earlier days when I used to run at this park !

It took me a total of 30 min walking around this park of about 2 km + .

(27/4/07-Friday-A walk in the park)

This morning went for my first workout . There were a lot of people already walking in the park near my house at about 7 .30 am . Most were walking and only 2 were running . I was one of the walkers .

It felt great to do some exercise again . My pace was at a normal average pace , not too slow or too fast . In fact some faster walkers did overtake me .

Each round was about 400 m and I went for about 5 rounds equivalent to about 2 km . It wasn't really a flat route coz it was hilly on 1 side and flat the other side . Nevertheless , happy to start some exercise and sweat again .

(25/4/07-Wednesday-Synthetic mesh in the body )

After a month plus , I had a follow-up appointment with the doctor . They wanted to know how am I post-op after 1 month plus . Its in other words a follow up check up .

Before this appointment I have been reading about my condition . It is a congenital hernia . Meaning , there was actually a small hole in one of my abdominal walls since birth , on the left side .Somehow , on the 21/3/07 , the other intestine moved thru that small hole that became a bit bigger in the abdominal wall . This resulted in obstruction to that part of the intestine which moved thru that hole .

So , during the operation , the doctors moved the intestine out of the hole to its original position . At the same time , they mended the small hole with a synthetic mesh which will stay there for life .

Other than that , the appointment with the doc was smooth (although long wait of about 2 hours at the UH ) .Doc said everything is OK and don't need to see doc anymore unless have a problem . Doc said dont't lift heavy items but can start doing light exercises including stationary cycling .

Looking forward to the light exercises .

Yunnan Paiyao vs Yunnan Baiyao

Yunnan Baiyao







Yunnan Paiyao



I took both of the medicine for healing . Both is made in China . Both is used for healing especially internal healing and also external healing ( something like Ikan Haruan, which the chinese uses) . Both are in capsule form. During the Vietnam war , when it was in powdered form , soldiers who have a gun shot wound , pour in on their wound to stop the bleeding . In fact , it can really stop bleeding that if anybody has even a small cut , you could apply the powder (or even get the powder from the capsule) on the wound . It is recommended for every First Aid Kit .

I have now just used Yunnan Baiyao ONLY , and no more Yunnan Paiyao because of certain factors :

1.Yunnan Baiyao has approval sticker from Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia , Yunnan Paiyao NO approval sticker.

2. Yunnan Baiyao cost RM 13 for 16 tablets whereas Yunnan Paiyao cost just RM 5.50

3. The picture which most companies in USA sells online is a blue box , which is the Yunnan Baiyao whereas fewer companies sells the Yunnan Paiyao with the brown box .

In my opinion ,based on the factors above , it will be safer to go for Yunnan Baiyao .This case is something like :

Adidas vs the cheaper Adibas.
But for shoe or sandals , if you don't mind the brand , then go for cheaper version which is long lasting .

This is medicine ,after making some research ,I would rather go for something more expensive and approved by the govt !!

Below is some research from the internet of what a famous herbalist says about this remedy . Note that although the word Yunnan Paiyao is used , the physical box that they talk about I assume shows the word Yunnan Baiyao because of the price :

Yunnan Paiyao is a famous Chinese over-the-counter remedy used for cuts and bruises. It reduces the bleeding, pain and swelling of injuries, wounds and surgery. You can also use it for explosions and gunshot wounds. This Chinese herbal remedy heals wounds fast! Use Yunnan Paiyao for any sort of bleeding such as internal bleeding from stomach ulcers or menstrual flooding. It also reduces swelling and redness from bug bites.

Yunnan Paiyao, which means “Yunnan white powder” because it’s made in Yunnan China, combines several forms of tienchi ginseng used to normalize blood flow and repair damaged blood vessels along with astringent herbs such as myrrh and an herb that is called “dragon’s blood” in latin America. Yunnan Paiyao capsules and powder are used by the Chinese Army to speed healing of serious wounds because it stops hemorrhage and normalizes blood flow. It reduces the size, seriousness, and lightens the color of bruises fast. You can pour the powder directly on to open wounds to help resolve puss and stop excess bleeding.

Have you cut yourself? Why use a nasty chemical on shaving cuts? Has a hornet stung you and made your hand swell in size? Swallow a couple capsules of Yunnan Paiyao 2 - 3 times daily and the swelling will resolve in a day or so.

Before surgery, swallow the tiny red pill that is provided with the Yunnan Paiyao capsules or powder. It will not interfere with surgery drugs or painkillers. Yunnan Paiyao is not habit-forming. You can read about it in the chapter devoted to Yunnan Paiyao in Asian Health Secrets: The Complete Guide to Asian Herbal Medicine. I have recommended Yunnan Paiyao for clients and friends who have avoided disfiguring scars and deep wounds because it speeds healing. You can even take it on a regular basis with a sip of wine to treat chronic gastritis and improve general circulation.

It is best to avoid eating salads and fish when taking Yunnan Paiyao. It is ok to separate them by a couple of hours. Cold foods require strong digestion. If Yunnan Paiyao upsets your stomach or makes you dizzy, have it with some warm soup.

My Look-Alike Celebrities

(22/4/07-Sunday-Exactly 1 month after surgery)

Today is exactly 1 month after my surgery . Looking back there are some things which I couldn't do 2 to 3 weeks ago but now can and its divided into 2 categories .

A)Actions that were not so easy to do
B) Food that are not to be eaten.

A) Actions that were not so easy to do :

There were a few actions that have been taken for granted because when things are normal it was so automatic but after going thru surgery , the 1st two weeks , its not easy to do , for example :

1. Standing straight up and the action of bending to the left and right .
2. Stretching to take something reacheble but above the head.
3. Getting up from bed while lying on the left side .
4. Sitting down on a chair comfortably.
5. Bending to pick up something

These are some of the exmpleswhich i can now do all these easier already .


B) Food that are not to be eaten.

Some Chinese rely on traditional chinese medicinal teachings dated 2000-4000 years which suggests that after an operation , certain food are not to be taken so that healing can be better .I followed this and missed very much some of this food .

1.Eggs
2.Pork soup
3.Beef
4.Beans including soya bean and bean sprouts ( taugeh)
5.Yam
6.Prawns
7.Peanuts

Yesterday , 21/4/07 , Saturday , since my wound is dry already , was the day I can start eating anything . The opening ceremony was a lunch of Sarawak Laksa which has prawns .Today for lunch , ate some eggs with noodles . Looking forward to the buffet spread next week during my father's birthday !!

(20/4/07-Friday-Finally its dry ! )

Went to the dressing department of the U H . On Wednesday already went there and the nurse said that I still had to put on the dressing coz there was a small part which still had some liquid .

Today the nurse said that its dry already . In fact there is no need to put anymore gauze and iodine on it anymore .

I told the nurse if I don't put the gauze , there is some pain when i wear the seat belt coz the gauze being thick protects and cushions . The nurse said Ok , she will put the gauze but I have to take out myself on Monday because actually no need to put gauze anymore .

She then covered it with a water proof transparent plaster and said that i can finally bath and sweat !

(19/4/07-Thursday-Back to normal walking speed)

Its been about 28 days after my op . I notice this pass 2 to 3 days that my walking speed is back to normal already . Its no more slow and slow motion .

The working position is still not normal . I'm not walking with the correct posture upright yet but walking with a slight bend forward coz of the little pain .

( See the "Poor Posture" guy on the left , my walking posture is something like that)


Will try to correct it these few days .

