Pimping abt calves compression sleeves

As some of u no , I have been suffering from shin splints due to over training since last Masum. After that I became somehow malas and demotivated, I cut down the serious training and just cycle or swim whenever it is possible. I also tried the electric acupuncture, and I noticed how the pain suddenly subsided and I was so happy, but the happiness didn’t last long. It was only few hours until the lovely shin pain came bk. For that, some of my friends suggested tht I must under go a couple of sessions of this acupuncture in order to fully recover. But for some reasons I bailed out from this method.

Within tht time, i was doing so much google-ing about ‘’how to recover fast from shin splints’’ and I noticed tht majority of forums/blogs did emphasize and recommended to follow the famous treatment method which is called ‘’R.I.C.E” and stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.  So for the past few weeks, I was trying to follow this method by taking good a rest (run one day for around 25 mins and rest the next day)  , ice my legs after each run, elevating my legs while watching tv , and doing some light exercises for the shins using the resistance rope in order to strengthen them . Been doing like tht almost for the past 3 weeks, but still I can feel some shin pain radiating from my shin from time to time. Not tht strong, but I still feel tht the still exist. Am not sure if am being more sissy nowadays or just being over cautious in order not to develop my injury.

But last week, I met a runner girl from New Zealand (wat a coincidence if u no wat I mean :p ) whom her last 10 km race in abu dhabi was  in 37 mins despite the unbearable heat and humidity . So I told her about my case and she suggested tht I try the calf compression sleeves or the compression socks. So when I went back home I did quick research and I found tht In short, the compression ‘theoretical’ concept is when u compress ur leg > more blood will pass > thus more oxygen and other stuff will come to ur muscles > thus faster recovery.  and from what I can conclude is tht the majority of the  researches which have been made on  this topic noticed tht compression have an effect on the recovery but not on the performance while running . for more info about this topic, check this awesome articles which is well informative 

http://runningtimes.com/Print.aspx?articleID=21359

http://rundhitrirun.wordpress.com/category/elite-runners/ 

It was only matter of day until I was able to get my hand on one. I had to buy it from over the counter in the pharmacy, since a medical compression sleeves for the calves is cheaper than the sport one. it costed me around 50 RM where the sport one is around 150 RM, but it was diffenetley worth it . the problem is tht there was no clear info about when or for how long u should wear it, so when I bought them I just put them on for around 2 days ( post and pre run but not on the run since their quality isn’t made to be worn while exercising) , and I can tell tht the sudden pain of the shin while doing normal day activities is gone , and even while running there was almost no pain. at least better than b4 and am hoping tht soon I will able to get  back to training seriously .

Finally I got the chance to say this sentence which always used to piss me off ‘’ what works for me..might not work for u and vise versa’’ .. wahaha :p

MUDS UPNM 2012

The starting of the race

The ending for MUDS 2012

 

The last leg of MUDS 2012 is in UPNM, a place that we can’t simply just go in and visit, hehe. After Kl Towerthon & MUDS UPM, the race in UPNM will be my last as an undergraduate student. Really hope to end it on a high note, somehow, I started to felt differently during training. Extremely struggling during interval run session, can felt that my knee bones were rubbing (friction) each other after a hard bike ride. 

            Luckily, compare to two previous serious, this time we all got more rest and quality sleep before the race. Plus we also got ‘Buntut Therapy’ when stopping at an R&R, hehe. Our team only got 5 participants. Black and Bahtiar continue to play their role as pacer and supporter for Jiha and Afiedah. All of us were hoping to do our best for the team. Lim and Afiedah’s friend were there to snap photos and give encouragement. Without them, the whole bus will be carrying only 5 peoples (quite a waste le). Hope more junior will join in next year. 

            Starting of the first run, I already can’t keep up with the front pack like I usually did, was panting heavily. I have decided to go all out that day regardless of the outcome, but the gap with the front pack was widening and the pursuers were getting nearer. Such a great learning experience and I knew that I must double up my training and focus more on the bike in order to improve on my weaknesses.

