Slow 5 km run - //edited 140607//

It has been nearly a month since I last went on my favourite tread mill. I was motivated initially to do a 60 minute run. However, I felt tired after 20 minutes. My thighs started to tighten so I had to stop a couple of times to strech my legs. I did the same pre-warm up streches and '5 minute' warm up walk before I started my run. I guess I am abit our of shape to do a long run. I have not neglected my runs. Before he wedding I normally do a 3 km run in the afternoon and on somedays I do two 3 km runs - once in the morning and once in the afternoon. I also managed to do a 4 km run at the gym at Royal Plaza on Scotts on my honeymoon.

I did the above run in the morning after sending my wife off to work. I was unsatisfied with my run and did another run in the afternoon. The Wifey went for brisk walking with her bst friend 'Juice' and I went for a quick run. A 3.6 km run in 20'56" minutes. It was my first time to run in the route below. I passed the 'Gurkha barracks' and the Edinbrugh Palace. I had thought of running up to the MOF building but I did not really want to push myself on the first day. I might injure myself.

Overall, after my run I felt very satisfied. I gained one kilo on my honeymoon and I am freaking out already. I know I should not but I cannot help it. *Sigh* I almost forgot, I ran wearing my new Megabounce. It was very comfortable. Thanks to Adidarwish for recommending me the shoes. It is worth every cent.

I love the 'Rain'

Today's weather forecast in the morning had indicated scattered showers in the morning and thunderstorms developing over inland areas in the afternoon. Well basically the forecast for today was nearly accurate.

It rained today - Alhamdulillah - It has been scorching hot the past couple of days and a cool day was definitely pleasing for many. Initially I had planned to go up the MoF Route but since the weather was not on my side I opted for another route.

I started at 'Her's' office and made my way around the main road and back to the office. Roughly the route is about 3 km as you may view above and I did it in 20 minutes - give or take - because I forgot to wear my watch and my only indicator was the number of songs I had listened to during my short run 'in the rain'.

Her's was not please because I am just about to get better from my 'bug' and now I am running in the rain. [Sorry Love - I just had to do a quick run]

Coming soon - Personal tips on how to lose weight. I am sure other people have managed to lose more weight then myself in a span of three months but to me I have achieved something which I deemed impossible. But I am now a product of my own creation and I am happy with what I have achieved.

iPhone Advert + ' Open Casino Royale' - Brunei Version

A TV advert which will help you decide whether the iPhone is for you. After seeing this I really, really, really, really, really want it. I want my iPhone!!! *LoL*




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As I posted last night I had done a 4.5 km run with a time of 40 mins.

Today I did not increase my speed but went on a constant 7.0 - 8.0 and managed to do my 5 km at 45 mins on the dot. I did not stop there, I carried on and my aim was to run for 60 mins. By the 55th min I started to feel a bit tired but I pushed myself.

I increased my speed to from 7.5 - 8.5 and lowered it back to 7.5 after 58 mins. I pressed cool down on the 60th min and I had reached 6.67 km. After cooling down I was just short 0.03 to reach 7 km.

Tomorrow I will try to reach 7 km. My aim is to run as fast as I can for 6 km. With proper training and sticking to a routine I think that is possible. First step is to feel comfortable at a certain speed. I reckon I will try to increase my speed by next week. I will be taking Saturday off and 'maybe' Sunday. If my Fiance has nothing planned for us, I will be 'Gym-ing'.

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Did anyone see the news last night? RTB news? There was footage of the 'OPEN CASINO' in Tutong. No fancy casino games though like the Russian Roulette or Poker tables or even slot machines but from the look of it, business was booming.

The one thing that still puzzles me is how cruel can one be to have their 'Chickens' fight other 'Chickens'? What happened to protecting animals against 'Cruelty'? Cock fights? I pity the 'Cocks' hehehehe.

The RTB news crew also managed to take footage of the 'illegal drinks' being consumed and the assortment of cars of the 'gamblers'. There was even a bus. Does that mean that the 'OPEN CASINO' is a local 'attraction'?? Can anyone fill me in on this? Hehehehehe.

I bet you, if I had a million dollar, that the 'OPEN CASINO' will be back in operation 'TODAY'!! Any takers? I am sure the operator of the 'OPEN CASINO' will pay his/her fine of B$50,000 for operating the place. I mean its 'only' B$50,000. I think the fine should be raised and slap in on to the next offender because if no action is taken, the possibity of 'businesses' like this will pop up like mushrooms.

Running - Tribute to Him & Him

First I would like to make a SoulKonekShen Tribute to Two local Bloggers who blog about their 'Runs'. I have started running since last year. After making a promise to myself to shed the 'unwanted' pounds, I started looking after my food and drink and also making myself a running routine.

I am grateful to have come across Mr RezaFaizal [Link Here] and Mr Adidarwish [Link Here].

They both provide if not extensive and informative workout routines as well as educating others about a healthy diet. They also provide tips for beginners and I think its very useful if you are just about to start running.

This is the first time in 2 years since I have started to go back to the gym and I usually go for my runs at the Stadium . My favourite route is - I start from the Indoor stadium, make my way to the Commonwealth Drive and up the MOF road, pass the MOF building and out to the main road and downhill to the 4 way junction and turn left to go to the stadium (the road that passes the Islamic Dakwah Centre) and back to the Indoor Stadium. My best recorded time was 18 minutes flat.

