Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia ROADSHOW

Run and Charity

I've not been running since Bulan Puasa. And since then, I’ve been running mostly on charity organized run.

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The first one was organized by Sky Adventure Club of Taylor's University College; in support for PAWS Malaysia. I like dogs… I’ll even crawl for them. It was an 8km run at Taman Tasik Permaisuri. My first time running in that place, only heard about that place by Natalie Ng – the so called permaisuri runner.

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Photo taken from 'Pause and Smile'

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Tomorrow will be another charity run. The much publicised Terry Fox run. The purpose? To raise funds for Cancer research. I’ve heard of Mr. Terry Fox before when I was a kid. A great man… ran with only one leg and a right prostatic leg. His dead already and people are still running in his name – a hero? More than that – a legend.

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It makes me wonder. The act of running can inspire people and even create a movement like this Terry Fox Run. I think... it is because people know that the act of running involves pain. And people react to that. People will automatically cheer for you when you are running (even if you are slow). And it is that pain that runner choose to endure that creates such catharsis towards people who are watching it. Watching people running is like watching a stage drama - audience react to it - they sympathise with the runner of the pain they are going through. But most importantly, the painful runner commands respect. And people remember such figures.

We'll miss you Yasmin Ahmad.

Got the news from Lay Hoon; "Yasmin Ahmad is dead". I was shocked.
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I read about it that Yasmin was admitted into the ICU and I was praying and hoping she'll received a speedy recovery. There’s always this thought in my mind that good people will only die at old age. So, her death came as a shock to me.

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Never met her before in person, but I followed greatly on her works. My thesis was on her movie “Sepet”. I’ve watched it over and over again to analyse the characters the subject matter of the movie. Like Literature, her film too allows freedom of interpretation and rich in literary symbolism which makes audience think and reflect upon their society, nation and especially their own self.

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After receiving that devastating news, I watched “Sepet” again this morning. It was emotionally overwhelming this time… knowing that the works of Yasmin Ahmad had touched the heart and soul of my generation in Malaysia, and hopefully will inspire more filmmakers to be like her; to carry on the torch of hope for a better Malaysia.

Thank you Yasmin Ahmad, Malaysia will miss you. You will be remembered forever.

Working out with 2 Dumbbells

After hearing training testimonies from other runners in Team Miracle Milers, I'm very convinced that I cannot improve further by just doing my runs outdoors.

I guess it makes good sense that in order for me to run in a constant speed and faster in 10k races, I need to also train my upper body. A good and strong posture will help my running.

Using an analogy of a F1 Car; Jenson Button cannot solely depends on Brawns-Mercedes engine alone. He also need to depend on a good F1 car body: spoilers and wings which creates aerodynamic effect... :-)

That is why proper training to shape my body like an F1 car is necessary to enable me to have that aerodynamic human speed.

Danny Chan, a miracle miler, is one member that i know who set aside weekends for shaping his body to become a F1 car. At least an hour for each workout... I personally notice his improvement and believe in his training method.

So what I did was to youtubed some videos on how to work out with two dumbbells (4kg each):

1. Dumbbell Rotation Exercises




2. Dumbbell Floor Press Exercises




3. Dumbbell Lunge Exercises (killer)




4. Dumbbell Lunge Press (My Fav)




I tried doing all this in 1hour... and Danny, you're right. It's better doing this in front of the TV; to take my mind away from the pain.