(18/4/07-Wednesday-Dressing at hospital)

After taking out the stitches on Monday , I mentioned that they still have to put on the big plaster with iodine in the gauze . Today , the nurse have to looked whether every part of the wound is fully dried and no moistness or liquid coming from even a small part of the wound.

The nurse said there were two very tiny spots that had some liquid and moistness . So , again she filled the gauze with iodine and covered all the wound and followed by a big plaster .

This Friday will look again if all ok , if yes , there won't be any plaster on me anymore !! And... I can then bath already !!!

Stretching and weights

Yesterday , started some very simple stretching and weights .

Stretching :

Just 2 simple stretch :

1. Stretch the hamstring
2. Stretch the thigh

Weights:

Also simple exercise without using any stomach muscles , coz its dumbells

1. Wrist muscles
2. The biceps
3. The deltoids

Look at the picture above if you not sure which muscle I'm refering to.

(16/4/07-Monday-2nd stitching taken out)

After being restitched 2 weeks ago , the stitched consisting of about 22 stitches has been taken out today . It was a long wait at the hospital , U H . I arrived at 1120 am , waited , went for lunch and at last about 1 + , the stitches were taken out . Every part of the wound is dry . No pus .

There was one small area in which the skin area is a bit raw and reddish . This therefore resulted in the nurse pouring iodine into the gauze for the whole wound ,placing the gauze there and plastering the whole area .

This Wednesday , I have to go back to hospital to clean that small wound . Now , I can see a bit of the iodine through the big huge plaster that I'm wearing .

If I show it to anybody , they may think I'm still bleeding !!

Sleepless and lots of sleep

4 am , woke up and took a pee . After that couldn't sleep .

The dog was barking and the bird was making a funny sound .I didn't feel sleepy at all . Don't know why . Face was itchy a bit from mosquito bite so did some scratching . After that decided to wake up and it was 730 am already .

By 830 am , I felt sleepy again and I slept till guess what time , 1230 noon !!

Painkiller not needed anymore

As of Tuesday , I have stopped using the pain killers. It started with just using one and then no more using .

Actually looking back , I could have stopped earlier but it sort of got "addictive" .
I was "addicted" to the feeling where at 10 pm I take the 2 painkillers and then by 12 midnight felt very relaxed and sleepy . So, I was "addicted" to that feeling but after awhile it sort of didn't work anymore coz for about 4 consequtive days , even though I took the painkiller , I didn't go into that relaxed mode . Anyway ,to much painkiller is no good for the body .


There is still some pain , but it is manageble . I'm sure there will still be some pain since its a major op .

Sneezing

I just realised , God had actually protected me from sneezing for the 1st 2 weeks after my surgery . During the 1st 2 weeks , the stomach is more vulnerable , a sneeze can easily open the wounds and I know it will bring a lot of pain .

Now , I have got a few sneezes already . It doesn't matter . I'm not at the vulnerable period .There is not much pain after sneezing although I try to avoid sneezing by controlling .If it can't be controlled , I have a subdued sneeze , which is quite automatic .Its not a loud sneeze like normal and I'm Ok with it .

Feeling like a retiree !

This is what i'm feeling , after more than two weeks of not doing much .Its true ,i'm suppose to rest , although did do a bit of driving . Mainly , not doing much most of the time .

Here's my typical day :

Morning :Wake up , read Bible and pray ,breakfast while watching TV from BBC , comedies called My Hero and My Family , blog a bit ,watch Tv again .

Afternoon : Lunch , watch TV ,read magazine, sleep a bit if sleepy , wake up have tea , watch TV

Evening : Dinner, TV again and then sleep .

With this easy resting life , I guarantee there won't be any high blood pressure !! :)

Back to original weight

Before 2000 , before i was married , my weight was 68 kg for 10 years . This is my ideal weight .After getting married in 2000 , the weight shot up and hovered around 75kg .

After starting to run again , it went to around 70-74 kg .

Last year before S'pore Marathon , it was about 71 kg .

Funny thing is this year , before KLIM ,it was around 74 kg even with much more trainning .

After operation:

About 68 kg ,A sudden loss of about 5 kg !!

This is the weight i'm looking for , the irony is that it takes an operation for me to come down to this weight !!

(6/4/07-Friday-2 weeks after the operation , 3 recovery gauges)

It has been approximately 2 weeks since my operation , the op was on 22/3/07 ( Thursday midnite) . Looking back , I really belief I have improved healthwise and in recovery .

I thought back some gauges and here are 3 :

Lung exercise gadget

The doc asked me to buy this lung exercise gadget which has 3 balls . At hospital I was suppose to breath in hard , the 3 balls suppose to go up . The doctor said this gadget is good coz when we just have operation , we tend not to breath properly because of the pain .

So , at hospital I breath in and only 2 balls when up . Now 3 balls can go up already .


Getting up from bed

At hospital , it was quite a strain to get up from bed because of the pain , it was using a lot of stomach muscles and hand muscles to get up from bed . It took a long time to get up from bed .

Now , I can get up from bed faster than when I was at the hospital , although its still a bit of strain but not like when at hospital .

The voice

I can hardly talk loudly without feeling any pain 2 weeks ago . My voice sounded weak . Now , its stronger already , people didn't have to keep asking me to repeat what I was saying .

So , looking at this , this is some gauge that I analyse back and looking at the improvement .

Thank you Jesus !!

Sitting in a car

Being driven around

Since March 20 , I have not driven the car .My wife was the one who has been driving me .Even after operation , to be driven around is not easy because the belt is around the stomach area , and each time there is a bump , I need to hold on to the belt so that there is no pressure on the stomach .

Sitting at the back seat is worst coz its bumpier at the back and i can feel the bumps even more .


I drove

Yesterday , April 4 , first time driving since March 20 . Since I'mdriving , i couldn't hold on to the belt so much but I'm not so conscious of doing that too coz I'm in control of the speed and the bumps that we go onto . I drove the Kancil yesterday and overall , it was OK although did feel some pressure when turning the car or on some bumps .

(4/4/07-Wednesday-Painkiller)

The doc gave me painkiller ( Tramadol HCI 50 mg) twice , after I was discharged on 25/3 and after restitching on Monday (2/4) . I have not finished the 1st batch yet coz i only take it at night .

i found that it takes two hours before the painkiller takes effect .

So this is my daily painkiller taking routine :

10 pm : Pop in 2 painkillers
12 midnite : Start to feel very relaxed and drowsy , the muscles in every part of the body starts to relax

12 midnite to 5 am :Sleep till 5 am soundly , at about 5 am , the painkiller wears of . There is some pain in the stomach , I'm in a 75% sleep mode , so although I can feel a bit of pain , the sleep mode numbs it .

8.45am : Usually around this time , I can feel more of the pain and I wake up . I think the pain is because of the position i'm sleeping , which is straight on my back all the time . I can't really turn to the side to sleep yet coz there will be more pain .

I then , slowly push myself up from the bed without using any of my stomach muscles . When i stand up , the pain will then slowly be gone and i don't need any painkiller till the the night .


During the day , there is very rarely I feel that clothes peg clipping to my stomach feeling anymore . I think the body is slowly healing by itself .

(3/4/07-Tuesday-The feeling of a clothes peg on your skin)

Immediately after the stitching , there was not much feeling yet . Later towards the day , about 4 pm , the feeling comes . Its like a clothes peg pegging to the skin of the stomach . Can't do anything about it . Can only take pain killer .

After many hours , that feeling is less . Its less today , may be the body got used to it already . May be the skin is in its healing process.

