Taped for Shape

He he..I wonder if you are sick and bored of my on-going ramblings about running and injuries yet.

I'm idling now..waiting for time to past and too lazy to do anything else..was taking a nap but the sudden rain woke me up.

Yupe..I'm going to run tonight despite the injury.  The doctor didn't say I can't run..nor did he say I won't feel worse after the run.  One thing I like about this doctor is he always does his best to provide alternatives for us (me) to return to sports. 

So..I went to him today for a simple 'procedure'.

He wanted to use a trendy blue colored tape , just like those professional athletes you see on TV....I declined!  Skin color will do :P

By LAURA JOHANNES

Bright-colored strips of tape in odd patterns are increasingly being seen on professional and recreational athletes. Kinesiology tape can help take pressure off overused muscles, reduce swelling and alleviate pain from injuries, say companies that sell it. Scientific evidence is mixed, but clinicians say it seems to work—at least in the short term.

Read more HERE

Ok..I'm off to shower and get ready. Yup..the tapes are water resistant.

P/S : The tapes are not water resistant after all. Absorbs water but stayed on after it is dry again.
Advice ~ better to stay off water.

No Mood

Not in a mood to entertain.
Been worried.  that the tendon injury in the thigh doesn't get better as quickly as I want it to be.  "pain" woke up me up in the middle of the last night though I think it was a dream...I hope.  It's affecting the knee now -.-  although the tit tar master was quite confident that it's healed and I don't need further treatment. Decided to lay off all forms of exercises for the rest of the week...before the whole leg gives up on me..hope I can run by Saturday night.

Life is complicated

In current times..life becomes kinda complicated don't you think?

On Friday for example..


Problem #1:
To see or not to see a doc about the prolonged pain at the inner thigh...to risk missing an injury

Problem #2:
Which doc to see? Sports doc or traditional tit tat?
Sports doc can swipe card :P but injury may not be too serious to need a sports doc?
But..then sports doc has my previous injury records..same leg...and the pain was spreading to the knee and ankle.

tit tar is smelly...they have a slot on Friday night.  Sports doc won't be available till Sat (which I can't make it) ..next slot will be Tues..too late...hope to fix it before Saturday's run.

Problem #3:
Metrojaya Members' Sale on the same day! The boots I wanted is on 20% plus 10% discount.  Can't miss that right?  But..I gotta be at Oriental tit tar latest by 8ish..


Problem #4:
PBB card is having cash back promotions again.  I faxed a request earlier in the week to request for an increase in credit limit.  I wanted to use it for the kitchen cabinet..to get the cash back ...it's about 120 bucks ler. Cash wor!  Must get right?

But..on Friday..they told me that they don't see any remark that my request had been submitted :s  I was told in the middle of the week that it's in process. wth.

Was actually targetting to settle the payment over the weekend for installation to happen by end of the following week :s

Looks like that's not gonna happen :(


and the list goes on...



Anyhow, anyway..I think I did great in the end :D

Managed to get my boots....after fighting closed to an hour in the crazy traffic to get to MV ..got my boots :P ..thanks to Jenny for her company and opinion!

Got to my tit tar appointment in PJ on time... the treatment was extremely painful though!

Muscle pull apparently..should get better very soon, in time for Saturday's run....advised to lay off from lower body work out for the time being ~ that's problem #5

Problem #6:
Next appointment is tomorrow night...dreading to go..
1/ it's so painful
2/ can't bath after that..shall I drop by the gym to bath first?
3/ Appointment is at 8.30pm...what do I do before that?



Sigh..life's complicated.

How to spend $2,500 in a month

http://www.standardchartered.com.my

=)

4th kit

I was planning to release the other post  ..until I saw that this had arrived at my door step : )

My forth running kit in four months....I'm kinda proud of myself ..he he.

Top is sponsored by by Reebok.  I still like the Energiser's top by Adidas most...though.

Now I'm confused..who's the main sponsor here?

Shape? Men's Health? Nature Valley?

Doesn't matter...hope to enjoy it as much as SCKLM.

1st run @ Energiser 10km was...a new experience...quite tiring & torturing :P
2nd run @ Ekiden Relay 5 persons x 3km was...stressful and too hot (weather) to handle
3rd run @ SCKLM was surprisingly pleasant and enjoyable

4th run with Shape..........will find out soon.

Route as per below...can't visualise much though as I'm not familiar with Putrajaya.  Heard the night scene is quite nice.  Anyone interested to come take pictures for us?

http://www.shape.com.my/route_run10.asp

Yikes..it's happening in ...about 8 days...I've almost not ran at all since SCKLM....4 weeks ago!  It's quite worrying that my inner thigh muscles are still sore and painful after 4 weeks! Ankle's still 'loose' -.-

Things to do

I've never been an organised person especially when it comes to home stuff. "Mah Fan" a.k.a. troublesome.
A few things had been and will be happening in the next few weeks..and I have problem remembering all as usual..

