Season 7, Episode 7: Rollercoaster week

" Everybody wants to, look into the mirror,
And feel a little better now. "

Phew... This week had been tough. Real tough. Coming back from the short mid-sem break, i was slammed with three tests. And the tests showed no mercy on me- it was tricky, cruel, challenging, and when i stepped into the hall for the tests, i was overcame with nervousness and on-and-off, my mind went blank. I made mistakes where i knew the correct answers- that aches. And reflecting back, all i can hope for is the best possible after the much effort i poured into studying for the tests. Whatever the outcome may be, though with a tinge of regret, i have to accept it as i did my best and move forward.

" And everybody wants to, know there's someone out there,
Waiting for you to come around. "

And that's not including the other factors that stresses me lately. There are group projects piling up along with the other pending tasks. I feel really pressured at this moment of time and yes, i need a getaway. It surely has been a rollercoaster week for me. I am supposed to feel relief now that the week's ending, but i don't feel any slight sense of satisfaction. I pray for the best.

" And i wish that, you could feel it,
But you don't choose, to believe it,
Cause i know that, you can't see it that way, that way. "

Moving on to something more cheerful- and am writing this with a great sense of nostalgia, the mid-sem break was great. Perhaps it was the post-holidays mood that affected me too. Anyway, two of my friends, YH and Steward came down to KL for the mid-sem break and i was the tour guide for this little tour around the city. I always enjoy tourism and probably i can start a mini project on food and tourism during my long semester break.

This two-day tour began after picking up Steward from the train station and we headed to the KL Bird Park. It has been ages since i last entered the park. I was pleased with the visit to the park. It is well maintained, and the free flight aviary makes it all the more exciting. The birds are within our touch and when they flew, i just thought they might hit us. We can feel the wind from its flapping.

The hawk perches on my arm!

At the entrance of the Bird Park. We stayed until the Bird Show at 12.30pm.

From KL, we moved to Sri Rampai area for lunch and after lunch, we headed to the Royal Selangor Pewter factory. I always like going there.

The tour was short and after trying our hands on the work an employee does, we reached the end of the tour. There are pewter items sold too. Pricey but worth the price.

The popular mug- anyone who comes here will take a photo with this.

After the pewter visit, we went to Batu Caves. It was the final stop for the day and after dinner and supper, it was a night well rested.

Morning the next day was a hiking trip. It is satisfying to reach the top and enjoy the scenic view of the 'lake' and city- though there was haze (not blogging further on that) at that time.

Breakfast after a hike up, then washed up and prepared for Yong Tau Foo lunch. Another highlight of the trip, Transformers Dark of the Moon in 3D!

In Pavilion. i enjoyed the movie, especially because of the ending action scenes. Really tied the story up nicely. More review on my movie blog.

Waiting for the movie to begin.

In short, the trip was memorable and enjoyed til the last bit. I hope for another retreat soon, to calm myself down and make sure i get back on the horse fast enough, before it leaves me behind.

" If you could only just stop, stop, stop running,
If you could only take a second to breathe in,
Everything that you know would be beautiful, like you. " - Beautiful Like You, Lee Dewyze

wc11 is pressurized this rollercoaster week and experiences unstable emotion!

Season 7, Episode 6: Run this Ipoh International Run 2011.

" Runners just do it- they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first." - Author unknown

This weekend was a weekend of many firsts. It began with the signing up in the Group D category of the recent Ipoh International Run 2011. It was Thursday, the same day my friends and i cooked breakfast together for the first time, and the last day of online registration. A most impromptu decision to go Ipoh that night and woke up the next day early for a meeting with ETP supervisor. I had never participated in any of such runs. Joining this 10 km distance to complete within 80 minutes was a goal i set for myself, initially.

But i had no proper training before and only left a few days to boost my stamina. I had a previous injury on my leg and after the first training, i could feel the pain pressing. Needless to say, i felt my goal turning elusive and far-fetched. So, i decided that i would complete it in whatever time possible. Training continued for the next day (Friday) and that's when i can really feel the pain as i ran. Feeling demotivated at the leg, spirited at the heart. The last day (Saturday), we had swimming instead- in hopes that i don't overexert pressure on my leg. The day finally arrived. We woke up as early as 4 am to prepare for the run and the bus transport to the venue.

Waiting patiently for the bus to leave uni. The first time i woke up this early in my uni life.

Had breakfast in room and arrived the venue- Stadium Indera Mulia nearly after six. We moved to our registration booth for final check-in before we stretched our legs and do little warm ups- our stomachs began to challenge the resist. Kept our bags and prepared for the run, we were later moved to the starting point at seven and cheered together with the rest of thousands of participants to ignite the spirit. Like a new year's countdown, we counted down to one and the gun was fired. My 10 km run kicked off!

The starting line. Ready.


It was challenging. Tiring. Exhausting.

Run.

Then walk.

To run again.

When i saw the distance markers, as seen here is 7km, i was motivated. I looked to my watch, with 3 more kms to go and i still have enough time to finish before 80 mins, i pushed myself so hard that i forgo the thoughts of pain in my leg and my thinning stamina.

I could see the finishing line and my heart raced and my spirit burned! I knew i could do it!

A little bit more. Don't give up! Ran in the D lane to the end!

I finished the 10km run within the 80 minutes. And i was genuinely thrilled; brimming with smiles worn over my wearied face, and felt pure satisfaction. I achieved my goal!

Queuing up for the Milo and 100 Plus. It's all about mind over body in the end. If you put your mind in it, against all odds, you can emerge triumphant. Set the mind to strength.

Completing the run, i now feel like i have become a different person with another whole new perspective. I have never really fought with myself, this hard this long, for a long long time. Aside from academics, i forgot how it felt like to push myself. And this pushed me to my limit. I kept on moving; never stopped to catch a breath, never stopped to rest. To run with a crowd, beside friends, is a different feeling. People of all ages ran next to me: small kids, school students, seasoned runners and senior citizens; and people of all sizes. It was inspiring, to see what inspired them and in return, inspired me to complete the run.

I came back to uni with a greater sense of achievement and despite the aching legs and body, it was a truly memorable experience; one i will never forget.

wc11 keeps on running, and running, and running...

Holding the certificate of completion in front of the finishing line. This kicks start the training and spirit to my Mount Kinabalu climb in the future.

" If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward. " - Martin Luther King Jr.