Mas catch him

CNN

Singapore most wanted fugitive was reported to have surfaced recently, implicated in phone extortion cases whilst masquerading as an officer from the local housing authority (HDB).

A visibly embarrased HDB spokeperson See Buay Eng acknowledged another major breach in security of another Singapore civil service office.

Further to Mas Selamat trying to pass off as a HDB officer, it was also reported that he tried to impose as a Tax officer, offering bogus F1 and Old Trafford tickets as incentive for filing taxes on time. A newly sweared in citizen who declined to be named said, "I was thinking how cool is my new country! Free F1 admission and chance to see my favourite soccer team live? To think I was actually hoping in my heart that they will give out pair of ticket instead of one just so I can share my happiness with my boy."

The Singapore Police Force has roped in the help of FBI, Scotland Yard and Sony Ericsson to reconstruct the recorded calls made by the wanted man. These information shall be slowly released to the public in stages in the vein of early public disclosure.

The local Police Commisioner raised an intriguing question, "Our Home Team is amazed by Mas's resilience for evading capture for so long, and most importantly his ability to be able to charge his handphone in his alleged hiding places of forests."

-ltm

Latest News: Fugitive Last Seen at Government Office

Singapore. The man-on-the-run has taken on a new name and disguise. Reporters note that in the latest development to Singapore's most extensive manhunt to-date, Mas Selamat Kastari was last heard to be at one of the local branches of the Housing and Development Board. A witness who only wanted to be known as 'Just Ho' had this to say, "This guy said he was Rashid from the Loans Department. He wanted to con me of 50 Ringgit! I guess he was desperate for some spare change, and probably thought he was in Malaysia or something." Reporters at the scene understand from the authorities that Mas posed as an officer from HDB, and he was taking bribes to assist in loan approvals.

"I suspected something was wrong when he got nervous. He exposed himself when he mentioned something about feeling guilty going for prayers, and he wanted to 'do some good'. So he approved my loans without taking any bribe from me. Actually he was quite nice and apologetic. I might just buy him a cup of coffee." Just Ho said.

There was no further comment from the HDB office, although reporters understand that a Board of Inquiry is being set up within the organisation, consisting of experts in housing loans and terrorist telecommunications from Britain and America. "We will leave no stone unturned and we will get to the bottom of the security lapse. We shall report the findings in Lianhe Wanbao when we can establish how Mas got into the branch office and pretended to be an officer." Spokesman for HDB, See Buay Eng commented.

Police Commissioner Kah Dian Wei assured the public that the matter was being looked into, "Fortunately HDB has voice recordings of the conversation." The public is advised to stay vigilant and to report if there are any suspicious Rashids who might make phonecalls asking for 50 Ringgit. Details of his raspy voice will be confirmed and released to the public in the next 10 days.

-tcm

Expensive gear = Better athlete?

Was at a dinner with a bunch of hardcore triatheletes last sunday. Conversation was expectedly about multi-sports, event/ training stories and 2girls1cup.

No offence but I felt that some stupid statements were made:

1. Expensive gears make better sportspeople
True enough, a pair of branded shoes beats a pair of Batas anytime for running. Better technology helps to prevent unecessary injuries and make training more enjoyable. Dri-fit attire allows for cooler exercise time and I swear by them now. I used to jog only in SAF PT kit and SAF-issues NB shoes. They were ok but I didnt like to exercise in them too often but one thing for sure, they are still good enough to help you complete a long distance race.
Expensive or branded gears to me are seriously not paramount to better results. They are simply aids to help me exercise safely and enjoyably.
It's like equipping a layman with a high end PC loaded with sophisticated programs and an engineer with just a scale rule, pencils and paper. End up, the layman will just be playing games with the PC while the engineer will still be able to churn out blueprints for a nuclear station.

2. I will be better if I train like the elites.
Don't think so. We all have different physical attributes and no 2 caps fit the same. Knowing our bodies well is important in order not to push it too hard too fast. Depending on our physical abilities, we should train appropriately and push our own limits one step at a time. My reason for not attempting the full marathon this year was because I was confident of my own body yet at the time of signing up. Also, I didn't want to struggle through 42km in 6-7 hours. I won't be jumping into a high mileage training program suggested by a seasoned athlete for sure. I shall heap on the mileage bit by bit at my own pace. All the races will be my own race after all. Maintain a strict discipline and all will fall into place for sure.