New Nest:
....clean the new nest to get it ready for cabinets and wardrobe installation
...before that...gotta check when I can do so some internal works are still on going
...get some water taps for bathrooms, and ask contractor to help to fix
..remind contractor to check why porch water tap and lights had stopped working
..remind contractor to change power switches at living room (to match the copper color fan)
..ask contractor's opinion about location of TV plug points
..take leave to do some of the above
..make sure PBB card has enough credit limit to sign off cabinet bill by Sat / Sun
(must use PBB cos got Cash Back :D)


Other stuff:
..check TCM clinic appointment for JH
..visit TCM clinic with JH
..need to start running again before 31st Shape Run
..use 30$ disc voucher from NB before end month expiry

Very Important:
...spend another 566.90 before July 31st :D
..was hoping to change car tyres..but the tyrezone was so honest..I asked so many times if I need to change the tyres..they advised to wait till next service :(

My favourite Mee Pok @ Tien Pin SS2

Mee Pok.
Absolute favourite. Have not found any replacement so far.

Thumbs up for fish balls and fish cakes too.

Yumms too.

Fried fish noodle.  Frish chee cheong fun is yummy too.

Location :

Now they have two outlets back to back.

New one is same row as Sri Siam. Better ambience but more crowded of course.

Original outlet is right at the back.

Parking is not a problem most of the time.

CHeck out Star article HERE

Rocky

I have a confession.

I've a craze for these..

Can't stop once I start..

It's quite a familiar snack and been around for years.  Ever wondered where it's from?

In case you don't know (I didn't..) :

Aha..Pocky or Rocky?  

I was confused too. 

Rocky is Pocky, originally. Developed by Ezaki Glico in Japan.

Pocky was customised  to Rocky specifically in Malaysia...for obvious reasons.

Check out the grammar 'customisation' too.

Shameful.

Crazy I am..

Just registered myself  =)

Will register SH and Gan later. Anyone else?


P/S : This is the first time I come across a registration process that don't require any information on Emergency Contact. Only asked for Home and Handphone No.

 Who will they call when something happens to me *worried*

Injury

From Quote Garden:
Injury, when it is slight, upsets me; when it is strong it calms me.  ~Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin




I can walk but I can't run
I can run but it won't last
I can kick but I can't jump
I can jump but I can't land
I can cycle/spin but not fast/strong




12.5km Shape Run in two weeks...how am I gonna do it I wonder....

Broken chain

Favourite pendant..

Broken chain...

What am I thinking =)

Ka ching $$$ ka ching $$$ ka ching

Now you see him, Now you don't

Deer Park @ Lake Gardens, KL

I went Shopping

Instant noodle x2 (5in1 pack)
mee suah x1
mee hoon x2
salt x4
toothbrush x3 (3in1 pack)
ruler x3
water colours x2 boxes
colour pencils x2 boxes
2B pencils x4 boxes
pen x4 (5in1 pack)
paper clips x1 (3in1 pack)

I still can't believe I had to pay a whopping RM170++ for the above.
Wondering why I needed those in the first place?

Here's the story...

Well, you may have read that I'm on a quest to load 2.5K into my SCB card to get the guaranteed gift ~ an Ipod Shuffle ~ worth RM299  ..hahaha.

Yeah yeah..it's not worth it. And I don't really need it.  Just thought it's cool to have it..It's so small and cute,  Such a cool invention.. Gotta love anything that this 'fruit' comes out with. Well, since I'm into running these days...and I won't purposely spend 300 bucks to get that lil thing...so..I'd thought..I shall leverage on this promotion.

Very carefully..I shall not...and will not go out of the way to hit 2.5K on unnecessary buys.


It had been a disaster..somewhat.

Kian classic, the cabinet and wardrobe bill ..my biggest bet..only accepts MBB or CIMB for their instalment plan -.-

The card machine at the sports clinic that I went to to replenish the sports tapes..was down -.- -.-

The car battery shop is a whole saler...doesn't accept credit card -.- -.- -.-

And.. all of a sudden the retail addict in me couldn't  think of items that I need to Have..(apart from a smartphone)

So..I was constantly asking around..."bring me along to swipe my card if you are going shopping"


Jenny answered my prayers yesterday :D

She needed to shop for some grocery items for a charity drive and budget between she and friend was about 200.  Ok..I'll take it :D at the same time I don't mind contributing some stuff too.

So..we were were in Cold Storage at One Utama. Ya...not a very economical place for grocery..but it's convenient cos I wanted to be in One U to look for a pair of boots..(which was unsuccessful).  But.

