[Activities] Bukit Bongol, Kota Belud

Hiking has been the in thing since last year with the numbers of spots that you couldn't have imagine exist.  Kota Belud alone probably have over 30 spots to explore.  I have been to certain parts of Kota Belud, for hiking and camping (Kowatuan and Mt. Minodtuhan) but have yet to visit every single one of these places.

Recently, I'd planned a day trip with friends to the famous Bukit Bongol.  Now you must be wondering why this hill in my bucket list, it has been my bucket list since last year for hills to climb.  Not because it is challenging (the dog made it!) but how it will look like in a photo, we all know how everyone love beautiful photos 😂.  There are 10 peaks in of Bukit Bongol.  Yeap, you heard me, 10!!! Imagine multiple camel backs.

There are 3 known starting point to get there:-
via Pirasan
via Kinasaraban
via Kg. Mandap

[Activities] Arnab Village Ranau

A continuation from my previous post.  We left the camp site and proceeded to Arnab Village in Ranau.  What seems to be a short trip became long due to traffic condition heading towards Ranau.  Not too sure what happened, probably an accident?  We were stuck longer than expected (like a 25 mins trip took us more than an hour, whyyy??).  Thank god we have snacks in our car.  Almost lost it.  We had a funny live video on Facebook 😂. 

Every now and then I see a familiar location (race route, KIBBAS!!!) 

Parking spots are available around the area but a bit muddy due to rain.  Entry to the rabbit village is RM5 per person.  There's also a cat room but we didn't go check it out.  

[Activities] Polumpung Melangkap View Camp Site (PMVCS)

This year, I thought I'll get back to blogging.  I don't know how often I will write but I guess it only happens when I have good "free" internet connection and when am overflowing with ideas or when I feel like it.

Neways, recently, I'd planned for a trip for the new year's with the gang.  It's our first camping trip I reckon after few years of celebrating it at a friend's house steamboating, well not really in the wilderness but at a camp site where you don't have to worry about digging a hole everytime you gotta do your no. 2 😂.

Our destination: Polumpung Melangkap View Camp Site, Kota Belud.

It's easy to book and you also get fast reply via WhatsApp (012 871 5576/ 012 828 7376 / 016 824 6529 / 014 650 4122).  More info via their FB and IG.

How to get there?

We set off after having breakfast at Menggatal Ngiu Chap at Inanam around 9:30am and gathered at Kota Belud Town after grabbing some extra stuff that we needed.  I think it was fear of hunger that we had a lot of food especially meat options with us.

Got myself some fried chicken from Sugarbun, so tasty!  I feel like eating this again coz it's so good.

Also bought some sweet corn (this is so good, the stall is just along the road) for RM5 and watermelon for RM7.

Point of entry, parking available

Arrived the camp site around past 1:30pm.  Registered and got the stuff we had reserved prior.

Cost breakdown not inclusive the food that we brought with us.

TMBT Ultra Trail Marathon 2017 - My first 100km trail marathon

After 2 years of going haywire from the blogging world (maybe less coz I blogged for The Borneo Blog), I have decided to blog about my first 100km ultra trail marathon experience.  Initially wanted to do it via Instagram but I have reached the maximum number of characters that I had to cancel my post entirely.  I also thought blogging would be easier to backtrack just in case I wanna go back and reflect to the crazy things that I had gone though in life 😅

If am gonna start with my preparation and costings this would take awhile to finish, so am just gonna go straight to race day.  Here goes nothing.

Pre-race: 15th September 2017 (Friday)

I was definitely feeling the pressure, my condition before race day;

1. I fell on my butt the week before race day.  Actually I fell a couple of times at Bukit Padang before.  WHY?!? 😕
2. I was on and off of sickness (flu, fever, cough, sore throat) for a month or so, had hives all over my body (every time I feel heaty), was allergic to everything, on antihistamine every 3-4 days.  Had to go gluten and dairy free for few days.
3. I twisted my right ankle after my B2B training (roughly 50km total) and was still recovering.  Went to chiro to fix it, after 5 days, I started running, slowly.  Went to the sports doctor to check my legs, apparently I still have minor swelling on my right ankle (there's minor pain but that's manageable). 
4. Had issues with my lower spine few years back and still managing that 🤣 (manageable with stretch).
5. Diagnosed with plantar fasciitis on my left foot maybe a year ago (manageable with splint and stretch).
6. Had an allergy on my right eye, was off contact lens for a week.  Blurry vision everyday.