My walking speed is still at a slow motion status . Can't walk fast yet .Can't walk upright properly yet too . There is some pain if I walk fast or walk upright .

It reminds me of being an old man . But , no problem , I can now emphatise with an old man :)

(2/4/07-Monday-Stitch back "hole" , some pain)

The "hole" has been stitch back . Its not a completely painless procedure coz have to use local anesthatic injection and that injection hurts . Doc put a few injections , not only 1 . All at the stomach area where the stitching was to be done .

At last I'm relieved , the procedure is over .My "hole" is stitched together by some thread .Altogether at least 20 over stitches .

Now is the pain that you get after being stitched together . Just have to tahan , at the same time use pain killer .

Walking around with "hole" on stomach

To continue from yesterday's story , theoritically since the doctor will only stitch back the wound on the stomach on Monday , I therefore am walking around with a "hole " .

I write " hole" coz at the same time there is a big bandage covering it to prevent it from getting any infection or getting bigger .

At the same time , there is a small leak so blood can be seen thru this bandage . Its not a BIG leak , coz than will be vey dangerous and I would have bled to death . Meaning , there will be a BIG leak if the second layer of my skin is open exposing the internal organs . Right now , its just the first layer .

At the same time there is some phobias that I'm imagining like :

1. What if the hole gets bigger ?
2. What if I sneeze hard ?
3. What if I vomit ?
4.What if the 2nd layer opens up ?
5. What if there is more blood than usual on the bandage ?
6. What if the hole is getting bigger but I don't feel it ?
7.What if , what if , what if ???


I look forward to the restitching tmw !

(30/3/07-Friday-Small hole ON stomach ,, , )

Went for 2nd wound dressing this morning . As the nurse was cleaning it , she said it was better than yesterday coz yesterday was dirtier .

I also found out that the same nurse has been in the same job for almost 30 years , since 1978 !! She has seen worst cases including nerves and bones .The fact that the nurse has been experienced for so long put me at ease and know that i'm in experienced hands .

As she cleaned it , she said the stitching might have to be redone by doc coz my wound didn't close properly . I said , Ok, since I'm already here , might as well call my doc to come and see me . She
agreed , called the doc while I waited .

The doc came and agreed that I should redo the stitch using thread .But it will be just local anesthetic and I don't have to be admitted at the hospital .

So back to the hospital next week to close the wound .

Right now , I have a small hole at the stomach wound, there is no pain at the wound but I think its as deep as almost 1 cm.

But there is no blood gushing out , coz the doc saw it and said its clean.

(29/3/07-Thursday-Stomach held together by staples)

I just discovered my stomach is actually held together by staples and not thread . I found out when I had the appointment today to take out what I thought will be my stitches . I thought I will be seeing the doctor but it turned out to be an experienced elderly nurse.

There was just a bit of pain as she took out every pin . It totaled more than 10 over staples all together .

There was still a bit of old blood and based on the nurse advice , I still need to come back again tmw to clean the wound even though the staples has been taken out .

So , after cleaning the wound today the nurse then put on another bandage over the wound and its more thicker now .

My room mate at the hospital.....S...I

One of my hospital room mate suffered worst than me .His name S...I . Malay chap , nice guy .Was a CID in Sarawak for 10 years .Age about mid 30's . Than he transferd to Johore . That's when his problems started .

Amputated left leg

Not sure how it happen or what health factors but he told me his left leg was amputated about 2 weeks ago ! . Now , there were some complications and his right leg is affected . The blood circulation wasn't going well on the right leg and there was some kind of blockage .

Change nerve position

It seems , doc then recommend that immediately he should change the position of the nerve at the top of his right let to the bottom of the leg . ( Later on , 2nd opinion said he should have gone for an ultra sound to look for the blockage first ) .
His operation took 4 hours and then he was then wheeled to my room .and that's how I knew him .

Imagine 2 ops in a month !!



Last year

He had an op last year , also intestinal op ,the only diff was part of his intestine had to be cut out and that op took about 4 hours and he had to stay in hospital for a week .

His future

I asked him , what's next for for him ,and he replied , this infirmities will get him bed ridden for at least 6 months!! . And after that , either he will go back to a desk job as a police or he will just take life easy and just relax first coz he is still getting his pay from the police force .

Ironies in a hospital

I'm just still recuperating but at the moment still writing .

Looking back last week and this week , which is my 2nd day at home , I can actually compare a hospital and a house and the hospital's ironies . You see , people go to hospital to rest , treated and recuperate too . But is it really so ?

Some points where there is not really rest , although its treatment , but no REST :

1. You sleep and suddenly , nurse wakes you up every 2 hours to take your blood pressure and temperature .
2. Outside your room you can here nurses talking
3. Inside your room you can hear relatives of other patients talking .
4. Inside your room you can hear nurses talking to other patients.
5.Inside your room you can hear the sound of all kinds of medical equipent beeping.
6. Nurses comes and clean us up at an unearthly hour of 5.30 am .

All these results in a non-continous sleep .

Not that i'm not grateful to the hospital , but just bringing to you the IRONIES of REST in a hospital .

In fact ,I'm very grateful to the nurses coz they are always so helpful when you need help and most of the time gentle and hoping the best for the patients .

(25/3/07-Sunday-I'm back home ...recuperating ...no running for 2 months)

Firstly , I would like to say thank you to all my friends who visited me and wished me .It is very touching to know people cares .

Jesus also cared for me this time and when I found out I had to be operated , I didn't have any anxiety or fear , just peace . I was prepared for it .In fact , when I went for my 2nd check up in the U H in the afternoon of Wednesday , I brought along my bag of clothes , toiletries and ready to be put in drips .

Sequence of event

Vomit 8 times before admission to hospital .

Wednesday

12 midnite :Go U.H and they took X-ray, gave injection and tablets and i went home .
1 pm: Receive call from another U.H doc who wants a 2nd relook at me
2.30 pm :Arrive at UH , doc put in tiub thru my nose down to stomach to suck out gas and bile into a bag ( It will be there till after operation) .This really helped caused after that my bloated feeling ( bloated as in just eaten buffet even though drank just a bit)
3.00 pm : Did C.T scan to scan stomach
3.45 pm : Doc put cathether thru penis and so urine will go thru another bag automatically

4.00 pm to 11 pm: Wait at waiting area for my op , ( during this time I wasn't even sure the time
of my op and was waiting eargerly)
11pm : Wheeled into op preparation room

Thursday

Midnite : Op starts , before the op , anesthician gives my Nebuliser for my asthma (a kind of oxigen mask which I have to breath thru for about 10 to 15 mins) . I said I.didn't feel asthmatic but she said I have to use it just in case it happens during op .

After that , I was given the general anesthistic , it starts with an oxigen mask over my , which I'm still conscious ,suddenly I'm unconscious as they put the anesthesia . Before that , anesthician did asked me what I want to be called , I said Kenny.
.....
1am: After Op Anesthician calls me " Kenny ,Kenny, wake up " or something like that( calls me at least 5 times)

I thought I was dreaming , but went I woke ,immediately can feel the after effects and pain of the op , and I'm still at operating teather . So I wake up I find its not a dream and they wheel me to my room shared with 3 others.

1am to 4 am : Can't sleep well coz of the pain , there was two kind of pain ,1 post op pain , 2 unusual pain where can feel1 side if the intestine acting by itself .I kept asking nurse for pain killer but they said no .( Later on I found out I have actually been given )

5 am : Can sleep better but noice from outside distruption

12pm : Can't drink anything and feeling hungry and thirsty , feeling bored .Justin comes on time .