I spent on lingeries ...won't tell amount :)  Essential.right?


Ok..so back to our Charity shopping. I opted to go for less bulky stuff since Jenny will be stalking up on quite bulky stuff like toilet paper, detergents, etc..All items will be loaded in her car..so we gotta be careful not to overload.

That's how I ended up with $170+ worth of less bulky items -.-

And....how much is the Ipod Shuffle again?

Btw..any of you feeling charitable..I'm happy to share the contribution with you :P

Tesco @ Kepong Village Mall

Felt like a snoopy reporter snooping around taking pics with just the handphone,

Was quite surprise with the size and spacious-ness of the place.  Well..it is not as 'big' as Bangsar Village..and I'm not sure if it belongs to the same management.

Googling...

Results : The shopping centre is Tesco’s first full-fledged mall with more tenants than it had before in the country. The hypermarket has opened its 35th Tesco store in the mall as well. 

Source : Staronline

Format and space maintained or even improved from previous outlets.

Feels good and airy..not cramped up.

Freshness..

We didn't buy much though...

unlike someone..

I know of someone will be real happy to see this room..

Cinemas coming...

There are about three storeys with ample parking spaces.  Free parking for now.

Other outlets include:

Celebrity Fitness ..in September onwardss

Gloria Jean

Adidas factory outlet

and many other eateries and little shops..

Supposedly quiet Saturday

Original plan was the usual RPM class and then drop by Kian Classic to make the final sign off so that they can proceed with the order and production and finally installation.  The plumbing work are finally completed :) ..yes progress has been made.

Thanks to my dear friends..hubby and wifey team of Infinite Excel Engineering , this is such a minute job relative to their other bigger scale projects ..but they decided to help me out despite their busy schedule.  Without them pushing me to make the ever so simple and yet complicated decisions..I'd probably be still mulling and procrastinating for a few more years.

Just like how I decided to skip RPM and at the same time skip going to Kian Classic and stayed late lazing in bed this morning.  

I lost the motivation to sign off the whopping bill ..because the installment plan doesn't accept SCB card :`(  there goes my Ipod Shuffle.  And I was feeling a tad bit tired so..skipped RPM..so the more I won't drive the distance to do something not motivating.  

Plus, contractors work are on-hold now while waiting for yours truky here to get hold of the developer's engineer to make an evaluation on a suspected structural crack detected on a ceiling of a room. Sian.

Snuggled until about 8ish...then forced myself up to go for a short run at the park.  I have not ran since the SCKLM.  My inner thigh muscles and ankle are still sore ..don't know why...but it was a good relaxing run.  The reward..was suppose to be a good breakie at Kanna..but.

I forgot to bring wallet ..the coins I had in the car..wasn't enough for even one roti canai....how pathetic :(

So I drove home..feeling even more lazy and demotivated to do anything else for the rest of the day..

Ok..I thought..at the very least...bath the dogs and have lunch and then may be visit the new neighbourhood Tesco with dad.

At 10ish.... I was surfing the net, still feeling very lazy even to make myself coffee  ....the engineer from the developer called to say he is available to meet anytime in the day! 

Suddenly..my quiet, lazy saturday became a busy one -.-

Bath dogs & myself & did laundry within 45 mins.  Met engineer.  Good news is..there are no signs for safety threat..so I can proceed with work :) 

Oh..here's the backyard..just basic work...no more bushes!

And so..my quiet lazy Saturday became a prolific one.


Even had lunch with dad and even had time to check out Tesco @ the brand new Kepong Village.  Cool name eh?  Will post an entry about it soon.


Guess what..I also joined sis and Danial to the deer park ..LOL.  Post coming up too.


And lastly..dinner was at Gan's place ..BBQ..in the rain.


Tiring tiring day indeed.


Sunday? ...sigh..even more tiring.

It's working now

Driver side power window was only 'half-working' since a week or two ago. Half-working means it could only roll down at one press but I will not do the same to roll up.  I needed to hold on to the switch until it's closed tight.  Very troublesome,,especially after being so used to auto-power window ...when exiting and entering car park, leaving the toll, etc.


Guess what? It's started working again....since yesterday \o/  


I've not done anything to troubleshoot.  Was planning to complain about it in the coming service visit.

Could it be the weak battery ?

It's working again with a brand new and powerful battery?


Hmm...me and my car stories...are you amused?

I'm thinking ..PBIM

The Penang Bridge International Marathon is happening on the 21st November.

I've gotten quite used to 10km..by right I should continue doing 10km..no pressure no stress..just concentrate on improving time.