I am fortunate to have a friend who is a 'work-out freak' and I mean it in a good way. He is a person who knows his body very well, in a year he can build up his physique like body builder and lose it in the same year. Its like a hobby for him. He knows exactly what to eat and he usually prepares his own meals. He has been doing this for a couple of years already and lucky for him his brothers are also into body building so he has people he can go to the gym with. I remembered when I was trining with him, I wanted to cry so badly because he pushed me and friend to the max but it was worth it. But silly me I gained back, but that was 2 years ago.

Last year I made a remarkable achievement by my standards and I want to try and lose some more before my 'BIG' day. Want to look good for the cameras you know. Hahahahahaha.

Today was my second day at the Gym and I did a 4.5 Km run for 40 minutes. I can't quite recall how I started and all but tomorrow I want to better it and follow Adidarwish's 5Km runs. Hope I can do it. For the past couple of days I have been running at a pace of 8.0 kmph but I feel like I could up the speed. So tomorrow I will try it out as I will head to the Gym a bit early as I have a Futsal match at half past 4. I won't push myself too hard or as Adidarwish mentions 'asking for an injury'.

Hope I can do it! If I can't I will not lose hope, remember, there is always the next day. Ciao Peeps.

Two Double 'O' Seven

Greetings,

2nd Day of 2007 and what a year it has been.

I started this blog in July of last year and this post will be my 71st blog and 1st for 2007.

So as I had assumed many had blogged about 2006 and new year resolutions. Now I want to join the band wagon.

At the start of the year I had set out to first and for most, stop smoking. By the first week of January I had finished my last pack of Dunhill Lights and that was it. I have no addiction to it and smoke-free.

My friends have asked me how I did it? Did I use a nicotine patch? What was my motivation? My only answer I did it for me. I was concerned for myself since I was not in the best of shape and before I start losing weight I must stop smoking. Also I did it so I do not have to lie to my fiance anymore. I have hurt her so much in the past and this was one sacrifice I was willing to give up to prove to her that she means the world to me.

Mission one accomplished and next was to start a fitness program and a diet program. I did a lot of reading online about 'You are what You eat' and I believe in this notion. One does not necessarily have to 'STOP' eating entirely to lose those excess weight. I watched what I ate and I disciplined myself to not eat after 8 p.m. and if that was not possible after 9 p.m. was also alright.

I also looked after the portion size and what I eat. I try to keep it not oily, less sugar and less salt as possible that I usually end up making my own food. I rarely ate out and only when my fiance needs company. Even then we tried to avoid fastfood as much as possible and she has been so supportive.

For fitness, I started jogging at the stadium. I took simple routes and I am greatful to my friends the Cutlery's - Sudu and Garfu - for initiating that jog one afternoon with My Boo and Me. That was the turning point, that was when I started to jog by myself every afternoon and usually only take a break on sundays. At times my fiance would accompany and sometime I would jog alone and sometimes I would jog with my fiance and our friends.

I did so many routes around the stadium and one of my fave route was starting from the indoor stadium and into the commonwealth drive and up the MOF road and out to the main road and into the road going back to the stadium passing the Dakwah centre and back to the indoor staium. I reckon the distance must have been about 3 kms and my best time was 18 mins.

Sometimes I would even jog by myself and go another round with my fiance. I had never felt so fit in my life. Other than jog, my circle of close friends started a weekly badminton outing and I am usually responsible to organise futsal game at my school.

I did not realize I was losing weight until my work clothes started to feel loose and my trousers were loose. I tried my old clothes from college and it fit. I am proud to announce I have managed to go down from a 44 to a 37. I still have a long way to go but I am even more determined to lose more weight this year. My New Year's resolution is the same as last year. Try to shed some more weight and look good for my 'wedding' pictures as I had mentioned in my last blog.*smiles* Here is a link to help anyone who is serious about losing some weight.

Also for me this year is to wed my fiance and build us a family. I am ready to step up the plate and prove my worth to her as a husband and her bestfriend.

Another resolution that I hope to achieve is to improve on my golf. After the wedding I will consider taking pro lessons and my handicap. I know Mr R&al has mentioned of a possible league format starting February and we will just have to see about it. I have only been driving these past two weeks and I have yet to get my swing back. This happens when you don't touch your clubs for more than a week and I did not touch mine for nearly 4 weeks. And not that I was any good but I could get the ball to go a distance.

I wish I could highlight the best moments of 2006 from January onwards but silly me did not even bother to keep note but lets try.

January 2006: Double Birthday surprise for my fiance. One at her place with her family and one with her friends the next day at CB Gadong.

February 2006: National Day celebration at Bandar and sang for my best bud at work at Yayasan if front of the other participants of the National day since his birthday was on the National Day.

March 2006:

April 2006:

May 2006: Flew to the Bahamas to attend the Commenwealth Youth Ministers Meeting with the delegation headed by the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports himself. I stayed 'The Dorcehester' and I watched the 'Da Vinci Code' in London.

June 2006:

July 2006:

August 2006:

Sept 2006:

October 2006: Right before puasa, On the day of the sighting of the moon, Mr R&al invite me to join a small garden course tourney and I managed to get 4th place for nett score. *smiles*

November 2006:

December 2006: KK Vacation with my Family and my Fiance's family and I went snorkelling for the first time.

I will edit when things come rushing back to my head.

So I should end here but congrats to the Brunei lady bloggers for the Ladies nite out. RA.com mentioned that shutterbugs would make up the boys nite out but don't cancel me out if the guys decide to have one. I ain't a shutterbug but I sure would love to join. So when will it take place? *wishful thinking*

So may 2007 bring you more joyful moments and all to best to everything.