MALAKOFF University Duathlon Series (MUDS) 2011 & Other stories..

Its been a while since I was out in the sun. As in really, Really out there IN the sun. The last time being wasn’t even in Desaru Tri or Powerman Malaysia, especially Powerman (both known for their extreme weather condition). But last Saturday at MUDS was…oh my God..how do I even begin to describe this.blazing right up to my veins !! But all for a good cause, which is to train in a race since I decided to skip Desaru this year. Oh ya, Congratulations to all Desaru finishers !!!

This is my 4th year competing in MUDS, but first time in the Women Open category. I did not aim for anything except for to take it as a training (brick if not dry run) for the upcoming Powerman Malaysia 2011. Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) was the host for the first leg of this 3 series event (2nd leg in UPM and final leg in UM).

 

With the IIU X Team : Arif, missJeweLz, Nad, Ikhwan and Aizat Khalil (Awe). Congrats all !!

 

Series 1 – UPNM

3km run – 13km bike – 3km run

This is a short distance duathlon. But once you are in the race you will be surprised (or not surprised at all) with the fast pace the top athletes are going, hence the name ‘sprint duathlon’. Anyways, I was happy to meet the IIU X team who came to support and join the race. All in their red official colour ! Thanks Faiz, Arif and everybody who brought this team back for MUDS for the 4th consecutive year.

Hsing Ling, Junaida Emylia, Aini and a few other ladies competed in the Women Open category. For the Women Uni category, mostly were from UPNM itself, and a couple of other girls from UiTM Shah Alam. I will post the result link later so that you can view the winner/competitor list. It is interesting though to see how each year brings more higher institutions into this race. I really hope that in future MUDS races, there will be more universities and private colleges sending their athletes to participate. Not only will it bring more competition and added fun to the event, but it will also increase the popularity and interest for both uni/college students and the public towards duathlon, which, if I may, is a more friendly sports. There is no swim discipline! [let's face it most Malaysians are not swimmers !] The distance for MUDS is short enough for beginners and newbies, and also not too short for those who really wants to test their speed and check out if their cardiovascular is in place. It is a skill to be acquired to maintain such a high heart rate to be going at a fast speed in this kind of race.

As for myself, no pressure ! — as the only real run was last Tuesday when I walloped a 24mins ++ at the 5km Rat Race. OKAY considering the level of training which I am gradually TRYing to build up for Powerman. I have been cycling – quality training, and doing a couple of bricks sessions of late. So its cool. All this were put to test on last Saturday where i did a 1hr 7mins for the run-bike-run event in UPNM. A good 2 minutes lead ahead the first finisher for Women’s Uni category (i was competing in the open category).

Quality training and KNOWing what is the real objective of each training session is important. Cycling or running ‘blindly’ for hours just to achieve mileage and put in on FB does not result to increased performance. There’s more to it. I know some of us hate this, but go read it up. Refer to your friends how they go about their training. You will be surprised of how much effort they put in their training — instead of just pounding the miles. And don’t be surprised to that rest and recovery is as important as speed work and core strengthening.

All the best to all teams and individuals taking part in the next 2 MUDS. There will be a duathlon clinic on during the race kit collection (day before race), so try to be there on time to catch the clinic. Race results and more info here.

The past week in pics

MONDAY : JHEOA-Pekan Bentong-JHEOA in 3hrs 50mins. I don't know how fast or slow is that but what I know is that the weather on my side and I enjoyed going up Genting Sempah and Bentong again after 2 years hiatus from both cycling destinations ! Easy paced cycling. Hassle free. and no tan lines. hahaha.

SUNDAY : Fatty legs -- in need of quality training.

SATURDAY : The first place came in as a surprise. Overtook Hsing Ling the last 100m.

FRIDAY : COO treated the 2 teams which took part in Rat Race with an hour reflexology and dinner. Thanks CC !

FRIDAY : My colleagues -- waiting for dinner @ Madam Kwan's Bangsar

TUESDAY : The L.O.L. photo ! hehehe.. Thank you Zas(for the help) and Tey(for the photo) !

TUESDAY : My Rat Race debut. Next year will be donning another t-shirt. InsyaAllah. I can't imagine what my heart race was !!

TUESDAY : With the blue guys from CELCOM. Hahaha.. You like my new hair do ?!!! Fr left: Bacin, Kam, Jeli and missJeweLz

ANNOUNCEMENT : Our friend Omar Yip Weng Tak lost his father today. Condolence to Yip and his whole family.

 

Yip(in red t-shirt) at his birthday celebration last year

 

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