But...I don't like the route and the top provided for 10km runners :

Based on the page about 10K run here..the top is just a plain T-shirt..not even sleeveless:

Don't like : \



And...the route....looks like this:

Look carefully...the 10K run barely covers a quarter of the bridge..such a waste of time to travel all the way to run half of a quarter of the bridge right?  Quite embarrassing too.


This is the half marathon route:

Ahhaa..so much more inspiring right?


And we get proper running attire.

I'm inspired  =)

Nissan Latio Car Battery Replacement

Gonna keep this short..just for the sake of my own records and general knowledge for those looking out to buy a similar car.  Bear in mind that I'm not out to file a complain about Nissan cars..all these are based on my own personal experience with the car and after sales experience.

Here goes..

Car is 15 months old as of July this year.
It refused to start for two mornings in a row, I had to change it.

Called the Auto Assist  attached to the Tan Chong Insurance Business Stream on the first morning and help arrived within 30-40 mins. Main task was to jump start the car but there was no strong advice to change the battery on the spot unlike AAM.  I was advised to drive to work first and try to start it after a few hours of idle.

Did that.  Car could start at about 5pm.
Drove to the gym in the late evening.  Car could start around 9ish.

Next morning..as I suspected it failed to start again.

I called the mechanic who came yesterday direct ..he agreed to rush over but later on advised me to contact the call centre to officially report the case so that they have a record.  His visits are paid by the insurance, so proper procedure have to be in place.  The call centre representative also adviced that I should actually call the centre direct.  As for battery replacement, it is also more adviceable to get it done at the service centre to ensure that a genuine part  is supplied and warranty is available.

I can drop by the service centre anytime (without appointment) to get it done.  A maintenance free battery will cost about RM230.  Brand unknown.

I opted to check out outside prices first  :)  

I was referred to a shop.  Location and name of shop can't be revealed for industry confidentiality reasons..cos I got a very very special price.

The brand of battery that came with the car was Yuasa - suppsoe to be a good brand but I was told that battery is dated back in 2008 although I got the car in 2009.  It's quite normal apparently to get an older battery, it's just my luck cos manufacturers had to do stock rotation on all the new cars waiting to go out to consumers like us. Something like that la...I was lucky as I said (in previous post).

Ideally a car battery should last about for years according to HERE but this same article also says :

But due to the nature of the chemical cocktail inside any battery, it may give out before the four year mark, or maybe it will last for several more years. So you have to ask yourself, "Do you feel lucky?"


So ..I was LUCKY indeed....I was told it's also quite normal for battery to wear out in a year or so.  even if it doesn't go dead it is advisable to change after two years max...in order not to risk spoiling the alternator < can't find any related article to substantiate this claim.  So..not sure how true it is though.



 
Ermm....end of story.

Lucky day

I've been falling asleep quite early nowadays, explains the lack of rambling these few days.  Think I dozed off before before eleven last night..slept quite well too. Another one of those nights where I slept until don't know what day it was.

Love it.  Felt so good in the morning.

Oh speaking of morning, had a little adventure with my little car that refused to start! Only 15 months old but already clever to go on strike?

Suspected car battery weak.  Strangely, the auto assist mechanic didn't offer to change the battery right away but advised to test for 1-2 days more.  I have a feeling it won't start tomorrow morning.

Shall I risk driving around until the coming service?



Cost of a new battery from the Tan Chong Service Centre will be RM230 and RM220 for maintenance free and normal battery respectively.

Waiting to hear from my bro who will be checking with the spare parts shop.

Meanwhile..just keep all my fingers and toes crossed.

Is it normal for a 15 month old car baterry to die at such young age?

Or issit me ..so prone to all these 'luck'?

I can be very  lucky you know.  Guess what happened at the gym just now...


I managed to open another person's padlock with my own locker key..efffortless-ly.  Took me few seconds  staring at those unfamiliar items to figure out what I've done.

It's just amazing..how often does one experience such a 'stunt'?


Have you?

Effective Banner Advertising

A couple of this advert were placed a long a road that I drive pass very often.  Since the brand is not well known, it took me a few trips before finally figuring out the product that was being advertised.

Is it me or my brains..? Don't you think that the graphics were not very well done?

Xian Ding Wei, Taiwanese Tea Room

Stumbled upon this place in One Utama just now..yesterday or last night I mean..it's 1.26am now.

Excellent service.  Decent food.  Not too expensive relative to One Utama pricing.

Recommended.

I..think this is out of focus :P but never mind la..so you can see the menu clearly  ..lol

Three flavour chicken,..about RM19.90 per set

Cheese pork chop set...about same price too..may be RM17.90 ..about there ..

Close up of the cheese pork chop..it's not very cheesy ..don't worry.  

I shall be back!

Oh..location is next to Cravings..opposite British India...on the Ground Floor, if I'm not mistaken.