the zigman challenger

I’m very proud to have Corporate Athletes’ very own The Wild Gym’s coordinator cum macambagus teammate; Ahmad Daud bin Abdul Manan @ Cheramiche as one of five Zigman Challengers by Reebok. He will take on the challenge to conquer and be titled The Zigman 2010.

Donning in the coolest zigtech shoes, he trains hard around the parks in Putrajaya to make sure that he is in top shape for the 12.3 km Shape & Men’s Health night run, coming this 31 July 2010.

He is definitely no longer your average weekend warrior. He has tonnes of confidence and self believe, to pull him through the hardest critics, plus a press conference at 6.30pm today. I’m sure that he’ll do superbly well.

If you have not voted for him, why not do it now. Do it HERE. Together with his finishing position in night run, your vote will strengthen his chances to be crowned as The Zigman 2010. Go Che Go!

p/s – You can also watch his cool video and interview here.

 

Episode 1 – Drama King

 

From: Singapore Biathlon
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 5:29 PM
To: Arfian Yusof
Subject: Singapore Biathlon 2010 – Final Reminder

SINGAPORE BIATHLON

Dear Arfian Yusof (IN002530130)

Thank you for registering for Singapore Biathlon 2010 organised by SAFRA and Republic of Singapore Navy. The event is scheduled on Sat, 13 Mar 10, 7am at East Coast Park (Near Car Park F2).

Final reminder
 
We have yet to receive any proof of completion (Certificate of Achievement) or swim-trial booking from you. It would be appreciated if you could either send us your certificate of completion before Sun, 31 Jan 2010 or book for a swim-trial before all slots are fully taken, failing which you will not be able to participate in the event. Kindly note that all swim-trial bookings are first-come-first-serve basis. As we are nearing the end of our swim trials, slots are becoming increasingly limited. To avoid disappointment, please place your booking soon at the following link. In order to be eligible for a refund of the registration fees, registered would-be participants have to attempt and fail the swim-trial proficiency tests twice. There will also be no refund of administration fees for the swim-trial.

Should you require any assistance, do contact the Singapore Biathlon Hotline 63779865 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am to 6.30pm) or email us at singaporebiathlon@safra.sg.

Regards

Organising Committee
Singapore Biathlon 2010

——————————————————————————–

From: Arfian Yusof
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 08:43
To: Singapore Biathlon
Subject: Singapore Biathlon 2010 – Final Reminder

Hi,
I’m from Kuala Lumpur and will be having problem in trying to do a swim-trial for the SB. I’ve particpated in SB 2 years back and have been participating in Kapas -Marang International Swimathon (6.8km) every year, except last year. I’ve completed the last 6.8km in 3.5 hrs. I’m also an ILS-certified International Lifesaver and a certfified Lifesaving Instructor. I hope with the said credentials, I would get some sort of a waiver.  

Your kind consideration will be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks.
 
Kind regards,
Arfian Yusof  

——————————————————————————–

From: Singapore Biathlon
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 7:00 PM
To: Arfian Yusof
Subject: Singapore Biathlon 2010 – Final Reminder

Thank you for registering Singapore Biathlon 2010.
 
We have received your registration.
It will be appreciated if you could fax us (63779855) or email us your certificate (Kapas -Marang International Swimathon (6.8km)  by 31st Jan for the exemption of swim trial.
 
Regards
Travis

——————————————————————————–

From: Arfian Yusof
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 08:35
To: Singapore Biathlon
Subject: Singapore Biathlon 2010 – Final Reminder

Hi Travis,
Appreciate your prompt reply. Kapas-Marang swimathon didn’t issue us any certs, instead they gave us finishers’ medals. Any other ways to get the exemption?
 
Rgds
Arfian Yusof

Yours Truly never remember getting any certs, except once in swimathon 2007. Later being told that the finishers need to go to a special counter to claim the certs …. trust me, after 3.5 hours of swimming, collecting certs is the last thing you wanna do.  KFC comes first, shower comes second

——————————————————————————–

From: Singapore Biathlon
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 10:57 AM
To: Arfian Yusof
Subject: Singapore Biathlon 2010 – Final Reminder

Hi Arfian
 
I am sorry to inform you that a finishers’ medal could not be used for exemption.
It will be appreciated if you could fax us (63779855) or email us a certificate.
If you are unable to produce a certificate, please kindly proceed to book for a swim trial online.
 
Should you require any assistance, do contact the Singapore Biathlon Hotline 63779865 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am to 6.30pm) or email us at singaporebiathlon@safra.sg.

Regards
Travis

——————————————————————————–

From: Arfian Yusof
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 09:38
To: Singapore Biathlon
Subject: Singapore Biathlon 2010 – Final Reminder

Hi Travis,

I found the Swimathon certificate done in 2007 and Singapore Biathlon done in 2006. Are these good enough?

Regards
Arfian Yusof

Yours Truly : Duuuhhhh!

——————————————————————————–

From: Singapore Biathlon
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 11:07 AM
To: Arfian Yusof
Subject: Singapore Biathlon 2010 – Final Reminder

Hi Arfian
 
Thank you for making the effort to look for the certificates.
Sorry to inform you that the Swimathon certificate done on 2007 and Singapore Biathlon done in 2006 could not get you exempted from the swim trial.
 
What I could recommend you is to contact the organiser for kapas-marang swimathon to produce a letter/certificate as proof for your participation.
We hope to receive the certificate soon.
Please kindly send the certificate by 31st January.
 