Evening : Some relatives and friends comes and Adam and Khoo and Yaziz

Friday

Doc says can sip water , thats a relief .

Raymond Hee also comes , he is just on duty a few floors away !

Evening : Ron , Rac and Tey comes and some more friends and relatives.

Sat

Doc says can drink anything , even better relief

Noon : Abu and Saiful comes

Eve : Chen and Wai Fong comes

Sun : Doc says can eat anything and discharge, so here I am at home !

Will have some more stories soon !

Mon , Tues Wed , no run , sakit!!

Severe stomach gastric since Tues . 4am see private doc . Doc give injection (pain killer) .Improve a bit , less pain although , vomit 8 times . Wed 12 midnite go U H , different doc ,also injection (pain killer) , new medicine .

Wed recovering , still some pain in stomach . Stomach feel bloated like just finish eating buffet . But , haven't eaten for a day !

Whole day sleep on Tues .

Me with thumbs up sign and some of the gang

Relief its the end of marathon !

(18/3/07-Sunday-No sleep before KLIM Marathon and race report)

The day before

Went to Petronas Philharmonic Ochestra at KLCC . Free tickets were given out to watch this Irish guy perfom on organ .
My parking ticket for 2 1/2 hours was only RM 1! coz parked at K-Avenue and walked across to KLCC via the tunnel .

Had tea at 3 pm at Cold Storage , (modesto pizza ) and at 4.30 pm ( Masala Thosai and and some goreng pisang stuffs)

Evening :Suddenly bro called and we were off for a steamboat buffet at Sunway ( RM21) per head .

Accidentally took tea

At the dinner , tea was served and I acidentally drank it , I was not suppose to drink tea at nite or won't be able to sleep . It was after dinner that my wife remembered I shouldn't drink tea at nite . Too late . Drank already .

By the time I got home : 11.30 pm

Can't sleep

I put my alarm for 3.20 am . Got to bed at 12 midnite but was tossing and turning . Woke up briefly to see the time and it showed 1.48 am but still no real sleep . Got up again 2.45 am , still no sleep . After a short semi sleep , the alarm rang at 3.20 am and time to wake up ! In theory , I didn't have a real sleep all nite , just a rest on the bed !!

The starting

After having my breakfast of 2 slices bread and peanut butter , 12 pieces dates and warm glucose . Drove to Padang Merbuk , not many cars there. Then jogged to starting point . Did my stretching before going into kandang .
The plan was to get approx 53 min per 10 km .

There was no atmosphere like S'pore Marathon but i was glad I'm running here this time , if I remembered correctly , last year I was in the half marathon and was seeing the Matathoners took off . There was this traditional drum beat at the start and i was hoping next time I could be among this runners of the marathon . At last , my first marathon in KL , 1st marathon was actually in S'pore , so this is my second official marathon .

After running about 4 km , Saiful came to my side from the back and said he wants to pace with me . I said OK, we will try sub -4 coz in S'pore he was just behind me by 1 min .

Knee pain 15 km mark

After running 15 km , I told him to go ahead coz I'm getting some medicine at the refreshment counter . He went ahead while I put some deep heat at the knee . After awhile it got better , I ran alone and overtook Lee Chin and Girl .

Saw Saiful again

Saw Saiful again at about the 23 km mark and he told me he was going slower .But again as I ran , the knee hurt again and at some stations I asked for deep heat rub by myself . Saiful then went ahead .

Saw Girl

Approaching the last 30 km , I saw Girl which I overtook earlier , I told her she is doing well . She said she wants to overtake the girl in front which I think is 1 km away coz I didn't see her anymore .She said may be she can't overtake I told Girl she can do it . Never say never and got her to pace with me . The pacing was fast and the 3rd 10 km time approaching 30 km was about 49 min ! I saw Saiful again at the water station before 30 km and had a drink and Girl then continued and overtake us all . I paced with Saiful again but my legs were tired and he disappeared again .

Hit the wall

The last 10 km was a struggle , every step hurt especially at the thigh area . It was further aggravated by the knee pain in which by now I can't lift the knee a certain angle or it will hurt . My running technic changed because of this , to cushion the impact on the knee . I just couldn't wait for the run to end and kept thinking when can i get to finish line The marker showed 9 more km to go and I was suffering all the way .

ENDING

The last 5 km also felt long and I couldn't wait for the finish , Leg hurting . With another 2 km to go I was in a semi jog state and was grateful for the downhill to Dataran Merdeka . As i ran , there was pain and the knee also felt bad if I accidentally changed my running stance . As I was near the finishing line , there was no fast finish and it fact 2 people ran past me . In the end ,I'm glad its finished , finished with a slow jog to the finishing line at 3: 56:51 ,a P .R for me .

I was happy to break my P.R which in S'pore was 4 min 9 . Sad that I didn't achive my target of 3:45 coz of the pain at the knee and thigh . Next time will have to do more 30 km runs .

Distance :42.195 km
Duration of work out : 3 hour 56 min 51 sec
Location :KL
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 1 times used inhaler used before race , breathing OK

TOTAL MILEAGE FOR THIS WEEK : 59 KM

(15/3/07-Thursday-Ran with Ronnie a bit fast )

I wanted to run slow but Ronnie was again on his fast mode . I had to follow coz needed to discuss with him certain matters . I was struggling for breath and feeling asthmatic a bit coz i didnt use any inhaler before the run coz it was suppose to be a slow work out for me today , with KLIM this Sunday, i didn't want to strain myself.

With another 600 m till the end of my 2nd round , I told Ron the fast run (actually it was just about 4 min 55 sec per km pace) is enough for me today and I slowed down while he continued at the same fast pace .

Distance :4.6 km
Duration of work out : Approx 25 min
Location :Lake Garden
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing (*see story) .

(14/3/07-Wednesday-Easy run with Justin , later on carboloaded)

At last ran with Justin again , had not ran with him a long time . It was an easy pace .

1st lap about 13 min
2nd lap about 12 min

Ronnie was there but he was on his fast mode . We only started together with Ron ,after few meters he was gone but within our sight .


Later in the nite , I went with some friends to Italiannies in 1 Utama , where every Wednesday , for RM19.90 , you can have all the pasta you want . I only had 2 plates . It was quite feeling .

Distance :4.6 km
Duration of work out : Approx 26 min
Location :Lake Garden
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing ok .

(13/3/07-Tuesday-Just a slow jog)

Was suppose to run with Ron at Lake Garden . Before that , I went to EPF and by the time I arrived home was almost 6.30 pm . I saw it wasn't worth it to go all the way to Lake Garden coz I would have time to run 1 round only . In the end I decided to run near my house hilly area at Seputeh . It was just a slow easy jog literally .


Distance :Approx 5 km
Duration of work out : Approx 45 min
Location :Tmn Desa
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing not that easy at first , after that was ok .

Towards the end ,a slow run up that slope

Can't wait for the tunnel to end , so humid !

(11/3/07-Sunday-Run Smart Tunnel race and catch up from behind)

The day before the run

Dinner consisting Lui Cha Fan or in English , Green Tea Rice .

Slept at 12 midnite . Woke up by dog incessant barking 1.30 am , not once but 4 times within a space of 40 min , by the time really sleep again is 2.10 am .

Woked up by dog again at 3.30 pm , total times dog woke me up , 5 times .

Breakfast

Woked up by alarm at 6.30 am . Breakfast glucose and dates .

Arrival at race location at 7.15 am


Immediately went to the starting point but people were all lining up and I can't find officials for me to give my reporting card . I asked around and people tell me they are at the front , which means I have got to go thru the men's group ( A group ) via the back to the front !! In order not to make people angry , I told them I'm going front to give my reporting card, so they make way for me .