Race your own race and train at your own pace. Of course it's not wrong to dream. First HIM by 2009, I will like to make that a reality, at my own pace of course.

Khon Kaen Marathon 08

I have made up my mind. I'm going to sign up for Khon Kaen Marathon for my first full.
After slacking for a week after SCSM, I shall resume my alternate 10 & 5km daily runs with at min 25km weekend runs. This shall be a test of my will-power.

The target is to finish KKM under 5hr. I've made a promise to myself to complete SCSM 08 in 4:30. I can do it!

SCSM 07

Completed my first official half marathon (under my own name & without taking cab) last sunday. Overall it was a good run and the trainings I've put in paid off. Managed to shave almost 30 min off my AHM timing by clocking in 2:24 (self-timed and not too far off).

Felt horrible the morning before leaving for the race, lau sai twice even before stepping out of the house. Most likely due to over-binging in Bintan over the weekend. Must seriously allow for quality rest time and proper diet before a long distance event in the future.

After meeting up with TCM and gf in front of Park Royal hotel @ Beach Rd, took a brisk walk to the start line at the Esplanade bridge. Alas, at the starting line, tide began to rise and dam threatened to breach. Couldn't find an appropriate tree or bush as the first part of the race was in the CBD. Finally, reached first water point at 3km mark and decided to queue for the toilet. Long wait but quick dump, i stopped my timer during this pit stop. Hence, my official timing was 10min more.

Resumed my run, lost a bit of momentum for the next 2km but slowly picked up pace again after the 10km mark (1hr:10min). Race discipline this time was to take long fast strides when I need to walk but I couldn't maintain my hydration discipline and still took too much fluid at almost every water points. However, no stitches experienced.

There were a lot of bottlenecks along the way and I did spend considerable amount of effort to zip-zag through the crowd. Finally saw Janice at the last water point, followed her pace all the way back to the Padang. Found some reserved energy somewhere and did a sprint down the last 100m stretch.

Felt good and strong for this race, completed with no complaint or groans from the body. Must step up training now for my next first FULL marathon.

SG Biathlon 2008 #4

Went for my swim trial yesterday at Yishun SAFRA.

41min for 1.5km in the pool! Exceeded the cut-off by 1min!

There are always many reasons why failure happens:

1. I did only 1km for training prior to this. It's been 13 years since I last swam such a long distance, after dislocating my shoulders
2. Wrong swim trunk. I grabbed the wrong pair on the way out. Instead, was wearing this cotton ARENA tights that is one size too large! My backside was in danger of being exposed when I kick off the wall. Hence, I lost some valuable seconds for not kicking off to preserve my modesty.
3. There was a babe in bikini swimming in the open lanes next to me. I slowed down to be in view of camel toes. Yes, I is cheekopeh. haha

Hence, I shall:
1. Train harder. My target will be min 3km every week after SCSM and right up to my next swim trial. I will need help to improve my technique too.
2. Buy a proper pair of SPEEDO trunks. Shall get the smallest size available to make my body streamlined. :P Getting a pair of new goggles that don't leak should help too.
3. Use dark-coloured goggles or be blind as a bat to avoid external distraction. Shall try to practise sonar navigation.

I WILL PASS IT NEXT TIME ROUND!

SG Biathlon 2008 #3

Training (or lack of it) update
I went for my first swim training last Sunday at Hougang Pool. It was a horrible session as the pool was packed like a sardine can. Wasted more energy "siaming" people than swimming properly. In the end, swam 20 laps and left the pool in a huff.

After that, went for a run straight. First BRICK! woohoo.Did 12km unknowingly because I remembered the distance wrongly from MapMyRun.

All these while I was trying out my new HRM. It didn't work properly in the water so I won't try using it for swim training again.

I burnt 1,400 kCal during my run. I can hear my FATS sizzling away into oblivion already. :)