I was also on and off running for a month.  The panic OMFG!  Tried to clock in as much mileage.

Had the hardest time to sleep after I packed and checked everything.  I didn't want to take antihistamine but was itching so badly, I would wake up and rub ice all over to cool my body till it's finally time to wake up.  That's when I realized that both my eyes were swollen, popped a pill *sigh.

Race day: 16th September 2017 (Saturday)

Funny friends.  Lucu ko mond.

The early risers.

I swear I remembered that the bus transfer to the starting point leaves at 3am.  I was at Avangio around 2:10am.  So early.  I could have slept longer if I know it actually leaves at 3:30am lol.  Bummer.  Thanks Pame for getting me buns and mineral water 😘.

Photos before the the journey.

The bus left at 3:36am and I managed to get some shut eye. 

With Pame and the other 100km participants, sorry pacer 🙈

Arrived Lingkubang at slightly before 5am (that was fast) and settled the drop bag before crossing the hanging bridge (that took awhile, traffic jam).  Mind you, I had my glasses on and had to switch to contact lens.

Scanned my timing chip and stretch a bit.  That sudden moment when your back suddenly in pain 😟 maybe it's just nerves.

Group photos with group of peeps! 💜

It was so crowded and there were too many people, sorry if I didn't spot some of my friends. 

[Running] X3 Challenge - Night Run 21

Now, for starters, actually don't know what I was thinking when I registered.  Okay maybe I do and wasn't satisfied with my BIM HM timing but you know how when you run so often that whenever there's a race, you tend to register on impulse?  I think that was the case.  So I did, exactly on the closing date which was on the 7th May 2015.  Registration fee was RM100 for normal fee, cheaper for early bird.  I thought my registration didn't get through but surprisingly it did.  And I got the confirmation in an instant.  Anyways, before I forgot to mention, this race is organized by AsiaXtreme.  This particular race, the X3 Challenge is a 3 day event, with a marathon (in this case, a half marathon) on the first day, a duathlon on the second day and triathlon on the third day.  Mind you, I have been getting some bad reviews about race organized by this organizer but I am still optimistic.  You won't know unless you experience it right?

Training was as usual, but instead of hiking, I would just run loops at Bukit Padang.  But I'm not always in a good condition to run.  My back pain occasionally will come back to taunt me.  I also thought I would just do long runs one the weekends but my car decides to fail on me a couple of times.  In this case, 3 times.  So, even if I did manage to run, I still think it's not a good enough training. 

[Review] Fitbit Charge HR

I had a lot of stuff to blog about but never did.  Procrastinating.  Today decided to blog about Fitbit Charge HR.  I don't recall as a kid that I have sleeping problem but I know for a fact that during school days, mum would come into my room and have the most high pitch voice you could imagine, telling us to wake up.  I'm experiencing childhood trauma, it's like I'm in this black hole loop.  Exaggerate!  But you get my point.  I didn't care about how many hours I would sleep in a day but I never have noon naps.  As I grew older, not sleeping becomes a habit (gamer's problem, you just can't get your hands off the keyboard or mouse), soon it became a problem.  I barely get enough sleep these days, I would blame it on age.  *chuckled.

So while I was trying to find a fix for this problem of mine, I went to see a doctor to seek medical help.  I was given sleeping pills but I stop taking em after few tries cause I didn't like how it made me feel in the mornings and just sleep whenever I could.  Brain too active maybe?  Neways, to cut story short, and Internet being your best friend, I went and research about gadgets/apps that could get me to track my sleeping patterns.  That's how I first came about Fitbit.  I know it was founded in 2007 but I wasn't sure when came to know about it.  I was sad cause Fitbit wasn't available in Malaysia then.  It was then known for tracking your steps, like a pedometer.  Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm recalling by memory, and it's somewhat vague at this moment.  Now you might think that you could just use that traditional pedometer that you hold and press as you walk.  That thing tires the thumb.  Few years later, I came to use this phone app called SleepBot.  It was good at first, but once they updated it, I got irritated with the updates and removed it.

[Activities] Padas River White Water Rafting via Tenom, Sabah

How long has it been?  *brushes off dust and spiderwebs.

The thoughts of blogging is always there but I can never take the time to sit in front of the computer (I actually could) and type it out (and my nails are so long that typing on a keyboard is a bit slow, ain't gonna sthap meh).  Actually, I was busy (yes I'm making excuses, I have so many japanese words to memorize.).  On a happier note, I am somewhat fully recovered from my back injury and got another injury after that (will blog about it next time).  This time, I'll be blogging about the above mentioned title hee~.  I'll try to summarize this post.