There was no space to stretch and I used the min space I have to stretch my hamstring and thigh .

Race starts

I can see Lai already line up in front , I'm at the 7th row and Gunaseelan is next to me . As the gun shoots , he disappears , my 7th row becomes quite far back as everyone starting fast and we are stucked and I can't run fast . After 100 m only can get into the stride and I pace with Vincent for awhile . In fact Zul , pacemaker 43 and Eric Teo was already in front of me by 50 m .

The tunnel begins

At the beginning of the tunnel , Vincent runs faster and I can't follow him . In fact , before race yesterday , i already told Ronnie that I will start slow and not fast and use experience to slowly overtake . I can't see the rest of the PMs and was thinking I'm i going to be in last group of Pms this time ??

At the tunnel , 1st 2 km I overtake Zul and also Eric Teo .Towards the last 2 km of the tunnel , i suddenly see Lai, Saiful and I think its Ronnie , but they are like 150 m away . I maintained consistent pace and slowly overtook Saiful then Lai .

Coming out from tunnel

I see Ronnie in front of Chen , they are still 100 m away . We make a u-turn to go into tunnel again . At the u -turn , I can see I have behind me Lai , Saiful and Shine .

Inhaler before entering tunnel again

I took out inhaler from back pocket ( carefully as the cap might easily come out and i wouldn't stop to pick it up) and took a sniff . 2 people overtake me at this point . I held on to inhaler to save time but decided to put it back into back pocket . I couldn't . I tried again and this time I could . Now i can run "handsfree" . Slowly i overtook the 2 again .

Pain at knee

During the 2nd phase of the race in the tunnel heading towards finish , i could feel occasional pain at the right knee . I kicked the leg a bit and it was back to normal .It happen a number of times and i endured with it . It effected some nerves at the back and as i ran , there was some pain at the back nerves . After awhile it was back to normal.

Consistent pace

I maintained consistent pace , looking beyond Chen who looked like slowing down but I can't overtake him yet , Ronnie on the other hand looked liked he increased the pace as his gap from Chen further and further . I have to run faster if I want to catch up with Ron . Towards the last 2 km of the tunnel , i overtook Chen . Now , time to catch Ron . At this time i overtook Badrul and also overtook Vincent at last . Ron still 100 m away.

Mad dash to the finish .

Slowed down a bit when coming to the end of the tunnel coz its going uphill . Ron still 100 m away , I'm still chasing like mad and on my 7th gear . Last 800 m to go and at this point while chasing Ron , overtook another 3 other people from my A group . I'm like 50 m from Ron , I on my turbo near the finishing line and Ron suddenly turn back could see I'm coming after him and he is like 20 m in front of me but in the end i couldn't overtoook him . Ron 36th , me 37th place .

Overall , i'm happy with my performance coz i didn't started to fast , had a consistent pace averaging 4 min 30 sec per km pace throughtout except for the last faster 2 km .In the end , happy to come from behind and overtake some friends .



Distance :13.3 km
Duration of work out : 59 min 42 sec
Location :Jalan Tun Razak
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 2 times used inhaler , before race and during race as per story .

TOTAL MILEAGE FOR THIS WEEK : 40.60 KM

(9/3/07-Friday-no run just rest but read this...)

Today , my friend sent me an interesting article of how God helped another friend on 9/2/07 recently .

Read on if you are free .

http://www.rickysoo.com/testify/kokmun

(8/3/07-Thursday-Run at lake slow with Ron and Lai)

We decided there won't be any mid-week race for this week . Everyone is not in the best of shape at the moment .

Ron-Sore throat and fever a bit
Lai-Tired leg coz too much pia
Kenny-Tired leg and small ache coz run so long last Sunday

We just ran easy . Average pace 5 min 22 sec per km pace.



Distance :11.5 km
Duration of work out :Approx 1 hour 1 min 50 sec
Location :Lake Garden
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing OK

(7/3/07-Wednesday-Run at KLCC with Lai and Jamie for awhile)

I arrived KLCC at 6 .15 pm , at that time Lai was already running his 1st round at a fast pace . My plan was to run 10 rounds but coz of the late arrival couldn't coz was to pick up wife at 7 pm nearby .

Lap story :

Lap 1 : 5 min 50 sec ( 4 min 29 sec per km pace, ran with Lai)

Lap 2 : 5 min 42 sec ( 4 min 23 sec per km pace, ran with Lai and we getting faster)

Lap 3 : 5 min 54 sec ( 4 min 32 sec per km pace, I feeling asthmatic short of breath)

Lap 4 : 6 min 13 sec (4 min 46 sec per km pace, I told Lai enough of pia for me , Jamie comes and i stop a short while to pass him my car key for him to get his bibs)

Lap 5 : 7 min 40 sec (5 min 53 sec per km pace , I run myself a bit slower)

Lap 6 : 7 min 31 sec ( 5 min 46 sec per km pace , I see Jamie 200 m away and chase after him to get back my keys and run with him )

Lap 7 : 8 min 13 sec ( 6 min 19 sec per km pace , last lap for me and I have got to go off already )




Distance :9.1 km
Duration of work out :Approx 47 min 06 sec
Location :KLCC
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing .... *see story above*

(6/3/07-Tuesday-Birthday run)

6/3/73 , The day I'm born . Now 34 . I don't feel old and not afraid of being old.If people ask why ? I would answer from a running aspect point of view . Coz , the older I get , The higher the chance of me getting into the seniors age group and easier to get some results ...hihihihih


4 significant thing happen today :

1. Lunch - Ate with Justin
2. Evening - Run for the first time in Celebrity Fitness ( on the treadmill)
3. Dinner - Friends threw surprise party for me , or at least the cake was a surprise.
4. Night - Borrowed " Click" starring Adam Sandler and laughed my head off , 3rd quarter of the show was quite touching .

End of this interesting day !

Distance :6.7 km
Duration of work out :Approx 45 min
Location :Celebrity Fitness , Subang Jaya
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing ok

(4/3/07-Sunday-Run in 3rd circuit run 2007)

Didn't run on Friday and Saturday but ate a lot to carbo-load . Woke up at 3am on race day as the dog was barking and then went to sleep again .

6 am: Had some glucose and a bit of pasta at home for breakfast .

The run started above 7 am ,which was normal for circuit run .I was aiming for top 6 hoping somehow to get reimbursed for my Marathon fees .Did I achieve it ? Read on ...

The lap timing and story behind it :

Lap 1 : 10 min 33 sec ( 4 min 35 sec per km pace , Would have been faster but after
running 300 m , my shoelace became untied and i had to stop to tie it back
,caused me 20 secs)

Lap 2 : 11 min 19 sec ( 4 min 55 sec per km pace, I saw my lap time and thought it was a bit too
fast coz I remember Ron telling me to average 11 min 30 sec )

Lap 3 : 11 min 14 sec ( 4 min 53 sec per km pace, still maintaining the about same pace)


Lap 4 : 10 min 44 sec ( 4 min 40 sec per km pace, faster now coz I paced with this guy (Tey) from B category who runs very loudly and fast )

Lap 5 : 11 min 06 sec ( 4 min 49 sec per km pace, still pacing with him)

Lap 6 : 10 min 37 sec ( 4 min 36 sec per km pace , still pacing with him and he is going even
faster)

Lap 7 : 10 min 55 sec ( 4 min 44 sec per km pace , he is slowing down and behind me by 10 m , I
suddenly turn around ask him follow me )

Lap 8 : 11 min 13 sec ( 4 min 52 sec per km pace , he didn't follow anymore my motivation less
now , anyway he got 1st in his category later on )

Lap 9 : 11 min 11 sec (4 min 51 sec per km pace , still about the same pace, at this time I was
asking Tey PM22 how far in front i am in front of Chen , he said 200 m)

Lap 10 : 11 min 46 sec (5 min 6 sec per km pace , my calf begin to hurt and I ask St John
ambulance personnel for Deep heating , they were searching and
searching in their bag , I said never mind , search I st , I tahan
the pain , run 1 round and get from them , at this time , I also realise
Chen has actually overtook me when i was tying my shoelace at lap 1 ,
therefore he is not behind me but in front me by 200 m as per inform
by Tey .)