Should you require any assistance, do contact the Singapore Biathlon Hotline 63779865 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am to 6.30pm) or email us at singaporebiathlon@safra.sg.

Regards
Travis

——————————————————————————–

From: Arfian Yusof
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 11:15 AM
To: Chan Chee Seng (Triathlon Malaysia)
Subject: Singapore Biathlon 2010 – Final Reminder
 
On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 11:13 AM, <nor_arfian@bpmb.com.my> wrote:

Mr. Chan Chee Seng,

Hi. I’m Arfian, the guy who talked to you over the phone yesterday. Is it possible to issue an email/letter confirming that I’ve done Kapas-Marang Swimathon from 2005-2008, wiithout having to go thru the swim trial as time is running out now. Thanks.
 
Rgds
Arfian Yusof
 
p/s – the biathlon is in March 2010.

Yours Truly : I thought my 2010 no. 1 resolution is to stop procastinating, no?

——————————————————————————–

From: Triathlon Malaysia
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 01:42 PM
To: Singapore Biathlon
Subject: Singapore Biathlon 2010 – Final Reminder

Dear Travis,
 
We would like to confirm and certify that Arfian Yusof have done the Kapas Marang Swimathon from 2005 to 2008.
 
His results below:
Kapas Marang Swimathon 2005 – 2:47:14
Kapas Marang Swimathon 2006 – 3:23:18
Kapas Marang Swimathon 2007 – 3:43:48
Kapas Marang Swimathon 2008 – 2:33:13 

Yours Truly : See how diffrerent were my timings. These rely heavily on how choppy the water is during the swimathon

Should you need any clarification, please feel free to contact me.
 
Best regards,
Samantha Chan
+60 12 2253243
TriSportz Event Management
 
c.c. Mr. Chan Chee Seng

WHETHER IT GETS SOLVED, I TRULY HAVE NO IDEA ………. BUT I ALREADY SENT A MSG TO SINGAPORE BIATHLON SEEKING FOR CONSIDERATION. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT MALAYSIAN ORGANISERS NEED TO BE TOUGH ON THESE THINGS AS WELL TO AVOID ANY MISHAP DURING RACES ESPECIALLY THE ENDURANCE KIND. I’VE EXPERIENCED ENOUGH RACES THAT INVOLVED FATALITIES, INCLUDING THE LAST SINGAPORE BIATHLON THAT I PARTICIPATED. LETS RACE SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY. 

Merry Christmas

Corporate Athletes would like to wish its clients, relatives and friends a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

With the new year fast approaching, may you hold dear and close the memories of 2009, and also succeed further in your endeavours in 2010. May this season of Christmas bring the love, joy, fitness and health into your life …

Happy Holidays.

A City Eco-Challenge Race Report

MacamBagus competed again in another adventure race last weekend. It was the JB City Eco-Challenge, first of its kind in this vibrant city. I teamed up again with my 2008 Langkawi Wilderness Challenge partner, Cheramiche. We were flagged off at 8am sharp. For our category, only 15 teams took part. In fact, that was the quota given to this so called ’Elite’ category. With all the professional racers in this group, we hoped that we were not the last team to arrive.

We started off MTBing. As a tradition, we were in the last pack of mountainbikers. The fact is, it was more like a weekend ride than an eco race …. hehheh ….  Within minutes, we were already in Hutan Bandar, a truly urban park. We were given offroad trail next to the joggers walkway (so much of being in an eco race). In fact, we felt more confident biking offroad, as the joggers’ track looked rather slippery. We even witnessed some bikers skidded on this algae-covered track.

After few more kilometers of riding, we came back to the starting line and dumped our bikes there. With hydration packs strapped to each of us (we were one of the very few racers that had these packs on – enuf said! ), we continued the race, running towards the kayak check-in point at Lido Beach, situated just infront of my hotel, M-Suite. Again, our pace was more like running in the hypermarkets to buy groceries, than in a race. Lucky my family and in-laws were not out there cheering for us.

We untied our shoes … well, it’s real muddy u’know (geez, city folks!) and got our kayak into the water and started off paddling. Halfway thru the course, we bumped into the first team who was already making it’s way back to the shore. The team was no other than Heidi @ Dino (upcoming Malaysian triathlete) and Jusery Gany (the guy who got fourth in Tampin climbathon, oh ya he’s a Police Commando). Considering that we were already halfway through the 3km kayak course, I think we were not that bad at all ….  (truly a Macam Bagus attitude!).  By this time, we were comfortably positioned as the 11th team …. UNTIL, we reached back at the shore. Oh man, there was no time pressure whasoever and really had a great pit stop there. We cleaned our shoes, showered using icy cool water, Cheramiche even washed his socks …. truly, we were acting as if there wasn’t any race. hehheheh Truth is, I enjoyed every second of it. Well, we looked pretty cool too. We feel that we had liven up to the ‘Macam Bagus’ attitude. Obviously, by this time, some teams had overtook us.

We continued running to God-knows-where and did more bootcamp obstacles like crossing a highwall, climbing up towers, and even swimming in  a teh-tarik pond. We had an enjoyable tour … opps race and finished as the 13th (out of 15 of course) …..  Thank God, we are still in the top 15 teams. hehheheh.

Next race : Xterra, which is just the day after tomorrow. Please God, let me be the top 15 again….(bro,  Fat Chance, there are few hundred participants ……). Yeah, I get to swim in the openwater. Wish me luck, I need loads of this !!!! Have a great weekend ahead.