One of my bucket list.  Now mind you, I used to be the type that's always scared of everything.  Every time I wanna try something new, I would over think (like over 9000 *exaggerate.  It's usually more than 10 times repeated in a loop.).  This time around, I've decided to just DO IT!  I'm not getting younger, though I look kinda young (*vomits).  I was contemplating joining this trip cause I haven't been swimming and I'm scared that I might drown.  Mind you, this is my first time.  I never even been to the one at Kiulu.  Grade III - IV for Padas River Water Rafting while Kiulu is Grade II, correct me if I'm wrong.  One day when we went for our weekend run, my pacer brought up the topic and somehow a decision was made.  The friend who organize the trip was running with us at that moment.  I would make a note in the future not to respond to people when running *sweats.

[Running] Tiens Health Charity Run 10km 2014

Initially I thought I was gonna be on a complete standstill with running after the Hasuu Tasu 28km Trail Run last August.  This is due to the injury I had since last Feb this year which after misc checking and scanning at the hospital, they finally found the source of my injury.  I have a minor tear at my back, both my lower disc are drained according to the MRI.  May need operation but since I am somewhat on the road to recovery (from the testimonial and treatment I am getting at the hospital), I am somewhat okay, as long as my nerves do not touch certain area on my back and as long as I do not feel any numbness around my legs or hips, I am good.  I should ease up on the running but as per doctor advice, I could run a slower pace, gradually increase my speed with some core strengthening exercise.  I have been on a lighter running regime, 5-7km 3-4 times a week depending on my mood and how I feel on a certain day.  Somehow this injury makes me cranky, frustrated and depressed on certain days and I tend to shut down from everything and just sleep on occasion.

No worries, as long as I do not overdo workout or over push during runs, I am okay. 

But...being me, I cannot help myself.  I love to run.  So, last September, I went and register for Tiens Health Charity Run.  10km only mar.  No biggie.  And you think I would just do an easy run/walk?  Here's the thing about me.  I hate walking.  Walking drives me nuts on a training day.  Not unless it's a walk in the city that I never been, that's a different story.  But yeah.  In an event/race, I would run, unless I can't lift my leg, then that's a different story.  Registration for early bird for this event was RM35 but since I paid via PayPal, my card got charge at almost RM40 lol!  So you thought I would just light jog my way till the finishing line.  Nope, I actually have a target to PB my previous record which is at 58 mins for 10km.  Trained 4 times a week and all I feel is sore and pain on my back.  Only when I run below 6 mins pace for too long, my back starts to act up.  I know for a fact that I could not break my PB but I just have to wing it during the day of the event hee~

[Review] ash be nimble Sports Apparel

Beverly been telling me about this for the longest time.  I have been in and out of the online store every now and then and I finally made my purchase early August 2014.  Okay maybe it got something to do with her birthday wishlist.

Thought I would get her something from there.  So I did, made my first purchase few days after reading her blog post.  Initially, I was gonna get her the Jungle Print Short but I somewhat wanted the same thing so decided to get it for myself first *chuckled.  Bad Massy bad!

So before I get into detail about the product, lets get to know them for a bit.

[Running] Sutera Harbour 7k Charity Sunset Run 2014

This post is long overdue.

I have been running this charity run since 2010 and just like any year, as soon as they are open for registration, I quickly go register, not sure why I am excited all the time.  Registration was at Marina Sutera Harbour the reception counter, you can't miss it.

Eventhough it's short distance and crowded, I don't mind running it.  Support for charity.  Registration fee for adult is RM30 and for students is RM20.  I remembered the first time I went was with my brother.  This year's shirt has a better fitting compared to the previous years. Yay!

Asics Onitsuka Tiger Footwear

Lets talk about shoes!!!

Onitsuka Tiger is one of the oldest shoe companies in Japan, tracing its history back to the formation of Onitsuka Co. Ltd. in 1949 when the 32 year old former military officer, Kihachiro Onitsuka started his company with the hopes of raising postwar youth self-esteem through athletics. - Source: Wikipedia.

Onitsuka Tiger is a footwear brand which offers a wide range of sneakers for man and woman of all ages with amazing stylish designs.  Shoes have been created for football, running, martial arts, basketball, cheerleading, volleyball, cross-training, track and field, wrestling, golf, cricket, fencing and tennis.  Many use for parkour too it seems.