Lap 11 : 11 min 59 sec (5 min 12 sec per km pace, my sole was hurt for awhile but no more
hurting but calf still hurting , I looked for St John ambulance at the same
spot where I spoke to them and they are not there ! I ran with pain
1 more round!! :(

Lap 12 : 11 min 52 sec ( 5 min 9 sec per km pace , this time I found them at the starting line ,
so I stopped and asked them faster give me some deep heat .
I rubbed on my hurting calf and the pain was gone )

Lap 13 : 11 min 44 sec ( 5 min 6 sec per km pace, I went a bit faster coz the pain was gone , Tey PM 22 keep asking me to chase Chen , I said I can't , leg pain)

Lap 14 : 12 min 02 sec ( 5 min 13 sec , my legs are getting tired and I can't chase anyone , I
have slowed down )

Lap 15 : 12 min 00 sec ( 5 min 13 sec , I couldn't wait for this to finish and I'm getting slower
and weaker)

Finished in 5 th place for a free entry to KLIM 2007 !! I achieved my goal !!


Distance :34.5 km
Duration of work out :2 hr 50 min 27 sec
Location :Lake Garden
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 1 times used inhaler , breathing not so smooth before run and yesterday

TOTAL MILEAGE FOR THIS WEEK : 96 KM

(1/3/07-Thursday evening-"RUN" here and there before the real evening run)

It has been a long day today before the evening run . As I ran , I told "Tulang " and "Paul" what happened the whole day . Count the number of places I went as the story goes below :

545 am : Wake up

1. 630 am : Arrive at Subang ( from my hse in Tmn Desa) to fetch a couple to KTM in town
2. 715 am : Arrive at friend's hse in Sentral area to collect some items to be given to a charity
3. 745 am : Arrive at Lake Garden for morning run
4. 915 am : Arrive home to bath and blog a bit , reply emails .
5. 945 am :Arrive MBB update passbook
6. 1015 am :Arrive post office to post letter
7. 1030am : Arrive church discuss something with someone
8. 1045am : Arrive Charity to deliver the items which my Sentral friend gave in the morn .
9.1115am : Arrive Tmn Megah to deliver some vests to be printed , I needed the print out copy 1st but person in charge wasn't in
10. 1145 am : Arrive friend's office collect some files for him to bring to auditor
11. 12 noon : Arrive rojak stall and ate mee rojak .
12. 1.15 pm :Arrive Tmn Megah again coz the vest sample print out is ready
13. 1.45 pm : Arrive Cash Converter , at Tmn Mayang to sell some unwanted items
14. 2 pm : Arrive at toilet , after a long walk searching for one to pee
15.2.30pm : Arrive at D.U area to pass sample print out of logo to my friend Ccube
16. 2.45pm :Arrive at Petrol Stn to Seremban Highway to get some coffee
16 3.15 pm :Arrive at a shady spot to take a quick nap as feeling very sleepy
16.3.30 pm : Arrive at Pandan Indah to pass the files to auditor
17. 4.30pm :Arrive at company sec at Happy Garden and pass some files wch i collected from
auditor at Pandan Indah
18. 5 pm : Arrive at church to borrow an item .
19. 520 pm :Arrive hse , get ready my running clothes and wear it
20.615 pm : Arrive Lake Gdn run with 2 friends , " Paul" and "Tulang"
21.715 pm : Arrive at Bkt Aman toilet to take a shower
22. 7.55pm : Arrive KLCC to fetch wife
23.8.30 pm : Arrive friend's hse to have dinner with him and his girl
24.11 pm : Arrive church return the item
25. 1115 pm : Arrive at Petrol Stn at Old Klang road to refill petrol
26. 1130 pm : Home Sweet home !!


26 places altogether .This is crazy !!

Distance :6.9 km
Duration of work out : 37 min 55 sec
Location :Lake Garden
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing ok

(1/3/07-Thursday-Run in nice morning environment)

Ran 2 laps on extreme loop .

Weather : Cooling and no hot sunshine
Birds : Chirping
Breathing: Easy
Noise : Minimal , just the sound of my footsteps and easy breathing

This is what I call a nice morning environment , everything very relaxed compared to yesterday's pia kau kau lat .


Distance :7 km
Duration of work out : 47 min 54 sec
Location :Lake Garden
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing quite ok after the first lap

(28/2/07-Wednesday-Mid-week "race")

Me , Ronnie and Lai were prepared to pia during this mid-week . We were prepared to suffer and go a mad pace . Its like a trainning cum race where a mad pace is set every Wednesday and we will try to follow each other as much as we can .

It was also a fun anticipation of this "race" and the whole day preparing the mind for it or at least I did . I could only go 4 rounds due to time factor but Ron when 5 rounds . Lai was not at his best condition and followed our pace up to about 3 rounds .

After the race , I met a new friend , Badrul ( the one who was at first top 20 until he took the wrong route with me at FTAAA X-country and after that he no more semangat and I overtook him during the race last Sunday , see my report ) . In fact he is a 3 hour marathoner and he just finished his 3 laps speedwork of 9 min per lap (non-stop i think?!) !!



My lap statistic was far from his :

Lap 1 : 11 min 27 sec (4 min 30 sec per km pace)
Lap 2 : 10 min 47 sec (4 min 41 sec per km pace)
Lap 3 : 10 min 13 sec (4 min 26 sec per km pace)
Lap 4 : 9 min 43 sec ( 4 min 13 sec per km pace)

Distance :9.2 km
Duration of work out : 42 min 11 sec ( compared to yesterday : 55 min 16 sec)
Location :Lake Garden
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 1 times used inhaler , breathing didn't feel normal half way during the "race" but ran on coz it was a mild abnormality , after the race , there was a lot of "tham " from my nose .

(27/2/07-Tuesday evening-Run with excellent breathing but...)

I felt really good in the breathing when I ran with Lai today . It was excellent and perfect and no struggle in breath just like a normal person . The only set back was after running two rounds , I felt very tired and hot and dehydrated . Had to stop to go drink water and then continued again . It became slower and slower at the 3rd and 4th round and after that I had to stop and felt really hungry . Bought a snack nearby to eat .


Lap statistic :

Lap 1 : 12 min 39 sec (5 min 30 sec per km pace)
Lap 2 : 12 min 32 sec ( 5 min 26 sec per km pace)
Lap 3 : 13 min 31 sec ( Had a drink before this and started again very slowly , 5 min 52 sec
per km pace)
Lap 4 : 16 min 32 sec ( Became even more tired, ran opposite direction by my own with a
handphone , trying to contact wife to find out what time I should
fetch her , called her at least 15 times !! , 7 min 11 sec per km pace !!)

