Friday, April 29, 2016

SCKLM Closes Registration with 35,000 Runners Signed Up

Despite two hazy hits in the past two years and a date change thanks to certain Minister last year, SCKLM still stands as the run to join each year in Malaysia, drawing in participants local and international.

Race owner and organiser of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2016 (SCKLM), Dirigo Events announced that all 35,000 slots for the 2016 edition of Standard Chartered KL Marathon has been taken up. This will be SCKLM’s eighth edition and is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 7th August at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Burnt Ramen at Gogyo Ramen, Kyoto

It isn't very often that a meal with the word 'burnt' in front of  it can turn out well. However Japan being Japan, of course someone figured out how to make it deliciously scrumptious. A little hidden jem in Kyoto, Gyoto Ramen near the Nishiki market serves up very delicious, burnt-flavoured ramen. Having read up reviews on it, I made it a point to visit it on my trip to Kyoto recently.

My sister and I got to the restaurant just before noon and were lucky that there wasn't a queue. We were shown to our table within the posh stylish restaurant with a zen garden in the middle and its backyard. If you're lucky, sometimes the bar seating are available, permitting you to witness for yourself the chefs at work as they set ablaze their signature ramen dish. 

Monday, April 25, 2016

Under Armour Test of Will Malaysian Heat Results

The Malaysian Heat of the Under Armour Test of Will took off with a flying start with many participants heading to Sunway Pyramid over the weekend recently to compete in the challenge for a chance to be Under Armour's Brand Ambassador. The top two males and females from Malaysia will be joined by the top athletes from Philipines, Singapore and Thailand in the finale event in Singapore.

The finalists will be competing for an Under Armour sponsorship package for 12 months. In addition, the winners in the male and female categories will be featured in leading health and fitness magazines Men’s Health Singapore and SHAPE Singapore. And who knows what other opportunities will come their way from this? 

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Nike We Run KL 2016 21k: Flat and Orange

The Nike We Run KL series has always had their ups and downs, having started out as a 10km run, before increasing to a half marathon distance and then with the age-based price difference. In 2015, Nike kicked off 21km as its one and only category and despite the increased distance, registration still sold out like hot cakes. The route of the run ended up forming the iconic swoosh of the brand which was pretty cool.

A year two months later, the second-edition of the 21km Nike We Run KL race flagged off over 8,000 runners along Brickfields and one of those runners was me. After MHWH's disasterous 21km outcome the previous week where I suffered hangover-like symptoms during and after the run, I wasn't taking any chances with my race this time. I loaded up on 3 energy gels, filled my water bottles with electrolyte tablets for cramp prevention and pulled on my compression pants.

Monday, April 18, 2016

The World's First Martial Arts themed Race - Dragon Run@Genting Highlands


Ok, you won't get your butt handed to you like Po but are you ready to be a dragon warrior? If obstacle races like Viper Challenge and Spartan Race scares the bejeebers out of you but still piques your curiosity, then the Dragon Run is right up your alley!

Get set for the world’s first martial arts inflatable obstacle race Dragon Run that will make its debut on 14 May and 15 May 2016 at The Ranch, Gohtong Jaya in Genting Highlands.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

First in Asia - Tough Mudder Bali, 1-2 Oct 2016

GOOD NEWS ASIA!

You now need not fly to Australia or America or Canada to do a Tough Mudder because Tough Mudder is coming to you with its first Tough Mudder event in Jimbaran, Bali!

Indonesia is the first conquest for this major OCR player in Asia with China, United Arab Emirates, Japan, South Korea and Singapore next on its hit list for total world domination. Founded in the US in 2010, Tough Mudder is a 16-20km obstacle course run designed by British Special Forces to test all round strength, stamina, mental grit, teamwork and camaraderie with the most innovative courses. And by innovative, I mean they have a R&D division dedicated to figuring out new obstacles each year.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

First AirBnb Experience: Maritime Suites Penang

I had one...not so positive experience with AirBnb prior to this so I was a bit reluctant to use it for my last minute trip to Penang for a race. But I was glad I went ahead and booked with Joyce and Jason for their gorgeous duplex apartment at Maritime Suites, right above Maritime Waterfront.

I picked Maritime Waterfront mainly because my sister had booked a similar apartment there with her friends and I felt it would be easier to coordinate logistic wise with her if we were to stay there too. Also, the place had ample of cafes and drinking holes around, a 24-hours Starbucks and McDonalds and a lovely view of the waterfront and the old Penang bridge. Furthermore, George Town was just a 10 minutes drive away.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

MHWH Night Run 2016: Eat and Run in Penang

When in Penang for a run, the first thing one must do is eat. Which I did. Which turned out to be a decision my body regretted 16km into the run later on. But my tastebuds thanked me anyway for the treat of Penang Char Kuey Teow. YOLO right?

Anyway, I was recently invited to participate in the Penang leg of the Men's Health Women's Health Night Run 2016, the first of three races to be held within this calendar year. So I roped in my family runners and a few friends and off we went on a grand road trip to the Pearl of the Orient.

Except, our grand road trip slowed to a crawl right before Sangkai because we were caught in the combined aftermath of an accident and the Qing Ming goers. Oh right, Qing Ming was that weekend. Running at night should be fun.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Viper Arena 2016 - OCR of Queues

Who would have thought queues would be the main obstacle at Viper Arena 2016? Why would we especially since Viper Arena did such a great job last year? After last year's Arena, I decided it was my favourite obstacle race of all, due to the night factor and the shorter distance. Oh, and no mud.

After we had parked, my friends and I were greeted by the sight of a snaking long queue at the registration counter. It was only 6pm and already participants were arriving well ahead of time. Little did we know that it was a preview trailer to the rest of the race.

Because we were early, we had time to spare and after check-in and getting our wrist bands indicating our time slots, we loitered around the race village where there was an abundance of food, beverages and things to do.

Monday, April 4, 2016

MILO Breakfast Day Run 2016 - Registration Open!

With the kickoff of the Milo Breakfast Day 2016 in Melaka at the end of March, one of the most highly anticipated fun run is back and registration has officially opened! Do take note of the dates and flag off times as they vary from venue to venue. 

Friday, April 1, 2016

Saturday Sushi Brunch and Sunday Buffet Brunch at Zipangu, Shangri-La KL

New month, new stuff to try!

Happy April everyone! Just like that three months of 2016 has passed and life has gotten no less hectic. Sometimes, a weekend binge eating break is in order to treat ourselves.

Zipangu at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur is now offering Saturday Sushi Brunch, in addition to the Sunday Brunch Buffet.

Saturday Sushi Brunch Buffet offers a wide array of fresh and delectable sushi, for RM105 nett per person, from 11.30am to 2.30pm. There will be signature roll sushi, hand rolls or temaki, teppan grill sushi, extra spicy sushi and even dessert sushi on this buffet.


The signature roll sushi includes Red Hot Beef Roll, Busan Roll with spicy cod and crab meat and Asian Rainbow with prawn, salmon and avocado. Besides sushi, the Saturday Sushi Brunch Buffet also offers diners a variety of sashimi. There are also Teriyaki chicken and bittergourd teppan grill sushi, as well as the Fire Dragon sushi with mala sauce, cili padi, prawns, avocado and salmon flakes.

The cold appetisers include Spicy Mustard Leaf with Minced Beef, Wafu Salad and Marinated Jellyfish with Sesame Sauce, among others. Potato Yokan, Kuzu Mochi and Sasa Mochi are among the desserts, besides tempura sushi, on the buffet.