[Review] Mi Power Bank10400mAh

The recent hooha for powerbanks, Mi Power Bank.  I know I suppose to blog this earlier like way earlier since the time I got it but I totally forgot about it till today.  But then again, I'd probably need to test it for a bit before I could actually write a review.  So here goes. 

Who would want to miss a RM36 offer for a 10400mAh powerbank? Heck!  My previous powerbank with lower capacity cost me almost RM50 and it works like crap.  In a way.  After awhile actually.  I did some research in the type of powerbank, I was actually interested in a friend's powerbank (can't remember the brand/model) but I couldn't find it.  Somehow this caught my attention and decided to give it a go.  Mind you, I occasionally doubt it cause I wasn't familiar with the brand.

Colourcoil Hasuu Tasuu 2014

Now, if you have been following my blog or you probably know me IRL (in real life), you would probably know me as a runner but all these years, I have always been a road runner.  I had that occasional hiking session with group of runners/friends in the past but never in my million years (exaggerate) would I ever register to run a race that involves trails.  Heck, for the past say 30 over years of my life, my first Mount Kinabalu climb was 2 years ago.  Even if I go Bukit Padang for hiking, I'd probably was doing that to prepare myself for Mount Kinabalu climb or just for fun.

I had this conversation with my running buddy last year, if I could remember correctly, if this did happen? (vaguely remembers) that, if, he runs/completed a full marathon, I would run trails for the first time.  I mean I had always wanted to do it but if I have doubts in my ability, I'd just drop the whole idea.  So, on 1st November of last year (2013), I registered myself to run the Hasuu Tasu 28km trail run (short for HTTR).  And of course in 2014, I was back on running full marathons, had my usual runkeeper training plan and injured while training (mentioned in earlier post).

If you ever decided to join next year, here's the info.: Sabah Adventure Challenge, here and be prepared for it! (I'm serious).

[Review] Kraftfit compression wear

I never like wearing long tights/pants (this coming from somebody who always wear long baggy pants and shirts years ago).  Ever since I started the whole exercise regime (running mostly) and lost a lot of weight, I always opt for short pants, running or casual. 

But since I venture trail running, I have gotten myself an Asics compression tights (if I remember correctly, Rizwan is making me doubting what I bought) from Spotaka, Osaka, Japan last January.  I've used this for road and trail running before but I felt like my abdomen is compressed, so tightly that it's a bit hard to breathe.

Here I was again, researching for the right compression.  Options were 2XU and Skins, but these are so expensive.  I was browsing through 2ndskin and stumbled upon this.

[Marathon] Sundown Marathon Singapore 2014 (Part 2)

It took me a week to write about part 2.  Sorry about that, I was down with sickness and was in a limbo for a week or so, I'm still in a limbo, I'm not sure if it's the strong medicine or the weather keeps making me fall asleep.  Or I might just need my tea fix?  Either one of that.

Back to where I left it off at part 1.  

Day 3 - Sundown Marathon Singapore 2014.

I actually have a vague memory to what I did in the morning, but thankfully I was referring back to my photos and could at least refresh a bit of my memory.  A sign of old age I suppose.  NO!  I refuse! I'm blaming the strong medicine!

I'm typing this post while listening to Seven Lions new EP - Worlds Apart.

[Marathon] Sundown Marathon Singapore 2014 (Part 1)

I think I better start somewhere before I procrastinate.  Blog it when it's fresh (in this case not so fresh cause I'm still down with the combo sickness and on meds, so I'm quite distracted.  Gonna try to go with it as I type).

Photos are taken with Sony Xperia Z2 (I'll slot in some reviews about the phone).  I brought along my point and shoot camera but did not use it at all! RAWR! Some are from Rizwan and Pammie (Iphone users).

Day 1 - Arriving Singapore!

I had an early brunch, flight at 2pm but I was hungry.  So I had custard smiley donuts from Dunkin Donuts!  2 of it!  Initially I wanted just 1 but you're not allowed to buy just 1, so got 2 and ate both dammit.

[Activities] Coral Flyer Zipline - The Worlds Longest Island to Island Zipline

Ever since I saw Jaco's post about Kota Kinabalu Coral Flyer between island on G+, I have been wanting to go.  It was open for public on 10th May 2014.  I was ecstatic!  Well, I initially wanted to go try Zip Borneo at Kiulu but no friends to go with.  I have organized misc events for my group of friends but sometimes it's just not gonna happen.  Just like trying out indoor climbing.  Mind you, if you knew me then (when my self confidence is below zero), I'm the type of person who is afraid of heights and it would take me more than 10x the amount of thinking which leads to doubts which in the end I won't do it.  I'm have and still is making changes with my life this year by trying out new things (more like clearing off some bucket list) so totally feeling it!