Distance :9.2 km
Duration of work out : 55 min 16 sec
Location :Lake Garden
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing super excellent !! .

(27/2/07-Tuesday-Run short distance at KLCC coz...)

Had a tiny ache at the right thigh . So i just ran 5.2 km . didn't want to push it and aggravate it . There is another run again this eve and needed the rest for this eve . It was really slow and easy .

Distance :5.2 km
Duration of work out : 34 min 20 sec
Location :KLCC
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing ok .

(26/2/07-Monday-Run in the evening)

Ran with Justin and Lai .Towards the end of the 1st loop ,Lai went faster and faster . We "didn't" achieve our target of a slow and easy run . Lai suggested we run and kill the hill together and go downhill and flats slowly but in the end he couldn't wait for us again .

Target : 32 min 1st loop ........Actual 30 min 47 sec
30 min 2nd loop......actual for myself 31 min 25 sec

Overall , it was faster than my workout this morn where the average pace this morn was 6 min 30 sec per km pace whereas this evening was 5 min 39 sec per km pace .

Distance :11 km
Duration of work out : 1 hour 2 min 12 sec
Location :Lake garden# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing ok .

(26/2/07-Monday-Run in heat with Ronnie)

I wanted to put some mileage at KLCC today . It was just a slow run . I started at 9 am and Ron joined me at 9.30 am . It was good company . I ran clockwise 5 rounds and anti clockwise 5 rounds to take away some boredom .

Distance :13 km
Duration of work out : 1 hour 25 min 43 sec
Location :KLCC
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing not so smooth .

New link !!

DEAR FRIENDS ,

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT ASTHMA IS , PLS CLICK ON THE "WHAT IS ASTHMA LINK " ON THE RIGHT .

THANKS !!

(25/2/07-Sunday-Ran X-Country Race and could have got a medal !)

Yes , could have got a medal ! Coz , at the mid point when we came out from Lake Garden at the turning down into Jalan Parlimen towards Padang Merbuk , Adam was there to tell us our position . He said I was at position number 35 ( there are 40 medals up for grabs ) .

In fact , after that I overtook 2 people before the jungle trail near Padang Merbuk .

Disaster at jungle trail near Padang Merbuk !!

I followed the group of runners in front of me down this dangerous looking trail . People were quite cautious making sure they looked at their paths to make sure they don't slip . In fact behind me , there were people who slipped . As we kept on running , suddenly i heard some group of people in front of me saying "Ay " and"Hoy" . We have come out to the road . I don't remember coming out to the road so quickly during the practise yesterday . Our group was all lost .We ran to one direction of the road and wasn't sure where to go . There was no officials to guide us therefore the " Ay " and "Hoy" and some cursing . We ran towards the other side of the road and found its not correct coz its where we came from and another group was already running there heading towards where we had come from before going into that path. Zul and Isaiah was also following me .

Overtook by many !!

We went back to the path again and found those who were behind us taking the right path. I reckon 5 mins has passed and at least a dozen people has overtaken me .After that there was no more spirit, in fact There was no more spirit in one of the very good runners ( this indian guy who always train in Lake Garden) . I could easily overtake him afterwards .


Just keep trying

I didn't know what position i'm at at this moment , but I didn't stop . Kept running hoping there is still chance for a medal . In fact during this time , towards the last 2 km + , I went faster and overtook at least 5 over people .

Ending line

Put on my turbo towards the last 300 m and overtook another 1 guy but its too late . Position 41 . Missed medal by one :( :(

Try again next time .

Distance :8.2 km
Duration of work out : 50 min 3 sec
Location :Lake Garden vicinity
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 1 times used inhaler , breathing so so before race .

TOTAL MILEAGE FOR THIS WEEK : 69.30 KM

(23/2/07-Friday-Trial run of this Sunday's X-Country event)

It's going to be my first time running the FTAAA X-Country event this Sunday . Ran with Ron , Justin and Adam . Ron decided to show us the whole 8.2 km loop . Very kind of him to do that .

We followed him and it consisted of running , walking and jogging . Some of it were paths and road and some grass and trail path . The trail path was a bit slippery .

I'll probably wear a glove this Sunday so that I can hold on to the branches .

Looking forward to the race . I had only decided to join the race yesterday !!

Distance :8.2 km
Duration of work out : 1 hour 9 min 25 sec
Location :Lake Garden vicinity
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing so so .

(22/2/07-Thursday-Run extreme loop with the gang)

It was an extremely hot run at the extreme loop .We started at 9.30 am and each loop is 3.55 km . It was an extremely hilly route .

I ran with Ron ,Lai , Sim , Saiful and Bose and it was their first time running this loop so I had to show them the direction .I didn't use inhaler so I was slower than them during my 2nd round coz the breathing wasn't smooth . They went ahead coz they know the direction already .

At the 1st half of the 3rd loop , I felt better but since they were ahead of me already ,I decided not to push anymore and enjoy my slow run .

Took approx 1 hour 2 min 21 .Whereas the rest finished below 1 hour for 3 loops .


Distance :10.5 km
Duration of work out : 1 hour 2 min 21 sec
Location :Lake Garden
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing not so smooth at first ( See story*)

(21/2/07-CHANGES TO BLOG)

If you notice , there is a difference in the way the blog looks , you are right ! It has changed look and changed name :

OLD name : Kenny Tan's running blog
NEW Name : Kenny Tan-Asthma runner

I suppose via this name , it will be easier for people to search for my blog . The contents will all be the same and no changes to it .

(21/2/07-Wednesday-Run Double Hill like mad)

I join Ron , Saiful and Sim for Double Hill run . They have to go there coz Ron trainning for X-country race this Sun which has a lot of hills . Lai who was suppose to come , was no where to be found . If he come , I was ready to start fast with him . Later we found out he went to pangsai and we didn't know .

I ate biscuit and drank glucose before the run . I think it gave me some energy . I also wore my light Asics and Red Vest because Ron the day before told me this is a battle . In fact I didn't run yesterday coz I wanted to rest before the battle .

I told Ron my tactic ,although he is my opponent , my tactic is to run at 5th gear most of the time but there won't be any sprinting turbo . I suppose this tactic worked because , I go fast and then slowed just a bit .Whenever they come near me, I either run with them or put on the 5th gear pace and went further front a bit . It was a very tiring strategy , Saiful overtook me once , but after that the 5th gear became faster and faster and reached Bukit Aman at 51 min 06 sec , A personal best for me !!

For the rest of the story ,see Ron's report at http://pm1.blogspot.com


Distance :11 km
Duration of work out : 51 min 06 sec
Location :Double hill
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 1 times used inhaler , have to use coz Ron said its a "Battle"

(19/2/07-Monday Evening-Ran with Chen and my inhaler)

After using inhaler , I went to Polo Ground as Chen said he will be there . I had to use inhaler because of my unsmooth breathing condition at the moment . Chen , a fast runner will sure run fast when i run with him and he is also fast when I'm not running with him .

I arrived there at 5.15 pm , hoping to see him as he told me he will be there at 5 pm . He was no where to be seen . I presumed he was not running there since I told him earlier I wan't sure of running after the LSD this morning .I ran by myself the 1st lap and it took me 9 min 11 sec for the 1st lap .

Suddenly as i was starting the 2nd lap , he appeared and I followed his pace:

Lap 2 : 7 min 9 sec ( suddenly have to go fast coz of Chen , notice its 2 min faster .5 min 14 sec
per km pace)
Lap 3 : 6 min 39 sec ( Even faster , 4 min 52 sec per km pace, imagine the average I did this morning was around 9 min per lap , THIS IS THE POWER OF THE INHALER !!)