Selected results;

 

 

 

 

We all went to Time Square after the race. Overall, sincere thanks to Malakoff for all the financial support and Black for organising the outing. Plus, great work to Chau for the fantastic banner, hehe. Great job to all Kakithon team members who work their heart out for these 3 weeks (MUDS & KL Towerthon). Hopefully, next year the team will become stronger, hehe

KL Towerthon & MUDS UPM 2012

It has been awhile since i updated the blog. These 3 weeks after MUDS in UPNM are such hectic and challenging weeks especially the first 2 week as I still working on my final year project until the very last hour before the presentation. Never did I expect to be in this kind of situation in my whole life! Luckily, the presentation went on smoothly and now I am working on my thesis and hopefully submit the whole thing by end of this month.

MUDS UPM

Departed from UTM around 8.30pm. Spend a night inside the bus, at an R&R, near a petrol station. Some of us sleep in the Surau, hehe (including me & Chau). Lesson learned-depart at late night (after 12 midnight) if we cant secure an accommodation. Around 5.30am, we headed to UPM. We were sending one men & women open (Black & Jiha), one mix team (Fikri, Amirul Ali, & Tiang), two men university (me & Bahtiar) and two women university (Lau & Afiedah).

I just have one goal for the race which is improve from last year. Initially, we did not plan to join this year MUDS, somehow Malakoff was generous enough to sponsor us, so I have decided to take this opportunity (since this is my final year, hehe). By the way, our preparation for KL Towerthon, helped a lot as we are more physically & mentally prepared for racing, the sad news-injury issues & cancelation of KL Towerthon team event.

As I am more confident in running, so I try to push harder during the run session and just hold on during the bike. During the bike session, it truly remarkable to see the way Amirul Ali pedaling to the medal. He was behind during the bike session but caught up with the front pack in no time. During the halfway u turn, a long line of cyclist was formed and he was among the leader, who set the pace (a small sized but powerful and humble cyclist).

Black & Bahtiar were working hard also but they both were on different kind of mission-a mission to help their respective partner secure a podium finish. Black was pacing Jiha while Bahtiar was supporting Lau all the way to the finish line. Chau & gang were at numerous places snapping pictures and giving encouragement. It was a really a great team effort out there. Everyone was trying to do their part for the team. Small actions which combined together have significant effect on the team morale and future prospect.

Selected Results;

 

 

 

 

We came very close to get podium finish for our mix team relay. Anyway it was a great result for all considering the fact that many of them were inexperienced.  We hope UTM Kakithon will be able send more team and individual participant next year.

KL TOWERTHON

            Here we go again, hehe.  Due to budget and time constrain, hehe, we decided to ‘borrow’ some spaces in the Weld Mall and rest there before our race starts at 8pm.It was a wise decision that we all went to the Weld Mall together as the recent news strongly reminded us to be more thoughtful and considerate when travelling with our friends.

Link for the shocking news (from missJeweLz’s blog)

http://missjewelz.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/a-true-account-near-miss-kidnapping-at-the-curve-mutiara-damansara/

Meet with my sister and the kids before the race (the kids were joining for the second time and they all improved).

The training for this semester has been mainly focused to perform in the towerthon. Ong came all the way from Genting around 2 hour before race. We packed all our stuff inside his cars and off to the starting line. We were all in the same batch (301-600). There were quite a lot of people during our climb. It was kind of obstruction but for myself, it did helped to better my timing as whenever I need to overtook someone on the stair, I must make sure that I complete the pass or risk stuck in the middle. I was quite rough in process (sorry for that, hehe) but that was the only way to go.

Selected results;

 

 

 

Good job to all kakaithoner who improve their PB and those who clocked decent timing for their debut appearance plus also to everyone who simply give their best. Li Ting started earlier and she decided to go back after the race. We stay a night at Afiq’s house before going back the next day. Overall, it was a great outing as we gain a lot valuable experience and hopefully next year we will come back stronger.