Thanks to Beverly for "pulling some strings" and arrange for everyone to go.  Excited and nervous at the same time.  There's over 10 people, 14 to be exact, who's on this trip, including myself.  Excited cause it's my first time ziplining, nervous probably cause I'm always nervous around strangers lol.  But that's just me.  I probably know a handful of people (or not?) who's going.  Slept at almost midnight, set my alarm to 4:30am (I think I got used to waking up at 4am on a Sunday morning, that I automatically woke up at that hour, I think I actually woke up at 3am and tried to sleep back till 5:30am).  Double check some of my stuff and off to Jesselton Point jetty to meet up with everyone.

[Activities] Sabah Indoor Climbing Centre

I can't remember the amount of times Beverly drag me to try indoor climbing.  She wasn't the only one.  It's been years and she never gave up.  I always wanted to go try at least once.  I used to jog at Likas Complex Jogging Track and I WILL pass this area but, one of the reason I didn't do it the last time is cause I was shy.  I mean seriously, I would want to drag some friends with me if I could.  I had some plans to go with some peeps but they couldn't make it and plans always just turns out to be just plans.  I'm also afraid of heights and I overthink to the state of doubting.  This time around, when Bev asked me again, I was determined to go, even if I end up going alone.  Thankfully, my awesome sis tagged along.  Mind you, my sis is quite big in size and I've been trying to make eat healthy and exercise.  I was also doubting her abilities.

Just in case, for those who aren't familiar with the location of this indoor climbing centre.  Here's a map.

[Event + Food] BunyiGuitar x:po @ Sabah Art Gallery + Kung Fu La Mian + Jing-Si Book & Cafe

I'd planned to do an easy run this morning but I got lazy from the lack of sleep.  I also initially planned to go for a swim but I don't want to go alone since I never been to that pool before.  I went to meet up a friend's newborn last nite after my yoga class and got back quite late, lets just say I end up sleeping at 1am again.  Planned to check out a guitar exhibition at Sabah Art Gallery today.  BunyiGitar x:po.

See, whenever I attend an event, I'm usually curious or I wanted to check out something cool to blog about.  I almost don't have anything to blog about, well I do but I prefer not to do backdated post unless people request me to, but I prefer not cause memory tend to fail, I'll end up missing out details hee~ Best to blog when memory still fresh!  Like this post hee~  Check out BunyiGitar x:po event page, here.  In this case, I sort of got attracted with these:

[Running] Borneo International Marathon 2014

Most anticipated race in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah held annually around early May.  Just cause here, in KK, there's not much running events.  I find myself registering whenever registration announced.  This year, I've decided to get back to Full Marathon again.  I've set up for a 6 months runkeeper training program for "Beginner marathon to finish" (just in case you're wondering, here's a link to runkeeper).  Not a beginner but I don't think I can even run 42km for 5 hours, yet.  I haven't stop running since last year's final race which was the BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon which was held around October last year.  I should have blogged about it cause I PB (personal best) my Half Marathon and it was fun!  Like never a dull moment fun!  I'll leave that for another time.

Vague memory is vague, I think I started my actually training program with Pammie and Rizwan in December 2013? Everything was good till I overdid my training (too much hill training or run too fast or running downhill like a madwoman or did not rest enough, either one of these is the culprit) and got injured real bad around end of February.  I didn't know what was going on for a month.  Off running till I feel no pain.  Went to full body massage twice thinking that I might pulled a nerve and tried fixing it, nope, I was still walking funny.  Went to the doctor and was on nerve and painkillers for 3 weeks or so (meds make me wake up cranky and depressed *hates).  Went for physio at Sport Care Plus at Likas twice and went for a 10km test run (easy pace) the next day.  Mind you, I was still sort of working out by walking or hiking (my so called low impact exercise is not low impact at all *chuckled).  I constantly get scolded by close friends for being stubborn.  I think some of my friends know me too well.  But you can't put a leash on a mule (or whatever or however the saying goes lols, I have no idea what I'm trying to relate this sentence to ehehe).  Nope that ain't it either.  I actually couldn't pin-point the source of the pain for so long that finally in the end, a runner friend arranged for an x-ray at the Hospital.  I had my hip, pelvic, groin and spine x-rayed.  Finally, found out the cause of my problem.