Lap 4 : 6 min 38 sec
Lap 5 : 6 min 27 sec ( 4 min 43 sec per km pace)
Lap 6 : 6 min 39 sec ( Back to lap 3 pace , but still fast )
Lap 7 : 6 min 14 sec ( 4 min 33 sec sec per km pace , my final lap , Chen went on another lap
while I had enough for the day)

The inhaler helped me to stay at Chen's pace for at least 6 laps as compared to yesterday , I was breathing really hard and labourous and couldn't take it after that .

This is the power of the inhaler, it makes my breath normal like you ( the reader) and I !!


Distance :9.55 km
Duration of work out : 48 min 58 sec
Location :Polo Ground , Ipoh
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 1 times used inhaler , (see story above)

(19/2/07-Monday-Run at Polo ground LSD)

Was suppose to wake up to join Wendy and the rest of the Ipoh runners but I was tired when the alarm rang at 5.25 am . Woked up only at 730 am . Started at 8.38 am .

Before running ,, trhis was the conversation between wife and I :

Kenny : What you gonna do today?
Wife : Eat , sleep and internet
Kenny: I can tell you the steps right now how to start your bro's internet . ( At the back of my mind , I'm going to be long so I shd teach her 1st before I go for my long run)
Wife : No , when I want , I'll let you know. By the way ,it looks like its going to rain
Kenny : Don't worry , God gave me this nice weather so that I can run
Wife :{ Skeptical silence}

It was true , 80% of my run was under cooling weather and it didn't rain at all , 20% hot wather but not a problem .

1st 8 laps : Clockwise

Ran slowly against the flow . It was easy coz although many people coming from the opposite direction , they moved aside to let me thru when they see me coming . This was opposed to running same direction with them and many times I got to say excuse me or just overtake them from the grass side . Keep seeing this guy in blue running in the same direction as everyone (I'e anti clockwise )

NOTE : DID YOU KNOW RUNNING/WALKING ANTI-CLOCKWISE REDUCES THE CHANCES OF A HEADACHE FROM RUNNING ROUND AND ROUND?

EG OF PLACES WHERE PEOPLE RUN/WALK ANTI-CLOCKWISE:
POLO GROUND , THE 400M TRACK , LAKE GARDEN , KLCC ETC

It must have been in built in people to run/walk a loop anti -clockwise

2ND 8 LOOPS-ANTI CLOCKWISE

I changed my shirt and came out with a dryer shirt . I decided to run with the blue shirt guy . Found out his name is Tang , from Kl and he did see me in circuit run in Titiwangsa and he got 6th in the senior category . Just had a short chat with him coz he was finishing after 2.5 hours . Ran on my own again, stopped for awhile to buy some jelly to eat and milo ice .

After 10 am there was less people in this park , although some people were still around and some just came .

I continued my run and finished at approx 1120 am .


It was a slow but satisfying long run .

Distance :21.84 km
Duration of work out : Approx 2 hr 35 min
Location :Polo Ground , Ipoh

# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : O times used inhaler , breathing mildly unsmooth which doesn't allow me to go too fast this morning.

(18/2/07- Sunday-Run on CNY day)

Morning-Run at Polo Ground with Music

Started at 7 am. After running 1 loop , I felt the urge to do business at the toilet , that took 20 min . Started again at 7 30 am . At 745 am , the Senamrobik started and I reckon there were at least 200 people participating in it . At the same time there was music blaring from the speaker and it was nice to run with loud music once in a while.

While running , I saw Wendy (http://minghuey.tk/) and her friend. After that , I saw a group of them going to the road and I thought there were beginning their road run so I asked Wendy but she said that they have completed the road run and had actually started at 6 am .

I will probaby join them tmw .

Distance :13.65 km
Duration of work out :1 hr 25 min
Location :Polo Ground , Ipoh
# of times usedAsthmatic inhaler and remarks : O times used inhaler , breathing mildly unsmooth which doesn't allow me to go too fast this morning.



Evening-Run at Polo Ground with Chen

I was suppose to meet Chen at 4 30 pm , but I was late . Reason was coz i was with bro in law at THE STORE . He wanted to go there and I had to fetch him coz he and his wife ,were flying back to Medan tonite and wanted to get gifts for relatives in Medan . ( His wife is Indonesian Chinese and they met in cyberspace !!)

I bought a shirt with the brand "PRIVATE STRUCTURE" . It is I think suitable for running coz made of "Microfibres with Quickdry technology" . You won't be able to find it easily coz its in the briefs department , and not even hanged on clothes hanger !! Reason is coz "PRIVATE STRUCTURE" makes briefs and this T-shirt is an additional item . Will test it out soon to see if the Quickdry works .

By the time I arrived at Polo , Chen was at his 3rd or 4th round and also going at a fairly fast speed . I had to follow him .

Here is the lap timing :

My 1st loop: 6 min 57 sec ( 5 min 5 sec per km pace , note : That was about the fastest I went
this morning , this morning I averaged 7 min 45 sec)

2nd loop :6 min 46 sec ( 4 min 57 sec per km pace)
3rd loop : 6 min 53 sec ( 5 min 2 sec per km pace , phew , I'm relieved its slower a bit)
4th loop : 6 min 22 sec ( 4 min 39 sec per km pace, becoming faster coz for him , its
his last 2 laps)

5 loop : 8 min 35 sec ( I told him to go ahead , I'm going out of breath coz of the asthmatic
feeling today , I didn't even take my inhaler)

6th loop :8 min 49 sec ( Getting slower , 6 min 27 sec per km pace !!)
7th loop : 8 min 00 sec ( I just on some speed coz its my last lap)



Distance :9.55 km
Duration of work out :52 min 25 sec
Location :Polo Ground , Ipoh
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing very hard when I work out fast with Chen , coz before run already feeling mildly asthmatic , even this morning )

TOTAL MILEAGE FOR THIS WEEK APPROX. 66.5 KM

(17/2/07-Saturday-8 hr long "RUN"

8 am : Journey begins

"RUN" in inverted commas coz that was the time needed to travel from KL to Ipoh . From Duta toll to Rawang rest stop took 3 hours ! It was about 10 km per hour and it would have been faster to run . Imagine being trapped in a jam for 3 hours not in town but on HIGHWAY .

4.30 pm: Journey ends

By the time I arrived , already too tired to run and it was rainning heavily anyway .Moral of the story , don't travel back on reunion day !

Distance travelled :180 km
Duration of TRAVEL :8 hour ++
Location :KL to Ipoh
# of times used Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 1 times used inhaler sometime at nite

(16/2/07-Friday-Run clockwise and anticlockwise

Ran in the morning . Ran Justin's loop but with additional distance . Included the run up Planetarium and to Tanglin/MGS . It was a slow and easy run . Ran the 1st round clockwise at 47 min 30 sec and second round anti cockwise also 47 mn 30 sec approximately .

It was also quite hot with the run finishing at bout' 930 am.

Distance :14 km
Duration of work out :1 hour 35 min
Location :Lake Garden


# of times used
Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing OK

(14/2/07-Wednesday-Just cycle at gym)

Due to Valentine Day where we were to have a dinner,I decided to just go to the gym . It was good cross trainning as yesterday already ran like mad. Cycled at an average RPM of 90 and average speed about 23 km/h.


Distance :15 km ( equivalent to running just 5 km)
Duration of work out :Approx 35 min ++
Location :Gym


# of times used
Asthmatic inhaler and remarks : 0 times used inhaler , breathing OK